http://coltshomer.blogspot.com/2008/05/look-forward-to-2008-quarterbacks.html

Personally, I like Tafralis over the other two.  He is more mobile than either of them, he performed well against the good teams he played, and he is a fresh, young rookie.

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The Patriots spent all but one of their picks in the 2008 draft on defenders, but how long before this influx of youth brings young starters to an old D. Here's a breakdown of the Patriots starters last season and how long it took them to become starters.

06/07 no defensive starters, Meriweather (round 1) the only defender from those drafts on the roster.

2005
Ellis Hobbs (3rd round), full time starter in his 3rd season, Games started by year- 8,9,16
James Sanders (4th), starter 3rd year, GS-2,5,15

2004
Vince Wilfork (1st), starter 2nd year, GS-6,16,13,16

2003
Ty Warren (1st), starter 2nd year, GS-4,16,16,15,16
Eugene Wilson (2nd) starter 1st year (lost starting job in 2007), GS-15,14,16,4,6
Asante Samuel (4th) starter 3rd year, GS-1,8,15,15,14

2002
Jarvis Green (4th), 6th season, GS-4,7,1,5,4,10

2001
Richard Seynore (top 10), 1st season, GS-10,16......

2000-1997
No defenders currently on roster drafted

1996
Tedy Bruschi, 4th season, GS-0,1,7,14,16....

Picks by other teams
Rosevelt Colvin  signed by Patriots after 4th season in the league. Became a Pats starter in 3rd year on team/7th in league.

Mike Vrabel  signed after 4th season. Started in 1st season with Patriots/5th in league

The only current defenders to start for the Patriots as rookies were a 6th overall pick and a safety who later lost his starting job. None of the current LBs were starters before their 4th year in the league and Colvin needed two years of experience in the Pats system in addition to 4 with the Bears before he became a starter. D-linemen find there way into the lineup the fastest with Seymore starting as a rookie and Vilfork and Warren starting in their second year. 3 of the 4 starting DBs drafted by the Pats started in their 3rd season. LBs took the longest with none of the starters seeing the majority of starting time before they had been in the league for 3 or more years.

The Patriots' future on D might have been improved, but it will like take 3-4 years before this draft has any real effect to make the Pats D younger. Mayo is a fantastic player, but the demands of Belichick's defense will likely keep him on the bench for one, two or maybe up to three years. Wheatley might be able to work his way onto the field in a secondary depleted by free agency, but he'll likely follow the path of Hobbs and Samuel before him and spend 2 years learning before he's ready. Crable is an even surer bet to take years to be ready to play LB since early round picks made their way into the Pats lineup faster (really?, who'd have guessed that). The Pats have found DBs in the 4th round so Wilhite may contribute eventually. After the fourth round the majority of Pats draft picks especially on defense are cut and disappear off the map or spend their careers on the bench.

I used Pro Football Reference for the games started info and NFL.com's draft history for the draft history.

Link to the same Fanpost on Pats Pulpit

http://www.profootballtalk.com/2008/05/08/marvins-double-life-to-be-revealed/

marvin harrison is a good man...marvin harrison is a good man...marvin harrison is a good man...marvin harrison is a good man...marvin harrison is a good man...marvin harrison is a good man...marvin harrison is a good man...marvin harrison is a good man...marvin harrison is a good man...marvin harrison is a good man...marvin harrison is a good man...marvin harrison is a good man...marvin harrison is a good man...marvin harrison is a good man...

Everyone, please read this.

I don't even have the energy to comment on this right now, but someone has to put this out there.  Hopefully BBS grabs a hold of it and smashes it.

But of course, all of your FanPosts must be 75 words long.  Does "a" count? Well then, a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a.

That should do it.

Below I am going to list what I see as the depth chart for the 53-man roster this upcoming season.  This is based on my initial impressions, and partly my bias against certain players(Charlie Johnson).  I'll provide analysis of each change from last year as requested.

QB1 (#18)Peyton Manning
QB2 (#12)Jim Sorgi

WR1 (#88)Marvin Harrison
WR2 (#87)Reggie Wayne
WR3 (#11)Anthony Gonzalez
WR4 (#83)Roy Hall
WR5 (#85)Pierre Garcon
WR6 (#14)Samuel Giguere

RB1 (#29)Joseph Addai
RB2 (#33)Dominic Rhodes
RB3 (#32)Mike Hart

TE1 (#44)Dallas Clark
TE2 (#86)Tom Santi
TE3 (#84)Jacob Tamme
TE4 (#47)Gijon Robinson

OT1 (#67)Tony Ugoh
OT2 (#71)Ryan Diem
OT3 (#76)Daniel Federkeil

OG1 (#65)Ryan Lilja
OG2 (#78)Mike Pollak
OG3 (#61)Jamey Richard
OG4 (#62)Mike Elgin

OC1 (#63)Jeff Saturday
OC2 (#53)Steve Justice

DE1 (#93)Dwight Freeney
DE2 (#98)Robert Mathis
DE3 (#92)Marcus Howard
DE4 (#60)Curtis Johnson

DT1 (#79)Raheem Brock
DT2 (#99)Ed Johnson
DT3 (#97)Quinn Pitcock
DT4 (#96)Keyunta Dawson
DT5 (#95)Darrell Reid

LB1 (#58)Gary Brackett
LB2 (#54)Freddy Keiaho
LB3 (#55)Clint Sessions
LB4 (#56)Tyjuan Hagler
LB5 (#50)Phillip Wheeler

SS1 (#21)Bob Sanders
SS2 (#31)Jamie Silve

FS1 (#41)Antoine Bethea
FS2 (#43)Matt Giordano

CB1 (#28)Marlin Jackson
CB2 (#26)Kelvin Hayden
CB3 (#20)Dante Hughes
CB4 (#25)Michael Coe
CB5 (#38)Brandon Foster
CB6 (#34)TJ Rushing

K   (#4)Adam Vinatieri
P   (#13)Hunter Smith
LS  (#48)Justin Snow
KR  (#3)Rudy Burgess

Let me know what you think.

I know there are so many reasons to look forward to the start of the season. Seeing the new stadium, watching us win again and of course seeing how the draft picks pan out.

I really am looking forward to watching the draft picks, especially my favorite pick in the draft....Marcus Howard. When I saw this guy in the Sugar Bowl scarring Colt Brennan for life, I knew right then that I had to have him. He is scary fast.

Marcus Howard

is by far my favorite player in this draft. Freeney is only 28 and Mathis is only 27 so Howard has time to make a sufficient transition to the NFL. I predict however that Howard will be pushing for playing time by midseason. Lets say that either DE goes down for 2 or 3 weeks(dont want it to happen but it could) and Howard comes in and impresses (like i know he will). Then I can see Dungy being hard pressed to move Freeney into the rotation more and more. Just imagine Freeney, Mathis and Howard in the 4th quarter and they are so fresh, so alive and ready to go because they have been switched in and out. Oh my god I can't wait for the season to start

This is very rough.  Obviously we've not seen them in training camp or pre-season yet but I'm bored and trying to waste time.  There are a few names not officially on the list which I am sure some will complain about... just to get it out of the way I have listed them:

Pierre Garcon, Dan Federkeil, Brannon Condren, Luke Lawton

Quarterbacks:

Peyton Manning - Jim Sorgi

Running Backs:

Joseph Addai - Dominic Rhodes - Mike Hart - Kenton Keith/Luke Lawton

Wide Receivers:

Marvin Harrison - Reggie Wayne - Anthony Gonzalez - Devin Aromashodu - Roy Hall/Pierre Garcon

Tight Ends:

Dallas Clark - Jacob Tamme - Tom Santi - Justin Snow

Offensive Tackles:

Tony Ugoh - Ryan Diem - Charlie Johnson - Michael Toudouze/Daniel Federkeil

Offensive Guards:

Ryan Lilja - Mike Pollak -  Jamey Richard

Centers:

Jeff Saturday - Steven Justice

Safeties:

Bob Sanders - Antoine Bethea - Matt Giordano - Melvin Bullitt - Jamie Silva

Corner Backs:

Marlin Jackson - Kelvin Hayden - Tim Jennings - Dante Hughes - TJ Rushing - Michael Coe/Brannon Condren

Linebackers:

Gary Brackett - Freddy Keiaho - Tyjuan Hagler - Clint Session - Philip Wheeler - Ramon Guzman

Defensive Ends:

Dwight Freeney - Robert Mathis - Marcus Howard - Josh Thomas - Curtis Johnson

Defensive Tackles:

Raheem Brock - Ed Johnson - Quinn Pitcock - Keyunta Dawson - Darrell Reid

Kicker(s):

Adam Vinatieri

Punter(s):

Hunter Smith

Starting Offense:

P. Manning, J. Addai, M. Harrison, R. Wayne, A. Gonzalez, D. Clark, T. Ugoh, R. Diem, R. Lilja, M. Pollak, J. Saturday

Starting Defense:

B. Sanders, A. Bethea, M. Jackson, K. Hayden, F. Keiaho, T. Hagler, G. Brackett, D. Freeney, R. Mathis, E. Johnson, R. Brock

Nickelback:

D. Hughes

Kicking Team:

A. Vinatieri, D. Reid, M. Howard, M. Giordano, P. Wheeler, R. Hall, C. Session, R. Guzman, Cu. Johnson, K. Dawson, J. Silva

Kick Returners:

T.J. Rushing, Dominic Rhodes

Punt Returner:

T.J. Rushing

Well well well, the Colts went from one of the thinnest backfields in the NFL to one of the deepest in one off-season.  Let's take a look at who we have and then I'll suggest who we keep.

Joseph Addai - while no introduction is necessary, this player could certainly use someone who can spell him more often than KK was capable of doing last year.  Primary problem with KK as a back-up, we like to have a pass-catching RB option in on most of our offensive plays, this limited KK's time in the line-up and resulted in Addai getting a lot of carries.

Kenton Keith - Say what you will about KK's pass-catching abilities.  Last year he was a solid back-up RB.  There is no reason to believe that he will not improve in his second year and there is no doubt the man can run hard.  Whether or not he'll significantly prove as a pass-catcher is yet to be seen.

Dominic Rhodes - While Dom has had his share of off-field problems, while he was in Indy he seemed really happy.  His teammates loved him and will certainly be excited about his return.  For the price we got him, it was a no-brainer to bring him in.  Rhodes is used to the concept of backing up Joseph Addai, grew close to Addai as he welcomed him into the league in 2006, and is a strong pass-catcher out of the backfield.  In Rhodes the Colts have secured a back-up who knows their offense, fits well in the offense, and has the legs left to be called on significantly during the regular season should it be necessary.

Mike Hart - While Hart has yet to prove whether he can play at an NFL level, there is no doubt  that he is one of the most exciting prospects the Colts have gotten in the 6th round in recent memory.  In the Coltpower fan poll on the draft, Hart received 98% support from all those voting on whether or not they liked the draft choice.  If Hart does show his skill in training camp, having him on the roster would make us one of the deepest teams at RB in the league.

Chad Simpson - In terms of something to prove, Simpson is probably the biggest long-shot to make the team.  However, the kid can flat out run.  He's a faster option than Hart and did some good things but played against a much lower level of competition than Hart.  It'll be interesting to see how he pans out but he may only have a shot at the practice squad... at least for this season.

Clifton Dawson - Unless Dawson has done something over the off-season to drastically improve, I don't see him making the roster.  If he plays at a higher level than Chad Simpson he could make the practice squad but the Colts have added A LOT of talent at the RB position going into training camp this year and that makes Dawson's job that much harder.

Luke Lawton - Luke Lawton did a decent job as a lead blocker when we used one, which was rare.  He also played a role on special teams, though he wasn't a standout in this area.  As a result, Lawton may well lose his roster spot before the regular season.  I know some Colts fans will moan and complain about his ability to be our only true fullback.  I say... so what?  Our offense rarely if ever has a lead blocker... and if we really need one the value of having a lead blocker was so small that we even lined up a DT in Dan Klecko to do the job.  Why not use D. Clark or another player with the capability to fill multiple roles in those situational spots and keep your top talent at the RB position.  So... unless Hart/Simpson are both flops... I really don't see Lawton sticking around.  Practice squad maybe but he'll be competing for that spot.

Justice Hairston - I know we have him but know little more than that.

I will restate - I see no reason to not have a roster which includes the best talent available coming into the regular season.  As a result I can't help but drool over this backfield:

Joseph Addai
Dominic Rhodes
Kenton Keith
Mike Hart

That my friends may be the deepest backfield in the league.  Replacing any of the players above with the other players I mentioned, in my estimation, is decreasing total value at the RB position.  The best argument could be made for Lawton but I've already talked about his limited value.  The only way that list would change, based on all information I have right now, is if Chad Simpson is better than Mike Hart.  It's possible but I just doubt it.

Pretty interesting read to be honest.  I can't wait to see the extra punishment Goddell dishes out now.  Hahahah, sucks to be Belichick and Robert Kraft!

Horaaay for Matt Walsh

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NFL Network's Adam Schefter reports that the Colts are expected to reach an agreement with Dominic Rhodes on a contract.
GM Bill Polian downplayed the possibility last week, but it looks like posturing now. Don't assume Rhodes is a lock to backup Joseph Addai, but he looks like the favorite over sixth-round pick Mike Hart, with Kenton Keith the likely odd man out. Whoever wins the backup job is going to be worth a late-round fantasy pick.