Patriots surprisingly cut James Sanders, now its up to Meriweather

[PatsFans.com Article]

Patriots surprisingly cut James Sanders, now its up to Meriweather
By: Steve Balestrieri

Sanders was never spectacular or flashy, just a calm, steadying influence in the backfield. One aspect of his game that will be most missed is his communication skills, which are superb. Pro Football Focus posted a breakdown of the Patriots coverage grade...

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[Ron Sellers]

To add on to Steve's column, here is some more on the impact of Sanders being cut to Brandon Meriweather.

This cut has deep impact: Meriweather on the spot | Boston Herald | Karen Guregian

Leave it to the classy Sanders to endorse Meriweather yesterday after he was shown the door. The veteran safety felt he could contribute to the team. Maybe the $2.8 million he was set to earn this year as the team’s third safety suggested his contributions came at too high a cost.

“He’s going to be fine,” Sanders said of Meriweather, one of his closest friends on the team. “People are going to say what they want to say about him, about how he practices or whatever, but when the lights come on and it’s time to play, he always shows up. He always makes plays and plays big time for the Patriots organization.

“It surprises me some of the comments people make about him,” Sanders went on, “because I feel like he’s a great player. All he’s done is make plays. I’m 100 percent sure he’s going to continue to go out there and make plays and be a solid player for them.”

 

[Sicilian]

To add on to Steve's column, here is some more on the impact of Sanders being cut to Brandon Meriweather.

This cut has deep impact: Meriweather on the spot | Boston Herald | Karen Guregian

Classy words from Sanders. He was a good pro for us and I'm sorry to see him go, especially with no one really proven behind him at safety.

 

[SanAngeloState]

I'd be in good spirits too if I got paid as much as he did. He knows he was always a marginal player, for some reason the patriots liked him.

I do wonder what changed. Maybe he got soft and complacent.

 

[xmarkd400x]

Chung passed him on the depth chart and changed the value equation of his salary. The report says the Patriots wanted to renegotiate. Clearly they don't think that Sanders is worthless, they just think he is worth less than his 2011 salary.

It was surprising news, but in hindsight it fits very well with the Patriots philosophy.

 

[sbpatfan]

It was rumored that the Patriots tried to re-negotiate Sanders contract, he is on the cap for a $2.8 million dollar hit this season. When the two sides failed to come to an agreement, the Patriots let him go.

This is the part I don't get it. $2.8 million isn't a lot for a guy that played 70-80% of the defensive snaps. Plus, don't the Patriots have like 10 million in cap room? Very weird if this truly was a money issue.

 

[Deus Irae]

Former Patriots safety James Sanders and the Atlanta Falcons reached agreement tonight on a one-year deal.

Twitter

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

I liked sanders...dam

 

[Triumph]

Its up to Brandon now.

God help us.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

This is the part I don't get it. $2.8 million isn't a lot for a guy that played 70-80% of the defensive snaps. Plus, don't the Patriots have like 10 million in cap room? Very weird if this truly was a money issue.

That's what I don't get. Maybe his performance has been really that bad, or maybe he won't fit this supposed new style of defense.

 

[NEPettyOfficer72]

I don't understand how everyone is on Brandon Meriweather and how he is being blamed for bad play? I still think he is going to do great this year and is one of the best Safeties in the entire league. And we have a rising star right beside him.

 

[Synovia]

This is the part I don't get it. $2.8 million isn't a lot for a guy that played 70-80% of the defensive snaps. Plus, don't the Patriots have like 10 million in cap room? Very weird if this truly was a money issue.

He played 70.8 % of the snaps. Which is 2% less than Chung, and more than 10% less than Merriweather.

McCourty and Mayo were the only players who played more than Merriweather.


Sanders looked like he was hurt or something in the little we saw of him in preseason.