Cutdown Day: PATS DISCUSSION thread

[Ring 6]

With Gronkowski and Hernandez, we were always having a lot of 2 TE sets. The issue is the lack of backups.

So what is your guess at the plan?
Mine? Gaffney back asap. Ebert to ps. A veteran WR signed by Tuesday.

 

[patchick]

Well because he practiced once and then hasn't been seen since.

IMO fans tend to overestimate the "can't make the club from the tub" effect. Look at White and Dennard as well as Shiancoe.

 

[Ring 6]

Branch or Gaffney will be back my thought is that Branch was released because they are designating Demps as the player to return on IR which requires him to be on the 53 man roster till 4pm on 9/4.

Have gotten official word from the Patriots on his IR status yet?

Can you clarify that loophole? I thought Demps went to IR today.

 

[Linda_The_Pats_Fan (She was NEM)]

Drayton Florence is terrible. Terrible.

For example???? His numbers suggest otherwise.

 

[BBass]

IMO fans tend to overestimate the "can't make the club from the tub" effect. Look at White and Dennard as well as Shiancoe.

I agree with that thought in general, but Shiancoe was brought in late and is new to the club, nothing more then an average TE historically. White is a proven ST player and Dennard is a huge potential guy. To displace a guy like Branch for him is really surprising.

 

[Dodie]

Remember the "supposed" go away TD for Deion Branch last year where he was stopped at the 1yrd line? I guess when BB saw it, that was it for him lol

Branch admitted he was gassed up that's why he tried to ran thru the DB instead of running horizontal.

 

[patchick]

Can you clarify that loophole? I thought Demps went to IR today.

The rule, as it has been reported, is ambiguous. It's clear that you can choose for this year from a player previously IRed (e.g. Fletcher) or a player IRed after 9/4, but it's not explicitly stated whether you can IR a player today and designate him for return. My reading is no, though.

 

[Mack Herron]

Can you clarify that loophole? I thought Demps went to IR today.

If a team wishes, it can retroactively designate one player who is already on injured reserve as a player who can return this season. Teams have until 9 p.m. tomorrow to make any such designation

BostonHerald.com - Blogs: The Blitz» Blog Archive » How the new injured reserve rule could impact the Patriots

Demps back in a couple months. Gaffney sooner.

 

[ATippett56]

IMO fans tend to overestimate the "can't make the club from the tub" effect. Look at White and Dennard as well as Shiancoe.

Dennard played in the fourth preseason game.

 

[Deus Irae]

Can you clarify that loophole? I thought Demps went to IR today.

Demps is gone for the season.

 

[BadMoFo]

There is no advantage to waste a season on IR. Especially to keep one of about 5 players who won't be here 10/1.
Nice joke, but not reality.

You really think this doesn't happen. Most people who actually see and hear the players thought he'd be out a couple weeks, at most. Not the whole year.

 

[Linda_The_Pats_Fan (She was NEM)]

Branch or Gaffney will be back my thought is that Branch was released because they are designating Demps as the player to return on IR which requires him to be on the 53 man roster till 4pm on 9/4.

Have gotten official word from the Patriots on his IR status yet?

I am not that familiar with how the IR rule works, but from what little I read, it seems that he is gone till next season and the placement on IR protects him from being taken by another team this year. i may be wrong, but that is my interpretation.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Demps is gone for the season. The league was very clear on the rule. Had to be on the 53 man roster September 4th. They made a one time exception for players already placed on IR before the rules change was adopted, you could essentially take them back for a do over. But no players IR'd after the rules change and before 9/4 could be designated as the player to come back. Most teams will save the designation for a core player lost early in the season.

 

[patchick]

I agree with that thought in general, but Shiancoe was brought in late and is new to the club, nothing more then an average TE historically. White is a proven ST player and Dennard is a huge potential guy. To displace a guy like Branch for him is really surprising.

I don't see it as Branch vs. Shiancoe in particular. It could just as easily have been Branch vs. Francis, or White, or Forsten, etc. This initial countdown is usually more about talent than positions.

 

[BBass]

Can you clarify that loophole? I thought Demps went to IR today.

It is hard to completely understand the new rule based on what I have seen, so I could be completely wrong. Since it is a new rule the teams can designate one player already on IR to return this season. However I think they count against the 53 man roster in till 4pm on 9/4.

 

[The Gr8est]

The rule, as it has been reported, is ambiguous. It's clear that you can choose for this year from a player previously IRed (e.g. Fletcher) or a player IRed after 9/4, but it's not explicitly stated whether you can IR a player today and designate him for return. My reading is no, though.

Desmond Bishop was mentioned as a player who would be available this year, when normally he wouldn't be due to him going on IR before the rule passed.

If that is the case and GB wants him back, will they need to have a 52 man roster until September 4 in order to designate Bishop?

If not, then that gives them a free roster spot. Why shouldn't all teams have that benefit? Perhaps the Pats clarified this with the league office and Demps is still in play?

 

[patchick]

Dennard played in the fourth preseason game.

...and before that, a remarkable percentage of posters here were declaring him gone: "to heck with 'long-term potential,' he isn't practicing!"

 

[BBass]

I don't see it as Branch vs. Shiancoe in particular. It could just as easily have been Branch vs. Francis, or White, or Forsten, etc. This initial countdown is usually more about talent than positions.

Francis and Forsten at least offer upside and potential to develop. Shiancoe is a sub average TE who is toward the end of his career.

I have nothing against him I just don't see a place for him on the 53 man roster when you look at some of the other options. I'd of cut White too personally.

 

[mgteich]

QUESTION

How many of Rivera, Forston and Francis will be on the roster for Game 2? We certainly don't need 17 front seven defensive players.

 

[mgteich]

Shiancoe could be the one going on IR next week.