A look at open roster spots

[DocE]

For this exercise, I have assumed that the Patriots will be able to retain any RFA's they want to keep.

QB (2): Tom Brady, Kevin O'Connell, (Matt Cassell)

RB (3): Laurence Maroney, Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris

TE (2): Ben Watson, Dave Thomas

WR (3): Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Sam Aiken/Kelly Washington

OT (3): Matt Light, Nick Kaczur, Mark Levoir

OG (2): Logan Mankins, Stephen Neal

C (1): Dan Koppen


NT(1): Vince Wilfork

DE(4): Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, Jarvis Green, LeKevin Smith

OLB(4): Mike Vrabel, Adalius Thomas, Pierre Woods, Shawn Crable

ILB(3): Tedy Bruschi, Jerod Mayo, Gary Guyton

CB (3) : Ellis Hobbs, Terrence Wheatley, Jonathan Wilhite

S(1): Brandon Meriweather

ST(2): Stephen Gostkowski, Matt Slater

So, in my opinion, the Patriots have 34 of 53 roster spots locked up for next year barring injury. I included one of either Washington or Aiken because I think both will be back, but I wouldn't be shocked if the Pats decided to go with another pure WR instead of having 2 special teams guys at the position.

Now, add in a punter, a long snapper, and a 3rd QB. That gets me to 37 of 53 roster spots filled. Paxton, Malone or Hanson, and Guttierrez figure in here.

'08 Patriots not considered locks that have a very good shot at being on the team again in '09: Aiken/Washington, Ray Ventrone, Billy Yates, Tyson DeVree, BenJarvus Green-Ellis. Just to be conservative, I will say just 2 of those 5 will be back, which brings me to 39.

So I see a maximum of 14 roster spots open for new Pats in '09. That said, it could be far less when guys like Heath Evans are re-signed and a couple of fringe Olineman (Yates, Connolly, Hochstein, and O'Callaghan) are back.

It is clear that there is room for veterans in the secondary, some youth with more upside at both guard and tackle, at least one veteran WR be it Gaffney or someone else, someone at TE to push Watson/Thomas, the big head smashing SILB unless Ruud has been secretly groomed for that role, and some insurance along the defensive line. If Hobbs is our de-facto no.1 corner again in '09 then there's a need for a kick returner as Ellis was getting injured far too often the past two seasons to continue both jobs.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Guys like DeVree and BJGE are Practice Squad eligible, NE could still retain them without carrying them on the 53 man roster.

 

[WhiZa]

Guys like DeVree and BJGE are Practice Squad eligible, NE could still retain them without carrying them on the 53 man roster.

BJGE is not since he played in 9 games. That's why I'm thinking Jordan is not brought back (besides the fact he said he wasn't himself)

 

[BradyManny]

So I see a maximum of 14 roster spots open for new Pats in '09. That said, it could be far less when guys like Heath Evans are re-signed and a couple of fringe Olineman (Yates, Connolly, Hochstein, and O'Callaghan) are back.

It is clear that there is room for veterans in the secondary, some youth with more upside at both guard and tackle, at least one veteran WR be it Gaffney or someone else, someone at TE to push Watson/Thomas, the big head smashing SILB unless Ruud has been secretly groomed for that role, and some insurance along the defensive line. If Hobbs is our de-facto no.1 corner again in '09 then there's a need for a kick returner as Ellis was getting injured far too often the past two seasons to continue both jobs.

Nice work.

So 14 spots going into draft and free agency, excluding the long snapper/punter situations.

Just taking a guess-timate on somre more of our own FAs - I see J Sanders, Evans, Gaffney & L. Sanders all finding their way back onto the roster. Wright, Hochstein, & Izzo will also probably be back. I'll average that out to 6 players.

So from there, I'm guesstimating 8 spots are open. Which doesn't seem like enough given the # of draft picks we have and the number of developmental guys in the pipeline at LB. But not having enough good roster spots to go around just means you're fielding a good team.

 

[CanadianPat'sFan]

Nice work.

So 14 spots going into draft and free agency, excluding the long snapper/punter situations.

Just taking a guess-timate on somre more of our own FAs - I see J Sanders, Evans, Gaffney & L. Sanders all finding their way back onto the roster. Wright, Hochstein, & Izzo will also probably be back. I'll average that out to 6 players.

So from there, I'm guesstimating 8 spots are open. Which doesn't seem like enough given the # of draft picks we have and the number of developmental guys in the pipeline at LB. But not having enough good roster spots to go around just means you're fielding a good team.

I just want to echo what BradyManny said good work...I was going to research this after the SB but you have done all the work for me thanks. I wanted to see exactly where we stood before this whole off season get hot right after the big game tomorrow.

I would like to see most of the FA you mention above back with us. I would agree that we should have a good chance to get at least 6 back as they know our system and are good players. I would say re-signing Wright will take up another spot but will sure up our D-Line for 09. I know another NT would be nice but we can get good production out of Wilfork, Wright, Seymour, Green, Warren and Smith who I loved when he was with Nebraska.

Great point at the end as good teams have a hard roster to crack but this is the NFL and the Law firm showed us this year that even a practice roster spot is valuable as well.