What better way to start the new year in a fashion that mirrors all of the last? The Patriots have signed back wide receiver Austin Collie to the squad, which is bad, bad news.
This signing will likely reflect a move to WRs Aaron Dobson or Josh Boyce, with Dobson the heavy favorite to be moved to the injured reserve. Boyce has been nursing an ankle injury and has been unable to practice the past few weeks, while Dobson re-injured his foot against the Bills.
Rumor has it that Dobson re-irritated a stress fracture in his foot when a Bills player stepped on it in the first quarter- and the Patriots could be calling quits on his season.
Collie has been on-and-off the roster as the Patriots have been dealing with injuries to their wide receivers, so it makes it even more likely that the Patriots will make a corresponding move at wide receiver. Look for New England to move back to its death-by-papercuts offense with the following weapons:
Kenbrell Thompkins - 6'1, 195 lbs
Austin Collie - 6'0, 205 lbs
Danny Amendola - 5'11, 195 lbs
Josh Boyce - 5'11, 205 lbs
Julian Edelman - 5'10, 200 lbs
Shane Vereen - 5'10, 205 lbs
The Patriots have lost their largest targets, with 6'3, 270 lbs tight end Michael Hoomanawanui as the only remaining target over 6'1 still on the roster with 5+ targets on the season.