Pats Sign LB James Anderson and .......well There Goes My Mark Harrison @ TE Theory......

shalise manza young @shalisemyoung · 1m
#Patriots announce signing of former #Panthers/#Bears LB James Anderson; WR Mark Harrison released to make room

Maybe Anderson can play TE too?

Good signing though, even if he can't

I like the Anderson move.

First year with the Bears in 2013 (after 7 with the Panthers) and very productive even when forced into babysitting the Bears LB corps last year when Briggs and Williams went down to injury. He led the team in tackles (129.5) and sacks (4) while keeping the young 'uns under his wing.

He's played inside and outside. Even though he was in a brand new scheme, he became the defensive signal caller last year when Briggs and Williams went down - - must mean he is wicked smaaaht - - something BB appreciates. He's 31 this September. Good depth signing for an area that sorely needed it.

Our LB core has some serious athletes.

I haven't seen much of Anderson, but he's been relatively productive, is an athlete, and we were paper thin at LB. So, it gets my seal of approval, which I know BB has been waiting for with bated breath.

The more I am reading about Anderson, the more this seems like a Roman Phifer move........Nice puzzle piece.

Rangy, great coverage skills, able to play inside and outside, smart, can rush the QB, productive, but turns 31 in September and slowing a bit.

It is really surprising that he last this long on the UFA market, the guy had 102 tackles (85 solo), 4 sacks, 9 stuffs, and 3 pass defends last season for Chicago. That is impressive he made 13 plays behind the line of scrimmage as a 4-3 OLB.

The top 5 LBs look a lot better now –

Mayo
Hightower
Collins
Anderson
Beauharnais

JackBauer said:

I haven't seen much of Anderson, but he's been relatively productive, is an athlete, and we were paper thin at LB. So, it gets my seal of approval, which I know BB has been waiting for with bated breath.

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He is a freakish athlete, I am sure he has declined some with age but his combine metrics back in 2006 were ridiculous.

Combine Invite: Yes
Height: 6026
Weight: 229
40 Yrd Dash: 4.59
20 Yrd Dash: 2.68
10 Yrd Dash: 1.57
225 Lb. Bench Reps:
Vertical Jump: 41
Broad Jump: 10'01"
20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.08
3-Cone Drill: 6.68

Would have liked to have seen Mark Harrison at least try to play TE.

Those Belichick blackmail pics that Bequette has must be incredible.

shmessy said:

Would have liked to have seen Mark Harrison at least try to play TE.

Those Belichick blackmail pics that Bequette has must be incredible.

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Bequette is going to go off for this season, you will see

He is going to register a tackle.

Love the signing, but I'm really surprised that the end of the roster turned out to be Harrison.

There are so many others there who really have no shot at the team. Just...surprised.

Anyone know if Harrison was released as a TE or as a WR ?

Brady6 said:

The top 5 LBs look a lot better now –

Mayo
Hightower
Collins
Anderson
Beauharnais

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The defense now has solid depth everywhere (depending how one views Buchanan/Smith) except safety. I just wished we had a safety behind McCourty/Harmon that wasn't awful. Hopefully Ryan moves there and plays well.

Very solid signing. Sad to see Harrison go but I am more glad we got Anderson. LB depth is now very solid IMO.

50-yard-line said:

Love the signing, but I'm really surprised that the end of the roster turned out to be Harrison.

There are so many others there who really have no shot at the team. Just...surprised.

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He was the 8th WR and we usually only keep 5 (both #s don't count Slater as a WR).

Edelman
Dobson
DA
KT
LaFell
Boyce
Gallon

50-yard-line said:

Love the signing, but I'm really surprised that the end of the roster turned out to be Harrison.

There are so many others there who really have no shot at the team. Just...surprised.

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I am pretty shocked they cut Harrison, the guy is a physical beast. Plus the only receiver with size besides Dobson and Lafell. I much rather they dumped one of the other receivers they just signed. What a waste of a year and a roster spot.

scott99 said:

What a waste of a year and a roster spot.

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Harrison didn't count as a roster spot last year. So i'm not sure how that was a wasted a spot.

NESN.com can confirm MassLive.com’s report that Bill Belichick cut Harrison after he showed up late for an OTA.

Read more at: http://nesn.com/2014/06/patriots-sign-linebacker-james-anderson-release-receiver-mark-harrison/

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Can a TE be far behind?

Id like to assume that Harrison just wasn't able to get healthy. That's the only thing that makes sense to me. I was looking forward to seeing him play