March 6 53-man roster

[mgteich]

After a week of free agency and 12 signings, see below for our 53-man current roster plus five who are very unlikely to make the squad. I've listed those as "Practice Squad" players.

======================
MG’s ROSTER AS OF MARCH 6

OFFENSE (26)
QB (3) Brady, O'Connell, Gutierrez
RB/FB (5) Taylor, Faulk, Morris, Maroney, BJGE
WR (5) Moss, Welker, Lewis, Aiken, Slater
TE (3) Watson, Baker, Thomas
OT (4) Light, Kaczur, LeVoir, O’Callaghan
OG/C/LS (6) Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Hochstein, Yates, Connolly

DEFENSE (25)
DL (6) Wilfork, Seymour,Warren, Green, Smith, Adams
LB (10) Thomas, Mayo, Guyton, Bruschi, Woods, Crable, Banta-Cain, Alexander, Redd, Ruud
DB (9) Hobbs, Springs, Wilhite, Wheatley, Richardson, Meriweather, Sanders, Spann, Ventrone

SPECIALISTS (2)
K (1) Gostkowski
P (1) Hanson

PRACTICE SQUAD
Wendell, Listorti, DeVree, Craig, Malone

 

[jmt57]

I wouldn't mind adding a true fullback. If there's a position that can take a hit, I don't see a need for ten linebackers.

 

[spacecrime]

Wow, that's a nice looking roster. And figure that at least 6 rookies will make the team (first rounder, 3 second rounders, third rounder and likely third round comp pick for Samuel)

Going to be a tight training camp again.

After a week of free agency and 12 signings, see below for our 53-man current roster plus five who are very unlikely to make the squad. I've listed those as "Practice Squad" players.

======================
MG’s ROSTER AS OF MARCH 6

OFFENSE (26)
QB (3) Brady, O'Connell, Gutierrez
RB/FB (5) Taylor, Faulk, Morris, Maroney, BJGE
WR (5) Moss, Welker, Lewis, Aiken, Slater
TE (3) Watson, Baker, Thomas
OT (4) Light, Kaczur, LeVoir, O’Callaghan
OG/C/LS (6) Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Hochstein, Yates, Connelly

DEFENSE (25)
DL (6) Wilfork, Seymour,Warren, Green, Smith, Adams
LB (10) Thomas, Mayo, Guyton, Bruschi, Woods, Crable, Banta-Cain, Alexander, Redd, Ruud
DB (9) Hobbs, Springs, Wilhite, Wheatley, Richardson, Meriweather, Sanders, Spann, Ventrone

SPECIALISTS (2)
K (1) Gostkowski
P (1) Hanson

PRACTICE SQUAD
Wendell, Listorti, DeVree, Craig, Malone

 

[DW Toys]

After a week of free agency and 12 signings, see below for our 53-man current roster plus five who are very unlikely to make the squad. I've listed those as "Practice Squad" players.

======================
MG’s ROSTER AS OF MARCH 6

OFFENSE (26)
QB (3) Brady, O'Connell, Gutierrez
RB/FB (5) Taylor, Faulk, Morris, Maroney, BJGE
WR (5) Moss, Welker, Lewis, Aiken, Slater
TE (3) Watson, Baker, Thomas
OT (4) Light, Kaczur, LeVoir, O’Callaghan
OG/C/LS (6) Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Hochstein, Yates, Connelly

DEFENSE (25)
DL (6) Wilfork, Seymour,Warren, Green, Smith, Adams
LB (10) Thomas, Mayo, Guyton, Bruschi, Woods, Crable, Banta-Cain, Alexander, Redd, Ruud
DB (9) Hobbs, Springs, Wilhite, Wheatley, Richardson, Meriweather, Sanders, Spann, Ventrone

SPECIALISTS (2)
K (1) Gostkowski
P (1) Hanson

PRACTICE SQUAD
Wendell, Listorti, DeVree, Craig, Malone

Pretty close,
Good job
DW Toys

 

[TimU]

Thanks for the update. Looking at it, I feel like we need more talent at LB and DB.

 

[juny]

I guess you are not counting on Harrison on coming back.

Anyone know what his status is anyway?

 

[mgteich]

I'm not counted on anyone that we haven't signed or tendered a contract. There are several unsigned free agents who could be re-signed including Harrison. There is no word on the physical condition of Harrison or Tank Williams.

Free agent signings or trades seem likely before the draft at the following positions: defensive back, linebacker, long snapper, wide receiver and fullback.

I guess you are not counting on Harrison on coming back.

Anyone know what his status is anyway?

 

[mgteich]

We still have much improving to do in free agency, trades and in the draft. I believe that this team will be as good as both the 2007 and 2008 teams in all aspects of the game.

Well, let me ask the question. Compare the offense, defense and special teams to 2007 and 2008. Would this team expected to be better, the same or not as good by midseason and into the playoffs?

OFFENSE
I think the offense is already at least as good as 2007 with the addition of Taylor and Baker. I do believe that we need to add a wide receiver and a fullback. Then, there should be no question. I'm not saying the stats will be better. We may have a slow start.

DEFENSE
This is certainly a work in progress. We are already as good as the injury-depleted squad that we fielded last year. From 2007, we are down Vrabel, Samuel and Harrison; and Bruschi is slowing down. We have made additions, but more are needed.

SPECIAL TEAMS
The Gost is the best. Hanson is fine. Our coverages are improved.

MY BOTTOM LINE
As someone else posted, we need to upgrade at linebacker and in the secondary.

 

[JSn]

Nice work. I'd be pretty stoked if a reserve OL was also the LS. I know it's an important position and he needs to be good, but getting specialists down to two would be nice.

If we go no LS (as in non-multi-role LS) and no FB, we have two spots open to expand our stock. 5 RB's seems excessive, until we look back at last year.

10 LB's seems mad too... again, until we look back at last year.

It's exciting to think that by the time TC and pre-season shake out the roster, this team could very well be excellent from #1-#53.

 

[sam]

I think people are really going to be surprised by Wheatley's play. Most people are putting Wilhite ahead of him right now because we've seen more of Wilhite. From the little I've seen of Wheatley I project him as a starter next season. I think our CBs are going to be really strong next year with Hobbs on one side and Springs and Wheatley splitting on the other side and Wilhite in the slot. Remember, no scrubs like O'Neill, Sanders, and Websters this coming season. There's even room for more improvement if we sign Bodden or draft a CB in the first round. I am more optimistic than I was before 2007 because unlike 2007 I think we're going to have a strong defense this year. Our secondary was week in 07 but our offense covered that up for the most part.

Now only if we could develop a pass rush. We can only hope.

 

[Joker]

still early...BUT...year 2 of Mayo? young leaders stepping up? Wheatley is a player...do NOT underestimate the Springs signing...and do not for a second think that Springs may move to safety in a number of defensive sets...you always have to think versatility when BB brings a veteran on board...we have another budding leader at safety and Harrison cannot hurt as a backup and mentor for this secondary that, let's face it, was pretty green last season.

Everyone seems to think we need an edge rusher or more pressure from the front seven...say what you will, Peppers being a force and all but I can't help but think what a motivated Jason Taylor would mean to this defense...and I can't see a downside as far as a team player is concerned either. The last true elephant LB we had was Willie and you all saw what that meant in crunch time...you free up Mayo to read and plug gaps and a Jason Taylor wreaks havoc on this line.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Free agent signings or trades seem likely before the draft at the following positions: defensive back, linebacker, long snapper, wide receiver and fullback.

I can't help if Maroney and/or Watson are fodder for trades with teams on similar players... i.e. high draft picks who haven't quite lived up to their potential... swap them out for players at other positions that might benefit from playing in a new environment in a new system... all players who could benefit from a fresh start, but are on short term contracts.

I guess their signing bonuses would hit us - but they're on the books regardless - and if the salaries are comparable, maybe it works out.

 

[RayClay]

Unless we give away our draft picks, you can slice off 5-6 at least from the LB/DB categories.

I think part of that could be free agents too.

 

[CanadianPat'sFan]

Unless we give away our draft picks, you can slice off 5-6 at least from the LB/DB categories.

I think part of that could be free agents too.

This is what I was thinking as we have so many draft picks that should make the team. I think that before it is all said and done 1-2 OL and 2 LB are going to be cut to make room for rookies and FA. That being said great job and if our young guys play well it should be some tough decisions come Aug.

 

[RayClay]

This is what I was thinking as we have so many draft picks that should make the team. I think that before it is all said and done 1-2 OL and 2 LB are going to be cut to make room for rookies and FA. That being said great job and if our young guys play well it should be some tough decisions come Aug.

Good call on the OL. I don't know if we'll ever see that star LT, but we need to protect Brady and that means talent on the OL. We'll probably continue to try to stash extras on the PS.

Tough decisions are good. Lack of competition at non defensive line positions has caused us to overrate our depth at lb/db IMO. (is that enough initials?)

 

[signbabybrady]

IMO the 53 man roster looks pretty damn good and we are only a week or so into free agency.

I think there are few things left that this team needs and some things left that could be done but we would be OK without too (not including the draft).

I could see us still trying to get the following.

Longsnapper (though they could go with Hochstein I would expect at least someone to compete with him)

LB ( OLB :while the signing of TBC gives us enough depth they still could go for someone who could truly replace Vrabel ILB: I like what we have)

WR (Greg Lewis is one option to compete for #3 I could see another vet to compete with him and possibly a rookie. Though I am interested to see what Slater or Bubba could do with an actual spot to win)

DB (CB: I really think we have enough at the corner position maybe one more rookie but... Safety: I definitely want another veteran safety. Rodney would be perferable but Tank or someone on the market who could do that role would be OK too)

TE + RB/FB (we could use a FB lead blocker but I don't see a need for RB or TE)

OL and DL (with us returning all the starters on both sides plus the top back up I don't see a need here but definitely in the draft as a bunch of these guys are FA next season)

Back up QB (I could see a Vet brought in but don't see a need as I like O'Connell)


When you add the draft into the team we already have this could be one of the best most balanced teams of this past decade.

 

[mayoclinic]

After a week of free agency and 12 signings, see below for our 53-man current roster plus five who are very unlikely to make the squad. I've listed those as "Practice Squad" players.

======================
MG’s ROSTER AS OF MARCH 6

OFFENSE (26)
QB (3) Brady, O'Connell, Gutierrez
RB/FB (5) Taylor, Faulk, Morris, Maroney, BJGE
WR (5) Moss, Welker, Lewis, Aiken, Slater
TE (3) Watson, Baker, Thomas
OT (4) Light, Kaczur, LeVoir, O’Callaghan
OG/C/LS (6) Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Hochstein, Yates, Connolly

DEFENSE (25)
DL (6) Wilfork, Seymour,Warren, Green, Smith, Adams
LB (10) Thomas, Mayo, Guyton, Bruschi, Woods, Crable, Banta-Cain, Alexander, Redd, Ruud
DB (9) Hobbs, Springs, Wilhite, Wheatley, Richardson, Meriweather, Sanders, Spann, Ventrone

SPECIALISTS (2)
K (1) Gostkowski
P (1) Hanson

PRACTICE SQUAD
Wendell, Listorti, DeVree, Craig, Malone

Nice Job. I've separated out the LBs and DBs and have added a few comments:

OFFENSE (26)
QB (3) Brady, O'Connell, Gutierrez - Basically set, and an upgrade over Cassell/O'Connell/Gutierrez last year; a vet backup like Ramsey would be nice, but only if cheap. Is Gut still PS eligible?
RB/FB (5) Taylor, Faulk, Morris, Maroney, BJGE - Deepest RB corps we've had; do we really need a FB replacement for Evans?
WR (5) Moss, Welker, Lewis, Aiken, Slater - A little think after the first 2, but adequate; one solid developmental WR in the draft would round it out nicely
TE (3) Watson, Baker, Thomas - Extremely solid; Baker gives us a nice approximation of Daniel Graham to balance out Watson and Thomas
OT (4) Light, Kaczur, LeVoir, O’Callaghan - Would love to see an eventual OT to take over from Light
OG/C/LS (6) Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Hochstein, Yates, Connolly - Same as 2008; solid if Neal can stay healthy; an OG/C replacement would be nice if the draft falls right

DEFENSE (25)
DT (6) Wilfork, Adams - Would love to see a true NT backup for Wilfork in the draft (Sammie Lee Hill?); Smith can cover here, but still very thin
DE(4) Seymour,Warren, Green, Smith - Weaker than 2008 unless we can resign Mike Wright, but still very solid
OLB (5) Thomas, Woods, Crable, Banta-Cain, Redd - Godo depth, but would like a quality starter opposite Thomas
ILB (5) Mayo, Guyton, Bruschi, Alexander, Ruud - Also good depth, but could use a true SILB opposite Mayo
S (4) Merwieather, Sanders, Spann, Ventrone - Very thin; need at least one solid S (future starter) in the draft; weakest overall position on the team
CB (5) Hobbs, Springs, Wilhite, Wheatley, Richardson - Improved over 2008 with Springs instead of O'Neal and Wilhite/Wheatley with a year under their belt; don't think we need to spend a high draft pick here unless the value is too good to pass up

SPECIALISTS (2)
K (1) Gostkowski
P (1) Hanson - [COLOR="royalblue]Same as 2008; upgradeable, but adequate[/COLOR]
LS (0) - [COLOR="royalblue"]Hochstein is probably adequate, but Leach in FA or a rookie LS would be nice to replace Paxton[/COLOR]

PRACTICE SQUAD
Wendell, Listorti, DeVree, Craig, Malone

Based on this, unless we sign any additional FAs, I see our major draft needs being the following:

1 OT - luxury pick, if the right value is there
1 OG - also a luxury pick; would definitely like to see us add at least one OL
1 WR - would like a true #3 WR after Moss/Welker
1 DT - would really like a true 3-4 DT backup to Wilfork
1 OLB - first day pick; 2nd biggest "immediate" need after safety (or maybe WR)
1 SILB - possible first day pick
1 S - probable first day pick
1 CB - luxury pick
1 P - luxury pick
1 LS - luxury pick assuming Hochstein is adequate

 

[mgteich]

I could see us trading Maroney or Thomas for draft choices. Belichick is always looking for talented players that didn't work out on other teams. I don't think player for player trades are likely. Watson was our #4 receiver last year and continues to be an OK TE, and will be an OK #2 to Baker. He's just nt what we expected.

I can't help if Maroney and/or Watson are fodder for trades with teams on similar players... i.e. high draft picks who haven't quite lived up to their potential... swap them out for players at other positions that might benefit from playing in a new environment in a new system... all players who could benefit from a fresh start, but are on short term contracts.

I guess their signing bonuses would hit us - but they're on the books regardless - and if the salaries are comparable, maybe it works out.

 

[mayoclinic]

I could see us trading Maroney or Thomas for draft choices. Belichick is always looking for talented players that didn't work out on other teams. I don't think player for player trades are likely. Watson was our #4 receiver last year and continues to be an OK TE, and will be an OK #2 to Baker. He's just nt what we expected.

Maroney is still very cost-effective. I wouldn't trade him unless someone offers a 2nd round pick, which I think is extremely unlikely.

Thomas I would trade in a second. His contract is up after next year, and he has shown nothing to justify it. DeVrees and Listorti are reasonable depth, and if we signed Mike Leach at LS he could be our 3rd TE as well.

I see us using Watson as a "WR" a lot this year to stretch the field. I think he will be much more effective in tandem with a true Dan Graham-type TE in Chris Baker.

 

[mgteich]

I made the list as of now. Of course, some players will be replaced on the roster by free agents, trades or rookies. The following 14 are especially vulnerable. There is plenty of room for upgrades and developmental rookies.

OL Connelly, Yates, O'Callagan
RB BJGE, Maroney
QB Gutierrez
TE Thomas
DL Adams
LB Redd, Ruud
DB Richardson, Spann
ST Alexander, Ventrone

I am not especially advocating trading Maroney or Thomas, but I could see them traded if the right situation came up. I could see bring in a fullback and a certain TE in the second round (or even keeping Listorti or DeVree).

Unless we give away our draft picks, you can slice off 5-6 at least from the LB/DB categories.

I think part of that could be free agents too.