Looks like this:
Quarterbacks (2): Tom Brady, Ryan Mallett
Running backs (4): Brandon Bolden, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead
Wide receivers (4): Julian Edelman, Brandon Lloyd, Matthew Slater, Wes Welker
Tight ends (4): Daniel Fells, Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Visanthe Shiancoe
Offensive linemen (8): Nate Solder, Logan Mankins, Ryan Wendell, Dan Connolly, Sebastian Vollmer, Marcus Cannon, Nick McDonald, Donald Thomas
Defensive linemen (11): Jake Bequette, Ron Brace, Jermaine Cunningham, Brandon Deaderick, Marcus Forston, Justin Francis, Chandler Jones, Kyle Love, Rob Ninkovich, Trevor Scott, Vince Wilfork
Linebackers (6): Bobby Carpenter, Dont’a Hightower, Jerod Mayo, Mike Rivera, Brandon Spikes, Tracy White
Cornerbacks (6): Kyle Arrington, Marquice Cole, Alfonzo Dennard, Ras-I Dowling, Devin McCourty, Sterling Moore
Safeties (4): Patrick Chung, Nate Ebner, Steve Gregory, Tavon Wilson
Specialists (3): Kicker Stephen Gostkowski, punter Zoltan Mesko, long snapper Danny Aiken
- - - - -
Quick thoughts:
(1) Like everyone else, I'm surprised that Gaffney, Stallworth, *and* Branch were all cut. Like everyone else, I'm thinking they have a little shadow roster planning going on, but that really remains to be seen. I'm not excited about the WR depth.
(2) The 4 TE + 4 WR seems to indicate, as some of us had projected, that the Pats plan on using Hernandez a LOT out of a WR position. He did so plenty last year, but with only 4 WR on the roster, it probably means he'll do that even more this season. Deus, can we actually include Hernandez in the WR conversation now, or are we reduced to just the 4 guys listed here?
(3) I mean, back to (1), that's a thin WR group. Only 3 actual, for-real, textbook WRs on the team: Lloyd, Welker, and Edelman, and even Edelman is a bit of a stretch, because he's a special teams guy first and foremost. Slater as the #4 receiver? Holy cow.
(4) On the other hand, I *love* the TE group, even with Shiancoe hurt. When healthy, he's terrific. Fells is solid too. And Gronk and Hernandez? Best pair in the business. It means that we'll see a ton, and I mean a TON, of 2 TE sets, I would think. Which is fine with me.
(5) Really like the D-line group and think they can be pretty special this year. Cunningham's development is very exciting.
(6) Surprised that all 3 of Cole, Moore, and Dennard made the roster, but I guess when you only have 4 WR and 2 QB and 4 RB, you're going to have some roster space.
(7) I wish they added a 9th OL. Not sold on the depth there. And no Brian Waters. UGH. That's a huge blow, IMO. Shadow roster, or just done? And what about that report that they were doing his locker up?
(8) 30 of the 50 non-special-teams guys are defense. I don't know what it's been in the past, but that seems like a pretty lopsided ratio to me. Lots of guys in the rotation, should keep players fresh.
I wonder what other roster moves they have in store. I'm pumped for the year to start, but I have to admit being puzzled by some of what has transpired here.
Quarterbacks (2): Tom Brady, Ryan Mallett
Running backs (4): Brandon Bolden, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead
Wide receivers (4): Julian Edelman, Brandon Lloyd, Matthew Slater, Wes Welker
Tight ends (4): Daniel Fells, Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Visanthe Shiancoe
Offensive linemen (8): Nate Solder, Logan Mankins, Ryan Wendell, Dan Connolly, Sebastian Vollmer, Marcus Cannon, Nick McDonald, Donald Thomas
Defensive linemen (11): Jake Bequette, Ron Brace, Jermaine Cunningham, Brandon Deaderick, Marcus Forston, Justin Francis, Chandler Jones, Kyle Love, Rob Ninkovich, Trevor Scott, Vince Wilfork
Linebackers (6): Bobby Carpenter, Dont’a Hightower, Jerod Mayo, Mike Rivera, Brandon Spikes, Tracy White
Cornerbacks (6): Kyle Arrington, Marquice Cole, Alfonzo Dennard, Ras-I Dowling, Devin McCourty, Sterling Moore
Safeties (4): Patrick Chung, Nate Ebner, Steve Gregory, Tavon Wilson
Specialists (3): Kicker Stephen Gostkowski, punter Zoltan Mesko, long snapper Danny Aiken
- - - - -
Quick thoughts:
(1) Like everyone else, I'm surprised that Gaffney, Stallworth, *and* Branch were all cut. Like everyone else, I'm thinking they have a little shadow roster planning going on, but that really remains to be seen. I'm not excited about the WR depth.
(2) The 4 TE + 4 WR seems to indicate, as some of us had projected, that the Pats plan on using Hernandez a LOT out of a WR position. He did so plenty last year, but with only 4 WR on the roster, it probably means he'll do that even more this season. Deus, can we actually include Hernandez in the WR conversation now, or are we reduced to just the 4 guys listed here?
(3) I mean, back to (1), that's a thin WR group. Only 3 actual, for-real, textbook WRs on the team: Lloyd, Welker, and Edelman, and even Edelman is a bit of a stretch, because he's a special teams guy first and foremost. Slater as the #4 receiver? Holy cow.
(4) On the other hand, I *love* the TE group, even with Shiancoe hurt. When healthy, he's terrific. Fells is solid too. And Gronk and Hernandez? Best pair in the business. It means that we'll see a ton, and I mean a TON, of 2 TE sets, I would think. Which is fine with me.
(5) Really like the D-line group and think they can be pretty special this year. Cunningham's development is very exciting.
(6) Surprised that all 3 of Cole, Moore, and Dennard made the roster, but I guess when you only have 4 WR and 2 QB and 4 RB, you're going to have some roster space.
(7) I wish they added a 9th OL. Not sold on the depth there. And no Brian Waters. UGH. That's a huge blow, IMO. Shadow roster, or just done? And what about that report that they were doing his locker up?
(8) 30 of the 50 non-special-teams guys are defense. I don't know what it's been in the past, but that seems like a pretty lopsided ratio to me. Lots of guys in the rotation, should keep players fresh.
I wonder what other roster moves they have in store. I'm pumped for the year to start, but I have to admit being puzzled by some of what has transpired here.