Today, the Patriots announced the release of quarterback Andrew Walter, guard Billy Yates, defensive lineman Steve Williams, linebacker Vinny Ciurciu, wide receiver Robert Ortiz, and safety Roderick Rogers.

Of that group, Andrew Walter is the only surprise, while Yates, Williams, and Ciurciu were bubble players, and Ortiz and Rogers were longer shots.  The release of Walter leaves the Patriots with only two options at quarterback.  MVP Tom Brady, and undrafted rookie free agent Brian Hoyer.  Walter’s release may be a precursor to the Pats swinging a deal for Philadelphia Eagles quarterback A.J. Feeley.

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

QB: 1. Tom Brady 2. Andrew Walter 3. Kevin O’Connell

Thoughts: Would have liked to keep Bryan Hoyer, but Andrew Walter has performed well and I doubt the team cuts O’Connell considering their investment in him.

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

Thoughts: Green-Ellis continues to showcase hard-nosed running and while he may suck in pass protection, he adds youth, so he has a real shot at making this roster.  I wouldn’t be surprised if a veteran was cut.

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

Thoughts: Call me crazy but I believe that Terrence Nunn has a serious shot at making this team.  Nunn has showcased some really nice hands, can catch the ball in traffic, extend, and has shown some good quickness.  If you go by performance thus far in training camp, it would be Moss, Welker, Edelman, Nunn, Galloway, and then Greg Lewis.  I’m going to give Galloway the benefit of the doubt, and I’ll give Aiken the nod over a battle with Ray Ventrone and Matt Slater.  Update: Went through and had 54 on the roster, so I gave Aiken the cut.

TE: 1. Chris Baker 2. Alex Smith 3. David Thomas

Thoughts: I think there’s a very good chance that the Pats keep four tight ends, in which case, Ben Watson would be on the roster.  I don’t think the Patriots will outright cut Ben Watson.  But I’d say there’s a good chance he’s traded for a mid-round pick before Labor Day.

OT: 1. Matt Light 2. Nick Kazcur 3. Sebastian Vollmer 4. Mark LeVoir

Thoughts: Light and Kazcur hold down their starting jobs, although Vollmer looks like he will become a really solid player.  LeVoir is also solid, and can hold down the fort on special teams.

OG: 1. Logan Mankins 2. Stephen Neal 3. Russ Hochstein

Thoughts: Ryan Wendell and Billy Yates fall short of roster spots here, as well as the rookie George Bussey.  Hochstein stays do to his versatility, as he can play guard, center, tight end, fullback, as well as special teams.

C: 1. Dan Koppen 2. Rich Ohrnberger

Thoughts: Not much debate here.  Ohrnberger may push Koppen down the line, but will back him up for now.  Rochstein can also back up here.  Al Johnson was already released.

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

Thoughts: One of my favorites Le Kevin Smith gets the cut here, narrowing the survivors of the 2006 draft class to just two (Ryan O’Callaghan didn’t make the squad either).  It’s not that he hasn’t shown anything, it’s just that he hasn’t shown as much as, say, Myron Pryor.  Darryl Richard is also a tough cut here.

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

Thoughts: Myron Pryor is the “surprise” to make the team here.  He showed some good explosiveness in the first preseason game, so I think he is ahead of Smith, Titus Adams, and Richard at this point.  He also is seemingly the best fit at defensive tackle in any four man fronts the Patriots may use.

OLB: 1. Adalius Thomas 2. Pierre Woods 3. Derrick Burgess 4. Tully Banta-Cain 5. Shawn Crable

Thoughts: This is a seemingly predictable group.  I wouldn’t be totally shocked if there was a surprise cut (Woods or Crable).  Keep in mind that Gary Guyton, Eric Alexander, Jerod Mayo, and Paris Lenon can all also play outside in the 4-3.

ILB: 1. Jerod Mayo 2. Gary Guyton 3. Tedy Bruschi 4. Eric Alexander

Thoughts: Yeah, I have Paris Lenon getting cut.  He hasn’t been healthy and hasn’t really showed much thus far.  Alexander on the other hand actually has shown a lot of improvement, and is one of the team’s best special teams players.

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

Thoughts: The only cut I have here is Mike Richardson.  Wilhite is now firmly entrenched as a starter, meaning Springs will be asked to do a little of everything.  Butler and Wheatley both struggled a little in the preseason opener, but I think Butler’s potential is much better.

FS: 1. Brandon Meriweather 2. Brandon McGowan

Thoughts: Brandon Meriweaher is emerging into one hell of a playmaker.  McGowan is a solid overall safety who is good covering kicks, and I have him beating out both Matthew Slater and Ray Ventrone.

SS: 1. James Sanders 2. Patrick Chung

Thoughts: Can I say something?  Patrick Chung is going to be dirty.  And for now, he’ll be a dirty role player.  In all seriousness, Chung has played very well up to this point, but so has Sanders.  I don’t think Chung will start this season, but I expect him to have a big role nonetheless.  Tank Williams is the only cut here.

K: Stephen Gostkowski

Thoughts: Best kicker in the game today doesn’t need any camp competition.

P: Chris Hanson

Thoughts: You might or might not like him, but this guy has set off some bombs in camp as it looks like he’s finally put the ghost of Tom Malone to rest.

LS: Jake Ingram

Thoughts: Heading into camp, I thought the vet Nathan Hodel would be the unlikely winner in this competition.  I was most likely wrong, Ingram looks like the real deal (at least for a long snapper).

Complicating matters is that Bruschi has participated only in no-contact walk-through practices.  “[I] just had to take care of a few things,” Bruschi said.  “You get a little bit older and you have to mend some aches and some pains.  That’s just why it took a little while longer for me to get out here, but I’m feeling better now and hopefully, I can get back to work.”

In the interim, second-year linebacker Jerod Mayo has become the leader of the defense, filling the role that Bruschi previously occupied.

We doubt that the Patriots would cut Bruschi, but circumstances might nudge him to choose to make his exit.  Whether it’s that vague sense that things have changed or a more acute fear that if he doesn’t take the iniative to call it quits he might not get to make that decision, we won’t be shocked in hindsight if at some point between now and Labor Day we all learn that the 36-year-old’s year-to-year decison-making process has pointed to the conclusion that this year is the year to call it quits.

I for one would be really disappointed if Tedy Bruschi retired.  I always wanted to see him win one more with the Patriots, and I was hoping that 2009 could be that year.  He is the last of the ‘96 AFC championship squad members, and maybe it is just that sentiment that makes me want to see him stay.  The fact of the matter is, Bruschi’s play is deteriorating quickly.  While he still brings an unmatchable knowledge of the system, grittiness, and leadership to the team, I’m not sure how much more he can do physically.

Yesterday was Bruschi’s first day in full-contact drills at practice.  Ultimately, and as a blogger I’m obligated to make a prediction, I think Bruschi will hang around.  I think losing Rodney Harrison and Mike Vrabel was too big of a leadership blow already, so I think Bruschi will hang around.  And I’m not buying all this crap about the 4-3 defense.  The Patriots base set will be the 3-4, and Bruschi will have a role (splitting time with Guyton).

Tedy Bruschi back at practice | Courtesy Patriots.com

Ty Warren was on the list recovering from off-season groin and knee surgeries.  He is one of the most solid 3-4 defensive ends in the game, so it is a very good thing to see him back on the field.

Shawn Crable on the other hand had participated in all off-season mini-camps and activities, and it is not known how he got injured.  The only thing certain for Crable is that he needs to get on the field, as missing the start of training camp put him behind in the outside linebacker competition.  He has a lot of catching up to do, but at least this is a start.

Shawn Crable looks to catch up | Courtesy Patriots.com

QB: 1. Tom Brady 2. Kevin O’Connell 3. Brian Hoyer

RB: 1. Laurence Maroney 2. Sammy Morris 3. Kevin Faulk 4. Fred Taylor

TE: 1. Ben Watson 2. Chris Baker 3. Alex Smith 4. David Thomas

WR: 1. Randy Moss 2. Wes Welker 3. Greg Lewis 4. Joey Galloway 5. Julian Edelman

T: 1. Matt Light 2. Nick Kazcur 3. Sebastian Vollmer 4. Mark LeVoir

G: 1. Logan Mankins 2. Stephen Neal 3. Rich Ohrnberger

C: 1. Dan Koppen 2. Russ Hochstein

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

DT: 1. Vince Wilfork 2. Ron Brace 3. Le Kevin Smith

OLB: 1. Adalius Thomas 2. Derrick Burgess 3. Pierre Woods 4. Tully Banta-Cain 5. Shawn Crable

ILB: 1. Jerod Mayo 2. Tedy Bruschi 3. Gary Guyton 4. Eric Alexander

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

FS: 1. Brandon Meriweather 2. Brandon McGowan

SS: 1. James Sanders 2. Patrick Chung

K: Stephen Gostkowski

P: Chris Hanson

LS: Nathan Hodel

Bubble Players: Andrew Walter, QB; BenJarvus Green-Ellis, RB; Matt Slater, ST; Sam Aiken, ST; Ray Ventrone, ST; Vinny Ciurciu, ST; Paris Lenon, ILB; Terrence Nunn, WR; David Thomas, TE; Tyson DeVree, TE; Julian Edelman, WR; Eric Alexander, LB; Ryan Wendell, C/G; George Bussey, G/T; Darryl Richard, DE; Le Kevin Smith, DE/DT; Shawn Crable, OLB; Jake Ingram, TE; Ray Ventrone, ST; Mike Richardson, CB; Tully Banta-Cain, OLB; Mark LeVoir, OT; Ryan O’Callaghan, RT; Tank Williams, S/LB

Some players that have stood out to me early are Jonathan Wilhite, Greg Lewis, Sebastian Vollmer, Tully Banta-Cain, Brandon Meriweather, Leigh Bodden, David Thomas, and Jerod Mayo.

Wilhite stepped it up early in camp with Shawn Springs missing the first day of camp. Starting opposite Leigh Bodden, Wilhite has shown increased physicality, ball awareness and cover skills, all to go with his blazing speed.  At this point, I’d expect him to be starting opening day, as I think the Patriots really found a gem with this 2008 fourth round pick.

Speaking of gems, how about Jerod Mayo?  The way he’s played in training camp thus far, I couldn’t not mention them.  Jerod Mayo is mature well beyond his years, and his play on the field reflects that as well.  Mayo is growing as a leader on the defense, and admitted himself that he put on several pounds of muscle over the offseason (he looks huge).  I would be shocked if Mayo wasn’t in the Pro Bowl this year, and I think he will be the face of the New England defense for the next decade.

Courtesy Patriots.com

The Patriots first round selection from the year before, Brandon Meriweather, has also stood out to me thus far in camp.  He stepped it up big last year, making some big plays (including the game sealing strip-sack in Seattle), and showing improved ball skills in the secondary.  Some people have been down on him, but I think Meriweather is turning into a young star, and I’d expect him to make a lot of big plays in 2009.

A few of the Patriots new additions, Tully Banta-Cain, Leigh Bodden, and rookie Sebastian Vollmer have all looked solid thus far in camp.  Vollmer has switched between left tackle and right tackle, and even got some good grace from Bill Belichick:

“From a talent standpoint, it’s rare that you have guys who are big enough and physical enough to play on the right side, that are then athletic enough and can handle some of the pass rushers that are over there on the left side. That eliminates a lot of players, guys who are either one or the other based on their physical assets. Then you have another group of players who might conceptually be able to play both, but maybe their mentality or comfort level of playing one or the other eliminates [them]…  To have a true swing tackle, that’s a tough position to find. … Sebastian seems very good at that to this point. As we go on and keep adding more stuff, we’ll see how it goes.”

Leigh Bodden has looked like a true number one corner thus far.  He has shown great physicality, adequate athleticism, and has been pretty consistent throughout camp.  If this guy plays as well as he has looked thus far in training camp, Robert Kraft better pull out his check book, because the Patriots are going to want to keep Leigh Bodden around.

CB Leigh Bodden in Coverage; Courtesy Patriots.com

Tully Banta-Cain has also impressed me, and apparently the coaches, as one of my favorites, outside linebacker Vince Redd, was released yesterday.  And I wouldn’t be surprised if TBC returned to his 2006 role as he has shown some good pass rush skills, and has even put his hand down in some four man fronts.

Speaking of four man fronts, the Patriots have run a lot of them thus far in camp.  I wonder if the Patriots will do a lot of switching between the 34 and the 43, much like they did during the 2001 season.  The Patriots have a lot of options in the 4-3 as well.  The can run a four man line of Wright-Warren-Brace-Seymour or Wright-Seymour-Wilfork-Smith or TBC-Brace-Wilfork-Seymour… and it goes on and on.  The Pats could even play Pierre Woods, Shawn Crable, or Adalius Thomas at defensive end.  Also, at linebackers, the Pats could run Guyton-Bruschi-Mayo, or Guyton-Mayo-Lenon, or Thomas-Mayo-Guyton, or Alexander-Mayo-Crable… and the list goes on and on.  Ultimately, the point is that the Patriots have personnel versatile enough to line up in the 3-4 or the 4-3, and most players can play multiple positions within those formations.

I’d consider this a positive look at the team thus far.  But there’s been some things troubling me as well.  Lets get to those.

First, the backup quarterback position doesn’t appear to be settled to me.  Multiple news sources reported that the Patriots were expected to sign free agent Cleo Lemon, but nothing has been made official yet.  At times, I like what I’ve seen from all three backups.  Brian Hoyer doesn’t have great arm strength, but has poise and accuracy.  Matt Gutierrez still can put that great zip on the ball, and Kevin O’Connell has shown arm strength and athleticism, but hasn’t put much together consistently, although he is improving day by day.  I just don’t think I could trust any of these guys to lead the team anywhere close to the level Matt Cassel did last season.

The most troubling position by far is outside linebacker.  No one has really stepped it up.  Shawn Crable has unfortunately been injured. Vince Redd is gone.  Pierre Woods is about average.  And Tully Banta-Cain has played well, but nowhere close to an elite level.

However, I do think the Patriots will make a trade.  And I do think the Patriots will acquire Derrick Burgess.  Last night, Adam Schefter reported on his Twitter page that Derrick Burgess could be had for a third and a fourth round pick in 2010.  That’s too much, but I think he could be had for less considering he is refusing to play for the Raiders.  He also isn’t satisfied with his contract, so a trade for Burgess essentially becomes a one year rental.  Ultimately, I believe the teams will complete a trade, and it will be for a fourth round pick.

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To start, the Patriots released two players; cornerback Jamar Love and offensive lineman Jermail Porter.  They finalized a four year contract with 2nd round pick Patrick Chung, as well as sixth round pick Jake Ingram.

The Pats also worked out one player, outside linebacker Stryker Sulak.  Sulak was a sixth round pick in this years draft, but was unexpectedly released by the Raiders last week.  At 6-5, 265 pounds, Sulak is an ideal fit as a pass rushing outside linebacker, although playing defensive tackle mostly throughout college, he could be solid in run support as well.

The Patriots also placed five players on the active/PUP list.  The players placed on the physically include Ty Warren, Shawn Crable, Rich Ohrnberger, Darryl Richard, and Mark LeVoir.  Rookie wide receiver Brandon Tate was placed on the reserve/non-football injury list.

That pretty much wraps everything up. The Pats’ first practice is beginning as I write this, so tune in tonight with my thoughts on what I saw today.

I don’t think there’s any question who Tom Brady’s top two targets will be at the wide receiver position in 2009, with Randy Moss and Wes Welker both returning.  But after those two, there are a lot of questions at the wide receiver position, considering the departure of the Patriots’ second outside receiver Jabar Gaffney.  In the offseason, the Patriots acquired veteran Joey Galloway through free agency, Greg Lewis through trade, and rookies Brandon Tate and Julian Edelman through the draft.  Also returning are Sam Aiken, Matt Slater, and Ray Ventrone.  Shun White and Terrence Nunn round out the position.

Projected Depth Chart

1. Randy Moss

2. Joey Galloway

3. Wes Welker (slot)

4. Greg Lewis

5. Brandon Tate

6. (Sam Aiken)

7. (Julian Edelman)

8. (Matt Slater)

9. (Ray Ventrone)

CUTS: Terrence Nunn, Shun White

Burning Questions

1. Who will emerge as the #3 target behind Wes Welker and Randy Moss?  How much tread does Joey Galloway have on the tires?  Is Greg Lewis ready to step up?

2. Can Randy Moss and Wes Welker continue to play at an elite level?

3. Will rookie Brandon Tate be healthy for training camp?  If not, will he go on PUP, or will he be placed on injured reserve?

4. Will the versatility and special teams potential of Ray Ventrone, Matt Slater, Julian Edelman, and Sam Aiken enable them to keep roster spots?

Training Camp Battles

Ray Ventrone vs. Matthew Slater: Both play receiver/safety, both can play receiver, both can return kicks, both can cover punts and kicks extremely well.  But is there room on the roster for both of them?  Maybe, maybe not.  But one thing is for sure, watching these two duel should be good fun.

Joey Galloway vs. Greg Lewis: Both receivers will be in the top four on the Patriots depth chart, but both will be competing to start on the outside opposite Randy Moss.  Greg Lewis may be the underdog, but Joey Galloway, known for his blazing speed, will be 37 years old.

The Patriots had the sixth ranked rushing attack in 2008, and with nearly the entire core of rushers returning (sans Heath Evans and Lamont Jordan, who departed to the Saints and Broncos via free agency), plus newly acquired Fred Taylor, the Patriots running back group looks to be a force to be reckoned with in 2009.  While the Patriots have a great group of backs this year, there really are no defined roles for the backfield.  Kevin Faulk will more than likely continue to handle the 3rd down role, but after that, nothing is decided.  Laurence Maroney, in his fourth year, still has the potential, but he hasn’t been consistent and he hasn’t been able to put the injury bug behind him.  Sammy Morris was the Patriots leading rusher in 2008, he runs with good power and consistency, but is 32.  Fred Taylor is quick, agile, strong, but also 33; so there are questions of how many carries he can handle.  BenJarvus Green-Ellis is a powerful no non-sense back, but he doesn’t have the most natural talent.  Eric Kettani, a HB/FB from Navy, is a longer shot to make the roster.

Projected Depth Chart

1. Laurence Maroney

2. Fred Taylor

3. Sammy Morris

4. Kevin Faulk (3rd down)

5. (BenJarvus Green-Ellis)

CUTS: Eric Kettani

Burning Questions

1. With the oldest groups of backs in the NFL, will this group be able to hold up throughout training camp?

2. Will Laurence Maroney finally be able to bite the injury bug and live up to his potential?

3. Who will be the Patriots starting back opening day?

Training Camp Battles

Everyone vs. Everyone: The great thing about this group is that nothing is decided.  Who will start?  Who will be #2?  Age, injuries, and skill will all be factors.  There’s only so many carries that can be given out, and the backs are going to go out and have to earn them in training camp.