Saturday, September 5, 2015

Musket Reloaded - Initial New England Patriots 53 Man Roster

The 53 man roster, for now:

Quarterbacks (2)

Tom Brady
Jimmy Garoppolo

If you need help figuring this position out, send me your address and I'll come over and whack you in the head with a flounder...

Running backs (5)

LeGarrette Blount
James White
Dion Lewis
Brandon Bolden
Travaris Cadet

Jonas Gray being eliminated as part of this group came as a big surprise / disappointment to many, but the fact remained that he was a one-trick pony, getting what was blocked for him and little else.

White and Lewis give Belichick the potential for an epic two back set on passing downs and Cadet will function mainly as a receiver on the outside or in the slot.

Wide Receivers (5)

Julian Edelman
Danny Amendola
Aaron Dobson
Chris Harper
Matt Slater

Brandon LaFell (PUP)

Harper is the feel good story of the offense, and earned this spot with crisp route running and flypaper hands. Dobson sticks, and one can only hope that he regains the form he displayed in the middle of his rookie season, when he settled down and played within himself.

Tight Ends (4)

Rob Gronkowski
Scott Chandler
Michael Hoomanawanui
Michael Williams

Williams is more of a tackle at well over 300 pounds, but he has nice hands and is a load on the edge. Hooman takes over the Hback role vacated by Develin's injury.

Offensive Linemen (9)

Nate Solder
Sebastian Vollmer
Bryan Stork
Tre Jackson
Shaq Mason
Ryan Wendell
David Andrews
Marcus Cannon
Josh Kline

Absolutely no surprises here as there is a good mixture of veterans to mentor some young drive blockers.

Offense total: 24

Defensive Linemen (11)

Sealver Siliga
Alan Branch
Dominique Easley
Malcom Brown
Chandler Jones
Jabaal Sheard
Rob Ninkovich
Trey Flowers
Geneo Grissom
Rufus Johnson
Khyri Thornton

The only relatively mild surprise has Rufus Johnson taking Zach Moore's roster spot. Johnson flat played his way onto the roster, which is never a bad thing.

Linebackers (5)

Jamie Collins
Dont'a Hightower
Jerod Mayo
Eric Martin
Jonathan Freeny

No big surprises here. Martin is a quick, sideline to sideline cover backer with some scheme versatility, as is Freeny, who is more of an interior presence.

Corners (4)

Malcolm Butler
Bradley Fletcher
Tarell Brown
Logan Ryan

The versatility of the safety corps means that the team can keep four corners and still have depth.

Safeties (6)

Devin McCourty
Duron Harmon
Jordan Richards
Pat Chung
Nate Ebner
Tavon Wilson

Perhaps the deepest, most talented safety corps in the league.

Defensive total: 26

Special Teams (3)

Stephen Gostkowski (PK)

Joe Cardona (LS)
Ryan Allen (P)

There is probably not a better kicking combo in the league than Gostkowski and Allen. Both are legitimate weapons.

"Ghost" extends the Patriots Red Zone to the 35 yard line and beyond, while Allen can switch field position battle in Patriots' favor with one kick.

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