An Independent Patriots Blog
Patriots Depth Chart Reset (updated with undrafted free agents)
With some help from NEPatriotsDraft.com’s rookie free agent signings list, here’s where the Pats are currently at.
https://www.patspropaganda.com/patriots-depth-chart-reset-updated-with-undrafted/
Latest Patriots Depth Chart after today’s cuts (DL Cory Grissom, RB Sam McGuffie, WR T.J. Moe & LB Taylor Reed)
https://www.patspropaganda.com/latest-patriots-depth-chart-after-todays-cuts-dl/
Here are the current depth charts as I see them, let me know if I’m missing anything. I’ve put some of the injured players are various spots. Guys expected to make full returns go back to the top like Mayo and Vollmer. Guys with some uncertainty like Gronk and Wilfork are left in the middle for now. All free agents have been removed.
The number of wide receivers sticks out to me. Could an unheralded guy like Harrison or Moe come out of nowhere next summer? I think so. The other rooks have to make big jumps.
Tackle isn’t the disaster most might make it out to be, but Wilfork and Kelly are big question marks. Armstead will be one to watch. The depth at defensive end is concerning and will be an area to watch in free agency and the draft, as will cornerback.
Not expecting Spikes back and I’ve took the liberty of making Hightower an MLB for now. They should add depth at LB as well.
NCB – Nickel Cornerback
DCB – Dime Cornerback
https://www.patspropaganda.com/ncb-nickel-cornerback-dcb-dime-cornerback/
The Patriots defensive backs are a young, talented group, but is still unproven in big games and on the road.
For cornerbacks, Leigh Bodden was re-signed to a multi year deal, if nothing else he is a solid piece in the puzzle of creating the Belichick Defense 2.0. Darius Butler is a promising young player, said by Mike Reiss to be “ready to take the next step”. Devin McCourty is the first round pick, athletic and physical. Jonathan Wilhite and Terrence Wheatley are in the make or break years, though Wilhite is developing into a solid slot corner. The Patriots went out of their way to keep Kyle Arrington from signing with Cleveland off the practice squad. He was a special teams demon. Can he contribute as a corner? That will be something to follow.
For safeties, Brandon Meriweather is an every down player. Patrick Chung was being used as a “swiss army knife” all over the field. He seemed to be the first stringer over James Sanders, the calming veteran presence. Lastly is Brandon McGowan who flashed some playmaking abilities early on in 2009, but faded down the stretch. There could be a surprise cut from this group in either Sanders or McGowan.
PatsPropaganda Depth Chart (as of 6/20/10)
RCB – Bodden, Wheatley
LCB – Butler, McCourty
Nickel – Wilhite, Wheatley
Dime – McCourty, Arrington
FS – Meriweather, Sanders
SS – Chung, McGowan
Current Patriots Linebacker Depth Chart (6/20, entering Training Camp).
PCS: Pass Coverage Specialist
PRS: Pass Rush Specialist
https://www.patspropaganda.com/current-patriots-linebacker-depth-chart-620/
We now enter the final calm before the NFL season starts, the last month when everyone, including reporters go on vacation. The NFL is darkest just before the dawn of a new season falls.
With that in mind we’ve gotten a glimpse of who’s working where and what we can expect to look for in training camp. We start with what will surely be the most interesting of camp battles, the linebackers.
Bill Belichick built his championship defenses at the Giants and Patriots around it’s linebacker corps. Lawrence Taylor, Pepper Johnson, Harry Carson and Carl Banks in New York. Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, Willie McGinest, Ted Johnson and Roman Phifer in New England.
Belichick is now trying to build another set of championship linebackers. Jerod Mayo is the centerpiece. Gary Guyton has good size, and can cover like Phifer did. Brandon Spikes and Jermaine Cunningham are the Gator rookies. Tyrone McKenzie and Shawn Crable, the wild cards. Tully Banta-Cain, Derrick Burgess and Rob Ninkovich the vets.
The Patriots current crop looks promising, but is unproven.
PatsPropaganda Current Depth Chart
ROLB: Tully Banta Cain, Shawn Crable
WILB: Jerod Mayo, Tyrone McKenzie
SILB: Gary Guyton, Brandon Spikes
LOLB: Derrick Burgess, Rob Ninkovich
PRS: Burgess, Jermaine Cunningham, Ninkovich
PCS: Mayo, Guyton, McKenzie
Let’s hear it for victory Monday!
