Patriots Sign WR Britt to 2-Year Deal

[Deus Irae]

Hate this move. I know I am in the minority, but I would rather lose with decent human beings than win with thugs like him.

You should quit watching sports, then.

 

[IllegalContact]

What do you care? The Patriots suck, remember?

 

[Bruins29]

Just a friendly FYI to anyone paying attention. First rule of Fight Club, never, never, ever, I mean EVER, try to defend a position on ANYTHING with "but the local beat writers said"

If the local beat writers wrote an article that the sky was blue I would suggest looking out the window to check.

 

[jah]

Just a friendly FYI to anyone paying attention. First rule of Fight Club, never, never, ever, I mean EVER, try to defend a position on ANYTHING with "but the local beat writers said"

If the local beat writers wrote an article that the sky was blue I would suggest looking at the window to check.

But if Scott Zolak says something bad about the Pats, you know it's true...*

*This is something I just learned today

 

[maineman209]

Not just illegal stuff ...

To summarize Britt's lengthy rap sheet as a bad-ass criminal type:

Jan 2010: Arrested for outstanding traffic tickets in Bayonne. Paid $865 fine.
Aug 2010: Cited for driving on a revoked license in Nashville (misdemeanor).

Feb 2011: Two bail bondsmen accused Britt of not paying up for a friend of his who'd skipped. Britt paid up.

Apr 2011: Charged with eluding apprehension when a NJ cop tried to stop him for speeding (71 mph in a 50 mph zone). Pled guilty to careless driving and paid a $478 fine.

June 2011: Hoboken Police arrested him for smoking a blunt in his car while going through the car wash. Charged with resisting arrest for what amounted to OPI. Pled guilty to disturbing the peace and paid a $1500 fine.

July 2012: Arrested for DUI in Kentucky. Found not guilty at trial. Goodell suspended him for one game anyway.

Jan 2013: Transported a friend who'd been stabbed to the hospital. Initially refused to make an official statement to police officers on the scene.

I'm not trying to say that Britt is an innocent babe in the woods (although, by Bayonne standards he probably is). It's just that Britt has a media-driven "reputation" for his "criminal record", but there's more than one way to look at that record.

Seriously, I've personally done worse and paid less in fines.

Britt's most recent infraction was for missing team curfew (along with Corey Coleman).

 

[Bruins29]

He's no Dante Stallworth

 

[maineman209]

He's no Dante Stallworth

Or Ray Lewis.

 

[mgteich]

Reedy played

I'd be shocked if he plays this weekend or next. Maybe he'll suit up, like Reedy did, but I'll be shocked to see him on the field.

 

[supafly]

Hogan didn't seem to be anywhere near 100% Monday night, so we may see Britt in at least a couple of cameo appearances against the Steelers, especially if Britt is a good blocker. I don't know if he is or isn't - not all big WRs are.

I can imagine him subbing in for Hogan in a 4WR set and running an intermediate crosser with Amendola underneath and Cooks and Dorsett taking the top off.

The one and only reason I’d be a bit leery of that scenario would be due to the need to have 5 WRs active, but that’s always gameplan specific, of course.

 

[maineman209]

The one and only reason I’d be a bit leery of that scenario would be due to the need to have 5 WRs active, but that’s always gameplan specific, of course.

Numerous moving parts.

Honestly, as much as people complain about Dorsett and Allen, Hollister has been far less productive than either of them. He's had 3 catches on seven targets for 37 yards and still can't block for ****. In Lazar's re-watch (on Twitter), Hollister blew a block so badly early Monday night that he was benched for the rest of the game --- played a total of two snaps on offense (although he's only been averaging a little more than 3/game since the Saints in wk-2).

OTOH, he played 22 ST snaps, meaning that he was likely on both return units and both coverage units, so I'm not sure what effect de-activating him would have on ST if either King or Slater are out (although, if both are healthy ...?).

I'm not saying that Hollister sucks now and forever, but I have to wonder if it's appropriate at this crucial point in the season to keep him active every week.

 

[pats_premi]

I think this season, the run blocking by the WR's does not appear to be as good as it was last season. Malcolm Mitchell excelled in this area, hopefully Britt can help with the run blocking.

 

[bormio]

I think this season, the run blocking by the WR's does not appear to be as good as it was last season. Malcolm Mitchell excelled in this area, hopefully Britt can help with the run blocking.

Edelman was a very enthusiastic blocker as well. This aspect of his game seems to be crapped on at times, but when they needed a do or die 2-pointer last year, they ran a play that depended on Dola’s hands and Edelman’s blocking.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

You should quit watching sports, then.

Some people gave the funny rating for this statement (and it is funny so not an inappropriate rating) but on infrequent occasion one can come cross a post on an NFL football fan board that is absolutely 100%.
The idea that the sport of NFL football/an NFL football team will be only "decent human beings" is a text book case of loving/wanting a good steak but outraged and appalled a slaughter house exists.

How about this for 'decent human'? Patriots sign a guy with some episodes of making bad decisions-making life mistakes-not having the right outlook, yet he comes to the Patriots, ends up giving 100% effort, is a good teammate, keeps on the straight and narrow, and his time with the Patriots provides redemption.
So since he is already signed to the Patriots, fait accompli, isn't the the decent human thing to do is hope for him to achieve this redemption? (and what the hell, let's throw in during the process of redemption he produces 5 or 6 receptions a game, 14 YPC, as well as levels a few would be tacklers to allow Lewis/Burk to break off some good runs)

 

[Gwedd]

Or Ray Lewis.

Or Ray Caruth.......

 

[Gwedd]

Personally, I'm surprisingly not upset by Britt's signing. If he plays well, it's a plus. If he keeps his nose clean, even better. If he becomes a distraction, Coach will show him the door. After,of course, getting his playbook back.

 

[Off The Grid]

He's been a bad dude for years. But 1 year removed from 1,000+ yards and price is low. Potential value proposition with Edelman and Mitchell on IR. What's the risk?

I don't know if I'd call'm a bad dude. Sounds like a compliment.

I don't give a rat's ass about his Rap Sheet.

He's a horrible teammate and he's lazy.

No way in Hell I'd let'm befoul my locker room.

But Mad Bill's entitled to my support.

 

[Deus Irae]

Some people gave the funny rating for this statement (and it is funny so not an inappropriate rating) but on infrequent occasion one can come cross a post on an NFL football fan board that is absolutely 100%.
The idea that the sport of NFL football/an NFL football team will be only "decent human beings" is a text book case of loving/wanting a good steak but outraged and appalled a slaughter house exists.

How about this for 'decent human'? Patriots sign a guy with some episodes of making bad decisions-making life mistakes-not having the right outlook, yet he comes to the Patriots, ends up giving 100% effort, is a good teammate, keeps on the straight and narrow, and his time with the Patriots provides redemption.
So since he is already signed to the Patriots, fait accompli, isn't the the decent human thing to do is hope for him to achieve this redemption? (and what the hell, let's throw in during the process of redemption he produces 5 or 6 receptions a game, 14 YPC, as well as levels a few would be tacklers to allow Lewis/Burk to break off some good runs)

I have no problem with people who only want to cheer for choir boys. For those people, though there are issues. The first issue with that, of course, is that not even all choir boys are choir boys, so to speak. The second, and more relevant, issue with that is that, if you're looking for professional athletes to be choir boys, you're going to have to stop following team sports. Basketball, football, baseball, hockey, soccer, etc.... all have some number of problematic players on pretty much every team.

I do have a problem with the people who "root for the laundry" when it comes time for trades or contract negotiations or the like (the "How dare you choose Brady/Gronk/Mankins/Seymour/whomever over the team?!" kind of people), but turn around and ***** about the character of the players the teams signs. If you're going to just cheer for the laundry, then you should not be complaining even if the team roster is comprised of 53 paroled ax murderers.

 

[PatsFan2]

Numerous moving parts.

Honestly, as much as people complain about Dorsett and Allen, Hollister has been far less productive than either of them. He's had 3 catches on seven targets for 37 yards and still can't block for ****. In Lazar's re-watch (on Twitter), Hollister blew a block so badly early Monday night that he was benched for the rest of the game --- played a total of two snaps on offense (although he's only been averaging a little more than 3/game since the Saints in wk-2).

OTOH, he played 22 ST snaps, meaning that he was likely on both return units and both coverage units, so I'm not sure what effect de-activating him would have on ST if either King or Slater are out (although, if both are healthy ...?).

I'm not saying that Hollister sucks now and forever, but I have to wonder if it's appropriate at this crucial point in the season to keep him active every week.

Good stuff mm209: I expected more from Jacob Hollister especially last game but if Blocking is his Achilles he's very useless in this Offense. Sure wish we had taken a flier last Draft on either George Kittle or small school prospect Adam Shaheen. Dwayne Allen can definitely block but a pass to him is like expecting a person to run in quick sand, really painful to watch. So happy the Gronkman is back.

 

[maineman209]

I think this season, the run blocking by the WR's does not appear to be as good as it was last season. Malcolm Mitchell excelled in this area, hopefully Britt can help with the run blocking.

That's one of the Pats' "hidden" requirements for WRs that amateur draft scouts (including Kiper) rarely consider when evaluating college prospects - that they be willing and able downfield blockers for ball-carriers (including other WRs who've caught the pass). LaFell, for example, was an excellent blocker both downfield and near the LoS. He helped the screen game a lot.

The fact that WR blocking has been sub-par this season is certainly a contributing factor to the Pats' current lack of an effective screen game. That, in turn, affects the offense's ability to deter an aggressive pass-rush and keep Brady clean.

Amendola is very good. Hogan was pretty good before his injury. The fact that he completely whiffed on a couple Monday could an indicator of how far he has to go yet to get back to 100%. If Britt is a really good blocker (and I don't know whether he is or not), that was likely a significant factor in his signing, and could be a reason for activating him this week. If he is active, watching for what the Pats do

Cooks is willing, but needs a lot of work on technique. Dorsett (identical size) has often been much more effective than Cooks, which may be one of the reasons he's seen so many snaps even though he hasn't seen many tgts.

During the pre-season, KJ Maye (5081/190) was a stand-out blocker. I wouldn't have been shocked if the Pats had signed him to the PS. OTOH, Austin Carr (6002/205) didn't always seem quite as eager and also could have used some technique pointers.

BTW - to clarify what I said earlier about Hollister's blocking - he's certainly willing and appears to be pretty effective with his technique, it's just that he seems to blow his assignment fairly frequently, eagerly and effectively blocking ... the wrong guy.

 

[maineman209]

Good stuff mm209: I expected more from Jacob Hollister especially last game but if Blocking is his Achilles he's very useless in this Offense. Sure wish we had taken a flier last Draft on either George Kittle or small school prospect Adam Shaheen. Dwayne Allen can definitely block but a pass to him is like expecting a person to run in quick sand, really painful to watch. So happy the Gronkman is back.

Just to clarify about Hollister - he's very eager and capable as a blocker, he just too frequently blows his assignment and blocks the wrong guy - which has blown up more than one play that I've seen. I think the one he effed up Monday night that got him benched was in the Red Zone and more or less cost the Pats 4 points.