Breer's 'way too early' 53-man

Way-too-early 53-man roster projection - Extra Points - Boston.com

Pretty good list and explanations; factors in Special Teams a lot, which makes sense.

Has Warren not making it, Holt barely (needs a strong showing). Throws in the towel on Ohrnberger, Wheatley, Crable. A lot of love for the '10 picks.

Sticks with status quo at RB, but he wouldn't be shocked if Paschall bumps Law Firm. Has the Eric Alexander era ending; he's been OK but I still have nightmarish visions of him chasing Dallas Clark downfield in that AFCCG.

As good as any at this point. I wonder a bit about about the 5th RB this year, though. Granted that seems to be the league's most injury-prone position, but it's also one of the most fungible and easy to plug in.

patchick said:

I wonder a bit about about the 5th RB this year, though. Granted that seems to be the league's most injury-prone position, but it's also one of the most fungible and easy to plug in.

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That's an excellent point about fungibility. Fumble-itis could also be a factor.

I think it's entirely feasible that we only go with 4 CBs and plug in somewhere else, OLB or OL. I just don't see Ohrnberger being cut. They didn't nurse him for a year just to cut him. It might be my imagination but the OL had more injuries than usual, last season.

Patspsycho said:

I think it's entirely feasible that we only go with 4 CBs and plug in somewhere else, OLB or OL. I just don't see Ohrnberger being cut. They didn't nurse him for a year just to cut him. It might be my imagination but the OL had more injuries than usual, last season.

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CB is one place I don't see them with only a few guys. You really need 4 CBs that can play, and since they are (generally) little guys running into bigger guys, they tend to get beat up. I really expect 6.

SSDD

Obviously Crable MIGHT make it over Burgess, and we hope he does.

An injury -- whether convenient or severe -- could free up a WR roster spot, especially with Welker due back.

He has Arrington over Slater; one of those surely makes it.

4 CBs who can play is a little light, so I'm optimistic about Wheatley making it when another position is lightened by injury.

$80K seems like a big signing bonus for a 6th-round pick, and BB has also said Larsen grades out higher than a bad year's 4th rounder. I think Breer is right that he sticks, except that he's a great candidate for a red-shirt injury. (Which would save Ohrenberger's job for another year.)

The Last Three Roster Competitions

1) I agree with your comments and on the lack of need for the 5th running back. If Green-Ellis is to make the team, then he should be able to beat out someone. Contract isn't much of any issue since all the running backs have contracts that end after the season.

I'd rather give the roster spot to Wheatley or even to another corner yet to be signed. This is a passing league. We need depth in case of injuries.

2) I hope that Deaderick shows enough to win a roster spot. I certainly was greatly pleased with seeing us draft him, a true defensive end. My gut tells me he will be on the practice Squad, but we certainly can afford to have a developmental DE as a #7 DL.

3) I hadn't noticed that the writer cut Orhnberger. I too like Larsen and expect him to make the team. However, I think it is quite possible that Ohrnberger beats Connolly out for the backup OG spot.

So, not bad. I agree with 50 at this point, and could certainly accept the last three.

patchick said:

As good as any at this point. I wonder a bit about about the 5th RB this year, though. Granted that seems to be the league's most injury-prone position, but it's also one of the most fungible and easy to plug in.

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So the argument is to replace a roster-slot JAG RB with a PS UDFA RB?

Makes sense to me.

Uncle Rico said:

Way-too-early 53-man roster projection - Extra Points - Boston.com

Pretty good list and explanations; factors in Special Teams a lot, which makes sense.

Has Warren not making it, Holt barely (needs a strong showing). Throws in the towel on Ohrnberger, Wheatley, Crable. A lot of love for the '10 picks.

Sticks with status quo at RB, but he wouldn't be shocked if Paschall bumps Law Firm. Has the Eric Alexander era ending; he's been OK but I still have nightmarish visions of him chasing Dallas Clark downfield in that AFCCG.

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Excellent projection.

Fencer said:

$80K seems like a big signing bonus for a 6th-round pick, and BB has also said Larsen grades out higher than a bad year's 4th rounder. I think Breer is right that he sticks, except that he's a great candidate for a red-shirt injury. (Which would save Ohrenberger's job for another year.)

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It's not; it's almost exactly the same as Myron Pryor got, two picks later, last year.

Good enough take as others have commented. But think he might be a bit more enamored with the "shiny & new" than BB is. I'll be surprised if Deaderick makes it over Warren or Lewis. Both of those guys provide starting experience. Deaderick is a classic PS guy who will need to work his way up the ranks.

I don't see Wheatley going. They'll keep an extra CB.

And agree with others that they are better off with four RBs. Though two of them will be hurt most of the year so probably should keep five .......

Based on his paly last year, I think I would be astunned if Holt isn't on the roster.

Also, would anyone really be surprised if Woods was the odd man out at OLB (as much as I have been hoping for him to develop...he really hasn't shown much progress)??

CoachK said:

Based on his paly last year, I think I would be astunned if Holt isn't on the roster.

Also, would anyone really be surprised if Woods was the odd man out at OLB (as much as I have been hoping for him to develop...he really hasn't shown much progress)??

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I think the only way Woods is out at OLB/STs is if Crable (remember him? I barely do) emerges. I thiknk we'll have an RB on the p-squad as the #5 and keep an extra cat on defense, maybe Lewis AND Warren.

SEPatsFan said:

CB is one place I don't see them with only a few guys. You really need 4 CBs that can play, and since they are (generally) little guys running into bigger guys, they tend to get beat up. I really expect 6.

SSDD

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this is my biggest critique as well....you need 4 cb's that can play and at least one more for depth, kyle is really only ST, so i see wheatley making it

prob the casualty is with the 5th rb

also i would keep crable over woods if crable shows anything in TC...he can at first replace wood's ST production and then really wont have far to go to match woods as an OLB

tombonneau said:

I don't see Wheatley going. They'll keep an extra CB.

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Me neither, especially after Springs cut. I'd like to see Wheat get one more chance

Holt is a lock IMO unless he really stinks it up in camp or gets injured.

The WR corps is far too weak to cut a veteran with leadership quality by week 1 ,now when Welker comes back in mid season then you might have a case for Holt's dismissal which would depend on how Tate,Edelman are faring.

I'm fine if Crable shows enough to beat out Ninkovich or Burgess or Woods.

However, the chances of Crable matching the ST play of Woods is slim to none. So, hge isn't getting that ST/LB roster spot.

I would not be surprised to see Woods make the team as a pure special team specialist. After all, we really only NEED four outside linebackers, especially when we keep four ILB's. Woods could certainly be considered the #9 LB who only plays special teams (replacing Alexander).

I think that it is a mistake to criticize Woods beacuse he isn't a starting quality OLB. He is a top special teamer who is a backup OLB. He has always fits that role. Unfortunatley, the team has needed him to do more BECAUSE we there have been no other options.

MY BOTTOM LINE is that I think Crable is more likely to beat out Ninkovich or Burgess than Woods, if he beats out anyone. Woods will be on a one-year contract until we let him go (like Izzo, Davis and Alexander before him).

ALP said:

this is my biggest critique as well....you need 4 cb's that can play and at least one more for depth, kyle is really only ST, so i see wheatley making it

prob the casualty is with the 5th rb

also i would keep crable over woods if crable shows anything in TC...he can at first replace wood's ST production and then really wont have far to go to match woods as an OLB

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PATRIOTSFANINPA said:

Holt is a lock IMO unless he really stinks it up in camp or gets injured.

The WR corps is far too weak to cut a veteran with leadership quality by week 1 ,now when Welker comes back in mid season then you might have a case for Holt's dismissal which would depend on how Tate,Edelman are faring.

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Too weak? Funny, I think we have one of the better WR corps in the NFL, if Tate and Price don't dissapoint, of course.

mgteich said:

I'm fine if Crable shows enough to beat out Ninkovich or Burgess or Woods.

However, the chances of Crable matching the ST play of Woods is slim to none. So, hge isn't getting that ST/LB roster spot.

I would not be surprised to see Woods make the team as a pure special team specialist. After all, we really only NEED four outside linebackers, especially when we keep four ILB's. Woods could certainly be considered the #9 LB who only plays special teams (replacing Alexander).

I think that it is a mistake to criticize Woods beacuse he isn't a starting quality OLB. He is a top special teamer who is a backup OLB. He has always fits that role. Unfortunatley, the team has needed him to do more BECAUSE we there have been no other options.

MY BOTTOM LINE is that I think Crable is more likely to beat out Ninkovich or Burgess than Woods, if he beats out anyone. Woods will be on a one-year contract until we let him go (like Izzo, Davis and Alexander before him).

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thats a good point...its just that i see a new guy being able to contribute on ST more easily than on the actual D....

to me it doesnt seem as though its difficult to play ST, but im probably wrong

Here is mine so far with comments

QUARTERBACK (2)
Tom Brady
Brian Hoyer
RUNNING BACK (4)
Kevin Faulk
Laurence Maroney
Sammy Morris
Fred Taylor

Does everyone realize that because we run shotgun so much Kevin Faulk is actually our '#1' RB in that he plays more snaps than any others?
Given that, I worry less about the durability or age factors.

RECEIVER (5)
Julian Edelman
Torry Holt
Randy Moss
Taylor Price
Brandon Tate
Wes Welker



TIGHT END (3)
Alge Crumpler
Rob Gronkowski
Aaron Hernandez


OFFENSIVE LINE (9)
Dan Connolly
Nick Kaczur
Dan Koppen
Mark LeVoir
Matt Light
Logan Mankins
Stephen Neal
Sebastian Vollmer
Rich Ohrenberger

No way Ohrenberger is cut in favor of Larsen. Larsen will go to ps.

DEFENSIVE LINE (6)
Ron Brace
Damione Lewis
Myron Pryor
Ty Warren
Vince Wilfork
Mike Wright


Brandon Deaderick goes to practice squad, but could beat out Pryor.
I will choose Warren as the veteran who should be able to make the team but gets cut that we see every year.

OUTSIDE LINEBACKER (6)
Tully Banta-Cain
Derrick Burgess
Jermaine Cunningham
Rob Ninkovich
Pierre Woods
Shawn Crable

Lot of special teams play here. Bruce Davis has a shot if any of Ninko, woods, crable stumble

INSIDE LINEBACKER (4)
Gary Guyton
Jerod Mayo
Tyrone McKenzie
Brandon Spikes


CORNERBACK (6)
Kyle Arrington**
Leigh Bodden
Darius Butler
Devin McCourty
Jonathan Wilhite
Terrence Wheately

6 corners is a lot, but with only 4 safeties we have s/t room at this spot, and a lot of guys who can contribute there.

SAFETY (4)
Patrick Chung
Brandon McGowan
Brandon Meriweather
James Sanders



SPECIALISTS (3)
K Stephen Gostkowski
P Zoltan Mesko
LS Jake Ingram