Bye, Bethel?

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2006/03/15/titans_givens_connect/?page=2

"As of now, Branch and Johnson are the only experienced receivers the Patriots have under contract, and league sources have said they have shopped Johnson recently."

Last night I dreamed that Bethel ran back a kick for a touch-down. As he ran, he just kept accelerating until he was going at top speed at the back of the end-zone. Must have been an omen (down the tunnel, out of the stadium ...)

As a Bethel fan from way back, I'm sad, but my rational self (the bit that was out of commission at the time) can see the point. Enough is enough.

It seems that bb is clearing the decks. Can a proposed Klecko trade be next?

Mike the Brit said:

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2006/03/15/titans_givens_connect/?page=2

"As of now, Branch and Johnson are the only experienced receivers the Patriots have under contract, and league sources have said they have shopped Johnson recently."

Last night I dreamed that Bethel ran back a kick for a touch-down. As he ran, he just kept accelerating until he was going at top speed at the back of the end-zone. Must have been an omen (down the tunnel, out of the stadium ...)

As a Bethel fan from way back, I'm sad, but my rational self (the bit that was out of commission at the time) can see the point. Enough is enough.

Click to expand...

I thought you were going to say that Klecko will be moved to WR.

If they're going to get rid of Bethel, they should really make sure they have someone on the roster who can play WR.

bucky said:

I thought you were going to say that Klecko will be moved to WR.

If they're going to get rid of Bethel, they should really make sure they have someone on the roster who can play WR.

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Well, considering Bethel couldn't play WR, that's sort of redundant. The kid showed some promise, but speed doesn't do you much good when you can't run routes. (Who was that burner they had a few seasons ago? Tony something, maybe? He could run like the wind, but unless the pattern was a straight line he proved useless.)

Bethel's had plenty of time to show what he could do. He may remain on the roster simply because no one else wants him, but they won't be playing him 'cause they want to. If they re-sign Troy, Bethel slips to #3; if they sign Keyshawn, he slips to #4; if they trade for Eric Moulds, he's #5, etc.,. Only a matter of time before he's history.

Mike the Brit said:

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2006/03/15/titans_givens_connect/?page=2

"As of now, Branch and Johnson are the only experienced receivers the Patriots have under contract, and league sources have said they have shopped Johnson recently."

Last night I dreamed that Bethel ran back a kick for a touch-down. As he ran, he just kept accelerating until he was going at top speed at the back of the end-zone. Must have been an omen (down the tunnel, out of the stadium ...)

As a Bethel fan from way back, I'm sad, but my rational self (the bit that was out of commission at the time) can see the point. Enough is enough.

Click to expand...

I don't underestand why people are so anxious to cut Bethel Johnson. I understand he has been a disappointment, but there is no real reason that he *needs* to be cut at all. Put it out of your mind that he was a 2nd rounder - that's history.

As for reasons to keep him around, first, there is only a nominal salary cap benefit (or a cost if you consider a relpacement player for the roster). Second, there is nobody to replace him at this point (so who'd our #2 be, Childress ?). Third, what if a minor miracle happens and this guy starts to "get it" ? Isn't this much more likely than Mike McGrew or Zuriel Smith suddenly becoming NFL-quality WRs ?

Try and think in these terms:

Finding out if he can help *at all* is absolutely free.

At a minimum, he is a potentially explosive KR, at no cost.

At least some of his problems have been health related.

There is no benefit to cutting him now; it can always be done in August, if necessary.

What's the rush ?

P.S. - I didn't mean you, Mike. I am talking to the fans that are suggesting we cut him now.

mgteich said:

It seems that bb is clearing the decks. Can a proposed Klecko trade be next?

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You must be kidding me.

I'd say "bag of chips?", but I don't think anyone would give us a full bag.

Lamanai said:

I don't underestand why people are so anxious to cut Bethel Johnson. I understand he has been a disappointment, but there is no real reason that he *needs* to be cut at all. Put it out of your mind that he was a 2nd rounder - that's history. As for reasons to keep him around, first, there is only a nominal salary cap benefit (or a cost if you consider a relpacement player for the roster). Second, there is nobody to replace him at this point (so who'd our #2 be, Childress ?). Third, what if a minor miracle happens and this guy starts to "get it" ? Isn't this much more likely than Mike McGrew or Zuriel Smith suddenly becoming NFL-quality WRs ?

Try and think in these terms:
Finding out if he can help *at all* is absolutely free.
At a minimum, he is a potentially explosive KR, at no cost.
At least some of his problems have been health related.
There is no benefit to cutting him now; it can always be done in August, if necessary.
What's the rush ?
P.S. - I didn't mean you, Mike. I am talking to the fans that are suggesting we cut him now.

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I am not in a rush to cut him...I agree there is NO benefit...but there is no gain to have him..if he is going to be cut in TC..if he is gione then..there is no compensation. So that may be a consideration. He actually was inactive at the end of the season..the 7th receiver...the bottom. I think he has had many many opportnities..to get it..if they are shopping him, obviously they think he won't get it. As for a replacement, Childress or Z Smith could be the
KR this year or someone else. I am not saying to cut him..there is no need for that..I agree...but trade?? yes...if they can get a player..that is all gravy and something they will not be able to do later in the offseason.

Why would we cut Bethel? He's young, incredibly fast, and not highly paid.

Is he a #2 or #3 WR? Hell no.

But maybe a 4 or 5 and a speedy return man.

If he had a high salary, I'd say cut him tommorrow.

But what's the upside to cutting him?

Lamanai said:

I don't underestand why people are so anxious to cut Bethel Johnson. I understand he has been a disappointment, but there is no real reason that he *needs* to be cut at all. Put it out of your mind that he was a 2nd rounder - that's history.

As for reasons to keep him around, first, there is only a nominal salary cap benefit (or a cost if you consider a relpacement player for the roster). Second, there is nobody to replace him at this point (so who'd our #2 be, Childress ?). Third, what if a minor miracle happens and this guy starts to "get it" ? Isn't this much more likely than Mike McGrew or Zuriel Smith suddenly becoming NFL-quality WRs ?

Try and think in these terms:

Finding out if he can help *at all* is absolutely free.

At a minimum, he is a potentially explosive KR, at no cost.

At least some of his problems have been health related.

There is no benefit to cutting him now; it can always be done in August, if necessary.

What's the rush ?


P.S. - I didn't mean you, Mike. I am talking to the fans that are suggesting we cut him now.

Click to expand...

Thanks, I didn't have the energy left to defend this position.

Bethel seems to be the player everybody wants to dump on, (while Klecko and Hill get a pass).

He hasn't set the world on fire but

1. He's affordable.

2. He spent preseason with a screw in his ankle. No way he was 100% this year, speed being his greatest asset.

3. He is one of the top KR when healthy.

4. He's also been effective on defensive special teams.

He has not progressed the way we'd like as a WR.

He has shown flashes and he fights for the ball and has made at least 1 unbelievable catch to turn a game around.

If he was on another team fans would be screaming to pick him up as a cheap prospect. Where he was drafted doesn't matter now.

If he can supply a deep threat and catch 20 balls a year while being a special teams ace and deep threat, he's an asset.

More than that is gravy. Less than that and he's on the bubble every year.

Andre Davis is gone. Bethel's not disruptive. Why spend money on a marginal speed receiver?

Just to clarify: I didn't start this thread to suggest cutting or trading Bethel but because (for the first time) a journalist claims that there are signs that the Patriots are coming to the end of the road with him.

Nothing would make me happier than to see Bethel make more of those "Seattle" catches. (Anyone who thinks he isn't talented, please tell me how many other receivers who've played for the Pats recently could conceivably have made that play -- I'll give you Branch and Dwight.)

I agree...I do NOT think this thread would have been started at this time if there was not a report about him being dangled out there as trade bait.
To me that indicates his time as a Patriot is over...and that is sad...but has had a good run here...and..while I would love to see him stay and get better, it looks like that is NOT happening. It's very true..teh SEattle catch and..such were big plays..as were the kickoff returns..they were BIG plays..but he didn't really improve last year..if anything it was a plateau or a regression. not what is looked at as being good. So..I wish him luck if they do that..if not, maybe he can "GET IT" by TC and turn some heads..but?? At this point, I see the move as getting something when you can..as opposed to nothing. Sad...as I had some high hopes as well for him. "Nothing would make me happier than to see Bethel make more of those "Seattle" catches."..I agree totally!!!