My first 53 man roster prediction for the Patriots 2011 season:
Quarterbacks - Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett
Running Backs - Ben-Jarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, Shane Vereen, Stevan Ridley
Wide Receivers – Wes Welker, Chad Ochocinco, Deion Branch, Julian Edelman, Taylor Price, Matthew Slater
Tight Ends - Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Lee Smith
Offensive Line - Sebastian Vollmer, Logan Mankins, Dan Koppen, Matt Light, Nate Solder, Dan Connolly, Marcus Cannon, Rich Ohrnberger, Ryan Wendall
Defensive Line - Albert Haynesworth, Vince Wilfork, Shaun Ellis, Kyle Love, Myron Pryor, Mike Wright
Defensive Line / Linebackers - Jermaine Cunningham, Andre Carter, Eric Moore, Mark Anderson, Rob Ninkovich
Linebackers - Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Gary Guyton, Dane Fletcher, Tracy White
Cornerbacks - Devin McCourty, Leigh Bodden, Kyle Arrington, Darius Butler, Ras-I Dowling
Safeties - Pat Chung, Brandon Meriweather, James Sanders, Sergio Brown
Specialists - Stephen Gostkowski (k), Zoltan Mesko (P), Matt Katula (LS)
Roster Notes:
- Not having Kevin Faulk on the roster was a tough decision for me but I am sure it will be an even tougher decison for the coaching staff. After a heartbreaking injury last season, I just cannot see the veteran RB making a strong enough recovery to contribute enough on the field to justify a roster spot. However, could his locker room and leadership keep him around? Absolutely, only time will tell. I know Patriots Nation will be rooting for him.
- Keep an eye on undrafted free agent Jeff Tarpinian to sneak into the roster as a special teams specialist. His biggest competition will be veteran Tracy White.
- The new kickoff rules won’t just cause more touchbacks throughout the season, it could also cause Brandon Tate a job. His development as a receiver is not where it needs to be in order for the third year wide-out to hold a roster spot.
- If the Patriots can slip Markell Carter through waivers, I expect the 6th round draft pick to be on the practice squad.
- Tough decison at Cornerback between Darius Butler and Jonathan Wilhite, I decided to go with Butler. I believe he has the potential to make a strong third year campaign after a tough 2010 season. With less pressure and time out of the spotlight, the CB might be able to help as a nickel or dime package defensive back.
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Derek. Do you really think the Pats wouldnt keep Faulk?
Darien:
As hard as it is for me to say so, I feel like that is a legit option at this point. Would I like to see that move made? Of course not. Unfortunately this is a business and Belichick has to make a tough decision. Shane Vereen’s injury (Hamstring) and the severity of it could become a factor. No doubt he offers a ton of leadership and locker room presence but there are other positions that could really benefit from another body. For example, a team can never have enough available players on either line (offensive or defensive). Not to mention that the team will almost certainly keep 3 QBs going into the season. In the end, there are a lot of factors battling against Faulk but no doubt there is a possibility he makes the final roster.
I think that you have Darius Butler and Jonathon Wilhite mixed up. Butler coughs up too many big plays, whereas Wilhite has potential and is usually not noticed, which is better than being noticed for the wrong reasons.
Max:
You could be right, I debated on this decision for awhile. I still have more faith in Butler this season that Wilhite. Although, Belichick really seems to like him and maybe that costs Butler his roster spot.
One preseason game may not enough but I think I would place Dane Fletcher before Gary Guyton. Looks like he can call the plays and be a leader..
And whats up of Lofa Tatupo. would he not be a great fit for the pats?
Pretty sure Cannon will start year on PUP
With Faulk still on PUP don’t you feel that he will be kept there to week 6 or longer as an insurance policy?
[...] has been a lot of “Roster Predictions” the past couple of weeks. My first roster prediction was posted last week and I will be updating the 2.0 version set to post on Thursday [...]