So I'm interested in figuring out where the roster battles will be. I figure these guys are likely to make the final roster barring injury:
QB - Rivers, Clemens
RB - Gordon, Woodhead, Oliver
FB - Johnson
WR - Allen, Floyd, Johnson, Jones
TE - Gates, Green, Phillips
OT - Dunlap, Fluker, Barksdale
G - Franklin, Troutman
C - Watt, Robinson
DT - Carrethers, Lissemore, Unrein
DE - Liuget, Mathews, Reyes
OLB - Ingram, Attaochu, Williams
ILB - Teo, Butler, Perryman, Conner
CB - Flowers, Verrett, Robinson, Mager
S - Weddle, Wilson, Addae, Stuckey
PK - Novak
P - Scifres
LS - Windt
That is 44 players, leaving 9 spots for everyone else. IMO that probably breaks down something like this:
1 RB - Likely Brown, unfortunately.
1 WR - I expect Ingram to secure his roster spot as the #4 WR.
2 OL - I think Hairston will claim one of these spots, not sure about the other... Wiggins or Sirles?
2 DL - Presumably 2 of Philon, Palepoi, and Square. Would love to see another free agency signing here, but not expecting it. I suspect Philon has an edge since he is young and viewed as a project with good upside.
1 OLB - This is Emanuel's to win.
2 DB - I expect Williams to make it. Can Davis hold off the others? Davis adds versatility in the return game, but that may not help him with the Jones signing.
I suppose Pettis or Titus Davis could surprise and push the team to 6 WRs in its final 53. If the team goes with 6 WRs, I guess that implies 1 fewer OL, DL, or DB than I show here. Given the injuries last season at OL and CB, IMO it would be tough to go with a 6th WR over a 9th OL or 10th DB.
Thoughts?
No one ever commented on this. Any thoughts?
Barksdale was signed after this post, so made a couple changes above.
BFTB says this should be the final 53:
QB - Rivers,
Clemens,
Sorenson
RB - Gordon, Woodhead, Oliver
FB - Johnson
WR - Allen, Floyd, Johnson,
Jones,
Inman,
Herndon,
Williams
TE - Gates, Green,
Phillips,
Miller
OL - Dunlap, Fluker, Barksdale, Franklin,
Troutman, Watt, Robinson,
Sirles,
Hairston,
Wiggins
DL - Carrethers, Lissemore, Unrein, Liuget, Mathews, Reyes,
Philon,
Square
OLB - Ingram, Attaochu,
Williams,
Emmanuel,
Law,
Mueller
ILB - Teo, Butler, Perryman, Conner,
Dzubnar
CB - Flowers, Verrett, Robinson, Mager,
Williams
S - Weddle, Wilson, Addae, Stuckey
PK - Novak
P - Scifres
LS - Windt
This shows 54 players, because it shows Gates, who won't count against the 53 man roster during his suspension.
Notably, this roster would mean the team cuts Clemens, Jacoby Jones, and Donald Brown. I expect Jones and Brown to make the final roster, presumably instead of WR Herndon and WR Williams. Not sure about Clemens. As the author points out, Clemens and Sorenson have both been terrible, but Clemens costs a lot more. My guess is the team will keep Clemens based on his experience.
That leaves Troutman and Tourek Williams to resolve. Supposedly Troutman will be back in a few weeks, which suggests they will keep him on the active roster, and someone else has to go. Then maybe Williams goes on IR, whether designated to return or not.
Reaction?