Rivers Back

[Phoenix111]

Rivers is back per Reiss.

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/

Rivers in town

In a sign that the leg injury suffered by tight end David Thomas in Monday?s game might keep him out of action, the Patriots are hosting free-agent tight end Marcellus Rivers on a visit today at Gillette Stadium.

Tight end Marcellus Rivers was on the field and taking part in the practice, presumably having been signed to a contract this morning.

Looks like BB went to the shadow roster here.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

Clearly not a good sign for Thomas but Rivers looked good in preseason - we're lucky he was out on the street.

 

[Mack Herron]

If they signed him they probably IRd Thomas. Too bad.

 

[patsox23]

If they signed him they probably IRd Thomas. Too bad.

That would BLOW, but it's not necessarily the case. Even if Thomas is out for a few games, they'd need to bring in a 3rd TE. O'Callaghan ain't enough.

 

[BadMoFo]

I guess we'll have to wait to see David Thomas break out. On the bright side, Rivers has really good hands and seemed to know how to get open. I don't know how effective he is as a blocker, but he did not seem bad this summer. I just wonder, why the Dolphins didn't sign him. I would think they would take all the help they can get.

 

[Mack Herron]

That would BLOW, but it's not necessarily the case. Even if Thomas is out for a few games, they'd need to bring in a 3rd TE. O'Callaghan ain't enough.

My point was that they still need to create a roster spot for Rivers. If it isn't Thomas, as I suspect, then it is someone else ("Hello, Chad?")

Scouting report from 2001 (he was rated behind Jabari Holloway):

TE-WR Marcellus Rivers
(6-4½, 247, 4.78) Oklahoma State
Notes: Partial qualifier in 1997 who was not allowed to play. Shared time at tight end in ’98 and started about half the games while catching 22 passes for 335 yards and four touchdowns. Cowboys’ pass-catching tight end in ’99, when he caught 27-336-4 and won second-team All-Big 12 honors, although he only started three games. Was basically used as a slot receiver in 2000, when he caught 19-292-2.
Positives: Good target with very good athletic ability. Appears to have soft hands and will make some tough catches. Runs well for a tight end.

Negatives: Is not much of a blocker and seems to think of himself as a wide receiver. Lacks strength and is not a good weightroom guy. Too slow to be a wide receiver on the next level and will have to really upgrade his blocking to even be an H-back. Lacks consistency. Is a little late coming off the line of scrimmage on a lot of plays. Seems to lose concentration and focus. Has not worked hard enough to improve.

Summary: Needs to grow up and learn what it takes, but he has the physical tools to play at the next level as an H-back type if he realizes he no longer is on scholarship.

 

[sieglo]

Thomas is made of glass.

 

[RayClay]

I'm hoping "leg" doesn't mean "foot" for Thomas. Those slow healing foot injuries are nasty.

Like Rivers, though. I believe blocking his supposed to be his forte, though he looked good as a receiver.

 

[patsgo]

Since everyone except Koppen and Thomas was at practice that tells us Thomas would have to of been IR'd since they would of needed a roster spot to sign Rivers.

 

[BAM!]

Thomas is made of glass.

It is beginning to look that way isn't it? Along with Maroney.

 

[patsgo]

It is beginning to look that way isn't it? Along with Maroney.

dont forget jackson

 

[Kdo5]

That would BLOW, but it's not necessarily the case. Even if Thomas is out for a few games, they'd need to bring in a 3rd TE. O'Callaghan ain't enough.

Not really....Thomas hasn't impressed me at all besides a great TD catch against the Jags. And his game against USC. Marcellus is a suitable backup. I haven't seen a whole lot to suggest Thomas is much better.

 

[cstjohn17]

since everyone except koppen and thomas was at practice that tells us thomas would have to of been ir'd since they would of needed a roster spot to sign rivers

Thats my guess, Thomas goes back to Wendy's and then Eckel or Baker get cut to make room for Harrison.

 

[Pats726]

I'm hoping "leg" doesn't mean "foot" for Thomas. Those slow healing foot injuries are nasty.

Like Rivers, though. I believe blocking his supposed to be his forte, though he looked good as a receiver.

leg DOES mean foot...you hit the nail on the head....but however nasty..he'll have awhile to recover..