Patrick Turner played as the 4th WR in today's practice. I think that show the team is serious about the guy. But we have 2 other young WRs that are fighting to make the team.

Marlon Moore has looked very good in the two PS games. Quick, good routes, and catches everything. Wallace looks like he has the tools to go far. I don't see either of these guys lasting long on our Practice Squad.

So the question is, do we keep 6WRs?

I think we will. Bess is in a contract year, and may not be around next year. And as Moore and Wallace mature, I'm not sure Turner will be the 4th best WR, not to mention the answer to fill Bess' shoes.

I think we make that space by keeping 8LBs instead of 9. These 7 players are locks to make the team:
Tim Dobbins
Channing Crowder
Koa Misi
Charlie Anderson
Karlos Dansby
Cameron Wake
Ikaika Alama-Francis

This list is short one backup ILB. Realistically, that roster spot is between Micah Johnson and J.D. Folsom. Looking at the PS game, Johnson has played better than Folsom, and so if we keep 8 LBs, the 8th player would be Johnson.

In this scenario, I just don't see the need to carry a 9th LB.

J.D. Folsom is not a good reason to carry 9 LBs.

Erik Walden and Quentin Moses have had miserable Pre-Seasons. They have been outplayed by rookies, and not because those rookies have been good. I just don't see the FO keeping these vets around - even if we kept 10LBs.

Austin Spitler and Chris McCoy are headed to the PS, if they stay with the team. They really haven't shown enough for any team to have serious interest, and so would be low risks PS players. And with Ellis on IR, I think our future talent is duefully horded.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 08/25/2010 12:22PM by DolfanMike.

Haynos-you can use a guard or tackle as 3rd TE

BobT Wrote:
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> Haynos-you can use a guard or tackle as 3rd TE

Really? Which O-Lineman do we have that's a threat to catch the ball in the flat?

I can't see us carrying 6 WR's

sorry-misread-thought it said 5WR, 4RB ,and 3 TE. You are right, no way we carry 6 WR. The LBs play a lot more special teams on this team.if it's between an extra WR or an extra LB, the LB wins out

You need the extra LBs on special teams. And they are not likely to go with just one backup ILB. One reason for that is theat Crowder is currently hurt, and Dobbins has not been 100% either. At times last season, we carried 10 LB on the roster. I don't see them dropping to 8.

We also rarely, if ever, use a 4 WR set. They are much more likely to use David Martin as a 4th guy split out. If you are a team that doesn't use 4 WR sets, then carrying 6 on the 53-man roster is not likely.

I see the point in keeping 5WRs if we are going with 3TEs, but if you would keep an extra LB solely for the purpose of STs, then looking at who we have it would be better to keep Jason Allen than an 9th LB. Really, Jason Allen is way more valuable on special teams than any of the candidate 9th LBs.

DolfanMike Wrote:
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> I see the point in keeping 5WRs if we are going
> with 3TEs, but if you would keep an extra LB
> solely for the purpose of STs, then looking at who
> we have it would be better to keep Jason Allen
> than an 9th LB. Really, Jason Allen is way more
> valuable on special teams than any of the
> candidate 9th LBs.


You need LBs on special teams because they are big enough to block and still able to run. They serve a very different purpose on special teams than defensive backs do.

Yes, the DBs are your flyers. The LBs, TEs and RBS make up the bulk of the special teams unit.

Keeping 4 HB's last year was unusual. We may not do that again. The norm is only 3 deep but with Ricky, Cobbs and Ronnie's injury/age situation, it may be a factor.

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“I'm here" You're welcome!" - Kenny Powers

They used Hilliard on special teams in the role that a LB would normally take. So, keeping the extra RB sacrifices 1 backup LB spot.

BobT Wrote:
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> They used Hilliard on special teams in the role
> that a LB would normally take. So, keeping the
> extra RB sacrifices 1 backup LB spot.


But, even with Hilliard on special teams, the Fins still carried 10 LB for most of the season.

true, but 2 of those LBs (Porter and Taylor) came nowhere near the field during kickoffs and punts. There is always some give and take on the # of players at a certain position make a team. More LBs might mean less CBs, more RBs might mean less offensive lineman, etc.
In today's NFL, versatility helps a player make a club. Jason Allen (I Know, I know) can play CB, Safety, and special teams-so he has kept a spot on the team. Lex Hilliard can play RB, FB and special teams, so he made the club. Patrick Cobbs plays a key role in the wildcat, as well as RB and a core special teams player.One reason Patrick Turner hardly made the active squad last year was he did not have any versatility-just back-up WR.Hartline passed him by partly because he played special teams.