Who's out/extended/sacrificed to fit AB's contract?

[Triumph]

There was no risk of losing Thomas. The plan was for him to be cut, and brought back after required IR manipulations, in order to protect a waiver eligible player who would otherwise have been exposed. This has been well documented, as multiple reporters noted it.

Stop the foolishness.

The Patriots took a risk Thomas would return by releasing him, but he stayed true to his word by choosing to remain with the team he spent all summer with.

Patriots reportedly bringing back Demaryius Thomas, less than two days after releasing him

 

[RobertWeathers]

Jeez I missed it by a couple minutes lol.. still no way we keep this many WR’s for long, especially with Watson due back week 5

LaCosse will most likely go when Ben is available. I gotta think they want to keep Izzo as the in-line TE.

If nothing changes between now and January at WR that means we have been scoring 40 a game and most likely have one loss two at the most.

 

[primetime]

Well Izzo does some good blocking and that is well needed

He got pushed around a bit at times. Only one of Izzo or Lacosse is going to be around Week 5, because this isn't a team that will be carrying three tight ends.

 

[mgteich]

He got pushed around a bit at times. Only one of Izzo or Lacosse is going to be around Week 5, because this isn't a team that will be carrying three tight ends.

And that's because we need 8 WR's (including Gunner and Slater)?
Will we be at 9 WR when Harry is ready?

 

[masterbouncer]

He got pushed around a bit at times. Only one of Izzo or Lacosse is going to be around Week 5, because this isn't a team that will be carrying three tight ends.

Indeed, guess the one who is the better blocker will be kept, don't know about LaCosse blocking at least Izzo is on a cheaper contract

 

[Deus Irae]

And that's because we need 8 WR's (including Gunner and Slater)?
Will we be at 9 WR when Harry is ready?

It's probably more because the TEs suck, so a WR can add more to the team.

 

[farn]

And that's because we need 8 WR's (including Gunner and Slater)?
Will we be at 9 WR when Harry is ready?

The hope is that we are 20/53 WR by mid season !

 

[mgteich]

It's probably more because the TEs suck, so a WR can add more to the team.

The answer to that problem is to trade for a TE.

 

[Ivan]

Chung's not going to be suspended this year.

What are you basing that on?

 

[PatsFan2]

Melifonwu was a street free agent for three weeks last season, free to sign with anyone. Since he was signed, he's done nothing of note. He played a handful of snaps in two games and had a quiet training camp and preseason. He was a healthy scratch yesterday. It seems unlikely that any team will be champing at the bit to add him to their active roster... and in the worst case, if they do, so what?

They've got a glut at wide receiver, but Slater and Olszewski are wide receivers in number only, and it's not like any of these tight ends are worth a damn until Watson comes back.

Ryan Izzo could be cut and brought back via the PS but how much do they like his Blocking?? Matt LaCosse can catch some but seems fragile and can't block a fly. Teams need at least one Blocking TE so LaCosse could become expendable when Ben Watson comes back unless someone no too important end up on IR creating a spot.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

No question.

After the way Gunner handled the punting (returns and sure-handedness) and Meyers' big-boy catch and hanging on after getting rocked no way do those guys last the night out on the street.

And I believe both were given shots last night to see how they would do, possibly to see if we could move them to the practice squad.

 

[Pat the Pats Fan]

I haven't seen anyone hoping for Gunner's demise.

other than opposing coaches hoping he could fall to them on waivers.

 

[Deus Irae]

The answer to that problem is to trade for a TE.

Sure, if you can find a TE worth the trade, within acceptable financial paramaters, from a team willing to trade that TE, for a return within acceptable parameters.

But you have to find that guy.

 

[RobertWeathers]

And I believe both were given shots last night to see how they would do, possibly to see if we could move them to the practice squad.

Yep and they both passed with flying colors.

 

[TheBostonStraggler]

And that's because we need 8 WR's (including Gunner and Slater)?
Will we be at 9 WR when Harry is ready?

I see the point you're getting at (and agree on today's math). But the problem probably takes care of itself. What are the chances that one WR will not be lost to injury for a period of time or longer? So Harry would likely be, in effect, swapping one for the other off IR. No?

 

[SammyBlueCat]

The answer to that problem is to trade for a TE.

Any suggestions?

 

[Deus Irae]

other than opposing coaches hoping he could fall to them on waivers.

Personally, I considered Gunner the most logical cut, because I was thinking "offense player, WR position, least likely to contribute as a WR, would be replaced by a player who has lots of PR experience, has PS eligibility if he gets through), but I also had mentioned Meyers, depending upon how the team currently felt about him. Thomas just didn't seem logical, given the $300k bonus they'd given him to make sure he stuck around, and the questionable situations of himself, Brown and Gordon.

But that doesn't mean that I wanted him gone.

 

[Ice_Ice_Brady]

Do they really need D. Thomas? They need to carry Meyers and Gunner or else lose them, though it’s possible one of them could come down with Foxboro flu and get IR’d. They’re not going to IR Dorsett to open up a spot. Their WR depth chart is currently absurd:

Gordon
Brown
Edelman
Dorsett
Meyers
Thomas
Gunner
Harry (IR)

White and Burkhead are legit pass catching threats.

Is Thomas really even better than Dorsett or Meyers at this point in his career? Does his upside make him worth it anymore? I think Dorsett and Meyers are both perfectly sufficient as a WR4...in fact both are laughably already low due to the positional strength here. If Gordon gets suspended, Brown-Edelman-Dorsett-Meyers is good, plus Harry could come back.

I just don’t see where D. Thomas fits. I brought up the point that he was a good option in April but no longer makes sense in September. And that was before the Antonio Brown cannonball.

I think they must decide between Gunner and Thomas, and Gunner currently provides one unique, specialized skill that helps the team, plus four cheap years ahead.

 

[bigballas]

why are we all talking about AB or Gordon not makin to the end of season? they are on the team. they are fine

we know our risks and we're "aware" of what our players are doing. whether it's gordon taking swigs or booze before games or the killer going around murdering peeps on bye weeks its all calculated risk. as long as these dudes can perform during their time at practice and game, BB will manage the risk unless its a distraction to the aforementioned.

 

[LJRomanoff]

What are you basing that on?

The Lance Kendricks precedent.