New England Patriots' safeties Nate Ebner and rookie Duron Harmon headline a list of players that have been ruled out by coach Bill Belichick as he trims down his roster to 46 in advance of Sunday's season open against the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park, New York.
Tight end Rob Gronkowski, swing tackle Will Svitek, running back Brandon Bolden and receiver Aaron Dobson were also ruled out with injuries, while it is expected that offensive guard Chris Barker will make the inactive list as the lone healthy scratch.
The moves leave the Patriots dangerously thin in the safety corps with starting free safety Devin McCourty and linemate Steve Gregory backed up only by erratic Tavon Wilson and perhaps reserve cornerback Marquice Cole...
...and with the depth at defensive tackle spread thin by the release of A. J. Francis earlier in the day, the onus falls on the depth at linebacker to fill the voids.
The linebacker corps, which were expected to be the deepest unit on the defense, will have their versatility tested by the moves. Rookies Jamie Collins and Steve Beauharnais are former college safeties that can provide some nickle linebacker coverage to take some pressure off of the back end, while Collins and strong sider Dont'a Hightower provide some versatility as defensive ends or rush linebackers.
The offense is not as impacted by the announcements, though Dobson could have used some real time reps with Tom Brady and Bolden's special teams value will have to be made up somewhere - perhaps by newly resigned running back and special teamer Leon Washington.
No comments:
Post a Comment