Reiss' Way Too Early roster projection

[BradyManny]

Formation may have been the wrong choice of words. Personnel grouping is probably better. How many times do you really want to take Gronk and Hernandez off the field? How many times do you want to have no RB at all? Sure, there will be times when we go light and come out with 4 WR and a RB/TE, maybe even a 5 WR set now and again, but you're telling me Edelman couldn't be the 5th WR in that grouping? Hell, even in desperation times like the end of the Super Bowl, we put an injured Gronk out there because of his height.

As for having one more weapon winning us the Super Bowl, we've already added TWO more in Lloyd and Gaffney (who both have experience in the system or similar systems), and they're among the 4 WR's with Branch rounding out the group.

As for ST being less important, I just don't agree. Punts can be game altering field position changers, and if no one else is as good as Edelman returning them, I'm ok letting him be the 5th WR who gets 2 snaps a game on offense if he breaks a 30 yard punt return in the 4th quarter.

Fair points all around.

Especially re: ST. Field position was a HUGE factor in the SB loss in fact.

So I'll backtrack a little.

But the fact remains - it comes down to value over replacement. Any player justifies his spot on the roster by proving value over another player who could be there.

Slater, White - guys like that provide so much value over the typical STer that they justify their lack of ability to contribute much on offense/defense.

Edelman has value in several areas and that is his worth. But let's say Stallworth is a gameday active as a guy who takes 5-10 snaps a game and can take a screenpass to the house, or go deep, and provides depth behind Lloyd & Gaffney in case of injury. Maybe that's more valuable than a guy like Sergio Brown, who is solid (and not elite) on ST and worthless on defense.

In regards to the numbers game at WR - we have replaced Branch and Ocho with Lloyd & Gaffney, and that is a huge upgrade. Maybe that simply is enough, with Branch being there as quality depth behind anybody. For me, it specifically comes down to Stallworth. I think he can be productive on this team, and I think he can have a niche role on this team that is of more value than another ST guy.

Maybe he and/or Branch are only active based upon the matchups. Maybe there are games where we just want 2TE, 2 WR. I just think its a weapon worth having on the 53.

 

[captain stone]

Tarpinian is an animal who will be a huge asset on ST's and rush the passer packages. Not an every down player but a great weapon.

But the poor kid hasn't stayed healthy the past 2 seasons - last year w/ the NEP,
and his senior year at Iowa.
If he makes it out of TC in one piece, I would prefer to see him on the PS, provided
he has such eligibility remaining.

 

[captain stone]

I'm in the thinking that 9 OL and 10 DB's should be the way to go in almost every season due to some of what you mentioned.

In this case, 9 total DB's may be kept if absolutely necessary, do the the versatility of a couple of guys who could play both positions. I would feel better with the 10th DB though, if it were up to me.

I would agree that Ebner would be the 4th safety.

The improvement on talent and versatility of these 2 positions (OL/DB) should improve both areas, as long as Mankins is back.

I think if a FB is kept, he would certainly be able to play the 'Heath Evans' role that you refer to. I'm not a big fan of the position on this particular roster, but apparently BB is.

I def. agree w/ the bolded part; and re: the FB, perhaps Spencer Larsen saves a roster/STer
spot (Tracy White? Tarpinian?) while also providing better blocking in short-yardage/GTG
situations than a TE or OLman would.

 

[Sicilian]

Fair points all around.

Especially re: ST. Field position was a HUGE factor in the SB loss in fact.

So I'll backtrack a little.

But the fact remains - it comes down to value over replacement. Any player justifies his spot on the roster by proving value over another player who could be there.

Slater, White - guys like that provide so much value over the typical STer that they justify their lack of ability to contribute much on offense/defense.

Edelman has value in several areas and that is his worth. But let's say Stallworth is a gameday active as a guy who takes 5-10 snaps a game and can take a screenpass to the house, or go deep, and provides depth behind Lloyd & Gaffney in case of injury. Maybe that's more valuable than a guy like Sergio Brown, who is solid (and not elite) on ST and worthless on defense.

In regards to the numbers game at WR - we have replaced Branch and Ocho with Lloyd & Gaffney, and that is a huge upgrade. Maybe that simply is enough, with Branch being there as quality depth behind anybody. For me, it specifically comes down to Stallworth. I think he can be productive on this team, and I think he can have a niche role on this team that is of more value than another ST guy.

Maybe he and/or Branch are only active based upon the matchups. Maybe there are games where we just want 2TE, 2 WR. I just think its a weapon worth having on the 53.

Definitely an interesting debate for sure. Stallworth seems to be the x-factor in this grouping, as his big play ability might be worth having for limited snaps and situations as you said. It's also entirely possible that we replace Edelman's contributions with (just as a hypothetical example) Vereen (PR), and improved depth at DB which covers both the defense and ST coverage abilities. That would make it a lot easier to carry the 5th regular WR.

The wonderful thing is, we have a lot of options going into camp, which makes it fun and gives BB the best chance possible to put together a winning combination.

 

[captain stone]

Players in parenthesis are replaced in my cut at the early lineup.
So much talent and depth this year. How many of the Patriot late cuts will be playing on other teams this season?

Quarterback (3): Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett





Running back (4): Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Danny Woodhead, (Joseph Addai) Brandon Bolden




Fullback (1): Spencer Larsen





Receiver (6): Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd, Jabar Gaffney, (Deion Branch), Donte Stallworth, Julian Edelman, Matthew Slater




Tight end (3): Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Daniel Fells




Offensive line (8): Nate Solder, Logan Mankins, Dan Connolly, Dan Koppen, Ryan Wendell, Sebastian Vollmer, Marcus Cannon, (Robert Gallery)..If Waters plays this season, drop Gallery.





Defensive tackle (5): Vince Wilfork, Kyle Love, Myron Pryor, Jonathan Fanene, Brandon Deaderick...I think Gerard Warren is cut at end of pre-season and on speed dial.





Defensive end/outside linebacker (4): Rob Ninkovich, Chandler Jones, Jake Bequette, Trevor Scott



Linebacker (6): Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Dont'a Hightower, Tracy White, Dane Fletcher, (Jeff Tarpinian) Markell Carter





Cornerback (6): Devin McCourty, Kyle Arrington, Ras-I Dowling, (Will Allen) Marquice Cole, Sterling Moore, Alfonzo Dennard





Safety (4): Patrick Chung, Steve Gregory, Tavon Wilson, Nate Ebner





Specialists (3): Stephen Gostkowski (kicker), Zoltan Mesko (punter), Danny Aiken (snapper)

I wouldn't be so quick to drop Gallery, even if Waters returns. Mankins & Vollmer have unresolved health issues, and Cannon's ability to complete an entire OTA/TC/reg. season remain unknown.

Otherwise, no major quibbles, because the WR & LB logjams will eventually work themselves out.

 

[Spergon Wynn]

I wouldn't be so quick to drop Gallery, even if Waters returns. Mankins & Vollmer have unresolved health issues, and Cannon's ability to complete an entire OTA/TC/reg. season remain unknown.

I agree. I also think that Gallery is a guy Belichick really likes. I think he makes the team, Waters or not.