NOW we're ready to go; pick Player 52 & 53

[mgteich]

Now that Samuel is signing next week, we're ready to do. IMHO, there are two final roster spots to decide. Cases have been made for any of ten players competing for the last two spots.

AUGUST 23 MGTEICH’s 53 MAN ROSTER

OFFENSE 24
QB - 3 Brady, Cassell, Testaverde
RB - 3 Maroney, Morris, Faulk
FB - 1 Evans
C - 3 Koppen, Hochstein
G - 2 Neal, Mankins, Yates
OT - 4 Light, Kaycur, O'Callaghan, Britt
WR - 5 Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Gaffney, Washington
TE - 3 Watson, Brady, Rivers

DEFENSE 24
DE - 3 Seymour, Warren, Green
DT - 3 Wilfork, Wright, Smith
DL - 1 Brown
LB - 9 Vrabel, Colvin, Thomas, Bruschi, Seau, Woods, Alexander, Rogers, Izzo
CB - 3 Samuel, Hobbs, Gay
S - 5 Sanders, Wilson, Harrison, Meriweather, Andrews

THE LAST TWO
Wesley, Baker, (Mitchell), (Mills), (Richardson), (Chad Brown), (Caldwell), (Childress),(Moore),(Elgin)

SPECIALISTS (3)
P - 1 Baugher
K - 1 Gostkowski
LS - 1 Paxton

PUP
Troy Brown
Dave Thomas
Chad Jackson
Eddie Jackson

IR
Scott
Hairston

 

[363839]

I just don't see Caldwell getting cut.
I also heard good things about Elgin.
From what I've heard about Gaffney
is that he's having a great camp recieving
not so great blocking.
Is Caldwell a decent blocker? I haven't heard about blocking issues for Reche. I could be wrong.

 

[Sean Pa Patriot]

I think if Gaffney who has missed this week at practice is not ready to go by week 1 , Caldwell makes it over Bam

 

[patriot lifer]

I want to keep Caldwell, Baker, and Mitchell...and remove Washington.

I don't think Richardson will make it because Mitchell is a better special teamer and their abilities defensively are irrelevant. Richardson will easily get on the ps. Brown...HAH! I feel like Baker will make the team because he's been playing with Sanders on the 2nd team defense and has essentially replaced Hawkins. Elgin to ps. He needs bulk of course. It hurts to leave out Childress but...eh. And as for Mills, toodles!

 

[mgteich]

I know some would cut Washington. There were only ten poll choices allowed. Besides, I think Washingon will make it as a special teamers, as every #5 WR should be.

I want to keep Caldwell, Baker, and Mitchell...and remove Washington.

I don't think Richardson will make it because Mitchell is a better special teamer and their abilities defensively are irrelevant. Richardson will easily get on the ps. Brown...HAH! I feel like Baker will make the team because he's been playing with Sanders on the 2nd team defense and has essentially replaced Hawkins. Elgin to ps. He needs bulk of course. It hurts to leave out Childress but...eh. And as for Mills, toodles!

 

[DaBruinz]

I just don't see Washington having done much of anything... Honestly. While he "plays" on special teams, he hasn't looked that great as a gunner and he doesn't bring much of anything as a returner.

And, well, I wasn't that impressed with his receptions either.

There are still issues with Yates. I don't believe he has returned to the field, yet. He could be a candidate for the IR if that is the case.

I'd like to keep Elgin because I don't see him making the PS. I see someone like the Steelers or Broncos claiming him. And that would be very bad for the Pats.

 

[MrBigglesWorth]

Im not so sure about Rogers. I see 6 wrs maybe being carries

 

[patriot lifer]

Im not so sure about Rogers. I see 6 wrs maybe being carries

i'd like to see them keep six, but with Troy Brown and potentially Chad Jackson cough returning midseason, they may not need six.

 

[Kdo5]

Washington over Caldwell? I haven't heard of him doing much of anything other than getting two or three preseason catches.

 

[mgteich]

You might consider why bb and pioli signed him to the deal that they did. He was brought in to replace Caldwell. And yes, everyone knew that it might take time for him to learn the offense. That is why most of his signing bonus was made into a 2008 option.

Washington over Caldwell? I haven't heard of him doing much of anything other than getting two or three preseason catches.

 

[DaBruinz]

You might consider why bb and pioli signed him to the deal that they did. He was brought in to replace Caldwell. And yes, everyone knew that it might take time for him to learn the offense. That is why most of his signing bonus was made into a 2008 option.

Pretty HUGE assumption on your part that Washington was brought in to replace Caldwell. Washington was brought in to compete for a position. The Pats had no idea that Moss would be available when they signed either Stallworth OR Washington. In fact, I can remember many people questioning the signing of Washington because the Pats already had Gaffney and Caldwell. Especially to a contract that had such a high 2nd year bonus when the guy has accomplished next to nothing in the league.

 

[mgteich]

The same people who questioned signing Washington then are questioning the choice now.

Of course, they could ahve made the right judgement then and now, and I could be very wrong. It's happened before.

I am very glad that I put Washington on the roster as I did. Caldwell hasn't gotten this many props ever from patriot fans!

Pretty HUGE assumption on your part that Washington was brought in to replace Caldwell. Washington was brought in to compete for a position. The Pats had no idea that Moss would be available when they signed either Stallworth OR Washington. In fact, I can remember many people questioning the signing of Washington because the Pats already had Gaffney and Caldwell. Especially to a contract that had such a high 2nd year bonus when the guy has accomplished next to nothing in the league.

 

[patriot lifer]

I feel like keeping Washington this season will depend more on him either renegotiating his pay next year or showing us something we haven't seen on the field. Too many Wide receivers on this team are potentially one year deals or are just plain old. There needs to be some continuity over the years like what Troy Brown has been for Tom. As it stands, between Stallworth, Moss, and Washington, there may be no one left next year. I'd like to see Caldwell join Gaffney and Welker over the next few years to at least provide some base of continuity. Troy Brown can't play forever. I'd don't feel Washington's a good value at his current pay.

 

[Urgent]

If you look at the best players on that list:

Caldwell is a former starter, last year's #1 receiver.
Mitchell is a 'starter' on special teams, a major contributor on the ST squad.

Moore is a decent back-up NT.
Wesley is a mediocre back-up DB, and a good ST contributor.
Mills is a fourth round draft pick without a position. Way too small to be a TE in this system. Hasn't shown the ability to be an HBack. Hasn't blocked like a FB.
Baker is a good ST safety, but overshadowed by Mitchell and Andrews.

Childress has PS 'options' remaining.
Elgin, Richardson can make PS.

Chad Brown was really really good five years ago.

Just based on best player, you would go with Caldwell and Mitchell.

 

[Urgent]

Interesting that Teich has gone with only three corners.
The Pats have been beat up at DB the last, what, four seasons?

So James was cut, although he is a mediocre back-up corner?
Both Hobbs and Gay were injured last season, and they are two-thirds of the corner rotation.

Given this roster, I would think hard about James and Wesley.

Yes, Meriweather has been lining up at LCB. Not sure I'd be happy to see him there in January, though.

 

[cstjohn17]

Damn this is getting hard, I would dump Vinnie T. and take Mitchell, Caldwell and a waiver wire RB.

 

[mgteich]

I kept Wesley and Baker as my remaining two players, although I certainly could be talked into Wesley and Caldwell.

So, I did keep four corners. In addition, Meriweather and Sanders can play nickel. Wilson could play corner. Wesley had been a dime back for two top teams. So, I think we're fine without James. For me, at best, James was insurance against Samuel continuing to hold out. BTW, why are you worried about Hobbs being injured last year? he played very well, even while injured.

Interesting that Teich has gone with only three corners.
The Pats have been beat up at DB the last, what, four seasons?

So James was cut, although he is a mediocre back-up corner?
Both Hobbs and Gay were injured last season, and they are two-thirds of the corner rotation.

Given this roster, I would think hard about James and Wesley.

Yes, Meriweather has been lining up at LCB. Not sure I'd be happy to see him there in January, though.

 

[patchick]

No offense, but I really don't think you can do a poll just asking for players 52 & 53 when many of the choices you make for the first 51 are so controversial (e.g. Rivers, Washington.) What does a vote for somebody like Mills mean in that situation? That we should keep 4 TE/HBs, or simply that Mills should be on the roster?

 

[mgteich]

No offense taken, but you are the first on this thread to suggest that Rivers will not make the squad. I strongly believe we have no choice, other than perhaps having Dave Thomas on the 53. Besides, starting a thread is about getting discussion started. I think it di that.

No offense, but I really don't think you can do a poll just asking for players 52 & 53 when many of the choices you make for the first 51 are so controversial (e.g. Rivers, Washington.) What does a vote for somebody like Mills mean in that situation? That we should keep 4 TE/HBs, or simply that Mills should be on the roster?

 

[mgteich]

Wow! Never has Caldwell gotten such support! Over 70% having him making the 53.