Crable's Release was Expected, But is Surprisingly Disappointing
by Greg Knopping on Jul 28, 2010 5:04 PM EDT
in Opinion/Analysis
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PrintWhen news broke late this afternoon that the Patriots had received outside linebacker Shawn Crable, I really wasn't shocked. After all, Crable had landed on injured reserve his first two seasons in the league, and had never managed to suit up for an NFL game. However, to my surprise, I felt a sinking feeling when I read the news. I was surprisingly disappointed.
While there are plenty of cases where third round picks simply don't pan out, Crable was a little bit different. When the Patriots selected him 78th overall in the 2008 NFL Draft, I was really excited to see him in action. I felt that down the road, he would be a starting outside linebacker for the Patriots, and would help replace some of the team's aging veterans such as Mike Vrabel when the time came.
Then came the 2008 preseason. Boy, did he tease us Patriots fans. He recorded sacks in three of his four games, deflected two passes, came up with an interception, and recorded 16 tackles. By the preseason's end, many Patriots fans expected him to have an impact as a rookie. However, it never came. He started the season inactive for the first nine games before being placed on injured reserve.
So heading into the 2009 season, many considered Crable's presence like an added draft pick. While he made the Mini-Camp All Pro team, he didn't play well in training camp. Played in two preseason games, and was once again placed on injured reserve.
Following his second straight season on injured reserve, I did my best to calm my expectations for him. But then he did it again. He toyed with us during mini-camps and the offseason workouts. He claimed to be mentally ready, physically stronger, and I began to wonder if he could somehow pan out the way we once thought he would.
With his incredible combination of size and speed, Patriots fans couldn't help but have a soft spot for Crable. So when news came two days ago that Crable was going to land on the Active/PUP list, I was extremely disappointed. And now, with the news of his release, I'm not the least bit surprised (I think we all saw this coming), but I find myself even more disappointed, as I wonder what could have been if Crable had just managed to stay healthy.
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well ...
bad news … we never got to see what he could do
good news … one less difficult cut …. the crable situation was resolved early on … we can move on … no more wondering or hoping
it’s all up to germaine cunningham and younger players
next year i see patriots drafting or free agent signing to be
1) DT/DE, 2) OT, 3) RB, 4) OLB,
i see 2 holes on defense remaining unless somebody emerges
the more crucial hole is the DT/DE … they need to be able to plug up the ravens
plugging aging OL is way more important than aging RB
and the good news is...
it made the decision on which roster spot to give up a heck of a lot easier.
Keep the faith!
Two thoughts:
a) this guy’s injury history is going to make him a toxic-looking free agent, so there’s a good chance nobody will sign him in the near future;
b) if he does</em become healthy and the Pats have injury issues at OLB during the season, there’s a good chance he’ll still be available, and he knows the playbook and will likely sign for cheap.
It’s not much of a bright side, but he’s potentially a Pats-ready mid-season replacement, if necessary.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
Solid decision to release him
and yet another example why BB is superb. He cuts his losses and moves on. THAT is impressive. It also lets every player know that your performance determines your fate – and your cost.
NO ONE EVER GIVES CREDIT TO BB FOR THIS!
Thank you for pointing it out. He will cut his losses in the blink of eye. While other coaches are riding out players who stink, praying the light suddenly clicks on for them. Most of the time it never does. You can bust on BB for missing on picks, but he quickly admits the mistake and tries to correct it. Unless Chad Jackson suddenly becomes a star for the Buffalo Bills I can’t think of a draft pick BB has cut who has gone on to become a player. Was Robbie Gould a draft pick? He’s the closest I could come up with off the top of my head.
by MikeDussault on Jul 28, 2010 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions
Of course this happens while Im in an internet blackhole...
I am bummed about this. I’ve been pimping the Crable bandwagon hard since this spring, and of course just named him my #1 most intriguing defensive Patriot in my pulpit article a couple days ago. Really had high hopes for him. Curious to know what really happened, whether he was injured again? Reiss seemed to keep it in the grey area of “not being ready to go” which could also mean he failed the conditioning run or a physical, but he was probably just speculating. We’ll probably never know. Oh well, who’s hoping on the Rob Ninkovich Bandwangon with me!?!?!
oh yeah bummer but ...
What makes crables loss much more tolerable is that there is so many other umpteen young players that can improve the team. If we had a dud draft, it would be really depressing. This is why injuries will be more tolerable.
As far as Ninkovidh, I don’t know if he is potential future starter or just sub. A dew of his stats look interesting. I don’t know.
I’m for anybody who can be a solid starter or anyone with substantial upside or strength.
A strong rotation is very important for a superbowl team. ILB position seems like they will be a strong rotation group. I can root for them.
Most Subs are a dime a dozen. There are no shortage of them. I can’t root for them because they have no upside. They pretty much plateau at a low level and then they are boring. They may play good against buffalo but probably not against better teams.
Ninkovich
I like his versatility and pass rush i think of him as a poor mans mike vrabel. Of course I also loved crables size speed and upside so what do I know lol.
by brady12mvp3 on Jul 28, 2010 7:55 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
any chance they sign him to the practice squad?
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
I love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
No
Two seasons on IR count as two active NFL seasons for practice squad purposes.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Jul 28, 2010 8:26 PM EDT up reply actions
watch
he will be signed by the jets
Non Sibi Sed Patriae.
I love my ZX-6r Kawasaki.
I bleed Scarlet and Grey...A Buckeye for Life
if he is ever able to solve his health problems ...
maybe he can be a walk on next year and try out again for patriots
i can’t see why another team would pick him up injured
Crable is not even in the rear view mirror
as far as BB is concerned. Crable will be officially replaced in next year’s draft. For this season, Cunningham [clearly replacement #1], Burgess [I think he will be terrific w/ a season under his belt], TBC [steady and decent], maybe Guyton [with a big upside that is starting to happen], and others [perhaps Ninkovich or Woods] will step up and make things happen.
Let’s hope for a much stronger inside rush this season. That will relieve a lot of the concerns regarding the OLB position. I have high hope that Damione Lewis is a key factor along with G. Warren. I think Brace and Pryor will benefit from another slow year of development with veterans showing them the way. Deaderick is another player who can be brought along slowly.
T. Warren and Wilfork must perform at a high level this season. They need to stay healthy, and they need to earn their pay checks. The PAT’s front office stepped up for both of them with nice contracts. It is key that they reciprocate on the field.
Hah, I just thought of something...
Following his second straight season on injured reserve, I did my best to calm my expectations for him. But then he did it again. He toyed with us during mini-camps and the offseason workouts. He claimed to be mentally ready, physically stronger, and I began to wonder if he could somehow pan out the way we once thought he would.
With his incredible combination of size and speed, Patriots fans couldn’t help but have a soft spot for Crable.
Now, re-read that with “Chad Jackson” inserted over “Crable”. Sickening, right?
Don’t draft people for measurables only, please. I’m rather glad the Pats avoided Jason Pierre-Paul, Sergio “what are stairs?” Kindle, et al this year.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
This might be a reoccurring problem this year
I can for see a lot of tough cuts coming this year thats what happens when you have a very deep and talented roster. my guess is a lot of the players we cut get scooped up pretty quickly. sigh its tough when u have too many good players.
but it's great when the good players
play even harder and get even tougher to have to earn their place.
Keep the faith!
as the team gets better ...
less rookie players will make the team
the more erroneously people will claim it was a bad draft
very few first round picks could ever start for the minnesota vikings or new orlean saints
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