CSN: Shanahan and Company Start to Crunch Numbers

[Oldskool]

By Rich Tandler

Redskins Blogger

CSNwashington.com

Cutting an NFL roster down to the in-season limit is a zero sum game.

For every player who is celebrating and accepting congratulatory phone calls and text messages after nailing down one of the highly-coveted 53 jobs there is another one, now an ex-player, making plans to go home and wondering if and when he will get another chance.

From the team’s perspective, each player kept at one position means that there is one fewer that can be kept at another position. The Redskins’ coach staff has been grappling with the numbers game for several weeks now and the final decision is due on Saturday.

Most NFL teams keep three specialists, a kicker, a punter, and a long snapper, and split the other 50 evenly between the offense and defense although as we will see that’s not necessarily a hard and fast rule.

On their current 75-man roster, the Redskins have no competition at any of the three specialist positions with kicker Graham Gano, punter Josh Bidwell, and snapper Nick Sundberg being the only ones on the roster in their positions.

Of the remaining 72 players, 38 are offensive players and 34 are on defense. That means that several more players on offense will be getting bad news in the next couple of days than will those who play defense.

Here is a close up look at the numbers game on each side of the ball and a look at whose stock went up or down on Thursday in the preseason finale against the Cardinals:

For the rest of the article, see: http://www.csnwashington.com/09/03/10/Shanahan-and-Company-Start-to-Crunch-Num/landing.html?blockID=303532&feedID=272

[zoony]

I have been very impressed with the speed of our reserve skill positions. Not just WR's, but Olineman getting downfield

Going to be some very tough choices for sure. And maybe even a few coin flips.

[tshile]

how the hell can heyer still be on the list of people to keep.

I'd rather have capers and someone else. we've seen all there is to see about heyer. i'd rather see them take a gamble on someone else than keep replaying the same movie...

[Hitman21ST]

how the hell can heyer still be on the list of people to keep.

I'd rather have capers and someone else. we've seen all there is to see about heyer. i'd rather see them take a gamble on someone else than keep replaying the same movie...

Say what you want about him, but he is versatile. Both Tackles, at least one guard.

[Clutch03]

how the hell can heyer still be on the list of people to keep.

I'd rather have capers and someone else. we've seen all there is to see about heyer. i'd rather see them take a gamble on someone else than keep replaying the same movie...

I disagree. Heyer has had a surprisingly good preseason. We could practice squad Capers. But if one if our tackles were to go down would you really want Capers to have to come in this year? I sure don't. I'll take the guy with NFL starts under his belt.

[tshile]

Say what you want about him, but he is versatile. Both Tackles, at least one guard.

...

i don't care if he can play every position in all 3 phases of the game. if he's awful at every one then it's a moot point.

I disagree. Heyer has had a surprisingly good preseason. We could practice squad Capers. But if one if our tackles were to go down would you really want Capers to have to come in this year? I sure don't. I'll take the guy with NFL starts under his belt.

i haven't seen him look good in preseason yet. to be fair id idn't catch all of the first two games.

i had no idea there were people that had any support for that kid anymore.

[Forehead]

Good read, but I was shocked at the number of mistakes in that article. Todd Lichtensteiger? Bobby Wane? Apparently we have four healthy strong safeties and no free safeties. Carriker and Haynesworth both playing at Left End?

Still, it does give a clearer picture of what will happen on Saturday. For the record, I don't believe for a second that Chris Wilson is in any danger.

[HailB&G]

Capers would certainly be huge gamble. He has really looked overmatched. No chance he makes the roster. Strong candidate for practice squad.

Heyer is safely on the roster as the backup RT. You can't change the roster completely in one offseason.

[Clutch03]

...

i don't care if he can play every position in all 3 phases of the game. if he's awful at every one then it's a moot point.

i haven't seen him look good in preseason yet. to be fair id idn't catch all of the first two games.

i had no idea there were people that had any support for that kid anymore.

Before the preseason started I would have agreed with you. But I've been watching him and he hasn't had any moments where I'm cursing at the screen. He's been relatively quite which is good for a tackle.

Capers on the other hand has had his moments. And I wouldn't feel comfortable relying on him to start at all this year even in a backup capacity. Now if we talking 2011 season that's a different story. So I say Heyer stays at least another season (like I really have a say)

[TD_washingtonredskins]

Capers would certainly be huge gamble. He has really looked overmatched. No chance he makes the roster. Strong candidate for practice squad.

Heyer is safely on the roster as the backup RT. You can't change the roster completely in one offseason.

I think Capers is too intriguing and has too much potential/upside to leave him unprotected. I think you can keep Capers and Heyer though.

[Oldskool]

...

i don't care if he can play every position in all 3 phases of the game. if he's awful at every then it's a moot point.

No one on this site has been harder on Highway 74 to the QB more than I have: I've stated that he's a fringe talent, that he went undrafted for a reason and that he shouldn't be a starter even for a UFL team.

Saying all of that he is the type of player that you keep in reserve on a team such as the Skins whose OL is in the process of rebuilding simply due to his versatility. The Skins will continue to replenish the OL next year with more talented players and by this time next year he will be having a sit down with The Turk.

[tshile]

Capers would certainly be huge gamble. He has really looked overmatched. No chance he makes the roster. Strong candidate for practice squad.

Heyer is safely on the roster as the backup RT. You can't change the roster completely in one offseason.

Before the preseason started I would have agreed with you. But I've been watching him and he hasn't had any moments where I'm cursing at the screen. He's been relatively quite which is good for a tackle.

Capers on the other hand has had his moments. And I wouldn't feel comfortable relying on him to start at all this year even in a backup capacity. Now if we talking 2011 season that's a different story. So I say Heyer stays at least another season (like I really have a say)

I haven't specifically watched capers. THe point I was making is that I honestly do see where or what Heyer can improve to... I feel like he's shown everything he has, or is capable of, to offer.

I'd rather take a gamble on someone else than keep around the same mediocre talent.

Of course there is obviously a difference of opinion on what Heyer's talent is between me and you guys, so we'll leave it at that

[HailB&G]

They are only keeping 9 O-linemen. Capers' upside may be very real, but it is totally not obvious based on the preseason games. The Redskins are the only team that have seen whatever strides he has made in practice. I would be overwhelmingly shocked if anyone poached Capers (or Banks for that matter) before he could be placed on the practice squad.

[SkinsTerps26]

shanny was an ******* yesterday leaving AH out there for the full game.

[Hitman21ST]

Capers would certainly be huge gamble. He has really looked overmatched. No chance he makes the roster. Strong candidate for practice squad.

Heyer is safely on the roster as the backup RT. You can't change the roster completely in one offseason.

He didn't look too bad. Against Jason Taylor he held his own. And we're experimenting with him at guard, which he is willing to learn to get a spot. Take his raw talent at blocking, and give him inside and outside help, and he could be one rock solid guard. He's bigger than most other guards, which means he should be able to take on almost all DTs with little help.

[Hitman21ST]

shanny was an ******* yesterday leaving AH out there for the full game.

He was making sure AH could play a whole game. He knows what he's doing.

[jflow78]

Man, I really hope Henson is okay. He was all over the place last night, really impressed me. It would be really rough on him not to make the 53 after his performance this preseason.

Other than that, I have no clue what they're doing. I think Bryant makes the team if they want AH playing DE. I hope that's the case anyway.

Does anyone know what time cuts are due to happen on Saturday?

EDIT: tshile, I agreed with you before the preseason games, but after watching them all, Heyer has been one of our better backups. That doesn't say much, but we're very thin and keeping more youth because they're younger might be a really bad idea if injuries start to mount. Currently Heyer is probably our best option if Brown goes down.

[Oldskool]

shanny was an ******* yesterday leaving AH out there for the full game.

You're joking, right? :doh: He needed to have as many reps as possible in the last 2 games in order to be in cardiovascular condition so that he could start week 1.

This is what happens and what needs to be done when you don't show to mini camps and don't practice.

[zoony]

anyone else think it is funny that Kiper had Selvish Capers as one of the top olineman in the draft at one point

[tshile]

shanny was an ******* yesterday leaving AH out there for the full game.

i think thats the whole 'show me you can play a whole game' thing.... and to be honest, i'm happy he did it.

i don't want a repeate of last year where it's 1 play here and then, and rest/injury in between.

[Hitman21ST]

They are only keeping 9 O-linemen. Capers' upside may be very real, but it is totally not obvious based on the preseason games. The Redskins are the only team that have seen whatever strides he has made in practice. I would be overwhelmingly shocked if anyone poached Capers (or Banks for that matter) before he could be placed on the practice squad.

With the troubles that the Cowboys O line has seen, and with Caper's knowledge of the offense, I wouldn't be surprised if Dallas picked him up if we PS'd him.

[TD_washingtonredskins]

anyone else think it is funny that Kiper had Selvish Capers as one of the top olineman in the draft at one point

Why funny?

[jflow78]

He was making sure AH could play a whole game. He knows what he's doing.

Not to mention I never once saw AH on a knee breathing hard. Nice to see he can stay on his feet for 60 minutes.

[zoony]

wouldn't you think AH could be a little more dominant against 3rd stringers?

[authentic]

how the hell can heyer still be on the list of people to keep.

I'd rather have capers and someone else. we've seen all there is to see about heyer. i'd rather see them take a gamble on someone else than keep replaying the same movie...

Heyer has actually played pretty solid this PS. I must admit, I wanted him cut earlier in the offseason, but he as surprised me. Hopefully he keeps it up in the event that we need him in a pinch.