Player Signing Patriots Waive OT R.J. Mattes, Claim OT Kevin Haslam

[Fencer]

How many Rutgers alums are on the Tampa Bay roster?

 

[Triumph]

In my book, BB can sign all the players he wants from the #4 scoring defense in the country.

The Rutgers offense has me scratching my head, though.

Who does Rutgers play? It would be one thing of they were facing SEC competition.

Remember Darius Butler top CB in the draft in some reports? That smelled bad from the beginning just like all these Rutgers signings.

 

[Triumph]

To summarize, I am fully against any NFL coach that systematically drafts from a college system based on coaching connections, and the Pats-Rutgers connection is beyond systemic, it's a bias that has no place in the NFL. Let's hope these guys are all pro-bowlers.

McCourty turned out to be an elite Safety.

 

[Sicilian]

To summarize, I am fully against any NFL coach that systematically drafts from a college system based on coaching connections, and the Pats-Rutgers connection is beyond systemic, it's a bias that has no place in the NFL. Let's hope these guys are all pro-bowlers.

They don't need to be pro-bowlers, just productive members of the 53 man roster, whatever the role. Not everyone needs to be a stud to be a success.

 

[wahwho]

I've been wondering for a while now if it's an experiment in team building. Let's say you've got eight players from one college in camp. My first instinct would be that they would form a clique in the locker room, which would be bad. But if they're all/mostly rookies, they vets would probably be able to keep a handle on it.

On the other hand, you've now also got a group of players that come in knowing one system and knowing how to work with one another. How much does that help the entire group pick up the Pats playbook? They can talk to each other and help translate the two systems using a common language that players coming from many different schools wouldn't be able to use in the same way. Even if you only expect to keep a couple of players out of the group in the long run, having the others around may speed the development of the ones you really wanted in the first place. Most of the summer roster isn't going to have any value for you once the season starts, so why not fill it with players that can help improve the ones that actually will be on the 53 rather than fliers that just waste your time?

 

[BadMoFo]

No idea, but if we end up with 4 or more there should be an INVESTIGATION.

Well, McCourty and the draft picks is 4 alone. Start that investigation.

 

[JackBauer]

McCourty turned out to be an elite Safety.

Glad to see you've come around.

 

[Kontradiction]

The more Rutgers players, the better. Rutgers was a POWERHOUSE amongst the college football ranks. :bricks:

 

[mgteich]

Belichick wants to fill the roster to 90 as the nfl wants. We have no need to have so many players in camp. For me, even the names of the last 20 of the 90 man roster don't matter much. Most of us could construct a 70 man "roster". It would be unlikely that someone else who make the 53.

 

[moosekill]

To summarize, I am fully against any NFL coach that systematically drafts from a college system based on coaching connections, and the Pats-Rutgers connection is beyond systemic, it's a bias that has no place in the NFL. Let's hope these guys are all pro-bowlers.

Um should we really care what you think?

 

[BradyFTW!]

Do any people seriously think all of these Rutgers picks are coming from recommendations from BB's son, who is basically doing coffee runs for the Pats? This is entirely Schiano's influence and probably some others associated within the current or former Rutgers organization.

I think it's a bit weird to syphon from a program that doesn't produce top collegiate talent based almost exclusively on a coaching association and I think it produces major questions about the optimality of building a football team, but BB's son is most certainly not involved in whatever this pipeline is all about.

Schiano has commented many times that it was a point of pride for him that a lot of Rutgers players stuck in the NFL because at Rutgers they learned how to prepare for the game and contribute on ST, and do all of the other little things that make players valuable as one of the last few guys on the roster.

It's really that simple, IMO. If you're looking for someone who realistically is going to just be a STer, then Rutgers is a great place to look. They excel at producing those guys. He's not looking for guys who are going to be stars, or realistically even starters, in the NFL. He's looking for end-of-the-roster/PS types.

 

[BradyFTW!]

To summarize, I am fully against any NFL coach that systematically drafts from a college system based on coaching connections, and the Pats-Rutgers connection is beyond systemic, it's a bias that has no place in the NFL. Let's hope these guys are all pro-bowlers.

Why shouldn't you have a preference for guys who came up in a system that emphasizes the same things that you do? These are players who, in scouting them, you've watched them do what you'll require of them, which removes some of the uncertainty in the scouting process. They're also more likely to hit the ground running, and will require less time and attention from your coaching staff, which does have some value, especially with 90-man rosters.

 

[Gwedd]

Why shouldn't you have a preference for guys who came up in a system that emphasizes the same things that you do? These are players who, in scouting them, you've watched them do what you'll require of them, which removes some of the uncertainty in the scouting process. They're also more likely to hit the ground running, and will require less time and attention from your coaching staff, which does have some value, especially with 90-man rosters.

Well said. Thank you for that.

 

[Triumph]

Glad to see you've come around.

Ed Reed needs to watch his back.

 

[RUaPatsfan]

Hey guys...not only players but you are picking up fans down here in the heart of Jets/Giants land...lucky you

I am also the first to admit that it seems very strange to have a single team(much less at the top of the sport) who is stock piling so many players from a single college that is not named Bama, USC, OSU, fla etc...

But...as a few have stated...Rutgers is one of the few colleges left that plays NFL style on both sides of the ball. And it seems that sometimes RU is more geared at developing future NFL players then they are trying to win. The players from our program are also used to the weather, tough coaching, being versatile and they study the game. You may not see them all become allstars but you rarely see them look lost on the field.

As for Haslam - a little background. Earned his way into the Rutgers starting OL. Soph year, before even starting, Schiano called him a future NFL player. He and Anthony Davis made up one of the best duo's of bookend OT's in college. Very athletic and you will usually see him playing at around 305lbs. Plays very long.
Can play all 4 OL positions. Was expected to be a starter for Jax in his 2nd year but torn his MCL during a scrimmage and out for the year. LAst year, after coming back from the injury, played for SD. Brought up for the last 6 games and played about 90% of the snaps from the time he was brought up. Received the Offensive Game ball against Pitt in his first start for SD at LT. Shut down Harrison and group.
You ask then, why does SD release him. Well, first, he proved himself to Norv turner and group...well, we all know what happened there. The new coach is looking for all 320lb+ guys for the style of offense he is looking to run. They liked HAslam but did not see a 305lb athletic type OT in their plans. Gave him the chance to be picked up early by another team for OTA's. I'm betting he ends up on the 53 man roster. May not be the starter but may end up being a very good 6th man on the line.

 

[Off The Grid]

Hey guys...not only players but you are picking up fans down here in the heart of Jets/Giants land...lucky you

I am also the first to admit that it seems very strange to have a single team(much less at the top of the sport) who is stock piling so many players from a single college that is not named Bama, USC, OSU, fla etc...

But...as a few have stated...Rutgers is one of the few colleges left that plays NFL style on both sides of the ball. And it seems that sometimes RU is more geared at developing future NFL players then they are trying to win. The players from our program are also used to the weather, tough coaching, being versatile and they study the game. You may not see them all become allstars but you rarely see them look lost on the field.

As for Haslam - a little background. Earned his way into the Rutgers starting OL. Soph year, before even starting, Schiano called him a future NFL player. He and Anthony Davis made up one of the best duo's of bookend OT's in college. Very athletic and you will usually see him playing at around 305lbs. Plays very long.


Can play all 4 OL positions.

Was expected to be a starter for Jax in his 2nd year but torn his MCL during a scrimmage and out for the year. LAst year, after coming back from the injury, played for SD. Brought up for the last 6 games and played about 90% of the snaps from the time he was brought up. Received the Offensive Game ball against Pitt in his first start for SD at LT. Shut down Harrison and group.

You ask then, why does SD release him. Well, first, he proved himself to Norv turner and group...well, we all know what happened there. The new coach is looking for all 320lb+ guys for the style of offense he is looking to run. They liked HAslam but did not see a 305lb athletic type OT in their plans. Gave him the chance to be picked up early by another team for OTA's. I'm betting he ends up on the 53 man roster. May not be the starter but may end up being a very good 6th man on the line.

Can play all 4 OL positions.

Just so you know: Most American FootBall Teams field 5 Offensive Linemen.

Brought up for the last 6 games and played about 90% of the snaps from the time he was brought up.

BaseBall Fan, I see.

Terrific Opening Post, Bro. Welcome.

 

[Off The Grid]

Patriots Waive OT R.J. Mattes

I should've known the kid was in trouble when all the Defensemen started calling'm "Welcome" Mattes. :nooo:

 

[BKBroiler]

How many Rutgers alums are on the Tampa Bay roster?

8. The same number the Patriots currently have. Please move on to using a different argument.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

I should've known the kid was in trouble when all the Defensemen started calling'm "Welcome" Mattes. :nooo:

 

[Off The Grid]

I should've known the kid was in trouble when all the Defensemen started calling'm "Welcome" Mattes. :nooo:

I'm here all night. Try the MeatLoaf.