My four are 9th OL, Mills, 4th RB, and either a 10th DB or a 9th LB.
We argued the 9th OL and Mills many times. I certainly hope that we do both. They are needed for backup and development.
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DO WE NEED NINE LINEBACKERS
Seven are need to play the position.
Colvin,Bruschi,Beisel,Vrabel,Banta-Cain,Claridge,Mincey
DO WE NEED TEN DEFENSIVE BACKS
Eight are need to play the position.
Samuel,Hobbs,Gay,Warfield/C.Scott
Harrison,Wilson,Hawkins,Sanders
DO WE NEED A FOURTH RUNNING BACK
Given the injury histories, I would think yes.
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WHICH FOUR SPECIAL TEAMERS DO WE KEEP?
Pass, Izzo, Mitchell,Jones, Guss Scott, Davis
My four are the first four.
We end up losing the ninth "linebacker", with Izzo or Davis.
arrellbee said:
I think you sort of have the right idea but are applying it a little too much. Consider that there are probably a minimum number of players that Belichick feels are needed at a particular position just as a matter of depth and some protection against injury (whether it is one or a few weeks or a season ending IR). It is highly unlikely, for example, that Belichick would go with only 4 WR. The tradeoffs for best player would be amongst, to make ONE example: a 6th WR, a 7th or (stretching it) 8th RB/TE, a 9th or 10th LB, a 9th OL, an 8th DL, a 10th or 11th DB. So, IF Belichick hasn't decided that this year he needs one of those marginal positions for depth and injury purposes, that leaves 4 roster slots to fill from 9 possible slots available. I think, in the heat of fans valuing and advocating that a particular player just HAS to be included in one of those 4 slots, it's easy to lose track of the fact that there are basically only those 4 swing slots. And, as has been observed in many threads and posts and in the media, special teams contribution is most likely the determining factor on who gets those 4 slots rather than that the player is going to make an everyday contribution in that position. Also something that isn't discussed much but has a very significant bearing on even who gets special teams slots - there are MANY different roles on special teams. For example, a LB type may be somewhat of a tradeoff with a DB type in certain roles on the special teams - but NOT all roles. Some have to be filled with a heavier LB type and some have to be filled by the faster DB. I think folks lose sight of the fact that a 53 man roster is actually quite tight for carrying as many players as you might want in each position. Here's the ONE example of what I talked about above:
CB/S ...9 + 1 or 2
LB .......8 + 1 or 2
DL .......7 + 1
QB ......3
RB/TE .6 + 1 or 2
WR .....5 + 1
OL ......8 + 1
K ........1
P ........1
LS...... 1
So, as I mentioned in my comments, this example would say that the base roster would be 49 players and there would be 4 slots available from amongst 9 possible marginal slots that the team might want to use.
Some pretty tough tradeoffs. So perhaps, in discussing a particular player that HAS to make the roster, it might be better context to talk about which other 3 players will make the roster with him but MORE IMPORTANTLY which 5 marginal positions and particular players you feel Belichick will make the tradeoff against this year.
My own guess at this point?
I think the 4 slots will likely be used for:
10th and 11th CB/S ........(11th slot will be ST slot that was 10th LB spot in the past)
9th LB ...........................(however, Belichick seems to like to carry 10 LB, so a 10th LB could take place of 11th DB)
7th RB/TE
Note also that my guess leaves the OL at 8, which is pretty thin, especially with another 2 rookies vying for spots. TOUGH tradeoffs.
