Semi OT: Jon Halapio joins FXFL Boston Brawlers

This is probably a solid decision by Halapio to remain close to the Patriots so Belichick can watch him. I would have to assume they gave him a list of things to work on when they released him and he could make a return at some point in the next year if he showed improvements in their areas of concern.

http://www.csnne.com/blog/patriots-talk/halapio-joins-fxfl-boston-brawlers

Seems odd That a kid drafted in the 5th would fall so far so fast. No practice squad in the whole NFL and not even enough intrest in him for him to stay available. Kudos to him for finding this and keeping his hopes alive.

signbabybrady said:

Seems odd That a kid drafted in the 5th would fall so far so fast. No practice squad in the whole NFL and not even enough intrest in him for him to stay available. Kudos to him for finding this and keeping his hopes alive.

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He's basically just a big road grader. He's not really athletic enough to stick on a professional OL. I wanted him to drop some weight but also had my concerns about how well he would hold up, strength-wise, were that to happen. I doubt he's ever going to be anything in the NFL, but we'll see. Stranger things have definitely happened.

Pretty bad draft miss by our Patriots, unfortunately.

Tunescribe said:

Pretty bad draft miss by our Patriots, unfortunately.

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Still not as bad as Tavon Wilson. A second rounder for a special teamer with Lavonte David on the board. Ouch.

Tavon Wilson was worth it solely for that pick six in garbage time in Baltimore.

a 5th rounder is a bad miss????

Hilapio in the SIXTH was considered a long shot at the time. Of course, some here had him starting this year or next.

We need to understand that 6th rounders are long shots to make the team.

A 2nd rounder who plays only dime and special teams is a serious miss. However, even he is on the team, producing.

We drafted OL's in the 4th, 4th and 6th. IMHO, we did very well.

My BOTTOM LINE is that the team drafted three OL's. One is already our regular starter. Another has had one start, and should be at least a Game Day backup in 2015. The 3rd didn't make the team. IMHO, that is good evaluation. We had needs on the OL. We found 2 rookies that will likely contribute this year, next year and into the future.

signbabybrady said:

Seems odd That a kid drafted in the 5th would fall so far so fast. No practice squad in the whole NFL and not even enough intrest in him for him to stay available. Kudos to him for finding this and keeping his hopes alive.

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Halapio was a shot in the dark pick. He played his senior campaign in the SEC with a torn pectoral muscle, team captain, etc. All the intangibles, toughness you want, plus the style the new OL coach favors (big road grader). That makes him a priority UDFA, but on top of that you are taking a flyer on him, projecting he would be significantly better with two healthy pectorals than how he showed on tape with one. It's a good gamble for the sixth round that didn't pan out. Unless he has lingering injuries, his talent level ended up being UDFA. It's not a fall to not make an NFL roster as an unheralded collegiate right guard.