DawgTalkers.net Forums DawgTalk Pure Football Forum The dreaded, pre-mature, useless 53 man roster prediction

Someone had to start it. In no particular order:

QB - McCown, Manziel

We might go with a 3rd guy (see next post). I think Shaw makes it through the 53 man cut-down...then gets moved to the PS...and we bring back Lewis. It protects Shaw from getting poached.

RB - Crowell, West, D Johnson, M Johnson

With what we may have as STers at DB, LB, & WR I don't see a 5th guy making it...maybe.

TE - Dray, Barnidge, Housler

We might go with a 4th guy. We may also choose between one of Dray/Barnidge to create a spot for another guy. More on that later.

WR - Bowe, Hartline, Hawkins, Gabriel, Mayle, ?

We will pick a 6th guy...no way Mayle gets to the PS. One of lots of guys here may make the 53 due to ST and/or the long shot that is Pryor.

OL - Thomas, Bitonio, Mack, Greco, Schwartz, Erving, Seymour, ?.

One...maybe two more guys make it here. I think they like Seymour so I put him up there.

That's 23 guys for sure (including 2 question marks for position battles) with some guys fighting for a spot on the 53 among guys at other positions.

DL - Shelton, Starks, Hughes, Winn, Cooper, Taylor, Kitchen, A Bryant, D Bryant.

No way we are keeping all 9 of those guys. More on this later. I think we keep 7 of 'em.

LB - Dansby, Kruger, Robertson, Kirksey, Mingo, Solomon, Orchard

I think they will keep Pullard & Carder. I think we might keep 9.

CB - Haden, T Williams, K Williams, Gilbert, Desir, Nelson, Gaines

This will be a very interesting camp at the CB spot. I think those seven guys are in.

S - Whitner, Gipson, Poyer, Campbell

We didn't hear diddly about Campbell in OTAs. I'm a little worried about that.

That's 27 guys on D...23 on O...and 3 ST for a total of 53.

Next post breaks down the "battles". I will shoot holes in this opinion and expect that you will do the same.

Camp battles:

DL

I think one of Taylor/Kitchen makes the team. I’m biased because I am D-O-N-E with Taylor being so out of shape. I think one of A Bryant/D Bryant makes the team. I get that they are different guys…but still don’t see both making it. I’m disappointed with D Bryant’s impact. I’d trade him if I could…same with Taylor. I can’t remember if A Bryant played any STs…but if he did, I doubt if he would now.

LB

I like all the guys I listed in the previous post. I think Pullard is in a camp battle but more so in a ST role than LB. If they are hell-bent on keeping (9) guys – which I expect they are not – then he is in. I’ve read a couple of times where the coaches are not hell-bent on numbers at certain positions…which is likely partly true and partly BS.

DB

I’ve got seven CBs and four Ss on my roster and that feels light. Bademosi is in a fight for a job…but again…not necessarily at his position. His spot as a ST-only guy is in danger. If Campbell can’t cut it at S…we may have a problem. Ekpre-O needs to stay on the bike through TC.

QB

I already said what I thought would happen there.

RB

I think Winston is the only RB in a fight for a spot on STs – he too is not in the running as an RB per se IMO. I don’t see any other RBs who will bring to STs more than what Winston, Pullard, Bademosi, et al can bring.

WR

Only the Republican party has more guys in the running here than we do. Pryor, Benjamin, Jennings, Smith. All would have to really shine to force a shift in numbers.

TE

Bibbs? He may win out in the battle between Dray/Barnidge if he forces the Browns to keep him. Telfair needs to do the Tour de Berea with Ekpre.

With 53 spots accounted for in the post above…I think maybe three spots get jockeyed and create an opening. For purposes of this post:

I’ll go with (7) OL…(6) DL…and (8) LB…meaning I have created three spots from the post above. A Bryant may get the nod over Kitchen, Taylor, & D Bryant here as he could swing at DL/LB. I’ll keep him and cut/trade the other three – preferably trade. I’ll cut Pullard and try to get him to the PS.

That leaves three spots for:

Shaw
Pryor
Benjamin
Jennings
Smith
Moore
Winston
Bibbs
Bademosi

I almost hate to say it...but I’m keeping Pryor for now. He’s a better flyer/project, risk/reward than any other guy on the list. He makes Benjamin redundant and we will keep who we can on the PS. I like Moore…but he doesn’t have the upside that Pryor may have. Ugh.

I still think there is something potentially special about Winston. He’s been in the system…he’s a good ST guy…he’s in.

Bademosi gets the last spot. He’s been very good on ST and makes me feel better about being “light” at DB with 7+4

That’s a reasonably deep roster with (1) project guy and (2) guys making the team primarily for their ST ability but whom both provide some potential depth at their stated positions.

It’ll be interesting to see who comes out of camp and puts a hole in my roster.

Thanks, that looks like a lot of work.

Thanks for the early breakdown.

The wr situation will be interesting. Maybe maybe to the PS and Pryor makes it as a backup wr and 3rd QB

That's what I'm thinking. They can "hide" Pryor as the 3rd QB and who knows he might make a good 3rd stringer, until he learns WR. Sounds like a plan.

I stopped reading there.

I sure didn't get down to the WR's...LOL!

Ultimately, it begins and ends at QB. Since that is the best they can roll with it is beyond pathetic.

I see another 4-12/5-11 season with a disgraceful offense and a tired D.

I cant see us placing WR Vince Mayle on the PS...with his draft pedigree alone he will be snatched up quickly...Heck even on the Chiefs I think he could be a #4 or #5 as Jason Avant is declining rapidly...Some scenarios will be easier to see as injuries will occur and we'll have some guys headed to IR or guys whom fall flat on their faces in preseason.

Me too...I have him on my 53.

I mostly agree, differ in a few spots. Thanks for posting.

QB: McCown, Manziel

RB: Johnson, Crowell, West

FB: Johnson

TE: Dray, Housler, Bibbs

I think We know what we have in Barnidge and Dray... and neither are game breakers, and I think they want to make Housler a big part of the offense. Seems like it opens the door for a developmental guy like Bibbs. Not real confident on this one, but they've talked a lot about him this offseason.

WR: Hartline, Bowe, Hawkins, Gabriel, Mayle (ugh), Benjamin (PR), Moore (ST)

I feel like they have to keep Mayle, especially with all that nonsense talk comparing him to Anquan Boldin. Yikes. Benjamin is on the team unless someone makes an impression on punt returns. Pettine has said Moore "embodies 'play like a brown'" to cut him and he's valuable to Tabor.

OL: Thomas, Bitonio, Mack, Erving, Schwartz, Greco, Bowie, Miller

Darrian Miller is too good of a player to let walk at a rookie salary. Depth is so much better this year.

That's 24 on offense for me.


NT: Taylor, Shelton

3T: Hughes, Starks, Winn

5T: D. Bryant, Cooper

OLB: Kruger, A. Bryant, Mingo, Orchard, Solomon

ILB: Dansby, Robertson, Kirksey, Carder (ST)

This one hurts me... I'd really like to see Pullard on the team but every year I think they'll cut but they keep Carder. They're making a lot of noise about him this offseason. Plus... STs.

CB: Haden, Williams, Williams, Gilbert, Gaines, Desir

I think Gaines makes the squad mainly because they need inside corners behind KW. Desir because Pettine likes a lot of CBs. I think it will be Desir unless Saunders can beat him out. I think Moore and Benjamin win out the special teams spots over Bademosi this year. Would be a shame to see him go. Maybe Bademosi takes it over Moore, but I don't think so.

S: Whitner, Gipson, Poyer, Campbell

K: Coons

P: Lee

LS: Hughlett

PUP: IEO, Telfer

Practice Squad: Pullard (ILB), Lundy (FB), Winston (RB), Saunders (CB), McDaniel (DL), Wynn (DL), Painter (OL), Shaw (QB), OLB from another team, WR from another team

What pedigree? Isn't he a mid-round pick who is coming off of an injury and is known more for his drops than anything else?

I agree, but I think it is a case of out with the old, in with the new. As you have stressed, we have a weak receiver corp ( I don't totally agree with that) but I agree enough that I don't see the new guy getting cut.

But as is always the case, camp with sort things out.

QB: McCown, Manziel and Shaw.
RB: Crowell, West, Johnson and Luke Lundy (Special teams).
FB: Malcolm Johnson (Lundy might play some FB too).
TE: Dray, Barnidge, Housler and Bibbs (Special teams).
WR: Bowe, Hartline, Hawkins, Gabriel, Mayle and Wynn (Wynn is going to win a PR/KR spot).
OL: Thomas, Bitonio, Mack, Greco, Mitchell.
OL Backups: Painter, Erving and Bowie (only keeping 3 backups for the main roster).

Total offensive players: 26

DL: Taylor, Shelton, Starks.
DL Backups: Hughes, Cooper, D. Bryant, Kitchen
(Billy Winn is the odd man out and gets cut).
OLB: Kruger, Solomon, Mingo, Orchard. (Is Armonty Bryant in the mix here?)
ILB: Dansby, Kirksey, Robertson and Carder.
DB: Haden, T. Williams, K. Williams, Gilbert, Desir, Gaines.
S: Whitner, Gipson, Campbell, Poyer.

Total defensive players: 25

Then we have the punter, kicker, long snapper.

I went over at 54....

Bibbs, Wynn or Lundy probably don't make the team.

I'm just crossing my fingers that they can make an impact and make the final roster though.

Armonty Bryant makes the 53 !

AS I look at our roster, I really see a team that is built more towards running a 4-3. I know Pet likes to mix it up but unless we are thinking of trading some of these guys, I see a lot more 4-3 being played. lots of tweener DT/DE's big bodies in the middle. I see less numbers at the backer positions and most of those guys are tweener DE/OLB.

Trying to figure a defensive scheme nowadays is like herding cats... so may hybrids... I think Pett is trying to get these tweeners so he can stand the ends up or put a hand in the dirt and be more reactive to various packages the offense runs without having to make wholesale substitutions.

Uh theory it sounds great, in practice it will take certain skill sets, lets hope they find the players that fit, I think that is why someone like Sheard was left to walk... JMHO

That's not how that works.
You have to waive a player and they have to clear waivers before you can re-sign them to the Practice Squad.
Nothing protects Shaw from getting poached except keeping him on the 53.

All of that aside, is he even eligible for the Practice Squad??
(nevermind, just refreshed myself on the eligibility rules - while he has an accrued season, he was likely not on the game day 45 roster for at least 9 games last year, so he is eligilble).

I'm kinda surprised no one has Pryor listed as a QB or a WR. I think we stash him as our #3 QB and let him get his feet wet as a WR, and if we loss a QB I think he could slip right back in as a QB. Win Win. Speaking of Winn, I think we try to trade him before we'd cut him. I know Marvin Lewis really likes this kid, I'd hate for them to scoop him up if we released him. Winn and Kitchen or even Big Phil are some I think they may look to move for a pick.

I don't think cutting Winn or Taylor is a likely scenario. I think they are slated to be future compensatory picks. Schwartz, too.

Seriously, on paper, that is a pretty damn good defense. Probably not top 5 because right now we don't have a primo pass rusher, but I really think it may be the best unit we've had since the rebirth.

While I think Pryor has size, speed, talent and even potential as a wide-receiver, he's already behind in the race because it's taken him so long to convert. I'm not sure he's going to realistically beat out the bottom of our depth chart. We spent a draft pick on Vince Mayle (4th rounder too) so he's going to get every chance to win a spot. That's going to leave Pryor competing with Travis Benjamin, Rodney Smith, Shane Wynn and whoever else I'm forgetting. I just don't see him doing enough in camp to keep him on as a wide-receiver, and as far as QB goes I severely doubt he'll beat out Shaw or Lewis. He's spent his entire off-season working as a WR, not focusing on being a QB. I doubt he even sees reps at QB in camp...

Updates:

QB: McCown, Manziel

RB: Johnson, Crowell, West, Draughn

FB: Johnson

TE: Dray, Housler, Barnidge, Bibbs

Reports saying Housler is stinking up the joint and Barnidge is playing well in TC.

WR: Hartline, Bowe, Hawkins, Gabriel, Mayle, Pryor, Benjamin, Moore (ST)

This is a tough one between the PR issues of cutting the one WR you've drafted in the past two seasons vs. cutting Moore who you held up as the example of "Play like a Brown." Mayle has been dropping passes in TC, as was one of his major knocks in college. This will be a heated discussion b/w Farmer and Pettine. It seems like there's too much potential with Pryor to let him go. Benjamin is playing too well at wideout and still is the primary punt returner.

OL: Thomas, Bitonio, Mack, Schwartz, Greco, Erving, Bowie, Miller, McDonald

McDonald has been one of the two primary backups in practice with Erving. Haven't heard a peep about Miller yet, but coach allegedly says he believes two UDFAs will make the team. Depth is so much better this year.

That's 25 on offense for me.


NT: Taylor, Shelton

3T: Starks, Hughes, Winn

5T: D. Bryant, Cooper

OLB: Kruger, A. Bryant, Solomon, Mingo, Orchard

ILB: Dansby, Robertson, Kirksey, Carder

Would still like to see Pullard make the squad. Pullard got some serious praise from Draughn for his coverage skills yesterday, said better than Kirksey.

CB: Haden, Williams, Williams, Gilbert, Gaines, Desir, Bademosi (ST)

I have Gaines out because I haven't heard much about in this offseason, and I think they are right to want to keep Pryor. If Desir really has improved as much as they say then he's a lock. This is tough because we are thin on inside corners and K'W is coming off an injury. Gaines v. Bademosi will be an interesting bubble spot to watch.

S: Whitner, Gipson, Poyer, Campbell

K: Coons

P: Lee

LS: Hughlett

PUP: IEO, Telfer

Practice Squad: Pullard (ILB), Lundy (FB), Winston (RB), Saunders (CB), McDaniel (DL), Wynn (DL), Painter (OL), Shaw (QB), OLB from another team, Gaines (CB)

Nice break down steve. Not a lot to argue with there.

Though I would be very surprised if West didn't make the team. I don't believe Grossi that he still has maturity issues. Well, I believe he likely does still have maturity issues. I don't believe anyone told Grossi that. I don't believe Grossi has any connections on the team that will give him dirt.

I also think that Mayle will make it to the practice squad if he doesn't make the team.

So if West makes it and Mayle makes the practice squad, I would have to take one off the main roster and one off the practice squad. And I can't decide who those two are.

I like your picks, except I see Mayle making the team over Moore. (Benjamin can return kickoffs, he's done it in the past. I suspect Duke Johnson could too. If Justin Gilbert is 4th on the DB list, maybe he can do it. He's gotta do something....... And that would utilize his athletic ability). And I'd drop Bademosi and keep Tank Carder. I think we are going to want 4 ILBs.

And, I wouldn't be surprised if Phil Taylor fought with Starks and Wynn to make the team. The Kitchen is gonna be the backup NT behind Shelton.

Agreed on TE's.

And I think West will make the team over Draughn.


As for kicker, I don't know either of them, so it's kind of like Pick One.......

If the only thing Moore can do is be a gunner, he needs to go. Let Bademosi do it. At least he can play spot duty safety.

Won't be shocked to see 7 WR make the team now (given Farmer's comments the other day). I see Pryor as a lock at this point ... and Benji probably as well because he's looked good.

West is going to have to earn it at this point IMO .. the staff was already down on him, he came in and didn't look good, then got injured. Tough to make the team like that.

Winn

Winn
Winn

There's actually a Winn and a Wynn at DL on our roster right now... Wynn is a UDFA out of Oregon State the coaches have been impressed with. I don't know if that's who Petey was talking about, though.

Season hasnt even started and the Browns already have 3 Wynn's lol

Hopefully we can count those as W's at the end of the season. That might be what it takes to make the playoffs!

Not going to comment on the whole 53 man roster, just posting to say that I have a new favorite player on the Browns team and hope he makes the team and contributes... Moise Fokou, who the Browns signed to bring into camp as a LB...

He started his college career at Frostburg State, small D3 school and their football field is literally right across the street from the house I grew up in, then he went to Maryland..

Do I expect great things (or anything) out of him? Not really, but I'm rooting for him for totally unfootball related reasons... and it's pronounced MOYsee FOEku

With Moore/Bademosi on the roster, I'd probably be forced to cut Mayle and Gaines. I'd also cut Housler and Kitchen.

I'd try to find a way to keep Pullard (but Carder may take his spot)

Kitchen cut this year, but not last year or two years ago, it doesn't add up to me.

Of course then, I can't really name the top 7 Browns players who I think would both be pretty good at their job AND be on the team 16-19 months from now, if I started after spotting Thomas and Haden.

January 2017? Man! I can't name one.

Anyway, Wynn looks an awful lot like players who have been relegated to the Practice squad in years past. If Jennings isn't a return man, then where's he going to play if Gabriel, and Hawkins have any health.

Bowe, Pryor, and Mayle aren't going to "all" make the team in any form, including practice squad, or substitute tight end.

last, A season or two ago, at cutdowns, it looked like plyometrics", some kind of metrics they talk about,
it looked like they didn't give ANY credit for past performance in a Browns uniform when they made cuts.

This entirely is me speculating, observing.

HEY I'M WRONG! I thought Johnny Manziel had a future as a qb, until 2 weeks ago. Goes to show that I don't know squat!

If the NFl Roster expands then keep Pullard, but can you tell me he's a better player or different role player than these others.
Barkevious Mingo
Craig Robertson
Scott Solomon
Chris Kirksey
Paul Kruger
Karlos Dansby
Nate Orchard
Xavier Cooper
Tank Carder
Darius Eubanks, and probably someone I forgot.

I'd think Jamie Meder and Billy Winn who I can't find a way not to cut, would be ahead of Pullard.
Has he outplayed any of these?

Updates: And I'll probably do another one after seeing tomorrow's game, because I think it's fun.

QB: McCown, Manziel

RB: Johnson, Crowell, West, Draughn

FB: Johnson

Can't make the club from the tub.

TE: Barnidge, Bibbs, Dray

Bibbs doubles as FB.

WR: Hartline, Bowe, Hawkins, Gabriel, Benjamin, Pryor, Moore (ST)

I can't realistically see them keeping Mayle at this point. Also, I don't see why any team would sign a receiver we let go to the practice squad, and FWIW I don't care if they do. Yes, I wasn't happy about the selection so my opinion of him was a little colored by his college performance but he has done nothing to improve my opinion of him. Moore has been too good on special teams to cut, and is Pettine's "Play like a Brown" example. He also showed a little something at wideout in the scrimmage.

OL: Thomas, Bitonio, Mack, Greco, Schwartz, Erving, McDonald, Miller

McDonald has been one of the two primary backups in practice with Erving. Coach allegedly says he believes two UDFAs will make the team, and DeFilippo mentioned Miller first when asked who has surprised him. Our depth hasn't been as good as advertised. Only one interior OL reserve in Erving, but Barton could crack it... he's played better than I expected.

That's 23 on offense for me.


NT: Taylor, Shelton

3T: Starks, Hughes, Winn

5T: D. Bryant, Cooper

To some extent, these DL assignments are arbitrary. They even had Cooper play a fair amount as a 1-shaded nose last game.

OLB: Kruger, A. Bryant, Mingo, Orchard, Solomon

Solomon should look to step up his game tomorrow... he got outplayed by Brown who had only been on the team for a week against Buffalo.

ILB: Dansby, Kirksey, Robertson, Pullard

Pullard has outplayed Carder in the preseason games.

CB: Haden, Williams, Williams, Desir, Gilbert, Gaines

Gaines v. Bademosi v. Kendall James will be an interesting bubble spot to watch.

S: Whitner, Gipson, Campbell, Poyer, Bademosi (ST)

I would have thought Bademosi had played himself off the squad when he was on the field, but coach keeps talking about him like he's a lock and says he;s more of a safety than a corner.

27 on defense.

K: Coons

P: Lee

LS: Hughlett

PUP: IEO, Telfer

Practice Squad: M. Johnson (FB), Winston (RB), Wynn (WR), James (CB), Saunders (DB), McDaniel (DL), Wynn (DL), Meder (DL), Painter (OL), Barton (OL), Shaw (QB), some PS-eligible QB

I can agree with alot of that.

I found it strange that they axed Seymour (who I thought was the next best option @ center), but, retained Bowie, who has looked liked he's playing with injury issues or hasn't recovered from his previous injury.

The dreaded, pre-mature, useless 53 man roster prediction
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Wouldn't that more than likely get him on either the IR or PUP?