Biggest Decisions are on the DL

[mgteich]

We've talked a lot about linebackers. In the end, I think we'll keep 11 plus two on the Practice Squad, and maybe one on the shadow roster.

The real decisions are who will make the DL.
SEYMOUR,WILFORK,WARREN,GREEN

There is disagreement from here. Some want three backups; some think two are enough. None of the backups are consensus picks. Pick 2-3
Wright, Sullivan, Thomas, Hill, Smith, Klecko, Freeman
I think all are on some poster's roster except Freeman.

For example, I have Wright and Sullivan on the 53, Hill on IR, and Smith and Thomas on the Practice Squad.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Freeman comes back in January and works in the offseason program.

 

[DaBruinz]

I would have to agree with your assessment, MG, unless Sullivan hasn't shown enough progress.

Hill has been a disappointment. I have been a huge defender of his saying that we couldn't judge him before 3 years. Well, this was HIS year to show something and all he showed was that he could warm the bench with another injury. I wouldn't be surprised if the Pats reached an injury settlement with him.

 

[MalaysiaPatsFan]

At the beginning of training camp I thought 1) Wright may not be able to keep his roster spot, 2) Klecko and Thomas were longshots to make the roster and 3) hopefully Hill will show up well in the preseason and not be a bust.

At this point I think Wright is #5 on the DL depth chart. Add the fact that Wright can play ST and I think he makes it.

I honestly have a hard time predicting the 1-2 chosen from between Sullivan, Thomas, Hill, Smith and Klecko.

If Sullivan shows improvement against Washington I think he sticks and that will likely send Smith to the PS. I was honestly hoping Smith would beat out Sullivan for the backup NT position and he still might do it, but it looks like Sullivan still has a chance to make it and prove that he is not a complete bust. A year on the PS might be good for Smith and I think (hope) that he would be safe on the PS.

Thomas has actually shown up well in the preseason games and based on preseason game performance might actually be #6. I think Klecko is way down in the depth chart as a 2-gapper DL, but as a pass rushing specialist and 1-gapper penetrating DL he has value. I believe he also plays on ST. Can he actually make the roster as a situational specialist? Possibly. Hill's injury may have done him in. If he wasn't injured, who knows he may have improved to the point of deserving playing time in the regular season. Nobody ever said the NFL was fair.

 

[CrazyDave]

I think Klecko and Hill have pretty much had their chances. I think they are both gone to make room for new blood. Smith may be ps, Sullivan sticks. Wright has looked good.

 

[pats1]

I have to go with Wright, Hill, and Smith.

Klecko and Sullivan just haven't shown enough.

I'll give Hill some more time because of his injury, but the Top 4 on this DL hasn't changed since he got here, so don't expect anything different from him this year either.

He's a prime example of when drafting for value instead of need (although the Pats just drafted Wilfork and Warren had only started a handful of games at the time) can come back to haunt a team/player.

 

[Alk]

As far as I'm concerned, Hill has had his chances and is a goner. I'm going with Sullivan, Wright and Klecko. It just baffles me how he does it but I have little doubt that Klecko makes this team. Smith is a darkhorse though, if he doesn't make the team, I think he goes to the PS.

 

[flutie2phelan]

....

[Hill]'s a prime example of when drafting for value instead of need (although the Pats just drafted Wilfork and Warren had only started a handful of games at the time) can come back to haunt a team/player.

Surely the case of "Boot" Hill illustrates something.
But i don't think it illustrates the risks of drafting for value ...
because i don't believe drafting for value has a downside.
(If your roster already is strong enough to play as-is ... then you want to
draft for value.)

Drafting for value has 3 unassailable advantages.
1. If you do it consistently, your team is always improving.
2. Until they play in the NFL ... you don't know who can play in the NFL.
3. You never know who, higher up the food chain, is going to be injured and out.

Draft for need if you must. Draft for value if you can.

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

While Bb and Pioli seem quite impartial, they are human and humans, especially ones at a high level in any organization, are prone to the foibles of being 'right.' Hill was drafted by the Pats and Sullivan was swapped for a draft pick so BB and Pioli have a greater interest in seeing them succeed than Wright. That interest might be oh so slim a margin of advantage for Hill and Sullivan but it's not like BB and Pioli have never made a mistake.

Contrarily, people who accede to greatness within an organization most often have balanced an ability to eat some crow with the power drive ego it takes to make it big. So...Sullivan and Hill make it unless they are found together snorting PCP in the 'Lovers Hot Tub' at the notorius Danish Health Club right up route 95 in the Kittery, ME.

 

[ATippett56]

While Bb and Pioli seem quite impartial, they are human and humans, especially ones at a high level in any organization, are prone to the foibles of being 'right.' Hill was drafted by the Pats and Sullivan was swapped for a draft pick so BB and Pioli have a greater interest in seeing them succeed than Wright. That interest might be oh so slim a margin of advantage for Hill and Sullivan but it's not like BB and Pioli have never made a mistake.

I honestly believe that Belichick and Pioli will field the best team this year without the "foibles".

53 Man Roster - 6 Defensive Lineman
Richard Seymour
Vince Wilfork
Ty Warren
Jarvis Green
Mike Wright
Le Kevin Smith

Meanwhile, Santonio Thomas spends another year on the practice squad.

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

I honestly believe that Belichick and Pioli will field the best team this year without the "foibles".

You missed my point...

 

[jczxohn1]

I honestly believe that Belichick and Pioli will field the best team this year without the "foibles".

53 Man Roster - 6 Defensive Lineman
Richard Seymour
Vince Wilfork
Ty Warren
Jarvis Green
Mike Wright
Le Kevin Smith

Meanwhile, Santonio Thomas spends another year on the practice squad.

I predict 7. Swap Thomas and Smith. Thomas is either in or he's out. Smith should pass waivers and make the PS. Sullivan makes the roster. Long a Klecko fan, I fear BB is putting him where he shows best so he'll get picked up, not enough need on this roster.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I say Hill off the 53 roster and onto IR as BB gives this bust one more chance to do SOMETHING. We have the cap space to throw the dice on one more season with this utter stump.

 

[Ichiro]

Thomas is either in or he's out. Smith should pass waivers and make the PS.

This is what I'm most scared of. These two young guys are really showing a lot this preseason. Santonio was on the practice squad last year and has really emerged as a player thats improving. LeKevin also seems like a hard working guy and I like how he played NT and DE against Atlanta. I don't know if he either of these guys last too long on the open market.

That's the real catch about this position battle to me. Do we keep the young, hard-working lineman in Thomas and Smith (similar to Mike Wright last year) or keep the projects like Hill and Sullivan with questionable work ethic but big upside?

Hopefully Hill will be put on IR and we make a decision on him next year and choose between Thomas, Sullivan and Smith for the sixth and maybe seven DL spots.

 

[patsfaninpa]

I don't think the 6th and 7th def. linemen on our team is a big decision
at all. Because, no matter whom we keep. They are fringe NFL players
Very replaceable. Seriously doubt if any of them impact our season. If
they play a lot, that means we have injury problems. And, these guys
will not be the solution. Think early last year with Big Sey hurt.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

This may be one of our toughest moves.
This is a great time to grab some serious talent that can grow with us.
The depth would be key

 

[JustWinBrady]

IMO, Sullivan & Wright are locks. BB in his latest press conf. had good words about sullivan. Le Kevin Smith has looked good in training camp and may come up with a injury in the last pre-season game and be IR'd (redshirted) . klecko will be released soon.

 

[Pats726]

Gill is back to ractice...Smith has been out...At first I thoiught Hill could be IRed. but now I think Smith could be....Wright has a spot...and he plays solid ST..2 spoys open...If they think Hill has a shot, they could stick with him...same with Sullivan. Thomas more PSqd..as still has time..Smith if not IR there as well. Klecko I am afraid is gone...I agree tough decisions..I would feel bad with Thomas and Smith on PSqd...Hill is a real enigma..more time or gone?? I think they keep him..unless that ankle gets worse and HE is IRed.