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- Sep 13, 2004
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We have started the camps. We have seven linebackers who seem to be almost locks for the 53, barring injury:
Mayo, Guyton, McKenzie, Spikes, Banta-Cain, Woods and Cunningham.
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We really don't know how Belichick will use this combination of seven. For example, Guyton and McKenzie could spend some time outside in certain sets. I expect that many combinations will be tried in camp and in the preseason.
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It is against the backdrop of the seven linebackers above that we can assess needs and the competition for additional roster spots.
We have some competitors for the remaining 1-3 spots. None should be considered in any way a lock. We have Ninkovich, Crable, Williams, Alexander, and Murrell. I expect that Belichick will add a veteran or two to the mix. For example, I still expect to see Burgess in camp.
I think that we need to keep one additional OLB to give us a total of eight linebackers. Ninkovich and Crable seem to have the best shot at this position at the moment.
We could add a 9th or even a 10th linebacker, or the position could be given to other positions. We have db/ster's Arrington, Lockett, Murrell, Alexander and Slater all competing for these roster spots (assuming 5 "real" corners and 4 "real" safeties on the 53). We could even keep all six corners: Bodden, McCourty, Butler, Springs, Wilhite, and Wheatley. Corners do get injured often.
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The open questions for me are
1) Who will be the 8th LB who I hope and expect to be an OLB?
2) How will we use to presumed final two defensive roster spots, after the minimum of 6 DLs, 8 LB, 9 DB's).
The choices are 7th DL, 9th LB, 10th LB, 10th DB, Ster with no real position (like Slater). We could even have only 24 defensive roster spots.
I have no clue with regard to the identity of the OLB. My expectation on the last two roster spots are Arrington and the 7th defensive lineman.
===================================================
Obviously injuries can have a huge effect on the positions of the last 4 rosters spots after these 49. The 3rd TE seems back for 2010!
QB 2
RB 4
WR 5
TE 3
OL 9
DL 6
LB 8
DB 9
P 1
K 1
LS 1
Mayo, Guyton, McKenzie, Spikes, Banta-Cain, Woods and Cunningham.
====================================================
We really don't know how Belichick will use this combination of seven. For example, Guyton and McKenzie could spend some time outside in certain sets. I expect that many combinations will be tried in camp and in the preseason.
====================================================
It is against the backdrop of the seven linebackers above that we can assess needs and the competition for additional roster spots.
We have some competitors for the remaining 1-3 spots. None should be considered in any way a lock. We have Ninkovich, Crable, Williams, Alexander, and Murrell. I expect that Belichick will add a veteran or two to the mix. For example, I still expect to see Burgess in camp.
I think that we need to keep one additional OLB to give us a total of eight linebackers. Ninkovich and Crable seem to have the best shot at this position at the moment.
We could add a 9th or even a 10th linebacker, or the position could be given to other positions. We have db/ster's Arrington, Lockett, Murrell, Alexander and Slater all competing for these roster spots (assuming 5 "real" corners and 4 "real" safeties on the 53). We could even keep all six corners: Bodden, McCourty, Butler, Springs, Wilhite, and Wheatley. Corners do get injured often.
======================================================
The open questions for me are
1) Who will be the 8th LB who I hope and expect to be an OLB?
2) How will we use to presumed final two defensive roster spots, after the minimum of 6 DLs, 8 LB, 9 DB's).
The choices are 7th DL, 9th LB, 10th LB, 10th DB, Ster with no real position (like Slater). We could even have only 24 defensive roster spots.
I have no clue with regard to the identity of the OLB. My expectation on the last two roster spots are Arrington and the 7th defensive lineman.
===================================================
Obviously injuries can have a huge effect on the positions of the last 4 rosters spots after these 49. The 3rd TE seems back for 2010!
QB 2
RB 4
WR 5
TE 3
OL 9
DL 6
LB 8
DB 9
P 1
K 1
LS 1
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