TaxPlaya

It's becoming more obvious to me that the breakdown of personnel on the offense will be a bit different this year than "textbook." The key to the whole thing is the versatility of Garrett Mills.

Normally, we carry about 26 players on offense (24 if you factor out the kicker and the long snapper).

Of the remaining 24, it usually breaks down:

3 QB
5 WR
3 TE
5 RB
8 OL

This year, however, there is a decided weakness at the bottom end of both WR and QB. There is also decided depth on OL, RB, and TE.

That tells me that there will be one less QB retained, and a sort of utility player added on. That's where Mills comes in. His Kevin Turner-like ability to be both a TE and a FB creates more value on offense than an emergency QB we'd likely never see (and would have given up on the season if we did, anyway). Here is my best guess of the non-ST offensive roster:

QB (2): Brady, Cassell
WR (5): Branch, Caldwell, Jackson, Brown, Childress/Kight
TE (3): Graham, Watson, Thomas
RB (6): Dillon, Maroney, Faulk, Pass, Mills, Cobbs/Evans
OL (8): Light, Mankins, Koppen, Hochstein, Neal, O'Callahan, Kazcur, Gorin/Brit/

Each of the players there has some good value. A third-string QB brings nothing to the table. If he is in, the season is done anyway.

For those obsessed with having 3 QB, here is my question--which of the above players would you cut to make room:

--you certainly can't cut a QB
--with Branch being unreasonable and Jackson hurt, we don't want to risk Childress/Kight getting picked up, and we may need both early on
--the TEs are solid across the board
--the O-line gets too banged up not to carry 8 solid guys
--your best argument would be for the Cobbs/Evans slot, but those guys have looked pretty good (esp Cobbs). You'd have to make an argument that a 3rd QB whom we would likely never use would be more valuable than the 15 or so touches that sixth back would give us (never mind the depth).

All I'm saying is that maybe carrying 3 QBs is not all it's cracked up to be.

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That, my friends, is the balls.
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arrellbee

Here is the way Belichick constructed the opening day rosters for 2000 to 2005 in terms of position count.

shakadave

Mills is already the 38th most valuable player on the team.

I would even argue for 9 O-linemen.

A #3 QB has always struck me as a waste. If it comes to that, just put Mills in there! Or Wilfork for some quarterback sneaks!

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Zuma

Think I heard the boys on BCN mention before the 'zona game that Faulk may be considered an emergency QB.

Pats726

I think that in some cases that having 3 QBs makes sense..,you have a vet to help guide things and a young one to groom...but that is NOT the case this year..a vet is not needed per se..and Cassel is moving up strongly. At first it seems 3 is the right number, but the only tme a 3rd would come into play would be if 2 are injured in the game. It does happen, but rarely. And that is why Faulk could be the emergency QB... If they need a QB, I am sure one can be found in the week from one game to the next. There should be a QB on the PSqd, so that having a QB in practice is there and there is also a possible Shadow Roster QB waiting...It may be a bit of a gamble, but I think it's worth it this year.

mgteich

The "norm" is 25 on offense, adding one OL to your list below.

I don't think we need 6 running backs. We haven't carried even 5 since 2002. We don't have a real FB position. I agree with five running backs, including the H-back position that Mills will fill, but that is because we have Mills; otherwise four is fine. My roster yesterday had 23 on offense. I'm a bit uncomfortable with this. Arallbee's table shows why. 8 is short one at OL. We should have 5 starters, 2 back-ups inside (G/C), 2 back-up's outside (OT).

So I'm fine with 2 QB's, but realize that the position is really going to the Defense. Of course, we need an emergency #3 QB (Faulk?). Also, we should have at least one QB on the Practice Squad.

mgteich

Thank you for the post. Ian should make it a sticky. My "norm" has always been:

3 QB
4 RB/FB/Hback
5 WR
3 TE
9 OL
1 R

This year the 9 OL spot and the 3rd QB position seem gone.
The returner is Andrews.
One spot goes to the defense.

PATSNUTme

Don't be surprised if BB brings Vinny in.

BB has a history with Vinny and Vinny could help tutor Matt while being the #3.

Not saying it will happen but don't be surprised if it does.

Oswlek

I must say that I will be surprised if NE doesn't have a 3rd QB on the roster by the time the season starts.

Sure, if both Cassell and Brady go down with major injuries, the season is likely over. It is entirely plausible, however that both QBs go out with minor injuries that prohibit them from returning in that game, but will lead to only 1-2 missed games. The season is certainly not over, and just having a competent 3rd QB can be the difference between winning a couple games and losing 2-3 (the missed game/s and the game that Cassell is knocked out in).

And I know that people like to say that we could just use someone like Faulk who played QB before, but that really isn't viable. Is Faulk going to practice as a QB or a RB? Unless he practices as a QB, then he is virtually useless when he comes in.

Lastly, the 3rd QB is the most efficient roster spot (not in actually playing ability - of course), as they don't count towards the game day actives.

Urgent

The third QB is there in case there are injuries to two QB's in a single game, and secondarily to make sure the back-ups all know the system.

However, in a case where you have only two, should one get injured, you would tell the second not to run and you'd keep extra tight ends and backs in for blocking.

If Brady is injured, the Patriots would immediately pick up a third QB, to back up Cassel.

Guys still out there include:
Kerry Collins - should be able to come in and quickly back up at QB
Tommy Maddox - capable back-up QB
Vinnie Testaverde - familiar with Belichick's system
Kliff Kingsbury - talent drop-off, but trained in Pats' system

Note that placing a veteran on the roster on Game One guarantees his salary. It may make sense to pick up one of these guys later in the season if the need arises.