Projecting a Patriots 53 Man Roster: Version 5.0
by Greg Knopping on Aug 22, 2010 4:05 PM EDT
in Opinion/Analysis
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One week after our last Patriots 53 Man Roster prediction, it's time for another. Two preseason games are in the books, so lets see where we're at:
Quarterback (2): Tom Brady, #12; Brian Hoyer, #8
No changes at this position. Zac Robinson hasn't shown enough to warrant a roster spot at this point, practice squad for him.
Runningback (4): Laurence Maroney, #39; Fred Taylor, #21; Kevin Faulk, #33; Sammy Morris, #34
I finally have BenJarvus Green-Ellis being cut. I think the older backs (Taylor, Faulk, Morris) showed enough last week that the team can move on without Green-Ellis. Laurence Maroney should be able to hold up as well. Lets be honest, whether or not the Law Firm is in the team's long term plans, the Patriots are going to need to bring youth to the position next year either way.
Wide Receiver (6): Randy Moss, #81; Wes Welker, #83; Brandon Tate, #19; Julian Edelman, #11; Taylor Price, #17; Sam Aiken, #88
I have Sam Aiken back on the roster this week. He got a lot of playing time with the first unit and second unit last week as a receiver, and still is an important special teams player for the Patriots. The top five remain the same.
Tight End (3): Rob Gronkowski, #87; Aaron Hernandez, #85; Alge Crumpler, #82
No changes at this position, except that I have Rob Gronkowski on top of the depth chart once again.
Offensive Tackle (4): Matt Light, #72; Sebastian Vollmer, #76; Mark LeVoir, #64; George Bussey, #66
No changes here. Bussey is your reserve left tackle, LeVoir your reserve right tackle. Thomas Welch has looked bad through two preseason games.
Interior Offensive Line (4): Dan Koppen, #67; Stephen Neal, #61; Dan Connolly, #63; Ryan Wendell, #69
I have last year's 4th round pick Rich Ohrnberger getting cut here (and landing on the practice squad). He's got some talent, but doesn't offer any special teams value, and is getting beat out on the depth chart right now by Ryan Wendell.
Defense after the jump!
Defensive Line (6): Mike Wright, #99; Vince Wilfork, #75; Gerard Warren, #68; Myron Pryor, #91; Brandon Deaderick, #71; Ron Brace, #97
Once again, there's no changes here. The only thing I will note is that I think Ron Brace has secured his roster spot as the reserve left end. Ditto Brandon Deaderick on the right side. This doesn't bode well for Damione Lewis.
Outside Linebacker (6): Tully Banta-Cain, #95; Derrick Burgess, #53; Jermaine Cunningham, #96; Marques Murrell, #93; Rob Ninkovich, #50; Pierre Woods, #58
I've added Pierre Woods to this group, as he is still one of the top special teams players for the Patriots. The rest of the group remains the same as last week. Ninkovich is a solid rusher in sub-packages and is also a solid special teams player, so he keeps his spot.
Inside Linebacker (5): Jerod Mayo, #51; Brandon Spikes, #55; Gary Guyton, #59; Tyrone McKenzie, #44; Eric Alexander, #52
The only roster change I have in this spot is the addition of Eric Alexander, and the subsequent subtraction of Dane Fletcher. Alexander is a very valuable special teams player for the Patriots, and has also looked decent on defense. Tyrone McKenzie offers little special teams value, and could be competing with Fletcher for a final roster spot, if one exists.
Cornerback (6): Leigh Bodden, #23; Devin McCourty, #32; Darius Butler, #28; Jonathan Wilhite, #24; Terrence Wheatley, #22; Kyle Arrington, #27
Kyle Arrington is a hard hitter and a key special teams player for the Patriots. Terrence Wheatley and Jonathan Wilhite are likely competing for one roster spot, so if the team could net a fifth or sixth round pick for one of them, that would be ideal.
Safety (4): Brandon Meriweather, #31; Patrick Chung, #25; Brandon McGowan, #30; James Sanders, #36
Initially, I had rookie free agent Sergio Brown on the final roster, but I elected to with James Sanders after doing my final cuts. However, if the Patriots could swing Sanders, for say a fourth round pick to a team looking for a solid starting safety, I think the Patriots will jump on that.
Special Teams (3): Stephen Gostkowski, #3; Zoltan Mesko, #14; Jake Ingram, #46
No changes and no competition for any of these guys.
Practice Squad (8):
1. Sergio Brown, S, #38
2. Rich Ohrnberger, G/C, #60
3. Thomas Welch, T, #74
4. Kade Weston, DL, #66
5. Rob Meyers, TE, #80
6. Dane Fletcher, ILB, #45
7. Kyle Love, DL, #74
8. Zac Robinson, QB, #7
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You missed Edelman
Kind of a big one to cut, no? :P
how counted 6 WRs, but mentioned...
..only 5, so Edelman is saved. :D
by frogfromthemud on Aug 22, 2010 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, forgot Edelman, he was obviously supposed to be there
But as frogfromthemud mentioned, Edelman was counted in the numbers game. Obviously Edelman isn’t getting cut. Just a mistake on my part.
by Greg Knopping on Aug 22, 2010 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Benny averaged 3.1 YPC in the first game and 1.7 YPC in the 2nd.
That second game Sammy averaged 8.7. Yeah, I know he had a run for 20 yards which skews it. Fred Taylor had one for 28, yet averaged 4.9 YPC.
There have been a lot of people eager to dump Sammy, but he has been one of our better backs.
He was the workhorse in 2008. I know people like what BJGE did in 2008, but he had <40% of Morris’ carries and had 0.8 YPC average less.
He only behind Maroney and last year in carries, and tied BJGE in YPC (with 2.8 times the carries) and was ahead of Taylor and Maroney in YPC.
He’s definitely been one of our better backs. Add in that he can play FB, can split out wide, and catch out of the backfield. I don’t know why folks want to push him out of the door.
Benny is younger and can play ST, and gets killed as a FB.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 22, 2010 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I pretty much agree
For 2010, there’s no question Sammy is the better back. Beyond that, maybe in BJGE. But if Benny is a major part of the team’s plans moving forward, that will be a problem.
by Greg Knopping on Aug 22, 2010 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions
My main problem with Sammy is durability
He’s nowhere near a lock to make it through the season, and hasn’t done so for a long time. He’s a more talented back than BJGE, but at what point does having durability outweigh talent? The important games are at the end of the season, not the start, after all.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Aug 22, 2010 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions
There's not a back on the roster that I believe can handle the season alone.
Maroney, Morris and Taylor have all had durability issues. Faulk and BJGE are too small to take the pounding as a #1 back.
BJGE has played some nice games and some where he’s just overpowered. I love his heart, but I don’t see upside at all.
Just an opinion.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 22, 2010 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Granted
all things being equal, I’d expect a mid-20s guy to survive a season more readily than a mid-30 guy with a spotty injury history.
I’d probably still keep Sammy as he’s the first guy to sub in for Faulk, too. But if BJGE has shown improvement as pass-protection and receiving as a third-down back, too, Sammy might be gone.
The wildcard is Hernandez, too – he’s been moved around quite a bit and even took a couple of game snaps as a fullback/H-back. It’s not that different to the Pats-style shotgun back like Faulk, so he might factor in a little.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Aug 22, 2010 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions
The injury bug is tough to predict.
Age, size, playing style can all affect it. Maroney is a twenty something and he’s been bit pretty hard, as was Fragile Freddy as a twenty something. Fred’s actually been more durable with age. Tough to predict.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 22, 2010 6:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Keep in mind that Morris had more opportunities in the second game, and vice versa with the 1st game.
I want to keep all the backs though. Chris Taylor might be the one to cut.
I'm also a Raider Fan dammit!!! RAIDER NATION!!!!
Down with Big Brother!
I see nothing out of Chris Taylor.
I’m not high on our backs at all.
Next year, I would resign Faulk (if he wants to go) and Morris for cheap. I’d let Taylor and Maroney walk and pick up two new guys in the draft. If the new guys worked out through camp and pre-season then Morris could get cut and Faulk (nudge nudge) retires. If not, those two carry the ball until the pups figure it out.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 22, 2010 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Or a free agent RB. :)
Veteran?
I'm also a Raider Fan dammit!!! RAIDER NATION!!!!
Down with Big Brother!
Or three.
That’s the status quo, and to be fair, it works pretty well, at least in terms of sheer production on the ground.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Aug 22, 2010 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions
As long as we run a committee, with serviceable backs, and we run the ball
I am happy. :)
If we happen to loose all 3 RBs(the ones that are over 30) next year, I think we can manage 3 veteran free agents, a veteran free agent and two draft picks, or two veteran free agents, and 1 draft pick.
I'm also a Raider Fan dammit!!! RAIDER NATION!!!!
Down with Big Brother!
I'm not opposed to grabbing a serviceable veteran or two.
Morris and Faulk know the system, and to be fair, Faulk is still very good at what he does.
If you’re bringing in rookies, they are good guys to learn from.
Not married to them or anything if they grab serviceable veterans elsewhere.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 22, 2010 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions
If the team cuts Benny,
I re-sign Faulk next year, let Taylor and Morris walk via free agency, and assign Lomo a 2nd round tender assuming a new CBA has yet to be struck. With Maroney on a 2nd round tender, there’s a chance some team may take a chance on him and sign him to an offer sheet. Which means we get a second round pick. If not, we have Maroney start for one more season, while a rookie back (or two) wait in the wings for 2012.
by Greg Knopping on Aug 22, 2010 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions
That's a good way to go, too.
There’s more money tied up if we end up keeping LoMo than I think Morris would cost us, but it’s a good plan.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 22, 2010 6:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I'm not 'eager to dump' Sammy
but if it came down to which of the two I’d take, it would be Benny. There’s a difference.
Keep the faith!
Sorry, poor choice of words.
I’ve heard the dump Sammy thing many times (not by you), and when I check the record, he’s been pretty good for us.
I like Benny and I’d keep all five this year, though only carry 3 per game. It keeps the legs fresh.
I was leaning towards dropping Fred until he entered Beast mode against the Falcons.
Then there always the question of who will get injured this year, and the crystal ball is out on that one.
Didn’t mean to put words into your mouth, sorry.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 22, 2010 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll admit I've been one of the "eager to dump" Sammy people in the past
It’s well documented. But then I thought about it, and from what we’ve seen on the field, there’s no question that Sammy is still the more talented back.
But there’s things to consider about Benny: special teams, fullback ability, young age, workhorse style.
Ultimately though, I think he probably isn’t part of the team’s future plans. Therefore, with 2010 in mind, if the team only keeps four backs, I’m leaning towards keeping Sammy.
by Greg Knopping on Aug 22, 2010 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions
I actually would go to BJGE.
Maroney, Taylor, BJGE, Faulk
I’m going off of feeling more. I just feel that BJGE would be able to provide more of a solid tandem with Maroney and Taylor, than with Morris. The durability factor also goes into this.
I am not saying Morris isn’t good.
I'm also a Raider Fan dammit!!! RAIDER NATION!!!!
Down with Big Brother!
good point
i agree, cut Benny if the patriots view him as not part of their future plans
any player that is likely on the chopping block next year with new draft of players should be considered to be chopped
Faulk takes it one year at a time – he may just decide to retire next year so the discussion is moot
Here is an idea … is this possible ?
Cut one of older RB who won’t likely be taken by other teams then when or if RB suffers major injury, sign that player back up …
The "Seau Plan"?
Could happen, but I don’t think it likely. If Faulk isn’t here he is likely retired. Taylor or Morris may retire or sign on as a depth back somewhere.
Most actual retirees (not Favre or Seau) don’t keep in football shape. They work out, but there’s alot of ground between working out and being NFL ready. They would have to make the choice to stay NFL ready. Might happen, but I doubt it.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 23, 2010 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
so they could do that
BB would sit sown with the RB that’s cut and say …
you will be the first phone call we make if somebody gets injures and we need a replacement. would you be willing to stay NFL ready outside the roster
…
they could play for other team but they would have to learn playbook and system. i think the odds of them playing for new team is very low.
they could say no but that is a chance they take
i think it is something to consider before they need to cut someone they really want
i just wanted to know if they could use that to add roster spot if needed
I'm not so sure...
Denver’s signing any RB that still has moving legs at the moment because they’ve been hit by so many injuries. Denver’s RB playbook is exactly the same as NE’s, so that’s a non-issue. Throw in the fact that the Pats signed one of the injured young guys away from Denver (they wanted to IR him but the Pats stole him), and they might want to sign a NE reserve back just as a “whatever you can do, I can do better” move.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Aug 23, 2010 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions
they could i know but it is a chance they take
it will have to be weighed with possible losing a players like pierre woods, welch, aikens etc
Hm...
…to me 4 interior offensive linemen looks too few. I think there will be at least 5 of them.. Maybe Wilhite or Wheatley will be up for a trade. Also can see BJGE as an insurance policy. 3 backs over 33 and a back with injury history looks a bit risky. And perhaps one less outside or inside linebacker.
Agreed
It’s a little thin on the ground already, especially since none of those players have the proven durability of Mankins. Neal’s always an injury risk at the best of times, and the others are either unproven or not much better. I’d expect another interior lineman, or even two – especially if one can cover Tackle too.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Aug 22, 2010 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
No Guychick? (sp?)
I agree, three interior lineman is too few. Two injuries and a tackle would have to fill in.
I actually do think they could keep 6 defensive backs, due to Arrington, Wilhite, and Wheat all having special teams ability
Right now, I don't think Ghiaciuc is next in line for a roster spot
It would be Ohrnberger. But I already have four interior lineman, not three. Bussey can also play guard.
by Greg Knopping on Aug 22, 2010 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Looks about right to me
The one thing I think will be different, though, is that the Pats will sign an interior lineman who gets cut by another team getting down to its 53. In turn, they’ll have to cut or trade someone on your list — the annual surprise we all know is coming but still don’t expect.
Or trades a Sanders or Wilhite or Wheatley for one.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Aug 22, 2010 5:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Those three are the most likely to be traded, I think
But ideally, we could get a late round draft pick for one of them and sign someone who’s been cut.
if bodden, butler or mccouty have injury,...
it sure would be nice having wheatley around
we better get something more substantial to compensate
unless they are targeted for cut anyway
They'll have a fourth CB who isn't Arrington
The question at this point is really whether it’s Wheatley or Wilhite. Both aren’t going to make the team in all likelihood, not unless Sanders is gone, so which one do you trade? That’s the issue here.
I think there's a chance the team keeps both Wheatley and Wilhite
They’ve kept six cornerbacks in the past. I think Arrington is a lock to make the team. But ultimately, do you think it’s conceivable that the team gets more than a 6th round pick for either Wheatley or Wilhite?
I’m not sure. But I do think the team could get a solid 4th round pick for James Sanders. He’s a starting caliber safety, just not for the Patriots.
by Greg Knopping on Aug 22, 2010 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions
They've kept six CBs when they've had better health on the offensive line and two TEs
And if the alternative is cutting Wheatley or Wilhite, a sixth round pick is fine.
I agree about Sanders, though. Much as I’d rather have him than McGowan if we’re going to go with three safeties, an extra fourth rounder next year wouldn’t be bad.
Well if you don't think Arrington can play regular defensive snaps
It would only, in a sense, be keeping 5 cornerbacks.
It all depends on how the Patriots view Arrington.
by Greg Knopping on Aug 22, 2010 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions
He hasn't been able to do so in the past
I haven’t seen enough of the preseason to be able to say if he’s improved, but past performance tends to be predictive. I tend to think the Pats will treat him as the fifth CB, to be used on defense only in the event of injury or emergency.
I like Hernandez over Gronkowski, but that's just me
Playing time at TE will probably be fairly evenly split between everyone though.
Nicknames for Benoit-Soriano? How about ‘one and done’ describing the length of time they’re likely to be Rays
by sternfan1 on Jul 25, 2010 4:01 AM PDT
Yeah I'm not saying Gronkowski will play more than Hernandez
I just see him in that “traditional” starting tight end role, with Hernandez as the jack-of-all-trades
by Greg Knopping on Aug 22, 2010 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Does Hernandez-as-Dallas-Clark potentially make one of the WRs expendible?
It’s pretty clear Hernandez won’t be a first-choice at TE because of his physique, but his talent means they’ll try to get him on the field irrespective. Maybe lose Aiken and keep Sergio Brown as a special teamer?
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Aug 22, 2010 7:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Possibly, I thought about that myself, but I ask
Who would you rather have on special teams, Sam Aiken or Sergio Brown?
Nothing against Brown, but I like Aiken’s experience and leadership
by Greg Knopping on Aug 22, 2010 9:02 PM EDT up reply actions
As do I
But Pat Chung has been slowly taking over Aiken’s upback role on punts, and presumably that’s an indication of the coaching staff trusting his leadership and playing talents.
Chung’s an interesting prospect – he won the Oregon Ducks’ Gordon E. Wilson award for best special team’s player alongside being a fulltime starter (he has the record for most starts in a Ducks jersey). He was also in the Ducks’ ‘rover’ position, playing a Rodney Harrison like playing role (and also making he leadership calls and the like).
Ergo:
a) he’s a leader and is used to making defensive and playcalls (as Rover at the Ducks)
b) he’s a born special teamer (special teams awards don’t come with the rain)
c) he can presumably play full-time defensively and full-time on special teams, as he did it through college.
It’d be a hell of a lot of responsibility, but if he’s good enough, he’s good enough. Hoodie’s always played starters on special teams, so that’s not a major issue – he used McGowan and Meriweather on ST units last year, after all.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Aug 22, 2010 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions
You got the O nailed, but (hopefully) one wrong on every level on the D
Line: Think about last year…what was the off season about, remedying getting run over by Baltimore…hence bringing in Warren and Lewis. Lewis may have been in jeopardy before the Warren injury, but now you are saying Wright is a starter, against Oher or Gaither…really…same result. Pryor isn’t an end, and Brace and Deadrick have never even gone against first stringers, and you are willing to go with them over a guy who isn’t great, but at least was a 16 game first teamer for Carolina the last two years. Lets hope not.
LBs I think the reason McKenzie came in after Fletcher in game 1 was because they wanted to see if they had anything in Fletcher. They know McKenzie is a worker and a tackler but is coming back from injury. In game 2 McKenzie was clearly the best second team player. Also if you drop McKenzie you are saying you would rather go with Woods and Alexander who offer the first team nothing, and Guyton as first inside backup (again nightmares about Baltimore) I hope that doesn’t happen.
DBs – Wheatley has to stay for two reasons, 1) he has much more upside than Wilhite, 2) you won’t get anything for him in a trade as he’s been injured. Wilhite will never be a starter so if you can get a 4/5th then why not. Also, if Butler / McCourty get all Revis in 4 years time, don’t you want someone on the roster who could take over from them rather than be back relying on Wilhite again? Also if you have Arrington then why not gamble on Wheatley?
As much as you build to beat the Colts and Saints, you will have to beat the likes of the Ravens as well…D line is not a luxury…
we are not building to beat specific teams...
Right now, at this moment, wright is our best bet as starter, and the best we have to start. Although I believe he’ll split time with Deadrick or Brace.
I'm also a Raider Fan dammit!!! RAIDER NATION!!!!
Down with Big Brother!
by patriotguy2 on Aug 22, 2010 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions
"we are not building to beat specific teams..."
I’m not saying that’s the sole reason but it certainly plays into the decision.
For example, how do you explain the McCourty pick (which surprised everyone) given you already have Butler, Bodden, Wheatley and Wilhite, if it isn’t a direct reaction to being torched by Brees, and knowing any road goes through Manning-town…
Warren, Lewis and Spikes were directly brought in to make sure the Baltimore result didn’t happen again, though if it’s not Baltimore, Pittsburgh will try to run you over, Miami etc etc
To a certain extent
Although Hoodie’s always drafted based on best-player-available. McCourty’s a special team stud and Hoodie described him as a “4 down player” – being a potential every-down defensive starter as well as a special teams maven (which is worth a lot to Hoodie, who started off as a special teams coach). It suggests that Hoodie thought at least a quarter of his value was special teams… and after two 50+ yard kick returns, who’s going to argue? And the fact he was 5th CB suggests even more that it was BPA and not for need, because Butler, Wilhite and Wheatley are only now approaching the time they’re meant to be at their best.
Warren and Lewis were clearly brought in to compete for spots on the D-line, and I’m not so sure that Spikes was brought in to counter Baltimore as he was clearly the best player still on the board – a first round talent available in the mid-2nd is a gimme.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Aug 23, 2010 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
the McCourty pick
is a reaction to more than just the Saints. Practically every playoff contender now puts at least 3 quality receivers on the field now. And both the Jets and Dolphins this year significantly upgraded their WRs.
Ultimately, BB would probably argue (if you could even get him to discuss it) that McCourty was simply a BPA pick. And a case could be made for that.
agreed
fans were all screaming for a pass rusher at the draft and were disappointed (stunned?) that the first pick was McCourty. Fred Smerlas on WEEI asked Belichick if the pass rush was still a concern, Belichick emphasized the hand-in-hand equal nature of having both a pass rush and pass coverage. He obviously felt McCourty was the BPA or player of choice to fill that need on the coverage side.
Keep the faith!
2008 emphasized that hand-in-hand nature.
The exact same pass rushers as 2007, but the best CB left through free agency.
As much as I dislike Asante, he was an upgrade over Deltha (Where’d my guy go?) O’Neal. Zero pass rush because holes were open all over the place.
In 2009, the secondary improved, the pass rushers were worse, IMO. They pressured, but just as they got to the QB, they could complete the pass.
Here’s the question, were the pass rushers too slow and ineffective, or did the secondary lose coverage a half step too early? It appears, Bill went with the latter, or maybe it was BPA, or both.
My life has been a trivial pursuit. Trivia: where three roads meet.
The more you know, the more you know that you don't know.
by SlotMachinePlayer on Aug 24, 2010 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I think last year's defensive problems were mainly on the offense
Statistically, last year’s defense played excellent in all but 3 games:
The last qtr and a half of the Indy game – when they clearly ran out of healthy front 7 guys and were completely gassed because the OFFENSE COULDN"T STAY ON THE FIELD.
The Saints game when, imho, we were clearly out-coached and, again, THE OFFENSE COULDN"T STAY ON THE FIELD.
The Houston game when it just didn’t really matter, but, again, THE OFFENSE COULDN"T STAY ON THE FIELD.
Those are the only 3 games last year in which the defense gave up more than 24 points. In fact, in most of the games they didn’t give up more than 17 pts. That says that overall, the defensive secondary did their primary job of not giving up big plays.
I’m not going to say the defense was perfect last year. If they did have flaws, it was, indeed probably lack of depth in the front 7 – but that largely became a problem mainly when our offense simply couldn’t get first downs late in games and so our defensive front 7 would get exhausted.
I think our defense this year is indeed intrinsically going to be better due to the points you make. However, the upgrades on offense (a real WR threat opposite Randy PLUS our TE upgrades) will likely be the biggest boost for our defense!
excellent analysis
you made strong arguments
I hope they test Deadrick against first string more to evaluate his potential and protect him if he has lots of upside.
news flash
The Patriots have agreed to a trade with the Falcons to acquire fifth-year offensive guard Quinn Ojinnaka, an NFL source confirms. The Patriots will ship an undisclosed draft choice to Atlanta.
Ojinnaka (6-5 299) has appeared in 39 career games with 12 starts for the Falcons. He has been on the roster bubble in Atlanta after the Falcons drafted two interior offensive linemen this year.
Nice.
I'm also a Raider Fan dammit!!! RAIDER NATION!!!!
Down with Big Brother!
by patriotguy2 on Aug 22, 2010 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions
tidbit - he chose wrong girl to marry
In May 29, 2009, Ojinnaka was arrested for simple battery at his home in Suwanee, Georgia after he fought with his wife and spat at her during an argument over a female friend of his on the social networking website Facebook, according to a police report. Ojinnaka told to the police his wife tried to stab him with a pen, and she said he threw her on some stairs before tossing her out of the house, the police report said.1 He was later suspended by the NFL for the first game of the 2010 regular season.[
he can play guard or tackle
he can start or backup plus he’s cheap and still young
could have a little upside
on surface seems like great acquisition
got stolen by patriots
Quinn Ojinnaka
He’s a valuable reserve offensive lineman on a team that can’t possibly have enough of those. For a fifth round tender, he’s a nice value, but it also makes him the only guy likely to be stolen from the Falcons by someone else in the NFL. Obviously, we could look at drafting his replacement with whatever fifth round pick we got, but I think I’d rather just keep Quinn the Eskimo around.
any possibility he doesn't make roster
it would be a wasted draft pick if he did not
they must have enough game film to estimate his value
Those kinds of trades are *usually* conditional
They’d only give up the pick if the guy makes the roster. However, it might’ve been a straight trade, without knowing details, I couldn’t tell you.
Token southern hemisphere guy - 14,688km from Foxboro. That's 9128 miles, for you heathens.
by Comedic.Sans on Aug 23, 2010 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions
news flash
Pats waive/injured rookie DL Kade Weston
The Patriots will waive/injured rookie defensive lineman Kade Weston, according to Adam Caplan of FOX Sports.
Our View: Weston will be placed on IR if and when he clears waivers. The extent and type of the injury were not disclosed, but Weston had an all-timer of an outside shot at earning playing time this season considering the injuries and losses up front in New England.
law firm has good potential if they used him more, he’d do beter than Moroney, and RB is a easy position to get injured in I see them keeping the same 5 RB they had last year..After this year they need to draft a rb prob a first rounder , hopefully better than the last first round RB they picked i se the older backs not both being there in 2011.
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