Originally Posted by pats1

OG/C is too thin.

No need for 5 tackles. They'll only go with 3 - 4 at the most.

Originally Posted by primetime

Stone isn't eligible for the PS, he's been in the league too long. I think Cobbs makes the PS over him.

Originally Posted by 14thDragon

Good point. But I thought we signed him as RFA last year?

But Cobbs is better. I will edit.

Originally Posted by rookBoston

With Gorin gone and Seau signed, things are becoming more clear.

QB (2) Brady, Cassel
RB (4) Dillon, Moroney, Faulk, Evans
WR (5) Branch, Jackson, Caldwell, Brown, Childress << I've had the same 5 since draft day
TE (4) Graham, Watson, Thomas, Mills << and they'll all see the field... and at the same time
OT (3) Light, Kaczur, O'Callaghan
OG (3) Mankins, Neal, Sullivan
OC (2) Koppen, Hochstein

That's only 23 on O, but it's a real solid 23 top to bottom with zero fat. I dont think anything more to be wished for, including at #2 QB, #3 OT, #5 WR... simply outstanding unit: quality, depth, character and youth. This is easily the best O we've seen from the Pats since Bledsoe, Martin, Coates, Armstrong and Glenn. Even the prospect of our (potential) WR corp leaves me feeling optimistic (must sign Branch!). Evans vs. Cobbs vs. Pass is the only real controversy.


NT (3) Wilfork, Sullivan, Smith << tough call: Klecko or Smith?
DE (4) Seymour, Warren, Green, Wright << I cut Hill to keep Sullivan
OLB(5) Vrabel, Colvin, Banta-Cain, Mincey, Woods << tough call: Woods or Brown?
ILB (5) Bruschi, Seau, Beisel, Gardner, Izzo, Davis << I hope Beisel looks good on ST, or he's at risk of unemployment
CB (4) Wilson, Hobbs, Samuel, Gay << tough call: Scott or Gay?
S (5) Harrison, Hawkins, Sanders, Jones, Scott

I've been worried about ILB since before the end of last season. Seau is a one-year stop gap, and hopefully has one more year in him. Luckily in this scheme, he doesn't need great to have footspeed. He can run north south, shed some blocks and plug some gaps, a la Ted Johnson. Then on third down, either Gardner, Beisel or Sanders can come in to bring the extra pass coverage skills. That solves the only real weak spot on this roster.

This is the first 53-man where I've actually listed Sullivan on the roster. I think he'll be the key to success in a 4-3. Warren, Wilfork, Sullivan and Seymour across the front with Vrabel, Bruschi and Colvin at LB... its like a dream come true.

K Gostkowski
P Miller
LS Paxton

All I can say is WOW. On paper, this team is really coming together.

Originally Posted by rookBoston

Man, I forgot Willie Andrews our sure-thing KR, and the guy who'll make us forget Bethel Johnson.

Someone has to go. It'll either be LeKevin, Mincey, Woods, Beisel, Scott or Gay.

Talk about tough cuts.

Originally Posted by 14thDragon

Since we are all in such a giving mood, here is my list

QB (2) Brady, Cassel
RB (4) Dillon, Moroney, Faulk, Evans
WR (5) Branch, Jackson, Caldwell, Brown, Childress <<Possibly a wiaver wire guy and Branch on the Did not report/Reserve
TE (4) Graham, Watson, Thomas, Mills
OT (4) Light, Kaczur, O'Callaghan, Britt
OG (3) Mankins, Neal, Mruczkowski <<Stevenson needs a little work, a PS guy in Dante's OL factory
OC (2) Koppen, Hochstein

24 On the O side, with good protection for the Great One.

NT (2) Wilfork, Sullivan << Smith to the PS, it is a good place for him
DE (4) Seymour, Warren, Green, Wright << Trade Hill and Klecko for some draft picks or WR if possible. Though not likely.
OLB(5) Vrabel, Colvin, Banta-Cain, Mincey, Woods << I gotta go with the young guy on the feild.
ILB (5) Bruschi, Seau, Beisel, Gardner, Izzo, Alexander << My youth movement is on. PS Alexander is faster and stronger then Davis.
CB (5) Hobbs, Samuel, Gay, Warfield, Andrews<< Do not lose Poteat's number.
S (5) Wilson, Harrison, Hawkins, Sanders, Jones

26 on the D side, heavy at LB and DB, and a little light on the DL, Scott could be a victim and either Hill or Smith kept.

K Gostkowski
P Miller
LS Paxton

PS
QB (1) - Bramlet << He wanted to come here to learn
WR (2) - Stone, Kight << Dreams can come true, look at Bam-Bam
LB (2) - Roach, Mays
RB (1) - Cobbs
OG (1) - Stevenson << Late round pick, want to get better, welcome to the fine school of OL.
OT (1) - Stietz << See above.

Originally Posted by Brady'sButtBoy

Your offense seems right on. Defense is where I have a few differences-

DL (why bother to call them tackles or ends, they all move around) - Seymour, Warren, Fat Vince, Green, yes...but here we disagree a bit: either Hill makes the team or gets injured, I don't see him as being cut, he's too young, too big. Sullivan has upside, sure, but LeKevin is young and has yet show the propensity to be a dork like Sullivan has. Wright could be the good guy who gets cut.
Final take-Seymour, Warren, Fat Vince, Green, Sullivan, Smith/Hill - one or the other goes PUP or IR. Wright is out.

OLB - you're lineup has Mincey or Woods as the first backup at this point since Vrabel will be inside until further notice, that won't happen. So unless Bruschi is a lock to be ready for opening day Brown makes the squad as the 3rd OLB. But Woods has a good chance to stick also. So...
OLB-Colvin, TBC, Brown, Woods. Brown gets the axe when Brushci comes back and Vrabel moves outside.

ILB- You can't count Bruschi in yet, he could easily be PUP'ed. Though with only 2 QB's BB might use that extra slot to carry and inactive Bruschi for two weeks. So this list is for opening day-
ILB- Vrabel, Bruschi, Seau, Gardner, Izzo, Alexander. Monty hits the black spot unless Bruschi is PUP'ed

CB- Hobbs, Samuel, Gay, Warfield
S- Wilson, Hawkins, Sanders, Jones, Andrews. Harrison is PUP'ed

The extra mystery man? Klecko squeezes in once more as the jack of trades

Originally Posted by pats1

Bruschi can't be PUPed. He has already practiced.

The only player who can still go on the PUP is Patrick Pass. After Kaczur came off today, and BB saying Patrick was close to coming back, I suspect he won't stay on it either.

(I could be wrong, though. Someone like Marquise Hill who hasn't practiced yet might still be able to go on the PUP, but that would really make the active/PUP list worthless.)