The Patriots are parting ways with last year’s third-round pick.
According to Field Yates of ESPN, the Patriots are releasing offensive tackle Antonio Garcia with a failed-physical designation.
Garcia didn’t play last year because of blood clots in his lungs, spending the season on the non-football injury list. They traded up to take him 85th overall last year.
Garcia said in March he had been cleared to return, but the Patriots apparently had a different opinion.
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Further, his Wiki said because of the clots, he couldn't practice, and lost over 40 pounds;as a result, he was cut.
Hard to tell if it's truly all medical, or just Patriots way of a short rope/,what have you done lately?
I hope he is OK. ID K if you can still play while on blood thinners , but@ 6'7" if he can play and has NFL skills, he'd be a nice addition.
Do you think maybe he's being released for a reason that will impact his play?
If he's being released for off-field stuff, I guess I could see him being a consideration, but I didn't read that.
Do you think maybe he's being released for a reason that will impact his play?
If he's being released for off-field stuff, I guess I could see him being a consideration, but I didn't read that.
PJ, I said he would be worth a look IF he can pass a physical. He could compete for a backup spot at OT where the Giants are thin at the moment. I also did not say anywhere that he would solve the offensive line issues. There are 90 roster spots I just think it is wise to take chances on players like this. Now if he is only 250 Lbs then that changes things.
I see your point, but they have some options at Tackle besides Garcia.
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Because he has talent. There are 90 roster spots the Giants currently have 14 CB's on the roster. They could also replace an OL like Becton.
Because he has talent. There are 90 roster spots the Giants currently have 14 CB's on the roster. They could also replace an OL like Becton.
Jay - Perkins had talent too -- but can't get on the field -- hence he lost his roster spot -- right now the Giants want players they can put on the field and compete
Unless the Pats goofed -- which is highly unlikely -- there's zero advantage to picking up a player with chronic medical issues right now.
Because his upside is markedly higher than the 11th WR on the roster?
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Because he has talent. There are 90 roster spots the Giants currently have 14 CB's on the roster. They could also replace an OL like Becton.
Jay - Perkins had talent too -- but can't get on the field -- hence he lost his roster spot -- right now the Giants want players they can put on the field and compete
Unless the Pats goofed -- which is highly unlikely -- there's zero advantage to picking up a player with chronic medical issues right now.
Is a blood clot a chronic medical issue? I know the Giants are taking a different approach but Chad Wheeler had several injury issues and off the field concerns and so far he looks like a great pickup.
Could be an indicator. Clots can happen for numerous reasons and not all are chronoc conditions. You would have to find out more about why he had a blood clot, look into family history etc. , Stuff you would do at a physical.
Exactly. Pass
They aren't exactly hurting. They have Wynn replacing Solder at LT but the rest of the line is the same as last year. They added Trent Brown to start at RT moving Marcus Cannon in a reserve role providing great depth. They also re-signed OT LaAdrian Waddle so they have some nice depth there.
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and they let this guy go. Hmmmmmmm
Exactly. Pass
The Browns had a terrible OL when they made no effort to re-sign Shaun O'Hara, the Raiders waived Kevin Boothe when their line sucked, etc.
^This. You can't play football on blood thinners.
If you are assuming facts not in evidence. We have no idea if it’s chronic. I had blood clots and while I took thinners, I was off of them in 8 months. And now I’m a lean, mean fighting machine!
COUGH! COUGH! COUGH!
THIS is the correct answer.
If the issue is the blood clots and subsequent weight loss, but the Giants scouting reports pre-clots had him with a draftable grade (which is likely considering his 3rd round history), you grab him to be one of the lower end 90 guys.
When camp opens, if he is still on blood thinners and/or still needs to gain back weight, you put him on IR for the year and let him get better.
While on IR, he can't practice, but he would get good medical care and nutrition. The, when 2019 rolls around, assuming the health issue is resolved, he would be the equivalent of a late round draft pick on a team that needs more depth on the OL.
I'm no doctor, so I don't know if the Patriots cut him because they determined his medical issues were not manageable or because subsequent additions at OLT made him expendable despite the 3rd round investment. Belichick doesn't seem to have the same patience with talent in need of nurturing that Accorsi and Gettleman preach.
It'll be interesting to see if either the Browns or Giants pluck him off the waiver wire. Both have question marks at the tackle position.
p.s.--Not sure how it works, but did Garcia lose an accrued season because he spent last year on NFI?
Had the Patriots saw a shred of potential in a player they drafted at a premium position to possibly be their starter of the future, they could have easily absorbed his meager 2018 split salary and workout bonus. A year from now, if after further evaluation they were unhappy with his progress, or if a player like Wynn or Brown managed to cement themselves in 2018 as the future incumbent starter, the team could simply release Garcia and accrue just $393,076 in dead money on next season’s books.
Seriously, hope whatever is the reason behind the NFI designation is not serious and that he has an opportunity to pursue his dream.
I don't think Garcia fits either priority.
He can't play now, so he doesn't help them in the Tom Brady window. He may not ever be able to play, so he's not an asset for the rebuild. It's not like drafting a basketball player with no football experience and putting him on the practice squad for a year. Or a guy from one of the service academies who has a years-long commitment and then is free to play football.
But I don't think any NFL team is much different. I doubt any team will carry him until they are convinced that his medical condition is controlled and manageable. If teams know that after some short period of time he will be able to, well, be a pro football player, then I think he'll get a shot. That may never happen.