So who's on the roster bubble

[RobertWeathers]

There is more to playing STs than just getting tackles. Ebner is out there as the Personal Protector on the punting unit. That precludes him from getting tackles on that unit, but it's a vitally important position.

Ebner was also the first one to recognize the 1st on-side kick and started yelling for the changes in coverage. This was noted by Jeff Howe.. Ebner was also out there on the punt coverage unit and relaying the changes on SNAPFU..

Yep. Ebner is not going anywhere.

 

[Oswlek]

The guy I'm worried about is Chris Jones. Jones has been a very versatile and effective rotational DT the last few years, but in the just the last few months the team has added Malcolm Brown and Akeem Hicks as well as Thorton at the position and right now its the deepest area of the entire team. Jones could be in trouble

How does Jones compare to Thornton? Seems like Chris would win that one to me, but I'm open to suggestion.

 

[RobertWeathers]

When your team is 5-0 and have been able to play rookies along the OL to protect your franchise HOF QB...I'd say they are pretty deep...word is Cannon's injury isn't thought to be serious. Fleming's promotion was key this past week.....

This team is crazy deep. Fleming was cut. Clearly the reason wasn't that he couldn't play. The reason was that they didn't have room.

It astounds me that other teams don't pick up our scraps.

 

[RobertWeathers]

How does Jones compare to Thornton? Seems like Chris would win that one to me, but I'm open to suggestion.

Beats the hell out of me too.

Chris Jones has been steady here but not really spectacular.

I think it's a situation as which player has more upside.

 

[RobertWeathers]

The guy I'm worried about is Chris Jones. Jones has been a very versatile and effective rotational DT the last few years, but in the just the last few months the team has added Malcolm Brown and Akeem Hicks as well as Thorton at the position and right now its the deepest area of the entire team. Jones could be in trouble

They might just IR him as opposed to cutting him. He makes peanuts.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

The guy I'm worried about is Chris Jones. Jones has been a very versatile and effective rotational DT the last few years, but in the just the last few months the team has added Malcolm Brown and Akeem Hicks as well as Thorton at the position and right now its the deepest area of the entire team. Jones could be in trouble

Again, the worst case scenario for Jones is that the Pats wait until Week 9 to start his window, decide that he can't help as much as the guys who are on the roster now, and place him on IR. There is no reason to release him.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

This team is crazy deep. Fleming was cut. Clearly the reason wasn't that he couldn't play. The reason was that they didn't have room.

It astounds me that other teams don't pick up our scraps.

It's because too often the carriage turns back into a pumpkin once it leaves Foxboro.

 

[patsfaninpa]

We're carrying 12 defensive linemen if you count Rufus Johnson as a de. Which I do. Plus, Chris Jones on PUP. I'd guess one of rookies to IR. Like Flowers. And, maybe release Thornton now that Hicks has taken a few snaps. 10 is a big number for BB. Allows you to active LaFell and bring in another T. I'd keep Dobson for now.

 

[RobertWeathers]

It's because too often the carriage turns back into a pumpkin once it leaves Foxboro.

True. Only a handful of players in 14 years have done well once they leave here.

 

[RobertWeathers]

We're carrying 12 defensive linemen if you count Rufus Johnson as a de. Which I do. Plus, Chris Jones on PUP. I'd guess one of rookies to IR. Like Flowers. And, maybe release Thornton now that Hicks has taken a few snaps. 10 is a big number for BB. Allows you to active LaFell and bring in another T. I'd keep Dobson for now.

Hicks made some stops last night.

 

[Mack Herron]

There is more to playing STs than just getting tackles. Ebner is out there as the Personal Protector on the punting unit. That precludes him from getting tackles on that unit, but it's a vitally important position.

Ebner was also the first one to recognize the 1st on-side kick and started yelling for the changes in coverage. This was noted by Jeff Howe.. Ebner was also out there on the punt coverage unit and relaying the changes on SNAPFU..

Agree. But 4 tackles in 2 games is nothing to sneeze at. He got 22 snaps Sunday and I don't think King is likely to be released anytime soon, which was the contention.

 

[DaBruinz]

Agree. But 4 tackles in 2 games is nothing to sneeze at. He got 22 snaps Sunday and I don't think King is likely to be released anytime soon, which was the contention.

King may have 4 tackles, but he also has 3 penalties. He took one in Dallas as well. That's quite a bit for 2 games..

 

[BlueThunder]

Yes, but any time missed cuts into the depth of the O-line. The Pats will be forced to add an OT to the roster. Be it Causell from the practice squad, someone from the street, or via trade.

If Cannon just needs some tub time, I'm not sure they make a cut unless Slater goes IR. Then I could see an OT being called up. Isn't Williams an OT/TE hybrid ?

 

[DaBruinz]

If Cannon just needs some tub time, I'm not sure they make a cut unless Slater goes IR. Then I could see an OT being called up. Isn't Williams an OT/TE hybrid ?

As I stated earlier, to the best of my knowledge, Williams hasn't taken an actual snap at OT for the Pats in any practice..

Sorry, but you can't go into a game with no TRUE reserve OT..

 

[patsfaninpa]

As I stated earlier, to the best of my knowledge, Williams hasn't taken an actual snap at OT for the Pats in any practice..

Sorry, but you can't go into a game with no TRUE reserve OT..

Not to mention SeaBass isn't the most durable guy out there.

 

[mgteich]

How does Jones compare to Thornton? Seems like Chris would win that one to me, but I'm open to suggestion.

We seem to be discussing the competition for an needed 6th DT position. We're all set with 5 DT's. We have Siliga, Branch, Brown, Hicks and Easley.

I think that we should be discussing which of these you would cut to keep Thornton and then to activate Chris Jones.

 

[patchick]

Siliga has been ineffective.

FWIW, Siliga has been getting the most reps of any DT on the roster.

 

[mgteich]

In order of expendability
1. Dobson- JE, DA, JoJo, Martin are there now.
2. Thornton- Branch, Seal, Easy, Brown and Hicks are there now. Even Chris Jones might be screwed here.
3. Tavon Wilson-DMC, Harmon, Chung, Richards, Ebner are there. Personally I think Wilson is better in the secondary than Ebner but not sure of Slater's status.
4. King-See above

The rest? Beats me. They might need to cut more.

I would note that we currently have a 21 man roster on OFFENSE instead of the more normal 24. I'm not sure that there will any cuts on offense. I wouldn't. I'd keep Dobson as inactive, until LaFell had a few game in him.

ADDITIONS (or not)
LaFell
Stork
OT
CB (5 corners seems like a better idea than 6 or 7 safeties)
LB Fletcher (may not make it back)
DT Jones (could replace someone, or not)

============
FIVE PLAYERS AT THE BOTTOM
4th WR (Dobson) It might be good to see if LaFell is ready for prime time.
6th DT (Thornton
6th S (Wilson) - Exner has NEVER been inactive when healthy, NEVER; he's not going
7th S (King)
I think that you forgot
6th DE (Rufus Johnson)
==========
MY BOTTOM LINE
IN: LaFell, Stork, an OT and a CB
OUT: Johnson, Thornton, King, Wilson
WILDCARD: If Slater is put on IR, another spot will open, probably for Wilson.

 

[mgteich]

Beats the hell out of me too.

Chris Jones has been steady here but not really spectacular.

I think it's a situation as which player has more upside.

Why keep Jones or Thornton? We've already used up this roster spot on Hicks.

 

[Oswlek]

We seem to be discussing the competition for an needed 6th DT position. We're all set with 5 DT's. We have Siliga, Branch, Brown, Hicks and Easley.

I think that we should be discussing which of these you would cut to keep Thornton and then to activate Chris Jones.

Not following you. Wouldn't Thornton be the obvious one to go if Jones is activated?

Why keep Jones or Thornton? We've already used up this roster spot on Hicks.

Because Thornton is already on the roster. If you are suggesting he should be cut to make room for LaFell, that's great but it hasn't happened yet. So, as of now a discussion around Jones vs Thornton seems germane.