Despite the rash of injuries to special teams players, New England Head Coach Pete Carroll isn't ready to move any of his practice squad players up to the 53-man roster just yet. That's not to say it will never happen.
In fact, Carroll said Thursday that local product Marc Megna has opened some eyes as a member of the Patriots practice squad. Megna, who grew up in Massachusetts and starred at Division I-AA Richmond, is progressing well, according to Carroll.
"He could be a special teams guy. He's on the edge of trying to compete for a spot right now," Carroll said. "Because of who he is and how he approaches the game, I'm trying to give him extra turns to get him closer. I really think he's a guy who can help us if we can get him on the roster."
Megna joined New England's practiced squad after spending training camp with the New York Jets. The Jets' sixth-round draft choice played on the defensive line in college, but the Patriots are trying to convert the 6-2, 245 pound Megna into an outside linebacker.
"He's an extremely intense kid. He's strong and he uses his hands real well," Carroll said. "We're lining him up at the outside linebacker spot on the tight end to see if he can develop there.
"I'm encouraged by his attitude and willingness to work. He is a classic guy with a constant motor. He'll fly around and give it up, and a guy who has all those things going is someone that we have to go a long way to make sure he has a chance to fit in."
