Chad and Eddie Jackson activated; Ventrone released

[danny88]

I'm fired up over Chad Jackson coming back. I'm so happy the Pats activated him, my fear was that they would IR him figuring that they're already loaded at WR.

Chad Jackson is a stud and he's put alot of work in, the results are going to show as soon as he gets out onto the field. Right now, I'm imaging a 4-wideout set with (Moss, Welker, Stallworth and CJackson) how crazy is that.

Welcome back #17, we know you have the talent, you're a stud, show us what you got man..........

Where did he put in all this work? he has yet to play a game this season. The practice field is nothing like a game.

 

[BradyToMoss]

Where did he put in all this work? he has yet to play a game this season. The practice field is nothing like a game.

The rehabbing was his work, he worked his tail off to get back on the field. And I'll tell you what, he must be impressing BB in practice, because if he wasn't BB would not have thought twice about IR'ing him and keeping Marcellus Rivers.

 

[SeanBruschi54]

Where did he put in all this work? he has yet to play a game this season. The practice field is nothing like a game.

Off field work is just as important as on field work.

Thats a big reason why Chad was not as good as he could of been last season.

 

[sebman2112]

What about cornerback Asante Samuel? Ellis Hobbs has played substandard cornerback this year and cornerback Randall Gay is an unrestricted free agent, as well. I'd rather lose Donte Stallworth than Asante Samuel considering wide receiver Chad Jackson has the same physical tools as Donte Stallworth.

http://www.patscap.com/futureyears.html

I'll be honest, I think any Patriots fan who believes Asante Samuel will be back next season is smoking crack.

Asante wants a HUGE contract! The type of contract the Patriots would NEVER pay him. Really, he wants the same contract Clements got from the 49ers, and he's dreamin' if he thinks NE will ever pay him that much. Some other team will though, and he'll take the money and run. I won't blame him when he does by the way.

Also, Ellis Hobbs has been at least good/decent, not "substandard". Who did NE have on Reggie Wayne for most of this past sundays game against the Colts, and the AFCCG against the Colts? Ellis Hobbs. Giving up 62 yards to Wayne, when he was coming off back-to-back performances of 131yrds, and 168yrds isn't to bad. Part of that yardage was NE's scheme of keeping the receivers in front of them, and giving up some of the underneath stuff.

Ellis has found himself on the receiving end of a few stiff-arms so far this season, which he needs to work on, but I'm not going to say he's been substandard because of that.

He's also been a pretty good returner for the Pats.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Where's this $25 million in cap space? If the Patriots do not exercise options for Kelley Washington and Donte Stallworth, the Patriots will only have roughly $18 million salary cap space to sign free agents (hopefully Moss and Samuel) and their 2008 NFL draft picks.

http://www.patscap.com/futureyears.html

Besides, Donte Stallworth is not a number one wide receiver while Randy Moss most definitely is, as evident by their respective performances against the Indianapolis Colts.

If Moss couldn't go, Stallworth is a #1. Welker isn't unless we revert to dink and dunk. I think over the last two seasons Bill has developed a new found appreciation for the old adage that the best defense is sometimes a good offense. I'm sure Bill will always strive to have a great D, but given the parameters of this system he may not always be able to field one. Talent alone doesn't cut it on this D, while it apparently goes a long way toward that end on O.


Available cap space projected for 2008 is $7M.
Add to that the $6M we will roll in from 2007 excess = $13M
Add in the $5.7M already budgeted for K.Washington = $18.7M
Add in the $2.9M saved on converting DS roster bonus = $21.6M
Add in the $3M+ cap savings achieved on a Colvin extension = $24.6M

Want me to keep adding like the 3-4 other deals that lend themselves to simple restructure or a simple restructure of Brady's deal that his 2010 $10M cap hit still easily allows for or...whatever. Cap is not a problem. Any new deal for Samuel would still allow for a reasonable first year or two of cap hits in the $6M range. Gay is a nickle who might be more, or might not. His market will not be insane, and with $8M already banked Asante's may not now be either.

And unless we draft a QB with a top 5 pick that player is not going to cost a $10M cap average EVER. And unless there is a beast Bill is eyeing it is a lot more likey we trade down for multiple picks. We got a Seymour at 6, but we also got guys like Warren and Wilfork and Watson a little further down.

 

[Remix 6]

I'll be honest, I think any Patriots fan who believes Asante Samuel will be back next season is smoking crack.

Asante wants a HUGE contract! The type of contract the Patriots would NEVER pay him. Really, he wants the same contract Clements got from the 49ers, and he's dreamin' if he thinks NE will ever pay him that much. Some other team will though, and he'll take the money and run. I won't blame him when he does by the way.

Also, Ellis Hobbs has been at least good/decent, not "substandard". Who did NE have on Reggie Wayne for most of this past sundays game against the Colts, and the AFCCG against the Colts? Ellis Hobbs. Giving up 62 yards to Wayne, when he was coming off back-to-back performances of 131yrds, and 168yrds isn't to bad. Part of that yardage was NE's scheme of keeping the receivers in front of them, and giving up some of the underneath stuff.

Ellis has found himself on the receiving end of a few stiff-arms so far this season, which he needs to work on, but I'm not going to say he's been substandard because of that.

He's also been a pretty good returner for the Pats.

Patriots didnt line any corners on any WR for a LOOONG TIME. They let the WR line up on them. They play their side. Hobbs is good for at least 1 play over 20 yards and poor tackling. I love Hobbs ..hes a fiery little dude and love his heart but if you think hes a #1 CB your dreaming. He needs to tackle better..hes gotten bullied by WRs..RBs..TEs. He got juked out on that 73 yards catch and run by Addai.

Samuel could get a large contract. We offered $7.5 after 1 great season. Its season 2..and hes still great. We'll add to that. Were very smart with contracts..we avoid trouble with the cap..we give contracts we can pay and we spread it out or load it to 1 side to keep us in great shape. Its not everyday a great CB comes in and gets 10 INTs..followed by 4 at halfway mark...shutting down WRs. Asante has been playing great..he does come up in run support although he tries to destroy the guy more than often than get a nice, safe wrap up. Asante has worked real hard..he wants to win..he wants to be here. We offered $7.5 .. he wants like $9.5 or 10, whatever it was average per year. Im sure we'll inch towards 9 least with his play. Like u said..we give up underneath stuff. We need to keep him..hes learned out system..hes a gambler..but a great one who hits the money most of the time and I havent seen him allow a big play yet.

He can work in the endzone on those post/slants that i sort of think is more safety's fault because he gives a cushion playing outside and safety should be right there but is usually a little off.

 

[shmessy]

Thus leaving the Patriots with only one cornerback on the roster, Ellis Hobbs prior to the 2008 NFL Draft. No thanks, especially with the manner Ellis Hobbs has played cornerback this season. As I stated previously, the New England Patriots found out who the REAL wide receiver was against the Indianapolis Colts.

Were you watching the same game I was watching?

Hobbs did a half decent job on Reggie Wayne while being victimized by HORRIBLE PI calling.

Meanwhile the fella who thinks he's worth $8 million per year (but can only play one side of the field - - evidently he doesn't feel "comfortable" going to the other side to take the #1 receiver) looked very pedestrian Sunday against the legendary Aaron Moorehead (who was two hideous drops away from having a similar day to Wayne).

Uh uh. For $8 mill per year, I want a CB who can switch sides of the field to shut down the other teams' stud.

 

[shmessy]

Where did he put in all this work? he has yet to play a game this season. The practice field is nothing like a game.

Ah, Grasshoppah! Read your Sun Tzu.

 

[Remix 6]

Were you watching the same game I was watching?

Hobbs did a half decent job on Reggie Wayne while being victimized by HORRIBLE PI calling.

Meanwhile the fella who thinks he's worth $8 million per year (but can only play one side of the field - - evidently he doesn't feel "comfortable" going to the other side to take the #1 receiver) looked very pedestrian Sunday against the legendary Aaron Moorehead (who was two hideous drops away from having a similar day to Wayne).

Uh uh. For $8 mill per year, I want a CB who can switch sides of the field to shut down the other teams' stud.

Asante got comfortable switching sides? If you remember..he was the #2 CB at start of last season..he played the right CB spot all the way up to Miami game and he was great. We dont switch our CBs to match up. Our CBs must be able to play whoever comes to them. Hes lined up on Johnson..Owens..he plays the left spot. Hes comfortable there. Nate Clements plays the right CB spot..hes comfortable there. He can definitely play both sides very well

He didnt look pedestrian. He allowed a Gonzalez catch early that he could've picked off if throw was a half a second later. He had a PI call but honestly..that really shouldn't have been called .. they say he pulled him down by the jersey but after seeing the play..he didnt. 1 was an out of bounds catch by Moorehead so that doesnt count. Deflected a Gonzalez endzone pass.

Samuel played fine. not his best game but he was solid

him not switching sides doesnt have to do with him..coaches choose where he plays..coaches tell him how far off to play. Thats all coaching/gameplan/scheme.

btw heres a pic of Jackson. He is BIG

 

[danny88]

Asante got comfortable switching sides? If you remember..he was the #2 CB at start of last season..he played the right CB spot all the way up to Miami game and he was great. We dont switch our CBs to match up. Our CBs must be able to play whoever comes to them. Hes lined up on Johnson..Owens..he plays the left spot. Hes comfortable there. Nate Clements plays the right CB spot..hes comfortable there. He can definitely play both sides very well

He didnt look pedestrian. He allowed a Gonzalez catch early that he could've picked off if throw was a half a second later. He had a PI call but honestly..that really shouldn't have been called .. they say he pulled him down by the jersey but after seeing the play..he didnt. 1 was an out of bounds catch by Moorehead so that doesnt count. Deflected a Gonzalez endzone pass.

Samuel played fine. not his best game but he was solid

him not switching sides doesnt have to do with him..coaches choose where he plays..coaches tell him how far off to play. Thats all coaching/gameplan/scheme.

btw heres a pic of Jackson. He is BIG

I saw Jackson at the providence mall this past weekend. He is not small. Looked to be in great shape. But just to let you know he is not as "BIG" as you make it seem. He is listed at 6'1 215. He looks about 6'1 205.

Im not trying to insult him. But if you see him up close you are not blown away by his size at all. Not even close.

 

[ATippett56]

If Moss couldn't go, Stallworth is a #1. Welker isn't unless we revert to dink and dunk. I think over the last two seasons Bill has developed a new found appreciation for the old adage that the best defense is sometimes a good offense. I'm sure Bill will always strive to have a great D, but given the parameters of this system he may not always be able to field one. Talent alone doesn't cut it on this D, while it apparently goes a long way toward that end on O.


Available cap space projected for 2008 is $7M.
Add to that the $6M we will roll in from 2007 excess = $13M
Add in the $5.7M already budgeted for K.Washington = $18.7M
Add in the $2.9M saved on converting DS roster bonus = $21.6M
Add in the $3M+ cap savings achieved on a Colvin extension = $24.6M

Want me to keep adding like the 3-4 other deals that lend themselves to simple restructure or a simple restructure of Brady's deal that his 2010 $10M cap hit still easily allows for or...whatever. Cap is not a problem. Any new deal for Samuel would still allow for a reasonable first year or two of cap hits in the $6M range. Gay is a nickle who might be more, or might not. His market will not be insane, and with $8M already banked Asante's may not now be either.

And unless we draft a QB with a top 5 pick that player is not going to cost a $10M cap average EVER. And unless there is a beast Bill is eyeing it is a lot more likey we trade down for multiple picks. We got a Seymour at 6, but we also got guys like Warren and Wilfork and Watson a little further down.

Gotcha! If anything, signing Randy Moss in the off-season is priority number one.

 

[Remix 6]

I saw Jackson at the providence mall this past weekend. He is not small. Looked to be in great shape. But just to let you know he is not as "BIG" as you make it seem. He is listed at 6'1 215. He looks about 6'1 205.

Im not trying to insult him. But if you see him up close you are not blown away by his size at all. Not even close.

you said that but look at the pictures. his hands are huge as are his forearms, calves, arms. Hes definitely gotten bigger since coming in.

I know u said he looks 205 but how many 215 pounders have u see that are in great shape..look lean and all that?

Maroney doesnt look 215-220..Jackson does.

 

[ATippett56]

Were you watching the same game I was watching?

Hobbs did a half decent job on Reggie Wayne while being victimized by HORRIBLE PI calling.

Meanwhile the fella who thinks he's worth $8 million per year (but can only play one side of the field - - evidently he doesn't feel "comfortable" going to the other side to take the #1 receiver) looked very pedestrian Sunday against the legendary Aaron Moorehead (who was two hideous drops away from having a similar day to Wayne).

Uh uh. For $8 mill per year, I want a CB who can switch sides of the field to shut down the other teams' stud.

Can we agree to disagree? Asante Samuel has played much better this season at the cornerback position than Ellis Hobbs. As for switching sides, I hardly ever see Champ Bailey switch sides.

 

[shmessy]

Can we agree to disagree? Asante Samuel has played much better this season at the cornerback position than Ellis Hobbs. As for switching sides, I hardly ever see Champ Bailey switch sides.

Sure, it's all good.

And I DO agree with you that Samuel is a better CB than Hobbs. $6 million per year better? Nope.

 

[danny88]

you said that but look at the pictures. his hands are huge as are his forearms, calves, arms. Hes definitely gotten bigger since coming in.

I know u said he looks 205 but how many 215 pounders have u see that are in great shape..look lean and all that?

Maroney doesnt look 215-220..Jackson does.

Honestly a lot. 210 or so at 6'1 is not exactly huge. I am not saying jackson is small. I am just saying if you saw him in person you would not be blown away by his size. After reading about him on this site I was expecting a freak of some kind.

He is a good size player... But you would not even know he was a pro not for the big chain. He looked like most 6 foot african american men that work out and are in shape. Not small at all but def not this manchild people claim. I swear it.

 

[sebman2112]

Patriots didnt line any corners on any WR for a LOOONG TIME. They let the WR line up on them. They play their side. Hobbs is good for at least 1 play over 20 yards and poor tackling. I love Hobbs ..hes a fiery little dude and love his heart but if you think hes a #1 CB your dreaming. He needs to tackle better..hes gotten bullied by WRs..RBs..TEs. He got juked out on that 73 yards catch and run by Addai.

Samuel could get a large contract. We offered $7.5 after 1 great season. Its season 2..and hes still great. We'll add to that. Were very smart with contracts..we avoid trouble with the cap..we give contracts we can pay and we spread it out or load it to 1 side to keep us in great shape. Its not everyday a great CB comes in and gets 10 INTs..followed by 4 at halfway mark...shutting down WRs. Asante has been playing great..he does come up in run support although he tries to destroy the guy more than often than get a nice, safe wrap up. Asante has worked real hard..he wants to win..he wants to be here. We offered $7.5 .. he wants like $9.5 or 10, whatever it was average per year. Im sure we'll inch towards 9 least with his play. Like u said..we give up underneath stuff. We need to keep him..hes learned out system..hes a gambler..but a great one who hits the money most of the time and I havent seen him allow a big play yet.

He can work in the endzone on those post/slants that i sort of think is more safety's fault because he gives a cushion playing outside and safety should be right there but is usually a little off.

I didn't say I think Ellis is a #1 CB, but I don't think he's "substandard" either, which was my point. You are somewhat correct about how NE used their CB's, but it doesn't eliminate the fact that Ellis has held his own against Reggie Wayne, Lee Evans, and other WR's. I'll put it this way, I think he's better than a number of other #2 CB's.

Samuel isn't going to ask for less after this season, since it proves his 2006 performance wasn't a fluke. Asante thinks he's worth at least Clements money, and he's not going to take less. Think about it, NE was offering him a pretty good amount but he turned it down so he could test free agency. Do you think he's going to change his mind now?

I'll say again, I don't expect Samuel to be on the 2008 roster, and at this point I think anyone expecting him to be a Patriots next season isn't thinking correctly. The guy wouldn't sign his Franchise Tender until NE promised not to franchise him next year, if they won 12 games or he played a certain amount of snaps.

Also, you're correct, some of that is the Safeties fault, and some of NE's passing yardage allowed is because of their scheme.

 

[sebman2112]

I saw Jackson at the providence mall this past weekend. He is not small. Looked to be in great shape. But just to let you know he is not as "BIG" as you make it seem. He is listed at 6'1 215. He looks about 6'1 205.

Im not trying to insult him. But if you see him up close you are not blown away by his size at all. Not even close.

Danny, why must you keep saying this? Listen, he weighed 213lbs at the COMBINE. That's an Official weight, and Jackson is bigger now. Really, it's not a big deal, but I don't understand why you keep saying this.

 

[shmessy]

Danny, why must you keep saying this? Listen, he weighed 213lbs at the COMBINE. That's an Official weight, and Jackson is bigger now. Really, it's not a big deal, but I don't understand why you keep saying this.

I dunno. He looks more like 211.5 lbs to me in that picture.

 

[Oswlek]

I dunno. He looks more like 211.5 lbs to me in that picture.

Yeah, but his height is really 6' 3/4", so it has the same displacement.

 

[sebman2112]

I dunno. He looks more like 211.5 lbs to me in that picture.

LOL! ....