PREDICTION: Caldwell or Gaffney will be gone this week...

[patsox23]

via CUT or a trade. Maybe even early this week. Belichick will want to give either vet WR a chance to maybe get picked up (or to be traded to a team with a need at WR - Tennessee?) and I think it's becoming clear that Washington has more going for him, especially his S/T's play. I could DEFINITELY be wrong, but even if I am, even if Washington is not in the mix, then HE will be one of the vets to go and it will be sooner rather than later.

Thoughts?

 

[DaBruinz]

via CUT or a trade. Maybe even early this week. Belichick will want to give either vet WR a chance to maybe get picked up (or to be traded to a team with a need at WR - Tennessee?) and I think it's becoming clear that Washington has more going for him, especially his S/T's play. I could DEFINITELY be wrong, but even if I am, even if Washington is not in the mix, then HE will be one of the vets to go and it will be sooner rather than later.

Thoughts?

I am still trying to understand this idea that Washington is actually doing something on special teams. As I said in another thread, he seems late into the plays and tackles, not really doing the job of a gunner....

He did have a couple of good receptions tonight. But, if special teams is the differentiation between him and Caldwell, I'd rather keep Mel Mitchell or Garrett Mills for Special teams than Washington.

 

[patsox23]

What is it that you like so much about Caldwell? (And I say this as an unapologetic and long-standing supporter of Caldwell. He saved our WR corps last year and the importance of his drops in the AFCCG are DEEPLY overstated.)

 

[DaBruinz]

What is it that you like so much about Caldwell? (And I say this as an unapologetic and long-standing supporter of Caldwell. He saved our WR corps last year and the importance of his drops in the AFCCG are DEEPLY overstated.)

I think that Caldwell earned his spot on this team with his play last year. He's someone who is a complimentary (not primary) receiver and he knows the offense.

Its not a matter of liking him "so much." Its a matter of not believing that Washington is all that on special teams and not believe that Washington has shown enough to earn a spot over Caldwell.

 

[patsox23]

I think that Caldwell earned his spot on this team with his play last year. He's someone who is a complimentary (not primary) receiver and he knows the offense.

Its not a matter of liking him "so much." Its a matter of not believing that Washington is all that on special teams and not believe that Washington has shown enough to earn a spot over Caldwell.

Most of what you say I can accept, but your opening line is the most antithetical thing I've ever read from you, when it comes to the Patriots way.

 

[Kdo5]

We get it already. You've mentioned how Caldwell is gone about 3 times in various threads.

 

[captain stone]

I think that the only WRs who will need to turn in their playbooks this week will be Dunlap and CJ Jones.

Then again, I've been predicting this since the draft picks starting signing in July.

Caldwell knows the offense too well, and there are too many injury questions, to consider releasing either him or Gaffney this early.

As of now, the WR pecking order goes something like this:

Stallworth - Welker - Caldwell - Washington - Bam - Kight

Inactive: Moss - Gaffney

PUP: Troy Brown - Chad Jackson

 

[patsox23]

We get it already. You've mentioned how Caldwell is gone about 3 times in various threads.

The point of this thread is that one of the vet WRs will be cut EARLY this week so as to catch on elsewhere. Take a pill and/or a breath.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I disagree. Until we know what the deal with Gaffney is. I see CJ continued to be pupped and I think the Pats will carry 6 wr's. Let's be real, one of them will be inactive on game day and 5 will be active.

And Watson's career will be solid, but I just don't see him ever as a Pro Bowl type tightend.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

I think that the only WRs who will need to turn in their playbooks this week will be Dunlap and CJ Jones.

Then again, I've been predicting this since the draft picks starting signing in July.

Caldwell knows the offense too well, and there are too many injury questions, to consider releasing either him or Gaffney this early.

As of now, the WR pecking order goes something like this:

Stallworth - Welker - Caldwell - Washington - Bam - Kight

Inactive: Moss - Gaffney

PUP: Troy Brown - Chad Jackson

I like BAM, but let's be realistic. He couldn't get on the field last year. There is no way he become on of the first five this year. I feel sorry for the guy since they brought in all this wr talent.

 

[JustWinBrady]

IMO, both caldwell and gaffney will make this team.

 

[DaBruinz]

Most of what you say I can accept, but your opening line is the most antithetical thing I've ever read from you, when it comes to the Patriots way.

Really? Most antithetical? Well, you are entitled to your opinion.

But you also seem to be ignoring that Gaffney is on crutches. The Pats have very few options with Gaffney. They can either carry an injured player until he's healthy (could be 6 weeks, could be 2), IR him, or IR him and reach an injury settlement while agreeing to bring him back when he's healthy. Which is what the Pats did with Larry Centers a few years ago.

I don't know if the Pats have the luxury of just carrying dead weight. It will be interesting to see what BB does.

 

[ClevTrev]

The point of this thread is that one of the vet WRs will be cut EARLY this week so as to catch on elsewhere. Take a pill and/or a breath.

OK, you're on the clock. The only word you didn't use was LOCK. We'll find out EARLY this week . . .

That being said, the comments about retaining those most familiar with the offense at this point going into the EARLY part of the season make sense. We can debate the (as you predict) inevitable outcome EARLY this week . . .

 

[Slagathor]

Both make the team.

But if it came to keeping one or the other, Gaffney's my man.

Here's my reasoning.

1) Gaffney knows the offense just as well if not better than Caldwell. 20+ catches in the post-season and a stellar pre-season says I'm right.

2) Caldwell has been pretty lackluster so far. He looked better yesterday, but that was only noticeable because he's been non-existent. Kelly Washington has made a bigger impression than Reche has.

3) Consistancy. Not Caldwell's middle name.

4) Caldwell has some value. The guy is the 5th receiver right now. I'd rather trade him for a pick.

In the end, I think he stays along with Gaffney as further insurance should Stallworth or Moss's hammy's cause problems during the season.

Sorry for the lack of love for Reche, as it's not a lack of respect, just reality.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Really? Most antithetical? Well, you are entitled to your opinion.

But you also seem to be ignoring that Gaffney is on crutches. The Pats have very few options with Gaffney. They can either carry an injured player until he's healthy (could be 6 weeks, could be 2), IR him, or IR him and reach an injury settlement while agreeing to bring him back when he's healthy. Which is what the Pats did with Larry Centers a few years ago.

I don't know if the Pats have the luxury of just carrying dead weight. It will be interesting to see what BB does.

Carrying deadweight? When a receiver is on IR, he doesn't count against the roster. So it's more like you're carrying nothing, except maybe for insurance later in the season. But that is irrelevant to my next point.

IMO you don't 'earn' a roster spot for what you did in a previous year. Training camp is a competiton and that's when you earn your spot. After all, we're playing the 2007 season today, not the 2006 season.

 

[PatsFan37]

Carrying deadweight? When a receiver is on IR, he doesn't count against the roster. So it's more like you're carrying nothing, except maybe for insurance later in the season. But that is irrelevant to my next point.

A player on IR doesn't come back until the next season and since the Patriots don't have Gaffney's rights for next year, there's no point to it.

If Gaffney's injury is minor he'll either want to make the team or be released and sign somewhere else (there'll be some team who will have seen his performance this year and last and will want to pick him up at some point). That way he can continue his football career.

If they IR him, all he does is get older.

 

[DaBruinz]

Carrying deadweight? When a receiver is on IR, he doesn't count against the roster. So it's more like you're carrying nothing, except maybe for insurance later in the season. But that is irrelevant to my next point.

IMO you don't 'earn' a roster spot for what you did in a previous year. Training camp is a competiton and that's when you earn your spot. After all, we're playing the 2007 season today, not the 2006 season.

VJC -
Go back and re-read my post. The 1st option I said was that Gaffney could be out for another 2-6 weeks if they chose not to IR him. That was the dead weight I was referring to.

If your 2nd point was the case, can you explain how Samuel and Seymour have roster spots waiting for them? What about Randy Moss and to a lesser extent Kyle Brady. Both haven't shown much in TC and haven't played but 1 pre-season game between them.

Sorry, but past history DOES count for something and its just my feeling that Caldwell showed enough last year that the Pats would want to keep him around because of his familiarity with the offense.

 

[DaBruinz]

A player on IR doesn't come back until the next season and since the Patriots don't have Gaffney's rights for next year, there's no point to it.

If Gaffney's injury is minor he'll either want to make the team or be released and sign somewhere else (there'll be some team who will have seen his performance this year and last and will want to pick him up at some point). That way he can continue his football career.

If they IR him, all he does is get older.

I am fairly certain that the Pats IRed Larry Centers a few years ago, paid him an injury settlement (thereby nullifying the IR) and had him come back later in the season. Maybe they didn't actually IR him and it was just an injury settlement. But I know that they did bring Centers back after an injury settlement.

 

[Ring 6]

The point of this thread is that one of the vet WRs will be cut EARLY this week so as to catch on elsewhere. Take a pill and/or a breath.

I do not agree with that at all.
Belichick will do what is best for the team. If a player has no chance of making the team, then he will accept that and move them on early. But he will NEVER get rid of a guy before he knows he wont be keeping him out of some altruistic motive people seem wont to associate with him.

As it is now, with healthy WRs, we go Stallworth, Welker, Caldwell, Gaffney, Washington as our 5 WRs. All are good NFL quality WRs. Gaffney and Caldwell started for us in the AFCC. Gaffney is also currnelty injured. BB is not going to risk Moss, Brown, and Gaffney not being ready for the opener, and cut Caldwell so he can have an easier time finding a job leaving us shorthanded for even one game.
There is no way we risk going into the opener with Stallworth, Welker, Washington and childress while injured players mend.

I recognize we have brought in WRs changing Caldwells status, but he was our #1 WR last year. I can't understand the thinking that he isnt any longer qualified to be #4 or #5.
Regardless of that please stop implying BB would make a move that would hurt the franchise in order to make it easier for a guy who doesn't make the team to find a job. Players FIGHTING for jobs will fight to the last minute. Players who have already lost the fight can leave whenever.
At the WR position right now no one (besides the camp fodder guys) has lost a fight yet, because we could have 4 of them injured before week 1 (we already do have 4 including Brown and Jackson)

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

But if it came to keeping one or the other, Gaffney's my man.

1) Gaffney knows the offense just as well if not better than Caldwell. 20+ catches in the post-season and a stellar pre-season says I'm right.

2) Caldwell has been pretty lackluster so far. He looked better yesterday, but that was only noticeable because he's been non-existent. Kelly Washington has made a bigger impression than Reche has.

3) Consistancy. Not Caldwell's middle name.

PWP: You must have missed 2006 where Cald was consistent most all season, albeit with a dropoff post season. It was Gaff who did not contribute consistently, yet did contribute post season. so the opposite of what you said is true.

4) Caldwell has some value. The guy is the 5th receiver right now. I'd rather trade him for a pick.

In the end, I think he stays along with Gaffney as further insurance should Stallworth or Moss's hammy's cause problems during the season.

Ignoring that Gaffney's INJURED. See below.

Sorry for the lack of love for Reche, as it's not a lack of respect, just reality.

You are the one ignoring reality.
Reality is that Gaff is INJURED. Sorta makes your arguement moot.
It's always good to address all the facts and not ignore salient points.