It appears as though Brian Waters really just doesn't want to play football. Not in New England, at least.
The Patriots guard held out for all of training camp, but it was assumed by many that he would show up in Foxboro in time to be ready for New England's Week 1 against the Titans. When he didn't, reasons swirled as to why: Maybe the Patriots asked him to take a pay cut; maybe he wanted to stay at home with his family.
A report this morning from the Boston Globe adds another layer to the Waters saga. According to Shalise Manza young, Waters was offered a "significant" raise -- more than the 1.4 million he was due to make in 2012 -- and he turned it down.
Waters made the Pro bowl last season after missing all of training camp. Some have speculated that he still may have interest in playing football, but only somewhere close to his Texas home. Since he's still technically under contract with the Patriots (he's now on the reservedid not report list) it's unlikely they would release him to sign with another AFC contender like the Texans.
The Patriots have already had their share of problems at right guard this season. Dan Connolly suffered a concussion in Week 1, and his replacement Donald Thomas had a hard time against a talented Cardinals defensive line in Week 2. Surely the team would love to have Waters back. But with this latest news, that appears more unlikely than ever.