I'm comfortable with my projected roster

[mgteich]

I have never been so comfortable so early, and I expect that pioli will continue to bring us competition and potential upgrades. Also, I think there will strong competition for Practice Squad spots.

1) There are no glaring weakness.
2) There is always room for upgrade.
3) I don't feel strongly tied to any of the players projected to be cut.
4) Lots can happen before September, especially on the health front.
5) I kept four rookies and no UDFA's.
6) There are lots and lots of young players.
7) I am very satisfied with all 53 projected roster players.
8) I know that these are personal, early choices; others will differ.
9) I probably forgot someone.
10) There are no 2007 or 2008 major cap issues; that is, we can afford these players.

=====================================
MAY 5 53 MAN ROSTER

OFFENSE - (25)
QB - 2 Brady, Cassell,
RB - 4 Maroney, Morris, Faulk, Hairston
FB - 1 Evans
C - 2 Koppen, Hochstein
G - 3 Neal, Mankins, Yates
OT - 4 Light, Kaycur, O'Callaghan, Britt
WR - 5 Moss, Stallworth, Washington, Welker, Caldwell/(Gaffney)
TE - 3 Thomas, Watson, Brady
#53 1 Mills/(Brown)

DEFENSE - (25)
DE - 5 Seymour, Warren, Green, Wright, Brown
DT - 2 Wilfork, Smith
LB - 9 Vrabel, Colvin,Thomas, Bruschi, Woods, Alexander, Izzo, Mays, Lua
CB - 4 Samuel, Hobbs, Scott, James
S - 4 Sanders, Wilson, Harrison, Meriweather
ST 1 Hawkins/(Gay)

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
P - 1 Miller
K - 1 Gostkowski
LS - 1 Paxton

PUP (2)
Jackson
Jackson



OUTSIDE LOOKING IN

RB Hill
WR Childress, Smith, Kight
TE Kranchick
OT Oldenberg, Hilliard
OG Elgin
LS Case
DL Hill, Thomas,
LB Rogers
CB Spann, Williams, Richardson
S Mitchell, Baker, Andrews

 

[BelichickFan]

I think Troy Brown will be on the team. How can you project Gay to the IR already ?

 

[notex]

i like...but i like gaffney...hope me makes it over caldwell, his stupid eyes piss me off

 

[mgteich]

I think it more likely that Gay will be on the IR than it is likely that any of the four corners will be cut. Similarly for Brown. I think it less likely that Brown will make the team than it is likely that any one of the receivers will be cut. Obviously, I'm fine with either making the 53 man squad. I am also fine with Jackson or Jackson making the 53.

I think Troy Brown will be on the team. How can you project Gay to the IR already ?

 

[BelichickFan]

I think it more likely that Gay will be on the IR than it is likely that any of the four corners will be cut. Similarly for Brown. I think it less likely that Brown will make the team than it is likely that any one of the receivers will be cut. Obviously, I'm fine with either making the 53 man squad. I am also fine with Jackson or Jackson making the 53.

Garrett Mills interests me but I'm keeping Troy over him.

I'd keep Gay over Scott or Hawkins (just one of the two would go) and over Mays or Lua (again, only one would go).

 

[mgteich]

I have no problem with Lua or Mays going, but we need nine linebackers, four starters, four kids that might contribute, and Izzo.

I could see Gay beating out Scott or Hawkins.

Heresy! I agree that Troy Brown is likely to be more valuable than Mills.

I would say that Mills is my #53 player, not including the PUP and IR players. Otherwise, he is #56. I guess if we count Brown as being signed, then Mills is #57. The issue is that we don't know if Brown will play.

Other have posted that I shouldn't have a 53 man squad so early. As we see from this discussion, I really have 57 and I expect pioli to add three jags with a reasonable chance to make the squad, giving me a 60-man squad, about right for going into TC.

 

[Patjew]

I have never been so comfortable so early, and I expect that pioli will continue to bring us competition and potential upgrades. Also, I think there will strong competition for Practice Squad spots.

1) There are no glaring weakness.

Am I the only one that still considers ILB a glaring weakness? Well, maybe not "glaring", but I think that's the weakest position now and one that I'd love to see improved, especially as listed here.

 

[BelichickFan]

Honestly, I think Troy is a stone cold LOCK to make the team.

The position groups spend a lot of time together - Welker's probably a good team guy but Moss, Stallworth, Washington, etc, they need the glue that is Troy. I don't want to overstate it to read that Troy can wave his magic want and they'll all know how Patriots are supposed to act but . . . with an almost complete new group of WR and a new, inexperienced (at coaching) WR coach . . . Troy will be there.

 

[BelichickFan]

Am I the only one that still considers ILB a glaring weakness? Well, maybe not "glaring", but I think that's the weakest position now and one that I'd love to see improved, especially as listed here.

I think we all agree with you although we don't know exactly how the top four will be used. Hurt a lot or not, I want Seau back.

 

[mgteich]

Troy Brown wasn't the glue last year.

However, if Troy Brown is healthy and wants to play, I agree that he is a stone cold LOCK to make the team; and yes, Mills would be the most likely to go.

Honestly, I think Troy is a stone cold LOCK to make the team.

The position groups spend a lot of time together - Welker's probably a good team guy but Moss, Stallworth, Washington, etc, they need the glue that is Troy. I don't want to overstate it to read that Troy can wave his magic want and they'll all know how Patriots are supposed to act but . . . with an almost complete new group of WR and a new, inexperienced (at coaching) WR coach . . . Troy will be there.

 

[mgteich]

I think we would all like pioli to sign an ILB or two. Obviously, he values what we have more highly than we do. He has passed on many free agents and many draft choices. One has to believe that if he felt as we do, either Hartwell or one of the Harris boys would be on the team (Napolean or David). Seau seems to be our last best hope. I suspect that bb likes Mays, Woods and Alexander, and has drafted Lua as a developmental player.

Am I the only one that still considers ILB a glaring weakness? Well, maybe not "glaring", but I think that's the weakest position now and one that I'd love to see improved, especially as listed here.

 

[BelichickFan]

Troy Brown wasn't the glue last year.

1 - As I said, he doesn't have a magic want but his knowledge and leadership is needed.

2 - All things considered we did OK at WR last year given the situation we were dealt. Did Troy help Gaffney out when he showed up after the season started ? Probably. This year we have 16,000 times more talent, if Troy's steadiness and leadership does help out, it'll show a lot more this year.

 

[patsfan-1982]

i like...but i like gaffney...hope me makes it over caldwell, his stupid eyes piss me off

gaffney i dont think will make the team he did not do any thing in the reguler season he was good in the playoff cause there was no one left to throw to and caldwell, won the san diego game for us and will be are 3rd WR and brown i think will be are 6th WR and wont have more then 20 rec but again will play a big part on D OF and ST

 

[zarakotas5]

I'm prepared to take some heat here...

I know the love for Lonnie Paxton is high, but will it continue? Roster positions are becoming progressively valuable. Reserving an automatic spot for a man who long snaps seems increasingly superfluous at the present time.

I ask because I'm curious, especially because I don't know. If it sounds stupid to you, be easy...

With all the talk of 5 or 6 receivers, etc., I imagine the benefit to to the team, if one roster spot is at stake, would be better served by alottment to someone with more...versatility, impact, etc..

 

[rookBoston]

I'm prepared to take some heat here...

I know the love for Lonnie Paxton is high, but will it continue? Roster positions are becoming progressively valuable. Reserving an automatic spot for a man who long snaps seems increasingly superfluous at the present time.

Trouble is, BB cut his teeth as a ST coach, and carries a very high value for a 100% reliable LS. I dont think he's going to change his mind.

Excellence in the FG and P games are all about iteration, repetition. There is something to be said for sending your LS, P and K to the far corner of the field to do their thing, over and over again, every single day.

That's one reason why he likes to have the P as the holder, instead of the backup QB, even though having a QB as the holder opens up the trick play opportunities hugely. It's about chemistry and practice.

If we were to ask a TE or OC also serve as the LS, that guy would have to split his time, and it's not clear how the K and P would get meaningful practice reps while their LS is running drills with the offense.

I think Lonnie is safe. The only risk is if there's another guy who is a better LS than he is. But he wont lose his job to a non-specialist.

 

[Mike the Brit]

Troy Brown wasn't the glue last year.

Totally disagree. I lost count of the number of crucial catches he made on third down/in the red-zone, many of them requiring great adjustment to terrible throws by TB. And then he made the play of the season to save the game against San Diego. For me, he was the Patriots' player of the season (closely followed by Ty Warren).

I want Seau back.

Me too.

 

[rookBoston]

OFFENSE - 25
QB - 2 Brady, Cassell,
RB - 4 Maroney, Morris, Faulk, Hairston
FB - 1 Evans
C - 2 Koppen, Hochstein
G - 3 Neal, Mankins, Yates
OT - 4 Light, Kaycur, O'Callaghan, Britt
WR - 5 Moss, Stallworth, Washington, Welker, Caldwell
TE - 4 Thomas, Watson, Brady, Mills

Agree with all this, given the time of the season and the lack of real information on the newbies.

Like other responders to the thread, I would choose Gaffney over Caldwell, too. Interesting to consider that they both may lose out to Kight, if Kelvin is deemed important in the kicking game. Jackson on the PUP sounds good to me, in a disturbed way.

I expect 6 WR once Brown is signed. I think that will cost either Yates, Britt or Mills a spot.

The only other possibility is if Kyle Brady disappoints (unlikely), and fails to earn the roster spot.

I do not think Mills is #53. What saves him that disgrace is that he's the likely #2 FB on the roster, perhaps competing with Hairston (does he have lead blocking in this toolkit?) for that honor. And he should be a factor on ST.

I think Yates and Britt are more at-risk, given that they are #3 at their positions, and play that role exclusively.

Personally, I expect that either Kaczur or O'Callaghan will start the season as the starting RT for a team not called the Patriots. That will give us an 8-man OL corp, and gives us the solution on how to carry 6 WR.

DEFENSE - 25
DE - 5 Seymour, Warren, Green, Wright, Brown
DT - 2 Wilfork, Smith
LB - 9 Vrabel, Colvin,Thomas, Bruschi, Woods, Alexander, Izzo, Mays, Lua
CB - 4 Samuel, Hobbs, Scott, James
S - 5 Sanders, Wilson, Harrison, Meriweather, Hawkins

Brown over Hill is the widely held assumption. I listed it this way on my 53-man, too, but it's way to early for us to be certain in any way. It will be a well fought TC battle, and one for us to watch closely.

I could also see BB choosing to carry 6 not 7 DL, and stashing Smith and/or Brown on IR or PS.

LB, you've listed Lua and Mays, who will need to show something to get roster spots ahead of guys like Mitchell, who are proven weapons on ST. Their making the roster will have little or nothing to do with their LB play. It will be about their play in ST coverage.

CB, it's a mistake to give up on Gay. He's an unsigned tender away from being our starting CB, IMO. Both Scott and James are veterans, but I think Gay will outshine them. And the value of Andrews at gunner will make him a little harder to dismiss than we think.

I think Mitchell has to be on the roster. I would give up Mays for Mitchell, easy. I also expect Seau back. And that will mean giving Lua a redshirt season, too.

SPECIAL TEAMS (3)
P - 1 Miller
K - 1 Gostkowski
LS - 1 Paxton

This seems clear. I do wonder what all the offseason fuss has been about at P, with Sauerbrun and rumors of a draft pick at P. I've always felt secure with Miller punting. The only question is health.

 

[zarakotas5]

Trouble is, BB cut his teeth as a ST coach, and carries a very high value for a 100% reliable LS. I dont think he's going to change his mind.

Excellence in the FG and P games are all about iteration, repetition. There is something to be said for sending your LS, P and K to the far corner of the field to do their thing, over and over again, every single day.

That's one reason why he likes to have the P as the holder, instead of the backup QB, even though having a QB as the holder opens up the trick play opportunities hugely. It's about chemistry and practice.

If we were to ask a TE or OC also serve as the LS, that guy would have to split his time, and it's not clear how the K and P would get meaningful practice reps while their LS is running drills with the offense.

I think Lonnie is safe. The only risk is if there's another guy who is a better LS than he is. But he wont lose his job to a non-specialist.

Thanks rook. I appreciate your time, but I gotta say I'm still not buying it. I imagine there comes a time a time where the fat gets trimmed. At least this year, there is enough talent where this sort of indulgence may not be perpetuated. Then again, I do see your point.

BUT...If I'm trying to do some squeezing, Lonnie's looking a lil thin my man.

 

[zarakotas5]

Totally disagree. I lost count of the number of crucial catches he made on third down/in the red-zone,

Anybody who saw anything differently is out of their gtucking mind.

 

[gomezcat]

I like the projected roster, I think. The word that leaps out at me is versatility. It's going to be one of the better ones in the NFL this year, so that will do.

I can see the sense of 2 QBs. The #3 spot is redundant, in that there have to be two injured players before they get to play, which takes away from someone who can rotate in at DL or play ST. If you're down to #3, you're pretty much f***ed anyway....

I'm with Rook on the LS thing. Lonie is well worth his place on the roster, because I don't hide under the bed covers every time he snaps. Think of all the blocked kicks and punts we just don't have to put up with.

The ILB thing is something I think we are going to have to learn to accept. We've been over their requirements a zillion times. I think we forget just how much strain those guys take in the 3-4, going head to head with 310-330 lb guards on pretty much most running plays. Clearly, BB et al. think that the young guys coming out of college, when it is their turn to pick, can't do it.
If that's the case, why not pick up seasoned vets, who have had years in NFL weight rooms?

I wonder if Eugene Wilson will see more time at corner this year...
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