Caldwell cut

[PonyExpress]

I'm very disappointed by this move. Reche has made great progress as a player. I really feel this was a mistake, and lessens the character of the team in a way. Reche was a real character, try hard guy. I truly wish him the best. Maybe Tennessee will pick him up. He kicked their @$$ last season.

 

[letekro]

Count to three and Caldwell signs with the Redskins. I never got over the drop and I don't think BB did either.

You mean "drops"?

 

[Number Cruncher]

Anyone else loving the irony here....

Tomase throws out his "suprise cut" BS... only to have no suprise cuts, so he has to lame-duck excuse his way out of it saying that it referred to Testeverde. Now BB cuts Caldewell. Maybe some of you are saying that isn't a suprise cut, but I find it more of a suprise that Vinny.

I just find it funny and ironic the way it all went down.

Tomase was quoting a league source who had knowledge of the Patriots cuts. Are you saying the Pats contacted the league to "change their mind" after word of a "surprise cut" got out?

 

[Deus Irae]

How is this a bush league move by the Pats? They gave him every chance to earn a roster spot. They brought in a bunch of guys to compete at WR. Should they not evaluate players throughout camp and just cut guys right away?

Reche had a chance to make the team but he couldn't beat out Washington or Gaffney. The Pats probably hadn't made up their mind as to what WRs to keep until this week. You can't fault them for that. They are running a business.

I can fault them for that, and I do. It was bush league. However, given your level of antipathy towards Caldwell, it's not a surprise to me that you would defend the move.

 

[Va_Pats_Fan]

Come on, now. They brought in half the planet to 'compete' for spots. If they were going to dump their #1 from last season, the very least they should have done for him was to do it early enough that he could get into a camp. This move was bush league considering Caldwell busted his ass for this team last year and BB reportedly told him he'd be back.

How would they know in April..May..June how Reche would make out in a competitive situation. How would we all feel if they let him go in May outta sympathy and then Moss and Stallworth got injured...? Would make the pats look pretty stupid, that what. Reche was given the exact same chance as Jabbar, Washington and he rest to step up and make the team. He didn't. Why is that "bush league"?

 

[Crazyeechrispats1]

You can't win a football game with character alone.
We still have Troy that's all the class we need!
I don't think are receivers will be world beaters the first day, but I bet Tom is on the phone with Peyton like no my receivers are better.
If this hypothetical conversation took place last year what could Tom of said well they're really trying out there.

 

[Crazyeechrispats1]

That being said I too am rooting for Reche and hope he goes to a team where he can contribute as a starter and play for a contender.:rocker:

 

[Terry Glenn is a cowgirl]

I can fault them for that, and I do. It was bush league. However, given your level of antipathy towards Caldwell, it's not a surprise to me that you would defend the move.

Belichick did a similar move to Milloy (not entirely, because Milloy wouldn't take a pay cut... but he was cut right before the season started)... do you think that stuff like this will never happen again?

 

[patsox23]

Come on, now. They brought in half the planet to 'compete' for spots. If they were going to dump their #1 from last season, the very least they should have done for him was to do it early enough that he could get into a camp. This move was bush league considering Caldwell busted his ass for this team last year and BB reportedly told him he'd be back.

So your argument is that, since Reche was a #1 last year, the Pats should've dumped him SOONER? This makes no sense. There are going to be some tough cuts. It sucks for Caldwell and he's a helluva guy, but it came down to 5 WRs or 6 and they went with 5 and he was the 6th-best - so he goes. I mean, are you kidding with this stuff? Come on.

 

[tombonneau]

I can fault them for that, and I do. It was bush league. However, given your level of antipathy towards Caldwell, it's not a surprise to me that you would defend the move.

I would have said the same thing if it was Gaffney or Washington. They are trying to build a Super Bowl champion. That is what I want my team to do.

I don't want them making roster moves out of sympathy. Sometimes the team is in a situation where early releases make sense for the team and they are able to help the player out. This wasn't one of those scenarios.

 

[patsox23]

I'm very disappointed by this move. Reche has made great progress as a player. I really feel this was a mistake, and lessens the character of the team in a way. Reche was a real character, try hard guy.

Listen, I've defended Caldwell as much as anyone on this board, and I appreciate you wishing him well - I do the same. But this is a "mistake" and "lessens the character of the team?" We have plenty of try-hard guys, pretty much an entire TEAM of them. I hope he catches on with another team - Hell, I hope there's no need, but I'd love to see him back in N.E. someday, maybe even someday soon.

But this seems like an overreaction on your part - possibly due to sentiment. I'm no knocker of sentiment, I'm the biggest heart-on-my-sleeve, chick-flick-loving guy on this board, so I don't mean that as an insult. I just think this is a perfectly reasonable, albeit regrettable, transaction made by the Pats F.O. and I don't think the team will miss a beat.

 

[HEY BRO! WHAT UP?]

As I said in Caldwell v. Gaffney thread, Caldwell is simply mediocre. He might bounce around a bit this year, but my guess is he is pretty much done in the NFL.

I don't think that Reche is done. There are plenty of teams in need of WR that Caldwell can catch on with. I'm sure he could start for the Titans or be a #3 somewhere else. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if the Chargers re-signed him. We really need to get over Reche's dropped ball in the AFCC game and recognize him for that great catch that put the nail in the coffin against the Chargers in the divisional round. The defense allowed 35 points in the second half of the AFCC game which is pathetic. However, I'm over it. It's a new season. Good luck Reche.

 

[DaBruinz]

You mean "drops"?

So, you think that Caldwell having 3 drops on over 130 targets is a lot?

What about Reggie Wayne's 8 drops on 137 targets? Or Marvin Harrison's 7 drops on 148 targets.

Now, I am not saying that Caldwell is in Wayne's or Harrison's league as a total receiver. He's not. But to damn the guy for having 3 drops on the entire year is just laughable.

Caldweel made the most of a bad receiving situation by the Pats when they didn't have any other capable WR to line up opposite him and take pressure off him. Caldwell was never meant to be a #1 WR. He was brought in to complement Branch and then Branch decided to be a arse.

I still don't understand this love for Washington. The guy has accomplished less in his career than Caldwell did before Caldwell got here. At least Caldwell had earned a starting spot in San Diego before he blew his knee out. Washington couldn't even beat out an injured player for the #3 spot on the Bengals.

 

[Deus Irae]

How would they know in April..May..June how Reche would make out in a competitive situation. How would we all feel if they let him go in May outta sympathy and then Moss and Stallworth got injured...? Would make the pats look pretty stupid, that what. Reche was given the exact same chance as Jabbar, Washington and he rest to step up and make the team. He didn't. Why is that "bush league"?

When you tell a player you're keeping him, you don't turn around and kill his opportunity to make money by dumping him after all the cuts have been made. It's bush league.

 

[Phoenix111]

I would have said the same thing if it was Gaffney or Washington. They are trying to build a Super Bowl champion. That is what I want my team to do.

I don't want them making roster moves out of sympathy. Sometimes the team is in a situation where early releases make sense for the team and they are able to help the player out. This wasn't one of those scenarios.

This is true because this is a business. Furthermore, it's a business where moves made out of sympathy or in the way of personal favors can leave you in a bad position. These moves have to be made when they are best for the team. I'm sure the players themselves don't like that part of it, but I'm also sure they are well aware and understand it.

 

[patsox23]

I can fault them for that, and I do. It was bush league. However, given your level of antipathy towards Caldwell, it's not a surprise to me that you would defend the move.

You're fast approaching lunatic status on this topic, Deus. Really. Don't know tommb's take on Caldwell, but I really liked the guy and I am not seeing how this is "bush league" by the Pats whatsoever. It BLOWS, true, and I'm sure all parties involved wish it had timed out better than this, but there are numerous reasons to see this as, while unfortunate, completely above board.

You're not making a strong case for "bush league." For "bummer?" For "bad in Reche's book?" Solid case. Open and shut. But bush league? No way.

 

[patsox23]

Belichick did a similar move to Milloy (not entirely, because Milloy wouldn't take a pay cut... but he was cut right before the season started)... do you think that stuff like this will never happen again?

different situation. Milloy HAD to be cut or multiple OTHERS would've had to be cut to get under the cap.

 

[Deus Irae]

You're fast approaching lunatic status on this topic, Deus. Really. Don't know tommb's take on Caldwell, but I really liked the guy and I am not seeing how this is "bush league" by the Pats whatsoever. It BLOWS, true, and I'm sure all parties involved wish it had timed out better than this, but there are numerous reasons to see this as, while unfortunate, completely above board.

You're not making a strong case for "bush league." For "bummer?" For "bad in Reche's book?" Solid case. Open and shut. But bush league? No way.

It's bush league.

 

[Seymour93]

Caldwell did fine while he was a member of the New England Patriots last year. But, I'm sure there were a number of average wide receivers in the league that would have had the exact same production or better than Caldwell with Tom Brady throwing him the ball as a #1 target.

With that being said......I would have perfered Caldwell to Washington for at least the first few games of the season. Due only to some of the chemisty Caldwell and Tom share together that most likely isn't there yet with Washington.

But I do believe as the season progresses......Washington will ultimately be the better wideout. He simply has more talent and upside.

Your first paragraph perfectly sums up my thoughts regarding Caldwell.

I'm surprised by this move too. But it only means that Gaffney is fully healed from his preseason injury, and he'll be ready to start versus the Jets. Moss is a bit of an enigma at the moment, but we have four solid WR's already so we're OK.

 

[theONLYJerseypatsfan]

Thanks for last year Reche, without you we wouldnt have even made it to the AFC championship game....So Thanks....good luck with the next team that is lucky enough to have you...you know the jets and colts are looking at you right now