2016 Roster News & Reactions

Super Nomario

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QB (2): Garoppolo, Brissett
Suspended: Brady
This one is easy.

RB (5): Lewis, Blount, White, Bolden, Develin
Practice squad: D.J. Foster
Cut: Brown, Iosefa, Gaffney
Essentially the same group as last year.

WR (6): Hogan, Edelman, Amendola, Mitchell, Slater, Dobson
Practice squad: DeAndre Carter
Cut: Martin, Washington, Lucien, Harper
Originally forgot Hogan and had Dobson. Then I cut Dobson. Now I have Dobson again because I miscounted LB. He might not make the whole year, but he's still got the most upside at the X spot. I almost put Harper on the PS

TE (3): Gronkowski, Bennett, SOME BLOCKING GUY NOT CURRENTLY ON THE ROSTER
IR: Michael Williams
Practice squad: Derby, Bryce Williams
Cut: Harbor, Scheu, Pascoe
I think they will bring in a real blocking TE to replace Michael Williams. It's possible Pascoe is that guy, but I doubt it.

OT (3): Solder, Vollmer, Waddle
Practice squad: SOME GUY NOT CURRENTLY ON THE ROSTER
Cut: Cannon, Fleming, Keavon Milton
Cannon's cap hit is almost $5 MM this year. I can't see him sticking at that number, even if he is the third-best tackle on the team.

Interior OL (6): Thuney, Cooper, Andrews, Mason, Kline, Karras
PUP: Jackson
IR: Stork (likely to return)
Practice squad: Kyler Kerbyson
Cut: Barker, Halapio
Going heavier here than typical - it seems like they really like Karras. Stork's injury decides the center battle ... for now. I still have Cooper as a lock but his injury throws some shadow on things.

Interior DL (4): Brown, Knighton, Valentine, Branch
Practice squad: SOMEONE NOT CURRENTLY ON ROSTER
Cut: Kuhn, Vellano, Kearse, Woodrow Hamilton, Johnson
I don't know what to make of this group. If they go to more of a 3-4 they probably need a fifth guy.

Edge (5): Ninkovich, Sheard, Long, Grissom, Flowers
Cut: Johnson
One more than they usually carry, but with the age of the top three I think they'll try to sneak both young guys on there.

Linebacker (5): Hightower, Collins, Freeny, McClellin, Grugier-Hill
Practice squad: Roberts
Cut: Snyder, Humber
Special teams is key for that fifth LB spot, so I've got Grugier-Hill on over Roberts.

Cornerback (5): Butler, Ryan, Cyrus Jones, Coleman, Roberts
Practice squad: Jonathan Jones
Cut: Biggers, Bentley, LeBlanc
Jones could make it over Roberts but Roberts seems to be getting more ST reps so far. Jones' height (sub-5'9") means they can likely sneak him onto the PS. They could go six corners given Butler and Ryan are FAs after the season; they could go four corners given the ability of some of the safeties to play CB.

Safety (6): McCourty, Chung, Harmon, Ebner, Richards, King
Practice squad: Sunseri
Cut: Vereen, Thompson
Ebner and King are top-five ST players on the team and I view them as totally safe. Vereen is a tough cut; I could see him making it over Harmon given Harmon's in his last year and has less versatility than most of these guys.

Specialists (3): Gostkowski, Allen, Cardona
Chalk.
 
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Who do you have as the cut when Brady's roster exemption expires? It's a fairly safe assumption that someone will have moved to IR by week 5 but depending on the depth of that position it may not make sense to replace with a QB.
 

RedOctober3829

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Here's my projections. Probably not much different than SN's. 54 man roster with Brady's suspension.

QB--Brady, Jimmy G, Brissett
RB--Blount, Lewis, Bolden, Develin, and Somebody that isn't on the roster yet(Looking at Bishop Sankey or a KC RB)
WR--Edelman, Amendola, Hogan, Mitchell, Slater, Dobson
TE--Gronk, Bennett, Harbor
T--Solder, Vollmer, Waddle
G--Thuney, Mason, Cooper, Karras, Kline
C-Stork, Andrews

DE--Sheard, Nink, Long, Flowers, Kuhn
DT--Brown, Branch, Knighton, Valentine
LB--Hightower, Collins, Freeny, McClellin, KGH
CB--Butler, Ryan, Cyrus Jones, Coleman, J. Jones
S--McCourty, Chung, Richards, King, Ebner
ST--Ghost, Cardona, Allen
 
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soxfan121

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Who do you have as the cut when Brady's roster exemption expires? It's a fairly safe assumption that someone will have moved to IR by week 5 but depending on the depth of that position it may not make sense to replace with a QB.
Assuming perfect health for 4 weeks, I would guess one of the OL, probably Karras or whomever is most likely to sneak through waivers and land on the PS.

But as you say, someone will get hurt and be IR'ed.

FWIW, I disagree with SN; I think Karras or Andrews is likely to be cut, and Harbor is making the roster in addition to a blocking TE. I don't think you can run 12 personnel with two "starting" TE and a blocking type; I think you need a reserve to back up Gronk & Bennett, plus that blocking type (who I agree, is unlikely to be Pascoe).
 

amarshal2

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It's way too early and I'm wrong every year but from my reading of the beat writer reports I think SN has it about right.

My tweaks:
I think Khun is on the inside track at the moment. He's getting reps over Knighton for now. It might be because they're seeing if he can hack it but Knighton isn't a lock either I wouldn't think. For now I'd go Khun over Karras.

CB: I think J. Jones has the inside track on Roberts.

Martin > Dobson

I'm also hoping for a RB not currently on the roster. That guy could take Blounts spot or maybe one of the Khun/Pot Roast spots
 
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Super Nomario

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Assuming perfect health for 4 weeks, I would guess one of the OL, probably Karras or whomever is most likely to sneak through waivers and land on the PS.

But as you say, someone will get hurt and be IR'ed.
Yeah, of the roster I have there, OL, WR, and maybe CB are the spots where they could "afford" to lose a guy. Injuries will also affect it in terms of needed depth - for instance, if Mason is banged up come week 5, Karras might not be expendable, and they might cut elsewhere.

FWIW, I disagree with SN; I think Karras or Andrews is likely to be cut, and Harbor is making the roster in addition to a blocking TE. I don't think you can run 12 personnel with two "starting" TE and a blocking type; I think you need a reserve to back up Gronk & Bennett, plus that blocking type (who I agree, is unlikely to be Pascoe).
You might be right - they certainly have some receiving TE in camp. At the end of the day, I think they want to play two TE this year because they have two good TE. If one of those guys gets hurt, I think 11 personnel is going to be their best lineup. So essentially Amendola is Bennett's backup.
 

RedOctober3829

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Assuming perfect health for 4 weeks, I would guess one of the OL, probably Karras or whomever is most likely to sneak through waivers and land on the PS.

But as you say, someone will get hurt and be IR'ed.

FWIW, I disagree with SN; I think Karras or Andrews is likely to be cut, and Harbor is making the roster in addition to a blocking TE. I don't think you can run 12 personnel with two "starting" TE and a blocking type; I think you need a reserve to back up Gronk & Bennett, plus that blocking type (who I agree, is unlikely to be Pascoe).
Crap, I forgot about Harbor. He's making the team.
 

Super Nomario

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Crap, I forgot about Harbor. He's making the team.
Do you think so? He seems like just a guy to me. 29, never had even 300 yards in a season. If he makes it, is it as a third TE or potentially at the expense of Develin?

Jackson is off PUP so my prediction is already wrong. He seems like he has an uphill climb to make the roster.
 

soxfan121

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Do you think so? He seems like just a guy to me. 29, never had even 300 yards in a season. If he makes it, is it as a third TE or potentially at the expense of Develin?
@Kenny F'ing Powers had a great series of posts about Harbor and what he can do in the transaction thread a few months ago. Basically, Harbor is a very poor man's Gronk and a rich man's Develin; he has experience as both an in-line TE and as a FB, has lined up all over the formation, has decent hands, and can run routes at a replacement level. He was also given real money and a decent signing bonus, so for him to be cut in camp would be a surprise.

I think Develin has to beat out Harbor decisively to make the roster, given that Harbor provides insurance should either Gronk or Bennett get dinged up.
 

RedOctober3829

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Do you think so? He seems like just a guy to me. 29, never had even 300 yards in a season. If he makes it, is it as a third TE or potentially at the expense of Develin?

Jackson is off PUP so my prediction is already wrong. He seems like he has an uphill climb to make the roster.
I do. They paid him a $400,000 signing bonus. They did the same with Martin but I think Harbor has more of a role on the team than Martin. If one of the TEs were to go down, Harbor could step in and provide more in the passing game than somebody like Bryce Williams at this point.

I think Develin makes the team but is one of my last guys on.
 

Super Nomario

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@Kenny F'ing Powers had a great series of posts about Harbor and what he can do in the transaction thread a few months ago. Basically, Harbor is a very poor man's Gronk and a rich man's Develin; he has experience as both an in-line TE and as a FB, has lined up all over the formation, has decent hands, and can run routes at a replacement level. He was also given real money and a decent signing bonus, so for him to be cut in camp would be a surprise.

I think Develin has to beat out Harbor decisively to make the roster, given that Harbor provides insurance should either Gronk or Bennett get dinged up.
I found the thread on Harbor: http://sonsofsamhorn.net/index.php?threads/patriots-and-te-clay-harbor-agree-to-terms.13508/

No one really did any film study but Belichick compared him to Marcel Reece. Maybe they see him as Develin competition / insurance; that makes some sense to me. I would probably still give Develin the inside track on that job.

Harbor's signing bonus is $400K. That's not nothing but it's less than Keshawn Martin or Josh Kline, for instance. That money tells me he has a real shot to make the team but it doesn't guarantee him a spot; he's cuttable at that price point (they save like $900K).
 

Shelterdog

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Do you think so? He seems like just a guy to me. 29, never had even 300 yards in a season. If he makes it, is it as a third TE or potentially at the expense of Develin?

Jackson is off PUP so my prediction is already wrong. He seems like he has an uphill climb to make the roster.
There's nothing about Jackson that says Dante lineman to me. Putting talent aside, while he seems to be a pretty tough and reliable guy he's 335 pound slow guy with eh technique and quite unlike the classic Scar 302 lb athletic scrapper.

I think we'll find that the inside story of the pats o-line for the past two years was that BB--perhaps inspired by Googs--saw the future of the team has having a bigger line (thus the acquisitions of Stork/Flemming/Cannon/Jackson; Mason was a more traditional pick)--and is now backing off of that.
 

soxfan121

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There's nothing about Jackson that says Dante lineman to me. Putting talent aside, while he seems to be a pretty tough and reliable guy he's 335 pound slow guy with eh technique and quite unlike the classic Scar 302 lb athletic scrapper.

I think we'll find that the inside story of the pats o-line for the past two years was that BB--perhaps inspired by Googs--saw the future of the team has having a bigger line (thus the acquisitions of Stork/Flemming/Cannon/Jackson; Mason was a more traditional pick)--and is now backing off of that.
This scans for me, but three notes:
1. Cannon predates the transition and I always saw him as a classic value pick; a guy with an "injury" who slipped in the draft who the Pats could afford to redshirt;
2. The Rick Trickett factor. I think BB saw what Trickett was doing with "larger" guys, knew Dante wanted out, and brought in a coach (Googs) that shared the size preference. When Stork panned out really well, going back to the well for Jackson made a certain amount of sense. I don't think they planned on either Mason (more traditional size, the triple-option background) or Jackson playing last year, but Connolly decided to retire, Kline didn't progress as fast as they hoped, and Stork got hurt. I think they planned to use Andrews and shift Stork, keeping Mason/Jackson in developmental mode, but then the injuries mounted and shit happened.
3. I think Flemming was a curiosity pick; he had some skills they liked and was obviously smart enough, but suffered under Googs tutelage because he wasn't the technique coach that Dante is/was. I wonder if Flemming would have panned out with two years at Dante's finishing school or if his footwork problems were unfixable by even a great technique coach.
 

Super Nomario

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There's nothing about Jackson that says Dante lineman to me. Putting talent aside, while he seems to be a pretty tough and reliable guy he's 335 pound slow guy with eh technique and quite unlike the classic Scar 302 lb athletic scrapper.

I think we'll find that the inside story of the pats o-line for the past two years was that BB--perhaps inspired by Googs--saw the future of the team has having a bigger line (thus the acquisitions of Stork/Flemming/Cannon/Jackson; Mason was a more traditional pick)--and is now backing off of that.
IIRC I was one of the early proponents of that theory, but I've largely backed off of it. Jackson (also Stork) is a Rick Trickett guy and Trickett and Scar are buds. Scarnecchia was at least somewhat involved in the draft evaluation process that produced Jackson and the other guys. I don't really know how to classify Thuney, who at 6'5" is taller than they typically use inside but about the same weight. Karras is averaged-sized (6'3" 307) and considered a below-average athlete. And then they brought back Jon Halapio, a massive dude at 6'4" 330 and a preseason cut two years ago. That suggests to me that Scar likes him better than Googs did. So I don't know. I don't know what they doing, I don't know what they are doing, and unlike most things the Patriots do that I don't understand, their management of the interior OL has been a failure of late. Maybe if we see improved performance this year, it will reveal some method to their madness.

Worth noting in the TE discussion: As recently as 2014, they used Fleming essentially as the blocking TE. Since Williams had just three catches for 26 yards on 6 targets in 449 snaps, replacing his contribution with an extra OL (whether Fleming or someone else) is a possibility.
 

soxfan121

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Worth noting in the TE discussion: As recently as 2014, they used Fleming essentially as the blocking TE. Since Williams had just three catches for 26 yards on 6 targets in 449 snaps, replacing his contribution with an extra OL (whether Fleming or someone else) is a possibility.
This is an excellent point.

I was really interested to see what they did with Williams if everyone was healthy but last season he had to stay in and block whenever he was on the field because the Tackles were so awful. Neither Waddle or Cannon figures to "fill" the Flemming role, so it would need to be one of the interior guys. They did use Mason as a 6th OL/TE a few times early last season. And he is very mobile. I doubt he can catch, though.
 

Shelterdog

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IIRC I was one of the early proponents of that theory, but I've largely backed off of it. Jackson (also Stork) is a Rick Trickett guy and Trickett and Scar are buds. Scarnecchia was at least somewhat involved in the draft evaluation process that produced Jackson and the other guys. I don't really know how to classify Thuney, who at 6'5" is taller than they typically use inside but about the same weight. Karras is averaged-sized (6'3" 307) and considered a below-average athlete. And then they brought back Jon Halapio, a massive dude at 6'4" 330 and a preseason cut two years ago. That suggests to me that Scar likes him better than Googs did. So I don't know. I don't know what they doing, I don't know what they are doing, and unlike most things the Patriots do that I don't understand, their management of the interior OL has been a failure of late. Maybe if we see improved performance this year, it will reveal some method to their madness.

Worth noting in the TE discussion: As recently as 2014, they used Fleming essentially as the blocking TE. Since Williams had just three catches for 26 yards on 6 targets in 449 snaps, replacing his contribution with an extra OL (whether Fleming or someone else) is a possibility.
An alternative explanation is that it's not systematic, they wanted to add linemen but if you're drafting in middle rounds you might not get exactly what you want and that stork/jackson/flemming were so much better than the prevailing options in their view (and re-signing Cannon so much better than taking whomever to be your third tackle) that they settled with reasonably talented guys who were imperfect system fits.
 

Super Nomario

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An alternative explanation is that it's not systematic, they wanted to add linemen but if you're drafting in middle rounds you might not get exactly what you want and that stork/jackson/flemming were so much better than the prevailing options in their view (and re-signing Cannon so much better than taking whomever to be your third tackle) that they settled with reasonably talented guys who were imperfect system fits.
I think this is truth in the sense that you are definitely making tradeoffs in the middle rounds - either you get size, or athleticism, or maybe both but terrible technique or off-field issues, etc. You can point to more athletic alternatives for all of Stork / Jackson / Fleming (Corey Linsley, Jamil Douglas, Kevin Pamphile) that were drafted shortly after, but Stork / Jackson / Fleming were also all coming from programs with great reputations for offensive line coaching, and coaching that's compatible with what the Patriots do in their scheme. Mason is obviously coming from a very different background and has a very different set of strengths and weaknesses.

I'm not even sure the Patriots really have a "type." Certainly Wendell and Koppen were small, but centers usually are. Mankins and Connolly were both tallish for Gs (both 6'4") but on the light side and really athletic. Light and Kaczur were both shortish tackles; Solder and Vollmer are both huge. Cannon is huge in a different way. Andruzzi was a small guy, but Damien Woody was massive (they inherited Woody, but he did start for four years). Rich Ohrnberger was a small guy and he is one of their worst OL picks. Adrian Klemm was about like Mankins or Connolly or Thuney and he is their worst OL pick.
 

Super Nomario

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FWIW, Harbor finished third on the Jags in special teams snaps last year. That's a big point in his favor in terms of carving out a Bolden-type role as a backup with gameday value in the kicking game.
 

lambeau

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Obviously one breakaway doesn't make a summer, but can Tyler Gaffney make the roster? He had a surprising 4.49 40 at the Combine (faster than James White) and might make a more productive backup power back than Bolden (not that his spot is threatened, due to ST). It seems to me with all the small receivers, we may need insurance in the power run game more than we need a backup for Dion Lewis.
 

Super Nomario

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Obviously one breakaway doesn't make a summer, but can Tyler Gaffney make the roster? He had a surprising 4.49 40 at the Combine (faster than James White) and might make a more productive backup power back than Bolden (not that his spot is threatened, due to ST). It seems to me with all the small receivers, we may need insurance in the power run game more than we need a backup for Dion Lewis.
The bolded seems like an insane position to me given that Lewis hasn't even been able to come off PUP yet. They absolutely need Lewis insurance given his injury history and status.

As for Gaffney, it's hard to say. I would think he would have a hard time being active on game day, so they would try to sneak him to the PS unless they think someone likes him enough to put in a claim. It's worth noting that Blount's contract makes him cuttable, but it's probably really premature to start thinking along those lines.
 

amarshal2

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Earlier I said Martin > Dobson. Only one game but after last night I'm thinking I've got it backwards.

I still think J. jones > Roberts and Khun probably making the team.
 

PaulinMyrBch

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MYRTLE BEACH!!!!
I don't understand the roster gymnastics on this one.


Mobile users: Jeff Howe tweet, Brock Vereen retired, was reinstated 24 hours later, and then was cut by the Pats.
 

pappymojo

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The Pats are stacked at safety. He probably wanted a chance to play elsewhere. Then when he did his retire/unretire dance, they just said screw it and cut him.
 

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Only 4 edge players took part in the walk through at practice today:
Chris Long
Geneo Grissom
Trey Flowers
Rufus Johnson
(Nink, Shread, McClellin all not expected to play)

Chris Long is a lock to make the roster and will likely see the least amount of snaps of these 4. Going to be fun to watch this group tomorrow battle it out for a roster spot. Johnson seems to be behind Flowers and Grissom in the pecking order right now, but we are going to get to see ~3 quarters of those three guys battle it out.
 

Shelterdog

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BB has been pretty outspoken in his praise of J. Jones and LeBlanc--but as the roster stands you probably have to cut one of them.

My surprise roster prediction is that they trade one of the guys going into a contract year--possibly Logan Ryan, less likely Butler (who will be a RFA)--and go with a very, very young and cheap scondary.
 
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Prior to his injury there was quite a bit of positive "Rufus Johnson flashing" coverage last year at this time. Has anyone seen/heard reasons to be encouraged by his continuing development or has he plateau-ed?

Edit being an idiot, typos, syntax...a LOT of things went wrong.
 

amarshal2

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BB has been pretty outspoken in his praise of J. Jones and LeBlanc--but as the roster stands you probably have to cut one of them.

My surprise roster prediction is that they trade one of the guys going into a contract year--possibly Logan Ryan, less likely Butler (who will be a RFA)--and go with a very, very young and cheap scondary.
I suppose it's possible but Logan Ryan is one of the best bargains on the roster. I suspect he isn't going anywhere. The BB surprise usually has a big price tag.
 

Super Nomario

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BB has been pretty outspoken in his praise of J. Jones and LeBlanc--but as the roster stands you probably have to cut one of them.

My surprise roster prediction is that they trade one of the guys going into a contract year--possibly Logan Ryan, less likely Butler (who will be a RFA)--and go with a very, very young and cheap scondary.
You never say never with Belichick, but I think there are two issues:
1) Ryan was the guy who matched up with bigger receivers like Brandon Marshall and Demaryius Thomas. Coleman is 5'10", and all of Butler, LeBlanc, Cyrus Jones, and Jonathan Jones are 5'9". It seems like the Pats think CB height is overrated, but I think there would be a lot of questions about their ability to defend taller receivers without Ryan. It's another reason I don't count out Darryl Roberts (5'11") even though he hasn't had a good camp. E.J. Biggers (5'11") is another option (and just for completeness, V'Angelo Bentley is just 5'8").

2) I think they'd be more likely to take a chance on the secondary if the front seven was a little more solid, but they already traded away Chandler Jones and Dominique Easley washed out. Hightower and Collins are great but there's not much depth behind them, and I think it's an open question how good the DL is going to be.

The Jones / LeBlanc (/Roberts / Biggers) decision seems likely to come down to a) who can contribute on special teams, and b) who can they sneak through to the practice squad.
 

Otto

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I like subjects like this, so I'll add to the last paragraph of SN's post above by pointing out that teams often deal with roster issues like this by releasing a vested veteran (who isn't subject to waivers) at cut down day, and then signing him back a few days later when they release the younger guy (who is subject to waivers), hoping that it will tougher for other teams to put in the waiver claim for the younger guy (because they've already shuffled their roster, put in a waiver claim or two for other plays, etc.) - so they can get him onto their practice squad. This also helps with the effective salary guarantee issue for the vested veteran, but the roster construction benefit can be just as important.
 

Shelterdog

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Alan Branch suspended per Kyed:

Doug KyedVerified account‏@DougKyed
Patriots DT Alan Branch has notified teammates he's been suspended, according to sources informed of the situation. Awaiting more details.
It's not a good thing but it's not a terrible thing--there's some depth at DT so putting a player on a suspended list for a while may help you keep a guy like Anthony Johnson or LeBlanc or Derby.
 

Super Nomario

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It's not a good thing but it's not a terrible thing--there's some depth at DT so putting a player on a suspended list for a while may help you keep a guy like Anthony Johnson or LeBlanc or Derby.
Is there depth at DT? I feel like I've heard no buzz about that position. It's not clear to me whether Branch was going to start next to Brown or Knighton or Kuhn would, I hear less about Valentine's progress than all the other highly-drafted rookies, and I know next to nothing about guys like Johnson, Frank Kearse, and Woodrow Hamilton.
 

Shelterdog

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Is there depth at DT? I feel like I've heard no buzz about that position. It's not clear to me whether Branch was going to start next to Brown or Knighton or Kuhn would, I hear less about Valentine's progress than all the other highly-drafted rookies, and I know next to nothing about guys like Johnson, Frank Kearse, and Woodrow Hamilton.
So hard to tell, especially without pads, but Brown is pretty good and I think Brown/Kuhn (who has been playing quite a bit and BB likes for some reason), Knighton and possibly some valentine should be enough to get you through a month.
 

Super Nomario

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Good nights last night:
  • Derby was getting some reps early and was the best receiver on the team. Also had a key block on Blount's TD run
  • Darryl Roberts was much better in coverage. He had a better night than J.Jones, LeBlanc, or even Coleman
  • Anthony Johnson was everywhere
  • Another good game for Trey Flowers
  • Vinnie Sunseri is showing up on special teams. I know they have a bunch of safety-types, but he might be a tough cut
  • Cam Fleming got a bunch of early reps as a TE / 6th OL. With Williams on IR he might have a chance to stick
  • OL, especially pass blocking - no sacks for Jimmy G and some production in the run game
  • Guys who aren't getting cut anyway but whose performance stood out: Garoppolo, Cyrus Jones, Blount, Hogan, Collins and Hightower

Mixed bag:
  • 2.5 special teams tackles for Grissom - that's awesome. But he seems to have fallen behind in the DL rotation
  • Brissett - protection broke down and a bad drop from Lucien, but reads and accuracy are suspect
  • Gaffney - some moments and some early reps, but looks to have an uphill climb
Weak:
  • Opportunity for guys like Dobson, Lucien, Washington, Carter, and Harper last night to make a case to carry a 6th WR, and they showed nada
  • Coleman showed good tackling ability but Chicago picked on him in coverage.
  • Run D was bad early, against Chicago's 1s
  • Not as strong a game for LeBlanc and he was in coverage on the Hail Mary at the end
Anyone I'm missing?
 

Byrdbrain

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AJ Derby may force BB's hand between him and Hogan.
I assume you meant Harbor and not Hogan, Hogan is on the team. I think it may be Dobson who could get cut and both Harbor and Derby make the team.
It's early let's see what happens.
 

DannyDarwinism

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Good nights last night:
  • Derby was getting some reps early and was the best receiver on the team. Also had a key block on Blount's TD run
  • Darryl Roberts was much better in coverage. He had a better night than J.Jones, LeBlanc, or even Coleman
  • Anthony Johnson was everywhere
  • Another good game for Trey Flowers
  • Vinnie Sunseri is showing up on special teams. I know they have a bunch of safety-types, but he might be a tough cut
  • Cam Fleming got a bunch of early reps as a TE / 6th OL. With Williams on IR he might have a chance to stick
  • OL, especially pass blocking - no sacks for Jimmy G and some production in the run game
  • Guys who aren't getting cut anyway but whose performance stood out: Garoppolo, Cyrus Jones, Blount, Hogan, Collins and Hightower

Mixed bag:
  • 2.5 special teams tackles for Grissom - that's awesome. But he seems to have fallen behind in the DL rotation
  • Brissett - protection broke down and a bad drop from Lucien, but reads and accuracy are suspect
  • Gaffney - some moments and some early reps, but looks to have an uphill climb
Weak:
  • Opportunity for guys like Dobson, Lucien, Washington, Carter, and Harper last night to make a case to carry a 6th WR, and they showed nada
  • Coleman showed good tackling ability but Chicago picked on him in coverage.
  • Run D was bad early, against Chicago's 1s
  • Not as strong a game for LeBlanc and he was in coverage on the Hail Mary at the end
Anyone I'm missing?
Apparently Johnson's now playing at 280, coming down from as high as 325. He looked really agile. Interesting to see him with the first team and getting first team reps in the joint practices.

I though Jimmy got sacked on the second drive? Edit- Not in box score, I think someone in the Bears secondary was called for holding on the play?
 

Super Nomario

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Nov 5, 2000
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Mansfield MA
Apparently Johnson's now playing at 280, coming down from as high as 325. He looked really agile. Interesting to see him with the first team and getting first team reps in the joint practices.
Hmm, I don't know what to think of that. It looked like he was playing a lot of end last night, but I saw his height / weight listings and assumed he was more of a DT. If he's 280, he's likely competing with Grissom / Flowers for a spot (behind Sheard / Long / Ninkovich / McClellin), and that's a lot tougher road than beating out Branch / Knighton / Kuhn / Woodrow Hamilton.
 

DannyDarwinism

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Jul 7, 2007
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Hmm, I don't know what to think of that. It looked like he was playing a lot of end last night, but I saw his height / weight listings and assumed he was more of a DT. If he's 280, he's likely competing with Grissom / Flowers for a spot (behind Sheard / Long / Ninkovich / McClellin), and that's a lot tougher road than beating out Branch / Knighton / Kuhn / Woodrow Hamilton.
Here's Belichick (via Reiss) on AJ:

"Honestly, I didn’t even recognize him when we brought him in for a workout. I looked at him and said, 'Do we have the right guy here?'" he said.

"He’s kind of gone in the other direction from being a big guy and really trimming down and his skills are different. He’s faster, he’s quicker, he’s obviously lighter, doesn’t have as much power but he was an interesting guy. He was a good player coming out of college, an interesting workout, and a guy that’s a lot different than most of our other interior defensive lineman, so we thought in signing him that his skills might complement some of the other players that we have, so we’ll just see how that plays out."

Johnson said he is now at 280 pounds, which he feels is the perfect weight. The Patriots' other defensive tackles -- a group led by 2015 first-round pick Malcom Brown -- are all in the 300-pound category, so Johnson could be a nice complement.