Patriots claim TE Jake Ballard off waivers

[NC_RaiderFan5]

Per Rotoworld:

Jake Ballard - TE - Patriots
Patriots claimed TE Jake Ballard off waivers from the Giants.
It's been quite the roller coaster ride for Ballard, who went from meeting the U.S. President to being waived and subsequently claimed by the team he beat in the Super Bowl in a span of three days. Recovering from ACL reconstruction and microfracture surgery, Ballard will spend the 2012 season on injured reserve. The Pats will have to sneak him through waivers at some point to get a return on their investment for 2013.
Related: Giants
Source: Blake Baratz on Twitter

The Giants cut him with the intentions of him clearing waivers and going on the I.R. Now Billy has claimed him. Interesting stuff, but what is the motivation? They have Gronkowski and Hernandez, so where will he fit even when gets heatlhy? Could it be just for spite?

[B'sCeltsPatsSox]

Pats have kinda wanted a third TE but haven't made it one of their biggest priorities. It's either them filling that need or BB being BB. He'll have to be placed on the PUP list or IR though.

[mberr]

Does a player have to clear waivers before going on I.R.?

This signing could pave the road for Hernandez's departure. Gronk got paid, Welker got paid... there's not much left for Hernandez.

[B'sCeltsPatsSox]

Does a player have to clear waivers before going on I.R.?

This signing could pave the road for Hernandez's departure. Gronk got paid, Welker got paid... there's not much left for Hernandez.

Welker hasn't gotten a new contract yet...

[NC_RaiderFan5]

Pats have kinda wanted a third TE but haven't made it one of their biggest priorities. It's either them filling that need or BB being BB. He'll have to be placed on the PUP list or IR though.

The thing is, he will have to go to waivers again for them to do that, which will still give the other 30 teams a crack at him (if they decide they want him between now and then). Also, I bet he won't be thrilled at going from a starter to third on the pecking order. This may or may not be thread-worthy, but I just found the whole thing interesting/amusing. Just an unexpected move, for me.

[Celtic AL]

interesting move to say atlest

[NC_RaiderFan5]

Welker hasn't gotten a new contract yet...

It will be interesting to see how long they play hard-ball with Welker. I know I will get bashed for this, but I'm not so sure that in his case it's more about the system and the QB than the player. I'm not convinced that they couldn't plug in a similar player in at that position and get comparable results. Welker was nothing before he landed in NE, so this situation could potentially be interesting as well.

[HaruSoul]

Does a player have to clear waivers before going on I.R.?

This signing could pave the road for Hernandez's departure. Gronk got paid, Welker got paid... there's not much left for Hernandez.

False.

[mikebrez bears/]

[n83417]

It will be interesting to see how long they play hard-ball with Welker. I know I will get bashed for this, but I'm not so sure that in his case it's more about the system and the QB than the player. I'm not convinced that they couldn't plug in a similar player in at that position and get comparable results. Welker was nothing before he landed in NE, so this situation could potentially be interesting as well.

I agree to an extent. I think Devone Bess or Amandola could do a comparable job for a fraction of the price. I don't necessarily think Welker is a product of the system but the system likely does help inflate his stats a bit.

[PrettyBoyJ]

Seems like the Pats did this out of spite.. Or maybe try and get Ballard to spill some of the Giants secrets lol

[jetsforever]

Nice steal.

[xxplayerxx23]

Bitter ****s lmao, Im going to miss you ballard good luck with the pats

[Giants #1 Fan]

**** you Pats

[UKBronco58]