Patriots Roster Reaction 2013
While not official until the team announces it tonight at 6pm, and the roster being very much in flux until at least Tuesday, the Patriots have cut down to 53 players, and we have reports on who those players were. Using those reports, we can conclude that the initial roster for the Patriots entering 2013 is as follows:
QB: Tom Brady, Ryan Mallett
RB: LeGarrette Blount, Brandon Bolden, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Leon Washington
FB: James Develin
WR: Danny Amendola, Josh Boyce, Aaron Dobson, Julian Edelman, Mark Harrison (NFI), Matthew Slater, Kenbrell Thompkins
TE: Rob Gronkowski, Michael Hoomanawanui, Zach Sudeld
OL: Marcus Cannon, Dan Connolly, Logan Mankins, Chris McDonald, Nate Solder, Will Svitek, Sebastian Vollmer, Ryan Wendell
DE: Jake Bequette, Michael Buchanan, Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich
DT: Armond Armstead (NFI), Tommy Kelly, Joe Vellano, Vince Wilfork
LB: Steve Beauharnais, Jamie Collins, Dane Fletcher, Dont'a Hightower, Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Jeff Tarpinian
CB: Kyle Arrington, Marquice Cole, Alfonzo Dennard, Logan Ryan, Aqib Talib
S: Nate Ebner, Steve Gregory, Duron Harmon, Devin McCourty, Adrian Wilson, Tavon Wilson
K: Stephen Gostkowski
P: Ryan Allen
LS: Danny Aiken
A few thoughts...
* In the end, it seems that Tim Tebow's character and potential didn't shine enough to outweigh his play on the field. He's a great guy and I wish him all the best, but he simply isn't NFL QB material.
* Despite rumblings, both Bolden and Washington make the team... for now. Additionally, James Develin makes it as a FB/H-Back hybrid, similar to Hooman. 6 RBs is a lot, so I have to wonder if someone will be shipped out / shut down due to health.
* The Wide Receivers are as we expected them to be. The top 3 will likely consist of Amendola, Thompkins and Edelman, with Dobson and Boyce sprinkled in accordingly as they continue to develop. They just aren't as game ready as the other 3, which isn't a knock on their potential whatsoever.
* Tight End is a big question mark. Gronkowski could return in weeks 3-6, but until then Sudfeld and Hooman are left to carry the load. That's not going to cut it. I fully expect a veteran addition in the coming days. Perhaps a Clay Harbor or Tony Moeaki
* The Offensive Line #1-7 is solid, though the #8 spot held by Chris McDonald is tenuous. I wonder if a veteran becomes available will McDonald be let go.
* Defensive End was a surprise to me, as the projected #3,4 and 5 ends were all released. Bequette and Buchanan flashed in game #4, and the staff must feel comfortable with their ability as backups. Ninkovich and Jones are not leaving the field unless injury hits. I still think a veteran addition here would help.
* Defensive Tackle is another question on this roster. Wilfork and Kelly can be a dominant tandem, but Vellano is not adequate depth by any stretch. In my opinion, he is best suited for practice squad. I fully expect the team to add a veteran or two.
* There are currently 7 bodies at linebacker, and the thought here is that it at least 1 too many. If additions are made, one of Tarpinian or Beauharnais could be let go. Otherwise, this is the strongest and deepest position on the defense.
* The ideal top 3 at Cornerback would be Talib, Dennard and Arrington, but Dennard's status could be in question in the coming days, which will likely put Arrington in a starting role to start the season. This group is a little better than what it has been in previous years because of Talib, but it's still a very thin and unreliable group. A veteran could be added if Dennard is jailed or suspended.
* 6 Safetys is a lot for an NFL roster, and there are rumblings that Adrian Wilson is dealing with a hamstring injury. He could be IRd, kept, or released. Something to keep an eye on. Ebner is a good special teamer but otherwise contributes nothing. Same for Tavon Wilson. This group needed to improve from last year and it hasn't unless you count McCourty changing positions. This could be a liability.
* The big surprise on special teams is Allen beating out Mesko. Both are talented, and only time will tell on if this was the right move.
While not official until the team announces it tonight at 6pm, and the roster being very much in flux until at least Tuesday, the Patriots have cut down to 53 players, and we have reports on who those players were. Using those reports, we can conclude that the initial roster for the Patriots entering 2013 is as follows:
QB: Tom Brady, Ryan Mallett
RB: LeGarrette Blount, Brandon Bolden, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Leon Washington
FB: James Develin
WR: Danny Amendola, Josh Boyce, Aaron Dobson, Julian Edelman, Mark Harrison (NFI), Matthew Slater, Kenbrell Thompkins
TE: Rob Gronkowski, Michael Hoomanawanui, Zach Sudeld
OL: Marcus Cannon, Dan Connolly, Logan Mankins, Chris McDonald, Nate Solder, Will Svitek, Sebastian Vollmer, Ryan Wendell
DE: Jake Bequette, Michael Buchanan, Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich
DT: Armond Armstead (NFI), Tommy Kelly, Joe Vellano, Vince Wilfork
LB: Steve Beauharnais, Jamie Collins, Dane Fletcher, Dont'a Hightower, Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Jeff Tarpinian
CB: Kyle Arrington, Marquice Cole, Alfonzo Dennard, Logan Ryan, Aqib Talib
S: Nate Ebner, Steve Gregory, Duron Harmon, Devin McCourty, Adrian Wilson, Tavon Wilson
K: Stephen Gostkowski
P: Ryan Allen
LS: Danny Aiken
A few thoughts...
* In the end, it seems that Tim Tebow's character and potential didn't shine enough to outweigh his play on the field. He's a great guy and I wish him all the best, but he simply isn't NFL QB material.
* Despite rumblings, both Bolden and Washington make the team... for now. Additionally, James Develin makes it as a FB/H-Back hybrid, similar to Hooman. 6 RBs is a lot, so I have to wonder if someone will be shipped out / shut down due to health.
* The Wide Receivers are as we expected them to be. The top 3 will likely consist of Amendola, Thompkins and Edelman, with Dobson and Boyce sprinkled in accordingly as they continue to develop. They just aren't as game ready as the other 3, which isn't a knock on their potential whatsoever.
* Tight End is a big question mark. Gronkowski could return in weeks 3-6, but until then Sudfeld and Hooman are left to carry the load. That's not going to cut it. I fully expect a veteran addition in the coming days. Perhaps a Clay Harbor or Tony Moeaki
* The Offensive Line #1-7 is solid, though the #8 spot held by Chris McDonald is tenuous. I wonder if a veteran becomes available will McDonald be let go.
* Defensive End was a surprise to me, as the projected #3,4 and 5 ends were all released. Bequette and Buchanan flashed in game #4, and the staff must feel comfortable with their ability as backups. Ninkovich and Jones are not leaving the field unless injury hits. I still think a veteran addition here would help.
* Defensive Tackle is another question on this roster. Wilfork and Kelly can be a dominant tandem, but Vellano is not adequate depth by any stretch. In my opinion, he is best suited for practice squad. I fully expect the team to add a veteran or two.
* There are currently 7 bodies at linebacker, and the thought here is that it at least 1 too many. If additions are made, one of Tarpinian or Beauharnais could be let go. Otherwise, this is the strongest and deepest position on the defense.
* The ideal top 3 at Cornerback would be Talib, Dennard and Arrington, but Dennard's status could be in question in the coming days, which will likely put Arrington in a starting role to start the season. This group is a little better than what it has been in previous years because of Talib, but it's still a very thin and unreliable group. A veteran could be added if Dennard is jailed or suspended.
* 6 Safetys is a lot for an NFL roster, and there are rumblings that Adrian Wilson is dealing with a hamstring injury. He could be IRd, kept, or released. Something to keep an eye on. Ebner is a good special teamer but otherwise contributes nothing. Same for Tavon Wilson. This group needed to improve from last year and it hasn't unless you count McCourty changing positions. This could be a liability.
* The big surprise on special teams is Allen beating out Mesko. Both are talented, and only time will tell on if this was the right move.
