My second crack at the 53.
Before I get to it, I will share some thoughts from scouts on the Pats and what they saw after preseason game number 2.
On Kayshon Boutte, one scout who studied him in college said, “looks more discipline in their system, but no real explosion. That was one of my concerns of him at LSU. Nothing I’ve seen these two weeks has changed that.” Not even the TD? “No.” Our eyes on the ground in Green Bay thought Boutte played with more speed this week. So there's that.
On Ja’Whaun Bentley, another scout noted that the Patriots looked a bit out of synch defensively. “You think they missed him? He’s become the heartbeat of that defense.” Asked the same scout what he thought of Josh Uche the run defender: “He’s a one-trick pony, but that trick is pretty f****** good.” (In case you’re wondering, that trick is pass rushing…)
Lastly, (back to the first scout) on Kendrick Bourne. “Wow. Where was that guy last year?” I reminded him of the Matt Patricia-run offense. “I’ll never understand what the hell the point of that was.” You and me both, big dog.
LAST SEVEN OUT (this wasn’t hard)
- Chasen Hines - I thought he was pretty good Saturday, especially as a pass blocker.
- Cody Russey - he was out, which isn’t good for his roster push, but again, there are things to work with.
- JJ Taylor - Could he be a change of pace back that they don’t have? He’s been here so long, it’s clear they have put limitations on him. But maybe worth a shot?
- Kayshon Boutte - better in Green Bay, especially his performance Thursday in joint practices, but I’m still not awed by the total package.
- Kevin Harris - he never gets any holes to run through. I’d definitely want him around.
- Sam Roberts - rough weekend. Still some tools in that box.
- Ronnie Perkins - Hurt. Again. There is some pass-rushing skill in his game. But you can’t make the club from the tub, I’ve heard.
53 MAN ROSTER
Quarterback (3): Mac Jones, Bailey Zappe, Malik Cunningham.
Out: Trace McSorley
- Same as it was in version 1.0. Mac had a really nice couple days in Green Bay, both the second joint practice and the game itself. Liked the way he operated. Looked like the guy I remember in year one. And let's be real, that's about the most important aspect of this season, at least from an individual standpoint.
Running Back (3): Rhamondre Stevenson, Ezekiel Elliott, Pierre Strong
Out: Kevin Harris, Montgomery, JJ Taylor, C.J. Marable
- I see a scenario in which both Harris and Taylor are on the p-squad. I think trying to get Strong there, one year removed from being a 4th round pick, would be harder. Plus, he has special teams experience.
Wide Receiver (5): JuJu Smith-Schuster, DeVante Parker, Kendrick Bourne, Tyquan Thornton, Demario Douglas.
Out: Boutte, Thyrick Pitts, Tre Nixon, Raleigh Webb
- No changes. I’m thinking harder on Boutte but even on the TD, I wasn’t blown away. Still like to keep working with him if I’m the Pats, and still think the odds of getting him to the p-squad are high.
Tight End (3): Hunter Henry, Mike Gesicki, Anthony Firkser
Out: Matt Sokol, Scotty Washington, Johnny Lumpkin
- Stlll don’t like the depth of this group. Still would be searching for someone to be Henry’s true backup. Also, not sold on the timeline of Gesicki’s injury. Something to keep an eye on here.
Tackles (4): Riley Reiff, Trent Brown, Sidy Sow, Conor McDermott
NFI: Calvin Anderson
Out: Andrew Steuber
- No changes. Still listing Reiff here, despite his work at guard. See it more as building depth as my assumption is he’s either the right tackle or the extra offensive lineman. Steuber got a ton of reps Saturday.
Interior OLine (4): David Andrews, Cole Strange, Jake Andrews, Atonio Mafi
PUP: Mike Onwenu
Out: Russey, James Ferrentz (Vet PS), Chasen Hines, Micah Vanterpool, Bill Murray
- No changes.
Edge (4): Matt Judon, Josh Uche, Anfernee Jennings, Keion White,
Out: Ronnie Perkins, Trey Flowers (vet P-squad)
- Flowers continues to ramp up. A nice piece to mentor White and provide insurance.
Interior DL (6): Lawrence Guy, Carl Davis, Deatrich Wise, Christian Barmore, Davon Godchaux, Daniel Ekuale
Out: Sam Roberts, Jeremiah Pharms, Justus Tavai
- Ekuale is back, baby. I just think he’s an asset, and I’d be trying to figure out ways to keep him on the roster. Sam Roberts did not help his cause Saturday.
LBs (4): Ja’Whaun Bentley, Jahlani Tavai, Chris Board, Mack Wilson
Out: Calvin Munson, Diego Fagot, Joe Giles-Harris
- I didn’t love Wilson’s work Saturday, but he adds a layer of depth at the position.
CBs (6): Christian Gonzalez, Jon Jones, Jack Jones, Myles Bryant, Marcus Jones, Isaiah Bolden
Out: Shaun Wade, Quandre Mosely, Ameer Speed, Rodney Randle
- We’ll have a better idea about Bolden’s health, but the injury doesn’t prevent me from thinking he belongs on the roster.
Safety (5): Jalen Mills, Kyle Dugger, Adrian Phillips, Jabril Peppers, Marte Mapu
Cut: Joshuah Bledsoe, Brad Hawkins
- Replacing Devin McCourty remains a bigger problem than anyone is willing to admit.
Specialists (6): Bryce Baringer (P), Joe Cardona (LS), Chad Ryland (K), Matthew Slater, Brenden Schooler, Cody Davis
Out: Nick Folk (vet PS), Corliss Waltman