Practice Squad Taking Shape

JackBauer said:

I think it's more likely Washington is re-signed after week 1.

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Don't count on it, he is out looking for a job.
No reason for BB to cut him now if he wants him for game 2 and on.

AndyJohnson said:

Don't count on it, he is out looking for a job.
No reason for BB to cut him now if he wants him for game 2 and on.

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I thought it was so that his salary wouldn't be guaranteed?

I may be confused...I thought I read about this being a possibility somewhere. But that might have been re: Fells, not Washington.

AndyJohnson said:

Don't count on it, he is out looking for a job.
No reason for BB to cut him now if he wants him for game 2 and on.

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He does it all the time with vested vets, Branch last year and Gerard Warren in 2011 immediately jump to mind, but I'm sure there are more.

Of course, you can find examples to prove that they just weren't interested, like Gaffney last year, but on the whole, it is reasonable to believe that they are still interested in Leon, they just wanted to take a week to massage the roster with all the claims.

JackBauer said:

I thought it was so that his salary wouldn't be guaranteed?

I may be confused...I thought I read about this being a possibility somewhere. But that might have been re: Fells, not Washington.

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It is true for both. Once you are a vested vet, your salary is guaranteed if you are on the week one roster.

Oswlek said:

He does it all the time with vested vets, Branch last year and Gerard Warren in 2011 immediately jump to mind, but I'm sure there are more.

Of course, you can find examples to prove that they just weren't interested, like Gaffney last year, but on the whole, it is reasonable to believe that they are still interested in Leon, they just wanted to take a week to massage the roster with all the claims.

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Washington is an interesting pick up for next week, if only to have an assigned player to take the hits that come in the return game. Washington did not distinguish himself in the pre-season on kick-offs or punts. He was featured a little in the short passing game in the 4th exhibition, so it looked like they had some plans for him as a 3rd down back-up to Vereen. He's got some versatility. He looks like a shadow roster guy unless some other team picks him up.

Belichick and I disagree on the use of your most sure-handed receiver or running back as your return man. I hated seeing Welker staring into the sky while 220 pound scrubs came barrelling at him on punts, for instance, and it would creep me out to see Amendola back there. Kick-offs are less worrisome because there are fewer returns and the returner has more time to gather himself and head for an alley. Punt returns are suicide missions in my book.

Edelman should remain on punts, not sure who should KR, Boyce maybe or Vereen

Snake Eyes said:

I said no such thing, don't put words in my mouth. I simply said that Mallett has NOT displayed the skills that a competent NFL QB should have, his very erratic accuracy has been a consistent thing with him. If he hasn't been able to learn how to throw with touch by this point I don't have much faith in him to develop it.

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Do you really think that a guy who has demonstrated ability to accept coaching, is willing to work hard, proven his willingness to study film and comprehend it. All of this proven by by his Belichick awarded Parking Space is incapable of improvement?

He has demonstrated if you weren't noticing, a repeated ability to move a team on extended marches, and complete the intermediate and long pass in exemplary fashion.

Do you seriously think he is NOT CAPABLE of perfecting the short, dump off, pass?

The reality is that there are multiple things being coached while doing so, and the coaching objectives of each conflict partially with the other.

He is being coached to narrow the target of the short pass to low throws. That is for the purpose of reducing INTs and keeping his receivers healthy. A tertiary reason is to make YAC more possible.

A conflicting coaching effort is simultaneously going on, to control the strength of his short throws, to 'modulate' his throwing effort, to make these passes more catchable. This involves learning to take some steam off his natural throwing effort.

I find it entirely understandable that these conflicting goals, had led to a tendency for some throws being too low and short.

But seeing as how he has:
a) Accepted coaching;
b) Improved his footwork immeasurebly;
c Is reading Defenses in real time;
d) Is doing so at acceptable NFL speed;
e) Is selecting the proper receiver, most of the time;
f) revealing that he comprehends and understands what he sees;
g) has had but a very limited body of game action to improve.

I think the Polish & Poise, is coming along very well. When he goes under Center, he no longer appears to be a raw rookie QB.

Despite the short low throws, his completion percentage is in the high 50% range; with an additional acknowledgement of his ability for the long ball. It is already enough to move the ball consistently, as several QBs in the league make a career of doing.

What were the Prime Considerations that led to his dropping from a Top Ten selection to Round Three, where he fell into Belichicks hands ?

No one could criticize his Arm or physical size. It was intimated by anonymous rumor, that he was an immature, AND a stupid, country hick, who was lazy. He couldn't and wouldn't study at his craft, and could never comprehend what he saw on film.

His actions with Bill Belichick proven by the Parking Award, have proven all those criticisms wrong, save the immaturity question. But Father Time is curing that.

Don't you think given time he can resolve those conflicting coaching goals, and consistently modulate his short dump off throws, and also correct his aim to slightly higher target zone ? Perfecting a dump off pass is after all a school yard accomplishment.

AzPatsFan said:

Do you really think that a guy who has demonstrated ability to accept coaching, is willing to work hard, proven his willingness to study film and comprehend it. All of this proven by by his Belichick awarded Parking Space is incapable of improvement?

He has demonstrated if you weren't noticing, a repeated ability to move a team on extended marches, and complete the intermediate and long pass in exemplary fashion.

Do you seriously think he is NOT CAPABLE of perfecting the short, dump off, pass?

The reality is that there are multiple things being coached while doing so, and the coaching objectives of each conflict partially with the other.

He is being coached to narrow the target of the short pass to low throws. That is for the purpose of reducing INTs and keeping his receivers healthy. A tertiary reason is to make YAC more possible.

A conflicting coaching effort is simultaneously going on, to control the strength of his short throws, to 'modulate' his throwing effort, to make these passes more catchable. This involves learning to take some steam off his natural throwing effort.

I find it entirely understandable that these conflicting goals, had led to a tendency for some throws being too low and short.

But seeing as how he has:
a) Accepted coaching;
b) Improved his footwork immeasurebly;
c Is reading Defenses in real time;
d) Is doing so at acceptable NFL speed;
e) Is selecting the proper receiver, most of the time;
f) revealing that he comprehends and understands what he sees;
g) has had but a very limited body of game action to improve.

I think the Polish & Poise, is coming along very well. When he goes under Center, he no longer appears to be a raw rookie QB.

Despite the short low throws, his completion percentage is in the high 50% range; with an additional acknowledgement of his ability for the long ball. It is already enough to move the ball consistently, as several QBs in the league make a career of doing.

What were the Prime Considerations that led to his dropping from a Top Ten selection to Round Three, where he fell into Belichicks hands ?

No one could criticize his Arm or physical size. It was intimated by anonymous rumor, that he was an immature, AND a stupid, country hick, who was lazy. He couldn't and wouldn't study at his craft, and could never comprehend what he saw on film.

His actions with Bill Belichick proven by the Parking Award, have proven all those criticisms wrong, save the immaturity question. But Father Time is curing that.

Don't you think given time he can resolve those conflicting coaching goals, and consistently modulate his short dump off throws, and also correct his aim to slightly higher target zone ? Perfecting a dump off pass is after all a school yard accomplishment.

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How many times have we read about Mallett making an outstanding pass followed by one 3yds behind the receiver on the ground and another sideline pass that winds up a few yards out of bounds? It’s a consistent theme with him, if it’s a school yard pass then I hope an NFL QB should have no problem executing it but he does.

I don’t like Mallett and would prefer to move on, you feel differently, let’s just agree to disagree.

I don't think that Mallett or the patriots want Mallett to be here beyond 2014. We can continue to argue whether he was worth a 3rd as a 3-year backup.

In any case, we need to develop a backup to compete with Mallett in 2014 and to replace him (unless Mallett is expended) in 2015.

We can start tryouts this year, using the Practice Squad and perhaps even the 53. If nothing is done this year (other than signing two of the worst QB's in the league), then we will be looking at bringing in a couple of quarterbacks next year, likely including a draftee.

patfanken said:

Not thaI it means much in the great scheme of things, but I find the make up of this PS more than a bit odd given the following:

1. Why is there no CB, given we are a little thin there

2. Why are there 3 OLmen on the PS, given we have 9 on the Roster and stashed 2 more on the IR. The team is rife with developmental OLmen

3. Where is the developmental QB? A team needs to have at least 3 QBs to practice with. Who is going to run the scout team....Josh?

4. Where is the extra RB. Why isn't Winn or Devlin on the PS? This might not be a big deal for games, but think about the wear and tear when there are only 4 RBs to work in practice.

No folks, I don't think this PS is set in stone by any means, nor is the roster in general. Lots going to happen after Sunday in my humble opinion

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Agreed that some OL are going to get their walking papers. As for RB and QB -- assuming that scout team doesn't involve much hitting, what's the problem giving the regular guys the scout team duties too?

I also note that Edelman can probably fake every offensive skill position except TE.

Meanwhile, we'll soon see whether Tarpinian has some Ventrone in him.

Oswlek said:

It is true for both. Once you are a vested vet, your salary is guaranteed if you are on the week one roster.

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The patriots normally cut the vet that they don't want either
a) before the final 53 roster cut down if there is no (or little) signing bonus or
b) at (or after) the 53 rosters cut down if there was a signing bonus.

Patriots paid Washington 385K to sign him, so I don't think he will be back.

pats_premi said:

The patriots normally cut the vet that they don't want either
a) before the final 53 roster cut down if there is no (or little) signing bonus or
b) at (or after) the 53 rosters cut down if there was a signing bonus.

Patriots paid Washington 385K to sign him, so I don't think he will be back.

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FWIW it's being reported that his locker remains intact at Gillette.

JackBauer said:

FWIW it's being reported that his locker remains intact at Gillette.

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I didn't know that. Oh well, there goes my theory

patfanken said:

Not thaI it means much in the great scheme of things, but I find the make up of this PS more than a bit odd given the following:

1. Why is there no CB, given we are a little thin there

2. Why are there 3 OLmen on the PS, given we have 9 on the Roster and stashed 2 more on the IR. The team is rife with developmental OLmen

3. Where is the developmental QB? A team needs to have at least 3 QBs to practice with. Who is going to run the scout team....Josh?

4. Where is the extra RB. Why isn't Winn or Devlin on the PS? This might not be a big deal for games, but think about the wear and tear when there are only 4 RBs to work in practice.

No folks, I don't think this PS is set in stone by any means, nor is the roster in general. Lots going to happen after Sunday in my humble opinion

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1. Not that he's much of a prospect, at all, but CB Justin Green is currently on the PS.

2. Agreed; Bill & Dante should decide btwn Dill & Devey as their developmental OT.

3. Agreed; instead of 2 OTs, perhaps 1 OT & 1 QB would be a better allocation of PS recources.

4. Not enough room, with only 8 total PS spots, for both a RB & WR unless a position elsewhere
is sacrificed. I would like to see the PS roster expanded to 10, or better still 12.

captain stone said:

2. Agreed; Bill & Dante should decide btwn Dill & Devey as their developmental OT.

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I agree that two offensive tackles on the practice squad is one too many. Cut one of the developmental offensive tackles and sign running back George Winn.

Cut cornerback Justin Green and sign a developmental quarterback.

ATippett56 said:

I agree that two offensive tackles on the practice squad is one too many. Cut one of the developmental offensive tackles and sign running back George Winn.

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Chris McDonald released, Jordan Peavey contract voided.

Patriots tweak back end of roster - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

In addition, the practice squad contract of Jordan Devey was disapproved, though the reason is unclear. That leaves the Patriots with one open spot on the practice squad.

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ATippett56 said:

Josh Kline in, Jeff Tarpinian out on practice squad - ESPN Boston

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I am glad they’ve moved on from Tarpinian, he has had ample opportunity to make something happen in his time here, he spend 2011, and 2012 either on the practice squad or active roster, the minute we had put in a waiver claim for Chris White I knew it was a matter of time till he was gone.

pats_premi said:

The patriots normally cut the vet that they don't want either
a) before the final 53 roster cut down if there is no (or little) signing bonus or
b) at (or after) the 53 rosters cut down if there was a signing bonus.

Patriots paid Washington 385K to sign him, so I don't think he will be back.

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Actually, they have greased the palms of likely shadow roster candidates in the past. Deion Branch last year, for example, got a few hundred thousand in a signing bonus even though it never seemed necessary to get him to sign. I always considered that a vacation stipend of sorts.