Winners: L.Sanders, Flynn, Welbourn, Slater

[mgteich]

MG’s ROSTER AS OF AUGUST 26

Flynn and Welbourn replace the OL's. I gave Webster's spot to Slater who is starting on all the special team units, although others might give the position to Guyton.

I am waiting to see who we sign from other teams or from free agency in next 10 days. The other issue is the health of Hochstein, L. Smith and Aiken. So far, they all have roster spots.

OFFENSE (25)
QB - 3 Tom Brady, Gutierrez, O’Connell
RB - 4 Faulk, Maroney, Morris, Jordan
FB - 1 Evans
C - 2 Koppen, Hochstein
G - 3 Mankins, Yates, Flynn
OT - 4 Light, Kaczur, Britt, Welbourn
WR - 6 Moss, Gaffney, Welker, Washington, Jackson, Aiken
TE - 2 Watson, Thomas

DEFENSE (24)
DE - 3 Warren, Green, Seymour
DT - 3 Wilfork, Wright, Smith
OLB- 4 Vrabel, Adalius Thomas, Crable, Woods
ILB- 5 Bruschi, Mayo, Alexander, Hobson/Seau, Izzo
CB – 5 Hobbs, Bryant, Wheatley, L. Sanders, Wilhite
S - 4 J. Sanders, Harrison, Meriweather, Lynch

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

PLAYER 53
1 Slater/(Guyton)/(Spann)/(Spach)

PUP LIST
2 Neal, Ross

 

[tatepatsfan]

100% agreement, good work

 

[Mark Morse]

Don't the Pats have to guarantee Flynn amd Welbourn's salaries if they are on the roster Week 1? We think that Neal will be back week 7. They will have to pay either Vet they cut his entire years salary (against the cap) when he comes back because they are vested veterans. What do you think of going with 8 OL for week 1, keeping Connolly then waive him (PS) on week two and sign these vets who nobody else wanted.

I was finally coming around to your thinking about Slater and you add him back!

 

[patriot lifer]

solid stuff. I still can't get over 7 listed wr's, but I can't help but think they'll be penciled in.

while there are still health concerns on the O-Line between Light, Hochstein, and Yates, which would cause me to want to take 10 for the OL, I think that the mid-season reinforcements from the PUP's can justify taking just the 9 you list.

so no Spann?? tough love I guess

 

[alvinnf]

I like what you have, although Alexander to me is 50/50 just gut instinct. Which Smith, because Kenny Smith was showing up, and who makes it to practice squad.

 

[mgteich]

As always the last spot is particularly tough. In this case, we have Slater, Guyton and Spann. I'd be fine with any of the three. I think Spann would be back on the roster in a few weeks, but I would congratulate him if made another team.

solid stuff. I still can't get over 7 listed wr's, but I can't help but think they'll be penciled in.

while there are still health concerns on the O-Line between Light, Hochstein, and Yates, which would cause me to want to take 10 for the OL, I think that the mid-season reinforcements from the PUP's can justify taking just the 9 you list.

so no Spann?? tough love I guess

 

[D-cleater]

I like the roster, but we need three TE. Mr. Spach makes the team in favor of Aiken. We have ST specialists in Washington, Slater etc. 3rd TE is a more pressing need, especially with the injury prone #1 and #2 TE's that we have. I think we'll go with 5 receivers, especially given that we're carrying an extra running back.

Also, this is going to sound crazy, but I can't stand Alexander. There was play in the TB game where he got blocked out of the play by a no-name WR and I was flipping out I was so annoyed. He's slow to react and cant' get off a block if his life depended on it. I really don't understand what he brings except time invested when compared to the rookies. I say bring on Guyton in his place.

I love seeing Seau penciled in, but I don't think its happening, unless we have an injury to one of the starters.

 

[mgteich]

I haven't changed the roster. However, I did add Spann and Spach to the possibilities to beat out Slater for Player 53, along with Guyton, who was previously listed.

 

[D-cleater]

Don't the Pats have to guarantee Flynn amd Welbourn's salaries if they are on the roster Week 1? We think that Neal will be back week 7. They will have to pay either Vet they cut his entire years salary (against the cap) when he comes back because they are vested veterans. What do you think of going with 8 OL for week 1, keeping Connolly then waive him (PS) on week two and sign these vets who nobody else wanted.

I was finally coming around to your thinking about Slater and you add him back!

I think you get such a diminished return running a team that way. Cut a respected veteran for one week so you don't have to pay him a full salary? I think its safe to say that we need them more than they need us at this point. You're basically saying that they are not worth a spot on the team, and the job they are being asked to do ( protect the franchise) is not important enough. They would only consider if this if they have better options, which they don't.

The chemistry that is built by getting them into the rotation early is worth more than the balance of the vet minimum that you're paying them. If they are getting more than the vet minimum I would be surprised if it is a by a significant amount.

 

[Mark Morse]

I think you get such a diminished return running a team that way. Cut a respected veteran for one week so you don't have to pay him a full salary? I think its safe to say that we need them more than they need us at this point. You're basically saying that they are not worth a spot on the team, and the job they are being asked to do ( protect the franchise) is not important enough. They would only consider if this if they have better options, which they don't.

The chemistry that is built by getting them into the rotation early is worth more than the balance of the vet minimum that you're paying them. If they are getting more than the vet minimum I would be surprised if it is a by a significant amount.

You may be right ... I don't know how badly hurt Hochstein is. Yates scares me at RG. I posted it as a possibility as BB and SP try to manage the 53 man roster.

 

[JSn]

Hrm... very interesting. I'd love to see a version that has room for Slater AND Ventrone, either one potentially more expendable than an important O-Lineman. I'm thinking too that if the new vet O guys who are both versatile are seen as filling more than two holes, it's possible to see 8 O-Lineman until week #7-8 and keep a rookie that will get snatched up otherwise.

I know everyone here hates that idea, but I just think Flynn and Welbourn are versatile at the O and Slater and Ventrone could bother very easily prove to have Huge Upside by mid-season. Add to that Vrabel's ability to play TE (red zone), Evans almost BEING a TE (catches well, though shorter routes and blocking is looking good, imo) and several receiving HB's... we're much better stocked than it looks like based on obvious assignments.

I'm gonna go ahead and put me nads on the line and post a 53, but with scary cuts.

Gentlemen, light your flame-throwers. The n00b is going balls out!

 

[DocE]

Don't the Pats have to guarantee Flynn amd Welbourn's salaries if they are on the roster Week 1? We think that Neal will be back week 7. They will have to pay either Vet they cut his entire years salary (against the cap) when he comes back because they are vested veterans. What do you think of going with 8 OL for week 1, keeping Connolly then waive him (PS) on week two and sign these vets who nobody else wanted.

I was finally coming around to your thinking about Slater and you add him back!

This was almost the exact post I was going to make, you are right on the money. I don't think the Patriots would keep both Flynn and Welbourn on the roster for week 1 because of the guaranteed salary aspect of a veteran. It is common practice around the NFL to cut fringe veterans prior to Week 1, only to sign them back by Week 2. The Patriots did this with Marcellus Rivers at TE last year, he survived the cut to 53, but was cut before the first game...and re-signed again later. Now, if Flynn/Welbourn looks like a Week 1 starter and the other is the no.1 backup at both guard spots, then I think the Patriots would bite the bullett and keep both of them. If either is the 7th or 8th Olineman, the Pats would likely keep Connolly for Week 1.

 

[jeffbiologist]

Both Flynn and Welbourn are vets, and I think only half their salary counts against the cap for that reason. But I also think that the 52-53rd guy is going to be a cut coming from someone ELSE'S roster(be it the 10th OL or ~9th DB)....or even the backup QB!

 

[Pats726]

VERY much like mine...which I wrote about 4-5 hours ago.....I had Cassel instead of Gutierrez...(Not my choice..but what I thought they might do...even though I think he's toast...) And I had Guyton instead of Hobson...and Seau....BUT I also made a point about Spann..and Spach....I think we are on the same track.....GREAT!!!
http://www.patsfans.com/12th/2003/story/display_story.php?story_id=6101

 

[AzPatsFan]

I like the roster, but we need three TE. Mr. Spach makes the team in favor of Aiken. We have ST specialists in Washington, Slater etc. 3rd TE is a more pressing need, especially with the injury prone #1 and #2 TE's that we have. I think we'll go with 5 receivers, especially given that we're carrying an extra running back.

Also, this is going to sound crazy, but I can't stand Alexander. There was play in the TB game where he got blocked out of the play by a no-name WR and I was flipping out I was so annoyed. He's slow to react and cant' get off a block if his life depended on it. I really don't understand what he brings except time invested when compared to the rookies. I say bring on Guyton in his place.

I love seeing Seau penciled in, but I don't think its happening, unless we have an injury to one of the starters.

Aiken stays or IRs. He was the only FA other than Lynch that got a multi-year deal. As a probowl ST captain for the Bills, he is the equal of Izzo only half a decade younger, and Larry is visibly slowing.

I believe that Bill brought him in to succeed Izzo. With Aiken's injury, Izzo might play one more year, but if Aiken can walk, Larry is cut and perhaps resigned in his last season.

Blocking TEs are a dime a dozen, and you can sign one to the PS, or merely put them on Shadow roster speeddial.

If it makes you happier, call Aiken a specialist and not a WR. Or call Slater a FS. Both are no more WRs, than Larry is a LB.

IMHO, Guyton is this year's UDFA, and a genuine find as a big WILB with speed and willingness to hit. He is 6-3 242 and will end up at 6-3 252 or so, ideal WILB dimensions to go with his 4.47 speed. Guyton has much more upside than Alexander.

 

[Pats726]

Hrm... very interesting. I'd love to see a version that has room for Slater AND Ventrone, either one potentially more expendable than an important O-Lineman. I'm thinking too that if the new vet O guys who are both versatile are seen as filling more than two holes, it's possible to see 8 O-Lineman until week #7-8 and keep a rookie that will get snatched up otherwise.

I know everyone here hates that idea, but I just think Flynn and Welbourn are versatile at the O and Slater and Ventrone could bother very easily prove to have Huge Upside by mid-season. Add to that Vrabel's ability to play TE (red zone), Evans almost BEING a TE (catches well, though shorter routes and blocking is looking good, imo) and several receiving HB's... we're much better stocked than it looks like based on obvious assignments.

I'm gonna go ahead and put me nads on the line and post a 53, but with scary cuts.

Gentlemen, light your flame-throwers. The n00b is going balls out!

The problem with starting with 8 is that ONLY ONE can be inactive..a team needs 7 active OL...if there were NO injuries..Yes, I think it could be done..in fact in late 03..and in almost half of the games in 04, the team only had 7 on the 53. That is hardly optimum..bit CAN happen.. Although since it's been usually 9 or 8. The problem is that there will be 3 returning from injury..Light, Yates and Hochstein...if more than 2 are injured a roster move is needed..Could they do that for a game?? I don't know what is gained..would like to see the scary roster..

 

[JSn]

The problem with starting with 8 is that ONLY ONE can be inactive..a team needs 7 active OL...if there were NO injuries..Yes, I think it could be done..in fact in late 03..and in almost half of the games in 04, the team only had 7 on the 53. That is hardly optimum..bit CAN happen.. Although since it's been usually 9 or 8. The problem is that there will be 3 returning from injury..Light, Yates and Hochstein...if more than 2 are injured a roster move is needed..Could they do that for a game?? I don't know what is gained..would like to see the scary roster..

I carried 9 on my roster guess (http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showthread.php?t=104031) but I wonder what happens when Neal comes back. Who gets the axe?

 

[Pats726]

I carried 9 on my roster guess (http://www.patsfans.com/new-england-patriots/messageboard/showthread.php?t=104031) but I wonder what happens when Neal comes back. Who gets the axe?

The weakest inside player...possibly Yates..or his backup..depending..I am glad you carried 9..If there were no injuries..8 would have been doable..the weakest inside lineman..OR if there's an injury...IR..or?? depends what else is happening on the roster

 

[VJCPatriot]

IMHO, Guyton is this year's UDFA, and a genuine find as a big WILB with speed and willingness to hit. He is 6-3 242 and will end up at 6-3 252 or so, ideal WILB dimensions to go with his 4.47 speed. Guyton has much more upside than Alexander.

I'd like to see Guyton make the roster. He's got a very athletic size/speed combo that will improve the range of our ILBs. He'll take time to develop of course, but it could be worth the wait.

 

[p8ryts]

Guyton in place of Hobson, Seau can come in any time.

Ventrone in place of Slater.