Let's consider the Shadow Roster

[AzPatsFan]

I define Belichick's unofficial Shadow Roster of varying size annually, as the players that Bill makes unofficial arrangements like a an agreement to agree with the terms of a proposed contract to be signed, if they receive "THE PHONE CALL". They are spare' parts, beyond the 53 man roster, and the Practice Squad, available to temporarily plug a hole created by an injury or a sequence of injuries that have depleted the depth the Pats had at their position.

Bill tells these mostly overaged, but formerly Star NFL Veterans who are just too old, without the stamina, to withstand the grind of a season anymore. But might or could play some snaps at a high level if they don't have to pace themselves too much, for one or several games. In return, they promise to stay in shape, might have familiarity with the Playbook, or at least the plays for the position they used to play.

Potential candidates are: Gerard Warren DT, Dan Koppen OL, Donte Stallworth WR, Deon Branch WR, Visanthe Shiancoe TE, Kevin Faulk RB, James Ihedigbo S, Will Allen CB/S, Tracy White ST/LB, Niko Koutevides ST/LB, and possibly Brian Waters OG, and Matt Light OT...

Both Warren who did so last season, and Faulk are obvious candidates, but no one seems to mention the other candidates...

What do you think?

 

[BradyBranch39]

Branch is making the 53.

 

[jah]

If Light weren't 100% done with his career, he'd be on the roster right now, considering our current T situation.

 

[patriot lifer]

I define Belichick's unofficial Shadow Roster of varying size annually, as the players that Bill makes unofficial arrangements like a an agreement to agree with the terms of a proposed contract to be signed, if they receive "THE PHONE CALL". They are spare' parts, beyond the 53 man roster, and the Practice Squad, available to temporarily plug a hole created by an injury or a sequence of injuries that have depleted the depth the Pats had at their position.

Bill tells these mostly overaged, but formerly Star NFL Veterans who are just too old, without the stamina, to withstand the grind of a season anymore. But might or could play some snaps at a high level if they don't have to pace themselves too much, for one or several games. In return, they promise to stay in shape, might have familiarity with the Playbook, or at least the plays for the position they used to play.

Potential candidates are: Gerard Warren DT, Dan Koppen OL, Donte Stallworth WR, Deon Branch WR, Visanthe Shiancoe TE, Kevin Faulk RB, James Ihedigbo S, Will Allen CB/S, Tracy White ST/LB, Niko Koutevides ST/LB, and possibly Brian Waters OG, and Matt Light OT...

Both Warren who did so last season, and Faulk are obvious candidates, but no one seems to mention the other candidates...

What do you think?

I think Gerrard Warren will be cut again this year, only to return later in the season. It happened last year, and circumstances always change with players getting injured. We have Wilfork, Love, Brace, and Deaderick above him with Pryor likely landing on the PUP list. That's a recipe for him being cut.

 

[MoLewisrocks]

I think no one mentions your other candidates because they will either more likely make the team here or get picked up somewhere else. And one of them is truly retired and if the other one doesn't come back shortly that's where he's heading, too.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Gerard Warren DT ......Shadow
Dan Koppen OL.....on 53 else if cut/traded with another team NOT shadow
Donte Stallworth WR......cut & with another team
Deon Branch WR....on 53, if not a definite Shadow
Visanthe Shiancoe TE...on 53, else IR
Kevin Faulk RB....shadow
James Ihedigbo S...on 53 or cut & shadow but for the love of God, NO!!!
Will Allen CB/S...on 53
Tracy White ST/LB... on 53 or shadow
Niko Koutevides ST/LB... on 53 or shadow; PS elegible?
Brian Waters OG...on 53 or retired
Matt Light OT....100% RETIRED Crone's disease and not bulked up

 

[Off The Grid]

Matt Light OT....100% RETIRED Crone's disease and not bulked up

Wow. That's trouble.

 

[Gumby]

Wow. That's trouble.

OTG, too funny.

and yes, I agree, I do believe he meant to spell Crohn's disease.

 

[ATippett56]

Gerard Warren, DT - Shadow

Dan Koppen, C - 53 man roster
Brian Waters, OG - 53 man roster or retirement
Deon Branch, WR - 53 man roster
Niko Koutouvides, ST/LB - 53 man roster

Donte Stallworth, WR - cut
Visanthe Shiancoe, TE - cut
Tracy White, ST/LB - cut
James Ihedigbo, S - cut (for the love of humanity send him back to the Jets)
Will Allen, CB - cut

Kevin Faulk, RB - retirement
Matt Light, OT - retirement

 

[Kontradiction]

Warren's likely a shadow roster candidate. Too much depth and fresher bodies ahead of him at this point. Faulk may be too, although the injuries at RB would have to be absolutely horrific in order for him to get that call so I see it as more likely that he retires. Will Allen seems like a name that might make the shadow roster. Light is definitely retired.

Branch, Koppen, and Koutouvides are making the 53. Stallworth, Shiancoe, Ihedigbo, and Tracy White will all be cut and get jobs elsewhere.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

OTG, too funny.

and yes, I agree, I do believe he meant to spell Crohn's disease.

Yes I did! Great pic!

 

[Sicilian]

Man, Ihedigbo gets a lot of grief around here for a guy who should be a 5th safety (4th TOPS) and solid ST player, who was forced to be a starter and sometimes NUMBER ONE safety last year due to injury and severe lack of talent. All of you saying "Hell no!" to him being on the shadow roster really wouldn't take him back as a ST and S backup if we suffered a couple injuries to guys like Slater? I guess to some, if you're not starting caliber or first backup you shouldn't even be in the league.

 

[Off The Grid]

Matt Light OT....100% RETIRED Crone's disease and not bulked up

Wow. That's trouble.

OTG, too funny.

and yes, I agree, I do believe he meant to spell Crohn's disease.

Yes I did! Great pic!

Whew!! That's a relief.

Because let me tell ya: She can hold up against the Bull Rush, OK...

But her Lateral Agility sucks.

Thanks for playing along, Gents!!

 

[AzPatsFan]

When I started this post ,I did not intend to say everyone I mentioned would be cut, or would not be picked up by another team, or would accept becoming a Shadow Roster player. I was just trying to include all possible such cases, however remote.

I chose those players likely NOT to be picked up, at least initially.

For example: STs who are older and spent time unemployed until the Pats signed them, are likely Not to be signed by teams seeking a younger and cheaper guy. White, Koutevides, Ihedigbo and even Cole who is younger all fit that that pattern.

Further old guys who are contemplating retirement like Waters or have retired like Light, might accept a direct appeal by Belichick to return. This isn't like the old days. There is lots of money involved now, even for 'minimum' salaries.

How better to fatten up the retirement fund than to add another half million to the retirement pool? You can't do that flipping burgers or bagging groceries, as the wife maybe poinitng out, as well as to get the hell out of the house and let her do her thing. Having hubby around under foot, is something new and can be stressful.

For those who contributed, I thank you for your inputs.

 

[PATSYLICIOUS]

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Potential candidates are: Gerard Warren DT, Dan Koppen OL, Donte Stallworth WR, Deon Branch WR, Visanthe Shiancoe TE, Kevin Faulk RB, James Ihedigbo S, Will Allen CB/S, Tracy White ST/LB, Niko Koutevides ST/LB, and possibly Brian Waters OG, and Matt Light OT...

Faulk, Warren shadow roster. Koppen, Branch, White, Koutevides, Waters, 1 of Ihedigbo/Allen make the 53. Light, Stallworth, and 1 of Ihedigbo/Allen are gone.