Next slot option: Riley McCarron

[Hyped]

This is why NFL rosters should be expanded to...say 75 players overall...and keep the game day actives to say..55.

When considering our WR corps...we have to account for Slater and Patterson...two guys who will see limited reps in our offense. Two of them plus 5 guys = 7 WR's....and we usually carry 6...meaning another position will be thin on depth.

We have too many specialists...but those guys help a lot in spots (Bolden, Develin, King, Ebner, Slater, Patterson, etc...)

 

[Hyped]

Ans as for McCarron....not expecting ANYTHING and if he makes the final 53 man roster, I'll be shocked because it will mean he beat out someone like Dorsett/Britt.

 

[stinkypete]

Definitely irritating.

A. Scroll down past the loading video to read the story.
B. Scroll freezes but you still can read the first paragraph.
C. Scroll un freezes and the page jumps to the fourth paragraph.
D. Multiple videos begin to play overlapping each other soundwise.
E. Scroll up to get back to the second paragraph.
F. Scroll freezes then unfreezes and your back to A.

Hahaha

This is why I quit ESPN. You should too.

 

[stinkypete]

I'd love for McCarron to make the 53 and develop into the next grate Patriots slot WR.

Then I remember that Edelman did not emerge until his 4th full season with the team.

 

[mgteich]

Ans as for McCarron....not expecting ANYTHING and if he makes the final 53 man roster, I'll be shocked because it will mean he beat out someone like Dorsett/Britt.

IMHO, he would have to beat out Dorsett AND Britt AND Mitchell.

Cooks, Edelman, Hogan, Patterson, plus one in plenty.

To better understand my position, check the production for #3, #4 and #5 wide receivers over the past few years. If you do you, will find that Patterson has as about as many receptions as our #3, certainly more than the #4 or #5. IMHO, there is no reason to have 5 WR's active. So, for me, the #5 receiver is injury protection, which is fine. With this group of receivers, this #5 needs to be on the roster. In other years, the player could be on the Practice Squad.

 

[Hyped]

IMHO, he would have to beat out Dorsett AND Britt AND Mitchell.

Cooks, Edelman, Hogan, Patterson, plus one in plenty.

Probably, but I wouldn't rule out the Pats deciding to go with 7 WR's: Cooks, Edelman, Hogan, Mitchell, Patterson, Slater, and ONE MORE.

IMO, only Cooks/Edelman/Hogan are locks...and Mitchell too if healthy.

 

[mgteich]

Probably, but I wouldn't rule out the Pats deciding to go with 7 WR's: Cooks, Edelman, Hogan, Mitchell, Patterson, Slater, and ONE MORE.

IMO, only Cooks/Edelman/Hogan are locks...and Mitchell too if healthy.

Last year, only 3 wide receivers averaged more than 2 receptions a game. Do we want to have more of an emphasis on the pass in 2018.

25 Offense
2 QB
5 WR
4 RB
1 FB
9 OL
3 TE
1 ST

Belichick may decide that he needs a 3rd QB. Even with 2 QB's, should we go with only 3 OTs, so that we can have 6 receivers, at least 2 of which will have fewer than 2 receptions a game?

 

[mgteich]

Probably, but I wouldn't rule out the Pats deciding to go with 7 WR's: Cooks, Edelman, Hogan, Mitchell, Patterson, Slater, and ONE MORE.

IMO, only Cooks/Edelman/Hogan are locks...and Mitchell too if healthy.

Patterson is a lock unless we sign a returner to replace him. His 2-3 receptions a game is more than enough for a #5 WR, who usually has 0-1 receptions.

 

[50-yard-line]

Going to be a really interesting camp at WR, especially if Dorsett, Britt, and a couple of the young guys shine.

Will the Pats offer Hogan an extension and get cut if he refuses? ($0 dead money)

Will the same be true of Cooks, only traded instead of cut? If anyone shows he can replace Cooks, the cap hit would be MUCH less.

Will Jules start dating Olivia Culpo? Will she know the difference?

Will Patterson find a greater role? If not, will he be cut?

Will Britt show he can be that 40/700 guy with the Pats?

Will Mitchell be healthy enough to become again the guy we saw emerging in the SB against Atlanta?

Will Dorsett finally show why he was a 1st-rounder? I was starting to see flashes at the end of last year.

Seems pretty easy to understand why the Pats wouldn't match for Amendola. Can't see them drafting a WR in the first 100, either.

 

[maineman209]

Probably, but I wouldn't rule out the Pats deciding to go with 7 WR's: Cooks, Edelman, Hogan, Mitchell, Patterson, Slater, and ONE MORE.

IMO, only Cooks/Edelman/Hogan are locks...and Mitchell too if healthy.

Carrying 6 WRs (NOT including Slater) seems unlikely if the Pats carry 3 QB and possibly an extra OL (OT), and maybe even if they don't carry those two extra bodies.

They started 2017 with only 4 WR (plus Slater), IIRC.

 

[Jackson 2]

Intriguing prospect for sure. At the very least, I would expect him to be on the practice squad. We have a bit of a logjam at WR I think, but we will see how training camp and stuff plays out. I hope Mitchell is back and good to go but I wonder if he starts the year on PUP.

Jesus, if Mitchell starts the year on PUP after missing an entire year in which he was reportedly "close" virtually from Halloween on, then I'd guess he's done. And I really like him.

 

[mgteich]

Why would we trade Hogan or Cooks, simply because they don't want to sign an extension? They are both worth their 2018 caps, and the replacements are nowhere as good. it really is that simple.

Thinking that one of the players competing for a roster spot will "replace" Cooks shows a interesting evaluation of talent.

Will the Pats offer Hogan an extension and get cut if he refuses? ($0 dead money)

Will the same be true of Cooks, only traded instead of cut? If anyone shows he can replace Cooks, the cap hit would be MUCH less.

 

[50-yard-line]

Why would we trade Hogan or Cooks, simply because they don't want to sign an extension? They are both worth their 2018 caps, and the replacements are nowhere as good. it really is that simple.

Thinking that one of the players competing for a roster spot will "replace" Cooks shows a interesting evaluation of talent.

Not necessarily what I was thinking. And I'm not advocating for trading Cooks. He costs 8.5 million this year, more than any other two receivers on the roster. If Dorsett or Britt or Mitchell or McCarron or ? stepped up and the Pats believed they could get a haul for Cooks in his last year with the Pats anyway...well, I've seen weirder things happen in Foxboro.

There was this Butler kid...

 

[Tony2046]

This is why I quit ESPN. You should too.

That was a NESN article. I quit ESPN and cut cable last year. So I'm right there with you man.

 

[Hyped]

Either way...like Kraft says, "it is a high class problem"...

I said I WOULD NOT RULE OUT 7 WR's. Could be a secnario where we keep 7 at the final cut off in late August...and trade one WR for some help elsewhere.

Plus, there's always injuries in camp...and the Pats might have kept one extra WR last year if Edelman didn't get hurt or Hawkins didn't retire.

 

[maineman209]

Either way...like Kraft says, "it is a high class problem"...

I said I WOULD NOT RULE OUT 7 WR's. Could be a secnario where we keep 7 at the final cut off in late August...and trade one WR for some help elsewhere.

Plus, there's always injuries in camp...and the Pats might have kept one extra WR last year if Edelman didn't get hurt or Hawkins didn't retire.

It's the annual "Numbers Game" - where pretty much everyone's hopes end up getting dashed.

3 ST-K/P/LS ... Gost - Allen - Cardona

3 QB ... Brady - Hoyer - ROOKIE?

5 IOL ... Thuney - Andrews - Mason - Karras - Croston
5 OT .... Cannon - Waddle - Tobin - Garcia - ROOKIE?
4 RB .... White - Burkhead - Hill - Gillislee
3 TE .... Gronk - J. Hollister - Allen
1 FB .... Develin
6 WR .... Edelman - Cooks - Patterson - Hogan - Mitchell - ???

5 CB ........ Gilmore - J. McCourty - Rowe - J. Jones - ???
4 SAF ....... Chung - D. McCourty - Harmon - ???
5 DL-int .... Shelton - Brown - Guy - Valentine - Butler
4 DL-Edge ... T. Flowers - Clayborn - Wise - [Davis/Lee/ROOKIE?]
5 LB ........ Hightower - Van Noy - Rivers - ROOKIE? - [M. Flowers/Langi/Roberts?]

53 TOTAL

Special-Teamers not included:

Slater
Ebner
King
Bolden
Grissom
Grigsby

 

[luuked]

It's the annual "Numbers Game" - where pretty much everyone's hopes end up getting dashed.

3 ST-K/P/LS ... Gost - Allen - Cardona

3 QB ... Brady - Hoyer - ROOKIE?

5 IOL ... Thuney - Andrews - Mason - Karras - Croston
5 OT .... Cannon - Waddle - Tobin - Garcia - ROOKIE?
4 RB .... White - Burkhead - Hill - Gillislee
3 TE .... Gronk - J. Hollister - Allen
1 FB .... Develin
6 WR .... Edelman - Cooks - Patterson - Hogan - Mitchell - ???

5 CB ........ Gilmore - J. McCourty - Rowe - J. Jones - ???
4 SAF ....... Chung - D. McCourty - Harmon - ???
5 DL-int .... Shelton - Brown - Guy - Valentine - Butler
4 DL-Edge ... T. Flowers - Clayborn - Wise - [Davis/Lee/ROOKIE?]
5 LB ........ Hightower - Van Noy - Rivers - ROOKIE? - [M. Flowers/Langi/Roberts?]

53 TOTAL

Special-Teamers not included:

Slater
Ebner
King
Bolden
Grissom
Grigsby

The only predictions I dare to make is that only one of Hill/Gillislee will make it and we only carry 3 RBs on the active roster (with Boldon if the numbers work out RB4 or on the shadow roster). Add in a developmental guy on the PS.

Similarly, I think unless Tobin has an incredible camp he will be a camp body who at best ends up on the PS with Garcia being the swing tackle. Of course that requires Garcia to actually be in physical shape to play but I suppose he might start the camp on PUP until he has caught up (which could open the door for Tobin to stick around).

Also I am curious how the recent changes to the helmet rules will affect FBs and if this could potentially have an impact on Develin's roster spot. Since real football is still so far away I have not looked too deep into those rule changes so if someone wants to correct me on that please do.


Finally, right now it really appears like Dorsett vs. Britt vs. Rookie binkies will be the camp battle to watch. That and the CBs fighting for their respective spots.

 

[maineman209]

The only predictions I dare to make is that only one of Hill/Gillislee will make it and we only carry 3 RBs on the active roster (with Boldon if the numbers work out RB4 or on the shadow roster). Add in a developmental guy on the PS.

Similarly, I think unless Tobin has an incredible camp he will be a camp body who at best ends up on the PS with Garcia being the swing tackle. Of course that requires Garcia to actually be in physical shape to play but I suppose he might start the camp on PUP until he has caught up (which could open the door for Tobin to stick around).

Also I am curious how the recent changes to the helmet rules will affect FBs and if this could potentially have an impact on Develin's roster spot. Since real football is still so far away I have not looked too deep into those rule changes so if someone wants to correct me on that please do.


Finally, right now it really appears like Dorsett vs. Britt vs. Rookie binkies will be the camp battle to watch. That and the CBs fighting for their respective spots.

Just to be clear ...

The above "roster" is ABSOLUTELY NOT a "proposal" or a "prediction". It's merely an example roster - derived by plugging in the names of players currently on the roster + rookies that folks hope to see drafted, + trying to keep 6 WRs (plus Slater) - that I'm using to illustrate the inviolable constraints and difficult choices imposed by the realities of the 53-man limit.
--------------------------
WRT Develin's usefulness - I'm not sure how good the ground game would be without him (using the RBs currently on the roster). But there's also the question of how often does he "lead with his helmet" when blocking?

While I understand that you're talking about the league in general, I think there's also a question to be asked about how often Patriots players actually lower their head and lead with their helmet (as opposed to their shoulder pads) compared to the rest of the league?

How often do we really see Patriots players go for the big hit rather than the wrap-up tackle (at least since Big Bang Clock left)?

 

[supafly]

It's the annual "Numbers Game" - where pretty much everyone's hopes end up getting dashed.

3 ST-K/P/LS ... Gost - Allen - Cardona

3 QB ... Brady - Hoyer - ROOKIE?

5 IOL ... Thuney - Andrews - Mason - Karras - Croston
5 OT .... Cannon - Waddle - Tobin - Garcia - ROOKIE?
4 RB .... White - Burkhead - Hill - Gillislee
3 TE .... Gronk - J. Hollister - Allen
1 FB .... Develin
6 WR .... Edelman - Cooks - Patterson - Hogan - Mitchell - ???

5 CB ........ Gilmore - J. McCourty - Rowe - J. Jones - ???
4 SAF ....... Chung - D. McCourty - Harmon - ???
5 DL-int .... Shelton - Brown - Guy - Valentine - Butler
4 DL-Edge ... T. Flowers - Clayborn - Wise - [Davis/Lee/ROOKIE?]
5 LB ........ Hightower - Van Noy - Rivers - ROOKIE? - [M. Flowers/Langi/Roberts?]

53 TOTAL

Special-Teamers not included:

Slater
Ebner
King
Bolden
Grissom
Grigsby

I can shave off three, and also Grigsby, thus freeing up a ST only position and “only” needing two more spots. It would be reasonable to think that someone can take over for Grigsby. Wouldn’t M.Flowers play a similar role? Belichick will have to get creative and try to free up 1-2 of these ST only positions with players on the 53 man roster. Of course, we say this every year and the situation is often resolved due to injuries.

OT—no reason to keep 5. Tobin never makes it + Croston can play both tackle and IOL. Personally, I think he’ll actually be more of an OT than a guard, and I’ve noticed some of the beat writers coming around to this idea, lately. I see 9 total OL positions, with the usual 2-3 developing on the PS.

WR—no reason to keep more than 5.

Edge/LB—This could be taken up by one player instead of two, preferably a rookie on the edge. This is due to two reasons: 1) They’ll be looking ahead to replace T.Flowers in the spring due to cost in FA, and 2) Rivers basically is the rookie you’d be looking for at LB.

 

[maineman209]

I can shave off three, and also Grigsby, thus freeing up a ST only position and “only” needing two more spots. It would be reasonable to think that someone can take over for Grigsby. Wouldn’t M.Flowers play a similar role? Belichick will have to get creative and try to free up 1-2 of these ST only positions with players on the 53 man roster. Of course, we say this every year and the situation is often resolved due to injuries.

OT—no reason to keep 5. Tobin never makes it + Croston can play both tackle and IOL. Personally, I think he’ll actually be more of an OT than a guard, and I’ve noticed some of the beat writers coming around to this idea, lately. I see 9 total OL positions, with the usual 2-3 developing on the PS.

WR—no reason to keep more than 5.

Edge/LB—This could be taken up by one player instead of two, preferably a rookie on the edge. This is due to two reasons: 1) They’ll be looking ahead to replace T.Flowers in the spring due to cost in FA, and 2) Rivers basically is the rookie you’d be looking for at LB.

You seem to be on the right track.

Just so I'm clear - NONE of the ST guys below the total 53 are included in the total 53. Those are the players (Slater Ebner, King, etc.) that need spots made for them.

If I understand correctly (and I very well may be brain-cramping here), you're proposing reducing the combined LB + DL-edge "head count" to 8?

If so, that would mean keeping ...

T. Flowers - Clayborn - Wise
Hightower - Van Noy - Rivers - ROOKIE

... and then keeping ONE of ...
- Davis/Lee ... or ...
- M. Flowers/Langi/Roberts
(but not restoring an STO like King).

Unless, Rivers can be that "crossover" edge-player, instead of a draftee. Then, you're selecting M. Flowers (for his special teams ability), plus one other from the list (or King from the STO list).