Adam Shefter on the Patriots

[T tes]

I just heard Adam Shefter on total access that Patriots have a better team then last year and they should be even better, but all they brought in were new players...how does he know there coaching is going to be better. I havent been following the Patriots so I dont know if they brought in new coaching staff or what.:confused:

[gripgrap]

Originally Posted by T tes

I just heard Adam Shefter on total access that Patriots have a better team then last year and they should be even better, but all they brought in were new players...how does he know there coaching is going to be better. I havent been following the Patriots so I dont know if they brought in new coaching staff or what.:confused:

He didn't specifically saythat the coaching would be better...he mentioned that Mangini (new DC) was the most sought after "free agent" coach this offseason and that Brady and Beli are on the same page so he didn't think they would drop off that much. His point was based mostly on player acquisitions...David Terrell, Chad Brown, Monty Beisel, Duane Starks...players in their contact years...David Givens, Jarvis Green. He kind of glosses over Ty Law being gone and Bruschi perhaps not playing this year...but he thinks they brought in enough where they'll be OK. I'm a Pats fan...we'll see.

[patsdynasty]

Patriots Profiler
Pats' chart off the deep end
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tough to find expendable New Englanders
May 14, 2005
By: Chris Warner
After sitting around recently checking out the Patriots' depth chart, it occurred to me for about the tenth time this off-season that I do not envy New England's coaches. Not only do they have to make adjustments with the departures of their offensive and defensive coordinators (Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel, respectively), but they have to wade through a talent-dense roster to find the right 53 guys for autumn.

Picking the proper players makes the Sunday crossword puzzle seem easy. New England has been blessed with plenty of solid members over the past four years, but no roster has had more talent potential than this current one. Of the over 90 names on paper, many will remain in the league, just not with the Patriots.

As usual, no one except Coach Bill Belichick knows much of anything regarding any future moves, and (also as usual) he isn't talking.

If you'd like to check out the team's depth chart, go to www.nfl.com or the Patriots website (www.patriots.com). To keep track of the team's salary cap, there's no better way than Miguel's Salary Cap Page, which is now available on the patsfans site. It's a near-embarrassing wealth of information, and a great way to procrastinate.

I suppose we may as well begin with the offense. The O-line got a major influx of talent via the draft this year, so add Logan Mankins and Nick Kaczur as reserves to the current projected starters: Matt Light at left tackle, Russ Hochstein at left guard, Dan Koppen at center, Stephen Neal at right guard and Brandon Gorin at right tackle. Tom Ashworth will compete with Gorin, while Gene Mruczkowski (I double-checked the spelling) will back up all interior line spots. A strong group overall.

Not making this list: Lance Nimmo, Mike Lorenz, Ryan Krug, Jeff Roehl, Victor Leyva, Billy Yates, all young free agents. Potential practice players include Krug and Yates.

At tight end, Coach Belichick's consistent drafting there continued this year with seventh-rounder Andy Stokes coming to the team, though it's tough to see where he'll fit in at this point. Daniel Graham will start, and Benjamin Watson could start alongside him in any two-TE sets. Add veteran Christian Fauria to the mix, and the Pats have the trio that was missing last year due to Watson's early-season injury.

Not making this list: Jed Weaver, Joel Jacobs, Stokes. Stokes could make the practice squad, or - if he excels in camp vs. NFL-level competition - he could replace Fauria as a cheaper short-yardage possession pass-catcher.

If it truly is better to give than to receive, this split-end-filled lineup could be in trouble. Starters David Givens and Deion Branch return, while free agent vets David Terrell and Tim Dwight will vie for the third-receiver spot. Round out that list with Bethel Johnson, the kickoff return specialist who's due for a breakout year on offense. That's five.

Not making this list: P. K. Sam, Mark Bartosic, Ricky Bryant, Cedric James, Michael McGrew, Jake Schifino. Sam comes back if (and judging by recent history, when) someone gets injured, or if the Pats go with six. Also, the Troy Brown watch continues, hinging on the performances of Dwight or Terrell.

On a personal note, it's tough to say goodbye to Cedric James, who seems like a very nice guy (check out his weekly diary on www.nfleurope.com, and don't think for a second I don't know that "weekly diary" is an oxymoron). Such is the way of the talent-deep position.

Running backs will be Corey Dillon and Kevin Faulk, with Cedric Cobb filling in on occasion. Cobb's carries should incrrease this season to spell Dillon. Faulk still needs a backup, so maybe there's room on the practice squad for Kory Chapman, who's had a strong NFL Europe campaign.

Not making this list: DeCori Birmingham and Earl Charles, two rookie free agents who may take up room on the practice squad if Chapman gets picked up by someone else (Remember, each team has to release a player for 48 hours before putting him on the practice squad).

Patrick Pass signed a contract extension to stay at fullback, and will fight off Navy rookie Kyle Eckel due to his experience and relatively modest price tag. New England could sign Eckel and keep rights to him if he has to honor his military commitment for the next two years. It wouldn't hurt to have a bigger back who actually played the fullback position before coming to the Patriots. Don't be too shocked if Pass gets cut and Eckel stays, depending on what the Navy decides.

In the contest of Guys Not Named Tom Brady, four quarterbacks compete for number two: Rohan Davey, His Excellency Doug Flutie of the Natick Fluties, Chris Redman, and Matt Cassel. New England keeps three total, putting Davey and Flutie on the sideline while the Brady boy works his stuff.

Not making this list: Redman becomes the odd man out, while Cassel sticks on the practice squad and takes time to learn the offense. Not good enough? I agree. How about this scenario: the Pats trade Davey for a future draft pick, and Redman stays. Maybe you should sit down for this, but don't be too surprised if the coach cuts Flutie.

I know, it's terrible. I'm a New Englander. In high school I wanted to be Gerard Phelan or Brian Brennan. If you know what I'm talking about, then you feel my pain over the mere speculation of losing Doug. You could argue that the Pats have always had an experienced veteran to back up Brady, but you could also argue that they never draft an offensive guard, and then - like me - you'd end up looking like a moron.

Let's move on to defense, even though it may prove more difficult.

At ends, Ty Warren and Richard Seymour will start, with Marquise Hill and Rodney Bailey as backups. Hill gets a chance to demonstrate his skills after an injury-lost rookie year, and Bailey has a similar agenda after signing as a free agent with New England last year and hurting his knee.

Not making this list: Jarvis Green and Santonio Thomas. Thomas is an undrafted rookie out of Miami. Green's very talented, but if Patriots can get some value for him in a trade, they'll do it because this part of the defense has more depth than the setting of a Peter Benchley novel. I placed a Jarvis Green-tinged caveat below.

Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork progressed as a rookie and will get the starting nod now that the Pats cut veteran Keith Traylor. Wilfork's backed up by Ethan Kelley, another late-round pick the coaches have been developing, plus rookies Mike Wright and DeMarco McNeil. The Pats could potentially keep Green over Kelley because Green has experience at every defensive line spot.

The team has gotten so young at this position, age isn't a factor when choosing who will stay or go. Seriously, I have shirts older than some of these guys.

The drama New Englanders will witness at the linebacker position will prove worthy of a summer mini-series. On the inside, the Patriots will keep two of three potential starters in Ted Johnson, free agent signee Chad Brown, and Tedy Bruschi. Bruschi, if ...

That's all I'm saying. You know the rest.

The two starters will get backup help from free agent Monty Beisel, Dan Klecko, Larry Izzo, and Ryan Claridge. Beisel's time will increase and he could vie for starting time by September.

Not on this list: Eric Alexander, Don Davis, rookie Andre Torrey. Some tough cuts there, especially considering Alexander's development with the team. He and Torrey could make the practice squad because they have the potential to play inside or outside.

Speaking of the outside, Mike Vrabel, Rosevelt Colvin and Willie McGinest will rotate into those two spots, backed by Tully Banta-Cain, who has shown his pass-rushing skills and has improved consistently.

Not on this list: Matt Chatham, Grant Steen, Wesley Mallard. I know, I know. Chatham's been a fine special teams player and uber-reliable reserve. Plus, he tackled the ill-advised streaker right after halftime of Super Bowl XXXVIII. I'll miss him, but I think with Brown's, Beisel's, and Claridge's flexibility, Chatham becomes somewhat expendable. And free agent Wesley Mallard, we hardly knew ye.

The cornerback position had all the injuries and cliffhangers of "General Hospital," just without as much predictability. Ty Law's release puts pressure on the remaining players while it opens up their opportunities. Randall Gay and Asante Samuel stay, joined by Tyrone Poole back from injury and free agents Duane Starks and Chad Scott. Rookie Ellis Hobbs pitches in, making this group stronger overall than a year ago.

Not making this list: Hank Poteat and Ike Charlton. Gotta love Hank, who came in and helped the Patriots in the playoffs in January after sitting out the entire season. It's a tough roster to break into this year.

Strong safety and near-MVP Rodney Harrison will get support from rookie James Sanders out of Fresno State. At free safety, Eugene Wilson and Guss Scott hold the fort.

Not on this list: Dexter Reid and Raymond Ventrone. Scott will take over Reid's reps on special teams. Free-agent rookie Ventrone could make the practice squad as a special teamer and run-stopping defensive back.

Speaking of special teams, kicker Adam Vinatieri, punter Josh Miller and long-snapper Lonie Paxton all hold their jobs respectively over rookie free agents Robbie Gould, Rhett Kopp and Travis Conway.

Sure, I'm a genius for calling that one.

With free agent signings, training camp, and possible injuries yet to come, no one knows how the Patriots' roster will shape up by June, much less September. In the mode of predicting the unpredictable, we can only consider two things that have happened almost every year: a rookie will surprise with his ability, and Coach Belichick and peronnel V. P. Scott Pioli will make a move that very few folks expected.

Coach Belichick has said that the most difficult thing he has to do is tell a player that he's being released, especially when that player has done everything asked of him. Judging by the team's current roster, it appears that the coach may be in for a rough summer.

That's why, when it comes to making roster moves, I can sit and name whomever I like, knowing that the decisions that matter are still to come.

[T tes]

Originally Posted by patsdynasty

Patriots Profiler
Pats' chart off the deep end
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tough to find expendable New Englanders
May 14, 2005
By: Chris Warner
After sitting around recently checking out the Patriots' depth chart, it occurred to me for about the tenth time this off-season that I do not envy New England's coaches. Not only do they have to make adjustments with the departures of their offensive and defensive coordinators (Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennel, respectively), but they have to wade through a talent-dense roster to find the right 53 guys for autumn.

Picking the proper players makes the Sunday crossword puzzle seem easy. New England has been blessed with plenty of solid members over the past four years, but no roster has had more talent potential than this current one. Of the over 90 names on paper, many will remain in the league, just not with the Patriots.

As usual, no one except Coach Bill Belichick knows much of anything regarding any future moves, and (also as usual) he isn't talking.

If you'd like to check out the team's depth chart, go to www.nfl.com or the Patriots website (www.patriots.com). To keep track of the team's salary cap, there's no better way than Miguel's Salary Cap Page, which is now available on the patsfans site. It's a near-embarrassing wealth of information, and a great way to procrastinate.

I suppose we may as well begin with the offense. The O-line got a major influx of talent via the draft this year, so add Logan Mankins and Nick Kaczur as reserves to the current projected starters: Matt Light at left tackle, Russ Hochstein at left guard, Dan Koppen at center, Stephen Neal at right guard and Brandon Gorin at right tackle. Tom Ashworth will compete with Gorin, while Gene Mruczkowski (I double-checked the spelling) will back up all interior line spots. A strong group overall.

Not making this list: Lance Nimmo, Mike Lorenz, Ryan Krug, Jeff Roehl, Victor Leyva, Billy Yates, all young free agents. Potential practice players include Krug and Yates.

At tight end, Coach Belichick's consistent drafting there continued this year with seventh-rounder Andy Stokes coming to the team, though it's tough to see where he'll fit in at this point. Daniel Graham will start, and Benjamin Watson could start alongside him in any two-TE sets. Add veteran Christian Fauria to the mix, and the Pats have the trio that was missing last year due to Watson's early-season injury.

Not making this list: Jed Weaver, Joel Jacobs, Stokes. Stokes could make the practice squad, or - if he excels in camp vs. NFL-level competition - he could replace Fauria as a cheaper short-yardage possession pass-catcher.

If it truly is better to give than to receive, this split-end-filled lineup could be in trouble. Starters David Givens and Deion Branch return, while free agent vets David Terrell and Tim Dwight will vie for the third-receiver spot. Round out that list with Bethel Johnson, the kickoff return specialist who's due for a breakout year on offense. That's five.

Not making this list: P. K. Sam, Mark Bartosic, Ricky Bryant, Cedric James, Michael McGrew, Jake Schifino. Sam comes back if (and judging by recent history, when) someone gets injured, or if the Pats go with six. Also, the Troy Brown watch continues, hinging on the performances of Dwight or Terrell.

On a personal note, it's tough to say goodbye to Cedric James, who seems like a very nice guy (check out his weekly diary on www.nfleurope.com, and don't think for a second I don't know that "weekly diary" is an oxymoron). Such is the way of the talent-deep position.

Running backs will be Corey Dillon and Kevin Faulk, with Cedric Cobb filling in on occasion. Cobb's carries should incrrease this season to spell Dillon. Faulk still needs a backup, so maybe there's room on the practice squad for Kory Chapman, who's had a strong NFL Europe campaign.

Not making this list: DeCori Birmingham and Earl Charles, two rookie free agents who may take up room on the practice squad if Chapman gets picked up by someone else (Remember, each team has to release a player for 48 hours before putting him on the practice squad).

Patrick Pass signed a contract extension to stay at fullback, and will fight off Navy rookie Kyle Eckel due to his experience and relatively modest price tag. New England could sign Eckel and keep rights to him if he has to honor his military commitment for the next two years. It wouldn't hurt to have a bigger back who actually played the fullback position before coming to the Patriots. Don't be too shocked if Pass gets cut and Eckel stays, depending on what the Navy decides.

In the contest of Guys Not Named Tom Brady, four quarterbacks compete for number two: Rohan Davey, His Excellency Doug Flutie of the Natick Fluties, Chris Redman, and Matt Cassel. New England keeps three total, putting Davey and Flutie on the sideline while the Brady boy works his stuff.

Not making this list: Redman becomes the odd man out, while Cassel sticks on the practice squad and takes time to learn the offense. Not good enough? I agree. How about this scenario: the Pats trade Davey for a future draft pick, and Redman stays. Maybe you should sit down for this, but don't be too surprised if the coach cuts Flutie.

I know, it's terrible. I'm a New Englander. In high school I wanted to be Gerard Phelan or Brian Brennan. If you know what I'm talking about, then you feel my pain over the mere speculation of losing Doug. You could argue that the Pats have always had an experienced veteran to back up Brady, but you could also argue that they never draft an offensive guard, and then - like me - you'd end up looking like a moron.

Let's move on to defense, even though it may prove more difficult.

At ends, Ty Warren and Richard Seymour will start, with Marquise Hill and Rodney Bailey as backups. Hill gets a chance to demonstrate his skills after an injury-lost rookie year, and Bailey has a similar agenda after signing as a free agent with New England last year and hurting his knee.

Not making this list: Jarvis Green and Santonio Thomas. Thomas is an undrafted rookie out of Miami. Green's very talented, but if Patriots can get some value for him in a trade, they'll do it because this part of the defense has more depth than the setting of a Peter Benchley novel. I placed a Jarvis Green-tinged caveat below.

Defensive tackle Vince Wilfork progressed as a rookie and will get the starting nod now that the Pats cut veteran Keith Traylor. Wilfork's backed up by Ethan Kelley, another late-round pick the coaches have been developing, plus rookies Mike Wright and DeMarco McNeil. The Pats could potentially keep Green over Kelley because Green has experience at every defensive line spot.

The team has gotten so young at this position, age isn't a factor when choosing who will stay or go. Seriously, I have shirts older than some of these guys.

The drama New Englanders will witness at the linebacker position will prove worthy of a summer mini-series. On the inside, the Patriots will keep two of three potential starters in Ted Johnson, free agent signee Chad Brown, and Tedy Bruschi. Bruschi, if ...

That's all I'm saying. You know the rest.

The two starters will get backup help from free agent Monty Beisel, Dan Klecko, Larry Izzo, and Ryan Claridge. Beisel's time will increase and he could vie for starting time by September.

Not on this list: Eric Alexander, Don Davis, rookie Andre Torrey. Some tough cuts there, especially considering Alexander's development with the team. He and Torrey could make the practice squad because they have the potential to play inside or outside.

Speaking of the outside, Mike Vrabel, Rosevelt Colvin and Willie McGinest will rotate into those two spots, backed by Tully Banta-Cain, who has shown his pass-rushing skills and has improved consistently.

Not on this list: Matt Chatham, Grant Steen, Wesley Mallard. I know, I know. Chatham's been a fine special teams player and uber-reliable reserve. Plus, he tackled the ill-advised streaker right after halftime of Super Bowl XXXVIII. I'll miss him, but I think with Brown's, Beisel's, and Claridge's flexibility, Chatham becomes somewhat expendable. And free agent Wesley Mallard, we hardly knew ye.

The cornerback position had all the injuries and cliffhangers of "General Hospital," just without as much predictability. Ty Law's release puts pressure on the remaining players while it opens up their opportunities. Randall Gay and Asante Samuel stay, joined by Tyrone Poole back from injury and free agents Duane Starks and Chad Scott. Rookie Ellis Hobbs pitches in, making this group stronger overall than a year ago.

Not making this list: Hank Poteat and Ike Charlton. Gotta love Hank, who came in and helped the Patriots in the playoffs in January after sitting out the entire season. It's a tough roster to break into this year.

Strong safety and near-MVP Rodney Harrison will get support from rookie James Sanders out of Fresno State. At free safety, Eugene Wilson and Guss Scott hold the fort.

Not on this list: Dexter Reid and Raymond Ventrone. Scott will take over Reid's reps on special teams. Free-agent rookie Ventrone could make the practice squad as a special teamer and run-stopping defensive back.

Speaking of special teams, kicker Adam Vinatieri, punter Josh Miller and long-snapper Lonie Paxton all hold their jobs respectively over rookie free agents Robbie Gould, Rhett Kopp and Travis Conway.

Sure, I'm a genius for calling that one.

With free agent signings, training camp, and possible injuries yet to come, no one knows how the Patriots' roster will shape up by June, much less September. In the mode of predicting the unpredictable, we can only consider two things that have happened almost every year: a rookie will surprise with his ability, and Coach Belichick and peronnel V. P. Scott Pioli will make a move that very few folks expected.

Coach Belichick has said that the most difficult thing he has to do is tell a player that he's being released, especially when that player has done everything asked of him. Judging by the team's current roster, it appears that the coach may be in for a rough summer.

That's why, when it comes to making roster moves, I can sit and name whomever I like, knowing that the decisions that matter are still to come.

Did you copy and paste that cuz if you didnt wouldnt you be tired up typing so much:goof:

[Prime]

IMO people are becoming Pats fans because of their 3 SB runs. I mean come on, they lost some key coaches and some key leaders to their team.

[T tes]

Originally Posted by PhinDude88

IMO people are becoming Pats fans because of their 3 SB runs. I mean come on, they lost some key coaches and some key leaders to their team.

Thats what Im thinkin too.

[Predaphin]

At this point, i wouldn't even worry about the Pats making the playoffs.

[gripgrap]

Originally Posted by PhinDude88

IMO people are becoming Pats fans because of their 3 SB runs. I mean come on, they lost some key coaches and some key leaders to their team.

Yeah...no team has ever picked up bacndwagon fans after winning a bunch of championships. God knows you couldn't find any Cowboys or Bulls jerseys in every town in America about 10 years ago. Of course the Pats picked up new fans...but they never got to watch the pure poetry that was Marc Wilson in the pocket in 1990...or the magic of Tony Eason curled up into the fetal postion in every game after SB XX.