Fun with the Roster

[Veretax]

This was noted in another thread but I thought it would be an interesting discussion. If we had to make the cut down to the roster of 53, who would make it right now? I came to a problem, I was only able to cut down to about 57, but here's what I had as potential (and I know they could probably cut Brennan or Grossman (but not both) to free one spot leaving only 2-3 more cuts but somewhere on Defense or Offense we are going to have to lose someone I think, and I didn't even assume Eric Cook our 7th Round Guard/Center would make it (although its conceivable he could beat out our current penciled in back up center, I don't see us keeping more than 3, unless we use one as the Long Snapper also.) What names did I see?

1 McNabb, Donovan QB

2 Grossman, Rex QB

3 Brennan, Colt QB

4 Williams, Trent OT

5 Heyer, Stephon OT

6 Capers, Selvish OT

7 Dockery, Derrick G

8 Hicks, Artis G

9 Rinehart, Chad G/T

10 Williams, Mike G/T

11 Rabach, Casey C

12 Williams, Edwin C

13 Portis, Clinton RB

14 Johnson, Larry RB

15 Parker, Willie RB

16 Sellers, Mike FB

17 Morris, Dennis TE

18 Cooley, Chris TE

19 Davis, Fred TE

20 Moss, Santana WR

21 Thomas, Devin WR

22 Kelly, Malcolm WR

23 Hagans, Marques WR

24 Mitchell, Marko WR

25 Austin, Terrence WR

26 Bidwell, Josh P

27 Sundberg, Nick LS

28 Gano, Graham K

29 Golston, Kedric DT

30 Haynesworth, Albert DT

31 Montgomery, Anthony DT

32 Carriker, Adam DE

33 Daniels, Phillip DE

34 Jackson, Rob DE

35 Bryant, Anthony NT

36 Green, Howard NT

37 Kemoeatu, Maake NT

38 Alexander, Lorenzo LB

39 Blades, H.B. LB

40 Carter, Andre LB

41 Fletcher, London LB

42 Henson, Robert LB

43 Jarmon, Jeremy LB

44 McIntosh, Rocky LB

45 Orakpo, Brian LB

46 Riley, Perry LB

47 Wilson, Chris LB/DE

48 Barnes, Kevin CB

49 Buchanon, Phillip CB

50 Hall, DeAngelo CB

51 Rogers, Carlos CB

52 Tryon, Justin CB

53 Doughty, Reed S

54 Holmes, Lendy S

55 Horton, Chris S

56 Landry, LaRon S

57 Moore, Kareem S

Possibilities:

DE/LB We have too many 10 for possibly 8 spots (1 starter with 2 back up) 9 on the DL so that would be 3 at each spot so probably at least one cut will be there) My thoughts we won't keep 9 DL for 3 spots, 7 is probably a good number, probably 2 DE, 2 NT and 3 DTs So two of those guys are likely gone. We might Cut a CB or a Sefety, Holmes is probably the first candidate there if not Moore.

So my question to you guys, who is on this list you think doesn't make the team. And who isn't on the list that you think should be (and who gets bumped to make room?

I admit this season could be VERY VERY interesting as We look forward (and part of me thinks we don't keep all three of the former Pro Bowl RBs on roster, someone is going to be gone)

So what do you guys think?

[pvkeeper19]

You're definitely keeping too many linebackers. Also, 6 DTs? Not a chance.

Robert Henson will probably get cut. I'd also count on a veteran guy not to make the team, maybe Chris Wilson and/or Lorenzo Alexander.

[Adam291]

I don't think we'll keep Marques Hagans. Cut a couple DT/NTs. Lendy Holmes. Maybe Perry Riley will end up on the PS for a year. I do hope Wille Parker or Larry Johnson is cut in favor of Anthony Alridge, but I guess that's a different issue. Shouldn't be too difficult to figure out, but then again, this is before all the offseason camps and whatnot so things can still change a lot.

[IS guhn RAIN]

Hagans or Terrence Austin will be cut ( I dont think we will keep both)

I dont think Rob Jackson makes it

2 of the NT/ DT will be cut

Robert Henson

Lendy Holmes might not make it

I also think Alridge makes the team

[redskin301]

BTW when do the cuts start

[Laxpunk2006]

It's really tough to predict the front 7 guys outside of the obvious keepers because of the scheme switch. We aren't going to know who is really working out there untill TC or even preseason so I don't want to put too much thought into that.

I'm thinking Marcus McCauley is going to make it but as a FS rather than as a CB. I doubt Hagans makes it and I think it's going to be either Torrain or Alridge rather than Willie Parker.

[Veretax]

yeah 9 DL is too many two of those guys will be gone, question is who?

29 Golston, Kedric DT

30 Haynesworth, Albert DT

31 Montgomery, Anthony DT

32 Carriker, Adam DE

33 Daniels, Phillip DE

34 Jackson, Rob DE

35 Bryant, Anthony NT

36 Green, Howard NT

37 Kemoeatu, Maake NT

Of those I'd for sure want to keeP

37 Kemoeatu, Maake NT

29 Golston, Kedric DT

30 Haynesworth, Albert DT

32 Carriker, Adam DE

I figure Either Jackson or Daniels makes it (and this assumes Jarmon is a LB if they try him at DE he might stick there) If also figure one of Green or Bryant does not make the cut. So that would be 6 on the DL

33 Daniels, Phillip DE

35 Bryant, Anthony NT

As for LBs: Yeah there are too many, but who sticks?

38 Alexander, Lorenzo LB

39 Blades, H.B. LB

40 Carter, Andre LB

41 Fletcher, London LB

42 Henson, Robert LB

43 Jarmon, Jeremy LB

44 McIntosh, Rocky LB

45 Orakpo, Brian LB

46 Riley, Perry LB

47 Wilson, Chris LB/DE

I figure the following stick for sure:

38 Alexander, Lorenzo LB

39 Blades, H.B. LB

40 Carter, Andre LB

41 Fletcher, London LB

43 Jarmon, Jeremy LB

44 McIntosh, Rocky LB

45 Orakpo, Brian LB

That would mean one or more of these would be cut so let me try this again:

42 Henson, Robert LB

46 Riley, Perry LB

47 Wilson, Chris LB/DE

So if I make those trimmings it pairs down to 50:

1 McNabb, Donovan QB

2 Grossman, Rex QB

3 Brennan, Colt QB

4 Williams, Trent OT

5 Heyer, Stephon OT

6 Capers, Selvish OT

7 Dockery, Derrick G

8 Hicks, Artis G

9 Rinehart, Chad G/T

10 Williams, Mike G/T

11 Rabach, Casey C

12 Williams, Edwin C

13 Portis, Clinton RB

14 Johnson, Larry RB

15 Parker, Willie RB

16 Sellers, Mike FB

17 Morris, Dennis TE

18 Cooley, Chris TE

19 Davis, Fred TE

20 Moss, Santana WR

21 Thomas, Devin WR

22 Kelly, Malcolm WR

23 Mitchell, Marko WR

24 Austin, Terrence WR

25 Bidwell, Josh P

26 Sundberg, Nick LS

27 Gano, Graham K

28 Golston, Kedric DT

29 Haynesworth, Albert DT

30 Carriker, Adam DE

31 Daniels, Phillip DE

32 Bryant, Anthony NT

33 Green, Howard NT

34 Kemoeatu, Maake NT

35 Alexander, Lorenzo LB

36 Blades, H.B. LB

37 Carter, Andre LB

38 Fletcher, London LB

39 Jarmon, Jeremy LB

40 McIntosh, Rocky LB

41 Orakpo, Brian LB

42 Barnes, Kevin CB

43 Buchanon, Phillip CB

44 Hall, DeAngelo CB

45 Rogers, Carlos CB

46 Tryon, Justin CB

47 Doughty, Reed S

48 Horton, Chris S

49 Landry, LaRon S

50 Moore, Kareem S

The break down then is:

QB 3

OL 9

RB 3

FB 1

TE 3

WR 5

DT 2

NT 3

DE 2

LB 7

CB 5

S 4

ST 3

Total: 50

So where do you add pieces another Safety or Corner, another backer or DL another OL or WR, or do we keep 2 FBs or 4 RBs??

Offense: 24

Defense: 23

Special Teams: 3

So you got 3 Slots left if you make those trimings of course maybe you can use those 3 spots to bring in someone else?

[pvkeeper19]

I think this also depends on just how much 3-4 we're going to run. I'm not sure why everyone is talking about the switch like it's a foregone conclusion. I haven't seen or heard anything (maybe I missed an important press conference?) that convinces me the 3-4 will be anything more than an occasional package. Jim Haslett's never been a 3-4 coordinator, for starters. Second, our existing roster doesn't lend itself to a 3-4 base defense. We haven't done a lot to address that and seem to be relying heavily on guys we already have switching to new roles, which doesn't foreshadow much success running a 3-4.

Either way, there are a lot of D-linemen and linebackers in this projection who are going to get cut.

[CapitalDefense]

You're definitely keeping too many linebackers. Also, 6 DTs? Not a chance.

Robert Henson will probably get cut. I'd also count on a veteran guy not to make the team, maybe Chris Wilson and/or Lorenzo Alexander.

Bingo, no way do we keep 6 DT's

[Veretax]

Jim Haslett's never been a 3-4 coordinator, for starters. Second, our existing roster doesn't lend itself to a 3-4 base defense. We haven't done a lot to address that and seem to be relying heavily on guys we already have switching to new roles, which doesn't foreshadow much success running a 3-4.

Either way, there are a lot of D-linemen and linebackers in this projection who are going to get cut.

Haslett was a 3-4 Def Coord in pittsburg 97-99 I believe. I think the change is going to happen, the question is who do you keep how many on the front 7?

[Veretax]

Bingo, no way do we keep 6 DT's

Are you lumping the NTs in with DTs or the DEs?

Second of all I'm okay with not keeping 6 of two of those, the question is who. If you lump them all together then I grow concerned about depth on the DL (Yes even knowing that in a pinch Carter, Orakpo or possibly wilson can put their hand in the dirt (Although I think I didn't include Wilson on my list))

[HRNY4ZRNY]

That was easy here are your cuts:

23 Hagans, Marques WR

42 Henson, Robert LB

54 Holmes, Lendy S

[HRNY4ZRNY]

Hagans, Henson and Holmes

Triple H is leaving the building...

[Adam291]

If we're one player over the limit, we can always move Haynesworth to the practice squad to learn how to be a NT.

[2STaylor1]

i think tryon is a gonner

[Veretax]

Yeah that thought occurred to me too that Tryon is probably gone. Either him or moore I expect to get the axe this year, depending on injuries which you never can predict.

Needless to say it should be an interesting camp

[Coral]

I think RB Ryan Torain will make it.

We didn't draft any RBs and he is a favorite of Coach Mike's...

[Enter Apotheosis]

There's a lot that seems out of balance to me in these projections. Shanahan has certain tendencies that are hard to overlook, namely that he carries at least four RBs on his roster. To make room for the extra RB he usually carries only ~8 offensive linemen. The numbers on defense also just don't seem right if we're running a hybrid scheme.

I suppose if I had to take a stab at what I'd expect to see the roster look like if we were to get down to 53 tomorrow it would look something like this:

QB - McNabb

QB - Grossman

QB - Brennan

RB - Portis

RB - Johnson

RB - Parker

RB - Alridge

RB - Torain

FB/TE - Morris

TE - Cooley

TE - Davis

TE - Ryan

WR - Moss

WR - Thomas

WR - Kelly

WR - Mitchell

WR - Austin

WR - R. Williams

T - T. Williams

T - Hicks

T - Heyer

G - M. Williams

G - Dockery

C/G - E. Williams

C/G - Lichtensteiger

C - Rabach

DE - Daniels

DE - Carriker

DE - Golston

DE - Montgomery

NT/DE - Haynesworth

NT - Kemoeatu

NT - Green

OLB - Orakpo

OLB - Carter

OLB - Wilson

OLB - Alexander

OLB - Jarmon

ILB - Fletcher

ILB - Riley

ILB - Blades

ILB - McIntosh

ILB - Henson

CB - Rogers

CB - Hall

CB - Buchanon

CB - Barnes

CB - Tryon

CB - McCauley

S - Landry

S - Horton

S - Doughty

S - Moore

K - Graham Gano

P - Josh Bidwell

LS - Nick Sundberg

Yes, I realize the total is 56. I did it intentionally to highlight (in red) what spots are in flux depending on who the coaches like, particularly on special teams. I listed players defensively based on where they'd fit in the 3-4 as it was just easier than to accommodate both fronts.

[mi6]

I agree with what most folks have posted ...

Here's my take.

1/ Mike Sellers, should be gone. He is old, and a wasted roster spot.

2/ Carlos Rogers, needs to go. I know some folks here love him. But, with the addition of Philip B., Carlos becomes disposible. Besides, we need to get Kevin Barnes on the field.

3/ Robert Henson unfortunately will be caught up in the numbers game.

[Veretax]

I agree with what most folks have posted ...

Here's my take.

1/ Mike Sellers, should be gone. He is old, and a wasted roster spot.

2/ Carlos Rogers, needs to go. I know some folks here love him. But, with the addition of Philip B., Carlos becomes disposible. Besides, we need to get Kevin Barnes on the field.

3/ Robert Henson unfortunately will be caught up in the numbers game.

I kind of agree with the assessment here. If any of the guys we've brought in can produce as well as Sellars then he should be cut. And its possible that young guy we drafted might be worth it, but I have a feeling he'll hang around at least one last year.

Henson, I'm not sure he fits anywhere and like you said its a numbers game. (Funny when you look at who is at LB that suddenly we seem to have a surplus)

As for Rogers, I think he stays, I want barnes on the field too, but he's a decent cover corner, but who knows there.

[terpfan]

Here we go, my first, super long-winded, way too early attempt at dissecting the 53-man roster. For now I see this breaking down as 25 offense, 25 defense, and 3 special teams. Here are my predictions and overall thoughts.

QB(3): D. McNabb, R. Grossman, C. Brennan

- This seems like an easy position to call. You've got the Pro Bowl starter, the veteran backup with starting experience, and the developmental third stringer. We've got Bartel and may bring in another camp arm, but I don't see anyone really pushing Brennan for the 3rd spot.

RB(4): C. Portis, L. Johnson, W. Parker, R. Torain

- This will be an interesting competition. Shanahan has said he expects us to keep all three veteran rushers, and I see no reason not to believe him. I think we have an extra offensive roster spot to work with right now that could maybe go toward an extra FB/TE or OL, but right now I'll use it on a 4th RB to add some youth to the group. Torain was on the fast track to starting under Shanny in Denver, so he probably has the edge unless Alridge really impresses as a returner.

FB(1): M. Sellers

- People are already calling for Sellers to be replaced by Morris, but I think he hangs on for at least one more year even if the rookie makes the squad. Big Mike catches the ball well out of the backfield and is an ace on special teams.

TE(3): C. Cooley, F. Davis, D. Morris

- Cooley and Davis should see the field together a lot this season. I'm excited to see how McNabb uses them. I could have slotted Morris in at FB, he will probably see time at both positions. Sean Ryan is a great blocker and had a good year with Kansas City in '09, I could see him making the team as well.

WR(5): S. Moss, D. Thomas, M. Kelly, M. Mitchell, T. Austin

- I'm really excited to see if Thomas and Kelly can make that leap in their 3rd years. It will be fun to see Mitchell get a legitimate shot at some playing time too in his second year. Hopefully Austin can become that return man we so badly need, that's his best shot at making the squad over Roydell Williams and Marques Hagans.

OL(9): Trent Williams,D. Dockery, C. Rabach, M. Williams, A. Hicks, S. Heyer, C. Rinehart, E. Williams, S. Capers

- At the moment I have the rookie Erik Cook and former Bronco Korey Lichtensteiger on the outside looking in. I think Edwin Williams makes the team if he can prove his worth as a true backup center. The staff seems to like Mike Williams at guard and Hicks is a lock due to his versatility. Capers may be wishful thinking at this point, but he seems like a perfect fit in the zone blocking system. Chad Rinehart is going to have to prove himself all over again if he wants to stick around. It's nice having some young depth here to battle for those last few spots.

NT(3): M. Kemoeatu, A. Montgomery, A. Bryant

- Kemoeatu's health will be a HUGE (no pun intended) factor in the success of our defense this year. I'm not sure how Monty will fit into this defense but I'll leave him on the roster for now. I think we will want at least one other true NT on the roster, so Anthony Bryant and Howard Green are going to have a chance at making the team.

DE(4): A. Haynesworth, A. Carriker, K. Golston, P. Daniels

- There isn't a lot of competition here but I feel good about the guys we have. I think Albert could absolutely dominate as a 3-4 end. Carriker supposedly fits the role well and is still young enough to have some real potential. Golston is a hardworker who is effective in a DL rotation and Daniels provides veteran leadership and good run defense.

OLB(5): B. Orakpo, A. Carter, C. Wilson, L. Alexander, J. Jarmon

- Orakpo should be an absolute beast off the edge. Carter did not fair well as a 3-4 OLB in San Francisco, but he's adequate at worst. I think Chris Wilson actually has a lot of potential in this system and could end up starting. Alexander and Jarmon are big question marks to me. I like what each of them brings to the table but I'm not sure how either really fit in the 3-4.

ILB(4): L. Fletcher, R. McIntosh, H.B. Blades, P. Riley

- It remains to be seen how well Rocky will transition to the 3-4 (and if he even shows up to camp - I think he will). Blades provides some depth. There isn't much in the way of veteran depth after those three though so I think Perry Riley shouldn't have much trouble making the squad. Henson has an outside shot.

CB(5): D. Hall, C. Rogers, P. Buchanon, K. Barnes, J. Tryon

- The starters are solid. Hopefully Buchanon can be a decent nickel corner. Barnes needs to step up after an ineffective rookie season. I don't think Tryon is in too much danger of getting cut yet.

S(4): L. Landry, R. Doughty, C. Horton, K. Moore

- Doughty and Horton will compete for a starting spot next to Landry. We will still have issues with the deep ball with this group though. I would love to see us sign a veteran center-field type. (Darren Sharper I'm looking at you).

LS(1): N. Sundberg

- Only long snapper on the roster at the moment.

K(1): G. Gano

- Should have the edge over Justin Medlock.

P(1): J. Bidwell

- Solid. I miss Hunter the punter though...

[datdood2121]

QB- McNabb

QB- Grossman

QB- Brennan

RB- Portis

RB- Johnson

RB- Alridge

RB- Torain

FB- Morris

TE- Cooley

TE- Davis

TE- Ryan

WR- Moss

WR- Thomas

WR- Kelly

WR- Mitchell

WR- Austin

OT- T.Williams

OG/OT- Hicks

OT- Heyer

OT- Capers

OG- Dockery

OG- M. Williams

OG- Rinehart

C- Rabach

C- Lichtensteiger

DE- Haynesworth

DE- Daniels

DE- Carriker

DE- Golston

NT- Kemoeatu

NT- Green

NT- Montgomery

OLB- Orakpo

OLB- Carter

OLB- Alexander

OLB- Wilson

OLB- Jarmon

ILB- Fletcher

ILB- McIntosh

ILB- Blades

ILB- Riley

CB- Hall

CB- Rogers

CB- Buchanon

CB- Tryon

CB- Barnes

S- Landry

S- Horton

S- Doughty

S- Moore

K- Gano

P- Bidwell

LS- Sundberg

[clskinsfan]

Either Portis, Johnson or Parker is gone. I dont see us keeping 3 veteren RB's on the roster. I think Tryon makes it. He played much better in the second half of last year. Carlos may be gone.

[terpfan]

C- Lichtensteiger

Hmm I thought he was a guard. This makes more sense and I probably would take him over Williams at the moment.

[TotalRecall]

I was looking over how some media folks thought about the draft.

Atlanta still needs a DE to compliment Abraham, who isn't the same DE as he was.

Maybe we can trade away Jarman or Carter, who don't really fit in a 3-4 scheme, to the Falcons. Getting some draft picks is way better than just cutting them, putting them on special teams, or keeping them on the sidelines.

And I know a lot of people still hold a candle for Brennan, but I have a feeling he's gone. He's dead weight.