Scott Player released

[pats1]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/

Punter Scott Player released
Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff
June 12, 2008 09:35 AM

The Patriots announced the release of veteran punter Scott Player today. Player had been signed to a free-agent contract April 23.

That leaves veteran Chris Hanson, who punted for the team in 2007, as the lone punter on the roster.

Here's your updated roster:

QBs - 4
QB - Tom Brady
QB - Kevin O'Connell (Unsigned draft pick)
QB - Matt Cassel
QB - Matt Gutierrez

RBs - 6
RB - Laurence Maroney
RB - Kevin Faulk
RB - Sammy Morris
RB - Heath Evans
RB - Kyle Eckel
RB - BenJarvus Green-Ellis

WRs - 10
WR - Randy Moss
WR - Wes Welker
WR - Jabar Gaffney
WR - Chad Jackson
WR - Kelley Washington
WR - Sam Aiken
WR - C.J. Jones
WR/S - Matt Slater (Unsigned draft pick)
WR - Robert Ortiz
WR/S - Ray Ventrone

TEs - 5
TE - Ben Watson
TE - Dave Thomas
TE - Stephen Spach
TE - Marcus Pollard
TE - Jonathan Stupar

OLs - 14
OT - Matt Light
OT - Nick Kaczur
OT - Ryan O'Callaghan
OT - Wesley Britt
OT/G - Oliver Ross

OG - Logan Mankins
OG - Stephen Neal
C - Dan Koppen
OG/C - Russ Hochstein
OG/C - Billy Yates
OG/C - Gene Mruczkowski
OG/C - Dan Connolly
OG/T - Jimmy Martin
C - Ryan Wendell

DLs - 10
DE - Richard Seymour
DE - Ty Warren
NT - Vince Wilfork
DE - Jarvis Green
NT/DE - Mike Wright
NT/DE - Le Kevin Smith
DE - Santonio Thomas
DE - Kenny Smith
NT - Steve Fifita
DE - Chris Norwell

LBs - 12
OLB - Mike Vrabel
OLB/ILB - Adalius Thomas
ILB - Tedy Bruschi
ILB - Jerod Mayo (Unsigned draft pick)
ILB - Victor Hobson
OLB - Shawn Crable (Unsigned draft pick)
OLB - Pierre Woods
ILB - Larry Izzo
ILB - Eric Alexander
ILB - Bo Ruud (Unsigned draft pick)
OLB - Vince Redd
ILB/OLB - Gary Guyton

CBs - 8
CB - Ellis Hobbs
CB - Fernando Bryant
CB - Terrence Wheatley (Unsigned draft pick)
CB - Jason Webster
CB - Lewis Sanders
CB - Jonathan Wilhite (Unsigned draft pick)
CB - Mike Richardson
CB - Antwain Spann

Ss - 6
S - Rodney Harrison
S - James Sanders
S/CB - Brandon Meriweather
S - Tank Williams
S/CB - Willie Andrews
S - Mark Dillard

STs - 3
K - Stephen Gostkowski
P - Chris Hanson
LS - Lonie Paxton

Roster Count
78 total players
-7 unsigned drafted rookies (Mayo, Wheatley, Crable, O'Connell, Wilhite, Slater, Ruud)

=71 players counting against the 80-man limit

 

[PATSNUTme]

We should sign him. Oh, wait we did and released him, my bad.

Whenever I see a player being released I just automatically think we should sign him.

Got to give the people at Patriots Football weekly on line something to talk about.

 

[pats1]

We should sign him. Oh, wait we did and released him, my bad.

Whenever I see a player being released I just automatically think we should sign him.

Got to give the people at Patriots Football weekly on line something to talk about.

Other teams, Nut, other teams!

 

[Pats726]

I am a bit surprised they did this...my guess is that he was NOT really all that competitive...otherwise why do it?? Having competition is what TC is all about. Was Hansen that far above him?? My guess that's what it is..I would not be surprised if another is brought in...

 

[pats1]

I am a bit surprised they did this...my guess is that he was NOT really all that competitive...otherwise why do it?? Having competition is what TC is all about. Was Hansen that far above him?? My guess that's what it is..I would not be surprised if another is brought in...

The PFW guys said he wasn't punting too well in minicamp. Since it isn't an issue of getting under the limit (they already were, and the rookies probably won't start signing until mid-July), I think it's a case of them seeing Player probably won't beat out Hanson and trying to let the vet catch on somewhere else before camp. I do think the Pats will bring someone else in, though. Remember last camp, when they had Malone, Baugher, and Miller all in, but they ended up cutting all of them and signing Hanson.

Regardless, this looks like the last Pats transaction we'll see until a rookie signing in the second week of July or so. Once they get to camp, I see them re-examining their injury situation and using the last two remaining spots where they are needed.

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

Another year of Chris Hanson punting for the Patriots. :bricks:

I sure hope that offense rocks like it did last year. BB may be a genius, but IMHO, he does not excel at finding great punters.

 

[Lampshade]

His strength must have come from the single-bar. Without it he's Ken Walter.

I've never had a problem with Chris Hanson's punting. He did a fine job for the most part last year.

 

[WhiZa]

I guess the goal this year is to score TDs every drive

 

[NJPatsfan26]

I guess the goal this year is to score TDs every drive

It must be....oh darn....

 

[signbabybrady]

I am a bit surprised they did this...my guess is that he was NOT really all that competitive...otherwise why do it?? Having competition is what TC is all about. Was Hansen that far above him?? My guess that's what it is..I would not be surprised if another is brought in...

My thought is that with the roster limitations they held this compition during the mini camps before the rookies officially sign. I mean with less roster spots were we really going to bring 3 punters to camp.

Since it isn't an issue of getting under the limit (they already were, and the rookies probably won't start signing until mid-July), I think it's a case of them seeing Player probably won't beat out Hanson

While it is not an imediate roster limit issue there is not much team activity between now and when camp starts (when the limit will matter) so do the Player (no pun intended) a favor and give him a chance to sign else where.

 

[Pats726]

The PFW guys said he wasn't punting too well in minicamp. Since it isn't an issue of getting under the limit (they already were, and the rookies probably won't start signing until mid-July), I think it's a case of them seeing Player probably won't beat out Hanson and trying to let the vet catch on somewhere else before camp. I do think the Pats will bring someone else in, though. Remember last camp, when they had Malone, Baugher, and Miller all in, but they ended up cutting all of them and signing Hanson.

Regardless, this looks like the last Pats transaction we'll see until a rookie signing in the second week of July or so. Once they get to camp, I see them re-examining their injury situation and using the last two remaining spots where they are needed.

I missed that from PFW..I used to listen to them all the time..but grew tired of their non-football talk..inside jokes etc etc.. lack of football info. Good to hear they MAYBE back on track.
Yes..that makes great sense.. I don't think this is the last move though. With positions open, I do think there will be 1 to 2 surprise signings (non punter)..always to improve their situation. They do that all the time..so I think the eval will continue. Yes, I quite remember the 3 punters..and how they all were cut. Miller was coming off an injury and Malone and Baugher were young and really inexperienced..a punter can come into camp a lot easier than other positions..(more like a baseball player..than part of a unit). yes, injuries will be a large factor as to positions they will look for. Also..I would NOT be surprised if 1-2 rookies were late into camp...more so to give others a chance for a few days. 80 is difficult position wise..and many have been surprised that teams have not petitioned for an expansion.

 

[Patjew]

His strength must have come from the single-bar. Without it he's Ken Walter.

I've never had a problem with Chris Hanson's punting. He did a fine job for the most part last year.

I honestly do not remember one Hanson punt last year, and I watched every game, 4 in person. I must be repressing them or something. Weird.

 

[mojocaster.com]

His strength must have come from the single-bar. Without it he's Ken Walter.

funniest thing I have read in a while

 

[Mike the Brit]

BB may be a genius, but IMHO, he does not excel at finding great punters.

You're not kidding -- but still, if that's his only weakness ...

 

[BelichickFan]

I honestly do not remember one Hanson punt last year, and I watched every game, 4 in person. I must be repressing them or something. Weird.

I remember one in the "not to be mentioned game" in which he could have put it inside the 20 but slammed it through the end zone. Anyway, Hanson was OK last year, he did a little better than I expected when we needed a long one. I'm not remotely happy with him as our punter but . . . between Hanson and Ken Walter, I'll take Hanson

 

[Mike the Brit]

I honestly do not remember one Hanson punt last year, and I watched every game, 4 in person. I must be repressing them or something. Weird.

"Keep chopping wood!" Ring any bells?

 

[Patriotic Fervor]

Oh, wait! I have an idea!!!

Let's try and sign Sauerbrun!!!!

 

[Kontradiction]

Bring Back Drago!!!

 

[Pats726]

Bring Back Drago!!!

he'll be back later..PSqd...or maybe before..too soon now..

 

[Disco Volante]

So we signed this guy, and he turned out worse than Chris Hanson?

Oh lord.