Patriots castoffs -- mark of quality?

[patchick]

Every training camp we have a little informal ritual here at Patsfans.com. Somebody writes, "This is such a deep roster, other teams are going to be circling, waiting to sign the Patriots' castoffs!" And other posters roll their eyes and say "Come on, homers, you say that every year. It just doesn't happen, nobody's foaming at the mouth to pick through our trash."

Is this season different? Take a look at some of the players who started the year at Patriots training camp, and where they are now:

Reche Caldwell -- Washington Redskins

Mike Elgin -- NY Jets (practice squad)

Quadtrine Hill -- Chicago Bears (injured reserve)

Corey Mays -- Cincinnati Bengals

Josh Miller -- Tennessee Titans

Garrett Mills -- Minnesota Vikings

Gene Mruczkowski -- Miami Dolphins

Clint Oldenburg -- NY Jets (practice squad)

Justin Rogers -- Dallas Cowboys

I don't have any solid comparison stats, but that strikes me as a pretty significant number of "castoffs" to catch hold elsewhere. Maybe this year's Patriots team really is as deep as our homer-colored glasses suggest?

 

[stevepratt]

I think the way that the patriots approach the offseason will always lead to good football players getting cut. They tend to bring in experienced veterans who fit their system and pick and choose the spots where they want to develop young players. Look what they did in the this years draft. They drafted three offensive lineman late in the draft when the top 8 or nine spots were solidified. I think teams are starting to realize that the patriots know how to scout and develop players and typically may cut and resign a player (Mruczkowski, Mays, Childress) or put that player on the practice squad numerous times over the years. Someone like Mruczkowski probably would have been resigned at some point over the last few weeks due to injuries in the interior line if he didnt sign with the Dolphins. Given the pats record and reputation over the years teams are starting to realize that the 58th or 59th player in the eyes of the patriots could be a starter/reliable backup on their own team.

 

[cstjohn17]

Nice research. I think you are correct to some extent, teams look very closely at the bottom of the Patriots roster because of their depth and their drafting track record. Obviously the Pats are deeper than most teams so it makes sense in certain positions adequate players may get cut. The other hope teams may have is that the player has absorbed some of the Patriot 'magic'. Meaning they have been well coached, know how to be a professional, how to work hard, hard to work as a team and have some experience within a very well run program. This would likely put a young player ahead of other league castoffs.

But to be honest there is not a single good player in that list, Caldwell is an ok 3rd receiver but other than that it looks like scrub city.

The other side of the coin is that we over value our JAGs because they are Pats (I am sure this is not unique across the NFL). I would be very surprised if any of these players approaches starter quality and think each one of them could easily be replaced with street free agents.

 

[stevepratt]

I think that is a very good point about the Patriots coaching and attitude maybe giving these players a bit of extra value. Not like it would be the sole reason for acquiring someone but when you are talking about backups/bottom of the roster spots, coming from the patriots may make someone look a bit more attractive. I agree that those players on the list arent going to become stars or even starters at this point. The pats have a proven track record of evaluating players so if they projected Mays/Rogers to become a starting linebacker as opposed to third string/special teams they wouldnt have cut them. Someone like Mcruzkowski though goes from being the 8th offensive lineman one week and cut the next week with the patriots to being on the gameday roster for the Dolphins, so I dont think will be seeing any of these guys in Hawaii anytime soon.

 

[patchick]

What's most interesting to me is that this seems to be more than previous years. Here's an (accurate) statement from mgteich before camp this year:

We discuss these assumptions every year. Please produce a list of all rookies that we have put on our Pracice Squad that have been snapped up by other teams. This is a very, very short list.

Personally, I think very unlikely that any 5th round or later draft choice cut at the last minute would not pass waivers and put on our Practive Squad. I believe that PK Sam was the las time we had this discussion...

Yet at least 3 PS-eligible Pats players have been claimed on waivers so far this year. (It could well have been more except 3 draft picks went in IR during camp!)

 

[psychoPat]

Also ... Dante Wesley signed with Carolina.
But he's not there now.

Christian Fauria, however, is ... fwiw.

 

[Pats726]

Nordin TE--Ravens Hairston RB---Colts

 

[cringelyindy]

Nordin TE--Ravens Hairston RB---Colts

http://colts.scout.com/2/687319.html

yup, picking up Pat's scraps now.

Actually I know a guy that grew up with Hairston and I actually met him a few years ago. From ( Hard Hittin') New Britain Conn he is a lifelong and huge NE fan. Wonder if he is bummed out.

 

[ligermark]

The Patriots do have great depth, though I think ex-Patriots get overvalued on the market just because they're ex-Patriots.