Originally Posted by Rob0729

I think the Pats will keep 6 WRs. With both Gaffney and Moss out for an indefinite amount of time and Stallworth and Welker still struggling with some of their routes, I think the Pats are going to keep as many WRs as they can. I think Caldwell's experience with the offense and his blocking abilities (he is the best blocking WR on the roster), I think he is almost uncutable at this point in time especially if Gaffney is out of the line up going into the start of the season. I can't see the Pats starting the season with no WRs with prior real game experience in this offense on the active roster vs. the Jets.

I think Washington will be the sixth WR, but Childress may overtake him with a couple more good performances. Other than his two catches in the first game, Washington I have not heard or seen one thing positive about his ability on offense.

Originally Posted by mgteich

Last I heard, nickel backs were listed as cornerbacks. The only exception, and it was that, is when we played the BIG NICKEL and used three safeties when we played five defensive backs. Meriweather is a nickel.

Originally Posted by RayClay

I'd keep Richardson and cut James if he is as bad as people say. I didn't personally notice his play, but I've never seen a player get all negative comments from writers and posters.

Meriweather is not a cornerback, he's a safety. Tebucky Jones was a cornerback this time of year too.

If James can't play anymore, I'd try to pick up a vet who could still play corner in a pinch if our starters went down.

I'd say Richardson and Wilson should be working at corner.

Nickel is fine for Meriweather. Troy can play the slot and he's not a corner either.

Originally Posted by Rob0729

I think the jury is still out on Merriweather being a CB, but I think you cannot compare Tebucky Jones to Brandon Merriweather.

First, Merriweather has successfully played CB in college even in limited play.

Also, Jones had a two cent head and millions dollars natural ability. The guy couldn't cover for the life of him even at the safety position. He was a much better run support player than in coverage. Merriweather, on the other hand, has the skills set to be a good CB because he seems to cover fairly well and can turn his hips like a CB.

Originally Posted by RayClay

They may be listed as cornerbacks, but i don't want Meriweather or Troy Brown starting opposite Hobbs or (God forbid) gay if there's an injury.

I believe Sanders played some nickel the last couple years.

When I'm making a depth chart, my third and fourth cornerback is a cornerback, not a safety being worked in.

Terrel Buckley was a cornerback who we utilized as the nickel. Big difference.

Originally Posted by RayClay

I'm not comparing them directly, though Poodle Pete was supposedly converting him to cornerback.

Just saying a true depth chart has Meriweather at safety, with possible versatility.

James is third, Richardson, Wilson has at least played it full time,

Hell, special teams guy Wesley has as much experience playing cornerback as anyone after the top three (I could be wrong, or could be right, it's hard to find out).

James has gotten rotten reviews, so I say keep Richardson and look for another cornerback who could start in a pinch. Even with Asante.

Originally Posted by patriot lifer

I think I heard Yates recently practiced. Anyone else hear it?

Originally Posted by patchick

Hmmm...looking over your depth chart, I see as many as eleven jobs still in doubt. (Note that a couple of players appear in more than one row.)

OL: pick 2 of Yates, Mruczkowski, Elgin, Britt, Oldenberg (but I want Elgin and Oldenberg on practice squad)
TE: Mills vs. Rivers
DL: pick 2 of Smith, Moore, K. Brown
OLB: Rogers vs. C. Brown (Brown is only for shadow-roster purposes)
ST: pick 3 of Izzo, Wesley, Mitchell, Childress, Washington, Rogers
WR: Caldwell vs. Washington
CB: Richardson vs. James vs. Samuel (keep Richardson on PS)
Last guy: take your pick, but if Samuel returns at the 11th hour then one of the CBs is a good bet.

Originally Posted by mgteich

All that's left is a little tweaking, as should be the case before the 3rd preseason game. There have been many decisions made in the last week.

We don’t need more than 5 receivers and 3 TE’s on the starting 53. After all, we will have two receivers and one TE on the PUP list.

Given the injury history of our OL’s, we probably should have nine on the roster who could start THIS year. I added Mruc if Yates goes on IR. The position they fill is backup G/C.

I have only two rooks making the squad: Meriweather and Kareem Brown.

Obviously, Rogers could beat out Chad Brown for the last linebacker spot.

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AUGUST 21 MGTEICH’s 53 MAN ROSTER

OFFENSE 24
QB - 3 Brady, Cassell, Testaverde
RB - 3 Maroney, Morris, Faulk
FB - 1 Evans
C - 2 Koppen, Hochstein
G - 3 Neal, Mankins, Yates/(Mruczkowski)
OT - 4 Light, Kaycur, O'Callaghan, Britt
WR - 5 Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Gaffney, Washington/(Caldwell)
TE - 3 Watson, Brady, Rivers

DEFENSE 24
DE - 3 Seymour, Warren, Green
DT - 3 Wilfork, Wright, Le Kevin Smith
DL 0
LB - 5 Vrabel, Colvin, Thomas, Bruschi, Seau
CB - 4 Hobbs, Gay, Meriweather, James/(Richardson)/(Samuel)
S - 3 Wilson, Harrison, Sanders
ST 6 Alexander, Woods, Izzo, Andrews, Wesley, Mitchell

THE LAST TWO (could be any position)
2 Chad Brown/(Rogers), Kareem Brown

SPECIALISTS (3)
P - 1 Baugher
K - 1 Gostkowski
LS - 1 Paxton

PUP
Brown
Thomas
Jackson
Jackson

IR
Scott
Hairston

PRACTICE SQUAD
Offense: Gutierrez, Elgin, Oldenberg, Mills
Defense: Rogers, Thomas, Rogers, Richardson

LAST CUTS
Moore, Kenny Smith, Mills, Richardson, Caldwell, Rogers