Originally Posted by PatsRI

The question is if guys like Gutierrez and Lua could make it through to the practice squad without other teams taking them.

Originally Posted by mgteich

My adjustments

1) Yates instead of Mruczkowksi
I do also want Mruc if Yates needs to go on IR. But if Yates is 3-4 weeks away, there is no harm in him being on the roster. The 9th OL is for emergencies later in the year. Yates was on the field during the Carolina game. I believe he lined up at LG with Mruczkowski at center and Elgin at RG.

2) Rogers instead of Chad Brown
This is close, and I have no real issues with Chad Brown being on the 53.

3) Wesley (or James) instead of Richardson
Richardson will easily make it to the Practice Squad. He may go to IR. We need the additional experience on the 53. Not sure that I agree that we need the additional experience on the 53. Not when you have Samuel, Hobbs and Gay in front of Richardson.

4) James (or Jackson or Rivers) instead of Gaffney
I see no reason for six receivers, unless we need to give Jackson a spot. Caldwell may be valuable early in the year while Jackson and Brown recover from their injuries. Gaffney won't be useful early Jackson WILL be back, or the patriots will lose a grievance. He may need to be the 6th receiver now.

The Patriots will only lose a grievance if they IR Jackson even though the doctors say that Jackson is ready to go.

I would keep four tight ends if Thomas is given a roster spot. We can always sign Gaffney later when he is healthy.

Originally Posted by AzPatsFan

I too think Rodgers is chosen over C Brown.

But I think you guys don't consider the Shadow roster fully. What is it? What do you need to be and STAY (!) a candidate?

I think most of all a willingness to try for a ring. Secondly willingness to bypass other offers, or to not have any other offers, but still be useful to the Patriots. How can that be? A player useful to the the Sb contender but not useful to a n Oakland? If you are deemed "over the hill" and done; or you play a position that needs some acclimation before you can be useful. Having played for or trained with a Team makes that much more possible, to be immediately useful.

I think the typical Shadow Roster guy is an aged ex-starter veteran, who is trying to get a last season, and or ring in his last season. Either that of a ping-pong ball younger guy who has bounced off and on the roster several times, like a Hank Poteat. But these guys are more likely to be called "street free agents" than true Shadow roster candidates, unless they have TRAINED with you as well.

This year there are an inordinate number of Shadow roster candidates that have played with or trained with the Patriots, of the ex-veteran starter type guys, who could give you a game or three, or more likely a few plays per game, of good quality.

Let look at them position by position:

QB Vinny Testaverde Vinny is on the regular roster. I don't see him being cut any time soon. Just from the standpoint of the comfort level he brings for Brady and the Pats.
RB Corey Dillon, Patrick Pass Dillon and the Pats have parted ways. Patrick Pass signed in Houston and was NOT a favorite of Belichick's
TE (but David Thomas on PUP; Kyle Brady if he is weeks away and cut)
OL Gene Mruczkowski ( Or Hochstein if weeks away and cut) I think that Mruczkowski, if he's cut, is gone to the Jets... Unless they take Elgin...
WR Troy Brown and CJ if off PUP eventually

DL Rashad Moore if he is cut; Kenny Brown Who is Kenny Brown? Do you mean Kenny Smith or Kareem Brown?
LB Chad Brown if he is cut
CB Samuels if he holds out or Tory James if he is cut James hasn't impressed me at all. I think there is a good chance he's cut outright.
S Hawkins and whoever is cut
ST Hawkins, or Izzo if he is cut, or another DB cut.
P Josh Miller Miller could be back. But there was a reason the Pats brought in Mitch Berger for a try-out even when the Pats had 3 punters in camp.
K Street FA

The Patriots may have arranged it so that they have a Shadow roster candidate at EVERY position, save kicker. The Pats have arranged so that there is a valid, TRAINED, and useful veteran most likely available to them, in the even of need. This is above and beyond the usual PS suspects, and street Free Agents for this year's Super Bowl push. The only position not potentially covered is Kicker, and there are always a few free agents available there. "No holes anywhere, anytime" is Bill Belichick's philosophy, and he and Scott are working it to perfection, much more so than ever before, IMHO.

And we haven't considered the PUP list thoroughly, either. Welcome to the benefits of the 53; plus 8 PS; plus 11 shadow roster; Plus 5 PUP roster.

That adds up to 77 man roster. It's almost unafair and yet valid buy the rulesand still $8 million under the cap. How can others compete with a roster innovation of that "depth"?

This insight should help illuminate some decisions on final cut downs for you. E.g. Vinny Testaverde, Chad Brown, Kyle Brady, and Larry Izzo might not be all that surprising cuts, if you plan on having them back in a few weeks...