Has Mason already made the roster?

[CommanderDOOM]

Steve, not saying he'll turn pro as I think he's a junior this year, but what about a Speedy guy like Noel Devine for that role? Probably could be had in the 4th, 5th, or even 6th round depending on how he fairs this year?

sounds bout right if we draft a RB. Would be foolish to go Rb in the 1st or 2nd with our OL needs.

[paloffs]

Probably should read the link. Smith says that he has gotten better, but he still needs to make plays.

The problem with taking the word of a position coach is that they aren't the final word if a guy makes the roster or not. A week or two ago, Blache pretty much said that Wilson had made the team in his eyes, but that doesn't mean he will be on the team when final cuts come down.

Blache is no longer just a position coach though.

[Going Commando]

That's why I like these posts, cuz I watch almost no college football and don't have the time to stay up on prospects as much as I like...granted you can't tell talent from a youtube highlight video, but damn that kid is ridiculous fast...

I don't know. Devine's impressive but he's so limited by his size. Watch highlight videos of C.J. Spiller and Jahvid Best if you want to see some impressive scatback prospects. Best is the most like Reggie Bush in terms of skill set and he's got room to gain a little weight without losing speed. Spiller is already pretty built, and he puts on an impressive display of highlight plays. He'll run the occasional guy over and every game I've watched him in he's been far and away the fastest guy on the field. It's truly remarkable how quickly he gets through his holes. Not even Best or Devine get into the secondary as fast as he does.

[Main-Maine]

Seems kinda doubtful to me that he makes it. I like the kid, but he really serves no purpose for the Skins as they already have a tough quick runner in portis.

They need a speed guy like Aldridge or Dorsey.

:2cents:

Tough yes but quick NO! Portis is no where quick. The man always gets cought on opean field stretches. I cant remember to many games Portis take it to the house 85 yards.

[thedevilhimself]

Probably should read the link. Smith says that he has gotten better, but he still needs to make plays.

The problem with taking the word of a position coach is that they aren't the final word if a guy makes the roster or not. A week or two ago, Blache pretty much said that Wilson had made the team in his eyes, but that doesn't mean he will be on the team when final cuts come down.

I am thinking Wilson will make it, because he is the natural back up for Orakopo, similar type of player - pass rusgh specialist limited in coverage but the scheme would not have to change that much when Wilson comes in .

[MartinC]

Please let us cut Rock Cartwright........The guy is absolute dead weight on this team.

He is an EXTREMELY consistent kick returner and one of our best special teams players on kick coverage. The knock on him as a returner is he does not have the top gear to break it all the way but he will get you consistently out to the plus 25, take what is available, not fumble and get you to the half way a few times a season in key situations.

We have been trying to replace him for a few years but he just does his job. We would miss him if and when he goes.

That said I actually thought Thomas looked good returning kicks against the Pats.

As for Mason unless he can beat out Betts for the primary backup role I dont see how he makes the final cut.

[WorldBFree76]

I don't know. Devine's impressive but he's so limited by his size. Watch highlight videos of C.J. Spiller and Jahvid Best if you want to see some impressive scatback prospects. Best is the most like Reggie Bush in terms of skill set and he's got room to gain a little weight without losing speed. Spiller is already pretty built, and he puts on an impressive display of highlight plays. He'll run the occasional guy over and every game I've watched him in he's been far and away the fastest guy on the field. It's truly remarkable how quickly he gets through his holes. Not even Best or Devine get into the secondary as fast as he does.

I don't think Best would be too happy to see one Kevin Barnes on our team :evilg:

[HighOnHendrix]

Tough yes but quick NO! Portis is no where quick. The man always gets cought on opean field stretches. I cant remember to many games Portis take it to the house 85 yards.

You do realize he has bulked up since his Denver days to be better-suited to the physicality of the NFC East, right? Most of the guys who break long TD runs are either flash-in-the-pan types or do it early in their careers before they develop into elite backs. Portis was the latter - thankfully. I think it says a lot about his skills that this is the only knock that seems to come up regarding his play on the field.

And I agree that there is some over-analysis going on regarding this quote. I hope Mason makes the team, but I'm not reading anything into such a small thing.

[paloffs]

D. Thomas taking kick returns had me wondering two things. Why is our supposed number 2 taking kick returns for unnecessarily exposing him to injury? Could it be that he's to supplant Rock on special teams? If that's the case, does that mean he's becoming more expendable in the wide receiver aspect?

[kubstix]

He is an EXTREMELY consistent kick returner and one of our best special teams players on kick coverage. The knock on him as a returner is he does not have the top gear to break it all the way but he will get you consistently out to the plus 25, take what is available, not fumble and get you to the half way a few times a season in key situations.

We have been trying to replace him for a few years but he just does his job. We would miss him if and when he goes.

That said I actually thought Thomas looked good returning kicks against the Pats.

As for Mason unless he can beat out Betts for the primary backup role I dont see how he makes the final cut.

Like I said, dead weight. What kick returner in the NFL doesn't take it out to the 25+? We wouldn't miss a beat if Rock was gone.

[MartinC]

Like I said, dead weight. What kick returner in the NFL doesn't take it out to the 25+? We wouldn't miss a beat if Rock was gone.

Last year? Only 16 kick returners averaged 25 yards or more on kick returns. Rock was #10 in the NFL with a 25.6 yard average and a long of 87 yards. Thats not chopped liver and not something you can replace easily.

Add in his wider contribution on teams in punt and kick coverage and dead weight is about as far from an accurate description as you could come up with IMO.

Now at some point we will have to replace him - just not sure that will be this year.

[Veretax]

I don't know. Devine's impressive but he's so limited by his size. Watch highlight videos of C.J. Spiller and Jahvid Best if you want to see some impressive scatback prospects. Best is the most like Reggie Bush in terms of skill set and he's got room to gain a little weight without losing speed. Spiller is already pretty built, and he puts on an impressive display of highlight plays. He'll run the occasional guy over and every game I've watched him in he's been far and away the fastest guy on the field. It's truly remarkable how quickly he gets through his holes. Not even Best or Devine get into the secondary as fast as he does.

You knock Devine's size but he's about the same sizes as Darren Sproles in San Diego, By Definition you need a guy with a burst of speed. Devine's problem is sometimes he doesn't press the hole, or he dances to much, and I'm not suggesting we draft him specifically, just giving him as an example of what I think was meant by a "speed" back.

[scruffylookin]

While it is important for Mason himself to make the team anyway he can, since it's his profession we're talking about, as a fan of his it would not mean very much if he makes it the way Smith talked about here.

If they do keep him as the fourth runner buried on the depth chart behind Betts and Cartwright, as a fan of Mason's, it won't really matter and he might as well just be cut now.

As the fourth runner and a guy who isn't a special teams guy, he won't be on the active roster on Sunday and likely will be the first guy cut as soon as injuries hit the squad and they need to add a player to compensate for the injuries.

I have no interest in that.

I want to see Marcus get real time spelling Clinton.

If we're stuck with the same ole same ole with Betts, and Marcus is left as literally the 53rd man on the 53 man roster and the first guy cut once an olineman gets a hangnail, no thanks.

Too bad we aren't keeping the best guys and instead are making decisions based on contracts and/or draft status (looking at you Chad Rinehart).

[Rdskn4Lyf21]

Last year? Only 16 kick returners averaged 25 yards or more on kick returns. Rock was #10 in the NFL with a 25.6 yard average and a long of 87 yards. Thats not chopped liver and not something you can replace easily.

Add in his wider contribution on teams in punt and kick coverage and dead weight is about as far from an accurate description as you could come up with IMO.

Now at some point we will have to replace him - just not sure that will be this year.

I'm not disagreeing on Rock's consistency, but saying "only" 16 kick returners averaged 25 yards or better just shows how consistently average he was. I'd much rather have a guy that returns in on average to the 20 and will break a few off for TDs over the season than a guy that always gets the ball to the 25 and doesn't do much else....that's just my opinion though.

[theboomking]

You knock Devine's size but he's about the same sizes as Darren Sproles in San Diego, By Definition you need a guy with a burst of speed. Devine's problem is sometimes he doesn't press the hole, or he dances to much, and I'm not suggesting we draft him specifically, just giving him as an example of what I think was meant by a "speed" back.

I agree with this analysis. I also don't think Devine is as fast as given credit for. He has a great burst, elite balance and quickness, and may be a great Darren Sproles type back, but he doesn't run away from defenses. I've watched a TON of clips on the speed backs for next year and Devine doesn't seem to have the straight line speed that Spiller or Best have.

The advantage that Best has, in my mind, is that he gives you instant credibility in the return game, and probably 50 catches a year or more, plus whatever he gets carrying the football. He has elite hands and is very versatile. In a funny kind of way, he is like the inverse of Percy Harvin, a RB who can play like a WR instead of a WR who plays like a RB. Best would be a great fit in a West Coast offense, but honestly would be even better in a Mike Martz offense.

I don't think it is necessarily Mason's lack of special teams play that is goint to be the nail in the coffin. Jason Reid has another article in the Post today about Mason's poor performance pass blocking. The article states that he missed to blocks in Friday's game. That's really unacceptable in a WCO, and as a double hit. You can't not play special teams, and be a poor pass blocker and expect to see the field, unless they carve a role for him as the short yardage back.

[kubstix]

Last year? Only 16 kick returners averaged 25 yards or more on kick returns. Rock was #10 in the NFL with a 25.6 yard average and a long of 87 yards. Thats not chopped liver and not something you can replace easily.

Add in his wider contribution on teams in punt and kick coverage and dead weight is about as far from an accurate description as you could come up with IMO.

Now at some point we will have to replace him - just not sure that will be this year.

Only 16? That is basically half of the nfl? As stated one more time, Dead Weight. Answer me this....how many kick returns has Rock taken to the house? How many times last year has Rock returned kicks that set us up for a huge momentum swing, game changing, or game winning runback?

[Est.1974]

I honestly was shocked to see Mason come in as the no. 2 against the Pats. I felt like that was the coaches challenging him to take Betts' spot. Very interesting.

I'd compare it to Collins not throwing. Maybe the #2 place is already locked down for Betts.

The RB situation is very interesting, though.

[djbubba4life]

its now or never for this guy

[NoleSkin21]

Devine would be nice, we would just need to make room for him and his 8 children. Marcus looked good against the Pats. I would rather have him carrying the ball instead of Rock at this point.

[Going Commando]

I don't think Best would be too happy to see one Kevin Barnes on our team :evilg:

No no no. See Best just had some bad sushi that day for lunch. It had nothing to do with Barnes annihilating his solar plexus.

I wonder if Best would hear footsteps every time he swung out to catch a pass in the flat in practice.

[Going Commando]

You knock Devine's size but he's about the same sizes as Darren Sproles in San Diego, By Definition you need a guy with a burst of speed. Devine's problem is sometimes he doesn't press the hole, or he dances to much, and I'm not suggesting we draft him specifically, just giving him as an example of what I think was meant by a "speed" back.

Oh Devine definitely qualifies as a speed back. He hasn't been as dominant or productive in college as Darren Sproles was so I don't think he's quite as good a runner. Its easy to forget since it seemed like ages ago, but I distinctly remember Sproles absolutely killing a stacked Oklahoma team in the big 12 Championship years ago. Just like Jones-Drew was, Sproles was a very strong prospect.

Devine would be a weapon on any roster and I wouldn't be unhappy if we got him. However, I'd much prefer Spiller or Best because they are better weapons and we could do a legitimate split carry scenario with them a couple seasons down the road. Best's hands are terrific, and he's got phenomenal acceleration. He's probably a first round prospect and so is Spiller but there are so many good players that are draft eligible next year that I think one or both of them will fall into the second round. Lots of good RBs are falling these days, look at Beanie Wells--and that was in a really crappy draft and weak RB class. In a strong one, guys like Matt Forte, Kevin Smith, and Steve Slaton fell into the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

Hopefully we'd be in position to snatch one of them up if they fell into the mid-2nd. I'd have absolutely no qualms about getting a HB there. Best could push Betts down the depth chart and eventually supplant him. Plus, with a guy like him on the roster, when CP's time is done, we wouldn't have to worry about finding an every-down back high in the draft. We could get a bigger, power runner later on and have a two headed monster at the position.

[ZoEd]

I really really really hope Mason makes the team....but this "slip of the tongue" just seems like another over-analysis of the preseason roster management.

Who is that in your sig? Wow!

[theboomking]

Oh Devine definitely qualifies as a speed back. He hasn't been as dominant or productive in college as Darren Sproles was so I don't think he's quite as good a runner. Its easy to forget since it seemed like ages ago, but I distinctly remember Sproles absolutely killing a stacked Oklahoma team in the big 12 Championship years ago. Just like Jones-Drew was, Sproles was a very strong prospect.

Devine would be a weapon on any roster and I wouldn't be unhappy if we got him. However, I'd much prefer Spiller or Best because they are better weapons and we could do a legitimate split carry scenario with them a couple seasons down the road. Best's hands are terrific, and he's got phenomenal acceleration. He's probably a first round prospect and so is Spiller but there are so many good players that are draft eligible next year that I think one or both of them will fall into the second round. Lots of good RBs are falling these days, look at Beanie Wells--and that was in a really crappy draft and weak RB class. In a strong one, guys like Matt Forte, Kevin Smith, and Steve Slaton fell into the 2nd and 3rd rounds.

Hopefully we'd be in position to snatch one of them up if they fell into the mid-2nd. I'd have absolutely no qualms about getting a HB there. Best could push Betts down the depth chart and eventually supplant him. Plus, with a guy like him on the roster, when CP's time is done, we wouldn't have to worry about finding an every-down back high in the draft. We could get a bigger, power runner later on and have a two headed monster at the position.

The thing that I really like about Devine, is that he could probably be had a lot later than the others. Devine might not have Best's hands, or Spillers top gear, but he has better balance and quickness than both, and could be had a lot later, preserving the round 2 pick for OT, DT, or LB, which could all offer great values in the 2nd. Put another way, I don't think the gap between Devine and Best/Spiller, is as big as the gap between Ciron Black, Marvin Austin/Vince Oghobaase, Micah Johnson, and the comparable OT's/LB'ers/DT's available in the 4th-6th round.

I do worry about Devine's character though. I'm not sure how many high character guys in the league have 8 kids, and WV is known for putting out troubled players. Devine might look good in a Bengals uniform.