The Patriots got younger

[Miguel]

Last year the average age of the players on the Week 1 roster was 27.53 years. This year it is 26.7. Also, there were 16 players (30 or older) on the Week 1 2005 Roster. They were Dillon, Flutie, Fauria, Willie, Adam, Vrabel, Troy, Josh Miller, Chad Brown, Don Davis, Izzo, Poole, Chad Scott, Duane Starks, Tedy, and Rodney. This year there are 12 players (30 or older). They are Dillon, Vrabel, Troy, Josh Miller, Don Davis, Izzo, Chad Scott, Faulk, Hawkins, Seau, Tedy, and Rodney.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

And those numbers are kind of inflated by Seau and Miller who aren't essential members of the team (although Miller had a heck of a year last year).

 

[mgteich]

...............Huh?!

And those numbers are kind of inflated by Seau and Miller who aren't essential members of the team (although Miller had a heck of a year last year).

 

[stinkypete]

On that note, though, can't yuo say that last year's numbers were inflated by Flutie and McGinnest.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

On that note, though, can't yuo say that last year's numbers were inflated by Flutie and McGinnest.

BBF might, I'd just scratch my head at such a statement.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

...............Huh?!

I just meant that those two are VERY old and easily replaced as opposed to, say, the starting LT or whatever. A role player and a punter who average about 39 years old.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

On that note, though, can't yuo say that last year's numbers were inflated by Flutie and McGinnest.

Flutie, sure. But McGinest was a starting OLB who played almost every down whereas Seau will be more of a role player.

 

[patchick]

I just meant that those two are VERY old and easily replaced as opposed to, say, the starting LT or whatever. A role player and a punter who average about 39 years old.

But you can't do that unless you also eliminate all the STers and Role Players who are very young.

 

[rookBoston]

And those numbers are kind of inflated by Seau and Miller who aren't essential members of the team (although Miller had a heck of a year last year).

Seau may be a one-year rent-a-player deal, but Miller is core to the Franchise. I still remember how many crummy Punters we went through before signing Miller. Good punters dont come that easy at all.

 

[VrabelMayeWin]

OK, quoting Miguel :

"Also, there were 16 players (30 or older) on the Week 1 2005 Roster. They were Dillon, Flutie, Fauria, Willie, Adam, Vrabel, Troy, Josh Miller, Chad Brown, Don Davis, Izzo, Poole, Chad Scott, Duane Starks, Tedy, and Rodney. This year there are 12 players (30 or older). They are Dillon, Vrabel, Troy, Josh Miller, Don Davis, Izzo, Chad Scott, Faulk, Hawkins, Seau, Tedy, and Rodney."

This time last year I would have listed Dillon, McGinest, Vinatieri, Vrabel, Bruschi and Harrison as key old guys.

Now I list Dillon, Vrabel, Bruschi and Harrison. And probably not Dillon as we have Maroney.

Maybe I stated it wrong but our list of old, key guys is getting shorter.

 

[jct]

Punter inflation is skewing the stat higher.

 

[FilPats]

Last year the average age of the players on the Week 1 roster was 27.53 years. This year it is 26.7. Also, there were 16 players (30 or older) on the Week 1 2005 Roster. They were Dillon, Flutie, Fauria, Willie, Adam, Vrabel, Troy, Josh Miller, Chad Brown, Don Davis, Izzo, Poole, Chad Scott, Duane Starks, Tedy, and Rodney. This year there are 12 players (30 or older). They are Dillon, Vrabel, Troy, Josh Miller, Don Davis, Izzo, Chad Scott, Faulk, Hawkins, Seau, Tedy, and Rodney.

Wow. I cant wait till next years draft. The average could be <26 years. Dynasty.

 

[PromisedLand]

8 draft picks sticking to the 53 helps bring the average age down a lot. (I believe that is the all-time record at least since the draft went down to 7 rounds (in 94?). Nobody's refuted it so I'm sticking with that story until proven wrong.)

 

[patsfan55]

OK, quoting Miguel :

"Also, there were 16 players (30 or older) on the Week 1 2005 Roster. They were Dillon, Flutie, Fauria, Willie, Adam, Vrabel, Troy, Josh Miller, Chad Brown, Don Davis, Izzo, Poole, Chad Scott, Duane Starks, Tedy, and Rodney. This year there are 12 players (30 or older). They are Dillon, Vrabel, Troy, Josh Miller, Don Davis, Izzo, Chad Scott, Faulk, Hawkins, Seau, Tedy, and Rodney."

This time last year I would have listed Dillon, McGinest, Vinatieri, Vrabel, Bruschi and Harrison as key old guys.

Now I list Dillon, Vrabel, Bruschi and Harrison. And probably not Dillon as we have Maroney.

Maybe I stated it wrong but our list of old, key guys is getting shorter.

EXACTLY
we arent relying on our age as much

 

[kolbitr]

Well, BF's point about Josh Miller is certainly accurate enough. Having a punter aged 35+ is a lot different from a reserve QB or OT on the "wrong" side of 30.

Thanks to Miguel for bringing this up.

 

[patsfan55]

we hafta try to continue this trend

 

[Patters]

Any idea how the Pats average age compares to the average age on other teams?

 

[Miguel]

Any idea how the Pats average age compares to the average age on other teams?

Last year the Pats were the 2nd oldest team in the NFL and were tied for the 2nd with the number of players 30 or over. The Pats will probably be above the average but not as far above as last year.

 

[onegameatatime]

If I had to guess, I would think that older teams are more likely to be better teams, and younger teams likely to be weaker (but could be up and coming, like a Cincy). High draft picks mean big long-term contracts and weak vets are less likely to stick around.

 

[ironwasp]

My read of this is that throughout most of the team, BB and Pioli have built a really clever age balance that should ensure the Patriots have that blend of youth and experience that every sporting team needs to sustain success.

There is really only one area of the team that they have not managed to do that, and that's at linebacker where it looks as if a different strategy is in play - ie collecting veterans with some league experience and then trying to bring them into our system, rather than drafting raw talent out of college.

If you look at those likely to see the most action over the opening weeks of the season you have three at 30+ (Vrabel, Tedy and Seau) one who has just celebrated his 29th birthday (Colvin) and a handful of guys stacked with potential , but whose careers could yet go in either direction.

The skilful way in which the two lines have been built tells me I shouldn't worry about the age of the linebacking corps, but I have to say that I will be extremely worried if we are this stage this in 2007 and this unit has not had some serious attention. I love these guys, but they need some help.