Patriots Final Roster Prediction Version 4.0

Note: Guys, I’m really sorry for the hiatus in posting.  Unfortunately, it was out of my control.  Basically, the permissions on the database got screwed up, and I wasn’t able to update the website, as the articles wouldn’t save.  Fortunately, it looks like the issue is finally solved, so lets get back to blogging.

Now, with four preseason games in the books, I thought it would be fitting to take one more look at what I think the roster will turn out like.

QB: 1. Tom Brady 2. Andrew Walter 3. Brian Hoyer

Thoughts: In last night’s preseason game against the Giants, Brian Hoyer certainly proved his worthiness of a roster spot.  To tell you the truth, it is very hard to find a rookie quarterback poised enough to hang in there and make some of the throws that Hoyer has made this preseason.  It seems that every time I watch him play, I finish feeling even more impressed.  As for Walter, we didn’t really see that much of him in the preseason, although he played pretty well in his limited action.  I think he will be the number two barring the Pats picking up an A.J. Feeley type before the Buffalo game.

HB: 1. Fred Taylor 2. Laurence Maroney 3. Kevin Faulk 4. BenJarvus Green-Ellis 5. Sammy Morris

Thoughts: If I was GM, and it came down to BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Sammy Morris for a roster spot, I would have to go with Green-Ellis.  Green-Ellis, as much as I liked him last year, has really taken some big steps this training camp and into the preseason.  He is strong, compact, his a good burst, and most importantly he runs hard, keeps his pads low, and is very decisive in his cuts.  Not to mention, he’s only 24, whilst Taylor, Morris, and Faulk are three among only a handful of 30+ year old backs in the league.  Keeping some youth in the “Law Firm” would help down the road.

WR: 1. Randy Moss 2. Wes Welker 3. Joey Galloway 4. Greg Lewis 5. Julian Edelman 6. Sam Aiken 7. Terrence Nunn

Terrence Nunn had another good game last night, and I really believe he will make the roster.  Mainly due to the fact that Matthew Slater looked like he suffered a pretty serious injury.  Nunn showed a good burst in the return game last night, and combined with his consistent effort at wide receiver, I think the Pats should keep him.  Aiken looks like a special teams lock, but he showed he could be a factor in the receiving game last night.  Edelman looks like he’s nursing an injury, but I expect he’ll be back soon.  Greg Lewis and Joey Galloway haven’t looked great, but I’ll give both of them the benefit of the doubt.  Welker and Moss return as the top two options at the position.

TE: 1. Chris Baker 2. David Thomas 3. Ben Watson

Ultimately, I think that Ben Watson will make this club.  Why?  Because of the poor play of new pickup Alex Smith.  Smith has missed blocks, had poor communication, and hasn’t been much of a factor in the receiving game.  On a side note, kudos to David Thomas who has leapfrogged from fourth to second on the depth chart with a really strong offseason.  We always knew he could catch the ball, but he’s showed better quickness and an overall improved offensive game.

T: 1. Matt Light 2. Nick Kazcur 3. Sebastian Vollmer 4. Ryan O’Callaghan

Thoughts: With Mark LeVoir starting the season on the PUP list, it will be interesting to see whether the Pats go with three or four tackles (keeping Ryan O’Callaghan).  At this point, I don’t think the Patriots will cut O’Callaghan, but I do think there is a good chance they trade him.  Nevertheless, Sebastian Vollmer looks like the top backup for both sides, with Light on the left and the newly extended Kazcur on the right.

G/C: 1. Logan Mankins 2. Dan Koppen 3. Stephen Neal 4. Ryan Wendell 5. Rich Ohrnberger

Thoughts: Mankins will start at left guard, with Koppen at center, and Neal at right guard.  After that, I think Wendell (the #2 center at this point), and rookie 4th round pick Rich Ohrnberger will make the club.  However, I do think that the Patriots are a little thin on the interior line at this point, stemming from the trade of Russ Hochstein to the Broncos.  Hochstein could play all three interior line positions, and had good sized.  Ohrnberger, and especially Wendell are both undersized.

DE: 1. Richard Seymour 2. Ty Warren 3. Jarvis Green 4. Mike Wright

Thoughts: In a 4-3 look, Derrick Burgess and Tully Banta-Cain are two top pass rushers at the position.  However, for all intents and purposes, I am looking at the defensive ends as 3-4 defensive ends.  That being said, there are two other players who deserve some roster consideration.  They include rookie Darryl Richard, and the second year player Steve Williams, who has really shown some pass rush burst this preseason.

DT: 1. Vince Wilfork 2. Ron Brace 3. Myron Pryor

Thoughts: Keep in mind that Mike Wright, Steve Williams, and Jarvis Green can both also play defensive tackle.  There isn’t much to say about this position, as it pretty much seems solidified.

ILB: 1. Jerod Mayo 2. Gary Guyton 3. Eric Alexander

Thoughts: In the 3-4, Guyton and Mayo will be the two starting backers.  In the 4-3, Mayo will start as middle linebacker.  Eric Alexander can also play outside, but is kept primarily for special teams purposes, where he may be a captain.  In my opinion, Patriots look real thin here since the retirement of Tedy Bruschi.  Wait, hold on a sec, I think that’s Junior Seau on the other line.  Also, I’m not sure Paris Lenon did enough to warrant a roster spot, although he could definitely make the squad.

OLB: 1. Adalius Thomas 2. Pierre Woods 3. Tully Banta-Cain 4. Derrick Burgess

Thoughts: Thomas is arguably one of the top, if not the top player on the Patriots defense.  I think he will have a big year.  Pierre Woods should play first and second downs, while I see Burgess and Banta-Cain both seeing time as pass rushers in passing situations, sometimes with their hand down.  Also, in the 4-3 look, Gary Guyton will likely be starting on the outside.  The surprise cut here is Crable.  However, I don’t think he’ll ever have the pass rush strength and burst to be really effective, and he hasn’t really shown enough on special teams.

CB: 1. Leigh Bodden 2. Jonathan Wilhite 3. Shawn Springs 4. Darius Butler 5. Terrence Wheatley

Thoughts: Terrence Wheatley has consistently struggled this preseason, but I think the Patriots invested too much in him to let him go.  Bodden looks like the #1 corner the Pats were missing last year, while Wilhite continues to impress.  Shawn Springs has been hurt, but should be a factor week one if healthy.  Darius Butler had a great preseason and should continue to rise up the depth chart.  Corners Jamar Love and Herana-Daze Jones (who recorded an interception last night) are the two cuts here.

FS: 1. Brandon Meriweather 2. Brandon McGowan

Thoughts: By the end of this year, I think most NFL fans will consider Brandon Meriweather one of the elite safeties in this game.  He has gotten some mixed reviews his first two years, but I believe he is a true playmaker and star in the making.  Brandon McGowan came up with the big pick-six last night, although that did nothing to his status on the team.  He was already a lock.  He will be a key special teams player, and may even make a bigger defensive impact than most expect.

SS: 1. James Sanders 2. Pat Chung

Thoughts: Sanders had a nice camp, and Patrick Chung looks like a future star at the position.  Sanders will start, but Chung will see some good playing time.

K: Stephen Gostkowski

P: Chris Hanson

LS: Jake Ingram