PATRIOTS-80

My take on our strategy.

Offense: More 2 TE formations, H-back formations. I see a lot of Graham/Watson involvement in our offense. If one of them gets injured, I see David Thomas becoming a favorite target of Brady. I think we found a great "BB-type" FB in Garret Mills. He could potentially become a Larry Centers type player and another target for Tom Brady. Chad Jackson will start out as our 4th WR and become a reliable target. From what I saw on film, he's got good hands. Maroney gives us unbelievable speed and youth at the RB position. He's got that homerun threat that will make teams think twice about disregarding the running game and coming after Brady (like Denver did). OT Ryan O'Callaghan, OT, California, replaces Bradon Gorin and allows our TEs to become pass-receivers instead of staying in to block. Mincey LB, Stevenson OG, and Le Kevin Smith, DL, are all projects that make the team and could eventually work their way up to being starters (ala Givens). Andrews could become our PR (I don't think Keven Faulk or Troy Brown will PR this year).


DEPTH CHART -- I got 57 players on my chart, I know there will only be 53.

QB Brady, Cassell, vet FA pickup
RB Dillon, Faulk, Maroney
FB Patrick Pass, Garret Mills (Heath Evans gets cut?)
WR Branch, Caldwell, Brown, Chad Jackson, Bam Childress
TE Graham, Watson, David Thomas
OT Light, Kaczur, O'Callaghan, Britt (maybe Gorin gets cut?)
OG Mankins, Neal, Stevenson, Mruczkowski
OC Dan Koppen, Russ Hochstein

DE Ty Warren, Seymour, Green, Hill
NT Wilfork, Mike Wright, Le Kevin Smith (Klecko gets cut?)
OLB Vrabel, Colvin, TBC, Mincey
ILB Bruschi, Beisel, Claridge, Alexander (Izzo, Don Davis get cut?)
CB Samuel, Hobbs, Warfield, Gay, Chad Scott (Poteat gets cut?)
S Harrison, Wilson, Hawkins, Tebucky Jones, Mel Mitchell, Sanders, Guss Scott

PR - Willie Andrews
K -- Stephen Gostkowksi
P -- Josh Miller
LS -- Lonnie Paxton

On Defense: my take on our strategy is that BB has got 3 prospects: Beisel, TBC, and Claridge to throw at one LB spot, and see what sticks. No rookie (even in the 1st round) was probably going to play right away.

Hoss

Good synopsis. Filled some holes with the draft. Of the roster, I think ILB makes me the most nervous. Teddy and Jags. Then back up NG. Would like to see another WR added to the mix in FA if any are out there.

ayjackson

I'd like us to take a run at Kai Parham and Martin Nance as UDFAs...and Josh Huston (is he still available?)

patsfan2113

Two thoughts.
1. I think Automatica will be the kicker at the start of the season.

2. I dont see any scenario where Izzo gets cut. He has been are best special team player for the past couple of seasons.

pats1

Twelve DBs?

And remember Bethel Johnson had nagging injuries last year, coming off that foot injury in training camp. We'll see a lot more out of him this year than last.

"But there's no way Patt-er-Johnson makes this team!"

dhamz

I highly doubt it. We didn't spend a 4th on a K we don't expect to be the guy and there is no way we will carry 2. The only way Gramatica is the K is if the kid completely bombs in TC or if he gets hurt.

spacecrime

That's easy. Get rid of:
Pass - no need to carry two FBs
one of Wright/SMith - only need 1 BU NT
Willie Andrews - no need for dedicated PR
Harrison - will start season on PUP

pats1

He might not start on the PUP. Who knows. Recovery looks to be going well. That injury was very early in the season. Rodney is the man.


I'd like Pass to stay on the team, especially since he looked damn good playing for Dillon when he was out until Pass went down himself. Adds a little more versatility. Heath would have to be out Mills to get on the team.

ayjackson

the funniest thing i'd ever seen (not at the time though) was pass dropping the ball when he felt his hammy go! it was so odd! i can laugh now...

mgteich

I too think 53 is easy
1) Harrison on PUP
2) Andrews
3) Pass
4) #10 OL