mgteich

The last roster spot could go to anyone, depending on injuries and various other issues. In fact, we cut to a 52 man roster before Game 1 to make it easier to claim those who other teams cut.

As of now, I have Lenon sitting in that 53rd roster spot. We don't really need four ILB's. Others have given that roster spot to BJGE or Alex Smith or Slater or Ventrone. Reiss keeps both BJGE and Smith and keeps only 3 OT's. Others keep only 2 QB's.

52 MAN ROSTER

OFFENSE (25)
QB 3
RB 4
WR 6
TE 3
OL 9

DEFENSE (24)
DL 7
OLB 5 (some also play DE)
ILB 3
CB 5
S 4

SPECIALISTS (3)
K 1
P 1
LS 1

PushnPencils

I think they keep BJGE.

RB is such a wear and tear position, especially over age 30. All of these guys, including and especially Maroney have had health concerns.

Don't wanna get into a totally probable situation where 2 or 3 backs get get dinged up over a 3 week period and your left scrambling to find depth.

kas

As for the 3 OT thing - remember that if Levoir starts on PUP, he'd be back week 6 as a nice depth pickup. By then injuries will make finding a spot for everyone a lot easier.

patfanken

I think your mix is wrong. Injuries are more likely to occur on defense. The offense is STACKED already. We have the luxury to add to the defense and STs. That means 2 QBs, 4 RBs, and 3 TEs. Add another OT to the OL, keep 6 WRs, and you have 2 additional roster spots to give to the defense/STs.

mgteich

Please list your mix.

patfanken

This was MY shot at the 53 with the usual suspect comments. (Based on Reiss' format)

Quarterback (2): Brady, O’Connell
Quick hit: Walter becomes a shadow roster guy. They give him some money to sit by the phone in case of injury. This preseason is for him to get familiar with the offense. Hoyer to the PS. Roster spots are just TOO valuable and rare this season.

Running back (4): Faulk, Taylor, Morris, Maroney
Quick hit: I know Law firm is everyone's binky, but again too many players, too few spots. Morris has played some FB BTW.

Tight end (3): Baker, Watson, Thomas
Quick hit: Thomas simply manned up and beat out Smith. I think BB might want to keep 4 guys, but thats a luxury we can't afford. More power to the defense. The offense will be OK.

Receiver (6): Moss, Welker, Galloway, Edelman, Lewis, Aiken
Quick hit: I was expecting Edelman to be on the PS, but thats won't happen now. He wouldn't make it through wavers. The Pats will carry 6 WRs with Edelman and Aiken making most of their contributions on STs

Offensive line (8): Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kaczur, Vollmer, Ohrnberger, Hochstein,Britt/OCallahan
Quick hit: Lavoir starts the season on PUP and the winner of the Britt/OCallahan battle gets the 8th roster spot....for now. The rookies they like go to the PS


Offense (23)

Defensive line (7): Warren, Wilfork, Seymour, Green, Brace, Pryor, Wright
Quick hit: Really like this group, the other rookie to the PS

Inside LBLinebacker (4): Mayo, Guyton, Bruschi, Lenon/Alexander/Williams
Quick hit: You really only need 4 guys, since this will be the area where at least ONE ILB will be on the sidelines in EVERY passing situation (which these days is virtually every play). Alexander is still in the mix because of his special teams play, and his coverage ability.
I never saw Williams with the safeties once. He's a coverage ILB now and has a shot at THAT position only.

OLB -(6) Woods, Thomas, TBC, Burgess, Crable, Ninkovitch.
Quick hit - Yeah I know the last name will raise some eyebrow, but he can play some DE, STs, and long snap as well. He has some quickness, and I think he has a shot if BB cuts the offensive guys I mentioned to load up on the defense

Cornerback (5): Springs, Bodden, Wilhite, Butler, Wheatley
Quick hit: That was easy.

Safety (5): Meriweather, Sanders, Chung, McGowan, Ventrone/Slater/Richardson
Quick hit: The first 4 are givens and winner of Ventrone/Slater/Richardson get a STs/spare DB slot I just happen to put here

Defense (27)

Specialists (3): Gostkowski (K), Hanson (P), Ingram (LS)
Quick hit: Contract wise, Ingram makes the most sense. I feel for Hoddel, he didn't do anything to get cut....but he only makes the squad if BB decides he doesn't want to rely on a rookie, and thinks he can stash him on the PS

I think our offense is as talented as it can be, and in that vein can be cut down a bit, to load up on defense and STs. THATs where injuries are most likely to occur. BTW - I wouldn't be shocked to see BB go with only 3 ILBs, given Junior is ready to go. ILB is the new FB in the passing age.

mgteich

Now I understand. The offense is so loaded that we will play without a #3 QB and a backup center.

1)You would keep 17 front seven defensive players instead of the more usual 15 (6 DL's and 9 OL's recently, perhaps with a changing mix this year to emphasize the 4-3).
2) You would violate NFL's rules and the player's agreement by paying a player not on the roster in order to free up one position.
3) You apparently are so sure of Orhenberger that you willhave him backing up RG, LG and C on Game Day). That's a lot for a raw rookie. Make no mistake, if we keep only 8 OL's, we will keep four OT's. So, the interior line provides the position for Ninkovich. While I like Ninkovich, I think he would make it instead of the 4th ILB, if at all. After all, Nickovich is our backup snapper.

BOTTOM LINE'
We agree on 51 players. That's pretty good for this point in the preseason.

farn

There are many Law Firm fans.

He can be let go. Another street free agent can do the job if need be. I love his story as much as the next guy. But do we want BJGE taking snaps with Maroney, Taylor, Morris, Faulk on the bench ? Maybe some of you do... I don't. Rather have Morris-Maroney-Taylor on 1st and 2nd (use the one best suited for that particular game, or hot hand) and Faulk on 3rd.

mgteich

I agree. BJGE would be inactive every week, unless there were two injuries.

T-cat

i actually watched ninkovitch and he looked extremely fast coming from the edge and flushed the qb out of the pocket several times so i agree with you