Pats Roster

[DaBruinz]

The Pats currently have 55 players under contract going into free agency. That means a minimum of 25 players added to get to the pre-season max of 80. That's a lot of players.

This tells me that the Pats will be active in Free Agency as well as with UDFAs. I wouldn't be surprised to see at least 15 UDFAs signed by the Pats this year.

 

[Patsrock]

The Pats currently have 55 players under contract going into free agency. That means a minimum of 25 players added to get to the pre-season max of 80. That's a lot of players.

This tells me that the Pats will be active in Free Agency as well as with UDFAs. I wouldn't be surprised to see at least 15 UDFAs signed by the Pats this year.

You can go to 90 now

 

[manxman2601]

The Pats currently have 55 players under contract going into free agency. That means a minimum of 25 players added to get to the pre-season max of 80. That's a lot of players.

This tells me that the Pats will be active in Free Agency as well as with UDFAs. I wouldn't be surprised to see at least 15 UDFAs signed by the Pats this year.

Oh good. More fun with the mock drafts

There's plenty of good prospects falling into UDFA area because of injury. Is it worth signing those types or does it just clog up the Injured reserve? I'm thinking about the likes of John Boyett, Kapron Lewis-Moore, Jake Knott and others who would all go higher if healthy.

 

[Sciz]

This came up a little bit in the Tebow thread, but this is why I'd be so willing to give some sport/position changers the chance to come to camp. Too many spots and too few players with a realistic chance of getting anywhere.

 

[DaBruinz]

You can go to 90 now

I only posted top 80 because, according to the CBA, it has to be announced each year what the pre-season roster limit will be.. But, at 90, it's almost certain to have 20+ UDFA... Which would be a LOT for the Pats.

 

[ForThoseAboutToRock]

You can go to 90 now

Maybe I'll finally get my shot.

Better put down this beer and go jog or something.

 

[Metaphors]

The Pats currently have 55 players under contract going into free agency. That means a minimum of 25 players added to get to the pre-season max of 80. That's a lot of players.

This tells me that the Pats will be active in Free Agency as well as with UDFAs. I wouldn't be surprised to see at least 15 UDFAs signed by the Pats this year.

I don't quite follow the "active in Free Agency" part unless you mean signing a bunch of JAGs being "active". Doesn't it really depend on WHICH 55 players we are talking about? There are only 46 gameday actives. Of the 55 under contract, I can see the following (pending health/salary dump) always being part of that active group:

QB Brady, Mallett
RB Ridley, Vereen, Demps
TE Gronk, Hernandez, Ballard
OL Solder, Mankins, Connolly, Wendell, Cannon
DL Wilfork, Armstead, Jones, Ninkovich
LB Mayo, Spikes, Hightower, Fletcher
DB McCourty, Dennard, Gregory, Wilson
ST Gostkowski, Mesko, Aiken, Slater, Ebner

That is 30 players of the 46 with almost all starters intact. Now add the questionable injury/salary/position battle guys:

WR Lloyd
CB Dowling
DT 2 of Pryor/Love/Deaderick

That puts a realistic gameday active number at 34 of 46. A number of the remaining 12 will go to developmental guys that have niche skills, have high upside and/or form the core of ST:

RB Bolden
OL Zusevics
DT Francis, Bequette
LB Tarpinian

There could be as few as 7 active spots "open" (not considering upgrades) and really only 2 or 3 are starters (WR, OT and CB).

I see the Pats spending a bunch of the available cap space on these 3 positions, adding some 2nd tier vets to compete elsewhere (dating, not marriage) and drafting BPA into the strength of this draft...particularly at DB.

 

[Brady_to_Moss]

pats are going to be very active come FA

 

[cstjohn17]

I don't quite follow the "active in Free Agency" part unless you mean signing a bunch of JAGs being "active". Doesn't it really depend on WHICH 55 players we are talking about? There are only 46 gameday actives. Of the 55 under contract, I can see the following (pending health/salary dump) always being part of that active group:

QB Brady, Mallett
RB Ridley, Vereen, Demps
TE Gronk, Hernandez, Ballard
OL Solder, Mankins, Connolly, Wendell, Cannon
DL Wilfork, Armstead, Jones, Ninkovich
LB Mayo, Spikes, Hightower, Fletcher
DB McCourty, Dennard, Gregory, Wilson
ST Gostkowski, Mesko, Aiken, Slater, Ebner

That is 30 players of the 46 with almost all starters intact. Now add the questionable injury/salary/position battle guys:

WR Lloyd
CB Dowling
DT 2 of Pryor/Love/Deaderick

That puts a realistic gameday active number at 34 of 46. A number of the remaining 12 will go to developmental guys that have niche skills, have high upside and/or form the core of ST:

RB Bolden
OL Zusevics
DT Francis, Bequette
LB Tarpinian

There could be as few as 7 active spots "open" (not considering upgrades) and really only 2 or 3 are starters (WR, OT and CB).

I see the Pats spending a bunch of the available cap space on these 3 positions, adding some 2nd tier vets to compete elsewhere (dating, not marriage) and drafting BPA into the strength of this draft...particularly at DB.

This is a really good breakdown, nice job. The way I see it

Roster Ratings
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0ApWRaF25BKdAdHV6ZXlIMnNBQ3FNQXNhc0IweWJ6bUE&usp=sharing

Most of the remaining players brought (players 56-80 or 56-90) are purely camp bodies but there are at least three starting positions open (WR, CB, Right Tackle) plus depth can be improved across all units. Typically the Patriots turn over 15-20 players on the 53 man roster each year, this is intentional and a price of the cap. Lucky for us they now how to develop a roster.

The next few weeks should be fun.

 

[EwanSellars]

mike catapano, caraun reed and nigel malone are some top udfa's

 

[mgteich]

The other way to look at the roster (using your analysis) is as follows

A) We have 29 locks and 24 open roster spots. I certainly don't count Demps as a lock.

B) We have ZERO wide receivers OUT of four.

C) We have ONE corner out of four or five.

D) I agree that we will need to spend free agent bucks on corners and wide receivers.

E) We will need to spend free agent bucks on the OL (at least a backup OT and a backup OG).

F) Unless you think that Wilson is a future starter and a major contributor this year, we will need a free agent safety.

G) Finally, Belichick will bring in a defensive lineman. You heard it here first (or second or third).

I don't quite follow the "active in Free Agency" part unless you mean signing a bunch of JAGs being "active". Doesn't it really depend on WHICH 55 players we are talking about? There are only 46 gameday actives. Of the 55 under contract, I can see the following (pending health/salary dump) always being part of that active group:

QB Brady, Mallett
RB Ridley, Vereen, Demps
TE Gronk, Hernandez, Ballard
OL Solder, Mankins, Connolly, Wendell, Cannon
DL Wilfork, Armstead, Jones, Ninkovich
LB Mayo, Spikes, Hightower, Fletcher
DB McCourty, Dennard, Gregory, Wilson
ST Gostkowski, Mesko, Aiken, Slater, Ebner

That is 30 players of the 46 with almost all starters intact. Now add the questionable injury/salary/position battle guys:

WR Lloyd
CB Dowling
DT 2 of Pryor/Love/Deaderick

That puts a realistic gameday active number at 34 of 46. A number of the remaining 12 will go to developmental guys that have niche skills, have high upside and/or form the core of ST:

RB Bolden
OL Zusevics
DT Francis, Bequette
LB Tarpinian

There could be as few as 7 active spots "open" (not considering upgrades) and really only 2 or 3 are starters (WR, OT and CB).

I see the Pats spending a bunch of the available cap space on these 3 positions, adding some 2nd tier vets to compete elsewhere (dating, not marriage) and drafting BPA into the strength of this draft...particularly at DB.

 

[Metaphors]

The other way to look at the roster (using your analysis) is as follows

A) We have 29 locks and 24 open roster spots. I certainly don't count Demps as a lock.

I was focused on the gameday active 46...meaning players that should never be healthy scratches. I counted anywhere from 12-16 gameday active spots that are able to be claimed. Since most of the starting spots are spoken for (pending any mental/physical infirmity or surprise vet cuts), the roles in question are mostly depth and special teams.

As for Demps, Belichick doesn't sign guys that were in demand, pay them to spend a year getting in football shape and then cut them. It makes future FA pursuits more difficult since trust (and straight cash, homey) are needed to get people to sign. Situations may not work out as hoped (Josh Barrett) but they get a chance on the field.

B) We have ZERO wide receivers OUT of four.

While I agree with the sentiment, the reality is probably not that dire. I find it difficult to believe that one of Welker/Edelperson won't be back. Lloyd's option bonus isn't due until the 17th. If the Pats whiff on the top tier of FA WR's in the first couple of days, I would expect Lloyd to be back. Bottom line, I expect the Pats to have more of a contingency plan than the "ZERO wide receivers" statement would indicate.

C) We have ONE corner out of four or five.

While Dowling certainly is an injury risk, I don't think he is a write-off just yet. He was starting to find his groove as a slot corner before his injury this year. I'm more inclined to put him on the roster and keep my fingers crossed than to just toss him on the trash heap.

D) I agree that we will need to spend free agent bucks on corners and wide receivers.

Even if Edelperson and Welker re-sign, Lloyd gets his bonus, Dennard finds a file baked into a cake and Dowling gets dipped in the river Styx, CB and WR are likely to be focus areas. It is fortuitous that these may be the deepest positions in both FA and the draft. Belichick would have to poop himself to not come away in solid shape at this positions by the start of summer.

E) We will need to spend free agent bucks on the OL (at least a backup OT and a backup OG).

I think the Pats have faith in Cannon and McDonald and are high on Zusevics. That being said, I am at a loss around the situation with Vollmer. He seems perfect for this offense and the Pats clearly have the cap space to keep him long-term. Unless his back x-ray looks like a slinky, he needs to return. The only thing that makes sense is that the Pats are letting him gauge his worth on the market to keep him happy. If he goes to a team like the Ravens, Fins or Texans and comes back to haunt the Pats, I'll have to break something.

F) Unless you think that Wilson is a future starter and a major contributor this year, we will need a free agent safety.

I have limited evidence that Wilson is a future starter and no evidence to suggest that he can't be. Gregory was not the problem last year and he is signed for 2 more years for chump change. McCourty has the look of a stud safety so I can't see moving him again. I fully expect Belichick to pounce on any values at safety (which are likely in both FA and the draft) but I think the Pats are fine if safety just doesn't fall their way.

G) Finally, Belichick will bring in a defensive lineman. You heard it here first (or second or third).

For me, the most interesting position for the offseason. You can make the case that the Pats will do just about anything on the DL or do absolutely nothing.

 

[Joker]

Time is a thief....and while we seem headed for a sea of grief I see, Welker as the apple of my eye...for it doesn't ever rain receivers like Wes every season...nor does this roller coaster of emotions lead to the stench of failure, necessarily.

 

[Off The Grid]

Time is a thief....and while we seem headed for a sea of grief I see, Welker as the apple of my eye...for it doesn't ever rain receivers like Wes every season...nor does this roller coaster of emotions lead to the stench of failure, necessarily.

How are those Fizzy Lifting Drinks??

 

[DaBruinz]

I don't quite follow the "active in Free Agency" part unless you mean signing a bunch of JAGs being "active". Doesn't it really depend on WHICH 55 players we are talking about? There are only 46 gameday actives. Of the 55 under contract, I can see the following (pending health/salary dump) always being part of that active group:

QB Brady, Mallett
RB Ridley, Vereen, Demps
TE Gronk, Hernandez, Ballard
OL Solder, Mankins, Connolly, Wendell, Cannon
DL Wilfork, Armstead, Jones, Ninkovich
LB Mayo, Spikes, Hightower, Fletcher
DB McCourty, Dennard, Gregory, Wilson
ST Gostkowski, Mesko, Aiken, Slater, Ebner

That is 30 players of the 46 with almost all starters intact. Now add the questionable injury/salary/position battle guys:

WR Lloyd
CB Dowling
DT 2 of Pryor/Love/Deaderick

That puts a realistic gameday active number at 34 of 46. A number of the remaining 12 will go to developmental guys that have niche skills, have high upside and/or form the core of ST:

RB Bolden
OL Zusevics
DT Francis, Bequette
LB Tarpinian

There could be as few as 7 active spots "open" (not considering upgrades) and really only 2 or 3 are starters (WR, OT and CB).

I see the Pats spending a bunch of the available cap space on these 3 positions, adding some 2nd tier vets to compete elsewhere (dating, not marriage) and drafting BPA into the strength of this draft...particularly at DB.

Funny how your last paragraph supports what I was saying, though you tried your darndest to contradict it..

Newsflash for you. Demps and Dan Aiken aren't guaranteed anything. Neither are Mallett (subject of trade rumors), Connolly, Wendell, Fletcher (coming back from 2nd consecutive year of injury), or Ebner.