Roster Decisions

[mgteich]

As we knew, OL and LB were the positions that we thought were the most in flux. Belichick didn't disappoint us.

We've acquired three new players o far, so only 50 (plus Ojinnaka) were here a couple of days ago.

I suspect that there will be more reoster moves before the second game.

DEFENSE
DE DEADERICK over Lewis (many of us had this as a close choice)
LB NINKOVICH over Burgess (some had this right; not me)
LB FLETCHER over McKenzie (a surprise only to some posters here)
LB/ST WHITE over Alexander (one STer for another)
CB PAGE over McGowan who was put on IR (injuries happen)
#25 LOVE was the chosen one (somehow this may not last)

OFFENSE
OG/C Ojinnaki is the 5th who doesn't count this week
OT 5 OT's is one too many
ST SLATER over Aiken didn't surprise patchick (I had it close)
#25 GREEN-ELLIS (not my choice)

 

[cstjohn17]

This is my updated color chart, not sure what it all means...

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0ApWRaF25BKdAdHV6ZXlIMnNBQ3FNQXNhc0IweWJ6bUE&hl=en

 

[crowell33]

Nice chart. Maroney is the only obvious call I would disagree with. It turns out everyone, ( Troy Brown, NESN, Felger, etc, etc ) who said this guy couldn't make the 53 man roster, turned out to be wrong, he has. But ranking him ahead of a healthy Fred Taylor, and as "solid" which in your system, is above average, seems like a stretch to me.

 

[RayClay]

As we knew, OL and LB were the positions that we thought were the most in flux. Belichick didn't disappoint us.

We've acquired three new players o far, so only 50 (plus Ojinnaka) were here a couple of days ago.

I suspect that there will be more reoster moves before the second game.

DEFENSE
DE DEADERICK over Lewis (many of us had this as a close choice)
LB NINKOVICH over Burgess (some had this right; not me)
LB FLETCHER over McKenzie (a surprise only to some posters here)
LB/ST WHITE over Alexander (one STer for another)
CB PAGE over McGowan who was put on IR (injuries happen)
#25 LOVE was the chosen one (somehow this may not last)

OFFENSE
OG/C Ojinnaki is the 5th who doesn't count this week
OT 5 OT's is one too many
ST SLATER over Aiken didn't surprise patchick (I had it close)
#25 GREEN-ELLIS (not my choice)

I'm thinking White over Aiken as possible special teams Captain. Slater makes it as the only special teams non captain based on athleticism. Alexander is just a roster spot, replaced by various special teams players backing up positions. IMO or speculation.

I agree love may not last, alas. I could see a DL pickup. I'd say a OLB/DE pickup, but I'll be damned if i can figure out what they want, like, or plan at that position. Obviously the weight of the world on Cunningham's shoulders and somebody we never thought would do anything getting some minutes, barring an acquisition.

Fletcher is a bonafide OLB/DE candidate by the way, at least by background and physical makeup compared to what we have. All our OLB/DEs are too small, except Cunningham, if you believe our draft day criteria. Murrell? Why the hell not, I haven't a clue.

 

[mgteich]

I don't think that Green-Ellis is an average running back. He belongs at the bottom the roster with the rest.

This is my updated color chart, not sure what it all means...

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0ApWRaF25BKdAdHV6ZXlIMnNBQ3FNQXNhc0IweWJ6bUE&hl=en

 

[Pats726]

I don't think that Green-Ellis is an average running back. He belongs at the bottom the roster with the rest.

I think BB rates him way ahead of you...he does't have a lot of breakaway speed...but he does NOT fumble and rarely loses yardage.

 

[mgteich]

This precisely true. It is extemely difficult to lose yardsagew when being inactive or at the end of the bench. Last year, when two running backs were injured at the same time, Green-Ellis did NOT run the ball. Perhaps Green-Ellis has shown Belichick so much in practice that he is critical to the team this year, or perhaps Belichick is trading a running back.

I think BB rates him way ahead of you...he does't have a lot of breakaway speed...but he does NOT fumble and rarely loses yardage.

 

[Pats726]

I'm thinking White over Aiken as possible special teams Captain. Slater makes it as the only special teams non captain based on athleticism. Alexander is just a roster spot, replaced by various special teams players backing up positions. IMO or speculation.

I definitely see that..White over Aiken not Alexander...especially because of the experience factor...although if EA was here I think he MIGHT have had a shot at it. Slater over Alexander...STs....

 

[mgteich]

This board has underrated Slater as a special teamer since he arrived. The last I noticed there is not a position called "special teams captian" so for me this is a non-issue. Gostkowski could be the captain for all I think it makes a difference.

If we are asking who I expect to contribute the most to special teams other than Gostkowski, Mesko or Ingram, that is another matter entirely.

However, my answer would NOT be White. It would be Slater or Arrington.

 

[RayClay]

This board has underrated Slater as a special teamer since he arrived. The last I noticed there is not a position called "special teams captian" so for me this is a non-issue. Gostkowski could be the captain for all I think it makes a difference.

If we are asking who I expect to contribute the most to special teams other than Gostkowski, Mesko or Ingram, that is another matter entirely.

However, my answer would NOT be White. It would be Slater or Arrington.

Since when isn't there a Special Teams Captain?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Barring injury, I'm not ready to predict much movement along the D-line. As things stand you have three veterans who also happen to be the preseason first string in the 30 front. You have two second year men and two rookies. Pryor is more of a passing down specialist who can sub at NT or play DT in a 40 front. Brace, Love, and Deadrick are a natural second string 30 front, the fun comes from projecting alternative formations:

40 - standard - would likely use 3-4 OLBs as DEs with Wilfork and Warren inside. You could also line Wright up at LDE with a 3-4 OLB at RDE and still have a fairly "standard" 40 front.

40 - heavy - last season Warren and Green were DEs with two of Wilfork/Wright/Pryor inside.

40 - nickel/dime - Pryor and Wright with two 3-4 OLBs would be first call, but Wilfork and Warren could both play inside too.

10 - Linebacker flex - Pryor was the middle man for the milling Linebacker formation last season, but Wright or Wilfork would do quite well too.

30 - nickel/dime - Again Pryor was the middle man between two 3-4 OLBs playing as 3-4 DEs.

Obviously the primary question is 'how ready are the kids to play?'
-- Brace looked competitive to bump Warren over to RDE and free Wright up for passing downs with Pryor.
-- Deadrick and Love are both adequate to sub in for a series or to take developmental reps behind big leads. There is also a good chance Love will platoon a bit with Wilfork much as he did with Keith Traylor in 2004.

No, from my perspective, there just doesn't seem to be any pressing need to make a roster move along the D-line.

 

[mgteich]

There is always a captain. However, players are not hired to be captain. This position is chosen by the players.

Since when isn't there a Special Teams Captain?

 

[RayClay]

There is always a captain. However, players are not hired to be captain. This position is chosen by the players.

Well, I believe Izzo and Aiken were, though obviously the players could choose someone else.

Kind of an interesting situation. Tremendous coincidence, otherwise. Can't say I know the inner workings enough to know if the coaches "suggested" them for captains.

My bad Aikens played 1 with Izzo.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Any O-line moves seem to revolve around Kaczur's return. At present there are the usual suspects: Light, Connolly, Koppen, Neal, Vollmer. Heading into game one LeVoir (OT) and Wendell (OL) are the on-deck duo. Which leaves Maneri and Kaczur inactive. Pretty standard line-up for the last decade, the offensive coaches all know what they've got there, and I doubt their concern level would even make a blip on the scale of the perpetual panic producers amongst NEP fans. Prior to game two Ojinnaka may be called off the reserve/suspended list forcing some roster move, but predicting that move to occur along the O-line is blind optimism from the anti-fans who've marked out a particular OL as their target. The O-line seems workable for the neat future with:
- four capable OT (counting Kaczur);
- five capable interior OL (plus conversion project Kaczur),
- Maneri, who gets a minimum three weeks to demonstrate he can play OT at this level;
- and Ojinnaka, a reported five position player who can be called up from reserve/suspended;
- Ohrnberger developing on the PSquad;
- and whomever NE decides to sign/re-sign to develop with Big O.

I don't see the need for a lot of movement, barring injury of course.

 

[Pats726]

This precisely true. It is extemely difficult to lose yardsagew when being inactive or at the end of the bench. Last year, when two running backs were injured at the same time, Green-Ellis did NOT run the ball. Perhaps Green-Ellis has shown Belichick so much in practice that he is critical to the team this year, or perhaps Belichick is trading a running back.

OR you are dead wrong in your assessments.. By the way it was Coach B that gave THOSE words about Green-Ellis...so MAYBE YOU should be the one sitting on the bench.

 

[Pats726]

T

However, my answer would NOT be White. It would be Slater or Arrington.

Let's see...a Captain after less than a year with the team and little more ST experience?? Nahhhhhh...maybe one with two year's experience but who makes terrible decisions on the field???? That certainly makes sense....
I think Slater COULD develop into a pretty good ST captain..BUT not now!

 

[DarrylS]

I don't think that Green-Ellis is an average running back. He belongs at the bottom the roster with the rest.

Fred Taylor was on WEEI last week and he spoke highly of BJGE, felt that he was a hard worker and was developing.. otoh he spoke no where as near as high about Lawrence... thought it was interesting.

He did not throw Maroney completely under the bus, but did not give him many props either..

here is the link..

Fred Taylor, Patriots RB on WEEI

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

B-Jeepers is who he is, a throwback to Antowain "pokey" Smith, with a better early season work ethic. I'm happy to have him on the 53, he's certainly earned it with his work and his 2008 starts when all the others were injured. Considering the age and innjury history of NE's RBs, Green-Ellis is excellent insurance who plays ST.

 

[Ring 6]

Fred Taylor was on WEEI last week and he spoke highly of BJGE, felt that he was a hard worker and was developing.. otoh he spoke no where as near as high about Lawrence... thought it was interesting.

He did not throw Maroney completely under the bus, but did not give him many props either..

here is the link..

Fred Taylor, Patriots RB on WEEI

Wow, talk about misrepresentation.

 

[Ring 6]

OR you are dead wrong in your assessments.. By the way it was Coach B that gave THOSE words about Green-Ellis...so MAYBE YOU should be the one sitting on the bench.

What are "THOSE words".
I'm not sure what is being argued here anyway.
Green made the team but as we saw last year will only play in emergency situations. Why is that so hard to understand?