Patriots sign Banta-Cain and former UMass TE Brad Listorti

[RayClay]

Go Umass, by the way. If Listori has the desire, maybe he can be the value tight end we can use.

The two super tight end idea fizzled and we have so many other weapons now that a guy who blocks solidly and makes the odd possession catch has a role. Watson and Thomas have talent and we can go with competence at the position outside the #1 in the future IMO.

I think we'll need plenty of money at every defensive position the next couple years and the RBs and receivers will demand decent contracts.

Wouldn't mind an expensive LT either. Let's try to save a little at TE maybe.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

usual.....blah blah blah with zero substance.......not so much an endorsement of TBC as a thumbs down on woods......the only reason he saw the field was because the pats had nobody else.......his pass rush was marginal and he was manhandled versus the run.........no to mention that he was out of position on just about every screen that went his way........

besides......does anyone know if the pats even plan to tender woods?

I've not read any news on it. I forget the date when the Pats need to make a tender offer, but I think it needs to occur before the start of the new season.

 

[BPF]

Hard to say... TBC has had more experience on D and has shown some in the past. I too (as someone already pointed out), remember Alexander playing ILB so that Vrabel could play outside vs the Colts. Seemed like a stroke of genius for a half.

Truth is : you CAN win with Woods, you CAN win with TBC... but if you had another alternative would either of these guys be our first choice ? To be honest, I don't think either of them stops the Pats from drafting an OLB if they feel they can grab a good one in April.

I don't know if TBC is an upgrade over Woods but what I do know is that it's probably less pay for similar production. On Alexander, since he is a RFA I would think this move would signal the end of that relationship.

TBC is a pretty solid player going forward and near the LOS. He's not as effective dropping, he can cover the biggeer TEs but will not be as effective vs players with some wiggle and moves. He has good speed, although a little stiff as an athlete, and has a good burst off the edge. He is not a sack artist because he is a one trick pony with no counter moves but he can flush so other players can make plays. He is also not that effective vs the run because he gets overpowered by OL. He is a good backup OLB and is very productive on special teams. In addition he has been healthy as opposed to Alexander, who can't seem to get on the field lately. As mentioned, from a money point of view if the Pats signed TBC for anything less than $1.5 m per it's a great deal for the team because he has proven to be more productive than Alexander, who would probably make something similar if he came back and if the Pats decide they would rather have a draft pick for RFA OLB Pierre Woods then this move gives the Pats flexibility.

 

[Easywolf32]

Anyone know how Ruud is progressing, he's Barrett Ruud's (Tampa LB) brother right?

 

[Jimke]

I've not read any news on it. I forget the date when the Pats need to make a tender offer, but I think it needs to occur before the start of the new season.

February 26th is the last day for tender offers.

 

[alvinnf]

positional OLB, understands drops and depths, not just someone who's going to get the QB. Frankly, the D looked allot better once Rosie signed last, part of that was probably mitigated by seau in the middle but still, good pick up. If he has success here, what does that say about SF?

 

[T-ShirtDynasty]

Tully probably would have been the best addition to our OLB corps outside of Suggs.

In the immortal words of Scott Shannon, "Put down that bong and sing along...."

 

[alvinnf]

It's funny but you hit and ran.......

 

[T-ShirtDynasty]

It's funny but you hit and ran.......

You can't be talking about TBC... he usually hit and fell, not hit and ran.

 

[alvinnf]

You can't be talking about TBC... he usually hit and fell, not hit and ran.

Try the veal....

 

[Scooter_McGruder]

Good to see Listorti getting a shot. He could've been a beast at UMass if he wasn't hurt.

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

By the Pats signing TBC to come back to NE at minimum $, lowly regarded, and looking to rejuvenate the success he had with the Pats, they are also sending a message to dudes like James Sanders - that grass looks so green, James, but here's another ex-Pat who left Foxboro but never excelled as he did in NE...are you sure you want some other team's money? You may never even start again if you leave home...

Why should we think the Pats are above trying to influence FA's in this way?

 

[Rob0729]

TBC was always a good rotational guy. I am glad he is back. He isn't much more than a situational pass rusher who can fill in as a starter in emergencies, but he can play special teams and will fill a role.

 

[AzPatsFan]

There is no better ST defensive St player than Pierre Woods and that includes Izzo and Akins. Like Cassel BB has always liked Pierre's play and none of the coaches criticized it, even as fans muttered like they did over Matt. Pierre only started three games, before IR, but he looked like he was doing fine to me, setting the edge and pushing the pocket. He would be an adequate sub at a minimum, but then he would be kept over Alexander and/or Izzo, who are ONLY STeamers.

He has led the team in ST tackles virtually every year he has been here. Unlike y'all, BB ALWAYS makes room for such players. And Larry Okie probably doesn't make it this year at 35, amid drug insinuations ...

 

[signbabybrady]

There is no better ST defensive St player than Pierre Woods and that includes Izzo and Akins. Like Cassel BB has always liked Pierre's play and none of the coaches criticized it, even as fans muttered like they did over Matt. Pierre only started three games, before IR, but he looked like he was doing fine to me, setting the edge and pushing the pocket. He would be an adequate sub at a minimum, but then he would be kept over Alexander and/or Izzo, who are ONLY STeamers.

He has led the team in ST tackles virtually every year he has been here. Unlike y'all, BB ALWAYS makes room for such players. And Larry Okie probably doesn't make it this year at 35, amid drug insinuations ...

hmmm thats a good point maybe TBC is replacing him and he happens to play some sub de too.

As too Woods I agree and wood be shocked if he wasn't tendered accordingly.

 

[mgcolby]

In the immortal words of Scott Shannon, "Put down that bong and sing along...."

I was going to respond as soon as I read it but I figured someone must have gotten to it.

Seriously it makes you wonder if some people actually watch football outside of the Pats. Hell you can go into the Cassel for Peppers thread and scratch your head on some of the comments about Peppers. The guy is an absolute freak of nature and arguably the best defensive player in football and people are saying things like "he is almost 30" or "he has never played OLB".

Its mind boggling!

 

[mgteich]

Welcome back Tully! He left to get starting pay from SF. He played well for us as a STer and as a backup OLB for us, starting when needed.

I still expect us to tender Woods or re-sign him to a 4-year contract. However, the Bant-Cain signing allows the team to put pressure on Woods.

In any case, there is still room for a Day One linebacker, with Thomas playing inside or out, depending on who we get.

OLB: Vrabel, Woods, Banta-Cain, Crable
ILB: Mayo, Thomas, Guyton, Bruschi
competing for a backup position and/or the Practice Squad: Rudd, Redd, Craig, Robertson

And there's always the possibility of Izzo, Seau or Colvin coming back.

 

[captain stone]

Interesting. Tully, I'd like to introduce you to my friend Mr. Salad.

TBC allegedly weighed close to 290 by the time he reported to SF's TC in '07. Fat, lazy & stupid is no way to go through life, son. We'll see if he's learned his lesson.

My thoughts on this signing reflect some of those previously posted:

- I'm surprised that it happened so soon, or even at all. Was there really that hot a market for him, or even any market? Anything more than the vet minimum is a waste of valuable cap space, real or imagined.

- How much does TBC's return effect Chicken Legs' standing in the organization? There are also 3 other 1st-year OLBs here besides Crable. Do they serve as insurance, or as an indictment? As of now, I would still have drafted Cliff Avril instead.

- The chances of Adalius starting the season at SILB are greater today than they were yesterday. There are more options at OLB than there are at ILB, though not one of those options (Vrabel, Woods, Crable, Redd, Robertson, Craig, TBC) inspires any confidence in me whatsoever.

- I now have this feeling, in the pit of my stomach, that an OLB will not be drafted in the first round. Neither will a CB, unfortunately, even if DJ Moore is still available. Tyson Jackson, OTOH...

 

[Synovia]

he guy is an absolute freak of nature and arguably the best defensive player in football and people are saying things like "he is almost 30" or "he has never played OLB".

Vernon Gholston is a freak of nature too. There are plenty of freaks of nature who can't make the transition to OLB.


I think Peppers would fit real well in a 3-4....as a DE.



I like Banta-Cain coming back. He was a great situational guy. Just not a starter.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Its mind boggling!

We warned you that mind was ripe for boggling, but noooooooooooo, you had to play with it.