53 Man Roster

[Southieinnc]

"Final Roster" (it will change tomorrow)

Patriots initial 53-man roster: Patriots go with three rookie receivers for Tom Brady

I can see as many as 3 more cuts as need be and Thomas will be back when we want him - maybe tomorrow.....
We also have a couple that could get Foxboro Flu.....

 

[NWPATSFAN]

ESPN is saying releasing Thomas is procedural. He doesn't have to clear waivers.

Pats release WR Thomas; door open for return

Good news.

Sounds very BB-like

DT don't call the moving company yet.

 

[YankeeRebel]

Im a bit surprised DT was cut

 

[Southieinnc]

Im a bit surprised DT was cut

YR. You are not seeing big picture.

He is doing us a solid. Several players need to be on the roster to be put on IR to return.
He'll be back tomorrow!

 

[nefansince75]

YR. You are not seeing big picture.

He is doing us a solid. Several players need to be on the roster to be put on IR to return.
He'll be back tomorrow!

I'll believe that when I see it.

 

[NWPATSFAN]

I'll believe that when I see it.

I tend to agree he'll be back.

 

[YankeeRebel]

YR. You are not seeing big picture.

He is doing us a solid. Several players need to be on the roster to be put on IR to return.
He'll be back tomorrow!

We'll see. But for me cut Bolden keep DT

 

[NWPATSFAN]

We'll see. But for me cut Bolden keep DT

Someone needs to get those pictures of BB that Bolden has first.

 

[BigKen]

This is this morning's Boston Sunday Herald article on the Patriots roster. This explains everything that's going on and will probably happen before Sunday.

Sports
Patriots
Breaking down the Patriots’ initial 53-man roster

NASHVILLE, TN – AUGUST 17: Head Coach Bill Belichick of the New England Patriots on the sidelines during a week two preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on August 17, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Patriots defeated the Titans 22-17. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
By Kevin Duffy | [email protected] | Boston Herald
PUBLISHED: August 31, 2019 at 7:17 pm | UPDATED: August 31, 2019 at 7:48 pm

After a flurry of trades and a last-minute change of heart on a fan-favorite receiver, the Patriots have finalized their initial 53-man roster.

As always, they’ll continue to tweak their personnel, but here is a look at the depth chart following Saturday’s 4 p.m. deadline:

QUARTERBACK (2): Tom Brady, Jarrett Stidham

The preseason went about as well as it possibly could have for Stidham, a fourth-round pick out of Auburn. Stidham possesses high-level accuracy, particularly on the deep ball, and the ability to improvise and throw on the move. There’s a lot to like about the rookie quarterback.

The Patriots prefer to keep two quarterbacks, and Stidham showed enough to beat out Brian Hoyer for the No. 2 job. This is a similar situation to what the Patriots dealt with in 2014, when then-rookie Jimmy Garoppolo ousted Ryan Mallett for the backup role. The major difference: Hoyer is a superior player to Mallett. Several teams, including the Colts, figure to be in the mix to land Hoyer.

Cutting Hoyer enabled the Patriots to keep an additional player at a different position.

RUNNING BACK (6): Sony Michel, James White, Rex Burkhead, Damien Harris, Brandon Bolden, James Develin

This one was pretty much set from the outset of training camp. Based on reps and performance, Michel seems locked in to the No. 1 running back role. Per usual, the Pats will sprinkle in others – James White on passing downs, Rex Burkhead can play on some early downs and team with White in two-back sets– but Michel should be the primary ball-carrier. If he stays healthy, there’s every reason to believe he’ll build on a 931-yard, six-touchdown rookie season.

WIDE RECEIVER (6): Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon, Phillip Dorsett, N’Keal Harry, Jakobi Meyers, Gunner Olszewski

PUP: Cameron Meredith

What a wild turn of events.

The Patriots kept Olszewski and let go of four-time Pro Bowler Demaryius Thomas, who dominated in the preseason finale to the tune of seven receptions, 87 yards, and two touchdowns.

There’s a lot to unpack here. First, it seems likely that Thomas will be back, possibly as early as Sunday night. In order for a player to be eligible to return from injured reserve, he needs to be on his team’s initial 53-man roster. So the Pats could place someone – potentially rookie receiver N’Keal Harry or linebacker Shilique Calhoun – on IR on Sunday and bring back Thomas to fill the spot.

If Thomas returns, the Pats could roll out a three-receiver lineup of Edelman, Gordon and Thomas on Sunday night versus the Steelers.

Dorsett is a reliable player who has earned Tom Brady’s trust over the years. A preseason stud, Meyers may find himself behind some of the veterans to start the regular season. After a last-minute change of heart, the Patriots kept Olszewski, who offers immediate value as a returner and long-term upside at receiver.

TIGHT END (2): Matt LaCosse, Ryan Izzo

*Suspended: Ben Watson (four games), Lance Kendricks (one game)

LaCosse had a solid spring, but has been sidelined with an ankle injury suffered in the preseason opener. He has light feet for his size (6-foot-6, 250 pounds). As Bill Belichick said in June, the Patriots “feel like he has some upside.”

Izzo took advantage of his opportunities this summer. Known as a rugged and physical blocker, he flashed some hands in New England’s third preseason game, fully extending to snag a laser from Tom Brady for a gain of 18 yards.

Given LaCosse’s injury, Izzo could be the Week 1 starter.

The Patriots might explore outside options at the position. Former New England tight end AJ Derby was cut by the Saints on Friday. Additionally, Dwayne Allen was released by the Dolphins, although Allen indicated to ESPN’s Josina Anderson that he may not play this season.

OFFENSIVE LINE (8): Marcus Cannon, Shaq Mason, Ted Karras, Joe Thuney, Isaiah Wynn, Korey Cunningham, Jermaine Eluemunor, Russell Bodine

Injured reserve: David Andrews, Hjalte Froholdt

PUP: Yodny Cajuste

The loss of Andrews stings.

Andrews, who was recently treated for blood clots in his lungs, was placed on injured reserve. He cannot return this season.

“Unfortunate start to 2019 for me,” Andrews wrote on Instagram. “Thankful for all the thoughts and prayers from everyone. Best believe I’m doing everything I can to get back out there in 2020.”

The Pats acquired Cunningham (swing tackle), Eluemunor (backup guard and tackle) and Bodine (backup center who has 74 career starts under his belt) to bolster the unit.

The depth on the O-Line this summer wasn’t good enough, and this was especially true at tackle. Not since 2010 have both Patriots tackles started all 16 games. Odds are the Pats will need their No. 3 tackle to play at some point this season. And the team felt Cunningham and Eluemunor were upgrades over what they had in training camp.

DEFENSIVE LINE (6): Michael Bennett, Lawrence Guy, Danny Shelton, Byron Cowart, Adam Butler, Deatrich Wise

This is a solid group with a blend of experience and upside. Shelton looks poised for a big-time year in the middle. Bennett can still wreck a game at age 33.

A fifth-round pick out of Maryland, Cowart came on strong midway through August. He was working with the starters in the third game.

The only thing missing from this unit: A direct backup to the 335-pound Shelton. The Pats may want to stash a big fella on the practice squad as Shelton insurance.

LINEBACKER (8): Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy, Jamie Collins, Elandon Roberts, Ja’Whaun Bentley, John Simon, Chase Winovich, Shilique Calhoun

Injured reserve: Derek Rivers

One of the strongest positions on the team. Van Noy and Collins excel on the edge (but can play off the line, too). Hightower can be used in a variety of ways. Roberts and Bentley are classic off-the-ball linebackers. And Winovich enjoyed what was perhaps the most dominant preseason by a Patriots rookie in recent memory.

There’s little doubt he’ll be contributing this season.

Calhoun, who worked with the starters prior to suffering an injury in the second preseason game, did enough to earn a spot.

Brutal break for Rivers, who lands on season-ending injured reserve for the second time in three years. Rivers showed potential throughout the summer and turned in a two-sack performance in the preseason opener.

CORNERBACK (5): Stephon Gilmore, Jason McCourty, J.C. Jackson, Jonathan Jones, Joejuan Williams

The Duke Dawson trade wasn’t a surprise. A second-round pick in 2018, Dawson never found his footing in Foxboro.

The trade of Keion Crossen came out of nowhere. Crossen believed he was a 100 percent lock to make the team, but right before the 4 p.m. deadline the Pats opted to trade him to Houston to free up a roster spot for wide receiver/returner Gunner Olszewski. Crossen was one of the best athletes on the squad and a high-level special teams contributor.

Even without Dawson and Crossen, this is still a stacked unit. A second-round pick, Williams improved dramatically over the course of the summer. He’s a fine No. 5 option behind an All-Star top four.

SAFETY (5): Devin McCourty, Patrick Chung, Duron Harmon, Terrence Brooks, Obi Melifonwu

IR: Malik Gant

Primarily a special teamer with the Jets, Brooks saw plenty of first-team reps in training camp as Chung continued to work his way back from a pair of offseason surgeries.

With Brooks in the mix, this is as deep a safeties unit as the Pats have had in a while.

Melifonwu was inconsistent in camp, but he offers rare size and athleticism and should contribute on special teams.

SPECIALISTS (5): Stephen Gostkowski, Jake Bailey, Joe Cardona, Matthew Slater, Nate Ebner

The usual suspects here. Bailey has one of the strongest legs in the NFL. We’ll see how consistent he’ll be in the regular season.

 

[Old Lion]

Surprised about both DT and Berrios cut for Gunner. Not sure that makes sense. No other surprises for me though.

 

[Shoeshine Boy]

Jesters claimed Berrios

 

[nefansince75]

Jesters claimed Berrios

So be it...

Who would you choose, Berrios or Olsewski? It usually isn't just a this player vs that player thing , but in this case it 100% is.

 

[Southieinnc]

I'll believe that when I see it.

NFL Network's Mike Giardi: New England Patriots re-sign wide receiver Demaryius Thomas

"The move to Injured Reserve after being on the initial roster in order for Harry to be eligible to return in 2019 is what led to the release of Demaryius Thomas on Saturday. It was believed at the time of his release that Thomas’ time with the Patriots was not at an end and he would be brought back once a roster move was made. The move was confirmed on Monday, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter."

 

[BigKen]

Makes one wonder if N'Keal Harry will another first round WR bust for the Patriots. According to reports, it's an ankle injury. First we were told it was a calf, then a hamstring, now it's an ankle. He's got eight weeks to heal and then someone else gets cut or put on IR.

 

[BigKen]

Amazing what a difference a year makes......

Patriots have the oldest 53-man roster in the NFL right now

 

[Southieinnc]

Makes one wonder if N'Keal Harry will another first round WR bust for the Patriots. According to reports, it's an ankle injury. First we were told it was a calf, then a hamstring, now it's an ankle. He's got eight weeks to heal and then someone else gets cut or put on IR.

Injuries are part of the game. He is going to be a good one. Be patient - we have a lot of guys to throw to.....

 

[nefansince75]

NFL Network's Mike Giardi: New England Patriots re-sign wide receiver Demaryius Thomas

"The move to Injured Reserve after being on the initial roster in order for Harry to be eligible to return in 2019 is what led to the release of Demaryius Thomas on Saturday. It was believed at the time of his release that Thomas’ time with the Patriots was not at an end and he would be brought back once a roster move was made. The move was confirmed on Monday, as reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter."

I did say I would believe it.

 

[nefansince75]

Amazing what a difference a year makes......

Patriots have the oldest 53-man roster in the NFL right now

Brady alone increase the average by a year.

 

[nefansince75]

Makes one wonder if N'Keal Harry will another first round WR bust for the Patriots. According to reports, it's an ankle injury. First we were told it was a calf, then a hamstring, now it's an ankle. He's got eight weeks to heal and then someone else gets cut or put on IR.

It'll be interesting to see how well Myers plays and if he can be a wash until Harry can do something.

 

[cheerupcharlie]

All we need is a young/good TE and I’m a happy camper with our young core offensive players.

QB-Stidham
RB- Michel. Harris
WR-Harry. Meyers. Gunner

I know it’s WAY early. But this looks to be a promising young group.