2014 New England Patriots

Thrashen

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In the “best case scenario,” I believe that New England will keep around 23 whites, 10 of whom are starters. I’ve listed the players that I believe will make the squad based upon pre-season observations and articles by “experts” that I’ve read over the past few weeks. Offensive/defensive starters are in bold...

QB – Brady, Mallet, Garrappolo
RB – Develin
­WR – Edelman, Amendola
TE – Gronkowski
OL – Solder, Mankins, Wendell, Connolly, Vollmer, Kline, Devey, Stork

DL – Ninkovich, Bequette, Vellano
LB – White
S – Ebner

P - Allen
K - Gostowski
LS - Aiken

On offense, the amount of offensive linemen kept on the roster is unknown, and it wouldn’t surprise me if a veteran like Dan Connolly was cut. Unfortunately, thanks to their perennial all-black drafts, New England now has 3 non-white OL (Flemming, Cannon, Halapio) who’ll likely make the squad. It would be nice to see back-up TE, Steve Maneri, make the squad, but it’s unlikely.

Defensively, Jake Bequette could easily be cut, as he’s been a bust in his first 2 seasons. He’s only dressed for a handful of regular season games, and has been invisible in all three pre-seasons. LB Chris White should be safe as Mayo’s primary back-up and so should “White Special Teams Ace,” Nate Ebner, who’s had a strong pre-season. Joe Vellano is more likely to stick with the recent release of Tommy Kelly.

The reason for New England’s slight downtick in white roster spots this season isn’t very complicated…nearly all-black drafts coupled with the team parting ways with many white starters/back-ups over the past 2-3 seasons. Off the top of my head: Wes Welker, Danny Woodhead, Steve Gregory, Matthew Mulligan, Dane Fletcher, Trevor Scott, Dan Koppen, Ross Ventrone, Nick McDonald, Niko Koutouvides, Jeff Tarpinian, and Austin Collie.

Of course, with Brady, Edelman, Amendola, Gronkowksi, Develin, an all-white OL, and a lack of black talent at RB and WR, we couldn’t possibly hope for a least Casteon offense...

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On defense, there is Ninkovich and Vellano could start, also. Without injuries, Chris White and Nate Ebner are unlikely to play on defense...

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CAPTION: Ebner INT During 2014 Pre-Season
 
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Freethinker

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QB – Brady, Mallet, Garrappolo
RB – Develin
*WR – Edelman, Amendola
TE – Gronkowski
OL – Solder, Mankins, Wendell, Connolly, Vollmer, Kline, Devey, Stork

DL – Ninkovich, Bequette, Vellano
LB – White
S – Ebner

P - Allen
K - Gostowski
LS - Aiken
Bad news Thrash. The Pats are getting darker and losing their bad-ass enforcer.

Patriots acquired TE Tim Wright and a 2015 fourth-round pick from the Bucs in exchange for LG Logan Mankins.

The Patriots had a bit of a logjam on their interior line, and needed help at "move" tight end. Wright is a natural fit to potentially fill the old Aaron Hernandez role. He's a former college receiver at Rutgers who caught 54 balls for 571 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie last season. This move puts Wright squarely on the fantasy radar. We don't believe it has anything to do with Rob Gronkowski's availability for Week 1 whatsoever. The Pats will move RG Dan Connolly to left guard. Ryan Wendell is at center. Marcus Cannon is the right guard.
 

Thrashen

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Bad news Thrash. The Pats are getting darker and losing their bad-ass enforcer.

That really sucks.

I wrote above that “it wouldn’t surprise me if a veteran like Dan Connolly was cut.†Mankins’ contract and his lengthy hold-out several years ago were probably the driving issues. To be honest, the guy hasn’t looked his usual self over the past two seasons. Lots of false starts, holding calls, other silly penalties, and missing time due to nagging injuries. Still, it’s very unfortunate to see him go, especially since his replacement is the sumo, Cannon, and as an added “bonus,†another black TE joins the fold after DJ Williams and Daniel Fells were finally shown the door.

Marcus Cannon, a natural OT who does have some talent, has had trouble remaining healthy in the past. We’ll see if a player like Stork, Kline, or Devey ends up starting a some point.

Thanks for the memories...

[video=youtube;9V8cpRFYMXk]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9V8cpRFYMXk[/video]
 

Thrashen

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Finally, an explanation as to why Aaron Dobson hasn’t played this season…

New England Patriots wide receiver Aaron Dobson was a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game during Monday's nightmare loss to Kansas City -- a curious situation considering the Patriots' glaring lack of a playmaking, field-stretching receiver.

According to the Boston Globes' Shalise Manza Young, Dobson was benched in Weeks 3 and 4 because he "mouthed off" to offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels, per a source.

We don't know if that mouthing penalty will cost Dobson additional games.
A second-round pick in 2013, Dobson displayed flashes of potential as a rookie, catching 37 balls for 519 yards and four touchdowns. A foot injury cost Dobson time last season and most of his 2014 offseason.

The 23-year-old had one catch for 13 yards in Week 2, his only active game this season.

We don't know what Dobson said to warrant a benching, but it's interesting that McDaniels -- who has been the subject of fans' frustration in multiple American cities -- would find it harsh enough to potentially hinder a struggling offense by not having his one deep threat on the field.

I wonder if Austin Collie, a true field-stretching deep threat who played great whenever seeing the field for the Pats last season, is still interested in football. He was burning the Broncos deep in the AFC Title game, but Brady kept missing him.

Link: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap30...port-pats-dobson-benched-after-he-mouthed-off
 

celticdb15

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ESPN did a short story on Pats draft picks at wide out last several years and man have they struck out swinging! Drafting bum after bum!
 

Don Wassall

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ESPN did a short story on Pats draft picks at wide out last several years and man have they struck out swinging! Drafting bum after bum!

Same on defense. Bill Belichick may be a "genius" i.e. great at picking up very talented Whites who were screwed over by the rest of the league, but Caste draft after Caste draft is taking its toll. Along with discarding the key White "throwaways" he picked up -- Woodhead, Welker and Amendola -- Brady is showing some age.
 

celticdb15

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Same on defense. Bill Belichick may be a "genius" i.e. great at picking up very talented Whites who were screwed over by the rest of the league, but Caste draft after Caste draft is taking its toll. Along with discarding the key White "throwaways" he picked up -- Woodhead, Welker and Amendola -- Brady is showing some age.

Ya Bill has been loving SEC picks,they over drafted Easley by about 4rds this year!
 

Extra Point

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Ya Bill has been loving SEC picks,they over drafted Easley by about 4rds this year!

Yeah, Easley had knee surgery on both knees in the past two years. He was unproductive the past two years.

You shouldn't spend a first round pick on a player with that kind of history but the Patriots did.
 

celticdb15

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Yeah, Easley had knee surgery on both knees in the past two years. He was unproductive the past two years.

You shouldn't spend a first round pick on a player with that kind of history but the Patriots did.

Yes sir still living off his rivals top 100 rating! What a joke!
 

Wes Woodhead

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The Pats getting rid of both Welker, and Woodhead in the same off season is proof positive that they could care less about winning football games. I have run out of patience with idiots who claim these teams are concerned about actually winning games.
 

icsept

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The Pats getting rid of both Welker, and Woodhead in the same off season is proof positive that they could care less about winning football games. I have run out of patience with idiots who claim these teams are concerned about actually winning games.

Not to mention the fact that it kind of ruined your Wes Woodhead handle.
 

Wes Woodhead

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Not to mention the fact that it kind of ruined your Wes Woodhead handle.

LOL the handle is fine. Just cause they aint on the same team dosent mean the handle is tarnished. Still though, you have to be an idiot to believe that NFl football teams are concerned with actually winning games.
 

celticdb15

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Pats should sign Neutz or Spadola.. offense is boring as **** to watch...

Also like to see more of Ebner!
 
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