We’ll be comparing our Patriots Roster Projection against Mike Reiss’ projection, posted on his Reiss’ Pieces site.
Quarterback (3/4)
Reiss: Brady, O’Connell, Walter
NEPD: Brady, O’Connell, Walter, Hoyer
Analysis: I don’t think that Hoyer would make it to the practice squad, so if anyone goes it would be Walter in my opinion.
Running back (5/4)
Reiss: Faulk, Taylor, Morris, Maroney, Green-Ellis
NEPD: Faulk, Taylor, Morris, Maroney,
Analysis: I think that the Law-Firm’s job is more secure today than it was last week, but I think he becomes the odd man out with the Patriots needing line-depth.
Tight end (3)
Reiss: Baker, Watson, Thomas
NEPD: Baker, Watson, Thomas
Analysis: We agree with Mike that Smith will be a cap casualty, his $1.55 million in salary is just too much to pay for a #4 tight end.
Receiver (6)
Reiss: Moss, Welker, Galloway, Lewis, Edelman, Aiken
NEPD: Moss, Welker, Galloway, Lewis, Edelman, Aiken
Analysis: Not sure Nunn will make it to the practice squad due to the Chiefs looking around for field-stretchers.
Offensive line (8/9)
Reiss: Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kaczur, Vollmer, Ohrnberger, Hochstein
NEPD: Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kaczur, Vollmer, Ohrnberger, Hochstein, O’Callaghan
Analysis: While LeVoir is a nice swing-tackle, he won’t be available until Week 6. Belichick can’t gamble with Brady’s security.
Defensive line (7)
Reiss: Warren, Wilfork, Seymour, Green, Brace, Pryor, Wright
NEPD: Warren, Wilfork, Seymour, Green, Brace, Pryor, Wright
Analysis: With such a stacked position, a deserving player will be cut here and probably end up with the Chiefs.
Hybrid defensive end/linebacker (2)
Reiss: Burgess, Banta-Cain
NEPD: Burgess, Banta-Cain
Analysis: TBC looks like a man possessed, while Burgess still looks like a Raider. Hoping for better things out of DB.
Linebacker (6)
Reiss: Mayo, Thomas, Guyton, Woods, Alexander, Bruschi
NEPD: Mayo, Thomas, Guyton, Woods, Alexander, Bruschi
Analysis: I’d say Bruschi might be this year’s Lawyer Milloy cut, or inline for a pay cut. He makes a lot for a backup LB that plays no special teams. That being said, if Crable gets IR’ed, than Bruschi might be ok.
Cornerback (5)
Reiss: Springs, Bodden, Wilhite, Butler, Wheatley
NEPD: Springs, Bodden, Wilhite, Butler, Wheatley
Analysis: Wheatley has played poorly, but as Mike said, give him a few more games to work it out.
Safety (5/4)
Reiss: Meriweather, Sanders, Chung, McGowan, Slater
NEPD: Meriweather, Sanders, Chung, McGowan
Analysis: Slater doesn’t make it for me, as he just makes too many dumb plays on Special teams.
Specialists (3)
Reiss: Gostkowski (K), Hanson (P), Ingram (LS)
NEPD: Gostkowski (K), Hanson (P), Ingram (LS)
Analysis: I have no clue how to breakdown a long-snapping competition.
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Tags: Roster Moves
I realize Brady was the 4th QB his rookie year. But that was when our QB situation was in shambles. (Crowd was even calling for Bishop to start over Bledsoe). During his rookie preseason, you could even see Brady had “something”… Hoyer, clearly does not have that “something”… This team is primed to win now and we need every roster spot. We, err they =) need have more pressing needs than a 4th QB that wasn’t even drafted.
IIRC, Tom Brady was kept as a 4th QB one time…
quote: “When I came to the Patriots I was the fourth-string quarterback. I was eating nachos before the games, watching us in 2000, just hoping that one day I would get the opportunity.” – Tom Brady
Hopeful thinking on Hoyer, but I want to find a way to keep him.
I like what you did except keeping Hoyer. No way we keep 4 QBs. He might get put on the practice squad but if he gets picked up, so be it. I would much rather have BJGE than Hoyer.
Starter doesn’t really matter in the Patriots system, its the touches that matter.
I figure that if they are all healthy, Taylor, Maroney and Morris all split carries on first and second down, while Kevin Faulk takes care of third down.
BJGE would be a backup if he makes the team.
Ant idea about the starter at running back?