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It is always a struggle when I list Francis as a lock. Perhaps the analysis of many is incorrect.
I would agree that all your listed players are "locks" to make the team.
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CLICK HERE to Register for a free account and login for a smoother ad-free experience. It's easy, and only takes a few moments.It is always a struggle when I list Francis as a lock. Perhaps the analysis of many is incorrect.
I am not comfortable with the backup DT position at all. Beyond Kelly and Wilfork, the Patriots have nothing of note. This is very bad, and unusual. The Patriots have almost always had stout bodies in the middle to back up the starters. Now, they got nothing it it is very bad.
Maybe Armstead? But, we haven't seen anything out of him.
I would say that it's a toss up between DT and CB as far as depth goes. One injury to either of those positions and the Patriots are extremely thin when it comes to having a quality back up.
This is what I have; I really don’t want to cut Cole, but given the investments we have in Bequette and Wilson, along with the potential in a player like Buchanan I feel like we need to keep them over a journeyman CB/ST player who’s unlikely to latch on elsewhere so I feel he could be brought back in the season.
If Armstead comes off PUP I see Cunningham, or Francis getting the cut.
DE (6) Jones, Ninkovich, Benard, Francis, Buchanan, Bequette
DT (4) Wilfork, Kelly, Forston, Cunningham
ILB(3) Spikes, Fletcher, Beauharnais
OLB(3) Mayo, Hightower, Collins
CB (5) Talib, Dennard, Arrington, Dowling, Ryan
SS (3) Wilson, Gregory, Wilson
FS (2) McCourty, Harmon
I would say that it's a toss up between DT and CB as far as depth goes. One injury to either of those positions and the Patriots are extremely thin when it comes to having a quality back up.
This is a nice listing. I think you'd have to be pretty close, aside from give/take on a player. Like you said, we'd have to get it down to 25 at a minimum so either Cunningham/Francis would likely be the one to go.
Tough cuts for Cole, Ebner, one of Cunnigham/Francis, and possibly even Bequette...
Bequette has shown nothing that I'm aware of. At this point he has the potential to be Cunningham, if he gets injured so we actually have an excuse for him doing nothing.
I don't think draft picks pay dividends, so I don't know what this investment is.
The 21 players below will likely get almost all the reps. There are many developmental players here, so we NEED not use the last roster spots for developmental players. We also have added some solid special teamers (for example, Fletcher is back).
We all have our favorites. I don't think that any of them are a must-have.
I suspect that what we need is simply additional depth in every unit: DE, DT, LB/ST and DB, likely one player for each. I would be fine with the players now on the team winning these spots. I would also be fine with late free agent additions making the team (DT seems most likely).
21 MAN DEFENSE
DE (4) Jones, Ninkovich, Francis, Benard
DT (3) Wilfork, Kelly, Forston
ILB(2) Spikes, Fletcher
OLB(3) Mayo, Hightower, Collins
CB (4) Talib, Dennard, Arrington, Ryan
SS (2) Wilson, Wilson
FS (3) McCourty, Gregory, Harmon