New England Patriots PreSeason Watch - Quarterbacks - Updated 9/4/2009

by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 10, 2009 6:07 PM EDT

MaPatsFan and Marima have both suggested that I update my Pre - Training Camp position battle posts. Here goes.

The Quarterbacks:

NUMBER	NAME	POSITION	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	DOB	YEAR
12	Tom Brady	QB	6-4	225	8/3/1977	10
5	~~Kevin O'Connell~~ WAIVED	QB	6-5	225	5/25/1985	2
7	~~Matt Gutierrez~~ WAIVED	QB	6-4	230	6/9/1984	3
8	Brian Hoyer	QB	6-2	215	10/13/1985	R
16	~~Andrew Walter~~ CUT	QB	6-6	230	5/11/1982	R

Before Training Camp, I was solid on Tom Brady as #1 and Kevin O'Connell as #2. I believed the positional battle was for the #3 slot. Then Matt Gutierrez started spending his days in Kansas City, and Andrew Walter became the next participant in the Adopt a Raider program. Now, I'm only sure of Brady as #1.

Andrew Walter was in a bad situation with the Raiders (not that being with the Raiders in and of itself isn't a bad situation), and he has been given a new opportunity with a functional team. The questions is, why did we get him?

Is he an upgrade over Matt Gutierrez? Probably. Brian Hoyer? Sure. Kevin O'Connell? Hmmm....

Now, Kevin O'Connell has to his credit, 1 year in the Pats system. Some tutelage by Brady, Cassel, and the coaching staff. A few more reps with the receivers. Zero starts. And 6, count 'em 6, NFL pass attempts.

Andrew Walter has 333 pass attempts in 15 games. While his performance wasn't stellar, it is still genuine NFL reps. A 5550% increase in pass experience over Kevin. Some of that was with previous Adopt a Raider participant, Randy Moss, as his receiver. Since Andrew joined, he is getting more Training Camp reps than Kevin. Is that just to speed him along, or is that a picture of the future?

As we move into the preseason games, keep note of who plays when, how often, and how well. Does Andrew come in after Brady and before Kevin? Does Andrew get 4 series to Kevin's 2? Does one of them stand out?

At best, I think Brian is the fourth option, and probably a lock for the practice squad.

Your comments are appreciated.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> UPDATE <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

8-30-2009 - The Patriots have waived Kevin O'Connell. More surprises likely to come.

9-4-2009 - The Patriots have cut Andrew Walter. Is Edelman our 3rd QB, or is a FA move in the making?

The views expressed in these FanPosts are not necessarily those of the writers or SBNation.

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Comments

The upgrade over MG is game playing time

by Patsfan4life on Aug 10, 2009 5:49 PM EDT reply actions

FP'd and slightly editted

SMP, I modified the title a bit (appending New England Patriots) so this story would get picked up by search engines. Spot on ya, mate.

Blogger at SBNation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit

by MaPatsFan on Aug 10, 2009 6:08 PM EDT reply actions

Prepending, that is.

Blogger at SBNation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit

by MaPatsFan on Aug 10, 2009 6:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Brian Hoyer

Once again living in MI i have seen Brian Hoyer play quite a bit in college. He is garbage. He will not make the team!

It may be now..it may be later...later aint gonna be no use! We gotta go in right now!Clean their clocks!

by Yardpenalty.com on Aug 11, 2009 1:42 AM EDT reply actions

Drew Stanton

Oh yea he was once the backup to Drew Stanton. Where is Drew Stanton? One step away from being unemployed in the NFL. Oh hes on the LIONS !!!!!!!!

It may be now..it may be later...later aint gonna be no use! We gotta go in right now!Clean their clocks!

by Yardpenalty.com on Aug 11, 2009 1:43 AM EDT reply actions

What does Walther for Guiterrez mean?

Not much has changed in the Pats’ qb-situation, but I think two conclusions can be drawn from the swap:

1) Guiterrez has peaked. He was brought in as a developmental player and has done ok. However, the coaching staff no longer sees much potential in him, so they start working on a new project – Hoyer.

2) O’Connell is not quite ready. I don’t think bringing in Walther is an indictment on O’Connell, but if he had truly been ready to be a backup in the Cassel mode (knows the system, doing well enough in practice to be trusted by Belichick) I just don’t see the reason for adding Walther to the mix. O’Connell might very well be the no 2 on gamedays to give him some reps in mop-up duties, but I think this shows pretty clearly that he was not considered ready if the unthinkable should happen.

by hythlodaeus on Aug 11, 2009 8:28 AM EDT reply actions

Gutierrez didn't surprise me a bit.

He couldn’t win the #2 spot from Cassel in 2007, he couldn’t win the #3 spot from O’Connell in 2008. He was at best a 3rd stringer here.

I think you are dead on that this shows O’Connell isn’t ready yet. If the Pat’s hang on to a 3rd stringer, he’s a WIP (work in progress). Getting the vet means they wants someone who can manage on game day if need be. Although it would be nice if Kevin could still get some practice.

The real repercussion comes on game day. If O’Connell is the 46th man, the emergency quarterback, then he can only get reps in the 4th quarter. If he comes on the field sooner, no other quarterback in the lineup can return to the field. If O’Connell is part of the 45 man team, no restriction applies.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 11, 2009 11:03 AM EDT up reply actions

its walter...

not “walther” what the hell are you thinking

by fowler8196 on Aug 12, 2009 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions

But they said if O'Connell had more time in system hed of started when TB went down

by Patsfan4life on Aug 11, 2009 3:32 PM EDT reply actions

Kevin O'Connell

is my favorite of the patriots backups. i believe he is the future of the franchise after the sad sad day that TB move on to retirement. He has such raw talent… 1) a rocket for an arm. 2) incredible mobility. 3) leadership (4 year starter in college). These are traits/skills that you simply cannot teach and once he learns the system behind brady like cassel did… hes got potential to be great… BB wouldnt have taken him in the third round if he didnt agree with me. thoughts?

by fowler8196 on Aug 12, 2009 1:53 PM EDT reply actions

BB didnt agree with you he had his own reasons

by Patsfan4life on Aug 12, 2009 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

when brady retiers, how old will o'connel be?

by patriotguy on Aug 12, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Kevin O'Connell is the long term #2

If Walter is number 2 this year, it is because Belichick feels O’Connell isn’t quite ready. You look for the backup to win (manage) 2 games for you, if O’Connell isn’t the backup, Bill is saying he comfortable with him doing that.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 13, 2009 10:24 AM EDT reply actions

good point

O’Connell is still “Mr. Right”, even if Walter ends up as “Mr. Right Now” for 2009.

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Aug 13, 2009 10:54 AM EDT up reply actions

Great way of phrasing it.

The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.

by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 13, 2009 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

I'va always liked Walter

He’s going to be a beast of a second option in NE. I think he could be a serviceable #1 with solid options at WR.

Time is a great teacher... unfortunately it kills all it's pupils.

by 808NaNz808 on Aug 13, 2009 8:57 PM EDT reply actions

such a strong arm

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Aug 13, 2009 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Walter

may be somebody the Pats had on their radar going back to their draft board. Sometimes that grab a guy who has flopped that they were interested in to see what he can do under their watchful eye.

Warm up the Duck Boats!!!

by BabeParilli on Aug 14, 2009 1:10 PM EDT reply actions