Funktopus

I'm guessing the following will make the 53 but wont dress on game day

Becket
Denard
Tomas
Weems
Francis

that leaves me 2 short.

Reiss posted this week that Niko, Tarp and digbo appeared on 3 ST units. If one or none of them make the team, then who is playing ST from the 46 that dress?

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ATippett56

Gaffney has done more than Shiancoe which is NOTHING!

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Crazy Patriot Guy

Again, look at the 46 man active roster. If we kept Gaffney, (and the fact that he's gone and Branch isn't shows that Branch won the #3 spot) that's 6 WRs active each week, assuming you don't want to deactivate Gaffney.

2 QBs
4 RBs minimum (If Demps makes it, no way we don't put him out on special teams each week. Woodhead IMO wouldn't be asked to carry the load if Ridley got hurt so another would be needed)
6 WRs (having kept Gaffney)
3 TEs (I'm not even including Shiancoe)
7 OL (which is on the light side, would like to see 8)

That's 22 on offense, 23 if you activate the 8th lineman. After K, P and LS, that leaves 20 spots for defense. That seems light considering how many special teamers are on that side of the ball.

ATippett56

Given Deion Branch's injury history, you actually expect Deion Branch to be completely healthy for 19 games this season? Who is to say that you could not alternate Gaffney one week and Branch the other week, barring injuries of course?

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PATSNUTme

In Gaff's case, it could be one of those wink and nod cuts.

It may not be, but there could be a player that BB does not want to release until the final cut. Being able to release Gaff, knowing he can bring him back, gives him a little more time to make decisions on others.

ATippett56

I certainly hope so, since the wide receiver position looks a little thin right now.

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Fencer

Correct, although Shiancoe could replace Demps or the ninth OL. Game day inactives could start with a QB, an RB, and an OL. Maybe knock active OL down to 7, because of STs.

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ATippett56

Shiancoe provides little to the New England Patriots offense; especially considering that he has been unable to get on the practice field since the first week of training camp, has yet to play a pre-season game, and has no previous experience playing in the New England Patriots offense.

As for Jeff Demps, there is no way he will pass thru waivers. Besides, the New England Patriots may need to carry five running backs since Vereen was injured in the Tampa Bay pre-season game.

As for the offensive line, it is not standard practice for Bill Belichick to only dress seven offensive lineman?

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Fencer

You're right about the health thing with Shiancoe; certainly it would be a disincentive to guaranteeing his salary. Having 4 TEs makes sense, however, although preferably with more ST contribution.

Some recent article said the Pats dressed 8 OL more often than 7 last season. I was surprised.

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supafly

I'm not sure who you mean with the first name, but I'm assuming maybe Barrett? He was cut in the first round on Sunday night, so he's out. You may have "Beckett" on the brain a bit lately due to some of the Red Sox news.

Dennard to me is another question mark, but he may very well make it now as a developmental CB. I agree that he will be inactive for the majority of the games, barring injury. They could try and sneak him onto the PS, but I think that we may keep 10 DB's now, which would keep him here.

Thomas' situation may have dramatically improved when McDonald was injured. This would also be true if/when Waters does NOT decide to show up, which is a possibility too. Either way, Thomas' chances have increased in my opinion. I agree with him on the inactive list for the majority.

Weems I do not see making it, although he will likely be signed to the PS if he can make it through. I just don't see too much room, but then again--you need an additional tackle too, and his chances may have increased with the McDonald injury depending upon how bad it is, as he was supposed to take the 4th tackle + versatility at all 5 position.

Francis is one who I actually totally agree with. There is a rumor that they are rather high on him. We'll have to see if that's true, but it would make sense.

We'd still need one more, which would give 6 + the inactive QB (Mallett).

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