Now that the Patriots are down to 53 players, though, don’t expect everyone to stick around for the long haul, as they’ll peel through the waiver wire and free-agent list over the next few days to continue making improvements.
Here is a breakdown of the Patriots’ initial 53-man roster for 2009.
Defensive Linemen (8)
Richard Seymour, Vince Wilfork, Ty Warren, Derrick Burgess, Jarvis Green, Ron Brace, Mike Wright, Myron Pryor
Note: Looks like Pryor’s undisclosed injury isn’t anything long-term, and he joins Brace as the rookies on the defensive line.
Linebackers (7)
Jerod Mayo, Adalius Thomas, Gary Guyton, Pierre Woods, Eric Alexander, Tully Banta-Cain, Rob Ninkovich
Note: Ninkovich was the underdog here, and disabling Shawn Crable for the season is a big blow to the second-year linebacker.
Cornerbacks (5)
Leigh Bodden, Shawn Springs, Jonathan Wilhite, Darius Butler, Terrence Wheatley
Note: Five solid corners here. Bodden and Springs project as the starters, with Wilhite, Butler and Wheatley presumably following on the depth chart.
Safeties (5)
Brandon Meriweather, James Sanders, Pat Chung, Brandon McGowan, Matthew Slater
Note: Slater is the surprise here. The Patriots haven’t released anything about his left arm injury, but there should be some more news on him coming before the season opener, one would think.
Offensive Line (9)
Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Dan Koppen, Stephen Neal, Nick Kaczur, Sebastian Vollmer, Ryan Wendell, Rich Ohrnberger, Dan Connolly
Note: The Patriots head into the season with nine offensive linemen, and tackle Mark LeVoir can come off the PUP list in Week 7.
Quarterbacks (2)
Tom Brady, Brian Hoyer
Note: Impressive job by Hoyer to jump past a number of players on the depth chart and earn the backup role — for now. With a handful of talented quarterbacks on the market, the Patriots are certain to make an addition. Jeff Garcia will be an interesting case. If the veteran can’t find a starting job somewhere, he’d be hard pressed to turn down the second-string role in Foxborough.
Wide Receivers (6)
Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Joey Galloway, Greg Lewis, Julian Edelman, Sam Aiken
Note: Chances are, Bill Belichick had a tough time meeting with the versatile Ray Ventrone to give him word of his release. Also, keep an eye on Terrence Nunn, who could land on another team’s 53-man roster if he is claimed off waivers. If not, expect him to sign on New England’s practice squad.
Running Backs (5)
Fred Taylor, Laurence Maroney, Sammy Morris, Kevin Faulk, BenJarvus Green-Ellis
Note: All five earn a spot, and all five can bring something different to the team. Green-Ellis, a 2008 undrafted free agent, had to show a lot this summer to make the team, and he did just that.
Tight Ends (3)
Chris Baker, Ben Watson, Michael Matthews
Note: We knew it’d get interesting at this spot for the Patriots, who released Alex Smith and traded David Thomas to the New Orleans Saints. The Pats also acquired Matthews, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound, block-first tight end from the New York Giants.
Kicker (1)
Stephen Gostkowski
Note: Gostkowski has converted 77-of-90 field goals (85.6 percent) in his three-year career.
Punter (1)
Chris Hanson
Note: Hanson had a really good summer, and his hang time gives the coverage unit a great chance to limit returns.
Long Snapper (1)
Jake Ingram
Note: The Hawaiian native is Lonie Paxton’s successor at the position.
Injured Reserve
Linebacker Tyrone McKenzie, linebacker Shawn Crable, running back Chris Taylor, offensive lineman George Bussey
Note: This is Crable’s second consecutive wasted year due to injury.
Reserve/Military List
Wide receiver Tyree Barnes, wide receiver Shunn White, running back Eric Kettani
Note: The trio from Navy were called to report for active duty.
Reserve/PUP List
Tackle Mark LeVoir
Note: LeVoir cannot come off the physically-unable-to-perform list until after Week 6.
Reserve/Non-Football Injury List
Wide receiver Brandon Tate
Note: It’s an extreme long shot for Tate to contribute in 2009, but he’s got a chance to be an explosive player in 2010.
