Seneschal2

Reiss has a short piece on Izzo wanting to remain, and the following ST tackle stats:

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These stats clearly tell which players have earned their roster spots based on their ST value. I was surprised however that Meriweather had so many, guess my focus was more on his defensive play.

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pats1

If you want more, check out this:

http://library.kraftsportsgroup.com/...31_release.pdf

JSn

It also tells you why Izzo is still here (so far). And why Slater will likely return.

I'm surprised by Meri's numbers to, and I think it adds even more to the impression he made this year.

I'm also surprised Redd made the list with six, considering how late in the year he was activated (November 22). That's probably good news.

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ALP

meri definetely shined last season...i cant wait for the upcoming one, especially if we get a good rookie to pari w/ him

as for izzo...i hate to see it up there, cuz i want to get him replaced, but itll obviously NOT be b/c of his play only

reed did amazingly, and its nice to see that slater did some good things last yr...cuz theres a lot of BAD things he needs to erase from my mind

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Urgent

Although both Izzo and Slater had large tackle totals, I don't think that those results guarantee that they will return, nor should return.

Slater played gunner, as one of the fastest players on the team. The gunner should get a lot of special teams tackles. Izzo sort of plays that clean-up middle role on coverage.

Slater takes a roster spot, and really doesn't project on offense or defense. He should be able to do something other than gunner, and the hope was returns. However, Hobbs is far better, and Slater really disappointed during his opportunities. Even throw out the game-changing/play-off eliminating fumble, and his return stats were about half those of Hobbs.

You can always find a speedy special teamer again in the draft.

With Izzo, the question is total roster space at LB. If the Pats want another young LB, it pushes either Bruschi or Izzo off the roster. Guyton can certainly play the ST ILB spot if he is not at the top of the ILB rotation, due to free agency or another high draft pick. And, Guyton is developing into a good ILB. If the question comes down to Izzo vs. a young developmental ILB, the younger player probably wins.

He may well be re-signed - the roster crunch comes in August, not February. But that's on the horizon.

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JSn

The thing is, we know Bill will build a roster of the best players not just a certain number at a certain position. Izzo has been holding space at LB for a while but not playing the part. As a high-performing, affordable ST presence and team captain, if he plays next year, I'd bank on it being here. And according to Reiss, he plans to play.

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ctpatsfan77

Just remember--that's what people here were hoping for. I'm not sure that the Patriots were hoping for him to be a return man (in fact, IIRC, Wheatley was actually better at returns than Slater).

This is true. It's also, of course, assuming that Izzo wants to return, [edit:] which Reiss apparently says he does.

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ctpatsfan77

Well, that's about right, seeing as the JEST had a UDFA by the name of Gholston who racked up about 15 tackles for the whole season.

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FreeTedWilliams

Slater also is very lucky that the Pats put Buffalo away in week 17, because he not only could not corral a fumble for a TD, but he let Buffalo come up with the ball. That play was huge and would have been the talk of this board had the Pats not won that game. Slater was by himself with not one around him and he simple could not fall on the ball for a touchdown in a scoreless game in brutal conditions. (If you remeber this game 3-0 for the longest time).

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Urgent

ILB Ted Bruschi/FA replacement

That's six of nine.
Slots seven & eight:

OLB top young player - draft/FA - potential to improve pass rush immediately
ILB New - draft/FA/Ruud? - integral member of ILB rotation, some ST

A ninth spot, then, would come from:

OLB Shawn Crable - third-round pick
OLB Vince Redd - good improvement, great size & speed, good special teams
ILB Larry Izzo - perennial ST leader
ILB Bo Ruud - drafted, young, preferred over Guyton in draft

It's possible that Crable is that OLB, but I'd first look to the first two rounds in the draft, where the Pats will have three or four picks. Aaron Maybin (PSU), Everette Brown (Florida State), Paul Kruger (Utah), Brian Cushing (USC), Clint Sintim (Virginia) are all candidates. In free agency, we have discussed Karlos Dansby or Terrell Suggs.

It's possible that Ruud is that ILB, but I would be very surprised. Given Bruschi's age, I think they would like another solid ILB next to Mayo.

Given the roster, I see Izzo around #10 or #11 on the LB depth chart come September.

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