A Reflection On The Roster As We Approach Game One

[mgteich]

I understand that we haven't finalized the last 3 positions. Like others, I expect that we will add Aiken, White, and perhaps keep Jones for a week (or lose him now and add Thigpen or LB Davis).
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I wonder how different this roster is than what we expected a couple of months ago. It seems that the only surprises were the three annual late "one year early" veteran cuts: Mankins, Kelly and Mallett.
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OFFENSE
1) Garappolo looked good and Mallett was waived.
2) The OL kids were tested, and Mankins was the surprise veteran OL cut (instead of Wendell or Connolly).
3) We added a move TE.
4) Thompkins beat out Boyce for a roster spot.

To me, these changes were minor (except for Mankins). Our offense was #5 and should improve, primarily because of the maturation of the receivers and the expected improvement in TE production.
OUT: Mallet, Mankins
IN: Wright

DEFENSE
1) Defensive player were brought in, tested and found wanting.
2) Last year's kids and Easley were found to be good enough for Kelly to be waived.
3) We found a diamond in the rough in Butler at CB.

To me, these changes were minor. We were #10 and should be much better (because of Revis).
OUT: Kelly
IN: Butler

 

[zydecochris]

I understand that we haven't finalized the last 3 positions. Like others, I expect that we will add Aiken, White, and perhaps keep Jones for a week (or lose him now and add Thigpen or LB Davis).
=====================
I wonder how different this roster is than what we expected a couple of months ago. It seems that the only surprises were the three annual late "one year early" veteran cuts: Mankins, Kelly and Mallett.
=====================
OFFENSE
1) Garappolo looked good and Mallett was waived.
2) The OL kids were tested, and Mankins was the surprise veteran OL cut (instead of Wendell or Connolly).
3) We added a move TE.
To me, these changes were minor (except for Mankins). Our offense was #5 and should improve, primarily because of the maturation of the receivers and the expected improvement in TE production.
OUT: Mallet, Mankins
IN: Wright

DEFENSE
1) Defensive player were brought in, tested and found wanting.
2) Last year's kids and Easley were found to be good enough for Kelly to be waived.
3) We found a diamond in the rough in Butler at CB.
4) Thompkins beat out Boyce.
To me, these changes were minor. We were #10 and should be much better (because of Revis).
OUT: Kelly
IN: Butler

A very nice summary, and it will be interesting to see what happens after the 4 week suspensions are up.

If I was going to add one, it would be:
DEFENSE:
Wilfork looks remarkably recovered.

Perhaps that was obvious to some, but it wasn't to me. With that type of injury, his weight, and his age, I really feared that he would would be a shadow of himself this season (particularly early on). Instead, he seems to be doing fantastic, which in my opinion has been one of the biggest pluses of the offseason.

 

[Fencer]

Typo alert: You have Thompkins/Boyce on defense.

 

[Fencer]

Anyhow, compared to the start of last season:

• The personnel is, as you observe, similar overall.
• Revis replaced Talib; Browner and Butler were also added.
• Kelly is gone.
• Mankins is gone.
• Edelman is vastly more proven.
• Wright and LaFell were added.
  
• Lots of young guys have more experience, especially the WRs and Collins.
  
• The fears about deterioration are concentrated on Brady (age), Gronk (injury-prone), and Wilfork (age and one big injury).

There's more, but those are most of the highlights.

 

[mgteich]

Anyhow, compared to the start of last season:

• The personnel is, as you observe, similar overall.
• Revis replaced Talib; Browner and Butler were also added.
• Kelly is gone.
• Mankins is gone.
• Edelman is vastly more proven.
• Wright and LaFell were added.
  
• Lots of young guys have more experience, especially the WRs and Collins.
  
• The fears about deterioration are concentrated on Brady (age), Gronk (injury-prone), and Wilfork (age and one big injury).

There's more, but those are most of the highlights.

Curiously two of your biggest fears of deterioration are PLUSES. Both Wilfork and Gronk are likely to contribute much more than they did last year.

 

[Fencer]

Curiously two of your biggest fears of deterioration are PLUSES. Both Wilfork and Gronk are likely to contribute much more than they did last year.

Indeed. But I'm referring to how things looked at the start, rather than after the wave of injuries.

That said, I may be forgetting when Gronk did or didn't play. He's been sidelined a lot in recent years ... Also, I forget what the injury doubts about Vollmer were or weren't a year ago.

 

[Joker]

C'mon...you guys are slippin'...post another complete roster using Patspicker...what the hell...what's another few rosters given the THOUSANDS posted since the first day of training camp.