This was MY shot at the 53 with the usual suspect comments.
(Based on Reiss' format)
Quarterback (2): Brady, O’Connell
Quick hit: Walter becomes a shadow roster guy. They give him some money to sit by the phone in case of injury. This preseason is for him to get familiar with the offense. Hoyer to the PS. Roster spots are just TOO valuable and rare this season.
Running back (4): Faulk, Taylor, Morris, Maroney
Quick hit: I know Law firm is everyone's binky, but again too many players, too few spots. Morris has played some FB BTW.
Tight end (3): Baker, Watson, Thomas
Quick hit: Thomas simply manned up and beat out Smith. I think BB might want to keep 4 guys, but thats a luxury we can't afford. More power to the defense. The offense will be OK.
Receiver (6): Moss, Welker, Galloway, Edelman, Lewis, Aiken
Quick hit: I was expecting Edelman to be on the PS, but thats won't happen now. He wouldn't make it through wavers. The Pats will carry 6 WRs with Edelman and Aiken making most of their contributions on STs
Offensive line (8): Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kaczur, Vollmer, Ohrnberger, Hochstein,Britt/OCallahan
Quick hit: Lavoir starts the season on PUP and the winner of the Britt/OCallahan battle gets the 8th roster spot....for now. The rookies they like go to the PS
Offense (23)
Defensive line (7): Warren, Wilfork, Seymour, Green, Brace, Pryor, Wright
Quick hit: Really like this group, the other rookie to the PS
Inside LBLinebacker (4): Mayo, Guyton, Bruschi, Lenon/Alexander/Williams
Quick hit: You really only need 4 guys, since this will be the area where at least ONE ILB will be on the sidelines in EVERY passing situation (which these days is virtually every play). Alexander is still in the mix because of his special teams play, and his coverage ability.
I never saw Williams with the safeties once. He's a coverage ILB now and has a shot at THAT position only.
OLB -(6) Woods, Thomas, TBC, Burgess, Crable, Ninkovitch.
Quick hit - Yeah I know the last name will raise some eyebrow, but he can play some DE, STs, and long snap as well. He has some quickness, and I think he has a shot if BB cuts the offensive guys I mentioned to load up on the defense
Cornerback (5): Springs, Bodden, Wilhite, Butler, Wheatley
Quick hit: That was easy.
Safety (5): Meriweather, Sanders, Chung, McGowan, Ventrone/Slater/Richardson
Quick hit: The first 4 are givens and winner of Ventrone/Slater/Richardson get a STs/spare DB slot I just happen to put here
Defense (27)
Specialists (3): Gostkowski (K), Hanson (P), Ingram (LS)
Quick hit: Contract wise, Ingram makes the most sense. I feel for Hoddel, he didn't do anything to get cut....but he only makes the squad if BB decides he doesn't want to rely on a rookie, and thinks he can stash him on the PS
I think our offense is as talented as it can be, and in that vein can be cut down a bit, to load up on defense and STs. THATs where injuries are most likely to occur. BTW - I wouldn't be shocked to see BB go with only 3 ILBs, given Junior is ready to go. ILB is the new FB in the passing age.