Who stays and who goes - QB and WR Edition

by SlotMachinePlayer on Jul 7, 2009 10:54 AM EDT

With training camp just around the corner, it is time to look (yet again) at some of the positional battles. Alot of this has been covered, but here I get my say. So for my first ever blog....

The Quarterbacks:

NUMBER	NAME	POSITION	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	DOB	YEAR
12	Tom Brady	QB	6-4	225	8/3/1977	10
5	Kevin O'Connell	QB	6-5	225	5/25/1985	2
7	Matt Gutierrez	QB	6-4	230	6/9/1984	3
8	Brian Hoyer	QB	6-2	215	10/13/1985	R

I think we're pretty solid that Tom Brady and Kevin O'Connell are #1 and #2. Last year Matt Gutierrez was on the practice squad for a time before Tom got injured.

There was some talk about the Pats going with only 2 QB's on the active roster, with the possibility of Julian Edelman being the third QB if need be. While that is an interesting twist, and I wouldn't put it past Hoodie, I don't think that will happen. First there is a game day slot reserved for a 3rd QB with some very tight stipulations about it's use. For instance, I don't believe Julian could play any position before fourth quarter and still be the 3rd QB. If that's the case, then why use him as a receiver at all? Also how much of the QB side of the playbook can Julian know when he is just trying to make it as a receiver? In a couple years, maybe, but this year either Matt or Brian are our #3.

My prediction: Matt Gutierrez is #3, Brian Hoyer slides to the practice squad.

The Receivers:

NUMBER	NAME	POSITION	HEIGHT	WEIGHT	DOB	YEAR	LAST YEAR
88	Sam Aiken	WR	6-2	215	12/14/1980	7
15	~~Tyree Barnes~~ RES MILITARY	WR	6-0	196	4/15/1986	R
11	Julian Edelman	WR	6-0	198	5/22/1986	R
13	Joey Galloway	WR	5-11	197	11/20/1971	15 *	Buccaneers
81	Randy Moss	WR	6-4	210	2/13/1977	12
10	Terrence Nunn	WR	6-0	190	7/25/1986	R
14	~~Robert Ortiz~~ WAIVED	WR	6-1	188	5/30/1983	2
83	Wes Welker	WR	5-9	185	5/1/1981	6
16	Shun White	WR	5-8	195	12/9/1985	R
17	Greg Lewis	WR	6-0	180	2/12/1980	4 *	Eagles
19	Brandon Tate	WR	6-0	210	10/5/1987	R

Note: Matthew Slater is not listed here (even though he is listed on the Patriots site as a wide receiver) because he was told that this year he can focus on the defense side only.

Last year the Pats carried 6 WR's on the active roster (one was Matthew Slater) and a 7th (Maurice Price) on the Practice Squad.

Again we have a solid #1 and #2 in Randy Moss and Wes Welker. Brandon Tate will most likely ride the bench on Injured Reserve, so we're looking for 3-4 other WR's and possibly a practice squad guy.

My Prediction: #3 is Joey Galloway, #4 is Greg Lewis, (now it gets harder). Sam Aiken has been a special teams competitor, but it would be easy to see someone else taking that spot (he hasn't cracked a top WR spot in 6 seasons). #5 is Julian Edelman, because of the huge upside. I don't know if we will carry more wideouts because of the competition at Tight End. The others are too close to call: 5 guys in battle for 1 potential roster and 1 practice squad spot.

What are your thoughts?

The views expressed in these FanPosts are not necessarily those of the writers or SBNation.

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Comments

Last roster spots

As I understand it, Aiken is primarily a special teamer, and was brought into the squad to be a special team stud. This would suggest to me that he’s in competition for a roster spot with Slater, even if Slater isn’t being listed as a WR. The loser from this battle probably hits free agency.

3 and 4 – Galloway and Lewis, given Hoodie pursued them specifically and each have high upside.

5 – Edelman’s the type of versatile player Belichick loves (Troy Brown, Kevin Faulk).

6+ – One, maybe two of the free agent rookies on the practice squad, to cover injuries and/or special team slots via promotion.

by Comedic.Sans on Jul 16, 2009 5:30 AM EDT reply actions