mgteich

Is Klecko quietly making this team as a backup pass-rusher? If Green was out, would you be OK with Klecko as his replacement? There is certainly a roster spot at 7th DL. The top six are all but set, and Thomas and Smith are Practice Squad material at this point.

TaxPlaya

He loses the numbers game. Look at the 7 spots (and that is the historical number for D-lineman the last few years):

1. Seymour
2. Warren
3. Wilfork
4. Green
5. Wright
6. Sullivan
7. Hill/Klecko/Smith/Thomas

On that 7th spot, Hill seems destined for IR or the waiver wire.

Smith seems headed for the practice squad.

Thomas has shown a bit more in the preseason, and has more upside than Klecko, who has been here for a few years and is what he is.

The problem is, Klecko will almost certainly by grabbed by the NYJ, CLE, etc. Not sure what choice there is at this point, though.

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"So when are we going to get Social Security reform?"

That, my friends, is the balls.
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Patriots4Ever

I would hate to see Klecko Go..I keep hoping he will get his chance.

Lamanai

I see it the same way. But I think we'd lose Santonio Thomas too. I'm not a big believer if the idea that everyone is just waiting for Patriots castoffs, but a strong agile 3-4 DL with postion flexibility like Thomas gets taken.

So it all comes down to who BB thinks would contribute more. I Like Thomas, but I think Klecko is the guy they'd choose to keep.

RayClay

He's a backup to the backup? C'mon guys, as Yoko said "the dream is over".

We play a 3-4. We need more pass rushers. In our defense they're called outside linebackers.

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RayClay

And yes, I do like Santonio Thomas more at this point.

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Garbanza

Buh-bye, Danny!!!

p8ryts

As the boss say's the player makes a role for themselves. He's been trying for several years and is only semi effective as an inside pass rusher.

We need to keep other players on the roster.

Lamanai

If I were trying to select who would be a better every down player, i'd take Thomas. However, since this slot will probably go to whoever can do more to help the team from week to week, i'd say Klecko. While he is pretty limited on the first two downs, he's an adept interior pass rusher, and BB seems to like using him on 3rd down. Also, Klecko adds a little in kick coverage and goal line FB. Thomas appears to do nothing beyond play and adequate DT. It is doubtful he'd ever be active on game day.

This is no slight of Thomas - I like him and hope he sticks on our PS. Practically though, the guys that fill the last few roster spots need to carve out a niche with the team.

JMO

mgteich

Should we keep seven defensive linemen on the 53? If so, I would argue that Klecko would get more playing time that Thomas or Smith, who are just as well on the Practice Squad.

Call Green a backup if you wish. He is paid $3.6M this year, and counts about the same against the cap. He is a crucial part of the DL rotation, hardly a backup.