AB Watch II: Quarantonio Brown

DJnVa

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I'm curious if there is any way for a team to contact the NFL and unofficially ask "what are we looking at if we pick him up?" Of course, knowing the NFL, the conversation would happen via text message.
I would bet the Pats would 100% take him even if they knew there was 4 game suspension or something coming (assuming Kraft signs off).

Is there roster deadline for postseason?
 

Ralphwiggum

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Literally nothing about the underlying allegations has changed, at least not that I am aware. I didn't really want him in the first, place, wanted him gone after the allegations became public, and I'll be pretty disappointed in the Pats if they bring him back.

I also seriously doubt he can stay off social media and out of trouble.
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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If they "bring him back," he's getting suspended
A suspension they could possibly navigate depending on length, but exempted list is the real worry.

Bringing him back might have positive cap implications -- that is if there were a way to wrap up a deal going forward with his grievance and use some of the currently sunk cap to get it done it might make a whole lot of sense, even if he has to serve a four game suspension. A six game suspension on the other hand would not make sense, unless they are inclined to use some of the burned cap to get him in the door for next year.
 

BlackJack

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The dude is a huuuuuuuuge piece of shit.

I'm very surprised there are Pats fans clamoring for his return.
Yeah. I mean don't get me wrong, I'm a huge hypocrite so I'll still watch the games and be happy if the team wins regardless of whether he plays, plays well, etc.

But overall, I'd rather that they be done with him.
 

DJnVa

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I'm very surprised there are Pats fans clamoring for his return.
Posting on a message board isn't "clamoring", it doesn't mean we're "worked up", it doesn't mean we think something is "a big deal". We're engaging in what message boards are used for.
 

Koufax

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Me, I'm clamoring. Just as long as he agrees to stay off social media until after the Super Bowl. I couldn't stand another round of his nonsense.
 

DJnVa

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All this could also be simply him understanding that if he wants to play next season, he needs to start mending fences.

Also, I bet Meyers didn't like that IG post. Joking aside, he seemed well-liked by his teammates.
 

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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The Patriots would have to have had some kind of conversation with the league about is playing eligibility prior to venturing down this road, if any of this is real.

Feels like the day there were the Gronk trade rumors a few seasons ago. Wasn’t Zo doing the “buzz” thing then too?
My feeling, based on nothing but speculation, has been that that Brown would be fully within his rights to demand that the NFL resolve the complaint(s) made against him and announce their findings. The most discipline he can get under the PCP is 6 weeks. If the player wants resolution, it's totally inappropriate for the league to use the threat of the exempted list to essentially keep a player from being able to be signed in perpetuity.

It would be one thing if he refused to cooperate. But it's another if he agrees to participate fully in the investigation. At that point, if he requests his due process under the PCP, I would think the NFLPA would have a strong argument that the league cannot simply sit on it indefinitely. There may be a provision somewhere in the CBA that gives the league authority not to announce PCP discipline for a player who is not currently under contract. But as much as AB is a piece of shit, from a process standpoint, that would be a really shitty thing for the league to do.

I think AB is entitled to have the league finish the investigation in a timely manner -- that is, within the scope envisioned and intended under the PCP -- and to announce whether there will be any discipline if and when he is signed. Whether that happens this season, now that he has met with the league, or next year, or whenever, it should happen. He's nuts and likely wherever he goes it won't end well, but he's entitled to serve any suspension he's due and compete for a contract.

Whether the twitter storm and Zolak hearing rumbling means the league is ready to do exactly that seem like wishful thinking to me. I think as Pats fans we seem to be spending a lot of time loving the ones we can't be with instead of the ones we're with this year. This guy lasted all of 1 game the first time. If the Patriots have an opportunity to do something here that gets them something for the $10 million cap hit they are likely to take, while remaining fully protected for future craziness, I guess you consider holding your nose and making that business decision but I'm not rooting for it.
 

vadertime

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Nov. 30, or so I thought
Is there a deadline though? So if a team going to the playoffs that carries only 2 QB has both get hurt post Nov 30 they can't sign another QB to play for them in the playoffs? They'd have to use another position player at QB?
 

E5 Yaz

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Is there a deadline though? So if a team going to the playoffs that carries only 2 QB has both get hurt post Nov 30 they can't sign another QB to play for them in the playoffs? They'd have to use another position player at QB?
i might have my deadlines mixed up
 

lexrageorge

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That tweet technically means nothing. He was subject to league discipline before he got cut, and that hasn't changed.

What has changed is that AB met with the NFL. But the NFL has every right (maybe an obligation) to keep the details of that meeting private. Now, knowing the NFL, they probably haven't made any decision, and are instead just waiting for a team to sign him and subsequently put him on the exempt list and generate a grievance in the process. Because it's the NFL.
 

DourDoerr

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While looking for my pearls to clutch, if the indications are true, then it doesn't say much for what the Pats are seeing/experiencing from their receivers. They've added Sanu and Harry has come back and it takes a trick play to get a TD. Deadline's passed and they're tight up against the cap anyway so an AB return is the last big move left on the board for them. Baltimore is looking more and more formidable and to get by them - and probably KC - is going to take 24+ points. Brady's frustration may be fueling this as he might not think he has the time to get everyone - newcomers and rookies and OL - on the same page enough to get those points. AB's talent is the wild card. Much like Gronk opened up things for his teammates, AB has had that same effect and Brady probably thinks it's necessary for the offense to get in gear.

Since BB's loathes distractions - and this is an atom bomb - it'll be interesting to see if he gets out in front of this quickly to end it.
 

shoosh77

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So, how would this work?

AB comes back to Pats, drops claim on old bonuses/money for basically the same cap impact on new money (and also hands over all social media access)
Brady stops being frowny face
Kraft gets agreement from Bill/Brady to run in back at least 2 more years

I agree, pinch nose and sign it up.
 

Bozo Texino

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Sorry - maybe not "clamoring," but plenty of folks in this thread have gone on record as wanting him back even after all of the shit he's pulled.

I like the Astros. I don't want Osuna on that team.
 

BaseballJones

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So, how would this work?

AB comes back to Pats, drops claim on old bonuses/money for basically the same cap impact on new money (and also hands over all social media access)
Brady stops being frowny face
Kraft gets agreement from Bill/Brady to run in back at least 2 more years

I agree, pinch nose and sign it up.
You missed the part where, after the Pats sign him, he immediately gets put on the NFL's exempt list and is unable to play for the Patriots this season.
 

joe dokes

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Putting aside whether he's a piece of shit, there's about a 3 billion percent chance that he'll do "something else" after he comes back. Why bother.
 

Bozo Texino

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Putting aside whether he's a piece of shit, there's about a 3 billion percent chance that he'll do "something else" after he comes back. Why bother.
This too. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me 34,984 times...

EDIT: To be clear - not trying to shit on y'all's sundae. Do your thing. I'm not judging. More curious.
 

InstaFace

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Literally nothing about the underlying allegations has changed, at least not that I am aware. I didn't really want him in the first, place, wanted him gone after the allegations became public, and I'll be pretty disappointed in the Pats if they bring him back.

I also seriously doubt he can stay off social media and out of trouble.
I was OK with him being on the team pending the investigation into the allegations, the facts of which seemed not so bad that league discipline couldn't wait for the legal process.

Him threatening witnesses changed all that. Not just in terms of a personal threshold for what conduct shifts the burden of proof, but also because (A) it was new conduct, itself sanctionable, that was incontrovertible and inarguable, and (B) it means he's such a loose cannon that not even self-interest can keep him from shooting himself in the foot.

I was about as pro-Brown as anyone on this board on the original signing, but I would not be in favor of distracting the team with a do-over at this point, no matter how much his talent could help. N'Keal Harry's talent can help too, maybe not to the same extent, but he deserves reps. Likewise Meyers.
 

DJnVa

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You missed the part where, after the Pats sign him, he immediately gets put on the NFL's exempt list and is unable to play for the Patriots this season.
No one has missed that. TIf he's met with the NFL, then they will likely move to suspend him and that would give a definite endpoint to when he can or cannot play. The exempt list is until the NFL has finished it's investigation. They met with her, they met with him. When he signs it'll be short exempt list then suspension.
 

Tyrone Biggums

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Felger just now regarding a potential AB return: "There are people out there connected to the situation who think it's a real possibility"
Zolak mentioned this today too. Im nervous this is going to happen now. I mean I get you can't have 53 choir boys and win but this guy is a next level turd. Rosenhaus wrote Kraft a wonderful apology though.

For a suspension the league could probably make it retroactive to week 3 and give him "time served"
 

streeter88

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Him threatening witnesses changed all that. Not just in terms of a personal threshold for what conduct shifts the burden of proof, but also because (A) it was new conduct, itself sanctionable, that was incontrovertible and inarguable, and (B) it means he's such a loose cannon that not even self-interest can keep him from shooting himself in the foot..
He was on the team for one game, and maybe 10 days. Day 1 post signing we learned about the rape allegations. After that it seemed like every day some new bad behavior came to light to make us regret having him on the team.

Really hard to get excited, even with the transcendent talent and possible adrenaline boost to the offense - which really needs a pick me up.

Edit: or what Bankshot said.
 

InstaFace

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Baltimore is looking more and more formidable and to get by them - and probably KC - is going to take 24+ points. Brady's frustration may be fueling this as he might not think he has the time to get everyone - newcomers and rookies and OL - on the same page enough to get those points. AB's talent is the wild card.
The Patriots have given up more than 14 points once in 10 games (albeit that once was to the top rival for the AFC). I don't think it's a certainty by any means that we couldn't win another 17-10 game.
 

Mueller's Twin Grannies

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Could some of Brady's frustration with the offense be due to, I dunno, the horrendous play of the O-line and the fact that he has to rush nearly every throw and play because of the turnstiles that are supposed to be protecting him? Even Zolak was calling out Newhouse on the radio broadcast during this most recent game. If the color guy is getting pissed, one would imagine the players and the coaching staff have steam coming out of their ears.

I'm sure Brady would love another elite target, especially after losing a less-than-elite-now Gordon, but isn't the problem that he's having guys in his face as soon as the ball gets snapped? Unless AB can block pass-rushers, bringing him back probably won't be a cure-all for TB12.