Roster?

Patriots roster taking shape
By Karen GuregianMonday, August 31, 2009 -
By Saturday, Patriot’s coach Bill Belichick will have pared his roster down to the required 53 players in preparation for the opening week of the season. Tomorrow marks his first NFL-mandated cut, as he trims to 75. With that in mind, let’s pretend to be wearing the hoodie, and break it down by position, projecting who’s likely to be left standing and holding a job when the dust settles at week’s end.
QUARTERBACK
NO BRAINER: Reconstructed knee and banged up throwing shoulder won’t stop Tom Brady [stats] from being the main man among this crew. Questions still will linger about the knee, and perhaps the shoulder, heading into the season.
KEY STORYLINE: Who knew finding another Matt Cassel would be such a chore? After three preseason games, Kevin O’Connell failed to seize the day as the No. 2 behind Brady and was waived yesterday. Andrew Walter hasn’t gotten enough reps to seize much of anything, while rookie Brian Hoyer has challenged the rear. Don’t be surprised if the Pats add another veteran to the mix.
NICE TRY, BUT: O’Connell struggled throughout training camp and the preseason, his most recent performance Friday night (2-for-9, two interceptions) inspiring little confidence. With the addition of veteran Walter, the signs were there if he didn’t improve, he might not survive.
WHO MAKES THE CUT? Brady, Walter, Hoyer