Tim Wright released

The reports last year that Wright would've been released by the Bucs if the Pats didn't take him were probably accurate. He was a minor throw-in on a deal that was about salary savings and a mid-round draft choice. I'm not the least bit surprised he's gone, the writing was on the wall. He seemed to have good hands, I guess he was lacking elsewhere.

JackBauer said:

So then why trade for him in the first place? It's not like Wright's inability to block comes as a surprise to anyone.

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Josh McDaniels' scheme is being changed and the red zone offense has been scrapped. All touchdowns will be at least 20 yards going forward.

FCB02062 said:

The point is prognostications about positional dominance are ridiculous in June - anyone remember the "Big Nickel" and how it was going to be impossible to move the ball on the Pats secondary? that didn't work out so well....

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Well, Gronk alone is already unstoppable. So even if Chandler underperforms, the DUO will still be unstoppable by virtue of Gronk's dominance.

RelocatedPatFan said:

I take this as a sign that Chandler is picking up the system.

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That and probably Fred Davis has shown BB something.

Well we can conclude that he either didn't improve his blocking technique, wasn't able to establish value on ST's helpful for a backup. I assumed that he would fall behind Chandler on the depth chart, good news for Hooman, may also speak well about LaFell's prognosis and Dobson's progress.

Edelman, LaFell, Gronk, Chandler, Blount, great skill set at the goal line.

LOL

A lot defenses in the AFC improved in the last few months. I think blocking was a major factor.

JackBauer said:

Not the point.

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who would you have given a roster spot to over tim wright?

I would just like to point out that the Patriots still have the cap room to carry Logan Mankins cap number, so the trade was pretty much completely worthless.

Koma said:

Does this mean Tampa "won" the Mankins trade?

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Tampa "won" that trade the day it was made.

Nunchucks said:

I would just like to point out that the Patriots still have the cap room to carry Logan Mankins cap number, so the trade was pretty much completely worthless.

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I'm sorry but this statement is just dumb.

Brady6 said:

Good thing we traded Mankins, we got the player we needed to replace Hernandez, and the cap space to resign Revis.

I hope Trey Flowers is good otherwise we gave up one of the better (older I know) LGs in the NFL for nothing.

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Yeah man, The patriots were pretty much worthless without mankins last year, I heard they didn't even make the playoffs or something.

Nunchucks said:

I would just like to point out that the Patriots still have the cap room to carry Logan Mankins cap number, so the trade was pretty much completely worthless.

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Based on the two previous SB performances from Mankins, having him NOT play this last year was likely a very big contributing factor to our victory.

Excellent trade, in my opinion. Just as letting go of the other choker (Welker) a couple of years prior was an excellent move.

JMC00 said:

That and probably Fred Davis has shown BB something.

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Fred Davis worries me though. He has had a lot of issues in Washington and before that at USC with PEDs, DUI, domestic violence, and even being late for practices.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Davis_(tight_end)

It would be great if he did suddenly "get it" given his substantial athletic talents, and I'm HOPING for it for sure.

SeanBruschi54 said:

Not shocking at all. We bring in Chandler, Fred Davis and draft AJ Derby.

Writing was easily on the wall for all to see. Plus the added reps after practice with Gronk and Chandler with Brady? Come on.

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Considering Chandler isn't really the same player and neither Davis or Derby were much more than camp fodder, the writing was far fainter than you indicate. Why reps with the top two options indicate anything about the others eludes me.

Deus Irae said:

Tampa "won" that trade the day it was made.

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I know you have me ignored but I'm gonna respond for other people's sake.

One team just picked first in the draft and the other team is coming off a SB victory and cleared an aging, declining LG's sizable cap hit which that space will be used to extended their young players.

A lousy "Tight end" didn't make the cut. This should come as no surprise.

Oswlek said:

Considering Chandler isn't really the same player and neither Davis or Derby were much more than camp fodder, the writing was far fainter than you indicate. Why reps with the top two options indicate anything about the others eludes me.

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The writing's been clear for a long time.

FCB02062 said:

The point is prognostications about positional dominance are ridiculous in June - anyone remember the "Big Nickel" and how it was going to be impossible to move the ball on the Pats secondary? that didn't work out so well....

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No, I don't remember anyone saying that the Big Nickel would make it "impossible" to move the ball against the Pats because that was stated by nobody, ever. However, Gronk plus anybody gives the Patriots the best tight end grouping in the league, thus dominating the position, and Scott Chandler is good, so it makes sense to say they'll dominate at the position.

Are we talking about Tank Williams vs Gronk here? The Pats never have had Kam Chancellor in the Big Nickel, so I think your comparison is still very un-apt.

10 snaps in the playoff run is all we need to know, if they did not have any confidence then will not have much confidence now..