Patriots Player Departure The dream is dead: Patriots releasing Rourke

[cmasspatsfan]

We'll know more before the first game, for all we know Maye and/or Milton will catch on quick and would be able to step in if Briskett got hurt. Maye may even start the second half of the season, so many unknowns right now.

 

[mike_usagisan]

Bill grabbed him off waivers, but Wolf wanted to go with a fresh start with a rookie at 3. I have to guess if BB was still here, he would’ve traded down and prioritized other positions, probably gave Zappe, Rourke and a veteran a shot to compete for the job.

I think Bill would have drafted a QB again. I don't think it would have been Maye. Gotten a cheap vet (very possibly Brisket). And probably wouldn't have drafted Milton. That might be my own bias thinking that it's a bad idea to have two developmental QBs, but maybe the QB he drafted would have started.

I have no idea if that would have been a better strategy, but based on what he said on the draft show, it sounds like Bill knew the Pats needed to try drafting a QB again.

 

[PatsFan2]

I think Zappe is still on the roster to be backup sacrificial lamb should Brissett get hurt before Maye is ready to play.

If that happens it means Zappe has outplayed Biscuit in camp. The possibilities getting blood from a stone might be possible.

 

[sb1]

Rourke claimed by Giants



With that QB room he probably has a better chance to move up on their depth chart than he would here. Good luck to him

 

[The Gr8est]

Rourke claimed by Giants



With that QB room he probably has a better chance to move up on their depth chart than he would here. Good luck to him

I am rooting for him to be successful.

Certainly this is his best chance.

I wouldn’t be surprised to hear he asked to be released.

 

[Brotherblues]

If that happens it means Zappe has outplayed Biscuit in camp. The possibilities getting blood from a stone might be possible.

If the rock is sharp enough and you squeeze hard enough anything is possible

 

[Ross12]

I think Bill would have drafted a QB again. I don't think it would have been Maye. Gotten a cheap vet (very possibly Brisket). And probably wouldn't have drafted Milton. That might be my own bias thinking that it's a bad idea to have two developmental QBs, but maybe the QB he drafted would have started.

I have no idea if that would have been a better strategy, but based on what he said on the draft show, it sounds like Bill knew the Pats needed to try drafting a QB again.

I do think there's a decent chance he would have taken the Vikings' offer and taken McCarthy at 11. He probably would've taken a high end defensive player at 23, because I think the first defensive player wasn't taken until around 15th so there was still blue-chip level talent available around then on that side of the ball. He may even have traded up a bit from 23 for a defensive player because of the value. And we all would have probably groaned a little lol.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

So, without any camp, you all are ready to Milton under center for Game One if Brissette is injured during the game?

I think that it is now more likely that we are thinking that Maye may be our #2 on Game Day.

Alternatively, Zappe is still in the picture.

We could even carry 4 QB's until we are ready to have Maye or Milton leading the team behind our OL (in case of an injury to Brissette, even during a game).

The depth chart assuming the OL is much improved is Brissette, Maye, Zappe and Milton. However, if it looks like our OL is a work in progress (garbage) coming out of the preseason, Zappe moves to #2 and Maye to #3.

There is a small chance that Maye could be #1, but Mayo would have to be confident that the OL is solid AND Maye would have to have a great camp and get significant playing time in the preseason games. With the OL question marks, I just can't see it happening.

I doubt Milton will ever see significant action at QB in the NFL. He'll have to decide whether he wants to ride the pine for a few years and be out of the league, or try a receiver or move TE position.

tl;dr The keys are Maye's performance in camp and the preseason games (will he get time at all?), and the state of the OL.

 

[mike_usagisan]

I do think there's a decent chance he would have taken the Vikings' offer and taken McCarthy at 11. He probably would've taken a high end defensive player at 23, because I think the first defensive player wasn't taken until around 15th so there was still blue-chip level talent available around then on that side of the ball. He may even have traded up a bit from 23 for a defensive player because of the value. And we all would have probably groaned a little lol.

Yeah, I think he likes McCarthy's style of play better. I would have preferred he gotten a better OT at 23. Probably we're not looking at the two WRs we got, and whoever we did get as WR would probably have resulted in more groans.

 

[mike_usagisan]

The depth chart assuming the OL is much improved is Brissette, Maye, Zappe and Milton. However, if it looks like our OL is a work in progress (garbage) coming out of the preseason, Zappe moves to #2 and Maye to #3.

I think you're right, though probably Zappe is after Milton, with Zappe on the PS and Milton making the roster.

The way they talked predraft, I assume they want Maye to sit and work on improving his footwork and decision making. But who knows. Maybe if he does well in camp, they decide to make him the backup or starter.

 

[1960Pats]

My guess is that they'll keep 4 QBs. They've been dropping like flies lately and the Pats don't have to pay any of them at the top of the market. They can judge things after they see what they have in M&M and go from there.

 

[Ian]

My condolences are with Ian in this difficult time.

Had some stuff going on yesterday and missed this. The moment that they didn't trade back, I knew it was over. Again, that was only a scenario if they didn't pick at #3. Once they took Maye, and especially after they took Milton, I didn't see how it could have worked out for him.

Obviously, he's now in New York with the Giants where he definitely has a better opportunity. Hard-working kid and he's a good player. I certainly wish him well.

 

[Ian]

My guess is that they'll keep 4 QBs. They've been dropping like flies lately and the Pats don't have to pay any of them at the top of the market. They can judge things after they see what they have in M&M and go from there.

I think the issue is going to be they'll definitely have to have Milton on the roster. If he has a good preseason, it'll be too risky to waive him and hope he passes through waivers, not to mention then risk having him get signed to someone else's active roster. They can probably waive Zappe again and keep him on the practice squad. And if they can't, they'll survive.

 

[Force Zero Boomer]

I think you're right, though probably Zappe is after Milton, with Zappe on the PS and Milton making the roster.

The way they talked predraft, I assume they want Maye to sit and work on improving his footwork and decision making. But who knows. Maybe if he does well in camp, they decide to make him the backup or starter.

I can't see Milton over Zappe at this stage. Zappe has started and won NFL games behind a terrible OL. With a solid OL, I suspect he'd be a competent game manager type backup. He was running for his life much of last year which led to him making bad throws.

Milton is a raw prospect and a rookie. His lack of accuracy in the short game will limit his ability to get playing time. Lots of question marks for him and it will take more than a preseason to answer them.

 

[mike_usagisan]

I can't see Milton over Zappe at this stage. Zappe has started and won NFL games behind a terrible OL. With a solid OL, I suspect he'd be a competent game manager type backup. He was running for his life much of last year which led to him making bad throws.

Milton is a raw prospect and a rookie. His lack of accuracy in the short game will limit his ability to get playing time. Lots of question marks for him and it will take more than a preseason to answer them.

The question for the Pats (if they care) is who is more likely to make it to the practice squad. We've seen Zappe pass through waivers when his stock was higher. Some other team might take a flyer on Milton. Though I kind of doubt it.

 

[Ian]

The question for the Pats (if they care) is who is more likely to make it to the practice squad. We've seen Zappe pass through waivers when his stock was higher. Some other team might take a flyer on Milton. Though I kind of doubt it.

I think that's the bigger issue. Milton's a player who is more likely to draw interest, especially if he has a good summer. That obviously isn't the case with Zappe. I also think Zappe agreed to come back knowing he'd eventually surpass Mac, which is likely why he turned down offers to play elsewhere. That may change this time around, as it's clear the page has turned here based on how things have gone. Then again, they like him, and he's obviously more familiar with things here vs the uncertainty of playing elsewhere. So definitely tough to say how it might play out.

 

[Patjew]

When has keeping a fourth QB ever worked out for anyone?

 

[Wozzy]

I think Bill would have drafted a QB again. I don't think it would have been Maye. Gotten a cheap vet (very possibly Brisket). And probably wouldn't have drafted Milton. That might be my own bias thinking that it's a bad idea to have two developmental QBs, but maybe the QB he drafted would have started.

I have no idea if that would have been a better strategy, but based on what he said on the draft show, it sounds like Bill knew the Pats needed to try drafting a QB again.

BB said in the McAfee draftcast that QB was the Patriots biggest need, so he clearly would have taken a QB and I doubt he would have passed on Maye at 3. He fits the profile for what Bill wanted at QB.

 

[Wozzy]

When has keeping a fourth QB ever worked out for anyone?

Well… a fourth QB who played well in the past would be a prerequisite.

 

[Ian]

Well… a fourth QB who played well in the past would be a prerequisite.

Pretty sure @Patjew may have been referring to some guy who went to Michigan ...