Pats726

As for the 3 long shots...long shots for starting?? Maybe.. Caldwell yes..he's maybe more of a 3rd 4th depending..but that could change. I think Warfield will be in the mix of CB S..again depending on who is stronger and who might be better in a sub package. Closer than a long shot. Learning year for Beisel...he's making a transition..needs time. Unless he goes down hill a lot more, or does something un-patriotic...he'll be on the team.

arrellbee

Maybe I'm missing something, but I'm not sure a 3 year contract is even an indication that Evans will make the final roster. It seems like a 3 year contract without a significant signing bonus is just a free option package for the Pats - so why wouldn't they if the player is willing to sign one ? It was sort of discussed in another thread. One year contracts are more likely to be because the player didn't want to get tied up for short money for more than a year when the extra years wouldn't have guaranteed him anything if the Pats were inclined to cut him. And then he would be tied up for short money for several seasons even if he had a solid breakout year and could have commanded more money on the free agent market.

BelichickFan

On the CB, I think Hobbs will start with Warfield. Gay and Scott will be really nice backups and nickel/dime guys. Samuel, I expect, will take the slot WR so he won't "start" but will play an awful lot. I don't say this because I think Warfield is "better" than Samuel, just that I think Samuel is best suited in this role.

PATRIOTS-80

BB doesn't use a FB in the traditional sense of the term (like Mack Strong, for example).

Pass and Evans are hybrid FB that fit our spread offense perfectly. Pass is the starter, and Evans answers the question, who is our back-up FB? Klecko probably doesn't make the team this year, at least as the back-up FB.

arrellbee

Yes. For starting - I should have been clearer.

Each year, probably just optimism, I have looked at the free agent signings and been fairly optimistic that they are going to be really significant contributors - especially if we have a need at the position. Then I see what happens - many of these guys that looked so potentially important end up actually getting cut before the season. So maybe I've swung too far in the other direction and think that many of these guys are just camp fodder that are only long shot possibilities. Certainly impossible to know until we see what Belichick decides !!

Well, we'll just have to have differing opinions. If the Pats have any luck at all in further free agency or the draft, I don't think he has any chance to make the roster.
My detailed observations on Beisel:
Patriots - Home of the second chance

Armen Da Pats Fan

I like the way offense feels when Evans is on the field...

He's got good hands and he can be a change-up back with Dillon in there as a backup...

Pass just kind of leaves me bland...

I know he's done some nice work for us in the past, he just doesn't get me excited!

I wouldn't be surprised to see Graham or Watson back there...just to get them both on the field at once...

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JackBauer

I disagree. Samuel will start.

PATRIOTS-80

yeah, I agree. Wasn't Warfield the #2 CB for the Chiefs the last couple of years.

As far as NFL standards, Samuels, Hobbs and Warfield are #2 type CB. Randall Gay could be also considered a #2, at least a nickel. Chad Scott is probably considered as far as NFL standards as an excellent nickel back/safety. Poteat is definitely a dime back.

Because of our lack of depth at these positions, like it or not, Caldwell and Beisel will contribute to this team. My reasoning is that there are no better options in FA for WR than Caldwell, and more than likely a rookie WR is going to start out in the slot. One just cannot pencil Troy Brown in at #2, he's more of a clutch third down possession WR right now. (Of course, a miracle trade could happen that lands us a #2, but who knows.)

As far as Beisel contributing this year, my reasoning is that he is the primary ILB depth LB. Because of play-calling (which requires vet savvy) its easier to get a rookie OLB, than to try to fill the ILB. So my thinking is that Vrabel stays inside, along with Tedy, and Colvin and a rookie 1st round pick will be outside. Beisel will probably see some action inside just so the ILB corp doesn't wear down, and to keep them healthy, just like we'll probably see Claridge or TBC see some action outside. (Rememer the days when BB would rotate the OLB, Willie, Vrabel and Colvin, and the ILB, Phifer, Ted Johnson, Bruschi?) If either Bruschi or Vrabel goes down, who else would you put at ILB?

PATRIOTS-80

People saw Beisel get pushed around a lot last year. The reason is simple. He is not a vet in this system, so he doesn't have the savvy.

And he weighs a measly 238 lbs. BB at camp wanted him to bulk up. When Vrabel weighs 266 lbs, and Ted Johnson in the 250's, its easy to see why Besiel had problems. Tis but a matter of physics.

ILB have to take on and shed interior linemen who weigh over 300 lbs. ILB is not easy.

My hunch is that if Beisel can pack on the weight, he'll do better than he did last year. He really didn't do that bad in the Jaguar game at the end of the year.

nescott

Patrick Pass will always start ahead of Heath Evans, if we draft a back he may get cut.