Commentary

Dueling projections: Pats' roster (2.0)

Mike Reiss and Mike Rodak predict how the Patriots' roster will look come Sept. 12

Updated: August 17, 2011, 11:52 AM ET

By Mike Reiss | ESPNBoston.com

When it comes to projecting the Patriots' 53-man roster, how much has changed after one preseason game?

There were no major injuries in the game, so there is no significant shift in that regard. Meanwhile, second-year receiver Taylor Price seemed to put to rest any speculation he might be on the bubble with a strong performance, while third-year veteran Darius Butler might have slipped closer to the edge.

We presented our initial dueling projections last week. Here is a revised version:

Patriots 53-man roster projection (2.0)

Mike Reiss' projection	Mike Rodak's projection
Quarterback (3): Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett	Quarterback (3): Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer, Ryan Mallett
Analysis: No change from last week as this looks like one of the NFL's best quarterback situations. Developing quarterbacks is good business and few teams can match the depth and upside the Patriots have in Hoyer and Mallett.	Analysis: No change from last week.
Running back (4): BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen	Running back (5): BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Danny Woodhead, Stevan Ridley, Shane Vereen, Sammy Morris
Analysis: Still planning to keep veteran Kevin Faulk on the reserve/physically unable to perform list. He needs to be around the team in some form. Vereen, the second-round pick, is missing valuable time with a hamstring injury but he's considered a smart player who should be able to pick things up when he returns to health.	Analysis: No change from last week. Sammy Morris' roster spot seems tenuous, but his veteran leadership for the two rookies at the position is valuable.
Wide receiver (7): Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Chad Ochocinco, Brandon Tate, Julian Edelman, Taylor Price, Matthew Slater	Wide receiver (7): Wes Welker, Deion Branch, Chad Ochocinco, Brandon Tate, Julian Edelman, Taylor Price, Matthew Slater
Analysis: While Tate's value to the team could be downgraded by the league's new kickoff rules, the feeling here is that he still shows some promise as a pass-catcher. Too early to give up on him. Slater gets the Larry Izzo-type special-teams spot.	Analysis: Price makes it on after an impressive performance in the preseason opener. Slater gets the special-teams nod over cornerback Malcolm Williams. Seven players at the position is a heavy load; Tate could be feeling the pinch after missing the preseason opener with an injury and having Edelman carve out reps at kick returner.
Tight end (3): Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Lee Smith	Tight end (3): Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, Lee Smith
Analysis: Been impressed with rookie free agent Will Yeatman and wouldn't be surprised if he emerges when all is said and done. He could push Smith, the fifth-round pick from Marshall, for a roster spot.	Analysis: No change from last week.
Offensive tackle (4): Matt Light, Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder, Steve Maneri	Offensive tackle (4): Matt Light, Sebastian Vollmer, Nate Solder, Mark LeVoir
Analysis: Maneri shows more promise than Mark LeVoir to earn the fourth and final spot. He played every snap in the preseason opener, gaining valuable experience.	Analysis: No change from last week. LeVoir gets time at guard in the preseason opener, some versatility he may need to make the final roster. (Update: A few hours after this projection was posted, the Patriots cut Mark LeVoir.)
Guard/center (5): Logan Mankins, Dan Connolly, Dan Koppen, Ryan Wendell, Rich Ohrnberger	Guard/center (4): Logan Mankins, Dan Koppen, Dan Connolly, Ryan Wendell
Analysis:Fifth-round draft choice Marcus Cannon is likely to open the year on the reserve/non-football injury list. Wendell's calf injury is a concern, but offensive line coach Dante Scarnecchia values his hard-nosed approach and solid technique work. The feeling here is that this is an area of some concern for the team.	Analysis: Thomas Austin gets bumped off after a shaky preseason opener. At this point, there is no player overwhelmingly deserving of a fifth roster spot at this position. Wendell's health remains something to watch, but Connolly has returned to practice.
Defensive end (5): Jermaine Cunningham, Eric Moore, Shaun Ellis, Andre Carter, Mark Anderson	Defensive end (4): Jermaine Cunningham, Eric Moore, Shaun Ellis, Andre Carter
Analysis: One change from last week has Anderson joining the mix. He looks like he can help on third down as an edge rusher. Didn't see that type of pass-rush repertoire from Tully Banta-Cain last year.	Analysis: No change from last week.
Defensive tackle (5): Vince Wilfork, Albert Haynesworth, Mike Wright, Myron Pryor, Kyle Love	Defensive tackle (6): Vince Wilfork, Albert Haynesworth, Mike Wright, Gerard Warren, Kyle Love, Myron Pryor
Analysis: After watching 2010 seventh-round draft choice Kade Weston closely in the preseason opener, he goes from a roster spot last week to the practice squad. Veteran Gerard Warren is on the edge here and would make it if Wright -- who has been out of practice for weeks -- doesn't return.	Analysis:No changes from last week. The curious case of Haynesworth continues to grow in intrigue.
Linebacker (5): Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Gary Guyton, Dane Fletcher, Rob Ninkovich	Linebacker (6): Jerod Mayo, Brandon Spikes, Gary Guyton, Rob Ninkovich, Dane Fletcher, Tracy White
Analysis: Veteran Tracy White, who finished second on the team in special-teams tackles in 2010, is the tough cut. The hope would be for Guyton and Fletcher to increase their special-teams contributions.	Analysis: No change from last week.
Cornerback (5): Devin McCourty, Leigh Bodden, Ras-I Dowling, Kyle Arrington, Darius Butler	Cornerback (4): Devin McCourty, Leigh Bodden, Ras-I Dowling, Kyle Arrington
Analysis: Third-year cornerback Darius Butler has struggled early in camp. He sticks, however, as Dowling (hamstring) remains sidelined. Rookie Malcolm Williams, the seventh-round pick from Texas Christian, had a nice special-teams tackle in the preseason opener but the feeling here is that he could clear waivers and land on the practice squad.	Analysis: Rookie Malcolm Williams gets bumped off after not having the special-teams presence one would hope in the preseason opener. Darius Butler and Jonathan Wilhite struggle in the game, not helping their cases for roster spots.
Safety (4): Brandon Meriweather, Patrick Chung, James Sanders, Sergio Brown	Safety (4): Brandon Meriweather, Patrick Chung, James Sanders, Bret Lockett
Analysis: Bret Lockett has had a good camp, and plays a big role on special teams, but he's edged out by Brown. Sanders has missed most of camp but his veteran presence should help this group, even with a higher-than-one-would-expect salary ($2.8 million).	Analysis: Lockett replaces Sergio Brown after showing a greater special-teams presence in Thursday's preseason opener. Sanders' injury remains something to watch.
Specialists (3): Stephen Gostkowski, Zoltan Mesko, Matt Katula	Specialists (3): Stephen Gostkowski, Zoltan Mesko, Matt Katula
Analysis: Katula had a high snap over holder Zoltan Mesko's head in the preseason opener. The Patriots had free-agent long snapper James Dearth in for a visit late last week.	Analysis: No changes from last week. Katula's high snap in the preseason opener puts some pressure on his roster spot.

Mike Reiss

Patriots reporter, ESPNBoston.com

Covered Patriots since 1997
Blogging on Pats since 2004
Joined ESPNBoston.com in 2009

Dueling projections: Pats' roster (2.0)

Mike Reiss and Mike Rodak predict how the Patriots' roster will look come Sept. 12

Patriots 53-man roster projection (2.0)

Mike Reiss

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