Camp Battles- The journey to 53

[Ruhskins]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

I think any team would be in trouble if they lost their starter and their #2 guy. I think we're set at RB.

Except the Saints. I don't remember if it was last year or the year before last when they were down to their 3rd and 4th string RB and they did okay. But yeah, your average team would be screwed up if the top two RBs are out.

[Longtimefan]

Originally Posted by 12thMan

I think any team would be in trouble if they lost their starter and their #2 guy. I think we're set at RB.

I wasn't speaking of losing them both. Only referring to what the RB situation would look like if Hightower (god-forbid) went down for more than a game or two. We'd be left with Helu and a player with early projections to be on the PS.

[SirClintonPortis]

Originally Posted by Longtimefan

I wasn't speaking of losing them both. Only referring to what the RD situation would look like if Hightower (god-forbid) went down for more than a game or two. We'd be left with Helu and a player with early projections to be on the PS.

Peyton Hillis was pretty beast as a rookie until he got hurt. Some guys can just play regardless of their lack of experience. Helu doesn't make me that uncomfortable. Royster might though, but he still has another game to show his stuff.

[12thMan]

And honestly running back is one of the positions where the learning curb is different than say WR. Besides, running backs generally do very well playing for Shanny regardless of their level of experience.

[BigHairedAristocrat]

So, what position will we fill instead of the #3 qb? I'm thinking banks as a 7th wr (from everything I've heard chris russell and rich campbell say this week Paul is a near lock as a 6th wr) or perhaps gibson as an extra linebacker?

Here's my guess of our final roster (i didnt care enough to list special teams):

Quarterbacks (2)
Beck , Grossman, (clemmons on speed dial)

Running Backs (5)
RB: Hightower, Helu, Torain, Royster
FB: Young

Tight Ends (3)
TE: Cooley, Davis, Paulsen

Wide Recievers (6)
Moss, Gaffney, Austin, Armstrong, Hankerson, Paul, (Banks to IR)

Offensive Line (9)
T: Williams, Brown, Locklear, Hicks (G/T)
G: Lichtenstreigher, Chester, Hurt
C: Montgomery, Cook (C/G)

Total Offense: 25


Defensive Line (7)
DE: Carriker, Bowen, Scott, Worthington
DT: Cofield, Bryant, Nield

Linebackers (9)
OLB: Orakpo, Kerrigan, Alexander, Gibson, Jackson/White (depends on how likely White is to be claimed off the PS)
ILB: Fletcher, McIntosh, Fox, Riley

Defensive Backs (9)
CB: Hall, Wilson, Barnes, Thompson, Westbrook, (Buchannon - suspended list. Thompson has 4 weeks to prove his worth)
S: Landry, Otogwe, Doughty, Gomes, (Moore - PUP list... jackson, Thompson, Westbrook and Moore will fight for one spot when Moore's healthy)

Total Defense: 25

[12thMan]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

So, what position will we fill instead of the #3 qb? I'm thinking banks as a 7th wr (from everything I've heard chris russell and rich campbell say this week Paul is a near lock as a 6th wr) or perhaps gibson as an extra linebacker?

I think an extra LB...maybe Rob Jackson and Markus White make the team.

[Lotus]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

So, what position will we fill instead of the #3 qb?

We fill the #3 QB with a young QB. Not only is it risky going into the season with only 2 QB's, in the name of youth we should be attempting to groom someone. Having Clemens "on speed dial" is not that great of an option for several reasons, including the fact that he is relatively new to our system, just as a new young arm would be.

Chase Daniel is now #2 in New Orleans when he was picked up after final cuts. We should use the waiver wires to at least attempt to find our own Chase Daniel.

[SirClintonPortis]

Originally Posted by Lotus

We fill the #3 QB with a young QB. Not only is it risky going into the season with only 2 QB's, in the name of youth we should be attempting to groom someone. Having Clemens "on speed dial" is not that great of an option for several reasons, including the fact that he is relatively new to our system, just as a new young arm would be.

Chase Daniel is now #2 in New Orleans when he was picked up after final cuts. We should use the waiver wires to at least attempt to find our own Chase Daniel.

Let's trade for Matt Flynn. Now.

[freddyg12]

I know we've been talking about Sellers being gone, but I think he's more likely to make the team than Hurt or 9th O linemen. He can backup 2 positions. Who is the backup FB if Sellers is out? K. Williams?

[Monkeydad]

Yes, Keiland is the second FB. He's taken snaps during camp at FB and would be rostered as a FB instead of a 4th or 5th HB.

[SkinzWin]

Originally Posted by BigHairedAristocrat

So, what position will we fill instead of the #3 qb? I'm thinking banks as a 7th wr (from everything I've heard chris russell and rich campbell say this week Paul is a near lock as a 6th wr) or perhaps gibson as an extra linebacker?

No way we take 5 RB and 1 FB. As mentioned previously, Keiland will be the second FB, Royster goes to the practice squad. I don't think we keep 7 WR either. With Banks injury I think we go the IR route or he doesn't make the team period, you know he won't stay on the practice squad.

[Monkeydad]

...and down the stretch they come!

[Beemnseven]

To me the biggest battle going on is running back. Torain vs. Royster vs. Helu. Personally, I'm favoring Royster and Helu over Torain. Last year they kept 5 running backs. If you PS either Royster or Helu, they're gone -- somebody's going to swoop in and snatch them away, guaranteed.

Has Keiland even played this preseason? I don't remember seeing him at all.

I just think Royster and Helu offer so much more speed than Torain; and that seems to be the focus.

freddyg12: Good point about Sellers capable of backing up two positions. Hard to cut a guy like that loose.

[FRPLG]

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.

[FRPLG]

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.