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Mike, do you ever get thoroughly disgusted and dismayed by the "intelligent" Boston fans who continually ask the same stupid and previously-answered questions, and the mouth breathers that continually ask who will be on the final roster, even before training camp? Your thoughts?

Another great bag, Miquel.

I like your projected roster Mike, but for the sake of debate, I would make three important changes:

"OL (9) -- Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kaczur, Vollmer, Ohrnberger, Hochstein, Bussey
DL (7) -- Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, Green, Wright, Smith, Brace"

1) I can't see the Patriots depending on three rookies to be the main backups on the Offensive line. I would omitt Bussey, and add either Yates or O'Callahan..

2) I don't see the Patriots carrying 7 DL, and/or, LeKevin Smith making the cut. It's more likely they carry an extra Safety. Which leads to-

3) Slater will be replaced on the roster by Edelman (I agree with the Edelman choice), because at least Edelman appears to be a multi tool guy, while Slater hasn't shown he can contribute to anything but Special Teams. In Slater's place I would project a true Safety like McGowan, because even though Springs can play the position if needed, the Secondary has a history of sustaining multiple injuries..

HI mike: if crable did not play one down last year is he eligable for defensive rookie of the year if he merits it? keep feeding usMike. thanks

Tend to agree, Steve: OL rookies even in a back-up role is a high-risk proposition. Yates wasn't THAT bad and a healthy O'Callahan vied with Kazcur in '07. And who would guessed in 2004 that Hochstein would be a lock for 2009?

Curious to see the Tank Williams experiment play out, but if Chung is the real deal he may take on the hybrid "extra man in the box that can still cover" Rodney role.

In sum, pretty darn deep team, even with "concerns" at ILB...

I don't really see the concern with rookies as OL backups. I just think it will be hard for them to cut O'Callaghan, assuming he returns to pre-injury form. You don't cut talented OTs in this league. It will be hard enough losing Levoir, who also showed he can play. Maybe we should resurrect the "trade Kaczur" talk...

I'd probably dump LeKevin instead. Or let Bussey suffer a "mystery" injury and spend the year on IR. Or even part ways with Hochstein, who only reupped for one year anyway. He's really not that good.

Mike, who are your selection of 8 practice squad players then? On 53-men roster, I'd keep OL LeVoir and have Bussy in practice squad.

Mike,
It's sounds as if the Globe might have reached a deal. If that is true congrads and it will be awesome having you around for a long time!! We very much enjoy and apreciate what you do.

I really like your 53. One camp battle that hasn't been discussed is if BB will take 4TEs instead of 5 RBs. Pitting Thomas against Green-Ellis. Their cap charge is about the same so that won't factor in much.

This just in...Mike considers Shawn Crable this year's 13th draft pick!!! This is now threatening the Guinness Record for most repetitions in a blog of a lame football observation. I think we're up to 637.

Mike-
You have our first draft choice(albeit in the 2nd round) Darius Butler 5th out of 5 Cb's making the roster, is this indicative of a)how good the 4 are in front of him, b)how weak this years draft was, or c)how complex the Pats' defensive schemes are to pick up? Please don't take the easy way out and say 'a combination of all 3'.