mgteich

DEFENSIVE FRONT SEVEN (14 of 15)
widebodies: Wilfork, Love, Deaderick, Fanene
DE/OLB: Ninkovich, Jones, Bequette, Cunningham, Scott/Francis/Carter
ILB: Mayo, Hightower, Spikes
LB/ST: Carpenter, Fletcher

OPTIONS FOR #15
another widebody (this is my choice; Warren or Prior or Brace)
another special teamer

mayoclinic

I don't think it's a given that it will be 15 rather than 16. I could also see Jeff Tarpinian playing a hybrid LB/DB/ST role (competing directly with Josh Barrett). I think at least one more "widebody" is likely, and possibly 2.

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"OVER Loading at ANY position can create a Fatal Advantage. THAT is what interests ME. Attacking With Concentrated Force. THAT is what WINS. In the words ~ more or less ~ of General Patton: 'I'm fighting a WAR, here. Let the B*****ES worry about their FLANKS.' " - Off the Grid

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supafly

It may not be the best year for Tarpinian to make the squad with the increased competition from Carpenter, Fletcher (depending upon where you put him, I certainly think he's a lock myself), White, and even Barrett as you said. I do think that we have to acct for him and include him though, but the others likely hold a decent edge in my opinion.

I certainly agree that 16 may be quite reasonable, with 2 more 'wide bodies' at the helm. Those guys may/should (IMO) include 2 of the following 4 options:

--Pryor
--Brace
--G.Warren
--a less likely choice of a vet pickup due to roster cuts, but you never know

That would leave 9 DB's to make the approximation of the magic "25" number. With many of those 9 DB's having the ability to change positions in the secondary due to need/injury, 9 should be okay. It also includes a combo of some of the ST only guys such as Carpenter/White/Fletcher/Tarpinian/Barrett, which is another positive for sure.

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signbabybrady

IMO Vince, Love, Mayo, Spikes, Hightower, and Jones look like a sick group to me. Leaving one DE spot remaining and a solid group to chose from. Maybe we get Carter back too. Sure maybe Hightower and Jones don't start from game one but they both look good so far and there is a real solid group behind them too. Front seven looks solid, versatile, and deep to me.

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supafly

I agree. I also think that it's a given that we need to add 2 more players in the front too though, such as Pryor/Brace/Warren/other. That would certainly be adequate enough, and our depth should be looking quite good then. With so many different rotations/looks/injuries/etc, Belichick likes to have some decent depth up front to cover all the bases--and rightfully so.

It could shape up to be a formidable group for sure.

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Patiently waiting to defend the next "bubble" player in this summer's training camp.....

AndyJohnson

I think you are very light up front. You have last years starting LDE,DT,DT with only one backup. We need at least 2 more.
I'm not sold on Carpenter yet.
I think it has to be 16.

supafly

Any thoughts on possible frontrunners, Andy?

I am guessing that it will be a nice competition for the final 2 spots with one of Brace/Warren (could play both DE/DT if needed), and one of Pryor/other for more of an interior push/backup role.

One could also argue that BOTH Brace/Warren should get the nod over Pryor/other at this point too, especially if he doesn't come back soon--although I think he is on the track back from injury myself. That scenario could also possibly provide more versatility, although effectiveness remains a question mark of course.

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Patiently waiting to defend the next "bubble" player in this summer's training camp.....

BBass

Pryor will start on PUP just about a certainty.

I actually think it will be 16

Big's - Wilfork, Love, Brace, Fanene, Deaderick, Francis
DE/OLB - Jones, Ninkovich, Cunningham, Scott, Bequette
LB - Mayo, Spikes, Hightower, Carpenter, Fletcher

I think Tarpinian would make it only if we decided not to keep a true FB, but if we keep Larsen there really isn't much that Tarpinian is going to bring that he can't provide in special teams.

I also see Francis making the squad he continues to impress and seems to be used inside and out Jarvis Green style. 6'2 275 isn't ideal but if he could beef up 10-15lbs could be a sold inside rush option in sub packages.

Sciz

16 seems like a good number. Five bigs, 5 edge guys, 6 total linebackers. I like Brace as the last DT with Warren a phone call away and Pryor available off PUP midseason. Last DE spot goes to Carter if he's back or Francis otherwise. Seems like they're about ready to give up on Scott. White/Tarp as the last LB.

As for what White/Tarp have on Larsen, it's straight-line speed. If there's a play in football where 40 speed matters the most, it's kickoff coverage. Both White and Tarp are 4.55 40 guys. Larsen ran 4.82.

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BBass

I really don't see the need to keep a FB. Hernandez can play out of that H-Back position and give us so much more. Larsen is a nice all around end of roster player but to cut one of these players with huge upside doesn't make sense. With the exception of Warren I cannot see a player that is on the roster bubble that won't be picked up by another team same day.

How many players do we need for ST? Edelman, Carpenter, Tarp, White, Slater, Wilson and Ebner all have strong ST ability. In your opinion how many of those players make the cut? I know Wilson and Carpenter bring things in other areas so they will make it but who else do you see making it?