Jon

Abbate

There is reportedly “real belief” that Abbate will start the season as the team’s top backup at the position. It could cost Jameel Cook his roster spot.

Cook is likely in danger of losing his backup spot behind Vonta Leach to Jon Abbate, who recently converted from linebacker but is considerably cheaper.

Teams have to get their rosters to 75 this week.

Williams had his C3 vertebrae surgically repaired Sunday. We may not see him back in the league. Abbate can play both linebacker and fullback.

Webster hasn’t been able to stay healthy for the past five years, and this camp was no exception; he missed the last month with a hamstring injury. Still, the Patriots hoped for more. Eckel and Wendell were long shots to make the squad.

Brink, the Texans’ seventh-round pick in April, is a prime candidate for the practice squad. Houston will open with two QBs on its roster; Sage Rosenfels and Matt Schaub. Coley had 15 tackles in the exhibition finale.

Abbate has now been signed and waived three times by the Texans, who converted him from linebacker to fullback last season.

Jefferson can play the nose and three technique, but is only a reserve. He made a career high 20 tackles in 2007. FS Jim Leonhard and RB Shaud Williams were not tendered. Leonhard could be back at a smaller cost.

Abbate left early after a monster junior season but didn’t impress at the Combine. He later revealed he’d worked out while injured. Zabransky has the mobility Gary Kubiak likes and could push Bradlee Van Pelt.

The 5-11/245-pound tackle machine is an inspirational story, as he dedicated his 120-stop junior season to his brother, who died in an automobile crash. Abbate is the type of player whose Combine numbers might not help him but still has a good shot to go on the first day.