Starters for Sunday and Opinions

So far, the injury bug has been crazy for 2010. The defense has been particularly devastated - Ty Warren, Leigh Bodden, Brandon McGowan - just to name a few...

As far as Sunday's starters, I am obviously just projecting here, because we all know Coach Belichick makes his decisions based on match-ups, etc.

But, anyway, here is a shot at it.

I would like to know how y'all feel about each of these units against the Bengals...

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QB: Tom Brady
I always feel good about our chances anytime Brady is behind center. How cool is this guy? Thank you God!
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RB: Fred Taylor, Kevin Faulk

Taylor had flashes of brilliance in the preseason. Here's hoping he's got a little left for 2010 and no injuries! Faulk is just Old Ironsides to me - love him!
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WR: Wes Welker, Randy "The Unwanted" Moss, Julian Edelman

Very comfortable with this group
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TE: Alge Crumpler, Rob Gronkowski

I love what we saw out of the TE position in pre-season. This could be a very bright spot for us in 2010.
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OL: (R to L) Sebastian Vollmer, Stephen Neal, Dan Koppen, Dan Connolly, Matt Light

I know I am supposed to be freaking out about not having Logan Mankins, but I am not. Connolly looked fine to me in the pre-season. Feeling pretty good about this group.
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K: Stephen Gostkowski

The Ghost = Money
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DL: Mike Wright, Vince Wilfork, Gerard Warren

I do believe we will miss Ty Warren, obviously, but I am still feeling okay about this group. I will be interested to see how, and if, Jermaine Cunningham and Ron Brace, are used.
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ILB: Brandon Spikes, Jerod Mayo

This is the strongest part of our defense, IMO. I think Spikes will have an immediate impact and Mayo will continue to mature into one of the top LBs in the league.. Both are future All-Pros.
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OLB: Tully Banta-Cain, Marques Murrell

I know Gary Guyton should be the guy starting with Banta-Cain, but I have this strange feeling Murrell will start on Sunday. He played a lot in the pre-season and looked good. He was in the backfield a lot pressuring the QBs, and we will need a strong pass rush out of both Banta-Cain and Murrell to take some pressure off the DBs covering Ocho-Cinco and TO. Otherwise, look for a long day with a lot of long tosses subtitled "Palmer-to-".
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CB: Darius Butler, Jonathon Wilhite

Leigh Bodden going down really changed the landscape, didn't it? I wouild actually like to see McCourty start here over Wilhite, but I don't Corwin Brown having the confidence in the rookie to start on opening day. I gotta admit, this group makes me the most nervous going against TO and Ocho.
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P: Zoltan Mesko

You don't mess with the Zoltan!
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ST: ??????

Give me your opinions here because I have none!

If Whilite starts over McCourty I'm going to be dropping some f-bombs.

sbpatfan said:

If Whilite starts over McCourty I'm going to be dropping some f-bombs.

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I'd start Patjew over Wilhite.

McCourty will start. I hope to see as little of Warren and Wright on 1st and 2nd down as possible.

JSn said:

I'd start Patjew over Wilhite.

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I'd start a fight over Wilhite

JSn said:

I'd start Patjew over Wilhite.

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Damn straight.

Yes indeed. PatJew is a lox for the position.....

My guess:

QB: Tom Brady
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RB: Taylor, ( Faulk)
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WR: Welker, Moss, (Tate) ( Edleman not ready a few more weeks)
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TE: Crumpler, Gronkowski
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OL: Vollmer, Neal, Koppen, Connolly, Light
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DL: Wright, Wilfork, Warren
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ILB: Spikes, Mayo
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OLB: Ninkovich, Banta-Cain
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Saftey: Chung, Meriweather
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CB: McCourty, Butler
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Special teams:
K: Gostkowski
P: Zoltan Mesko
Returners: Tate and McCourty(?)

JR4 said:

My guess:

QB: Tom Brady
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RB: Taylor, ( Faulk)
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WR: Welker, Moss, (Tate) ( Edleman not ready a few more weeks)
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TE: Crumpler, Gronkowski
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OL: Vollmer, Neal, Koppen, Connolly, Light
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DL: Wright, Wilfork, Warren
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ILB: Spikes, Mayo
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OLB: Ninkovich, Banta-Cain
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Saftey: Chung, Meriweather
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CB: McCourty, Butler
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Special teams:
K: Gostkowski
P: Zoltan Mesko
Returners: Tate and McCourty(?)

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Completely agree with your lineup ... Ninkovich holds the edge much better than Murrell. I see Murrell coming in on 3rd and long. Don't see where the Pass Rush will be coming from on 1st and 2nd down. Very afraid of swing passes to the RB coming out of backfield. Neither Mayo or Spikes are good against the pass.

Mark Morse said:

Completely agree with your lineup ... Ninkovich holds the edge much better than Murrell. I see Murrell coming in on 3rd and long. Don't see where the Pass Rush will be coming from on 1st and 2nd down. Very afraid of swing passes to the RB coming out of backfield. Neither Mayo or Spikes are good against the pass.

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Should also be concerned with passes to the TE's over the middle. Pats coverage of TE's was awful during the preseason.

I'll name the starters, but I'm not naming only 11 on offense because we don't have 11 starters, we have 12/13 depending on the formation.


QB: TFB

RB: Committee (Taylor/Maroney/Morris), Faulk on 3rds

WR: Moss, Welker, Tate

TE: Crumpler, Gronkowski

OL: Light, Connolly, Koppen, Neal, Vollmer


Defence:

DL: Wright, Wilfork, Gerald Warren

OLB: Banta Cain, Ninkovich

ILB: Mayo, Spikes

CB: McCourty, Butler

S: Meriweather, Chung

Ninkovich starts at OLB instead of Murrell, although both will be used.
Butler and McCourty are your starting CB's.
Brace spells G. Warren extensively at LDE.
Wilfork spells Wright some at RDE.
Love spells Wilfork at NT.
Merriweather and Chung at Safety
Page extensively in the 'Tank Williams' big nickel, 'in the box' Safety.

QB12

Wheres Hernandez? He'll play some downs surely?

JoeShmoe said:

Wheres Hernandez? He'll play some downs surely?

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My thoughts exactly !!

JoeShmoe said:

Wheres Hernandez? He'll play some downs surely?

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Agreed, especially if Edelman is out or limited. Hernandez will play the 2nd slot position in 4 "wide" formations.

Someone above you mentioned Page in the big nickel, which is possible, but I think week one is more likely we see Sanders in there with Chung down in the box or Meriweather covering Gresham man to man. I'd love Page to jump in and contribute, but I'm willing to give him a week to get acclimated before being thrown to the wolves.

JoeShmoe said:

Wheres Hernandez? He'll play some downs surely?

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I would have thought/hoped so! Wasn't he back in pads at training yesterday?

i also think Ninkovich will be starting. He starting playing more towards the end of the year last year and that experience in the system should get him the start. I wouldn't mind seeing Murrell against his former team in week 2 tho.

WhiZa said:

I wouldn't mind seeing Murrell against his former team in week 2 tho.

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...as a game captain!

The Brandon Five said:

...as a game captain!

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Let's not stoop down to the Jet's level :nono:

Would love to see Murrell chasing Sanchez around the backfield alot.....