Our Defense is NOT Loaded; our BACKUPS are weak.

[Wozzy]

I also expect Britt to make the team. He is a solid STer, and yes, a couple of years ago he did have one year with significant defensive snaps.

Britt’s guaranteed money is comparable to a highly paid UDFA. That’s nowhere near a lock, but he does have experience. If the young guys look good I don’t see it.

So: Spillane, Ellis, Muma, Britt
about the same quality as last year.

Ignoring Obiazor, Jacobs and Gainer entirely… that’s just an odd take.

 

[rkarp1]

The rebuild is never complete and no team in the NFL is "deep". The Pats went on a 9 year drought from 2005-2013 because they had holes in their rosters over the years.

This current Pats team has a major weakness along the OL which could absolutely derail their season. Run defense at both edges is the other. Ellis next to Spillane is the last. He will be dependent on Spillane staying healthy. I'd prefer the Pats bring in a veteran for at least early downs.

Talking about fringe practice squad players is the wrong conversation to be having when we should be discussing their actual starters.

come again?
05-13 was about as impressive a run as any team could have
2 SB appearances
an undefeated season
double digit wins each of those seasons
1st place in the division each season except for one

 

[rkarp1]

Britt’s guaranteed money is comparable to a highly paid UDFA. That’s nowhere near a lock, but he does have experience. If the young guys look good I don’t see it.

Ignoring Obiazor, Jacobs and Gainer entirely… that’s just an odd take.

Gainer and Jacobs are about as long a shot as can be to make the 53 man (PS candidates?)
if either are on the 53 man, something went horribly wrong
OB has a chance
I assume if a vet is brought in, the 4th and final spot will come down to Muma or OB, and who has more upside

 

[TheRainMaker]

come again?
05-13 was about as impressive a run as any team could have
2 SB appearances
an undefeated season
double digit wins each of those seasons
1st place in the division each season except for one

Winning ZERO Super Bowls in 9 years with that HC,QB and core players is not impressive at all and actually unacceptable. Bad drafts/personnel moves and not addresses weaknesses is the reason why they couldn't win one measly Super Bowl during that time. There's a reason they continually came up short during that stretch and it was because they had holes in the roster that got exploited come playoff time.

Had they not drafted Gronk, Jones, HT, switch McCourty to FS and sign Revis, they don't win another Super Bowl after 2004. Brady would've been gone by 2016.

 

[Wozzy]

Gainer and Jacobs are about as long a shot as can be to make the 53 man (PS candidates?)
if either are on the 53 man, something went horribly wrong

Was Wes Welker a longshot… how about Jon Jones? Just stupid…

OB has a chance
I assume if a vet is brought in, the 4th and final spot will come down to Muma or OB, and who has more upside

The competition is open, whoever plays best makes it. Britt is a jag.

 

[Family]

Was Wes Welker a longshot… how about Jon Jones? Just stupid…

Welker wasn't here, but yes Jon Jones was a longshot to make the Patriots in 2016.

I get what you mean, but everyone has players that are just hope.

Longshot doesn't mean no shot.

 

[One-If-By-Sea]

Talking about fringe practice squad players is the wrong conversation to be having when we should be discussing their actual starters.

Agreed. Some posters like to count players who make no difference. I guess they just like to count.

 

[mayoclinic]

Nobody wants to hear it, but I'll keep saying it anyway: The rebuild is not "complete." Our appearance in the SB last season has led many to overrate where the team actually is in its rebuild. This is why I opposed the Brown trade: we are not yet in "one player away mode." We are still in draft and develop mode, and should be holding on to every blessed draft pick we can. The draft is the way to build an affordable "middle class" and to build depth. In my view, it will take another year to consolidate the roster, and surrendering those draft picks for an expensive, perhaps two-year rental on a fading WR was not the way to go. Injuries - inevitable at some level - will damage a team with a roster this thin. I hope that will not happen, but we have left ourselves very vulnerable to it this year, and the sacrifice of draft picks makes recovery more difficult in the future.

Nothing is ever complete in today's NFL. There is constant turnover, cap restrictions, injuries, and other issues. You just have to keep churning, building the roster, draft well, manage your cap wisely, build a team culture, coach players up, and hope you get lucky. That's all.

I opposed the AJ Brown trade, but it's silly to suppose trading a likely late 2028 1st is mortgaging the future.

The rebuild is definitely not complete, and never truly will be - it's just further along in 18 short months than any of us expected.