The Poor Man's Roster Analysis

The only nits I’ll pick are with the WRs. I don’t think Hass has any PS eligibility left – he’s been in the league 2 years.

I’d put Taylor in the “solid” category. He seems to be the first one off the bench when the coaches send in the reserves. He’s had a very solid showing for himself, and he’s still young enough to where you can chalk ‘08 up as shock from being dropped in the fire so soon, but he’s learned from it and improved. Obo, on the other hand, seems to have regressed a bit. He’s been plagued by some lazy route running and other “effort” mistakes that I don’t think are going to sit well with the coaches come cut-down time.

I have no idea who gets that 6th spot. Payne? Even though kent hasn’t made those necessary steps as a WR, I could still see him getting it because of ST ability.

Bennett has outperformed him, and John Morgan himself has wondered whether or not he will be cut.

with Bryant looking strong and Bennett continually impressing Terrill should be worried. Everything else on the list looked pretty much spot on though, just seeing our offensive line listed out makes me sad.

He’s got Teflon hands and only passes by because he’s athletic.

I’d put Bumpus ahead of him in my roster.

But then again I don’t know where to stick him.

Up to this point, I’ve been concentrating too much on other battles to notice exactly when Fisher’s been getting sent in, how many snaps he’s been getting, or what position he’s getting them at.

But my gut feeling is that he should be Tru’s temporary replacement. He fits the scheme. Drafted into Lovie Smith’s version of the cover-2. Played in Marinelli’s version of it. He used to impress me when he was with the Rams – small but tough, sorta Josh Wilson-esque and he had ball skills. You just have to wonder where the decline came from. Was it mainly injury-related in St. Louis? And how do you figure out individual responsibility for the train-wreck that was Detroit last year?

But at any rate, Fisher at least seems to have the skillset you look for in a zone CB, as opposed to Jennings, who’s just seems totally miscast.

Tough to put a former 1st rounder on the bubble, especially when he’s flashed quality skills at certain points. But Jennings, IMO, just needs to be on a team that utilizes his strengths – not put him in a scheme that continually highlights his weaknesses, like ours tends to do.

*Can we afford to drop Vallos with Unger on board and keep an additional DL or WR?
*Atkins or Bennett surely have to make it over Vallos or a WR.
*Can we lose Newton and keep DL or WR over him?

I’d hate to lose promising D-linemen or have a 3rd string backup center (Vallos) kept over either a Safety prospect (Adams/CJ/Greene) or D-lineman (Bennett/Atkins).

I have to think there must be a way to keep Will Herring…

Great preseason so far, good special teamer, team seems to like him. Questions at the position is if you keep Laury on as #7, but he’s strictly a special teamer so I say give the spot to a talented defensive lineman.

I had my own version of it on spreadsheet and have been wringing my hands over who has to be cut. I hate to be a wet blanket, but Reeds hussle and stellar performance during 2 pre-season games reminds me of Forsett last year… just before they cut him. Reed is a demon at rushing the passer, but can he hold up against the run with Ryan Clady trying to pancake him?

Also, while Kent hasn’t impressed with receptions, yet, he has played very well as a gunner. In my mind that gives him the nod over the other bubble receivers.

Lastly, some other teams are going to cut quality players (Titans for example) and we may have to make room for 1-2 late pickups.

The O-line is in dismal shape. I read a report on Rotoworld that Willis has been hobbling with knee pain also. We may need Valos to play center if Unger has to take over right tackle. Thank God for Unger. We should have drafted 3 of him.

which means 8 bubble guys get in.

1. Courtney Taylor/Obo (Just one it seems?)
2. Joe Newton (3 TEs for goal line situations, no?)
3. Kyle Williams Nashon Goddard (Seems like we’d carry more depth than normal this year due to Walt and Spencer)
4. Mare/Coutu (hopefully just one!)
5. Will Herring. (He’s looked really good)
6. Adams/Greene/Wallace (Only enough space for one?)
7. Hobbs/Fischer (Just need one crappy junk heap CB)

Which leaves only one spot for Bennet and Atkins. I like both, but who from the list above would you leave out? Goddard?

at NorthwestFootball. McIntyre’s “way too early” roster projection:

QB (3): Hasselbeck, Wallace, Teel
RB (5): Jones, James, Forsett, Schmitt, Griffith
WR (6): Houshmandzadeh, Burleson, Branch, Butler, Taylor, Kent
TE (3): Carlson, Owens, Newton
OL (9): Jones, Sims, Spencer, Unger, Locklear, Willis, Wrotto, Vallos, Williams
DL (9): Kerney, Redding, Cole, Mebane, Jackson, Tapp, Terrill, Bryant, Reed
LB (7): Tatupu, Hill, Curry, Lewis, Hawthorne, Herring, Laury
DB (8): Trufant, Lucas, Grant, Russell, Wilson, Babineaux, Jennings, Wallace
ST (3): Mare, Ryan, Houser

Practice Squad: Moore, Bumpus, Morrah, Ramsey, Bennett, Philistin, Adams, Greene

I hope he’s right on Mare but fear the team favors Cuotu despite his limp-dick kickoffs. I will still be surprised if it’s Kent over Obo. If Bennett keeps playing like he has, he may get vultured by another team if they try to sneak him onto the PS.

and if it’s a close call between Atkins and Bennett, I’d prefer youth over experience. Neither should see much playing time anyway, barring several injuries, and I think Bennett’s upside is higher. As pointed out above, he probably won’t stick to our practice squad. I’m wondering if Atkins might have trade value. We took him in the 4th round in 2007 draft. I wonder if we could get our third rounder back next year.

I’d love to see us draft a stud DT in round 1 (Suh, McCoy) and move to a 3-4 with the front 3 being Mebane/Cole/Suh, the linebackers being Hill/Tatupu/Curry/Reed and the DB’s Trufant/Babs/Greene/Wilson.