There really aren't many roster decisions to make

[mgteich]

I have no problem with having the following three receivers active:
Stallworth, Welker, Caldwell/Washington(whichever we keep). Moss and Gaffney can recuperate on their own schedule. We do NOT need to have four receiver active. If we must, we can have a couple of receivers on the Practice Squad.

I think the Pats will keep 6 WRs. With both Gaffney and Moss out for an indefinite amount of time and Stallworth and Welker still struggling with some of their routes, I think the Pats are going to keep as many WRs as they can. I think Caldwell's experience with the offense and his blocking abilities (he is the best blocking WR on the roster), I think he is almost uncutable at this point in time especially if Gaffney is out of the line up going into the start of the season. I can't see the Pats starting the season with no WRs with prior real game experience in this offense on the active roster vs. the Jets.

I think Washington will be the sixth WR, but Childress may overtake him with a couple more good performances. Other than his two catches in the first game, Washington I have not heard or seen one thing positive about his ability on offense.

 

[RayClay]

Last I heard, nickel backs were listed as cornerbacks. The only exception, and it was that, is when we played the BIG NICKEL and used three safeties when we played five defensive backs. Meriweather is a nickel.

They may be listed as cornerbacks, but i don't want Meriweather or Troy Brown starting opposite Hobbs or (God forbid) gay if there's an injury.

I believe Sanders played some nickel the last couple years.

When I'm making a depth chart, my third and fourth cornerback is a cornerback, not a safety being worked in.

Terrel Buckley was a cornerback who we utilized as the nickel. Big difference.

 

[Rob0729]

I'd keep Richardson and cut James if he is as bad as people say. I didn't personally notice his play, but I've never seen a player get all negative comments from writers and posters.

Meriweather is not a cornerback, he's a safety. Tebucky Jones was a cornerback this time of year too.

If James can't play anymore, I'd try to pick up a vet who could still play corner in a pinch if our starters went down.

I'd say Richardson and Wilson should be working at corner.

Nickel is fine for Meriweather. Troy can play the slot and he's not a corner either.

I think the jury is still out on Merriweather being a CB, but I think you cannot compare Tebucky Jones to Brandon Merriweather.

First, Merriweather has successfully played CB in college even in limited play.

Also, Jones had a two cent head and millions dollars natural ability. The guy couldn't cover for the life of him even at the safety position. He was a much better run support player than in coverage. Merriweather, on the other hand, has the skills set to be a good CB because he seems to cover fairly well and can turn his hips like a CB.

 

[RayClay]

I think the jury is still out on Merriweather being a CB, but I think you cannot compare Tebucky Jones to Brandon Merriweather.

First, Merriweather has successfully played CB in college even in limited play.

Also, Jones had a two cent head and millions dollars natural ability. The guy couldn't cover for the life of him even at the safety position. He was a much better run support player than in coverage. Merriweather, on the other hand, has the skills set to be a good CB because he seems to cover fairly well and can turn his hips like a CB.

I'm not comparing them directly, though Poodle Pete was supposedly converting him to cornerback.

Just saying a true depth chart has Meriweather at safety, with possible versatility.

James is third, Richardson, Wilson has at least played it full time,

Hell, special teams guy Wesley has as much experience playing cornerback as anyone after the top three (I could be wrong, or could be right, it's hard to find out).

James has gotten rotten reviews, so I say keep Richardson and look for another cornerback who could start in a pinch. Even with Asante.

 

[mgteich]

fair enough

They may be listed as cornerbacks, but i don't want Meriweather or Troy Brown starting opposite Hobbs or (God forbid) gay if there's an injury.

I believe Sanders played some nickel the last couple years.

When I'm making a depth chart, my third and fourth cornerback is a cornerback, not a safety being worked in.

Terrel Buckley was a cornerback who we utilized as the nickel. Big difference.

 

[mgteich]

Please list the last NFL game in which Wilson started at corner. The reason Wilson is not playing corner in this preseason is that he is a safety and that bb doesn't want him playing corner. yes, I believe he'd rather Sanders or Meriweather play corner.

In the end, I agree with you that we should have a real third corner, presumably either James or Richardson.

I'm not comparing them directly, though Poodle Pete was supposedly converting him to cornerback.

Just saying a true depth chart has Meriweather at safety, with possible versatility.

James is third, Richardson, Wilson has at least played it full time,

Hell, special teams guy Wesley has as much experience playing cornerback as anyone after the top three (I could be wrong, or could be right, it's hard to find out).

James has gotten rotten reviews, so I say keep Richardson and look for another cornerback who could start in a pinch. Even with Asante.

 

[psychoPat]

I think I heard Yates recently practiced. Anyone else hear it?

Yates is back.
Breer ... and i believe someone else ... report it.

 

[Pats726]

They should keep 7 DLs with Seymour Warren dinged up some. I also think 6 receivers. Childress if he does NOT make the 53 will be on the PSqd. I agree many less decisions than I thought a few weeks ago.

 

[shakadave]

Hmmm...looking over your depth chart, I see as many as eleven jobs still in doubt. (Note that a couple of players appear in more than one row.)

OL: pick 2 of Yates, Mruczkowski, Elgin, Britt, Oldenberg (but I want Elgin and Oldenberg on practice squad)
TE: Mills vs. Rivers
DL: pick 2 of Smith, Moore, K. Brown
OLB: Rogers vs. C. Brown (Brown is only for shadow-roster purposes)
ST: pick 3 of Izzo, Wesley, Mitchell, Childress, Washington, Rogers
WR: Caldwell vs. Washington
CB: Richardson vs. James vs. Samuel (keep Richardson on PS)
Last guy: take your pick, but if Samuel returns at the 11th hour then one of the CBs is a good bet.

Teich, thanks for the thread! Above I've highlighted my choices to make the team, according to patchick's rules.

 

[DaBruinz]

All that's left is a little tweaking, as should be the case before the 3rd preseason game. There have been many decisions made in the last week.

We don’t need more than 5 receivers and 3 TE’s on the starting 53. After all, we will have two receivers and one TE on the PUP list.

Given the injury history of our OL’s, we probably should have nine on the roster who could start THIS year. I added Mruc if Yates goes on IR. The position they fill is backup G/C.

I have only two rooks making the squad: Meriweather and Kareem Brown.

Obviously, Rogers could beat out Chad Brown for the last linebacker spot.

---------------------------------------

AUGUST 21 MGTEICH’s 53 MAN ROSTER

OFFENSE 24
QB - 3 Brady, Cassell, Testaverde
RB - 3 Maroney, Morris, Faulk
FB - 1 Evans
C - 2 Koppen, Hochstein
G - 3 Neal, Mankins, Yates/(Mruczkowski)
OT - 4 Light, Kaycur, O'Callaghan, Britt
WR - 5 Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Gaffney, Washington/(Caldwell)
TE - 3 Watson, Brady, Rivers

DEFENSE 24
DE - 3 Seymour, Warren, Green
DT - 3 Wilfork, Wright, Le Kevin Smith
DL 0
LB - 5 Vrabel, Colvin, Thomas, Bruschi, Seau
CB - 4 Hobbs, Gay, Meriweather, James/(Richardson)/(Samuel)
S - 3 Wilson, Harrison, Sanders
ST 6 Alexander, Woods, Izzo, Andrews, Wesley, Mitchell

THE LAST TWO (could be any position)
2 Chad Brown/(Rogers), Kareem Brown

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

PUP
Brown
Thomas
Jackson
Jackson

IR
Scott
Hairston

PRACTICE SQUAD
Offense: Gutierrez, Elgin, Oldenberg, Mills
Defense: Rogers, Thomas, Rogers, Richardson

LAST CUTS
Moore, Kenny Smith, Mills, Richardson, Caldwell, Rogers

I think that Quinton Smith will be a practice squad player. Also, I believe that Elgin has passed Mruczkowski on the depth chart and that Elgin would make the team before Mruczkowski.

I wasn't real impressed with Santonio Thomas in the last game. Maybe it was that LeKevan Smith was tired and couldn't hold the nose, but Thomas also seemed to be getting thrown around.

I still haven't been impressed with Washington. On either kick-off coverage, punt coverage or as a receiver.

I don't see Tory James making this team. James had a horrible game against the Titans and James was going up against their 2nd/3rd stringers.

 

[PatsWickedPissah]

James is also a >$1M cap hit, not that we have real cap problems. But given their continued lackluster performance at best, he and Reche lose on the cap front when BB makes his 'value' decisions.

 

[dhamz]

I have no problem with having the following three receivers active:
Stallworth, Welker, Caldwell/Washington(whichever we keep). Moss and Gaffney can recuperate on their own schedule. We do NOT need to have four receiver active. If we must, we can have a couple of receivers on the Practice Squad.

I'm not really comfortable with limiting the formations and plays we can use on offense by only having 3 WRs active. And that doesn't even take into account what would happen if one got hurt. Now you can't run probably over half the playbook.

 

[patsox23]

I'll be shocked if the Patriots cut Richardson and KEEP Tory James. James has had a TERRIBLE camp and is much more expensive. Also, they may not NEED to, but the Patriots almost certainly will keep more than 5 WRs.

 

[RayClay]

Please list the last NFL game in which Wilson started at corner. The reason Wilson is not playing corner in this preseason is that he is a safety and that bb doesn't want him playing corner. yes, I believe he'd rather Sanders or Meriweather play corner.

In the end, I agree with you that we should have a real third corner, presumably either James or Richardson.

I'm going down the list. Wilson was a highly regarded corner coming out of college. I'm not happy to have to list him, but it shows, to me, the versatile S/C/ST players we have, with a lack of real corners.

I'm not thrilled with Hobbs and Gay as starters either. Hopefully Asante will pull his head out of his arse and screw it on right for a season.

Versatility is great, but you need some NFL quality corners first. If they can also play elsewhere, that's fine.

We have to keep Richardson IMO, fortunately,I think we lucked out there.

 

[Oswlek]

I'm going down the list. Wilson was a highly regarded corner coming out of college. I'm not happy to have to list him, but it shows, to me, the versatile S/C/ST players we have, with a lack of real corners.

I'm not thrilled with Hobbs and Gay as starters either. Hopefully Asante will pull his head out of his arse and screw it on right for a season.

Versatility is great, but you need some NFL quality corners first. If they can also play elsewhere, that's fine.

We have to keep Richardson IMO, fortunately,I think we lucked out there.

Aside from the injury history of both (mostly Blue) I don't quite get your pessimism there. Hobbs and Blue are a combo that IMHO is in the top half of the league. Where I see some issues is the depth after those two.

 

[RayClay]

Aside from the injury history of both (mostly Blue) I don't quite get your pessimism there. Hobbs and Blue are a combo that IMHO is in the top half of the league. Where I see some issues is the depth after those two.

I really doubt that.

If another team had a short 3rd round pick who was supposed to be a nickel starting opposite an undrafted free agent who's been hurt more than healthy in college and the pros, you would say they were very weak at cornerback.

Because they're on the Pats they're better than half the starters in the NFL?

You sure you don't have those rosy glasses on?

 

[Seymour93]

I really doubt that.

If another team had a short 3rd round pick who was supposed to be a nickel starting opposite an undrafted free agent who's been hurt more than healthy in college and the pros, you would say they were very weak at cornerback.

Because they're on the Pats they're better than half the starters in the NFL?

You sure you don't have those rosy glasses on?

Hobbs has been starting since 2005. Why is he supposed to be a nickel?

 

[RayClay]

Hobbs has been starting since 2005. Why is he supposed to be a nickel?

We put 6 DBs on the IR in 2005 if you recall.

Hobbs has played well. He's a little short, but has played himself into an adequate 2nd corner.

If you go back to 2005, we had Duane Starks playing and Hobbs sitting. He was forced in for lack of anyone else and has done well.

Gay and Hobbs are better than half the cornerback combos?

Yeah, that's objective.

If you saw the other team had an undrafted free agent at cornerback with 11 career starts, some at safety, some at nickel, I'm sure you'd say, "their starters are much better than ours".

Sure you would. Until Asante comes back we are tons better at safety and really whistling past the graveyard at corner.

 

[Fencer]

---------------------------------------

AUGUST 21 MGTEICH’s 53 MAN ROSTER

OFFENSE 24
QB - 3 Brady, Cassell, Testaverde
RB - 3 Maroney, Morris, Faulk
FB - 1 Evans
C - 2 Koppen, Hochstein
G - 3 Neal, Mankins, Yates/(Mruczkowski)
OT - 4 Light, Kaycur, O'Callaghan, Britt
WR - 5 Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Gaffney, Washington/(Caldwell)
TE - 3 Watson, Brady, Rivers

DEFENSE 24
DE - 3 Seymour, Warren, Green
DT - 3 Wilfork, Wright, Le Kevin Smith
DL 0
LB - 5 Vrabel, Colvin, Thomas, Bruschi, Seau
CB - 4 Hobbs, Gay, Meriweather, James/(Richardson)/(Samuel)
S - 3 Wilson, Harrison, Sanders
ST 6 Alexander, Woods, Izzo, Andrews, Wesley, Mitchell

THE LAST TWO (could be any position)
2 Chad Brown/(Rogers), Kareem Brown

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

PUP
Brown
Thomas
Jackson
Jackson

IR
Scott
Hairston

PRACTICE SQUAD
Offense: Gutierrez, Elgin, Oldenberg, Mills
Defense: Rogers, Thomas, Rogers, Richardson

LAST CUTS
Moore, Kenny Smith, Mills, Richardson, Caldwell, Rogers

Not a bad list. For once, you're down to 10 DBs, erasing my usual biggest complaint about your rosters.

I think given the ability (high) and durability (not so high) of the WRs, all 6 obvious vets warrant spots. However, one of the reasons for cutting the loser early is to do him a favor and let him catch on with another team. THAT said -- Hi Ken -- the WR health really looks pretty bad right now. So I wouldn't be shocked if Vinny yo-yoed on and off the roster to free an extra spot.

Also -- what exactly has Mitchell show in TC? I don't recall any reports of same.

 

[mgteich]

Mitchell is an established STer. But tou're right, he shouldn't be considered a lock. Baker could get th e spot, since he's the incumbant. I'll edit.