New England Patriots 53 man roster - some thoughts

by MaPatsFan on Sep 5, 2009 11:04 PM EDT in New England Patriots News

We stay with 2 QB's, LB is a bit weak, TE will be a position to watch, OL is stacked on the interior...let's break it down position by position (props to NESilver for his comment in this thread)

Offense: 25

QB: Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer (2) - Odd we keep only 2, but that could change when the season starts.
RB: Laurence Maroney, Fred Taylor, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, BenJarvus Green-Ellis (5) - Solid group.
WR: Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Joey Galloway, Greg Lewis, Saim Aiken, Julian Edelman (6) - Break out the air raid sirens. Edelman looked like "Little Welker".
TE: Benjamin Watson, Chris Baker, Michael Matthews (3) - Like this group, Matthews is a big man which must mean "blocking TE". Baker has good hands which we haven't seen in NE TE's for a long time.
OL: Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Dan Koppen, Stephen Neal, Nick Kaczur, Sebastian Vollmer, Rich Ohrnberger, Dan Connolly, Ryan Wendell (9) - Deep on the interior, Vollmer is the next stud.

Defense: 25

DL: Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, Ty Warren, Jarvis Green, Ron Brace, Mike Wright, Myron Pryor (7) - Liking the depth, glad to see Pryor make the roster
DE/OLB: Derrick Burgess, Tully Banta-Cain (2) - Can you say, "4-3?" I knew you could. Here comes the pass rush.
LB: Adalius Thomas, Jerod Mayo, Gary Guyton, Pierre Woods, Eric Alexander, Rob Ninkovich (6) - Might be considered a little thin, possibly why NE is experimenting with a 4-3.
CB: Leigh Bodden, Shawn Springs, Jonathan Wilhite, Darius Butler, Terrence Wheatley (5) - Wheatley barely hung on to his spot. I hope a "shutdown corner" emerges.
S: Brandon Meriweather, James Sanders, Patrick Chung, Brandon McGowan, Matthew Slater (5) - Good group, although Slater will, most likely, be IR'd.

Specialists: 3

K: Stephen Gostkowski - What can I say? One of the best kickers in the league. A machine through the uprights and consistently boots kickoffs into the endzone.
P: Chris Hanson - Game changer. Massive hangtime and very good accuracy.
LS: Jake Ingram - Many laughed when Hoodie drafted Ingram. The rookie wins the long snapper battle.

Injured Reserve

OLB: Shawn Crable - Depressing. The dude can't catch a break.
RB: Chris Taylor
OL: George Bussey - Adds depth for next year.
LB: Tyrone McKenzie - Looking forward to seeing him inside for 2010.

Poll

What do you think of the roster?

Lovin' it!

524 votes

Too early to tell.

722 votes

Hate it.

66 votes

1312 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Hmm

I was hoping Lenon would stick over Alexander, or Crable might even be able to find the field, but I guess not.

Looks like an interesting season!

by PinTBC on Sep 5, 2009 11:49 PM EDT reply actions

the Hoodie knows how to build a team. I’m happy law firm made it ,he looked good in predeason and he doesnt have the hesitation issue like Moroney.He is always going forward..He could turn out to be a very good Rb given the chance.

by quimby999 on Sep 6, 2009 12:22 AM EDT reply actions

Terrence Nunn

I would prefer him over matt slater, and paris lenon over eric alexander; other than that i agree with the cuts

by bodmiesta on Sep 6, 2009 1:12 AM EDT reply actions

I had high hopes for Lenon

but he didn’t look good in Training camp or in preseason

Keep the faith!

by Marima on Sep 6, 2009 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions

Nunn

I agree that Nunn did everything rirght. Edeleman & Nunn looked like the next Welker & Troy Brown. The good news is Nunn is on our practice squad & if someone gets hurt he wil come in & he will impress. Alexander is a good special team player too. He is always around the ball. He knows the system & I’m glad he stayed.

by willie pats on Sep 7, 2009 2:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Interesting

I would have to agree with most of it. Would have put Slater on the IR and kept Nunn as well. But dont know how serious the injury is.. Paris Lenon would have been nice addition if he did well in the preseason but not sure if he did or not. Alexander is a plus because of his ability to play on special teams as well. Not sure if Lenon could have. Crable on the IR is well really interesting thats for sure. Second yr on it. Wondering when BB will have enough of it.. O’Callaghan i am wondering if should have been cut.. I liked him. Was a good backup and starter when called on and was reliable. I would have taken off a RB to make room for another receiver myself. Aiken is more of a special teams guy. Where Nunn is more of a WR.. But i think could have helped out to on special teams.. I hope he clears waivers so that he makes the P/S.

by whizzkydd on Sep 6, 2009 1:27 AM EDT reply actions

Oh yeah forgot

We stashed another RB on the IR.. So technically we have 6 on the roster but i also forgot about Tate in there too. So Nunn would have been nice to have and keep Tate on the IR all yr to make sure he is fully healed.. By the time next yr we would have 3 young and talented WR on the team to add with Moss and Welker.. That would have been interesting to see. A line up of Moss, Welker, Edelman, Tate, Nunn, maybe Lewis too if he shows up like he is suppose too. That would be a scary set for a defense to try and cover.. LOL!

by whizzkydd on Sep 6, 2009 1:35 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree

I think they should have kept Nunn to develop him. Galloway is solid, but he’s not getting any younger, faster, or more athletic, and sam aiken probably already reached his max ability. Why not bring in some youth? Nunn, and Edelman look decent in preseason, and Tate seems to have potential. Lets just hope Nunn ends up on our practice squad at least.

by bodmiesta on Sep 6, 2009 4:04 AM EDT up reply actions

Seymour gone -- traded

to the Raiders. Probably says something about what the Pats think of the Raiders chances of being good by 2011.

But seriously, it’s going to take some time to adjust to the post-Seymour era.

by Rasmus on Sep 6, 2009 11:36 AM EDT reply actions

Billichick must have some serious faith in some sort of deity to keep 2 QBs

Current Phinsider Feud Points: 23

by Patssuck456 on Sep 6, 2009 12:29 PM EDT reply actions

This preseason gets weirder and weirder by the minute

Blogger at SBNation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit

by MaPatsFan on Sep 6, 2009 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Surely we are not doubting the Hoodie!!!

by quimby999 on Sep 6, 2009 2:20 PM EDT reply actions

In Hoodie we trust...In Hoodie we trust...In Hoodie we trust...

Blogger at SBNation's Patriots blog, Pats Pulpit

by MaPatsFan on Sep 6, 2009 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Roster

It is strange that they would seriously consider a base 4/3 defense when they rely on player versatility and speed. I love the Pats and it is hard to question what they are doing but with all the various linebackers who have been drafted in the previous 5-6 drafts it is strange that the Pats only have one significant linebacker (Mayo) to show for this. Guys like Greenway, Timmons, Kiwinuka, Poluzsney, they could have taken and chose to cycle in corners and safeties when clearly they have shown the importance of a good core of linebackers over the years. It remains to be seen how this lack of depth at this position will show itself on the field, I think there could be vulnerabilities in the secondary because of it. One thing they are going to need is significant pressure from the D-line to compensate for some of this.

by PatsfanWest on Sep 7, 2009 2:56 PM EDT reply actions