Pick Three

[14thDragon]

Where is OK...6 DLs...a bit thin..and Santonio's time on the PSquad is over.

Why? He has only been on it for 2 years, I am sure he still has eligibilty left. I doubt the market for him is all that big.

Solid in the D in other ways. I might switch Seau for Hobson.

Well since he is not signed and not healthy I am not adding him to my roster, but would represent a good upgrade.

STs is solid with Izzo and Aiken (probably next in line for Cpt)

Yeah, Aiken is a wild card right now, if he does not come back soon his spot might slip away.

I might switch Spann and Wilhite.

Well, I was trying to factor in the large amount of time Wilhite has missed.

A bit thin at WR, with the classic 3 + Washington, Aiken and Slater even. If one of the 3 goes down, it STILL might be OK. Pollard is a plus in the passing game as well.

It is not ideal, I admit. But with RB being the deep spot WR takes a hit. I would prefer dropping Aiken or Washington and bringing in a veteran reciever. But if Wishes were horses and all that. Terry Glenn maybe? *ducks*

I think all are fairly similar, but I really think that injuries will play a large key as to what will be done. Granted, the last spots are tough, but looking at an "all healthy" situation is more an ideal and the messy reality is that injuries will play a role as to how it is shaped.

Well, until we have some clue on who is really hurt and who can play, the best we have is to assume if they are making the roster they can play. That and establish depth where it looks like injuries could be a major factor. i.e. Offensive line and corner back.

 

[Ring 6]

I think Wilhite needs to be considered a lock.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

I think Wilhite needs to be considered a lock.

Disagree. BB will cut draft picks. The kid has been injured and needs to show something. Me, I want one more pre-season game before deciding on rookie phenoms vs vets who have yet to impress. Game 2 is crucial for rookies because of play time opportunities, because usually Game 3 is where the vets play the 1st half.

 

[Ring 6]

Disagree. BB will cut draft picks. The kid has been injured and needs to show something. Me, I want one more pre-season game before deciding on rookie phenoms vs vets who have yet to impress. Game 2 is crucial for rookies because of play time opportunities, because usually Game 3 is where the vets play the 1st half.

Sure he will cut draft picks but he wont do it because they have been injured in camp.
BB didnt draft Wilhite for 2008, he drafted him for 3-4 years. Being injured and slow to contribute in his rookie camp isnt cause to give up on that. If he came in and was a jerkoff, then sure, but he is going nowhere other than the roster or IR.
What is the list of all the players drafted as high as Wilhite that were cut by BB? I think you will have trouble compiling it.

 

[Mark Morse]

Couple of points..First,thank you for taking the time to compile your 53 man roster.

IMHO,running backs/FullBacks and TE's are interrelated positions.By that I mean they have both pass catching and blocking resps.

If you're going to carry 5 Rb's and 3 TE's,that is 8 players on offense who would not really impact sp/teams to a great degree.

I just don't see how Pollard sticks here,especially with an extra running back.

With the ability to put Morris,Jordan or Faulk out on a wing,it just seems to make a 3rd pure TE redundant.

Next...Larry Izzo...Thanks Lar for your service,but for a cap hit of probably 800K+,it's time to hang up the old spikes.

I don't want to risk losing Guyton,Redd,
Richardson and especially,Ventrone.

Ray Ventrone reminds me of Bob Gladieux(sic?),if anyone goes back that far.

He can also catch passes and I think our old pal,Eric Ratgini,would take him back in a nanosecond.

Izzo won't see a minute at linebacker,Pollard
isn't a blocking TE and doesn't add to ST's.

....Time to go

I was at Harvard Stadium when Harpo was yanked out of the stands to play!

I only have a few slight differences in what you state. Richardson has done nothing and can't stay healthy so I have no problems letting him go. Not sure if he is eligible for the PS. Guyton is the #3 ILB right now. Hobson is having problems adjusting to the ILB position and the Patriots 3-4 scheme. RB/TE/FB all play roles on special teams. Morris/Jordan will be the 2nd retyrn man with Slater on KO. TE are on KO and Punt teams. Evans is on all the ST's. I can see Evans as a 3rd TE, H back player. He will not be gettiong the short yardage/goal line carries - Jordan will. I would let Pollard go.

I'd cut Jackson, Izzo, Spann and Pollard - Keep Guyton, Lynch, Alexander, Ventrone ... jury is still out on Redd. I don't think he will get through waivers and onto the PS.

 

[14thDragon]

Sure he will cut draft picks but he wont do it because they have been injured in camp.
BB didnt draft Wilhite for 2008, he drafted him for 3-4 years. Being injured and slow to contribute in his rookie camp isnt cause to give up on that. If he came in and was a jerkoff, then sure, but he is going nowhere other than the roster or IR.
What is the list of all the players drafted as high as Wilhite that were cut by BB? I think you will have trouble compiling it.

Depends on when you decided cut is
Brown from last Year
Mills from the year before (cut in year 2)
Cedric Cobbs from 2004
(I wont count Dan Klecko, since he stuck around forever)
Kenyatta Jones (2001)
Jabari Holloway (2001)
Greg Robinson-Randall (2000)

But in reality most have gotten cut in year 2 and several were hurt for year 1.

 

[14thDragon]

I would let Pollard go.

I would worry about cutting Pollard just becuase Ben Watson and Dave Thomas are not exactly most durable guys and I would like to have some depth.

 

[letekro]

OT: Stewart Bradley is starting at MLB for Philly.

Relax. Seward is coming in for a visit tomorrow.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Relax. Seward is coming in for a visit tomorrow.

Harumph, Seward...them skunkwater iggles stole mah favorite ILB prospect last year and thuh year afore that too. :enranged: Thar's a feud a brewing!

 

[Pats726]

Why? He has only been on it for 2 years, I am sure he still has eligibilty left. I doubt the market for him is all that big. .

Wrong!!! Last year was his third year..his PSquad time is up..that simple..I agree if he is not on teh 53, he probably will not get picked up, but odder things have happened. Beware the Mangina from Goatham.

Well since he is not signed and not healthy I am not adding him to my roster, but would represent a good upgrade. .

If Hobson is really THAT bad..I think Alexander might be a better fit...Seau in later.

Yeah, Aiken is a wild card right now, if he does not come back soon his spot might slip away.

He might have a serious injury...IRed..but since it that did not happen quick..my guess is they think he might be OK after some rehab time..but nonetheless to anyone looking here..a wild card.

Well, I was trying to factor in the large amount of time Wilhite has missed.

I understand..it might be a toss up..Again..the injury factor.
[/QUOTE]It is not ideal, I admit. But with RB being the deep spot WR takes a hit. I would prefer dropping Aiken or Washington and bringing in a veteran reciever. But if Wishes were horses and all that. Terry Glenn maybe? *ducks*[/QUOTE]
But if that were done Special teams suffer..I don't think it's all that bad. Glenn?? If he played STeams..maybe but..NO...I'll pass on Terry...
[/QUOTE]Well, until we have some clue on who is really hurt and who can play, the best we have is to assume if they are making the roster they can play. That and establish depth where it looks like injuries could be a major factor. i.e. Offensive line and corner back.[/QUOTE] I agree..the REAL wild card is injuries...It is quite interesting though to see how a roster can be planned..and its more an art than a science.

 

[14thDragon]

Wrong! Last year was his third year, his PSquad time is up.

Ok. If the Jets want him, let them have him. He nothing that special.

If Hobson is really THAT bad..I think Alexander might be a better fit...Seau in later.

I give Hobson the small edge due to more playing time in actual games.

He might have a serious injury, and IRed. But since it that did not happen quick, my guess is they think he might be OK after some rehab time. But nonetheless to anyone looking here a wild card.

Agree, but I have no idea the extent, knee injuries is tricky.

But if that were done Special teams suffer, I don't think it's all that bad. Glenn, ff he played STeams, maybe. I'll pass on Terry.

I would like 4 WR that play WR. I am again willing to take the ST hit to shore up a weak spot. YMMV. If they give up a few more return yards, I take the better offense.

I agree, the REAL wild card is injuries. It is quite interesting though to see how a roster can be planned and its more an art than a science.

I would agree.

 

[NoCal Patriot]

My final three
1. Junior Seau
2. Ray Ventrone
3. Eric Alexander

 

[Ring 6]

Depends on when you decided cut is
Brown from last Year
Mills from the year before (cut in year 2)
Cedric Cobbs from 2004
(I wont count Dan Klecko, since he stuck around forever)
Kenyatta Jones (2001)
Jabari Holloway (2001)
Greg Robinson-Randall (2000)

But in reality most have gotten cut in year 2 and several were hurt for year 1.

Everyone of those made the roster as a rookie. 2 of them were starters.
What you are showing is that guys who are drafted get cut or traded someday, you havent shown any cut out of camp as rookies.

 

[Ungeheuer]

OFFENSE (25)
QB - 3 Tom Brady, Cassell, O'Connell
RB - 5 Faulk, Maroney, Morris, Jordan, Evans
C - 2 Koppen, Hochstein
G - 3 Mankins, Welbourn, Neal
OT - 4 Light, Kazcur, Britt, O'Callaghan
WR - 6 Moss, Gaffney, Welker, Washington, Aiken, Ventrone
TE - 2 Watson, Thomas

DEFENSE (24)
DE - 3 Warren, Green, Seymour
DT - 3 Wilfork, Wright, Smith
OLB- 4 Vrabel, AD Thomas, Woods, Crable
ILB- 5 Bruschi, Mayo, Guyton, Hobson, Izzo
CB – 5 Hobbs, Bryant, Wheatley, Wilhite, Webster
S - 4 Sanders, Harrison, Meriweather, Lynch

SPECIALISTS (4)
P - 1 Hanson
K - 1 Gostkowski
LS - 1 Paxton
R - 1 Slater


I didn't bother with the PUP list, just put down who I think will actually make the team.

I think this is a very unusual year, roster-wise. A lot of people will think I'm crazy here, but some notes:


-- Six wideouts is almost unheard of and if you include Slater, I have seven here. But Washington and Aiken are core special teamers, Ventrone gives them an extra emergency safety (and another good STer), and it seems pretty clear that they really hope Slater is their return guy, that having him in that spot saves Hobbs or Faulk or anyone else from the offense or defense from having to risk injury there. Still, in my mind Slater is the first cut if someone has to go -- they had an excellent return team last year and he doesn't provide you much depth in other areas. I also think Jackson is gone if he doesn't step up soon.

-- Spann is a tough cut. Before the Lynch signing, I'd have said he makes the team. If Webster isn't healthy, he might still make it. But you can't depend on two unproven rookies as your corner depth. That said, Wheatley and Wilhite are high picks and they're probably safe. So you keep both and you also throw in a veteran corner with starting experience in Webster out there. Add the starters (Hobbs and Bryant) plus the top four safeties and you've got your nine DBs right there. I just don't see Spann beating out Webster if Webster can play -- particularly if they also keep Ventrone and Slater, who both can be put back there in a pinch and both can play on teams as well.

-- If they keep five running backs, and I think they will, they're not going to keep three tight ends. Especially when Pollard doesn't have a markedly different skill set as the top two guys.

-- Izzo is making the team. It seems crazy to think that he wouldn't. Why wouldn't he?

-- Hobson would appear to be in trouble, if only because he's probably not much on teams and he's not showing much on defense. But they can't depend on two rookies (ie Mayo and Guyton) in their ILB rotation, especially since your other ILB (Izzo) doesn't play on D. Hobson also gives them someone who can play outside in a pinch.


Overall I'd guess that the would-be "lock" guys in the most trouble are Chad Jackson, Slater, and Heath Evans. Jackson's situation is odd in that if he isn't your third-best wideout he might not be in your top seven. He gives you less on teams than Aiken, Washington, or Slater, and he doesn't play defense like Ventrone. Then again I might be high on crack to think Ventrone makes it over Jackson. But I just have a feeling about that guy. It seems like very year they ax a high-upside player in favor of an overachiever type. Ventrone looks a little like Mike Furrey to me.

Anyway, it'll be interesting to see how it plays out. I can't remember a team that was this stacked. The last guys on the roster seem like pretty interesting players.

 

[bradmahn]

Here's the best I could do.

I'm assuming the worst regarding Neal (PUP) and Aiken (IR) but if either return to health it wouldn't be too hard to get them back on the 53.

Offense (19):

QB (2): Brady & Cassel
WR (4): Welker, Moss, Gaffney, Jackson
RB (4): Maroney, Morris, Jordan, Faulk
FB: Evans
OL (6): Light, Mankins, Koppen, Hochstein, Kaczur and with the sixth spot I think they'd want to go G/T type, current second string RG Welbourne is probably the most likely.

Defense (19):
DL (5): Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, Green, Wright
LB (6): Thomas, Bruschi, Mayo, Vrabel, Woods, Crable
DB (8): Bryant, Harrison, Hobbs, Wheatley, Meriweather, J. Sanders, L. Sanders, Lynch

Special Teams (4):
K: Gost
P: Hanson
LS: Paxton
R: Slater

That puts the total at 42, leaving three spots for Alexander, Washington and Guyton, for whom I think they are trying to find a spot, even if that is at the expense of Izzo (at punt protector).

Inactives:

QB: O'Connell, obviously.
OL (3): With all of the injuries it's hard to see them not going a little overboard on offensive lineman to start the season. Britt, O'Callaghan, and Yates are the most likely. Yates or O'Callaghan are probably in the most danger of getting the axe.
DB (2): As of now, I see one true FS with range on the squad, Meriweather, and they seem to want him doing a lot of stuff at the line and move him around a lot. Spann makes the team because of his speed and a very good camp so far. Wilhite is a draft pick with injuries who could win time at nickel or dimeback later in the season, I don't see him getting cut.
DL: I think LeKevin makes it as an inactive and the final spot could go to another lineman, as six seems a little thin, I just don't see one guy who deserves it more than anyone else. Don't sleep on Ventrone making the squad. He plays special teams well and is versatile depth. Seems like he's doing well at receiver, too.

Practice Squad priorities would be Spach or Stupar (or another TE outcast), Redd, and Ruud, who may wind up on IR. The spots after that probably won't even belong to current Patriots so I won't bother trying to project that.

I'd be psyched with this roster.

 

[JoeSixPat]

I'm glad you found a place for Slater - but at QB I don't see them keeping Cassell, and I guess the upside on Guttierez hasn't come to pass.

I think they either bring in an available veteran (Simms?) or go with two, as O'Connell has outplayed Cassell from what I've seen (though I've not seen much with one pre-season game)

Still - I don't see the benefit of keeping Cassell. No harm going with 2 QBs on the roster for a time - they've done that in the past as well, brining in a veteran later in the season as insurance.

So going with 2 QBs would open up another roster spot, balancing having 5 RBs.

 

[Mark Morse]

THE FINAL THREE (PICK 3)
(Webster), Alexander, Izzo, (Aiken),(Eckel), Wilhite
(Spann),(Richardson),Guyton),(Redd),(Ruud), (Ventrone)
------------------------------------------------
I think the offense is in pretty good shape, although Welbourne could end up replacing someone put on the IR.

The defense is now also in great shape. Lynch is a major addition.

All we have left is to pick the last three special teamers.
---------------------------------------------
OFFENSE (24)
QB - 3 Tom Brady, Cassel, O’Connell
RB - 4 Faulk, Maroney, Morris, Jordan
FB - 1 Evans
C - 2 Koppen, Hochstein
G - 2 Mankins, Yates
OT - 4 Light, O'Callaghan, Kaycur, Britt
WR - 5 Moss, Gaffney, Welker, Washington, Jackson
TE - 3 Watson, Thomas, Pollard

DEFENSE (22)
DE - 3 Warren, Green, Seymour
DT - 4 Wilfork, Wright, Smith, Thomas
OLB- 4 Vrabel, Adalius Thomas, Crable, Woods
ILB- 3 Bruschi, Mayo, Hobson
CB – 4 Hobbs, Bryant, Wheatley, Sanders
S - 4 Sanders, Harrison, Meriweather, Lynch

SPECIALISTS (4)
P - 1 Hanson
K - 1 Gostkowski
LS - 1 Paxton
R - 1 Slater

PUP LIST
2 Neal, Ross

THE FINAL THREE
3 Alexander, Izzo, Wilhite

OK you have me convinced ... Izzo, Alexander and Wilhite make the team, but so don't Wellbourn, Aiken, Ventrone, Guyton and Redd. Jackson, Pollard, Hobson, S. Thomas and Spann are cut. Slater and Ventrone can fill at the #5 S spot. Evans as an H-Back/TE. Battle between Cassel and Guitierrez for backup QB to be decided.

 

[jeffbiologist]

I think Ventrone will stick for versatility(3rd TE and S) replacing Pollard. I think Slater starts on the PS unless he runs 2 back in Pre...The O Line will be discombobulated and alot different and in a state of flux this year. You have to keep Izzo because of Aikens injury. and I think Wilhite will make the last cb spot(Andrews' replacement).
Ventrone instead of Pollard
OL instead of Slater
Izzo over Aiken--1
Wilhite--2
Wait for it, wait for it....
Seau--3!!

 

[fester]

Okay then, who are the conditional 7th Round trade baits?

This is what makes training camp and the preseason so much fun.

THE FINAL FOUR (PICK 4)
(Webster), (Alexander), Izzo, Aiken, (Eckel), (Wilhite)
Spann, (Richardson), Guyton, (Redd),(Ruud), (Ventrone)

------------------------------------------------
I think the offense is in pretty good shape, but the line is flux.

The defense is now also in great shape. Lynch is an unknown.

All we have left is to pick the last special teamer.....
-QUOTE]

 

[Pats726]

I think Ventrone will stick for versatility(3rd TE and S) replacing Pollard. I think Slater starts on the PS unless he runs 2 back in Pre...The O Line will be discombobulated and alot different and in a state of flux this year. You have to keep Izzo because of Aikens injury. and I think Wilhite will make the last cb spot(Andrews' replacement).
Ventrone instead of Pollard
OL instead of Slater
Izzo over Aiken--1
Wilhite--2
Wait for it, wait for it....
Seau--3!!

ventrone is not a TE...so they still need a TE...Evans can in spots..as can an OL...who will run back KO??? Not Slater??