RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesESPN’s Bill Barnwell made an All-Backup Team, and two New England Patriots players made the cut.
Barnwell used all backup players and rotation guys to make a 53-man roster. He forced himself to take at least one backup from each team, but he did not take more than two players. His main goal was to go after players who participate regularly on special teams that help fill out the backend of the lineup.
It’s also worth noting that he wanted to incorporate rookies on his team. However, the Patriots did not have a rookie representative in this situation. The players Barnwell chose for the Patriots were wide receiver DeMario Douglas and defensive tackle Cory Durden.
Douglas would fall under the category of a rotation guy, although that might change this season, considering he's been working with the starters at training camp. The wide receiver was a productive playmaker last season, recording 31 catches for 447 yards and three touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Durden was initially signed by the Patriots as a member of the practice squad. However, he worked his way up the depth chart and became a regular contributor later in the season.
Barnwell wrote:
"Douglas might be our team's top wide receiver, which should tell you how concerning the wideout situation appears for Team Backup. He actually finished 13th in ESPN's receiver scores a year ago, putting together an efficient season as a fourth wideout for the Patriots. Durden, who had been bouncing around practice squads, was a nice find for general manager Eliot Wolf as a nose tackle, making five tackles for loss across 383 snaps."
Douglas could be in line to see starting snaps as the Patriots' lead slot receiver, and Durden is slated to fill the role as the starting nose tackle. For a roster of backups, Barnwell would make out well with his Patriots choices.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: Two Patriots players land on ESPN's All-Backup Team
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