Well for fun, and maybe just a bit bragging rights, here are the top position battles from my POV anyway: Marlon Moore vs Roberto Wallace Joe Berger vs Jake Grove John Nalbone vs Rolly Lumbala Donald Thomas vs Corey Proctor Ryan Baker vs Charles Grant Micah Johnson vs Austin Spitler Lydon Murtha vs Andrew Gardner Jason Allen vs Nate Ness Pat White vs Roberto Wallace Others
My feeling is: Moore Grove Both Nalbone and Lumbala get the axe Thomas Grant M. Johnson Gardner (even though he has been outplayed by Murtha, draft picks typically get the benefit) J. Allen (special teams, versatility) Pat White (ditto on the draft pick thing)
The Poll is confusing, so I will answer this way Moore Berger and Grove both make team Neither, player cut from other team Thomas & Procter both make team Grant (easiest one) Johnson (Spitler practice squad) Gardner Allen Neither
Im lost by the poll but in my mind: Moore Grove is starter Nalbone Thomas Grant Johnson Murtha Jason Allen Both make it
Fair enough, the only way I see it is if Lumbala is one of those behind the scenes players like Pat Cobbs that Sparano likes.
Head to head matchups Nj, which one will result in either a new starter being crowned or loser is waived in about a week.
Marlon Moore vs Roberto Wallace: Moore. We'll try and get Wallace on to the practice squad. Joe Berger vs Jake Grove: Grove opens the season as the starter but inevitably gets hurt. John Nalbone vs Rolly Lumbala: Neither. I don't see them using an untested fullback as a third tight end (an important position on this team) and Nalbone has been given more than enough of an opportunity. Our 3rd tight end is not on the roster currently. Donald Thomas vs Corey Proctor: Don Thomas by default. He has not looked great and may not last long. If someone cuts a player of interest Thomas could be a goner. Ryan Baker vs Charles Grant: Grant and it is not even close. Micah Johnson vs Austin Spitler: This is a tough one in my opinion. Johnson has shown quite a bit on normal downs and Spitler is exactly what we need because of his special teams. We could try and sneak Johnson on to the P.S. but I think someone who is thin in the middle might snap him up. Both of them are playing for their professional lives this week. Lydon Murtha vs Andrew Gardner: Murtha, for now. I think Ireland will be looking for a back up at cut down time. Gardner has looked absolutely dreadful. Jason Allen vs Nate Ness: Allen and again, not close. He can play corner, safety in a pinch and he is our best coverage player on special teams (IMO). Is he what we all hoped he would be remembering where he was picked? No, but he has found a nice little niche for himself. He's one of those guys that every team needs. He'll be on the block year after year and the next thing you know he'll have played a decade. Pat White vs Roberto Wallace: Neither, unless we trade Thigpen but I don't see Ireland going with White and a fragile Penny as our back ups.
The problem with J Allen is: Nolan Carroll and Benny Sapp already do his job(s), three Db's on 4 core St units would be unusual, so of the three, Allen appears to me to be on the top of the bubble, and if Allen is gone, that means we try to keep Ness. I'd be really surprised if there were no trade offers for Donald Thomas, but then again, we do not know how many Olinemen Sparano intends to keep rostered.
Are all the boxes on the poll supposed to get selected? I mean, we really can't pick anyone off the poll without selecting the other.
If there was a cap I would think J Allen would be gone. Since that would be a huge savings. Marlon Moore vs Roberto Wallace Both. Turner gets cut and Wallace is kept in the 5th wide receiver who is never activated Joe Berger vs Jake Grove Grove wins and get hurt and Berger takes over John Nalbone vs Rolly Lumbala Nalbone, the FO loves him. Donald Thomas vs Corey Proctor D. Thomas. Still a good run blocker. Ryan Baker vs Charles Grant Both, I see a surprise cut to keep Baker who can put up a decent pass rush Micah Johnson vs Austin Spitler M. Johnson. I was very impressed with him. Plus he got first team reps. Spitler will probably be practice squad. However if Crowder is too hurt they both might make the team Lydon Murtha vs Andrew Gardner Murtha by default Jason Allen vs Nate Ness Jason Allen. If there was a cap I would have Ness, since he is MUCH cheaper Pat White vs Roberto Wallace I already have Wallace making the team. White will be kept only if they could move Thigpen
Not sure I understand the voite padre but in head to head matchups i like Marlon Moore vs Roberto Wallace Ryan Baker vs Charles Grant John Nalbone vs Rolly Lumbala Joe Berger vs Jake Grove Jason Allen vs Nate Ness Lydon Murtha vs Andrew Gardner Donald Thomas vs Cory Proctor Micah Johnson vs Austin Spitler
Im confused by the Poll also. Are we going with the first guy vs the second guy? With the options I'll pick Moore , Micah and Pat White the others are to open right now. I believe injuries are gonna play into that mix also. You have Moore on Wallace and Pat White on Wallace. I think moore and Pat win. Wallace had some great plays but dont see him winning this. Moore showed that he can play multiple positions and Pat I believe is getting better and they'll give him one more yr. Micah plays tough shows upside and i believe he cant be put on Practice squad or he'll be poached.
between the two of them I really dont know if either will make the final cut. John Nalbone seems like he finally learned enough to not be completely lost in camp. I dont know if thats enough to stay. With Lumbala I just dont think they keep two FBs or a FB/TE but who knows. It wouldnt really surprise me that much. I dont think they will but we'll see
Marlon Moore vs Roberto Wallace ... right now today, Moore is more 'ready' ... Wallace needs time, the key is do you think he has so much potential that it is a risk to expose him in the PS .... Joe Berger vs Jake Grove -- I'd go with Grove, why -- because you know he'll get hurt and Berger would have to play anyway .... if'n it goes the other way -- we could find ourselves in trouble having to count on Grove (even if Garner is back by then) John Nalbone vs Rolly Lumbala .... not much competition here -- Lumbala, like Sperry is too small to play TE in our system ... Nalbone may not be progressing as planned - and 'could' be replaced after cuts .... Donald Thomas vs Corey Proctor ... tough call here -- but it's all on Thomas ... if he performs, he's the guy .... if not, Procter is a known ..... Ryan Baker vs Charles Grant ... same as above .... I would like to see Baker because he is young, but if he can't contribute now -- then we need to go with Grant, given our OLB situation Micah Johnson vs Austin Spitler ... this comes down to STs .... and Johnson seems to have the edge -- something i did not see coming .... but certainly is not a bad thing Lydon Murtha vs Andrew Gardner .... these were both very good prospects, and honestly i would prefer to keep both of these and jet both Thomas and Procter .... this regime likes to bring in Ts and move them around, just like Garner .... big OL Jason Allen vs Nate Ness ... comes down to STs ... which probably gives Allen the edge, but unlike most -- i would keep Ness Pat White vs Roberto Wallace ... White has no future here, so Wallace ....
Poll is confusing to me too, but what isn't? Marlon Moore vs Roberto Wallace - Turner beats Wallace, Wallace on PS Ryan Baker vs Charles Grant John Nalbone vs Rolly Lumbala Joe Berger vs Jake Grove Jason Allen vs Nate Ness Lydon Murtha vs Andrew Gardner Donald Thomas vs Cory Proctor Micah Johnson vs Austin Spitler (hope we can safely stash Spitler on PS)
Some more information: Just listened to Sparano on QAM and he said Soliai has "embarrassed" the young centers he has faced this preseason and Big Paul will play 30 snaps a game with Starks also playing on the nickel rush he'll play 45 snaps. Soliai will in essence be that run clogging 3-4 NT to give Starks a rest. Which means Ryan Baker's utility is not as valuable as it would have been if Soliai had remained what he was..
Pretty much exactly how we all could have hoped it would go. Starks starts at the nose but does not stay there. I'm sure he'll play some end in the 3 man line and of course tackle in the 4 man line. I'm so glad the light went on for Big Paul. Dude can be a wrecking ball.