This is brutal.
I know I probably say this every year, but this final cutdown was tough.
I figured last night after the game, I'd settle on my final 53 and post it this morning.
Then I didn't love it, and figured I'd sleep on it, and see how it looked in the morning.
And then I made more changes ... and I still don't love them.
Whatever ... the Patriots are going to start making cuts and trades any moment, so just post it, you big baby.
So here goes. Not a ton of huge changes, but there was a lot of tweaking.
Probably the most confounding player and the resulting dominoes was Henry Anderson. Would Bill Belichick cut a veteran who can play anywhere on the line, and one who is due $3 million guaranteed? Oh, did I mention he's played really well all summer?
We'll get into that discussion, and some different player categories right after we post our final 53 — this is where I think the Patriots will end up after all is said and done. I don't have enough medical information to tell you which guys they might put on the initial 53 and then move to short-term IR, so I'm not even going to guess.
CHANGES
• Brian Hoyer takes Sony Michel's place on offensive roster.
Could Hoyer be a guy they initially release and bring back to get someone to in-season IR? Yes. I don't think the chances are great he's going to get an offer someplace else, but the Patriots played this game a few years ago and got burned by the Colts. I'm not going to consider a veteran practice squad place for him either, because I'm not sure Hoyer would accept that; I wouldn't. And he has stated for the record he's not interested in being a coach at this time because it's more time and less money with a young family.
The Patriots could bring Jake Dolegala back onto the practice squad since the Packers released him, to give themselves some Covid cover. But with Cam Newton's one test or mishap away from missing a week, I'm not taking any chances. Plus, Hoyer being in Mac Jones' ear all season, that's priceless to me.
• Henry Anderson released, Deatrich Wise moves inside ... for special teams linebacker Brandon King.
I hate all three of these moves, but I'm trying to predict Belichick.
Anderson has been everything they hoped he would be since signing from the Jets, but his usage all summer would tell you he's been on the outside looking the entire time, due to the quick ascension of Christian Barmore and the beefier Carl Davis.
Anderson has mostly, however, been stuck behind Belichick's blind allegiance to Wise. He's a good edge swing, has improved against the run and is a tremendous team/locker room guy. I understand that. But you can't tell me that, now that the Patriots are a 3-4 team, that Wise is a better option than Anderson at left end in the 3-4. The Patriots have plenty of guys who can rush the passer, and most of it will done by scheme. What the Patriots lack, and it was a huge issue last year, is front line players who can defend the run. If Davon Godchaux doesn't play better than he's shown to this point (maybe he's pacing himself), the Patriots could be defending the run with Wise and lesser Godchaux — nevermind the fact that Lawrence Guy hasn't been his normal self this summer either.
I would want Anderson to give me rock-solid options up and down the line, and he's damn good against the run.
I've been cutting Brandon King for about five straight years and even though he's been hurt most of the time, I don't see Belichick cutting the chord now that he's healthy. That means the Patriots need to keep SEVEN special teams players — the three specialists, along with a receiver, safety, corner and linebacker.
• Related to King, I pulled Chase Winovich off the trade market, but put him back on to make room for King.
Again, something I don't like, but it's a numbers game. It would make a lot of sense to have Kyle Van Noy at ILB and make Winovich the third/fourth edge player, but I don't see how it works. Wise gives you coverage on the edge. I don't know how much more you need considering Van Noy is a swing guy. You drafted Ronnie Perkins. Is Winovich that much better in the handful of snaps he's might see? Go with the youth.
• Michael Jackson released for Shaun Wade.
Pretty self-explanatory. With Myles Bryant, the Patriots have coverage at safety and cornerback should another injury happen.
I will say, Joejuan Williams made this a much tougher decision with his improvement.
• I still have Stephon Gilmore on the roster.
Either he reports in the next day, or the Patriots cut someone to get Gilmore to in-season IR and buy themselves more time. Technically, Gilmore as of this moment is physically unable to perform his job. Is that reality? Who knows?
• Anfernee Jennings to IR.
He's been hurt, has missed a ton of camp, and wasn't that good last year. A redshirt year would be nice.
• Montravius Adams and Akeem Spence on trade market.
Albert Breer reported this morning that the Patriots are listening on their defensive line depth. Adams and Spence both played late in last night's game.
DEEP THOUGHTS
I'm not all into surprise cuts and trades, but these are things I wonder...
• What exactly is Kyle Van Noy's role on this team?
Josh Uche looks ready to start. Matthew Judon will start. Ja'Whaun Bentley looks to be the starter next to Dont'a Hightower. So where does Van Noy fit?
• Is James White still James White?
He's flashed it at times ... are we sure JJ Taylor couldn't fill White's role?
• I don't trust Devin Asiasi as the only other TE on the roster ...
... even though he did play well last night. So I'm finding a way to keep Matt LaCosse. He might be a candidate to release later, depending on positional health and Asiasi's consistency.
• Kristian Wilkerson would be next guy up on offense.
With so many tight ends, I don't see the need for a 5th receiver at this time. You can stash plenty on practice squad and promote each week, if needed.
LAST FIVE OUT
DE Henry Anderson
WR Kristian Wilkerson
DE Chase Winovich
CB Joejuan Williams
LB Anfernee Jennings
LAST FIVE IN
ST Brandon King
QB Brian Hoyer
CB Shaun Wade
TE Matt LaCosse
DT Carl Davis