Some Obvious Camp Battles

Brady6 said:

You really think LaFell is in competition but Amendola is not, are you OK? LaFell has better production and is a more talented player. No special teams player is ever a lock, so I would not put Slater on that list.

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Slater is a team captain and one of the best special teams players in the league. But, yeah, he's not a lock *roll eyes*

Brady6 said:

Stork is not a lock, you scouted him very little if you actually believe he is. In addition, Cannon who played extremely well at RT the final 8 games of last season will have a chance to compete for the starting RG spot, and I anticipate that he will win out.

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Stork is a lock if you knew anything about Belichick and draft picks from the 1st 4 rounds. Belichick has only ever cut a 4th round (or higher) pick during their first training camp once. That was Garrett Mills in 2006. And that was because they were hoping to get him onto the practice squad only to have Mike Tice claim the guy off waivers... The only other time a 4th rounf pick (or higher) has been cut during their first season was Kareem Brown. And he was cut because the Pats had a ton of injuries at DB and they needed the roster spot.

Brady6 said:

These are players I am comfortable saying are near locks to make the 53 man roster.

QB-Brady-Garopollo
RB-Ridley-Vereen-White
WR-Dobson-Edelman-LaFell-Boyce
TE-Gronkowski-Hoomanawanui
OL-Solder-Vollmer-Mankins-Cannon-Fleming
DL-Jones (95)-Ninkovich-Wilfork-Easley-Armstead-Jones (94)-Siliga -Buchanan
LB-Mayo-Hightower-Collins
DB-Revis-McCourty-Dennard-Browner-Ryan-Harmon
ST-Gostkowski-Allen-Slater

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The rest of my 53 is;
QB - Mallett - He's better than Jimmy G right now.
RB - Bolden - Really, nobody better to replace him.
WR - Amendola - If Gallon impresses, I can see Danny Boy getting dealt.
TE - Dustin Keller - TBA
OL - Stork, Connolly, Kline and Hanapio
DL - Kelly and Wil Smith
LB - Beauharnais and somebody not on the current roster.
DB - Arrington, Thomas, Chung and Ebner
ST - Aiken

The RB4 spot should be interesting:

Bolden v. Finch v. Houston v. Gray

DaBruinz said:

Slater is a team captain and one of the best special teams players in the league. But, yeah, he's not a lock *roll eyes*

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Actually, he is not our team captain, team captains are named at the conclusion of final rosters. He was the ST Captain in 2013-14, and he is not a lock to make the roster, if a player can do what he does on ST and contribute more in another element of the game he will be gone.

Stork is a lock if you knew anything about Belichick and draft picks from the 1st 4 rounds. Belichick has only ever cut a 4th round (or higher) pick during their first training camp once. That was Garrett Mills in 2006. And that was because they were hoping to get him onto the practice squad only to have Mike Tice claim the guy off waivers... The only other time a 4th rounf pick (or higher) has been cut during their first season was Kareem Brown. And he was cut because the Pats had a ton of injuries at DB and they needed the roster spot.

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“If you knew anything about” if I had a dollar for every time you ignorantly said that I would be a millionaire.

I do not really care if Belichick has never done it in the past, it does not mean he will not do it this year. Belichick is not going to carry 3 offensive centers, so if Wendell and Cave outperform Stork which is very possible in my opinion he could be shown the door.

We will carry 8 maybe 9 OL, these 5 are locks in my eyes –

-Solder
-Vollmer
-Mankins
-Cannon
-Fleming

Leaving these 9 players to battle it out for 3-4 spots –

-Connolly
-Wendell
-Stork
-Halapio
-Cave
-Kline
-Barker
-Devey
-Mattes

patsfaninpa said:

The rest of my 53 is;
QB - Mallett - He's better than Jimmy G right now.
RB - Bolden - Really, nobody better to replace him.
WR - Amendola - If Gallon impresses, I can see Danny Boy getting dealt.
TE - Dustin Keller - TBA
OL - Stork, Connolly, Kline and Hanapio
DL - Kelly and Wil Smith
LB - Beauharnais and somebody not on the current roster.
DB - Arrington, Thomas, Chung and Ebner
ST - Aiken

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We will likely carry 6-7 WRs. These players are likely to be locks in my opinion –

-Edelman
-Dobson
-Boyce
-LaFell
-Slater (ST)

Then we have these 6 competing for 1-2 spots –

-Amendola
-Thompkins
-Harrison
-Gallon
-Orton
-Dunn

LaFell is definitely not a lock.

I like that last safety position battle, will Wilson finally show why the Patriots took him in the second round or is he done?

Leemo said:

I think Cameron Fleming will battle for the starting RG spot

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If Volmer can't answer the bell, Fleming could battle for the starting right tackle job...

Brady6 said:

We will likely carry 6-7 WRs. These players are likely to be locks in my opinion –

...

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We say that every off season and then final cuts come around and we have 5 WRs including Slater.

I'm really looking forward to the interior o- line camp battles. I think we all agree that an upgrade is needed so I'm really hoping that Stork can at least win that battle against Wendell.

Also hoping that someone other than Chung wins the other safety position next to McCourty.

Brady6 said:

Actually, he is not our team captain, team captains are named at the conclusion of final rosters. He was the ST Captain in 2013-14, and he is not a lock to make the roster, if a player can do what he does on ST and contribute more in another element of the game he will be gone.

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*ROFLMAO* People said the said thing about Larry Izzo for years and he was never cut. Slater is a LOCK to make this team because he's one of the best gunners in the league. Plain and simple. And yes, he's a team captain, regardless of when they are named. He'll be the one named for Special Teams because he'll be there.

Brady6 said:

“If you knew anything about” if I had a dollar for every time you ignorantly said that I would be a millionaire.

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No. You'd be broke because I don't say that ignorantly. But then, you don't believe you're ignorant, though your posts clearly show otherwise on a regular basis.

Brady6 said:

I do not really care if Belichick has never done it in the past, it does not mean he will not do it this year. Belichick is not going to carry 3 offensive centers, so if Wendell and Cave outperform Stork which is very possible in my opinion he could be shown the door.

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Of course you don't care. Facts are your enemy. You've never seen a fact you weren't willing to ignore if it contradicted you (such as you did when with NFLDraftscout.com). Wendell and Cave are both OC/OGs, not just Centers. The Pats carried Barker (OC) on the pro roster all last year despite having Connolly (another OG/OC) already on the roster. So the idea that they wouldn't carry 3 players who can be OC is not really supported. Again, it's that fact thing I know you don't like.

And remember, they signed Kline, not Cave, from their practice squad after Vollmer went down and it was Kline who took over at LG for Mankins when Mankins kicked outside to LT while Solder was out.

I think it's much more likely that Stork makes it over Cave or Barker since Stork seems to fit the new O-line Coach's philosophy.

VrabelJr said:

We say that every off season and then final cuts come around and we have 5 WRs including Slater.

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We had 6 last year including Slater until Boyce was IRed.

ashley1992 said:

I'm really looking forward to the interior o- line camp battles. I think we all agree that an upgrade is needed so I'm really hoping that Stork can at least win that battle against Wendell.

Also hoping that someone other than Chung wins the other safety position next to McCourty.

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So say we all
On both counts

Brady6 said:

Actually, he is not our team captain, team captains are named at the conclusion of final rosters. He was the ST Captain in 2013-14, and he is not a lock to make the roster, if a player can do what he does on ST and contribute more in another element of the game he will be gone.

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Agreed, and I hope for that, don't understand all this Slater love.

BB's gives a lot of value to ST and I understand that since special teams wins games, like the game against the Broncos in that sunday night last season, but a lot of roster spots for people who can only play ST's is something that also doesn't help the team when the injuries come. Give me an average ST's performance not screwing any game and I'm ok with that.

Our receiving corps is full of injury prone people, I'm ok going into the season with 6 legit receivers:
Edelman
Amendola
Lafell
Dobson
Thompkins
TBD

Would like to see Develin's and Bolden's spots go to the two undrafted hungry pups.

We can rotate a tight end in the full back position.

At receiver I don't see Thompkins being beat out.
Think he comes back with authority bigger stronger and more in-tune with the playbook.
He came from too much to risk going back to that lifestyle, I'm sure football is his sanctuary.
Also keep in mind Brady loves him and said he acted like WR1 from day one; don't think he gets cut.

I think Chung, Slater, Wilson, Ebner are competing for one or two spots.

Just because BB publicly said that he isn't trying Harrison as tight end doesnt make it any less of a possibility.

Defensive line Vellano has to be the most nervous.

Nunchucks said:

LaFell is definitely not a lock.

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LaFell would have to absolutely stink in training camp to go from getting a $3M signing bonus to getting cut. That's not the kind of money you give to a guy that is expected to have to fight for a job.

varjao said:

Agreed, and I hope for that, don't understand all this Slater love.

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You must be one of the people who has wanted the guy cut since day 1 despite him being one of the best special teams players in the league.

varjao said:

BB's gives a lot of value to ST and I understand that since special teams wins games, like the game against the Broncos in that sunday night last season, but a lot of roster spots for people who can only play ST's is something that also doesn't help the team when the injuries come. Give me an average ST's performance not screwing any game and I'm ok with that.

Our receiving corps is full of injury prone people, I'm ok going into the season with 6 legit receivers:
Edelman
Amendola
Lafell
Dobson
Thompkins
TBD

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Umm.. Since BB has been in New Englad, he has had at least 4 guys and I believe as many as 6 on the roster who were dedicated to special teams and nothing else. The kicker, the punter, the long snapper and at least one other (ie: Larry Izzo, Matt Slater). Not sure I get this whole "a lot of roster spots for people who can only play special teams" stuff you are referring to.

Spots I am most interested in

RB - Ridley Vereen and White(cause he was drafted in the 4th) should be locks. Bolden Houston & Finch will be interesting. Some will include Grey but IDK. I think he is outside looking in. I am pulling for Finch. He looks electric. He can replace De'Anthony Thomas as my RB binkie for TC.

OG/C - The only locks are Mankins & Stork. Halaio, Kline, Connolly, Wendell & Cave are all competing for 2 spots. I like Halaio & Kline as long as someone else can backup Stork @ center.

I think that Belichick has always had at least 2 special teamers in addition to the three specialists.

Consider 2013. Slater, C White, Ebner, Beauharnais and Tavon Wilson did little else but special teams. I would say that we had eight special teamers last year, although I could understand considering Beauharnais a developmental player, and not just a special teamer. That still leave seven, FOUR in addition to the three specialists.

I certainly didn't want to see any of these four taking positional reps: Slater, C White, Ebner and Tavon Wilson.

We have other names for special team only players. 6th WR, 5th LB, 6th LB, 4th S, 5th S are common designations.

TO PUT IT ANOTHER WAY
We have 2 top special teamers who are starting special teamers and integral to the special teams. In 2013, these guys were Slater and Ebner. These guys are starters. These guys are locks unless someone can beat them out for their positions as tops special teamers. I don't see that happening.

In addition, at least a couple of the last 5 players on the roster often special teamers. It is usually the best use of these end of the roster positions. These guys are often in an out of the roster during the season.

DaBruinz said:

You must be one of the people who has wanted the guy cut since day 1 despite him being one of the best special teams players in the league.



Umm.. Since BB has been in New Englad, he has had at least 4 guys and I believe as many as 6 on the roster who were dedicated to special teams and nothing else. The kicker, the punter, the long snapper and at least one other (ie: Larry Izzo, Matt Slater). Not sure I get this whole "a lot of roster spots for people who can only play special teams" stuff you are referring to.

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Super super early attempt:

(2) QB: Brady, Garoppolo
(4) RB: Ridley, Vereen, White, Houston
(1) FB: Develin
(4) TE: Gronkowski, Hoomanawanui, Jones, Keller
(7) WR: Dobson, Edelman, LaFell, Amendola, Boyce, Thompkins, Harrison
(8) OL: Solder, Mankins, Stork, Cannon, Vollmer, Fleming, Halapio, Connolly

(10) DL: Cha. Jones, Wilfork, Kelly, Ninkovich, Chr. Jones, Easley, Armstead, Buchanan, Moore, Siliga
(5) LB: Mayo, Hightower, Collins, Morris, Beauharnais
(4) CB: Revis, Dennard, Arrington, Ryan
(4) S: McCourty, Harmon, Chung, Thomas

(1) K: Gostkowski
(1) P: Allen
(1) LS: Ott
(1) ST: Slater

PUP:
Smith

Suspended:
Browner

Practice squad:
Kline, Watson, Finch, Cave, Mattes, Logan, Orton

2014 New England Patriots Defense - Potential 25

http://www.patriots.com/team/roster.html

DE - Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, Michael Buchanan, Zach Moore
DT - Vince Wilfork, Tommy Kelly, Sealver Siliga, Armond Armstead, Dominique Easley
LB - Jerod Mayo, Dont'a Hightower, Jamie Collins, Steve Beauharnais, Chris White, Josh Hull
CB - Darrelle Revis, Brandon Browner, Kyle Arrington, Alfonzo Dennard, Logan Ryan
S - Devin McCourty, Duron Harmon, Tavon Wilson, Jemea Thomas, Nate Ebner

PUP - Will Smith