And then there were 53

The deadline for the NFL final roster cut down to 53 was earlier today by 6 p.m. The Patriots had made some moves prior to the deadline, but now the smoke has cleared and the 2009 New England Patriots are set (for now). History has shown that this roster is certainly not set in stone, and there could be moves made before the season opener next Monday night. For now, let's take a look at the final roster.QuarterbackThe Pats decided, for now, to stick with only two QB's: Tom Brady and rookie free agent Brian Hoyer from Michigan State. On Friday, the Pats released veteran Andrew Walter. Walter was expected to play in Thursday's preseason finale but never saw the field. Hoyer was given an opportunity to lead the team back from a 21-0 first-quarter deficit, and he did with the help of BenJarvus Green-Ellis. I expect at some point that the Patriots will bring in some veteran to back up Brady. Hoyer looked good but he still has a long way to go, and I wouldn't want to see what a season would look like with Hoyer leading the team, at least at this point.RunningbackThere were no cuts made to this position group as the Patriots will carry 5 RB's: Fred Taylor, Kevin Faulk, Sammy Morris, Laurence Maroney, and BenJarvus Green-Ellis. I was happy, as I'm sure many Pats fans are, that BJGE made the team. I'd like to see him get some opportunities to play with and against starters and see what he can do. RB Chris Taylor was placed on IR with a shoulder injury.Tight EndThere was some movement at the position in the form of a trade, but not what most fans expected. It was believed that the Pats might try and trade Alex Smith (possibly to the Eagles for A.J. Feely) after trading a 5th round pick for him from the Bucs, which was clearly a mistake. However, the Patriots instead traded away David Thomas to the Saints for a 7th round pick and traded a conditional draft pick with the Giants for TE Michael Matthews. Matthews is a blocking tight end who can line up as a fullback/H-back, giving the Pats a blocking upgrade over Thomas. In addition to Matthews, Chris Baker and Ben Watson made the final roster. Baker will likely be the starter and Watson was probably kept over Smith because of his knowledge of the system. Watson missed most of camp and the preseason with an injury.Offensive LineThe Patriots got younger in terms of depth on the offensive line, and will carry 9 offensive lineman (Also Mark LeVoir is currently on the PUP list). Ryan O'Callaghan was a surprising cut. He has progressed nicely and saw a lot of playing time in the preseason finale. The Pats were likely trying to showcase him for a trade, but non materialized. The Pats also cut Wesley Britt, who has been with the team since 2004. Making the team were Matt Light, Logan Mankins, Dan Koppen, Stephen Neal, Nick Kaczur, Sebastian Vollmer, Rich Ohrnberger, Ryan Wendell, and Dan Connolly. Wide ReceiverThere were no surprises with this group. Rookie free agent Terrence Nunn was a preseason fan favorite but was the odd man out in this talented group. If he clears waivers, he is likely to be signed to the practice squad. Sam Aiken makes the squad due to his special teams prowess, and Julian Edelman will also likely see significant time on special teams, possibly returning punts. Edelman, who was impressive in the preseason and looks like a Wes Welker clone, could also see time in the 4 or 5 WR set. In addition to Aiken and Edelman, Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Joey Galloway, and Greg Lewis made the squad. This is an extremely talented and deep group.Defensive LineThe defensive line-to-linebacker ratio (7:6 with 2 hybrids) makes me think that we'll be seeing a lot more 4-3 defense this year. There has been talks in past seasons about switching but it actually looks plausible and likely this season. The defensive line is the deepest and most talented position group on the team, and is aided by some solid play by a couple of rookies. Ron Brace and Myron Pryor were impressive during the preseason, with Brace routinely collapsing the middle and Pryor getting pressure on the QB. Starters Richard Seymour, Ty Warren, and Vince Wilfork return, along with veteran back ups Jarvis Green (who could start for many NFL teams) and Mike Wright. Brace and Wilfork in the middle of a 4-3 with Seymour and Warren on the ends are going to be TOUGH to run on, and subbing Green, Wright, and hybrid DE/OLB's Derrick Burgess and Tully Banta-Cain in and out will keep the pass rush fresh. LinebackersThis is quite possibly the thinnest group on the team. The ability to run a 3-4 defense still exists but that formation at this point seems weaker than the 4-3 formation due to the linebacking corps, the heart and soul of the 3-4. Once again, Shawn Crable has been placed on IR, ending his season. After missing last season due to injury, it was hoped that he would make a push for the starting job, but I'm not sure he even made a poke at it. Luckily, the Pats have Jerod Mayo and Adalius Thomas returning. Also making the team are Gary Guyton, who has lined up at ILB in the 3-4 and OLB in the 4-3, Pierre Woods, who is likely to start at OLB oppposite Thomas, Eric Alexander, a special teams ace, and somewhat surprising Rob Ninkovich. Ninkovich has had a nose for the ball this preseason and has performed well on special teams. Belichick has noted that he can line up at different spots and do different things, possibly lining up at TE a la Mike Vrabel. If Ninkovich can further emerge, it will be a nice story and really help solidify the linebacking corps which, again, is fairly weak outside of Mayo and Thomas.CornerbacksThe key to the defense improving this year will be how much improved this group is over last year's porous group. They have looked shakey at times during the preseason but have also shown flashes of big play ability. I think there will be an adjustment period early on for the younger players, but this group could be strong by November/December (when it starts to matter most). Shawn Springs, who has not suited up much this preseason, made the team but it is uncertain if he will start in the season opener. Leigh Bodden has looked pretty good overall and will start opening day. Bodden is looking to return to his pre-Lions form (and a long term contract). If Springs can't go or isn't ready to start yet, second-year man Jonathon Wilhite will likely start along with Bodden. Wilhite has looked like an emerging star at times, returning an INT for a TD 101 yards against Washington this preseason. Also making the squad are Terrence Wheatley and rookie Darius Butler.SafetyLast year's starters James Sanders and Brandon Meriweather return and should be solid. Many fans and experts are expecting big things this year from Meriweather, who enters his third year with the team and his first opening day as a starter. ESPN's AFC East blogger Tim Graham named Meriweather the AFC East Emerging Star of 2009. Let's hope he is right, as this is the first time since the '90's that the Pats don't have a clear-cut leader and star at safety. Lawyer Milloy and Rodney Harrison were leaders and stars in the secondary. Let's hope Meriweather can carry on that tradition. The Pats' top pick from this year's draft, Pat Chung, join the safety group along with Brandon McGowan and Matthew Slater. It was uncertain if Slater was going to be put on IR after his arm injury Thursday against the Giants, but it seems that the injury wasn't as serious as first thought.Special TeamsThere are no surprises with this group. Pro Bowler Stephen Gostkowski will handle the kicking duties, Chris Hanson will punt while rookie Jake Ingram will handle the long snapping duties. There you have it, your 2009 New England Patriots! Well, at least as of 10 pm on Saturday night.Go Pats!