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Do you think it is possible that Dane Fletcher becomes starter at Mike linebacker sometime this season? I like Spikes, but Fletcher is showing a lot this preseason. I’ve wondered if Fletcher was being groomed as a possible replacement last year until the injury.

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It’s a great question and one that I wrestle with. I really see two options:

  1. Hightower, Spikes, Mayo are the base three linebackers, with Spikes then Hightower subbing off in base for Collins and/or Fletcher.
  2. Spikes gets reduced to gameplan-specific starting duties, with Fletcher (MLB) or Collins (SLB, Hightower to MLB) starting against the pass-happy teams.

So that makes the question whether or not they like a Collins-Hightower-Mayo trio or a Hightower-Fletcher-Mayo trio. Fletcher has certainly looked good this preseason and I’ve always been a fan of his. He really showed up against the Dolphins in 2011 playing MLB in his most extensive game action of the season.

Still, I must say I love the attitude and presence that Spikes brings. No one else can, but at what point do they decide they need better pass defense over that run-destroying presence. It’s not an easy decision, and one that I’ll think about until the 2013 campaign begins and we start getting answers.

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Patriots Preseason Mid-Point 53-man Projection

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Here’s where we’re at right now after two games down. Don’t feel great about the depth along either side of the line, the door could still be open for an unknown at both spots.

Jermaine Cunningham and Ras-I Dowling are still on despite having injuries, the depth and experience at their positions is just too light to let them go in my mind.

QB (2) Brady, Mallett – Sorry Tim, I just don’t see the value in keep you.

RB (5) Ridley, Vereen, Bolden, Blount, Washington – All for keeping all five.

WR (6) Amendola, Thompkins, Dobson, Boyce, Edelman, Slater – Seems pretty set, all will rotate heavily.

TE (3) Ballard, Sudfeld, Fells – Gronk stays on PUP, with Ballard and Sudfeld being the main guys to start the season while Fells can fill in while also playing an H-back role.

C  (1) Wendell

G  (3) Mankins, Cannon, Connolly – Need Cannon and Connolly back at 100%.

T  (3) Vollmer, Solder, Svitek – Svitek’s ability to play guard is huge.

DE (6) Jones, Ninkovich, Benard, Francis, Cunningham, Buchanan – Jake Bequette hasn’t shown much of anything. Give me Cunningham over him. 

DT (3) Wilfork, Kelly, Forston – Don’t love Forston, but he’s all we got.

ILB(3) Spikes, Fletcher, Beauharnais – Fletcher could see significant snaps this year, he’s been really good in the games.

OLB(4) Mayo, Hightower, Collins, Rivera – Solid group, Rivera squeaks on.

CB (6) Talib, Arrington, Dennard, Ryan, Cole, Dowling – Dowling sticks just due to Dennard’s uncertain future and Ryan’s inexperience.

SS (2) Wilson, Wilson

FS (3) McCourty, Gregory, Harmon

ST (3) Gostkowski, Mesko, Aiken

PUP – Gronk, Armond Armstead.

Total players: 53

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