Yes, this is a reasonable comparison. And, yes, I understand that other posters don't like the comparison of this year to last. After all, what matters is not who was here last year, but our alternatives this year. They are right. But I think that the discussion is still useful.
Before I respond, I would point out that Tracey White and Koutovides were replaced by Fletcher and Collins. These two additions, plus the addition of Kelly (replacing Love) put us in position to take the chances that you wish to take on the five roster spots you mention. I will add a sixth, since it is the 9th DL that we almost always keep.
These are indeed the heart of the discussion. We all applaud the finding of Thompkins and Sudfeld. They are the equivalent of developing high draft choices, no guarantees but fine promise. Also, we all agree that Barker probably belongs on the Practice Squad, if a replacement can be found.
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POSITION ONE: LB/Steer
I like Rivera over the two choices this year, Chris White and Beauharnais. Actually, I like Koutouvides better also. However, I am fine with Belichick choosing the best special teamer for this one roster spot (we have an extra player for this week). As we have discussed, I am fine with Chris White, but think that Beauharnais is perfectly placed on the Practice Squad, and no big loss if he doesn't make it.
POSITION TWO and THREE: DT's
We also have Forston on the Practice squad. Belichick has two NT's in for tryouts, both with a couple of years of experience. We will see who he brings in next week. I prefer an addition, even if we keep all three DT's on the 53. Both Vellano and Francis seem like reasonable prospects. And this situation is not awful. We can always activate Forston, and the possibility of Armstead for the end of the season.
POSITION FOUR and FIVE and SIX - DE's
I'm not buying what Belichick is selling. I would much prefer having Scott and Cunningham, or Cunningham and ONE of the kids. After all, most of us had 0-2 of these players making the team and 0-2 making the Practice Squad.
I would also note that we had Francis as the 3rd DE last year. One of the DE "positions" is now populated by a LB/STer.
We are where we are. Ideally, we would have been where we were last year, two JAG's and a developmental player, but that's not to be. I would have liked to see us sign Abraham. Instead, we are in a very weak position at backup DE. Two developmental DE's is just not enough backups. These players do a lot. Cunningham and Scott started games last year.
We may be stuck if there is no one left out there to add.
Ron Brace| Joe Vellano
Brandon Deaderick | A.J. Francis
Jermaine Cunningham | Jake Bequette
Trevor Scott | Michael Buchanan
Mike Rivera | Steve Beauharnais