We Have A Lot Of Needs For This Week

[mgteich]

As we complete the roster, there seem to be more obvious needs than usual, perhaps not.
We have 2 openings (DT2, TE4). We need 2 upgrades. We need an additional backup. We have no problem freeing up the one additional roster spot needed.

I SEE FIVE NEEDS
TE - We need a backup.
C - We need an upgrade over Kline
DT1 - We need an upgrade to Vellano.
DT2 - we need a backup.
DB - we need a backup veteran at corner or especially at strong safety.

 

[PP2]

I think Vellano is just a placeholder for Armstrong.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

As we complete the roster, there seem to be more obvious needs than usual, perhaps not.
We have 2 openings (DT2, TE4). We need 2 upgrades. We need an additional backup. We have no problem freeing up the one additional roster spot needed.

C - We need an upgrade over Kline

If/when Nick McDonald gets healthy. . . .

 

[mgteich]

Who is Armstrong?

I think Vellano is just a placeholder for Armstrong.

 

[Big-T]

Connolly will be the #2 C and possibly #2 RG too.

DB:
Chris Carr is a vet CB and Amari Spievey is a SS who is available too.

DT:
Antonio Garay & Marvin Austin are both available.

 

[mgteich]

I'm 100% fine with that if we have any clue that he will be available in the next couple of weeks or so.

If/when Nick McDonald gets healthy. . . .

 

[Brady6]

Re: Re: We Have A Lot Of Needs For This Week

I think Vellano is just a placeholder for Armstrong.

He is going to have a long career here if he is holding a place for Armstrong

 

[Brady6]

Re: Re: We Have A Lot Of Needs For This Week

Who is Armstrong?

I assume spell check got the best of him and he meant Armstead.

I'd like to see them being in Jaye Howard who the Seahawks released today. Young, athletic player, who had a solid camp for them, I was really surprised to see them let him go.

 

[mgteich]

I agree with regard to Howard. It will be interesting to see who Belichick brings in. By keeping Vellano, he has a backup for Game One.

IMHO, we need a better backup for the first 8 weeks than Vellano. Also, there is absolutely no reason to believe that Armstead will be ready to contribute in 8 weeks. He has had zero practice time with the team, and zero reps in the NFL. I'm glad that we signed him. I hope that he will contribute in the future. However, IR after 8 weeks seems more likely than being very useful to us.

I assume spell check got the best of him and he meant Armstead.

I'd like to see them being in Jaye Howard who the Seahawks released today. Young, athletic player, who had a solid camp for them, I was really surprised to see them let him go.

 

[Brady6]

I agree with regard to Howard. It will be interesting to see who Belichick brings in. By keeping Vellano, he has a backup for Game One.

IMHO, we need a better backup for the first 8 weeks than Vellano. Also, there is absolutely no reason to believe that Armstead will be ready to contribute in 8 weeks. He has had zero practice time with the team, and zero reps in the NFL. I'm glad that we signed him. I hope that he will contribute in the future. However, IR after 8 weeks seems more likely than being very useful to us.

I agree that we should be very cautious relying on the return of Armstead, if this infection is at all related to his heart issue, and I believe it is, the reason actually is I asked somebody in the medical profession that I am friendly with who also follows the Patriots closely, he made a suggestion that Armstead likely has some type of pacemaker device and the area around it became infected, which likely led to them having to go in and clean up the area and replace the device, obviously this was just speculation on the part of my friend but it seemed to be a very logical explanation; either way though I am with you on putting to many eggs in the Armstead basket for 2013 anyway.

My primary concern with Vellano is he is not a very big player, he is listed between 285-306 pounds depending on the site, so I guess being that he fits more of a 3 technique role I am curious to know who the heck is going to come in and give Wilfork a blow, unless you want to move Kelly to the 1 technique, but that in my opinion is what caused Kelly to have a down year with the raiders last year, they used him at the 1tech and put Bryant at the 3tech. I guess you could do it on a limited basis, but even if you did the defense is not going to be able to do the same things; basically what I am getting at is I have no issue with Vellano, he actually sounds like a promising player, but I don’t view him as a backup for Wilfork, and I don’t think we have a backup for Wilfork at all, which it me be is not much different than going without a backup QB behind Brady.

 

[JackBauer]

I'd actually be surprised if they make a move at CB.

 

[Ozymandias]

I'd actually be surprised if they make a move at CB.

Same here. Guys that can cover (and stay healthy) are a hot commodity that basically no one would even think of cutting.

Other than a few vets like Sheldon Brown the CB market is barren for anyone with coverage skills. I think the Patriots are set at CB, for now anyway.

 

[50-yard-line]

As we complete the roster, there seem to be more obvious needs than usual, perhaps not.
We have 2 openings (DT2, TE4). We need 2 upgrades. We need an additional backup. We have no problem freeing up the one additional roster spot needed.

I SEE FIVE NEEDS
TE - We need a backup.
C - We need an upgrade over Kline
DT1 - We need an upgrade to Vellano.
DT2 - we need a backup.
DB - we need a backup veteran at corner or especially at strong safety.

There is good news here, though.

TE: We just CUT two serviceable back-ups, so I'm not worried. If they want one, there are plenty to go around, apparently.

C - Wendell will be backed up by the Dan Connally, who will be back up by Cannon...they need an OL, but again, it's a guy who will likely be inactive unless and until injury.

DT1 and DT2: I watched the Jets-Eagles today on replay and that Garay guy looks like he'd be a nice fit. Big and gets push. There are many out there right now...lots of surprising names, actually.

DB: This is the tough one. DBs are hard to find. Almost every team is thin. Harmon and Ryan are going to need to step up!

The good thing about your list, which is accurate, is that the Pats have plenty of money and these are all DEPTH adds (although I'd like a better started SS!!!!!!!!!!).

What's surprising to me is that we have 2 7th and 4 UDFA on the roster. This team is SO YOUNG. Brady must feel like a camp counselor.

I was gagging a bit watching all the cuts/IRs come down today, but when I stepped back, I realized there really wasn't anyone there who, by the end of PS, I thought would make any major contributions. I was hanging on Ballard because he's still a good blocker, but the guy can't run. I was hanging on A Wilson for the experience, but there seemed to be littl ehunger there - or maybe it was just an injury.

The best thing of all is that I went into PS terrified of our receiving corps, adn now I find myself strangely calm about it...lol.

 

[Sciz]

I strongly disagree with the need for a CB. I don't think they're going to find a veteran that's a worthwhile upgrade on Logan Ryan, who already won't see the field unless a CB gets hurt. I hate seeing Cole on defense, but at least he's the #5 rather than the #4, and no free agent is going to beat him out on special teams.

 

[Deus Irae]

As we complete the roster, there seem to be more obvious needs than usual, perhaps not.
We have 2 openings (DT2, TE4). We need 2 upgrades. We need an additional backup. We have no problem freeing up the one additional roster spot needed.

I SEE FIVE NEEDS
TE - We need a backup.

Think of Develin in OHOH's role from last year. I also still wouldn't be shocked if Moeaki was brought in for a look once he heals up.

C - We need an upgrade over Kline

Connolly

DT1 - We need an upgrade to Vellano.

Yup

DT2 - we need a backup.

Yup

DB - we need a backup veteran at corner or especially at strong safety.

They need both another CB and another S.

 

[mgteich]

TIGHT END
Hooman actually played TE last year. Devlin will not pick the role of a backup inline blocking TE. I guess, I'm arguing that if we have 3 TE positions, then we need a backup other than a lineman. I understand that we have gone with only 3 TE's in the past. The issue is whether we want to continue to emphasize the TE position as we did last year. I wouldn't be surpised to see a reuniting of the Gronkowski brothers or a return of Silvestro.

But, bottom line, if Belichick thinks that it is best to emphasize 3 WR and 2 RB sets, then I'm fine with a choice not to add a backup TE.

BACKUP CENTER
OK, Wendell or Connolly gets injured. What happens next week. Who is the Game Day backup at center? The present answer is Kline. I would prefer someone as good as Nick McDonald in that role, as was the case last year.

YES, THE PRIORITY IS ADDING ON DEFENSE
I am not suggesting adding any roster spots to the Offense. I would upgrade at backup OL and sign a backup center. I would then drop a running back.

As we both agree, we need lots of backup help on defense.

Think of Develin in OHOH's role from last year. I also still wouldn't be shocked if Moeaki was brought in for a look once he heals up.

 

[belichick010405]

It is good to see that some of us are seeing the same list of guys who should be considered. I really like Jaye Howard, Antonio Garay and I think that Marvin Austin should get a look depending on his health.

Here is a tick list of guys who I think could be looked at:

Tandon Doss, WR
Alex Silvestro, TE
Jarron Gilbert, DT
Sione Fua, DT
Robert Lester, SS (University of Alabama)
Tom Zbikowski, SS
Reid Fragel, OT/OG
Cobi Hamilton, WR
Dontay Moch, LB/SS
Danny Coale, WR
Sterling Moore, CB
C.J. Davis, OG
Rodney Austin, OG
Amari Spievey, SS
DJ Williams, TE
Alex Green, RB
Deji Karim, RB
Lawrence Guy, DE
Ben Ijalana, OG
Drake Nevis, DT
Matt Scott, QB (here is a read option quarterback with practice squad eligibility)
Aaron Corp, QB
Marvin McNutt, WR
Everett Dawkins, DT
D'Aundre Reed, DE
Jim Leonhard, SS
Tyler Sash, SS
Greg McElroy, QB (if he has practice squad eligibility)
Andre Carter, DE
Chase Thomas, LB
Connon Vernon, WR
Clay Harbor, TE
Greg Salas, WR
Danny Watkins, OG
Jamie McCoy, TE
Stephen Schilling, OG
Lavelle Hawkins, WR
Antoine Winfield, CB
Fernando Velasco, OG/C

This is a pretty good list of guys that are "interesting" and I would guess would interest Caserio and his crew.

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap1000000233304/article/roster-cuts-for-all-32-nfl-teams

 

[PP2]

I assume spell check got the best of him and he meant Armstead.

Yes, thank you. This damn mobile thing.

 

[Rob0729]

As we complete the roster, there seem to be more obvious needs than usual, perhaps not.
We have 2 openings (DT2, TE4). We need 2 upgrades. We need an additional backup. We have no problem freeing up the one additional roster spot needed.

I SEE FIVE NEEDS
TE - We need a backup.
C - We need an upgrade over Kline
DT1 - We need an upgrade to Vellano.
DT2 - we need a backup.
DB - we need a backup veteran at corner or especially at strong safety.

I do agree the Pats need to add a DT or two, but I thought Vellano played really well this preseason especially filling in for Wilfork with the ones in the third preseason game. I don't have a problem with him being one of the primary back ups at DT.

 

[mgteich]

I think that we can safely pass on these.

In any case, thanks for compiling the list. It is a good one.

It is good to see that some of us are seeing the same list of guys who should be considered. I really like Jaye Howard, Antonio Garay and I think that Marvin Austin should get a look depending on his health.

Here is a tick list of guys who I think could be looked at:

Sterling Moore, CB
Greg Salas, WR
Lavelle Hawkins, WR

Roster cuts for all 32 NFL teams - NFL.com