Who are the starters right now?

[tonyto3690]

On offense, you have Cannon vs. Connolly for starting RG, with Cannon currently in the lead.

I just want to point out that Belichick/Brady/Scar value continuity on the OL and Cannon has never really showed anything at RG while Connolly has. My personal take is the only reason Cannon is getting first team reps is because Connolly hasn't been cleared to play- he's been sitting out.


EDIT:
Maybe Cannon shows enough and the Patriots cut Connolly to save money, but that'd be surprising.

 

[Brady6]

This is based off of the most recent training camp practice, using the depth chart presented by which players ran with which team.

A true X receiver needs to be able to consistently beat press coverage. As of right now, Thompkins is better than Dobson in that area. While Dobson could certainly improve, this is a projection based on what we've seen so far. Dobson is definitely running with the 1s though, and he's an outside guy, so he'd play the Z receiver in a manner similar to how Anquan Boldin did in Arizona and Baltimore. Amendola plays the slot.

The Patriots have seemingly made an emphasis of getting bigger and faster at WR this year. Even though half of the WRs on the roster are rookies, they are also bigger, faster, and arguably have a higher ceiling than any WR core going back to 2010.

Two big-bodied players on the outside, a bigger, shiftier player in the slot, and an athletic pass catching tight end seem to be the format the Patriots want for now.

Cool thank you for the excellent explanation, I honestly do not know at ton about Thompkins so I was curious.

 

[Brady6]

I just want to point out that Belichick/Brady/Scar value continuity on the OL and Cannon has never really showed anything at RG while Connolly has. My personal take is the only reason Cannon is getting first team reps is because Connolly hasn't been cleared to play- he's been sitting out.


EDIT:
Maybe Cannon shows enough and the Patriots cut Connolly to save money, but that'd be surprising.

Connolly was our worst starter last season, Cannon was a 2-3 round talent who slipped due to his cancer diagnoses. Entering his 3rd NFL season I think he is primed to win the starting position. He also has the potential to be a dominate force at RG.

I wouldn't cut Connolly, he can play all 3 interior positions at starter level.

I do think it allows us to consider having just 7 OL on our 53, the starting 5, Svitek as the swing OT and Connolly as the backup for all 3 interior positions. Obviously you'd want keep some OL like Zusevics on the PS ready to step up if need be.




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[mgteich]

I could be wrong. It happens.

I don't think that Belichick has ever had started with 7 OL's on the 53. When we have 7 active, we can't exactly count on the Practice Squad for backups. Sometimes, these guys get signed by someone else.

I'm OK with Cannon or Connolly at RG, even with Cannon's inexperience at the position. The key thing is for Connolly to get healthy.

Connolly was our worst starter last season, Cannon was a 2-3 round talent who slipped due to his cancer diagnoses. Entering his 3rd NFL season I think he is primed to win the starting position. He also has the potential to be a dominate force at RG.

I wouldn't cut Connolly, he can play all 3 interior positions at starter level.

I do think it allows us to consider having just 7 OL on our 53, the starting 5, Svitek as the swing OT and Connolly as the backup for all 3 interior positions. Obviously you'd want keep some OL like Zusevics on the PS ready to step up if need be.




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[Brady6]

I could be wrong. It happens.

I don't think that Belichick has ever had started with 7 OL's on the 53. When we have 7 active, we can't exactly count on the Practice Squad for backups. Sometimes, these guys get signed by someone else.

I'm OK with Cannon or Connolly at RG, even with Cannon's inexperience at the position. The key thing is for Connolly to get healthy.

I agree brother, I was just saying its an option. A very unlikely one but given the versatility of the group we are fortunate to be able to consider it at least initially if we are trying to sneak a guy onto PS once rosters settle around the league.


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[mgteich]

Yup, we could keep a 7 man OL roster if we had alternative plans to fill a roster spot. Signing an injured McDonald when ready is one. Try to get an OL or 2 or 3 on the Practice Squad who is good enough for the roster is another (a dangerous option). A third is to have a couple of free agents who know that you have them on speed dial, until after Game One. Green could be such a player.

I didn't understand that you were discussing the first couple of weeks.

I agree brother, I was just saying its an option. A very unlikely one but given the versatility of the group we are fortunate to be able to consider it at least initially if we are trying to sneak a guy onto PS once rosters settle around the league.


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