Patriots claim Jake Ballard off waivers from Giants

[polamalubeast]

One problem with the Giants’ plan to place injured tight end Jake Ballard on waivers and then put him on injured reserve and get him ready for 2013: It doesn’t work if another team claims him. And that’s exactly what happened today.

The Patriots, against whom Ballard was injured in the Super Bowl, have claimed Ballard. He is now a New England Patriot — even though, according to reporters on the scene, he’s actually in attendance at the Giants’ minicamp today.

Ballard, who had microfracture surgery in April, probably won’t play at all this season, and he becomes a restricted free agent after this season, which means the Patriots would only get him in 2013 if they can sign him to a new deal. And they have to count him toward their 90-man roster limit right now. So at first blush, it would seem that the Patriots just grabbed a player who can’t play for them anyway.


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http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/06/12/patriots-claim-jake-ballard-off-waivers-from-giants/

[43Hitman]

How many TE's do the Pats need? I can see it now, them going five wide with all TE's. Just brutalizing CB's with their strength and taking advantage of the no contact rules that receivers are afforded.

[Devilsdancefloor]

they just want to make sure that no one else has TE's

[Count Steeler]

They just want the Giants play book in case they have to face them again.

[Chidi29]

One of those unwritten rules teams aren't supposed to do. It's rare to see but has happened before and is legal (Jags did the same to the Browns with Don Carey two or three years ago).

[BigNastyDefense]

One of those unwritten rules teams aren't supposed to do. It's rare to see but has happened before and is legal (Jags did the same to the Browns with Don Carey two or three years ago).

Exactly. The Patriots don't care about that stuff though.

And I agree with Count, the Patriots just want info on the Giants playbook. Otherwise why claim a player off of waivers that won't be able to play a down for you, and who's contract expires at the end of said non-playing season? If he doesn't give up the info, they'll cut him. If he gives it up, he fails the physical and they cut him anyhow.

[polamalubeast]

Exactly. The Patriots don't care about that stuff though.

And I agree with Count, the Patriots just want info on the Giants playbook. Otherwise why claim a player off of waivers that won't be able to play a down for you, and who's contract expires at the end of said non-playing season? If he doesn't give up the info, they'll cut him. If he gives it up, he fails the physical and they cut him anyhow.

In 2013, Ballard would be a restricted free-agent, which means the #Patriots aren't in risk of losing him if they choose to tender him.


http://twitter.com/NFL_RealUpdates/statuses/212655112294907904

[Chidi29]

Exactly. The Patriots don't care about that stuff though.

And I agree with Count, the Patriots just want info on the Giants playbook. Otherwise why claim a player off of waivers that won't be able to play a down for you, and who's contract expires at the end of said non-playing season? If he doesn't give up the info, they'll cut him. If he gives it up, he fails the physical and they cut him anyhow.

New England doesn't play the Giants in the regular season so there's no need to pick Ballard's brain.

[X-Terminator]

One of those unwritten rules teams aren't supposed to do. It's rare to see but has happened before and is legal (Jags did the same to the Browns with Don Carey two or three years ago).

Since when did the Patriots* give a shit about the rules, written or unwritten?

[ShutDown24]

Ballard is a good player. I know it's popular to theorize on backhanded reasons why New England brings certain guys in, but I feel like in this case it's just because he's a solid investment.

[NJarhead]

Bit of a douche move by New England.....hardly comes as a surprise.

[NCSteeler]

Leverage against Hernandez next year?? It is a bit of a douche move, but that is expected

[86WARD]

How is it a douche move? 4 TE set with Welker...lol.

[Psycho Ward 86]

How is it a douche move? 4 TE set with Welker...lol.

thats what i was thinking. This is smart. Were talking tight end corps in new england now. Not wide receivers. Truly revolutionizing the game. Do they still have Alge Crumpler? If they do, talk about scary scary scary...

[fansince'76]

I know it's popular to theorize on backhanded reasons why New England brings certain guys in...

EVRYWUN NOEZ ITZ BECUZ EVRY MOOVE BELICHICK MAKES IZ GEEE-NEE-US! :jerkit: (Never mind the trades for Haynesworth and Ochocinco and the FA signing of Adalius Thomas, etc., etc.)

[steel striker]

Since it's Billacheat it does not surprise me at all and, wonder why they did not sign Tebow. Billcheat could have turned him into a TE.