Pats Sign Special Teams Standout Justin Bethel

does this portend Brandon Bolden playing a larger part in the offense?

PlanB said:

does this portend Brandon Bolden playing a larger part in the offense?

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No.

PlanB said:

does this portend Brandon Bolden playing a larger part in the offense?

Click to expand...

Bethel replaces Richards.

n6249c said:

Bethel is 29. Five years younger than Slater. Multi-year deal?

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I wouldn't let him walk out of here. While 2nd rate STers are often over valued and cost too much true ace special teams players are worth every penny. Lock him up for 4 years.

Damn, there goes SB # 7

Deus Irae said:

They pretty much just need a team to cut a waiver proof veteran TE who can still play, though getting the same at center would be awesome.

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Agree. Actually loved what Watson showed in his limited time Las tonight. Felt like the most we have gotten cumulatively out of a TE this season. Another quality lineman would also be a big help.

In a few weeks, with a competent line-if we are lucky, folks will be forgetting about these struggles on O and will be talking up how amazing Brady and Michel look.

PlanB said:

does this portend Brandon Bolden playing a larger part in the offense?

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I doubt it. While it's certainly possible that BB has decided to go with one less ST only guy, and while Yates tied the Richards cut to the Sanu trade, I would guess that it was really a Bethel for Richards swap, and the second roster spot is the one that's the more direct result of adding Sanu.

slam said:

I heard 4th rounder. Which is significant but... I’m not cutting Matthew Slater for a 4th rounder.

No team works the comp system better than the Ravens. He’s the last guy who should be complaining about it.

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I could be talked into cutting Slater this year for a 4th i guess. Not 29 year old Slater though. That is just absolutely silly.

BobDigital said:

I wouldn't let him walk out of here. While 2nd rate STers are often over valued and cost too much a true ace special teams players are worth every penny. Lock him up for 4 years.

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Thinking forward....Slater could be thinking retirement after this season. Signing covers that scenario.

BobDigital said:

I could be talked into cutting Slater this year for a 4th i guess. Not 29 year old Slater though. That is just absolutely silly.

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Feel like Slater has been pretty darn good this year so far. If he can age gracefully, I feel like letting him go would be an awful gamble.

Bethel's arrival requiring the cutting of Richards makes him immediately a top 5 favorite player of mine this year.

zipster9 said:

Thinking forward....Slater could be thinking retirement after this season. Signing covers that scenario.

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Signing Bethel would actually reduce wear and tear on Slater who gets double-teamed all the time. Having to double-team Bethel and Slater at the same time is going to be a nightmare. Both are elite gunners.

Elijah said:

Now we have 2 Slaters.

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How do you feel about having 2 Slaters Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh Yeah

PP2 said:

Signing Bethel would actually reduce wear and tear on Slater who gets double-teamed all the time. Having to double-team Bethel and Slater at the same time is going to be a nightmare. Both are elite gunners.

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And getting Sanu saves us from having to put him at WR for doomed go-routes. Win win.

Interesting that he also has a good many INTs returned for TDs back from his AZ days starting opposite PP. Of course, he really wouldn’t be playing CB here unless it’s of need. Again, love the signing.

zipster9 said:

Thinking forward....Slater could be thinking retirement after this season. Signing covers that scenario.

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That certainly isn’t the primary reason but I agree that is one possible scenario that they thought about secondarily. Even with Slater still playing at a high-level, if they win another championship this year he may decide that is a good way to finish his career. It will be interesting to see the contract details for Bethel. Hopefully they signed him up for two years.

ZoisKing said:

Feel like Slater has been pretty darn good this year so far. If he can age gracefully, I feel like letting him go would be an awful gamble.

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Unless his play declines unexpectedly later in the year, it will likely be his decision whether this is his last year playing for the patriots. The guy can still ball at an elite level and may be the most respected guy in the locker room, for good reason. That video clip that was posted for his birthday when he was a kid talking about eating hotdogs at the football game maybe my favorite video of the year. I hope that BB realizes that it was a mistake to risk losing him in the offseason two years ago.

*Insert Training Day gif* This ***** chess it aint checkers..."

patsrj said:

BB will always be interested in a special team ace like this

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Any team should be! But he was under contract for another season and the presumably playoff-bound Ravens jettisoned him to get a 4th-round compensatory pick. When they're already projected to have an extra 3rd and a couple of extra 5ths. Seriously??

Art_Vandelay421 said:

Hey, I’m just glad we signed Justin Bethel and not Bethel Johnson!

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Just as I was happy three years ago when they signed Van Noy and not Vandelay.