I agree for the PVE part of battlegrounds, you will need to have a tank around. or at least someone will

Also now that i have 7dps, 1tank and 1 healer; I am WAY stronger then when I had 7dps and one healer. You could take out the shaman somewhat easy which goofs me up (and he was my only rezzer), with the Pal in the mix I'm much stronger (couldn't play the pal cause he was 80).
From what I read I think Sam is usually defending Galv, or farming kills. the above quote seems to indicate a second rezzer rather than a dps tank :-)

Also found in another thread
Quote Originally Posted by Sam DeathWalker View Post
Unless you plan to transfer them to another account later.....
There is no way that a 5 shaman team is better for pvp then 1 pal / 4 shaman.
If the Pal is your leader you will draw fire to the Pal who will be harder to kill then a shaman.
..



As for high rated Prot specs, for sure people make them work well (even at low level now, have you see how hard a glyphed avenger's shield hit for?) but in a group of 7 mages.. not sure of the utility,. Taunt doesn't work too much on players (i wish it did change target or something though :-)