If Schuster Looks Good In Camp

[mgteich]

If Schuster looks good in camp (top 3), it would seem somehow wrong to lose cap money to cut him.

One option is to trade Osborn. As another posted noted, Osborn was sign to a 1-year contract when we had almost no one. Since then, we've added Polk and Baker, plus Shuster is looking good (and perhaps even Thornton is looking good).

We have Bourne and the 3 kids. We have room for one veteran to be a starting WR. There is no need for any more WR's unless we keep someone while Bourne is not yet available.

 

[notex]

Looks like they need to keep 6? I dont really know anything about Osborn but he certainly seems to be worthy of an NFL roster spot.

Osborn
Schuster
Polk
Baker
Bourne
Douglas

Boutte and Thornton to PS

 

[Boomer B]

I think Thornton is on the outside looking in. There is a big cap hit to cut Juju, so he may get a longer leash. At the end of the day the last WR spot is likely between Boney T and Juju.

 

[Ian]

Looks like they need to keep 6? I dont really know anything about Osborn but he certainly seems to be worthy of an NFL roster spot.

Osborn
Schuster
Polk
Baker
Bourne
Douglas

Boutte and Thornton to PS

I also think, barring an incredible preseason, Thornton might be out, and Christopher Price of the Globe actually suggested a few weeks ago the notion that he might be brought back to the practice squad.

It's possible someone might claim him, but again, unless he puts together an impressive camp, I would be surprised if they didn't have a shot at bringing him back to continue developing him. Unless they just decide to move on from him altogether, and I doubt many of us would have an issue with that given what he's done - or hasn't done - so far.

But I'd be shocked to see Smith-Schuster back. Again, maybe as @mgteich suggests he has a good camp, but that would certainly be a surprise.

 

[maust]

If Schuster looks good in camp...

 

[notex]

I've personally given up on Thornton.

I still think, when healthy, Boutte has the most talent of any WR on this roster and given that we would be lucky to win 8 games, you prioritize young talent (Boutte/Polk/Baker/Douglas) over current production (Osborn/Schuster).

My list earlier was what I THINK will happen. If we are building for the future, however:

- Polk
- Baker
- Boutte
- Douglas
- Osborn
- Bourne

I just feel that an extra roster spot is warranted this year - we have a lot of young (somewhat) promising prospects. Maybe the "shotgun" approach is appropriate.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

Im not that hopeful but Best to keep an open mind with jjss. If he ends up one of the better performing wrs in camp and preseason he should be on the final roster.

 

[turkeyneck]

If he shows well, trade him. I'd take draft picks for next year.

 

[TinhWoodhead]

whos on the Juju train..

 

[signbabybrady]

I see WR as pretty simple:

Polk, Baker, and Douglas aren't going anywhere.

That leaves 2 maybe 3 spots for everyone else. Individually we all have our favorites and guys we are ready to move on from but at the end of the day none of the rest are so good or so healthy that they will definitely make it.

It's an open competition and given our salary cap space now and in the coming years I don't see this as a major reason to choose or to cut anyone.

May the best players win.

Actual play time gets a lot more tricky. Douglas gets a lot I think is all we know for sure. Hopefully one of the rookies developes quickly otherwise a large number of snaps might have to come out of that second group of guys who aren't even locks.

 

[Huckleberry1]

If Schuster looks good in camp-trade him. There’s a strong likelihood he will break down again, so try to pick up a mid round pick for him, and go with the young guys, or use his spot to keep a player at a different position that they really don’t want to release.

 

[Real fan 02]

If Schuster looks good in camp (top 3), it would seem somehow wrong to lose cap money to cut him.

One option is to trade Osborn. As another posted noted, Osborn was sign to a 1-year contract when we had almost no one. Since then, we've added Polk and Baker, plus Shuster is looking good (and perhaps even Thornton is looking good).

We have Bourne and the 3 kids. We have room for one veteran to be a starting WR. There is no need for any more WR's unless we keep someone while Bourne is not yet available.

To be completely fair on juju.. the guy was once a great player. Unfortunately injuries have slowed his career. While he still could be a capable player.. I just don't think the explosiveness is there like it needs to be. He is likely best served as a role player here. Polk, pop, KJ,KB, Baker are your money players at WR... (for now)

KJ is a guy you absolutely want to retain excellent route runner, excellent hands and a team first guy who can definitely go up and get it. If anyone I'd say it's juju that's likely to be traded if anyone. Do him a solid and trade him to Pittsburgh for a 6th... then they eat his salary.?..

We also need to start mentioning Henry along with our pass catchers, becuase the guy is a top 5 TE, great hands and catch radius and is a monster in the read zone. We are fortunate to have him re up.

 

[rochrist]

If Schuster looks good in camp (top 3), it would seem somehow wrong to lose cap money to cut him.

One option is to trade Osborn. As another posted noted, Osborn was sign to a 1-year contract when we had almost no one. Since then, we've added Polk and Baker, plus Shuster is looking good (and perhaps even Thornton is looking good).

We have Bourne and the 3 kids. We have room for one veteran to be a starting WR. There is no need for any more WR's unless we keep someone while Bourne is not yet available.

I'd rather have Osborn.

 

[TheRainMaker]

The story of Boutte (awful name) has got to be one of the weirdest we've seen. He doesn't toe tap in his first game as a pro, so he gets benched the entire season. He'll have a clean slate in camp along with Thornton (last chance). With the rule changes and how much easier it is for WR's, coaches are finding out very quickly whether they have it or not. After their 2nd year, if they don't get it by then, they never will.

 

[notex]

The story of Boutte (awful name) has got to be one of the weirdest we've seen. He doesn't toe tap in his first game as a pro, so he gets benched the entire season. He'll have a clean slate in camp along with Thornton (last chance). With the rule changes and how much easier it is for WR's, coaches are finding out very quickly whether they have it or not. After their 2nd year, if they don't get it by then, they never will.

I thought he was injured after that? maybe im wrong

I have high hopes for Boutte. Reports were that he had an impressive showing at OTA/Minicamp (forget where I read that) but was open all day. He has an immense amount of talent. Perhaps the most TALENTED WR on the roster besides Douglas.

Given that most of us expect Pats to be bottom of the league again, why not prioritize youth/potential over current production (Schuster)

 

[Wozzy]

It will matter more at that point how everyone else looks and who is healthy. If healthy and all the young players look great, they'll have a logjam at the WR position.

Juju, Polk, Baker and Osborn are all similar players... if everyone is healthy there will be some redundancy. The natural person to trade at that point due to age, contract and reputation would be Juju. Money alone is reason enough.

I don't see this as an issue, this would be a good problem to have.

 

[TheRainMaker]

I thought he was injured after that? maybe im wrong

Yeah...he was "injured". I don't buy that **** for a second. It's common tactic teams use to replace a player for roster spots for other players. They can't make up an injury, but they can exaggerate it to justify an IR designation. This happened to Brandon Spikes which he was upset with and made it clear he wasn't injured.

 

[Stu Pidassle]

The story of Boutte (awful name) has got to be one of the weirdest we've seen. He doesn't toe tap in his first game as a pro, so he gets benched the entire season. He'll have a clean slate in camp along with Thornton (last chance). With the rule changes and how much easier it is for WR's, coaches are finding out very quickly whether they have it or not. After their 2nd year, if they don't get it by then, they never will.

It is weird, I know that I kept waiting for him to get more playing time. I believe that he was in the first game as an injury replacement so it wasn't a total shock that he was replaced in subsequent games. The fact that he never really got another chance is baffling. Given his reputation I am afraid that he was not working with the coaches to earn game time.

 

[203Pat]

If he looks good in camp, cut him.
If he looks bad in camp, cut him.
If he shows up to camp, cut him.
If he pulls into the parking lot for camp, cut him.

 

[mgteich]

It is weird, I know that I kept waiting for him to get more playing time. I believe that he was in the first game as an injury replacement so it wasn't a total shock that he was replaced in subsequent games. The fact that he never really got another chance is baffling. Given his reputation I am afraid that he was not working with the coaches to earn game time.

Boutte should gets lots of playing time. After all, he's our 9th best WR and he had a fine freshman year in college.