Which unestablished players did BB wrongly let get away?

[patfanken]

So after 2 pages we can safely come to the conclusion that VERY few players BB has let go, have ever gone on to great things elswhere

BTW- wasn't there a TE (Thomas) who had some success in NO in their superbowl year? But the point is that there are very few who were let go by the Pats and had the kind of success Welker, Ninko, Connolly, Woodhead, or even Ihedigbu have had coming here. (just to mention 5 off the top of my head)

 

[JoeSixPat]

Phil Dawson comes to mind, but of course we had Vinatieri when we let him move on...

The reality is the roster is only so big and Belichick's bread and butter is bringing in guys who desire the chance to excel. Holding players hostage for too long when they could start elsewhere is counter productive to attracting more of those players in the future.

That means that, yes, some will "get away" but in the end as long as we have a strong team each season, who cares?

 

[Spiral]

It also says something about the talent level of this roster. Every year, at cut-down time, there's usually the feeling that many of the Patriots' final roster cuts will end up making it onto someone else's roster and being productive NFL players. Not so much, in fact.

 

[brdmaverick]

Let's just say the Pats and Bill are doing a damn good job when Robbie Gould headlines this discussion.

 

[brdmaverick]

BTW- wasn't there a TE (Thomas) who had some success in NO in their superbowl year? But the point is that there are very few who were let go by the Pats and had the kind of success Welker, Ninko, Connolly, Woodhead, or even Ihedigbu have had coming here. (just to mention 5 off the top of my head)

and one of the greatest in that category, Mike Vrabel


Antowain Smith wasn't too shabby either during those Super Bowl years.

Your list is good though, especially off the top of your head.

 

[DW Toys]

Tough to answer, because "blossom" is so vague. O'Callaghan, for example, became a starter for the Chiefs, but couldn't stay healthy.

It's really a matter of definitions here, IMO.

I don't know if they can be called "got away" but:

Wasn't Hochstein serviceable in Denver? I would say he wasn't established here and in and out of the lineup.

Eugene Wilson started for the Saints and Texans for some years. He played for us only a couple years and had injuries. He was not what I call established. Would have helped us last season.

David Thomas has played very well for the Saints including gaining a SB ring. He might have worked well with Gronk and Hernandez.

There was also a OLB who we had that was ok here and went to the Jets and started but I cannot remember his name.

How about un-established Head Coaches that got away? Weis and Rac!!!
DW Toys

P.S. There was that fiasco with the Vikes about the TE from Tulsa who was back with us on the PS last season. Garrett Mills.

 

[olschool]

Greg Spires ? Mewelde Moore ?

Wasn't there a wide receiver that went to Green Bay, Minnesota or Detroit and did some things ?

 

[IllegalContact]

connor barwin and brooks reed

 

[Fencer]

Greg Spires ?

I've forgotten how old and established Spires was or wasn't, but I'm guessing you're right to include him.

 

[BradyBranch39]

To me, the obvious name is Ted Larsen.

Ahh yes, that's the guy I was trying to think of. Can never remember his name.

 

[PatsDeb]

None. We've done fine with who we have on any given roster.

 

[Spiral]

So after 2 pages we can safely come to the conclusion that VERY few players BB has let go, have ever gone on to great things elswhere

BTW- wasn't there a TE (Thomas) who had some success in NO in their superbowl year? But the point is that there are very few who were let go by the Pats and had the kind of success Welker, Ninko, Connolly, Woodhead, or even Ihedigbu have had coming here. (just to mention 5 off the top of my head)

Conversely, the list of established players that BB wrongly brought in is long and indistinguished. Some hits, but a lot of misses.

 

[Why?PJ]

It also says something about the talent level of this roster. Every year, at cut-down time, there's usually the feeling that many of the Patriots' final roster cuts will end up making it onto someone else's roster and being productive NFL players. Not so much, in fact.

now that is simply not true. There are many former Patriots across the NFL. Just not many that no one knew about before they came to the Pats. In general if no one knows who they are there is a reason.

But it seems like every cb/safety we have ever cut is still playing in the NFL somewhere.