Roster moves analysis
ANALYSIS
With the Patriots placing starting right guard Stephen Neal on the reserve/physically unable to perform list because of his shoulder, this means the team will be without Neal for at least the first six weeks of the season.
So the question then becomes: Who fills the void?
Fifth-year player Billy Yates has seen the most first-team repetitions at that spot, while eighth-year man Russ Hochstein is another option. Hochstein has been sidelined after appearing to suffer a foot injury in the exhibition opener, so if he's not ready for action, the Patriots also could call on third-year player Dan Connolly or more experienced options like Mike Flynn (11th year) or John Welbourn (10th year).
As for the team's other moves, O'Callaghan projected as the team's top backup at right tackle, behind Nick Kaczur. Wesley Britt likely will now assume that spot. Veteran Oliver Ross, who remains on the active/physically unable to perform list, is another possibility.
The release of veteran cornerback Jason Webster is a bit of a surprise -- he was one of the team's early free agent signings -- but it likely clears the way for rookie Jonathan Wilhite (fourth round) to earn a roster spot and potentially contribute in sub packages.
Running back Kyle Eckel faced longer odds based on the crowd in front of him -- a group that includes Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, LaMont Jordan, and Heath Evans.
Offensive lineman Ryan Wendell was a long shot to make the club.
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I would think that the Webster release may opening up room for Ty Law.
O'Callaghan on IR is a disappointment, he adds quality depth.
I'm excited to see Cassel get cut this Friday. And if anyone is surprised by him getting cut, just ask yourself if you'd rather have Cassel or Michael Bishop at QB as a backup to Brady? I'm on the Michael Bishop gravy train (wish he was available).
TY LAW would be sick (for me in Madden).
Man the line is just being destroyed by injuries this year. Fortunately we could potentially see Neal back for the sixth game with a bye in the first few weeks. I am not suprised to see any of these guys waived to be honest and, think, they still need to cut 22 more guys!
Ty law might be able to beat Lynch or Rodney on a foot race....he's pretty old now, not what the Oats need.
Losing O'Callaghan is tough - now they need to keep a stiff like Britt.
I was playing Madden franchise mode this past week, and I released Cassell as my first move. I then went on to win the next two Super Bowls.
Mike, if you could pass this info on to Belichick and Pioli, I would appreciate it.
So - the offensive line - which choked big time in the Super Bowl ( maybe 1 too busy making videos of how manly their beards were, instead of analyzing film " "how to block rookies 101 " ) isn't going to be as " good" . . . . .
The coach - who used to win games on long field goals - then became afraid to try them - didn't prepare his team to win the biggest game of the season. He let the team become 1 dimensional and the other guys figured it out. Sure he's won 3 Super Bowls but has been outcoached in each of the last 2 playoff runs.
That's ok - BB is genius, TB healthy forvever . . . . Organization has become a cash cow, owner happy with that, cash register beats championship trophy,
Long view is blind.... No one wins every year. SO the Pats lost the last few years in the playoffs our lousy coach and terrible qb get us there every year. your either an ungrateful spoiled fan or a troll.
hey - I follow the Bruins so i don't need to be told you don't win every year/decade/third of a century . . . . . . be realistic for a moment - with the talent available - why didn't Patriots grab at least 1 of the last 2 ?. . . . time goes by too fast, you only get so many shots at it - ask Peyton Manning if you don't believe that . . Colts guessed what we were going to do in '07, everyone knew in '08 . . .
yeah, player's hearts carried them a long way - Brady in the Super Bowl loss was as impressive as in some of the wins - some smarter coaching could have put them over the top, marked them as the top all time team - but that job wasn't done.
Busy trying on the spiffy red hoodie . . .
Like I thought a spoiled ungrateful fan. You should be happy that the Pats have won 3 and not complaining that they lost in the playoffs or superbowl the last few years. There are 32 teams in the league and only 2 play in the big game guess what we as fans have been blessed to be a part of such a great sports town. Win or lose the Pats are in the race every year and you want to complain because they didn't win 6 championships in 7 years. You my friend define spoiled.
Yeah go ahead and blame BB and the red hoodie thats real smart. Maybe the fact that the two cordinators had problems and BB was busy on the sidelines coaching man to man with the D. Don't bother to look at what really happened. That night the Oline played poorly with a QB (who lacks mobility when healthy) already banged up from the game before.
Maybe we should replace BB with you and then we might possess a "smarter" coach. Give me a break... your out of your mind.
Take, any idea who the safeties were in the 4th quarter of the Colts game? 10 bucks says you didn't even watch it - maybe you were too young.
And the reason the Bruins are horrible is because a guy named Jacobs owns the team. Kraft/Belichick/Pioli have built this team to contend every year but the margin for error in the NFL is so small that even a dysfunctional organization like the Jets can still win games.
Ty Law needs to retire so I can stop reading these ridiculous posts about how we should bring him back. Maybe for league min salary but not a cent more.
Ty just doesn't have the goods anymore period. Forget him. They already have too many geezers on the team
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