Patriots 2nd round pick only last year heading for free agency?

[BILLSROCK1212]

Patriots | C. Jackson unlikely to make team's final roster
Sun, 26 Aug 2007 21:17:17 -0700

Robert Lee, of the Providence Journal, reports New England Patriots WR Chad Jackson (knee) is a long shot to make the team.

How do you draft a guy in the second round and release him a year later? Is he that bad or do the Patriots just have too many talented WRs?

[Ebenezer]

Re: Patriots 2nd round pick only last year heading for free agency?

Most teams keep five WRs

Moss
Stallworth
Welker
Caldwell
Gaffney
Washington

yeah...they're that deep...the only place that team is weak is at back up QB

[PECKERWOOD]

Re: Patriots 2nd round pick only last year heading for free agency?

Bring him in if he is released.

[DraftBoy]

Re: Patriots 2nd round pick only last year heading for free agency?

Not sure on his health but if this guy is cut, we need to pick him up

[Michael82]

Re: Patriots 2nd round pick only last year heading for free agency?

If he's cut, I want him here. He's a pretty good player if he can get healthy. And has a ton of potential!

[Night Train]

Re: Patriots 2nd round pick only last year heading for free agency?

If he's on the bubble this soon, the Patriots know he was a giant mistake.

[don137]

Re: Patriots 2nd round pick only last year heading for free agency?

Is it just me or is anyone else wondering about Moss getting cut. I can't remember if he has a signing bonus but if it is it is very little so their is little to no cap hit. He hasn't practiced almost the entire training camp and they are deep. Many feels his skills have diminished. I could see him being a surprise cut.

[BleedinGreenNC]

Re: Patriots 2nd round pick only last year heading for free agency?

Most teams keep five WRs

Moss
Stallworth
Welker
Caldwell
Gaffney
Washington

yeah...they're that deep...the only place that team is weak is at back up QB

Could you imagine what would happen to the Pat's if Brady went down?? Not wishing injury on him, but they would be in serious trouble.

[THE END OF ALL DAYS]

Re: Patriots 2nd round pick only last year heading for free agency?

Is it just me or is anyone else wondering about Moss getting cut. I can't remember if he has a signing bonus but if it is it is very little so their is little to no cap hit. He hasn't practiced almost the entire training camp and they are deep. Many feels his skills have diminished. I could see him being a surprise cut.

Don, I've not heard any rumors to this effect... I'd fall off my chair if it did happen... are you just spectulating or have you heard something?

[don137]

Re: Patriots 2nd round pick only last year heading for free agency?

Don, I've not heard any rumors to this effect... I'd fall off my chair if it did happen... are you just spectulating or have you heard something?

100% speculation...but lets face it the Patriots are the type of team to do such a move. It does make sense since he has not practiced so he has no chemistry with the offense, they are deep at the position and no real hit to the salary cap. He could cause more harm to the team because he could be in and out of the lineup with injuries all year. He is in his 30's.

[hydro]

Re: Patriots 2nd round pick only last year heading for free agency?

I would love to get a player that the Pats threw to the curb, and have him come here and tear it up. You know he would have extra motivation for the Pats games.

[Mr. Miyagi]

Re: Patriots 2nd round pick only last year heading for free agency?

I would love to get a player that the Pats threw to the curb, and have him come here and tear it up. You know he would have extra motivation for the Pats games.

History hasn't been kind to us in that regard.

[Ickybaluky]

Re: Patriots 2nd round pick only last year heading for free agency?

Is it just me or is anyone else wondering about Moss getting cut. I can't remember if he has a signing bonus but if it is it is very little so their is little to no cap hit. He hasn't practiced almost the entire training camp and they are deep. Many feels his skills have diminished. I could see him being a surprise cut.

Trust me on this: Moss will not be cut. He may even get a little playing time against the Giants this week, as he is back practicing today (as is Asante' Samuel, who signed his tender and showed for the 8 AM meeting this morning).

In fact, the Patriots have been very pleased with Moss, despite his pulling his hamstring. He has been here all offseason showing the work ethic they want and fitting in well. In camp he pulled his hammy and they have been protecting him by bringing him back slowly because they don't want it nagging him.

But injuries, like his current hamstring issue, are a concern with Moss, who is getting older. It is likely he will miss some time this year. However, early in camp he was electric, showing the ability that makes teams fear him. He has the most natural hands I've ever seen in person, and he still has the ability to get deep and stretch the field.

If Moss fails, it will be due to injury. The Pats are very pleased him him and won't be cutting him.

[TheGhostofJimKelly]

Re: Patriots 2nd round pick only last year heading for free agency?

There are so many receivers from Florida that just don't cut it in the NFL, not saying Jackson is a bust, but Florida players definitely benefit from the system.

[Ickybaluky]

Re: Patriots 2nd round pick only last year heading for free agency?

Robert Lee, of the Providence Journal, reports New England Patriots WR Chad Jackson (knee) is a long shot to make the team.

How do you draft a guy in the second round and release him a year later? Is he that bad or do the Patriots just have too many talented WRs?

Though this isn't beyond the realm of possibility, I'd be surprised if they cut Chad Jackson. He is recovering from knee surgery (he hurt in in last year's AFC Championship) and has been on the Active PUP all of camp. It would be natural for him to start the season on the PUP and miss at least the season's first 6 weeks. Troy Brown is in a similar situation, and will probably start the season on the PUP.

The Pats do have some difficult decisions to make at WR, and likely will release (or trade) a good player. If I had to guess right now, I'd say it was Reche Caldwell. Though he played well for them last year, he will be a 5th/6th WR this year and doesn't make a big contribution on ST. He has been outplayed (IMO) by Jabar Gaffney, who I think will be kept over him.

I think the Pats WR Corps looks like this (I think they keep 5):

Randy Moss
Donte' Stallworth
Wes Welker
Jabar Gaffney
Kelley Washington

PUP: Chad Jackson
PUP: Troy Brown

That leaves Caldwell as the odd man out. I think Washingon makes it over him because he plays on a lot of the ST units.

Another guy who may get cut who I'll be sad to go is TE Garrett Mills. Mills is an H-back type who has great hands and has flashed at times in the last couple preseasons. However, he has struggled with injuries and may have come back too late to make it in this camp. Some team will pick him up, and he has a chance to help them.

BTW, If Jackson or Mills are cut they are subject to the waiver system and won't be in free agency unless they clear waivers.