Howe: Patriots considering placing Easley on IR

Mack Herron said:

His replacement, if there is one, is likely to come from the PS where he has been practicing all along.

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I would agree.

Unless there is a player who is sitting on a couch somewhere that can rush from the interior that is better

Mack Herron said:

His replacement, if there is one, is likely to come from the PS where he has been practicing all along.

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This week. But you are eventually going to bring in another body, be it a roster or PS signing, so if Easley is going to go on IR, you might as well do it now. If not, the only logical conclusion is that the team is still holding out hope.

Why not have Easley rest till playoffs? This gives him 3-5 wks to recover on his issues.

Should do this for Chandler as well.

Phins, Jets, Bills are not a huge threat that would require Chandler and/or Easley's services.

IMO

Kasmir said:

The best way of dealing with the Pessimistic Pete's of this forum is to ignore them. A close second is to remember what they said and play it back to them, not so much for their benefit as for ours.

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I Don't Care, I Can't Stand It!!!!!

I really did not expect too much from him this year ...

So if true a good move ... rather have him pysically 100% next year and with a year in the system mentally.

I see right through you "IR Easley" guys
It's SO transparent
You just want your boy Jake Bequette elevated from the PS to the 46
We're onto you

Mack Herron said:

His replacement, if there is one, is likely to come from the PS where he has been practicing all along.

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David Fales.

Oswlek said:

This week. But you are eventually going to bring in another body, be it a roster or PS signing, so if Easley is going to go on IR, you might as well do it now. If not, the only logical conclusion is that the team is still holding out hope.

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Why do folks think that we need a another roster replacement for Easley's minimal production. We just added Siliga. Chandler Jones is back. We have enough defensive linemen for now.

DE Jones, Ninkovich, Ayers, Moore
DT: Wilfork, Siliga, Branch, Jones

Of course, if there is a future injury on the defensive line, we would need an addition, probably from the Practice Squad (Walker, Vellano, Bequette).

I would expect the roster spot, if there is one, to be used for a special teamer (perhaps Green) or for Boyce.

Also, Belichick could use the opportunity to snatch a player off someone's Practice Squad to augment next year's camp squad, perhaps at WR or RB.

mgteich said:

Why do folks think that we need a another roster replacement for Easley's minimal production. We just added Siliga. Chandler Jones is back. We have enough defensive linemen for now.

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Because him being put on IR brings the team down to 52 players? When did I say NE needed to replace Easley's production? I actually said the exact opposite, that Easley has been contributing so little that it didn't seem overly risky to just sit him for a few weeks and see if his knee improves.

But the fact of the matter is, if Easley is ends up on IR, the team will either a) promote someone from the PS and open a spot there or b) sign a FA. If you expect Easley to go on IR, then there is no reason to wait because anyone you sign will be more ready to contribute in the playoffs with a few preparatory weeks.

I imagine if this occurs, we will add someone to the all important inactive list for the last few games.

RayClay said:

What would they gain by IRing him? They could send him to a spa until the playoffs and it would be the same thing. Any player picked up now would probably never even be active.

Call me cynical, but I'm guessing Howe took the fact that he's not practicing and Jones is coming back and is rolling the dice that Easley's hurt more than we know and hoping for a scoop.

If he's wrong, it's just another forgotten article.

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Well when Jones is coming back and with Siliga and Branch playing well and the emergence of Ayers putting Easly on IR gives him time to regain strength in the knees and provides roster flexibility going into the playoffs/

patsfan13 said:

Well when Jones is coming back and with Siliga and Branch playing well and the emergence of Ayers putting Easly on IR gives him time to regain strength in the knees and provides roster flexibility going into the playoffs/

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RayClay's point is that Easley can just as easily rest and get the same benefit while still being able to contribute if things go well. Unless you are absolutely certain that he needs a few months of down time, NE isn't going to get much more from the 53rd guy on the roster.

betterthanthealternative said:

David Fales.

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He was added to the active roster in Chicago.

Oswlek said:

RayClay's point is that Easley can just as easily rest and get the same benefit while still being able to contribute if things go well. Unless you are absolutely certain that he needs a few months of down time, NE isn't going to get much more from the 53rd guy on the roster.

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Not a doc don't see him in practice/rehab. I'll leave the personnel stuff to BB.

Oswlek said:

RayClay's point is that Easley can just as easily rest and get the same benefit while still being able to contribute if things go well. Unless you are absolutely certain that he needs a few months of down time, NE isn't going to get much more from the 53rd guy on the roster.

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Hey, don't put words in my mouth! Oh, except you're right. Never mind.

The gist i got from the "source" who knows what the team is thinking was they might IR him even though they aren't sure he's beyond coming back with a little rest.

If he can't improve, of course they should IR him.

patsfan13 said:

Not a doc don't see him in practice/rehab. I'll leave the personnel stuff to BB.

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Me neither. My only real point is, I don't think this writer really knows what the team is thinking, I think he's taking a calculated guess based on the practice time missed and inactivity hoping to look like he had a scoop if he guessed right. I'm cynical about modern journalists.

Oswlek said:

RayClay's point is that Easley can just as easily rest and get the same benefit while still being able to contribute if things go well. Unless you are absolutely certain that he needs a few months of down time, NE isn't going to get much more from the 53rd guy on the roster.

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Say we elevate someone from the practice squad and he's inactive for game one. We have an injury. What difference does it make if he's on the roster or available from the practice squad? it would require one bottom of the roster move at the end of the year when teams are unlikely to claim a 53rd player.

mgteich said:

Why do folks think that we need a another roster replacement for Easley's minimal production. We just added Siliga. Chandler Jones is back. We have enough defensive linemen for now.

DE Jones, Ninkovich, Ayers, Moore
DT: Wilfork, Siliga, Branch, Jones

Of course, if there is a future injury on the defensive line, we would need an addition, probably from the Practice Squad (Walker, Vellano, Bequette).

I would expect the roster spot, if there is one, to be used for a special teamer (perhaps Green) or for Boyce.

Also, Belichick could use the opportunity to snatch a player off someone's Practice Squad to augment next year's camp squad, perhaps at WR or RB.

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Agreed. Given what his production has been I don't see an overly tangible need for Easley. That's not to say we are better off without him, however (pointed out on your list), the DL has the right pieces in place to be productive with the exception of a potent pass rush.
Regarding the pass rush, Easley wasn't making enough of a difference for his absence to be felt. Our pass rush becoming more functional is all about Jones returning, getting a couple of key sacks, creating enough notice that he warrants extra attention from the offensive line (which, hopefully. also opens up others getting a key sack here and there).

RayClay said:

Me neither. My only real point is, I don't think this writer really knows what the team is thinking, I think he's taking a calculated guess based on the practice time missed and inactivity hoping to look like he had a scoop if he guessed right. I'm cynical about modern journalists.

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I agree with this.

Easley = Bill's worst 1st-round pick since Stomper Meriweather.
Those who questioned using said 1st-rounder on an undersized DT with serious knee issues have been
proven correct, again.