Reiss Takes His Shot at the 53

[Box_O_Rocks]

I didn't get to watch the game, so I couldn't check myself so I am wonder: What is the makeup of special teams right now in terms of positions? With the changes to the wedge rules there was talk of using more TEs at one point - did this materialize? If so, it could explain the reasoning behind keeping more TEs?

TEs have always played a big role on Special Teams and did in this game, but you don't need four to meet the demand. The new wedge had Hochstein/Alex Smith and Connelly/Dave Thomas by half.

 

[RoughingthePasser]

Agreed. I can't see 6 WRs + 4 TEs + 5 RBs along with only 3 OTs. I think Levoir is a lock if healthy - he showed a lot last season.

I can't see Alexander or LeKevin Smith making the roster. I'm not convinced TBC makes it over Lenon. I can't see relying on Bruschi for much of a role. I'd like to see a way to keep Tank Williams. And I think Edelman will make it very hard to keep Slater and Ventrone.

We'll end up with 4 players covering OT.

TBC will make it over Lenon.
We need the DE/OLB pass rush-Lenon is an ILB...but than again so can't Tank...who knows.

I like Alexander better than Woods....Alexander has some serious speed on ST.

Pryor and Brace could squeeze LeKevin out. Potential there-They have great foot speed and penetration.

I need to see more from Edelman.

Cincy, Was and NYG will have their radars locked on this kid. I want to see consistency

 

[Jimke]

Mike Reiss's shot at the 53 appears to me to be the best 53 players on the

team regardless of position. Andrew Walter gets the benefit of the doubt

because he joined the team recently and does not have the system down

pat. Players like Alexander, Ciurciu, Lenon, Slater, and Ventrone are not

among the 53 top positional players. They will make the team on their

special teams play or not at all.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Agreed. I can't see 6 WRs + 4 TEs + 5 RBs along with only 3 OTs. I think Levoir is a lock if healthy - he showed a lot last season.

I can't see Alexander or LeKevin Smith making the roster. I'm not convinced TBC makes it over Lenon. I can't see relying on Bruschi for much of a role. I'd like to see a way to keep Tank Williams. And I think Edelman will make it very hard to keep Slater and Ventrone.

Based only on one preseason game and playing time: Alexander in, Tank Williams out. LeKevin Smith may not make the roster, but it will be tight. I need to see Lenon play, but if anyone goes to give Lenon a slot, look to Bruschi or maybe Alexander if Lenon can play teams as well. Edelman is much the same size as Slater and Ventrone, so he'll contribute heavily on teams unless Wes gets nicked up then he'll become Tommy's slot maven. BB has always kept 3-4 guys who were pure Special Teams, Slater and Edelman were the first team KR duo, for the moment Aiken and Ventrone are the two personal protectors/QBs, Alexander was in the middle of things on teams and spent the entire second half lining up Burgess, Crable, and Ninkovich at LB as the MLB. If BB and Scott O'Brien feel they can make-do with other players you may be right about core STs players, but it's more likely BB will opt to keep 3 or more core guys to build his units around.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

SPECIAL TEAM ACES
Aiken
Lewis
Banta-Cain
McGowan
Chung

Maybe, more like Lewis and Banta-Cain are position players who play on teams. McGowan was not that impressive on teams in this one game, we'll see how he does against Cincy, but based on this one game - he makes the team as a 4th S or he's gone.

 

[KevinFaulk-33]

Based only on one preseason game and playing time: Alexander in, Tank Williams out. LeKevin Smith may not make the roster, but it will be tight. I need to see Lenon play, but if anyone goes to give Lenon a slot, look to Bruschi or maybe Alexander if Lenon can play teams as well. Edelman is much the same size as Slater and Ventrone, so he'll contribute heavily on teams unless Wes gets nicked up then he'll become Tommy's slot maven. BB has always kept 3-4 guys who were pure Special Teams, Slater and Edelman were the first team KR duo, for the moment Aiken and Ventrone are the two personal protectors/QBs, Alexander was in the middle of things on teams and spent the entire second half lining up Burgess, Crable, and Ninkovich at LB as the MLB. If BB and Scott O'Brien feel they can make-do with other players you may be right about core STs players, but it's more likely BB will opt to keep 3 or more core guys to build his units around.

I think Ventrone can replace the 5th RB (BJGE). Thomas will be the FB/TE hybrid and so BB will carry 4 TE. Slater is a good STer, but I think that now he is behind Edelman, because the latter can play also on the offense. So Edelman replace Slater. Are we going to miss Washington?

 

[DarrylS]

If true that is 9 rookies making this team quite a bit younger.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I think Ventrone can replace the 5th RB (BJGE). Thomas will be the FB/TE hybrid and so BB will carry 4 TE. Slater is a good STer, but I think that now he is behind Edelman, because the latter can play also on the offense. So Edelman replace Slater. Are we going to miss Washington?

Who is your up man/lead blocker on KR? Slater was on KR the entire game with either Edelman or Nunn. Slater and Edelman got about the same return yardage running behind the same unit, Slater and Nunn struggled behind the second unit on teams.As of the Eagles game, Edelman is primary PR/KR, but you need a second guy and as of that same game the answer is Slater. As has been noted, there will be some very tough cuts this season. If Thomas is a primary H-back, they still only really need three TEs for their assignments.

 

[JD10367]

I agree with most of Reiss, although with Edelman around I wouldn't put it past them to go with only 2 QBs (Brady and Walter) to keep a 9th O-lineman.

The only questionable pick there is McGowan over Tank or Ventrone.

And I'm still not sure they don't trade Watson and go with three TEs.

 

[BPF]

Nice early try by Reiss. In my eyes it's either Lewis or Galloway though. My early money is on Lewis because BB seems to be very fond of him and has been for some time now, but time will tell.

 

[JSn]

Who did the tags for this one? 2007 Roster? lol

 

[mgteich]

I would take McGowan as my #4 safety. Wouldn't you?

Maybe, more like Lewis and Banta-Cain are position players who play on teams. McGowan was not that impressive on teams in this one game, we'll see how he does against Cincy, but based on this one game - he makes the team as a 4th S or he's gone.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I would take McGowan as my #4 safety. Wouldn't you?

At the moment, he's penciled in, though I would consider him alongside Richardson or Slater.

 

[spacecrime]

He also looks at his balance of forces and doesn't let greed for one position overwelm common sense. This is the most stacked preseason roster of BB's tenure, however many TEs he likes, he also has to have minimum numbers at the other roster spots, and there's some good talent in all areas.

But being stacked is a reason to KEEP players at the position, not cut them. Keep the best players. If he things all the TEs are great, he will keep them rather than keep a lesser player. What roster will go below his minimum by keep 4 TEs? Remember a couple years ago he had 3 CBs on the opening day roster, and once 2 QBs.

I know we all saw Smith miss some blocks and are willing to cut him for that, but BB probably casts a wider net for information about cutting or keeping a player.

 

[spacecrime]

Tough situation for Wheatley. He was a second rounder in 2008 and Wilhite was a 4th!

Shades of Wilson and Samuel.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

But being stacked is a reason to KEEP players at the position, not cut them. Keep the best players. If he things all the TEs are great, he will keep them rather than keep a lesser player. What roster will go below his minimum by keep 4 TEs? Remember a couple years ago he had 3 CBs on the opening day roster, and once 2 QBs.

I know we all saw Smith miss some blocks and are willing to cut him for that, but BB probably casts a wider net for information about cutting or keeping a player.

If we go by Reiss?

OT
DL
STs core

 

[patfanken]

After taking in data from everyone, here's my take and comments

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.

 

[spacecrime]

I have no problem with Mike's 53. I have not seen Taylor play this year so can't comment on him. If all goes to plan, I think that I would lose BJGE and keep an extra OL.

We can always pick up a RB later if needed.

Are you serious? Not having a RB at the end of the 2005 and 2006 seasons was disastrous.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

I know we all saw Smith miss some blocks and are willing to cut him for that, but BB probably casts a wider net for information about cutting or keeping a player.

I don't recall Smith missing blocks, I recall reading people complaining about him, but I don't remember it in the game.

 

[spacecrime]

Based only on one preseason game and playing time:

... Fred Taylor gets cut. I think you can make some observations based on playing time in the first preseason game, but not to make decisons of cuts.