Guess who's coming back to the Pats this season? (Maybe)

[Ring 6]

I dunno. I heard it from Reiss and he's usually right. He said MM is way ahead of VV as far as possibly playing.

He originally said that exact opposite.
Reiss is guessing based on rumor and incomplete speculative information.
Whether he is right or wrong about something like this is just random.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

He originally said that exact opposite.
Reiss is guessing based on rumor and incomplete speculative information.
Whether he is right or wrong about something like this is just random.

Well AJ, whoever it is, time runs short. There's 4 games left and you gotta figure MM or VV need at least one quarter of actual football before going into the playoffs. And one would think MM or VV would need two weeks of practice before that quarter.

Then again maybe they'd be ready after a week of practice, who knows

 

[jimnance]

That was early on. MM has obviously progressed much more than VV since.
I wouldn't say random. Reiss knows a helluva lot more what's going on with the Pats than you or I and he's the most reliable media source we got. He doesn't speculate much. What he said seems to be common knowledge now, as I've read it from numerous media that cover the Pats.

 

[supafly]

That was early on. MM has obviously progressed much more than VV since.
I wouldn't say random. Reiss knows a helluva lot more what's going on with the Pats than you or I and he's the most reliable media source we got. He doesn't speculate much. What he said seems to be common knowledge now, as I've read it from numerous media that cover the Pats.

Andy is right that Reiss initially claimed that MM was a long way off from returning, and you are right that his opinion has since shifted as his health has improved in the last couple of months. I agree with you that Reiss seems to be a reliable source and even when he’s only speculating, there’s usually some solid reasoning behind his thinking.

 

[supafly]

Well AJ, whoever it is, time runs short. There's 4 games left and you gotta figure MM or VV need at least one quarter of actual football before going into the playoffs. And one would think MM or VV would need two weeks of practice before that quarter.

Then again maybe they'd be ready after a week of practice, who knows

I’m thinking a week or two of practice, then a game or two (hopefully meaningless) to knock the rust off prior to the postseason.

The writing on the wall sure seems to point towards Mitchell, and I think it has for awhile. At the very least, he provides an experienced and reliable WR4 target who can offer up a couple/few key catches per game, and take on an even bigger role should injury occur. It would be an improvement on Dorsett, who would obviously be inactive should Mitchell return, especially considering the importance of the postseason.

For the record, I’m not bashing Dorsett. I just think that he’s been underwhelming in his first season and that they’d gladly take the upgrade with Mitchell at this time of the year. We’ll have a better idea as to how Dorsett may/may not progress during the summer of TC. He’d be a nice weapon if he puts in the time this offseason.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I’m thinking a week or two of practice, then a game or two (hopefully meaningless) to knock the rust off prior to the postseason.

The writing on the wall sure seems to point towards Mitchell, and I think it has for awhile. At the very least, he provides an experienced and reliable WR4 target who can offer up a couple/few key catches per game, and take on an even bigger role should injury occur. It would be an improvement on Dorsett, who would obviously be inactive should Mitchell return, especially considering the importance of the postseason.

For the record, I’m not bashing Dorsett. I just think that he’s been underwhelming in his first season and that they’d gladly take the upgrade with Mitchell at this time of the year. We’ll have a better idea as to how Dorsett may/may not progress during the summer of TC. He’d be a nice weapon if he puts in the time this offseason.

If MM is healthy and is in game shape, I think the discussion to play him over Dorsett in a playoff game should take about 19 seconds

 

[RobertWeathers]

I’m thinking a week or two of practice, then a game or two (hopefully meaningless) to knock the rust off prior to the postseason.

The writing on the wall sure seems to point towards Mitchell, and I think it has for awhile. At the very least, he provides an experienced and reliable WR4 target who can offer up a couple/few key catches per game, and take on an even bigger role should injury occur. It would be an improvement on Dorsett, who would obviously be inactive should Mitchell return, especially considering the importance of the postseason.

For the record, I’m not bashing Dorsett. I just think that he’s been underwhelming in his first season and that they’d gladly take the upgrade with Mitchell at this time of the year. We’ll have a better idea as to how Dorsett may/may not progress during the summer of TC. He’d be a nice weapon if he puts in the time this offseason.

Dorsett may very well be a quality receiver in this offense someday but if MM is healthy it's a no-brainer he passes him on the depth chart.

 

[supafly]

Dorsett may very well be a quality receiver in this offense someday but if MM is healthy it's a no-brainer he passes him on the depth chart.

We’ll know relatively early on next spring exactly what the Pats think of Dorsett’s potential because a decision on the 5th year option is normally due at the beginning of May, prior to the TC of the fourth year in order to give the players a year of financial comfort and peace of mind.

At this point, one would have to assume that they aren’t going to choose to pay that salary for 2019, which would likely hover around 9-9.5m a year. He’ll have to impress in early offseason workouts.

 

[RobertWeathers]

We’ll know relatively early on next spring exactly what the Pats think of Dorsett’s potential because a decision on the 5th year option is normally due at the beginning of May, prior to the TC of the fourth year in order to give the players a year of financial comfort and peace of mind.

At this point, one would have to assume that they aren’t going to choose to pay that salary for 2019, which would likely hover around 9-9.5m a year. He’ll have to impress in early offseason workouts.

Agree. I think if he wants to stick here he better learn how to field kicks and punts real quick

 

[supafly]

Agree. I think if he wants to stick here he better learn how to field kicks and punts real quick

Yes, I’m a bit surprised that they haven’t been a little more creative in getting him the ball in space to help utilize that speed. As you said, that would include some return duties, although I keep going to the idea of the jet sweeps and screen passes, etc. Seems odd to let Cooks get blown up on those jet sweeps when you’d assume that Dorsett could handle them just as well, but they’ve worked well at times so it’s tough to question the process.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Yes, I’m a bit surprised that they haven’t been a little more creative in getting him the ball in space to help utilize that speed. As you said, that would include some return duties, although I keep going to the idea of the jet sweeps and screen passes, etc. Seems odd to let Cooks get blown up on those jet sweeps when you’d assume that Dorsett could handle them just as well, but they’ve worked well at times so it’s tough to question the process.

No you can't argue with the success.

Maybe with Gronk out they may look his way more.

 

[Uptown]

 

[RobertWeathers]

Josh should burn this to a thumb drive and give it to Tom for XMas. That'll go over well.

 

[scout]

Is there a chance that the Patriots are holding the IR return spot for Edelman?

 

[RobertWeathers]

Is there a chance that the Patriots are holding the IR return spot for Edelman?

Zero. Jules was never on the 53 thus ineligible for return

 

[supafly]

Is there a chance that the Patriots are holding the IR return spot for Edelman?

No, he isn’t eligible due to the fact that he was placed on IR prior to final cut downs.

He wouldn’t be able to go, anyway, though. He mentioned a few weeks ago that he’s finally able to get his socks on by himself again, and just recently mentioned that they’ve started to work on motion rehabilitation. It’s a long process and he likely won’t even take part in spring workouts/OTAs.

 

[Kontradiction]

I think he'll be back by Week 17. He seems to want him to be and his mere presence in the locker room is a good sign. He'd be an immediate upgrade over Dorsett (goes without saying) and his big mitts and ability to box his man out will be gratefully accepted in the red zone.

 

[RobertWeathers]

No, he isn’t eligible due to the fact that he was placed on IR prior to final cut downs.

He wouldn’t be able to go, anyway, though. He mentioned a few weeks ago that he’s finally able to get his socks on by himself again, and just recently mentioned that they’ve started to work on motion rehabilitation. It’s a long process and he likely won’t even take part in spring workouts/OTAs.

If he didn't start 2018 on PUP I'd be surprised. I won't underestimate him though...

Jules has a $5.1m cap number and $2m dead cap #. They won't cut him but if he's all the way back they might convert some of the incentives/bonuses into salary and lower the salary this year and push some to next.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

Josh should burn this to a thumb drive and give it to Tom for XMas. That'll go over well.

I tell you what, Dorsett has played a ton of snaps (quite a bit more than Amendola in the last 4 games). Hard to believe he isn't getting open sometimes. I recall several games back Dorsett having a not routine but makable catch in the endzone and in another game toward the sideline - both dropped. I'm wondering if Brady has an A or B mentality when it comes to new guys. If your new, you don't make the catches, then looking/passing your way (if you are not the primary) isn't going to be worth the half second that could get Brady killed by a pass rusher (assumingly JM isn't calling many primaries for Dorsett either).
But no doubt we'd be better off if Dorsett can get some catches going...

 

[RobertWeathers]

I tell you what, Dorsett has played a ton of snaps (quite a bit more than Amendola).

Clarify please. Danny has 386 snaps to Dorsett's 281

last 4 games its 168 to 133 in favor of Dorsett. Is that what you meant?

Hard to believe he isn't getting open sometimes. I recall several games back Dorsett having a not routine but makable catch in the endzone and in another game toward the sideline - both dropped. I'm wondering if Brady has an A or B mentality when it comes to new guys. If your new, you don't make the catches, then looking/passing your way (if you are not the primary) isn't going to be worth the half second that could get Brady killed by a pass rusher (assumingly JM isn't calling many primaries for Dorsett either). But no doubt we'd be better off if Dorsett can get some catches going...

I do believe he is getting open and is running plays properly. Rich Hill calls them out specifically. If he wasn't BB and Josh would not be sending him out there. I do wonder if he is not doing things EXACTLY like Tom wants.

I do believe Tom sometimes locks in on players he trusts. Jules, Gronk, White, Wes, Troy, Randy. AH. It happens. In 2012 it got to the point where they froze out Wes so Tom would look a Lloyd more.

I'll be my bottom dollar during meetings with BB and Josh, there has absolutely been discussion around targeting Dorsett more and Tom has been stating the case that he is not deserving for multiple reasons (other, better targets. comfort, situation, etc)[/QUOTE]