Patriots 53-Man Roster Projection Take 1

Tomorrow I’ll be heading back to camp for an all-day adventure, taking in both the morning and the afternoon practices. If I can find a spot around Patriot Place that has internet access, I’ll pass along some morning notes after practice. If not, I’ll do a condensed version when I get home after the afternoon practice. Tomorrow is also Tom Brady’s 33rd birthday, and there’s usually some kind of birthday shenanigans at camp, so I’ll pass along those events as well. At this point, I think it’s a good idea to churn out an early 53-man roster projection based on the little I’ve seen and read so far. I did not include Logan Mankins or Derrick Burgess as neither has reported to the team thus far. With injuries mounting early, I decided to go with more defensive linemen than the final roster from last season. The extra defensive linemen also provide the flexibility to go 4-3 if the Pats can’t get their 3-4 working due to the outside linebackers. Click on “Continue Reading” to see my prediction as to what 53 players will comprise the 2010 New England Patriots.

Quarterback (2)

Tom Brady
Brian Hoyer

Running backs (4)

Laurence Maroney
Kevin Faulk
Sammy Morris
BenJarvus Green-Ellis

I’m thinking the Pats will be going with 3 tight ends instead of 2 like last year, so some other position has to take a hit, and that one I project to be running back. Fred Taylor is a tough cut, but he is the oldest and his injury-prone career continued last season with the Pats when Taylor missed most of the season. BJGE gets the nod over Taylor because he can play special teams and flashes the potential to take on a bigger role with the team.

Wide Receiver (6)

Randy Moss
Wes Welker
Brandon Tate
Torry Holt
Julian Edelman
Taylor Price

If the team decides to go with 5 running backs in stead of the 4 I projected, Torry Holt could be cut from this group.

Tight End (3)

Alge Crumpler
Rob Gronkowski
Aaron Hernandez

Offensive Line (9)

Matt Light
Nick Kaczur
Dan Koppen
Stephen Neal
Sebastian Vollmer
Dan Connolly
Rich Ohrnberger
Mark LeVoir
Ted Larsen

Defensive Line (8)

Ty Warren
Vince Wilfork
Mike Wright
Gerard Warren
Myron Pryor
Damione Lewis
Ron Brace
Brandon Deaderick

Inside Linebacker (4)

Jerod Mayo
Brandon Spikes
Tyrone McKenzie
Gary Guyton

Outside Linebacker (5)

Tully Banta-Cain
Jermaine Cunningham
Rob Ninkovich
Pierre Woods
Marques Murrell

Corner backs (5)

Leigh Bodden
Darius Butler
Devin McCourty
Jonathon Wilhite
Kyle Arrington

Safety (4)

Brandon Meriweather
Pat Chung
James Sanders
Brandon McGowan

Some have predicted James Sanders’ days in New England are numbered due to his high salary and his now limited playing time. However, unless a team trades for him, I can’t see the Patriots cutting him. He was able to come in and stabilize the secondary last season when they struggled and if this young group struggles again this season, he could do the same.

Specialists (3)

Stephen Gostkowski – kicker
Zoltan Mesko – punter
Jake Ingram – long snapper

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