Justin Rogers update...

[Mustangunner]

I just talked to Justin and he said he was on his way back to Dallas...

...because the Cowboys picked him up off waivers and put him on their active roster!

[George S. Patton]

Way to go Justin. Congratulations!!!

[Junior]

If that's true, that's AWESOME! Our boy is coming home as a 'Boy!

Way to go Justin!

[ThadFilms]

I just talked to Justin and he said he was on his way back to Dallas...

...because the Cowboys picked him up off waivers and put him on their active roster!

Hell yeah!




Someone said before, "Dude's getting a ring in his first season..." I think that prediction still holds true.

[expony18]

I just talked to Justin and he said he was on his way back to Dallas...

...because the Cowboys picked him up off waivers and put him on their active roster!

wow so much for us sulking...

[jkflamebo]

that's frickin awesome. i just remembered to check to see if he made the roster and i saw that he got cut this morning. glad to see he's still in there

[Cadillac]

Wow, the 'boys are stacked at LB, I wonder if there's a trade in the works? Or maybe Ellis is done?

-CoS

[03Mustang]

http://www.boston.com/sports/football/p ... dalla.html

Rookie outside linebacker Justin Rogers, a sixth-round draft choice of the Patriots, was claimed on waivers by the Dallas Cowboys today.

Rogers, who played in college at SMU, was a candidate to return to the Patriots' practice squad. Like the Patriots, the Cowboys run a 3-4 defense, where the outside linebackers are often making the transition from defensive end in college, and thus need some more time to develop.

[MrMustang1965]

Congrats, Justin!

[LonghornFan68]

Damn, dood, that's awesome. Congrats, Justin. Now I can root for you (cuz nothing will make me root for the Pats).

[smupony94]

Awesome

[PonySnob]

Any word on if he is on the Cowboys practice squad or the final roster?

[SMU Football Blog]

Any word on if he is on the Cowboys practice squad or the final roster?

If he was claimed off waivers, he was put on the active roster.

[ponyfan84]

thats awesome! congrats and now i can go back not giving a crap about the Patriots.

[PhirePhilBennett]

Why did they cut him?


USAToday Analysis

--- http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football ... s/home.htm

DRAFT PICKS TO STICK

Rd. 1/21, S Brandon Meriweather, Miami — Meriweather played mostly safety in college but has been lining up primarily at corner for the Patriots thus far. Either way, the athletic Meriweather will provide some depth and athleticism in New England's secondary.

Rd. 4/127, DL Kareem Brown, Miami — Like his college teammate at Miami, Brown is getting used to a new position in the NFL. Brown played defensive tackle for the Hurricanes but the Patriots are using him at end in their 3-4 defense. Brown's tall frame and rushing skills make him a better fit on the outside at the pro level. He's been getting a lot of reps in the preseason and should make an already-strong defensive front for the Patriots even better.

Rd. 6/180, OLB Justin Rogers, Southern Methodist — A converted defensive end, Rogers has flashed some playmaking ability this preseason by registering three sacks in the Patriots' first three games. There's an intense battle for the final spot at linebacker but Rogers has shown enough potential in his limited playing time to warrant a year in the Patriots system.

Rd. 6/202, CB Mike Richardson, Notre Dame — The rookie from Notre Dame had been playing pretty well in the Patriots secondary and had a shot at making the team but he injured his arm against Carolina. Richardson will now spend his rookie season on injured reserve.

UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS

QUARTERBACK: Starter — Tom Brady. Backups — Matt Cassel, Matt Gutierrez, Vinny Testaverde.

Brady is as consistent a quarterback as there is in football and he proved last season that he can carry a passing offense regardless of his receiving weapons. He's also one of the most durable quarterbacks in the game as evidenced by the third-longest start streak in the league despite taking a tremendous physical pounding at times over the last few years. Brady's durability is especially important because he's backed up by unproven third-year signal-caller Cassel. Cassel hasn't started a game at either the college or pro level and is the ultimate question mark. Gutierrez has played well in the preseason and has a good shot to stick around in some way, most likely landing on the practice squad. The ageless Testaverde is back for his 21st season and provides some veteran leadership in the locker room. The hope in New England is that the names behind Brady on the depth chart continue to remain irrelevant but if The Golden Boy does go down for any period of time, it will most likely be the young Cassel who takes over the reins of the Patriots offense, not Testaverde.

RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Laurence Maroney. Backups — Heath Evans, Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris, Quinton Smith.

Maroney will get the bulk of the carries but he has to prove he can handle the load after an injury-slowed rookie season spent splitting time with Corey Dillon. Maroney also has to show the ability to take the three- and four-yard runs and not always seek out the big play that isn't really there. But if he stays healthy, Maroney is in line to have a big year. Faulk remains a tremendous third-down option and change-of-pace back who will play a varied key role in the offense. Faulk remains one of the best pass-catching backs in the NFL. Morris joined the team via free agency and will also likely help out in the air and on third down, although he does provide a bit more power on the ground than Faulk. Morris should provide a nice complement to Maroney when he comes in to spell the starter. Evans is a jack-of-all-trades fullback whose greatest action comes on special teams, although he does help the backfield out at times. Evans will be used in short-yardage situations, as well as a receiver out of the backfield.

TIGHT ENDS: Starters — Benjamin Watson, Kyle Brady. Backups — Brian Jones, Garrett Mills, Marcellus Rivers, David Thomas.

Watson had a solid season in 2006 but he needs to improve on catching the ball more consistently. He finished second on the team with 49 catches and should improve on that this fall thanks to the big-play additions at receiver. With defenses focusing on the outside receivers, the middle of the field should be open for Watson to make them pay. Brady was signed early in free agency to help replace Daniel Graham. Bill Belichick has referred to him as a third tackle as a blocker, but he looked good catching the ball in spring camps. Thomas was buried behind Watson and Graham as a rookie but caught five passes for 83 yards and a score in place of Graham in a late-season game against Jacksonville. Thomas could be on his way to making a big impact, although he was slowed by offseason foot surgery. Mills spent his entire rookie season on injured reserve and is more of a fullback or H-back type. Mills seems to be falling down the depth chart and is in danger of losing his roster spot to Rivers, who has performed well in the preseason and is a better blocker than Mills. All told, Watson, Brady and Thomas could come together to give the Patriots one of the most versatile and talented tight end trios in the NFL.

WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Randy Moss, Donte' Stallworth. Backups — Troy Brown, Reche Caldwell, Bam Childress, Chris Dunlap, Jabar Gaffney, Chad Jackson, C.J. Jones, Kelvin Kight, Kelley Washington, Wes Welker.

The Deion Branch fiasco is long forgotten now that playmakers like Moss and Stallworth are in New England. Moss looked as fluid as ever in training camp before pulling his hamstring in practice. He hasn't played in the preseason but Moss is expected to be ready for the opener. Stallworth, when healthy, is one of the best big-play targets in the game. He hasn't always been on the same page with Brady in the preseason but Stallworth gives New England the speedy downfield threat it lacked last year. Welker should catch plenty of balls underneath with defenses focused on the duo of proven big-play options. Welker is coming off a career-best 67 receptions last year in Miami and has a good shot to eclipse that number this season with the Patriots. Gaffney had a tremendous training camp before getting injured in the Patriots' second preseason game versus the Titans. Once considered on the bubble, Gaffney is now a lock to make the roster. Washington and Caldwell are probably battling for one roster spot. Caldwell led the team in receptions last year but Washington may hold a slight edge due to his contributions on special teams. Jackson and Brown will begin the year on PUP, which means they'll miss the first six weeks of the season.

OFFENSIVE LINE: Starters — LT Matt Light, LG Logan Mankins, C Dan Koppen, RG Stephen Neal, RT Nick Kaczur. Backups — RT Wesley Britt, C Mike Elgin, T Corey Hilliard, G/C Russ Hochstein, G/C Gene Mruczkowski, RT Ryan O'Callaghan, LT Clint Oldenburg, G/C Billy Yates.

Over the course of the last few seasons, the Patriots have developed a solid group of young offensive linemen. Light went to his first Pro Bowl last year, but he remains an average left tackle who struggles at times with elite speed pass rushers. Mankins and Neal appear to be on the verge of reaching a Pro Bowl level themselves. Mankins, in particular, is turning into one of the best interior linemen in the league. Koppen re-signed last fall and is the anchor of the group from his center position. Right tackle remains the only spot where the starting job isn't locked down. Kaczur has started over the last two seasons, but has missed time due to injury. O'Callaghan started as a rookie in Kaczur's absence early last season but had concussion issues. The two have battled for the starting job all offseason, with Kaczur looking like the winner. The group of backups includes many who've started or seen significant time due to injury, including Britt, Hochstein and Yates. Hochstein is the most experienced of the group and he also has the ability to start at all three interior line spots. As a whole, the offensive line needs to play with far more consistency. It has too much talent to be up one week and down the next like it was last year. The weapons are there at the skill positions for the New England offense to be explosive, but the line will have to play more consistently in 2007 for the unit to fulfill expectations.

DEFENSIVE LINE: Starters — LDE Ty Warren, NT Vince Wilfork, RDE Richard Seymour. Backups — DE/NT Kareem Brown, RDE Jarvis Green, NT Rashad Moore, DE/NT Le Kevin Smith, RDE Santonio Thomas, DE Zach West, DE/NT Mike Wright.

New England's front three is as good as there is in the game. Seymour is the obvious leader of the group after five consecutive Pro Bowl selections. But it was Warren who had the best year in 2006. His breakout season included finishing second on the team in tackles while tying for second with 7.5 sacks to pace a defense that set a franchise record for points allowed. Warren can rush the passer and hold stout against the run in New England's two-gap, 3-4 scheme. Wilfork has also come into his own last season and is becoming one of the premier nose tackles in the game. His size makes him almost immovable, while his quick hands, speed and athleticism make him a beast for opposing interior lines to counter. Opponents can't double-team all three of New England's former first-round picks up front and this group will be the strength of the defense once again this season. Green is a versatile backup at end with plenty of starting experience. He's also a viable pass-rush option in sub packages. Even the former undrafted free agent Wright has seen plenty of action over the last couple years as he splits his time between end and tackle. The only real question mark with this unit is finding a viable backup at nose tackle behind Wilfork, a job Moore could fill if he makes the team.

LINEBACKERS: Starters — OLB Adalius Thomas, WLB Mike Vrabel, MLB Tedy Bruschi, OLB Rosevelt Colvin. Backups — MLB Eric Alexander, MLB Larry Izzo, MLB Oscar Lua, MLB Corey Mays, OLB Justin Rogers, MLB Junior Seau, OLB Pierre Woods.

Thomas joins the group as the perfect fit in terms of his ability to play many positions, his freakish size and athletic ability and defensive intelligence. Thomas has spent all offseason at inside linebacker and that will be his primary position to start the year, although he can move over to the outside if needed. Vrabel has been forced to play on the inside over the last two seasons but will be back on the outside this year where the veteran is more productive. Bruschi has lost a couple steps over the last two seasons. He doesn't have the playmaking ability he once had but Bruschi is still solid and one of the defensive leaders. Seau was arguably New England's most productive linebacker in his first Patriots season last fall before landing on IR with a broken arm and he will add depth on the inside behind Thomas and Bruschi. His signing allows Belichick the freedom of five veterans to play four spots. Colvin could benefit most from the Thomas signing. Thanks to Thomas' presence, New England's returning sack leader (8.5 a year ago) will be able to concentrate on getting after the quarterback more and could eclipse the double-digit sack plateau. After the top five names, there is a real drop off in experience and talent in the group. Izzo is a primary special teamer with little to add on defense. Alexander started the AFC title game in an effort to cover New England's lack of speed and athleticism in the middle of the field. Alexander struggled at times in that game and hasn't had a very encouraging preseason. Woods and Rogers have both played well at times. That would be good news for the Patriots if one of the young pass rushers can step up and contribute. Lua has a chance due to his intelligence but lacks the foot speed to be an every-down player.

DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — CB Asante Samuel, CB Ellis Hobbs, FS Eugene Wilson, SS Rodney Harrison. Backups — CB Larry Anam, S Willie Andrews, S Rashad Baker, CB Randall Gay, S Eddie Jackson, CB Tory James, CB/S Brandon Meriweather, S Mel Mitchell, CB Mike Richardson, S James Sanders.

Samuel evolved into a true No. 1 corner last fall and played his best game of the season defending Marvin Harrison and Co. in the AFC title loss in Indy. Now that Samuel is back in the mix, he will take over his role as the team's top corner. Hobbs is the other returning starter, but the confident third-year player has yet to show the consistency to be counted on with regularity. However, Hobbs has impressed during training camp and the preseason. This could be a breakout year for the young corner. Gay has never been healthy after his surprise season as a rookie free agent in 2004. Gay played well filling in for Samuel and if he can stay on the field, the Patriots will have three solid corners. James is a 12-year veteran and former Pro Bowl corner with plenty of experience, but not in Belichick's schemes. James looks like he could be this year's edition of Eric Warfield. Richardson showed promise but injured his arm in the Patriots' third preseason game against the Panthers and was placed on injured reserve. At safety, both Wilson and Rodney Harrison return from injury, although Harrison has been suspended for the first four games of the season. The hamstring injury that held Wilson to just four games in 2006 is supposedly completely healthy and, heading into a contract year, Wilson knows he needs to stay on the field and make plays as he did earlier in his career. Harrison has had two knee injuries in the last two years. He isn't worried about his aging frame and durability after 13 seasons and he has shown why with his play on the field. Harrison appears to be at full strength and looked like a third-year player with the way he was flying around in the preseason. Sanders showed plenty in his second season and continues to improve. He should be in line for a starting job down the line or if Wilson plays poorly. First-round pick Meriweather is a cover guy who can play both safety, nickel back and corner at times. He should see playing time from day one and adds a playmaking ability that the unit has lacked at times in recent years. Andrews is one of the best special teams players on the team and a decent backup at safety.

SPECIAL TEAMS: PK Stephen Gostkowski, P Danny Baugher, LS Lonie Paxton.

Gostkowski felt all the pressure of replacing future Hall of Famer Adam Vinatieri a year ago and came out the other side looking like he's going to be a solid player for a long time in Gillette Stadium's tough kicking conditions. After a few early-season struggles, including getting consecutive kicks blocked in a three-miss streak, he ended up hitting 20 of 26 field goals in the regular season and went a perfect eight for eight in the postseason. Youngster Danny Baugher won the punting job after an impressive performance in NFL Europa and training camp. Baugher has never punted in a game but Belichick has confidence in him. Paxton is one of the best long snappers in the game.