53 Man Roster and Training Camp Battles

[Schneed10]

I dunno, I can't see Gregg Williams letting Garnell Wilds go. He's the 4th coverage guy on the team behind Rogers. Remember, he did quite well against Moss last year, and given that Rogers has a foot problem I can't see Williams letting him go.

We had Springs, Smoot and Harris last year, and we still needed to play a 4th cover corner against the Vikings. Guys get hurt, so I think Williams will be prepared for that.

I think Gregg Williams' need for strong corners on D trumps any concerns about special teams. When listing priorities, not to downplay the importance of special teams because it is important, but in our scheme having that 4th cover guy is more important.

The only way Wilds gets let go in my opinion, is if GW is comfortable with having one of the safeties be the 4th corner. He really likes roster flexibility, so if he finds a safety he feels comfortable using as a cover guy, then maybe Wilds becomes expendable. But do we have anybody like that? I gotta wonder if the Lotts, Clarks, Bowens, or Prioleaus can fill that role.

[JoeRedskin]

Originally Posted by Schneed10

I dunno, I can't see Gregg Williams letting Garnell Wilds go. He's the 4th coverage guy on the team behind Rogers. Remember, he did quite well against Moss last year, and given that Rogers has a foot problem I can't see Williams letting him go.

I think Gregg Williams' need for strong corners on D trumps any concerns about special teams. When listing priorities, not to downplay the importance of special teams because it is important, but in our scheme having that 4th cover guy is more important.

The only way Wilds gets let go in my opinion, is if GW is comfortable with having one of the safeties be the 4th corner.

I hear you on the Wilds issue. I agree - Williams likes him and I think he has a good shot at the team. BUT, like I said earlier, I think he may get lost in a numbers crunch.

After thinking about it some more I came up with my own adaption of your chart:

QB: 3 - Ramsey, Brunell, Campbell
WR: 4 - Moss, Jacobs, Patten, McCants/Dyson
TB: 2 - Portis, Betts
FB: 1 - Broughton
HB/TE: 3 - Cooley, Royal, White
O Line: 5 - Jansen, Thomas, Rabach, Dockery, Samuels
O Line Back Ups: 3 - Ray Brown; (For 2 spots): Molinaro/Wilson/Friedman
CUT: Raymer
TOTAL OFFENSIVE ROSTER SPOTS – 21

DE: 2 - Wynn, Daniels,
DT: 3 - Griffin, Salavea'a, Noble
DL Back Ups: 2- Evans/Warner/Boschetti
LB: 5 - Arrington, Washington, Marshall, Holdman, McCune
S: 3 - Taylor, Bowen, Prioleau (ST)
CB: 3 - Springs, Harris, Rogers
Back-Up DB's: 2 - Lott/Dixon/Clark/Hawkins

TOTAL DEFENSIVE ROSTER SPOTS – 20

Specialists: 3 - Tupa, Albright, Hall/Chandler
Special Teams (Locks): 3 - Jimoh (CB), Thrash (WR), Brown (WR)
Special Teams (For 6 Spots): - Allen (LB)/ Newberry (LB)/ Campbell (LB)/ Sellers (HB/TE)/ Cartwright (TB)/ Wilds (CB) /Brown (CB)/ Clemons LB)/ C. Smith (LB)

TOTAL SPECIAL TEAMS SPOTS – 12

For those guys not listed in the Special Teams battle (i.e. McCants/Dyson), I suspect that if they don't win their position battle they will not make the team.

For those listed in the Special Teams battle, I suspect that they make the team regardless of their position IF they outplay others for an ST slot. Otherwise they will need to significantly outplay people at their position to make the team.

Priealou is a bit of a special case as he was signed specifically for Special Teams but is also an experienced starting safety - because of his versatility I see him as a lock.

Also, I think you're right Schneed - Wilds is probably in the mix both as a special teamer and back-up DB. But if one of the back-up DB's can fill the S/CB role, than Wilds only chance of making the team is to be a big special teams contributor. If that is true, he kinda becomes Ade Jimoh, Jr.