Fencer

Leaving out guys who clearly are still elite players -- e.g. Brady -- it's interesting to try to guess which of the aging vets will or won't come back. My early thoughts are:

Kevin Faulk -- it's a pity, but he's done, as is evidenced by his difficulty making the active roster, and by some of his teammates' comments.

Lousaka Polite -- when a fullback misses his blocks, his career prospects aren't great.

Brian Waters -- yes, his family lives far away, but he really liked it here, and seems likely to come back.

Dan Koppen -- he's lived here since he was 18 years old. He'll make the deal to stay, as Matt Light did.

Chad -- asta la bye-bye. If he didn't get the playbook by the end of the season, he's not a good bet to get it next year either. On the other hand, he really rehabilitated his personal reputation, which will help him get a job elsewhere.

Deion Branch -- here in training camp. Reasonable fans can differ as to whether he'll make the final roster. (I lean yes, but not strongly.)

Andre' Carter -- back. He flourished here. Pay no attention to the line of reasoning that says the Pats must have a LESS flexible defensive system than they had this year, in which he might not fit.

Shaun Ellis -- makes a few plays a year. Not enough. Gone.

Gerald Warren -- at best, on the verge of losing a numbers game. But without Haynesworth and Ellis around, might stick.

Mark Anderson -- not old enough to fit this list. Also, I'm guessing he'll command enough money elsewhere that the Patriots will be outbid.

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Angry Man

My predictions:

Kevin Faulk - Gone and more then likely will retire in the off season. I get the feeling he's got little to nothing left in the tank at this point.

Lousaka Polite - Same thing as what Fencer wrote.

Brian Waters - More then likely to stay.

Dan Koppen - More then likely to stay.

Chad Ochowhatever - I really wanted him to do well for the team. At this point he's a very expensive third WR option on a team that needs better even at the third WR option. He's gone.

Deion Branch - Gone. I wouldn't be shocked if he doesn't make it to training camp let alone past pre-season. We'll see.

Andre Carter - Barely will stay.

Shaun Ellis - Gone.

Mark Anderson - Hope he stays but got a feeling he'll be gone.

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randomk1

Why are you so pessimistic about Carter and Anderson?

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Three out of Four. Back-to-back.

patsfan13

Disagree about Branch, get 3-4 catches per game as the #4 option in the O, not sure why everyone is so down on him. I think we find a #1 type WR deep threat, but Branch is a valuable backup and isn't looking to break the bank, will be surprised if he isn't on the roster.

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"Some guys play in all-star games, some guys don't. I don't know who picks all those all-star teams. In all honesty, I don't know who picks the combine, for that matter," Belichick said. "How does (Miami-Ohio offensive lineman Brandon) Brooks not get invited to the combine? How did Vollmer not get invited to the combine? I don't know. We can't really worry about that. We just have to try to evaluate them the best we can."

BlueThunder

Also Mike Wright should retire for his family's sake.

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Gronkandez

BJGE and Hoyer could both be gone if someone signs them to an offer sheet. I think BJGE is a RFA.

BlueThunder

Hoyer is a RFA...BJGE is just a FA.

Maybe BB can tender Hoyer for a 2nd or 3rd. Too bad he didn't get to showcase him in games.

BJGE will probably get to test the market and hopefully nobody sees his worth so Pats can re-sign him for reasonable $$.

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Elijah

My predictions:

Anderson - re-signed for a medium contract.
Branch - re-signed on a short, cheap deal.
Carter - not re-signed, but could come back at any time if needed like Warren did in 2011 if another team doesn't get him.
Connolly - re-signed on a medium contract.
Ellis - he balked at the Jets low offer last year, and I don't expect the Pats offering much more than that now.
Faulk - he'll probably retire at some point during the offseason.
Green-Ellis - re-signed for a medium contract.
Guyton - thanks for everything, but see ya...hopefully twice a year as a starter.
Ihedigbo - re-signed for a short contract.
Jones - they'll let him go.
Koppen - I think they'll at least let him test the market.
Koutouvides - not re-signed.
Molden - possibly re-signed on a short deal only to be cut in early September.
Slater - re-signed to a long contract.
Warren - could retire, or do what he did last year where he takes the offseason easy and then comes back.
Welker - franchise tag, hopefully a long deal at some point in the next year.
White - brought back on a short deal.

Fencer

Agreed completely.

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"To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness." -- Oscar Wilde

Fencer

I think he was much too good for that this past season. Otherwise, your thoughts make a lot of sense.

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"To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness." -- Oscar Wilde