On The Bubble

[tpaulus_2]

After last night's first preseason game, we got a little better idea of who is on the roster bubble.

Some players (Greg Salas) played their way from "definite cut" to on the bubble, imo, whereas other players (Jeremy Ross) went from "likely to make the roster" to on the bubble.

So I figured a thread to talk about some of these guys, many of them relative unknowns, would get some good conversation going here.

 

[tpaulus_2]

After last night I think we'll see competition at:

QB3
RB4
WR3, WR4, WR5, WR6 (if we keep 6)
TE3
OT4
OG4 (if we keep a 2nd reserve interior guy)
DE5
DT5 (if we keep 5 DTs)
LB6
CB5, CB6
Safety4, Safety5 (if we keep a 5th)
KR/PR

Obviously some of these positions won't be carried, depending on how the roster shakes out, but we're looking at at least a dozen roster spots that are pretty wide-open right now. There's some interesting, and pretty talented, players competing at each of the positions listed above- some rookies trying to get their start, some steady vets trying to hold onto their spot(s), and some former high draft picks that haven't lived up to expectations looking for a second chance and a fresh start.

Should be pretty fun to track through the preseason to see who rises the most, and who falls the farthest.

 

[Old Lion]

WR/KR will be the most interesting. The rest are not guys who will contribute much.

 

[tpaulus_2]

WR/KR will be the most interesting. The rest are not guys who will contribute much.

I think the CB5 and CB6 will both be contributors in the nickel and dime packages. I guess you'd put Alex Carter at CB6, so the battle will be more for CB3, CB4, and CB5. Josh Wilson, Nevin Lawson, and Quandre Digs are the primary contenders for the CB3 nickel back role, essentially the 3rd starting CB, so that's a pretty important battle for sure. R.J. Stanford and Crezdon Butler are both in the mix for a reserve spot at outside CB after turning in solid camps so far.

The guys at DE5, LB6, and safety5 should all be major special teams contributors, so those spots will wind up being pretty impactful as well, imo...

 

[Old Lion]

I think the CB5 and CB6 will both be contributors in the nickel and dime packages. I guess you'd put Alex Carter at CB6, so the battle will be more for CB3, CB4, and CB5. Josh Wilson, Nevin Lawson, and Quandre Digs are the primary contenders for the CB3 nickel back role, essentially the 3rd starting CB, so that's a pretty important battle for sure.

The guys at DE5, LB6, and safety5 should all be major special teams contributors, so those spots will wind up being pretty impactful as well, imo...

Lawson actually played on the outside last night and did fairly well. Diggs played decent in limited action as well. I did not notice Wilson at all or even Carter for that matter

 

[tpaulus_2]

Lawson actually played on the outside last night and did fairly well. Diggs played decent in limited action as well. I did not notice Wilson at all or even Carter for that matter

Wilson ran with the ones as the nickel, saw him in on a couple of tackles on the outside, but he didn't stay in the game long. I think he's going to be the week one starter at the nickel.

Carter didn't play- he's still nursing that (ankle?) injury that has kept him out of camp so far...

 

[tpaulus_2]

QB2/QB3:

Moore looked decent in his first drive last night, until he mishandled that shotgun snap, and then it all seemed down hill for him from there. His lack of arm strength was really on display, which is a huge concern, imo.

Dan-O definitely has the lead for the QB2 spot right now, through one week of the preseason.

The wildcard in this mix is the current QB4, Garret Gilbert. He's got the size and arm talent that Moore simply doesn't. If Moore doesn't pick up his play a lot in the next 3 weeks I wouldn't be surprised one bit to see him gone in the final cut-down, with Gilbert to the practice squad to open up an extra roster spot for one of the promising guys we have at DE6, DT5, OG4, or Safety5 (lots of NFL-level talent hanging on the fringes of our roster right now).

Gilbert certainly has a quality pedigree- his dad was an NFL QB for 10+ seasons and was a member of 5 Super Bowl squads.

My early preseason prediction is that we wind up rolling with just two QBs this season with Dan-O backing up Strafford and Gilbert to the practice squad.

I also think drafting a long-term back-up QB should be a big priority next May.

 

[Old Lion]

I agree on Gilbert. He may be the long term answer to the QB2 for this team. I was not impressed with Kellen or Dan O. Gilbert at least showed potential

 

[tpaulus_2]

I agree on Gilbert. He may be the long term answer to the QB2 for this team. I was not impressed with Kellen or Dan O. Gilbert at least showed potential

Agreed. He's got the right tools to be a long-term back-up. Will he ever deliver on that potential? Who knows, but I like his future better than Moore or Dan-O at this particular juncture...

 

[Old Lion]

Agreed. He's got the right tools to be a long-term back-up. Will he ever deliver on that potential? Who knows, but I like his future better than Moore or Dan-O at this particular juncture...

Got to see him against stiffer competition. The Jets 3s are not that good even though their 1s are very good on D.

 

[tpaulus_2]

Got to see him against stiffer competition. The Jets 3s are not that good even though their 1s are very good on D.

Give the 3rd string defense some viagra at practice this week, then?

 

[TrustMeIamRight]

I don't care who the kick returner or punt returner is -- Just don't make Abdullah the permanent choice. I would hate to see him get hurt doing one of those things. I don't want to see him get a concussion or something like that getting laid out on a punt.

 

[tpaulus_2]

RB4:

Prior to last night, it seemed that George Winn had a pretty sizable lead in the RB4 competition, based mostly on his extensive special teams usage.

However, Zenner looked pretty damn good running the ball, and was also on the coverage units, so he definitely seemed to have gained some ground.

 

[gandydancer]

RB4:

Prior to last night, it seemed that George Winn had a pretty sizable lead in the RB4 competition, based mostly on his extensive special teams usage.

However, Zenner looked pretty damn good running the ball, and was also on the coverage units, so he definitely seemed to have gained some ground.

That would be awesome to see Smitty's boy ZZTailback make the roster.

 

[Old Lion]

RB4:

Prior to last night, it seemed that George Winn had a pretty sizable lead in the RB4 competition, based mostly on his extensive special teams usage.

However, Zenner looked pretty damn good running the ball, and was also on the coverage units, so he definitely seemed to have gained some ground.

Zenner also excelled in pass pro. Winn may run harder, but seems to have no field vision. Even Riddick was much better running the ball. Lions damn well better not try to stash Zenner on the practice squad. He will not even clear waivers IMO

 

[tpaulus_2]

Zenner also excelled in pass pro. Winn may run harder, but seems to have no field vision. Even Riddick was much better running the ball. Lions damn well better not try to stash Zenner on the practice squad. He will not even clear waivers IMO

That he did. He seemed very comfortable and fluid picking up the blitz. That being said, Winn is supposed to be a bruiser in blitz pick-up, so the battle for the 4th and final RB spot between those two should be a good one. I like Winn a lot, he's got a great attitude and tough running style, but Zenner has a lot more upside, imo.

 

[Quackerjacked]

Winn's a bruiser but he has a serious lack of vision. If it continues like it was it would be silly for him to beat out Zenner.

 

[broncosmitty]

That would be awesome to see Smitty's boy ZZTailback make the roster.

I think that's a given.

He's the shit!

 

[tpaulus_2]

WR3, WR4, WR5, maybe WR6:

I think Corey Fuller looks to have sizable lead on the WR3 spot. He started in place of Calvin and has been running with the starters all through the offsesaon. His route running is reportedly much improved and none of our other reserve WRs offer Fuller's pure speed and elite athleticism.

The competition for WR4 and WR5 is wide open. Lance Moore, Jeremy Ross, Ryan Broyles, T.J. Jones, and Andrew Peacock are all firmly in the mix. After Thursday's game I think Greg Salas also has to be considered contender as well.

Moore is likely one of the final 5 due to his experience and knowledge of the system. His ceiling is lower than some of the young players, but his floor also higher. I'd rather go with the potential of a younger WR all-in-all, but I also would be fine if we rolled with Moore because he definitely can be a useful role player and veteran mentor.

Ross, hopefully, is on the way out. I think he lost a ton of ground (particularly to T.J. Jones) this week. He didn't do much in the return game, yet again, and still doesn't get any separation in the passing game. He had a good run as return man for us for a bit there, but I think it's time to move on in this case.

Broyles is 50/50, imo, as of right now. He still makes plays when his name is called, but we'll have to see how he looks with Stafford later this preseason to get a real idea of how likely he is to make it. I'd take him over Moore as a similar-type slot guy who is a good route runner and understands how to get open. I think both guys could fill the same role, but Broyles offers a lot more in the long term.

Jones really helped himself out this week. He looked like our best returner (and it wasn't really close, imo), and also looked crisp in the passing game. He'll be very tough to cut if he keeps performing at this level throughout the preseason. He's fast and fluid and could develop into a much better returner than Ross as well as a good bit-piece in the passing game.

Peacock has developed from a darkhorse contender last year to a legitimate one this year. He's the quintessential slot WR- smallish, quick, good routes, but his claim to fame is his hands. Apparently the dude catches everything thrown at him at practice. I think he winds up on the outside looking in, though, come final cut-downs due to his practice squad eligibility. He may have a future in the slot for us with continued development that he's shown thus far.

Finally, Greg Salas exploded into the conversation with his performance on Thursday night. He used his size very well and looked to be a starter running against the third string. Now, granted, a one-game burst in the preseason isn't enough to make a roster, but he's definitely got himself in the mix after playing that well in limited action.

For my money I like some combination of Broyles, Jones, and/or Salas for those last two (three if we roll with six WRs) spots. But I think Moore is in the driver's seat for the 4th spot right now, so that leaves a lot of guys fighting for one, maybe two, spots.

 

[Old Lion]

Right now I agree. Salas showed good hands, but zero separation and ran the wrong route on 1 play. He and Broyles will fight for a spot. One of them will not make it. Ross picked up where he left off last year, which is nose diving into oblivion. Hopefully the coaches see what we do and cut his ass. Jones looks like an all star compared to Ross. Peacock did not impress much either. I was expecting more from him.