I know it may be a bit early to discuss this, but given the quietness of the forum, the threads stretching in any all directions...I thought it might be time to see who is on the bubble this year.
<<<BUBBLE>>>
QB Brady, Cassel (BUBBLE) NONE
RB/FB Dillon, Faulk (BUBBLE) Evans, Pass
WR Branch, TBrown (BUBBLE) BJohnson, Childress
TE Graham, Watson (BUBBLE) NONE
OL Koppen(IR),Light(IR), Neal, Kaczur, Hochstein, Mankins (BUBBLE)
Mruczkowski, Yates, Gorin, Tucker
DL Seymour, Wilfork, Green, Warren (BUBBLE) Hill, Klecko, Thomas, Wright(IR)
LB Bruschi, Vrabel, Colvin, Beisel, Banta-Cain (BUBBLE) Izzo, Davis, Claridge(IR), Alexander (PSqd)
DB Hobbs, Samuel, Wilson, Harrison(IR), Sanders, Hawkins, Gay (BUBBLE) Poteat, GScott(IR), CScorrr(IR)
ST Miller, Paxton (BUBBLE) NONE
There were a few that were a bit harder and on the "bubble" of the bubble so to speak. Gorin I thought was close to being NOT on the bubble, but I could see cases where they might go young, more versatile and he would be the odd lineman out. On the other hand, Hochstein I think will make the squad as he is a solid backup inside at all 3 positions. With Koppen injured, he may start on PUP, leaving Hochstein as the experienced starter at C. Banta-Cain was another who I thought was close. ST wise, there may be better players, but he knows the system and with WIllie gone would at worst
be the 3rd OLB (Unless there is a large surprise in camp.) My thinking is he would stay at least another year. Gay might be closer to the bubble, but there would have to a vet added (like Law) and others would have to really shine before they would cut him. He would really have to totally sink; none of these seems likely.
As to others, with Mills in camp, he will push Evans and Pass for a FB spot.
Pass does have versatile play and that will help him. BethelJ has not been anywhere close to where he should be as a 2nd round pick. If he steps it up, great, but if he doesn't, he may be gone. (A trade now might be wise, if they feel he's a definite goner in camp.) As for the line, with so many in competition, it's hard to insure spots to those on the border. Tucker might be
more on an inside track (with Gorin), but I don't think that insures a spot.
Any of the 4, (Hill, Wright, Thomas or Klecko) could be gone, but with only draftee Smith and 2 UDFAs, one or two may stay. But as to who that might be, TC will tell all. I don't think Claridge is guaranteed a spot but he should make the 53. Izzo and Davis are vet STers but they are in competition with many others, which is the way it should be. Alexander has been on IR and the PSqd, but I believe he may have had his eligibity run out, having been on the Squad in 04 and 05 at times. POteat, and the Scotts given injuries and
depth of competition are certanly not sure roster spots.
I do think camp will be very competitive, which is all that any fan can ask for.
<<<BUBBLE>>>
QB Brady, Cassel (BUBBLE) NONE
RB/FB Dillon, Faulk (BUBBLE) Evans, Pass
WR Branch, TBrown (BUBBLE) BJohnson, Childress
TE Graham, Watson (BUBBLE) NONE
OL Koppen(IR),Light(IR), Neal, Kaczur, Hochstein, Mankins (BUBBLE)
Mruczkowski, Yates, Gorin, Tucker
DL Seymour, Wilfork, Green, Warren (BUBBLE) Hill, Klecko, Thomas, Wright(IR)
LB Bruschi, Vrabel, Colvin, Beisel, Banta-Cain (BUBBLE) Izzo, Davis, Claridge(IR), Alexander (PSqd)
DB Hobbs, Samuel, Wilson, Harrison(IR), Sanders, Hawkins, Gay (BUBBLE) Poteat, GScott(IR), CScorrr(IR)
ST Miller, Paxton (BUBBLE) NONE
There were a few that were a bit harder and on the "bubble" of the bubble so to speak. Gorin I thought was close to being NOT on the bubble, but I could see cases where they might go young, more versatile and he would be the odd lineman out. On the other hand, Hochstein I think will make the squad as he is a solid backup inside at all 3 positions. With Koppen injured, he may start on PUP, leaving Hochstein as the experienced starter at C. Banta-Cain was another who I thought was close. ST wise, there may be better players, but he knows the system and with WIllie gone would at worst
be the 3rd OLB (Unless there is a large surprise in camp.) My thinking is he would stay at least another year. Gay might be closer to the bubble, but there would have to a vet added (like Law) and others would have to really shine before they would cut him. He would really have to totally sink; none of these seems likely.
As to others, with Mills in camp, he will push Evans and Pass for a FB spot.
Pass does have versatile play and that will help him. BethelJ has not been anywhere close to where he should be as a 2nd round pick. If he steps it up, great, but if he doesn't, he may be gone. (A trade now might be wise, if they feel he's a definite goner in camp.) As for the line, with so many in competition, it's hard to insure spots to those on the border. Tucker might be
more on an inside track (with Gorin), but I don't think that insures a spot.
Any of the 4, (Hill, Wright, Thomas or Klecko) could be gone, but with only draftee Smith and 2 UDFAs, one or two may stay. But as to who that might be, TC will tell all. I don't think Claridge is guaranteed a spot but he should make the 53. Izzo and Davis are vet STers but they are in competition with many others, which is the way it should be. Alexander has been on IR and the PSqd, but I believe he may have had his eligibity run out, having been on the Squad in 04 and 05 at times. POteat, and the Scotts given injuries and
depth of competition are certanly not sure roster spots.
I do think camp will be very competitive, which is all that any fan can ask for.