Patriots Player Departure Mike Reiss: David Andrews to be released (3/13 update: released)

[Thelonious]

Unnecessary at this point, and ugly. If he wanted a shot at coming back, they owed it to him, at least through some portion of camp. I hate it.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Hate it. I know he seemed to be declining the last couple years but Andrews is one of my favorite Patriots ever. Undrafted guy who came in and started from day one (and also drove Bryan Stork, who I hated, off the roster). With him, Wise, and Johnathan Jones all gone that pretty much (I don't care about a long snapper) leaves no one on the roster with a dynasty connection.

Bentley actually started games as a rookie for the last SB winning team, but only a few before he got hurt and went on IR. Never actually played during that playoff run, but he was on the team FWIW.

Wouldn't be totally surprised if he's cut too though.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Unnecessary at this point, and ugly. If he wanted a shot at coming back, they owed it to him, at least through some portion of camp. I hate it.

That's generally how I felt, but I think they just wanted to see Strange at center. He's a FA after the year so this is their only shot to get a look at him there before they have to decide on re-signing him or not. I don't think it would have been fair to bring Andrews back in a "sham" competition where they knew going in they wanted to get a look at Strange as a center.

But otherwise, yeah, I thought he deserved to go down fighting if that's what he wanted.

 

[203Pat]

Bentley actually started games as a rookie for the last SB winning team, but only a few before he got hurt and went on IR. Never actually played during that playoff run, but he was on the team FWIW.

Wouldn't be totally surprised if he's cut too though.

Based on the Landry and Spillane signings it seems like Williams and Vrabel know what they want in the linebacker/edge group and Bentley definitely doesn't fit that mold. I like that Bentley found a role here and wouldn't mind if they wanted to keep him as a strictly run down LB but he really shouldn't be on the field for anything more than short yardage defense at this point.

 

[203Pat]

They film each practice for internal use and in this case probably very valuable for Vrabel to review. But of course it's still a projection and we have no clue what Vrabel thinks of Strange at either LG or C.

Relying on Strange to do anything at any position is risky.

 

[signbabybrady]

That's generally how I felt, but I think they just wanted to see Strange at center. He's a FA after the year so this is their only shot to get a look at him there before they have to decide on re-signing him or not. I don't think it would have been fair to bring Andrews back in a "sham" competition where they knew going in they wanted to get a look at Strange as a center.

But otherwise, yeah, I thought he deserved to go down fighting if that's what he wanted.

Until we make another move at OL you might have to consider picking up Strange's 5th year option.

 

[signbabybrady]

Relying on Strange to do anything at any position is risky.

Tell Vrabel not me

 

[Hammer of Thor]

Patriots Release Center David Andrews

"David Andrews' career success is a shining example of what every NFL prospect should strive to achieve," said Patriots Chairman and CEO Robert Kraft. "As a rookie free agent, David earned a starting assignment at center in his NFL debut, a position he anchored for the next decade. His leadership, work ethic, and dedication to the team earned him the respect and admiration of his coaches and teammates, who elected him as an eight-time team captain. The importance of his leadership during his career cannot be overstated. David is a true professional, and his impact on this organization will be felt for many years to come. On behalf of the entire Kraft family and the New England Patriots, I want to express my deepest gratitude for his countless contributions, and we look forward to celebrating his remarkable career."

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Until we make another move at OL you might have to consider picking up Strange's 5th year option.

No way. $17.4M is just too absurd a number. He hasn't proven to be worth anything even approaching that. You just can't justify it.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Means a few things.

1. They feel fairly confident in what they saw out of Cole Strange at center
2. They probably feel Ben Brown is a solid backup
3. They will likely heavily pursue a free agent left guard this week, such as Teven Jenkins

On #3...

For all the hand wringing about Campbell not being worth the pick at LT, maybe they agree with that assessment but just don't see anyone else that's worth the #4 pick and they aren't getting any trade interest so their plan is to simply take Campbell at #4 as a LG because they just see him at that spot panning out as an elite player and they'd rather help an OL position over RB (Jeanty), TE (Warren) or LB (Campbell) if they have to settle for a pock at a non premium position.

 

[signbabybrady]

No way. $17.4M is just too absurd a number. He hasn't proven to be worth anything even approaching that. You just can't justify it.

What might we be about to pay Robinson?

I think 17 on a one year deal not to lose him might actually make sense. Let's see what other moves come but he might actually be our best offensive lineman right now.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

What might we be about to pay Robinson?

I think 17 on a one year deal not to lose him might actually make sense. Let's see what other moves come but he might actually be our best offensive lineman right now.

Kevin Zeitler, who's a better player just signed for half of that on a 1 year deal. IOL is a relatively cheap position on the free agent market. Maybe they do end up desperate and need to sign someone to a big one year deal as a stop gap like that, but there's absolutely no reason to think they can't do it cheaper than Strange on a 1 year $17M deal. And if they do want to keep Strange, that bloated price tag actually makes it really hard because it dis-incentives him from signing something reasonable because he can already secure a big contract type of payday without having to lock himself into a lower contract.

 

[UrbanCowboy]

Probably right, and Father Time is undefeated... Still, I feel he should have a place on the 90, at least for now.

I might give Brady a victory over Father Time?

 

[Ross12]

Kevin Zeitler, who's a better player just signed for half of that on a 1 year deal. IOL is a relatively cheap position on the free agent market. Maybe they do end up desperate and need to sign someone to a big one year deal as a stop gap like that, but there's absolutely no reason to think they can't do it cheaper than Strange on a 1 year $17M deal. And if they do want to keep Strange, that bloated price tag actually makes it really hard because it dis-incentives him from signing something reasonable because he can already secure a big contract type of payday without having to lock himself into a lower contract.

The very best guards get 15+, centers usually get less. Even if Strange was amazing this year he would probably not get 17+ AAV in a new deal. He'd be looking at 13-14 max. If they like him this year they will extend him for less money.

 

[paco130]

Until we make another move at OL you might have to consider picking up Strange's 5th year option.

I hope they sign Mecki Becton. We need offensive line help. you can't have too many good ones fighting for a job.

 

[203Pat]

No way. $17.4M is just too absurd a number. He hasn't proven to be worth anything even approaching that. You just can't justify it.

Agreed. I would rather pick through the trash on practice squads then pay a guy who can't block or stay healthy $17 million. Bill compounded so many mistakes that culminated in Cole Strange I would rather he not be on the roster than adding another mistake to the pile.

 

[upstater1]

And what about LG now then?

Robinson, Sow, or the loser of Strange/J Andrews.

 

[Love The Drake]

If we do nothing at WR I can’t wait to watch the videos of Polk running in sand sped up on his social.

 

[TheRainMaker]

They've been needing to get more stout at the C position for years. Andrews always stood out in passing situation getting pushed back.

 

[jmt57]