It's that time of the year again...

[mgteich]

I agree.

A UDFA who might be able to play ST's could replace a aging veteran probowl Ster on some teams, but not on the patriots.

No way. No way.

 

[mgteich]

I can't read the italics very well on my computer. See below for my 60 and 53 man rosters as of now. As as usually the case on my rosters, I have no UDFA's making the squad. I think all the UDFA's are long shots. I also have all our draft choice from the first five rounds making the team, although Slater is certainly on the bubble. I also have us signing Seau and Law. I would like to see us sign a RB as an upgrade to Eckel.

I do think it possib

MG’s ROSTER AS OF JUNE 4

OFFENSE (28 competing for 25 positions)
QB - 3 Tom Brady,(Cassel)/Gutierrez, O’Connell
RB - 3 Faulk, Maroney, Morris
FB - 1 Evans
C - 1 Koppen
G - 4 Neal, Hochstein, Mankins, Yates
OT - 4 Light, Kaycur, O'Callaghan, (Britt)/Ross
WR - 6 Moss, Gaffney, Welker, Washington, Chad Jackson, Slater/(Aiken)
TE - 3 Watson, Dave Thomas, Pollard

DEFENSE (31 competing for 25 positions)
DE - 3 Warren, Green, Seymour
DT - 3 Wilfork, Le Kevin Smith, Wright
DL - 1 Santonio Thomas/(Fafita)
OLB- 4 Vrabel, Adalius Thomas, Crable, Woods
ILB- 5 Bruschi, Mayo, Hobson, Seau, Izzo/(Alexander)
CB - 4 Hobbs, Bryant, Wheatley, Wilhite/(Richardson)
S - 4 Sanders, Harrison, Meriweather, Williams
DB – 1 Law/(Webster)/(Lewis Sanders)/(Andrews)

SPECIALISTS (3)
P - 1 Hanson
K - 1 Gostkowski
LS - 1 Paxton

 

[satz]

I do not understand the trouble with eckel. i really like that kid. he is 250 lb FB who can be moved back to practice squad and back if needed. When he is in the game the game is pratically over and hence i really like that he does not fumble the ball in a game. He is a 250 lb FB and will not run like a shifty fast 220 lb RB .

 

[signbabybrady]

I do not understand the trouble with eckel. i really like that kid. he is 250 lb FB who can be moved back to practice squad and back if needed. When he is in the game the game is pratically over and hence i really like that he does not fumble the ball in a game. He is a 250 lb FB and will not run like a shifty fast 220 lb RB .

I am really high on Eckel and I think he will beat out Evans for the FB role. He very well may have one of the few STs only roster spots too. But if he doesn't he is not a lock for this team. And people who are trying to replace Eckle don't realize that he himself doesn't really have a roster spot. It wasn't like we Had Maroney, Faulk, Morris, Evans, and Eckle all on the roster at the same time last year. Eckle got his spot on the roster after Morris went down. When he got his chances he proved to be a very good Ster and may have one of those spots but He is by no means a lock for the RB/FB position so to say we need to replace him is to say lets get someone different who might not make the team either....The guy to replace would be Evans.

 

[Wretch]

No way. No way.

What is your argument for Izzo? I know he has been a consistent ST performer but he is 4 years removed from his last probowl appearance (2004 IIRC) and most believe Wood is now the best STer on the team. Izzo doesn't contribute that much on D as a LB.

I am not saying Izzo won't make the team I just think he is on the bubble and can see the Pats keeping a younger LB that can potentially contribute on D also.

I am curious how players were on the roster that were in effect pure STer (outside the kickers and long snapper)? Izzo, Woods, Washington, Alexander come to mind immediately. Who else would be on that list?

 

[mgteich]

IMHO, there is exactly zero reason to believe that Eckel is ready to start as our blocking fullback, replacing Evans. The coaches have had nothing but praise for Evans in his limited roles since he arrived.

I agree that there is currently not a 5th RB/FB spot. I don't have that roster spot on my roster. However, I would like to see us sign a 5th RB. For me, a short yardage back is more useful than a 6th WR, who is next to useless. After all, we actual NEED only three wide receivers. Our TE's and RB's usually line up in four or five receiver sets. The #4 and #5 wide receivers usually perform a number of functions, including injury insurance and returner. There is no need for #6. If we need a 6th, there is always the Practice Squad.

The bottom line is that I include 4 RB's and 6 WR's because that has been our breakdown for awhile. Personally, I would send Slater to Practice Squad if he can't beat out Washington or Johnson.

Finally, Eckel does indeed play special teams. However, I don't think that he is better than guys like Izzo, Andrews, Woods, and Alexander on special teams.

I am really high on Eckel and I think he will beat out Evans for the FB role. He very well may have one of the few STs only roster spots too. But if he doesn't he is not a lock for this team. And people who are trying to replace Eckle don't realize that he himself doesn't really have a roster spot. It wasn't like we Had Maroney, Faulk, Morris, Evans, and Eckle all on the roster at the same time last year. Eckle got his spot on the roster after Morris went down. When he got his chances he proved to be a very good Ster and may have one of those spots but He is by no means a lock for the RB/FB position so to say we need to replace him is to say lets get someone different who might not make the team either....The guy to replace would be Evans.

 

[pats1]

What is your argument for Izzo? I know he has been a consistent ST performer but he is 4 years removed from his last probowl appearance (2004 IIRC) and most believe Wood is now the best STer on the team.

I haven't heard that.

Izzo doesn't contribute that much on D as a LB.

I am not saying Izzo won't make the team I just think he is on the bubble and can see the Pats keeping a younger LB that can potentially contribute on D also.

This was brought up in November 2006 and again when Izzo was re-signed in March 2007.

I am curious how players were on the roster that were in effect pure STer (outside the kickers and long snapper)? Izzo, Woods, Washington, Alexander come to mind immediately. Who else would be on that list?

Last year? Izzo, Washington, Woods, Alexander, Andrews, Eckel, C. Jackson, Ventrone, Spann.

But I remember this one coming up before. Special teams players who don't play anything else, for whatever reason, are the first guys fans want to ship away. Maybe it's based on a misconception...

 

[pats1]

IMHO, there is exactly zero reason to believe that Eckel is ready to start as our blocking fullback, replacing Evans. The coaches have had nothing but praise for Evans in his limited roles since he arrived.

I agree that there is currently not a 5th RB/FB spot. I don't have that roster spot on my roster. However, I would like to see us sign a 5th RB. For me, a short yardage back is more useful than a 6th WR, who is next to useless. After all, we actual NEED only three wide receivers. Our TE's and RB's usually line up in four or five receiver sets. The #4 and #5 wide receivers usually perform a number of functions, including injury insurance and returner. There is no need for #6. If we need a 6th, there is always the Practice Squad.

The bottom line is that I include 4 RB's and 6 WR's because that has been our breakdown for awhile. Personally, I would send Slater to Practice Squad if he can't beat out Washington or Johnson.

Finally, Eckel does indeed play special teams. However, I don't think that he is better than guys like Izzo, Andrews, Woods, and Alexander on special teams.

Moreover, Eckel really isn't a blocking fullback. Neither is Evans, but he's still better than Eckel, who is just a pounding tailback type.

 

[mgteich]

As I recall, Evans came out of college as a blocking fullback. He blocked for Rudi Johnson. He was also a receiver out of the backfield, and he is a solid special teamer. Evans is a fine patriot fullback.

Moreover, Eckel really isn't a blocking fullback. Neither is Evans, but he's still better than Eckel, who is just a pounding tailback type.

 

[mgteich]

Woods is NOT taking away Izzo's spot. He has his own spot as a backup OLB. Izzo is a starter on several special teams. It truly doesn't matter that he doesn't play linebacker. He is on the team to play linebacker. I'd add Andrews to your ST list below.

What is your argument for Izzo? I know he has been a consistent ST performer but he is 4 years removed from his last probowl appearance (2004 IIRC) and most believe Wood is now the best STer on the team. Izzo doesn't contribute that much on D as a LB.

I am not saying Izzo won't make the team I just think he is on the bubble and can see the Pats keeping a younger LB that can potentially contribute on D also.

I am curious how players were on the roster that were in effect pure STer (outside the kickers and long snapper)? Izzo, Woods, Washington, Alexander come to mind immediately. Who else would be on that list?