Big News Day: G Tre' Jackson Waived (and TE Matt Lengel signed)

I had high hopes when Jackson was drafted, but wrote him off when he contributed nothing this year. This was probably the right move, I'd be surprised if he catches on somewhere else.

All told, we spent 2 mid-round picks on guards and one of them has panned out to date. I'll take it.

BadMoFo said:

Rams claimed Tre.

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Makes sense, their OL is a disaster. I'll be surprised if he improves them any.

That Pats IOL is very thin right now.

Center: Andrews
Guards: Thuney, Mason, Barker, Karras

Drafting IOL again? Looking for a vet to add to the unit?

Four tackles, though: Flemming, Waddle, Solder, Cannon

Deus Irae said:

It makes sense.

IOL
Developmental OT (In other words, this probably waits until next year, and becomes the need for a starter level OT)
DL
LB
Slot CB

That's really all they need to focus on, unless I'm blanking on something/someone

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I think you're right that OT becomes next year's problem, since by all accounts this is apparently the worst draft for OT talent in years. Wouldn't be surprised if Belichick took a mid-round flyer, though, usually when people say "worst class for X in years" what that means is there's nothing they grade as a first round talent, not that there aren't any mid-round, high-ceiling prospects that could become starters.

Of course, in a thin draft, even the mid-ground, high-ceiling prospects end up becoming late first or early second round picks if the need's great enough.

Don't sleep on OG Jamil Douglas, who if properly focused has the talent to become a better backup than either Little Mongo or Carnival Barker.

Our backup OTs, on the other hand, are unfit to wear the Flying Elvis, even on the practice squad. Swing Tackle (which includes the ability to play on the left side, which neither Fleming nor Waddle have) should be draft Priority #2, after only Pass-Rushing DE.

What else we got at the Tre(y) position?

Do we need depth at Tre(y)?

Update: The Rams have waived Jackson with a "failed physical".

I was wondering why the Pats didn't want to keep him, or at least try and trade him. It looks like that knee injury is quite severe.



Rams waive offensive lineman Tre' Jackson after he failed a physical

50-yard-line said:

That Pats IOL is very thin right now.

Center: Andrews
Guards: Thuney, Mason, Barker, Karras

Drafting IOL again? Looking for a vet to add to the unit?

Four tackles, though: Flemming, Waddle, Solder, Cannon

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Just a point. Fleming played OG as a rookie and did decently.

You also forgot Jamil Douglas and Chase Farris who are both interior linemen though Douglas played OG and OT at Arizona State while Farris played RT at Ohio State, but was much better inside at RG during the East/West Shrine Game. Farris also was very inexperienced having originally been a DE.

Bold prediction: The Patriots draft a BIG kid with CAT like quickness...

Mark it down...You saw it here first.

BradyFTW! said:

Wouldn't be surprised if Belichick took a mid-round flyer, though, usually when people say "worst class for X in years" what that means is there's nothing they grade as a first round talent, not that there aren't any mid-round, high-ceiling prospects that could become starters.

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That guy from Purdue was a mid-second rounder and he did alright at OT. What was his name? . . . Todd Light or something. . . .

Vollier was also considered a reach at the time

Solder
Thuney
Andrews
Mason
Cannon

Isn't really as bad as some are suggesting. Karras has been in the developmental system now, as has Barker. We know what Fleming offers. As noted, a guy like Douglas or Farris should compete with the rest for a backup spot.

Basically, OT and an IOL are needs, and they'll most likely add a handful next weekend when you factor in the UDFAs. I would be disappointed if an OT isn't taken with one of the first few selections. As always, a veteran addition will be considered and could be added at any moment.

captain stone said:

Tre Jackson was not good value in the 4th round, or in any round. He was a fat-ass, unathletic, injury-prone stiff from Florida State, the same school that produced the injury-prone Bryan (If Bill Wanted a Center Then He Should've Drafted Russell Jethroe Bodine) Stork. Another waste of a draft pick, again. And once again, those who warned that Jackson was a bad pick were proven correct, again, and Bill was proven wrong, again.

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Heh. BB's draft picks can be real bafflers, no doubt, but I think this reflects more the really striking crapshoot nature of drafting generally than it does some deficiency of judgment on BB's part. After all, even with very high draft picks - the one the Pats never get many of anyway - there are an awful lot of busts.