From the Hart: Crable released
Written by Andy Hart on July 28, 2010 – 5:25 pm -Unfortunately for now former Patriots linebacker Shawn Crable he was just never able to stay healthy. Two-plus seasons into his NFL career, and with zero games played under his belt, the former 2008 third-round pick was cut on Wednesday.
The move is interesting in a lot of ways. It closes the door on the “career” in New England of a guy who looked and measured the part of the ideal 3-4 outside linebacker, but never lived up to the billing. He was inactive for half his rookie season and then spent the rest of his short stay on IR. He also was reportedly placed on PUP earlier this week for another injury. In the end, the time came to cut ties with Crable in order to sign Devin McCourty and get under the 80-man roster limit to start camp.
With Crable gone, both of New England’s pair of 2008 third-round picks are no longer with the team. The other, quarterback Kevin O’Connell, was cut last year. The second-round pick from that year, Terrence Wheatley, may also be in a battle for his roster life heading into his third training camp. He’s played more than Crable, but not enough to pencil himself into any role with the team entering his third season. The fourth-round pick from that year, cornerback Jonathan Wilhite, has also been seemingly working his way down the depth chart over the last year. Fifth-rounder Matthew Slater could be in a fight for his job as a core special teamer this summer. As it stands right now, that 2008 draft could yield Jerod Mayo – the 10th overall pick – and not much else of substance. Coming right after a 2008 draft that brought Brandon Meriweather and absolutely nothing else, that’s a pretty bad two-year draft take.
Crable’s exit also cuts down the competition and intrigue at outside linebacker. While he’d never stepped on the field, many still held out hope that he could give the pass rush a boost. That hope, is now dead. That may put that wild-card spotlight of hope at linebacker and a greater importance on 2010 second-round pick Jermaine Cunningham. If he can’t contribute right away the potential at the position in the near future would seem to be pretty limited.
One more thing that’s clear from Crable’s release – football is back, baby! Training camp, news, notes and daily action is here!
What do you think of Crable getting cut and not even making it to his third NFL training camp? What does that leave you feeling about the OLB competition? Let us know with a comment below!
Posted in Training Camp (2010) |
July 28th, 2010 at 5:35 pm
I hope that Mike Reiss’s reported opinion is accurate - namely that Crable was cut for showing up ill prepared for camp.
For a player in his position, no play in 2 years, to not show over 100% commitment to getting fit for this season shows he has a poor attitude and the only correct thing to do was cut him. Way to go throwing away your last chance.
July 28th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
“Sorry Shawn”….
Finally we dropped this guy, my only complaint is that we should have done it last year when we released O’Connell.
Back in May, Crable was quoted as saying “I know what’s going on, I know the playbook better, I don’t feel like I am walking into the unknown.”
Looks like he didn’t know what was going on after all.
July 28th, 2010 at 5:46 pm
Well- Crable’s release answer’s one of the many ” IFs” for this year( not in the way we’d like- but an answer non-the-less)
Let the 2010 season begin baby!
July 28th, 2010 at 6:11 pm
Andy,
Who do you think should take the blame for these draft failures ? BB or Pioli ?
I recall BB talking about the ideal measureables for OLB’s when he was talking about Crable. I also recall Pioli talking about quick-twich small cornerbacks describing Wheatley and Wilhite. It appears as if they were both to blame.
July 28th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
I don’t know much about football but it appears as if OLB’s that are 6′4 (and above) are not working out for the Patriots. It would have been nice to see one of these guys workout: Crable, Vince Redd, Angelo Craig, Bruce Davis, Darrell Robertson, Woods (?)
July 28th, 2010 at 6:33 pm
Not much surprise there….When I saw that Crable was put on the Training Camp PUP list, I knew that he had more than likely failed the conditioning run and would be released. Bill didn’t waste any time. If anything, Andy, this gives the other OLB’s in camp one less guy taking reps away from them. The 2007 & 2008 drafts are one of the reason why the Patriots have slipped a little the last couple years. So long Shawn…don’t let the door hit your scrawny legs on the way out
July 28th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Andy,
With all these draft failures, why do the Patriots even have their own area/regional scouts ? Why don’t they just use the scouting services like majority of the other teams.
July 28th, 2010 at 6:41 pm
Good move by pats. Dump wastes and embrace the future stars. Cunningham should have a good, not great rookie year.
July 28th, 2010 at 6:46 pm
Frustrating!!! What exactly was the nature of his injury? Can’t understand how a guy goes 3-4 years at Michigan with no injuries and then can’t stay healthy for three years as a Patriot. Guess we’ll have to wait until the 2011 Draft to try and solve the pass-rush problems.
July 28th, 2010 at 7:03 pm
I agree football is back baby!
However, that is pretty sad that guy we drafted in the 3rd round never even saw the field.
The 08 draft looks downright dreadful if Wheatley and Wilhite continue their slides.
As for Slater I don’t even think he makes the team.
This places much greater empahasis on the Cunningham pick as well.
July 28th, 2010 at 7:05 pm
I loved him as a college player but to bad he couldnt stay healthy. Its amazing how bad the 07-08 drafts were…not to much to show from those two years. I cant say it enough, thank you Floyd Reese.
Slater shouldnt even be in the NFL. I expect McCourty on KR this year.
July 28th, 2010 at 7:11 pm
It is too bad that Crable got cut, but if it is true that he was heading for a stint on the PUP list, then I definitely agree that the “Pats” were smart to part ways. Unfortunately for Shawn Crable, because many fans held out hope that he would surprise with motivation and skills, after two washed out seasons of his short career. Hasta La Vista, Crable.
July 28th, 2010 at 7:23 pm
About time !!…The guy collected checks for doing jack [ easiest dough he'll ever make ].Another Patriot personel mistake…
July 28th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
i wonder if BB still has AD’s phone number
July 28th, 2010 at 7:37 pm
Who the heck are the Patriot scouts ???…Gotta admit they’ve blown it often in recent drafts !
July 28th, 2010 at 8:12 pm
The question now is…can the Pats find a real pass rusher? TBC & Burgess are complimentary backup players at best..not stud starting outside LB’s…if this is our starting pass rush for 2010..yikes!!! We’re in big trouble..anyone out there need a stud Pro-Bowl guard?
July 28th, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Unless his new injury was significant…why would you keep a guy for two years not playing only to cut him before camp even starts…strange turn of events. You’re telling me that out of 81 guys you couldn’t cut someone else?? Again, I’m guessing new injury was the deciding factor.
July 28th, 2010 at 8:15 pm
Does this mean I’m coming to Foxboro?
July 28th, 2010 at 8:18 pm
Who will Crable sign with now - Broncos, Browns, or Chiefs?
July 28th, 2010 at 8:23 pm
I really hope the additions of Warren and Lewis can add to help getting a pass rush or else good luck hoping to outscore the Bengals, Vikings, Packers, Ravens, Colts and Chragers Dolphins and Jets..
July 28th, 2010 at 8:35 pm
I would have at least like to have seen him in preseason.
July 28th, 2010 at 8:36 pm
@ Todd
I’ll go with the Broncos.
July 28th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
they should have given that guy lil more of a chance. he was so dominant at michigan.
July 28th, 2010 at 8:57 pm
I think the team need to bring in Greg Ellis. He was with the Raiders last year & had 7 sacks. I think he is available. This could help develope our secound round pick.
July 28th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Don’t dismiss TBC so quickly MMIV, he’s got skill and seems to be back in a good place where he can use it.
July 28th, 2010 at 9:50 pm
Two years of bad draft classes followed by what seems to be two good ones (only time will tell). With Crable gone will the Pats try running more of a 4-3 with the addition of G. Warren and Lewis on the D-line or stick with the 3-4 and pray one of the OLB’s can put pressure on a QB.
July 28th, 2010 at 10:39 pm
Stupid Crable…Such high hopes for nothing. Andy, think a free agent pick up is imminent now? Greg Ellis maybe?
July 28th, 2010 at 10:40 pm
Why have 12, 15, or 20 draft picks if they can’t play?How would Clay Matthews look here? We traded this spot to Green Bay. This year we passed on Jerry Hughes and let him go to the Colts. The drafting sounds like Bobby Grier is back. Crable was advertised as a guy who couldn’t play and he didn’t. Wake up and move up next time to get what you need!
July 28th, 2010 at 10:47 pm
Looks like Crable’s little legs couldn’t support his huge body!! Hopefully there’s someone decent from another team that gets cut in the preseason who may be able to help the Pats. After TBC, the OLB’s are suspect. I’m hoping Cunningham shows something because i’d rather go with upside than some of the garbage that we have at OLB this year.
July 28th, 2010 at 10:52 pm
This article is an eye opener. Does this mean Bill loses some street cred? Does the OLB situation point toward a shift to the 4 - 3 as the base defense?
Can Bill redeem himself if this tears class shows much promise?
July 28th, 2010 at 11:03 pm
why do we keep making such BAD choices in the drafts? More busts than studs. OMG! I think the BB kool-aid is wearing off!
July 28th, 2010 at 11:43 pm
All i can say about this is; if nobody steps up and becomes a good pass rusher the Patriots might be bad enough to get a 2nd top 15 pick in the 1st round to really add some youth next year.
I really thought Crable would surprise this year but then again i was wrong
July 28th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
WOW! Im pissed! I’ve been waiting for 2+ seasons to see Shawn Crable do his stuff! So much for Michigans Head coach calling him “the best OLB he’s ever coached”
I would’ve liked to see what he could do,he bulked up to 250 pounds,perfect type for a OLB, 6′5 250 pounds,long arms,speed,power! But after hearing he went on the PUP list earlier this week,forget him! Enough is enough with this guy,whats he made of glass? Never seen any player get hurt as much so often!
what a shame!
July 28th, 2010 at 11:54 pm
The standard conditioning run (and other tests) haven’t even taken place yet. But word is that he failed to come in at the weight and with the lower body strength that the S&C coaches had targeted for him - in fact showed very little improvement in these areas over 2+ years.
July 28th, 2010 at 11:56 pm
Wherever he goes,he’ll take that very poor work ethic with him! I thought he’d be 100% ready,mentally and physically!
I would’ve been! Especially after a team had been waiting on me for 2+ seasons!
July 29th, 2010 at 12:06 am
Very disappointing. I really thought this kid could play, and still do. I have to agree with SWC that he didn’t keep himself in shape and failed the fitness test - if I’m not mistaken, you can’t cut an injured player.
It sounds like his attitude needs a little maturing, and this may be the buttkick that he needed to become a player, but unfortunately somwhere else.
July 29th, 2010 at 12:32 am
trade mankins for shawn merriman and hope he has gas left in the tank . . . do what that what you will …
I do however want to point out that an nfl draft magazine had Shawn Crable listed as the biggest potential bust in his draft class, and that some team would pick him up because of his size, and then in turn be let down because his chicken legs would FAIL !!
If i could remember the magazine name I would dig it up, say what you want about draft experts they had this on dead on accurate !!!!
July 29th, 2010 at 12:36 am
Kind of hard to say goodbye, when we’ve never even seen him!!! Maybe he’ll be good for Denver, or maybe Dallas~!!!
Or … maybe not. Also cannot understand how someone can play college football for 4 yrs., and not ever getting on the field for the Pats. Also agree inre to the scouts. What has happened the last couple of years, that all we can come up with is one or two players out of about 20??????
July 29th, 2010 at 12:39 am
Well there are options the pats are deep at safety, seem to have 3 solid corners, two potential stud ilb, and a beefy d line…
Maybe just maybe BB dumps his read and react defense and actually tries to dial up some heat ????!!!????
if we’re that deep on paper in the secondary maybe some DB blitz packages could be thrown in.
I’m sorry the J E T S had the best defense in the league last year and aside from Revis, and maybe Harris they are not a star studded group, jenkins is a beast but missed most of the season !! if the Jets can scheme around their weaknesses why can’t the Pats ?
BB needs to wake up and realize the 2001 bump and run style of play doesnt work and slow linebackers / d lineman are not the answer. Try something new Bill I’m sick of watching other teams win the SB
July 29th, 2010 at 12:47 am
Waited 2 years, why not 2 more monthes? how did he get hurt in non-contact drills? As chris said, would have liked to see him in a game. Where’s the pass rush going to come from? Spikes? the world’s slowest LB? Those 2 drafts were terrible. Time to stop living off the glory of finding brady in the 6th
July 29th, 2010 at 1:13 am
it is truly unfortunate, I was hoping he was going to play this season, but his release should tell the other OLB’s that the position is up for grabs no matter how long you have been with the team. They could be cut just like Crable. Right now i think that there is going to be a lot more of a rotation between the OLB’s.
July 29th, 2010 at 1:15 am
Watch- The Jets will pick Crable up and he’ll injure his thumb during the coin toss-
I don’t like the “Ifs” any more Andy. I’m hoping for a good report during tomorrows show ( as you always bring it )
Well, after last year’s upside-down pre-season prediction, at least this year there’s no pressure to perform ( right Eric? )
July 29th, 2010 at 1:22 am
Its to bad he looked good in pre season.From now on stay away from skinny legs when it comes to linebackers.Like Bill said weres the leverage.Its time for J. C. to make a ststement.
July 29th, 2010 at 2:42 am
BB has historically been AWFUL in the 3rd round. Who did we pick this year?
July 29th, 2010 at 3:31 am
First off im not suprised by the cut of Crable he was injury proned. Im worried about the OLB position but not because Crable was releasd becaused i knew he wasnt going to make it.
July 29th, 2010 at 3:52 am
That’s a bit of a shame, was hoping he’d get more of a chance but if he’s decided to go Jamarcus on the organisation then the hell with him.
Fingers crossed Cunningham, TBC & Burgess can do their jobs.
July 29th, 2010 at 4:10 am
Good cut on with the next one!
July 29th, 2010 at 4:48 am
so It appears that in fact, Crable was not ahead of Sammy Morris, Ninkovich, Pierre woods, Myron Pryor, Gronkowski, or Hernandez, as EriK ranked them from 1-82
July 29th, 2010 at 7:09 am
PP is right, the Patriots have a tough time in the 3rd round
July 29th, 2010 at 7:19 am
@ andrew in ukraine
My guess is that won’t be the last time we question Erik’s rankings. We will be shredding that list for weeks and months.
July 29th, 2010 at 7:20 am
@ Sam in Chicago
cutting Crable got rid of one IF. Not that it helps, but at least it’s one less IF.
July 29th, 2010 at 7:20 am
I hear Adalius Thomas is available. But seriously, who is going to play OLB? I guess Pierre Woods makes it in on special teams play. Gonna be a long year for the secondary.
July 29th, 2010 at 8:20 am
bb drafting is going to kill this team,ijust don,t understand him anymore. no big strong rb,pass rusher.idon,t get it.
July 29th, 2010 at 8:41 am
Is Derrick Burgess retiring? That’s the word I hearing.
July 29th, 2010 at 8:49 am
Maybe poor scouting or Floyd Reese are the reasons, but BB is the general manager and has the final authority and responsibility. So much for trading off first round picks and finding “value” in the later rounds.
July 29th, 2010 at 8:54 am
the problems we need “if’s” at olber , because i hate the “gots” that will be playing the position
July 29th, 2010 at 8:56 am
@ Al
What are you blaming Floyd Reese for? He just got here for 2009. BB is and always will be the guy to praise/blame for everything. It’s his show.
July 29th, 2010 at 8:56 am
@ A. Stewart
Where are you hearing that? A media report? A friend of a friend of a landscaper? What?
July 29th, 2010 at 8:59 am
@ Tim Piccarollo
The young and returning injured players took the conditioning run earlier in the week. The vets took it on Wednesday.
July 29th, 2010 at 9:09 am
It’s always hard to tell how players will pan out at the NFL level. Crable had an excellent few years playing college ball and look what happened. Don’t think that Crable’s situation didn’t resonate with the Patriots (one reason why they passed on Kindle I think). They went for rock solid picks this year, proven performers with a high motor, driven to play. This is also an improvement to the locker room. While Crable was never a dissident, it’s hard to take leadership advice from a veteran who’s never taken a snap. Pats made the right move here. I think Myers and Slater will be cut.
July 29th, 2010 at 9:34 am
Here lately it seems that are trades and draft choices are not working out I pray that this years draft works I have high hopes for everyone drafted within the 4th rounds.
July 29th, 2010 at 9:50 am
i say he goes to the birds. they love ex patriots.
July 29th, 2010 at 10:10 am
Can we trade unhappy first round offensive lineman for equitable first round outside linebacker.
Len
July 29th, 2010 at 10:29 am
I’d be a little surprised if Slater was cut. People have been predicting it ever since he was drafted but he’s stayed on the team and been a core special teamer (notwithstanding his disaster against the Steelers in 08). Bill seems to like him so I’m expecting him to make the 53
July 29th, 2010 at 11:35 am
The 2007 and 2008 draft classes were pretty thin, at least at certain positions (2008 RBs being a notable exception). They were also the last two Pats’ drafts for which Pioli may have had considerable input (if not final say). That leads me to think that KC is more likely Crable’s next stop (if anywhere).
At my last count, the Pats have only 77 players in camp, so there could easily be a couple of newcomers/FA signings this week or next. Wouldn’t mind Greg Ellis coming in for a tryout. Alex Hall (6′5″/250#) was just cut by Philly and could be a decent camp body, at least.
July 29th, 2010 at 11:39 am
I don’t see how you can call Crable a bust. Staying injured is unlucky, not him being a bust. Vernon Gholston is a bust because he’s able to make it into a game, just not good enough. That’s a bust, someone who technically can play, but just doesn’t have the skill/drive/etc. There’s no way to predict if someone is going to stay on IR their whole career.
July 29th, 2010 at 12:28 pm
Damn andy whats with the bad mood on those answers… anyway i think that if they let him go he definetly didnt fulfill the role he was asked
July 29th, 2010 at 12:41 pm
You guys are comparing apples and oranges. The 2009 draft looks fairly good (if Brace shapes up)and the 2010 draft very good. That is Nick Caserio, Floyd Reese and BB for those years. The 2007, 2008 drafts with Pioli and BB are poor. I have said for years BB is a great coach and has a great system for putting together the team by having depth and spreading the money around, but he is not a great evaluator of untried talent. He is a great evaluator of the talent he coaches and rarely lets a player go that does better elsewhere (Dave Thomas exception). As to untried talent he is just OK compared to the best in the league. We’ll so what, one guy can’t be great in everything, it’s impossible. He makes up for the misses by bringing in good veterans like Welker and by coaching up players to maximize their skills. Overall we are lucky, very lucky, to have his set of talents running the franchise we root for. If they get next years draft right, we will have a powerhouse team again.
July 29th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
This could also be because of the coaching staff’s liking of Ninkovich. They liked him a lot, from what I heard before, and probably would rather keep him since Crable can’t stay healthy.
The Pat’s don’t put as much stock in who you are or where you were drafted as they do in what you bring to the table. Belechick doesn’t care, he’ll cut you just the same.
Also, apparently Burgess has become much more familiar with the system and has been working on dropping into coverage. Perhaps he will be getting a majority of the snaps along with TBC.
Whatever the case, I think this is a good sign for the Pat’s because it shows me that they are comfortable enough with the players they have that they aren’t going to wait around on Crable to get his act together.
I think it may show more faith in the pass rush than what other people see right now.
July 29th, 2010 at 1:25 pm
It will be really frustrating to see, if any of those 2008 players who were (or will soon be) released excelling on other teams in the near future.
July 29th, 2010 at 1:36 pm
This year seems to be all about turning the page, and holding on to dead weight like Crable is not a luxury they can afford. The new identity BB wants to create does not include the weak or sick.
July 29th, 2010 at 2:29 pm
It seems our drafts have gone alot better since pioli has been gone. maybe he was messing belicheck up. i remember looking at a picture of crable after we drafted him and i thought wow, his legs are like twigs, i knew that would not work out well in the nfl.
July 29th, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Call me crazy but I still think we are going to see some interesting things happening at OLB. I think between TBC, Burgess, Ninkovich, Cunningham, they will hold it together in our 3-4. When we move to more of a 4-3, nickel package, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Guyton go outside, Mayo in the middle and maybe McKenzie on the other side, possibly slide Cunningham/Lewis/Brace/Burgess into DE spot.
I think we are going to be OK at LB this year. Not stellar, but OK.
July 29th, 2010 at 4:39 pm
The Pats have always been about a system, not individual play.
The Linebacker core will do what it needs to do. Belicheck will work with them and the D line to get pressure and try to let the TEAM make plays. He has beefed up the defensive backfield in order to provide better coverage and get the LB’s and Lineman in positions to make the plays.
It will have it’s kinks but, as we all know, Belicheck teams play their best ball late in the season and into the playoffs. They will be fine.
I project a top 5 offense with Brady coming back to form, and a top ten overall defense with top 5 in points allowed.
Special teams will be top 10 as well.
July 29th, 2010 at 5:12 pm
Burgress to retire? The team needs o make some calls ASAP or consider a trade.
July 29th, 2010 at 11:59 pm
Andy, I was referring to two of the reasons suggested by other bloggers. I agree that the buck stops with BB. Do you think that he will attach a greater “value” to first round picks now?