Caldwell cut

[PatsSteve1]

And that should never be BB's concern UNLESS it coincides with the best interest of the team.

That's what I said earlier. BBioli do what's best for the team. I was agreeing though that the timing wasn't in Caldwell's best interest. The two interests were missinterested. I made that up.

 

[Keegs]

so now the pro caldwell side makes excuses like a bunch of babies instead of admitting that they were wrong and that Gaffney is the better option!!!

Just admit you were wrong and let's move on.:rocker:

 

[Crazy Patriot Guy]

This could very well be the reasoning. I just find it to be bush league that they hosed their #1 receiver from last year in the attempt to get a 7th (even 6th) round pick. The timing was not "the correct time" as a moderator claimed. The timing was terrible.

What would have been the right time to cut him though? It certainly wouldn't have been anytime before training camp because Washington and Gaffney definately weren't locks to make the team at that point.

 

[Deus Irae]

And that should never be BB's concern UNLESS it coincides with the best interest of the team. With Moss unable to play in the pre season, Stallworth not getting to practice through much of camp, Troy and CJ not making it make it off PUP before the season, and Gaffney dinged up at the end of the pre season, there was no way the two interests could have coincided in this situation this season. Reche likely got as well as he gave last season, seeing as he was playing with Tom Brady and made it to the AFCC. If he can't parlay that into something even on the eve of the season, then it's probably because other HC's and GM's see him for what he is. Releasing him three weeks ago would have only made Bill's take on what our #1 WR from last season was all the clearer. And if he had, and Moss didn't progress and Stallworth had a setback and Gaffney got dinged up in pre season, I'm sure the same voice would be wailing about our bushleague HOF HC - only with a little more justification.

If Moss and Stallworth are so fragile that the team couldn't afford to be without Caldwell before, how can the team afford to be without him now when the games count?

 

[spacecrime]

so now the pro caldwell side makes excuses like a bunch of babies instead of admitting that they were wrong and that Gaffney is the better option!!!

Just admit you were wrong and let's move on.:rocker:

Well, I still like Caldwell better than Washington, but it doesn't much matter what I like. Quite obviously the guy who knows a whole lot more than me likes Gaffney and Washington a whole lot better.

Unless ... wait a minute ... remember that sci-fi story about the slug-like things that controlled people's brains and made them behave in ways that they normally would not? Well, let's just surmise, just for an instant, that one of these slug-thingies got into BB's brain. That would explain cutting Caldwell instead of Gaffney or Wahsington, which obviously makes more sense to anyone with a non slug-infested brain. Yeah, it was the slug-thingies from space. Plus that explains why BB cut Mills and Rogers with two spots open.

Yeah, that must be it. Whew, I feel better now.

 

[patsox23]

And that should never be BB's concern UNLESS it coincides with the best interest of the team. With Moss unable to play in the pre season, Stallworth not getting to practice through much of camp, Troy and CJ not making it make it off PUP before the season, and Gaffney dinged up at the end of the pre season, there was no way the two interests could have coincided in this situation this season. Reche likely got as well as he gave last season, seeing as he was playing with Tom Brady and made it to the AFCC. If he can't parlay that into something even on the eve of the season, then it's probably because other HC's and GM's see him for what he is. Releasing him three weeks ago would have only made Bill's take on what our #1 WR from last season was all the clearer. And if he had, and Moss didn't progress and Stallworth had a setback and Gaffney got dinged up in pre season, I'm sure the same voice would be wailing about our bushleague HOF HC - only with a little more justification.

Well done. I agree. It's a tough break for a guy who doesn't deserve a tough break - and I'm quite certain BB agrees, regrettably - but it was in line with what's best for the team. Just unfortunately circumstance.

 

[Deus Irae]

What would have been the right time to cut him though? It certainly wouldn't have been anytime before training camp because Washington and Gaffney definately weren't locks to make the team at that point.

The team acquired 4 receivers in the offseason. Adding that to the existing corps of Gaffney, Caldwell, Brown (granted he's injured), Jackson (granted he's injured), and the lessers gave the team plenty of options. You can't tell me that BB hadn't ranked his receivers prior to that last preseason game and expect me to believe it. Even if it took until game 3 of the preseason for BB to decide and that only gave Caldwell a week or so of extra time, it would have been the right thing to do to let him go at that time. Doing it after all the cuts had been made and practice squads were being formed was simply wrong, in my opinion.

 

[mgteich]

If Caldwell wanted the team to make the choice early, he should have moved some of his salary to a 2007 roster bonus due on March 1, as many players have done in the past.

 

[patsox23]

The team acquired 4 receivers in the offseason. Adding that to the existing corps of Gaffney, Caldwell, Brown (granted he's injured), Jackson (granted he's injured), and the lessers gave the team plenty of options. You can't tell me that BB hadn't ranked his receivers prior to that last preseason game and expect me to believe it. Even if it took until game 3 of the preseason for BB to decide and that only gave Caldwell a week or so of extra time, it would have been the right thing to do to let him go at that time. Doing it after all the cuts had been made and practice squads were being formed was simply wrong, in my opinion.

But isn't it plausible that there was a bit of a logjam there, it wasn't all that clear, and that BB was, simultaneous to the logjam, trying to TRADE Caldwell (or Washington or Gaffney) and that it just didn't work out the way he'd hoped?

 

[Deus Irae]

But isn't it plausible that there was a bit of a logjam there, it wasn't all that clear, and that BB was, simultaneous to the logjam, trying to TRADE Caldwell (or Washington or Gaffney) and that it just didn't work out the way he'd hoped?

Again, sticking it to Caldwell (in terms of job possibilities and possible financial repercussions) over a 7th, or even 6th round pick when the team is as loaded as it is is bush league. This isn't the #5 receiver from last season, it's the #1 guy. From all accounts I've read, he busted his ass for this team. If people think he was bad or mediocre last season, picture that squad with Gabriel as the #1 receiver until Gaffney comes in later in the season.

Caldwell deserved better.

 

[Patsfanin Philly]

But isn't it plausible that there was a bit of a logjam there, it wasn't all that clear, and that BB was, simultaneous to the logjam, trying to TRADE Caldwell (or Washington or Gaffney) and that it just didn't work out the way he'd hoped?

My take exactly. What if any of the other receivers had to be IRed or PUPed
and you'd already released Caldwell, then what?? Then you're short at WR. They waited to see what would happen in terms of health and that was the best decision for the NEP. Did it work out for the best for Caldwell? Of course not, but unforunately that is the business and he knew it.

 

[Patjew]

Again, sticking it to Caldwell (in terms of job possibilities and possible financial repercussions) over a 7th, or even 6th round pick when the team is as loaded as it is is bush league. This isn't the #5 receiver from last season, it's the #1 guy. From all accounts I've read, he busted his ass for this team. If people think he was bad or mediocre last season, picture that squad with Gabriel as the #1 receiver until Gaffney comes in later in the season.

Caldwell deserved better.

But we all know that the Pats do not pay for past performance. All that matters is the present and future. It sucks for guys like Reche, who I feel bad for, but it's better for the team overall and for us as fans.

 

[VJCPatriot]

Damn, I'm gonna miss Caldwell.

I won't. And it's not just because of the AFCCG.
Caldwell was mediocre at best.
My dad has been saying for a long time the guy should be out of a job.
Guess dad was right... this time.

Again, sticking it to Caldwell (in terms of job possibilities and possible financial repercussions) over a 7th, or even 6th round pick when the team is as loaded as it is is bush league. This isn't the #5 receiver from last season, it's the #1 guy. From all accounts I've read, he busted his ass for this team. If people think he was bad or mediocre last season, picture that squad with Gabriel as the #1 receiver until Gaffney comes in later in the season.

Caldwell deserved better.

Deserved what exactly? A job when BB doesn't think he is one of the 5 best receivers on the team?
Football is a business. People get cut when they aren't good enough. Period.
What Caldwell did last year is not nearly as important as what he can contribute THIS year.
The talent level of the Patriots receivers went UP and Caldwell wasn't good enough to stick.
That's all there is to it. Sorry if Caldwell was your binky, but there is ZERO justification for indignation at this roster move.

 

[Slagathor]

I've been a big Gaffney backer all pre-season, so the idea of keeping Caldwell over Jabar was silly to me anyway.

With regards to Washington, I haven't read through all 12 million replies to this thread, but if it hasn't been mentioned, Perillo was on WEEI mentioning that Washington had more value than Reche in special teams, specifically working the gunner position.

Also personally, both Gaffney and Washington seem to exude a confidence and urgency that Reche seemed to lack.

This is not Reche bashing, but even in the pre-season I recall seeing Caldwell playing a bit sloppy and really exhibiting poor field/game awareness.

I like what he provided us last year, but I can understand where he got lost in the numbers this year.

 

[patsox23]

I DO happen to be a Caldwell supporter (who preferred Gaff and Washington nonetheless) and I feel really bad for him. AND I like that BB, whenever possible, DOES give vets a better shot at hooking on elsewhere by releasing them earlier. In fact, it is that very track record that encourages me to give BB the benefit of the doubt here, and assume that it was, however unfortunate, unavoidable.

If you can get even a day two pick for a solid WR, which didn't happen but wasbn't at all out of the realm of possibility, you try and do it. No question. (Deus, that's your cue.)

 

[Deus Irae]

But we all know that the Pats do not pay for past performance. All that matters is the present and future. It sucks for guys like Reche, who I feel bad for, but it's better for the team overall and for us as fans.

No offense, but that "do not pay for past performance" stuff is not true for every player, as the Troy Brown situation is proving right now. In this case, I felt the way it was done was bush league, and nothing has come to light in this case to make things better for the team or the fans that any of us knows about.

 

[mgteich]

Will someone explain why they think that Caldwell would have been snapped up last week?

 

[Slagathor]

Again, sticking it to Caldwell (in terms of job possibilities and possible financial repercussions) over a 7th, or even 6th round pick when the team is as loaded as it is is bush league. This isn't the #5 receiver from last season, it's the #1 guy. From all accounts I've read, he busted his ass for this team. If people think he was bad or mediocre last season, picture that squad with Gabriel as the #1 receiver until Gaffney comes in later in the season.

Caldwell deserved better.

I can't understand how this is sticking it to Caldwell?

Did he play for free last year? Did he work harder than anyone else did?

The NFL is a cold business. I'm sure Reche is aware of this. He'll be fine.

 

[patsox23]

No offense, but that "do not pay for past performance" stuff is not true for every player, as the Troy Brown situation is proving right now.

This may be pie-in-the-sky naive, but I thought Troy was really productive last year. He did very well. I think if BB felt he wasn't a valuable contributor, he'd let Troy know, in one or another. HOWEVER, you may be right - maybe this is one of the few times, the EXTREME exception, where BB might bend just a little bit to bring back a guy based SOMEWHAT on his past performance. But I don't think he'd ever do so if the guy couldn't help the team.

If Belichick chooses Troy Brown as a guy who he "rewards" or something with a little extra courtesy, I think in the end, in terms of its impact on the team and goodwill - knowing that he's likely to contribute TANGIBLY as well - then that's a good idea. The team pays attention to that, too - and with stuff like Deion and Asante the last couple years, a little bone to the vets, especially when that "bone" is an incredibly hard-working, productive player, can do a world of good. And I wouldn't begrudge that psychological strategy one bit.

Would you?


P.S. Having re-read Deus's post, I see we're in accord. Sorry for missing the nuance of your point. I just don't think the don't-pay-for-past-performance applies to Caldwell at all.

 

[Patjew]

No offense, but that "do not pay for past performance" stuff is not true for every player, as the Troy Brown situation is proving right now. In this case, I felt the way it was done was bush league, and nothing has come to light in this case to make things better for the team or the fans that any of us knows about.

No offense taken, but remember that Troy also got cut! They only re-signed him when they made the numbers work for what he brought to the team (which is certainly more than Caldwell when you consider Troy's O, D, special teams play, leadership and experience). I guess there was no such number with Caldwell.

Anyway, you have your opinion and I'm not trying to change it.