The last three roster spots

[mgteich]

1) We're not keeping 4 QB's
2) We are keeping 3 TE's (unless Belichick has resigned from his coaching position)
3) I have no problem with Spann over Webster and Richardson for the 4th CB spot.
4) I can't see Guyton and Ventrone over Izzo and Alexander
5) I don't need 8 WR's. I have 6 WR's, 3 TE's and 5 RB's. That's enough guys to catch the ball.
6) Aiken isn't need at gunner. As you point out we ahve Washington, Wheatley and Wilhite.
I also keep Alexander and Woods.

MGTEICH - I always enjoy reading what you have to say ... I disagree slightly. Position flexibility and getting younger at LB are the keys here. Larry Izzo plays special teams only and cannot play the ILB position in the 3-4. Izzo was third on the team for special teams tackles (Alexander was 2nd Woods was 1st). OLB Justin Rogers, who we cut last year and was picked up by Dallas had as many or more special teams tackles than either Alexander or Izzo. We have seen what Alexander has done at ILB, and I for one don't like what I have seen. Guyton has been the media darling the first week of practice and it remains to be seen if he can carry that through the entire pre-season. However, having 4.45 speed for a player that can play either ILB or OLB is a huge plus. Izzo is a proven veteran that BB loves, but if Guyton can show up on special teams, I think we have to go with youth over experience.

Ventrone and Slater play both WR/S and special teams. Slater should be the KO return guy along with Jordan. Washington and Aiken gives the Patriots the best gunner combo they have ever had. That would be 8 players that can play WR. If we are going to use 3 and 4 WR sets we need depth at this position. I see Washington taking over as the Special Teams captain.

Jordan can play an H-Back role as a 3rd TE or have Hochstein line up there as a blocker.



Mark’s Roster Projection 8/3

OFFENSE (22)
QB - 4 Brady, Cassell, Gutierrez, O’Connell
RB – 4 Faulk, Maroney, Morris (ST), Jordan (KR)
C - 1 Koppen
G - 3 Hochstein, Mankins, Yates,
OT - 4 Light, O'Callaghan, Kaczur, Britt
WR - 4 Moss, Gaffney, Welker, Jackson
TE - 2 Watson, Thomas

DEFENSE (21)
DE - 4 Warren, Green, Seymour, S. Thomas
DT - 2 Wilfork, L Smith
OLB- 3 Vrabel, A Thomas, Woods,
ILB- 4 Bruschi, Mayo, Hobson, Williams
CB - 4 Hobbs, Bryant, Wheatley (Gunner), Wilhite (Gunner)
S - 4 J. Sanders, Harrison, Meriweather, Spann

SPECIALISTS (3)
P - 1 Hanson
K - 1 Gostkowski
LS - 1 Paxton

SPECIAL TEAMS (7)
Slater (KR/WR/S), Ventrone (WR/S), Guyton (ILB), Evans (FB), Crable (OLB), Aiken (WR/Gunner), Washington (WR/Gunner)

PS Spach, Richardson, Connolly, Eckel, Redd, CJ Jones, McMahon or Martin, Ruud?

PUP - Neal, Wright

Cuts – Izzo, Alexander, Pollard, L. Sanders, Webster, Ross, Stokes

IR – Clement

Inactives – O’Connel, Guttierez (3rd QB), S. Thomas, Green, Ventrone, Spann

 

[14thDragon]

Law, Seau, and Wilhite ???

THE FINAL THREE ( PICK 3)
Webster, Alexander, Izzo, (Wilhite) (Aiken), (Eckel), (L. Sanders),
(Spann), (Richardson), (Guyton), (Redd), (Ruud), (Ventrone)

From those, I am taking Aiken, Spann, and Richardson.

But since I love this start of August game.....

------- Game Dressed 46* ------------------
OFFENSE (23)
QB - 3 Tom Brady, Simms**, O’Connell
RB - 4 Faulk, Maroney, Morris, Jordan
FB - 1 Evans
C - 1 Koppen
G - 3 Mankins, Yates, Hochstein
OT - 3 Light, O'Callaghan, Kaczur,
WR - 5 Moss, Gaffney, Welker, Washington, Aiken/(Chad Jackson)
TE - 3 Watson, D. Thomas, Pollard/(Spach)

DEFENSE (19)
DE - 3 Warren, Green, Seymour
DT - 2 Wilfork, L.K. Smith,
OLB- 3 Vrabel, AD. Thomas, Woods
ILB- 3 Bruschi, Mayo, Hobson,
CB - 3 Hobbs, Bryant, Wheatley,
S - 4 Sanders, Harrison, Meriweather, Williams,

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



* 3rd QB can dress but not play unless the other two do not return
** My super double secret surprise roster move with Gutz and Cassel cut for a guy with starting experience.

Inactives (7)
T - Britt
G - Ross
DT - S. Thomas
OLB - Crable
ILB - Guyton
S - Spann
CB - Richardson

PUP (2)
G - Neal
DT - Wright


Izzo is one of those odd cases, I could see going with only 2 TE on the game day roster and putting Izzo back in on ST. But I am giving Pollard or Spach the edge due to the flux on the OL. Could use some extra TE production to offset the disruption. If so, then I would send Guyton to the PS and leave Izzo on the 53 and put the 3rd TE as inactive.

 

[Section103]

I see Washington and Aiken as a pick 'em. We keep one and not both. From the sounds of it Aiken has shown more in TC. Slater seems like a lock for his special teams ability and flexibility at WR or Safety. I say they keep 5-6WRs. The '6th' being Slater.

Spann makes the team as will both rookie CBs that were drafted. I would not be pruprised if Webster and Lewis are gone and Richardson sticks. It is quite possible that Tank does not have as much of a role as we think but I have him sticking for now... Surprise cut of the year... Morris?? I can see it happening, but I doubt it. So long Eckel..

OFFENSE (24)
QB - 3 Brady, Cassell, O’Connell
RB – 5 Faulk, Maroney, Morris, Jordan, Evans
C - 1 Koppen
G - 3 Hochstein, Mankins, Yates (Neal on PUP for now)
OT - 4 Light, O'Callaghan, Kaczur, Britt
WR - 5 Moss, Gaffney, Welker, Jackson, Aiken
TE - 3 Watson, Thomas, Spach

DEFENSE (25)
DE - 4 Warren, Green, Seymour, S. Thomas
DT - 25 Wilfork, L Smith,
OLB- 5 Vrabel, A Thomas, Woods, Crable
ILB- 4 Bruschi, Mayo, Hobson, Guyton
CB - 6 Hobbs, Bryant, Wheatley , Wilhite, Richardson, Spann
S - 4 J. Sanders, Harrison, Meriweather, Williams

SPECIALISTS (3)
P - 1 Hanson
K - 1 Gostkowski
LS - 1 Paxton

Swiss Army Knife (1)
Slater (KR/WR/S)

 

[tombonneau]

I think positional roster count your 50-man is pretty spot on.

Wilhite I think is a lock to make the team.

I see the other two spots going to DB & LB, though who they are is anyone's guess.

I'll say Guyton & Richardson, but could just as easily be Alexander & Spann, or Alexander & Webster.

 

[Urgent]

This roster talk in general leads to thoughts about who has been impressing in training camp, and who hasn't.

QB:
Cassell is clearly getting the most time with the first offense among the three back-ups.
O'Connell has the higher pedigree compared to Gutierrez. I'd say this squeezes out Gutierrez.
UP: Cassell
DOWN: Gutierrez

RB:
All four have different strengths, and have looked good.
Eckel has not been in the reports for anything, and looks like he is odd man out.
UP: Jordan
DOWN: Eckel

WR:
Intense competition. The front three - Moss/Welker/Gaffney - are locked in and playing well. Then we have three to five "receivers" struggling to make the team based on special teams - including Washington, Jackson, Aiken, Ventrone, and Slater. Slater has far exceeded expectations as a returner. Aiken is consistently praised for his ST work. Washinton was a top ST performer last year. Jackson has all kinds of talent but has consistently struggled as a receiver -- he is also getting some looks at PR.
UP: Aiken, (Slater)
DOWN: Jackson

TE:
No blocking end has emerged.
Pollard has exceeded expectations - but offers nothing Watson and Thomas don't, other than longevity.
UP: Pollard
DOWN: Blocking TE's (Spach et al)

OL:
Too many injuries to count anyone out, but there are a clear top nine, and then a huge drop-off. Most folks develop a consistent outlook here.

DL:
With Wright and Green out on PUP, hard to judge right now. I haven't heard enough from Titus, S. Thomas, or Fifita to have any guess on whether one of those three makes it as a sixth DL.
UP: Incomplete
DOWN: Incomplete

LB:
All sorts of interesting stuff here.
At OLB: Vrabel has been out, and Woods has had a lot of time as the #1 opposite Thomas. Crable has been up and down. Redd has mostly been injured, but has looked good when he's been in.
At ILB: Mayo has at least fulfilled expectations for a top 10 rookie. Hobson has disappointed. Guyton is a longshot, but flashes some ST capabilities. Alexander is totally under the radar - not a good sign. Then we have Tank Williams in the mix, who has surprisingly had the majority of looks at ILB, above Hobson and Mayo.
UP: Williams, Mayo, Woods
DOWN: Hobson, Alexander

DB:
Another complicated field, with some players considered at LB, some at ST, and several missing big blocks of time.
At CB: Bryant has drawn praise. Wheatley hasn't embarrassed himself. Webster was running with the one's before getting injured and missing the last 10 practices. Lewis Sanders has also flown under the radar.
At S: Big improvement in Meriweather. Tank Williams has been playing more LB than S. Harrison and James Sanders have missed lots of time, with Sanders still out. Lots of praise for Spann.

UP: Bryant, Wheatley, Meriweather, Spann
DOWN: Webster (due to injury), Sanders

 

[patsox23]

I don't think there's any way Wilhite doesn't make the team. They need to get younger on D and he was a valuable-ish draft pick who has, by all accounts, comported himself well enough to be a bit of a factor as secondary depth.

 

[tombonneau]

I don't think there's any way Wilhite doesn't make the team. They need to get younger on D and he was a valuable-ish draft pick who has, by all accounts, comported himself well enough to be a bit of a factor as secondary depth.

Agreed 100%. Plus, bonus points for working "comported" into your post.

 

[14thDragon]

I don't think there's any way Wilhite doesn't make the team. They need to get younger on D and he was a valuable-ish draft pick who has, by all accounts, comported himself well enough to be a bit of a factor as secondary depth.

Well, it is him/Webster/Richardson. So hey, one to the PS the other on the squad. I will see how he looks in the pre-season.

 

[VJCPatriot]

We look thin at CB with only 3 on your list? Cutting LBs down, we're going to lose some quality guys there. But the guys that remain will form a strong unit. Do we really need 4 players at NT when we run a 3-4 D?? Otherwise looks ok, this team is poised to have a real good year. Maybe not 2007 good in terms of breaking records, but the talent is there to make a hard run at the championship again. Does anybody think the Giants can repeat? I don't. And I definitely don't want to see either Manning getting another ring, not on Brady's watch.

 

[Pats726]

PS Spach, Richardson, Connolly, Eckel, Redd, CJ Jones, McMahon or Martin, Ruud?

I think there is much speculaton about all...as for the PSQuad..Eckel would not be eligible...too many games played.. I think there are probably 15-16 that COULD be PSquaders..THAT is an area that will be interesting...and they may keep players for a position..as well as for development..

 

[Patriotis]

At this very early point here's what I think. Obviously it's very early and the final 3-4 spots can change. At this point I like Guyton in a mild surprise over Izzo and Alexander at LB and I also like Spann inching out Richardson at DB. If the Pats go with 2 TE's I think Santonio Thomas or Fifta will be the beneficiary of the extra spot.

Offense (26)
QB's - (3) Brady, Gutierrez and O'Connell.
RB's - (5) Maroney, Jordan, Morris, Faulk and Evans.
WR's -(6) Moss, Welker, Gaffney, Washington, Jackson and Sam Aiken.
TE's - (3) Watson, Thomas and Pollard or Spach. Tough call because Watson, Thomas and Pollard are all very similar. Spach is the better blocker. This could be where the Pats save a roster spot and keep only 2 with Evans playing here occassionaly.
OL - (9) Light, Britt, Mankins, Hochstein, Koppen, Neal, Yates, Kaczur and O'Callaghan. If Neal starts the year on PUP, I go with Oliver Ross if and when healthy and if not Stokes. Ross can play both G and T and is a solid vet while also younger than Stokes with the ability to start and fill in for a longer period of time.

Defense (23)
DL - (6) Seymour, Warren, Wilfork, Smith, Green and Wright. If Wright starts year on PUP then Fifta and Thomas have a shot.
LB's - (8) Vrabel, Woods, Hobson, Mayo, Bruschi, Thomas, Crable and Guyton.
DB's - (9) Bryant, Wilhite, Hobbs, Wheatley, Spann, Harrison, Williams, Sanders and Meriweather.

ST's
(4)
PK - Gostkowski
P - Hanson
LS - Paxton
KR - Slater

Not bad but no 3rd TE instead a defensive lineman makes it, probably S.Thomas, or 1 more linebacker, which would be a tough call and I'd go with Alexander because of his experience in our system both inside and outside.

 

[mgteich]

If you are talking about my original list, I have 1-2 additional corners in the final three. I think two is most likely: Wilhite and one more, hopefully Law (but could be Spann, Richardson or Webster). I suspect that we should be presuming at least one lineman on the PUP list, opening a position or two since we are unlikely to add an additional backup.

We look thin at CB with only 3 on your list? Cutting LBs down, we're going to lose some quality guys there. But the guys that remain will form a strong unit. Do we really need 4 players at NT when we run a 3-4 D?? Otherwise looks ok, this team is poised to have a real good year. Maybe not 2007 good in terms of breaking records, but the talent is there to make a hard run at the championship again. Does anybody think the Giants can repeat? I don't. And I definitely don't want to see either Manning getting another ring, not on Brady's watch.

 

[BPF]

Not bad but no 3rd TE instead a defensive lineman makes it, probably S.Thomas, or 1 more linebacker, which would be a tough call and I'd go with Alexander because of his experience in our system both inside and outside.

Looks like Ross could be more hurt than we think and is looking more and more like Neal is headed towards PUP and out the 1st 6 weeks. In that case I like the new signing to make it, Welbourn.

 

[BPF]

Here's one reason why I say we only carry 6 DL this yr vs the 7 we typically do.

http://www.projo.com/patriots/content/sp_fbn_patriots05_08-05-08_CDB3ULR_v15.43a9f7c.html

Smith is active with good quickness. Does a nice job of firing out of his stance to win the initial push for positioning. He plays with proper leverage and balance, also pursues well and is a solid tackler. Needed to get better at disengaging, let's see what he looks like in pre-season. I have hopes for this kid.