Christopher_Price

Here's today's offering -- a look at what we'll be watching Friday night. (This was tough narrowing down to five -- we left a few things like the race for the No. 3 WR position and the return game out of the story...)

Christopher Price | Five Things To Watch For Friday Night

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JD10367

Personally, I'm not even sure there's a race for the #3 WR. I think it's gonna be "Moss, Welker, and then four guys who will all get their chances". More like a race to make the WR roster. The debate is to who those four guys will be, from the group of Galloway, Lewis, Edelman, Aiken, Nunn, Slater, etc.,. (although personally I think it'll be the first four I listed). Once the roster is set, I don't think Belichick would hesitate to put any of the other four into the game, and if they start catching balls from Brady they'll pretty much make themselves the #3 WR.

Aside from what you listed, I'm interested in the backup QB battle. On the surface, you'd think Walter is going to be the #2, since they went out and got him and cut Gutes to make room. KOC looked pretty shabby last week. But, in addition to who's the backup, is the question of whether or not Belichick will even carry three QBs, if Edelman is also on the roster.

There are plenty of other subplots, e.g. Bruschi's status, Burgess's progression, the O-line backup spots with Hochstein gone, which backup safety will make it, whether BJGE will make it or not... For a stacked team, there's still some maneuvering to be done by some of the guys.

patsox23

Good stuff, as always, Chris. Can't wait for tonight.

Also, anyone listening to Chris on the WEEI podcasts knows what I know: he's doing a terrific job. I highly recommend i-Tunes-ing them!

Patspsycho

The battle for tight end is pretty much set. Alex Smith is not going to be a #4 TE with a $1.5m price tag. His contract doesn't have a signing bonus so the Pats eat nothing by cutting him.

RB situation is going to be same as last year, Pats will carry 5 (assuming Morris doesn't go to IR).

I think the biggest thing we have to watch for is if Brady continues to throw off his back leg.

JoeSixPat

It's always nice to watch Patriots writers develop and improve from year to year, just as with the Patriots. Chris' contributions are getting better all the time.

I'd only add the point that while what happens in the limited pre-season game time shouldn't be discounted - what the coaches are seeing during practices can wind up making the difference.

I'd say we saw that last year with Cassel and there's always other who have shown coaches things we don't see in the games, prompting the "surprise" roster moves in September.

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ctpatsfan77

I don't know what you have against KOC—especially seeing as he's unlikely to go anywhere—but, as I've noted before, whether Edelman can play QB has little impact on whether the Pats keep two QBs or three.

Remember: there is a 46th slot that is available on gameday if and only if it is filled by a QB. In other words, there is a roster slot for which the decision is, "Do you want a QB available on gameday, or do you need another player you won't be able to use on gameday?"

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PromisedLand

Might not be too steamy in DC tonight - a major cold front swept through NC about an hour and the temp dropped down below 80. We're about 300 miles south of DC. Has anyone heard a recent forecast for DC?

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PatsWickedPissah

There is this new thing called the Internet

Washington, District of Columbia (20001) Conditions & Forecast : Weather Underground

100% chance of T storms and 75 degrees Farenheit

Thank you algore, we are not worthy

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RussFrancis

Nice work, Chris. Lots to cover on a piece like that, and you sort of touched on it, but the thing I'll be paying most attention to is the interior of our Oline, and specifically whether Dan Koppen and co. can keep Haynesworth off our QB's back. Orakpo isnt exactly a push over at ROLB. Our entire line may have their hands full tonight.