Cutdown Day: PATS DISCUSSION thread

[BradyFTW!]

I'm less uneasy about this than the safety position last year, but part of that is because I see a likelihood of Gaffney returning. I wanted more speed, and Siskel's other half hasn't been cut yet, so I won't worry about the Branch cut if that's the tradeoff.

If this is the WR corps 2 weeks in, I'll probably join the pitchfork committee.

Agreed - Gaffney pretty much has to be coming back, IMO. There's no other way that this makes any sense, although after the safety debacle last year I'm not quite going to assume that there's a method to it.

Will definitely breathe a big sigh of relief if/when Gaffney is brought back in.

 

[Deus Irae]

"There is no way that anyone can say that Ryan Mallett outplayed Hoyer this preseason"

- Greg Bedard, on 98.5


Bedard also says that he asked around and the Patriots did not try hard to trade him.

 

[Deus Irae]

If the Pats show they can live without him short term and win and the offense is running smoothly, yes. If the offense struggles, then ask me then. This team can go 2-4 weeks without depth if they refocus on the run and heavier emphasis on the TEs.

Sorry, but that's just crazy talk, IMO, particularly given the health history of Lloyd.

 

[BBass]

https://twitter.com/scottzolak/status/241600093835378688

Nothing but what did Hoyer do better? Obviously Mallet has more upside so if we only keep 1 of them makes sense to keep Mallet.

Obviously we have issues either way if Brady is out.

 

[DarrylS]

One thing that is obvious is that team is being rebuilt on the fly, letting some of our revered veterans go..

remember the adage, "Don't fall in love with the veterans."

This team has gotten younger and faster, how it plays out remains to be seen.

 

[BBass]

Any good WR cut by other teams today?

 

[Patsgofor4]

https://twitter.com/scottzolak/status/241600093835378688

Zo, tell me what Hoyer did this preseason....period.

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

"There is no way that anyone can say that Ryan Mallett outplayed Hoyer this preseason"

- Greg Bedard, on 98.5


Bedard also says that he asked around and the Patriots did not try hard to trade him.

Taking into account the practices as well though?

 

[strngplyr]

"There is no way that anyone can say that Ryan Mallett outplayed Hoyer this preseason"

- Greg Bedard, on 98.5


Bedard also says that he asked around and the Patriots did not try hard to trade him.

I think it was you and I discussing Hoyers attitude a week or 2 ago during the game, maybe we were onto something without realizing.

 

[Deus Irae]

Nothing but what did Hoyer do better? Obviously Mallet has more upside so if we only keep 1 of them makes sense to keep Mallet.

Obviously we have issues either way if Brady is out.

Decision making. Hoyer was better there, by a country mile.

 

[Patsgofor4]

If BB let the WR spot remain precarious for 3-4 weeks, even if it's because he's holding a spot open, wouldn't that justify cracking out the pitchforks in your eyes?


P.S. Bedard just said that he thinks the quad issue will take another couple of weeks.

If they need either Branch or Gaffney to beat Tenn or AZ, they have bigger issues than just the WR position. Week 3 is when the season should really start.

 

[Rob0729]

Sorry, but that's just crazy talk, IMO, particularly given the health history of Lloyd.

You mean the fact he has not missed a single game due to injuries in two seasons? As a back up he missed games. As a starter he never have. It could be he turned the corner on the injury front. It isn't uncommon.

You are talking one or two games. If Gaffney is your best option and you have to wait an extra week or two, you do it.

 

[Deus Irae]

Taking into account the practices as well though?

Yes, those too.

 

[BBass]

Decision making. Hoyer was better there, by a country mile.

I think we pray neither of them ever touch the football so lets not concern ourselves with them cutting either of them to much.

I find the WR cuts to be more concerning because Welker is a little guy who takes a lot of hits and Lloyd has never played in this offense.

 

[patsfan06]

"There is no way that anyone can say that Ryan Mallett outplayed Hoyer this preseason"

- Greg Bedard, on 98.5


Bedard also says that he asked around and the Patriots did not try hard to trade him.

Seriously Bedard? Guy is such an idiot.

There is no way anyone can say Hoyer outplayed Mallett this preseason.

Preseason stats:
Hoyer 22/47, 46.8%, 196 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 56.7 QB rating
Mallett 33/67, 49.3%, 300 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT, 70.5 QB rating

Neither we exactly impressive but with Mallett's potential and Hoyer's salary, Mallett didn't need to blow Hoyer away this preseason to win the job.

It doesn't matter though, if Brady went down and we had to play either of these guys we are screwed anyway.

 

[condon84]

If the Pats show they can live without him short term and win and the offense is running smoothly, yes. If the offense struggles, then ask me then. This team can go 2-4 weeks without depth if they refocus on the run and heavier emphasis on the TEs.

This team went TE heavy offense in 06 with Gaffney and Caldwell as the main WRs and Watson and Graham as the TEs. I don't see why we can't just stick with what we have and be successful with Lloyd/Welker and Gronk/Hernandez. Aaron can swing outside if the situation calls for a third WR, and Shiancoe/other TE can come in to fill in as a TE.

I don't think Gaffney's coming back.

 

[Deus Irae]

You mean the fact he has not missed a single game due to injuries in two seasons?

I mean the fact that he has played one full season in the past 5 years, and has had 11, 2 and 8 game seasons in that time.

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

If BB let the WR spot remain precarious for 3-4 weeks, even if it's because he's holding a spot open, wouldn't that justify cracking out the pitchforks in your eyes?


P.S. Bedard just said that he thinks the quad issue will take another couple of weeks.

Well, as you yourself wrote - it's all about the playoffs. A precarious 3-4 weeks will be a distant memory by Week 14.

If Gaffney isn't healthy until week 6, then what would you suggest the team do to avoid a precarious situation until then?

 

[Rob0729]

"There is no way that anyone can say that Ryan Mallett outplayed Hoyer this preseason"

- Greg Bedard, on 98.5


Bedard also says that he asked around and the Patriots did not try hard to trade him.

He also said there probably wasn't much of a difference between the two of them to justify Hoyer's $1.9 million salary.

 

[Patsgofor4]

As an aside, I'm glad that Pete Sheppard is back at WEEI. His passion for the Pats and his personality makes listening to the station much more interesting. I'd much rather listen to him than Gresh, who needs to be fired.