Camp Battles- The journey to 53

I also think there's a pretty decent chance we look over roster cuts to find an OLinemen or two. We're better up front in a way (better fit at least with our starting 5) but our depth is putrid. We have no decent backup at T and our practical backup at C is our LG so we'd have to switch 2 positions in the case of one injury.

I just don't see Banks as taking a WR spot. He's a KR/special teams player who, if pressed, can play a little WR/Scatback. He has his own slot and makes the team. Period.

Austin makes it as a WR who can be a back up PR/KR.

If they keep six WR's, to me, it's Paul on the bubble. I just don't see Stallworth on the team - you don't keep Stallworth as the 4th WR over Austin. The only reason to keep Stallworth is to have available in the 4th WR slot where he would see playing time pretty much every game. He is not a developmental guy who may get on the field (the 5th/6th WR spots) and Anderson easily played well enough to hold onto his WR3 spot. I think Stallworth, good pro that he is, is just the odd man out in this scenario.

Hankerson makes the team. Period.

To me Paul has shown enough to keep around in the 6th WR position. He would be protected and possibly get some game time there but not be relied upon as a producer. Paul would probably not survive for a resign to practice squad, whereas as the Marcus White, Mo Hurt, Nield or B. Thompson some other back end player probably would.

Helu definitely has better speed than any of our backs. I think Royster is pretty clearly the slowest though. Not sure what you're seeing there. What Royster does is play the scheme...make a cut and get the yards. Not any break away play-making ability though. Torain is somewhat similar except he seems to burst a little better and pop runs quicker...leaving mroe chance to break a 20 yarder. I don't think Royster has shown enough that we need to worry about other teams getting him.

Hightower and Helu are obvi locks though. No way Helu doesn't make the roster at this point. It'd be pretty unfair to deny him a roster spot and not have given him a chance in the final game to show.

Clearly they were giving Royster a long look last night -- kinda tells me they hadn't made up their mind about him. Personally, I like him slightly better than Torain. That's about it. Torain has the edge as far as a big, short-yardage type back. He fits that mold better.

I'm with you on Helu; he has to make the roster.

WR is where the tough decisions are.

Guaranteed
Moss
Gaffney
Armstrong

Probable
Austin
Banks

Fighting for one spot
Hankerson
Stalworth


At least that's my read.

You don't think Armstrong falls into the "probable" category? He could be close as far as I can tell. Even with the stupid celebratory flip of the ball as he crossed the endzone last night, in my mind Banks solidified his rightful spot on the roster and silenced his doubters. He gives you a dimension that most teams just don't have.

Hankerson -- they're not going to roll out a 3rd round pick to the street in the garbage can. Not after one camp. Based on that alone, he's guaranteed.

It's going to be Moss, Gaffney, Austin, Banks, Hankerson, and probably Armstrong.

I just don't see Banks as taking a WR spot. He's a KR/special teams player who, if pressed, can play a little WR/Scatback. He has his own slot and makes the team. Period.

You're right, of course. Anyone who is counting WR's should leave Banks out. He is a KR. Put him in the ST category. Has he even lined up at WR during the preseason? I don't think so. Any player at any position could be cut to make room for him.

Also, anyone who thinks that Banks might not make this team needs to get a checkup from the neck up. He may be the most explosive player in the NFL. He will make this team.

Banks better be on the roster. Its not even close between say Austin, Armstrong, Paul. I mean is laughable how far apart it is when it comes to the return game.

Sooo Banks may not make the team right?
It was a sweet run....he stays healthy...man that kid is electric. In a PREseason game they kicked away from him the rest of the night. HOW long have we waited for that?
HTTR

Big key for Banks will be how his knee holds up today and tomorrow before cuts. If healthy he's a lock

Cutting Banks would be assinine. I don't care if he misses practice all season with that knee. When he suits up he's the most dangerous weapon on the team. Austin is compitent fielding the kicks but our return game goes from dynamic to ordinary without Banks. If Banks counts as a WR then we need to keep 7. Cut the 3rd QB or keep one less TE or FB.

Big key for Banks will be how his knee holds up today and tomorrow before cuts. If healthy he's a lock

He's still not 100%, but as long as he's healthy enough to play, and he sure looked like it last night, yeah he's a lock.