Pats tryout 5 veterans (4 DBs, 1 FB)

[mgteich]

We would improve the team by adding a short yardage back. We have almost always have the possibility of improvemnet at the bottom of the DB/ST depth chart. Could one of thes replace Rashad Baker?

 

[Mack Herron]

Rashad Baker is one of our best special teams players who was running second string at safety before he got hurt. He is not as far down the depth chart as you think.

 

[mgteich]

we'll see

(harrison),sanders,mitchell,baker
wilson,andrews,meriweather

Rashad Baker is one of our best special teams players who was running second string at safety before he got hurt. He is not as far down the depth chart as you think.

 

[tombonneau]

Kyle Johnson is interesting in that he's got three years behind that Denver zone blocking scheme.

Just posted this same thought in the FB thread. This deserves the :nailonhead: smiley.

I that's exactly why KJ was brought in. Plus, I think he is a better short yardage back than Evans.

As much as folks like Evans, he is what he is, limited, doesn't suck in any one area, but doesn't excel anywhere either.

KJ is a great short yardage guy. Can't comment on this blocking, but it has to be at least as good as Evans. And I know he catches out of the backfield, Denver would throw to him on the goal line.

I think he's a minor upgrade to Evans, but an upgrade nonetheless.

 

[cstjohn17]

Exactly. This is SOP for Belichick & Pioli. Free agents get brought in for a work out, and probably to see how they grasp the playbook. From all of these tryouts, Belichick keeps a list of people to call in case of injury. Testaverde, Mickens, Hawkins, Stone, etc. all came in similarly.

It would be interesting to see what occurs, do they bring shorts and shoes and run around. Do they ask situational questions? or use some sort of test like 'if you were an animial would you be a cat or a dog?'....

Anyway they did the same thing with some LBs last year. It doesn't really mean much.
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/archive/index.php/t-39024.html

Evans & Morris add value because of their versatility, running, blocking, catching, special teams. Neither are exactly a short yardage specialist but it is tough to assign a roster spot for such a specific position.

Here is another idea, instead of scouring the earth for washed up JAGs maybe they should draft a CB or Linebacker. Another tip, if you have a OLB candidate that seems have a future as a backup\special teamer (Rogers) then don't cut him and replace him with a UDFA scrub just because you want to get even with Brad 'Major Dad' Childress... the whole thing drives me nuts.

 

[psychoPat]

We would improve the team by adding a short yardage back. We have almost always have the possibility of improvemnet at the bottom of the DB/ST depth chart. Could one of thes replace Rashad Baker?

I used to be down on Baker.
But BB kept him when he has a broken hand
that is still limiting him in practice.
BB must think he is better, at least, than Dante Wesley.

 

[psychoPat]

.... Another tip, if you have a OLB candidate that seems have a future as a backup\special teamer (Rogers) then don't cut him and replace him with a UDFA scrub just because you want to get even with Brad 'Major Dad' Childress... the whole thing drives me nuts.

You 'n me both, buddy ... you 'n me.

 

[RayClay]

Davis - hes got speed and height but cant put it together in game. im sure if he was just asked to run and cover hed be fine but his mental part of game is very questionable. that might make him hard to sign since we usually go for smarter CBs(no i dont mean IQ..i mean recognizing plays, reading routes)

Davis seems intriguing as we need a big cornerback with Scott down. 6'1", fast and a former #1, it seems we could use him situationally if his attitude is right.

Obviously the more specialized role (non-midget) the less smarts needed.

 

[Pats726]

if you have a OLB candidate that seems have a future as a backup\special teamer (Rogers) then don't cut him and replace him with a UDFA scrub just because you want to get even with Brad 'Major Dad' Childress... the whole thing drives me nuts.

What is missing in all this is the timing..what many propose happened is ludicrous...COULD NOT have happened. Minnesota went after Mills late Saturday/early Sunday when they KNEW he had ben cut. What some seem to propose is that when the Pats learned of this which would have been later on SUnday that they then went after Herron, their linebacker. That is laughable..the timing is so wrong for that. The truth is closer to the Patriots claiming Herron at the same time the Vikes werre claiming Mills or thereabouts. THAT would be closer to the reality. Oh...also closer would be that the Patriots would have been looking for someone to replace the injured Lua..inside linebacker, than Rogers who is an outside backer.

 

[cstjohn17]

What is missing in all this is the timing..what many propose happened is ludicrous...COULD NOT have happened. Minnesota went after Mills late Saturday/early Sunday when they KNEW he had ben cut. What some seem to propose is that when the Pats learned of this which would have been later on SUnday that they then went after Herron, their linebacker. That is laughable..the timing is so wrong for that. The truth is closer to the Patriots claiming Herron at the same time the Vikes werre claiming Mills or thereabouts. THAT would be closer to the reality. Oh...also closer would be that the Patriots would have been looking for someone to replace the injured Lua..inside linebacker, than Rogers who is an outside backer.

I could care less about Mills and no one really knows the timing (not even you), the published stories have a timeline of:
- Mills is cut, so is Herron
- Vikings claim Mills
- BB phone Major Dad and says 'I really like your moustache, it doesn't look like a gay porn star at all... Oh by the way can we have Mills back, will you drop your claim, pretty please with a cherry on top?"
- Major Dad 'Thank you, Senator Craig likes my moustache but we are keeping Mills'
- BB - 'oh yah, we will show you, we are taking your prized UDFA who is undersized and never played in a 3-4' click

Aren't Rogers, Mays and Herron the exact same player? Of course BB & SP know more than we do but trading a player who has spent the entire camp with the team, showed promise for an unknown player coming into a new system is questionable. Herron (or whoever the 9th LB is) will only contribute on special teams, Rogers could have filled the gap on special teams. Herron has Bruschi, Thomas, Seau, Alexander, Vrabel ahead of him at ILB. With Thomas playing inside there appeared to be a greater need at OLB.

 

[BadMoFo]

If we sign anyone, it will be Davis or Jue. Remember who we play Week 2.

 

[mgteich]

I don't know why KJ has to be good as Evans as a blocker. Evans is a fine blocker. We have usually tried to keep 5 running backs, including a blocker AND a short yardage back.

Just posted this same thought in the FB thread. This deserves the :nailonhead: smiley.

I that's exactly why KJ was brought in. Plus, I think he is a better short yardage back than Evans.

As much as folks like Evans, he is what he is, limited, doesn't suck in any one area, but doesn't excel anywhere either.

KJ is a great short yardage guy. Can't comment on this blocking, but it has to be at least as good as Evans. And I know he catches out of the backfield, Denver would throw to him on the goal line.

I think he's a minor upgrade to Evans, but an upgrade nonetheless.

 

[tombonneau]

I don't know why KJ has to be good as Evans as a blocker. Evans is a fine blocker. We have usually tried to keep 5 running backs, including a blocker AND a short yardage back.

When have we kept (or tried) to keep 5 RBs? Curious. My perception is we always go with 4. I personally would much rather have 5 bc I prefer the depth in case of injuries.

However, if we go 5, I find it hard to believe the 5th would have a duplicate skillset to Evans. But stranger things have happened.

 

[Pats726]

I could care less about Mills and no one really knows the timing (not even you), the published stories have a timeline of:
- Mills is cut, so is Herron
- Vikings claim Mills
- BB phone Major Dad and says 'I really like your moustache, it doesn't look like a gay porn star at all... Oh by the way can we have Mills back, will you drop your claim, pretty please with a cherry on top?"
- Major Dad 'Thank you, Senator Craig likes my moustache but we are keeping Mills'
- BB - 'oh yah, we will show you, we are taking your prized UDFA who is undersized and never played in a 3-4' click

Aren't Rogers, Mays and Herron the exact same player? Of course BB & SP know more than we do but trading a player who has spent the entire camp with the team, showed promise for an unknown player coming into a new system is questionable. Herron (or whoever the 9th LB is) will only contribute on special teams, Rogers could have filled the gap on special teams. Herron has Bruschi, Thomas, Seau, Alexander, Vrabel ahead of him at ILB. With Thomas playing inside there appeared to be a greater need at OLB.

MORE LIKELY...
- Mills is cut, so is Herron
- Vikings claim Mills...Patriots claim Herron
- BB phones Major Dad and tries to negotiate for Mills...as they already had a claim on Herron..
I think THAT is more likely the scenario...as teams do not know who has claimed a player until after the deadline..so I believe they had an interest in Herron and it was only after they knew of a possible way to keep Mills..

But again...the fairy tale story is more colorful...

No..not the same player Rodgers is an OLB Mays and Herron ILB...

 

[everlong]

Dexter McCleon: "Tom Brady, overrated."

 

[cstjohn17]

MORE LIKELY...
- Mills is cut, so is Herron
- Vikings claim Mills...Patriots claim Herron
- BB phones Major Dad and tries to negotiate for Mills...as they already had a claim on Herron..
I think THAT is more likely the scenario...as teams do not know who has claimed a player until after the deadline..so I believe they had an interest in Herron and it was only after they knew of a possible way to keep Mills..

But again...the fairy tale story is more colorful...

No..not the same player Rodgers is an OLB Mays and Herron ILB...

That is a good point about claiming Herron first, more leverage, etc. Trade a pawn for a pawn.

I meant they are they same player as far as LB depth (far down the list), with an emphasis on special teams.

What is done is done, c'est la vie. Thank you for being a good sport.