Who could be candidates for surprise cuts this next month?

[BTTA]

Does that even need to be said?

based on the number of posts and media reports about it, and the inference of significance in them, apparently yes.

 

[PatsFan2]

This is an alarming stat nobody wants to hear - this guy has never had a 100 yard game in his career during the regular season and only went over 90 yards 3 times in 4 seasons. He's been the #1 target for the last 3 seasons.

Boutte, on the other hand, has played considerably less games and has 2 100 yard games and 4 games over 90 yards.

I think Boutte is much better than regarded.

 

[Rob0729]

but why cut him, even if Lomu beats him out, if he has trade value?

He could get traded. I just think he will retire rather than be a back up though. So if Lomu wins the starting job, I think he could be gone.

 

[Rob0729]

I don't think that would happen. We'd be dangerously thin at OT.

As I said. I am not sure Moses is going play as a back up. He has made his money. He might retire.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

As I said. I am not sure Moses is going play as a back up. He has made his money. He might retire.

Why not spend a last pre-retirement year on easy spot duty chasing post season excitement and possible glory vs retiring in a snit?

 

[rkarp1]

As I said. I am not sure Moses is going play as a back up. He has made his money. He might retire.

2026, he has $7m reasons to accept a back up role, mentor role, only 1 snap away from being a starter again (injury)
I think in 2027, the team will not want to pay him $8m+ to be a back up/swing OT

 

[Rob0729]

Why not spend a last pre-retirement year on easy spot duty chasing post season excitement and possible glory vs retiring in a snit?

For a lot of players who spent over a decade of being starters, their egos can not handle being back up. Let's take that point to the extreme, do you think Tom Brady would take $30 million to hold a clipboard for the Rams and back up Stafford? Maybe making the money and potentially getting a ring even as a spot player would motivate Moses, but most veterans with career like Moses had tend to choose retirement over becoming a back up after being a starter for most of his 12 year career.

 

[Rob0729]

2026, he has $7m reasons to accept a back up role, mentor role, only 1 snap away from being a starter again (injury)
I think in 2027, the team will not want to pay him $8m+ to be a back up/swing OT

The guy has already made over $50 million in his career. I am not sure the $6.5 million is as motivating as you think.

If Moses is demoted to back up and plays the 2026 season as a back up, his career is over after this year. He isn't going to get paid much more than the veteran's minimum in 2027 as a back up.

Again, he might be willing to be the swing tackle back up. But there is a good chance he will ask to be traded or cut to be a starter elsewhere.

 

[Wozzy]

I don’t think the Pats are rushing to get Lomu into the lineup. He’s really young. They probably want to get him a red shirt year or as a backup who fills in anywhere rather than thrust him into a starting role.

I couldn’t honestly see them, assuming Moses or Campbell get hurt, starting Bryant instead and keeping Lomu in his current role. Much like they did last year with Bryant, they already had enough rookies on the line last year, adding another rookie starter was like throwing an extra chainsaw to the guy juggling.

 

[Thelonious]

Pop Douglas. Seems like a good egg, but there are cheaper option whose value/skills might develop over time or whose value in regular game play is as yet unknown (Chism, perhaps). He's good soldier, but he is what he is and what he is is pretty easily replaced. perhaps with a player with more upside. I would like to assume they will be keeping Boutte, but that's not the issue in this thread, I reckon.

I think it possible Henderson may be traded. He's fast, but he hardly ever seems to know where to go when he runs: looks like a guy running with his eyes closed. In Josh's offense, there's a key spot for a third-down, change-of-pace receiving back, and I don't think Henderson is really the guy for that spot. Better options for Rhamondre might also pop up. When the teams short yardage woes are discussed, the problem is nearly always discussed as an O-line issue. I persist in thinking it's in large part a Rhamondre/Henderson issue and would not at all mind a reshuffle at that position. The adulation of Rhamondre kinda baffles me on grounds of inconsistency.

I assume there will be attrition on both the O and D lines and that there will be castoffs from other teams who will offer more potential than some guys presently on the roster.

In general, depth is still lacking on the roster, and I think turn over down-roster is to be expected as the team casts about for players with better potential as depth pieces than what we have now.

 

[PatsFan2]

I don’t think the Pats are rushing to get Lomu into the lineup. He’s really young. They probably want to get him a red shirt year or as a backup who fills in anywhere rather than thrust him into a starting role.

I couldn’t honestly see them, assuming Moses or Campbell get hurt, starting Bryant instead and keeping Lomu in his current role. Much like they did last year with Bryant, they already had enough rookies on the line last year, adding another rookie starter was like throwing an extra chainsaw to the guy juggling.

Really isn't he a First Rounder?? I think you play First Rounders wherever possible.

 

[Wozzy]

Really isn't he a First Rounder?? I think you play First Rounders wherever possible.

Nah, we made the Super Bowl last year.

Nate Solder wasn’t drafted to start, he ended up contributing but he was drafted for the following year after learning and getting stronger.

Bad teams have to throw rookies into the fire, good teams put them in when they’re ready.

 

[Water Boy]

As I said. I am not sure Moses is going play as a back up. He has made his money. He might retire.

At this stage of his career, I'm not so sure of that. His health will be the biggest factor as to his performance and number of starts.

I think it's going to be a moot point regardless.

 

[PatsFan2]

Pop Douglas. Seems like a good egg, but there are cheaper option whose value/skills might develop over time or whose value in regular game play is as yet unknown (Chism, perhaps). He's good soldier, but he is what he is and what he is is pretty easily replaced. perhaps with a player with more upside. I would like to assume they will be keeping Boutte, but that's not the issue in this thread, I reckon.

I think it possible Henderson may be traded. He's fast, but he hardly ever seems to know where to go when he runs: looks like a guy running with his eyes closed. In Josh's offense, there's a key spot for a third-down, change-of-pace receiving back, and I don't think Henderson is really the guy for that spot. Better options for Rhamondre might also pop up. When the teams short yardage woes are discussed, the problem is nearly always discussed as an O-line issue. I persist in thinking it's in large part a Rhamondre/Henderson issue and would not at all mind a reshuffle at that position. The adulation of Rhamondre kinda baffles me on grounds of inconsistency.

I assume there will be attrition on both the O and D lines and that there will be castoffs from other teams who will offer more potential than some guys presently on the roster.

In general, depth is still lacking on the roster, and I think turn over down-roster is to be expected as the team casts about for players with better potential as depth pieces than what we have now.

I think you're off on T Henderson he wasn't running behind a Great OL last year. Regarding Pop Douglas; if he figures out how to play the Slot he's a keeper. We have True #1 WR in AJB now.

 

[Rob0729]

At this stage of his career, I'm not so sure of that. His health will be the biggest factor as to his performance and number of starts.

I think it's going to be a moot point regardless.

Agree that it is a moot point. Bedard is saying Lomu had another bad practice yesterday. I am tending to doubt he will win the starting job.

 

[Zuma]

Get paid the same amount to be a backup at age 35? Yeah I’d do that.

 

[DC Patriots]

Ticking time bomb?
Completely unfounded.
Pickens is a ticking time bomb.
AB was a ticking time bomb.
Aiyuk is a really fast ticking time bomb.
Boutte has shown nothing to indicate he would be a problem here this year.
He wouldn’t be the first guy to want a new contract/trade and not get it.

Agree. Boutte is in the unfortunate situation of looking at possible diminished role and target share going into a contract year. It’s a tough spot and unfortunate. He is my kid’s favorite player.

But he has no leverage and acting like a diva would hurt his chances of the contract he’s looking for both with the pats or someone else.

I also think he’s done some maturing and is a class act. Be surprised if he’s a behavior problem.

 

[rkarp1]

The guy has already made over $50 million in his career. I am not sure the $6.5 million is as motivating as you think.

If Moses is demoted to back up and plays the 2026 season as a back up, his career is over after this year. He isn't going to get paid much more than the veteran's minimum in 2027 as a back up.

Again, he might be willing to be the swing tackle back up. But there is a good chance he will ask to be traded or cut to be a starter elsewhere.

in a perfect situation, Lomu is the starter in 2027, and Moses is cut. his $8m base salary is not guaranteed. teams saves $9m in cap space
the Pats are not paying him his contract next season to be the back up

 

[Water Boy]

None of the draft pundits characterized Lomu as a plug and play starter. Not surprising he's having rookie struggles.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

I think you're off on T Henderson he wasn't running behind a Great OL last year.

Way off, no way we are trading Henderson.
Over 900 yards, over 5 yards a carry and 9 TDs as an experienced rookie, obv saw the enough holes to be incredibly productive while not playing much early in the season. He had one double digit carry game in the first 7 games of the season.
There is 0% chance he would be traded.
Sorry, but that is one of the worst takes I’ve ever heard.