2011 Patriots Roster Predictions

[rookBoston]

Roster Forecasting as of 7/30

QB (3): Brady, Hoyer, Mallett
Can there be any question?

RB (6): Green-Ellis, Woodhead, Faulk, Morris, Vereen, Ridley
I don't know who gets cut out of this group. Maybe none of them. Morris is playing the Izzo role for us now. With that, maybe BB decides to keep more RBs and drop a S or LB. Of this group, strangely I think Faulk is the most vulnerable.

WR (5): Welker, Branch, Ochocinco, Edelman, Tate
Edelman and Tate, again, make the roster as elite KR, PR role players. I've cut Slater and Price to make roster room at the defensive backfield.

TE (3): Gronkowski, Hernandez, Smith
Could still be Crumpler at a lower salary, instead of Smith. But with Crumpler's release, my odds are on Smith.

OT (4): Light, Vollmer, Solder, LeVoir
I'm assuming and hoping Light re-signs. With Solder on the roster, the cup runneth over.

G/C (5): Mankins, Koppen, Connolly, Wendell, Ohnberger
Solid, veteran and deep

NT/DE (6): Wilfork, Haynesworth, GWarren, Wright, Brace, Deaderick
Deep but injured. I do think GWarren may return after his effective year, last year. Losing Ty Warren was a bit of a surprise to me, but helps untangle the story at DE. If Brace or Deaderick go to PUP, that would leave room for Love or Pryor.

OLB (4): Ninkovich, Cunningham, Moore, UFA
I have a hard time thinking BB will not try to find a FA to fill here. He has youth, but no depth or anyone who demands special attention from the OL. I was impressed with Moore late in the season last year, but this is clearly the weak spot on the roster.

ILB (4): Mayo, Spikes, Guyton, Fletcher
Fletcher is one of my favorite no name up and comers. I don't have a ST ace here, a la Tracey White. I think this is where keeping the extra RBs makes it's mark. Shifting Guyton to OLB is an interesting thought, and it looks like BB might play with the idea of adding some versatility. Perhaps if that happens, we can leave the roster with just 7 LBs overall and use the depth on offense (Ridley, Smith, Vereen) to fill the special teams.

CB (6): McCourty, Bodden, Dowling, Arrington, Butler, Wilhite
Barring injury, it's hard to think of this unit as a weak point on the roster. McCourty is an elite player and if Bodden can return to form, having Arrington and Butler for bench strength is a tremendous luxury. I'm keeping both Butler and Wilhite as gunners in place of Matthew Slater. They get the nod because they can also play on the regular D.

S (4): Meriweather, Chung, Sanders, Page
What seemed like a deep unit seems a bit iffy now. Meriweather may be in his last year, Chung is a missile, but Sanders is not 100%. There are many candidates for a #4 S, but my money is on Page. In a pinch, I would not be reluctant to play either Bodden or Dowling at S.

K (1): Gostkowski
P (1): Mesko
LS (1): Katula
I was interested to see Ninkovich doing long snapping. I assume that's in case we need a LS in emergency capacity. But I can't imaging BB not carrying a dedicated LS on the roster.

 

[DaBruinz]

Re: Roster Forecasting as of 7/30

Considering that Free Agency hasn't concluded, that Haynesworth isn't in camp yet, and there are several draft picks unsigned, isn't it premature to do any forecasting?

 

[patsfaninpa]

Re: Roster Forecasting as of 7/30

QB (3): Brady, Hoyer, Mallett
Can there be any question?

RB (6): Green-Ellis, Woodhead, Faulk, Morris, Vereen, Ridley
I don't know who gets cut out of this group. Maybe none of them. Morris is playing the Izzo role for us now. With that, maybe BB decides to keep more RBs and drop a S or LB. Of this group, strangely I think Faulk is the most vulnerable.

WR (5): Welker, Branch, Ochocinco, Edelman, Tate
Edelman and Tate, again, make the roster as elite KR, PR role players. I've cut Slater and Price to make roster room at the defensive backfield.

TE (3): Gronkowski, Hernandez, Smith
Could still be Crumpler at a lower salary, instead of Smith. But with Crumpler's release, my odds are on Smith.

OT (4): Light, Vollmer, Solder, LeVoir
I'm assuming and hoping Light re-signs. With Solder on the roster, the cup runneth over.

G/C (5): Mankins, Koppen, Connolly, Wendell, Ohnberger
Solid, veteran and deep

NT/DE (6): Wilfork, Haynesworth, GWarren, Wright, Brace, Deaderick
Deep but injured. I do think GWarren may return after his effective year, last year. Losing Ty Warren was a bit of a surprise to me, but helps untangle the story at DE. If Brace or Deaderick go to PUP, that would leave room for Love or Pryor.

OLB (4): Ninkovich, Cunningham, Moore, UFA
I have a hard time thinking BB will not try to find a FA to fill here. He has youth, but no depth or anyone who demands special attention from the OL. I was impressed with Moore late in the season last year, but this is clearly the weak spot on the roster.

ILB (4): Mayo, Spikes, Guyton, Fletcher
Fletcher is one of my favorite no name up and comers. I don't have a ST ace here, a la Tracey White. I think this is where keeping the extra RBs makes it's mark. Shifting Guyton to OLB is an interesting thought, and it looks like BB might play with the idea of adding some versatility. Perhaps if that happens, we can leave the roster with just 7 LBs overall and use the depth on offense (Ridley, Smith, Vereen) to fill the special teams.

CB (6): McCourty, Bodden, Dowling, Arrington, Butler, Wilhite
Barring injury, it's hard to think of this unit as a weak point on the roster. McCourty is an elite player and if Bodden can return to form, having Arrington and Butler for bench strength is a tremendous luxury. I'm keeping both Butler and Wilhite as gunners in place of Matthew Slater. They get the nod because they can also play on the regular D.

S (4): Meriweather, Chung, Sanders, Page
What seemed like a deep unit seems a bit iffy now. Meriweather may be in his last year, Chung is a missile, but Sanders is not 100%. There are many candidates for a #4 S, but my money is on Page. In a pinch, I would not be reluctant to play either Bodden or Dowling at S.

K (1): Gostkowski
P (1): Mesko
LS (1): Katula
I was interested to see Ninkovich doing long snapping. I assume that's in case we need a LS in emergency capacity. But I can't imaging BB not carrying a dedicated LS on the roster.

J. Page is a free agent. I think J. Barrett can take his spot. I also like Sergio Brown instead of Wilhite. Brown played well on special teams last year and helps ease the loss of M. Slater(I'd cut him too).
Marcus Cannon may start the year on PUP. But, he might be able to beat out Ohrnberger. Can't see us carrying 6 rb's. Would rather have 7 DL instead of 6. Good job. Let's bring G. Warren back as you mentioned along with Matt Light. And, sign Lawrence Taylor and we'll be good to go.

 

[mgteich]

Re: Roster Forecasting as of 7/30

You presume the re-signing of Light, Warren and Page. I doubt that Page will be back. We don't four safeties to play safety. Dowling can certainly be considered the 4th safety.
==========================================
We need four corners in addition to Dowling. You chose Butler over Wilhite; that's fine although it coule go the other way.
==========================================
I don't think that Price will be the odd man out. I am indifferent between Edelman and Tate.
==========================================
SPECIAL TEAMS

Our top two special teamers in 2010 were Slater and White. Morris was #5. Somehow you seem to think that Wilhite and Page will step up and replace the tackles and leadership of Slater and White. I just don't see it.

Every year posters want to get rid of special teams only players, and every year Belichick keeps about three. Your three are Morris, Wilhite and Page. I understand that they can play a position, but it matters not if you are the #6 RB, #9 DB and #10 DB.

It is MUCH, MUCH more likely that Belichick will keep 2 TOP special teams players. Slater and White certainly quailfy. I see us keeping Slater, and White if he will re-sign. I would then cut Faulk or Morris, choose between Butler and Wilhite.
==============================
Since I am not expecting Page to re-sign, I would expect his spot to go to a DL or to Brown,

 

[mgteich]

Re: Roster Forecasting as of 7/30

You presume the re-signing of Light, Warren and Page. I doubt that Page will be back. We don't four safeties to play safety. Dowling can certainly be considered the 4th safety.
==========================================
We need four corners in addition to Dowling. You chose Butler over Wilhite; that's fine although it coule go the other way.
==========================================
I don't think that Price will be the odd man out. I am indifferent between Edelman and Tate.
==========================================
SPECIAL TEAMS

Our top two special teamers in 2010 were Slater and White. Morris was #5. Somehow you seem to think that Wilhite and Page will step up and replace the tackles and leadership of Slater and White. I just don't see it.

Every year posters want to get rid of special teams only players, and every year Belichick keeps about three. Your three are Morris, Wilhite and Page. I understand that they can play a position, but it matters not if you are the #6 RB, #9 DB and #10 DB.

It is MUCH, MUCH more likely that Belichick will keep 2 TOP special teams players. Slater and White certainly quailfy. I see us keeping Slater, and White if he will re-sign. I would then cut Faulk or Morris, choose between Butler and Wilhite.
==============================
Since I am not expecting Page to re-sign, I would expect his spot to go to a DL or to Brown,

 

[stinkypete]

Re: Roster Forecasting as of 7/30

I'd imagine that Slater and White are competing for the same spot on the team. There may be too much depth elsewhere for both to stick around, but I see no way they're both cut.

I think Wilhite has an advantage over Butler based on past play, especially in run coverage.

 

[lurker1965]

Re: Roster Forecasting as of 7/30

...

I don't want to rain on your parade here, nice work btw.

But what is the final roster size according to the new CBA?

I read one report where the active 45 on game day changed to 50. Did 53 become 58? What of the practice squad?

And I read that in the early end of lock-out news. Was it correct?
Until I know, I can't comment intelligently.

Oh, and Crumpler was cut.

 

[crowell33]

NE PatriotsDraft.com Roster prediction

2011 Patriots Roster Prediction 2.0 | NEPatriotsDraft.com - Patriots NFL Draft Site

 

[Calciumee]

Re: NE PatriotsDraft.com Roster prediction

Don't see Sammy Morris making it! Faulk has a better chance!

 

[D-Money]

I was hoping that Price would see some reps out there.Is it too early to say terrible bust pick?

 

[Sciz]

Don't see either old RB making it...

 

[Calciumee]

I was hoping that Price would see some reps out there.Is it too early to say terrible bust pick?

Hasn't had a chance!

If it's because of the talent ahead, not his fault! But if because he isn't good enough, then that is his fault!

But I was impressed with him in the Miami game when he was given the chance!

 

[D-Money]

Then throw him out the field for some plays!!!!He's a speedy wr.

 

[jmt57]

Re: Roster Forecasting as of 7/30

I don't want to rain on your parade here, nice work btw.

But what is the final roster size according to the new CBA?

I read one report where the active 45 on game day changed to 50. Did 53 become 58? What of the practice squad?

And I read that in the early end of lock-out news. Was it correct?
Until I know, I can't comment intelligently.

Oh, and Crumpler was cut.

Roster size is still 53.

Game day roster had a very minor change; from 45 plus an emergency QB to 46 with no emergency QB designation.

Predicting the 53-man roster is tough enough this early; do we really need to have everyone include practice squad players in their predictions too?

 

[BlueThunder]

Lets see what he does in pre season......

Hoyer is a decent backup and should be able to find him if he's open....

That's what makes the preseason games so much fun...watching the rookies get their feet wet and see what they have.....Especially this year with Vereen and Ridley and the running game......Solder,Dowling,Smith, Mallett & Cannon......should be a fun preseason.....

Ocho and Fat Albert will be a show all by themselves !

 

[SirApropos]

I'll play. This also takes in to account the theoretical move to a base 4-2-5 Big Nickel D.

QB – Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett
RB – BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Shane Vareen
3RB/FB – Danny Woodhead, Kevin Faulk, Stevan Ridley
WR1 – Chad Ochocinco, Deion Branch, Taylor Price
WR2 – Wes Welker, Brandon Tate, Julian Edleman
TE – Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Lee Smith, Will Yeatman

LT – Matt Light, Nate Solder
LG – Logan Mankins
C – Dan Koppen, Ryan Wendell
RG – Dan Connolly, Marcus Cannon
RT – Sebastian Vollmer

LDE – Jermaine Cunningham, Eric Moore, Brandon Deaderick
NT – Vince Wilfork, Kyle Love
UT – Albert Haynesworth, Ron Brace
RDE – Mike Wright, Dane Fletcher, Rob Ninkovich

LLB –Jerod Mayo, Jeff Tarpinian
RLB – Brandon Spikes, Gary Guyton, Markell Carter

LCB – Leigh Bodden, Darius Butler
RCB – Devin McCourty, Ras-I Dowling
NS – James Sanders, Kyle Arrington
FS –Brandon Meriweather, Sergio Brown
SS – Pat Chung, Josh Barrett

K – Stephen Gostkowski
P – Zoltan Mesko
LS – Rob Ninkovich (If Katula is the LS then Markell Carter to the PS)

 

[Sfpat]

Then throw him out the field for some plays!!!!He's a speedy wr.

Tough for him to be out in the field for some plays when the Pats haven't played since January. Give the kid a chance.

 

[Simkin]

Vereen and Ridley reaches are so painful right now. If they were'nt rookies prob they wont do it after TC

 

[rookBoston]

Re: Roster Forecasting as of 7/30

Our top two special teamers in 2010 were Slater and White. Morris was #5. Somehow you seem to think that Wilhite and Page will step up and replace the tackles and leadership of Slater and White. I just don't see it.

Every year posters want to get rid of special teams only players, and every year Belichick keeps about three. Your three are Morris, Wilhite and Page. I understand that they can play a position, but it matters not if you are the #6 RB, #9 DB and #10 DB.

It is MUCH, MUCH more likely that Belichick will keep 2 TOP special teams players. Slater and White certainly quailfy. I see us keeping Slater, and White if he will re-sign.

I don't agree Slater and White were our top STers. White, yes. Slater, no. My gunners in this mock are Wilhite and Butler. I didn't keep Page for his STs play. In fact, I don't remember him flashing anything on ST at all last year. I expect contributions from Vereen and Ridley on ST if they're going to make the active roster.

Maybe Morris was #5 in statistics, but that's not what I'm going by. He's the big play blocker in the wedge, and the guy who almost single-handedly sprung Tate for his 2nd KR for TD. Of course the gunners are going to get the biggest statistics, they're the ones downfield on coverage. He's also the veteran leader of the unit.

Now that Tracey White has resigned, I do think it's likely he'll win a roster spot. He was very productive in coverage. Not sure yet who I'm going to cut to make room for him. I think it might be Kevin Faulk.

 

[mgteich]

Re: Roster Forecasting as of 7/30

Fair enough. You prefer Morris to Slater a special teams blocker. White should be a lock for the other ST only roster spot. So do we agree that we should have two such spots: Slater or Morris and White?

With regard to gunners, was McCourty a gunner? Almost all of us having us choosing between Wilhite and Butler. With Bodden back, and with the addition of Dowling, I agree.

I don't agree Slater and White were our top STers. White, yes. Slater, no. My gunners in this mock are Wilhite and Butler. I didn't keep Page for his STs play. In fact, I don't remember him flashing anything on ST at all last year. I expect contributions from Vereen and Ridley on ST if they're going to make the active roster.

Maybe Morris was #5 in statistics, but that's not what I'm going by. He's the big play blocker in the wedge, and the guy who almost single-handedly sprung Tate for his 2nd KR for TD. Of course the gunners are going to get the biggest statistics, they're the ones downfield on coverage. He's also the veteran leader of the unit.

Now that Tracey White has resigned, I do think it's likely he'll win a roster spot. He was very productive in coverage. Not sure yet who I'm going to cut to make room for him. I think it might be Kevin Faulk.