Patriots on guard
ANALYSIS
If the Patriots make another roster move today, a good bet is that it will be a guard.
On Saturday, the team put in waiver claims on two guards -- Scott Young and Andy Alleman -- but those players went to other teams (Young to Cleveland, Alleman to Miami).
Teams with a lower record receive priority on waiver claims (players with less than 3 accrued seasons go through the waiver process). Because the Patriots were 16-0 last season, they are 32nd of 32 teams on the pecking order.
In terms of their personnel at guard, the Patriots have Logan Mankins as a starter at left guard and Billy Yates projects to start at right guard.
But with top backups Russ Hochstein and Dan Connolly sidelined due to injuries -- and Stephen Neal opening the season on the physically unable to perform list -- the team could enter Sunday's season opener without anyone behind Mankins and Yates.
A few guards generating some interest on the waiver wire -- but who weren't officially claimed -- were Jacob Bender (Jets), Andrew Crummey (Redskins), Dylan Gandy (Broncos), Travis Leffew (Chiefs) and Evan Mathis (Panthers).
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Hi Mike,
Awaiting your picks for all the divisions, conferences and superbowl for this season?.
Mithun
Is Neal EVER healthy? I don't even see why they bother keeping this injury prone lineman around. He barely plays half a year.
Mike,
On a side note I am a bit surprised that Vince Redd cleared waiver wires to get signed to the practice squad. He may end up being a project like Billy Yates where he spent a couple of years before becoming a part of the 53 man roster.
Mike, I believe you said during training camp that Kaczur took some reps at guard. It's conceivable he gets the start at RG against KC, with Britt at RT.
HI Mark. That would be the backup scenario -- Kaczur sliding inside to guard and Britt at right tackle. Craig, on Redd, I obviously overrated him. I thought he was impressive in camp and they might feel the need to protect him. I was wrong.
--Mike
Mike,
No biggie. I honestly thought Vince was going to make the roster too.... things happen. My guess is they told him to not even leave town unless someone else picked him up. Long term wise he COULD be a Willie McGinest type of player with some good coaching.
Suffice it to say I am excited about this rookie class of linebackers.
Hey Mike, you're doing a great job. I watch this stuff pretty closely and you're always right on top of everything. And, for being at the Globe, you're remarkably objective.
PK I have noticed the same thing about Mike. I have sent him emails in the past and he has never failed to respond no matter how busy he is.
The biggest thing, like you said..remarkably objective,
Mike,
I checked out the players that were waived and came up with a list of interesting players. I have not checked if any had been claimed as of yet, other than Andy Alleman. Here they are:
G/C-Dustin Fry, CB-David Macklin, G-Milford Brown, G-Toniu Fonoti, G/T-Evan Mathis, WR-Samie Parker, WR-Travis Taylor, G-Dylan Gandy, CB-Kiwaukee Thomas, G-Tre Stallings, T-Will Svitek, DB-Calvin Lowry, WR-Roydell Williams, TE-Courtney Anderson, CB-Will James, G-Kynan Forney, G-Adrian Clarke, & CB-Trae Williams.
L.C. Divita
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