Sneaky Darrell Taylor signing to practice squad

[shmessy]

The problem, Shmessy, is that you're math is wrong.

He wasn't spending 8 months doing anything against the Houston Offensive line. . He spent, maybe 4.5 months in total doing the things you mentioned. A week in July, then August, Sept, Oct, then on the IR for 6 weeks before going to IR-DTR for the 3 full weeks before he was activated. What's really interesting is that the Texans thought so highly of him that they ruled him OUT each week on FRIDAY of weeks 16, 17, 18, and WCG. That's despite being listed as Fully Practicing on the Thursday and Friday of each of those weeks.

He's a bottom of the roster guy who was only active for 4 games prior to being IRed and saw a whopping 35 defensive snaps and 29 Special Teams snaps. Yet, you want us to believe that he has such intimate knowledge of the defense that it will mean something? On a defense that's acknowledged as being extremely basic by, pretty much, everyone..

How many snaps do you think he was getting in practice as the 6th DE on their 53 man roster? How many snaps do you think he got against Ersery and Brown? What makes you think that he can offer an insight on the Strength and Weaknesses of Trent Brown that McDaniels doesn't already know? Or on Ersery, for that matter? You don't think the Pats have watched tape of every snap that Ersery has taken at the College and Pro-level to this point? To see his progression?

Taylor got snaps competing with Autry and Horton early in camp, but fell behind them and then fell behind Barnett when Barnett came off the PUP.

You'd think that this being his 5th year and only being 28, that he'd be able to step up and beat out Autry, Horton or Barnett, but he wasn't able to do that. It should tell you a lot that he wasn't able to beat out the 35 yr old Autry.

Dabruinz, I’m not lobbying for the guy to PLAY this weekend. This is purely an HUMINT operation. (And I know, it wasn’t 8 contiguous months).

And I said nothing about the info being on Houston’s DEFENSE.

His value in this time is that maybe he CAN relay some pointers to the Pats staff about stuff they cannot get from film on the Houston OL - - down to stuff like if a guy is ticklish ) )or shies away from a particular move, or has a personality trait, etc. Can someone be goaded into a personal foul for something. It’s an another angle on intelligence gathering. If he has nothing of any importance to squeeze out of him, then toss him out. It’s a good move to at least investigate it.

It’s simply a very low risk pickup of a guy who has 2025 insight on the Houston OL personnel from a unique “camera angle” that is different than the Pats coaching staff currently have. Leave no stone unturned. Belichick was unparalleled at that kind of thing.

 

[patfanken]

Is he gonna be on the scout team to simulate Texan pressure on the left side?

He'd worth it for that reason alone. This isn't some big get or game changing acquisition. This is a guy who is a one trick pony. He can get off the ball with better than average quickness. Certainly, quicker than anyone we have on the current roster. He MIGHT be able to provide quick pressure in passing situations. That doesn't mean we expect him to get to the passer, but at least hopefully get there quick enough to speed him up for say 10 situational snaps.

He also MIGHT be able to help with some inside information on a team he's familiar with, though I doubt much will be worth much. Hell, Josh's own brother will be helping to throttle our offense.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

They have a surplus of rushers and they took Jayden Reed off IR to start ahead of Myles Bryant.

Starting anyone ahead of Myles Bryant is a solid decision, but they had 53 players to pick from. There must be something about Taylor to pick him.

 

[DaBruinz]

Dabruinz, I’m not lobbying for the guy to PLAY this weekend. This is purely an HUMINT operation. (And I know, it wasn’t 8 contiguous months).

And I said nothing about the info being on Houston’s DEFENSE.

His value in this time is that maybe he CAN relay some pointers to the Pats staff about stuff they cannot get from film on the Houston OL - - down to stuff like if a guy is ticklish ) )or shies away from a particular move, or has a personality trait, etc. Can someone be goaded into a personal foul for something. It’s an another angle on intelligence gathering. If he has nothing of any importance to squeeze out of him, then toss him out. It’s a good move to at least investigate it.

It’s simply a very low risk pickup of a guy who has 2025 insight on the Houston OL personnel from a unique “camera angle” that is different than the Pats coaching staff currently have. Leave no stone unturned. Belichick was unparalleled at that kind of thing.

You stated "Aside from his knowledge of that D," Why make that statement if you didn't believe he'd have info on the D to offer?

As for HumInt. You're reading way too many spy novels.

Not sure if you used it, but the Ravens used to have the ALL-22 posted from their games on their website. . What was cool about it, is that the Ravens actually had Cameras set up so that you could look at any play from a 360 Degree View. It was hilarious because they had this up and running after "SpyGate" and you could easily see opposing teams coaches in plain sight. Or the Ravens coaches.

I guarantee you that the Patriots Scouting Staff has in depth knowledge on Jake Andrews. I guarantee you that McDaniels knows Trent Brown's foibles better than Trent Brown does. Considering that they Patriots heavily scouted Ersery, they likely know his stuff as well.

I made two statements in my initial post. Neither of which had to do with whether or not it was a good signing in terms of the player's ability or whether he'd be elevated for the game.

I honestly believe that Taylor was added for 2 reasons. First is that Thomas Brown has first hand knowledge of him from their year together on the Bears. The Second is that the Pats had no depth at EDGE. Swinson doesn't seem to have progressed at all and the Pats had no one on the PS in the event of an injury to Landry, Chaisson, Jennings, or Ponder. The only other EDGE players the Pats had on the roster this entire year were Truman Jones (who ended the year on the Titans Roster) and Caleb Murphy (who ended the year on the Giants 53).

 

[mgteich]

Not sure about him now, but he used to be a very capable pass rusher and had the ability to drop into zones and actually do something rather than filling space.

I like this signing, if not for this week, going forward

Vrabel wanted him during free agency.

 

[PatsFan2]

Isn’t this the guy we feared Buffalo might beat us to?

 

[Betterthanmost]

Vrabel wanted him during free agency.

How do you know this?

 

[Wozzy]

You realize barring injury this guy has no chance of playing… right?

4 pages about a practice squad player who probably gets cut after this week is a bit excessive.

 

[dliverey44]

Vrabel wanted him during free agency.

I read that, I think he would have been instead of Chaisson. Hopefully he can be a Landry long term replacement.

 

[mike_usagisan]

I read that, I think he would have been instead of Chaisson. Hopefully he can be a Landry long term replacement.

Or just a solid depth piece that allows those other guys to take a breather.

 

[dliverey44]

Or just a solid depth piece that allows those other guys to take a breather.

I agree for the rest of this year, but am hoping that Chaisson is resigned and Taylor is also kept for next year. We need as many good/decent pass rushers as we can get, so when players are rotated in we do not lose that much as far as ability to get to the QB

 

[Patsfan1645]

Watching the highlight video he is fairly explosive, high motor and tracks running backs nicely. I consider who the Patriots currently have playing on the edge and I do see him getting elevated and getting some situational reps on Sunday. Would love nothing more than to see a guy the Texans let go make a big time play. You know he will have a chip on his shoulder on Sunday.

 

[PatsFan2]

You realize barring injury this guy has no chance of playing… right?

4 pages about a practice squad player who probably gets cut after this week is a bit excessive.

The Guy is a former Second Rounder: Stranger things have happened Wozzy.

 

[PatsFan2]

Watching the highlight video he is fairly explosive, high motor and tracks running backs nicely. I consider who the Patriots currently have playing on the edge and I do see him getting elevated and getting some situational reps on Sunday. Would love nothing more than to see a guy the Texans let go make a big time play. You know he will have a chip on his shoulder on Sunday.

I can't believe they moved on: this Guy looks the Part to me. Plus that Taylor name is synonymous with Pass Rushers.

 

[PatsFan2]

I agree for the rest of this year, but am hoping that Chaisson is resigned and Taylor is also kept for next year. We need as many good/decent pass rushers as we can get, so when players are rotated in we do not lose that much as far as ability to get to the QB

Taylor or Tonga??

 

[Patsfan1645]

I can't believe they moved on: this Guy looks the Part to me. Plus that Taylor name that synonymous with Pass Rushers.

This years Pats have a lot of other teams cast offs, and will be given a chance to shine, he should fit in nicely.

 

[n1997y]

Taylor or Tonga??

Yes.

 

[n1997y]

The Guy is a former Second Rounder: Stranger things have happened Wozzy.

Not very strange. Seems almost inevitable, the narratives write themselves.

Chef’s kiss will be after he makes the big play he headbutts Vrabes and breaks his nose. Vrabel will cream his jeans if that happens!

 

[Patsfan1645]

The Guy is a former Second Rounder: Stranger things have happened Wozzy.

He probably wouldn't have played under BB, but this is Vrabel's team and I'm betting he does get in the game.

I mean if your willing to let Chism throw the ball to Drake then surely this guy can get on the field.

 

[Patsfan1645]

Not very strange. Seems almost inevitable, the narratives write themselves.

Chef’s kiss will be after he makes the big play he headbutts Vrabes and breaks his nose. Vrabel will cream his jeans if that happens!

Sorry @PatsFan2 ...I figured I would go ahead and add this for you