Niklas signed

[goheels22002]

Major screw-up by the team that they didn't even check his 40 time. What a clown show of a front office.

It's interesting that the Patriots also signed Ravens' free agent OL Luke Bowanko today .

That's three young blocking linemen with solid NFL experience - T Matt Tobin, G-C Bowanko, and TE Niklas. This is a most welcome addition to an OL with questions as far as depth is concerned. Combined with the news that Dante Scarnecchia is returning for another season, these guys provide a good nucleus for a 1st round left tackle to work his way into this summer.

 

[Triumph]

Still young enough to try to develop. Lots of raw potential.

Troy Niklas Stats, News, Video, Bio, Highlights on TSN

 

[Deus Irae]

Yes, It's a matter of definition.

IMHO, a non-1st rounder who is active on a playoff team in his 4th year isn't a bust. This is especially true if the player has a role on the team (in this case STer, and #4 safety.

Heck, we could have Tavon Wilson. Another thread calls him our worst draft choice in the last 7 years. IMHO, that clearly isn't true.

I suppose that we could look back and see folks who called Ben Watson a bust. And now, 14 years later, he will be a contributor for a playoff contender.

"Bust" is not a one size fits all term.

• Vernon Gholston was in the NFL for 3 seasons.
• JaMarcus Russell was in the NFL for 3 seasons.
• Tim Couch was in the NFL for 5 seasons.
• Barkevious Mingo is still in the NFL, and getting ready for his 6th season.
  
• Blaine Gabbert is still in the NFL, and getting ready for his 8th season.

All busts.

 

[maineman209]

I know some will just not care about how terminology keeps getting abused but labeling players that have been in the league for a while (or in case of Wilson are onto their second post-rookie contract) busts just diminishes the real disasters during drafts.

It is very similar to how people rush to call almost every incompletion a drop nowadays. No, words have meaning. A drop requires a catchable pass and an obvious chance for a player to catch it.

Anyway.. whatever..

For me, a true "bust" is like the Lions had with WR Charles Rogers (#2 overall, 2003) and Mike Williams (#10 overall, 2005), or the Jetes with Gholston (#6 overall, 2008), Dee Milliner (#9 overall, 2013), and their entire 2012 draft aside from Demario Davis - 7 other picks pretty much down the poop-shoot.

(too much schadenfreude?)

 

[condon84]

LOL I misread the thread title. Thought it was 'N!gg@s signed'

 

[RobertWeathers]

LOL I misread the thread title. Thought it was 'N!gg@s signed'

Jesus god help that person if they did type that.

 

[captain stone]

It's interesting that the Patriots also signed Ravens' free agent OL Luke Bowanko today .

That's three young blocking linemen with solid NFL experience - T Matt Tobin, G-C Bowanko, and TE Niklas. This is a most welcome addition to an OL with questions as far as depth is concerned. Combined with the news that Dante Scarnecchia is returning for another season, these guys provide a good nucleus for a 1st round left tackle to work his way into this summer.

No they don't.

Bowanko & Tobin are Garbage; they're not even one ounce more than mere Tackling Dummies & (I hope) Camp Fodder.

Bill signed the Wrong Luke (what a shock).

I'd rather use Troy Nicklas as a backup Lineman than either of those 2 Wastes of Space.
Hell, I betcha Nicklas weighs more than Boney Tony Garcia does right now.

 

[goheels22002]

No they don't.

Bowanko & Tobin are Garbage; they're not even one ounce more than mere Tackling Dummies & (I hope) Camp Fodder.

Bill signed the Wrong Luke (what a shock).

I'd rather use Troy Nicklas as a backup Lineman than either of those 2 Wastes of Space.
Hell, I betcha Nicklas weighs more than Boney Tony Garcia does right now.

Wow. You're grumpy today.

These guys are professional football players on short-term deals to compete for positions in training camp. They'll have the opportunity to work with Dante Scarnecchia - the best OL coach in the league - and be around a good group of linemen who have been to Super Bowls.

Look at Marcus Cannon. It took him a few years to grow into being a starting RT. These guys are on the same arc. Bowanko played in all 16 games for the Ravens, Niklas in 15 for the Cardinals last year, and Tobin in 15 for the Seahawks last year. No reason to think any one of them will not continue to develop.

My guess is that the 23rd or 31st pick will be used on a Tackle and I bet BB brings in at least one more undrafted FA rookie. It should be a highly competitive camp along the offensive line.

 

[mgteich]

While I agree with your analysis, I disagree with your characterization of Cannon. Cannon was a first or second rounder that was ill. The patriots drafted him with the expectation of developing him into a starter. This worked out very well, with Cannon being a highly paid swing backup behind Vollmer and Solder before he became a starter. I believe that Dante and Belichick maintained confidence in Cannon throughout.

I agree that all the three are reasonable signings, and all should compete for roster spots. And yes, their cost was minimal. An young OL or TE who played in 15 games for an NFL team last year is certainly worth bring to camp to compete for backup spots. Belichick will likely find more.

Wow. You're grumpy today.

These guys are professional football players on short-term deals to compete for positions in training camp. They'll have the opportunity to work with Dante Scarnecchia - the best OL coach in the league - and be around a good group of linemen who have been to Super Bowls.

Look at Marcus Cannon. It took him a few years to grow into being a starting RT. These guys are on the same arc. Bowanko played in all 16 games for the Ravens, Niklas in 15 for the Cardinals last year, and Tobin in 15 for the Seahawks last year. No reason to think any one of them will not continue to develop.

My guess is that the 23rd or 31st pick will be used on a Tackle and I bet BB brings in at least one more undrafted FA rookie. It should be a highly competitive camp along the offensive line.