Roster cutdowns - PATRIOTS

[maineman209]

How many forced fumbles does Burkhead have? Bolden has three. Has Burkhead ever blocked a punt before, because Bolden has. Has Burkhead ever played as the personal punt protector before?

Again--just because Burkhead has the capacity to make ST tackles doesn't necessarily mean that he can play the exact same role as Bolden, or do it as effectively. To Burkhead's credit, he seems to have offered something on four different ST units, and I'm pretty sure Bolden has only played on two. Maybe that was enough for Belichick to take a chance since Burkhead obviously offers more on offense?

We'll know soon enough, but I'm expecting him to return soon. Maybe I am wrong, though.

Actually, Bolden plays on all four ST units, most of the time.

Figure it this way ...
- Gost, Cardona and Ryan Allen play about 10 ST snaps per game (that's two units).
- Grissom & Ebner played about 22 ST snaps per game active (all four units).
- Bolden played about 19 ST snaps per game active - can't rack up that many without being on all four units.

Bolden has made numerous ST tackles over the years, often as the first guy to the returner. He's also made several crucial blocks to spring our own returners for big returns.

In 2016, Burkhead averaged 18 ST snaps per game active (all four units) ... UNTIL he became Cinci's lead RB for the last six games. From that point, his ST snaps dropped to 10 per game for four games Likely blocking units only), and then to ZERO for the final two games.

I've been around and around about this with others, but the fact remains that critical offensive skill players simply don't play extensive ST snaps and certainly NOT all four units. This is true of EVERY team in the league.

The notion that Burkhead will play a critical role in the offense AND cover all of Bolden's ST duties is simply wishful thinking.

 

[RobertWeathers]

How many forced fumbles does Burkhead have? Bolden has three. Has Burkhead ever blocked a punt before, because Bolden has. Has Burkhead ever played as the personal punt protector before?

Again--just because Burkhead has the capacity to make ST tackles doesn't necessarily mean that he can play the exact same role as Bolden, or do it as effectively. To Burkhead's credit, he seems to have offered something on four different ST units, and I'm pretty sure Bolden has only played on two. Maybe that was enough for Belichick to take a chance since Burkhead obviously offers more on offense?

We'll know soon enough, but I'm expecting him to return soon. Maybe I am wrong, though.

All correct but Bolden is very limited offensively.

We know what Burkhead can do

 

[maineman209]

He's was always the most likely cut-and-return if some injured guys are to be eligible to return from IR. So you aren't wrong just yet.

I called this over a week ago, specifically wrt Garcia. Now, I'm thinking it might be McClellin.

Anyway, the Pats have done this many times before. Heck, in 2012, they cut Deion-freaking-Branch.

 

[maineman209]

Garcia likely will take some time to adjust

Six weeks on NFI - getting healthy, studying film/the playbook/line calls , and then three weeks of team practice - may help Garcia quite a bit.

 

[maineman209]

The thread-starting post has now been updated as a synopsis of all relevant transactions so far. Please check me for accuracy (I'm notorious for typos and brain farts).

 

[BlueThunder]

Yeah, that last typo was a stinker

 

[long distance]

Now lets see who makes it back..



D.Jones and Travis for me please to absorb the Karras blow.
-

 

[NG Pats Fan]

It's an outright disgrace karras is,cut and someone like richards who is so atrocious he shouldn't be allowed in the stadium isn't. If i were karras i'd quit football before i played for the pats again. Totally spit in his face. Guy lives and breathes football so they cut him in favor of the latest second round blunder.

I hope richards gets some good playing time and embarrasses them so badly it's on espn. Joke.

 

[supafly]

All correct but Bolden is very limited offensively.

We know what Burkhead can do

Yes, I was simply speaking to the question posed to me regarding STs. As you said, it's possible that his upside on offense made the battle close enough to justify the decision. Or, maybe he returns.

 

[luuked]

McDermott taught us a lesson. No more drafting project OL with good measurables who look horrible on tape.

If you are one of the people who thought McDermott would be ready in his first year then I can only recommend trying to be more informed next year. That's what a project is supposed to be.

 

[WaterfallJumper]

It's an outright disgrace karras is,cut and someone like richards who is so atrocious he shouldn't be allowed in the stadium isn't. If i were karras i'd quit football before i played for the pats again. Totally spit in his face. Guy lives and breathes football so they cut him in favor of the latest second round blunder.

I hope richards gets some good playing time and embarrasses them so badly it's on espn. Joke.

Sounds like you should root for a different team lol . . .

 

[RobertWeathers]

Yes, I was simply speaking to the question posed to me regarding STs. As you said, it's possible that his upside on offense made the battle close enough to justify the decision. Or, maybe he returns.

Yea. I hope they can make up Bolden's ST play. He was outstanding.

 

[NG Pats Fan]

If you are one of the people who thought McDermott would be ready in his first year then I can only recommend trying to be more informed next year. That's what a project is supposed to be.

I went to a few practices and one preseason game. I watched McDermott get abused, bullied. He can't handle a bull rush because he has no strength for the NFL , and he gets easily beaten around the edge because he's painfully slow with his hands.

 

[RayClay]

Waddle is quietly serviceable at Left Tackle. That's not nothing.

Karras being cut, though, SHOCKS me. I thought he looked like a beast out there.

Yeah, don't see the slam on Wardle. If/when Solder is out I don't want to depend on some combination of Fleming and Cannon at the most important OL spot.

Don't see that affecting Karras, they don't play the same position. C/G backup is just that, not a LT backup.

 

[luuked]

I went to a few practices and one preseason game. I watched McDermott get abused, bullied. He can't handle a bull rush because he has no strength for the NFL , and he gets easily beaten around the edge because he's painfully slow with his hands.

Again. That is exactly what was expected for months now. Everyone even remotely informed knew he is a project with intriguing measurables that would make the PS at best and would need 1-2 years. He was never meant to be ready this year, that was never the plan.

 

[RayClay]

Yes, I was simply speaking to the question posed to me regarding STs. As you said, it's possible that his upside on offense made the battle close enough to justify the decision. Or, maybe he returns.

Also, they picked up 3 [?] players with extensive ST backgrounds, so it isn't necessarily an all or nothing substitution there.

 

[Family]

I went to a few practices and one preseason game. I watched McDermott get abused, bullied. He can't handle a bull rush because he has no strength for the NFL , and he gets easily beaten around the edge because he's painfully slow with his hands.

This is why BB thinks nothing of trading late round picks. He probably thinks the difference between them and UFA is mostly a crapshoot. It's numbers when you get that low.

I liked Ted Karras too, but really how many regular season snaps did he take? I trust the coaching staff more than people from the board, especially on an offensive lineman who never played.

If Karras was so good how come they couldn't snag a 7th for him?

 

[mgteich]

Yea. I hope they can make up Bolden's ST play. He was outstanding.

Perhaps, Bolden will be back after the IR cut(s) today.

 

[Sfpat]

If you are one of the people who thought McDermott would be ready in his first year then I can only recommend trying to be more informed next year. That's what a project is supposed to be.

And to think, at the beginning of last season, one draft projection (I believe it was Walters) had McDermott to the Pats........in the 1st round!

 

[RayClay]

Yeah, don't see the slam on Wardle. If/when Solder is out I don't want to depend on some combination of Fleming and Cannon at the most important OL spot.

Don't see that affecting Karras, they don't play the same position. C/G backup is just that, not a LT backup.

Also, Vollmer retiring makes it almost mandatory to keep a primary LT around IMO. Fleming is meh at best, Cannon is the most one position RT I can recall and our LT of the future apparently weighs in at about 235 currently.