spanky1
Registered User
We are currently at 82 (83 is the max) players in training camp and assuming we don't add anyone else between now and August 31st, we need to get down to 65 which is a cut of 17 players. Here are my best guesses. If someone like skkorp who has "first hand eye experience" from being at camp could chime in, we might get a better idea...........................................
ON OFFENSE
a) S. Grace/ Center: My rationale is that F. Garcia is the more experienced to help mentor Stephanovich and is a solid back up in the event that Steph needs to be spelled for whatever reason. We also have Leckey from a developmental perspective who is more versatile and can play multiple positions. At 25, Grace is basically in the same age brackett as Step and Leckey and so offers little to no upside over and above these two.
b) E. Edwards/TE: He could be a candidate for the PS if he shows anything between now and Aug 31st, but based on camp reports, he's doing little to separate himself from M. Banks. Banks is a solid ST'er and can earn his keep because of this. There is no need for 4 TE's on the roster.
c)J. McAddeley; K.Kasper; B. Gilmore/ WR's: Gilmore is just too damn brittle and hasn't shown enough over the years to justify holding on to him in the event that he can prove he can stay healthy. McAddeley has had moments in the sun, but never has be consistent enough to "jump" out as a keeper. Kasper is the tougher to decide upon as he has value as a KR. My feeling is that Scobey is our most talented in this area anyway, so this value diminishes. All three are products of the "Mac" era and as Green continues to weed these guys out over time, my guess is that it might as well be now.
d) M. Fordyce/K: There is no point in keeping two K'ers after Aug 31st as the season is right around the corner anyway. Rackers seems to be getting it done so far so even if it's a tie, might as well go with the devil you know.
e) J. Hodgins/FB: While I'd hate to just cut this guy loose without trying to get something for him, he just does not fit into Green's strategy regarding the use of the FB position.Avanbadejo and Rue are both about 5 years younger and are better from a pass catching perspective. Avanbadejo is also a "Green" guy and and is rooming within the suite that includes Smith. It's a small thing I know, but I'll bet Green wanted this in the hopes that Smith's "aura" adds something to Avanbadejo as he matures. Both Avanbadejo and Rue are also capable blockers as required either in the backfield or downfield.
ON DEFENSE:
a) Nate Hobgood-Chittick/ DT: Sounds like a good British name doesn't it......or add "the III" and he could be from a good Ivy League school.....I digress. I know that we are thin with bona fide DT's but Wakefield and King can play hybrid DT roles in certain formations and in rotation. At 30, he is four or five years older than Kolodziej who seems to be getting more of the reps and who it appears is becoming a solid back-up. I wouldn't have thought this based on watching film of him as a NY Jet, but he just might, like fine wine, be improving with age.
b) R. Thomas; V. Alexander/OLB's: In a word, they are too small at 6'0" and 225 lbs. It hurts their chances as well to be competing at positions where we are very strong, especially if Fisher can stay at 100% health wise.
c) J. Darling; I. Keyes/MLB's: This is a tough one because Darling is a proven back-up and I vascilated between he and M. Young but went in favor of Young because he is younger, faster and bigger than Darling. The other issue is that as Dansby pushes Hayes for the starting OLB position, Hayes can move over to the MLB position and push/ replace McKinnon. Green won't release McKinnon this year (the last year of his contract) for PR and leadership reasons. I. Keyes has great size for the MLB position, I just have heard nothing about him whatsoever.
d) D.Carter; R.Tate; and T.Saunders; C.Rhinehart/ CB's: C.Curry is a possibility for the PS. Goss has real value on ST's. Joyce replaces Rhinehart on the depth chart. The others just don't add any value.
e) D. Jackson/FS: I know......you think I've gone right off the deep end.....have lost my marbles.....am drinking too much and too often and have lost too many brain cells......but think about it. He' hasn't steppped onto the practice field yet, is, as a result, on Green's "sh*t list, is a Mac signing and carries a hefty payload. Like Hodgins, I'd like to package him up in a trade scenario if possible. Adrian Mayes will challenge for serious playing time this year, Wilson is turning heads so far, Harris is already the starter on the depth chart and Michael Stone is coming into his own. That, to me spells trouble for Jackson.
In a perfect world.....Hodgins, Jackson and our 3rd round pick next year for Michael McKenzie............
ON OFFENSE
a) S. Grace/ Center: My rationale is that F. Garcia is the more experienced to help mentor Stephanovich and is a solid back up in the event that Steph needs to be spelled for whatever reason. We also have Leckey from a developmental perspective who is more versatile and can play multiple positions. At 25, Grace is basically in the same age brackett as Step and Leckey and so offers little to no upside over and above these two.
b) E. Edwards/TE: He could be a candidate for the PS if he shows anything between now and Aug 31st, but based on camp reports, he's doing little to separate himself from M. Banks. Banks is a solid ST'er and can earn his keep because of this. There is no need for 4 TE's on the roster.
c)J. McAddeley; K.Kasper; B. Gilmore/ WR's: Gilmore is just too damn brittle and hasn't shown enough over the years to justify holding on to him in the event that he can prove he can stay healthy. McAddeley has had moments in the sun, but never has be consistent enough to "jump" out as a keeper. Kasper is the tougher to decide upon as he has value as a KR. My feeling is that Scobey is our most talented in this area anyway, so this value diminishes. All three are products of the "Mac" era and as Green continues to weed these guys out over time, my guess is that it might as well be now.
d) M. Fordyce/K: There is no point in keeping two K'ers after Aug 31st as the season is right around the corner anyway. Rackers seems to be getting it done so far so even if it's a tie, might as well go with the devil you know.
e) J. Hodgins/FB: While I'd hate to just cut this guy loose without trying to get something for him, he just does not fit into Green's strategy regarding the use of the FB position.Avanbadejo and Rue are both about 5 years younger and are better from a pass catching perspective. Avanbadejo is also a "Green" guy and and is rooming within the suite that includes Smith. It's a small thing I know, but I'll bet Green wanted this in the hopes that Smith's "aura" adds something to Avanbadejo as he matures. Both Avanbadejo and Rue are also capable blockers as required either in the backfield or downfield.
ON DEFENSE:
a) Nate Hobgood-Chittick/ DT: Sounds like a good British name doesn't it......or add "the III" and he could be from a good Ivy League school.....I digress. I know that we are thin with bona fide DT's but Wakefield and King can play hybrid DT roles in certain formations and in rotation. At 30, he is four or five years older than Kolodziej who seems to be getting more of the reps and who it appears is becoming a solid back-up. I wouldn't have thought this based on watching film of him as a NY Jet, but he just might, like fine wine, be improving with age.
b) R. Thomas; V. Alexander/OLB's: In a word, they are too small at 6'0" and 225 lbs. It hurts their chances as well to be competing at positions where we are very strong, especially if Fisher can stay at 100% health wise.
c) J. Darling; I. Keyes/MLB's: This is a tough one because Darling is a proven back-up and I vascilated between he and M. Young but went in favor of Young because he is younger, faster and bigger than Darling. The other issue is that as Dansby pushes Hayes for the starting OLB position, Hayes can move over to the MLB position and push/ replace McKinnon. Green won't release McKinnon this year (the last year of his contract) for PR and leadership reasons. I. Keyes has great size for the MLB position, I just have heard nothing about him whatsoever.
d) D.Carter; R.Tate; and T.Saunders; C.Rhinehart/ CB's: C.Curry is a possibility for the PS. Goss has real value on ST's. Joyce replaces Rhinehart on the depth chart. The others just don't add any value.
e) D. Jackson/FS: I know......you think I've gone right off the deep end.....have lost my marbles.....am drinking too much and too often and have lost too many brain cells......but think about it. He' hasn't steppped onto the practice field yet, is, as a result, on Green's "sh*t list, is a Mac signing and carries a hefty payload. Like Hodgins, I'd like to package him up in a trade scenario if possible. Adrian Mayes will challenge for serious playing time this year, Wilson is turning heads so far, Harris is already the starter on the depth chart and Michael Stone is coming into his own. That, to me spells trouble for Jackson.
In a perfect world.....Hodgins, Jackson and our 3rd round pick next year for Michael McKenzie............
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You crack me up Skkorp!
