53 Man Roster Prediction - week of August 1

[italia44]

I was trying to be as gentle as possible with my sarcasm.

Slater,Washington,Aiken etc are ST's,who could fill in as temp wr's.

Unlike these named,Chad Jackson is training as A...how can I put this....as an ACTUAL wide receiver.In the worst case,he's #4,backing up Gaffney.At the same time he is the ONLY back-up to Randy Moss.

Whether he reaches his potential is a question for later on,but for now,he's the only WR,besides Moss,who presents the possibly of a double team.

Do you think that when CJ is split out wide that the defense is going to ignore his size and speed and come to the conclusion that he's not going to catch it,so why bother?

I don't think so...and this is the flaw in your arguement.

Jackson has this intrinsic value,just like Stallworth did,last year.

See....he easily makes the team because of the threat he presents opposite Randy Moss.

None of these others are real wr's and the opposition def co.know this.

Also,once again.....he's still young and getting short money.All I want him to do is catch a couple of long bombs in the first couple of games.Once he gets on tape,you'll see what I mean by intrinsic value.

 

[cstjohn17]

Well, thank you for being so gentle... how can i put this... the amazing Chad Jackson had 0 catches last year.

What happens when he lines up opposite Moss runs the wrong route, drops an easy pass or in some other way pisses Brady off? Washington & Aiken are not hall of famers but either was David Givens or Reche Caldwell and Brady made them look pretty good, well, Reche looked ok until that AFC Championship... but you get my point.

If Jackson can at least provide the Bethel Johnson home run threat he should make the team, but IMO he is on the bubble because at least the other guys can play special teams.

 

[Metaphors]

Well, thank you for being so gentle... how can i put this... the amazing Chad Jackson had 0 catches last year.

What happens when he lines up opposite Moss runs the wrong route, drops an easy pass or in some other way pisses Brady off? Washington & Aiken are not hall of famers but either was David Givens or Reche Caldwell and Brady made them look pretty good, well, Reche looked ok until that AFC Championship... but you get my point.

If Jackson can at least provide the Bethel Johnson home run threat he should make the team, but IMO he is on the bubble because at least the other guys can play special teams.

Drop the 0 catch criticism (dude had an ACL tear...from playing special teams no less) and you are on the money. Gaffney can play anywhere along the line and will get plenty of chances regardless. CJack really limits his value to the team if he can't earn the outside role opposite Moss.

Like having a sports car that you never drive because of gas prices and having to haul around 4 kids. Doesn't mean the sports car sucks...just means that there is no sense keeping it around if you aren't going to get appropriate value out of it.

 

[italia44]

Well, thank you for being so gentle... how can i put this... the amazing Chad Jackson had 0 catches last year.

What happens when he lines up opposite Moss runs the wrong route, drops an easy pass or in some other way pisses Brady off? Washington & Aiken are not hall of famers but either was David Givens or Reche Caldwell and Brady made them look pretty good, well, Reche looked ok until that AFC Championship... but you get my point.

If Jackson can at least provide the Bethel Johnson home run threat he should make the team, but IMO he is on the bubble because at least the other guys can play special teams.

This is still apples-to oranges.With any NFL team,the no.3 or 4 wr is NOT special team related....They're just not.Their position on the squad is predicated on their wr skills.
Anything else is a bonus,not a necessity.

If you carry 5 or 6,it becomes a factor.Otherwise it's apples-to-oranges.

Considering age and money,Ill take CJ over what Dante Stallworth did for us last year.

 

[cstjohn17]

This is still apples-to oranges.With any NFL team,the no.3 or 4 wr is NOT special team related....They're just not.Their position on the squad is predicated on their wr skills.
Anything else is a bonus,not a necessity.

If you carry 5 or 6,it becomes a factor.Otherwise it's apples-to-oranges.

Considering age and money,Ill take CJ over what Dante Stallworth did for us last year.

Well, I don't believe you. Name some of the 4th WRs on other teams that don't contribute on special teams, or are on the roster purely because of their WR skills. For a second I thought you said you would take CJ over Stallworth... that seems like a reach to me, Stallworth didn't light the world ob fire but he did catch 46 passes for 700~ yards, with a 15.2 YPC average. If Jackson can approach those numbers that would be fantastic.

As for the 0 catches, I will give him a break. I want him to be the stud on the outside to take advantage of all the attention Moss will get. I just don't see it happening and the team cannot afford to hold a roster spot while he figures it out.

 

[italia44]

Well, I don't believe you. Name some of the 4th WRs on other teams that don't contribute on special teams, or are on the roster purely because of their WR skills. For a second I thought you said you would take CJ over Stallworth... that seems like a reach to me, Stallworth didn't light the world ob fire but he did catch 46 passes for 700~ yards, with a 15.2 YPC average. If Jackson can approach those numbers that would be fantastic.

As for the 0 catches, I will give him a break. I want him to be the stud on the outside to take advantage of all the attention Moss will get. I just don't see it happening and the team cannot afford to hold a roster spot while he figures it out.

My semantics were poor.....I meant that is not ST dependent.#4's certainly have to contribute elsewhere on a 45 game day roster.However,this is just as likely to be slot receiver,end arounds,kick returning etc.

Also,in no fashion am I comparing Dante stallworth and Chad jackson,statistically.
If he is healthy,as the no 3 wr receiver on this team,I would expect similar production.

My point with Stallworth is that his route running was below par and his hands were nothing to write home about.

Bottom line,I would rather have throws go to
Gaffney/Jackson rather than Watson/Sp teamer.

 

[Deus Irae]

Well, I don't believe you. Name some of the 4th WRs on other teams that don't contribute on special teams, or are on the roster purely because of their WR skills. For a second I thought you said you would take CJ over Stallworth... that seems like a reach to me, Stallworth didn't light the world ob fire but he did catch 46 passes for 700~ yards, with a 15.2 YPC average. If Jackson can approach those numbers that would be fantastic.

When Gaffney was starting the season as the team's #4 WR last season, how much special teams work was he getting?

 

[cstjohn17]

When Gaffney was starting the season as the team's #4 WR last season, how much special teams work was he getting?

Damn it, I thought of that last night. Good point, touche.

My pathetic response was going to be, well Gaffney played on the most prolific air attack of all time, lkely the exception rather than the rule... pretty lame response..

Whoever the WRs are the unit is going to be damn good as long as Moss is on the field.

 

[captain stone]

Better have a Dave-Thomas-to-PUP scenario in there...



...just a gut feeling.

I don't think that Thomas is eligible for the PUP list any longer. Hasn't he already participated in at least one full practice?

The following hoped-for (by me) 53 is predicated on the factors that: I ass-u-me that there are no IR injuries (unlikely); all those that have missed practices will resume practicing (probably); and nobody else will be added to the TC roster (who knows?).

QB (3) - Brady, Cassel, O'Con. Guts to PS.

RB (4) - Faulk, Maroney, Morris, Jordan. Unless BB is thinking Morris v. Jordan instead.

FB (1) - Evans (Morris also has FB experience); I just can't see Eckel making it unless someone goes on IR.

TE (3) - Watson, Thomas, Spach. Spach was the toughest decision, but if he can show that he can wham-block like Grahambo used to do, then I hope he stays.

WR (6) - Moss, Welker, Gaffney, CJack, Washington, Slater. Despite what BB has said for public consumption, Aiken brings nothing to the party that KW doesn't already provide, and KW has much better potential as an actual WR. FWIW, Slater is listed as a WR on Patriots.com.

OL (9) - Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kaczur, Britt, O'Cal, Connolly, McMahon. I've had it with Hochstein, and if Connolly can learn the Center position, then Yates can go, too. Time for a little fresh blood here: same old, same old isn't good enough any longer.

DL (6) Seymour, Warren, Wilfork, Green, LKSmith, SThomas. The Widowmaker beats Fifita for backup NT; and Santonio beats Wright - who hasn't been on the field for quite awhile, and you can't make the club from the tub - and Titus Adams for #6 DL. The losers - Fifita, Wright & Adams - aren't worth keeping ahead of those at other positions.

LB (8) - Vrabel, Mayo, Hobson, AThomas, Crable, Bruschi, Guyton, Woods. I'll drop Lewis Sanders if Junior Seau returns. And it's past time to close the weak, stale Izzo & Alexander Show. I hope that Vincent Redd can slip to the PS, because I'd love it if he could eventually unseat Woods, whose inexcusable non-fumble-recovery still pisses me off big-time. Bo Ruud? Fuhgeddabouddim; I already have.

CB (5) - Hobbs, Bryant, Wheatley, Wilhite, Webster. Richardson? See Bo Ruud above.

S (5) - Harrison, Meriweather, JSanders, TWilliams, LSanders. Ventrone & Spann will give Lewis Sanders a run for his money, but Sanders' CB experience gives him the edge in my book.

The hard choices were deciding between a 3rd TE, a 5th RB/FB, a 9th OL, a 7th DL, a 9th LB and a 10th DB. Lots of things can happen to change my mind, but that's why they play the (pre-season) games.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

Yes, Thomas is INELEGIBLE for PUP.

 

[tombonneau]

Hey Pats fans, how the hell are ya?

How goes TC? How are the rooks and 2nd year men looking?

How are Mayo and Crable? How about Meriweather? What of my boy O'Connell?

Is Seau retiring?

Hey, Bolts. Rooks are looking good. Mayo drawing raves. As is Wheatley at corner. Crable isn't standing out as much as those two, but on the other hand nothing negative is being said either.

The other corner Wilhite has looked solid, and Matt Slater -- local UCLA product -- is looking very good on STs.

As far as second-year guys, Meriweather is the only one, and it sounds like he is the most improved player in camp.

How are the SD guys looking? I hear VJax is drawing some pretty rave reviews. How are Hester & Weddle? I thought you gave up too much for both those guys, but I do agree with AJ's philosphy of focusing on the players, not the picks. Three picks don't do you any good if the players don't fit your system.

 

[Pats726]

One thing overlooked is the PUP list....the season one..none of the eight left..will end up missing the first 6 games?? I think that would be very hard..if not impossible...we do not know how severe the injuries to Hobbs and Neal are...much less Welker and Vrabel...and I do not think he's going to be like Seymour...thinking all is well and ending up on PUP...BUT..these have to be taken into consideration... if they are not PUPed for 6 weeks..then if they are back late,,how ready will they be??

 

[dhamz]

This place would completely meltdown if Chad Jackson gets cut.

It isn't likely to happen but it is a lot more of a possibilty than the fan club thinks it is as he is far from a roster lock.

 

[Pats726]

Santonio to PS, along with Gutierez.

Pollard to Shadow roster, along with Seau and Testaverde and Izzo, and Ross. BB learned his lesson with Justin Rodgers and whatizname the oldtimer...

Santonio Thomas is NOT eligible for the PSquad...last year was his 3rd year...so I believe he is NOT...

 

[Pats726]

This place would completely meltdown if Chad Jackson gets cut.

It isn't likely to happen but it is a lot more of a possibilty than the fan club thinks it is as he is far from a roster lock.

I agree it could happen..but who would be the 4th receiver?? Would Washington be?? THAT I think is the beg question mark...

 

[dhamz]

I agree it could happen..but who would be the 4th receiver?? Would Washington be?? THAT I think is the beg question mark...

If Washington were to beat him out at WR, Jackson probably has no role on this team. I don't see that as likely - possible but unlikely.

 

[mgteich]

Welcome!

I think you are right on both counts. I don't think Belichick wants to ever have only two TE's. Pollard's my choice, but it could be Spach or even a yet to be picked up free agent.

The team has not given up on Chad Jackson. He is fine to join with Washington as the backup receivers, whose promary roles are special teams.

You forgot Chad Jackson. Also, no way we start the season with only 2 TE's on the roster. NO WAY!

 

[mgteich]

Belichick knows the need for two inactive emergency backup DL's, as he has since he arrived. One year we started with eight. Seven in the norm for us.

Santonio Thomas is NOT eligible for the PSquad...last year was his 3rd year...so I believe he is NOT...

 

[mgteich]

The 4th corner is certainly an open position, but Webster was the STARTER at the beginning of camp. Lewis Sanders has shown little.

I have Izzo as the last ST specialist. However, I agree than Spann could take that spot. I don't think so, but Spann is certainly a reasonable projection.

 

[captain stone]

Belichick knows the need for two inactive emergency backup DL's, as he has since he arrived. One year we started with eight. Seven in the norm for us.

If I can ass-u-me that Jarvis Green will sooner rather than later return to the field, then that will leave maybe 2 spots available, for a total of 7 DLmen (the big 4 + LeKevin Smith).

Mike Wright hasn't seen the field since he was IRed last December. It's possible that he could start the season on the PUP list. Santonio Thomas would appear to be next in line.

That would leave 1 spot, if that, between Steven Fifita or Titus Adams; Norwell & Ken Smith have no chance, IMHO. The fact that LeKevin has played mostly DE in TC may bode better for Fifita than for the Widowmaker's college linemate Adams.

I was very disappointed that the FO did not better address the NT position by either drafting DT/NT Ahtyba Rubin with their 5th-rounder or by signing FA DT/NT Grady Jackson.

Perhaps the FO, knowing that if Wright is PUPed he should be ready by Halloween, will decide to keep only 6 DLmen on the Opening Day 53, thereby bolstering another position like LB or TE.