Nick McDonald

[mgteich]

Nick McDonald was waived. Is he injured? If not, we could use him as backup C/OG.

 

[supafly]

Per the Herald on 7/31:

"McDonald was waived with the designation of a failed physical. He suffered an injury during offseason workouts and never got back on the field. He started training camp on the physically unable to perform list. McDonald, who has played all five positions on the line, could potentially return when healthy." - See more at: The Blitz with Jeff Howe & Karen Guregian | Boston Herald

 

[mgteich]

sounds like someone on speed dial; certainly someone to watch when healthy

 

[supafly]

sounds like someone on speed dial; certainly someone to watch when healthy

I'd have to think that you'd be quite correct. The only thing we don't seem to be able to confirm is the extent of this latest injury. If it wasn't too severe then it may point to him coming back in the next few weeks.

 

[jmt57]

In 2011 Nick McDonald came in when (if I recall correctly) Dan Connolly and then Logan Mankins were injured late in the season, and played very well. The Pats had four players start at center during the course of that season: Dan Koppen, Connolly, McDonald and Donald Thomas.

At that time I thought McDonald was a better prospect than Thomas, but McDonald was injured early in camp last year and never seemed to fully recover; Thomas seized the opportunity and turned it into a nice pay day for himself. Fast forward to 2013 and it was deja vu, with McDonald on the sideline once again.

Hopefully he can get healthy and get his career back on track. For right now rookie UDFAs Matt Stankiewitch, Josh Kline, and McDonald's brother Chris are all better alternatives; at least you can count on them to be on the field.

 

[BradyFTW!]

I had him making my final 53 up until he got cut. Very strange, I like him a lot as interior line depth.

 

[mgteich]

I would hope that we would find better off the final waiver wire.

For right now rookie UDFAs Matt Stankiewitch, Josh Kline, and McDonald's brother Chris are all better alternatives; at least you can count on them to be on the field.

 

[tonyto3690]

Was really surprised when I heard about him. For a stretch he was our best starting run blocking interior OL. I wouldn't be surprised to see him back later in the year. If he were healthy I think Connolly might have been cut.

 

[mgteich]

Why pick on Connolly? We need 5 interior linemen. Connolly is certainly good enough to be one of them. Connolly is the perfect Game Day backup at LG, C and RG.

Was really surprised when I heard about him. For a stretch he was our best starting run blocking interior OL. I wouldn't be surprised to see him back later in the year. If he were healthy I think Connolly might have been cut.

 

[supafly]

Was really surprised when I heard about him. For a stretch he was our best starting run blocking interior OL. I wouldn't be surprised to see him back later in the year. If he were healthy I think Connolly might have been cut.

Why pick on Connolly? We need 5 interior linemen. Connolly is certainly good enough to be one of them. Connolly is the perfect Game Day backup at LG, C and RG.

I think that Connelly is the perfect cap casualty candidate next year, especially if they draft an interior lineman in the first 3 rounds in April. The unlikelihood is pretty high that they'll resign Wendell and then Connelly the next year.

I personally never saw him as much of a threat to leave this year though.