Reiss Gives Roster Projection

[mgteich]

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-england...new-england-patriots-53-man-roster-projection

I apologize if this has already been posted.

NOTES: Morris seems to be almost everyone's favorite to make the squad as a backup LB. Moore has many believers. Also, Reiss thinks that Chris Jones is a starter, rather than the bubble player many her have him as.

MY DISAGREEMENTS ( I agree on 49)
I have
1) Gibson over Tyms
2) Branch over Moore
3) Fletcher over Wells
4) McClain over Roberts

 

[Fencer]

Every projection includes cuts of guys who probably deserve to stay, especially at DT, LB, and "safety who does little except on STs".

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Every projection includes cuts of guys who probably deserve to stay, especially at DT, LB, and "safety who does little except on STs".

Except that Belichick has shown that STs are extremely important to him.

It's not uncommon for him to have six or seven players on the 46-man gameday roster—let alone the 53—who he expects only to play on STs.

 

[Sciz]

I love Siliga and I expect big things from Brown, but I really can't see the Pats going into the season with those two as their only big bodies on defense. That puts them one foot injury aggravation away from having a rookie alone on the NT depth chart.

 

[Sicilian]

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-england...new-england-patriots-53-man-roster-projection

I apologize if this has already been posted.

NOTES: Morris seems to be almost everyone's favorite to make the squad as a backup LB. Moore has many believers. Also, Reiss thinks that Chris Jones is a starter, rather than the bubble player many her have him as.

MY DISAGREEMENTS ( I agree on 49)
I have
1) Gibson over Tyms
2) Branch over Moore
3) Fletcher over Wells
4) McClain over Roberts

I might also consider Wilson over Ebner depending on how he progresses. Both are seemingly very good ST players, but Wilson has a better chance of being a competent emergency safety.

 

[Bonzo]

Reads to me like an 'optimistic' projection, more than a realistic one, that forecasts young dudes showing enough in camp to push vets for spots.

 

[Fencer]

It's not uncommon for him to have six or seven players on the 46-man gameday roster—let alone the 53—who he expects only to play on STs.

Right.

But all the roster projections I'm referring to start with kicker, punter, long snapper, Slater, and one of Ebner or Wilson. So that's five of your six or seven right there. Add in an LB or two who's not going to play on Downs 1-3, plus Bolden, and we've hit or exceeded your number.

 

[Ross12]

Would be shocked if Branch, Brown and Siliga weren't all on the 53.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Would be shocked if Branch, Brown and Siliga weren't all on the 53.

Me too. You really need 3 fatties.

 

[Ross12]

Me too. You really need 3 fatties.

Sorry I don't do drugs.

 

[captain stone]

I wouldn't be that shocked if Branch were cut if the other DTs performed to their capabilities.

As for the other positions:
QB - agree;
RB/FB - Gaffney over Cadet (I'd also take Dion Lewis over Cadet);
TE - agree (but Tim Wright should've replaced HooHah);
WR - Brandon Gibson over Tyms;
OL - agree (like we have a choice: all the cuts are useless trash anyway);
DT - Alan Branch over Zach Moore, for now;
DE - agree, only because Bill would never cut Grissom;
LB - Hightower to PUP, Wells to Safety, Dane Fletcher & Dekoda Watson added;
CB - agree, for now (though I would love to see Dax Swanson out-perform Brad Fletcher);
S - Matt Wells over Ebner.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Sorry I don't do drugs.

Lol.

Yea those years are long gone...

 

[Brady6]

http://espn.go.com/blog/new-england...new-england-patriots-53-man-roster-projection

I apologize if this has already been posted.

NOTES: Morris seems to be almost everyone's favorite to make the squad as a backup LB. Moore has many believers. Also, Reiss thinks that Chris Jones is a starter, rather than the bubble player many her have him as.

MY DISAGREEMENTS ( I agree on 49)
I have
1) Gibson over Tyms
2) Branch over Moore
3) Fletcher over Wells
4) McClain over Roberts

Tyms plays very well on special teams, Gibson isn't much of a factor in that capacity.

Branch did not attend voluntary OTAs and that has him as a player who might be on his way out the door. Remember he was a street free agent at mid season because he screwed up in Buffalo during the offseason last year so for him to no show after being given a second chance is not a good decision and I expect him to be gone as Reiss suggests.

Fletcher was never more than a JAG and now he is old and lost a step. He won't make the team.

The Patriots are not cutting Roberts, he is probably the best CB prospect we have had in a decade, don't let the fact he was a late round pick skew your opinion of him.

Belichick has proven time and time again he will favor the younger prospect over the past his time veteran. Anderson, Smith, etc. last year are perfect examples.

 

[TBR]

You have McClain making the team over Roberts!?

 

[mgteich]

You have McClain making the team over Roberts!?

Apparently, you don't know that we need a nickel back, and that Belichick signed McClain as an upgrade over Arrington.

 

[Sciz]

Branch did not attend voluntary OTAs and that has him as a player who might be on his way out the door. Remember he was a street free agent at mid season because he screwed up in Buffalo during the offseason last year so for him to no show after being given a second chance is not a good decision and I expect him to be gone as Reiss suggests.

I think my disagreement with Reiss would be one more of roster structure than of player quality. He lacks the third nose tackle that I would argue is almost necessary, while he has a third interior pass rusher that I think is excessive. You give good reasons for any player to not be a lock, but I think if it were a matter of deciding on a third NT (as opposed to deciding whether there is one or not), then I think Branch would be a near unanimous decision. I think 5 DTs is the right number, but if you look at them as two separate skill sets then I disagree with how Reiss has those 5 spots assigned.

I'd make a similar argument at the LB position. I think 5 LBs is a good number, but if the Pats are going to list Wells at 215 pounds (which surprised me, but it is what it is), then he's trying to make the roster in Slater's coverage group. I personally would add a fifth real linebacker (probably Fletcher) and exclude Wells from that discussion altogether, putting him either directly against Ebner for a spot or perhaps more indirectly against Tyms or one of the RBs.

 

[ashley]

I actually wrote to Reiss discussing his thoughts about Branch. I thought for sure he would be a lock to make the 53 man roster. Going to be interesting.

 

[manxman2601]

1. I'm in the Alan Branch camp. Easley, Jones and Moore are all too similar for my liking as one gap passing down interior guys. The Bills and Jets will be running teams which is a quarter of the season. I think the third fattie is necessary.

2. I really hope Gaffney is given a chance - He's an explosive inside runner with the athleticism to be productive in the open field. I don't know what his injury status is but I can see him challenging Gray.

 

[Brady6]

Apparently, you don't know that we need a nickel back, and that Belichick signed McClain as an upgrade over Arrington.

McClain is an upgrade over Arrington now? From the poster who for years has contended Arrington is one of the best slot CBs in the NFL. They could use Ryan in the slot, he is better than McClain.

 

[mgteich]

McClain is an upgrade over Arrington now? From the poster who for years has contended Arrington is one of the best slot CBs in the NFL. They could use Ryan in the slot, he is better than McClain.

Your reading comprehension hasn't improved over the years.

I didn't say that McClain is an improvement over Arrington. As I said in March, I favored re-signing Arrington. Belichick signed McClain as an upgrade to Arrington. Given that he was losing Revis, Browner and Dennard, Belichick would have kept Arrington if he thought that he was better.

And, yes, you continue to believe that experience at a position means anything. There is absolutely no reason to believe that Ryan will be our slot corner.