2015 Patriots 53-man Roster & Practice Squad Watch

[bradmahn]

I might be crazy, but ... was Dobson really that bad the other night?

• It was really bad that he got the ball taken from him by Tillman on that one play, but he had the ball in his hands on the ground for what would have been a big gain. And if Brady leads him more towards the middle of the field, Tillman doesn't even have the opportunity to get his hands in there.
• The second pick was on Brady. Dobson could have done a better job fighting for position, but Brady has to see that safety charging in.
• Illegal block was bad, but ultimately run-blocking penalties is only a small part of evaluating WRs.
• He was open on a long crossing pattern but Garoppolo was late and the DB made a play. Nice route.
• 40-yard gain on the sweet double-move to set up a score
• well-executed 11-yard out on the game-winning drive

With a couple better throws he could have had a 100-yard game. I think there are still questions about his hands and his ability to fight for the ball in the air, but his route-running looked pretty sharp. I also liked that he bounced back to make a few plays after a tough go of it early. He actually ended up leading the team in receiving yards. Given what we've seen so far from Dobson it's fair to be skeptical that he'll pan out, but his night Friday wasn't a disaster like Boyce had a couple weeks ago.

This has been almost point-for-point my reaction when hearing/reading others say Dobson didn't have a good game. The one significant mistake was, as you say, compounded by an off target pass. I think it's also relevant to point out Peanut Tillman's history of stripping the ball from carriers (it's long and maybe the best of his generation).

 

[Super Nomario]

This has been almost point-for-point my reaction when hearing/reading others say Dobson didn't have a good game. The one significant mistake was, as you say, compounded by an off target pass. I think it's also relevant to point out Peanut Tillman's history of stripping the ball from carriers (it's long and maybe the best of his generation).

Great point. There are only three players in NFL history who have 25 interceptions and 25 forced fumbles (a little misleading as I believe FF was not a kept stat for a while): Brian Dawkins, Charles Woodson, and Tillman. Tillman has 36 career INTs and 42 FF, and he did it in a lot fewer games than the other two (156 vs 224 for Dawkins, 238 for Woodson).
 
I studied this a few years ago when the Pats had big FF numbers (Mayo, Spikes, and Ninkovich all had big totals they haven't matched before or since), and found that everybody who forces a lot of fumbles consistently is a pass rusher, since ~20% of sacks are strip-sacks and fumbles only occur on about 1% of other offensive plays. The one exception was Tillman: he was literally the only non-pass-rusher at the time who was consistently on the FF leaderboards.

 

[Ale Xander]

 
Dude, Chao's a hack. 
 
When you want to know for sure, ask daverobertsshoes:
 
 
 
As for fullback, either the Williams kid (the TE/OT) or Shaq Mason can fill the blocking role, if necessary. Develin will be missed in the passing game, but a healthy Scott Chandler was gonna eat into his snaps anyway.

 
 

Hooman can move into that role too with Chandler/Gronk/Williams playing TE.

 
 
Groy also has experience at FB at Wisconsin, I'd rather have him multi-task and have Mason concentrate solely on OL. 

 

[Corsi]

Doug Kyed ‏@DougKyedNESN  41s41 seconds ago
Source: The Patriots informed TE Jimmay Mundine of his release today.

 

[soxfan121]

https://twitter.com/RyanHannable/status/638388143318765568

Gronk talking about his experience lining up as a fullback is some great Belichick media trolling.

 

[Mugsy's Jock]

With Tyrod Taylor getting named starting QB by the Bills, would the Pats take on Cassell if he were released to replace Lindley?
 
Edit:  http://fantasynews.cbssports.com/fantasyfootball/update/25285617/report-bills-name-tyrod-taylor-starting-qb 

 

[RedOctober3829]

Boyce is gone.  What a bust.
 
 

Doug Kyed ‏@DougKyedNESN  11m11 minutes ago
The Patriots released Josh Boyce, Jonathan Krause, Jimmay Mundine, Joe Vellano and Dekoda Watson.
 

 

[( . ) ( . ) and (_!_)]

Hard to call any fourth round pick a bust. They are lottery tickets at that point in the draft. It's a disappointment sure, but this was always the most likely outcome.

 

[Super Nomario]

 
Boyce is gone.  What a bust.
 

Waived / injured apparently (Krause was, too), so may be back. Plus they cut him last year and he came back. Plus what ( . )( . ) and (_!_) said.

 

[dbn]

 
Boyce is gone.  What a bust.
 
 
 

 
It's hard to call a 4th round pick a "bust". The round started off: Matt Barkley, Nico Johnson, Akeem Spence, Ace Sanders, Josh Boyce, Alex Okafor, Jelani Jenkins, Duke Williams...
 
Zero of those guys have done much if anything in the NFL, and one of two of them (in addition to Boyce) are not currently on a roster.
 
edit: too slow (or two thorough as I took the time to look up the top of the 4th round of his draft!)

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Best news of the day: http://www.csnne.com/new-england-patriots/reporting-foxboro-lafell-spotted-practice-0
 
LaFell makes an appearance at practice. It'll be good to get timing back after missing all of camp.
 
Also back at practice, Marcus Cannon. 

 

[E5 Yaz]

ProFootballTalk ‏@ProFootballTalk  10m10 minutes ago
Raiders have waived WR Kenbrell Thompkins per league source.

 

[Super Nomario]

After reading Chris Price's breakdown of offensive touches, I think the heavy playing time for Bolden and Lewis last game - with no playing time for James White - might have just been giving them some opportunity since White has already seen a lot of action. The fourth preseason game will tell us something; whoever is out there late in that one is a likely cut.

 

[jsinger121]

Jeff Howe ‏@jeffphowe  26s26 seconds ago
James Develin will be placed on injured reserve, according to a source. His season is over.

 

[Super Nomario]

Belichick got into some interesting stuff in his press conference on roster construction:
 

 
In a way, the players that are on the practice squad are in the same positon as the players who are on the roster but not active. Obviously, you can protect the players that are not active that are on the roster and you don't have as much protection [for practice squad players], but either way they don't play in the game. They practice, but they don't play in the game, so in that way, it's similar. So your depth really is those inactive players and the players who are on the practice squad who are also inactive, even though they're on a little different list, if you will. Sometimes that's a team management thing. Sometimes there are other reasons for it, but in the end, that's where it is. Then there are some players who are your depth who are not on your roster – they're not on anybody's roster. They're available now. Whether they'll be available in a week, two weeks, a month, two months – that's another story. So, it's a combination of all those places, and honestly there are other players on other practice squads that are potentially available to you on your roster.
 
...
 
Q: When do you start seriously considering a player for the practice squad? Is it this week? Is it earlier in camp?
BB: It could be the draft. It could be a guy that you want to work with that you feel like probably has got too far to go to realistically be ready. You never know. Like we don't try to cut the team in April – I'm not saying that. But realistically, you take players or you bring them on to your team, whether it's draft choices or sometimes it's college free agents – guys that aren't drafted – with the kind of thought that it'd be hard for this guy to make our team, but a year from now, with a year of development and so forth, it might be a different story, and so that's a player you want to work with. Yeah, it goes back as far as that. It's certainly a lot easier to get one of your players on to your practice squad than it is to get another player on to your practice squad.

 
Also some stuff on how to Nink / Jones / Sheard on the field at once.

 

[Super Nomario]

Darryl Roberts to IR
Chris Jones and Dane Fletcher to PUP
D.J. Lynch and Chris Barker cut
 
Don't see Develin as official but that will get us to 75 (Pats also claimed WR Davaris Daniels in addition to Saunders trade)

 

[soxfan121]

https://twitter.com/DougKyedNESN/status/638920285685710848

It's a picture, so no text to cut mobile users.

 

[Hendu Candu]

Jordan Devey announced as a starting right guard for the 49ers. So looks like San Francisco will get more out of that trade ... and bad sign for the 49ers.

 

[Pumpsie]

Jordan Devey announced as a starting right guard for the 49ers. So looks like San Francisco will get more out of that trade ... and bad sign for the 49ers.

That's a really bad sign. 

 

[JerBear]

That's a really bad sign. 

It's great for all the fans that want to see Colin Kaepernick run more.

 

[soxfan121]

It's great for all the fans that want to see Colin Kaepernick run more.

 
I had a back-and-forth last night on twitter with a guy insisting that getting Devey for a guy who the 49ers were gonna cut made it a good trade. I told him if he felt the same in October, then he could consider the trade a success, because something for nothing is a good trade. 

Devey, however, is worse than nothing, and thus not something. If you trade for a guy who makes you a worse football team, it doesn't matter what you gave up to get him. 

 

[Stitch01]

Well it seems like the other guards on the team are worse, and given that he's starting the front office has to be happy with making the trade, but man that team is going to suck.

 

[MainerInExile]

 
I had a back-and-forth last night on twitter with a guy insisting that getting Devey for a guy who the 49ers were gonna cut made it a good trade. I told him if he felt the same in October, then he could consider the trade a success, because something for nothing is a good trade. 

Devey, however, is worse than nothing, and thus not something. If you trade for a guy who makes you a worse football team, it doesn't matter what you gave up to get him. 

I think it's clear both teams traded someone they were going to cut anyway.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Repurposing the "Pats Picker" thread, as we approach the final week and roster cut-down. 
 
Based on who's not starting/playing, I think the following are in:

• LB Jonathan Freeny
• CB Bradley Fletcher
• WR Chris Harper
• RB Dion Lewis
• TE Hooman (thought he could be a surprise cut)

Still on the bubble:

• WR Aaron Dobson
• CB Robert McClain
• CB Dexter Swanson
• S Tavon Wilson
• S Nate Ebner
• TE Michael Williams

Most likely cut:

• WR Jalen Saunders
• RB Travaris Cadet (IR?)
• TE Asante Cleveland
• OL Chris Martin

Definitely cut:

• QB Ryan Lindley (sorry dude)

 

[Stitch01]

Corner seems like a decent spot to go thin for week one, not guarantee one of the vets salaries, then see how thing shake out doesn't it?

 

[Stitch01]

dp

 

[Phil Plantier]

Said this in the game thread, but Harper played the second half of the 4th preseason game, which I think means he's a PS candidate. I think he misses out due to Wayne.

 

[Mugsy's Walk-Off Bunt]

As long as he doesn't miss out due to Dobson. Harper has, IMO, absolutely earned a spot on the 53 over Aaron Dobson and I have long irrationally wanted AD to prove his worth and make this team BECAUSE 2ND ROUNDER. No more. I'm not even entirely sure Harper makes it through waivers to the practice squad. It just takes one team.

EDIT: Because "on huge 53" doesn't mean anything.

 

[j44thor]

Does Blount have to be on a roster for his suspension to count towards week 1?  Either way I could see him being cut and resigned after week 1.  He certainly isn't an irreplaceable player so why guarantee his salary when he isn't going to help week 1?  Not only that but there is zero dead money in his deal and 1M in cap savings.  I won't be surprised if he is cut and signed after week 1.

 

[jsinger121]

Does Blount have to be on a roster for his suspension to count towards week 1?  Either way I could see him being cut and resigned after week 1.  He certainly isn't an irreplaceable player so why guarantee his salary when he isn't going to help week 1?  Not only that but there is zero dead money in his deal and 1M in cap savings.  I won't be surprised if he is cut and signed after week 1.

 
Its a 1 game suspension so if he's cut I still think he has to serve a game. 

 

[JohnnyK]

Does Blount have to be on a roster for his suspension to count towards week 1?  Either way I could see him being cut and resigned after week 1.  He certainly isn't an irreplaceable player so why guarantee his salary when he isn't going to help week 1?  Not only that but there is zero dead money in his deal and 1M in cap savings.  I won't be surprised if he is cut and signed after week 1.

EDIT: ignore, misunderstood your point

 

[jsinger121]

Jeff Howe ‏@jeffphowe  now7 seconds ago
The Patriots have cut RB Tony Creecy, per source. It begins.

 

[jsinger121]

Doug Kyed ‏@DougKyedNESN  5s5 seconds ago
The Patriots released OL Chris Martin, according to his agent.

 

[j44thor]

Hope Ryan Lindley has his playbook handy, can't imagine he lasts the day.

 

[RedOctober3829]

Casey Walker also cut.

 

[BannedbyNYYFans.com]

The Patriots released OL Chris Martin, according to his agent.

Hang in there Chris and remember, every teardrop is a waterfall.

 

[Super Nomario]

Per Mike Kaye and others, Pats pick up Justin Coleman, a rookie UDFA from Tennessee. He's bounced around a couple camps. I didn't do any film on him but he was a shuttle / 3-cone star at the Combine, so I'm not surprised they're interested. Not sure if this affects McClain or Ryan in that 5th CB spot; probably more likely they try to sneak him through to the PS.

 

[GregHarris]

There has got to be a Ryan double move joke around here somewhere.

 

[shoosh77]

Per Mike Kaye and others, Pats pick up Justin Coleman, a rookie UDFA from Tennessee. He's bounced around a couple camps. I didn't do any film on him but he was a shuttle / 3-cone star at the Combine, so I'm not surprised they're interested. Not sure if this affects McClain or Ryan in that 5th CB spot; probably more likely they try to sneak him through to the PS.

I think at least 5 had him in the draft prediction thread.

 

[jsinger121]

@MikeReiss: Patriots waived following players: OL Caylin Hauptmann, QB Ryan Lindley, OT Chris Martin, LB James Morris, DLs Casey Walker, A.J. Pataiali'i

 

[Section15Box113]

Morris is a surprise for me. Here's hoping he slips through to the PS.

 

[Section15Box113]

Here's Coleman's pre-draft writeup on NFL.com:

Overview
2014: Started all 12 games. Served as the team's primary nickel back.
2013: Started all 12 games.
2012: Played in all 12 games with nine starts.
2011: Played in all 12 games with four starts.

Combine Stats:
40 YARD DASH: 4.53 SEC
BENCH PRESS: 20 REPS
VERTICAL JUMP: 37.5 INCH
BROAD JUMP: 124.0 INCH
3 CONE DRILL: 6.61 SEC
20 YARD SHUTTLE: 3.98 SEC
60 YARD SHUTTLE: 11.21 SEC

Strengths
Plays an aggressive brand of football. Physical in press coverage. Saw more action in slot in 2014 to take advantage of tackling. Defeats block and launches into ball carrier with proper timing. Contain-oriented on the perimeter against run. Instinctive and comfortable in zone. Recognizes combinations and makes proper adjustments. Good ball skills -- 10 passes defensed and 4 interceptions in 2014. Played outside contain on kickoff coverage.

Weaknesses
Short and slightly undersized for run-supporting nickel. Struggles to consistently mirror and match when challenged on outside. Plus route runners will turn him around. A shade slow to transition on throws in front of him. Will give up separation on crossers and verticals. Gets to catch point a shade early and could see more flags in NFL. Average hips with questionable speed.

Draft Projection
Round 5 or 6

Bottom Line
Plays with energy and confidence and is a good finisher in run support. Has desired instincts and awareness in coverage, but lacks athleticism to match up against quicker targets in man coverage. Could be tough to cut based on toughness and ability to play on special teams.

(No link since I'm on mobile. Will add later.)

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

Another take on the 53. Changes from my last picks in red:
 
QB (2) T.Brady, J.Garoppolo

• Brady is freed!

RB (5) L.Blount, J.Gray, D.Lewis, B.Bolden, J.White

• Other than ST, what's Bolden's value? He seems like a lock, but I'd rather keep Cadet and get him healthy

WR (6) J.Edelman, M.Slater, B.LaFell, D.Amendola, R.Wayne, C.Harper

• Dobson showed a bit game 4, but Harper has done way too much to lose a spot on this team

TE (3) R.Gronkowski, S.Chandler, M.Hoomanawanui

• I had Mike Williams in Hooman's spot, but Develin's injury saves the Hawaiian

C  (2) B.Stork, D.Andrews

• With Storky's health, Dave Andrews stays. He's played a lot of snaps and played as well as could be expected

G  (4) T.Jackson, R.Wendell, S.Mason, J.Kline

• Josh Kline takes a spot. No way they cut Wendell with all the inexperienced players here

T  (4) M.Cannon, N.Solder, S.Vollmer, C.Fleming

• Fleming struggled again but too much upside

DE (5) R.Ninkovich, C.Jones, T.Flowers, J.Sheard, R.Johnson

• Rufus Johnson needs to get better conditioning but he's been in the backfield all pre-season. Takes Grissom's spot

DT (4) D.Easley, S.Siliga, M.Brown, A.Branch

• Alan Branch is my pick of the first in-season veteran cut in 2015

ILB(1) D.Hightower

• Cutting James Morris was a real surprise. He wore the dot in the last game, making me think his job was secure. 

OLB(3) J.Mayo, J.Collins, J.Freeny

• Emergence of Freeny is one of the higlights of the camp

CB (5) L.Ryan, M.Butler, B.Fletcher, T.Brown, R.McClain

• I think McClain stays. The over-aggressiveness we saw the last two games may have been due to him just trying to make an impression
• Fletcher is added back in, after better showing the late stages of the camp

SS (4) P.Chung, N.Ebner, J.Richards, T.Wilson

• Tavon Wilson gets Morris' spot, as he can be a hybrid LB/SS. This means good news for my perennial binky, Nate Ebner

FS (2) D.McCourty, D.Harmon

• Harmon could pass for a bigger & stronger cousin of the McCourty family

ST (3) S.Gostkowski, R.Allen, J.Cardona

• Cardona has settled after early camp jitters
• Ryan "Puntator" Allen continues to dominate

 

[jsinger121]

<p>

Another take on the 53. Changes from my last picks in red:
 
QB (2) T.Brady, J.Garoppolo

• Brady is freed!

RB (5) L.Blount, J.Gray, D.Lewis, B.Bolden, J.White

• Other than ST, what's Bolden's value? He seems like a lock, but I'd rather keep Cadet and get him healthy

WR (6) J.Edelman, M.Slater, B.LaFell, D.Amendola, R.Wayne, C.Harper

• Dobson showed a bit game 4, but Harper has done way too much to lose a spot on this team

TE (3) R.Gronkowski, S.Chandler, M.Hoomanawanui

• I had Mike Williams in Hooman's spot, but Develin's injury saves the Hawaiian

C  (2) B.Stork, D.Andrews

• With Storky's health, Dave Andrews stays. He's played a lot of snaps and played as well as could be expected

G  (4) T.Jackson, R.Wendell, S.Mason, J.Kline

• Josh Kline takes a spot. No way they cut Wendell with all the inexperienced players here

T  (4) M.Cannon, N.Solder, S.Vollmer, C.Fleming

• Fleming struggled again but too much upside

DE (5) R.Ninkovich, C.Jones, T.Flowers, J.Sheard, R.Johnson

• Rufus Johnson needs to get better conditioning but he's been in the backfield all pre-season. Takes Grissom's spot

DT (4) D.Easley, S.Siliga, M.Brown, A.Branch

• Alan Branch is my pick of the first in-season veteran cut in 2015

ILB(1) D.Hightower

• Cutting James Morris was a real surprise. He wore the dot in the last game, making me think his job was secure. 

OLB(3) J.Mayo, J.Collins, J.Freeny

• Emergence of Freeny is one of the higlights of the camp

CB (5) L.Ryan, M.Butler, B.Fletcher, T.Brown, R.McClain

• I think McClain stays. The over-aggressiveness we saw the last two games may have been due to him just trying to make an impression
• Fletcher is added back in, after better showing the late stages of the camp

SS (4) P.Chung, N.Ebner, J.Richards, T.Wilson

• Tavon Wilson gets Morris' spot, as he can be a hybrid LB/SS. This means good news for my perennial binky, Nate Ebner

FS (2) D.McCourty, D.Harmon

• Harmon could pass for a bigger & stronger cousin of the McCourty family

ST (3) S.Gostkowski, R.Allen, J.Cardona

• Cardona has settled after early camp jitters
• Ryan "Puntator" Allen continues to dominate

There is no chance they cut Grissom a third round pick this yr to keep Rufus. Just not in the Pats MO. I like Rufus too.

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

There is no chance they cut Grissom a third round pick this yr to keep Rufus. Just not in the Pats MO. I like Rufus too.

 
Absolutey right. I forgot that Grissom was a pick this year, not last. Grissom over Rufus. Hope Johnson makes it to the PS.

 

[CaptainLaddie]

This is why I hate having a dedicated long snapper.  Argh.

 

[singaporesoxfan]

In addition, the Patriots released 10 players from the roster and released TE Jake Bequette from the injured reserve list. Read
The Patriots released five veterans: OL Ryan Groy, OL Caylin Hauptmann, QB Ryan Lindley, LB James Morris and DL Casey Walker Read
The Patriots released two first-year players: OL Chris Martin and DL A.J. Pataiali'i. Read
The Patriots released three rookie free agents: RB Tony Creecy, WR Zach D'Orazio and WR DaVaris Daniels.

http://www.patriots.com/news/2015/09/04/patriots-sign-rookie-cb-justin-coleman-release-10-players

 

[E5 Yaz]

This is why I hate having a dedicated long snapper.  Argh.

 
There's a website for everything
 
http://longsnap.com/2015/09/

 

[SeoulSoxFan]

 
There's a website for everything
 
http://longsnap.com/2015/09/

 
God bless Kevin Gold, who runs the site. He puts in the time to chart every long snapper in the league:
 
https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=https%3A%2F%2Flongsnap.files.wordpress.com%2F2015%2F07%2F2015-ls-chart1.pdf
 
With it, we find out that Cardona is only one of two rookie snappers in the league, along with Andrew East of the Chiefs.
 
Mike Leach of the Cardinals is the most experienced at 16 years. Leach was an UDFA out of BU and William & Mary, starting his career way back in 2000. 
 
Learning to snap well at the pro level is a relatively safe (when health is concerned) and a stable job. By my quick calculation the average career length on this list is 6.72 years, much longer than a typical NFL career (3.3 years). 

 

[mulluysavage]

While you were out for beers with your bro Berman...

Down to 2 QBs from 2.025...
 

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - The New England Patriots announced today that they have signed rookie CB Justin Coleman.

In addition, the Patriots released 10 players from the roster and released TE Jake Bequette from the injured reserve list.

The Patriots released five veterans: OL Ryan Groy, OL Caylin Hauptmann, QB Ryan Lindley, LB James Morris and DL Casey Walker

The Patriots released two first-year players: OL Chris Martin and DL A.J. Pataiali'i.

The Patriots released three rookie free agents: RB Tony Creecy, WR Zach D'Orazio and WR DaVaris Daniels.