Pats Pulpit: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Around SBN: The Record of Wrongs: Vanderbilt Commodores

Backup QB Kevin O'Connell waived by New England Patriots

New England Patriots backup quarterback Kevin O'Connell drops back to pass during football practice at the team's training facility in Foxborough, Mass., Wednesday morning, May 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

More photos » Stephan Savoia - AP

8 months ago: New England Patriots backup quarterback Kevin O'Connell drops back to pass during football practice at the team's training facility in Foxborough, Mass., Wednesday morning, May 20, 2009. (AP Photo/Stephan Savoia)

In what I can only  term a surprise move, the Patriots have waived backup QB Kevin O'Connell.  My first thought was, "Huh?  Has Belichick had a sudden breakdown?"  Normally I'm all for "In Belichick We Trust" and fully realize he's smarter than me when it comes to this stuff.  But after Brady's right shoulder was drilled into the ground by Albert Haynesworth (a perfectly legal tackle, btw), I'm left a bit confused as to the decision making process of the Patriots' FO.

This leaves Andrew Walter and rookie Brian Hoyer to round out the QB spot.  Yes, Julian Edelman has played QB in college (along with every other position it seems), but I'm not sure we'd see Julian under center.  O'Connell struggled against Washington, but I didn't think he was that bad.  This would appear to open the door to two possibilities: there's confidence in Andrew Walter OR the Patriots are going after a veteran QB to take the backup spot.

The Patriots organization is not stupid; there is most definitely something in play here.  They are not simply waiving O'Connell without a plan.  If it's a veteran, who might it be?  Where does O'Connell end up?  Maybe KC?  Maybe Denver?  More to come on this one...

Props to shoein and bforce3 for their heads up report and links.

0 recs  |  Comment 17 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

Yeah there after some1

now is he gone for good or what
pratice squad maybe if he can

by Patsfan4life on Aug 30, 2009 6:31 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Makes me wonder

If the Patriots are content with keeping Walter as the #2, Hoyer on the practice squad, and using that last roster spot to keep a player they believe wouldn’t make it through waivers?

by NESilver on Aug 30, 2009 6:41 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

He'd have to survive waivers...

and even after bad preseason form, he’s still an ex-Pats QB and a third-round draft pick. Unlikely nobody would want him, even if he’s only picked up by the Jets or the ’Phins or the Bills to spill his guts about the NE playbook.

by Comedic.Sans on Aug 30, 2009 6:42 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

dont like what it says about brady if we need a better backup qb…
the only way i like this move is if we waived him because he wasnt very good.

by bforce3 on Aug 30, 2009 7:04 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Taken from the other board... RE: Brady.

What I’m worried about is that this is sign Brady is injured badly, and the Pats are seeking another team’s backup to be a starter here – whoever loses out at the Browns or one of the Bucs or a play at AJ Feeley.

What I’m hoping for is that they’re convinced Walter is a solid #2 QB and that Edelman is an option to replace O’Connel’s wheels.

Maybe keep an eye on the Browns or Bucs or Eagles boards for news about their QBs for any trade information?

by Comedic.Sans on Aug 30, 2009 7:25 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

it makes my stomach sick to think about brady being injured … again.
though this move would be in contrast to BB’s move last year where he decided not to go with a veteran and kept cassel.

by bforce3 on Aug 30, 2009 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cassel

Depends how you view the move to get Andre Walter. Walter was not only a vet, but a starter on another team, which suggests he didn’t consider O’Connel quite starting calibre yet. But if it were, say, a choice between AJ Feeley and Andrew Walter starting, well, I know who carved up the Pats secondary, and it wasn’t Walter.

by Comedic.Sans on Aug 30, 2009 7:54 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

I was impressed with Feeley

In our 1st preseason game. That would be huge in my opinion.

by ba-shiznit on Aug 30, 2009 10:35 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Cf. Welker

I had no idea about that Licht guy’s connection to the Eagles, I just know Belichick has a penchant for going out and getting opposition guys who’ve torched his gameplan – Wes Welker comes to mind. Feeley just happens to be a guy who strikes me as being starter-worthy, but behind one of the premier QBs around, and now perhaps below another certain freak-of-nature QB who I’m sure Andy Reid would want to get on the field.

by Comedic.Sans on Aug 31, 2009 12:09 AM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

That's bad and good ...

Love Bruschi, but he was struggling this preseason. Makes room for one of the younger guys trying to make the team. I like the virtual Vrable replica in Nincovich, he’s been reasonably productive this preseason. Paris Lenon, not completely sure about him yet, but could be a keeper for the season. I’ll miss Tedy though. What a great Patriot he’s been. Top notch, all the way, Fare well Tedy !!!

by ba-shiznit on Aug 30, 2009 10:30 PM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Brady is fine.

O’Connell just sucks.

Warm up the Duck Boats!!!

by BabeParilli on Aug 31, 2009 12:06 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

A New England Patriots Blog

Media requests: Please email patspulpit at gmail.com

Start posting about the Patriots »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Comcast NFL RedZone Moments from SB Nation

Music City Miracles
Tennessee Titans Red Zone Report
Bleeding Green Nation
Comcast NFL Red Zone stat of the week - Something doesn't have to give
Niners Nation
49ers Red Zone numbers: How effective are they?

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Smpavatar_small
Caption Contest

Recent FanPosts

Patriotsthrowbacklogo_small
Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning: Who's the Best? - Part V
August_2008_175_small
10 Super Bowl Observations
August_2008_175_small
Parcels or Belichick?
Small
I've been looking for potential RBs in the second round.....
Bill_belichick-vader_mask_small
Patriots announce 2010 Defensive Coordinator... Bill Belichick?
12-22-07_1831_small
Luck or destiny?
Small
Patriots interested in CFL sack leader
Nnamdi_small
The End of an Era?
Bill_belichick-vader_mask_small
Is a Bill Belichick style defense now obsolete?

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation

Niners Nation
15 Stats You (Probably) Didn’t Know About the 2009 49ers
Canal Street Chronicles
Sgt. Benson's Flying Pigs Club Band
Hogs Haven
Are We Going To Talk About This Clinton Portis vs Lavar Arrington Debacle?

SPONSORS


Managing Editor

Patspulpit_small MaPatsFan

Contributing Writers

Belichick_2_small Marima

Smpavatar_small SlotMachinePlayer

Small Comedic.Sans

Bg_small The Hill