Patriots Trade For Rams WR Greg Salas

[ATippett56]

And if you had done it as an NFL player, would you have deserved to be criticized for not practicing though it?

Torn ligaments in ankle = injured reserve

If Gaffney was cut due an injury so should have Shiancoe.

 

[BBass]

Do you feel better Ice. Was that cathartic. You just lambasted the team who has put together one of the best passing attacks in the league year in and year out for close to a decade. So I find it amazing that the Pats have been able to accomplish all that with such a lack of receiving talent.

Seriously, Ice, this is a complex and rather unique passing attack that the Pats use. Some very good NFL WR's have come here and abjectly failed to "get it". Clearly its not an easy offense to project WR success, because its obviously not just about how fast and quick you are, and how well you can catch the ball.

For example Ocho and Joey Galloway where both WR's who had 11 THOUSAND reception yards to their credit before they crashed and burned here. Its not like those guys weren't proven great WRs. They just weren't built for THIS system. Then you take a guy who for 7 years was a nondescript journeyman like Brandon Lloyd, put him in this system and suddenly you have an all pro for 2 straight years. Go figure. Its Clearly not for everyone.

As to Salas. I wish people would stop comparing him to Welker. As of this moment he's the tallest WR we have. Who knows if he can play outside. One of the great misnomers is that you need "blazing speed": to be able to play outside. That's crap and Brandon Lloyd proves it. There is a lot more to being able to play "outside" than speed. Otherwise Ebert would be here instead of Salas.

As to why trade for a player the Rams were going to release anyway, it was probably because the ddn't want to risk him being claimed and the prize clearly wasn't an issue, being that its 3 years down the road.

LOL we compare everyone to Wes Welker... in the last 2 weeks I have seen Edelman, Ebert, Salas, Shirpley and some other guy UDFA..

Really insulting if in my opinion considering Welker has been a top 5 WR over the last 5 years.

 

[Rob0729]

Do you feel better Ice. Was that cathartic. You just lambasted the team who has put together one of the best passing attacks in the league year in and year out for close to a decade. So I find it amazing that the Pats have been able to accomplish all that with such a lack of receiving talent.

Seriously, Ice, this is a complex and rather unique passing attack that the Pats use. Some very good NFL WR's have come here and abjectly failed to "get it". Clearly its not an easy offense to project WR success, because its obviously not just about how fast and quick you are, and how well you can catch the ball.

For example Ocho and Joey Galloway where both WR's who had 11 THOUSAND reception yards to their credit before they crashed and burned here. Its not like those guys weren't proven great WRs. They just weren't built for THIS system. Then you take a guy who for 7 years was a nondescript journeyman like Brandon Lloyd, put him in this system and suddenly you have an all pro for 2 straight years. Go figure. Its Clearly not for everyone.

As to Salas. I wish people would stop comparing him to Welker. As of this moment he's the tallest WR we have. Who knows if he can play outside. One of the great misnomers is that you need "blazing speed": to be able to play outside. That's crap and Brandon Lloyd proves it. There is a lot more to being able to play "outside" than speed. Otherwise Ebert would be here instead of Salas.

As to why trade for a player the Rams were going to release anyway, it was probably because the ddn't want to risk him being claimed and the prize clearly wasn't an issue, being that its 3 years down the road.

Yeah, I don't get why everyone is comparing him to Welker either. Everything I have read about the guy (not too familiar with him myself) is that he can be an outside and deep threat as much as a slot receiver.

 

[Big-T]

the New England Patriots will at most dress three on game day.

Oh, you could have told us you were BB or Josh McDaniels so you know that as a fact.

How do you know the plan isn't to activate 4 TE's and use all 4 on the field at the same time in some sets?

 

[Rob0729]

Here's Mike Reiss' write up on Salas:

Learning more about Greg Salas - New England Patriots Blog - ESPN Boston

The most interesting things I think are:

6. Has experience playing in the slot and outside.

8. The Pro Football Weekly 2011 draft guide described Salas this way: "Confident, scrappy, tough, physical football player who made a killing executing speed outs, underneath routes and seam routes in Hawaii's field-stretching system. Lacks ideal slot suddenness but is a savvy, effective zone beater with sure hands and could carve a similar niche as Jason Avant."

 

[Creative Username]

How do you know the plan isn't to activate 4 TE's and use all 4 on the field at the same time in some sets?

How exactly would this work? What set?

 

[BBass]

Do you feel better Ice. Was that cathartic. You just lambasted the team who has put together one of the best passing attacks in the league year in and year out for close to a decade. So I find it amazing that the Pats have been able to accomplish all that with such a lack of receiving talent.

Seriously, Ice, this is a complex and rather unique passing attack that the Pats use. Some very good NFL WR's have come here and abjectly failed to "get it". Clearly its not an easy offense to project WR success, because its obviously not just about how fast and quick you are, and how well you can catch the ball.

For example Ocho and Joey Galloway where both WR's who had 11 THOUSAND reception yards to their credit before they crashed and burned here. Its not like those guys weren't proven great WRs. They just weren't built for THIS system. Then you take a guy who for 7 years was a nondescript journeyman like Brandon Lloyd, put him in this system and suddenly you have an all pro for 2 straight years. Go figure. Its Clearly not for everyone.

As to Salas. I wish people would stop comparing him to Welker. As of this moment he's the tallest WR we have. Who knows if he can play outside. One of the great misnomers is that you need "blazing speed": to be able to play outside. That's crap and Brandon Lloyd proves it. There is a lot more to being able to play "outside" than speed. Otherwise Ebert would be here instead of Salas.

As to why trade for a player the Rams were going to release anyway, it was probably because the ddn't want to risk him being claimed and the prize clearly wasn't an issue, being that its 3 years down the road.

Technically, the New England Patriots have six tight ends under contract:

Gronkowski
Hernandez
Fells
Shiancoe
Ballard
Silvestro

Six tight ends is complete overkill considering the New England Patriots will at most dress three on game day.

Yeah I am with you. I actually just remembered when I saw your post Ballard was PUP'ed so he could possibly return between weeks 6-9. I see no need for Shiancoe here and I am disappointed we are using a roster spot on him. A hamstring injury is a sign of not being in great shape a lot of times especially when it occurs after your first practice.

 

[ATippett56]

Oh, you could have told us you were BB or Josh McDaniels so you know that as a fact.

How do you know the plan isn't to activate 4 TE's and use all 4 on the field at the same time in some sets?

When was the last time that has occurred in a regular season game with Bill Belichick as the head coach of the New England Patriots?

 

[Rob0729]

Yeah I am with you. I actually just remembered when I saw your post Ballard was PUP'ed so he could possibly return between weeks 6-9. I see no need for Shiancoe here and I am disappointed we are using a roster spot on him. A hamstring injury is a sign of not being in great shape a lot of times especially when it occurs after your first practice.

Ballard won't play this season. He is only on PUP because that is the process if you start the year on PUP.

The Pats will IR Shiancoe on Tuesday and he will no longer be using a roster spot and his spot will likely go to Brian Waters. Not a big deal.

BTW, when Shiancoe comes off IR, the Pats can still cut the guy if they want.

 

[ATippett56]

Yeah I am with you. I actually just remembered when I saw your post Ballard was PUP'ed so he could possibly return between weeks 6-9. I see no need for Shiancoe here and I am disappointed we are using a roster spot on him. A hamstring injury is a sign of not being in great shape a lot of times especially when it occurs after your first practice.

There exists a double standard with the New England Patriots organization that I don't really care for. If Gaffney gets injured, Gaffney gets cut. If Shiancoe gets injured, Shiancoe remains on the 53 man roster.

 

[Sciz]

Torn ligaments in ankle = injured reserve

If Gaffney was cut due an injury so should have Shiancoe.

Gaffney probably doesn't need the full 6 weeks to get healthy. If they want him back, they can now have him back sooner than the 6 weeks. Shiancoe will probably take at least 6 weeks to get healthy (depending on the severity, mine was closer to 12 weeks after aggravating it once), so he can spend those 6 weeks on IR. Meanwhile, Shiancoe can still use the Pats' training facilities and sit in on meetings, something Gaffney is going to have to go without.

Anyway, my initial point is that "no show no practice" is awfully irrelevant when he's got another 6 weeks at least to get healthy.

 

[Frezo]

Finally...the Pats can use THEIR secret weapon, Brady's new play "22 Train Wreck Slot".

 

[Big-T]

How exactly would this work? What set?

Hernandez in the backfield + the other 3 and a WR?

Line them up however you want, it sounds quite versatile. Example: a WR screen, trips with say Welker flanked by Gronk & Fells, Hernandez in the backfield & Shiancoe on the other side of the line to the bunch.

 

[nowayback]

make room for >

1mGreg A. Bedard?@GregABedar
Patriots signed former Redskins WR Sam Kirkland to the practice squad. Ridiculous 45-inch vertical.

 

[Finnishfan]

Yeah, I don't get why everyone is comparing him to Welker either. Everything I have read about the guy (not too familiar with him myself) is that he can be an outside and deep threat as much as a slot receiver.

His combine time of 4.56 and vertical of 37" dont really make him a deep threat by any means.

But if he knows the fundamentals on playing as a true wideout and is equipped to play against CBs and fight off press coverage etc, then he might add much needed depth to the WR corps.

 

[The Scrizz]

Looks like Edelman better watch his back!

I've still got his six covered. JE is going no where.

 

[ATippett56]

Hernandez in the backfield + the other 3 and a WR?

Line them up however you want, it sounds quite versatile. Example: a WR screen, trips with say Welker flanked by Gronk & Fells, Hernandez in the backfield & Shiancoe on the other side of the line to the bunch.

I'll believe it when I see it. Right now, you're just making up crap!

 

[Rob0729]

His combine time of 4.56 and vertical of 37" dont really make him a deep threat by any means.

But if he knows the fundamentals on playing as a true wideout and is equipped to play against CBs and fight off press coverage etc, then he might add much needed depth to the WR corps.

You can be a deep threat without blazing speed, but I never meant it was his bread and butter, but that he could do in a limited way. I just meant he was more versatile than just a slot WR.

 

[DaBruinz]

Meanwhile, Gaffney and Branch can't be happy right now, and I wonder if their loyalty and "Patriots only" mantra will start to fade fast. All I can say is the Patriots are the worst evaluators of talent at WR and CB in the NFL- fortunately, they are still the best organization in sports and no team hits 100%- but seriously, if this means Gaffney, Branch, Stallworth, and Gonzalez were all just bad moves, they need to bring someone in who knows the position.

Gaffney was hurt most of pre-season. Branch clearly had lost a step. Stallworth had as well. Gonzalez was never healthy..

Can't say they are "bad moves" when you can't predict injuries. And competition is always a good thing..

 

[Sciz]

There exists a double standard with the New England Patriots organization that I don't really care for. If Gaffney gets injured, Gaffney gets cut. If Shiancoe gets injured, Shiancoe remains on the 53 man roster.

Shiancoe remains on the 53 because that's what's required for a player to go to the short-term IR.
Gaffney is not on the 53 because he's not going onto the short-term IR.