Before you assume the initial cuts to bring the roster down to 75 players won’t be noteworthy look no further than last year, when James Sanders and Jonathan Wilhite were among those released by the team. Will there be any similar surprise moves this week? I wouldn’t bet against it.
Right now the Pats’ roster includes 85 players, which means ten players will need to be released by 4:00 p.m. on Monday; when Brian Waters returns one more will have to turn in his playbook. Two days later the team plays its final preseason game and then two days after that they’ll need to make the tougher decisions, reducing the roster size to 53 on Friday the 31st by 9:00 p.m. Here’s my guess at the players that are most likely to be clearing their locker out before the game against the Giants.
 Donte’ Stallworth is among many Pats players on the bubble fighting for a roster spot |
DL: Marcus Harrison, Tim Bulman, Aaron Lavarias
Even with Jonathane Fanene being cut and Myron Pryor still on PUP, there are just too many other players ahead of these three for them to make the squad; the additions of Chandler Jones and Jake Bequette in the draft, plus Trevor Scott in free agency really limited the possibility of these guys being around in week one.
OL: Derek Dennis, Dustin Waldron
Thanks for helping out while the team was short handed gentlemen. With Ryan Wendell, Nick McDonald and Donald Thomas all battling for backup spots there’s not really any room for these two – despite the problems the offensive line has had.
DB: Derrick Martin
Nate Ebner has been a pleasant surprise, and safeties James Ihedigbo, Sergio Brown and Josh Barrett bring more on special teams.
LB: Mike Rivera
When Dane Fletcher went on Injured Reserve I thought that Rivera might have a chance to sneak onto the roster, but he hasn’t done anything to stand out from his competition.
WR and TE: Jesse Holley, Tyler Urban
Holley finishes his brief career with the Pats with a touchdown. Urban is so buried on this roster I forgot that he was still here.
RB: Eric Kettani
Perhaps with Spencer Larsen injured once again Kettani will be spared if the coaching staff is intent on keeping a blocking back/fullback type - but he hasn’t really done enough to continue to warrant a spot on the roster.
There are certainly other possibilities such as Larsen, TE Visanthe Shiancoe, OL Jeremiah Warren, LB Tracy White and DB Malcolm Williams, but I think they stay put for now, at least until after the next game. Those are my guesses for the players that are released between now and Monday; what are your predictions?
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I know the “bigger” releases are typically saved for the 53 man roster cuts on Friday, but as you said, Bill doesn’t always wait that long.. Some interesting names to keep your eye on.. Cuts,, Ninkovich, Koppen, Branch, Woodhead and Brown.. I don’t dissagree with any of your cuts, except for possibly Harrison, sticking around for another week, and I think Williams has an outside shot of making the 53 man roster. Some interesting names to possibly make the 53 man, Brace and Cunningham, be nice to see our 2nd rounders live up to above average backups. Brandon Boldin, Justin Francis, Alfonzo Dennard, Marcus Forston, Bobby Carpenter (with the Fletcher injury), and I like Demps a lot as a special teamer.. I also would not be surprised at all if Welker did get traded. Not because of the recent rumors, but ever since he got tagged. With the addition of Lloyd, locking up Gronk and your other reciever FA additions, if you could get a 1 from Indy (I feel will be a top 5 pick) and free up 9 mill for a player your gonna lose next year anyway, I would jump at the chance.. Any thoughts?
Great points Steve. I think the only one of those that you mentioned that I would consider being secure is Ninkovich; I think he is a vital cog in Belichick’s plan for this season. Some of the new defensive linemen such as Forston, Francis and Harrison are extremely intriguing – but whenever I speculate on who makes the squad I just keep running out of roster spots. There are a lot of positions where a case can be made for three or more players, but there’s likely just one opening.
We’ll find out tomorrow … and then just when we think things are settled a few more moves will be made. Thanks much for the detailed thoughts.