Kelly Washington, Billy Yates cut

I would feel better with a veteran like Hochstein as the Game Day backup interior lineman. The Game Day guard needs to backup at C, LG, RG and DS. Hochstein is also a short yardage fullback.

I am fine with Connolly at the #5 developmental interior lineman (replacing Yates), especially with Mankins and Neal both in their contract year, but I would like to see Hochstein or another veteran signed.

We also need folks for Dante's camp. However, we already have LeVoir developing as a tackle, as well as Wendall who will likely be on the Practice Squad. Add Connelly and we really have enough long-shot developmental players. If we add a youngster, he should be top level starting material, expected to be a starter or a Game day backup in 2010. I see many players available on Day One.

In the end, I think Connolly is as good a prospect as Yates, for less money, and with a longer contract term (as an ERFA).

mgteich said:

Kevin Faulk and Jarvis Green say hi!

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If the Patriots are desperate enough to obtain salary cap relief,

these two players might be on the cut list along with starting

linebacker, Mike Vrabel.

jmt57 said:

All right, I'll be the first to say it: does the minimal net cap savings of cutting players like Washington and Yates mean that the Pats are expecting to have almost no cap room - i.e., that they are planning on keeping Cassel?

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No it means that these guys are not worth keeping on the roster. Washington has never really cracked the starting receiving rotation and is pretty much only a STer and Yates is a human turnstile.

Jimke said:

If the Patriots are desperate enough to obtain salary cap relief,

these two players might be on the cut list along with starting

linebacker, Mike Vrabel.

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I can tell you this with 100% certainty they are not cutting Faulk and/or Vrabel.

signbabybrady said:

I can tell you this with 100% certainty they are not cutting Faulk and/or Vrabel.

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Faulk stays until he's pushing the pile in a wheelchair!

At least that's my wish. He's the good Faulk.

Yeah, I agree. Kevin Faulk should stay until he wants to retire, we won't have a good reliable third down back anytime soon that contributes as much as Faulk anyway.

JSn said:

Faulk stays until he's pushing the pile in a wheelchair!

At least that's my wish. He's the good Faulk.

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I agree ...Marshall is a FAULKING jerk........

Jimke said:

If the Patriots are desperate enough to obtain salary cap relief,

these two players might be on the cut list along with starting

linebacker, Mike Vrabel.

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Frankly...I really doubt ANY would be...all three are quite valuable....if they are THAT desperate...they are in trouble...NOT happening.... and I kNOW Vrabel..Faulk have been mentioned...but why Green?? He's a solid 4th DE...and always has been a true rushing lineman..always with key plays...I KNOW this year wasn't the best for him...but???? WHO is the replacement for him???

ctpatsfan77 said:

It could be that they need the room for RFA/ERFA tenders (Woods, Alexander, Ventrone).

I'm kinda surprised the Patriots cut Washington, but not depressed over it.

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Just because he was cut does not mean neccessarily that he is gone. He could re-sign at a more appropriate wage.

The only one I would tender is Woods. Take the chance to re-sign Ventrone for the minimum; as he is only the 6th Safety. Bye Bye Alexander. BB is simply making room for the 11 draftees...

Mike the Brit said:

Well, you're probably right, but didn't Hochstein have some injury issues of his own early on in the season?

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Yes he did and in the SB too. He only got healthy about Neal's time to return. IMHO that is why Yates played, even as BB brought in a half dozen vets most of whom promptly got dinged.

The Jets have already invited Washington for a visit.

Jimke said:

If the Patriots are desperate enough to obtain salary cap relief,

these two players might be on the cut list along with starting

linebacker, Mike Vrabel.

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You are daft. Tedy may retire or be pushed, to join the Shadow roster, long before Vrabes does. That saves over $2 million on the CAP...

mayoclinic said:

The Jets have already invited Washington for a visit.

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And Buffalo.

In addition to the Jets, the Bills have reportedly shown interest in free agent Kelley Washington.
Washington's agent also says he'd consider returning to Cincinnati if the Bengals are interested. The only visit he's set up so far is with the Jets.

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:nooo: Jets

Yeah, so... Yates is back.

mayoclinic said:

The Jets have already invited Washington for a visit.

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Figures.:violent:

JSn said:

Yeah, so... Yates is back.

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Yeah a little odd....Reis explains it as part of the impending CBA

I guess Yates wanted to continue what he started here or didn't feel it was time to test the waters.

And the pats were hamstrung by the CBA where apperently certain NLTBE incentives are treated as likely to be earned. So the Pats cut the old contract and sign the new one which I persume pays the player similarly but saves cap??

signbabybrady said:

Yeah a little odd....Reis explains it as part of the impending CBA

I guess Yates wanted to continue what he started here or didn't feel it was time to test the waters.

And the pats were hamstrung by the CBA where apperently certain NLTBE incentives are treated as likely to be earned. So the Pats cut the old contract and sign the new one which I persume pays the player similarly but saves cap??

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Did one of the turnstiles at the stadium break and the team figure he could replace it?