53 Man Roster and Training Camp Battles

What about Artrell Hawkins?

Was he the one they was on the team for like two days? Or was that someone else?

Was he the one they was on the team for like two days? Or was that someone else?
That was Cory Hall I think, but about moving Cartwright, I think that Sellers maybe safe only because of how the coaching staff likes him on special teams. I agree that he made bone headed plays at times, but if Portis gets hurt who do we use to give Betts a break during games? I think that we will have 3 RB's or at least a RB on the practice squad...

What about Artrell Hawkins?

You think they'd get rid of that many????

They may be able to stash Wilds and/or Brown on the practice roster, but yes - I don't see them keeping more then 8 DB's on the main roster. If they keep only 8, then a lot of guys will be cut [or mysteriously injured so that they can try again next year - Odds on Ade getting a "high ankle sprain" in the last week of camp?].

We just have a glut of [presumably] capable players at the DB positions. While the same could be said about H-back and LB, it seems to me that, because of the versatility inherent in both those positions, the DB's will be the position that gets shorted. If you keep 10 DB's, where you gonna find two more spots? Rather keep 3 each of solid S's and CB's and have a couple of DB's that can do double duty as CB/S (and if they can play special teams, all the better).

Again, those back end LB's are either A) developmental players like Chris Clemons, McCune, Jared Newberry, Clifton Smith or B) special teamers like Khary Campbell. Of the LB's originally listed, I think the only sure cut is Brian Allen and possibly Newberry. (Campbell is one of those probably competing out of position against folks like Ade or Sellers)

As for Hawkins, doesn't he play safety also? or is he a pure CB. If the former, he will probably make the team creating a real log jam for the eighth (assuming Taylor, Bowen, Prioleau, Springs, Harris, Rogers are locks) or possibly ninth spot (assuming one less H-Back, O-Line or LB spot).

I dunno, I can't see Gregg Williams letting Garnell Wilds go. He's the 4th coverage guy on the team behind Rogers. Remember, he did quite well against Moss last year, and given that Rogers has a foot problem I can't see Williams letting him go.

We had Springs, Smoot and Harris last year, and we still needed to play a 4th cover corner against the Vikings. Guys get hurt, so I think Williams will be prepared for that.

I think Gregg Williams' need for strong corners on D trumps any concerns about special teams. When listing priorities, not to downplay the importance of special teams because it is important, but in our scheme having that 4th cover guy is more important.

The only way Wilds gets let go in my opinion, is if GW is comfortable with having one of the safeties be the 4th corner. He really likes roster flexibility, so if he finds a safety he feels comfortable using as a cover guy, then maybe Wilds becomes expendable. But do we have anybody like that? I gotta wonder if the Lotts, Clarks, Bowens, or Prioleaus can fill that role.

I dunno, I can't see Gregg Williams letting Garnell Wilds go. He's the 4th coverage guy on the team behind Rogers. Remember, he did quite well against Moss last year, and given that Rogers has a foot problem I can't see Williams letting him go.

I think Gregg Williams' need for strong corners on D trumps any concerns about special teams. When listing priorities, not to downplay the importance of special teams because it is important, but in our scheme having that 4th cover guy is more important.

The only way Wilds gets let go in my opinion, is if GW is comfortable with having one of the safeties be the 4th corner.

I hear you on the Wilds issue. I agree - Williams likes him and I think he has a good shot at the team. BUT, like I said earlier, I think he may get lost in a numbers crunch.

After thinking about it some more I came up with my own adaption of your chart:

QB: 3 - Ramsey, Brunell, Campbell
WR: 4 - Moss, Jacobs, Patten, McCants/Dyson
TB: 2 - Portis, Betts
FB: 1 - Broughton
HB/TE: 3 - Cooley, Royal, White
O Line: 5 - Jansen, Thomas, Rabach, Dockery, Samuels
O Line Back Ups: 3 - Ray Brown; (For 2 spots): Molinaro/Wilson/Friedman
CUT: Raymer
TOTAL OFFENSIVE ROSTER SPOTS – 21

DE: 2 - Wynn, Daniels,
DT: 3 - Griffin, Salavea'a, Noble
DL Back Ups: 2- Evans/Warner/Boschetti
LB: 5 - Arrington, Washington, Marshall, Holdman, McCune
S: 3 - Taylor, Bowen, Prioleau (ST)
CB: 3 - Springs, Harris, Rogers
Back-Up DB's: 2 - Lott/Dixon/Clark/Hawkins

TOTAL DEFENSIVE ROSTER SPOTS – 20

Specialists: 3 - Tupa, Albright, Hall/Chandler
Special Teams (Locks): 3 - Jimoh (CB), Thrash (WR), Brown (WR)
Special Teams (For 6 Spots): - Allen (LB)/ Newberry (LB)/ Campbell (LB)/ Sellers (HB/TE)/ Cartwright (TB)/ Wilds (CB) /Brown (CB)/ Clemons LB)/ C. Smith (LB)

TOTAL SPECIAL TEAMS SPOTS – 12

For those guys not listed in the Special Teams battle (i.e. McCants/Dyson), I suspect that if they don't win their position battle they will not make the team.

For those listed in the Special Teams battle, I suspect that they make the team regardless of their position IF they outplay others for an ST slot. Otherwise they will need to significantly outplay people at their position to make the team.

Priealou is a bit of a special case as he was signed specifically for Special Teams but is also an experienced starting safety - because of his versatility I see him as a lock.

Also, I think you're right Schneed - Wilds is probably in the mix both as a special teamer and back-up DB. But if one of the back-up DB's can fill the S/CB role, than Wilds only chance of making the team is to be a big special teams contributor. If that is true, he kinda becomes Ade Jimoh, Jr.

i think wilds, and lott (if healthy) are lock ups. i wouldnt be suprised to see good ol' bowen gone. dare i say this is the year ade goes??? And what about ryan clark? his durability last year, and a year in williams defense shoudl give him a leg up, maybe practice squad?
i really believe that lott will stay because of his versatility, can play safety or corner with ease.
what do you guys think of the hammer??? will Mcune make the team?

probably.
what about him?
yup.
I like him
yes.

As far as our defense goes, I understand what you guys are talking about that Williams likes a lot of LBs since they play a huge role in his schemes. However, I think that DBs are the most important part of our D. Without great coverage downfield, GW would not be able to blitz our LBs and develop all the creative plays in his playbook. Since we really dont have that elite pass rusher on the D-line, we need our corners and safetys to cover opposing receivers for a long period of time (which happened a lot last year when we got sacks after 5 or 6 seconds). Not only are DBs important in terms of being able to cover receivers, but GW loves blitzing them as well. Remember, Springs led our team in sacks and Bowen picked up 2 in his only game played. Basically what I'm trying to say is that I could see us keeping 9 or 10 backs and maybe 6 LBs or so (our LB corps is very deep so the 6 that make it will be more than capable) as opposed to 8 DBs and 9 or 10 LBs.

I agree with vishskins. Secondary is primary in this case. Smart athletic linebackers are important, but, we did have 2 backups playing in the linebacker slots all year last year and did great. If we were to have to resort to backups at the linebacker positions... no big deal... we just keep the best 8 we got that will contribute on STs as well. If we have a breakdown in our secondary we will be seeing a lot more games lost and the defense will deteriorate. Centerfield safety, nickel, linebacker blitzes, secondary blitzes, and even defensive line stunts rely on a talented secondary and we do go up against teams with great recievers.