Wishful Thinking, Misdirection, & Optimistic Speculation?

[averagejoe]

I found the following news items interesting. Much of it comes from "beat writers" and not necessarily the actual NFL team. Is some of this wishful thinking? Are they trying to sell newspapers? Or faith in their home team? Are some of these sleeper candidates? Or is it misdirection since it's so early in camp?

RB James White
ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss suggests fourth-round pick James White could be threatening Stevan Ridley for early-down carries. Reiss wrote that he's "starting to wonder" if White "might cut into some of Ridley's early-down workload," and says it's "notable" how many practice reps White has received, "especially on the goal line." In his latest 53-man roster projection, Reiss appears to place White ahead of Ridley on the depth chart, and directly behind Shane Vereen.

RB Jeremy Hill
The Cincinnati Enquirer's Paul Dehner expects Bengals second-round RB Jeremy Hill to see 10-15 carries per game. Dehner also believes there's "no chance" BenJarvus Green-Ellis wins the short-yardage job over Hill behind Giovani Bernard. If Hill is to see 10-15 totes a week, he'd finish the season in the 160-240 carries range.

RB Devonta Freeman
Fourth-round RB Devonta Freeman is listed as the Falcons' No. 4 running back on their initial depth chart.
Jacquizz Rodgers and Antone Smith check in at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively, behind Steven Jackson.

RB Bishop Sankey
Shonn Greene is listed as the first-team running back on the Titans' initial depth chart. Dexter McCluster is listed second and Bishop Sankey third.

WR Justin Brown
Steelers WR Justin Brown has recently seen some snaps ahead of Lance Moore as the first-team slot receiver.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette seems to think Brown has a legit shot to unseat Moore.

WR Davante Adams
Second-round WR Davante Adams is listed as a second-string wideout on the Packers' initial depth chart. Any injuries to Jordy Nelson or Randall Cobb would make Adams a must-add this season, and we wouldn't rule him beating out Jarrett Boykin for No. 3 reps at some point in the season.


Thoughts? And has anyone heard of any other significant depth chart chatter?

 

[averagejoe]

P.S. I realize that Sankey, Hill and Freeman are not sleepers by any stretch, but the news does affect their value as well as the value of those on their respective depth charts. That's why I listed them.

 

[Microwahevo]

P.S. I realize that Sankey, Hill and Freeman are not sleepers by any stretch, but the news does affect their value as well as the value of those on their respective depth charts. That's why I listed them.

I was actually gonna comment on that Sankey depth ranking. Him being third right now shouldn't have anyone worried. The Lions released their initial "unofficial depth chart" and there's a couple starters not listed as such right now. I mention that bc at this point it isn't necessarily a concern. A few weeks from now? Yeah, there would be cause for concern. So Sankey sitting third isn't huge.

 

[TREFF]

I saw a few of those depth charts too. . Many of them were published with the disclaimer that said coach simply differs to to seniority on the openning chart. .I.e..Freeman, Sankey..

I am intrigued on White, and Hill though. Actually %100 agree on Hill.. can't see the Bengal keeping the over priced Law Firm if Hill can do a similar, if not better, job.

 

[wilwhite]

Slow news day....

Just checked the first Bucs depth chart in August 2012 - and Blount was ahead of Martin. I figure when there's a prior starter on the team, the rookie is never ahead of them on the depth chart prior to pre-season games.

On that note, Hill is third on the Bengals depth chart.

The White blurb doesn't even make sense to me - how could White be cutting into Ridley's early-down workload if Vareen tops the depth chart? Looks like somebody's interpretation of a beat writer's observations.

 

[TKOSpikes]

yeah... Eddie Lacy was 4th on the depth chart this time last year.

 

[leftypower]

It's really hard to determine the BS from what is reality at this point. Beat writers, fantasy analyst, even the coaches will talk up guys (especially newcomers) so as to make everyone believe they made good trades or draft picks. The initial depth charts are probably a mixture of smoke screens, reality, motivation, and hype. I think true reality is somewhere in between it all.
I do think in most cases, the coaches and management already 'know' the plan and preseason will only flush out the few positions/players they may still have some doubts on. As for pecking order, in general, it is known - but is not be reflected in the charts as yet for reasons noted above.

 

[DuffBeer Doug]

Here ya go Joe. This is from Coach Pettine of the Browns the other day about his initial depth chart.

* First depth chart unveiled: NFL coaches generally are loathe to release their first depth chart of camp because it sometimes sends wrong messages to media, fans and players about where each player stands in the team’s plans. “I did it because I had to do it,” Pettine said with a sigh. “I think at a lot of positions we would have just slashed guys (as co-starters). I would say it’s very loose in our minds. I wouldn’t put a lot of credence in it. It will be very fluid. And there’ll likely be changes after every week.” Cases in point: Phil Taylor and Jabaal Sheard are listed on the second team at their positions (behind Desmond Bryant and Paul Kruger, respectively). Miles Austin is the No. 2 receiver opposite Josh Gordon, ahead of Nate Burleson. Justin Gilbert is still listed behind Buster Skrine at cornerback. For the record, Hoyer is No. 1 at quarterback and Ben Tate No. 1 at running back.

 

[Barilko]

Great thread Joe I wish I had something to add...I trust my fellow MBBRL more than any beat writer. However if you need a little Habs depth chart I'm there for ya