they didn't want to lose him. But the guy isn't going to play this year and he may never be the same. He really messed up that knee. Ballard has said as much.
He's an injured player who should be healthy in 2013. Belichick is thinking ahead.
I think if Reese had anticipated the possibility Ballard would be claimed, he wouldn't've waived him. It's a bold move by Belichick in a league where most coaches are only focused on the season at hand. But it's a smart move when you think about it. Very little risk.
if you put a players on waivers you have have some expectations that there is a possibility that he could be taken. God forbid JPP gets injured. This same tactic would have never been used. But I don't get all this for Rocky. I like his production in the playoffs and late season but at some point why do organizations hate moving on? And if you preference was Rocky why waste time on Rogers?
It's your career and livelihood at stake. If you're a player that struggles they cut you. If you're a coach or GM they fire you. There is always intense competitive stress in professioanl sports to do one thing. Perform and produce. On and off the field. If you don't you're done.
why did they have to cut Jake NOW? couldn't they have waited? or was there some pressing deadline?
I obviously don't understand everything, and can only assume that the Giants were going to IR him (if he passed waivers) but did we have to actually "cut" him at this point in time?
or could we have waited down the road.
PS, I can't believe they snaked him away from us like that. so dirty
In 13 years, Belichick has drafted 11 tight ends including 1st round picks Daniel Graham (2002) and Ben Watson (2004) and 2nd round pick Gronkowski (2010). And even though he had just drafted Gronkowksi and Hernandez in 2010, he drafted Lee Smith in the 5th round of the 2011 draft.
And that hasn't stopped him from signing some decent TE's as free agents.
I get there are injuries at the DT position but it looks like at certain positions they are heavy even with the 90 man roster. It's hard for me to believe Kuhn's work visa was a surprise for this front office. One of these guys that they all know is not making the 53 man roster this year or even in the future should have been cut.
The Giants are also privy to the severity of Jakes injured knee
It wasn't as simple as an ACL. He tore everything. It was a shred job. They could feel his medical risk plus the length of rehab made waiving him at this time the best course of action.
they really like Muasau. They've been talking him up since the rookie mini-camp. Hill has also really impressed at safety. You should keep track of this in the offseason reports.
Yes, he was a good player. That's why it sucks he is gone. He made some game-saving plays last year in a season where one more loss would have meant no Super Bowl.
yeah I guess they could impress enough to beat out vets in training camp. I just don't see it as likely scenario. Oh well, I wish Jake the best when he isn't playing the Giants.
Assuming he's healthy soon, a big if, Sintim could be moved to become the 4th or 5th DE. Not so sure that either Tracy or Trateau make the team. Also, not so sure they give up on Sintim at his point but without knowing his health situation, everything is a guess.
he wasn't going to play this year and they have a plan in place to upgrade the TE position. After the injury, he couldn't be in their long term plans. His knee was in very bad shape.
It was a risk someone might pick him up but the Giants needed the roster and payroll flexibility. I am not even sold the Patriots will hold onto him considering how many TE's are on their roster. It just sucks that a guy who played way above expectations and literally gave it all for this team was cut due to injury. But that is the way the NFL is. I wouldn't be shocked to see NE cut him towards the end of camp and the Giants pick him back up.
Eric, but he wasn't going to play this year & nobody knows about his long term health. Yes, he made some huge plays for us last season but as this management team has shown with Smith, Boss, etc. most guys are replaceable.
Reese took a chance that an injured player wouldn't be claimed or the Giant doctors didn't tell Ballard the same story they told Reese or the Giants needed that 90th spot for Sintim(very doubtful) or BB took a big chance on an injured TE, who if he recovers can be used as leverage against Hernandez in contract talks.....
Fact is, I had doubts that Ballard would ever return from the injury, and I guess, so did the Giants......it doesn't make sense if they felt he would recover.....they would PUP him to pay him for what he did last year.....if he was able to come back, then it would be a plus.....but it wasn't one they were counting on....
probably figured there was no way anyone would claim him, given the severity of his injury. Tore his ACL and MCL, and also had microfracture surgery IIRC. 99/100 they would be correct, so it's hard to say they blew it.
But I understand the argument that they could just cut someone else to make room for Bernard. Somebody at the bottom of the roster. A few other people said they could then put Ballard on IR I think when they cut from 90 to 80.
The Patriots now control his rights. I'm still not sure if he is an ERFA, or RFA, or what they will have to do to retain him. But how much are they realistically going to offer him next year given his injury? I could see him coming back, but he probably won't.
is a nice player, but he's the kind of player that get easily replaced on rosters around the league every season. Especially, when they suffer major injuries like he did. Love the guy for what he did to try to get on the field and always will. But football-wise, this doesn't sting at all. Just on the personal level.
The Giants took a chance not thinking anyone would claim him
is 100% spot on here. This is a move for 2013 by Belichick. The Pats sunk alot of money into Gronk and simply cannot afford to pay for Hernandez as well and slot that much cap space for the TE position. So they'll play out the season with Gronk and Hernandez, let Ballard rehab with their doctors, and figure on getting him back in 2013 and look to deal Hernandez for picks. Ballard will not replace Hernandez' production, but Belichick saw him perform very well throughout the season and knows he was coached up by Mike Pope. If Ballard doesn't work out, they cut him. It's a good gamble.
However, as much as it sucks to lose Ballard, and I liked him a great deal for how well he played. Let's face it, no one on this site thought much of Jake Ballard to start the year. It is out of the realm for the same front office, same scouts, and one of the best TE coaches in the NFL to think that they will be able to find another player to replace him? Ballard was not going to play in 2012. Reese often says that while he does try to think ahead in the draft, he re-evaluates year to year on the roster and makes moves as needed. If TE is a problem in 2012, Reese will address it in 2013.
He's more than just a nice player who can be easily replaced. I am concerned about his injuries, but when he was healthy earlier in the season he was playing at a very high level. It's easy to forget because it was a short period of time, but clearly Belichick didn't forget.
Anyone who thinks Ballard is just another player should then ask themselves why the hell did Belichick claim him off waivers. Oh, I forgot, what does Belichick know about football.
Showed he has skill and HEART against the Pats in particular.
Not sure if he suited up at all for the pre-season finale (he doesn't have a catch according to the boxscore) but that's three games where he probably caught the Patriots attention and they are taking a chance.
He had some great plays last year. Huge impact plays. Against Seattle, even though we lost, I remember being impressed with his play at MetLife that game.
he was a nice player receiving tight end who struggled a lot as a blocker. He's not an elite talent. Guys like him are replaceable and he has a major injury. You are overreacting.
thread before he got cut, though I might have been alittle too harsh. He's an alright player and I appreciate what he did last season, but it's not like we're losing an All Pro and are screwed now.
they thought if they waited 'til the end of training camp some team with a tight end injury might keep him on their 53 until he's ready to play. I'll bet they never dreamed the Pats would do this just to keep him away from the Giants in 2013. There is no way the Pats can. or will. ever use him. For a big guy his blocking was average at best. Is he gong to replace Hernandes as a receiving tight end ?? Pats knew we wanted to keep him and sent us a f___k you very much note.
I think if Reese had anticipated the possibility Ballard would be claimed, he wouldn't've waived him. It's a bold move by Belichick in a league where most coaches are only focused on the season at hand. But it's a smart move when you think about it. Very little risk.
They have to have numbers to practice.
I kind of agree with Karen. The 90th guy on this roster is not the same as an injured Ballard to me. I don't think I would have risked it.
why did they have to cut Jake NOW? couldn't they have waited? or was there some pressing deadline?
I obviously don't understand everything, and can only assume that the Giants were going to IR him (if he passed waivers) but did we have to actually "cut" him at this point in time?
or could we have waited down the road.
PS, I can't believe they snaked him away from us like that. so dirty
And that hasn't stopped him from signing some decent TE's as free agents.
He's a good player & it sucks that he's gone, but let's not overrate the guy.
Fact is, I had doubts that Ballard would ever return from the injury, and I guess, so did the Giants......it doesn't make sense if they felt he would recover.....they would PUP him to pay him for what he did last year.....if he was able to come back, then it would be a plus.....but it wasn't one they were counting on....
Crap!!!
LOL
and
Good luck man!!!
But I understand the argument that they could just cut someone else to make room for Bernard. Somebody at the bottom of the roster. A few other people said they could then put Ballard on IR I think when they cut from 90 to 80.
The Patriots now control his rights. I'm still not sure if he is an ERFA, or RFA, or what they will have to do to retain him. But how much are they realistically going to offer him next year given his injury? I could see him coming back, but he probably won't.
However, as much as it sucks to lose Ballard, and I liked him a great deal for how well he played. Let's face it, no one on this site thought much of Jake Ballard to start the year. It is out of the realm for the same front office, same scouts, and one of the best TE coaches in the NFL to think that they will be able to find another player to replace him? Ballard was not going to play in 2012. Reese often says that while he does try to think ahead in the draft, he re-evaluates year to year on the roster and makes moves as needed. If TE is a problem in 2012, Reese will address it in 2013.
Anyone who thinks Ballard is just another player should then ask themselves why the hell did Belichick claim him off waivers. Oh, I forgot, what does Belichick know about football.
Showed he has skill and HEART against the Pats in particular.
Not sure if he suited up at all for the pre-season finale (he doesn't have a catch according to the boxscore) but that's three games where he probably caught the Patriots attention and they are taking a chance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EmCRO4p4kRE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wn6IJ9r6tvs
Why hang onto him and hope he can come back?
The "JPP of TEs" is on our roster, healthy, young and motivated.
I'm just thankful it wasn't the Cowboys, Eagles, or Redskins who had that kind of foresight.