Quarterbacks: I think Ryan Tannehill really is the best guy out there. What I do after him depends on Garrard's health. At this point I'm not even sure we'd have takers on Matt Moore in trade. Conservative approach would be Ryan Tannehill and Matt Moore, and find a way to get Pat Devlin on the roster. I don't know that you're going to sneak Devlin onto the practice squad. Garrard would be the odd man out in that situation. But if I had an offer for Moore then I would jump on it, keep Garrard and Devlin. Either way you're saving $2.5 to $3.5 million. Running backs: This is pretty clear. Jorvorskie Lane makes it as the team's true fullback. And what a find he's turned out to be. Kudos to Mike Sherman for lobbying for it, kudos to Jeff Ireland for OK'ing it. The tailbacks are Reggie Bush, Lamar Miller, Steve Slaton and Daniel Thomas...in that order. Tight ends: Also pretty clear. I think you keep Anthony Fasano, Charles Clay and Michael Egnew, and I have a tough time justifying Jeron Mastrud. Not even really that great of a blocker. Wide receivers: This is the tricky one but has a lot more clarity after tonight. Jeff Fuller is doing nothing for me. Couple of miscues tonight on blocks (which are a big part of why you'd keep the big man), not really getting open versus man coverage, just not doing much this preseason. B.J. Cunningham is doing nothing for me. On a yards per pass snap basis I think Cunningham is probably the least productive receiver out there. Even his catches come on routes I knew he could run, situations where he didn't have to do much. He also showed me that my criticism that he could run the slant but not the sluggo, is still valid. To me, he's practice squad material if you decide you want to keep him. Roberto Wallace sucks on special teams and can't get open against man coverage. Why keep him? I don't see any reason. Chris Hogan is always open, but does not dominate the ball in the air and is too inconsistent after the catch. I also feel like he doesn't do as well on more technical option routes, which you need to be superb at from the slot. I know Marlon Moore can get open against man coverage because I've seen it. He's also killing it on special teams. Clyde Gates keeps getting open (when not interfered with, thought initially that one play there was no interference, was informed differently) and his speed scares the defense in ways you can observe and measure. Rishard Matthews has been the best receiver this preseason not named Davone Bess. Legedu Naanee has been a huge disappointment compared with his practice reports, but should we really be surprised? This is exactly what he did in Carolina. He rose up the depth chart by being good at flag football then got to be PFF's worst rated WR because he sucked in real games. Marcus Thigpen didn't do near enough on offense or on special teams to make the team. Offensive line: Walking wounded. Starting five are still in my eyes Long, Incognito, Pouncey, Hicks and Martin. Lydon Murtha is a backup but could've been more if he'd stayed healthy. Samuda makes it. The final guy is probably John Jerry, who made a miracle comeback to stay on the roster. If you're really feeling the need for a 9th, honestly I would scan the waiver wire rather than keep any of the others. Can save some considerable coin by cutting Cook and Garner. Defensive line: Tony McDaniel and his $3.5 million or whatever salary have got to go. Too many good DTs sitting behind him and he's not maintaining his health or value to the team. Randy Starks and Paul Soliai can deal with Kheeston Randall and Isaako Aaitui as their backups, with Jared Odrick obviously coming in for partial duty. I would keep Cameron Wake, Derrick Shelby, Jamaal Westerman and Olivier Vernon. I know everyone is down on Egnew and thinks he's the 3rd round pick that would barely make the team if not a 3rd rounder but in my eyes it's not even close, Olivier Vernon is that guy. Strong hands, decent against the run, ZERO pass rush skills. ZERO. At this point I even question my stated strategy of having him pass rush over a guard. Linebackers: Search the waiver wire big time at this position. The KKK starters (Koa, Karlos & Kevin) are easy enough. Austin Spitler has made this team. Jason Trusnik...I suppose. Reluctantly. Nobody else made it. Nobody. Gary Guyton is a waste of space. So are the others, Cam Collins, Shelly Lyons, Josh Kaddu and Jonathan Freeny. Just euthanize them, please. Then search the waiver wire for a 6th. Maybe a 7th if you find the right guy. Defensive backs: What a tough position the Vontae trade has put the team in. You need five corners. The team has three. I would keep Quinten Lawrence and Kevin Scott but ONLY until you find replacements off waivers or as a free agent. At safety, Anderson Russell is no longer on my list. He played his way off it. Not with the deep pass, in which he was unfairly asked to guard two completely open WRs...but with other plays. Jonathan Wade was actually playing better than Quinten Lawrence even though Wade had a TERRIBLE Falcons game. Cutting him was an overreaction, IMO. I didn't think he would, but by default Tyrone Culver has made the team in my eyes...for now. Until someone better comes along. I know everyone's obsessed with the coming makeover in the WRs unit but to me the DBs unit is going to get the biggest makeover post-cuts. The keepers are Smith, Marshall, Carroll, Jones, Clemons and Wilson. That leaves potentially FOUR spots open for cut additions.
I agree on the running backs. I think Daniel Thomas is expendable on this team, and has not been as impressive as Slaton or Miler this preseason. Next year we will also have Jonas Gray who I believe can be a contribute in this league. Also, LOL at the "KKK Starters."
So basically you are saying this team has severe issues with quality depth , productive depth , and we have serious voids at important starting positions?
Trading Vontae was an awful decision and will remain so. We are going to get TORCHED this year. Man should have stayed and drafted Earl Thomas. You can't convince me Odrick+Picks over Thomas.
Think Lamar gets #2 back duty CK? That would make things exciting. Oh, and Kheeston Randall is legit!
To me we've got about 46 players that I'm actually interested in keeping on the 53 man roster and about 8 place holders. Safe zone players for me: 3 QB - Ryan Tannehill, Matt Moore, Pat Devlin 5 RB - Reggie Bush, Steve Slaton, Lamar Miller, Jorvorskie Lane, Daniel Thomas 4 WR - Davone Bess, Brian Hartline, Rishard Matthews, Clyde Gates 3 TE - Anthony Fasano, Charles Clay, Michael Egnew 8 OL - Jake Long, Richie Incognito, Mike Pouncey, Artis Hicks, Jon Martin, Lydon Murtha, Josh Samuda, John Jerry 8 DL - Jared Odrick, Randy Starks, Paul Soliai, Cam Wake, Kheeston Randall, Derrick Shelby, Isaako Aaitui, Olivier Vernon 5 LB - Koa Misi, Karlos Dansby, Kevin Burnett, Austin Spitler, Jason Trusnik 6 DB - Sean Smith, Richard Marshall, Nolan Carroll, Reshad Jones, Chris Clemons, Jimmy Wilson 3 ST - Dan Carpenter, Brandon Fields, John Denney That leaves 8 spots. These are the players I would keep in some of those spots until I find a better option: WR - Marlon Moore OL - Chandler Burden, Will Barker DE - Jamaal Westerman LB - Gary Guyton DB - Kevin Scott, Quinten Lawrence, Tyrone Culver
Tonight cemented it for me , I mentioned a couple weeks ago that post 53 would be interesting to see how Ireland/Philbin approached the flood of available players. We all knew they would make a couple moves , kick a few tires , look under some rocks , but would it be more ... much much more? It would be if they felt they were as bad as it appears they are and if they felt it was build mode , not rebuild , or fine tune mode. It would also mean ( imo ) that Ireland admitted his mistakes , his deficiencies . You don't make 5/6 or more moves and not basically state you have not done as well acquiring talent as you should have. You also have to be pretty confident in your future employment because while this has to be done imo , it isn't making you any more fan friendly and it opens you up for criticism of how you initially tried to build this team , unsuccessfully of course. I mentioned this in the game thread , it will be a short long season . F@#% S&*%, there got that out , I still don't think Ireland is the guy to head this , I really don't . As MrC mentioned not a bad scout , director of scouting maybe , but not the GM you ultimately win with , imo. Saying that I would love to see an assertive aggresive approach post 53 , back the truck up , get the garbage out and get some athletic talent with heart and coach them so you develop quality players and maybe some above average starters. Please.
I know , hindsight , but JPP ... I remember Drew telling everyone he was a top 5 pick and in 5 years he would be a dominate NFL star. Drew loves to pump his clients of course , but damn..... what a freaking beast . Odrick is just a guy and Misi is less imo , at least to date.
absolutely nothing wrong with it. God made it. daniel thomas is a hard runner. theres no way hes our 4th rb. he's our 2nd rb. i would put money on it. and i am not high but wish i was.
Thing is you quoted me but then made a comment on something not in the quote nor was I the one who said it.
They can clean it up , get the bleep , get the blankety blank ... I think DJ should get some shirts done up
lane running through people is so much better than reagan maui running through a defenseless piece of sheet rock.
I agree with most of it. However, I think Kaddu will make the team. And I couldnt disagree more about Daniel Thomas. He's clearly the #2 back on this team and ran like he should be the starter.
Daniel Thomas is the red-headed step-child on this team it seems. I know he had a bad rookie year and he needs to get his head out of his *** but I think he's had a good preseason. He looks miles better than he did a year ago. He looks quicker, stronger and more decisive. To say he's the 4th best running back is kind of insulting IMO. Other than that, I agree with you 100%...as uuuusge.
I absolutely, 100% agree with your safe players. The 8 spots, probably going to be filled with other guys from other teams. I do like Yeatman though. He's the only one that you left off mentioning that I like. If we don't keep Matthews though, I'm going to be livid. If we keep Naanee over him, my head will explode. Matthews kind of reminds me of Marty Booker. I'm very disappointed that we wasted a fifth round pick on Kaddu. And I realize there were some guys taken in the 5th that are going to make NFL teams that we should have taken instead. I'm not even going to bother looking at who they were because it's just like rubbing salt in the wound.
" Tannehill to Jarvorski Lane, seam route, 25 yards downfield, Tanny drops it in the bucket over the coverage.." " big dude is not fat." Lil snippets from the day 3 at camp.. I remember that Tannehill seam route, right down the middle of our defense, big dude got behind the backers.
I agree, Thomas is looking like an improved player, looked that way in the practices I saw as well..if any of our backs had a few lanes to run through we might be able to see a little clearer.. I mos def think he's the 2nd back.
Best friends forever! On topic: Nice post CK I can't really say I disagree. Aside from the fact I also believe D-Thomas will be the primary #2 with some Miller sprinkled in.
Guyton is the Naanee of the defense to me. He looks like a giant spider out there to me. I've never seen a LB before so timid about contact. His reactions also seem like he has to wait and let things develop and he has no instincts to see the play early. The way it stands right now, I'd definitely keep Freeny over Guyton, and Kaddu may get a year to prove his worth because he was a draft pick. Cannot recall the last time we cut a 5 to get down to the 53 man roster. I hope having you explain it can help make the depleted DB depth we have now more clear to those in denial. Been beating my head against the wall with those obtuse individuals who think we are better off at CB simply because Marshall replaced Davis and the depth spots are of little consequence. Of course if winning is not the #1 goal this season, like some seem to think, then I guess it doesn't matter. We are one injury away at corner from a complete and utter train wreck.
We ended up with Odrick, Misi and Tim Dobbins from that trade, but I'd rather have stayed at 12 and taken Earl.
I'd keep Yeatman over Barker or Burden, especially with cutting Mastrud. He could give you the position versatility to be a blocking TE at times if necessary.
Mostly agree. After the game I went through the roster and listed everyone I think will be gone by Monday... Meaning guys who are cut to make the 53 AND the guys I think are cut after and replaced by players from other teams. I see 26 guys gone by Monday. They are: Final Cuts #NAMEPOS.HT.WT.AGEEXP.COLLEGE 43Agnew, VincentCB5-1019224 1Central Michigan 90Baker, RyanDE6-529527 4Purdue 61Barker, WillT6-732525 3Virginia 63Burden, ChandlerG6-431322 RKentucky 45Collins, CameronLB6-224122 ROregon State 62Cook, RyanG/C6-632829 7New Mexico 16Cunningham, B.J.WR6-221523 RMichigan State 7Devlin, PatQB6-322524 2Delaware 69Feinga, RayG6-433726 3Brigham Young 49Freeny, JonathanLB6-224223 1Rutgers 83Fuller, JeffWR6-422322 RTexas A&M 59Guyton, GaryLB6-324526 5Georgia Tech 57Kaddu, JoshLB6-323922 ROregon 36Lawrence, QuintenS6-018427 2McNeese State 48Lyons, ShellyLB6-123822 RArizona State 88Mastrud, JeronTE6-625324 3Kansas State 67McDonald, AndrewT6-631623 RIndiana 76Murtha, LydonT6-731526 4Nebraska 19Naanee, LegeduWR6-222028 6Boise State 70Root, JarrellDE6-327024 RBoise State 40Russell, AndersonS6-020525 2Ohio State 38Scott, KevynCB5-1020423 RSyracuse 34Thigpen, MarcusRB5-919526 1Indiana 50Vernon, OlivierDE6-226121 RMiami (Fla.) 18Wallace, RobertoWR6-422526 3San Diego State 60Yeatman, WillT6-626824 2Maryland Where I deviated from you, CK was only in the following: QB I think you cannot rely on Moore as the sole veteran backup, since he doesn't suit the system great and doesn't perform great. I'd rather have Garrard around as a mentor as well. That said, Garrards health is a worry, but I'd rather have Garrard with Moore as third string than find Pat Devlin starting in week 14 because Garrard and Tanny are hurt. I also think there is still a fair chance Devlin makes the practice squad. 50/50 and really, if we lose him, we lose the equivalent of a Ricky Stanzi level prospect. Easily replaced. Priority is not to hang onto or develop Devlin, it's to support Tannehills development and the presence of Garrard does that. Garrards iffy health however necessitates keeping Moore too, in my mind. I know. It costs money, but it's worth it to protect the investment of a franchise QB like Tannehill's development. Plus, with Tannehill starting we are saving money at that starter position and can afford higher backup salaries. Agree on clearing the decks at LB and CB as named above, and agree with Spitler and a few others acquitting themselves well. I'd gladly cut Olivier Vernon today. I am tired of slogging DEs who rush like they are wearing iron boots. Don't subject us to another Matt Roth, or Phil Merling style player being touted to us as a pass rusher. Yes Vernon is more athletic than those guys, yet it doesn't show at all once the ball is snapped. Love Randall and Aatui (spelling?). Our DT depth is excellent and honestly why I'd consider trading Starks and a pick for a WR. Fuller... No one had more opportunities to show less. ...oh, except maybe Legadu Naanee, who has the dumbest nickname of L.A. Despite his initials LN. He pissed me off catching just a couple today which may be enough to fool the staff into keeping him so he can Ernest Wilford our year away for us, Baker.. I respect, but with the talent at DT his time has come... Unless we cut McDaniels, in which case versatile Baker hangs around another year.
Oh, and my WR corps ended up being: Hartline Bess Matthews Gates Hogan + 1 guy we pick up from other teams cuts
Doesn't Vernon have 2 sacks over the last 2 games? Hope you guys are right about D. Thomas. Miller has a great shot to burst onto the scene towards the end of the season with some fresh legs. Meanwhile, somewhere, somehow, Ricky Williams is approaching the 5th dimension...
