OT: Let's assume we all write in Light and Kaczur as starters. Rook also has Gorin as a lock, which is understandable -- he's the sole veteran and has played in 25 games for the Patriots in the past 2 seasons. But has he ever faced competition like this in camp? O'Callaghan is a highly touted draft pick, and the kind of true road-grader who could make a significant difference on short-yardage downs. He's the rawest OT on the roster, but a probable keeper as a project with major upside at either RG or RT. Britt, meanwhile, is a smart pass blocker with a great frame. If the team thinks he's a legitimate prospect to play LT, that might get him the nod over Gorin's experience.
Right. I think we've seen Gorin's ceiling. Adequate fill-in, but we're looking for the hope of something special. Enter O'Callaghan.
NT: Wilfork, check. After that is wide open. As others have noted, Mike Wright appears to be heading outside to DE (which makes that position a little murkier). But I can make a case for any of Sullivan, Smith or Thomas as the leading NT candidate. I have a feeling that the survivor of that group will turn out to be a very pleasant surprise.
In my mind Sullivan is already a bust in NE. Major surprise if he makes the team. And if you've been reading all the obscure LeKevin Smith articles, it's hard not to see him as a Patriots-type player and one who can spell Wilfork for 14 plays a game in 2007.
ILB: Rook has pencilled in Bruschi, Beisel, Izzo and Davis, which is probably my #1 disagreement out of his whole projection. That leaves you with Beisel as the only player under the age of 32, and more importantly NO legitimate backup ILB. One of the young guys has to make the roster at this position. It may be as simple as shifting Claridge's name from the OLB to ILB column, but if some of the kids show up big in camp this could be the year we say goodbye to Don Davis.
We may have 3 LBs on the practice squad this year!
I also think we should carry a 4th RB (and it will never be Evans --- everybody needs to just flush that name out of their heads) and "waste" a roster spot by having 4 RBs. Then if Dillon gets injured, great, we've still got 3. If Dillon never gets injured, great, we go to the Super Bowl!