Dennard to IR, Boyce to 53

OhExaulted1 said:

Actually, after the "top 2" we're "carrying" a Pro-Bowler. Our "#4" is really a PR/KR guy, who, if he was on a rookie contract, everyone would be in love with. Tyms is a "project" who's likely gone in the offseason.

There's only 1 football, and we have 5 guys who can get it done. (Julien, Jo-Jo, Rob, Tim and Shane). I hope we retain Vereen but that seems like a 50/50 proposition.

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Sure, but that's interjecting Gronk and making it an entirely different conversation altogether. I'm also on record as saying that Vereen could be used differently in an emergency situation, but, again, that's not the topic at this point, it is purely WRs. I suppose you could stretch things to include Wright, but time is running short on the possibility of him being the super-secret weapon many of us hoped he would be. I still expect good things in the coming years.

If Amendola were a rookie, he'd have a great deal of expected growth, but that isn't the case. It isn't just how much he's paid, it's the fact that he is what he is... an OK slot guy. I know his stats looked comparable to Edelman, but Julian usually does so while attracting a great deal more attention.

There really is no complaint about NE's weapons at full strength, it is the drop off after the top two WRs that is noteworthy.

Maybe it is as simple as Boyce having good chemistry with Grroppolo.

hwc said:

True. It still had to be a stressful offseason mentally. I'm as puzzled as everyone else. I thought Dennard had established himself as at least a decent JAG-level starting CB in the NFL. Heck, he was the starter on opening day. He's really fallen off a cliff.

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Some would say that that signing Browner showed at least some doubt with regard to Dennard (and Ryan).

Nothing makes me think that Tymes would be gone in the off-season. Just the opposite, in fact. He's been on the active game-day roster for the second half of the season, seeing regular duty on special teams and spot duty/backup as a receiver. Not saying that he's a lock to make next year's roster, but that's the kind of player that often sticks on a Belichick team.

hwc said:

Nothing makes me think that Tymes would be gone in the off-season. Just the opposite, in fact. He's been on the active game-day roster for the second half of the season, seeing regular duty on special teams and spot duty/backup as a receiver. Not saying that he's a lock to make next year's roster, but that's the kind of player that often sticks on a Belichick team.

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Tyms will be given a chance to make the 2015 roster. There is no reason not to give him an opportunity to compete. After all, we have three positions pretty locked up: Edelman, LaFell and Dobson (no reason for him not to make the team as the #5 WR at a cost of $700K). So, there are two open positions with only Boyce and Tyms competing as of now, unless someone thinks that Amendola is being paid $4.4M (otherwise his contract will be torn up).

There are those who think that Dobson should be cut since he has been a waste as a top pick. IMHO, that is poor resource management. Dobson is now a #5 WR who knows the system, can be the inactive #5 WR, and be able to be active or even start if necessary. That combination is well worth $716K. BTW, I would further and suggest that Dobson is likely to make the 2015 AND 2016 team, as long as he can stay reasonably healthy (THAT is the big IF with regard to keeping him, not the quality of his play). IMHO, his current level of play makes him worth being the #5 WR.

Brady6 said:

Sure, if we want to be all negative and depressing than sure that's what I mean.

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Danny Amendola called me and asked if the hundreds statements made about him on the board can be stopped. He said the statements were "all negative and depressing". I said "sorry Dan, the Pats board is about responding to other posters, sometimes repeatedly, and sometimes the replies will be based on the cold hard facts".

did boyce get to play? I was expecting big things from him.

How about Moore? HE's good as well.

It's a minor move. What it means to me is he was the most valuable member of the practice squad. Or the most likely to be poached by some crappy team. By promoting him to the 53-man roster he becomes an ERFA and we can tender him a minimum salary contract for 2015. The practice squad can sign a futures contract with the team of their choice after some date in the near future as rosters are set to expand to 90 in the post season.

Promoting Boyce provides us with his rights for 2015. And moving Dennard to IR provides us with his rights for 2015, but prevents him from contributing in the post-season this year.