Waters' Locker Cleaned Out (Update: Reports Nameplate Taken Down)

[Patriot Missile]

If the report is true, BB needs an asskicking. To lose Waters over this would be monumentally stupid, even for a team that is perfectly capable of doing stupid things in the interest of the salary cap, team salary structure and saving a buck.
I will
It's so stupid, in fact, that I'm not buying the story. Consider it a defense mechanism, if you will.

You're right. No way. In fact if it is true and 1 Homer comes in here claiming in bb we trust I'm going to have a conniption. I imagine they would use terms like bb knows best, waters was old in the tooth, let the jets have him, he wasn't ready to play because he missed tc. Typical.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

I refuse to believe that story. After the season he's had there's no way you ask him to take a pay cut. Unless there is more to the story like the guy just became a complete dbag and/or distraction behind the scenes which I doubt. No way that guy isn't worth his contract and then some.

 

[ATippett56]

Watching Felger and Mazz.

Felger .... loves to stir the pot.

As for the rumor, if true Borges would be all over it in a heartbeat.

 

[Sicilian]

So, still no one has answered the question: If they wanted him to take a pay cut and he refused, why didn't he show up to camp? Then they have to pay him, or cut him, it's that simple.

More likely, he didn't show up to camp because he wasn't sure he wanted to play or he wanted a pay RAISE. Nothing else fits these facts.

 

[Rob0729]

On its face, it looks like a stupid decision. If Bedard is right and the Pats would not get the veteran minimum discount as suggested and only save $400-500k, Belichick is either being stupid or the report is bogus.

 

[pazrul72]

Between Mankin's knee and Vollmer's back, I'm not sure that Scarnecchia can play witch doctor, as well.

true enough which is why the miracle I do believe he can perform is taking some unknown guy and having him perform at an acceptable level... which is we never hear his name. The coach I have the most faith in, after the hooded one of course, is Scar

 

[MoLewisrocks]

So, still no one has answered the question: If they wanted him to take a pay cut and he refused, why didn't he show up to camp? Then they have to pay him, or cut him, it's that simple.

More likely, he didn't show up to camp because he wasn't sure he wanted to play or he wanted a pay RAISE. Nothing else fits these facts.

No they don't. It's not that simple. They wouldn't have had to cut him until September 4th... If he came in to camp after they told him they wanted him to take a pay cut they could string him along until then before cutting him. Actually they could string him along until Saturday and still cut him and only owe him for a week. All players get paid in the off season is any workout bonus in their contract and a per diem during OTA's and camp. Of course he could fake an injury or attempt to, but maybe he's not that kind of guy.

Another plausible scenario is they told him they wanted him to take a paycut. He said are you insane? They said nope, so don't show up unless you are prepared to and we won't fine you in the interim. The pre season should have changed their mind, but perhaps it didn't...

 

[Kontradiction]

IF the reports are true, big mistake by the front office.

 

[TheBeers]

Add me to the list of people calling bullpoop on 98.5. It makes ZERO sense.. and who at that station has legit access or at least a solid connection inside the organization that would get this info? We have been left guessing Waters situation for weeks using his locker status/condition/location as a guide since neither he nor the team will say a word to anyone about his status.

IMO his number is gone, his name plate is gone... He is gone. The only way we are going to hear something concrete about him is if -
A. He files retirement papers
2. He gets traded
C. He shows up (not happening)
D. Or if someone from his agent/family/friends leaks something to the media

 

[signbabybrady]

So, still no one has answered the question: If they wanted him to take a pay cut and he refused, why didn't he show up to camp? Then they have to pay him, or cut him, it's that simple.

More likely, he didn't show up to camp because he wasn't sure he wanted to play or he wanted a pay RAISE. Nothing else fits these facts.

Very little in any of the reports and very little in the way this holdout/negotiation/Vet treatment/retirment whatever you want call it makes any sense.

Retirement - Just announce it why wait
Negotiation - pay cut doesnt make sense as others have pointed out why not just report - Pay raise makes some sense - but negotiations in general seem strange days before the season where was the negotiating months ago and why have we not heard about it?
Vet Treatment - This was the prevailing thought until he didnt show. One the few remaining almost logical thoughts would be a la SEAU he might not want to even play a full season.


To me the only logical explanation is either he wants to play but not a full 16 or he wants more money and somehow some way there were no leaks of the negotiations.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

see ya waters

 

[Sicilian]

No they don't. It's not that simple. They wouldn't have had to cut him until September 4th... If he came in to camp after they told him they wanted him to take a pay cut they could string him along until then before cutting him. Actually they could string him along until Saturday and still cut him and only owe him for a week. All players get paid in the off season is any workout bonus in their contract and a per diem during OTA's and camp. Of course he could fake an injury or attempt to, but maybe he's not that kind of guy.

Another plausible scenario is they told him they wanted him to take a paycut. He said are you insane? They said nope, so don't show up unless you are prepared to and we won't fine you in the interim. The pre season should have changed their mind, but perhaps it didn't...

Ok, so he holds out of camp, then shows up week 1 where he would be owed his $1.4 million. At which point they either pay it, or cut him. I've just never heard of a holdout situation where the player was willing to work for his contract yet refused to show. It doesn't pass the smell test to me. I think he's been contemplating retirement while spending time with his family, still isn't sure, and the Patriots have now said, "Well, we're moving on, good luck."

If you're looking for a way to sneak this report in, perhaps now that a deadline has passed (regular season has started) and he still hasn't made up his mind, they're now saying, "Well now if you want to come back you need to take a pay cut, because we've already made plans without you." I still don't buy it, but is that unreasonable of a team if the player is giving you no committed decision and week 1 is about to kickoff?

 

[PATRIOTSFANINPA]

Between Mankins' knee and Vollmer's back, I'm not sure that Scarnecchia can play witch doctor, as well.

Cross your fingers that Solder's concussion as he sustained last season isn't a reoccurrence either....sometimes when a player gets one,it occurs often.

 

[Run DMC]

Even if it turns out he wanted a little more money, obviously he's worth it. This line looks awful and we must protect the golden boy. Petty and foolish. :bricks:

 

[BananaRepublican]

Watching Fleger

Who has an annoying habit of speaking AS IF his latest impassioned theory is fact.

Felger is a ratings bonanza because he leverages his inflammatory theories into impassioned discussion. It's like he's a pied piper. He speaks and everybody follows blindly.

 

[Danger Zone]

You're right. No way. In fact if it is true and 1 Homer comes in here claiming in bb we trust I'm going to have a conniption. I imagine they would use terms like bb knows best, waters was old in the tooth, let the jets have him, he wasn't ready to play because he missed tc. Typical.

Typical of what? The stupid things noone had said yet?

10 pages in and the closest weve come is that is the idea of us losing Waters because we are demanding he take a 500k paycut is so inherently stupid we dont believe it

Evidence clearly show the "typical" is everyone wanting to see Waters back..

 

[aluminum seats]

Most of the time the lack of info from the Pats is just fine with me--and it is here too, really, because distractions don't help anything.

But damn, I wish I knew what the deal is here.

 

[Danger Zone]

Double post. What I get for trying to post from a mobile

 

[Joker]

It's like he's a pied piper. He speaks and everybody follows blindly.

uh...I'd call him the "fried piper"....:lol2:

 

[goheels22002]

What I find curious and perhaps unconscionable, is that NEITHER side has the courtesy to tell the anxious public WTF is going on. Its the nothingness that ticks me off. It just seems so unnecessary to leave us with nothing but baseless speculation. What's the harm in letting us know?

There are excellent medications for anxiety on the market today - many quite effective in assisting in overcoming withdrawal from chemical or other dependencies. The Patriots should just tell us what the hell is going on with Brian Waters, or they couls set up a stand outside the Segway Experience at Patriot Place and hand out pills and rides on the Segways so we know whether Waters is coming or going.