Roster breakdown

Mike, is it true that Ty Law signed with Atlanta today?

Adding 7 rookies and 5 veterans to a team like the Pats is quite impressive. Hopefully the injection of young and new blood will help keep the dynasty going a few more years. I'm disappointed that Redd was let go - he seemed to have a lot of potential.

The Patriots currently have 8 WR on the roster, whereas BB normally carries 6. My guess is that Ventrone and Jones are merely placeholders until the Pats add other available players (Ty Law?), or Kevin Faulk returns.

Hank Poteat could be brought in to replace Lewis Sanders at CB.

Gutierrez, Green-Ellis, Sam Aiken, Vern Redd and Spahn could all be headed for the practice squad.

Any chance Simms and/or Harrington are brought in for a tryout as a possible back up to Brady?

Hi L.A. Not true on Law. He remains a free agent.
--Mike

mik, anyway we go after willi anderson ?

I wouldn't be surprised if Ventrone sticks around a while. He did a good job at WR this pre-season, but he's also a good special teams player and gives them extra depth at safety. He was a safety in his previous practice squad stint on the Pats.

Cutting Matt Gutierrez is the biggest surprise, but it sort of makes sense in a Patriots-sort-of-way. Had they cut Cassel the chances are greater he would have tried signing with another team. That would have left them with only Gutierrez and O'Connell. While O.Connell has a lot of promise, neither of the two Matts have demonstrated much on a pre-season performance. Providing you're right about getting Gutierrez for the practice squad, Mike, this cut and keep will allow the Pats to stay as flush as they can at QB. Of course another possibility is that the Pats are looking at signing another veteran QB, too.

What's the latest involving Junior Seau? Does anyone know? I was watching some of the games from last season, and he had some wicked hits on some people.

Did Simms get cut ??

Mike, you really think John Lynch can drop down and play corner? The thought of seeing #47 lined up against a receiver terrifies me.

what is the chances rose colvan resigns

How this team could allow the cornerback situation to crumble like this is absolutely amazing. A number 1 CB who, IMO, would not even be a starter on MOST other NFL teams and two midget draft picks in a receiver league that is getting taller and faster.

Merriweather at corner would be an improvement.

Eight wide receivers?

To tell the truth, I had originally thought the opener would be a quick win, now I have serious doubts, especially with Josh McDaniels still not having a clue how to change and adjust an offense.

Walter, Sam Aiken wasn't cut, and I don't think he's eligible for the practice squad.

Bryant was atrocious at tackling in the Giants game; very disappointing.

any chance we get back Rosevelt Colvin?What about Colvin?

I second leepats fan on the possibility of Willie Anderson

Mike, you expressed more concerns over the OL than the DB's early in the pre-season. Now how do you feel about both?

Mike, I was surprised that the Bryant experiment failed. Some (wink) even had him projected as a starter. Was surprised to see that CB Will James (formerly named Will Petersen) was cut by Bills. Will Patriots go after him?

Any chance the Patriots are interested in Rosy Colvin???

Isn't Slater still considered a Wide Receiver?

I believe the Patriots will go after a WR. Mike, were there any middle of the pact kinda veteran receivers released today? And if not, what do you think about Joe Horn?

is matt cassel not eligable for the practice squad ? because he does not deserve to be on the 53 man roster. he did not show he can do the job as 2nd or 3rd backup

What about Seau??

Cassell should have been cut. He is totally useless!

What were Bill and Scott thinking? Why did they keep Cassel instead Guttierez? My belief is the best thing Bill and Scott could have done is to keep three QB's, and letting go of Cassel.
Tampa Bay released Simms, which allows the Patriot's the opportunity to sign Simms. If they sign Simms then Bill and Scott could then release Guttierez as well. Cassell had his chance and never made a play during his time here. How much long do we have to live with Cassell?

bryant is no suprise after getting driven into the endzone on the first touchdown against the giants

I wouldn't worry too much about a back-up QB. If Brady goes down, no one will step in and take them to the SB. Let's look to get some bodies to protect Brady. There has to be a couple of lineman out there better than Britt, Kaczur and Hochstein. The O-line has been hit with a lot of injuries in the last year or two. Mike, any chance in getting a lockdown corner? Also, what happened with Hobson? That was listed a big deal when then signed him ...

The fans are looking at it the wrong way wrt Cassel and Gutierrez. Both played poorly. Cassel didn't beat out Gut. Gut played his way onto the practice squad (he still is PS eligible). I remain a bit surprised that Izzo remained on the club. I know he is a mainstay but I thought Redd showed more versatility and long term potential. With Aiken still on the roster I didn't think they would keep both Aiken and Izzo. But, it was clear yesterday that Izzo would be on the final roster since BB usually gives most vets an early release. I think we will see Redd signed quickly with another LB needy club. CJ jones is my big surprise. He was very inconsistent. I expect there are more changes coming in the next few days.

I agree in scanning other roster cuts, I would be shocked if they did not add another corner.

if Bill B liked Hank Poteat before... why not bring him back?

He's someone who already knows his system... as long as he still has the legs and can keep up I would see him being more essential to the Coach than an 8th receiver

Or Ty Law to show Wheatley the ropes ....as a player /coach type and nickel/ dime corner. Probably just anxiety about corner and hopeful about Ty's return though...

Bryant got carried all the way into the end zone and off this roster.

Come on Matt Cassel!!! How does this guy float under the radar? I wish I could make $1 million and can't do my job under pressure.

Is Jason Webster on reserve/PUP or IR? I don't see him on the list of players who were released

Walter, sure hope you are accurate. I like the addition of Ty Law as veteran leadership to a questionable CB crew.

CJ Jones needs to go! I don't see any viable reason to keep this WR. Keeping Britt over Flynn, UGH! How many times was Britt beaten on the pass rush!

Hi Mike,

Great posts as always. Are the Pats looking into signing Chris Simms after he was released from the Bucs? It's definitely surprising to see Cassel make the team after his poor preseason performances.

Simms would be a quality backup who has proven he can lead an offense down the field. I think it would be a wise move, especially after watching what this offense is like without Brady at the helm.

I heard we just signed Rudi johnson to play 3rd down back? Wait false alarm

Hopefully Pats will go after Anderson, wont they Mike?

Mike,
You say "Connolly, a third-year player who had a fairly rough preseason but shows promise at guard and center, gets the nod over veterans Mike Flynn and John Welbourn." I don't think that assesment is completely true, he struggled with 2-3 snaps this preseason but as a blocker he was fairly consistent. Personally I thought he had a solid preseason and deserved to make the club based on his current production.

MIKE,

What are the odds that Vince Redd clears waivers and that he makes the Pats Practice Squad? I am a bit surprised that he was cut.

Mike, Willie Anderson from the bengals? Cut because of salary structure I think. What about Chris Simms? Both these guys do not have to clear waivers I believe and can sign where they choose.

Thoughts?

Ahhh the genius of Belichick. BB believes he can sneak Guieteriez through waivers and have him on the practice squad. Cassell may be the first to go if we can pick up a veteran QB

Mike Reiss reported several times that Bryant got beat in practice, so why is it a surprise to see him get cut?

Let's not fret untill we see the roster on the opening day. Bill Belichick has proven through the years that he knows what he is doing and we as fans need to be behind him and give him our support, not ridicule

Other than Cassell all good moves here - Ventrone and CJ Jones showed themselves to be Patriots-type players and I am happy they will be staying. Chad Jackson did nothing and is out of time. I also like the fact the young bubble LBs made the team. Guyton is a stud.

Hi Mike
Great work as usual BUT I can't believe you left the great Larry Izzo off this roster list. You'll have to do special blog on him to make up. Thanks & God Bless
Chris Standring

So exactly how many roster moves were you wrong on Mike?

Whenever reporters start trying to be GM's they get into trouble.

You do a great job reporting so stick to that.