Player Signing Patriots expected to sign S John Saunders Jr

[yukon cornelius]

from Dolphins practice squad

 

[yukon cornelius]

they had him in for a pre-draft visit, so he has been on their radar for some time

 

[Family]

This is an odd move.

They traded Dugger so there's a need for another safety, but nobody's seen this guy since preseason, and he was an UFA.

They're a contender. Yes, a young team, so there should be an eye for the future, but tying a roster spot for three weeks on a maybe with the current need at safety is strange.

 

[yukon cornelius]

This is an odd move.

They traded Dugger so there's a need for another safety, but nobody's seen this guy since preseason, and he was an UFA.

They're a contender. Yes, a young team, so there should be an eye for the future, but tying a roster spot for three weeks on a maybe with the current need at safety is strange.

seems to fit the skillset & versatility they are looking for at the position

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Saunders is quick but not fast. A 6.8 3cone is good, but a 4.58 40 knocked him into UDFA territory because a FS has to a lot of distance running to do.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

This is an odd move.

They traded Dugger so there's a need for another safety, but nobody's seen this guy since preseason, and he was an UFA.

They're a contender. Yes, a young team, so there should be an eye for the future, but tying a roster spot for three weeks on a maybe with the current need at safety is strange.

We don't technically need a 3rd safety unless Woodson or Hawkins is injured.

 

[Family]

We don't technically need a 3rd safety unless Woodson or Hawkins is injured.

I don't have a problem with young players at backup (actually like it) like Bryant at RT or Chism/Williams at WR, but they have been here all year.

Don't like an UFA who was cut from a bad team being more than a hail mary practice squad player.

 

[Bill Lee]

This is an odd move.

They traded Dugger so there's a need for another safety, but nobody's seen this guy since preseason, and he was an UFA.

They're a contender. Yes, a young team, so there should be an eye for the future, but tying a roster spot for three weeks on a maybe with the current need at safety is strange.

I like the move. Peppers had fallen out of the starting lineup. Bring in a young guy for a few snaps for a few games. If he does well, give him more snaps and keep him. If not, find another young guy you'd like to see play. I'm not too worried about tying up the 53rd roster spot for three weeks.

 

[mike_usagisan]

I think it speaks to how little they thought of Dugger that they're replacing him with a practice squad guy.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

I don't have a problem with young players at backup (actually like it) like Bryant at RT or Chism/Williams at WR, but they have been here all year.

Don't like an UFA who was cut from a bad team being more than a hail mary practice squad player.

Saunders has been previously elevated so he must be adequate. He is a bit slow though.

In college Saunders picked off balls and caused fumbles at a high rate. Actually looks good but a little slow.

 

[yukon cornelius]

I think it speaks to how little they thought of Dugger that they're replacing him with a practice squad guy.

dugger did not fit the scheme; not sure they thought "little" of him beyond him not fitting the scheme - two years ago, he was a stud - my guess is he will see some modicum of success elsewhere

 

[Family]

I like the move. Peppers had fallen out of the starting lineup. Bring in a young guy for a few snaps for a few games. If he does well, give him more snaps and keep him. If not, find another young guy you'd like to see play. I'm not too worried about tying up the 53rd roster spot for three weeks.

Saunders has been previously elevated so he must be adequate. He is a bit slow though.

In college Saunders picked off balls and caused fumbles at a high rate. Actually looks good but a little slow.

I don't mind it if there's a counter move for a player with experience at the position.

As it is we're starting a rookie at safety.

 

[Betterthanmost]

Let me put on some tape before commenting.

 

[mike_usagisan]

dugger did not fit the scheme; not sure they thought "little" of him beyond him not fitting the scheme - two years ago, he was a stud - my guess is he will see some modicum of success elsewhere

Right, that's a better explanation of what I meant. They didn't think little of him as a player or a person just how little they thought of his ability to fit the scheme.

 

[yukon cornelius]

Right, that's a better explanation of what I meant. They didn't think little of him as a player or a person just how little they thought of his ability to fit the scheme.

in that regard, saunders appears to be an upgrade......a backup who can fit the scheme is better than a backup that cannot

 

[mayoclinic]

I think it speaks to how little they thought of Dugger that they're replacing him with a practice squad guy.

I guess they couldn't find anyone they liked at the Foxboro Walmart.

 

[Patriot Missile]

In Vrabel We Trust? So far he hasn’t let us down.

I think it’s a good move, especially if they evaluated him and liked what they saw. He has a lot of range, is big enough and fast enough to play both positions so versatility is on his side. Had a nice 51 yard interception in preseason too.

This move has got the makings of Danny Woodhead vibes.

 

[turkeyneck]

from Dolphins practice squad

Sounds interesting but why isn't he playing now?

 

[mayoclinic]

This move has got the makings of Danny Woodhead vibes.

The Pats clearly have a plan, and a list of guys who Vrabel/Cowden know or have previously scouted. That puts them in a position to move quickly.

Look at the Caleb Murphy waiver claim, for example.

It wouldn't surprise me if they had identified Saunders as someone they could target if an opening arose.

This wasn't a case of trading Duggar and then saying, "oh yeah, we need a #3 safety now".

 

[Hammer of Thor]

Sounds interesting but why isn't he playing now?

Two potential reasons:

1) He’s not a good player / needs major development being on the practice squad of a really bad team
2) The Dolphins are a really bad team because they can’t recognize who’s good and who’s not, like when the Jets cut Danny Woodhead.

Let’s hope it’s #2 and not #1.