I Suspect The Roster Is Almost Set

[Box_O_Rocks]

I've already discovered they create anger and blind rage....

If you upset youself that much why do you post?

 

[PushnPencils]

If you upset youself that much why do you post?

Masochism?

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Masochism?

**sigh** That answer fits us when we read you too.

 

[RayClay]

So, camp watchers...

Tank Williams no good? No hybrid LB/S role? (possible Chung could I guess). McGowan's not big enough for that.

Is Lenon that bad? I Haven't heard a good thing about him. Alexander sure left me scratching me head about why he's considered in the regular D. Conspicuosly bad against Philly, not that I watched tape or anything.

It seems we're scheming to where we need mobile LBs often, so I'm wondering what's after Mayo Guyton in those innovative 4-5 man line looks.

 

[PushnPencils]

**sigh** That answer fits us when we read you too.

Mission accomplished!!!

 

[smg93]

These posts lead me to think that if a player ever wanted to be a lock for an NFL team and assuming he doesn't have starter talent, he'd better hope to be a large 2nd or 3rd TE who could also be a long snapper. A guy like that would be really valuable to a team!

 

[PATRIOT64]

I think Alex Smith would stay over Thomas if they want 3 TEs,Thomas can't block and his hands are nowhere as good as they were in college

 

[Fencer]

I think that who is active depends on who we play. As a general proposition, I would suggest the following:
1) Only 7 OL's are active in any game. Only two game day backups are needed. Hochstein is one backups. The backup OT position is open.
2) Unless Edelman is our returner, he will be inactive. Aiken will never be inactive.
3) I would expect the OL roster spot to be used for a defensive back, probably McGowan, a reasonable special teamer.
4) When in doubt, active roster spots should go to special teamers. They'll play, while the #4 OLB may get no reps at all. Check out some stats and see the distribution of minutes for the #7 linebacker; I bet the minutes are usually very light, except for special teams minutes. And this year, linebackers will be on the field even less.

Agreed w/ all of that. For downs 1-3, the 45 needs:


2 QB
7 OL, one of whom doubles as jumbo FB
3 TE, at least one of whom doubles as generic FB
4 WR
3 RB, none of whom will play FB

5 DL for downs 1-2
2 situational pass rushers
3 OLB
3 ILB
3 S
4 CB

That's 19 offense and 20 defense, with no stud STers who come to mind except Chung, Woods, TBC, and the return men. K/P/LS take 3 more slots. That leaves no more than 3 slots for guys who are strong contributors on STs -- e.g. Aiken, a 4th safety.

I'd add that my last 8 are:

2 OL
1 RB (sorry, BJE)
1 WR (Edelman)
2 DL
1 OLB/rusher (Crable is the odd man on my list above, since I said TBC was on it)
1 CB

That said, a pure STer or two like Ventrone or Circui -- or I guess Slater -- will probably wind up making the roster after all.

 

[Mark Morse]

I think Alex Smith would stay over Thomas if they want 3 TEs,Thomas can't block and his hands are nowhere as good as they were in college

I was actually impressed with Thomas' blocking in the Phil pre-eason game. What stood out to me was how long he stayed on his block. On one play the runningback is being tackled but Thomas is still on his man right to the ground.

 

[bucky]

Sure there will be an injury-related decision or two. We might bring in players from other teams to fill the last three spots. Carter and/or a cut down from another team seems possible. And sure we could trade a TE or and OL.

But this is only about the final touches. We could cut down to 48 players that most would agree to now, with Hodel and Ingam fighting for the 49th spot, and O'Callaghan and Britt fighting for the 50th spot.

HOW MANY OF US HAVE THE ROSTER MUCH DIFFERENT FOR THE FIRST 50?

OFFENSE (24)
QB Brady, O'Connell
RB Maroney, Taylor, Faulk, Morris
WR Moss, Welker, Galloway, Edelman, Aiken, Lewis
TE Baker, Watson, Thomas
OL Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kaczur, Orhnberger, Vollmer, Hochstein, O'Callghan/Britt

DEFENSE (23)
DL Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, Green, Brace, Wright, Pryor
DE/OLB Burgress, Banta-Cain
OLB Thomas, Woods, Crable
ILB Mayo, Guyton, Bruschi
CB Bodden, Wilhite, Springs, Butler, Wheatley
S Meriweather, Sanders, Chung

SPECIALISTS (3)
K Gostkowski
P Hanson
LS Ingram/Hodel

FINAL THREE (3)
To be determined (my personal choices as of now are McGowan, Walter and Lenon)

PUP
WR Tate
OT LeVoir

IR
LB McKenzie

Very hard to disagree with anyone on that list of 50. Though I'm not entirely convinced that Pryor has already made the team. And one guy from that list who could be a surprise cut is Crable. He's got to show something before TC is over. So those are 2 possible spots that are open.

I also think Slater makes the team and probably McGowan too. BB values ST players a lot more than we do and he supposedly loves Slater. So the last spot is up for grabs between Walter, BJGE and Smith. I'm sure injuries over the next 3 games will have some say on the final roster though.

 

[spacecrime]

I'm not entirely convinced that Pryor has already made the team.

If not, why then do you think they traded LeKevin?

 

[spacecrime]

Actually I was hoping my posts caused pain......minor discomfort at least.....

you mean like the bloated discomfort associated with diarrhea?

 

[PushnPencils]

you mean like the bloated discomfort associated with diarrhea?

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[bucky]

If not, why then do you think they traded LeKevin?

Because they feel they have a lot of depth at DL and they wanted the 5th round pick. Now, obviously, Pryor is part of that depth and I think he's got a good shot at the 53. But I'm not convinced it's a done deal yet. They could go with 6 DL plus Burgess - who will play DE in most 4 man alignments and try to sneak Pryor onto the PS.

 

[mgteich]

I think that 6 DL's is unlikely given the contract situations with Seymour and Wilfork and Warren's injury. However, the 7th DL could conceivably come from another team. Pryor is one my 53 now with what we have.

Because they feel they have a lot of depth at DL and they wanted the 5th round pick. Now, obviously, Pryor is part of that depth and I think he's got a good shot at the 53. But I'm not convinced it's a done deal yet. They could go with 6 DL plus Burgess - who will play DE in most 4 man alignments and try to sneak Pryor onto the PS.

 

[5 Rings for Brady!!]

At least there are some choices to be made.

I remember a couple training camps like 2002 where I predicted the roster pretty much to the man because that was all we had.

Our training camps keep getting more talented each season.

 

[wdkantro2]

FINAL THREE (3)
To be determined (my personal choices as of now are McGowan, Walter and Lenon)

What have you seen out of Lenon so far that suggests he deserves a spot on this roster over guys who have been here in the past (Slater, Ventrone). Also, Walter is a lock, no way do they carry just 2 QBs.

 

[Bostonian1962]

I know I'll be all alone here, but I didn't like the Ohrenburger pick when it happened, so to be consistent, I think he get's cut. Best case for him: Practice squad.

The rest of the list looks good.

I do think there will be a big signing from somebody else scrap heap towards the end of preseason.

Some here like Smith over Thomas. I like Thomas over Smith at TE. Just my opinion.

 

[mgteich]

I don't need to see Lenon outperform Ventrone and Slater at LB to favor Lenon. As I have indicated before, I am also fine with Ninkovitch.

Belichick has more patience than you with incoming veterans.

Lenon may indeed be cut. However, he is also capable of starting if needed and is a solid special teamer.

What have you seen out of Lenon so far that suggests he deserves a spot on this roster over guys who have been here in the past (Slater, Ventrone). Also, Walter is a lock, no way do they carry just 2 QBs.

 

[wdkantro2]

I don't need to see Lenon outperform Ventrone and Slater at LB to favor Lenon. As I have indicated before, I am also fine with Ninkovitch.

Belichick has more patience than you with incoming veterans.

Lenon may indeed be cut. However, he is also capable of starting if needed and is a solid special teamer.

I'm not saying Ventrone or Slater could play his position. I'm just saying that the last spot on the roster (which is probably what we are talking about here, because I think Walter is a lock) is probably not going to be taking a lot of reps at their true position; they'll be purely STers. I haven't seen Lenon taking enough meaningful reps in practice or in the first preseason game to suggest he has a shot. Ninkovitch got a lot of reps in the first game, but it looked more like they needed a guy to fill in during garbage time than actually trying to get a good look at him.
It's not that I have no patience for veterans, I just haven't seen anything out of the guy. How patient was Billy with Hobson last year?