Real-Time Depth Chart and Remaining Holes

[TaxPlaya]

Here's my best shot at it: let the debate begin. Please keep in mind this is a real-time chart and subject to free agency/draft changes:

QB (3): Brady, Cassell, OPEN
RB (4): Maroney, Faulk, Morris, Evans
WR (5): Stallworth, Caldwell, Welker, Gaffney, Brown (Jackson on PUP)
TE (4): Watson, Brady, Thomas, Mills
OL (9): Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kazcur, OCall, Hochstein, OPEN, OPEN

TOTAL OFF: 25

DL (6): Seymour, Warren, Wilfork, Wright, Green, Smith
LB (9): Thomas, Vrabel, Bruschi, Colvin, Izzo, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN
S (5): Harrison, Sanders, Hawkins, Wilson, OPEN
CB (5): Samuel, Hobbs, Scott, OPEN, OPEN

TOTAL DEF: 25

K (1): GoKo
P (1): OPEN
LS (1): Paxton

Therefore, the slots that are "open" (meaning there is no one who should consider themselves an entrenched incumbent there) remain:

--Third string QB
--Backup G/T
--Backup G/T
--Backup OLB
--Backup OLB
--Backup ILB
--Backup ILB
--Strong Safety of the Future
--Dime Corner
--Backup Dime Corner
--Punter

There are, in many cases above, players under contract. I just don't consider those slots to be defaulted to them. Some combination of existing players, new free agents, and rookies will fill these holes.

Looking at this real-time depth chart, the biggest need remains the absolute disaster waiting to happen at LB. Hartwell would be a decent move, but they need to find several younger guys to fit the mold. There's also some depth issues in the secondary, especially at safety.

 

[Tunescribe]

A couple quick points: I think Randall Gay is a pretty safe bet to be with us at corner, I'd pencil him in. I'd also like to see us draft or sign a long-snapper who can legitimately play a position so we don't have to continue wasting a roster space on a long-snapper only. I believe Zak DeOssie can long-snap, by the way, and would be a good developmental linebacker.

 

[TeamPats]

A couple quick points: I think Randall Gay is a pretty safe bet to be with us at corner, I'd pencil him in. I'd also like to see us draft or sign a long-snapper who can legitimately play a position so we don't have to continue wasting a roster space on a long-snapper only. I believe Zak DeOssie can long-snap, by the way, and would be a good developmental linebacker.

I actually have no problem keeping Lonnie there, but only if he never makes a mistake. The comfort the kickers get from having Lonnie out there every snap is worth a lot. Besides who else would do our snowangels for us in times of victory? But seriously, I think, not sure, that Garett Mills was a long snapper in college and since he doesn't seem to be doing anything he could fill the void of LS if it came down to it.

 

[Jimke]

Nobody wastes a spot on a good long snapper. Every time I see a

team botch up a field goal or a punt because of a bad snap, I thank my

lucky stars we have one of the best in Lonnie Paxton.

 

[FreeTedWilliams]

Paxton has made every snap, and he also blocks well for a long snapper and is good for a tackle a year. I think he also recovered a fumble once. I can see your point that DeOssie has more of an upside as both a player and a long snapper, however, their is no way the Pats are "wasting" a roster spot on Paxton.

Long snapping is all that Paxton does, so that is all he practices, he has no other duties to take away from his snapping. Even if the Pats do draft DeOssie, money says that Paxton is still on the team.

 

[Patriotic Fervor]

A couple quick points: I think Randall Gay is a pretty safe bet to be with us at corner, I'd pencil him in. I'd also like to see us draft or sign a long-snapper who can legitimately play a position so we don't have to continue wasting a roster space on a long-snapper only. I believe Zak DeOssie can long-snap, by the way, and would be a good developmental linebacker.

Nice idea, but tell me - what happens if said "developmental" player gets injured?

As an aside, has this "wasting a roster spot", as you so glibly put it, yielded any degree of success for the team, over time?

Maybe Lonnie can't block. Or tackle. Or punt or kick. Or throw the ball with any degree of success. But boy, can he long snap! He comes out and there is nothing but confidence out there. He remains one of the very best at his craft.

And what kind of price can you put on that?

No, Lonnie's not going anywhere, and neither is the concept of the "wasted space" for the man and his position.

 

[SamBam39]

I think the pats view Garrent Mills as a fullback, not a te, even though he can do both.

they have watson, brady and thomas at te
and
evans and mills at fb.

that's partially why patrick pass isn't here, along with him acting out over the branch situation.

but garrett mills is also, drum roll please, a long snapper.

it was talked about when he was drafted.

so there you go, he might be a candidate to replace paxton, or BB may just keep extending Lonie. either way.

 

[Fencer]

Here's my best shot at it: let the debate begin. Please keep in mind this is a real-time chart and subject to free agency/draft changes:

QB (3): Brady, Cassell, OPEN I think the spot doesn't get filled
RB (4): Maroney, Faulk, Morris, Evans
WR (5): Stallworth, Caldwell, Welker, Gaffney, Brown (Jackson on PUP)
TE (4): Watson, Brady, Thomas, Mills
OL (9): Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kazcur, OCall, Hochstein, OPEN, OPEN Yates and Britt are pretty secure

TOTAL OFF: 25

DL (6): Seymour, Warren, Wilfork, Wright, Green, Smith Wright could be gone in a year and DT could be upgraded, so there's at least one open spot here
LB (9): Thomas, Vrabel, Bruschi, Colvin, Izzo, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN, OPEN
S (5): Harrison, Sanders, Hawkins, Wilson, OPEN Could be 6 safeties, 4 CBs, given that Wilson and Hawkins can imitate CBs in emergencies.
CB (5): Samuel, Hobbs, Scott, OPEN, OPEN Gay will be here for a year still

TOTAL DEF: 25

K (1): GoKo
P (1): OPEN
LS (1): Paxton

Therefore, the slots that are "open" (meaning there is no one who should consider themselves an entrenched incumbent there) remain:

--Third string QB As noted above, I disagree about the first 3
--Backup G/T
--Backup G/T
--Backup OLB
--Backup OLB
--Backup ILB More than backup, IMO
--Backup ILB
--Strong Safety of the Future FS of the future is a bigger need. Wilson will be gone before Harrison, and Baker isn't as secure as Sanders.
--Dime Corner
--Backup Dime Corner
--Punter

There are, in many cases above, players under contract. I just don't consider those slots to be defaulted to them. Some combination of existing players, new free agents, and rookies will fill these holes.

Looking at this real-time depth chart, the biggest need remains the absolute disaster waiting to happen at LB. Hartwell would be a decent move, but they need to find several younger guys to fit the mold. There's also some depth issues in the secondary, especially at safety.

I agree that LB and safety need the most attention. And CB, since Gay and Scott could both be in their last year.

 

[upstater1]

I thought this was real time? Where's Washington?

 

[shirtsleeve]

Paxton has made every snap, and he also blocks well for a long snapper and is good for a tackle a year. I think he also recovered a fumble once. I can see your point that DeOssie has more of an upside as both a player and a long snapper, however, their is no way the Pats are "wasting" a roster spot on Paxton.

Long snapping is all that Paxton does, so that is all he practices, he has no other duties to take away from his snapping. Even if the Pats do draft DeOssie, money says that Paxton is still on the team.

Yup, but having a back up long snapper doesn't hurt, just like having an emergency kicker. (people forget Welker kicks, too)

 

[zoostation]

Every time I see a team botch up a field goal or a punt because of a bad snap, I thank my lucky stars we have one of the best in Lonnie Paxton.

Good point. We tend to take that for granted.