Patriots to Release Alfonzo Dennard

Concussion Protocol said:

Wrong news anchor. Chris Matthews.

Click to expand...

Doh!

raduray said:

Wasn't Dennard replaced by Butler for being ineffective in the second half of the SB?

Click to expand...

Uh no, that would be Kyle Arrington.

I saw this coming, but I still don't understand it. Dennard went from good starter to perpetually inactive in no time.

I liked him as a player, thought he was a solid CB, disappointed to see him released.

I just find it bizarre that in a draft where there was a dearth of CBs that they never tried to trade him for picks, there would have to have been willing suitors, surely?

Marqui said:

Uh no, that would be Kyle Arrington.

Click to expand...

Logan Ryan also got deer in the headlights and played less than stellar.

Goes to show you how critical Butler was to the game- even without the INT.

Username said:

I liked him as a player, thought he was a solid CB, disappointed to see him released.

I just find it bizarre that in a draft where there was a dearth of CBs that they never tried to trade him for picks, there would have to have been willing suitors, surely?

Click to expand...

They might have tried to trade him. But teams probably understood that he would be released if he wasn't traded as he had an increased salary this year and barely saw the field last year. Why not just wait until the Pats release him and them pick him up?

I just want to point out that we as Patsfans are being a little hypocritical with our CBs here...

Within the last few years Dennard was good but last year he sucked. We all were counting on him anyway to be a potential top guy and are upset now that he's gone...

... However, the same exact situation applies to both recent signings Fletcher and McClain: both were pretty good within the last couple years but were not so good last year. But instead of us counting on them in the same way we were counting on Dennard, we assume they'll continue to be trash.

If Dennard could've returned to form, can't Fletcher and McClain? Don't lose the faith, people!

JMC00 said:

Really not that surprised, healthy scratch for much of the season last year and when he did play he looked bad.

Click to expand...

I'm surprised that anyone is surprised. The guy couldn't even make the game day roster for much of last season and was buried behind every other CB on the team when it came to playing time. Logan Ryan and Malcolm Butler got the snaps. The shock would be if he WEREN'T released.

There are going to be more cuts. Soon, every time the Pats want to sign a player, somebody is going to have to go. I think they were at 88 players before Dennard gets released.

Bombdog said:

Butler does not worry me the kid has shown he can play. Now who plays the other corner that is something to get nervous about

Click to expand...

As great Butler was in the 2nd 1/2 of the SB and has excellent potential, he was destroyed by Mike Wallace last year. Lets be careful about how much confidence we bestow on him before hes started more than one game during the regular season.

Good article below on our hero.

http://nesn.com/2015/02/malcolm-butler-not-just-a-patriots-one-hit-wonder-has-untapped-potential/

I had Dennard penciled in as nothing more than depth so, really, no biggie AFAIAC.

letekro said:

At least one of our starting CBs this year is on another team right now.

Click to expand...

Goodness, I hope so.

There is often a surprise deal, like Mankins for Wright. The Patriots sorely need a starting-caliber corner. Or two.

I was hoping for PJ Williams or D'Joun Smith at that second spot where the Pats added Jordan Richards.

I had Dennard at #7 on the Pats CB depth chart, so it's not a huge loss. Of course, I still have spots #1 and #2 open...

From the chart in the "Why Richards is top 64" thread, Dennard allowed a 70% completion rate, for a QB rating of 111 when thrown at. Don't get overly excited about Butler, though, from one play. He yielded a QB rating of 125 when thrown at over the season. Ryan came in at 80, so his performance was far better than Dennard and Butler.

Why are people overrating this guy? He just wasn't that good.

Move on.

KontradictioN said:

McCourty is not moving back to CB, people. He's a top FS in the league and quarterbacks had figured out his game by 2012 and were targeting him a lot on deep routes because he either could not or would not turn his head around. Moving him back to CB while cutting Dennard essentially weakens two positions in the secondary and Belichick is not going to do that. Look for a trade for a veteran CB by midseason at the very latest.

Click to expand...

He had a great rookie season but like you said he got torched the following year. My memory is a bit hazy but I thought he started 2012 at corner and did much better but was moved back to FS because of need. McCourty excelled as a FS and with the acquistion of Talib later that season, there was no need for McCourty to move back.

They got Talib during the season and that turned out great, I hope they can replicate that success and get another veteran CB.

I still think there is a chance that they move McCourty back to DB because of need and have Harmon as FS. Arrington is better as a slot corner but they could move him back to left/right corner.

It's looking like Butler and Fletcher at Corner, Arrington at Slot, McCourty at FS and Chung at SS. or McCourty, Butler/Fletcher at Corner, Arrington at Slot, Harmon at FS and Chung at SS.

Ryan, McClain, Chekwa, Green, Swanson and Roberts competing for the backup spots.

Ross12 said:

I just want to point out that we as Patsfans are being a little hypocritical with our CBs here...

Within the last few years Dennard was good but last year he sucked. We all were counting on him anyway to be a potential top guy and are upset now that he's gone...

... However, the same exact situation applies to both recent signings Fletcher and McClain: both were pretty good within the last couple years but were not so good last year. But instead of us counting on them in the same way we were counting on Dennard, we assume they'll continue to be trash.

If Dennard could've returned to form, can't Fletcher and McClain? Don't lose the faith, people!

Click to expand...

Every CB on the roster has a wart. Butler doesn't have a track record. Ryan can't play press man. Fletcher needs to recover from PTSD and needs therapy for his neck after watching all those balls fly over him. Arrington is a disaster outside the numbers. McClain is spotty. Chi-Chi is fodder. Douglas is rawer than raw.

If Dennard had his 2013 year in 2014 he'd be someone you can count on. After a disaster of a 2014 and whatever the reason (special teams, can't play slot, $1.5m, commitment, etc) he did not deserve consideration for being someone that could be counted on. He was right there with the rest of the CBs.

It's possible that the players listed can improve, revert back to when they were productive or be consistent but the odds are against all of them moving in a positive direction. Just gotta see how it plays out.

patsinthesnow said:

Butler/Roberts. Our CB duo by midseason

Click to expand...

McCourty/Butler, our CB duo all season. And I think it will be a very good one.

Canuck said:

He had a great rookie season but like you said he got torched the following year. My memory is a bit hazy but I thought he started 2012 at corner and did much better but was moved back to FS because of need. McCourty excelled as a FS and with the acquistion of Talib later that season, there was no need for McCourty to move back.

They got Talib during the season and that turned out great, I hope they can replicate that success and get another veteran CB.

I still think there is a chance that they move McCourty back to DB because of need and have Harmon as FS. Arrington is better as a slot corner but they could move him back to left/right corner.

It's looking like Butler and Fletcher at Corner, Arrington at Slot, McCourty at FS and Chung at SS. or McCourty, Butler/Fletcher at Corner, Arrington at Slot, Harmon at FS and Chung at SS.

Ryan, McClain, Chekwa, Green, Swanson and Roberts competing for the backup spots.

Click to expand...

One of the primary reasons for getting Talib in 2012 is because McCourty, while he STARTED out the year well, was getting torched. When you combine that with the dumpster fire they had at safety to start the season off, the move was obvious. McCourty is a much better FS than a CB. As a matter of fact, he's so much better at it that a move back shouldn't even be worth discussing. I'm expecting a trade for a veteran CB. McCourty needs to stay where he is.

Well, McCourty was a pro bowl CB at one time. I could see them trying him out at CB again. Have Harmon and Chung as safeties with, hopefully, Richards dethroning Chung as the year progresses along.

With Dennard now sleeping with the fishes and saving $1m, I gotta wonder when Arrington and his deal can get re-done. That $4.6m charge is a killer.

BB must have found a great undrafted Rutgers CB..to sign to the roster!!

Ross12 said:

... However, the same exact situation applies to both recent signings Fletcher and McClain: both were pretty good within the last couple years but were not so good last year. But instead of us counting on them in the same way we were counting on Dennard, we assume they'll continue to be trash.

Click to expand...

QFT. Once upon a time Pats fans thought Samuel's lousy 2005 season meant he was topping out as a dime back. Leigh Bodden's certainly looked closer to his 2007 version than 2008 after signing in 2009 as well.

It's a step back, but it is far from insurmountable.