mgteich

I presume that we will add two linebackers and a safety, either in the draft or from free agency. The result would be that the following would be competing for four ST roster spots.

Hawkins, Woods, Alexander, Izzo, Mays, Mitchell, Andrew, Spann and Baker

I would also note that we have just drafted a pro-bowl gunner in Thomas.

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DEFENSE (25)
DE - 5 Seymour, Warren, Green, Wright, Hill/(Thomas)
DT - 2 Wilfork, Smith/draftee
LB - 6 Vrabel, Colvin, Thomas, Bruschi, fa/draftee, fa/draftee
CB - 4 Samuel, Hobbs, Scott/draftee, Gay/draftee
S - 4 Sanders, Wilson, Harrison, draftee
ST 4 Izzo, Hawkins, Woods, Mitchell, (Alexander), (Andrews), (Mays),(Spann), (Baker)

sebman2112

Yea, and Washington says he would contribute on ST's, as well.

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signbabybrady

good let them fight it out in camp

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zarakotas5

Do PatsFans consider AD a candidate for special teamer? I'm just curious.

I know starters are fair game for it and expected to do so, but...

You make a great point. There are plenty of bodies for the roles. LB is of particular importance to our defense. And yes, Thomas originally got his veteran card simply by ST, then parlayed that into Pro-Bowl calibre full time play. Though BB used Rodney et al on ST, perhaps AD will not be thusly used considering: the $$, his advancing age, importance to a vital cog, etc..

This is a tangent to your original idea and I'm sorry, but I'm curious and it's related w/o starting the dreaded new thread...

Fencer

In essence I agree. It may be even worse than that, as you aren't overtly leaving room for a (drafted) 5th CB.

It's hard to imagine any of the following not making the roster:

Izzo
Alexander
Woods
Hawkins
Andrews
Baker

but even with injuries freeing up spots, there's going to be a crunch.

I absolutely expect Thomas to be used as a gunner, by the way. Other prime candidates include Washington, Mitchell if he makes the roster (I tend to doubt it), Andrews if he makes the roster, and the hypothetical draftee safety.

RayClay

You're kidding. I have no trouble imagining the majority of that list not making the team.

I'm not saying I'm in favor of it, but it just means we've found someone better.

There's a big difference between a Troy Brown who fought for years to establish himself as more than a marginal player and guys who are marginal players. There are guys cut every day who might win a spot, not to mention draft choices we need who can actually play CB or safety.

Pats fans have a tendency to find a guy like TBC, who won the starting spot by default, to be indispensable if they are adequate for a couple games.

I've read that Randall Gay could start at safety and CB. Hard to justify that assumption based on the few weeks he's played in the last two years.

We need young or veteran talent in the DB and LB. Meltdowns in the Carolina Super Bowl and the AFC championships have shown that the Special teamers with S or CB after their name really couldn't play the position.

Who's to say new players couldn't also play special teams equally well? If do, the job goes to the player that can also fill in as a starter when necessary.

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DarrylS

What is not apparent to me is how good are Woods, Alexander, Mays, Spann, ANdrew and Baker we have seen them play somewhat, but will they be worth roster spots. We saw a lot of Alexander during the Indy game, did so so, but not sure if he will stick. The big question for me is how good are Mays and Woods.. are they just guys we plugged in, or are they guys with a future on this team? IMO Mays stuck out more on ST's, but he was always easy to ID with his hair and all, but do we really know how good they are?? We know what we have in Mitchell, Hawkins and Izzo, but not sure about the rest.

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"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.

patsox23

I appreciate Artrell Hawkins' performance, 'though last season was FAR worse than his performance in 2005, but the idea that he is even close to a lock would surprise me. Baker??? Why is HE safe?

Izzo, Alexander and, I think, Woods are pretty set to make the 53. Andrews is sort of in between those two groups.

mgteich

I have made my picks for the winners in the ST competition:
Izzo, Hawkins, Mitchell and Woods.

I will have absolutely no heartache if we sign free agents and draftees as upgrades over
(Alexander), (Andrews), (Mays),(Spann), (Baker)

There are others that free agents or draftees might unseat: Hill, Smith, Mills, Gay and Scott. Personally, I think the last two will make the 53.

fa linebacker
fa linebacker
fa corner
draftee linebacker
draftee RB/FB
draftee safety
draftee safety/corner

Put in your own names. We all have our biases, but the team will be better after we make these 7 upgrades, and perhaps a couple more.

JoeSixPat

AD made his way as a Special Teamer in Baltimore - spent a few years in that role and therefore doesn't have as much milage as other 30 yr olds in his position do

While BB values veterans on special teams I think our hope is that a rookie or other player "deserves" time on ST more than AD.

In otherwords if AD is playing special teams its because ST needs him.

Otherwise we want to limit his wear and tear.

But just like having Maroney return punts last year because he's so damn good - even though you don't want him injured, its not inconceivable.

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