Supply: Pats finish Etling WR experiment, lower QB
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — The New England Patriots waived Danny Etling on Tuesday, a supply instructed ESPN’s Discipline Yates, which ends an experiment wherein the quarterback was making an attempt to change to huge receiver.
The Patriots wanted to create a roster spot to make room for tight finish Eric Saubert, who was acquired in a commerce from the Atlanta Falcons for a conditional seventh-round draft selection.
Etling’s transition to receiver, with further tasks on particular groups, captured the eye of many at Patriots coaching camp. Receiver Phillip Dorsett mentioned Etling — who was a 2018 seventh-round draft selection out of LSU — reminded him of New Orleans Saints quarterback/slash choice Taysom Hill.
The Patriots even have a notable historical past of gamers making a profitable place swap, headlined by Julian Edelman going from faculty quarterback to NFL receiver.
Quarterback Danny Etling had been working at huge receiver this offseason to attempt to enhance his roster probabilities with the Patriots. AP Photograph/Steven Senne
Etling spent his 2018 rookie season on the Patriots’ apply squad, however in an uncommon twist, the staff had him attend highway video games. Observe-squad gamers normally do not journey, however coach Invoice Belichick mentioned Etling may benefit from being across the staff, and Etling’s work ethic was extensively revered within the group. He was usually the final participant to depart the apply subject in coaching camp.
However the Patriots chosen Auburn’s Jarrett Stidham within the fourth spherical of this 12 months’s draft, and that in the end bumped Etling off the quarterback depth chart, with no room for a fourth choice behind Tom Brady, veteran Brian Hoyer and Stidham.
So he transitioned to receiver, however in current days Etling had some struggles on the place. He was the meant goal on an incomplete fourth-down cross within the preseason opener Thursday evening and likewise was penalized for unlawful formation.
Then in Monday’s apply, he bobbled a cross that was intercepted. He was additionally the meant goal on one other cross that was picked off.