current 53 man roster analysis

[Flaw]

Just curious...why is the term "exposed" used for a guy going to the practice squad?

[RamOfDenmark]

Just curious...why is the term "exposed" used for a guy going to the practice squad?

Because other teams are free to sign away guys from practice squads without compensation if they intend to carry them on their roster.


My preferred roster right now is exactly the same as Richbert88's, I think it's important that we only carry 3 RB's, we don't have a good 3rd or 4th RB anyway. We are much more stacked at other positions (WR/TE/LB/G) - when it comes down to the 53rd man on the roster I believe in keeping the best player available regardless of position.

[general counsel]

I think ramdenmark has a great point about best available player regardless as position. I would put a slight variation on that and say player best in a position to contribute to the team regardless of position, which is where special teams plays so big a part for me.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

[RealRam]

As for the 53 headcount, this is why I had "penciled in" 25 on offense: TWO centers.

We are confirming that we have plenty to choose from our OL in case we need someone else to play C in addition to the Romberg / McCollum or Romberg / Fry duo.

I'm thinking Andy McCollum, a great veteran indeed, will be satisfied and willing to do what is best for the team, whether he plays this year with us or not. I respect that.

[Richbert88]

As for the 53 headcount, this is why I had "penciled in" 25 on offense: TWO centers.

We are confirming that we have plenty to choose from our OL in case we need someone else to play C in addition to the Romberg / McCollum or Romberg / Fry duo.

I'm thinking Andy McCollum, a great veteran indeed, will be satisfied and willing to do what is best for the team, whether he plays this year with us or not. I respect that.

The reason I listed 'my hoped for' roster the way I did with three C's is that McCollum can play OG. If we lose an OG between Cogs, Sett or Terrell, McCollum can slide. There, IMO, are only two pure C's on that roster. Kinda like if Andy, Fry and Romb all go down, Cogs is capable of playing C. I just don't think you cut lose a player like McCollum if he's healthy and playing well. He may not start, but he's very valuable to us.

[Richbert88]

R88 lists only 3 guards on the roster, yet three centers. Maybe Fry is showing enough at guard to be a swing player. I know I have read that he got reps at the guard spot during camp, but not much on how well he did. I hope he makes the final cut as he is supposed to be a mauler ...

Please see the post above. There are really only two pure Centers on my suggested roster. McCollumn can play OG if needed. Also, I remember reading somewhere that Fry may not have the reach for OG and that he is a natural C.

[Richbert88]

Richbert, i like your roster a lot. Until 24 hours ago, i would have sworn we would only keep 3 running backs rather than four. However, linehan has been quoted on the 4th running back and unlike the draft, where i know that what he says publicly is bull, i cant say his motive for not telling the truth.

As for minor vs. alexis, i dont think we are in a position on tv to determine who has greater value on special teams and that is super critical in determining who makes the team in that spot. Minor is known as an excellent special teams player. Personally, i think if we are down to our #3 running back as a major player on offense, we have big issues anyway. I would rather take the guy that is better on special teams.

I cant believe we would expose fry. It just doesnt make any sense to me.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

I could only guess as to a motive. I just think that with some time to focus on the final cuts, it will come down to keeping only three. Let's face it, SJ is a big engine in the offense. Brian is a capable backup who appears to be able to do everything the Rams need him to do. And you make a great point about Minor on ST, which is the only reason I listed him instead of Alexis. Minor also has more experience and has proven he can contribute out of the backfield in the past. Barring injury, who else would get any playing time. I don't think any of the rest versus the need for the others I've listed. Just a thought though.

[Richbert88]

BTW, this thread rocks! As does everyone contributing to it......with the possible exception of myself.

[jsramer]

Please see the post above. There are really only two pure Centers on my suggested roster. McCollumn can play OG if needed. Also, I remember reading somewhere that Fry may not have the reach for OG and that he is a natural C.

Lets not forget that Andy is 38, Romberg is 28 and Fry is early 20's. If we only keep 2 and the consenus is Fry won't stay on the practice squad, we may have to factor in age for the future. Or we will need to draft a promising center again next year.

[Torry Holt]

I think we'll keep Fry on the roster, he can play both G & C and he is the future center. Look at Byrd, if Linehan takes him, he wants to keep him.

[laram0]

Thanks for the thread GC! Here is my guess. We should have a contest.

Offense (26)
qb bulger, frerotte, fitz
rb jackson, leonard, minor
fb hedgecock
te mcmichael, klop, walker,
wr holt, bruce, bennett, looker, hall, hagans
ot pace, barron, steussie, goldberg
c romberg, mccollum, fry
og incognito, setterstrom, terrell


Defense (24)

DE little, hall, adeyanju, Trevor Johnson
DT carriker, glover, wroten, ryan
lb witherspoon, pisa, chillar, draft, alston, ra. smith, culbertson
cb hill, brown, bartell, wade, walls
s chavous, oj, johnson, carter



Specialists (3)

K wilkins
P jones
LS massey


Practice squad

shakleford OT
stanley WR
alexis RB
vinnett CB
jackson DT
thompson wr
sandidge DT
mcigargle LB

I don't think Fry would make it to the PS, really, for that matter, I don't think Stanley would either. I could see a team like GB grabbing Stanley. Personally, I am liking Alexis more than Minor. And I am not sure mcigargle will ever become the type LBer Haslett is looking for.

I would make 3 changes to this roster.

1. TE- Byrd instead of Walker, for some reason I just feel Linehan likes Byrd.
2. LB- Culbertson- drop to practice squad
3. RB- Add Alexis

[majorram]

For me I would take walker over Byrd for the 3rd spot, more experienced, better blocker but I'm sure linehan will keep the 3 rd draft pick...

If fry is exposed on the practise squad.. hes gone, isn't he ment to be our future???

Looking at the DE position, wow we are thin!!! on pass rushers


steve:l

[Richbert88]

I would make 3 changes to this roster.

1. TE- Byrd instead of Walker, for some reason I just feel Linehan likes Byrd.
2. LB- Culbertson- drop to practice squad
3. RB- Add Alexis

I disagree. Alexis won't see the field much at RB, mostly ST's. Culbertson is another option on D and also does the ST's thing. For that reason, I liked it the other way.

Byrd instead of Walker, I have to admitt, is a real possibility. However, I can't help but figure in the off the field problems into that equation. Also, with the exception of Liniert and Bush, isn't it amazing how underwhelming the other USC players have been, so far?

[81~BIG-GAME]

Richbert, i like your roster a lot. Until 24 hours ago, i would have sworn we would only keep 3 running backs rather than four. However, linehan has been quoted on the 4th running back and unlike the draft, where i know that what he says publicly is bull, i cant say his motive for not telling the truth.

ramming speed to all

general counsel

It does seem Linehan wants to keep a 4th RB on the roster, and I must say I'm surprised at this. Think back to last year, the 3rd RB didn't get many carries let alone a 4th. Is Linehan's philosophy gonna change drastically in the space of 12 months? I don't think so. SJ will continue to carry the load with Leonard now there to give him a breather and to change it up. Then Minor is next, mainly for his ability on ST's. I don't think it would make sense to keep a 3rd and 4th RB for mainly ST's use, IMO that spot could be better used in Keeping another LB'er or to make sure Fry doesn't end up on the practice squad, instead Linehan should put Alexis on the practice squad and have him incase of injuries...