Reiss breaks down the Roster

[DefenseRules]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/reiss_pieces/

Roster breakdown
After adding nine draft picks and receiver Randy Moss this past weekend, the Patriots now have 78 players on the roster (includes those who have not signed tender offers).

The Patriots had 85 players on their roster entering 2006 training camp, and if they are planning on a similar number this year, that means about seven more players will be added as rookie free agents.

The Patriots are in the process of finalizing some of those rookie free agent signings -- such as BC defensive back Larry Anam, Texas A&M linebacker Justin Warren, Idaho State quarterback Matt Gutierrez, UTEP defensive lineman Zach West and Northern Illinois tight end Jake Nordin -- but for now those players won't be included in the mix.

Here is the revamped roster breakdown, with a quick comment at each position:

Defensive line (9):
Kareem Brown
Marquise Hill
Jarvis Green
Richard Seymour
Le Kevin Smith
Santonio Thomas
Ty Warren
Vince Wilfork
Mike Wright
QUICK HIT: Brown, the team's fourth-round pick, is the lone addition. He faces an uphill climb for a roster spot as this is one of the deepest positions on the roster.

Linebacker (10)
Eric Alexander
Tedy Bruschi
Rosevelt Colvin
Larry Izzo
Oscar Lua
Corey Mays
Justin Rogers
Adalius Thomas
Mike Vrabel
Pierre Woods
QUICK HIT: Seventh-round pick Lua (inside linebacker) and sixth-rounder Rogers (outside linebacker) are the additions, although the team appears to be thin on depth after the top four of Bruschi, Colvin, Thomas and Vrabel. The team had 14 linebackers entering camp last year.

Cornerback (9)
Randall Gay
Ellis Hobbs
Eddie Jackson
Tory James
Mike Richardson
Asante Samuel
Chad Scott
Antwain Spann
Gemara Williams
QUICK HIT: Richardson, a sixth-round pick, joins the mix. The big question is what happens with Asante Samuel and his franchise-tag situation.

Safety (8):
Willie Andrews
Rashad Baker
Rodney Harrison
Artrell Hawkins
Brandon Meriweather
Mel Mitchell
James Sanders
Eugene Wilson
QUICK HIT: Meriweather, the team's first-round pick, should be an immediate factor, at the very least in sub packages. If he does well enough to start, it could move Wilson to more cornerback duty.

Offensive line (14):
Brian Barthelmes
Wesley Britt
Mike Elgin
Corey Hilliard
Russ Hochstein
Nick Kaczur
Dan Koppen
Matt Light
Logan Mankins
Gene Mruczkowski
Stephen Neal
Ryan O'Callaghan
Clint Oldenburg
Billy Yates
QUICK HIT: Elgin (seventh round), Hilliard (sixth) and Oldenburg (fifth) join the group, but all are longer-term prospects, as the top end of the line is well solidifed.

Quarterback (2):
Tom Brady
Matt Cassel
QUICK HIT: No draft picks added for the second straight year. Also looks like the second year in a row that the Patriots will open the year with just two quarterbacks on the active roster, unless a veteran free agent is added.

Wide receiver (10):
Reche Caldwell
Bam Childress
Jabar Gaffney
Chad Jackson
Kelvin Kight
Randy Moss
Jonathan Smith
Donte' Stallworth
Kelley Washington
Wes Welker
(doesn't include Troy Brown, who could return depending on his health)
QUICK HIT: Moss, Stallworth and Welker project to give defenses fits in three-wide sets, while the competition should be intense for the remaining 2-3 roster spots.

Running back (6):
Heath Evans
Kevin Faulk
Justise Hairston
Quadtrine Hill
Laurence Maroney
Sammy Morris
QUICK HIT: Hairston, a sixth-round pick, is the newcomer. Maroney had offseason shoulder surgery and the Patriots could still yet add another player at the position.

Tight end (5):
Kyle Brady
Matt Kranchick
Garrett Mills
David Thomas
Benjamin Watson
QUICK HIT: The Patriots didn't draft a tight end for the first time in the Bill Belichick/Scott Pioli regime (2000-2007).

Specialists (5):
Danny Baugher (punter)
Stephen Gostkowski (kicker)
Tom Malone (punter)
Josh Miller (punter)
Lonie Paxton (long snapper)
QUICK HIT: No draft picks added.

This roster is loaded.

 

[Commander Shears]

Brown, the team's fourth-round pick, is the lone addition. He faces an uphill climb for a roster spot as this is one of the deepest positions on the roster.

I can't say I agree with that. If a fourth round pick doesn't make the roster, somebody would have some explaining to do.
Marquise and Le Kevin are a different story.

 

[cblesz]

Do we really need 3 punters and Lonnie Paxton as a long snapper. We will probably not have to punt all season...

 

[zoostation]

QUICK HIT: Brown, the team's fourth-round pick, is the lone addition. He faces an uphill climb for a roster spot as this is one of the deepest positions on the roster.

I wouldn't be surprised if they convert Brown into an ILB.

 

[JustWinBrady]

QUICK HIT: Brown, the team's fourth-round pick, is the lone addition. He faces an uphill climb for a roster spot as this is one of the deepest positions on the roster.

I wouldn't be surprised if they convert Brown into an ILB.

Brown is 300 lbs. I don't think LB is in his future.

 

[VJCPatriot]

QUICK HIT: Brown, the team's fourth-round pick, is the lone addition. He faces an uphill climb for a roster spot as this is one of the deepest positions on the roster.

I wouldn't be surprised if they convert Brown into an ILB.

A 300 lb ILB? Umm I think he's strictly DE/DT material. Just a hunch.

 

[BPF]

Brown is 300 lbs. I don't think LB is in his future.

Exactly. Kevin Winter on 890 ESPN asked Larry Shannon about this yesterday. Shannon said no way a LB move would happen, Brown doesn't have the quickness and he is too big. Shannon also said he is a stout run defender that can free up LB's to make plays, Brown is a good pash rusher as well. Said he was their most consistent DL over the past two years.