New England Patriots: 53-man Roster Projection
By Hal Bent
OFFENSIVE TACKLE:
Jan 20, 2013; Foxboro, MA, USA; New England Patriots tackle Sebastian Vollmer (76) and guard Dan Connolly (63) line up against the Baltimore Ravens defense in the second quarter of the AFC championship game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports
Joe Soriano:
Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder, Will Svitek (3)
The New England Patriots have three locks at tackle, and Markus Zusevics is a guy who just missed the cut.
Matt Wincherauk:
Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer, Will Svitek, Markus Zusevics (4)
The two incumbents at OT are easy locks, Solder and Vollmer are two of the best in the league. Svitek has had a lot of run at guard this preseason, so he’s also a lock. Zusevics might be a bit of a long shot, but I’ll go out on a limb and say he sticks.
Gary Wolff:
Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder, Will Svitek (3)
Solder has looked great and is a going to anchor Brady’s blind side for the rest of Brady’s years. Vollmer seems to be a little stiff and a little slow of foot so far this preseason. Hopefully he’s healthy and just working his way back into top condition, but he is a lock on the right side. Will Svitek is a solid back up at tackle. He looked pathetic against the Lions at right guard, but the rest of the Patriots line struggled against the Lions front four as well. Yet Svitek is a capable tackle and will get his share of playing time this season.
Chris Martin:
Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder, Will Svitek, Markus Zusevics (4)
I think they stick with these four here.
Chris Simoneau:
Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer, Will Svitek (3)
Dante Scarnecchia’s crew keeps on rolling. Assuming New England only has eight offensive linemen total on the 53-man roster, they will have at least two more on the practice squad. Svitek provides crucial backup depth because they play can play multiple positions on the line.
Cyrus Gellar:
Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer, Will Svitek (3)
One of the strengths of the Patriots roster is their offensive line, and assuming that both Connolly and Cannon get back to 100% health for the regular season, this group will be just fine.
Celia Westbrook:
Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer, Will Svitek (3)
There’s no question about Vollmer and Solder being locked. Svitek can be very well utilized as he has played tackle and guard this preseason.
Chris Field:
Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer, Will Svitek (3)
Just keep Svitek at tackle. He can’t play guard effectively.
Hal Bent:
Nate Solder, Sebastian Vollmer, Will Svitek, Markus Zusevics (4)
With the injury history of Sebastian Vollmer, the Patriots will be extra cautious and keep an extra tackle, as Marcus Cannon is and should be a guard at all times going forward. Zusevics was yet another undrafted free agent who is coming off his redshirt season and should be a serviceable backup and a low-cost project for the future. Will Svitek is solid at tackle, but showed in the preseason he can at least fill in at guard and keep quarterback Tom Brady upright. That position flexibility makes him a lock.