Who will be the Long Snapper on opening day?

[Mike the Brit]

Feel free to respond to this poll even if you don't agree that Bill Belichick is a genius (though you're wrong).

 

[stinkypete]

My guess is that Aiken was a "wink nudge" cut, made for some roster churning reason that will make sense to us 5 years ago, and that he'll be on the opening day roster.

 

[patchick]

for some roster churning reason that will make sense to us 5 years ago

If Belichick is a Time Lord, he shouldn't be squandering his powers meddling with long snappers.

 

[Mike the Brit]

If Belichick is a Time Lord, he shouldn't be squandering his powers meddling with long snappers.

But if that's the only way to stop the multiverse from imploding?

 

[edboc]

It doesn't matter, they aren't going to punt this season. They might as well cut Allen too.

 

[PP2]

BB's answer to this, per Reiss: "Lot of things potentially in transition with a number of spots on our team."

 

[Triumph]

BB loves versatile players and squeezes out and extra roster spot by having an OL snap.

 

[Haley]

Is it likely they are doing this to IR someone on Wednesday without cutting them? Or is this more likely a one-way trade in the works like Mallett or maybe a DB? How else do you drop 1 in roster count where you wouldn't have just cut the guy yesterday instead of Aiken?

 

[borg]

My guess is that Aiken was a "wink nudge" cut, made for some roster churning reason that will make sense to us 5 years ago, and that he'll be on the opening day roster.

"The Long Snapper Maneuver".....five years in the making. That BB.......devious

 

[patchick]

BB loves versatile players and squeezes out and eTxtra roster spot by having an OL snap.

Triumph, BB is on record talking about the evolution of specialist roles like long snappers and why they're needed. (Also, to the best of my knowledge there isn't a LS in the league who's also/previously an OL. The positions are totally different post-snap.)

 

[Mike the Brit]

OK. Here's a story.

BB was in negotiation about a small trade for one of the Patriots' back-of-the-roster guys, but the other team pulled out and the Pats learned that they were counting on him being cut and picking him up anyway. So, at the last minute, BB kept the player and cut Danny Aiken, reckoning that it is very unlikely another team would pick a long snapper at the last minute so the Pats can get him back when needed. He then went back to the other team and said "Now, what about that 7th-rounder?"

 

[borg]

OK. Here's a story.

BB was in negotiation about a small trade for one of the Patriots' back-of-the-roster guys, but the other team pulled out and the Pats learned that they were counting on him being cut and picking him up anyway. So, at the last minute, BB kept the player and cut Danny Aiken, reckoning that it is very unlikely another team would pick a long snapper at the last minute so the Pats can get him back when needed. He then went back to the other team and said "Now, what about that 7th-rounder?"

Seems very plausible, especially with 10 OL on the roster with a week to go.

Now imagine your scenario reversed with NE seeking a player they thought would get cut. BB....with balls of steel, just might snap up that released long snapper....and let the other team sweat that one for a few days.....or maybe not

 

[signbabybrady]

Is it likely they are doing this to IR someone on Wednesday without cutting them? Or is this more likely a one-way trade in the works like Mallett or maybe a DB? How else do you drop 1 in roster count where you wouldn't have just cut the guy yesterday instead of Aiken?

This seems likely or he just wanted a different snapper.

 

[Triumph]

Triumph, BB is on record talking about the evolution of specialist roles like long snappers and why they're needed. (Also, to the best of my knowledge there isn't a LS in the league who's also/previously an OL. The positions are totally different post-snap.)

True PC, but remember when Damien Woody would get replaced because he could not shotgun snap? That was out of the norm and something most folks had never seen before. Troy Brown playing CB virtually full time was quite a sight. Mike Vrabel was a very effective TE for NE.

If there was a NE OL on the roster that could also LS would you use that roster spot for depth some where else since the Pats are carrying 3 QBs?

I would.

 

[Mike the Brit]

BB....with balls of steel, just might snap up that released long snapper....and let the other team sweat that one for a few days.....or maybe not

Military grade armour plate!

 

[Haley]

This seems likely or he just wanted a different snapper.

If they were after another LS, I would think they would have started looking earlier. I don't remember them looking at another but correct me if I'm wrong there. Additionally, I don't see them looking at any now, which you would think they might. It is possible of course, but I'm not finding the evidence I would think would be there.

Patriots Work Out 12 Players, Including Rookie QB Jeff Mathews | NESN.com

 

[borg]

Imagine a $755k income (Aiken's 2014 one year deal) to be a long snapper. Instead of teaching kids to throw a baseball left handed during their formative years, send him to "snapper" camp instead.

 

[Triumph]

If they were after another LS, I would think they would have started looking earlier. I don't remember them looking at another but correct me if I'm wrong there. Additionally, I don't see them looking at any now, which you would think they might. It is possible of course, but I'm not finding the evidence I would think would be there.

http://nesn.com/2014/08/report-patriots-work-out-12-players-including-qb-jeff-mathews/

Odd isn't it?

I guess you can plug in any FA LS a week before the NFL season begins.

 

[RayClay]

Feel free to respond to this poll even if you don't agree that Bill Belichick is a genius (though you're wrong).

I vote for former Brady gf Tara Reid. Sorry, that would be the gone slapper.

Probably does have a long snapper, though.

 

[Danger Zone]

BB's answer to this, per Reiss: "Lot of things potentially in transition with a number of spots on our team."

And Florio's take on the above.

One of those things could be quarterback Ryan Mallett. After all, how can Belichick justify his “super-genius” label if he doesn’t get something of value in exchange for the 74th overall pick in the 2011 draft? Praised at the time for stopping Mallett’s free fall, some believed Belichick eventually would flip Mallett for something more than the third-round pick that was invested in him.

And how Florio spins Belichick's statement: I"m desperate to keep my super-genius title so Im keeping Mallet.

With the return of football I had gotten bad about the promise I made to myself not to give them views. Time to renew that.