Nice numbers talk.
Here's the quandary as I see it so far in this discussion. It comes down to a couple of factors. Do the Pats keep 10 DBs or 9. If they decide to keep 10 then with only 15 slots for the front 7 there are going to be some very recognizable names going to be cut, ESPECIALLY if Carter gets the call.
I think, when it comes, the most damage will be done with the ILBs. It just makes more sense because in today's game its the position of LEAST need. Even when you go to 3-4 alignments, its an ILB who gets replaced when the team goes to a dime. Of course when you are in a 4-3 alignment there IS only one ILB by definition. So the question is do you really need more than 4 ILBs. In fact the number might drop to 3 when you consider that both Mayo and Hightower's position flexibility allows them to be more than strictly ILBs
All that being said, in the spirit of this thread its important to make hard and firm uninformed and speculative decisions. So first I believe we will keep 10 DBs so I will only keep 15 front 7 players.
DL only - Wilfolk, Love, Deadrick, Fanene, Brace
DE/OLB - Ninkovich, Jones, Cunningham, Carter, Bequette
ILB - Spikes, Fletcher, Carpenter
3-4 ILB/ 4-3 OLB - Mayo, Hightower
Coverage LB/ST - Tarpanian
I'll get wishy washy enough to say that if Scott begins to show something, then Carter might be the odd man out. The other iffy thing is if the Pats decide that they need more than just 5 true DLmen and Warren gets the nod over Carpenter or Tarp.
