DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum our final 53...

There's been a couple of threads around this issue...but we havent had one in here.

What do you think our final 53 will be? and why? and who are gonna be some of the "tough" cuts?

QB: Weeden, McCoy, Lewis (as good as Wallace is, he carries the highest price tag)
RB: TRich, Hardesty, BJax (it's tough for Ogbonnaya because he has such competition and the guy is a pretty decent running back that with some time on the field could really develop...it's too bad we couldnt move him, Adonis Thomas hopefully we can stash on the PS)
FB: Smelley, Marecic (I think its Marecic that will be why we dont keep a guy like OGB)
TE: Watson, Smith, Cameron, Gronkowski (My first surprise cut is Moore. You cant make the team from the tub and he just hasnt been healthy enough and i think Gronkowski will be a good player to have and he's flashed so far in the preseason and i think he will more in the next 2 games)
WR: Gordon, Little, Benjamin, Norwood, Cribbs, Rod Windsor (or Owen Spencer)...Another surprise cut, MoMass...you cant make the club from the tub like Moore, and we just cant rely on him in my opinion, and I think its time to move on from him, also hopefully we can stash Cooper on the PS, but with Benjamin, Little, and Norwood all capable of being a slot guy, theres no room for him
OL: Thomas, Pinkston, Mack, Lauvao, Schwartz, Miller, John Greco, Stanley Daniels (buh bye Oniel)
DL: Rucker, *Taylor*, Hughes, Rubin, Sheard, Winn, Parker, Stephens, Benard...Cameron to the PS...Tough cuts to be made here. Auston English hopefully can go back to the PS, but he is a guy that I like and rarely see mistakes from when hes out there. He's usually named for positive in preseason games. Paxson and Schaefering are tough cuts as well
LB: JMJ, DQ, Maiava, *Fujita*, Fort, Robertson, Acho (Ben Jacobs to the PS)
CB: Haden, Brown, Patterson, Skrine, Wade, Dockery
S: Ward, Hagg, Young, Sims
Special Teams: Dawson, Yount, Hodges


Lots of tough cuts here.

there is some very tough competition on the DL, and i think we have a lot of young guys that are earning spots. Guys like Robertson and Fort and Gronkowski...We have some good youth, and it will give us good depth, and active depth.

I think we'll actually be cutting guys that have talent enough to play on other teams.

Whatre your thoughts, who is your 53, what would change from mine. The two most obvious changes i think would be keeping moore and momass, i just dont think that we should...I think we have healthier, more potentially valuable guys on the roster.

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Cameron to the PS

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I don't think that he last's ten seconds on our practice squad, and he already flashed in the GreenBay game with pressure, something this team sorely lacks. He makes the final 53, end of story. IMO

I think one of the over achiever LB's makes it possibley ove Acho and he goes to practice squad. Acho seams to be invisible so far.

Love the Sims keep, he is making it hard to not keep him. can he play both corner and safety?

Thats true...

I went through the whole roster, and when I finished, i had 54. I wouldnt know who to cut and where to find that room for him. He was my last cut...

I wouldnt know where to go. I think we have a ton of good players on the DL...well rather enough roster-worthy players on our DL. I could get completely behind Cameron making the roster and think he should...who would we cut then? he is a DT...Winn, Rubin, Hughes have to stay. Is Cameron our fourth?

I too wonder about Acho. I think he would be more destined to the PS then the final 53. I think MoMass makes the final 53 and if cut would def be a shocker.
I like English as well but I dont see him on the final 53.
The 3rd QB is still a toss up but I would imagine barring trade Wallace is in over Lewis. I dont think Smelly would make the PS and we probably will have to carry him on the 53 but that may be just me looking at the team through my Browns glasses.
Shaf would be a very tough call to me he makes the team but as you noted we have some good young talent there.
I hope Wade makes the team along with Sims but one never knows.

3rd QB counts to the 53, but not the game day active 45.

Taylor will start the year on the PUP list and Fujita will be a roster exemption...that should free up two spots for now?

I think Moore stays over Smith at TE...

I don't see how Benard makes the team...he's too small and not special-enough as a pass rusher...we have better choices...

I don't think Mo Mass gets cut...but won't be surprised if he does...

I think I'd eat my hat if Windsor or Spencer make the team...

It's getting hard to see Cribbs on the 53...

With the Cameron pickup, I could see Winn getting some serious looks at DE

Benard is 6'2" and 256#. Sheard is 6'2" and 255#. Parker is 6'2" and 250#. Stephens is 6'3" and 255#. English is 6'3" and 250#. I'm not certain why anyone would think that he's too small. In fact, last year when he put on weight/size, the team was mad because he was too big at 270-275. Last year was not the year to judge him by, as he had changed his whole body to what he thought the team would want from him as a DE. He has a great burst as a pass rusher. I think that he could very well push one of our free agent signees, Parker, off the team.

yea I had the *s near them because they wont be a part of the roster when the season starts.

I think that Benard could end up a casualty especially with Rucker and Sheard as starters, and Parker and Stephens as backups...

Then Winn, Hughes, Rubin and either Schaefering or Cameron as DTs...that gives us 2 starters and 2 backups...if Marecic gets cut. it could open room for both of them, but having Smelley as the only FB when he is more of a FB/H-Back/TE hybrid just wont work.

Juqua Parker can get the QB though...he's had single seasons with more sacks than Benard has in his entire career.

Parker is also 34 years old.

Benard hasn't played bad but he hasnt really stood out either although after a year on IR, that is to be expected. He needs a strong showing in these next two games.

I'm trying to watch for both Parker and Benard in this game, and how each did.



With 4:37 left in the 1st quarter, we have a Benard signting at RDE. He makes the play on the RB, tripping him up even though he looked like he might have been taken out of the play at first.

The next play had both Parker at LDE, and Benard at RDE. Both players were effectively blocked on the pass rush.

Next play again had Benard at RDE and Parker at LDE. Parker jumped off sides. Rodgers ran past Parker's side, since Parker ran himself well beyond the QB. Penalty was declined, as Rodgers had a huge run.

Next play, same alignment. Benard and Maiava combine on the tackle of the RB.

Next play, same alignment. Bit of a stunt. The Packers pocket holds up.

Next play, same alignment. Benard comes around the tackle, and forces Rodgers back up the middle where he runs, but cannot get the first down.

Next play, 4th and 2. Parker at LDE, Stephens at RDE. Parker pretty well negated. We blitzed and did pressure Rodgers some, but he still got the pass away, and Wade broke it up.

I'm going to stop there, because Parker had no stats in the game, and from what I saw, little positive impact for the Browns. Benard was much, much more disruptive.

Ventrone will make the final 53 because of his play on special teams.

I stand corrected.

I thought he had a 12 sack season. I mustve been mistaken, and thinking of someone else

was thinkin I guess of either Babin or Trent Cole. Thought Parker had a 12 sack season.

If that is the case then, it wouldnt be out of the question for him to be cut over Benard, but Parker was in Philly with Shurmur and our whole staff and Benard was not.

Who goes if Ventrone stays?

QB: (3)
Brandon Weeden
Colt McCoy
Thaddeus Lewis

RB: (3)
Trent Richardson
Montario Hardesty
Brandon Jackson

FB: (2)
Owen Marecic
Brad Smelley

TE: (3)
Ben Watson
Jordan Cameron
Alex Smith \ Alex Moore

WR: (6)
Greg Little
Josh Gordon
Mohamed Massaquoi
Travis Benjamin
Jordan Norwood
Joshua Cribbs (RS)

OL: (9)
Joe Thomas
Jason Pinkston
Alex Mack
Shawn Lauvao
Mitchell Schwartz
John Greco
Ryan Miller
Jarrod Shaw
Oniel Cousins

LS: Christian Yount
PK: Phil Dawson

^ (28)

DL: (8)
Jabaal Sheard
Ahtyba Ruben
Frostee Rucker
John Hughes
Billy Winn
Juqua Parker
Emmanuel Stephens
Marcus Benard \ Ronnie Cameron


LB: (7)
James-Michael Johnson
D'Qwell Jackson
Kaluka Maiava
Scott Fujita
L.J Fort
Craig Robinson
Benjamin Jacobs

DB : (9)
Joe Haden
TJ. Ward
Eric Hagg
Sheldon Brown
Dimitri Patterson
Buster Skrine
Trevin Wade
Usama Young \ David Simms
Ray Ventrone

P: Reggie Hodges

(PUP): Phil Taylor


\ = undecided

I can go at this two ways, what do I think the actual front office will do, or what would I do if I were in their position.

I am going to go at it with the second option in mind, mainly because it is impossible to predict what anyone will do without the knowledge of what they have done in private practice sessions and in the film room. Also, the other teams in the NFL will be making cuts and I'm sure we will be looking at many of those players for our practice squad.

QB: The obvious one is Weeden (1). I would take McCoy (2) over Wallace because of his youth, positive attitude, and price. Lewis (3) would be the third QB, but I would keep an eye on the waiver wire for a young guy with more potential that could be developed. I would hope we could get a late round pick for Wallace from a team like the Eagles or Packers.

RB: Knowing this teams' luck Richardson (4) will be on IR before the season starts. Hardesty (5) worries me as the primary backup because of his injury history. That's where Brandon Jackson (6) comes in. He can't carry the load, but he can take 5-10 carries a game. Ogbonnaya (7) proved last year that he could at least play average in the NFL and I think we need the fourth back on the team because of Richardson's situation and Hardesty's injury history. Once Richardson has proved he is fully healthy I expect Ogbonnaya to be cut. I also expect that we carry an extra back (like Adonis Thomas) on the practice squad.

FB: Marecic (8) can play special teams and can block, the two most important things you need out of your fullback. We have also been told that he has good hands. I think/hope he stays. I hope Smelley (9) also makes the team. Players who can play multiple positions are valuable. He is also younger and cheaper than some other options (see below). In a perfect world I would stash him on the practice squad, but I feel many other teams would line up for a chance to get him on their squad.

TE: Watson (10) and Cameron (11) are locks. I would have to say Alex Smith is cut due to Smelley's presence on the team. Evan Moore (12) is iffy for me because he can't block or stay healthy. But when on the field, he is a threat. While Gronkowski has impressed, he would be cut.

OL: Thomas (13), Pinkston (14), Mack (15), Lauvao (16), Schwartz (17), and Miller (18) are all locks for me. I would cut Oniel Cousins. Right now. He was terrible last year and has been terrible in the preseason. And he got called for multiple dumb penalties. And he has missed practice due to injury. If he is not cut I would be very surprised. I would say that Greco (19) is safe because of his versatility and experience with this coaching staff. I don't know much about the other linemen, so I will just say we will probably carry two more (20, 21).

DL: Taylor (22), Sheard (23), Rubin (24), Rucker (25), Paxson (26), Winn (27), and Hughes (28) are all locks. I would say Bernard (29) and Parker (30) will both make the team because of their perceived pass rushing ability. I would like to see Schaefering make the team because he seems like he works hard, but I don't think he has enough talent to hang. Emmanuel Stephens (31) seems like he has more upside.

LB: Jackson (32), Fujita (33), Maiava (34), JMJ (35) are all locks. It seems like the coaching staff has confidence in L.J. Fort (36). If he can be our new Blake Costanzo that would be great. I haven't really heard or seen much about Acho (37) but when in doubt go with the draft pick over the undrafted guy. Benjamin Jacobs (38) also flashed on the screen when I watched games.

I just realized I skipped the wide receivers and I don't want to go back and change all my handy numbers...

WR: Little (39), Gordon (40), and Benjamin (41) are the only three I see as locks. Massaquoi (42) has the concussion concern, but I think he is the most talented of the guys left. I hope Cribbs (43) is on the team, but I really wish he would stick to special teams. I would love to see Norwood (44) make the team as the slot guy. That means goodbye for everyone's favorite guy, Carlton Mitchell. We would probably take one of Bert Reed or Josh Cooper on the practice squad.

DB: Ward (45), Haden (46), Brown (47), Patterson (48), Skrine (49), and Hagg (50). That's only six DB's. Which means I would have to go back and cut back at a different position. In today's game it's necessary to have many DB's because of the crazy amount of passing in the league. I would go back and cut Jacobs and Stephens and replace them with Wade (31) and Ventrone (38).

ST: Dawson (51), Yount (52), Hodges (53)

QB: Rodgers, Brady, Weeden
RB: Foster, McCoy, Richardson
WR: Johnson, Johnson, Fitzgerald, Jones, Little, Benjamin
TE: Gronkowski, Graham, Cameron
OLine: Thomas, Nicks, Mack, Grubbs, Scwartz, Long, Mangold, Pinkston

DE: Williams, Freeny, Allen, Sheard
DT: Suh, Taylor, Rubin, Hughes, Winn
LB: Willis, Ware, Jackson, Miller, Dumerville, Johnson
CB: Haden, Bailey, Peterson, Rodgers-Cromartie, Cromartie, Revis
S: Berry, Ward, Reed, Polamalu

K: Dawson
P: Hodges
LS: Yount

Oh, I made some trades...

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I also expect that we carry an extra back (like Adonis Thomas) on the practice squad.

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There is something about that youngster I like ... I hope we can keep him in the fold on our PS.

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We would probably take one of Bert Reed or Josh Cooper on the practice squad.

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Maybe both (I have both listed as + prospects) + = PS.

Both have shown an ability to get open and catch the ball.

I think Jarrad Shaw has looked pretty good and we used him at Center in last weeks contest vs GB, late in the game, so I think he can offer some versatility as a backup OG/OC.

I watched the first half again last night and thought Benard did a very good job in playing the run. The pass rush is there but the run stuffing has been nonexistent. If he can become consistent against the run, he will jump Rucker who can't stay healthy.

Benard was hurt last year, after he came into camp at 275 or so. He only played 4 games last year.

The year before, he had 7.5 sacks. He also had 28 tackles. That was while being used mainly as a pass rushing specialist. The year before that, he had 3.5 sacks and 14 tackles in only 6 games.

I watched the Green Bay game and concentrated on Benard and Parker, and Benard was much, much faster. He had much better burst off the line. He also wrapped up on tackles, even when he had to come back and make the tackle. I didn't see a guy "playing small" in any way. Can you explain what you mean, with, perhaps, an example? What I did see was a guy who played fast. On one play he was in the backfield, and tackled the runner, even when it looked like he was out of the play. I noted the play in my breakdown earlier if you want to review the game and see what I saw.

Parker was out of the picture on almost every play. I don't think that he has been impressive in any way thus far. We have 2 more games for the Browns to evaluate them, but if they are even, I think the tie goes to the younger player. 34 year old DEs worry the crap out of me.

I believe I saw someone bring up Schaefering, and as far as he is concerned ......... he's OK. He's not a pass rusher at all though. He has 2 sacks in 4 seasons. (37 games) He's a decent backup, but he's really nothing special. He really doesn't have a great impact on the opposing running game. He has below average burst, decent strength, and limited agility. He played more in the final 6 games of the season, and had 14 of his 29 tackles in those 6 games. we gave up 134 yards, 290, 147, 74, 162, and 221 yards. Ouch. In our best game during that stretch, against Arizona, he had no tackles.

I think that he is a serviceable player, but nothing really special. What do you see that causes you to have a different opinion about him?

I think Marecic was a bad draft pick and has done nothing so I would keep Ogbonnaya since he has really helped us. I would also keep Moore since he has helped us and Cameron hasn't. Massiquoi has helped us but has been injury prone...Mitchell has looked good in preseason and Little hasn't...Little has been a very good player until the game starts and then he drops passes. Schaefering has helped us and I would not like to see him go.

Parker is 34 years old. I questioned this Heckert signing from the get go.
He did almost nothing in Philly last year.
how many 34 yr old DE's play at a high level? very very few. Parker has been average all his career. A body.
there were better options at RDE,but typical Heckert goes shopping in the discontinued bargain bin at a position where you need to have a force to neutralize a QB.
I would be surprised if the Browns would scour the waiver wire for another RDE thats a upgrade over Parker.

He. Was. Depth.

I think it will come down to keeping 5 DT (Not counting Taylor) or 5 DE's for a total of 9 DL.

I just hope that if we keep Parker (over Benard) it's because the Coaches see something we haven't seen from him. He has not impressed me one iota. What he has done in his career in the past really means nothing if he still can't do those things today.