error in Risdon's latest article

[alwayslovetheceltics]

In your draft review you state

This is the third draft in a row where they’re not likely to have more than two players make the opening day roster.

I know you are really busy and I appreciate your hard work, but please fact check before you write.

Last year, the following players made the opending day 53:

Mayo. Wheatley. Crable. O'Connell. Wilhite. Slater.

plus Ruud (who we just cut) had to be placed on the IR all of last year. Mayo, WIlhite and Slater all played signficant roles. Wheatley had just won the starting job when he got hurt, and unfortunately Crable was placed on the IR early on in the season.

O'Connell beat out Gutz for the 2 QB job.

[lpsevier]

PM?

[Kweli]

Likely is the keyword.

[alwayslovetheceltics]

kweli,

likely is not the key word, here the key phrase is "third draft in a row", meaning the last 2 years, not more than 2 players have made the roster. false.

[Icness]

kweli,

likely is not the key word, here the key phrase is "third draft in a row", meaning the last 2 years, not more than 2 players have made the roster. false.

Active on the opening day. O'Connell and Crable were inactive and Slater doesn't play a position other than RS, so that doesn't count as it's a waste.

Cheer up, just about every player my Lions have drafted has made the team...
worse!

[Celtics_Champs]

I woudn't call it an error. But the statement comes off as you crapping on the patriots 08 rookie class. When in fact, it was quite good. Your forgetting the UFDA's. I count them as part of the draft.

Mayo (Rookie of the year)
Wilhite
Guyton
Ben-Jarvis Green Ellis

all made positive impacts. Easily. Best rookie class in a while for the patriots.

O'Connell is a solid back-up. Slater is our return man.

And Crable and Wheatley were in position to get some real PT, before their injuries.

[Icness]

The dealbreaker for me is Crable. I think he's a very good fit for what they do, and I think most people forgot about him heading into this draft season. I've heard he's gained some weight which should help him. But he's got to stay healthy and show he can get off blocks.

I like Wheatley but again he's a guy who has struggled to stay healthy even in college. Wilhite was a pleasant surprise, but enough of one to give away Ellis Hobbs? That's essentially what they've chosed and I'm not sold on that.

The Pats are unique in what they do. They don't necessarily want many rookies to make the team because that means they have weakness at a spot. They prefer to sign veteran free agents that have proven they fit their system rather than take the time to develop and then extend their own depth (hence Hobbs' departure). It works because they have been built to win now for the last few years and the imports keep the window open. And that's fine. But at some point they're going to need to build some meaningful depth in the draft. Judging by the Chiefs draft this year, the problem was more Pioli than Belichick, so that's a good start--and getting return for Cassel is going to look fantastic after KC bombs next year.

Take it as a testament to their success--they haven't really needed to hit with anything but their 1st rounders the last few years.