Reiss' predicted 53

[JSn]

I think Aiken goes IR and Ventrone makes the team

I sure hope so. There are a few names on there I would axe to make way for Ray.

 

[PatsFan37]

I made some comments here.

I think Richardson goes to the PS. He might not make it, but it's a chance you take. Ventrone gets cut. If he was going to make it, he would have started ahead of someone else by now in the preseason games. Along these same lines, the Eagles recently cut everyone's favorite binkie, Bam Childress.

I think Hobson stays and Izzo goes. Alexander can at least take the field as a LB whereas Izzo cannot.

I would think Welbourn stays. He has started at OG and OT, both positions of weakness. Should I say dire weakness? No way they keep only 8 OL this year. Unless someone can tell me he's sucked on the field -- maybe he has. But we don't see the practices.

 

[willdeespats]

I like it a lot.

Thoughts?

I think back-up QB is a toss up right now and I would not be surprised if BB went with only two. If both Matts were cut now then it might make it much more likely that Gutierrez makes it to the PS.

I would not be at all surprised to see Ventrone make it. He is far more versital than Aiken (he's almost a Troy Brown clone) and if they only keep 2
QBs, he might be able to do that as well. If Aiken physically doesn't make the 53, then Ventrone should.

I don't see keeping Yates at all. He absolutely showed nothing where Welbourne is a proven veteren who can play two positions.

The other Smith showed up pretty well during the PreS and if BB keeps 7 DLs, he might make it.

Its time for Izzo to go. Both Bruschi and Harrison who have years of special team experience and have the leadership, could do Izzo's job. Maybe, Izzo getting the special award the other night was also a goodbye thankyou!

As far as DBs go, I think Spann and the other Sanders will also get strong consideration. Both showed up well in the PreSeason.

 

[bradmahn]

I don't know if Gutierrez has shown enough to supplant Cassel.

Aiken hasn't done anything this preseason and is probably unavailable for week one.

I might be tempted to add one more offensive lineman, but 8 might suffice. Reiss has a good 8 to pick.

At linebacker, I'm going to continue to say I don't want Izzo on this team. His special teams play is not strong enough anymore to warrant a spot there and only there. He hasn't seen time at LB since, what, 2003?

Richardson, really? I don't know why.

QB: (3) Brady, Cassel, OC
WR: (6) Gaffney, Jackson, Moss, Ventrone, Washington, Welker
RB: (5) Evans, Faulk, Jordan, Maroney, Morris
TE: (2) Thomas, Watson
OL: (8) Britt, Flynn, Hochstein, Kaczur, Koppen, Light, Mankins, Yates

DL: (6) Green, Seymour, Smith, Warren, Wilfork, Wright
LB: (9) Alexander, Bruschi, Crable, Guyton, Mayo, Redd, Thomas, Vrabel, Woods
CB: (4) Bryant, Hobbs, Wheatley, Wilhite
S: (5) Harrison, Lynch, Meriweather, Sanders, Spann

K: Gost
P: Hanson
LS: Paxton
R/Gunner: Slater

Do with the 53rd what you please.

Beyond having had a great camp, I'd like to see Spann make the 53 because, aside from Meriweather, there isn't another rangy free safety on the roster. If Meriweather were to go down, that would leave you with four relatively slow footed safeties and no one to even attempt the kind of moving around they were experimenting with BM.

 

[mgteich]

I would rather have Hobson and Welbourne (or Spach) than Redd and Guyton, but this is a fine roster. BTW, I am fine with Riachrdson over Lewis Sanders if Belichick thinks he's healthy or will be soon.

I like it a lot.

Thoughts?

 

[JSn]

Spann feels like a darkhorse candidate. He really could make it but I think it happens as a direct result of an unexpected cut if it does. If not, I'm not positive he makes the P-Squad this year, but you never know.

 

[TimU]

Shalise Manza Young's predictions from Providence Journal:

http://www.projo.com/patriots/content/sp_fbn_patriots30_08-30-08_NOBCQN2_v16.3b199d1.html

Another take. She has Gut'z staying, Cassell going. She also has 3 TE, which makes sense to me. Pats have kept at least three almost every year under BB; the team even uses 3 TE sets from time to time.

All forecasters seem to see 6 DL, but BB has never gone into a season with less than seven.

Another consensus call seems to be Hobbs, Bryant and the two rookies at CB. That seems light.

 

[Willie55]

No Stephen Neal? I would think they would keep him on the PUP until week 6 and then make a decsion if his injury worse off than we think.

 

[PonyExpress]

I forgot about #95 Kenny Smith. I'd like to see him make it as well. He has exceeded expectations by a mile.

 

[wdkantro2]

I think Reiss has the most accurate roster that I've seen yet. However, I am VERY skeptical that this staff would keep two guys (Aiken and Richardson) who have been unable to get on the field this preseason and have ZERO experience in this system. I know Richardson was technically on the team last year due to IR, but I don't think that counts. I just don't see how they keep a guy like that. He sits out a year and then an entire preseason and then expect him to just get on the field and be able to contribute in a regular season game? No way. I don't think he makes it, and I would guess Ventrone (or Spann) would take that spot. It's the same with Aiken. If you are keeping Izzo, then Guyton/Alexander/Ventrone/Spann would easily be able to fill Aiken's spot. Everyone has fallen in love with the guy even though he hasn't been unable to get on the field. I don't buy it. I think Ventrone and Spann replace Aiken and Richardson, but overall a good roster.

 

[Horace's Ivories]

After giving a positive review of this roster, BB will probably cut the

young linebackers and bring back Monte Beisel and Chad Brown.

one can only dream....

 

[captain stone]

If you kept two QB's as Gasper suggests in his column today one can't be O'Connell because he's way too raw as a pro or in this system and saw little time in pre season. And he won't make the PS. Gutz is eligible (which the media never mentions) and likely would, The tortured logic the media is applying to this situation leads me to believe Cassel kicked their collective puppy... I know they are by and large lemmings who follow the leader, but this lock step dismissal of Cassel out of hand while totally ignoring the AT LEAST equally disappointing showings by Gutierrez against second and third stringers is nearly comical. Matt must have pranked them and let the air out of some tires or something...not to mention Gutz must have towed them all to the shop gratis...

Gotta agree w/Mo here. There's no way that we can start the season with only Gutz & O'C as backups to The Franchise. WWCSD? Gutz to PS, if he makes it there. If he doesn't, then no real big loss. Cassel, or another vet, should be the #2; O'C the #3.

As for the rest of Reiss' Roster:

RB (5): no change.
WR (6): I would waive-injured/IR Sam Aiken and replace him with Ventrone.
TE (2): no change, though I would also look for a blocking specialist.
OL (8): I would add Welbourn and waive Yates, while looking for a 9th OLman (backup LT?) & PS candidates.
DL (6): no change, though backup NT & 4th DE could use an upgrade.
LB (9): I would replace Redd & Izzo with Hobson; Redd to PS - w/fingers crossed; Izzo to FO/Coaching Staff.
CB (5): I would add Lew Sanders - or another vet - and send Richardson to PS.
S (6): I would add Spann, or Sanders if another vet CB is added.

 

[patsox23]

I would rather have Hobson and Welbourne (or Spach) than Redd and Guyton.

Honestly, do you just post ridiculous crap like this to pi$$ us off?

 

[Jimke]

Honestly, do you just post ridiculous crap like this to pi$$ us off?

He would rather have Chad Brown and Monte Beisel than Redd and Guyton.

 

[BradyToMoss]

"As far as DBs go, I think Spann and the other Sanders will also get strong consideration. Both showed up well in the PreSeason."

???? Which preseason was that?

Spann has been terrible

Really hoping Ventrone sticks, he's earned a spot.

 

[DefenseRules]

Does Mike know something we don't?

 

[patchick]

Yes, IR'ed shirted. Good call.

must...not...rant...again...

(slow, deep breaths)

 

[DW Toys]

I think Aiken would be great to keep for special teams but am unsure of his physical status. I agree that Ventrone seems to make things happen out there and would love to see him on this team, especially since he's one of those guys who could play defensive back in a pinch- just don't know where unless Aiken goes to IR as previously stated.

I like the idea of keeping Guyton; he's an interesting player with a lot of upside and great speed who should make some key special teams contributions this year.

How much value does Eric Alexander have to this team? I've seen him make some nice special teams plays (so that's probably my answer) but am not overly impressed with his LB play.

I also like the idea of getting rid of Cassel and keeping the other two QB's; he's got too much of that deer in the headlights thing going on to be successful if called upon.

You can't take valuable LB roster space with two "LBs" that can only play ST like Izzo and Alexander. One has to go. Agreed?
DW Toys

 

[unoriginal]

You can't take valuable LB roster space with two "LBs" that can only play ST like Izzo and Alexander. One has to go. Agreed?
DW Toys

Not when you have 10 LBs. You can spare 2 ST slots.

Not that I necessarily like it.

 

[DW Toys]

Gotta agree w/Mo here. There's no way that we can start the season with only Gutz & O'C as backups to The Franchise. WWCSD? Gutz to PS, if he makes it there. If he doesn't, then no real big loss. Cassel, or another vet, should be the #2; O'C the #3.

As for the rest of Reiss' Roster:

RB (5): no change.
WR (6): I would waive-injured/IR Sam Aiken and replace him with Ventrone.
TE (2): no change, though I would also look for a blocking specialist.
OL (8): I would add Welbourn and waive Yates, while looking for a 9th OLman (backup LT?) & PS candidates.
DL (6): no change, though backup NT & 4th DE could use an upgrade.
LB (9): I would replace Redd & Izzo with Hobson; Redd to PS - w/fingers crossed; Izzo to FO/Coaching Staff.
CB (5): I would add Lew Sanders - or another vet - and send Richardson to PS.
S (6): I would add Spann, or Sanders if another vet CB is added.

I agree on all up to LB. I think Redd has already made his case. Why would you take a chance in cutting him to get to PS? We tried that with Rogers last year and he is still with the Cowboys and all their talent. If anything, Alexander who is also a defensive liability.
I think they still need a pass rush DE and a vet CB or safety.
I firmly agree with you on Welbourn over Yates. Yates has looked terrible before he was injured.
DW Toys