Buddy
is an avid tailgater and a New England Patriots season ticket holder of
13 years
Buddy Love
8/31/05
This Thursday nights game against
the Giants is the last opportunity for some players to catch the eye of
the coach and earn on spot on the 3-time defending Super Bowl champions.
Currently, I have my own view on the roster and the players who
need to perform to be one of the final fifty-three.
As of right now I have 41 Locks
for the roster:
QB (3) Brady, Flutie
and Cassell
RB (3) Dillon, Faulk
and Pass
WR (4) Branch,
Givens, Brown and Dwight
TE (2) Graham and
Watson
OL (6) Light,
Ashworth, Mankins, Neal, Koppen and Kaczur
DL (6) Seymour,
Warren, Wilfork, Green, Hill and Bailey
LB (6) Vrabel,
Colvin, Mcginest, Banta-Cain, Chatham and Beisel
CB (4) Samuel, Gay, Starks
and Hobbs
S (4)
Harrison, Wilson, Sanders and Guss Soctt
ST (3) Vinatieri,
Miller and Paxton
What is left to be grabbed?
RB-(1) The
last running back spot will come down to Kyle Eckel or Kory Chapman.
At this point you could say Eckel has the advantage with three good
performances including work at both running and fullback. The
other factor on Eckel's side is Patrick Pass performing well and being
the early down replacement for Dillon. Chapman must perform
extremely well on special teams and in the backfield to win this battle.
WR (2) Andre
Davis is a near lock after being acquired for a fifth-round
pick and all the elements he brings to a team. The real wild-card
could be how legitimate is the interest in Peerless Price,
which would kill both David Terrell and P.K Sam
in making the squad. Sam definitely outplayed Terrell who
looked slow and lethargic on the field and must show up big to make th e
roster in any way. Bam Childress and Cedric James
are both practice squad material.
TE (1) The
battle for the last tight end position has two underlying factors
outside of play on the field. Jed Weaver could be
kept and used as backup long snapper if Hochstein is let go and the cap
number for Dream Weaver is 460,000 less than Christian Fauria.
Fauria must prove that he is that much better of a player to stay and I
think this is a true draw at this point.
OL (2)
Versatility is what you look for out of your reserve offensive lineman
which most benefits Gene Mruczkowski and Russ
Hochstein. Between these two players and rookie Nick
Kaczur they can play all the positions on the line as reserves which is
like carrying an extra player. Yates, Gorin, Roehl and Leyva
appear to have one position they can play which will cost them in the
end.
DL-LB (4-5)
Dan Klecko playing multiple positions makes him a near
lock also and allows the Pats to hold onto Eckel who will be a DNP most
of the season. Don Davis has been a versatile player and was a
starter for the Rams during their run at championships at the start of
the millennium. Larry Izzo is always fighting for
a spot but his tough play will keep him around again. One guy who
has caught my eye is former Giant linebacker Wesly Mallard
who has a non-stop motor on defense and special teams. Mallard
should get a look at inside backer this week which could seal his spot. Eric
Alexander is another guy to keep an eye on Thursday to see if
he can secure a spot with a low price tag, he did help the team in 2004.
Chad Brown did improve in the Packers game but
the cap difference between himself and players he's competing with could
help make the decision easier. Keep an eye on the possible return
of Roman Phifer who had off-season shoulder surgery and
knows the system.
DB (1-2)
The decision in the front seven will impact the number of defensive
backs held. Don Davis making the team allows the Pats to only keep
either Chad Scott or Ty Poole but both could
still make it. The Pats were very disgusted with Ty Poole not
coming back and having to be put on injured reserve in 04 questioning
his toughness. Chad Scott has received praise from the coaching
staff yet again the over 1 million in cap number difference could play a
major role. Ray Ventrone is a practice squad guy whom the staff is
very high on.
Final Predictions
Not the same position but having
impact
-Hochstein makes it bumping Weaver
as both can long snap
-Don Davis can help in the
secondary allowing pats to only keep Chad Scott over Ty Poole
- Izzo and Mallards special teams
play catapults them over Chad Brown on the roster who only stays if
Roman Phifer doesn't return.
- Dan Klecko helps at defensive
line, linebacker and fullback in short yardage situations.
- Kyle Eckel is kept
over Chapman because of versatility but doesn't dress much this season.
His military status could also play a role.
- Ellis Hobbs, Andre Davis
and Tim Dwight are all used in kick return situations
Final Predictions on Roster of 53:
RB- Eckel
TE- Fauria
OL- Mruczkowski and
Hochstein
WR- Davis and
(barring Price) Sam
DL/LB- Klecko, Izzo,
Davis, Mallard and Phifer/Brown
DB- Chad Scott
Read Buddy Love's blog at http://buddylovessportsblog.blogspot.com/
Questions?
Comments? Email Buddy Love directly at murphysbuddylove@aol.com.
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