Roster Projections, after preseason Game 3 at Detroit

[maineman209]

With the deluge of players coming at cutdown day, I wouldn't be surprised to see a flurry of player-for-player trades to jump the line. Some more bubble players other teams might be interested in kicking the tires on: Foster, Bolden, J. Hollister, O'Shaughnessy, Carr, Lucien, Douglas, Croston, McDermott, Waddle, Freeney, C. Jones, Moore.

These three, especially, since all have starting experience in the league.

 

[Ring 6]

I think keeping Foster over O'Shaugnessy is an important roster consideration to make when a team needing RB help would almost certainly claim Foster, who is versatile and played some WR at Arizona State.

I don't get why we would use a roster spot on someone who won't see the field just because another team might want him.

 

[patchick]

I don't get why we would use a roster spot on someone who won't see the field just because another team might want him.

I'm with you...I assume that those worried about losing Foster must see more WR potential in him than I do.

At WR, though, I value Carr a little more highly than you do. He's not a great athlete, but for the Patriots in particular a smart, sure-handed receiver who runs good routes, always seems to be in the right place at the right time, and has already shown comfort with the system is simply a good fit.

 

[maineman209]

I don't get why we would use a roster spot on someone who won't see the field just because another team might want him.

As a general rule, I agree.

OTOH, the Pats kept Foster on the 53-man in 2016 all season, except for six days at the end of November, and he was only active for three games.

 

[maineman209]

I'm with you...I assume that those worried about losing Foster must see more WR potential in him than I do.

At WR, though, I value Carr a little more highly than you do. He's not a great athlete, but for the Patriots in particular a smart, sure-handed receiver who runs good routes, always seems to be in the right place at the right time, and has already shown comfort with the system is simply a good fit.

Carr's downfield blocking seems pretty decent, too.

 

[patchick]

As a general rule, I agree.

OTOH, the Pats kept Foster on the 53-man in 2016 all season, except for six days at the end of November, and he was only active for three games.

True, though that was pre-Burkhead and with an injured Lewis. The depth at his position is now pretty formidable.

 

[maineman209]

True, though that was pre-Burkhead and with an injured Lewis. The depth at his position is now pretty formidable.

OTOH, with Edelman gone and Mitchell dinged up, a pass catcher (at any position) with two Camps and a full season of learning the system under his belt could have somewhat elevated value - especially if he can also run the ball decently.

 

[Ring 6]

As a general rule, I agree.

OTOH, the Pats kept Foster on the 53-man in 2016 all season, except for six days at the end of November, and he was only active for three games.

But they have added gillislee burkhead and really Lewis and only subtracted blount.
Is foster good enough to be a fringe player on a 53 and even have a small role, sure, but this team has too many better players ahead if him.
If he is on the practice squad and we get an injury he could be added.

 

[Ring 6]

OTOH, with Edelman gone and Mitchell dinged up, a pass catcher (at any position) with two Camps and a full season of learning the system under his belt could have somewhat elevated value - especially if he can also run the ball decently.

He is behind white Lewis and burkhead as a RB receiver. If we need more WRs we would keep them.

 

[Ring 6]

I'm with you...I assume that those worried about losing Foster must see more WR potential in him than I do.

At WR, though, I value Carr a little more highly than you do. He's not a great athlete, but for the Patriots in particular a smart, sure-handed receiver who runs good routes, always seems to be in the right place at the right time, and has already shown comfort with the system is simply a good fit.

That's why I think he would be fine for the practice squad.

 

[maineman209]

He is behind white Lewis and burkhead as a RB receiver. If we need more WRs we would keep them.

If Foster is a better pass-catcher out of the slot than any of the WRs on the current roster, why would they not keep him for that purpose, regardless of his positional designation?

 

[Ring 6]

If Foster is a better pass-catcher out of the slot than any of the WRs on the current roster, why would they not keep him for that purpose, regardless of his positional designation?

Because he isn't.
He isn't making the team as a wr, he is a RB. If we need another wr we would keep another wr.

Is this your argument, that he should make the team as a WR?

 

[maineman209]

Slater is back practicing today Monday 8/28).

 

[Ring 6]

Slater is back practicing today Monday 8/28).

Burkhead too

 

[RobertWeathers]

Slater is back practicing today Monday 8/28).

Jesus. I left him off my 53. Totally forgot about him. Oops.

 

[maineman209]

Because he isn't.
He isn't making the team as a wr, he is a RB. If we need another wr we would keep another wr.

Is this your argument, that he should make the team as a WR?

I never said "should". I'm only kicking around possibilities.

Anyway your argument seems to be that because Foster bears the positional designation of RB, he "isn't" going to make the team to catch passes out of the slot , even if he's better at it than than any candidate with the positional designation of WR.

Do I have that correct?

 

[maineman209]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">There were three new mystery players at practice: Nos. 46, 64 and 66. All three warmed up with LBs, then 64 and 66 split off with DEs. <a href="Zack Cox on Twitter">pic.twitter.com/ulEpZSuDwE</a></p>&mdash; Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) <a href="">August 28, 2017</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[Ring 6]

I never said "should". I'm only kicking around possibilities.

Anyway your argument seems to be that because Foster bears the positional designation of RB, he "isn't" going to make the team to catch passes out of the slot , even if he's better at it than than any candidate with the positional designation of WR.

Do I have that correct?

No.
I am saying there are too many running backs ahead of him.

I am saying he is NOT better than the actual WRs (or 3 of the RBs forcthat matter) as a slot receiver.

If he were he would be moved to wr and play the position, but he isn't.

 

[Ring 6]

Burkhead too

Wise too!!

 

[Deus Irae]

I don't get why we would use a roster spot on someone who won't see the field just because another team might want him.

Development
Concerns about other players ahead of him on the depth chart
etc...