Vince Redd released; Rob Ninkovich signed

Rob has not played in 2 years. Seems like a weird pick up. They need to trace a pick for an OLB. They are way too thin.

Jamar was shown no love a couple of days ago when he was released. Why the change of mind?
I am a little surprised that Vince Redd got released so early in the camp. Does Ninkovitch really hold any promise? He had several knee injuries and had missed long stretch of playing time.

At Purdue, he didn't start until his senior year but was considered a play maker, whether by sack, tackle for loss or defending the pass. He was a defensive end and projected as someone who could transition to OLB in the pros. Yes, he has had injuries. Interesting is that he's also a long snapper. Now wouldn't that be something. If he can play OLB and snap, that would free up a spot on the roster.

A lot of these "low-end roster" moves (where there may be only slight difference between players) appear to me to be more intended to tighten up special teams and enhance versatility than to look for guys who might play a lot from scrimmage. For instance, Spann might have been brought back instead of Jamar Love had Spann still been available. Since it seems unlikely that Redd will get snagged by another team right away, it may be that the Pats try out Ninkovich for a couple days, then cut him and bring Redd back. At this level, we're talking about guys who are iffy for making the 53-man roster, but might make the practice squad if they have eligibility left. We shouldn't be expecting diamonds in the rough here.

Redd cut - - - there goes my sleeper pick to replace Vrabel. What do you think the Pats over/under will be on players cut, then resigned, then cut again? I say 50 before opening day. I predict that TBC will get cut next week, then he will get picked up by Denver, waived by Denver on the final cut, and resigned by the Pats in week two. Oh I forgot...before you all run to your 2006 draft books Ninkovich will be gone by Thursday.

I'm guessing that the Pats are seeking a trade with someone, perhaps Oakland for Burgess. It makes no sense to cut Redd this early given their weakness at OLB. Something has to be brewin' in Foxborough. Ninkovitch is a stopgap until they find the guy they want for opening day. And I think Burgess is that guy.

MaineMan ~ #4 >

"A lot of these "low-end roster" moves (where there may be only slight difference between players) appear to me to be more intended to tighten up special teams and enhance versatility than to look for guys who might play a lot from scrimmage. For instance, Spann might have been brought back instead of Jamar Love had Spann still been available. Since it seems unlikely that Redd will get snagged by another team right away, it may be that the Pats try out Ninkovich for a couple days, then cut him and bring Redd back. At this level, we're talking about guys who are iffy for making the 53-man roster, but might make the practice squad if they have eligibility left. We shouldn't be expecting diamonds in the rough here."

Ahhh...Rich, insightful analysis, as always, Maine Man.

A particularly poignant point is the comment on "Diamonds in the Rough". I would've given Redd precisely that moniker, but the chances of that coming true are suddenly drastically reduced, even in my eyes, as he certainly wouldn't've got cut, if Coach Bill saw him thus.

I was barely acknowledging Hyphen in my analysis ~ and thought he might very well get cut, at some point ~ but that obviously bumps him, in my view. Now at OLB, we project to go with Thomas, Crable, Woods, and Hyphen. And of course I have my not-so-secret hope that Colvin ~ and you can now add Redd ~ will stay within our Orbit.

But we're hardly "thin" at OLB. Inexperienced, yes, but so was Coach Sparano in Miami, one year ago.

Burgess? Eh. I suppose...But I really hope we don't TRADE for him.

He's about 30. Vets who try to learn new systems are at LEAST as risky as young guys who've had previous time invested in learning it.

He IS a D Lineman, after all. The fact that he's been playing that position for YEARS increases his chances of failure DRAMATICALLY.

His salary is bloated: $3.5 Million. The practical result of squeezing him under our Cap would be that ~ a point I know I've been hammering! ~ our Depth of Talent would likely be damaged: Being forced to cut talented and effective Role Players and replace them with Scrubs. That's the sort of thing that makes the difference between Contenders...and Champions. If you doubt me, just look at the RedSkins, who've gone absolutely nowhere for the last 15 years, because Snyder keeps stuffing his top 20 spots with bloated salaries...forcing him to fill out the bottom 20 spots with SCRUBS.

To all you geniuses who're screaming and squealing that Coach Bill needs to mortgage the future and pay the Ransom of a 2nd Rounder ~ or worse! ~ for this clown...There's a VERY good chance that the Raiders CUT him! Hello??? He's been DEMOTED. You want to give up a 2nd Rounder ~ or more!! ~ and lose a key Role Player or 3 ~ AND pay $3.5 Mill to a guy who we may very well get at the Vet Minimum WITHOUT mortgaging the future, and WITHOUT dropping a key Role Player or 3???

All you Einsteins who're worked up in a frothing lather about Burgess are getting hot and bothered about a guy who isn't considered even good enough to START...for the RAIDERS.

I'll say again, as I've said all along: Roosevelt Colvin would be a VAST improvement over Burgess. And he wouldn't cost a THING.

The smartest thing Coach Bill could do right now...is NOTHING.

Lol, as much as I would like to disagree with him, Fanatical Yankee is pretty much right on. Leave it alone for now, especially if Crable is in the mix. Man, I hope so.
I got a bad Monty Beisel flashback when I looked into Ninkovich. He's really more of an undersized d-end, and I think we would be better served with a true OLB. Someone a little more rangy and quick, like, well, Shawn Crable! Get well SOON! What is everyones take on Eric Alexander? He seems like sort of a question mark like Woods. I just haven't seen enough to sell me on either of them.