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Answering your questions
Going through the comments section of the blog and answering some questions. ...
Sounds like you updated your roster projections today. Can you give us your locks, on the bubble, and projected number of players per position? I always find those very interesting.
This is what I put together when looking at thoughts on "locks" at this time, which accounts for rookies Tyrone McKenzie and Brandon Tate landing on either injured reserve or the physically unable to perform list:
QB (2) -- Brady, O'Connell
RB (4) -- Taylor, Morris, Faulk, Maroney
TE (3) -- Baker, Watson, Smith
WR (5) -- Moss, Welker, Galloway, Lewis, Edelman
OL (8) -- Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kaczur, Vollmer, Ohrnberger, Hochstein
DL (7) -- Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, Green, Wright, Smith, Brace
ILB (3) -- Mayo, Bruschi, Guyton
OLB (3) -- Thomas, Woods, Crable
CB (5) -- Springs, Bodden, Wilhite, Wheatley, Butler
S (3) -- Sanders, Meriweather, Chung
K (1) -- Gostkowski
LS (1) -- Hodel/Ingram
P (1) -- Hanson/Malone
Do you think the Pats have interest in Derrick Brooks? He seems to have something left in the tank and is a high quality guy off the field? Are they waiting for his price to drop?
I think Brooks can still contribute to a team, but I don't see the fit with the Patriots and the reason is the special-teams standpoint. A player like Brooks would come in behind Jerod Mayo, Tedy Bruschi and Gary Guyton at inside linebacker in the 3-4 scheme and because of that, I think there is a special-teams component to that roster spot. Every team needs players to be part of special teams and that type of spot is usually where one option comes from. I see Paris Lenon, Vinny Ciurciu and Eric Alexander fighting for a fourth and maybe fifth spot at inside linebacker, and all are factors on special teams.
I thought the 53rd position on the roster was specifically for a third quarterback, and if you don't have one, you can't use a 53rd player. I was under the impression that the rules are very specific in that regard. Could you clarify?
The third quarterback rule is more for the 45-man game-day roster than the overall 53-man roster. All teams can have 53 players on their roster, but can activate just 45 on game days. The third quarterback allows teams to have a 46th player on game-day, but there are specific rules as to how that third "emergency" quarterback can be used. If the third quarterback comes into the game before the fourth quarter, that eliminates the first and second quarterbacks from being able to play in that game.
If the Partiots are up by say 21-plus points, do you see Brady being pulled to give O'Connell some real game time while also protecting Brady as well? Also, do you think Maroney should be used more in an outside alignment like Bush to give him more space to operate? He always seems to do better running in space or running toward the outside then up the middle.
Those situations are seldom black and white when it comes to pulling Brady. If there are less than five minutes remaining, the spread is 21, and the opposition doesn't have any timeouts, I do see Brady getting pulled ... unless it's against the Jets and Bill Belichick is thinking about Rex Ryan's "kissing rings" line. As for Maroney, the biggest thing from my view is decisiveness and vision. Whether it's inside or outside isn't as much of a factor in my view, it's whether he's hitting it up in there and seeing the opportunities that are there quickly enough.
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Mike,
What are the typical numbers for DL and LB on NFL rosters? Particularly what is the norm for a 3-4 team. I understand that though its a 3-4 we play 4-3 as well and that in the Nickel there are only 2 backers and 4 down lineman so that can account for it as well, I am just curious if its typical to have more DL than LB due to the amount of cycling through them we do in different personel groups. Also, does Mayo's abilitiy to play 90%+ of the snaps allow them to have a little less depth there?
Edelman is a "lock"? Really?
He hasn't even put the pads on yet. I'm as excited as anyone about the kid, but let's use a little perspective here.
I think you always do a great job, Mike, but I'm beginning to think that your love affair with Edelman is clouding your judgment.
Or maybe he's really looked that good. I'm just saying...
Mike: It looks like you left out Tank Williams again... I think. Do you see him not making the team... was this an error ? Not sure, I don't know much about him but recall some suggestion he would make the switch from safety to LB.
How the heck does Reiss find the time to post so much material? I love following the Pats, but I can't even keep up with simply reading everything he posts. And it's not just filler. He posts all the relevant news, observations, and answers oodles and oodles of fan's questions. And all from a grounded perspective; never pretending to know everything, always giving credit when due, and often a providing a disclaimer when uncertain about something. If people don't realize it, we're incredibly fortunate to have him.
The over hype of Edelman continues! I can't see him beating out Aiken for a spot, but I hope I'm wrong.
Also, I wouldn't consider LeKevin Smith a lock. Brace may move ahead of him on the depth chart and he would be a tough cut. Has BB ever taken 7 DL into the season?
Edelman a lock? You're really sticking your neck out there with this guy!
Personally, I'd take LeKevin off the list. They carried 6 last year, so I don't think it's a given that they'd carry 7 this year with (arguably) a deeper roster. I also wouldn't be shocked if Hochstein lost out to Bussey. Hochstein gives them that short yardage FB option, and (I assume) is still the backup LS, but I could see them opting to develop prospects on the interior if Mankins and Neal aren't in their future plans.
Hey Mike.
We always hear BB talk about "all three phases of the game" as if they all contribute equally to success. I wonder if the change in the Wedge rule for special teams will have an impact on the composition of the team. That is, if Smith, Hochstein and Wright cannot contribute to special teams the same way this year, does that affect the 53 man roster? Does it make it harder for Smith for instance to make the team?
Could it be that this change in rule will put even more emphasis on the back-of-the-roster LBs making a special teams contribution? And that effect contributes to Derrick Brooks dificulty in finding a home this year?
Hi Scott. The DL and LB numbers will vary depending on what scheme the team runs. For example, a 3-4 defense will usually take more linebackers. For perspective, last year, coming out of training camp, the Patriots had six DLs and nine LBs. My personal feeling is that Mayo and 90 percent of the snaps will not be a factor in keeping fewer LBs. ... Dante, I can understand what you are saying about Edelman. It's early. But I stand by the "lock" prediction. I am not purposely trying to hype him but he's the real deal. He'll be there. ... Justin-R, I could see Tank Williams going either way. I wouldn't call him a lock. ... Andy M, I think Aiken will ultimately be there in the end, but I thought it was a bit strong to call him a lock right now. You could argue the same for Le Kevin Smith. I think that is fair. ... Good points, MarkZ. I don't feel like I'm sticking my neck out on Edelman at all. I kept Hochstein on the list because of the lead-blocking and long snapping backup. ... DC Dacey, I think the special teams rule change could help a fourth tight end like David Thomas stick. It is something to consider, for sure.
--Mike
You don't think that Lenon is a lock as well?
Reports have been good on him, in fact as much as saying that he could or might have already overtaken Guyton.
Mike, Derrick Brooks, would he not fit better at OLB rather than ILB. I realize he is shorter than ideal at OLB (same height as James Harrison in Pittsburgh) but he plays DE and has experience in Rob Ryan's 3-4 in Oakland as an outside backer. Just thought it was odd and wondered why you would project him inside when his pass rush is I believe what interested BB in the first place.
Mike, I applaud your committment to Edelman, but I tend to side with the other posters regarding your man-crush on him at the moment. Calling a 7th round, position change player a 'lock' seems a bit strong. Putting him ahead of Aiken who is a pedigreed special teamer versus a guy with athletcism and skills, but no pad work or taste of the NFL seems a stretch. If you made Aiken the lock and said
'I think Edelman will ultimately be there in the end, but I thought it was a bit strong to call him a lock right now' to use your words, then I think that would be more sensible. Developmental players like Edelman seem the perfect fit for practice squad work. They need the reps , especially those that have little to no experience in the position they are going to be playing at the next level. And not having to worry about game plans while they try assimilate all that information only adds to the benefit of the situation. The beauty of Coach Bill is though, that if he shows the skills and mental agility to handle it, he'll make the roster and play, because he's a results guy draft position or experience or not and puts a lot of focus on special tteams. If the kid can contriibute strongly there I agree he will absolutely make the roster. And maybe thats why you're as strong on Edelman as you are. Maybe there's been a hint or two from the big guy that he is in fact 'for real' as you put it. Not that you could admit as much if it were an off tthe record thing of course.
Vince Redd?
Hi Jeff. I'd say Lenon would probably be there in the end, but I wouldn't put him in the "lock" category at this time. ... Benny, at 235 pounds, I don't see Brooks being able to hold up at OLB in the 3-4 scheme. I think he'd have to be inside on early downs. ... Nate, all fair points. I do think there was a reason Edelman was running routes during 7 on 7 work with Moss, Welker and Galloway at one point of minicamp. At this point, I don't think he's just going to make the team, he's going to compete for playing time. ... Brad, I'd put Redd on the bubble at this point.
--Mike
The Patriots are not going to start the seaon with 6 linebackers. And since Banta-Cain and Lenon are (by far) the top non-"locks" at OLB and ILB respectively, I would think they'll both make the team. Alexander, Ciurciu and Redd will be fighting for one spot on the roster, in my opinion. And Redd still has practice squad eligibility, doesn't he?
Also, I do believe it's a little early to be so high on a rookie drafted in the 7th round who's switching positions. I hope he is everything he is being hyped-up to be, but I want to see him in game situations before I'll get too excited. Let's see how he looks in late-August/early-September
I still don't see the Patriots pulling Brady, even if the score is way up. The mantra "It's a 60-minute game" won't change.
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