2022 Patriots Roster Cut Down Day Thread

[BB8XSBW]

Haven't we seen enough to know by now that it wasn't TB12's fault? He wasn't "in decline". Maybe he was getting disgruntled, but the inconsistent offensive execution was not due to him losing it.

I'm not in the Tampa fan brigade by any means, but come on.

I don't know what the reason was, but the QB play was still erratic.

 

[Family]

Makes me wonder how much the expanded practice squad rosters are impacting player movement...

I don't know why it wouldn't.

Getting cut was often an end a few years back, but now it's allowing teams to expand relationships with the bottom of the roster.

 

[Palm Beach Pats Fan]

I don't know what the reason was, but the QB play was still erratic.

I don't know what the reason was, but the offensive execution and consistency in the passing game was still erratic.

that's how I'd rephrase it

 

[Ian]

Hell I was saying they were going deep in the playoffs and pot'l to go to the Super Bowl. Then injuries started to pile up, Mac started to sputter and the D collapsed. It happens.

I could have been worse. Look at BAL last year. Start 8-3.....finish 8-9. Talk about a collapse.

Exactly. I really thought if they got the top seed and a bye, crazy things could have happened, especially if it worked out where someone had bounced Buffalo (which was the only team I was really concerned about). Obviously, things didn't play out that way. But we all know that when you get to January, if you're playing fairly well, anything can happen. But clearly, by the time January got here, they weren't playing close to well enough for that to be a possibility.

 

[Ian]

 

[RobertWeathers]

Exactly. I really thought if they got the top seed and a bye, crazy things could have happened, especially if it worked out where someone had bounced Buffalo (which was the only team I was really concerned about). Obviously, things didn't play out that way. But we all know that when you get to January, if you're playing fairly well, anything can happen. But clearly, by the time January got here, they weren't playing close to well enough for that to be a possibility.

I think we fans get way too caught up in getting HFA and byes IMO.

In the playoffs, typically the team that 1) is playing with confidence, 2) has good matchups and 3) health 4) more talent 5) makes fewer mistakes wins regardless where the game is played.

At the end of the 2021 and 2019 seasons all 5 were missing which is why they lost.

 

[mikey m]

Haven't we seen enough to know by now that it wasn't TB12's fault? He wasn't "in decline". Maybe he was getting disgruntled, but the inconsistent offensive execution was not due to him losing it.

I'm not in the Tampa fan brigade by any means, but come on.

My perception during TB's last few years was that he was tired of playing with mediocre talent around him. I thought he had lost the competitive fire to elevate the guys around him. If a play wasn't executed correctly, if a receiver wasn't open, he just looked frustrated rather than like the guy he was previously who would have overcome every challenge and willed the offense to success. Can't blame him for that, it's impossible to maintain that nearly psychotic level of desire and competitiveness forever. I just think it was time for both sides to move on. But ya, it's definitely clear that his physical ability was not the issue.

 

[Wax Frog]

Not at all. The team should have been 12-1 in its first 13 games if not for one-in-a-million type flukes. Unfortunately, injuries completely derailed the season from then on.

Let me put it this way - when healthy, the 2021 team was better than the 2018 team that ended up winning a Super Bowl.

The 2021 team, when healthy, had:

-Much better QB play by virtue of having vastly superior talent at the QB position
-Better defense
-Better running game

If the team can stay healthy in 2022, I don't see a single team out there who can challenge us.

Please don't ever go away!

 

[crawhammer]

I don't think we need to do that - so let's just keep it to the topic at hand.

I hear you. I'm frustrated with the post deletions and the banning. I'm even currently banned from a thread in the Brady forum. It's ridiculous. But I do appreciate your diplomatic approach to issues.

They did that against a compromised defense. Again, I am not impressed.

An example of a compromised defense would the SB 52 defense. You're trying to make an excuse for literally being helpless to stop an opponent for 8 straight quarters. Buffalo offense > Patriots defense... and it's not even close. And what's your excuse for Mac's poor play and 4 INTs?

Well, Mac Jones is the only QB in franchise history who has made both the Pro Bowl and postseason in his rookie year. That's not a knock on any of our other QBs, but many of them weren't even good enough to start in their rookie season.

Mac Jones is a phenom with immense talent. His peers respect him so much that they've voted him the 85th best player in the league after just his rookie season.

Everyone knows that pro bowl selection was fake. He was literally the 7th AFC quarterback taken. 85th? It's probably too high but is that phenomenally impressive?

Mac had a good rookie season, not great, and he's definitely not a "phenom." I don't think his individual ceiling is elite level but he could be a very good quarterback with the right supporting cast. I like their receivers but I don't think they're a group that's going to elevate the play of their quarterback much. Anyway, it's entirely absurd to say Jones is "vastly more talented" than Brady. I don't think that even needs elaboration.

 

[captain stone]

Asiasi claimed by Bengals, no others taken. Pats didn’t claim anyone.

Of those from the above list, only G/T Max Scharping (by Cincinnati again) is one for whom I could maybe fault Bill for not placing a claim... All the others I might've considered were already taken...

Jete lost a few players... not sure if I should be surprised...

Assy-assy's departure further cements my position on the 2020 draft, and of that season in general.

 

[captain stone]

But he mentioned NE being better at QB than a super bowl winning team from 2018, so...

1) He's saying 2021 Mac > 2018 Brady
2) He's freakin' nuts (and that's no knock on Mac)

I had to edit that post because I read his response to sb1 only after I had already sent my reply... Yeah the dude's nuts.

 

[captain stone]

Too bad; the dude sucks, but Billy "likes" him...

 

[goheels22002]

Surprising that after all the debate about Nixon vs. Wilkerson vs. Humphrey, all three of them are out. And Thornton's out a few weeks too!

Only having 2 TEs is also a little bit bizarre. A ton of money invested in two TEs but no depth behind them whatsoever...

The OL depth chart is just... weird.

I'm happy they kept some guys, but I gotta say, the 53-man roster having 10 rookies on it feels quite bizarre. I think there'll definitely be a lot more moves in the next week.

I had the Patriots keeping just two TEs on the roster given the new offense. Both guys can block, run routes and catch the football. A third TE would have to be a core special teams player, and none of them really fit that bill.

I had more WRs on the 53, but since none were claimed off waivers, I expect two or three on the practice squad

The offensive line depth makes sense. They obviously are using these two weeks between the 3rd pre-season game and opening day to find a functioning OL. There may be another cut or trade in that group of eight.

LB depth is where I have a question or two. I did not expect Tavai nor McMillan to make the 53. That they kept so much speed at LB is encouraging.

 

[captain stone]

Of those from the above list, only G/T Max Scharping (by Cincinnati again) is one for whom I could maybe fault Bill for not placing a claim... All the others I might've considered were already taken...

Jete lost a few players... not sure if I should be surprised...

Assy-assy's departure further cements my position on the 2020 draft, and of that season in general.

Forgot to add: Is there still doubt in anyone's mind that Zappy would've gone unclaimed?

 

[BB8XSBW]

An example of a compromised defense would the SB 52 defense. You're trying to make an excuse for literally being helpless to stop an opponent for 8 straight quarters. Buffalo offense > Patriots defense... and it's not even close. And what's your excuse for Mac's poor play and 4 INTs?

Being forced into playing actual practice squad players is also an example of a compromised defense.

Mac didn't play poorly. He had a great playoff game, in fact. Scored more points than our previous playoff game against a way better defense. As a rookie, no less. He was also the 5th rated QB in the postseason by PFF.

Everyone knows that pro bowl selection was fake. He was literally the 7th AFC quarterback taken. 85th? It's probably too high but is that phenomenally impressive?

Ignoring facts because they don't fit your narrative is cute, but that's one step closer to a tap out for you. I can feel you starting to break.

And yes, 85th best for a rookie QB is impressive, considering how difficult the position is for a rookie, and how rare it is for a 1st year QB to make it into the top 85. Hell, just look at rookie QBs in our own franchise's history. Many of them were not even good enough to start.

Mac had a good rookie season, not great, and he's definitely not a "phenom." I don't think his individual ceiling is elite level but he could be a very good quarterback with the right supporting cast. I like their receivers but I don't think they're a group that's going to elevate the play of their quarterback much. Anyway, it's entirely absurd to say Jones is "vastly more talented" than Brady. I don't think that even needs elaboration.

I didn't realize this was such a controversial take and a touchy subject for you. The fact that the best QB talent in franchise history just fell into our lap in the 2021 draft should be a cause for celebration for you. For all of us, for that matter.

 

[zydecochris]

Not at all. The team should have been 12-1 in its first 13 games if not for one-in-a-million type flukes. Unfortunately, injuries completely derailed the season from then on.

Let me put it this way - when healthy, the 2021 team was better than the 2018 team that ended up winning a Super Bowl.

The 2021 team, when healthy, had:

-Much better QB play by virtue of having vastly superior talent at the QB position
-Better defense
-Better running game

If the team can stay healthy in 2022, I don't see a single team out there who can challenge us.

Methinks we have a poster who is trying to create a PatsFans version of the New Yorker's Borowitz Report. Have at it

 

[Guts]

I didn't realize this was such a controversial take and a touchy subject for you. The fact that the best QB talent in franchise history just fell into our lap in the 2021 draft should be a cause for celebration for you. For all of us, for that matter.

Drew Bledsoe was the most "talented".

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Asiasi claimed by Bengals, no others taken. Pats didn’t claim anyone.

The NY Jets had 7 players claimed - let that sink in.

 

[BB8XSBW]

Drew Bledsoe was the most "talented".

I loved Drew, but I would rate him 2nd on the most talented QB in franchise history list, behind Mac.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I loved Drew, but I would rate him 2nd on the most talented QB in franchise history list, behind Mac.

Keep in mind, a QB ability to process massive amounts of information, make the right decision and execute in a split-second is a talent.