Wilson, Bequette, Boyce, and Finch

[Brady6]

QB (2) Tom Brady, Jimmy Garopollo
RB (4) Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen (3DRB), James White, Brandon Bolden
FB (1) James Develin
X-WR (4) Aaron Dobson, Kenbrell Thompkins, Brandon LaFell, Brian Tyms*
Z-WR (3) Julian Edelman (PR), Danny Amendola, Josh Boyce (KR)
TE (2) Rob Gronkowski, Michael Hoomanawanui
LT (1) Nate Solder
LG (2) Logan Mankins, Josh Kline
OC (2) Dan Connolly, Bryan Stork
RG (2) Marcus Cannon, Jon Halapio
RT (2) Sebastian Vollmer, Cameron Fleming
- 24 active, 1 suspended

LE (2) Rob Ninkovich, Michael Buchanan
DT (3) Tommy Kelly, Dominique Easley, Jerel Worthy
NT (2) Vince Wilfork, Sealver Siliga
RE (2) Chandler Jones, Zach Moore
SLB (2) Donta Hightower, Darius Fleming
MLB (2) Jerod Mayo, Steve Beauharnais
WLB (2) Jamie Collins, Jame Anderson
LCB (3) Darrelle Revis, Logan Ryan, Malcolm Butler
RCB (3) Brandon Browner*, Alfonzo Dennard, Kyle Arrington
FS (1) Devin McCourty
SS (3) Tavon Wilson, Duron Harmon, Pat Chung
- 24 active, 1 suspended

K (1) Stephen Gostkowski
P (1) Ryan Allen
LS (1) Danny Aiken
ST (2) Matthew Slater, Nate Ebner
- 5 active

Practice Squad (8) Jordan Devey, Roy Finch, Jamea Thomas, Jonas Gray, Cameron Gordon, Chris Barker, Taylor McCuller, Daxton Swanson
PUP (3) Jeremy Gallon, Tyler Gaffney, Chris Martin
IR (3) Chris Jones, DJ Williams, Ryan Mallett
- 14 inactive

 

[BKBroiler]

QB (2) Tom Brady, Jimmy Garopollo
RB (4) Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen (3DRB), James White, Brandon Bolden
FB (1) James Develin
X-WR (4) Aaron Dobson, Kenbrell Thompkins, Brandon LaFell, Brian Tyms*
Z-WR (3) Julian Edelman (PR), Danny Amendola, Josh Boyce (KR)
TE (2) Rob Gronkowski, Michael Hoomanawanui
LT (1) Nate Solder
LG (2) Logan Mankins, Josh Kline
OC (2) Dan Connolly, Bryan Stork
RG (2) Marcus Cannon, Jon Halapio
RT (2) Sebastian Vollmer, Cameron Fleming
- 24 active, 1 suspended

LE (2) Rob Ninkovich, Michael Buchanan
DT (3) Tommy Kelly, Dominique Easley, Jerel Worthy
NT (2) Vince Wilfork, Sealver Siliga
RE (2) Chandler Jones, Zach Moore
SLB (2) Donta Hightower, Darius Fleming
MLB (2) Jerod Mayo, Steve Beauharnais
WLB (2) Jamie Collins, Jame Anderson
LCB (3) Darrelle Revis, Logan Ryan, Malcolm Butler
RCB (3) Brandon Browner*, Alfonzo Dennard, Kyle Arrington
FS (1) Devin McCourty
SS (3) Tavon Wilson, Duron Harmon, Pat Chung
- 24 active, 1 suspended

K (1) Stephen Gostkowski
P (1) Ryan Allen
LS (1) Danny Aiken
ST (2) Matthew Slater, Nate Ebner
- 5 active

Practice Squad (8) Jordan Devey, Roy Finch, Jamea Thomas, Jonas Gray, Cameron Gordon, Chris Barker, Taylor McCuller, Daxton Swanson
PUP (3) Jeremy Gallon, Tyler Gaffney, Chris Martin
IR (3) Chris Jones, DJ Williams, Ryan Mallett
- 14 inactive

Is Mallet to IR a mistake or are you serious? Because unless he gets a major injury the next two weeks, Mallet is either making the team or getting traded/cut. It's an easy fix to find him a spot though since LB looks heavy.

Other than that, I think that roster might not be far off. There seems to be about 45 guys with a safe roster spot, and 10-12 battling for the last 8 spots (not including Browner & Tyms due to their exemptions from being suspended).

 

[PP2]

I think Chung at minimum becomes a week 1 cut. With the injury history Patriots will take the procussions with him.

 

[PP2]

QB (2) Tom Brady, Jimmy Garopollo
RB (4) Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen (3DRB), James White, Brandon Bolden
FB (1) James Develin
X-WR (4) Aaron Dobson, Kenbrell Thompkins, Brandon LaFell, Brian Tyms*
Z-WR (3) Julian Edelman (PR), Danny Amendola, Josh Boyce (KR)
TE (2) Rob Gronkowski, Michael Hoomanawanui
LT (1) Nate Solder
LG (2) Logan Mankins, Josh Kline
OC (2) Dan Connolly, Bryan Stork
RG (2) Marcus Cannon, Jon Halapio
RT (2) Sebastian Vollmer, Cameron Fleming
- 24 active, 1 suspended

LE (2) Rob Ninkovich, Michael Buchanan
DT (3) Tommy Kelly, Dominique Easley, Jerel Worthy
NT (2) Vince Wilfork, Sealver Siliga
RE (2) Chandler Jones, Zach Moore
SLB (2) Donta Hightower, Darius Fleming
MLB (2) Jerod Mayo, Steve Beauharnais
WLB (2) Jamie Collins, Jame Anderson
LCB (3) Darrelle Revis, Logan Ryan, Malcolm Butler
RCB (3) Brandon Browner*, Alfonzo Dennard, Kyle Arrington
FS (1) Devin McCourty
SS (3) Tavon Wilson, Duron Harmon, Pat Chung
- 24 active, 1 suspended

K (1) Stephen Gostkowski
P (1) Ryan Allen
LS (1) Danny Aiken
ST (2) Matthew Slater, Nate Ebner
- 5 active

Practice Squad (8) Jordan Devey, Roy Finch, Jamea Thomas, Jonas Gray, Cameron Gordon, Chris Barker, Taylor McCuller, Daxton Swanson
PUP (3) Jeremy Gallon, Tyler Gaffney, Chris Martin
IR (3) Chris Jones, DJ Williams, Ryan Mallett
- 14 inactive

FYI, Arrington has been playing SS lately. Also they are trying Ryan out at FS.

 

[Ring 6]

QB (2) Tom Brady, Jimmy Garopollo
RB (4) Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen (3DRB), James White, Brandon Bolden
FB (1) James Develin
X-WR (4) Aaron Dobson, Kenbrell Thompkins, Brandon LaFell, Brian Tyms*
Z-WR (3) Julian Edelman (PR), Danny Amendola, Josh Boyce (KR)
TE (2) Rob Gronkowski, Michael Hoomanawanui
LT (1) Nate Solder
LG (2) Logan Mankins, Josh Kline
OC (2) Dan Connolly, Bryan Stork
RG (2) Marcus Cannon, Jon Halapio
RT (2) Sebastian Vollmer, Cameron Fleming
- 24 active, 1 suspended

LE (2) Rob Ninkovich, Michael Buchanan
DT (3) Tommy Kelly, Dominique Easley, Jerel Worthy
NT (2) Vince Wilfork, Sealver Siliga
RE (2) Chandler Jones, Zach Moore
SLB (2) Donta Hightower, Darius Fleming
MLB (2) Jerod Mayo, Steve Beauharnais
WLB (2) Jamie Collins, Jame Anderson
LCB (3) Darrelle Revis, Logan Ryan, Malcolm Butler
RCB (3) Brandon Browner*, Alfonzo Dennard, Kyle Arrington
FS (1) Devin McCourty
SS (3) Tavon Wilson, Duron Harmon, Pat Chung
- 24 active, 1 suspended

K (1) Stephen Gostkowski
P (1) Ryan Allen
LS (1) Danny Aiken
ST (2) Matthew Slater, Nate Ebner
- 5 active

Practice Squad (8) Jordan Devey, Roy Finch, Jamea Thomas, Jonas Gray, Cameron Gordon, Chris Barker, Taylor McCuller, Daxton Swanson
PUP (3) Jeremy Gallon, Tyler Gaffney, Chris Martin
IR (3) Chris Jones, DJ Williams, Ryan Mallett
- 14 inactive

Questions/comments
Why cannon at rg? Has he even been taking snaps there?
How is halapio earning a spot. Same with stork who has missed something like 15 straight practices.
Why would Chris jones go to ir with a twisted ankle?
I think the third TE is needed. Are you thinking they use an OL? I'm thinking Maneri allows them to keep 8 OL but using a backup OL as 3rd TE would do the same.
Mallet isn't injured how do you put him on ir?
I'd lose Boyce (disappointingly or a DB since you have 11 and 2 more on ps) and keep MAllett. Jimmy g has looked good but I don't think he is ready to be the only QB on the team if Brady is out 2-3 weeks.

 

[Ring 6]

FYI, Arrington has been playing SS lately. Also they are trying Ryan out at FS.

Are you sure Arrington has been playing s?
All I've seen is one tweet about one play.
I watched in a Buffalo Wild Wings so didn't get to see as closely as I would have liked.

 

[mgteich]

Are you sure Arrington has been playing s?
All I've seen is one tweet about one play.
I watched in a Buffalo Wild Wings so didn't get to see as closely as I would have liked.

Reiss is sure that both Arrington and Ryan are playing safety.

Breaking down Patriots' defensive snaps - espnBoston

As is the case with RG, the team seems to be struggling with the decision on who will play the 2nd safety position (and the 3rd for that matter).

 

[PP2]

Are you sure Arrington has been playing s?
All I've seen is one tweet about one play.
I watched in a Buffalo Wild Wings so didn't get to see as closely as I would have liked.

He started at SS.

I'm not sure what I think of that experiment. Time will tell.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Arrington at SS may be a look-see to find out if there's a spot for him should Butler beat him out at CB. Maybe. Probably not. He's targeted to cover Welker in the 2 games vs Denver.
I think Chung gets cut BUT mainly so that he can be brought back after week one w/o a full year's salary guaranteed. BB has done this before with vets of marginal, yet some, utility.

 

[Patriot Missile]

Questions/comments
Why cannon at rg? Has he even been taking snaps there?

Who else is there? He battled Connolly in training camp in 13. Played RT in Vollmer's absence. You would think he would be the ideal candidate if Connolly wins the Center position. It's not like he hasn't had reps there.

Edit: I guess Kline or Flemming have shown to be possible capable replacements

 

[mgteich]

Mallett to IR is probably the worst idea of the year. We'd pay him for nothing. In any case, your roster is a reasonable one. See below for issues.

BTW, I don't think that Cannon is likely to be our starting RG.

OFFENSE (agree on 21 of 24)
1) I would keep Mallett instead of Boyce. I think that KR is a poor use of a roster spot.
2) I'm OK with 9 offensive linemen, especially since they are needed as backup TE's. However, I am not at all sure that Hilapio or Stork have shown enough to expect them to be on the roster. Stork seems likely to be headed for the PUP list, and Hilapio to the Practice Squad (or not). Both Devey and Wendell seem more likely the Stork and Hilapio.
3) I think that a 3rd TE is possible instead of the 9th OL, but not as of now.

DEFENSE (agree on 22 of 24)
1) Vellano makes the team. He has played well both inside and out.
2) I have Smith over Worthy, with Worthy going to the PUP list.
3) Moore seems like a perfect Practice Squad candidate.
4) I guess I'm OK with 4 safeties plus Ebner. However, I suspect that we will keep one fewer, given the reps Arrington and Ryan have taken at safety.

SPECIAL TEAMS (agree with 5 of 5)

AN ASIDE
We are likely to have a final 52 plus a couple of players on the roster bubble even after they make the final 52 man squad.

QB (2) Tom Brady, Jimmy Garopollo
RB (4) Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen (3DRB), James White, Brandon Bolden
FB (1) James Develin
X-WR (4) Aaron Dobson, Kenbrell Thompkins, Brandon LaFell, Brian Tyms*
Z-WR (3) Julian Edelman (PR), Danny Amendola, Josh Boyce (KR)
TE (2) Rob Gronkowski, Michael Hoomanawanui
LT (1) Nate Solder
LG (2) Logan Mankins, Josh Kline
OC (2) Dan Connolly, Bryan Stork
RG (2) Marcus Cannon, Jon Halapio
RT (2) Sebastian Vollmer, Cameron Fleming
- 24 active, 1 suspended

LE (2) Rob Ninkovich, Michael Buchanan
DT (3) Tommy Kelly, Dominique Easley, Jerel Worthy
NT (2) Vince Wilfork, Sealver Siliga
RE (2) Chandler Jones, Zach Moore
SLB (2) Donta Hightower, Darius Fleming
MLB (2) Jerod Mayo, Steve Beauharnais
WLB (2) Jamie Collins, Jame Anderson
LCB (3) Darrelle Revis, Logan Ryan, Malcolm Butler
RCB (3) Brandon Browner*, Alfonzo Dennard, Kyle Arrington
FS (1) Devin McCourty
SS (3) Tavon Wilson, Duron Harmon, Pat Chung
- 24 active, 1 suspended

K (1) Stephen Gostkowski
P (1) Ryan Allen
LS (1) Danny Aiken
ST (2) Matthew Slater, Nate Ebner
- 5 active

Practice Squad (8) Jordan Devey, Roy Finch, Jamea Thomas, Jonas Gray, Cameron Gordon, Chris Barker, Taylor McCuller, Daxton Swanson
PUP (3) Jeremy Gallon, Tyler Gaffney, Chris Martin
IR (3) Chris Jones, DJ Williams, Ryan Mallett
- 14 inactive

 

[AzPatsFan]

No offense but I think you are way off on this one. The only reason Wilson did not start yesterday is because he was out with an injury, he has had the most impressive offseason of any of the safeties in the mix for the starting spot, and has seen the majority of the first team reps in practice over the past 2 weeks (when healthy). Kyle Arrington getting reps with the starting unit at safety over Harmon is an indication that they are not thrilled with Harmon so far this camp in my opinion. Not only will Wilson make the team, but he has a legit shot to be the starting strong safety.

I agree, but I suspect Arrington and Ryan are auditioning for the backup for McCourty at S1, aka LS, rather than for S2, nominally the RS, but also the position of a sometime SS. Harmon, Wilson and Chung have the physical attributes for S2 being overall bigger, i.e. taller, and heavier, and more suitable to stop the run as well.

I think that Ebners real competition are the reserve LBs and White in particular, rather then the other Safeties, for a ST specialist job. He is winning that competition in my opinion.

 

[mgteich]

When did chung pass Wilson? Did Wilson's good camp get obliterated because he missed this game?

We shall see. Injuries to marginal players often do "obliterate" the effect of their early camp performances.

In any case, it is seeming more and more likely that we keep all five of our safeties, keeping Chung AND Wilson AND Ebner. I suppose I might think differently if Harmon were clearly our starter and was playing well.

 

[mgteich]

It seems that we now have a very large majority agreeing on our defensive backs.

Does anyone now think that we shouldn't keep the 10 listed for our 53 man squad, or at least have them available after Game 1 (not including someone in the 53, but signing him after Game 1)?

QB (2) Tom Brady, Jimmy Garopollo
RB (4) Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen (3DRB), James White, Brandon Bolden
FB (1) James Develin
X-WR (4) Aaron Dobson, Kenbrell Thompkins, Brandon LaFell, Brian Tyms*
Z-WR (3) Julian Edelman (PR), Danny Amendola, Josh Boyce (KR)
TE (2) Rob Gronkowski, Michael Hoomanawanui
LT (1) Nate Solder
LG (2) Logan Mankins, Josh Kline
OC (2) Dan Connolly, Bryan Stork
RG (2) Marcus Cannon, Jon Halapio
RT (2) Sebastian Vollmer, Cameron Fleming
- 24 active, 1 suspended

LE (2) Rob Ninkovich, Michael Buchanan
DT (3) Tommy Kelly, Dominique Easley, Jerel Worthy
NT (2) Vince Wilfork, Sealver Siliga
RE (2) Chandler Jones, Zach Moore
SLB (2) Donta Hightower, Darius Fleming
MLB (2) Jerod Mayo, Steve Beauharnais
WLB (2) Jamie Collins, Jame Anderson
LCB (3) Darrelle Revis, Logan Ryan, Malcolm Butler
RCB (3) Brandon Browner*, Alfonzo Dennard, Kyle Arrington
FS (1) Devin McCourty
SS (3) Tavon Wilson, Duron Harmon, Pat Chung
- 24 active, 1 suspended

K (1) Stephen Gostkowski
P (1) Ryan Allen
LS (1) Danny Aiken
ST (2) Matthew Slater, Nate Ebner
- 5 active

Practice Squad (8) Jordan Devey, Roy Finch, Jamea Thomas, Jonas Gray, Cameron Gordon, Chris Barker, Taylor McCuller, Daxton Swanson
PUP (3) Jeremy Gallon, Tyler Gaffney, Chris Martin
IR (3) Chris Jones, DJ Williams, Ryan Mallett
- 14 inactive

 

[Ring 6]

He started at SS.

I'm not sure what I think of that experiment. Time will tell.

I saw a tweet that said that. But the first series was one play and we have been known to play one safety and an extra corner vs some sets.
How many snaps did Arrington play at safety?

 

[Mack Herron]

Reiss' breakdown:

CORNERBACK:
Malcolm Butler -- 49 of 62
Brandon Browner -- 25 of 62
Daxton Swanson -- 13 of 62
Darrelle Revis -- 12 of 62

Quick-hit thought: The numbers tell the story -- Butler has the coaching staff intrigued to the point that it wants to see more. No defensive player has been on for more snaps than the undrafted free agent from West Alabama over the first two preseason games (113 of 135). The versatility of Logan Ryan showed up, too, as he played corner and safety in this game (he's listed as a safety).

SAFETY:
Logan Ryan -- 33 of 62
Nate Ebner -- 26 of 62
Jemea Thomas -- 23 of 62
Duron Harmon -- 19 of 62
Kyle Arrington -- 14 of 62
Devin McCourty -- 14 of 62
Shamiel Gary -- 13 of 62
Travis Hawkins -- 13 of 62
Patrick Chung -- 12 of 62

Quick-hit thought: A new look for the defense when Arrington and Ryan are playing safety instead of corner, which was one of the more notable takeaways on defense. Ebner, a core special-teamer, flashed as well. Third-year player Tavon Wilson was among the injured players who didn't suit up and after seeing so many players worked into the mix, it makes one wonder about the security of his roster spot.

Breaking down Patriots' defensive snaps - espnBoston

 

[Ring 6]

Reiss is sure that both Arrington and Ryan are playing safety.

Breaking down Patriots' defensive snaps - espnBoston

As is the case with RG, the team seems to be struggling with the decision on who will play the 2nd safety position (and the 3rd for that matter).

Something is wrong with Reiss' analysis.
He has 99 snaps at corner and 167 at safety on 62 plays.
That would mean we used 1 corner and 3 safeties at least 25 times.

 

[mgteich]

EDITED because Stork can't go on the PUP. I also added Manieri at the expense of Fleming.

Worthy could make the roster, but PUP seems more likely. We even could keep 10 DL's, given the injury situations. This roster position would come at the expense of one of the LB or SS special teamers.

MG August 16 (rev 2)
QB (3) Brady, Garoppolo, Mallett
RB (5) Ridley, Vereen, White, Develin, Bolden
WR (6) Edelman, Amendola, Dobson, LaFell, Thompkins, Slater
TE (2) Gronkowski, Hoomanawanui
C (2) Connolly, Wendell, Stork
G (3) Mankins, Kline
T (4) Vollmer, Solder, Cannon, Manieri
DE (4) Jones, Ninkovich, Buchanan, Smith
DT (5) Wilfork, Kelly, Easley, Siliga, Vellano
ILB(2) Mayo, Beauharnais
OLB(4) Hightower, Collins, Fleming, Anderson
CB (5) Revis, Dennard, Arrington, Ryan, Butler
SS (3) Harmon, Chung, Ebner
FS (2) McCourty, Wilson
ST (3) Gostkowski, Allen, Aiken

Total players: 53

 

[AzPatsFan]

You can't seriously believe that Beauharnis, a) has shown anything, b) is more valuable than a backup QB, namely Mallett. Just because we used to carry 6-8 LBs when we played 3-4 almost exclusively, of which 2 were ST mavens, the situation is that the majority of the time we play 4-2-5, or 3-2-6, now.

The current ST mavens are Slater nominally a WR, and Ebner nominally a S,not ST LBs like Izzo. We just don't need as many LBs as before.

Although White is a good ST maven, not better than Slater/Ebner, but he is way below playing ability in regular defensive snaps.

 

[Ring 6]

We shall see. Injuries to marginal players often do "obliterate" the effect of their early camp performances.

In any case, it is seeming more and more likely that we keep all five of our safeties, keeping Chung AND Wilson AND Ebner. I suppose I might think differently if Harmon were clearly our starter and was playing well.

I'm not sure getting the most snaps with the first team defines a marginal player.