mgteich

Of course, UDFA's always have a chance to make the 53 man roster, even without injuries to other players. That being said, IMHO it isn't very likely except perhaps at punter. Most of us will pick our UDFA binky or two. That's fine. I think that there are some good players who will likely NOT make the team, and lot of camp fodder also.

I'm not saying that players on my list are all locks. However, UDFA's would need to beat out players like Ruud and Alexander who have no spots and then beat out one of Hobson, Seau, Woods or Izzo to get a roster spot. I think that it is unlikely for more than two rookie linebackers to be on this patriot squad.

And just BTW, there is a very long list of players who poster here have indicated would beat out Izzo. The reality is that he will be on the 53-man squad unless he's on the IR.

MY LIST OF PLAYERS WITH NO ROSTER SPOT (17)
OL Connolly, Martin
WR Jones, Aiken
TE Spach
FB Eckel
QB Cassell
DL Smith
LB Ruud, Alexander
DB Webster, Lewis Sanders, Andrews, Richardson, Spann, Ventrone
P Player
==================================
OFFENSE (25)
QB - 3 Tom Brady, Gutierrez, O’Connell
RB - 3 Faulk, Maroney, Morris
FB - 1 Evans
C - 1 Koppen
G - 4 Neal, Hochstein, Mankins, Yates
OT - 4 Light, Kaycur, O'Callaghan, Britt
WR - 6 Moss, Gaffney, Welker, Washington, Chad Jackson, Slater
TE - 3 Watson, Dave Thomas, Pollard

DEFENSE (25)
DE - 4 Warren, Green, Seymour, Santonio Thomas
DT - 3 Wilfork, Le Kevin Smith, Wright
OLB- 4 Vrabel, Adalius Thomas, Crable, Woods
ILB- 5 Bruschi, Mayo, Hobson, Seau, Izzo
CB - 4 Hobbs, Bryant, Wheatley, Wilhite
S - 4 Sanders, Harrison, Meriweather, Williams
DB – 1 Law

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

cstjohn17

Good breakdown, I agree with your overall premise. UDFAs are nice to cheer for but on a talented roster like the Patriots they don't have much of an impact on the roster. Some may make the final 53 but it is rare that they ever become more than special teams contributors.

For the most part 45+ of the roster slots are already decided. It would be nice if a couple younger players could stick on the practice squad but in the end they are generally easily replaceable JAGs.

Zeke_Mowatt

Looked like Slater would hit the roster on D, so that opens up a WR/offensive slot if you really believe he's going to make the roster, but are you expecting Ty Law to be on the team, or am I missing something here? I don't disagree with your analysis, but those were two ?s that hit me reading through it...

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PatsFan37

So that's how he broke his foot. Ouch.

Jimke

Most years I complain about the overall quality of the UDFAs

that the Patriots have signed. This year I am quite happy.

Dragosavich, Guyton, Redd, Green-Ellis, and Smith were all

projected as late round draft picks. These players along with

Stupar have a shot at making either the 53 man roster or the

practice squad.

spacecrime

Technically they all have a shot. The problem is that they can't meake the team simply because they are very good players. That isn't enough. They have to be better than the others. For instance,

If Green-Ellis makes the team, then one of Maroney-Morris-Faulk won't. Who would you cut to make room for Green-Ellis? I like Green-Ellis, also, but someone asked me this same question a couple days ago and I had no answer.

Similarly, Guyton and Redd are OLBs. Typically we carry four, and we have Thomas, Vrabel, Crabel and Woods. Guyton would have a tremendous job on his hands beating out Woods, though it could be done. But then which of Thomas-Vrabel-Crabel would you cut for Redd. Conclusion: No room for Redd.

Stupar has an excellent chance of making the practice squad, and I can see the faint possibility of making the team if Spach gets hurt, Pollard totally sucks and Stupar plays like Tony Gonsalez.

mgteich

I don't think Slater is good enough on defense to replace a defensive slot. If he were considered a defensive player, then I would have only 5 WR's and 3 TE's. That's plenty for receivers. The 5th should really be a STer. The 6th is certainly a utilit player or a developmental player.

Yes, I expect that Law will be signed. If not then another DB will be signed or Webster (or even Lewis Sanders) will make the squad.

tombonneau

I think you hit on two easily upgradeable spots here. What has Woods ever done to secure a spot on this roster? Don't underestimate his inability to corral that fumble in the SB. BB values clutch vs. anti-clutch play -- ask Caldwell.

I think Woods could easily lose a spot to an UDFA. He might even get bumped for a rookie or FA. I'd say his odds are 50/50 of being on the team.

As far as Spach or Pollard, an UDFA who excels in the preseason could easily bump one of those guys who are street vets that would likely still be available in October.

spacecrime

Well, regarding Calwell, I've never heard that BB makes decisions based on one play. That's what fans do. You have to look at Caldwell's body of work, but mostly what BB thought Caldwell could do in 2007 vs what BB thought Gaffney could do.

Woods did not corral that fumble, for sure, but I never heard of a player being cut for not corralling a fumble. If you've played, you know how much luck has to do with recovering fumbles.

It's too early to ask what Woods (or Guyot or Redd) have done to secure a spot on this roster. Neither have done a single thing good or bad. Both have all of training camp ahead of them unless they stink up the joint.

If Guyot can outplay Woods he can get the spot for sure, but to call that task easy is incorrect.

Woods has shown he can play in the NFL. Guyot has to give clues that if kept on the roster, he can not only make plays but make them more consistently. Doable, but not easily.

MosiT

I think that most coaches make their decisions by what they see on the closed practice field rather than what they see in pre season games.

Pre season games really dont tell as much about a player as what the coach sees in close up practice sessions.

In fact on many occasions we as fans get taken in by a great performance by some players in pre season games and then a few days later we are scratching our heads as to why they were cut.

Yes, I dont believe that pre season is a key factor in whether players make or dont make the final roster. Does it play a part? Sure it does, but as I said, I believe what happens in the practice field and in the team's classroom settings carries much more weight.