mgteich

We have three units: offense, defense and special teams. All three have starters and backups.

I am somewhat amused by those who year after year indicate that some 6th or 7th rounder or UDFA will be a starter on special teams just because they are a better #6 wide receiver, a better #9 LB or a better #9 defensive back than some of the BEST SPECIAL TEAMERS AROUND!

SPECIAL TEAMS
If Crable ends up on PUP, I have FOUR special teams positions.
Aiken, Jones, Banta-Cain and Ciurciu are my choices. Alexander, Slater and Ventrone are also competing for those positions.

I do understand that there are those who would keep Edleman or Nunn or both. IMHO, keeping either would mean cutting a top special teamer.

DaBruinz

The only problem is that Banta-Cain isn't doing too well, according to Chris Price.

patriot lifer

i saw that little exchange with Chris. i think one of the few things going for him is that they've been lining him up at both the 4-3 DE and 3-4 OLB. But that versatility might not be enough.

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2013 Season:

Nate Solder (6'8" 320 lbs)
Seabass (6'8" 320 lbs)
Rob Gronkowski (6'6" 265 lbs)
Jake Ballard (6'6" 275 lbs)
Logan Mankins (6'4" 320 lbs) (100% recovered)
Dan Connolly (6'4" 320 lbs)
Marcus Cannon (6'5" 340 lbs) (Switch to Guard??)

RB: Ridley, Vereen, Washington, Bolden

Deus Irae

...particularly since they just traded for another player who can do the same thing.

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"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
- Marcus Aurelius

mgteich

I understand that Banta-Cain isn't doing well as a DE and even as a LB. HOWEVER, the open question is how he is viewed as a special teamer. I do understand that if Crable is on PUP, linebacker skills become more important. But is Alexander really an option at OLB.

I'd be fine with Aiken, Jones and Ciurciu as our top guns on special teams.

wdkantro2

Ventrone has been calling signals on the punt team behind/instead of Aiken quite frequently in the practices I've been to. I think there's maybe a 1% chance he doesn't make this team.

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ctpatsfan77

I'm not going to say that Ventrone is a roster lock, but remember that, despite the fact he played only on STs, and wasn't even involved in signal calling, Belichick saw enough in what he contributed on STs that he was active every week he was healthy.

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"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots

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Mike the Brit

I'd be interested to know what aspects of their camp performance makes you think that those four are in the lead -- and how you think that the balance of the special teams slots on the team might be affected by the new rule change.

Thanks

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They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Well, Pats fans should be invincible by now. [Fitzy, 16 November 2009]

Still here to learn

Deus Irae

What would be interesting to find out, although we may never do so, is whether or not the new special teams coach has an impact on which players from the 'old guard' remain going forward.

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"The object in life is not to be on the side of the majority, but to escape finding oneself in the ranks of the insane."
- Marcus Aurelius

QB12

So mgteich - what would your projected roster look like?

QB12