Vinny tips his hand on the final 53

I've been feeling the same way all camp. Going in I thought the secondary was deep, but I was likely thinking that Barnes would look good as a nickle just cause he's a 3rd round pick.

Now w/CR ailing a little I wonder how well he's going to play. He's a guy that can be pretty erratic, depending on the circumstances. I don't know how well he'll play if not close to 100%. Tryon scares me & Smoot is a nickle at this point in his career.

Ultimately what worries me isn't depth. Really no other teams in the entire league have significantly more depth than we do. My problem is that Blache just doesn't seem to embrace the concept of utilizing players based on their strengths. He has a scheme and he wants everyone to run it. No changing things up to fit personnel. You can see it during games and in general. How often do we get trampled on for an entire quarter or more before he finally makes an adjustment. It's like he has decided that the scheme comes above all else. And the adjustmenst usually work but he's so damn stubborn. It's clear that he thinks that players just need to do better executing his scheme rather than him trying to make it easier for them to execute. I like Blache but he does have some drawbacks.

I'm much more worried about the linebackers than the secondary.

I'm much more worried about the linebackers than the secondary.

I'm feeling you there too.

I don't know that a team would trade for Betts at this point. I mean, if he's available right now, there's a good chance you're going to cut him, so why would any team give compensation to the Skins to get him.

I don't see Betts being a guy who would garner more than, "we'll make a run if he becomes a free agent, but we're not giving up picks/a player for him." Unless, of course you were trading for another player who was about to get cut. Sort of like the Taylor Jacobs for Mike Rumph deal a little while ago. (Before people react, I believe Betts and Taylor are not comparable, Betts is a contributor and far better, just saying that the trade scenarios would be similar).

Fletch has not had the best preseason, but I think it's way too early to assert that he's lost a step. Orakpo does get sealed really easily against the run, and it will probably take 10-12 games to get that ironed out completely. McIntosh is the big question mark.

Ultimately what worries me isn't depth. Really no other teams in the entire league have significantly more depth than we do. My problem is that Blache just doesn't seem to embrace the concept of utilizing players based on their strengths. He has a scheme and he wants everyone to run it. No changing things up to fit personnel. You can see it during games and in general. How often do we get trampled on for an entire quarter or more before he finally makes an adjustment. It's like he has decided that the scheme comes above all else. And the adjustmenst usually work but he's so damn stubborn. It's clear that he thinks that players just need to do better executing his scheme rather than him trying to make it easier for them to execute. I like Blache but he does have some drawbacks.

I have my doubts about Blache as well. His blitz packages and that passive, off the line of scrimmage, coverage philosophy gets on my nerves.

On ESPN980, theyre speculating Cartwright and/or ARE will be the surprise veteran cut(s) Vinny and Zorn said may be made.

ARE isnt cuttable until next offseason from a cap perspective (about 4M then), but he's certainly not cuttable now. Besides, it wouldnt even make sense to cut him from a playing perspective, as there arent really any other receivers battling for the 5th WR spot with Mitchell.

Cartwright, on the other hand, makes some sense. My bold prediction is that he is cut and Mason AND Dorsey/Aldridge make the roster in his place, OR Aldrige makes the roster and we go with 10 OL instead of 9, with (E) Williams making the squad as the 10th OL and backup center. Yes, I know montgommery is a backup C/G but I think the skins want to keep two guys who can play center on our roster so they can compete to replace Rabach next year.

On ESPN980, theyre speculating Cartwright and/or ARE will be the surprise veteran cut(s) Vinny and Zorn said may be made.

ARE isnt cuttable until next offseason from a cap perspective (about 4M then), but he's certainly not cuttable now. Besides, it wouldnt even make sense to cut him from a playing perspective, as there arent really any other receivers battling for the 5th WR spot with Mitchell.

Cartwright, on the other hand, makes some sense. My bold prediction is that he is cut and Mason AND Dorsey/Aldridge make the roster in his place.

Did they really say ARE was a roster cut possibility? How do some of these people even have jobs? As you pointed out it's not at all possible because of the salary cap ramifications so why would they even say it?

Too much player versus player rather than roles we need filled in this discussion. I'd like to talk about things this team needs and if we can get some of those things out of the people who are currently on our roster or if we need to go outside of the organization and pick up or trade for some new players to fill those roles. The following list of roles is not necessarily in order of importance to the success of the team.

Offensive Tackle - Frankly, I just can't fathom how Vinny can believe that we're OK at that position. It's a near certainty that Chris Samuels is going to miss some time with his bad knee and right now it looks like they're counting on Mike Williams and Jeremy Bridges as the backups at OT. Bad move. I don't think Williams is ready to play yet and Bridges is really a G. We need to make a trade, if possible, or pick up a veteran OT for insurance.

Punt Returner - If Dorsey can catch the ball and not fumble, then we need to keep him as our PR. He has a chance to break a couple and to consistently give us better field position than you-know-who. I don't think of him as a RB but rather as a PR/KR. There are ways to fit him into the roster. For example, some people think that there is a final roster spot at DE that is up for grabs between Wynn, Buzbee, and Jackson. Why? Jarmon, Orakpo, Alexander, and Wilson can all play DE, so there's room for Dorsey.

Fullback - Somebody has to back up Big Mike, so either Eddie Williams or Todd Yoder must be on the roster (unless Rock is moved back to FB, which is unlikely). Any roster that doesn't have either Williams or Yoder on it isn't going to fly. Both of them block and catch. Neither of them is a runner. Yoder also plays TE. Pick one.

Running Back - Betts, Mason, and Rock are essentially the same style of RB. Keeping all three doesn't make sense. The two things we could really use at RB are a goal line and short yardage specialist and a change of pace/breakaway threat. Alridge might make sense on this roster as the change of pace back and I'd have no problem cutting both Mason and Rock if we could replace them with Alridge and a dependable short yardage specialist.

Placekicker - Oh, Jeez, Not Suisham again! And the other guy hasn't even been able to beat out Suisham. I have little confidence in either of these guys and our kickoffs are still coming up short. I hope Vinny is keeping an eye out for someone who can do the job.

Third String QB - Really, who the hell cares? We're not going to be counting on either of these guys, so choose your favorite or we can pick up someone else.

I feel pretty good about the rest of the roles on the team.

Fletch has not had the best preseason, but I think it's way too early to assert that he's lost a step. Orakpo does get sealed really easily against the run, and it will probably take 10-12 games to get that ironed out completely. McIntosh is the big question mark.

I have this nagging fear that Fletch will be afflicted with Cris Dishman Syndrome (Dishman, you may not recall, was one of the league's premiere corners in 1997 and then just dropped in 1998)

I do have question marks about Rocky

Love what Orakpo has done, but he is a rookie in a new position

Glenn and Henson (assuming one makes the team) are two more rookies

Chris Wilson to me is still looking like a pass rusher. Dropping back in coverage as a linebacker? He's not there yet

Robert Thomas, assuming he makes the team, is a 1st round bust. I think he can contribute but he is what he is