The Practice Squad And Further Transactions

[patsfaninpa]

Six teams have had punts blocked this year. If that's your idea of protection you're just reconfirming my point.

How are King and McDonald helping us?

 

[RayClay]

Keavon Milton tested at the Combine at 6-4.0 and 280 pounds, not 6-8. So not really the length of most NFL OT's.

If they need a tackle off the practice squad, the lead candidate has to be Blaine Clausell. He's 6-6 329, typical size of a tackle, and was on the Labor Day practice squad -- he has the most experience in the Pats system. Picking up another college TE and hoping he can pick up the Pats offensive line system in a couple days is pretty risky. In fact, I think he's one of three guys who have been with the practice squad the entire season (Asante Cleveland, Darius Fleming the others). That must count for something.

The third guy is 6'8".

Looks like he worked out but didn't sign. Don't have the same links on work computer.

 

[patsfaninpa]

Mike Reiss tweeted that we signed Robert Thomas - DT - 2014 Class out of Arkansas to practice squad.

 

[Mack Herron]

Mike Reiss tweeted that we signed Robert Thomas - DT - 2014 Class out of Arkansas to practice squad.

Means someone on PS cut or elevated. If the latter, could be OT for Vollmer. Also Coleman with cast on right hand. Already thin at CB.

 

[mgteich]

I value a back-up OT who would have played and depth at lb more than punt protectors. Especially, since Fletcher is a good special teams player too. I don't care if we cut Ebner or not. But, I'd cut King and McDonald then. 8 safeties is ridiculous.

I recall the day when Belichick activated Fleming. We were very, very lucky that no one had snatched him off our Practice Squad. Belichick strongly believes in "next man up". I think this works best when we have more position players and something fewer than 8 safeties.

After all, we do have inactive players. It is OK for the 4th RB, 5th CB and 4th OT to be inactive. I'd rather have these players than three extra special teamers. As of now, we have an open position plus four special teamers that are called safeties.

 

[RobertWeathers]

Mike Reiss tweeted that we signed Robert Thomas - DT - 2014 Class out of Arkansas to practice squad.

DT that can play in man coverage? Awesome!

 

[patsfaninpa]

I recall the day when Belichick activated Fleming. We were very, very lucky that no one had snatched him off our Practice Squad. Belichick strongly believes in "next man up". I think this works best when we have more position players and something fewer than 8 safeties.

After all, we do have inactive players. It is OK for the 4th RB, 5th CB and 4th OT to be inactive. I'd rather have these players than three extra special teamers. As of now, we have an open position plus four special teamers that are called safeties.

This years roster has me re-calculating future roster projections. I know you like to do that to. I'm guessing;

2 QB
4 RB
3 TE
5 WR
9 OL
10 DL
5 LB
5 CB
5 S
1 P
1 K
1 LS
2 ST Slater and Ebner

Not looking good for Develin or under-sized lb's

 

[DaBruinz]

I value a back-up OT who would have played and depth at lb more than punt protectors. Especially, since Fletcher is a good special teams player too. I don't care if we cut Ebner or not. But, I'd cut King and McDonald then. 8 safeties is ridiculous.

Your problem is that you have no idea as to the different Special teams positions. Personal protector on the punting unit is the guy who makes sure that no one comes up the middle to block the punt. Ebner has been lights on there. Ebner also is on the kick-off coverage and has made tackles there time and again.

Ebner is better than Fletcher ever was on Special teams.

8 safeties may be ridiculous, but ignoring the contributions of players like Ebner.

King, btw, stepped in at GUNNER for Slater when Slater got hurt..

 

[DaBruinz]

Yup, 31 other teams manage to protect their punter without Ebner. I guess you value an 8th safety more than a 3rd tackle??

31 other teams have Personal protectors on the punt unit. Learn the positions so you can effectively make your case. So far, you just look ignorant on the topic.

 

[DaBruinz]

How are King and McDonald helping us?

King has been lining up as a gunner opposite Slater of late. I bet you think that good gunners aren't needed either..

 

[patsfaninpa]

King has been lining up as a gunner opposite Slater of late. I bet you think that good gunners aren't needed either..

Why have any backup OL if they don't play?

 

[mgteich]

This years roster has me re-calculating future roster projections. I know you like to do that to. I'm guessing;

2 QB
4 RB
3 TE
5 WR
9 OL
10 DL
5 LB
5 CB
5 S
1 P
1 K
1 LS
2 ST Slater and Ebner

Not looking good for Develin or under-sized lb's

OFFENSE
I agree with your list, although I note that Belichick has sometimes gone with 8 OL's with
1) the 3rd TE as the emergency #4 OT.
2) 4 WR's .
Either of these scenarios allows us to add Develin. However, I prefer to accept your roster list and take a position from the defense (5th position safety, now Wilson) to use for Develin.

DEFENSE
3) We don't need 5 position safeties. 4 is plenty if we have 5 corners. That gives us 9 positional defensive backs. We currently are playing with 8. We are short a 5th corner.
4) The additional roster spot could be used on Special Teams (as it is now), or on the offense.
5) I don't see us needing 6 LB's, although Belichick has often carried six. With our SS's playing close to the LOS, a 6th LB is even less valuable. I would note that we usually have 2 LB's on the field. Even if the average is 2.5 (which is high), a total of 5 seems to be plenty.

AND JUST BY THE WAY
We've never had so few critical decisions for the off-season.

 

[DaBruinz]

Why have any backup OL if they don't play?

So, when faced with facts, change the subject.. Got it..

The Pats currently have 1 open roster spot from putting Lewis on the IR. So they would only need to drop 1 player to add two others..

Currently, they have 8 OL on the active roster, though Jackson and Vollmer haven't been practicing. I expect one of the 4 O-linemen to be added Saturday.

Could they add Fletcher? Sure. If he's ready.

 

[mgteich]

Why have any backup OL if they don't play?

?????

The patriots have always carried 8-10 OL's. Until this year, it was relatively rare for more than 6 to get any playing time. The "standard" was 5 starters, 2 Game Day backups, 1-3 inactive, and 1-3 on the Practice Squad.

 

[patsfaninpa]

31 other teams have Personal protectors on the punt unit. Learn the positions so you can effectively make your case. So far, you just look ignorant on the topic.

Most db's can be gunners. It's a given when your a Patriot DB that you can tackle. That's the main requirement. Ebner's name came up because I feel we have too many safeties. I think there are numerous candidates to be a punt protector. We didn't have a problem at that spot before Ebner. Nor, will we post-Ebner.

We've played 2 straight games with 6 game-day OL, didn't hurt against Miami. Could have on Sunday if we were playing a better opponent. Sea Bass got dinged and we dumb-downed the offense.

 

[mgteich]

We've played 2 straight games with 6 game-day OL, didn't hurt against Miami. Could have on Sunday if we were playing a better opponent. Sea Bass got dinged and we dumb-downed the offense.

I'm not sure of your point.

Belichick CHOSE to have a player coming back from PUP as his Game Day backup at OT. Belichick could have activated a player from the Practice Squad.

 

[Mack Herron]

Why have any backup OL if they don't play?

King has played in just four games with the Patriots, but he already leads the team in special teams tackles with five. He’s typically the first player down the field in punt coverage, which makes sense given his athleticism. He ran a 4.49-second 40-yard dash at his Pro Day in March with a 7.28-second 3-cone, 4.47-second short shuttle, 38-inch vertical leap, 10-foot, 6-inch broad jump and 19 bench press reps of 225 pounds. King already has made a positive impression on special teams captain Matthew Slater. “I think he’s a natural for the kicking game,” Slater said. “He’s got a lot of the tools you look for in coverage players, and he has a great want-to to do it. I’ve been very impressed with him and the way he’s been playing.

Read more at: Brandon King Finding Versatile Role As Linebacker, Patriots Barber

 

[oldrover]

Pats sign DT Robert Thomas to PS...

Patriots Sign Defensive Tackle Robert Thomas To Practice Squad

The choice came down to either Thomas or another safety.

 

[Gumby]

Patriots Sign Defensive Tackle Robert Thomas To Practice Squad

The choice came down to either Thomas or another safety.

Thomas will be added to the Patriots’ practice squad, a source told NESN.com. The Patriots must sign a player from their practice squad to the 53-man roster, where they have an open spot, to make room for Thomas. That player is not expected to be an offensive lineman, according to a source.

Read more at: Patriots Sign Defensive Tackle Robert Thomas To Practice Squad

So, Who could it be:

# NAME POS.
64. Barker, Chris. OL

68. Clausell, Blaine OL

44 Cleveland, Asante TE

48 Fleming, Darius LB

14 Harper, Chris WR

47 Iosefa, Joey RB

53 Martin, Eric LB

N/A Milton, Keavon OL

35 Ventrone, Ross S

N/A Wilson, Torrian OL

I take Iosefa

 

[Love The Drake]

Martin or Iosefa