pats look at bethel johnson during bye week
 

The Patriots didn't exactly take the whole holiday off this week as they enjoyed a rare late bye week. They actually took a look at one player who could help their wide receiver corps. While it's unclear the extent of the visit, the one interesting part is that the visitor was free agent Bethel Johnson.

At first look this seems a strange occurrance. The Patriots are loaded at wide receiver. There's not enough balls to go around as it is. Why have Johnson in for a visit when he already knows the culture in New England?

Could it be that he is desperately looking for work, and the Patriots are thinking that some of the players currently on the roster won't be around in a little over a month and a half?

Could be.


from patriotsinsider.com

Re: pats look at bethel johnson during bye week
 

He could provide a downfield threat if Moss or Stallworth went down to injury. Not a very credible one, but it'd be better than reworking the scheme, I think.

Bethel's done. Stick a fork in him.

Re: pats look at bethel johnson during bye week
 

They should be be bringing LBs for visits, instead of the 2nd-round eff-up that was BJ.

Re: pats look at bethel johnson during bye week
 

Damn he was fast in Madden...

Re: pats look at bethel johnson during bye week
 

Bizarre. The only thing that I could think of is perhaps the coaches aren't happy with Jackson's production.

Re: pats look at bethel johnson during bye week
 

Great kick returner when healthy. Was a gunner too, I believe.

The pats love to pick up former head cases who have eaten some humble pie.

Tebucky didn't get a chance, but he was ready to go.

Re: pats look at bethel johnson during bye week
 

He's had good ability as a return man, and Ray Clay beat me to saying it....

Re: pats look at bethel johnson during bye week
 

bj had to be one of the worst BB picks ever... didnt we trade up for him (not sure)?
coulda grabbed Anquan Boldin, Osi Umenyiora, or Lance Briggs at that pick.
i remember seeing bj in the hotel lobby before a game once... chatting away on his cell phone... while rodney went straight to his hummer and basically said, to us, "no comment, we got a game to play today"

Re: pats look at bethel johnson during bye week
 

Yes. He was a lousy pick in an otherwise stellar draft. (That draft actually got us three Pro Bowlers, if you count the pick that became Wilfork.)

Anyhow, this is a time of year the Pats get an early jump on the next season. E.g., they've been known to sign guys to futures contracts.

Bethel was, IIRC, a pretty solid ST player. It wasn't just the returns; he also forced or recovered at least one fumble on kick coverage.