slash's breakdown of the final 53 (pre-preseason edition)

[slashsteel]

(This is more of what I think will take place over what I want to take place)

keeping in mind the FO values experience



QB

position locks- 2 / Ben and Bruce
final count 3

It will be Boyd VS Jones for number three - a fan would think that the FO has to be nearing the end of their patience with Landry who has shown little to nothing in his time in the NFL so far.
chances of Boyd taking the spot? 50/50

RB

positional locks- 4 / Le'Veon, DeAngelo,Archer,Will Johnson
final count 4

Of course Bell will get a roster exemption which leaves a spot open for Josh Harris. Unless a darkhorse shows something.
Odds of that happening? minimal

WR
positional locks-4 / Antonio,Bryant,Wheaton, and Coates
final count 5

So it is Bey VS a bunch of long shots

If a WR showed decent blocking and special teams skills they might be able to overtake DHB
Odds of that happening? minimal

TE
positional locks-3 / Heath, Spaeth, and Jesse James
final count 3

Some might feel locking James in so early is a stretch. but really who is there to challenge him?
Blanchflower and laptop stealing Clear will get a look.
Odds of either of the 2 stealing a spot away from James? minimal

OL
positional locks -6 / Pouncey, Beachum,Gilbert,DeCastro,Foster, and Adams
final count 8

So it is Wallace VS Hubbard VS Dismukes VS Finney with Alejandro being the dark horse.
Odds of Dismukes or Finney kicking Wallace or Hubbard off the roster? 50/50

I think this is a battle worth watching as Dismukes and Finney have enough of background that makes me think one of them could surprise.

DL
positional locks- 5 / Heyward,Tuitt,Mclendon,McCullers and Geathers
final count 6

It will be Walton VS a disappointing Cam Thomas
Odds of Walton overtaking Thomas' spot on the roster? 25%

If Walton wasn't a small school raw prospect I would lay greater odds. but Thomas has significant experience. I would prefer to see Walton on the final 53 if he shows anything. as we know where Cam tops out at. (somewhere between my finger smells, and oh there is **** on my finger)

LB
positional locks- 8 / Timmons,Harrison,Jones,Moats,Dupree,Shazier,Williams and Spence
final count unclear

With one of the two biggest team positional weaknesses OBVIOUSLY there is a lot of bodies in the mix.

You have Chickillo, Zumwalt,Howard Jones,,Lemon, and Garvin all vying for spots.

My gut tells me Garvin will get a ST nod.

Odds of one of the rest of the cast making it? 50/50

I am thinking one of those players takes a spot, I am thinking before the pads go on maybe it is Chickallo.

Secondary
positional locks 8 / Gay,Blake,Cortez Allen,Mitchell, Will Allen, Golson,Shamarko and Grant
final count unclear

one might say slash grant a lock? Unlike past years CBs, I think Grant brings enough production, instincts, big school pedigree, mixed with early favorable reports to make him fixture. you might disagree

I think it will be Ventrone VS Golden for a special teams spot.

I also think it will be Holliman VS Dangerfield for another spot.

odds of 2 out of the 4 players mentioned making the final 53? 75%

Special Teams
positional locks 2 / Suisham and Warren
final count 3 (if we are zeroing in on K/P/LS)

it will be Berry VS Wing for the punter position
odds of Berry winning the job? 50/50

as it wasn't a position of overall strength....

 

[deljzc]

I think we have kept 7 Defensive lineman on the opening day roster for something like 3-4 straight seasons. I'm pretty sure we'll keep 7 again and I'm telling you guys Cam Thomas is going to make the team just because of his experience and versatility. Tomlin could care less if he can play or not.

 

[slashsteel]

I think we have kept 7 Defensive lineman on the opening day roster for something like 3-4 straight seasons. I'm pretty sure we'll keep 7 again and I'm telling you guys Cam Thomas is going to make the team just because of his experience and versatility. Tomlin could care less if he can play or not.

kept that in mind but

I was thinking more bodies at OLB and Secondary combined with special teams.

With Tuitt emerging is it much of a need to go 7?

 

[F83]

But Cam Thomas has show improvement to hold his spot over rookie Walton and with the size geathers has in a 4-3 look I think they could him at a under t spot next to Mclendon or big dan.
I fully believe to it was mt call to insert Tuitt in November as we know the odds of rookies getting significant PT under DL are slim, I fully believe unseating Cam and IKe were MT's calls, IKe he did in game Cincy after a 70 yd TD, he went up to
I see for 7 for dl with a possibility of 8
cant
locks
1 heyward
2 tuitt
3 mclendont
4 mccullers
5 geathers
6 walto
7 darkhorse

i think since Dupree played plenty of de they go with 6 as when they wanna shows like a 4-3 or a a exotic zone blitz look they put bud at RE. I hope Kruger shows something he has great size be a dual DE/OLb like
e his brother but as good moor like a poor man pernell mcphee

 

[Drink IRON City]

I do hope "cam" is gone and takes his "scabs" with him. There is no up side to cam as we have seen hios peak (bet there is a few girls, who wish they hadn't seen it). There is upside to a rookie as to developement ect........




Salute the nation

 

[Drink IRON City]

PS, good post slash, thankls for the effort involved.



Salute the nation

 

[SteelerinMD]

Wasnt Golden a ST Captain?

 

[slashsteel]

Wasn't Golden a ST Captain?

I don't see Golden as a lock, but it wouldn't be a surprise to me if he made it either.

Harder to judge that position ... for me at least.

Plus if a rookie comes in and they see greater potential at a certain position and their ST play is solid?

could easily factor in on final decisions............

 

[In Ben We Trust]

Well thought out.....thanks for posting.

 

[DocScott]

Slash...great post!!!! All I need to know and watch for when camp begins at Latrobe. Here we go.....can't wait!!!!!