Roster Adjustments As We Enter Preseason Week 2

[mgteich]

Have at it. Presuming health, I don't think that the choices on offense are difficult at all.

There have been lots of changes in the last couple of days. Fells and Vollmer are coming off the the PUP list. Waters will be back soon. Demps has been signed, apparently with some bonus or guarantees.

I have included the players above. There is now no 4th OT, and certainly no fullback. McDonald will be needed as the 4th OT in addition to being a backup center. I have kept Wendell over Koppen since I don't think that we want Koppen as a one-position backup.

Obviously, there may be many changes to come. For example, we could sign a veteran backup running back and try to put Bolden on the Practice Squad after the last cut or even a week thereafter.

MG AUGUST 18 OFFENSE

QB (3) Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett
RB (5) Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead, Brandon Bolden, Jeff Demps
WR (6) Wes Welker, Jabar Gaffney, Brandon Lloyd, Julian Edelman, Matthew Slater, Donte Stallworth
TE (3) Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Daniel Fells
C (3) Dan Connolly, Ryan Wendell, Nick McDonald
G (2) Logan Mankins, Brian Waters
T (3) Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder, Marcus Cannon

Total players: 25
Created with Pats Picker: Pats Picker 2012

 

[The Scrizz]

Do you get money every time you use Pats Picker? I'm just wondering.

 

[Marqui]

I think they'll keep Larsen over Bolden (who they'll put on the PS). And I think there's a chance Shiancoe makes it over Stallworth.

 

[rookBoston]

I think they'll keep Larsen over Bolden (who they'll put on the PS). And I think there's a chance Shiancoe makes it over Stallworth.

Yeah, I agree that Larsen should make the team, mostly for lack of other options at FB. McDaniels obviously wants to feature a power running game to complement the 5-wide looks, and I couldn't be happier about it.

I'm still not sure about Shiancoe. If he were healthy and productive and in tune with the QBs, I think he'd be a useful option to have, allowing the staff to play Hernandez in an H-back or slot receiver spot. With Larsen, Schiancoe, Gronk, Hernandez and Vereen/Ridley on the field, it looks like (and can play as) a power run, but is also a fantastic formation to run a screen or throw down the seam. Very hard to defend. But if Shiancoe can't get on the field, BB might just give the chance to Silvestro or Urban instead. He has this thing for employing hard working UDFAs.

I think it's okay taking the risk on sending Bolden to the PS.

 

[Ring 6]

I don't know how people keep leaving Deion Branch off of roster projections.

 

[The Scrizz]

I don't know how people keep leaving Deion Branch off of roster projections.

I happen to believe that Branch will make the team based on his chemistry with Brady.

The reason people are leaving him off of their projected rosters is based on his dwindling stats, the fact that they brought in 2 better WR in Lloyd and Gaffney, and he's getting a little old.

The thing that surprises me is that most are giving that spot to a guy with 41 catches in the last 3 years just because he is a 'deep threat' in Stallworth.

I for one would like to start developing some wideouts. Give Ebert a shot and if you need help later due to injuries or whatever give Branch the call. He could fall out of bed and fit into the offense three months from now if he needed to.

I don't see the point of having a 33 year old who will be the 4th WR, when he can't play special teams and won't see the field much anyway. I feel the same about Stallworth. The team has enough vets and Brady has enough go to guys that Branch really doesn't need to fill that roll.

JMHO

 

[RayClay]

Have at it. Presuming health, I don't think that the choices on offense are difficult at all.

There have been lots of changes in the last couple of days. Fells and Vollmer are coming off the the PUP list. Waters will be back soon. Demps has been signed, apparently with some bonus or guarantees.

I have included the players above. There is now no 4th OT, and certainly no fullback. McDonald will be needed as the 4th OT in addition to being a backup center. I have kept Wendell over Koppen since I don't think that we want Koppen as a one-position backup.

Obviously, there may be many changes to come. For example, we could sign a veteran backup running back and try to put Bolden on the Practice Squad after the last cut or even a week thereafter.

MG AUGUST 18 OFFENSE

QB (3) Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett
RB (5) Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead, Brandon Bolden, Jeff Demps
WR (6) Wes Welker, Jabar Gaffney, Brandon Lloyd, Julian Edelman, Matthew Slater, Donte Stallworth
TE (3) Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Daniel Fells
C (3) Dan Connolly, Ryan Wendell, Nick McDonald
G (2) Logan Mankins, Brian Waters
T (3) Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder, Marcus Cannon

Total players: 25
Created with Pats Picker: Pats Picker 2012

Waters will be back soon

I don't believe there's any indication of that. Someone posted a Shalise tweet where she made some assumptions based on no information.

I could be wrong, I can't find a tweet from her, but I remember the mention and it was a theory, not knowledge, I believe.

I certainly hope so.

 

[pencilneckgeek]

Only 8 OLmen? I don't remember seeing that before, although McDonald's versatility makes it a possibility. That would mean we have to have 2 promising PS players on the OL. Could happen, but I wouldn't bet on it.

As for no Branch, I don't see it happening. He's to attentive to the little things that make everybody else's job easier, even when he has trouble getting open himself. In the 2-minute offense, he's like a coach on the field - making sure the ball gets back to the right official after Hernandez makes a big play and gets a little too excited and knowing all the sight adjustments that need to be made, when there is no time to huddle-up.

 

[Haley]

I am starting to think we are cutting both Branch and Stallworth. It seems like either that or one of the RBs. We need more Oline than that.

 

[UK_Pat37]

I am starting to think we are cutting both Branch and Stallworth. It seems like either that or one of the RBs. We need more Oline than that.

I have pondered along this line of thinking in my roster projections. I've stuck Stallworth in there for now but I personally would rather see a young gun like Ebert put in there...especially if our top three are going to be Welker, Lloyd and Gaffney.

Now we feel like we have a viable 3rd WR in Gaffney (which we didn't really feel we had after Branch at #2 before this year) and if whisper gs of Branch losing a step are true, his roster spot is definitely under threat.

 

[mgteich]

I would also like to keep 4 OT's (and thereby keep 9 OL's). However, with Gallery gone all the backup OT's are Practice Squad quality players. We might pick up a vet in the last cuts.

The roster has to give somewhere. As Fencer posted, we would like to keep 59 players, but we only get to keep 53. In order to keep the normal 5 OL's, we would need to cut somewhere else. At least here, we would likely keep the same "team" by having the inactive backup OT on Practice Squad.

OPTIONS FOR CUTTING TO MAKE ROOM FOR A FOURTH OT
QB (Mallet)
RB (Bolden)
TE (Fells)
WR (Stallworth AND Branch)
PR (Edelman)
KR (Demps)
ST (Slater)
DEFENSE (weaken one of the defensive units or defensive special teams)

Only 8 OLmen? I don't remember seeing that before, although McDonald's versatility makes it a possibility. That would mean we have to have 2 promising PS players on the OL. Could happen, but I wouldn't bet on it.
.

 

[mgteich]

I d not have strong feelings on this issue. I'd be fine with Branch or with neither of them.

The 4th WR (7th receiving option) sees the field a couple of times a game, if at all.

Belichick upgraded the Branch and Ochocinco by signing Lloyd and Gaffney.

I'm still not convinced that we will keep Stallworth or Branch. Edelman will always be active.

All along, healthy has been a key issue. Stallworth seemed worth keeping if he could stay healthy and still have Brady's confidence.

I don't know how people keep leaving Deion Branch off of roster projections.

 

[mayoclinic]

MG AUGUST 18 OFFENSE

QB (3) Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett
RB (5) Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead, Brandon Bolden, Jeff Demps
WR (6) Wes Welker, Jabar Gaffney, Brandon Lloyd, Julian Edelman, Matthew Slater, Donte Stallworth
TE (3) Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Daniel Fells
C (3) Dan Connolly, Ryan Wendell, Nick McDonald
G (2) Logan Mankins, Brian Waters
T (3) Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder, Marcus Cannon

Total players: 25

NIce job, Mark. Not much to disagree with. Some thoughts:

QB(3): Very likely, though a trade is not out of the question depending on how things develop.

RB(5): That's my list, too. Carrying 6 RB/FBs (your list + Larsen) is possible, but seems a stretch. Larsen could knock Bolden off for the last spot, but I think Bolden has shown enough to not make it to the PS and to warrant a spot. Larsen needs to get on the field if he has a chance of getting a spot.

WR(6): Your list is mine as well, with Stallworth bumping Branch. 5 WRs is a possibility, with either Stallworth or Edelman the odd man out, if the team decides to keep an extra RB or TE instead.

TE(3): If Fells comes off PUP he will almost certainly be the #3 TE. Shiancoe could still compete for a roster spot, but he needs to get on the field in a hurry to do so.

OL(8): This is light. I think we carry 9. 3 OTs is light, but I think that McDonald's versatility will allow him to function as the 4th OT and save a roster spot. I think that Thomas/Koppen compete for a 9th spot, with Thomas getting the nod as things stand right now.

The other thing to consider is that the team could carry 26 offensive players, which its done in the past. That would squeeze the defense IMHO, but given how versatile some of the defensive players are, there's some wiggle room. As we've discussed elsewhere, a base of about 19 defensive players is versatile enough to play just about any defensive scheme, leaving some room for the additional guys. Carrying only 24 on defense would open up an additional spot on offense for a 9th OL spot (Thomas/Koppen) or a FB/4th TE spot (Larsen/Shiancoe) without squeezing at the other positions.

 

[mgteich]

You indicate that you have Thomas winning the 8th roster spot over Koppen. Are you going with only 2 centers, with Wendell being cut? You already include McDonald and presumably Cannon as OL backups.

NIce job, Mark. Not much to disagree with. Some thoughts:

QB(3): Very likely, though a trade is not out of the question depending on how things develop.

RB(5): That's my list, too. Carrying 6 RB/FBs (your list + Larsen) is possible, but seems a stretch. Larsen could knock Bolden off for the last spot, but I think Bolden has shown enough to not make it to the PS and to warrant a spot. Larsen needs to get on the field if he has a chance of getting a spot.

WR(6): Your list is mine as well, with Stallworth bumping Branch. 5 WRs is a possibility, with either Stallworth or Edelman the odd man out, if the team decides to keep an extra RB or TE instead.

TE(3): If Fells comes off PUP he will almost certainly be the #3 TE. Shiancoe could still compete for a roster spot, but he needs to get on the field in a hurry to do so.

OL(8): This is light. I think we carry 9. 3 OTs is light, but I think that McDonald's versatility will allow him to function as the 4th OT and save a roster spot. I think that Thomas/Koppen compete for a 9th spot, with Thomas getting the nod as things stand right now.

The other thing to consider is that the team could carry 26 offensive players, which its done in the past. That would squeeze the defense IMHO, but given how versatile some of the defensive players are, there's some wiggle room. As we've discussed elsewhere, a base of about 19 defensive players is versatile enough to play just about any defensive scheme, leaving some room for the additional guys. Carrying only 24 on defense would open up an additional spot on offense for a 9th OL spot (Thomas/Koppen) or a FB/4th TE spot (Larsen/Shiancoe) without squeezing at the other positions.

 

[Jimke]

If I recall correctly, McDonald has started a couple of games as a center.
He did a pretty good job.

 

[mgteich]

He did. My preference is to have 3 players who can play center. This is especially true since Connolly would be moved to guard with an injury to either Mankins or Waters. I would then want an experienced center and a qualified backup. I understand that this is not a requirement, but we have the personnel. We have 4 centers who have started in 2011. I would keep 3, especially given the position flexibility of MAcDonald

If I recall correctly, McDonald has started a couple of games as a center.
He did a pretty good job.