3 Bubble Competitions 2.0

With the Roster Prediction 2.0 coming out on Mondays, I decided I would do a midweek Bubble Competitions running feature that touches on some of the biggest competitions in camp. I slimmed it down to three because there are only so many competitions and I don't want to get too repetitive.

Visanthe Shiancoe (TE) v Spencer Larsen (FB): This seems like a weird competition since these two play different positions, however I do see them relating. If Shiancoe can get back on the field in a hurry, then he should have the inside track here as the Patriots need some depth behind Gronk and Hernandez. However, if Shiancoe doesn't heal as hoped, and Fells opens on the PUP as expected, it opens up another spot, and I think they go with a FB to fill the spot as he can replicate a lot of the duties of a TE.

Brandon Deadrick v Ron Brace v Gerard Warren: These are all interior Defensive Lineman, and it appears as though they are fighting for two spots. I think Deadrick (7th rounder in 2010 out of Alabama), who started last year on PUP and came on strong, has the upper hand in this, but he is by no means locked into a roster spot. Gerard Warren is a vet and we know what he can bring, but the potential for Ron Brace is tantalizing. He was drafted in the 2nd round, and has great size at 6'3" and 330 lbs. Brace looked primed for a roster spot, until being derailed by a recent injury. If Deadrick and Brace can stay healthy, I think you see both of them on the roster.

Josh Barrett v Will Allen v James Ihedigbo v Nate Ebner v Ross Ventrone v Sergio Brown: These 5 (or 6 if you count Brown, which I refuse to do) are competing for what looks like 2 positions. They are mostly fighting for special teams positions, and will not see the field on defense much, unless injuries crop up. For this reason, Allen has a tough battle ahead of him as he is in the later stages of his career (just turned 34 on Sunday) and does not offer much special teams help. However, one thing he does have going for him is his CB versatility which none of these other guys have (except maybe Ventrone, but Allen is on another level) so he could be the backup DB, with one of these guys (I am thinking Barrett) being the main special teamer back there. Either way you slice it, it is going to be interesting what type of player they choose.