Breaking down the 92
After signing Terrence Nunn on Monday, the Patriots currently have 92 players on their roster, which is the most of any team in the NFL. Teams can have up to 80 players under contract, but draft picks don't count against that limit until they sign contracts.
Here is the second part of a continuing breakdown of the roster, with quick-hit thoughts at each position:
Center
Personnel: Dan Koppen, Al Johnson, Russ Hochstein, Dan Connolly, Billy Yates
Quick hit: Koppen returns as starter; Johnson landed 1-year, $950,000 deal to challenge him; Connolly must improve shotgun snaps to have a chance.
Guard
Personnel: Logan Mankins, Stephen Neal, Rich Ohrnberger, George Bussey, Dan Connolly, Russ Hochstein, Al Johnson, Ryan Wendell, Billy Yates
Quick hit: Mankins (left) and Neal (right) back as starters; Ohrnberger, a fourth-round pick, should stick; Hochstein and Yates have been super subs; Competition for back-end roster spots to be intense.
Offensive tackle
Personnel: Matt Light, Nick Kaczur, Mark LeVoir, Ryan O'Callaghan, Wesley Britt, Sebastian Vollmer, Damane Duckett, Jermail Porter
Quick hit: Light has occupied left side since 2001; Vollmer, a second-round pick, should have a roster spot but can he challenge Kaczur for a starting spot at right tackle?; LeVoir was a solid swing tackle in 2008.
(up next: defensive ends, defensive tackles)
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I CANT WAUT FOR THE SEASON TO START. How long before you think Matt Light has to moved to the right side?
I would love Matt to move to the right side but who would play left tackle???
I like Light on the left side. He's been a consistent performer. I understand public perception might be different. While he struggles from time to time, I think that's true of any left tackle.
--Mike
Thats what I dont know? I thought they would have selected Oher @ #23 but they didnt.
I didn't want them to pick Oher... It has been said many times he's dumb as a box of rocks. Some people don't think he'll start this year because how long it may take him to learn the plays... That's not a patriot type player.
"It has been said many times he's dumb as a box of rocks." ..LMAO O i didnt know that!!! Are there remedial classes for NFL players!!!
People have been talking about moving Light to the right side for about 8 years now. It's not going to happen. I don't think he's EVER taken a snap at RT.
You cant rule anything out when it comes to the Patriots, havent you learned? If a better fit comes along then, yes it will happen. But, he aint getting any younger and we need to look at a replacement.
Isn't this the same offensive line that most peoples opinion couldn't protect Brady in the '08 Super Bowl. I am surprised they haven't been more active making changes to this group.
You all should check-out Vollmer on you-tube. I watched him this year at Houston and he played a little bit of tight-end.He is surprisingly quick and fast for his stature. I project he will start in 2010, unless he woos them this year and starts at Right Tackle. However, I see him playing this year at Tight-end around the goal-line or on 4th and short. Teams will over-look him and he can catch and he has ran a 4.99 40 which means he is fast for a lineman. I could also see him playing the Russ Hochstein Full-back position. Unless, Belichick values him to much as a 2nd rounder and does not want to hurt his future starter. What do you guys think?
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