Reiss' take on the final roster

[captain stone]

Yates was playing in the Carolina game. He lined up at LG from what I saw. Not sure how many plays he was out there for.

I also saw Yates during the 2nd half. Unfortunately, I couldn't tape the game, but I think he was out there quite a bit, esp. during the 3rd quarter.

 

[captain stone]

If (a big if) the prognosis on Gaffney is that he waon't be ready for a month, what would your choice be for dealing with Gaffney?

Mine would be to negotiate an injury settlement and move on.

Can the FO cut an injury settlement with Gaffney, then bring him back here when he's recovered? Is there a minimum length of time that he must serve before he is eligible to return?

It's times like these that I wished that the league would revise its PUP/IR rules, in order to allow for a more flexible Disabled List. That's a topic for a whole 'nother thread.

 

[mgteich]

I believe that Gaffnwy signs an injury settlement, he becomes a free agent. I don't think that there is any minimum time before which he can sign another contract. A player has a right to one injury settlement in his career.

 

[captain stone]

...I don't think that there is any minimum time before which he can sign another contract...

Does that include with the NEP?

If the answer is Yes, then perhaps that is being considered right now.

 

[mgteich]

My understanding (Miguel can correct) is that he would be a free agent, free to sign with any team including the patriots.

 

[Brady'sButtBoy]

Reche returned kicks (I mistakenly said punts previously) in San Deigo. Obviously the Pats aren't using him their for some reason. But its not as if he's incapable of playing on special teams.

Also, Reche was never brought in to be the #1 receiver. He was brought in to be the #2 opposite Branch. With the #1 job, he was going up against much better CBs. Now, lining up as the 2nd-4th receiver, Caldwell would see much lesser CBs and should be able to shine.

Also, your stats aren't correct. Reche had 1 drop during the regular season and 2 in the post season and its speculation whether the second one cost the Pats the game. Also, Caldwell had only 1 fumble, which he lost.

As far as Washington being a solid gunner. Sorry, but he hasn't shown it from what I saw. He's not able to beat the guys blocking him and usually is the 4th to 6th person to the return man. Granted, I am going to re-watch the last 3 games, but that was my initial assessment and no one has stepped up with information to the contrary.

I admit that 'adequate' not 'solid' may have been a better term to describe Washington as a gunner, I don't hear his name much on punts. The value here is simply that Washington can play that position well enough not to be an eysore if need be. Always looking for something better, I'm guessing Washington has more upside, in addition to his obvious physical tools. Put in the light you describe with Caldwell against the weaker DB's, I can understand how Reche might "shine," but he was rarely impressive to me thus I figure why not give someone else a shot? But you have made me not be so sure that Caldwell is gone...

Re: the two fumbles, the stats are from the NFL's website.

 

[14thDragon]

Just to distill things down from Reiss' Roster.

OFFENSE (24)
QB (3) Brady, Cassell, Testaverde
RB (4) Maroney, Faulk, Morris, Evans
WR (5) Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Gaffney, Washington
TE (3) Watson, Brady, Rivers
OL (9) Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kazcur, O'Callaghan, Hochstein, Yates, Britt

DEFENSE (26)
DL (7) Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, Green, Smith, Wright, Brown
ILB (6) Thomas, Bruschi, Seau, Alexander, Izzo, Lua
OLB (4) Vrabel, Colvin, Woods, Rodgers
CB (4) Samuel, Hobbs, Gay, Meriweather
S (5) Harrison, Wilson, Sanders, Andrews, Mitchell

SPECIALISTS (3)
K Gostkowski
P Baugher
DS Paxton

PUP
WR Brown
WR Jackson
TE Thomas
CB Jackson

I figure there are 4 position battles...(Guarteed Slots with multple guys for them)

6th DL - Moore vs L.K. Smith vs K. Brown- Moore is better NT backup, with Smith being the more versitle and Brown being the 4th round potential. I would agree with Riess that Smith wins the job with his combination of experience and physical tools. It is only his second year learning the nose and is expected to have some struggles. With Wright also being a servicable NT, I think we can let Smith continue to develop. Brown has not shown me anything yet.

4th CB - James vs. Merriweather - James has the experience but not a lot in the tank, Merriweather played safety in college and is converting to corner. I think Merriweather gets the nod given the majority of his practise time has been at corner and the apperent strength at safety.

5 WR - Washington vs Caldwell. Caldwel has the expereince, Washington seems to have more physical tools. I go against Riess and go with Caldwel given that Tom Brady needs some continuity and Caldwell could step in fast in case of injury and have the neccesary raport with Brady.

5 S - Mitchel, Baker, or Merriweather. If Merriweather loses the 4th Corner spot to James, then he should win the 5th safey spot. If not I think Mitchel's ST contributions allow him to beet out Baker who has been hurt.

After that there is the 5 chairs with 8 guys. I figure the bottom of the roster really is the eight game day inactives. The 8 & 9 OL (Yates, Britt) take two chairs, and the winner of the 7th DL spot takes 1. That leaves 5 chairs for guys to sit around in. With several different positions to choose from...

3 QB - gets to suit up and bing a 46th man. Vinny T gets this slot if available due to game expereince. I would disagree with Riess, this slot is kept as it a spot where injury could cripple the team, but Vinny is not going anywhere else and would be around if it becomes impperitive to have a third QB.

6 WR - Adds depth in a position with some health questions at the top. Loser of the 5th WR battle could go into the 6 spot keeping the chair warm for Troy Brown. I think 5 will be the number, but not shocked if it is 6. If Washington sticks, I really believe that there must be 6 recievers.

5 CB - 4 CB is not much depth if guys go down especially is Merriweather is the 4th guy, having James in this spot could add some much needed strength. Riess has four CB, but I would rather have 5. James provides good insurance at a position common for injury.

4 TE - Rivers or Mills. If 2 TE sets are still a staple of the offense, then you are going to need 4 TE. Mills or Rivers take spots 3 and 4. I disagree with Riess and use the jettisoned 3 QB to keep Mills as the backup to Watson and Rivers the bakup to K. Brady. One of the 4 being the game day inactive depending on health.

7 and 8th DL - Moore vs. Brown. I know Brown is considered a virtual lock due to his draft status, but he did start out on a low note and has not done anything in the preseason to really seperate himself. Moore provides depth at NT but is that enough to earn this spot. I am leaning toward Moore since I would like the added depth at Nose. I would rather not cut the 9th LB or 5th CB to keep Brown and instead send him to the PS.

9th and 10th LB - Mays, Rodgers, Lua. Reiss has Rodgers and Lua rounding out at nine and ten. I will scale back to 9 to make room for James as the 5th CB. Lua gos to the PS since I think Rodgers has shown me more in the preseason and Rounds out at the 4 OLB spot.

10th OL - Eglin, Mruc, Hillard - Eglin and Hillard are good PS projects, and I do believe could make it there. Mruc seems to be on a fast track to the Jets. If we could trade him anywhere else for a conditional 7th rounder, I would do it. But I certianly would not keep 10.

So my 45 Game day roster rounds out as

OFFENSE (20)
QB (2) Brady, Cassell
RB (4) Maroney, Faulk, Morris, Evans
WR (4) Moss, Stallworth, Welker, Gaffney
TE (3) Watson, Brady, Rivers
OL (7) Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kazcur,O'Callaghan, Hochstein,

DEFENSE (22)
DL (5) Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, Green, Wright
ILB (5) Thomas, Bruschi, Seau, Alexander, Izzo
OLB (3) Vrabel, Colvin, Woods,
CB (4) Samuel, Hobbs, Gay, Meriweather
S (5) Harrison, Wilson, Sanders, Andrews, Mitchell

SPECIALISTS (3)
K Gostkowski
P Baugher
DS Paxton

Inactives (8)
2 OL - Yates, Britt
2 DL - Smith, Moore
1 OLB - Rodgers
1 CB - James
1 WR - Caldwell
1 TE - Rivers

PUP
WR Brown
WR Jackson
TE Thomas
CB Jackson

 

[mgteich]

I don't think that it is all that complicated any more.

Lua and Rogers are the last two. All the rest are on the team for now.

BTW, I have Rogers as my 52nd player and no one at 53. For me 53 (and perhaps 52), depends on the health of gaffney, Wilson and Thomas.

 

[Fencer]

CB (4) Samuel, Hobbs, Gay, Meriweather
S (5) Harrison, Wilson, Sanders, Andrews, Mitchell

Great post and reasoning. But I want to quibble with the part I highlighted above. You seem to assume there need to be 5 safeties, and from that conclude there will only be 4 CBs. However, a team actually needs more CBs than pure safeties, as per the 3 CB/2 S mix in the nickel package.

Yes, all the guys you indicated individually appear to be near-locks ... but is Mitchell really a lock? Or does one of the experienced CBs beat him out?

 

[Mack Herron]

Roster (8/28)

Offense: (23)

QB: Brady, Cassell
RB: Maroney, Faulk, Morris
FB: Evans, Mills
WR: Moss, Gaffney, Welker, Stallworth, Washington
OL: Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kaczur, O'Callahan, Britt, Yates
TE: Watson, Brady, Rivers

Defense: (27)

CB: Gay, Hobbs, Samuel, Richardson
S: Harrison, Wilson, Meriweather, Andrews, Sanders, Mitchell
LB: Colvin, Rogers, Vrabel, Woods, Thomas, Seau, Bruschi, Alexander, Izzo, Lua
DL: Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, Wright, Green, L. Smith, K. Brown

ST (3)

K: Gostkowski
P: Baugher
LS: Paxton


IR: Rashad Baker, Hochstein (season)

PUP:
T. Brown, C. Jackson, D. Thomas, E. Jackson (eligible after week 6)

After rosters are submitted, re-sign Testaverde and place Richardson on IR

Practice squad: Elgin, Childress, Gutierrez, Oldenburg, Patrick, Anam, West, Q. Smith