2017 Practice Squad (and visits & workouts)

[long distance]

nice pod on PS QB Heinicke from somebody who was scouting/following him

 

[Mack Herron]

 

[NG Pats Fan]

Patriots practice squad

 

[maineman209]

Starting post is now updated to include changes through Sat. 9/23.

Useless Factoids:

34 players have been in for tryouts:
- only two of them have been signed, both to the PS, both DBs (one already released)
- four members of the current PS were signed without tryout

Positionally, the tryouts breakdown as follows:

DB = 5
LB = 3
DL = 4

QB = 5
RB = 1
TE = 2
WR = 12

ST Specialists = 2

19 of the tryout players have been from the 2016 or 2017 draft classes
5 have been in the league 6 or 7 years

 

[long distance]

two nice nuggets from Reiss'quick-hits on new QB Heinicke:

• Heinicke had been with the Vikings since signing with them as an undrafted free agent out of Old Dominion in 2015. Given their unstable quarterback position, with Sam Bradford's lingering knee injury, he could have waited a bit longer and considered re-signing with them in October (at which time his injury settlement would have been over). But those close to him said the chance to learn from the Patriots coaching staff, and be in the quarterback room with Brady and Garoppolo, was too enticing to pass up.

• Albeit against backups on a 90-man roster, Heinicke (8-of-13 for 73 yards) led a comeback in the Vikings' third preseason game against the 49ers, directing a 14-play drive in a hurry-up situation as the Vikings recorded a 32-31 win with a touchdown and 2-point conversion (Heinicke diving into the end zone at the right pylon) with no time remaining on the clock. He was playing through an oblique strain, and players swarmed him after the 2-point conversion rush. That type of toughness, leadership and poise are obvious assets for him. On that drive, the ball was out of his hands quickly and with authority. Scouts note he's an athletic, undersized prospect who had a winning pedigree in college.
  

 

[JMC00]

They should send Grissom back to the PS and take a flier on Lamarr Houston.

 

[captain stone]

Useless Factoids:

34 players have been in for tryouts:

Positionally, the tryouts breakdown as follows:

DB = 5
LB = 3
DL = 4

QB = 5
RB = 1
TE = 2
WR = 12

ST Specialists = 2

And zero Offensive Lineman? What's up with that?

 

[Angelpats]

Allen is our backup lineman.

 

[jmt57]

I presume he means re-signed, and is not reporting old news.

Mike Petraglia?Verified account @Trags
Patriots have signed CB Jomal Wiltz to practice squad. Make room by releasing CB Robert Nelson.

5:52 PM - 25 Sep 2017 from Newton, MA

 

[jmt57]

It could be fun listening to out of town announcers with a lineup that included Gronkowski, Gostkowski and Gradkowski.


Mike Reiss?Verified account @MikeReiss
Patriots free-agent workouts: C Gino Gradkowski; DB Harold Jones-Quartey; G Nate Theaker; G Earl Watford.

5:24 PM - 25 Sep 2017


Patriots reportedly work out 4 players on Monday, including multiple offensive linemen

on Monday the Patriots worked out center Gino Gradkowski, defensive back Harold Jones-Quartey, guard Nate Theaker and Earl Watford. Three of the four players are offensive linemen.

The biggest name on this list is likely Gradkowski. He was a fourth-round pick by the Ravens in the 2012 draft and has played in 53 games, spending time with four teams including the Ravens, Broncos, Falcons and Panthers.

Once again, this is all likely just due diligence on the Patriots' part in case needs were to arise later in the season.​

 

[BradyFTW!]

It could be fun listening to out of town announcers with a lineup that included Gronkowski, Gostkowski and Gradkowski.


Mike Reiss?Verified account @MikeReiss
Patriots free-agent workouts: C Gino Gradkowski; DB Harold Jones-Quartey; G Nate Theaker; G Earl Watford.

5:24 PM - 25 Sep 2017


Patriots reportedly work out 4 players on Monday, including multiple offensive linemen

on Monday the Patriots worked out center Gino Gradkowski, defensive back Harold Jones-Quartey, guard Nate Theaker and Earl Watford. Three of the four players are offensive linemen.

The biggest name on this list is likely Gradkowski. He was a fourth-round pick by the Ravens in the 2012 draft and has played in 53 games, spending time with four teams including the Ravens, Broncos, Falcons and Panthers.

Once again, this is all likely just due diligence on the Patriots' part in case needs were to arise later in the season.​

Every time I've watched Gino Gradkowski, he's made notably bad plays that badly hurt his team. I really hope he doesn't wind up here.

 

[jmt57]

Every time I've watched Gino Gradkowski, he's made notably bad plays that badly hurt his team. I really hope he doesn't wind up here.

Oh, I remember him now. He was their center when the Pats beat Baltimore by something like 45-10 late in the season a couple years ago. Their OL was not very good then (and hasn't really improved since).

 

[maineman209]

And zero Offensive Lineman? What's up with that?

Well, we have two on the PS, both of whom have been with the Pats since the draft, plus 9 on the active roster. That's probably about the right total number. We had Willie Beavers for awhile, but he was signed without any tryout.

IDK, maybe Scar knows enough about what he wants that a tryout would be superfluous, unless it's for determing health?

 

[maineman209]

Well, we have two on the PS, both of whom have been with the Pats since the draft, plus 9 on the active roster. That's probably about the right total number. We had Willie Beavers for awhile, but he was signed without any tryout.

IDK, maybe Scar knows enough about what he wants that a tryout would be superfluous, unless it's for determing health?

Aaaaand, just after I posted the above, it was reported that the Pats tried out three OL on Monday:

OC Gino Gradkowski ... 2012 3r-rounder, formerly with the Ravens
OG Nate Theaker (6045/315) UDFA from Wayne State (MI)
OG Earl Watford ... 2013 4th-rounder, formerly with the Cardinals

Also tried out:

SS Harold Jones-Quartey (5017/215) ... 2015 UDFA out of Findlay to the Cardinals, claimed by the Bears off waivers ... 40" vertical, 133" long jump, 6.78 3-cone ... played in 16 games 2015-16 for CHI, producing 95 tackles, 7 PD, 2 INT, 1 FF in 1000 defensive snaps over the two seasons (930 in 2016). Waived by CHI in cutdowns; unclaimed, may have ankle issues.

Also, DB Jomal Wiltz, who was waived from the PS on 9/20 to make room for OG Jason King (a 2017 UDFA for the Pats), was re-signed yesterday (9/25). DB Robert Nelson was waived in the corresponding transaction.

 

[captain stone]

Aaaaand, just after I posted the above, it was reported that the Pats tried out three OL on Monday...

So, from my fingers to Bill's eyes?

I wish it were that easy all of the time.

 

[Uptown]

 

[PatriotsNumero1Fan]

Can he block? Is he playing OL lol

 

[Uptown]

Can he block? Is he playing OL lol

Lol no but we KNOW he can rush the passer.

 

[maineman209]

Ravens apparently signed Jonathan Freeny.

FWIW.

 

[Uptown]