mgteich

I've reviewed your analysis, and I still think that barring injury that the following have almost no chance at the 53: Pryor, Richard, Alexander, Appleby. I just don't see Bruschi being cut so that we can keep Alexander or Appleby.

I do like LeKevin Smith and expect him to be on the 53. If he doesn't make the squad, I would expect that we would carry 6 DL's as we did this year. I see no advantage having Richard or Pryor on the 53 instead of the Practice Squad.

I do agree that McGowan could be beaten out by Tank Williams or Spann. I just don't see this happening to a healthy McGowan. But I guess Williams and Spann have a "serious chance" to make the roster.

So, perhaps there is difference with regard to what we both mean by a "serious chance".

MoLewisrocks

Bill should cancel all OTA's and Camp and let Kraft donate the savings to Bread of Life...

Then we could start the season uninjured and with our full potential in tact...for once.

BradyManny

Well, unfortunately we have an open spot on this list due to McKenzie's injury. Damnit.

mayoclinic

Very nice summary. I would say that there are only a few questions on defense going into TC:

1. We seem set at DL, and stronger than last year. With Wright signed long term and Smith showing nice signs last year plus the addition of Brace, there seems to be room to possibly trade Jarvis Green. I'm not suggesting that we will or should do it, just that it is an option if the opportunity to acquire a player to fill other holes (such as an ILB) comes up. With all the teams moving to 3-4 defenses, I would assume Green has value, and would free up about 2.5M in cap space. BB seems very cap space conscious these days.

2. We seem very deep in the secondary. I love looking at the list of our 5 CBs, compared to a year ago. I think the big question is whether we can fit in both McGowan and Tank Williams, and if not, which one stays. I favor McGowan, but I would like to see us keep both.

3. LB seems the weekest position. The loss of McKenzie hurts at ILB. Appleby or Alexander could fill his spot, but I'm not excited about either (and personally, I'm not expecting much out of Bruschi as well). OLB has nice depth but we still could use a pass rushing OLB opposite AD.

Can we carry 26 players on defense? If not, then I see the last spot coming down to a 5th safety vs. a 7th DL vs. a 4th ILB.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

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mgteich

I do have a 7th ILB and a 4th ILB on my roster, but not the fifth safety. I don't know the last time we carried 10 defensive backs. I don't think 10 are necessary, especially given that I think we should expect contributions from all nine. None are really developmental. The rookies should make significant contributions on special teams.

I guess Tank Williams is the 4th ILB at the moment, which seems appopriate since his role is a hybrid SS/ILB role in any case.

Jarvis Green is still big question mark. We all assume that the $2.3M bonus is payable by the patriots if we cut or trade him. That may or may not be so. Miguel has been trying to find out for weeks. However, there are other sources of cap money. For example, Faulk could be extended.