PATRIOTS NEWS Bradyn Swinson promoted to the 53: Have we found our edge rusher?

[mgteich]

If he’s active Vrabel would not share your opinion that someone is better.

Perhaps.

I would not be surprised to see Swinson active and Murphy inactive and eventually waived (as has happened to Saunders.
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The open question for this week is how many injured players will be inactive.

 

[patchick]

I don't want to "see what he's got". That would mean that someone (or two) who Vrabel thinks is a better player would be out injured.

I don't think "better" is nearly that simple. Take Swinson vs. Caleb Murphy. Murphy was a productive, high-effort DII college player with below-average size and athleticism who is in his 3rd NFL season with his 3rd team and has not made any notable impact. Swinson is somewhat bigger and quicker and was an impressive rusher in the SEC last season, then showed up to the Patriots out of shape and with the wrong attitude but has reportedly turned that around.

By your reasoning, the fact that Vrabel signed Murphy to the roster while Swinson remained on the PS makes Murphy "a better player." Yet I'd bet that more teams would be interested in Swinson right now than Murphy. And perhaps a stint on the PS and having to prove himself was exactly what Swinson needed? "Better" is surely a moving target, and a situational one.

 

[n1997y]

I don't want to "see what he's got". That would mean that someone (or two) who Vrabel thinks is a better player would be out injured.

Could also be that Swinson improved, so Vrabel now thinks he the better player.

If that’s the case I’d like to see what he’s got, because it’s an upgrade.

 

[n1997y]

He brought him up because he had offers from other teams. Leaving him on the practice squad wasn’t an option.

No, it’s not like a waiver claim, there’s no requirement that he sign with another team. It sounds like he stayed on the Patriots PS after rejecting those offers from other teams. Then a roster slot opened up, he had improved and they elevated him. He bet on himself and it paid off.

 

[Wozzy]

People need to realize signing an unknown prospect to the backend of your active roster ensures you get a good look at a player. It has nothing to do with “better.”

Asking a free agent if they want to join your practice squad is less of an incentive. They may have competing offers from other teams, the chance to join the 53 sounds better… it’s a promotion with a chance to play.

Dippre and Swinson were clearly on the radar to be brought up the moment injuries occurred. They were high on these prospects going back to the draft. Opportunity knocks…

 

[mgteich]

I don't think "better" is nearly that simple. Take Swinson vs. Caleb Murphy. Murphy was a productive, high-effort DII college player with below-average size and athleticism who is in his 3rd NFL season with his 3rd team and has not made any notable impact. Swinson is somewhat bigger and quicker and was an impressive rusher in the SEC last season, then showed up to the Patriots out of shape and with the wrong attitude but has reportedly turned that around.

By your reasoning, the fact that Vrabel signed Murphy to the roster while Swinson remained on the PS makes Murphy "a better player." Yet I'd bet that more teams would be interested in Swinson right now than Murphy. And perhaps a stint on the PS and having to prove himself was exactly what Swinson needed? "Better" is surely a moving target, and a situational one.

fair enough

However, given that some teams are very much focused on the future, I would think that someone would have signed Swinson for the future (essentially a very inexpensive 5th rounder) to a team with lots of weakness at the bottom of their roster).

But I take your point. On the day Murphy was signed, he might have been seen to be a more valuable emergency player for 3-5 weeks, while Swinson was better for the future. That being said, it was a risky signing unless it was made clear to Swinson that the team had future plans for him.

 

[Wozzy]

No, it’s not like a waiver claim, there’s no requirement that he sign with another team. It sounds like he stayed on the Patriots PS after rejecting those offers from other teams. Then a roster slot opened up, he had improved and they elevated him. He bet on himself and it paid off.

He also had positive feelings for this program. He should, it’s a growth opportunity on a young team… the team that drafted him.

 

[n1997y]

fair enough

However, given that some teams are very much focused on the future, I would think that someone would have signed Swinson for the future (essentially a very inexpensive 5th rounder) to a team with lots of weakness at the bottom of their roster).

But I take your point. On the day Murphy was signed, he might have been seen to be a more valuable emergency player for 3-5 weeks, while Swinson was better for the future. That being said, it was a risky signing unless it was made clear to Swinson that the team had future plans for him.

They were paying him $624,000 per year to work on improving areas Vrabel had clearly explained to him needed improvement according to what Swinson himself said. That kind of investment in his future seems pretty clear to me. Does it not to you?

 

[n1997y]

He also had positive feelings for this program. He should, it’s a growth opportunity on a young team… the team that drafted him.

And was paying him over $600k per year, instead of turning him out on the street.

We don’t know when Buffalo tried to sign him, of course.

 

[The Gr8est]

If we were 2-9.. I can guarantee you he'd have taken an offer..

Or on last year’s PS.

Wouldn’t you want to bail from the Mayo-Wolf Experience?

 

[jdlboot14]

I don't think "better" is nearly that simple. Take Swinson vs. Caleb Murphy. Murphy was a productive, high-effort DII college player with below-average size and athleticism who is in his 3rd NFL season with his 3rd team and has not made any notable impact. Swinson is somewhat bigger and quicker and was an impressive rusher in the SEC last season, then showed up to the Patriots out of shape and with the wrong attitude but has reportedly turned that around.

By your reasoning, the fact that Vrabel signed Murphy to the roster while Swinson remained on the PS makes Murphy "a better player." Yet I'd bet that more teams would be interested in Swinson right now than Murphy. And perhaps a stint on the PS and having to prove himself was exactly what Swinson needed? "Better" is surely a moving target, and a situational one.

I didn't know that about his issues in camp. But, I'd love it if he used the humbling time on the PS to motivate himself and is ready to prove something on the field - we really need a home-grown draft pick to become an EDGE wrecker for this D.

 

[patchick]

More broadly, with the additions of Swinson and Dippre, the Patriots are fielding an incredible 14 rookies -- a quarter of the roster. That's twice the league average.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

UDFA Elijah Ponder was elevated to the 53 man roster first over the drafted Swinson.

Ponder’s defensive snaps have increased the last two games, he had back to back sacks the last two games.

Don’t overlook Ponder, he and Swinson were twins coming out of the draft, very similar athletic profiles… Ponder just developed faster.

Draft status means nothing after the draft ends, the only thing that matters is how you play. I have hope for both prospects, but Ponder is already paying dividends.

Ponder looks really good.

 

[The Gr8est]

More broadly, with the additions of Swinson and Dippre, the Patriots are fielding an incredible 14 rookies -- a quarter of the roster. That's twice the league average.

Yet they are able to be 9-2.

This bodes well for the Pats’ future.

 

[40yrpatsfan]

Swinson could have signed to an active roster but chose tovstay he because he recognized that Vrabel isnt bullshitting players about sticking with theem and allowing them to develop. Having that kind of culture in the Patriots organization is going to benefit them great going forward. Belieiving in the right people, helping them develop, and standing by them is how you build great organizations, no matter what business you are in.

That's really an outstanding thing to hear. Can you imagine that happening last year?

 

[The Gr8est]

That's really an outstanding thing to hear. Can you imagine that happening last year?

There was question about fans staying towards the end of last year, let alone players.

 

[Real fan 02]

Or on last year’s PS.

Wouldn’t you want to bail from the Mayo-Wolf Experience?

Absolutely.. good points there.. amazing where the organization is now compared to a season ago.

 

[Real fan 02]

More broadly, with the additions of Swinson and Dippre, the Patriots are fielding an incredible 14 rookies -- a quarter of the roster. That's twice the league average.

Very true. I'd add that aside from Drake would it has even been recorded as having a 2024 draft.. ?

Wolf is being spared by Vrabel- cowden- stretch... IMO

 

[jdlboot14]

I can't believe we have 13 rookies on the 53 right now! That is crazy.
It may be seen on a rebuilding team with a full reboot (like we are). But not on that rebuilding team with a 9-2 record.
That is great news for the future.

 

[Gumby]

fair enough

However, given that some teams are very much focused on the future, I would think that someone would have signed Swinson for the future (essentially a very inexpensive 5th rounder) to a team with lots of weakness at the bottom of their roster).

But I take your point. On the day Murphy was signed, he might have been seen to be a more valuable emergency player for 3-5 weeks, while Swinson was better for the future. That being said, it was a risky signing unless it was made clear to Swinson that the team had future plans for him.

It’s simpler than you & others make it out:

- Murphy came from Phish practice squad, right? [Edit: Correction Murphy was the one who was waiver-wire 20 Oct as Chargers cut from their roster; Saunders was the one from Phish PS on 30 Oct. but my points I think are still valid. ]
- - So the only way to poach him was to put him on 53 for 3 weeks (or at least pay him for 3). It was ALSO THE ONLY WAY TO SEE WHAT HE HAD!!! It’s not like you get to send scouts to Miami practice sessions. Nor did we have a joint practice w them in preseason.
- - So he essentially got 3-wk nfl minimum for what for a FA would be a 1-3 day tryout visit.

- Meanwhile; Swinson is a known commodity. BUT whether that known value is equal to:
A. Someone good enough to work into rotation or fill injury holes
Or B. Someone who is too good of a developmental prospect to let others have; but will still be inactive on Sundays

…..REMAINS TO BE SEEN. And only the team-coaches know that.