[Merged] Pats Work Out Then Sign Brian Waters G

[mgteich]

This is a great signing. Even if Waters were only the equivalent of an Ojinnaka tat would be the case. We need a backup interior offensive lineman who is capable of starting.

If Waters is now better than Connelly, even better.

The question is whether Wendell goes on IR. My preference is not to do so if he will be ready in the next few weeks.

If Wendell is healthy, we have essentially replaced Neal (who played half of each season) with Waters. And we now have 2 very reasonable BACKUP interior offesnive linemen in Connelly and Wendell, plus Cannon on the PUP list.

 

[nnmnmmnn]

I think Butler or a DL might be an area to look at. Maybe Tarpinian as some have suggested we were trying to avoid waivers before IRing him.

Don't forget we only have two TEs so this might not be the last cut either.

Again, if someone could clarify the Tarpinian to IR thing, that would be great.

Why would they not just do it yesterday?

 

[UofApatsfan]

So I'm too lazy to go through this thread, who gets cut to make room for him?

 

[HomerSchooled]

Re: Schefter: Pats sign Brian Waters

Well this helps the pats madden team out a lot. Bye 70 overall starter Connolly, hello 90 overall waters.

If he can still play at 80 overall in real life its an upgrade.

Speaking of Madden, how underrated is Vollmer in that game? They have him at 81! For a second team All Pro, and maybe the best RT in the game! He should be 90, easy.

Way off topic. That had just been bothering me.

 

[amazinPats]

Lost in all the chatter is the fact that the Pats have now guaranteed his contract, having signed him before the season begins. I think the cut of James Sanders and his $2.8m extended their options in this case. One smart move by BB leads to another smart move.

 

[Urgent]

Re: Schefter: Pats sign Brian Waters

Yet he was still the NFL's 2nd best pass-blocking guard during those 3 years.

Three-Year Pass Blocking Efficiency: Offensive Linemen | ProFootballFocus.com

BTW, Mankins was the 14th.

Interesting. While somewhat subjective, it's the result of someone who watched every snap and evaluated where pass rush pressure came from.

Two comments here:
"Waters has been on the decline for three years"
"Waters was rated as the #2 guard in pass pressure over the past three years."

Obviously not surprising that a 34-year old guard would be declining.
However, declining from a #2 spot is not so bad.

The PFF analysis, yes with a grain of salt but better data than we otherwise have, shows Waters at #2 2008-2009-2010. And #11 just for 2010. So that sort of proves both points. He was #1 or #2 in 2008-2009, and #11 (of 64 or so) in 2010.

Probably not bad for an available free agent. I'm sure the hope is Connolly plays every game. If he doesn't, Waters is not a terrible back-up.

 

[sevengables_2207]

like the signing.

at best, waters will solidify the right interior line.

at worst, a solid backup to the best kickoff return specialist in the league.

 

[Haley]

at worst, a solid backup to the best kickoff return specialist in the league.

Your post needs this (I can't watch this enough):

OL Dan Connolly Kickoff Return - New England Patriots - YouTube

I can see where he got the injury from: the mob of elated Patriots beating him up in celebration!

 

[Armchair Quarterback]

Again, if someone could clarify the Tarpinian to IR thing, that would be great.

Why would they not just do it yesterday?

Players with less than 4 years of service have to go through waivers to be put on IR only before the cutdown to 75 (80 this year). Tarpinian does not need to be put on waivers to be able to IR him.

 

[Mark Morse]

Again, if someone could clarify the Tarpinian to IR thing, that would be great.

Why would they not just do it yesterday?

Before the 53 man roster is established, players with less than 3 or 4 years must pass through waivers in order to be put on IR. Last year, we claimed Barrett (who will be our startinf Safety this year) was claimed off Denver when they tried to sneak him through waivers to put him on IR.

Now that Tarpinian has made the 53 man roster, he can be IR'd without passing through waivers.

My guess is that Tarpinian is the move for Waters.

 

[SanAngeloState]

he's a little old but sadly, he's probably the second best interior lineman they have. They could almost take any center off the waiver wire too and improve the team.

 

[zipster9]

he's a little old but sadly, he's probably the second best interior lineman they have. They could almost take any center off the waiver wire too and improve the team.

34yrs old. Andre Gurode is 33yrs old... Both are in the twilight years..

Hopefully, Waters has something left to prove, and help mold MarcusCannon.

Brady does not have many more yrs and now is the time to step up and win that 4th SB... To do that, you must protect Brady at all cost..


IMO.

 

[signbabybrady]

Again, if someone could clarify the Tarpinian to IR thing, that would be great.

Why would they not just do it yesterday?

I wasn't fully aware of this but it seems prior to cut down a player is subject to waivers before being put on IR. This would seem to be a way from preventing stashing of players during tc and Preseason.

 

[patsinthesnow]

Re: Schefter: Pats sign Brian Waters

Speaking of Madden, how underrated is Vollmer in that game? They have him at 81! For a second team All Pro, and maybe the best RT in the game! He should be 90, easy.

Way off topic. That had just been bothering me.

Awful! One thing I dislike about madden ratings is that they are too slow to make young players higher overalls (if they aren't drafted high, like Vollmer and Mccourty) and they are too slow to lower ageing players. (Bailey is not a 97 overall caliber player, shaun ellis, koppen, waters aren't that good)

 

[Ring 6]

I hate people trying to pass off bleacherreport crap as actual sports journalism - but the PFF link seems reasonable/

Its counting how many pressures can be attributed to a certain offensive lineman over the course of 3 seasons.

This is the type of information I was looking for.


FWIW Koppen didn't score too well.

There evaluation method is poor, therefore their data is poor.
They watch a TV feed.

 

[SunnyDenmark]

It is a good signing IMO. I'm sure Bill had a chat with Pioli to get the scoop on Waters production, locker room leadership as well as why they cut him. Often teams will cut declining vets at big dollars to bring along cheaper up and coming younglings.

As has been said, at the very least it is a good stopgap til Conally & Wendall healthy and / or Cannon off PUP. At the best it could be a great way to strengthen the right side and help bookend the weak link (Koppen) with pro-bowl guards on both sides of center. Great signing unless it is guaranteed contract in the multi-year several millions range.

 

[Ring 6]

This is a great signing. Even if Waters were only the equivalent of an Ojinnaka tat would be the case. We need a backup interior offensive lineman who is capable of starting.

If Waters is now better than Connelly, even better.

The question is whether Wendell goes on IR. My preference is not to do so if he will be ready in the next few weeks.

If Wendell is healthy, we have essentially replaced Neal (who played half of each season) with Waters. And we now have 2 very reasonable BACKUP interior offesnive linemen in Connelly and Wendell, plus Cannon on the PUP list.

If Wendell goes to IR we need to sign another OL

 

[mrscruff]

Hopefully, Waters has something left to prove, and help mold MarcusCannon.

It is a good signing IMO. I'm sure Bill had a chat with Pioli to get the scoop on Waters production, locker room leadership as well as why they cut him. Often teams will cut declining vets at big dollars to bring along cheaper up and coming younglings.

Great point about the mentoring aspect and locker room leadership. This guy was awarded Walter Payton Player of the Year in 2009 for contributions on and off the field.

 

[The Scrizz]

he's a little old but sadly, he's probably the second best interior lineman they have. They could almost take any center off the waiver wire too and improve the team.

Why 'sadly'? It's great news if he's their 2nd best interior OL. It means they IMPROVED. Are you sad that he isn't better than Mankins? That would seem to be the only thing to be sad about if he's now our #2 considering that you have to start 2 guards.

As for the decline and where he ranks among guards... I'm not sold on PFF's systems and such but I would say he's almost surely a top 30 guard in this league and that's being conservative. So that would make him better than a few teams best guards and probably the best #2 guard in the league.

Plus he's durable as hell, missing just 3 games in the last decade. 3!

I think this is a fantastic signing.

Now as far as the veiled crack at Koppen, I doubt guys on the waiver wire are better, in fact I know that it's crap. There are certain things he struggles with and I am hoping for one of the big centers in next year's draft but he also calls all the changes for a QB who changes his protections on seemingly every play.

 

[zipster9]

Great point about the mentoring aspect and locker room leadership. This guy was awarded Walter Payton Player of the Year in 2009 for contributions on and off the field.

Side notes:

The relationship could be same as AlgeC mentoring Gronk & AHern.. Both rookies said the owed alot to Alge...

Waters can do same for Marcus.

Now we need a veteran DB/Safety to mentor Chung, Dowling, and McCourty..

I'm hoping for DarrenSharper.