Patriots 53 roster predictions

[Cman]

Bring on the regular season, please

I hear you!

Regarding the final roster, I think the question marks regard what happens with the following players: Tate, Wright, Barrett, Molden, Butler.  I think Tate is cut, I think Barrett makes it, I have Wright being cut -- just bc there is a fair amount of depth ahead of him and he has some injury issues, I think a big question is whether to keep Butler over Molden. Below I keep Butler, but I see it as razor thin.

Here's my take at the final 53, by position:

Quarterback (3): Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett
Running back (4): BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen
Wide receiver (6): Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Chad Ochocinco, Julian Edelman, Taylor Price, Matthew Slater
Tight end (3): Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Will Yeatman
Offensive tackle (4): Matt Light, Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder, Steve Maneri
Guard/center (5): Logan Mankins, Dan Connolly, Dan Koppen, Ryan Wendell, Rich Ohrnberger
Defensive end (5): Jermaine Cunningham, Eric Moore, Shaun Ellis, Andre Carter, Mark Anderson
Defensive tackle (5): Vince Wilfork, Albert Haynesworth, Gerrard Warren, Myron Pryor, Kyle Love
Linebacker (6): Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Gary Guyton, Rob Ninkovich, Dane Fletcher, Tracy White
Cornerback (5): Devin McCourty, Leigh Bodden, Ras-I Dowling, Kyle Arrington, Darius Butler
Safety (5): Brandon Meriweather, Patrick Chung, Sergio Brown, Josh Barrett
Specialists (3): Stephen Gostkowski, Zoltan Mesko, Matt Katula James Dearth

Brace, Cannon and Faulk are all make it on the injured/pup/whatever list.

The hope is that Ventrone, Underwood, Smith make it on to the practice squad.

[wdleehi]

I thought this would be a fun topic today so I split it.

[Cman]

I thought this would be a fun topic today so I split it.

Good thinking!
(thanks)

[Bahku]

Bring on the regular season, please

I hear you!

Regarding the final roster, I think the question marks regard what happens with the following players: Tate, Wright, Barrett, Molden, Butler.  I think Tate is cut, I think Barrett makes it, I have Wright being cut -- just bc there is a fair amount of depth ahead of him and he has some injury issues, I think a big question is whether to keep Butler over Molden. Below I keep Butler, but I see it as razor thin.

Here's my take at the final 53, by position:

Quarterback (3): Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett
Running back (4): BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen
Wide receiver (6): Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Chad Ochocinco, Julian Edelman, Taylor Price, Matthew Slater
Tight end (3): Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Will Yeatman
Offensive tackle (4): Matt Light, Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder, Steve Maneri
Guard/center (5): Logan Mankins, Dan Connolly, Dan Koppen, Ryan Wendell, Rich Ohrnberger
Defensive end (5): Jermaine Cunningham, Eric Moore, Shaun Ellis, Andre Carter, Mark Anderson
Defensive tackle (5): Vince Wilfork, Albert Haynesworth, Gerrard Warren, Myron Pryor, Kyle Love
Linebacker (6): Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Gary Guyton, Rob Ninkovich, Dane Fletcher, Tracy White
Cornerback (5): Devin McCourty, Leigh Bodden, Ras-I Dowling, Kyle Arrington, Darius Butler
Safety (5): Brandon Meriweather, Patrick Chung, Sergio Brown, Josh Barrett
Specialists (3): Stephen Gostkowski, Zoltan Mesko, Matt Katula James Dearth

Brace, Cannon and Faulk are all make it on the injured/pup/whatever list.

The hope is that Ventrone, Underwood, Smith make it on to the practice squad.

TP for the break-down C ... I'm leaning Butler as well. I found the Dearth signing a bit of a surprise, but not a bad one. Doesn't sound like Welker's injury is too bad, either.

[angryguy77]

I have their D for FF, they better hold the fort down for me.

Don't fail be hoodie

[Jon]

Bring on the regular season, please

I hear you!

Regarding the final roster, I think the question marks regard what happens with the following players: Tate, Wright, Barrett, Molden, Butler.  I think Tate is cut, I think Barrett makes it, I have Wright being cut -- just bc there is a fair amount of depth ahead of him and he has some injury issues, I think a big question is whether to keep Butler over Molden. Below I keep Butler, but I see it as razor thin.

Here's my take at the final 53, by position:

Quarterback (3): Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett
Running back (4): BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen
Wide receiver (6): Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Chad Ochocinco, Julian Edelman, Taylor Price, Matthew Slater
Tight end (3): Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Will Yeatman
Offensive tackle (4): Matt Light, Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder, Steve Maneri
Guard/center (5): Logan Mankins, Dan Connolly, Dan Koppen, Ryan Wendell, Rich Ohrnberger
Defensive end (5): Jermaine Cunningham, Eric Moore, Shaun Ellis, Andre Carter, Mark Anderson
Defensive tackle (5): Vince Wilfork, Albert Haynesworth, Gerrard Warren, Myron Pryor, Kyle Love
Linebacker (6): Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Gary Guyton, Rob Ninkovich, Dane Fletcher, Tracy White
Cornerback (5): Devin McCourty, Leigh Bodden, Ras-I Dowling, Kyle Arrington, Darius Butler
Safety (5): Brandon Meriweather, Patrick Chung, Sergio Brown, Josh Barrett
Specialists (3): Stephen Gostkowski, Zoltan Mesko, Matt Katula James Dearth

Brace, Cannon and Faulk are all make it on the injured/pup/whatever list.

The hope is that Ventrone, Underwood, Smith make it on to the practice squad.

I'm essentially the same as you.  The only difference is that I'm going to take Mike Wright over Eric Moore, but it's somewhat of a crapshoot with those two and Mark Anderson.  1-2 of them will be cut. 

Also interested to see what happens with Tate, Morris, Butler, and possibly even Gerard Warren (where they could potentially afford to cut people).  Tate is still likely the best kick returner and the fastest wide receiver.  Can Edelman (or Vereen) make up for that?  Morris should be cut; however, he's a good special teams player and Vereen and Ridley have been beaten up all year.  Butler I'd like to see given what last shot, but Moulden may spell the end for him. 

Still, Bellichick has some options to get creative with to fill open roster spots.  Here are some unlikely, but possible ways to free up roster spots for either those guys or guys who were cut:

1) Cut Josh Barrett and use Ras-I Dowling as your 4th safety (as well as a corner).  Dowling played safety in high school and could potentially fit in there.

2) Cut Rich Orhnberger and let Nate Solder get time at the RG spot.  In a perfect world, Solder or Light would start at RG anyway (allowing the 5 best linemen to be on the field at once), bumping starter Dan Connolly to backup anyway. 

3) Cut all tight ends but Gronkowski and Hernandez.  Under this plan the Pats have two options: 1) Hope Yeatman, Smith, and/or Mills slip through waivers to the practive squad or 2) sign Alge Crumpler later in the season if the Pats need another TE later in the year.  In the meantime, they can use Solder at the TE spot on the goal line.  He came up as a TE from high school anyway and the Pats should be looking for ways to get him on the field if they aren't going to get creative on the O-Line and find a way to start him. 

I'm not saying I'd necessarily do any of those options.  However, I think they are way that Bill could get creative. 

[Cman]

TP for the break-down C ... I'm leaning Butler as well. I found the Dearth signing a bit of a surprise, but not a bad one. Doesn't sound like Welker's injury is too bad, either.

Thanks.

Butler is the one I'm really torn on, and I put him on and took him off the list a few times.  Picking up Molden, plus given how well he played last night, makes it really seem that Butler is out the door.  But he does seem to have his uses.  In any case, I'm expecting a few surprises over the next 24-48 hours (as in some surprise cuts and a pick up or two off the FA list).

[Cman]

1) Cut Josh Barrett and use Ras-I Dowling as your 4th safety (as well as a corner).  Dowling played safety in high school and could potentially fit in there.

2) Cut Rich Orhnberger and let Nate Solder get time at the RG spot.  In a perfect world, Solder or Light would start at RG anyway (allowing the 5 best linemen to be on the field at once), bumping starter Dan Connolly to backup anyway. 

3) Cut all tight ends but Gronkowski and Hernandez.  Under this plan the Pats have two options: 1) Hope Yeatman, Smith, and/or Mills slip through waivers to the practive squad or 2) sign Alge Crumpler later in the season if the Pats need another TE later in the year.  In the meantime, they can use Solder at the TE spot on the goal line.  He came up as a TE from high school anyway and the Pats should be looking for ways to get him on the field if they aren't going to get creative on the O-Line and find a way to start him. 

I'm not saying I'd necessarily do any of those options.  However, I think they are way that Bill could get creative. 

I like the creative options you've come up with.
I've thought along similar lines with your points (2) and (3) as well.  The reason I think Barrett is safe is that not only does he provide depth at safety but also, isn't he supposed to be a special teams demon of sorts? I think this was his main role in the past, and the S position is an added bonus.

[Cman]

In terms of potential shockers, Reiss has this on his blog today:

Bill Belichick is usually good for a surprise or two when it comes to forming his final 53-man roster each year. Who might it be this year?
 
Share thoughts in the comments section of this blog entry and/or vote in the accompanying poll, which picks three players who would qualify as a surprise based on their name recognition:
 
Leigh Bodden -- Starting cornerback has been injured after being limited to seven snaps in the second preseason game; due a $3.9 million salary.
 
Deion Branch --Receiver has played a lot of snaps and doesn't have a catch in preseason action.
 
Brandon Meriweather -- Two-time Pro Bowler didn't start and played deep into the fourth quarter in the preseason finale.

http://espn.go.com/blog/boston/new-england-patriots/post/_/id/4701657/poll-which-cut-would-be-biggest-surprise

I'd be utterly shocked, and frankly a little upset, if Branch is cut.

[Jon]

1) Cut Josh Barrett and use Ras-I Dowling as your 4th safety (as well as a corner).  Dowling played safety in high school and could potentially fit in there.

2) Cut Rich Orhnberger and let Nate Solder get time at the RG spot.  In a perfect world, Solder or Light would start at RG anyway (allowing the 5 best linemen to be on the field at once), bumping starter Dan Connolly to backup anyway. 

3) Cut all tight ends but Gronkowski and Hernandez.  Under this plan the Pats have two options: 1) Hope Yeatman, Smith, and/or Mills slip through waivers to the practive squad or 2) sign Alge Crumpler later in the season if the Pats need another TE later in the year.  In the meantime, they can use Solder at the TE spot on the goal line.  He came up as a TE from high school anyway and the Pats should be looking for ways to get him on the field if they aren't going to get creative on the O-Line and find a way to start him. 

I'm not saying I'd necessarily do any of those options.  However, I think they are way that Bill could get creative. 

I like the creative options you've come up with.
I've thought along similar lines with your points (2) and (3) as well.  The reason I think Barrett is safe is that not only does he provide depth at safety but also, isn't he supposed to be a special teams demon of sorts? I think this was his main role in the past, and the S position is an added bonus.

I think you're right about Barrett.

The more I think about it, the more I become enamored with cutting Yeatman.  My reasons:

1) Is he really that much better than Smith and Mills?  And if the difference is that small, is there a reason to give him a roster spot when 1-2 of them will likely slip to the practice squad where we can pull them up in the case of inury anway?  

2) For those fearing Hernadnez and/or Gronkowski getting hurt, ask yourself, if either got hurt, is Will Yeatman really going to be given their PT?  I don't think so.  The much more likely scenario in such a situation is that the Pats play more 3+ WR sets and/or 2 RB sets.  

3) The only exception would be at the goal line.  And I don't see why Solder can't play the TE spot there.  Is it too much to expect him to become the next Mike Vrabel as far as receiving right away?  Likely, but he was a TE in high school.  But I don't see why he can't assume blocking duties on the line, next to Light or Vollmer.  Both scenarios have me salivating, as it pairs the very talented Solder with one of two very talented tackles anyway.  

And who knows, maybe he can expand on it, shift into a receiving tight end on the goal line and/or full back that will remind us all of Vrabel.  

I'm not sure Bill Billichick gambles this much, but I think it's an intriguing option.  

[Cman]

3) The only exception would be at the goal line.  And I don't see why Solder can't play the TE spot there.  Is it too much to expect him to become the next Mike Vrabel as far as receiving right away?  Likely, but he was a TE in high school.  But I don't see why he can't assume blocking duties on the line, next to Light or Vollmer.  Both scenarios have me salivating, as it pairs the very talented Solder with one of two very talented tackles anyway.  

Solder has definitely impressed so far.

I like your thinking on just having 2 TEs.  If they want to go with 3, I don't see why they don't bring back Crumpler.  He'd cost a bit more than Lee or Yeatman, but bring a whole lot more to the table...

[Eja117]

The Pats have gone with 3 TEs as long as I can remember. Gronk had a pretty bad back in college. Let's say it's a major game. Let's say late in the year. First 5 mins Gronk goes down. Now you're down to one TE.  If it's late in the season it's a little hard to get another. Now you're trying to get through a whole post season on one TE. If he gets hurt the next game you have no TEs. Or maybe a street free agent.  I guess you promote a rookie with no game experience from the practice squad. So you'd have to at least carry two guys on the practice squad. So assuming you want both Yeatman and Smith on the practice squad (remember they liked someone enough to let Crumpler go and it wasn't Gronk or Hernandez because they already liked them). Now you're trying to get two guys to the practice squad without 30 teams claiming them. I'm not buying it. I think they keep a blocker to do dirty work.

[Eja117]

Bring on the regular season, please

I hear you!

Regarding the final roster, I think the question marks regard what happens with the following players: Tate, Wright, Barrett, Molden, Butler.  I think Tate is cut, I think Barrett makes it, I have Wright being cut -- just bc there is a fair amount of depth ahead of him and he has some injury issues, I think a big question is whether to keep Butler over Molden. Below I keep Butler, but I see it as razor thin.

Here's my take at the final 53, by position:

Quarterback (3): Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett
Running back (4): BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen
Wide receiver (6): Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Chad Ochocinco, Julian Edelman, Taylor Price, Matthew Slater
Tight end (3): Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Will Yeatman
Offensive tackle (4): Matt Light, Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder, Steve Maneri
Guard/center (5): Logan Mankins, Dan Connolly, Dan Koppen, Ryan Wendell, Rich Ohrnberger
Defensive end (5): Jermaine Cunningham, Eric Moore, Shaun Ellis, Andre Carter, Mark Anderson
Defensive tackle (5): Vince Wilfork, Albert Haynesworth, Gerrard Warren, Myron Pryor, Kyle Love
Linebacker (6): Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Gary Guyton, Rob Ninkovich, Dane Fletcher, Tracy White
Cornerback (5): Devin McCourty, Leigh Bodden, Ras-I Dowling, Kyle Arrington, Darius Butler
Safety (5): Brandon Meriweather, Patrick Chung, Sergio Brown, Josh Barrett
Specialists (3): Stephen Gostkowski, Zoltan Mesko, Matt Katula James Dearth

Brace, Cannon and Faulk are all make it on the injured/pup/whatever list.

The hope is that Ventrone, Underwood, Smith make it on to the practice squad.

I think maybe the only difference I'd have is that Brandon Deadrick would come in ahead of Pryor.  Deadrick made some starts as a rookie last year and I think he might be a bit more versatile, which they'll need if they change to 4-3.

For a lot of these guys I think special teams won't matter nearly as much because of the new change where they keep kicking out of the end zone. It makes Tate less valuable and guys that can play a position more valuable. Suddenly you don't have to return kicks or tackle returners. Punt is more valuable now.

[BASS_THUMPER]

well before they face the



again..they better make drastic changes if they wanna beat em


lol

*sippin*

[Cman]

Bring on the regular season, please

I hear you!

Regarding the final roster, I think the question marks regard what happens with the following players: Tate, Wright, Barrett, Molden, Butler.  I think Tate is cut, I think Barrett makes it, I have Wright being cut -- just bc there is a fair amount of depth ahead of him and he has some injury issues, I think a big question is whether to keep Butler over Molden. Below I keep Butler, but I see it as razor thin.

Here's my take at the final 53, by position:

Quarterback (3): Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett
Running back (4): BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen
Wide receiver (6): Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Chad Ochocinco, Julian Edelman, Taylor Price, Matthew Slater
Tight end (3): Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Will Yeatman
Offensive tackle (4): Matt Light, Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder, Steve Maneri
Guard/center (5): Logan Mankins, Dan Connolly, Dan Koppen, Ryan Wendell, Rich Ohrnberger
Defensive end (5): Jermaine Cunningham, Eric Moore, Shaun Ellis, Andre Carter, Mark Anderson
Defensive tackle (5): Vince Wilfork, Albert Haynesworth, Gerrard Warren, Myron Pryor, Kyle Love
Linebacker (6): Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Gary Guyton, Rob Ninkovich, Dane Fletcher, Tracy White
Cornerback (5): Devin McCourty, Leigh Bodden, Ras-I Dowling, Kyle Arrington, Darius Butler
Safety (5): Brandon Meriweather, Patrick Chung, Sergio Brown, Josh Barrett
Specialists (3): Stephen Gostkowski, Zoltan Mesko, Matt Katula James Dearth

Brace, Cannon and Faulk are all make it on the injured/pup/whatever list.

The hope is that Ventrone, Underwood, Smith make it on to the practice squad.

I think maybe the only difference I'd have is that Brandon Deadrick would come in ahead of Pryor.  Deadrick made some starts as a rookie last year and I think he might be a bit more versatile, which they'll need if they change to 4-3.

I think Daedrick is a candidate for PUP.  Has he practiced or played at all this preseason?