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

Cool, now just sign Dustin Keller and Terrell Thomas and call it an offseason.

scott99 said:

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.

Click to expand...

Probably wasn't healthy. But also couldn't catch a cold in college, so maybe his hands just didn't get any better last year.

Remember, we don't see everything that goes on behind the scenes. It took some time last offseason before we found out that Love and Deaderick were released mainly due to worth ethic concerns (in addition to Love's diabetes). Considering the timing of the release and that Harrison at least has the talent level to contribute in the NFL (which can't be said for every guy on the roster), that would be my guess of what happened.

Not sure why so much love for Harrison he wasn't beating out Jules, Amendola,Dobson, KT, Lafell, Boyce, or Slater. So who cares.

Been waiting on the Anderson move and so glad it happened LB depth was a costing me sleep.

shmessy said:

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

Click to expand...

That does make it less likely Harrison will be converted to TE...

I cannot believe this much attention is being paid to the Patriots releasing an UDFA who spent last season on PUP and IR.

DJ Williams and Asa Watson are both young players that fit the Flex TE role a lot better than Harrison would have.

Marqui said:

Cool, now just sign Jermicheal Finley and Terrell Thomas and call it an offseason.

Click to expand...

Fixed it for ya

Brady6 said:

I cannot believe this much attention is being paid to the Patriots releasing an UDFA who spent last season on PUP and IR.

Click to expand...

It's the off-season..

Great news about Anderson. IMO another LB with some coverage skills was the biggest risk area on the defense, bigger even than safety.

Brady6 said:

The top 5 LBs look a lot better now –

Mayo
Hightower
Collins
Anderson
Beauharnais

Click to expand...

Don't forget Ninko can fill in.

Very good signing, i think with Flemming and Anderson, we definitely upgraded our depth at a position where we desperately needed it.

https://twitter.com/nick_underhill/status/474341129627131904

I’m told that Mark Harrison was late to an OTA before being released.

Click to expand...

Well there's at least part of the story.

Nice depth signing at LB. Hopefully this allows Hightower to move down and play some DE.

KontradictioN said:

Nice depth signing at LB. Hopefully this allows Hightower to move down and play some DE.

Click to expand...

I just started a thread asking if this move means that Hightower will see some time at DE. I guess great minds think alike. Well in our case, not so great minds.

Good signing. The Patriots needed some more depth at LB. And Harrison wasn't doing anything this year, despite his status as "binkie" of many.

I don't believe trying to develop young players is a waste regardless of whether they Mae it or not, it is simply part of the cost of doing business. You bring in a bunch, work them hard and see who makes it. Harrison apparently wasn't good enough when all was said and done.

Brady6 said:

I cannot believe this much attention is being paid to the Patriots releasing an UDFA who spent last season on PUP and IR.

Click to expand...

But he was going to be a TE.

Harrison dreamed about playing TE back in pee wee football.

New article says Harrison was late to the OTAs.

Harrison is not a big loss at all...