8th and 9th or (10th) Defensive Backs
 

The top seven are set, are healthy, and give us major improvements over 2011. All are ready to play. They will likely get 99% of the defensive reps, even with an injury or two.

We don't seem likely to carry any developmental defensive backs on the 53.

WHAT ARE THE FUNCTIONS OF THE REST OF THE DEFENSIVE BACKS?

IMHO, All would need to be expected to be active as Special Teams players.

One strong safety and one corner seems best, giving us 5 corners and 4 safeties.

WHO ARE YOUR CHOICES?

CORNER?

SAFETY?

Re: 8th and 9th or (10th) Defensive Backs
 

I'm assuming the top 7 are....

CB - McCourty, Arrington, Dowling, Moore
S - Chung, Gregory, Wilson

Ebner is a lock as a ST plus 4th safety

In a stunner, Will Allen sticks. No ST value, but he can play Cb or S

Dennard to PS

Cole or Ighdibo could battler for the 10th spot, if there is a 10th spot.

Re: 8th and 9th or (10th) Defensive Backs
 

I agree with the "top 7", at least as of right now. I also think that Ebner clearly sticks. Dennard looked very good before his injury, and I still have hopes for him as the 9th DB. If not, then Cole or Allen, who would also compete for the 10th DB spot if there is one. I personally don't see a role for Barrett or Ihedigbo.

Re: 8th and 9th or (10th) Defensive Backs
 

Nothing stunning about Will Allen making it. His versatility is needed. As much as people dislike Sergio Brown for some of his grievous errors, his contributions on special teams is vastly under rated. Not sure if he makes it or not but pretty sure he is in the running.

Re: 8th and 9th or (10th) Defensive Backs
 

With how valuable DBs are, and how many need to be active, and considering that Dennard looked good pre-injury, I don't think there is any way the Pats cut him.

Look how hard it was finding DBs last year.

I'm not sure how the new IR works where a player can be un-IRed mid season, but I would think Dennard would be a candidate for that

Re: 8th and 9th or (10th) Defensive Backs
 

Top Seven
CB: Dowling, McCourty, Arrington, Moore
S: Chung, Gregory, Wilson

The only change to me in this group since the start of OTAs is the addition of Moore. I had him as a probable but not lock/near-lock; at this point I have moved him into that group.


Most Likely To Make The Roster
The wildcard in this is Dennard, due to his injury. He can't be placed on PUP but having missed all but two practices, what now? Cut him and hope to place him on PS? Place him on IR? I would think that it's going to be difficult for him to make the roster now, but I had him penciled in as highly probable prior to the start of camp.

On the other end of the spectrum is Ebner. Before camp I figured he was a longshot with alomost no chance of sticking; now I think he's more likely than not to make the roster.

CB: Will Allen is the best at coverage, Marquice Cole the best special teamer, and Malcolm Williams is in between. My choice would be Allen but I'm guessing BB goes with Cole.

S: Do the Pats go with four or five safeties? After last season I'm hoping we don't have to see any of these guys on the field for anything other than special teams duties. Right now I'm guessing Ebner is in and if the Pats do go with another S it would be Ihedigbo. That leaves Barrett, Brown and Ventrone off the roster. Personally I would prefer to go with another player in the front seven. I think eight defensive backs will be too few, especially when you're including special teams players like Ebner and Cole.

Re: 8th and 9th or (10th) Defensive Backs
 

If I am not mistaken that was a rule that the owners agreed to institute several months ago, but they needed the approval of the NFLPA per the recent CBA in order to implement it. As of right now the NFLPA has still not approved that change; I'm guessing that they want something in return (even though they are not giving anything up with the rule change).

So as of right now there is no half-season IR list for a player like Dennard.

Re: 8th and 9th or (10th) Defensive Backs
 

I would like to see Alfonzo Dennard and Nate Ebner make the final roster, but neither was on the team in my last roster projection. Dennard has missed too much time due to injury and it seems like the Patriots have a bigger special teams role planned for James Ihedigbo (four units in week one) than Ebner (two.) Maybe New England would consider carrying Ebner as a fifth safety, but Will Allen could potentially fill a dual role as a cornerback and free safety, clearing up extra roster spots.

Re: 8th and 9th or (10th) Defensive Backs
 

Word out of camp is that Ebner is now playing on every st unit.

Re: 8th and 9th or (10th) Defensive Backs
 

And taking Tavon Wilson's role as the 3rd safety when Wilson sat out practices, ahead of Ihedigbo and Barrett. And making plays. He may not be a lock, but I think it's Ebner's spot to lose right now.