Patriots 2007 WR Competition Options

[Saints Rest]

If Washington somehow pans out (I just don't see it), they could hide him on the PUP while making sure that they don't need Gaffney/Caldwell.

Unfortunately, and I may be wrong here, but I am pretty sure that you cannot "hide' someone on PUP if he doesn't "pan out." The rules are that the only way someone can be on PUP to start the season is that he was on PUP from before training camp begins. And if you are on PUP during training camp, you can't practice with the team. The only way to find out if Washington is fit is to get him on the field during training camp.

For reference, here are the players the Pats listed as PUP yesterday:
(per Reiss)

WR Troy Brown
RB Justise Hairston
WR Chad Jackson
CB Eddie Jackson
S Mel Mitchell
DL Richard Seymour
TE David Thomas
WR Kelley Washington (update: "Receiver Kelley Washington, who was placed on the physically unable to perform list Tuesday, was removed from the list today. That means Washington is cleared to practice with the Patriots.")

These players, who are at different stages in their rehabilitations, can not participate in practice until they come off the PUP list

[Corsi Combover]

Gaffney benefits. With receiver Donte' Stallworth not practicing, that created expanded opportunity for others. From our view, Jabar Gaffney -- who is seemingly battling for a roster spot at one of the top competitions in all of camp -- benefitted the most.

Source: http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patr...m_practice.html

[Commander Shears]

The rules are that the only way someone can be on PUP to start the season is that he was on PUP from before training camp begins.

If so, that would be a brand new rule. Priest Holmes was put on the PUP list on August 27th last year, which was after the Chiefs' third preseason game.

[MannysDestinatio...]

Q: How are you learning the system so far?

A: I’m really liking it. When I went to Oakland and then came here to New England, it was just more of trying to learn the plays and getting back to classroom work, meaning studying at night, opening up books, taking notes and things like that. I’ve been taking notes and studying since minicamp and I don’t intend to stop now. It’s just putting me into bed a little earlier and putting me into my book a little earlier too.

...

Q: Tom Brady’s favorite receiver is the one who’s open. How does that help the entire receiving corps go through their routes and be prepared?

A: I just think that makes everybody work a little harder because Tom distributes the ball to everyone. Who doesn’t want the ball? I think that just makes us as a whole unit – all of the skill positions – work a little harder. As you can see we have a lot of skill positions out here that are very loaded. Coach is going to put 11 [players]on the field and we’re just going to try to execute.

Q: Are you happy if your impact is getting somebody else open because the defense is paying attention to you?

A: I’ve done that my whole career. If you’re asking me whether I mind being a decoy, [the answer is] no.

Looks like Randy Moss is fitting in just fine in regards to his work ethic and buying into the Pats program. If this attitude sticks throughout the season we may be looking forward to a Dillon-esque remergence for one of the potentially top-5 WR in the league.

Moss fitting in

[Saints Rest]

If so, that would be a brand new rule. Priest Holmes was put on the PUP list on August 27th last year, which was after the Chiefs' third preseason game.

From the Lions' website:

NFL rules allow teams to designate players as "Physically Unable to Perform." Once they are designated as such, they are prohibited from practicing with the team. They can, however, rehabilitate and participate in team meetings. If a player begins training camp on the PUP list, they can be moved to the active roster at any time, even after one practice. A player is not allowed to be placed on the PUP list if they start training camp on the active roster

.
It is the reason why there is a PUP list for training camp, otherwise why bother, who would care?

[dividius]

Moss and Stallworth are both top 25 receivers in the league. They're both near-locks to make the team unless they do something incredibly stupid. Obviously you never say never but I think it'll come down to the Caldwell/Gaffney/Washington group. One of those guys likely won't wear a Pats uniform when the regular season starts.

I'd say two of those guys won't wear a Pats uniform. And I think Moss and Stallworth both make the team. I wasn't trying to intimate that they won't. I just wouldn't be surprised whatever the Pats do from this point on. I was merely warning that fans shouldn't get too attached to players who have yet to play a down with the Pats. That's all.

[Commander Shears]

From the Lions' website:
.
It is the reason why there is a PUP list for training camp, otherwise why bother, who would care?

That applies to the preason PUP, not regular season. My initial post was part of a discussion with regards to the regular season roster, and putting Washington on the regular season PUP does not necessitate him starting camp on the list (hence the Holmes example). Since preseason rosters are expanded, there would be no reason to PUP him now - barring legit injury.

In addition to Holmes, a quick search popped up Michael Bennett, Nick Davis, and Roman Oben all being PUPed in late August as part of teams' final roster moves in recent years.

[Saints Rest]

OK, again I ask: If you are correct, why is there ANY reason for a preseason PUP?

Another source re: PUP, this one from Pro Football Talk.

PHYSICALLY UNABLE TO PERFORM (PUP). A player who fails his club's pre-season physical at the start of training camp may be placed on the club's Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. A player on PUP is eligible to receive his salary, but is ineligible for games and practices; he is, however, allowed to attend team meetings. For a three (3) week period beginning with the day after the club's 6th regular season game and ending on the day after the 9th regular season game, a player on PUP may practice with his club and/or be restored to the club's 53 man roster (provided it is done before the day after the 9th regular season game).

Are you sure that the people you cited ever played during that preseason? This is what I found on Holmes:

KCChiefs.com reports that Chiefs coach Herm Edwards says returning veteran RB Priest Holmes will start training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list. "He won't practice with us right away," Edwards said.

This post has been edited by Saints Rest: Jul 29 2007, 05:24 PM

[nazz45]

OK, fair enough. But then why is there ANY reason for a preseason PUP?

Seems to be a procedural move, since it doesn't seem to be conditional (i.e., a player must be placed on the active/preseason PUP in order to placed on the reserve PUP later, even if said player doesn't actually practice).

Often guys placed on the preseason PUP fail their conditioning test/are recovering from an injury; perhaps it is an NFL requirement.

This post has been edited by nazz45: Jul 29 2007, 05:44 PM

[Commander Shears]

If I have to google PUP one more time, I'm going to pull a Vick.

What I can surmise from the Chinatown-esque murk that is the internet, is that you do not have to start camp on PUP in order to start the season there, however anyone who passes the team physical and practices cannot be put on the PUP list. (I never thought I would know so much about the Caleb Millers and Scottie Vines of the world.) So you're right, no PUP for Washington.

I should have stuck with my instinct and said cut the lanky bastard. He's only five months younger than Caldwell (137 career receptions, 1710 yards) and he's more than a year older than Gaffney (182 r, 2151 yds), yet people keep talking about his potential. In four years, he has 72 catches for 893 yards. If you're a long-strider and want to make this team, you'd better be named Randy Moss.

I still want Caldwell & Gaffney on this team.

[Saints Rest]

Agreed on almost all counts (except for the Vick part and the Caldwell part).

Getting back on topic after our lovely foray into the minutia of NFL PUP rules, I see the WR depth chart will land like this:
Moss
Stallworth
Welker
Gaffney
Brown
Washington/Caldwell/Jackson *

* I think Washington's only hope of making this team is to prove it on ST. Apparently, he has experience and a good rep as a gunner. Washington might make the team as a 6th wideout.
* I think Caldwell makes it if Gaffney falters (word from Reiss is Gaffney is looking very good so far) or if Stallworth remains on PUP into the season. I don't think Caldwell forces BB to keep 6 WR's. But I do think that Caldwell is the 6th guy on the list (aside from Washington's supposed ST skills), so if any of the top 5 falter due to injury, Caldwell gets that spot.
* I bet that Jackson remains on PUP into the regular season.

Finally, I bet CHildress or Kight still make the practice squad. I think the coaches will want at least one, if not two, extra bodies aroudn to spell this veteran group in practice. I don't really see BB asking any of those guys (maybe Gaffney) to run the SCout Squad.