I Suspect The Roster Is Almost Set

[mgteich]

Sure there will be an injury-related decision or two. We might bring in players from other teams to fill the last three spots. Carter and/or a cut down from another team seems possible. And sure we could trade a TE or and OL.

But this is only about the final touches. We could cut down to 48 players that most would agree to now, with Hodel and Ingam fighting for the 49th spot, and O'Callaghan and Britt fighting for the 50th spot.

HOW MANY OF US HAVE THE ROSTER MUCH DIFFERENT FOR THE FIRST 50?

OFFENSE (24)
QB Brady, O'Connell
RB Maroney, Taylor, Faulk, Morris
WR Moss, Welker, Galloway, Edelman, Aiken, Lewis
TE Baker, Watson, Thomas
OL Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kaczur, Orhnberger, Vollmer, Hochstein, O'Callghan/Britt

DEFENSE (23)
DL Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, Green, Brace, Wright, Pryor
DE/OLB Burgress, Banta-Cain
OLB Thomas, Woods, Crable
ILB Mayo, Guyton, Bruschi
CB Bodden, Wilhite, Springs, Butler, Wheatley
S Meriweather, Sanders, Chung

SPECIALISTS (3)
K Gostkowski
P Hanson
LS Ingram/Hodel

FINAL THREE (3)
To be determined (my personal choices as of now are McGowan, Walter and Lenon)

PUP
WR Tate
OT LeVoir

IR
LB McKenzie

 

[Rob0729]

I think that most of the time that the roster is almost set going into camp. There may be some roster spot battles that are in the fans' minds that are not really there and Belichick and his staff had already made up their minds.

 

[Sicilian]

I think Tank Williams should be in the mix somewhere, maybe instead of McGowan, but I'll admit I haven't seen enough of either to compare them. Any chance we go with two QB's and Edelman as the emergency? Or has he been training exclusively at WR?

 

[QB12]

Tank looked really slow against the Eagles last Thursday night.

QB12

 

[RobertWeathers]

Tank looked really slow against the Eagles last Thursday night.

QB12

I agree with your assessment. I'd give him one more game before I make a call on him.

I'll let BB know of my opinion afterward. :snob:

 

[West Philly Patriot]

No matt slater?! Noooooooo

 

[Sicilian]

No matt slater?! Noooooooo

I was pulling for the kid too, but at this point it seems that someone else can do his job at each position better: We clearly have better receivers than him, we have better options at safety. The only question mark would be kick returning, but I feel like all he does is run as fast as he can straight ahead, hits a pile, and never finds a hole.

Hard to say this early, but I haven't been as impressed as I thought I would be by him.

 

[QB12]

Slater spells his name B-A-M_ C-H-I-L-D-R-E-S-S.

QB12

 

[Sicilian]

Slater spells his name B-A-M_ C-H-I-L-D-R-E-S-S.

QB12

Except Bam used to tease us with lots of catches in preseason games, as I recall. I really haven't seen anything from Slater (which doesn't mean anything, really. Just that I haven't noticed him) this preseason or most of last season.

 

[West Philly Patriot]

I was pulling for the kid too, but at this point it seems that someone else can do his job at each position better: We clearly have better receivers than him, we have better options at safety. The only question mark would be kick returning, but I feel like all he does is run as fast as he can straight ahead, hits a pile, and never finds a hole.

Hard to say this early, but I haven't been as impressed as I thought I would be by him.

I feel pretty much the same way on this guy I like him but I've also been having my doubts that he'll stick. Especially after the emergence of julian edelman last week. I mean its only a game but he really was very active on the offensive end and the TD on special teams doesnt help slater's cause.

If they're are indeed fighting for the same spot I also like Aiken over Slater as he's a better receiver as well.

 

[mayoclinic]

Sure there will be an injury-related decision or two. We might bring in players from other teams to fill the last three spots. Carter and/or a cut down from another team seems possible. And sure we could trade a TE or and OL.

But this is only about the final touches. We could cut down to 48 players that most would agree to now, with Hodel and Ingam fighting for the 49th spot, and O'Callaghan and Britt fighting for the 50th spot.

HOW MANY OF US HAVE THE ROSTER MUCH DIFFERENT FOR THE FIRST 50?

OFFENSE (24)
QB Brady, O'Connell
RB Maroney, Taylor, Faulk, Morris
WR Moss, Welker, Galloway, Edelman, Aiken, Lewis
TE Baker, Watson, Thomas
OL Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kaczur, Orhnberger, Vollmer, Hochstein, O'Callghan/Britt

DEFENSE (23)
DL Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, Green, Brace, Wright, Pryor
DE/OLB Burgress, Banta-Cain
OLB Thomas, Woods, Crable
ILB Mayo, Guyton, Bruschi
CB Bodden, Wilhite, Springs, Butler, Wheatley
S Meriweather, Sanders, Chung

SPECIALISTS (3)
K Gostkowski
P Hanson
LS Ingram/Hodel

FINAL THREE (3)
To be determined (my personal choices as of now are McGowan, Walter and Lenon)

PUP
WR Tate
OT LeVoir

IR
LB McKenzie

I agree with most of your list, with the following differences:

1. I could see us possibly carrying only 8 OLs at the beginning of the season (dropping O'Callaghan/Britt) until LeVoir comes off of PUP. LeVoir will bump them eventually, anyway.

2. I think Alex Smith gets the nod over Thomas at #3 TE. We traded for Smith, Thomas has shown little in 3 years, and is a FA after 2009. I could see us trading Thomas as we did LeKevin Smith.

3. I think McGowan pretty much gets a roster spot.

4. Chad Lewis has shown relatively little so far, but BB liked him when he was in Philly and traded for him, so I think he sticks on the final 53. He gets at least 6 weeks to show his stuff. If he looks good, Tate goes on IR for the season and takes over for Galloway next year. If Tate is physically ready and Lewis looks poor, then Tate bumps him off the roster after week 6.

5. I think the final 2 spots are up for grabs between QB Walter, RB BJGE, LB Lenon, S Williams, and possibly a STer (Slater, Ventrone, Ciurciu). My vote right now would be for Walter and Lenon/Williams, depending on how Williams looks.

Awfully tough to make the final 53 roster. The big surprises of TC have been Pryor and Edelman, who were probably slated for the PS prior to camp but have looked to earn not only a spot on the final 53 but some serious playing time.

 

[FalconHeavy]

I agree with your assessment. I'd give him one more game before I make a call on him.

I'll let BB know of my opinion afterward. :snob:

Wasn't he supposed to be a LB/Safety hybrid experiment ? What happened to that ?

 

[Lloyd_Christmas]

Final three:

Mine would be McGowen, BJGE, and Walter.

I'm tempted to say only 1 of Lewis or Aiken makes the team and give that spot to Alex Smith or Lenon.

 

[mgteich]

1) You seem to understand that we need four OT roster spots. Why have 3 OT roster spots for half the year in the hope that LeVoir will be healthy at mid-season? It seems more prudent to fill the roster spot now and upgrade if possible with LeVoir when and if he is available.

2) I'd be fine with trading Thomas.

3) I agree about McGowan.

4) Lewis performed well on special teams. That is his position. He and Aiken are special team aces first. However, I do agree that Tate might replace Lewis at mid-season. Tate also might replace Edelman.

5a) As I stated, I agree with Walter

5b) As I posted I agee with a linebacker for the last roster spot. I think Lenon is most likely. Williams isn't looking good for this last spot. Ninkovich or Jones could also win this spot or even one of your three (Slater, Ciurciu or Ventrone).

I agree with most of your list, with the following differences:

1. I could see us possibly carrying only 8 OLs at the beginning of the season (dropping O'Callaghan/Britt) until LeVoir comes off of PUP. LeVoir will bump them eventually, anyway.

2. I think Alex Smith gets the nod over Thomas at #3 TE. We traded for Smith, Thomas has shown little in 3 years, and is a FA after 2009. I could see us trading Thomas as we did LeKevin Smith.

3. I think McGowan pretty much gets a roster spot.

4. Chad Lewis has shown relatively little so far, but BB liked him when he was in Philly and traded for him, so I think he sticks on the final 53. He gets at least 6 weeks to show his stuff. If he looks good, Tate goes on IR for the season and takes over for Galloway next year. If Tate is physically ready and Lewis looks poor, then Tate bumps him off the roster after week 6.

5. I think the final 2 spots are up for grabs between QB Walter, RB BJGE, LB Lenon, S Williams, and possibly a STer (Slater, Ventrone, Ciurciu). My vote right now would be for Walter and Lenon/Williams, depending on how Williams looks.

Awfully tough to make the final 53 roster. The big surprises of TC have been Pryor and Edelman, who were probably slated for the PS prior to camp but have looked to earn not only a spot on the final 53 but some serious playing time.

 

[mayoclinic]

1) You seem to understand that we need four OT roster spots. Why have 3 OT roster spots for half the year in the hope that LeVoir will be healthy at mid-season? It seems more prudent to fill the roster spot now and upgrade if possible with LeVoir when and if he is available.

2) I'd be fine with trading Thomas.

3) I agree about McGowan.

4) Lewis performed well on special teams. That is his position. He and Aiken are special team aces first. However, I do agree that Tate might replace Lewis at mid-season. Tate also might replace Edelman.

5a) As I stated, I agree with Walter

5b) As I posted I agee with a linebacker for the last roster spot. I think Lenon is most likely. Williams isn't looking good for this last spot. Ninkovich or Jones could also win this spot or even one of your three (Slater, Ciurciu or Ventrone).

Personally, I definitely see us needing 9 OLs, and I wouldn't skimp on the line to carry an extra WR or STer. I think that with a healthy LeVoir we are set with 4 OTs (Light, Kaczur, Vollmer and LeVoir) and 5 OG/C (Makins, Neal, Koppen, Ohrnberger and Hochstein). I think that gives us the strongest OL corps that we have had in some time. I'm personally very high on both Vollmer and LeVoir for the future.

My only question is whether BB will go with only 8 OLs if LeVoir is on the PUP until LeVoir comes back. As you point out, this is risky, and I emphasized the "possibly" because I still think it is likely we keep 9 OLs. I could see it as a possibility mainly if BB wants an extra spot to evaluate a player who he doesn't want to cut yet, and because if we have an OL injury he can probably sign someone off the shadow roster in a hurry. I doubt it happens, but I still think it is something to consider.

 

[mgteich]

3 OT will certainly be considered. After all, Reiss only has three on his roster. We've found guards in a hurry in the past. OT's just aren't as easy to plug in.

Personally, I definitely see us needing 9 OLs, and I wouldn't skimp on the line to carry an extra WR or STer. I think that with a healthy LeVoir we are set with 4 OTs (Light, Kaczur, Vollmer and LeVoir) and 5 OG/C (Makins, Neal, Koppen, Ohrnberger and Hochstein). I think that gives us the strongest OL corps that we have had in some time. I'm personally very high on both Vollmer and LeVoir for the future.

My only question is whether BB will go with only 8 OLs if LeVoir is on the PUP until LeVoir comes back. As you point out, this is risky, and I emphasized the "possibly" because I still think it is likely we keep 9 OLs. I could see it as a possibility mainly if BB wants an extra spot to evaluate a player who he doesn't want to cut yet, and because if we have an OL injury he can probably sign someone off the shadow roster in a hurry. I doubt it happens, but I still think it is something to consider.

 

[BPF]

For some reason I have a feeling it's going to be either Galloway or Lewis, not both.

In the past the Pats have been left light at the TE spot with injuries during the season and with 4 quality players at the position I can't see them being left light there, especially with more 2 TE sets. If they receive a good trade offer for Smith or Thomas I could see them going with 3 otherwise I feel they will go with 4.

There also has to be a spot for BJGE, he's too talented to be left off. Morris has been dinged up as well which might influence the decision here. If you think about, all the backs on the roster besides BJGE and Faulk have been injury prone their entire careers.

There will also be lots of trades before the final cutdown date. There are too many ex-BB disciples that will be competing for talent via the waiver wire so they will make trades for certain players rather than chance it especially since KC will be #1 on the list for waiver claims from that group.

 

[BPF]

3 OT will certainly be considered. After all, Reiss only has three on his roster. We've found guards in a hurry in the past. OT's just aren't as easy to plug in.

In general you could be right but LeVoir was a final cutdown waiver pick up last year and he fit in fine.

 

[mayoclinic]

MgT and others, given that the final 53 is almost set, what do you see the 45 man active roster looking like (barring injuries)? That's going to be a tough one. Right now I see it looking something like:

2 QBs - Brady and O'Connell
4 RBs - Maroney, Taylor, Faulk and Morris
3 TEs - Watson, Baker and Smith/Thomas
5 WRs - Moss, Welker, Galloway and 2/3 from Lewis/Edelman/Aiken
8 OLs - Light, Kaczur, Mankins, Neal, Koppen, Vollmer and 2/3 from Hochstein/Ohrnberger/LeVoir (or other OT until LeVoir healthy)

6 DLs - Seymour, Warren, Wilfork, Brace, and 2/3 of Wright/Green/Pryor
4 OLBs - Thomas, Burgess, and 2/3 of Woods/Crable/TBC
3 ILBs - Mayo, Guyton, Bruschi/Lenon
3 S - Meriweather, Chung, Sanders
4 CB - Bodden, Springs, and 2/3 of Butler/Wilhite/Wheatley

1 K - Ghost
1 P - Hanson
1 LS - Ingram/Hodel

Obviously, injuries will have a lot to do with the weekly variation as to who plays. I'd like to see another DB, but if Springs is healthy he can play S as well as CB.

Thoughts?

 

[Mark Morse]

Sure there will be an injury-related decision or two. We might bring in players from other teams to fill the last three spots. Carter and/or a cut down from another team seems possible. And sure we could trade a TE or and OL.

HOW MANY OF US HAVE THE ROSTER MUCH DIFFERENT FOR THE FIRST 50?

OFFENSE (24)
QB Brady, O'Connell
RB Maroney, Taylor, Faulk, Morris
WR Moss, Welker, Galloway, Edelman, Aiken, Lewis
TE Baker, Watson, Thomas
OL Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kaczur, Orhnberger, Vollmer, Hochstein, O'Callghan/Britt

DEFENSE (23)
DL Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, Green, Brace, Wright, Pryor
DE/OLB Burgress, Banta-Cain
OLB Thomas, Woods, Crable
ILB Mayo, Guyton, Bruschi
CB Bodden, Wilhite, Springs, Butler, Wheatley
S Meriweather, Sanders, Chung

SPECIALISTS (3)
K Gostkowski
P Hanson
LS Ingram/Hodel

FINAL THREE (3)
To be determined (my personal choices as of now are McGowan, Walter and Lenon)

PUP
WR Tate
OT LeVoir

IR
LB McKenzie

Love seeing your selections ...

Not sold on Ohrnbergers toughness and he is by no means a lock ... Could see us going with 8 OL and Wendell or Yates being kept until LeVoir is ready to come off PuP. I think I have seen enough of O'Callaghan.

I see the 4-3 being a bigger part of this Defense and Woods and Crable are not 4-3 LBs. I would keep Ninkovich as a DE/LB tweener over Woods with Crable a possibility at PS. Lenon is not needed if we go 4-3. Warren starts the year on PuP.

Keep BJGE and perhaps find a new home for Watson and Maroney. You have to find roster spots for STs Ventrone and Slater. Is a 3rd QB really neccessary if you keep Edelman? If I am going 4-3 then bring in Derrick Brooks, and Vonnie Holliday.