Bye Week Transactions: RB Cierre Wood and WR LaQuan Williams

[VrabelMayeWin]

Cierre Wood at practice today

Doug Kyed?@DougKyedNESN57s
The Patriots' mystery RB at practice, No. 35, is Cierre Wood, according to a source.

Must have signed him. Also a new WR.

Cuts coming, could see a hurt Collie. Personally I'd move on from Bolden, we have two bigger backs and Vereen and Wood would be a good smaller duo.

Bill will have plenty of into on Wood as he's become close with Brian Kelly.

 

[dales804]

Re: Cierre Wood at practice today

I thought the Patriots had until next week off???

 

[jmt57]

The Patriots worked out several players Monday, which has been the normal practice this year.

The Patriots worked out five players on Monday, including former tight end Jake Ballard and defensive end Justin Francis, who were both released by the team near the conclusion of training camp, according to a league source.

Ballard, however, who was originally claimed by the Patriots off waivers during the 2012 offseason, was signed by the Cardinals on Monday.

Meanwhile, Francis was waived/injured at the end of training camp and eventually released off of the injured reserve list. A 2012 undrafted free agent out of Rutgers, he landed on the Patriots' 53-man roster as a rotational reserve defensive end and special-teams player.

The Patriots also worked out running back Cierre Wood, wide receiver Greg Orton and linebacker Marcus Dowtin.

Wood went undrafted in 2013 after a productive career with Notre Dame, signing with the Texans as a free agent. He was recently released after violating team rules during a road trip in Kansas City. The violation reportedly involved the use of marijuana.

Orton has spent time with both the Bengals and Broncos, who released him on Aug. 26. Originally an undrafted free agent in 2009, Orton is 6-foot-3 and 205 pounds.

Dowtin also was an undrafted free agent, coming out of North Alabama in 2012. He has spent time with the Jets, Eagles and most recently the Bills. In five games for Buffalo this season, he recorded six tackles.​

On Tuesday two new players were seen practicing with the team.

Christopher Price: Collie, Gregory and Bolden not present at start of Patriots practice. Full pads on beautiful fall day in Foxboro.

Jeff Howe: Gregory, Bolden, Collie absent from practice. There's a new wide receiver. We'll call him Number Sixteen for now.

Field Yates: S Steve Gregory, RB Brandon Bolden, WR Austin Collie not at practice. WR wearing 16, RB wearing 35 present. Seems like roster moves coming.



On a side note, there is this good news:

Mike Reiss: After hobbling off, DE Rob Ninkovich (foot) was on sideline in 2nd half Sunday but didn't play. His presence at practice today a good sign.

 

[Fencer]

Re: Cierre Wood at practice today

Any reliable word yet on whether this is PS or 53?

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Re: Cierre Wood at practice today

I thought the Patriots had until next week off???

Today is the only practice until next Tuesday.

Just looked up Wood's combine numbers, remarkably similar to Vereen's.

 

[dales804]

Re: Cierre Wood at practice today

Today is the only practice until next Tuesday.

Just looked up Wood's combine numbers, remarkably similar to Vereen's.

Thanks. I believe Wood was in for a workout yesterday.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Re: Cierre Wood at practice today

Any reliable word yet on whether this is PS or 53?

No word at all, reliable or not. Presumably PS with young PS eligible guy. I still think he fits better than Bolden, though, with Ridley and Blount there to do the heavy lifting.

 

[FoxWhiskey]

Re: Cierre Wood at practice today

Cuts coming,....Personally I'd move on from Bolden, we have two bigger backs and Vereen and Wood would be a good smaller duo.

I don´t like Blount. Too much Dancing Queen.

 

[PatsDeb]

I just saw a report that the 49ers are releasing Asomugha. Shouldn't the Pats be on the line to his agent?! I know he has underperformed elsewhere, but I can't help thinking he's better than some of what we got!

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Re: Cierre Wood at practice today

Interesting, not getting my hopes up but I also hope we move on from Bolden who I feel is one of the biggest disappointments this season (there has been few IMO). He showed flashes and great potential last year but couldn't stay healthy, then hasn't really played above JAG level since being busted for PED's. It's been especially damaging to us with the injuries to Vereen and Ridley. Can't even catch a ball, I see little reason to keep him around.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Re: Cierre Wood at practice today

Field Yates?@FieldYates39s
The Patriots have signed WR LaQuan Williams to their active roster & RB Cierre Wood to the practice squad, according to a league

 

[jmt57]

Aaron Wilson: New England Patriots signed former Ravens wide receiver LaQuan Williams, according to a league source.


Patriots had previously had him in for a workout on October 15.

 

[jmt57]

I just saw a report that the 49ers are releasing Asomugha. Shouldn't the Pats be on the line to his agent?! I know he has underperformed elsewhere, but I can't help thinking he's better than some of what we got!

I think he's done. He doesn't appear to be remotely close to the player he was a few years ago.

More on Asomugha in this thread: http://www.patsfans.com/new-england...3-49ers-place-cb-nnamdi-asomugha-waivers.html

 

[jmt57]

There is some speculation floating around now that the LaQuan Williams signing means that Austin Collie is done for the year. Williams can help out on special teams. For however long Collie is out, that means Kenbrell Thompkins may regain some playing time too.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Guess Wood's spot is free as Josh Kline's PS spot was never filled. Williams likely will replace Collie who's hurt.

 

[Claremonster]

Re: Cierre Wood at practice today

I don´t like Blount. Too much Dancing Queen.

He isn't going anywhere...BB loves him.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Re: Cierre Wood at practice today

Collie released.

Hopefully Williams helps on ST and Thompkins gets out of the penalty box.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Re: Cierre Wood at practice today

Field Yates?@FieldYates39s
The Patriots have signed WR LaQuan Williams to their active roster & RB Cierre Wood to the practice squad, according to a league

Williams is strictly a JAG. Thompkins and Boyce will probably get more playing time with Collie out. Williams has no size or speed, a 6'0" 4.55 guy. Wood is a guy who dances too much, can't make people miss, but has good size 6'0 215. Doesn't have much burst or escapability or moves. Basically Bolden Jr.

 

[jmt57]

Wow.

Field Yates: The Patriots have released WR Austin Collie, according to a league source.

 

[PatsDeb]

Re: Cierre Wood at practice today

He isn't going anywhere...BB loves him.

I think you're right. He's good for the end of games when the other D is tired and he just runs over them. Before that he doesn't do much. Wish we had someone better for kickoffs too. I cringe when he brings it out of the EZ and pray that he makes it to the 20. Wish he would just down every ball in the EZ and let Brady get to work.