My 53 (Pre-Season Week 3)

[Mitch]

Here's what I would like to see the 53 Man Roster be: (not what i predict it will be)

QB (3): Palmer; Stanton; Barkley.

I think Barkley gives the Cardinals more to work with in terms of accuracy and timing than the erratic Stanton.

RB (4): David Johnson; Chris Johnson; Ellington; Taylor.

When your center is the weakest link on the o-line you need a situational FB...and I think Taylor can be that guy. BA and HG rely on pulling guards to block the ILBs and the ILBs today are too quick. We are getting abused up the middle. I would hope that Kerwynn Williams makes it through waivers again and on to the PS, because each year it seems we need him.

TE (3): Gresham; Fells; Niklas.

Curious to see Fells suddenly struggling. I think Momah will pass through waivers and be on the PS. I'd like to see what Gerald Christian would look like at FB, especially if it might be better to keep RB K. Williams.

WR (5): Fitzgerald; Floyd; Jaron Brown; John Brown; Nelson.

Kind of a hurting unit right now---great to see Jaron stepping up. Want more from Nelson.

OL (8): Feldheer; Iupati; Shipley; Mathis; Humphries; Watford; Boehm; Toner.

Would like to see Boehm start getting first team reps. Would like to see Toner used at tackle so he can be as versatile as Watford. We should be able to keep Wetzel, Crisp and DeBord on the PS.

Offense: 23

NT (2): X. Williams; Bryant

Williams and Bryant are playing well. Just not convinced Corey Peters is going to be able to help just yet. I would put him on the IR and bring him back after he gets stronger.

DE (5): Campbell; Mauro; Rucker; Gunter; Nkemdiche.

The way Mauro is playing he could be the starter opposite Campbell until Rucker and Nkemdiche get back to full strength. Can't see Stinson getting the nod unless they move Gunter back to NT.

ILB (4): Bucannon; Minter; Fua; TBA

Donald Butler looks like he's lost the love of the game. What I would really like to see is the coaches groom Mathias Farley on the PS to be the backup at $LB. But in the meantime, Steve Keim needs to add a depth ILB via waivers or trade. Not happy with Chris Clemons' off-season trouble, nor do i think he is suited for the position other than as a possible cover guy.

OLB (5): Jones; Golden; Martin; Okpalauga; TBA

Don't want to see Okafor try to play with a torn tricep. Still can't figure out why Steve Keim didn't sign Dwight Freeney. But now that Okafor is injured, Keim needs to make a move. Greg Hardy is a major risk, but also could be a major bargain under the right coaching staff---and O'Brien Schofield may still be seething over how he was cut walking out the practice field on the first day of camp and getting the silent treatment from then OLB coach, James Bettcher. Teams don't waive good pass rushers---so Keim needs to spring a trade, that is, if Hardy and Schofield are out of the question.

CB (5): Peterson; Williams; Brooks; Bethel; TBA

I've been wondering if Keim could spring a trade for the Giants' DRC, seeing as they drafted Eli Apple and just signed Leon Hall. Not sure if Ball or Jenkins can start at RCB. Not feeling confident in Bethel either with how much time he has missed. I like Williams and Brooks as backups and ST players. I like Harlan Miller too and hope he can make it to the PS. The tall CB Hartfield has potential as well. But, if Keim can't add a clear starter, it behooves the Cardinals to start Tyrann Mathieu at RCB.

S (5): Mathieu; Jefferson; Swearinger; Branch; Christian.

Most talented and aggressive quintet of safeties we've ever had.

Defense: 26

ST (3): Catanzaro; Dillon; Swanson.

Keim should get a kicker in camp to create a competition for Catanzaro. He needs it. Dillon looks like the keeper at LS. And Swanson has a stronger leg and quicker get-off than Butler.

Special Teams: 3

Roster: 52


1 Wild Card---the player i am most worried about losing via waivers is Kerwynn Williams. If and when one of the top 3 rushers gets nicked up, it would be nice to have Williams to turn to. So, KW's my Wild Card.

Roster: 53

 

[Garthshort]

ROTB has a Final 53 up today. I can nitpick the list, but my biggest question concerns the Offense/Defense breakdown. They have 23 offensive players and 27 defensive. Just about everyone has the Defense ahead of the Offense in the PS, and yet we keep more D players. While I see the logic of keeping your best 53 and by all accounts they play on the defensive side, it seems that 23 vs. 27 is too wide a gap. We have ?? on both sides, OL and CB, so it's not like we only have to concentrate on one side. I'm not talking names, but numbers. How do you see the roster breaking down?

 

[RugbyMuffin]

I will be posting my final 53 at some point Tuesday, at least I hope that is the case.

It is very close to this.

1. I do not think Matt Barkley is worth a roster spot. He has done nothing that would have a team pick him off waivers, and with the new practice squad rules he can go on the practice. By doing this, and if the Cardinals stay to their best 53, then I would assume Kerwynn Williams makes the final cut.

2. Just for the fact, I think it is a MAJOR, MAJOR move, Andre Ellington is returning punts, and kicks. I think that is a big plus for the Cardinals and further justifies keeping Williams around.

3. Staying with the running backs, I did the same thing and noted Stepfan Taylor as a pseudo fullback. He is too valuable in his role for this team. His blocking, receiving, and special teams play are valuable to this team.

4. I think Mike Jenkins is going to make the final 53, and I think Alan Ball is going to get cut because of it (can't make the club from the tub). If there is any defensive back being kept for special teams, it should be Cariel Brooks, who has been great on punt coverage all preseason.

5. I 100% understand this is Mitch's 53, but I have to be that pain in the arse and say Corey Peters makes the final 53.

6. I know this post is old, and the FIRST report stated Okafor had a torn tricep. That is not correct, he tore his bicep muscle. There is a great article about Adrian Wilson talking to Okafor about playing with an injured bicep (A-Dub did so during an All-Pro year for himself). Having Okafor and Kareem Martin is decent depth. Chandler Jones, and Markus "The Animal" Golden will be a formidable duo this year. Golden looks REALLY, REALLY good this preseason, I mean REALLY good. Josh Mauro does not get his sack last game without Golden absolutely whipping (it was embarrassing) the right tackle.

Good stuff.

 

[Mitch]

I will be posting my final 53 at some point Tuesday, at least I hope that is the case.

It is very close to this.

1. I do not think Matt Barkley is worth a roster spot. He has done nothing that would have a team pick him off waivers, and with the new practice squad rules he can go on the practice. By doing this, and if the Cardinals stay to their best 53, then I would assume Kerwynn Williams makes the final cut.

2. Just for the fact, I think it is a MAJOR, MAJOR move, Andre Ellington is returning punts, and kicks. I think that is a big plus for the Cardinals and further justifies keeping Williams around.

3. Staying with the running backs, I did the same thing and noted Stepfan Taylor as a pseudo fullback. He is too valuable in his role for this team. His blocking, receiving, and special teams play are valuable to this team.

4. I think Mike Jenkins is going to make the final 53, and I think Alan Ball is going to get cut because of it (can't make the club from the tub). If there is any defensive back being kept for special teams, it should be Cariel Brooks, who has been great on punt coverage all preseason.

5. I 100% understand this is Mitch's 53, but I have to be that pain in the arse and say Corey Peters makes the final 53.

6. I know this post is old, and the FIRST report stated Okafor had a torn tricep. That is not correct, he tore his bicep muscle. There is a great article about Adrian Wilson talking to Okafor about playing with an injured bicep (A-Dub did so during an All-Pro year for himself). Having Okafor and Kareem Martin is decent depth. Chandler Jones, and Markus "The Animal" Golden will be a formidable duo this year. Golden looks REALLY, REALLY good this preseason, I mean REALLY good. Josh Mauro does not get his sack last game without Golden absolutely whipping (it was embarrassing) the right tackle.

Good stuff.

1. This was the first week I included Barkley in my 53. I think he is a more accurate and poised QB than Stanton, which is why. He even got his first taste of a little praise from BA. But, to your point, it would not surprise me at all if he is cut.

2. Good point about Ellington. I liked what I saw from him on STs last week.

3. Agreed on Taylor. I have also been wondering about what Jermaine Gresham would look like at FB...plus what a receiving option he would be from the backfield. It might be a great way to increase his role. And, man, he would be an imposing lead blocker.

4. Yes, if Jenkins shows he can play through the injury, then he would be my TBA.

5. If Peters is healthy enough, he should not only make the team, but he should start. He was so-so last week---really didn't have much explosion.

6. Yes, Okafor has a torn bicep. If he can manage the pain and can show he can contribute then he would be the TBA.

I would add that BA said that if Veldheer needed to be subbed for, the coaches would flip D.J. Humphries to LT and start John Wetzel at RT. Thus, if BA keeps Wetzel on the 53, then it might behoove keeping just 2 QBs or 4 RBs. Interesting too that Cole Toner was getting 1st team reps at LG with Iupati and McClain nursing injuries.

Also, I would add that after hearing BA praise Mathias Farley---he's my TBA at ILB. I think he will excel on STs---he's one of the best tacklers on the roster. I think he's made to order as Deone's backup at $LB.

Thanks, Rugby. I look forward to seeing your 53.

 

[Mitch]

ROTB has a Final 53 up today. I can nitpick the list, but my biggest question concerns the Offense/Defense breakdown. They have 23 offensive players and 27 defensive. Just about everyone has the Defense ahead of the Offense in the PS, and yet we keep more D players. While I see the logic of keeping your best 53 and by all accounts they play on the defensive side, it seems that 23 vs. 27 is too wide a gap. We have ?? on both sides, OL and CB, so it's not like we only have to concentrate on one side. I'm not talking names, but numbers. How do you see the roster breaking down?

I too have been leaning toward 23 on offense---the reason is that our offensive depth can be stashed on the PS, whereas our defensive depth should be some of our best STs players and thus will be needed on game days.

 

[RugbyMuffin]

Also, I would add that after hearing BA praise Mathias Farley---he's my TBA at ILB. I think he will excel on STs---he's one of the best tacklers on the roster. I think he's made to order as Deone's backup at $LB.

He is very intriguing. I very arrogantly wrote him off when he showed up in the 1st preseason game, but he did the same in the 2nd preseason game, so at this point it will be a question of when does he play on Sunday, with the 2nd team ? Maybe.

http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=107228&draftyear=2016&genpos=SS

Talk about a guy coming out of no where. Right now Farley has to be competing against Chris Clemons for the backup $LB. Farley looks a heck of a lot bigger than 5'11" and 205lbs.

Deone Bucannon was 211lbs out of college, so Farley is a little undersized, but he sure doesn't seem to play like it.

 

[GuernseyCard]

I will be posting my final 53 at some point Tuesday, at least I hope that is the case.

It is very close to this.

1. I do not think Matt Barkley is worth a roster spot. He has done nothing that would have a team pick him off waivers, and with the new practice squad rules he can go on the practice. By doing this, and if the Cardinals stay to their best 53, then I would assume Kerwynn Williams makes the final cut.

2. Just for the fact, I think it is a MAJOR, MAJOR move, Andre Ellington is returning punts, and kicks. I think that is a big plus for the Cardinals and further justifies keeping Williams around.

3. Staying with the running backs, I did the same thing and noted Stepfan Taylor as a pseudo fullback. He is too valuable in his role for this team. His blocking, receiving, and special teams play are valuable to this team.

4. I think Mike Jenkins is going to make the final 53, and I think Alan Ball is going to get cut because of it (can't make the club from the tub). If there is any defensive back being kept for special teams, it should be Cariel Brooks, who has been great on punt coverage all preseason.

5. I 100% understand this is Mitch's 53, but I have to be that pain in the arse and say Corey Peters makes the final 53.

6. I know this post is old, and the FIRST report stated Okafor had a torn tricep. That is not correct, he tore his bicep muscle. There is a great article about Adrian Wilson talking to Okafor about playing with an injured bicep (A-Dub did so during an All-Pro year for himself). Having Okafor and Kareem Martin is decent depth. Chandler Jones, and Markus "The Animal" Golden will be a formidable duo this year. Golden looks REALLY, REALLY good this preseason, I mean REALLY good. Josh Mauro does not get his sack last game without Golden absolutely whipping (it was embarrassing) the right tackle.

Good stuff.

Seems to me that Ellington running back kicks is one more reason why Williams is redundant and Taylor is #4.

 

[NJCardFan]

I don't want Greg Hardy anywhere near this team. We don't need that kind of character, or lack thereof, on this team.

 

[CFLredzoned]

I too have been leaning toward 23 on offense---the reason is that our offensive depth can be stashed on the PS, whereas our defensive depth should be some of our best STs players and thus will be needed on game days.

A few weeks ago, somebody made the point that the offensive coaches would never let that happen - they need a certain number to work with, something like that. The only reason I gave it any credence is because it was somebody well connected like Urban or Odegard. It does seem like practice squad and the fact they only dress 46? anyway could kind of absorb the difference though.

 

[Mitch]

A few weeks ago, somebody made the point that the offensive coaches would never let that happen - they need a certain number to work with, something like that. The only reason I gave it any credence is because it was somebody well connected like Urban or Odegard. It does seem like practice squad and the fact they only dress 46? anyway could kind of absorb the difference though.

BA always talks about keep 7 OL active on game days. This is why he can keep 8 OL on the roster and have 2-3 on the PS whom he can move up to the 53 if and when need be. Is any team going to claim Antoine McClain, Tyler Boggs or Rob Crisp?
That's why it wouldn't be wise to hold roster spots for those guys if they are not one of the game day 7 and they are not likely to be claimed off waivers.

This can be applied as well to offensive players like TE Gerald Christian, WRs Jaxson Shipley, Brittan Golden and Chris Hubert and possibly QB Matt Barkley, TE Ifeanyi Momah and RBs Kerwynn Wlliams and/or Stepfan Taylor.

If they keep 23 offensive players on the 53 and 7 on the PS, they can can have 30 players on offense and defense.

 

[b8rtm8nn]

This is a really tough year. I included PS in brackets to help

QB (2): Palmer; Stanton (Barkeley/Coker)

RB (4): David Johnson; Chris Johnson; Ellington; Taylor (Williams, Penny)

TE (4): Gresham; Fells; Niklas; Momah (Christian)

WR (5): Fitzgerald; Floyd; Jaron Brown; John Brown; Nelson (???)

OL (8): Veldheer; Iupati; Shipley; Mathis; Humphries; Watford; Boehm; Toner (Wetzel)

Offense: 23


NT (2): Peters; Bryant (X. Williams )

DT (6): Campbell; Mauro; Rucker; Gunter; Nkemdiche; Stinson

ILB (4): Bucannon; Minter; Clemons; ??? (???)

OLB (4): Jones; Golden; Martin; Okafor (Okpalauga)

CB (5): Peterson; Williams; Brooks; Bethel; Jenkins (Miller)

S (5): Mathieu; Jefferson; Swearinger; Branch; Christian (Farley)

Defense: 26

ST (3): Catanzaro; Dillon/Canaday; Butler


Special Teams: 3

Roster: 52
PS: 11

I think one of the PS guys makes the 53 based on ST alone to fix these numbers - I have no clue which ILB will win the fourth spot, but not Louis. PS is looking tough this year as well.

Roster: 53

 

[b8rtm8nn]

http://foxsports910.iheart.com/onai...my-projected-53man-roster-after-the-15037337/

Throwing Jurecki in here as well

 

[Ohcrap75]

Nice Breakdown guys! Harlan Miller and Riddick are the two guys I hope can step up and earn a roster spot. I really wish we could find a RB that is an upgrade from Taylor. I'm hoping a power back with receiving skills gets cut.

 

[CFLredzoned]

BA always talks about keep 7 OL active on game days. This is why he can keep 8 OL on the roster and have 2-3 on the PS whom he can move up to the 53 if and when need be. Is any team going to claim Antoine McClain, Tyler Boggs or Rob Crisp?
That's why it wouldn't be wise to hold roster spots for those guys if they are not one of the game day 7 and they are not likely to be claimed off waivers.

This can be applied as well to offensive players like TE Gerald Christian, WRs Jaxson Shipley, Brittan Golden and Chris Hubert and possibly QB Matt Barkley, TE Ifeanyi Momah and RBs Kerwynn Wlliams and/or Stepfan Taylor.

If they keep 23 offensive players on the 53 and 7 on the PS, they can can have 30 players on offense and defense.

Yeah that makes sense. If they do what BA has said and keep the best 53 regardless of position, then that minimizes the chances of somebody getting pilfered from the PS.