This year's UDFA to make the team? - New England Patriots Forums

dryheat44 · 05-02-2008, 07:45 AM

Gary Guyton. I can't believe this guy wasn't drafted. He should be able to play ILB much better than Eric Alexander, with very little drop-off in ST ability. Overlooked playing with Wheeler and Robertson, but a solid player with a ton of athletic ability. Or he could replace Izzo or Mel Mitchell.

Of course, Drago could impress enough in minicamp to earn a contract....and he has much less competition.

Keep an eye on Henry Smith also. After some time on the practice squad, he could become a viable backup at NT.

BradyManny · 05-02-2008, 08:00 AM

I don't know too much about these guys, but based on the scouting reports, I'm going to agree with you and say Guyton, and also add that I like the potential of Redd.

Or Drago, here's got a serious chance given the competition is slimmer at that position and the team is more likely to take a chance with him than any other spot.

Ultimately, I hope we get a few of these guys, Guyton, Redd, Coffman onto the PS for a year.

mike100915 · 05-02-2008, 08:23 AM

I think will probably to diffcult this year for a UDFA to make this team with it's depth. I think that Drago is the odds on choice. I wasn't too enamored with Chris Hanson last yeay, and Scott Player is just serviceable at best. I'd actually be surpised if Drago isn't our punter coming opening week. They guys has the leg they need. I know with this offense Punter isn't too much of a need, but come playoff time we need a guy who can boot it, and Drago is our guy. We haven't had a good punter here since Josh Miller's first year.

KevinFaulk-33 · 05-02-2008, 10:19 AM

I hope that Guyton or Redd come in the roster.

Jimke · 05-02-2008, 10:39 AM

It is a myth that this team is so good and deep that no undrafted free

agent can make the team. Guyton and Redd have a shot over players

like Alexander, Izzo, and draft choice Rudd. I also wonder whether

Smith will get a good look see since Wright is in the last year of his

contract.

tombonneau · 05-02-2008, 02:12 PM

Great thread. I vote it be moved to main forum to get more action!

Anyway, I have my fingers crossed that it's BenJarvus to replace Evans. Here's his scouting report from nfldraftcountdown.com:

Quote:

Height: 5-105/8 | Weight: 219 | 40-Time: 4.63

Strengths:
Very good size and bulk...Is quick with a burst...Strong and powerful...Runs hard and breaks a lot of tackles...Good instincts...Excellent balance...Aggressive...Great ball security...An above average blocker..Has been real durable...Solid production.

Weaknesses:
Timed speed is below average...Is not real shifty or elusive...Not much of a threat as a pass catcher...Lacks top patience and vision...Not a big play threat...Runs too tall...Will struggle to get outside and turn the corner...A lot of mileage on his tires.

Sounds like his strengths & weaknesses make him a prototypical short yardage back. And if he can actually break a tackle he is an instant upgrade over Evans.

I think if he can put on a few pounds, he could be a very solid short yardage guy for the Pats.

signbabybrady · 05-02-2008, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimke

It is a myth that this team is so good and deep that no undrafted free

agent can make the team. Guyton and Redd have a shot over players

like Alexander, Izzo, and draft choice Rudd. I also wonder whether

Smith will get a good look see since Wright is in the last year of his

contract.

I am not sure where you get that statement from to begin with. I think a more accurate statement than no undrafted free agent makes the team would be that is harder for a UDFA to make this team than another. Another more accurate statement would be that there is not room for many day 2 picks and/or UDFAs.

I don't think anyone would say no UDFA has a chance because we all know Peoli and BB have found a few gems as UDFAs.

I like what I hear about Guyton. Smith is interesting as he has the body type for the position but I know nothing else about him. Maybe Warren will help him out. Drago could be interesting but with the affection BB has for hang time and directional punting I think it would be a long shot for him to beat out a vet.

tombonneau · 05-02-2008, 02:45 PM

There is absolutely no reason an UDFA or two couldn't make this roster. I went to pats.com and looked at the roster. IMO, there are 33 locks to make the roster. Everyone else is fighting for a spot.

Code:

Tom Brady 	 QB 
Tedy Bruschi 	 LB 
Fernando Bryant 	 CB 
Shawn Crable 	 LB 
Kevin Faulk 	 RB 
Jabar Gaffney 	 WR 
Stephen Gostkowski 	 K 
Jarvis Green 	 DL 
Rodney Harrison 	 S 
Ellis Hobbs III 	 CB 
Chad Jackson 	 WR 
Nick Kaczur 	 T 
Dan Koppen 	 C 
Matt Light 	 T 
Logan Mankins 	 G 
Laurence Maroney 	 RB 
Jerod Mayo 	 LB 
Brandon Meriweather 	 S 
Sammy Morris 	 RB 
Randy Moss 	 WR 
Stephen Neal  	 G  
James Sanders 	 S 
Richard Seymour 	 DL 
David Thomas 	 TE 
Adalius Thomas 	 LB 
Mike Vrabel 	 LB 
Ty Warren 	 DL 
Kelley Washington 	 WR 
Benjamin Watson 	 TE 
Wes Welker 	 WR 
Terrence Wheatley 	 CB 
Vince Wilfork 	 DL 
Jonathan Wilhite 	 CB

The rest of these guys are all fighting to make the roster and IMO are all on the same playing field, either UDFA or vet.

Code:

Sam Aiken  	 WR  
Eric Alexander 	 LB 
Willie Andrews 	 DB 
Wesley Britt 	 T 
Josh Coffman 	 T 
Dan Connolly 	 OL 
Mark Dillard 	 S 
Kyle Eckel 	 FB 
Heath Evans 	 FB 
Carlos Feliciano 	 DT 
BenJarvus Green-Ellis 	 RB 
Matt Gutierrez 	 QB 
Gary Guyton 	 LB 
Chris Hanson 	 P 
Victor Hobson 	 LB 
Russ Hochstein 	 G/C 
Larry Izzo 	 LB 
C.J. Jones 	 WR 
Jimmy Martin 	 OL 
Chris Norwell 	 DE 
Ryan O'Callaghan 	 T 
Kevin O'Connell 	 QB 
Lonie Paxton 	 LS 
Scott Player 	 P 
Marcus Pollard 	 TE 
Vince Redd 	 LB 
Mike Richardson 	 CB 
Bo Ruud 	 LB 
Lewis Sanders 	 CB 
Matthew Slater 	 WR 
Kenny Smith 	 DL 
Le Kevin Smith 	 DL 
Henry Smith 	 NT 
Stephen Spach 	 TE 
Antwain Spann 	 CB 
Jonathan Stupar 	 TE 
Santonio Thomas 	 DL 
Casey Tyler 	 DE 
Raymond Ventrone 	 S 
Jason Webster 	 CB 
Ryan Wendell 	 C 
Tank Williams 	 S 
Pierre Woods 	 LB 
Mike Wright 	 DL 
Billy Yates 	 G 
Matt Cassel 	 QB

You might be able to quibble here and there, but even if you say there are 40 locks, that still leaves 13 spots up for grabs.

***DaBruinz*** · 05-02-2008, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tombonneau

Great thread. I vote it be moved to main forum to get more action!

Anyway, I have my fingers crossed that it's BenJarvus to replace Evans. Here's his scouting report from nfldraftcountdown.com:

Quote:

Originally Posted by nfldraftcountdown.com

Height: 5-105/8 | Weight: 219 | 40-Time: 4.63

Strengths:
Very good size and bulk...Is quick with a burst...Strong and powerful...Runs hard and breaks a lot of tackles...Good instincts...Excellent balance...Aggressive...Great ball security...An above average blocker..Has been real durable...Solid production.

Weaknesses:
Timed speed is below average...Is not real shifty or elusive...Not much of a threat as a pass catcher...Lacks top patience and vision...Not a big play threat...Runs too tall...Will struggle to get outside and turn the corner...A lot of mileage on his tires.

Sounds like his strengths & weaknesses make him a prototypical short yardage back. And if he can actually break a tackle he is an instant upgrade over Evans.

I think if he can put on a few pounds, he could be a very solid short yardage guy for the Pats.

Sorry, but Benjarvus would be replacing ECKEL and not Evans. Benjarvus is a RB, not a FB, so even replacing Eckel is a stretch.

I think its much more likely that Benjarvus winds up on the practice squad since he doesn't have the size to be a lead blocker.

***DaBruinz*** · 05-02-2008, 04:33 PM

Just a point of reference. During BBs entire tenure with the Patriots, BB has NOT cut a player before the season started who was drafted in the 4th round or higher. That's pretty telling regarding O'Connell.