Patriots Trade For Rams WR Greg Salas

[ATippett56]

The Pats didn't have a split end backup all last season and ended up doing alright.

That doesn't mean the New England Patriots should ignore the depth of the split end position this year.

 

[mgteich]

We have indeed discussed whether our RT is going to get our QB killed if one of Vollmer's injuries causes him to miss any games.

I wonder how many other fans would live to be discussing split end backups on their boards rather than wondering if their RT is going to get their QB killed.

 

[Sciz]

I guess by your definition Deion Branch does not help this team yet Visanthe Shiancoe who has not practiced since the first week in training camp or participated in one preseason game does?

Read this, then do it:
http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...ade-rams-wr-greg-salas-page6.html#post3126684

 

[BBass]

That doesn't mean the New England Patriots should ignore the depth of the split end position this year.

I don't think they are ignoring depth I think its shopping season for BB and he sees better players then Gaffney, Branch, and Stallworth to build the roster with.

 

[robbomango]

Here's a pretty good highlight vid of Salas, it's about 9 minutes long, shows him getting some hard fought yardage.

Greg Salas 2008 2010 Hawaii Warriors - YouTube

 

[Ring 6]

The New England Patriots need a split end backup to Brandon Lloyd week 1 against Tennessee. Neither Deion Branch or Jabar Gaffney are currently on the roster. The New England Patriots have a backup tight end in Daniel Fells week 1 against Tennessee. With Shiancoe currently on the roster, his presence does not maximize the proven wide receiver depth needed for week 1 against Tennessee.

The backup to Lloyd in week 1, as of the moment is either Edelman or Salas.
Given that he won't need a backup unless injured, that seems to be a minor concern right now.
The fact that Bill Belichick feels the team is strong with Salas and Edelman in that role as a guy who isn't likely to see the field seems to really, really trouble you.
Shaincoe may be IR'd, cut or inactive for that game. Why do you care who the inactives are?
We could have as many WRs as we want and STILL have Shaincoe. His presence is not preventing us from having WRs. We could cut any number of players, particularly others of the 7 that will be inactive to sign another WR to be inactive and make you feel better.

 

[The Scrizz]

We have indeed discussed whether our RT is going to get our QB killed if one of Vollmer's injuries causes him to miss any games.

Again we're talking about backups. There might be 2-3 teams in the league that have enough depth at that position that they can afford to lose a starting OT.

I just can't understand how someone is pointing out that we signed a bunch of WR and then complaining that we are ignoring WR depth. They are mutually exclusive unless you believe that BB woke up a few weeks ago and said **** WR's.

Most of our off-season resources went to the defense that there was pretty close to unanimous agreement needed fixing. If that means you don't have the best backup split end in football then so be it.

But you can't say that the team didn't bring a lot of WR options in. It just seems that right now a lot of them just didn't stick to the wall.

 

[grux]

Interesting he would want Salas over the several other WRs there were cut. I'm all for getting younger at WR, but is he really going to be better than Branch?

I like Branch as a player and person but his best days are behind him. He understands the offense but struggles to create seperation. My guess is Josh likes Salas and thinks he is an upgrade over Branch.

 

[mgteich]

I agree that Belichick spent considerable off-season resources and effort in addressing the receiver situation. This was particularly impressive since we had the 3rd best passing offense in the nil and we had all but Branch and Ochocinco coming back.

Belichick ended up with Lloyd, Salas, Fells, Shiancoe and Kirkland for the Practice Squad. And we whine!

2011: Welker, Branch, Ochoccinco, Edelman, Gronkowksi, Hernandez, Underwood
2012: Welker, Lloyd, Salas, Edelman, Gronkowski, Hernandez, Fells

Many here would have preferred one of the other choices for 6th receiving target: Gonzalez, Stallworth, Branch, Gaffney or Ebert. One of them still may come back. But, even without additions, this receiving corps is among the very best, and is better than 2011.

Again we're talking about backups. There might be 2-3 teams in the league that have enough depth at that position that they can afford to lose a starting OT.

I just can't understand how someone is pointing out that we signed a bunch of WR and then complaining that we are ignoring WR depth. They are mutually exclusive unless you believe that BB woke up a few weeks ago and said **** WR's.

Most of our off-season resources went to the defense that there was pretty close to unanimous agreement needed fixing. If that means you don't have the best backup split end in football then so be it.

But you can't say that the team didn't bring a lot of WR options in. It just seems that right now a lot of them just didn't stick to the wall.

 

[The Scrizz]

I like Branch as a player and person but his best days are behind him. He understands the offense but struggles to create seperation. My guess is Josh likes Salas and thinks he is an upgrade over Branch.

Josh obviously has a good amount of input into the offense which is fine by me. I see him as the likely successor when the inevitable happens.

He is the Vincent to Mangini's Fredo.

 

[Ring 6]

That doesn't mean the New England Patriots should ignore the depth of the split end position this year.

Last season the combined snaps of all WRs on the roster added up to 216%.
In other words, if we run a typical 60 offensive plays in a game, we need 2 WRs to run 60 snaps and a 3rd (or combination of the rest of the WRs on the roster)to run a whopping 10 snaps.

Edelman last year ran 13.3% which would be 8 of those 10, if he plays no more than he did last year.

Welker was in on 90% which means he needs a sub for 6 snaps.
Lloyd figures to play about the same 90% which means he also needs a sub for 6 snaps.
So what we are saying in this thread is that Edelman, Salas, Slater, and everyone else we sign including the likelihood that Gaffney comes back puts us in terrible shape to put those players out there for 6 snaps in place of Welker, 6 in place of Lloyd, and get Edelman an extra 2 snaps when we use 3 wides.

Seriously?

 

[Ring 6]

Last season the combined snaps of all WRs on the roster added up to 216%.
In other words, if we run a typical 60 offensive plays in a game, we need 2 WRs to run 60 snaps and a 3rd (or combination of the rest of the WRs on the roster)to run a whopping 10 snaps.

Edelman last year ran 13.3% which would be 8 of those 10, if he plays no more than he did last year.

Welker was in on 90% which means he needs a sub for 6 snaps.
Lloyd figures to play about the same 90% which means he also needs a sub for 6 snaps.
So what we are saying in this thread is that Edelman, Salas, Slater, and everyone else we sign including the likelihood that Gaffney comes back puts us in terrible shape to put those players out there for 6 snaps in place of Welker, 6 in place of Lloyd, and get Edelman an extra 2 snaps when we use 3 wides.

Seriously?

Additionally TEs played 186% of the snaps.

In other words, in our offense last year (when we used an OL as the 3rd TE) there were 112 snaps for TEs in a 60 snap game and 130 for WRs, yet we are freaking out that we don't have twice as many WRs as TEs?

 

[ATippett56]

The backup to Lloyd in week 1, as of the moment is either Edelman or Salas.

I'm not sold whatsoever with Edelman at the split end or flanker position.

Given that he won't need a backup unless injured, that seems to be a minor concern right now.

The fact that Bill Belichick feels the team is strong with Salas and Edelman in that role as a guy who isn't likely to see the field seems to really, really trouble you.

As of today, nobody knows how many snaps Salas will play against Tennessee nor at which wide receiver positions.

Shaincoe may be IR'd, cut or inactive for that game. Why do you care who the inactives are?

We could have as many WRs as we want and STILL have Shaincoe. His presence is not preventing us from having WRs. We could cut any number of players, particularly others of the 7 that will be inactive to sign another WR to be inactive and make you feel better.

With Shiancoe placed on injured reserve, the New England Patriots will be a better team for that duration of time.

 

[ATippett56]

Last season the combined snaps of all WRs on the roster added up to 216%.
In other words, if we run a typical 60 offensive plays in a game, we need 2 WRs to run 60 snaps and a 3rd (or combination of the rest of the WRs on the roster)to run a whopping 10 snaps.

Edelman last year ran 13.3% which would be 8 of those 10, if he plays no more than he did last year.

Welker was in on 90% which means he needs a sub for 6 snaps.
Lloyd figures to play about the same 90% which means he also needs a sub for 6 snaps.
So what we are saying in this thread is that Edelman, Salas, Slater, and everyone else we sign including the likelihood that Gaffney comes back puts us in terrible shape to put those players out there for 6 snaps in place of Welker, 6 in place of Lloyd, and get Edelman an extra 2 snaps when we use 3 wides.

Seriously?

During the course of a 16 game schedule, you do not anticipate whatsoever injuries at the wide receiver position?

 

[Ring 6]

During the course of a 16 game schedule, you do not anticipate whatsoever injuries at the wide receiver position?

You were talking about game 1.

 

[Ring 6]

I'm not sold whatsoever with Edelman at the split end or flanker position.

Its a backup position that will barely see the field.

As of today, nobody knows how many snaps Salas will play against Tennessee nor at which wide receiver positions.

So. What does what you know today have to do with what will happen in a game?
No one knows whether Branch would even be active if he wasn't cut.

With Shiancoe placed on injured reserve, the New England Patriots will be a better team for that duration of time.

Actually that is not correct.
Your creepy hatred of the man aside, if he went on IR, we would have no 4th TE on a team that will get heavy use out of the top 3 TEs, while one of the 3 has injury issues already.
And the gain would be to add a player that will be inactive.

 

[VJCPatriot]

I assume you mean drafting? They get good to great recieves via other methods, does'nt matter how they get here as long as they get here.

Exactly. Welker and Moss worked out pretty awesome. Our drafted WRs not so much. But Salas acquired through trade so you never know. Also considering we gave up a late round pick in 2015, that's almost nothing. Might as well be considered a 10th round pick considering how devalued future picks are!

Hopefully Salas can contribute in the return game because Demps ain't walking through that door anytime soon and that part of Pats ST still needs a shot in the arm. Remember the time that Troy Brown pretty much single handedly destroyed the Steelers in the playoffs with his kick returns? Would love to see that part of the Pats game revived!

 

[ATippett56]

Actually that is not correct.
Your creepy hatred of the man aside, if he went on IR, we would have no 4th TE on a team that will get heavy use out of the top 3 TEs, while one of the 3 has injury issues already.
And the gain would be to add a player that will be inactive.

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/10/939956-patriots-sign-matt-tennant.html

Refer to post #7

Not to mention the 4 TE thing is dubious at best

http://www.patsfans.com/new-england.../939956-patriots-sign-matt-tennant-page3.html

Refer to post #24

3 with one on the ps (Silvestro) is really plenty.
We ran the offense all last year with 2 TEs, using an OL as the short yardage 3rd TE.

 

[mgteich]

Let's discuss the 2011 WR stats and the importance of backup WR's..

WR1.....Welker 89%
WR2.....Branch 76%
WR3.....Ocho/Underwood/Price 41%
WR4.....Edelman 13%

ANALYSIS

Even though we had very poor performance from our "backup" #3 WR's, they got on the field a lot.

Even if Welker and Lloyd both average over 82% of the offensive and Edelman continues in his minor role of 13%, there will be lots of reps for the #3 WR position. There will be even more if there are any injuries.

If Branch were here, he would be active and expect to in on a significant number of offensive reps. Salas may or may not be ready, so Hernandez and Edelamn may need to get more reps.

Most importantly, our top receivers are not allowed to be injured. That stragey work last year until Gronkowksi was injured at the end. Belichick has addressed the issue of backups at TE. It is not even clear that the primary roles are covered at WR unless one believes that Salas is ready for 41% of the offensive reps. The only available backup is Edelman.

CONCLUSION
We need an additional backup WR in case of injury to Welker, Lloyd or Salas.

 

[The Scrizz]

I'm not sold whatsoever with Edelman at the split end or flanker position.

As of today, nobody knows how many snaps Salas will play against Tennessee nor at which wide receiver positions.

With Shiancoe placed on injured reserve, the New England Patriots will be a better team for that duration of time.

First Edelman can do anything .

Second. Did Visanthe run over your dog? Bang your sister? I don't get the level of hate for a decent veteran TE who hasn't played a snap yet. And don't give me that as an excuse unless you think we should crap on Brian Waters too.