The Bubble

Last night was the final chance players had to make their case to the coaches that they deserve a roster spot or time to develop on the practice squad. The Patriots have to cut 22 players by Saturday. I can't guess all of them, nor do I care to spend thoughts on guys that have no chance. But I will watch closely to see which guys that are on the fence are kept in the yard or kicked to the curb. Keep in mind they have an eye out for players other teams cut for possible additions to the roster. So if a veteran quarterback they like becomes available, they will give the free agent a call. So in no specific order, here's several players who I think are close:

WR Chad Jackson - The touchdown he caught displayed some of the talent that is yet to be unleashed. That corner couldn't come close to covering Jackson. He's just too talented to give up on after just two years.

LB Victor Hobson- I thought he would had been starting. Instead he's fighting for a job. He did good, but not great against the Giants. One game probably won't be enough to put him over, but a veteran player that understands what he's doing night in and night out is the kind of player head coach Bill Belichick would value to provide depth.

LB Gary Guyton - Easily the best game he played. He was in on a lot of tackles. 10 to be exact. The problem is there's too many ahead of him for G2 to make the squad. But he showed enough to receive an invite to the practice squad.

LB Vince Redd - He's a work in progress that might not need much more work. He was good rushing the passer and already shows some good technique controlling and shedding blockers. Again, he will probably be a victim of the numbers crunch, but the Patriots want him back to fine tune him on the practice squad.

RB BenJarvis Green-Ellis - Thanks to an extended look, we got to see what the thick ball carrier is made of. BJGE ran hard, showed good instincts, and showed a sense of where the first down is. But there's no way he can crack the top five in the backfield. He will have to settle for the practices squad.

QB Matt Cassel- Somebody gots to go. Based on the play of Kevin O'Connell, New England knows they can't store O'Connell on the practice squad. Matt Gutierrez out-played Cassel big time last year but just edged him this year. Cassel's time as run out.

WR C.J. Jones - Besides showing the ability to be a good target, Jones had a big punt return to set up a score. I think Jones also plays on special teams coverage. He'll be a tough cut, but welcomed back to the practice squad.

LB Bo Rudd - The last I saw of Rudd was him getting helped off the field and the trainers cutting off the tape around his ankle. Injuries kept Bo from getting on the field consistently, starting with being on PUP at the beginning of the training camp. I have no idea what the Patriots have in him and I think I will never know. He 's not the first draft pick that didn't make the team at any level.

WR Ray Ventrone - The kid did a little bit of everything and was the team's leading receiver in the preseason. He had a knack for getting open. But Matt Slater has similar versatility to play safety and receiver, and in addition returns kicks as well. Ray won't stay.

CB Mike Richardson - Did he even get on the field during preseason? He looked very promising last year, but with nothing to show for this preseason, as well as two corners drafted this year, spells the end for Richardson.