A thought about roster spots

by Badical Turbo Radness on Aug 6, 2008 7:54 PM PDT

Long time reader, first time poster

There's somtehing I've been pondering for a while and wanted to hear some other opinions. With all the talk about roster spots and position battles, I've been thinking about our TE situation. Heller and Carlson are locks to make the team. Putzier and Newton are battling for the last spot, but neither of them have seemed steller. Newton sounds raw, and Putzier is a journeyman who got kicked off the practice field during one session for dropped passes. Could we keep only 2 TEs and use that roster spot somewhere else? Would that be a good idea? The reasons to keep the 3rd TE I would assume are in game injuries and 3 TE sets. If we had an injury we could just go to more 4 WR sets during that game, like we did last year when we didn't have a true recieving TE. Plus, Newton can be placed on the PS to be activated if there are any long term injuries. I don't think we run many 3 TE sets, but we could just use a backup lineman instead of the 3rd TE.

Keeping only 2 TEs means we could keep a player like Jamar Adams (unless he beats CJ Wallace outright), Justin Forsett, Owen Schmitt, or Jordan Kent. We would have an extra roster spot at a position where we usually keep less. It would help us avoid trying to stash these young guys on the PS and potentially losing them. Plus I think that any of those players helps the team more than Putzier or Newton. Their contributions would most likely come on special teams. Adams and Schmitt should be worthy contributers in tackles, I would like to see Kent try to play gunner on punts and kick offs, and Forsett has been talked about as a return threat. I dont think Putzier or Newton could do any of those things better than the previously mentioned players. Do these other players offer more of a value than either of the extra TEs? Do we need 3 TEs? Interested to hear thoughts

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Forgive me if I am in error,

but a staple of the WCO is two tight end sets. If one goes down, you’re kinda doinked.

against Vegas reliever Casey Hoorelbeke, whose ancestors clearly couldn't spell Hurlbeck properly.

by Christian on Aug 6, 2008 9:47 PM PDT reply actions

3 TEs

I think you need three TEs, at least for when guys get tired or dinged up. Plus, TEs are usually pretty good blockers which mean they can help out on the kickoff return team more than many other positions.

Especially important if Carlson isn’t ready to start in week 1.

by UW Alex on Aug 7, 2008 12:23 AM PDT reply actions

Maybe

Remember that there could be other options out there if Carlson or Heller get hurt like putting Weaver in at TE (where he played in college, but hasn’t played since), just putting Obomanu down there in the slot (which hurts the run game, but improves the pass) or even Ray Willis in some situations. Then in the week after one of them gets hurt, you could always bring back Newton from the practice squad. I would probably try to find a second TE for the practice squad as well though.

I guess I pretty much agree because Newton and Putzier would both be very comparable to whoever else you could go out and pick up from another practice squad.

by PascoJoe on Aug 7, 2008 8:26 AM PDT reply actions

All of this really hinged on Carlson being ready for week 1, which I think he will be. Holmgren seems pretty serious about Carlson learning his offense, and I think he will dumb it down a little if the young’n is having trouble grasping it. If Carlson was truly Holmy’s choice for TE, then Carlson will start, this being coach’s last year and all. Why be so vocal about drafting him to not play him? And if Jeremy Stevens can learn this offense…

As far as blocking, I figured a back up lineman could do just as well on kickoffs, or Schmitt who’s built like a lineman. And if 1 of your 2 TEs goes down then you would be screwed for that game, but only that game. I agree with Pasco that neither Putz or Newton present that much more value that any TE you could pick up mid season. There’s always Zack Alcorn.

I should be on my fifth weenie smoothie by now! You know how many I've had? Zero...

by Badical Turbo Radness on Aug 7, 2008 8:37 AM PDT reply actions

They've ran with 2 TE before

Last year and 2005 are examples. I hadn’t really thought about it until you mentioned it, but you’re right about getter better contributions on ST from players like Adams over Newton and Putzier. I wouldn’t be surprised if they did exactly what you’ve outlined here.

If they did want to go with a 3 TE set they could use Willis (or whichever lineman), like you mentioned. They did that with Ashworth quite a bit last year.

by Nate Dogg on Aug 7, 2008 3:29 PM PDT reply actions

I think this is a pretty solid idea.

Newton is pretty safe on the practice squad, Putz offers little as a blocker and Weaver and Schmitt both could sub in at TE in a pinch.

by John Morgan on Aug 7, 2008 3:37 PM PDT reply actions

Didn't we have 4 TEs in both 05 and 07?

05: Mili, Stevens, Hannam
07: Pollard, Heller, Joppru

I should be on my fifth weenie smoothie by now! You know how many I've had? Zero...

by Badical Turbo Radness on Aug 7, 2008 3:47 PM PDT reply actions

You mean three, right?

by xSAMx on Aug 7, 2008 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't think they were active

they were on the team, but they played very few games.

by Nate Dogg on Aug 7, 2008 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions

I did mean three

And even if they aren’t active, they still count for a roster spot. You get 53 roster spots, but only 45 players can be active on game day. 8 players out of your 53 don’t dress for the game and aren’t eligible to play, but they still count on your full roster.

I should be on my fifth weenie smoothie by now! You know how many I've had? Zero...

by Badical Turbo Radness on Aug 8, 2008 12:37 AM PDT reply actions