Is Hartwell still available?

[sebman2112]

I remember during free agency the Patriots were interested in Edgerton Hartwell, but he signed with the Bengals instead. since then the Bengals have released him, because he didn't fit in with their defensive schemes.

To me he's more of a run stuffer, and could be effective in NE's 3-4. he's only 29, and has good size (6'1" 250lbs) I know he had a bad injury a few years ago, but when he came back toward the end of last season he was putting up good numbers, looked healthy, and I thought he seemed pretty effective when I got to see him with the Falcons last year. Has anything changed since then?

I'm just saying that if Hartwell is available how would bringing him in for a tryout hurt? Afterall they just signed Chad Brown...

 

[PonyExpress]

If Hartwell couldn't make the Bengals after all their struggles vs. the run, after they were decimated prior to that Pats game... Cinci even went and pick up street guys the Jets dumped. My guess is that he just can't play anymore. Sad, because I used like him alot. I'd rather see what Alexander and Woods can do. Plus, Brown has the versatility to play ILB or OLB, though not at a high level.

 

[sebman2112]

If Hartwell couldn't make the Bengals after all their struggles vs. the run, after they were decimated prior to that Pats game... Cinci even went and pick up street guys the Jets dumped. My guess is that he just can't play anymore. Sad, because I used like him alot. I'd rather see what Alexander and Woods can do.

Yea, but that would seem a little strange to me. Last year I got to see him play one game with the Falcons, and he looked good. Honestly this offseason when NE was interested in him I was hoping they would pick him up, because as I said he looked good after returning from injury last season.

I don't really think Ed fits what the Bengals need out of their LB's, and maybe they realized this after signing him? I know I didn't think it was a good fit. Anways, he's more of a 2 down run stuffer, who would still find a good amount of effectiveness in the Patriots 2 gap, but I don't think he has the speed to be the type of LB the Bengals want.

The suggestion is simply to bring the guy in for a tryout, what could it hurt?

 

[captain stone]

Plus, Brown has the versatility to play ILB or OLB, though not at a high level.

Brown could not play ILB when he was two years younger. If he can't play OLB, then he is completely useless.

I would at least give Hartwell a call, as well as Isaiah Kacyvenski, Liam Ezekial, Trev Faulk, Orlando Huff, Chris Claiborne, Carlos Emmons, Ryan LaCasse, Ben Taylor, Lance Johnstone, Clifton Smith, Freddie Roach...

 

[alamo]

If Hartwell couldn't make the Bengals after all their struggles vs. the run, after they were decimated prior to that Pats game...

He was cut at the end of preseason, so the Bengals hadn't yet struggled. Since he never actually played for them I can understand why they didn't call him when they started having injuries, but the fact that no other team called is a good indicator that he is done.

 

[PonyExpress]

He was cut at the end of preseason, so the Bengals hadn't yet struggled. Since he never actually played for them I can understand why they didn't call him when they started having injuries, but the fact that no other team called is a good indicator that he is done.

Hartwell was one of their final cuts, he made it through the preseason games, so he had played for them. Briefly in the preseason he was thought to be the starter ahead of Ahmad Brooks by the Cinci press. The fact they never brought him back in after their injury problems is a bad sign.

 

[PonyExpress]

Brown could not play ILB when he was two years younger. If he can't play OLB, then he is completely useless.

I would at least give Hartwell a call, as well as Isaiah Kacyvenski, Liam Ezekial, Trev Faulk, Orlando Huff, Chris Claiborne, Carlos Emmons, Ryan LaCasse, Ben Taylor, Lance Johnstone, Clifton Smith, Freddie Roach...

He could play inside, but not well. He showed signs of life at OLB for the Steelers last season vs. KC. Maybe in a rotation he would be more effective inside. 2005 was the season Bruschi was out and alot was thrown at Brown, and he'd never played inside before. Now he's older, but maybe a bit wiser in the scheme.

 

[Mogamedogz]

He knees are said to be 'bone on bone". He is finished.

 

[alamo]

Hartwell was one of their final cuts, he made it through the preseason games, so he had played for them.

I knew that, but I considered the fact he played in three preseason games to be equivalent to "he never played for them". Preseason just doesn't count.

 

[DaBruinz]

Brown could not play ILB when he was two years younger. If he can't play OLB, then he is completely useless.

I would at least give Hartwell a call, as well as Isaiah Kacyvenski, Liam Ezekial, Trev Faulk, Orlando Huff, Chris Claiborne, Carlos Emmons, Ryan LaCasse, Ben Taylor, Lance Johnstone, Clifton Smith, Freddie Roach...

LaCasse is with the Ravens.

Hartwell and Claiborne I believe are injured.

Do you really think the others could play on this team?

 

[captain stone]

He could play inside, but not well. He showed signs of life at OLB for the Steelers last season vs. KC. Maybe in a rotation he would be more effective inside. 2005 was the season Bruschi was out and alot was thrown at Brown, and he'd never played inside before. Now he's older, but maybe a bit wiser in the scheme.

I smell what you're cooking, and I hope you're right, though Alexander may get more snaps at ILB than Brown, at least this week. I also want to see what Woods can do as part of the 3rd-down OLB rotation. It could be sink or swim time for these two yutes.

 

[captain stone]

LaCasse is with the Ravens.

Hartwell and Claiborne I believe are injured.

Do you really think the others could play on this team?

I just checked the Ravens website, and LaCasse isn't listed on the 53, PS, IR or PUP. I also went to the Raiders website, just in case.

Do I think the others could play here? Probably not, though it wouldn't hurt to give them a ringy-dingy to wish them Happy Holidays.

 

[Spirit of '76]

Yea, but that would seem a little strange to me. Last year I got to see him play one game with the Falcons, and he looked good. Honestly this offseason when NE was interested in him I was hoping they would pick him up, because as I said he looked good after returning from injury last season.

I don't really think Ed fits what the Bengals need out of their LB's, and maybe they realized this after signing him? I know I didn't think it was a good fit. Anways, he's more of a 2 down run stuffer, who would still find a good amount of effectiveness in the Patriots 2 gap, but I don't think he has the speed to be the type of LB the Bengals want.

The suggestion is simply to bring the guy in for a tryout, what could it hurt?

Never base a players body of work on ONE game or play making from 4 years ago.

Hartwell is a shadow of his former self. Don't you think the Pats have scouts and have tracked his progress (decline) to date?

 

[sebman2112]

Never base a players body of work on ONE game or play making from 4 years ago.

Hartwell is a shadow of his former self. Don't you think the Pats have scouts and have tracked his progress (decline) to date?

This isn't quite correct. Yes, the guy has had injury problems the past two years, but when he was on the field he played well. I'm not the only one who believes this by the way, as his scouting reports read the same. In 2004 he played all 16 games and put up 97 tackles (6 per game), and one forced fumble. In 2005 he only played 5 games, but in those five games he put up 22 tackles (4.4 per game), and in 2006 he played in only 8 games but finished with 40 tackles (5 per game), one sack, and one forced fumble. If you look at the game logs he seemed to be playing pretty well the last two games of the season (12 total tackles against the Panthers, and 7 total tackles against the Eagles).

I haven't heard anything about him picking up another injury since then, and I've looked all over rotoworld, KFFL, and other sources trying to find something.

Really, I should have said I only remember watching him in particular during that one game of 2006, but I'm pretty sure I got to see him in parts of other games that season. Obviously I got to see him play in 2005, and past seasons as well, so I wasn't just going on one game where he played well in the past four years.

We'll see what happens, and hopefully the Patriots don't have another injury to their LB's. Bringing Hartwell in for a look couldn't though. If I remember correctly they they were interested in signing him during this offseason, but he signed with the Bengals instead, so it's not like the Patriots haven't had any interest in the guy during 2007.

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Now, am I the only one who thinks Karlos Dansby should be an option in 2008? Hopefully the Cards allow him to hit free agency, he'll be interested in playing for a contender after playing in Arizona, and he'll see the Patriots as the ultimate contender....kind of like Adalius and others

If NE could extend Colvin (lowering his cap hit), sign Dansby, and bring in at least one rookie to develope then I think their LB unit (Colvin, AD, Dansby, Vrabel, Woods, Lua, Draft pick, Alexander and maybe one of Seau or Bruschi) will be set for a couple of years.

All I know is I hope they go defense for the most part in the 2008 draft, and maybe they also pick up a nice backup RB, like Rashard Mendenhall (5'11" 224lba).

 

[Oswlek]

I still don't believe that NE was ever all that interested in Hartwell. I think that was more of a media creation.

And as Pony said, if CIncy didn't think he was worth bringing back when they were snatching any waiver-wire LB that they could (Corey Mays anyone?) there is no way that he has a place here.

 

[Frezo]

Now, am I the only one who thinks Karlos Dansby should be an option in 2008? Hopefully the Cards allow him to hit free agency, he'll be interested in playing for a contender after playing in Arizona, and he'll see the Patriots as the ultimate contender....kind of like Adalius and others

If NE could extend Colvin (lowering his cap hit), sign Dansby, and bring in at least one rookie to develope then I think their LB unit (Colvin, AD, Dansby, Vrabel, Woods, Lua, Draft pick, Alexander and maybe one of Seau or Bruschi) will be set for a couple of years.

All I know is I hope they go defense for the most part in the 2008 draft, and maybe they also pick up a nice backup RB, like Rashard Mendenhall (5'11" 224lba).

We should all watch Terrell Suggs this Monday. He's a UFA next year, but I suspect the Ravens may franchise him. From what I've seen he looks like a good option if Dansby becomes unavailable.

 

[PonyExpress]

We should all watch Terrell Suggs this Monday. He's a UFA next year, but I suspect the Ravens may franchise him. From what I've seen he looks like a good option if Dansby becomes unavailable.

IMO Dansby would be a mistake. He has had discipline issues with the previous coaching staff, who felt he didn't rehab his injuries properly and was not a serious practice player. He is good when he plays, and he has played well this season, with the money on the table, but does not seem like the kind of player BB covets. Suggs is a much better player, but the Ravens won't let him go. When they allowed AD to leave they were making a decision between AD and Suggs. Ozzie chose Suggs, and it was the right decision, considering his age.