The freak roster: JSn cuts a hard 53

[JSn]

I started with MGTeich's layout, nice and tidy. Thanks.

OFFENSE (25)
QB - 3 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, Ventrone (Aiken to IR)
TE - 2 Watson, Thomas

DEFENSE (25)
DE - 3 Warren, Green, Seymour
DT - 3 Wilfork, Wright, Smith
OLB- 5 Vrabel, Adalius Thomas, Crable, Woods, Guyton
ILB- 4 Bruschi, Mayo, Hobson, Izzo, (Alexander cut)
CB – 5 Hobbs, Bryant, Wheatley, L. Sanders, Wilhite
S - 5 J. Sanders, Harrison, Meriweather, Lynch, Slater (perhaps in title only)

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

PUPPIES (2)
Neal, Ross

I cut Alexander to inject Guyton at OLB, only because I think Izzo sticks, even if he shouldn't. The Alexander/Izzo cut could be swapped. Alexander hasn't been real impressive (imo) and adding a rookie with burst and brain is a worthwhile risk. Let's call it a Kraft over Belichick decision. IF Meriweather hits IR, I'd put Alexander back. I also think Seau is on the shadow roster (maybe not quite at full health and ready to sign yet) and will be called in if either Hobson or Bru under-perform. Personally, I see a lot of value in turning Hobson into a Patriot if he can get the job done. A vet that's over a decade younger than Seau is a really important piece to the puzzle that is the franchise as it looks in two-three years.

I made room for Ventrone and Slater without additional cuts and if either proves unworthy, they can be dumped when/if Neal or Ross are healthy. I think the upside of having both rookies is that they're solid players with "franchise face" potential.

Slater is a KR specialist which keeps our boys Welker, Faulk and Hobbs healthy and he is versatile enough to play DB and even WR in a pinch - I considered dumping Jackson, but I imagine he's here for the year even if he does nothing. Slater may also get into a PR role if his decision making proves solid, which I expect it will. IF he can really play DB, he may also find a few reps in the 3-5-3.

Ventrone is Welker's back-up (imo - keeping Gaff at split end) and can also play DB and keep one vet off special teams. He may also have the head and heart for Izzo's ST captain job if Larry ever retires...

I aimed to balance the team in youth and veteran leadership. Next year we'll need young safeties and probably at least one fresh ILB. I think any way we can manufacture some club mini-vets this year we really should so there isn't too much fresh blood at once next year. Brady probably has five or six years of play-off scoring in him, so I'm willing to exploit that by adding depth at receiver and risk a shaky D for a month of on-the-job training.

I believe the versatility of our O-lineman (particularly Hochstein, Kaczur, Flynn and Welbourn) gives us "stealth" depth in that position.

I also think a five RB set is a no-brainer, with capable blocking and receiving skills in there - it's more stealth depth.

Anyway, I may have made a mistake numbers/terminology-wise, but I think I'm ok. I wanted to be experimental with my roster. You guys all play it so safe.

Also, I happen to agree on most points with MGTeich and am glad to see Matty G as the backup in his roster too. I know we don't know the whole Cassel story, but I think we know enough. He's gone in my roster world.

I welcome flamers, but prefer gentle corrections. The amount some of you know about football is mind-boggling. I'm still learning.

 

[spacecrime]

Re: The freak roster: a JSn cuts a hard 53

OLB- 4 Vrabel, Adalius Thomas, Crable, Woods, Guyton

I agree with your choices of OLB, but this is 5 not 4. Need to cut someone somewhere else.

 

[DocE]

Re: The freak roster: a JSn cuts a hard 53

You've got a 54 man roster. You count 4 OLB's, but you list 5 as making the team.

Overall, a very nice job.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: The freak roster: a JSn cuts a hard 53

I also think Seau is on the shadow roster (maybe the PUP version ATM)

One quick point here--since Seau has said he has no interest in playing for anyone but New England, signing him and placing him on the PUP list would make no sense. Might as well wait until they need/can use him to sign him.

 

[wdkantro2]

Re: The freak roster: a JSn cuts a hard 53

I like your picks, but I'm taking Alexander over Aiken at this point. He's been unable to get on the field and due to all the practice time he has missed, will not be able to add any contribution at WR even if he can contribute on ST. Alexander has proven he can contribute on ST and as a backup LB with the first team defense. He is more valuable at this point, IMO.

 

[JSn]

Re: The freak roster: a JSn cuts a hard 53

I agree with your choices of OLB, but this is 5 not 4. Need to cut someone somewhere else.

Thanks, I IR'd Aiken (pops in mouth-guard and raises shield)

 

[JSn]

Re: The freak roster: a JSn cuts a hard 53

One quick point here--since Seau has said he has no interest in playing for anyone but New England, signing him and placing him on the PUP list would make no sense. Might as well wait until they need/can use him to sign him.

Yeah, what I meant was he may not be able to play yet and so not ready to sign. The "Shadow-Pup". Shoulda been more clear there, I guess. Sorry.

 

[JSn]

Re: The freak roster: a JSn cuts a hard 53

You've got a 54 man roster. You count 4 OLB's, but you list 5 as making the team.

Overall, a very nice job.

Thanks, I repaired it by sliding Aiken to IR, though he could just as easily be cut, imho.

 

[PonyExpress]

I hope we find a way to keep Redd. Vrabel seems to like him. And Vrabel hates everyone.

 

[JSn]

I hope we find a way to keep Redd. Vrabel seems to like him. And Vrabel hates everyone.

Yeah, but what does he know?

I think Redd might be good enough to be next year's news, but I can't see him on the team this year unless he makes the Practice Squad and gets activated to replace someone. I agree with some though, he might not make it past waivers and could come back to haunt us some day.

 

[mgteich]

1) Almost all of us (including me) have only 2 TE's. I suspect that Belichick might disagree.
2) You give Aiken's spot to Ventrone. Spann and Spach are more needed. I like Ventrone too but the others add more.
3) I still can't see Guyton instead of Alexander.

I started with MGTeich's layout, nice and tidy. Thanks.

OFFENSE (25)
QB - 3 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, Ventrone (Aiken to IR)
TE - 2 Watson, Thomas

DEFENSE (25)
DE - 3 Warren, Green, Seymour
DT - 3 Wilfork, Wright, Smith
OLB- 5 Vrabel, Adalius Thomas, Crable, Woods, Guyton
ILB- 4 Bruschi, Mayo, Hobson, Izzo, (Alexander cut)
CB – 5 Hobbs, Bryant, Wheatley, L. Sanders, Wilhite
S - 5 J. Sanders, Harrison, Meriweather, Lynch, Slater (perhaps in title only)

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

PUPPIES (2)
Neal, Ross

I cut Alexander to inject Guyton at OLB, only because I think Izzo sticks, even if he shouldn't. The Alexander/Izzo cut could be swapped. Alexander hasn't been real impressive (imo) and adding a rookie with burst and brain is a worthwhile risk. Let's call it a Kraft over Belichick decision. IF Meriweather hits IR, I'd put Alexander back. I also think Seau is on the shadow roster (maybe not quite at full health and ready to sign yet) and will be called in if either Hobson or Bru under-perform. Personally, I see a lot of value in turning Hobson into a Patriot if he can get the job done. A vet that's over a decade younger than Seau is a really important piece to the puzzle that is the franchise as it looks in two-three years.

I made room for Ventrone and Slater without additional cuts and if either proves unworthy, they can be dumped when/if Neal or Ross are healthy. I think the upside of having both rookies is that they're solid players with "franchise face" potential.

Slater is a KR specialist which keeps our boys Welker, Faulk and Hobbs healthy and he is versatile enough to play DB and even WR in a pinch - I considered dumping Jackson, but I imagine he's here for the year even if he does nothing. Slater may also get into a PR role if his decision making proves solid, which I expect it will. IF he can really play DB, he may also find a few reps in the 3-5-3.

Ventrone is Welker's back-up (imo - keeping Gaff at split end) and can also play DB and keep one vet off special teams. He may also have the head and heart for Izzo's ST captain job if Larry ever retires...

I aimed to balance the team in youth and veteran leadership. Next year we'll need young safeties and probably at least one fresh ILB. I think any way we can manufacture some club mini-vets this year we really should so there isn't too much fresh blood at once next year. Brady probably has five or six years of play-off scoring in him, so I'm willing to exploit that by adding depth at receiver and risk a shaky D for a month of on-the-job training.

I believe the versatility of our O-lineman (particularly Hochstein, Kaczur, Flynn and Welbourn) gives us "stealth" depth in that position.

I also think a five RB set is a no-brainer, with capable blocking and receiving skills in there - it's more stealth depth.

Anyway, I may have made a mistake numbers/terminology-wise, but I think I'm ok. I wanted to be experimental with my roster. You guys all play it so safe.

Also, I happen to agree on most points with MGTeich and am glad to see Matty G as the backup in his roster too. I know we don't know the whole Cassel story, but I think we know enough. He's gone in my roster world.

I welcome flamers, but prefer gentle corrections. The amount some of you know about football is mind-boggling. I'm still learning.

 

[JSn]

1) Almost all of us (including me) have only 2 TE's. I suspect that Belichick might disagree.
2) You give Aiken's spot to Ventrone. Spann and Spach are more needed. I like Ventrone too but the others add more.
3) I still can't see Guyton instead of Alexander.

I think Evans/Faulk/Jordan are your third TE (obviously not specialists, though).

You may be right about Spann, but maybe we can make do with four corners, and maybe Spann is a better choice long-term than Bryant, which is a switch I'd be willing to make, personally.

Guyton vs. Alexander was a call I made based on common defensive schemes. The 3-4 needs killer edge rushers more than it needs mediocre (at best ) ILBs. I think Mayo is going every down and that leaves lots of rotation for the aging killers and support from the hybrid S/ILB position. That's my logic for sending Alexander to explore other worlds.

 

[fgssand]

Right off the bat -Cassell is the #2, IMHO.

Spann, Yates, Alexandar, Redd, Ruud, Aiken (not going on IR and sticking) are the cuts that may alter your 53.

Nice job though, you are very close.

 

[Deus Irae]

Right off the bat -Cassell is the #2, IMHO.

Spann, Yates, Alexandar, Redd, Ruud, Aiken (not going on IR and sticking) are the cuts that may alter your 53.

Nice job though, you are very close.

I really don't care about the cuts, because I don't have any favorites among those that seem to be 'bubble' players. I figure if a player is topping out at #48-53, he's generally of little long term value and is easily replaceable. However, having said that, I hope that Jackson, Cassel, Hobson and Izzo all make the team, because the subsequent weeping and gnashing of teeth on the board will be great theater.

 

[JSn]

I really don't care about the cuts, because I don't have any favorites among those that seem to be 'bubble' players. I figure if a player is topping out at #48-53, he's generally of little long term value and is easily replaceable. However, having said that, I hope that Jackson, Cassel, Hobson and Izzo all make the team, because the subsequent weeping and gnashing of teeth on the board will be great theater.

Yeah, and of those I only cut Cassel. I really think Izzo will stick even though he should be replaced by a player with more upside.

 

[fgssand]

I really don't care about the cuts, because I don't have any favorites among those that seem to be 'bubble' players. I figure if a player is topping out at #48-53, he's generally of little long term value and is easily replaceable. However, having said that, I hope that Jackson, Cassel, Hobson and Izzo all make the team, because the subsequent weeping and gnashing of teeth on the board will be great theater.

Cassel & Izzo alone will grind those teeth down........Izzo, gaining the award last night, isn't going anywhere.

 

[JSn]

Cassel & Izzo alone will grind those teeth down........Izzo, gaining the award last night, isn't going anywhere.

I don't know about the award. Might just be a consolation prize...