Chad Brown signed; Spann, Nordin, J. Smith cut

[Box_O_Rocks]

Surprises me, though.
Box 'n i watched him "grow up" ... in NFLE.

Good info and perspective on Brown from Ken and P1.

Remember Spann missed mini-camp which put him on the rehab list, he yo-yo-ed well from the Practice Squad last season, within those parameters I'm not coloring him "gone" quite yet. The down side for him is Anam is another CB burner who excelled on Special Teams, he puts pressure on Antwain for the role he played last season. I'm looking forward to the reserve CB battle, it should be interesting.

Nordin had a tough row to hoe with that TE roster, I still hope to see him get some time in Training Camp as injuries create openings.

Fast Freddy isn't a surprise, I think this gives him the best chance to catch on with someone else for Training Camp.

The cuts came from the rehab list and the two deepest pools, TE and WR, if I read this right.

Welcome back Chad, grab a ring!

 

[captain stone]

I don't think BB added Brown just to see the average age of our LB GO UP.

But it did, so why did he add him then?

As of now, our LB depth chart goes something like this:
Thomas - Vrabel - Bruschi - Colvin
Woods - Seau - Alexander - C Brown
Bissinger - Lua - Izzo - Mays - Rogers

This group can be divided into 2 main sub-groups:
Those drafted in 2000 or earlier
(Thomas, Colvin, Vrabel, Bruschi, Izzo, Brown and Seau),
and those drafted/UDFA'd in 2004 or later
(Alexander, Woods, Mays, Rogers, Lua, Bissinger).

Two observations:
1) The dropoff in talent from the former sub-group to the latter is as disconcerting as it is obvious. Yes, the latter LBs have not been in the league nearly as long, and perhaps they need more time to establish a reputation; but these 5 didn't have much of a reputation in college, and I would be surprised if that were to change for many of them in the pros, esp. Alexander, Mays and Bissinger.
2) No LB drafted by anyone in the NFL from 2001 through 2006 is on the NEP 80. There is no middle class of age/experience here; nobody who has shown the history, or ability, to step up, and in, for any of the top 5 on a game-to-game basis. If an early-season injury befalls any of Thomas, Vrabel, Colvin, Bruschi or Seau, whoever replaces him will have no starting experience on which to rely.

My questions concerning our LBs remain: Who will replace our present, should injuries occur? Who is our future? If our LBs are the brains/heart of the defense, then why haven't any been drafted on the first day (to begin immersion in The Patriot Way) since 1999?

Adding Adalius Thomas is terrific; adding Chad Brown is not-so-terrific. We need to add yutes, through the draft, on the first day, esp. at ILB.

 

[pats1]

Clint's numbers are into NFLPA.

4-year deal the minimums.

 

[patsgo]

with troy, chad brown, seau, and testerverde on the roster we will probably be the oldest team on paper

 

[pats1]

with troy, chad brown, seau, and testerverde on the roster we will probably be the oldest team on paper

Seriously doubt that.

 

[rabthepat]

with troy, chad brown, seau, and testerverde on the roster we will probably be the oldest team on paper

On Earth too.

 

[LaBrady]

BB loves older LBs, its pretty obvious. And it seems like he gets tired of developing young ones, because they take too long. He would much rather just sign an older one from the FA. My guess is as long as BBs the coach our LB corps ave age would be ~30.

 

[Pats726]

Remember Spann missed mini-camp which put him on the rehab list, he yo-yo-ed well from the Practice Squad last season, within those parameters I'm not coloring him "gone" quite yet. The down side for him is Anam is another CB burner who excelled on Special Teams, he puts pressure on Antwain for the role he played last season. I'm looking forward to the reserve CB battle, it should be interesting.

Nordin had a tough row to hoe with that TE roster, I still hope to see him get some time in Training Camp as injuries create openings.

Fast Freddy isn't a surprise, I think this gives him the best chance to catch on with someone else for Training Camp.

The cuts came from the rehab list and the two deepest pools, TE and WR, if I read this right.

Welcome back Chad, grab a ring!

I agree both could be back sometime...I really liked Nordin...again..maybe a numbers game...same with Spann. At this point...in the 80s, it's amazing that some of these cuts MEAN something...which I THINK illustrates that this team is quite deep.

 

[RayClay]

I agree both could be back sometime...I really liked Nordin...again..maybe a numbers game...same with Spann. At this point...in the 80s, it's amazing that some of these cuts MEAN something...which I THINK illustrates that this team is quite deep.

Deep, or changing out the bottom of the roster every year looking for someone to stick or saving money?

 

[stinkypete]

Woods makes it regardless, really, of what Brown does.

Brown is really up against Rogers for that 4th OLB spot.

Mays is up against Lua for the 6th ILB spot.

Rogers is not going to make the 53 this year. He needs to learn the position. He will either be on the practice squad, the IR or cut.

I think Mays may be the odd man out here, given Lua has greater potential as a backup. We have plenty of solid special teamers already.

 

[patriot lifer]

Rogers is not going to make the 53 this year. He needs to learn the position. He will either be on the practice squad, the IR or cut.

I think Mays may be the odd man out here, given Lua has greater potential as a backup. We have plenty of solid special teamers already.

I still think Mays could make the team because he is of a greater value in the short term (much more experience for added depth). Lua for practice squad. Although if chad brown plays well enough, and eric alexander can play decent, then mays is likely gone.

 

[Pats726]

Deep, or changing out the bottom of the roster every year looking for someone to stick or saving money?

maybe a LOT of different things..I do NOT remember the PRE camp cuts being looked at as closely as these were...maybe the 05 cuts..when competition is better, I really believe the team ends up with a much better product.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Focused reports from training camp will bear close scrutiny as we watch our favs struggle to make the 53. Listening, Mrs B? Reconsider.

 

[Pats726]

I still think Mays could make the team because he is of a greater value in the short term (much more experience for added depth). Lua for practice squad. Although if chad brown plays well enough, and eric alexander can play decent, then mays is likely gone.

There will be many options..so that is good..

 

[SeanBruschi54]

Meriweather will wear number 31.

Just got the info in.

 

[Dragda]

Adding Adalius Thomas is terrific; adding Chad Brown is not-so-terrific. We need to add yutes, through the draft, on the first day, esp. at ILB.

Two Wha? Did you just say Yoots?

 

[captain stone]

The cuts came from the rehab list and the two deepest pools, TE and WR, if I read this right.

Is the TE pool that deep? I suppose so, if you consider Mills a TE; the website lists him as a FB, though.

http://www.patriots.com/team/index.cfm?ac=Rosters&Print=yes&SortResults=1&SortDirection=ASC&pn=1

I hope Nordin's release means that Thomas' rehab is on/ahead of schedule. Otherwise, Kranchick is next in line after Brady and Watson. Still doesn't seem like a lot of bodies for TC.

I would have cut the space-wasters at WR, Jones and Dunlap; then either Tom Malone or Gemara Williams.

 

[mgteich]

If I understand correctly, we are unhappy because we have 7 veteran linebackers (actually 6 that can start if needed plus a top STer). I do not consider this a problem for 2007. The problem is how to continue to find two veterans to add each year. bb has chosen, year after year, to accept this problem, rather than to use high draft choices on linebackers. This group is a fine agroup of linebackers, so I'm not complaining. After the draft, I indicated, as others did, that we needed to add to veterans. We finally have Seau and Brown.

The rest can compete for 2-3 roster spots, and must be top Sters to make the 53. Why is that bad? We all have our favorites.But why should more than more 2 or 3 of these developmental players make the team? I think ALexander is #8.

Woods, Alexander, Mays, Lua, Rogers

But it did, so why did he add him then?

As of now, our LB depth chart goes something like this:
Thomas - Vrabel - Bruschi - Colvin
Woods - Seau - Alexander - C Brown
Bissinger - Lua - Izzo - Mays - Rogers

This group can be divided into 2 main sub-groups:
Those drafted in 2000 or earlier
(Thomas, Colvin, Vrabel, Bruschi, Izzo, Brown and Seau),
and those drafted/UDFA'd in 2004 or later
(Alexander, Woods, Mays, Rogers, Lua, Bissinger).

Two observations:
1) The dropoff in talent from the former sub-group to the latter is as disconcerting as it is obvious. Yes, the latter LBs have not been in the league nearly as long, and perhaps they need more time to establish a reputation; but these 5 didn't have much of a reputation in college, and I would be surprised if that were to change for many of them in the pros, esp. Alexander, Mays and Bissinger.
2) No LB drafted by anyone in the NFL from 2001 through 2006 is on the NEP 80. There is no middle class of age/experience here; nobody who has shown the history, or ability, to step up, and in, for any of the top 5 on a game-to-game basis. If an early-season injury befalls any of Thomas, Vrabel, Colvin, Bruschi or Seau, whoever replaces him will have no starting experience on which to rely.

My questions concerning our LBs remain: Who will replace our present, should injuries occur? Who is our future? If our LBs are the brains/heart of the defense, then why haven't any been drafted on the first day (to begin immersion in The Patriot Way) since 1999?

Adding Adalius Thomas is terrific; adding Chad Brown is not-so-terrific. We need to add yutes, through the draft, on the first day, esp. at ILB.

 

[PATRIOT64]

I think signing 1 Brown (Troy) would have been enough this year...If Chad Brown makes the team it spells trouble,Cause that means we are desperate and very light at the LB position.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Is the TE pool that deep? I suppose so, if you consider Mills a TE; the website lists him as a FB, though.

http://www.patriots.com/team/index.cfm?ac=Rosters&Print=yes&SortResults=1&SortDirection=ASC&pn=1

I hope Nordin's release means that Thomas' rehab is on/ahead of schedule. Otherwise, Kranchick is next in line after Brady and Watson. Still doesn't seem like a lot of bodies for TC.

I would have cut the space-wasters at WR, Jones and Dunlap; then either Tom Malone or Gemara Williams.

Sorry Capt., you're thinking a bit narrowly there. Relative to other positions, TE is deep.

Yes Watson, Brady, Thomas, & Kranchik are the only "true" TEs remaining after Nordin. That still leaves Vrabel, Mills, Hochstein, Britt, and Oldenburg as situational TEs, and Evans took practice reps as an emergency TE last season.

Relative to the other positions on the team only WR and S would appear to be deeper than TE given that 7 of the 10 "TEs" listed above have actually lined up as TEs in a game for the Pats or another NFL team, and two of the remaining three have done so at the Div. 1A college level. Who knows, maybe Adalius Thomas will start showing up at TE too.

I think it's also fair to ponder the shadow roster when considering depth. Fauria and Jed Weaver are former Pats, neither of whom are currently signed to a team, that's two players who at least know the system, whatever their age/skill shortcomings might be. I would think it unlikely for anyone to pick up Nordin at this point, he's not a 6'6" monster/speed burner that seems to be people's conception of a TE in the NFL, he's at least had rookie & mini-camps and time to learn the playbook a bit. That's three players who could be considered if the crap hit the fan. Nordin could even be yo-yoed on and off the Practice Squad once it's formed.

As for your "space-wasters," Malone is an NFLE exemption, cut him and your not addressing the off-season roster limits. Those young WRs have a shot at the Practice Squad, Fast Freddy doesn't, until someone does sign him he's on the Shadow Roster. Gemara Williams has been re-signed by the Pats, at least twice...must be some kind of "there" there; the kid was a NCAA leader in passes defensed his senior season.