Roster Projection Thread, after preseason game 3

Based on the first three preseason games this is what I have for my 53-man roster projection:

Offense (24 active, 1 suspended)
QB-(3)-Tom Brady-Ryan Mallett-Jimmy Garopollo
RB-(3)-Stevan Ridley-Shane Vereen (3DRB)-James White
FB-(1)-James Develin
XWR-(4)-Aaron Dobson-Kenbrell Thompkins -Brian Tyms (SUSP)-Matthew Slater (ST)
ZWR-(3)-Julian Edelman-Danny Amendola-Brandon LaFell
TE-(2)-Rob Gronkowski-Michael Hoomanawanui
LT-(1)-Nate Solder
LG-(2)-Logan Mankins-Josh Kline
OC-(2)-Dan Connolly-Bryan Stork
RG-(2)-Marcus Cannon-Jordan Devey
RT-(2)-Sebastian Vollmer-Cameron Fleming
Defense (26 active, 1 suspended)
LOLB-(2)-Rob Ninkovich-Darius Fleming
LDT-(2)-Tommy Kelly-Jerel Worthy
NT-(2)-Vince Wilfork-Sealver Siliga
RDT-(2)-Dominique Easley-Chris Jones
ROLB-(3)-Chandler Jones-Michael Buchanan-Zach Moore
SILB-(3)-Jerod Mayo-Donta Hightower-Steve Beauharnais
WILB-(2)-Jamie Collins-Chris White
LCB-(2)-Darrelle Revis-Logan Ryan
RCB-(4)-Brandon Browner (SUSP)-Alfonzo Dennard-Malcolm Butler-Kyle Arrington
FS-(2)-Devin McCourty-Tavon Wilson
SS-(3)-Duron Harmon-Pat Chung -Nate Ebner
Special Teams (3 active)
K-(1)-Stephen Gostkowski
P-(1)-Ryan Allen
LS-(1)-Danny Aiken

I am open to any feedback.

Couldn't call it better myself.

The NFL has 4 seasons: the regular season, the post season, mock draft season and roster projection season. Thank God the roster projection season ends next Saturday.

Just curious on a couple of your decisions..

Looks like you went a little heavy on LB sacrificing RB4. Chris White AND Steve Beauharnis seems a little much. I think the assumption that the D is switching to a 3-4 is a little premature I just think Belichick is seeing what he's got and trying something different in preseason.

Why Worthy instead of Vellano?

No Wendell? Stork hasn't played a snap yet he'll be the backup Center. I don't see that happening.

Ebner..you think he beats out Kanorris Davis? By how much and why?

The only interesting question for me is Worthy. We have a terribly small sample size on him compared to Joe Vellano. It is interesting because while he has an undeniably bigger upside than Vellano, but how soon would he be on at least Vellano level ?

OFFENSE
I have all 23 of your 24 on my projection.

RUNNING BACK - keep Bolden
Bolden is a top special teamer. The question is really whether White is ready to be a contributor. If so, then Bolden wouldn't be active and we should use the position elsewhere. Gray could be on the Practice Squad. If White isn't ready, then we should keep Bolden as Ridley's backup. My conclusion is that White has shown nothing (OK for a rookie) and that Bolden should be kept, perhaps to be replaced by a lat cut from another team.

INTERIOR LINEMAN - keep Wendell as the 9th OL, cutting either Devey or Kline; or keep 8 OL's
I think that we need to choose between Devey and Kline. Also, I don't think that Stork is ready. Finally, I don't think that Cannon is a starting quality guard (although that does not affect roster choices much).

IMHO, If Stork is really ready to be a Game Day backup at center, then we have no real need for 9 offensive linemen. We could carry 8 OL's on the 53 and 3 on the Practice Squad: Kline or Devey, Cave or Barker and an OT from another team.

Brady6 said:

Based on the first three preseason games this is what I have for my 53-man roster projection:

Offense (24 active, 1 suspended)
QB-(3)-Tom Brady-Ryan Mallett-Jimmy Garopollo
RB-(3)-Stevan Ridley-Shane Vereen (3DRB)-James White
FB-(1)-James Develin
XWR-(4)-Aaron Dobson-Kenbrell Thompkins -Brian Tyms (SUSP)-Matthew Slater (ST)
ZWR-(3)-Julian Edelman-Danny Amendola-Brandon LaFell
TE-(2)-Rob Gronkowski-Michael Hoomanawanui
LT-(1)-Nate Solder
LG-(2)-Logan Mankins-Josh Kline
OC-(2)-Dan Connolly-Bryan Stork
RG-(2)-Marcus Cannon-Jordan Devey
RT-(2)-Sebastian Vollmer-Cameron Fleming

Click to expand...

Insane to cut Brandon Bolden.

DEFENSE

I don't think that we are a base 3-4, 2 gap. In any case, I would not have Moore on the 53. I've Smith instead of Worthy.

DE's and OLB's
Fleming has stepped up. In any case I see no reason to have Moore on the 53.

ILB's
You have one too many. I have White as the odd man out, at least for a game or two.

Player 53
Since I have cut 2 from your defensive roster, and adding one back to your offensive roster, there is still one more player. My addition is Vellano.

Brady6 said:

Based on the first three preseason games this is what I have for my 53-man roster projection:

Defense (26 active, 1 suspended)
LOLB-(2)-Rob Ninkovich-Darius Fleming
LDT-(2)-Tommy Kelly-Jerel Worthy
NT-(2)-Vince Wilfork-Sealver Siliga
RDT-(2)-Dominique Easley-Chris Jones
ROLB-(3)-Chandler Jones-Michael Buchanan-Zach Moore
SILB-(3)-Jerod Mayo-Donta Hightower-Steve Beauharnais
WILB-(2)-Jamie Collins-Chris White
LCB-(2)-Darrelle Revis-Logan Ryan
RCB-(4)-Brandon Browner (SUSP)-Alfonzo Dennard-Malcolm Butler-Kyle Arrington
FS-(2)-Devin McCourty-Tavon Wilson
SS-(3)-Duron Harmon-Pat Chung -Nate Ebner

Click to expand...

Do not see strict adherence to a 3-4 or 4-3, suspect it will be in the middle and some sort of hybrid... thus do not see Hightower in a back up role to Mayo...

How would you use Hightower in this scenario, on 1st downs??

Brady6 said:

Based on the first three preseason games this is what I have for my 53-man roster projection:

Offense (24 active, 1 suspended)
QB-(3)-Tom Brady-Ryan Mallett-Jimmy Garopollo
RB-(3)-Stevan Ridley-Shane Vereen (3DRB)-James White
FB-(1)-James Develin
XWR-(4)-Aaron Dobson-Kenbrell Thompkins -Brian Tyms (SUSP)-Matthew Slater (ST)
ZWR-(3)-Julian Edelman-Danny Amendola-Brandon LaFell
TE-(2)-Rob Gronkowski-Michael Hoomanawanui
LT-(1)-Nate Solder
LG-(2)-Logan Mankins-Josh Kline
OC-(2)-Dan Connolly-Bryan Stork
RG-(2)-Marcus Cannon-Jordan Devey
RT-(2)-Sebastian Vollmer-Cameron Fleming
Defense (26 active, 1 suspended)
LOLB-(2)-Rob Ninkovich-Darius Fleming
LDT-(2)-Tommy Kelly-Jerel Worthy
NT-(2)-Vince Wilfork-Sealver Siliga
RDT-(2)-Dominique Easley-Chris Jones
ROLB-(3)-Chandler Jones-Michael Buchanan-Zach Moore
SILB-(3)-Jerod Mayo-Donta Hightower-Steve Beauharnais
WILB-(2)-Jamie Collins-Chris White
LCB-(2)-Darrelle Revis-Logan Ryan
RCB-(4)-Brandon Browner (SUSP)-Alfonzo Dennard-Malcolm Butler-Kyle Arrington
FS-(2)-Devin McCourty-Tavon Wilson
SS-(3)-Duron Harmon-Pat Chung -Nate Ebner
Special Teams (3 active)
K-(1)-Stephen Gostkowski
P-(1)-Ryan Allen
LS-(1)-Danny Aiken

I am open to any feedback.

Click to expand...

I'm right there with you, although Worthy is a guess based on anticipated performance next week. Vellano would be out there if it was opening day next week.

Wendell over Kline. Kline hasn't shown much this pre-season, and he will provide the same value as a depth option on the practice squad. They need Wendell until Stork can practice his way into NFL readiness.

Bolden over somebody, but that's a tough cut. I'd say Moore, but he probably won't survive waivers, so let's say Chung. Of course, I have KDavis over Chung, so maybe it's over KDavis, who I expect would make it to the PS.

Of course, that's only what I would do. I expect that Moore will be waived and picked-up by somebody else, so KDavis is available for ST. Then, in some apparent self-contradiction, KDavis will probably get waived and sent to the PS, so the Pats can harvest the waiver wire themselves.

Did I mention that I don't know what to expect?

DarrylS said:

Do not see strict adherence to a 3-4 or 4-3, suspect it will be in the middle and some sort of hybrid... thus do not see Hightower in a back up role to Mayo...

How would you use Hightower in this scenario, on 1st downs??

Click to expand...

For me, Hightower would likely sit in a pure 3-4, but I don't think we'll run much of that.

3-4
DL: Kelly, Wilfork, Easley/(Hightower)
LB: Ninkovich, Mayo, Collins, Jones

The open question is whether if these are best front 7 players (excluding Hightower), perhaps they should be on the field at the same time when Easley is ready for prime time.

Another way to look at the situation is that in the 43, the trio of Wilfork, Kelly and Easley can stay fresher (with two of them on the field), playing fewer reps than in the 3-4.

The is the week of roster threads. There will be lots of moves next week and the 2 weeks after. For me, I need a base in my mind for those moves.

The roster below keeps all our vets and provides backups everywhere, although 2 TE's is somewhat thin (but not for a 1 TE offense). I could see keeping Kline instead of Devey, but that is a minor change.

At this point, the competition is for Practice Squad roster spots. After all, that is what Preseason Game Four is all about. (In addition, some of the injured get some game reps).

If Smith has anything at all left, I see this as a roster without holes. Let the games begin!

OFFENSE (25)
QB (3) Brady, Garoppolo, Mallett
RB (5) Ridley, Vereen, White, Develin, Bolden
WR (6) Edelman, Amendola, Dobson, LaFell, Thompkins, Slater
TE (2) Gronkowski, Hoomanawanui
C (3) Connolly, Wendell, Stork
G (2) Mankins, Devey
T (4) Vollmer, Solder, Cannon, Fleming

DEFENSE (25)
DE (4) Jones, Ninkovich, Buchanan, Smith
DT (6) Wilfork, Kelly, Easley, Siliga, Jones, Worthy
ILB(3) Mayo, Hightower, Beauharnais
OLB(2) Collins, Fleming
CB (5) Revis, Dennard, Arrington, Ryan, Butler
SS (3) Harmon, Chung, Ebner
FS (2) McCourty, Wilson

SPECIALISTS (3)
ST (3) Gostkowski, Allen, Aiken

Total players: 53
Created with Pats Picker: http://patspicker.patsfans.com

SUSPENDED (2)
CB - Browner
WR - Tyms

SOME OF THE CUTS (all Practice Squad eligible; none essential)
Finch
Gray
Boyce
Manieri
Jones
Gallon
Johnson
Kline
Barker
Cave
Bequette
Moore
Thomas
Vellano
McCuller
Morris
Gordon
Davis
Davis

We don't have a lot of roster threads. You, good sir, have a lot of roster threads.

is there some special king of Patsfans prize you win for making all these rosters every day, every week ,every month?

Marcus Cannon is a tackle. Perhaps even a starting tackle. So penciling him in at RG on a depth chart means you are probably one player short on the o-line. Having three tackles is a bedrock of NFL depth, especially with Vollmer's health/durability in question. I don't see Belichick sacrificing enviable tackle depth by having Cannon play regularly at right guard -- a much easier position to fill (and/or hide a JAG).

OK, I will attempt this. I never know whether you guys are giving the roster you want, or predicting the one BB will keep. I'll do the latter.
OFFENSE (25)
QB (3) Brady, Garoppolo, Mallett
RB (5) Ridley, Vereen, White, Develin, Bolden
WR (6) Edelman, Amendola, Dobson, LaFell, Thompkins, Slater
TE (2) Gronkowski, Hoomanawanui
C (2) Connolly, Stork
G (3) Mankins, Devey, Kline
T (4) Vollmer, Solder, Cannon, Fleming

DEFENSE (25)
DE (4) Jones, Ninkovich, Buchanan, Smith
DT (6) Wilfork, Kelly, Easley, Siliga, Jones, Worthy
MLB(2) Mayo, Beauharnais
OLB(3) Collins, Hightower, Anderson
CB (5) Revis, Dennard, Arrington, Ryan, Butler
SS (3) Harmon, Thomas, Ebner
FS (2) McCourty, Wilson

SPECIALISTS (3)
ST (3) Gostkowski, Allen, Aiken

Total players: 53
Created with Pats Picker: http://patspicker.patsfans.com

SUSPENDED (2)
CB - Browner
WR - Tyms

Last 3 cut, or could make it depending upon what BB is thinking that I am not smart enough to understand

Boyce (what is holding him back? Does he have a role in a log jammed unit?)
Manieri (I cant totally dismiss the possiblity that we keep 3 TEs given that we do it so often)
Barker (We may keep 10 OL, especially since Stork is useless, and the RG situation is really shaky. Barker has been in the system a year. PS for him though I bet)

Joker said:

is there some special king of Patsfans prize you win for making all these rosters every day, every week ,every month?

Click to expand...

There is in fact. Its called the FUDONTREADITIFYOUDONTWANTTO award. Looks a little bit like the NCAA Championship trophy, but made out of SaranWrap.

hwc said:

Marcus Cannon is a tackle. Perhaps even a starting tackle. So penciling him in at RG on a depth chart means you are probably one player short on the o-line. Having three tackles is a bedrock of NFL depth, especially with Vollmer's health/durability in question. I don't see Belichick sacrificing enviable tackle depth by having Cannon play regularly at right guard -- a much easier position to fill (and/or hide a JAG).

Click to expand...

Just because Cannon starts at RG does not mean he cannot move out to OT if they need him too. If there was an injury they could insert Kline or Devey at RG and move Cannon outside.

Why would we sit one of our better OL to start Kline or Devey? Just so we have a backup OT like once he is at RG he cannot move. Nobody is going to convince me Kline or Devey would play better at RG than Cannon.

Brady6 said:

Just because Cannon starts at RG does not mean he cannot move out to OT if they need him too. If there was an injury they could insert Kline or Devey at RG and move Cannon outside.

Click to expand...

I agree that if Cannon were the best RG, he could start and still be the backup OT.

However, I would note that espn noted that Belichick said that he has not made the decision among the three contenders for the starting RG position. BTW, none of Belichick's three is named Cannon.

New England Patriots, Bill Belichick focused on roster, Giants - espnBoston

mgteich said:

I agree that if Cannon were the best RG, he could start and still be the backup OT.

However, I would note that espn noted that Belichick said that he has not made the decision among the three contenders for the starting RG position. BTW, none of Belichick's three is named Cannon.

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/

Click to expand...

that is disingenuous...Belechick did not say those three specifically. The writer is stating that from what he's seeing in preseason games, obviously. I went to a whole bunch of practices and SAW Cannon taking reps at RG, along with the others vying for positions.