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Updated 53-man roster projection

Posted by Mike Reiss, Globe Staff August 30, 2008 03:15 PM

ANALYSIS

With news of Kevin Faulk's one-game suspension (and thus him not counting against the initial roster), and veteran C/G Mike Flynn as one of today's cuts, here is a revised prediction on how the 53-man roster will unfold today (changes from earlier projection listed at bottom):

  • Quarterback (3): Tom Brady, Matt Gutierrez, Kevin O'Connell

  • Running back (4): Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris, LaMont Jordan, Heath Evans

  • Wide receiver (7): Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Jabar Gaffney, Chad Jackson, Kelley Washington, Sam Aiken, Ray Ventrone

  • Tight end (2): Benjamin Watson, David Thomas

  • Offensive line (8): Matt Light, Nick Kaczur, Wesley Britt, Dan Koppen, Dan Connolly, Logan Mankins, Billy Yates, Russ Hochstein, Oliver Ross to reserve/PUP; Stephen Neal already on reserve/PUP

  • Defensive line (6): Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, Vince Wilfork, Jarvis Green, Mike Wright, Le Kevin Smith

  • Linebackers (9): Adalius Thomas, Mike Vrabel, Shawn Crable, Pierre Woods, Tedy Bruschi, Jerod Mayo, Gary Guyton, Eric Alexander, Larry Izzo

  • Cornerbacks (5): Fernando Bryant, Ellis Hobbs, Terrence Wheatley, Jonathan Wilhite, Mike Richardson

  • Safety (6): Rodney Harrison, James Sanders, Brandon Meriweather, John Lynch, Matthew Slater, Antwain Spann

  • Specialists (3): Stephen Gostkowski (kicker), Chris Hanson (punter), Lonie Paxton (long snapper)

    CHANGES FROM EARLIER PROJECTION: Ray Ventrone added, Dan Connolly added instead of going on injured reserve; Antwain Spann added; Mike Flynn removed; Vince Redd removed. The reasons for adding Ventrone and Spann are tied to current injury situations with Wes Welker at receiver (Ventrone has been lining up in the slot) and Brandon Meriweather at safety (Spann has been filling in).

    TIME EXPECTATION ON ROSTER MOVES: Last year, the Patriots announced their final roster moves at around 7:30 p.m. While the deadline is 4 p.m., it is possible that the news of the cuts won't be released to media members until after that.

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    18 comments so far...

    1. I have to wonder about alexander.I expected more from him.I do like the way Woods has progressed..i hope the adress the team tackling they have been brutal..

      Posted by paul August 30, 08 03:24 PM

    1. Paul. Alexander makes it based on ST play, he is better than Izzo in that area now.

      Posted by Ryan August 30, 08 03:34 PM

    1. +1 on Alexander . Sure he's the main depth at ILB, but he doesn't seem to get the job done. It'll be interesting to see if Guyton can step into the main backup role.

      Otherwise, i like the roster but there is no way we go into the season with only 2 TE, given the importance of the role in this offense and the injury prone nature of our #1 and #2 TE's. Out of necessity, Spach makes the team in favor of Aiken/Ventrone. Love Ventrone though... he deserves a spot.

      I would also put Welbourn in and put Connely on the practice squad where he'll be safe.

      Posted by Adam August 30, 08 03:49 PM

    1. Why did you take Redd off the roster?

      Posted by george August 30, 08 03:50 PM

    1. Hi George. I took Redd off because I had him as my 52rd/53rd guy, and I think Spann/Ventrone fill more immediate needs due to others' injuries (Meriweather/Welker) and the Patriots can still keep Redd (on the practice squad) if he clears waivers -- a risk, no doubt. Adam -- on Connolly, I talked to a scout who was extremely high on him. I think he's the type of guy who is more likely to get claimed.
      --Mike

      Posted by Mike Reiss August 30, 08 03:55 PM

    1. Hi Mike, maybe you can explain why Faulk is now off the (predicted) roster? If a player is suspended, they don't count as a roster spot? (It would seem to defeat the purpose of a suspension, no?). Would they technically be "cut" and re-signed when the suspension is over? Or are you just predicting that Faulk will be cut?

      Thanks,

      David

      Posted by Davo August 30, 08 04:03 PM

    1. Gladly David. A suspended player does not count against the 53-man roster limit. Once he is reinstated, he would count against the 53-man limit. So, in a sense, the Patriots get a break of sorts. While it doesn't defeat the purpose of a suspension from Faulk's perspective -- he loses one game and two paychecks -- it almost does reward the team with the ability to keep one extra player for a week.
      --Mike

      Posted by Mike Reiss August 30, 08 04:16 PM

    1. Hi Mike. Are the teams themselves responsible for reporting cuts to the media? I'm dying to see if Cassel made the roster... (for the record, i'm hoping he doesn't, and we keep OConnell off the practice squad).

      Thanks,
      Jim

      Posted by Jim D August 30, 08 04:23 PM

    1. Mike, once the roster cuts are in, and who's in or out is finalized, you should project which players the Jets pick up--just for fun of course. For example, given the readiness of the *other* NY team to snatch Patriots cast offs, if Cassell is cut do the Jets pick him up for a time to gain some info? Do they go for Spann now that he is (or could be) cut?

      Posted by Eric August 30, 08 05:11 PM

    1. Hi Jim. Teams are responsible for reporting their moves to the NFL by whatever the deadline is; otherwise, teams aren't technically obligated to do anything in regards to the media. Most dissemenate the information to media members because it's a way to connect with fans of the team, but the time elements can vary from team to team.
      --Mike

      Posted by Mike Reiss August 30, 08 05:11 PM

    1. Where is Kevin Faulk? Arguably the best 3rd down back in the NFL not making the team????

      Posted by Pete August 30, 08 05:38 PM

    1. Hi Pete. Because he is serving a one-game suspension, he does not count against the initial 53-man roster.
      --Mike

      Posted by Mike Reiss August 30, 08 05:50 PM

    1. That would mean someone else would be released after Week 1. Spann to the Practice Squad w/Meriweather ready to go by Week 2, thus making room for Faulk?

      Also, do you know why the NFL waits 8 weeks to punish Faulk for his infraction? Why wouldn't the NFL's own policy be enforced with more immediacy after a judge rules on a case?

      What does that mean for Kazur? It seems a little inconsistent and unfair for teams who are trying to juggle rosters. No? Thanks, Mike.

      Thanis

      NO

      Posted by Pete August 30, 08 05:58 PM

    1. I THINK THAT THE PATS SHOULD GET COLVIN

      Posted by LUKE August 30, 08 06:10 PM

    1. It is amazing that Cassel made the roster, while Gutierrez was cut. Admittedly, Gutierrez' perfromance was not stellar in the off season, but much of that could be blamed on the offensive line. Cassel was simply awful. I can only hope that the Patriots are watching the waiver wires for acceptable quarterback from other teams, so that Cassel will not be with the Pats much longer. He simply has lost the confidence of the fans!

      Posted by Bob August 30, 08 07:33 PM

    1. Bob, Cassel has NEVER had the confidence of the fans. In fact, IMO, he never had the confidence of his college coach, either, Pete Carroll.

      Posted by Mike Allen August 31, 08 12:58 AM

    1. I bet all of you feel stupid about cassel being good.

      Posted by matt shaub December 1, 08 05:18 AM

    1. Cassel Rules. Screw you all

      Posted by Jack Cassel December 19, 08 09:17 PM
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