RealGM

TT may add another vet FA but I doubt it. Probably add a couple URFAs. But for the most part our 53 man roster is from among those now aboard. Possibly add a player from another team after final cuts.

Opening day 53 man roster

QB Rodgers Harrell
RB Starks GreenA Saine
FB Kuhn
WR JenningsG NelsonJ Cobb JonesJ Gurley
TE Finley WilliamsDJ Crabtree TaylorR
OT Bulaga Newhouse Sherrod Datko
OG Sitton Lang Barclay
C Saturday EDS

NT Raji Muir
DE Pickett Worthy Hargrove Daniels Guy
ILB Bishop Hawk SmithDJ Francois
OLB Matthews Perry Manning Zombo JonesB
S Woodson Burnett McMillan Peprah JenningsMD
CB WilliamsT Shields Hayward House Bush

K Crosby
P Masthay
LS Goode

NOTE Woodson may be S or CB / Manning may be OLB or ILB / Likely both will play both.

Not on opening day 53 man roster
Quarless-PUP
Neal-SUS
Coleman-PS
Dominguez-PS

NOTEWORTHY MISSES
Driver
Walden,So'Oto,Lattimore
Wynn, Wilson

**EDIT underline = on the edge

Thanks for the posting this, I've been waiting to see one since I'm too lazy to do the dirty work of coming up with a nice base 53 to start with.

Regarding Woodson, as you said he may be a S or CB, but given everything I have read so far from the organization, I feel fairly confident that Woodson will remain at Safety.

Going down your list, I have the sneaking suspicion that Muir might suck, and given the other guys on the roster (although they may not be textbook NT's), I don't think he sticks.

Forgot about Quarless' extensive recovery time. Bummer as he really has been coming along. I'm always entertained by Crabtree on twitter, so it'd be rough to see him go, but I think he'll be hard pressed to make the roster with Taylor's impact on ST and the continuing emergence of DJ Williams.

I'll most closely follow the OLB spots. IMO, Zombo/Jones/Walden are what they are... that is not good for them given Lattimore and Train of Death theoretically both have higher ceilings with Lattimore just needing to gain some weight (I believe he contributed on ST's units) and more awareness/refinement (TOD). I'd imagine the OLB spots will be determined on the final cut down barring injury or legal issues.

Seeing it listed out, I really dig what I see out of the defensive back group, and it reminds me of how successful the unit was during the super bowl year when we had a pass rush.

If Raji will remember that he is BJ effing Raji and the LT position shakes out to be at least average, this roster rivals the super bowl one in talent.

Do you think TT will resign Grant?

I could also see them keeping Driver and dumping Crabtree to make it 6 WRs and 3 TEs. It should be very interesting this offseason.

Looks pretty good to me, although I sort of doubt Datko cracks the active roster this season. Those shoulders need proper healing. Definitely has the talent to be in that rotation though.

RiotPunch wrote:Looks pretty good to me, although I sort of doubt Datko cracks the active roster this season. Those shoulders need proper healing. Definitely has the talent to be in that rotation though.

The shoulders are good from my understanding, but they've pretty much kept him out of the weight room for awhile. He needs to get significantly stronger, before he can be an effective NFL player.

Going down your list, I have the sneaking suspicion that Muir might suck, and given the other guys on the roster (although they may not be textbook NT's), I don't think he sticks.

Agreed Muir may suck but Pack needs 3rd guy who can play NT.

I'll most closely follow the OLB spots. IMO, Zombo/Jones/Walden are what they are... that is not good for them given Lattimore and Train of Death theoretically both have higher ceilings with Lattimore just needing to gain some weight (I believe he contributed on ST's units) and more awareness/refinement (TOD). I'd imagine the OLB spots will be determined on the final cut down barring injury or legal issues.

right now OLB backups is hardest to call. Zombo could reeturn from injury and play well or be the first to be cut. SoOto or Lattimore could progress or just stagnate, etc. IF Manning plays inside then Francois can play outside. He can cover pretty well.

Why would we need a third NT? If he's a good NT, sure, keep him. But not just for the sake of having a third NT.

He's not the only guy who can play it, either. Johnny Jones is in the mix.

emunney wrote:Why would we need a third NT? If he's a good NT, sure, keep him. But not just for the sake of having a third NT.

He's not the only guy who can play it, either. Johnny Jones is in the mix.

Agreed if he sucks - but we still need a 3rd guy who can give a few snaps at Nose. Maybe Jones?

One of the perks that come with Worthy is that he can play spot NT minutes. Just for what it's worth. I have no idea what to expect out of Muir at this point, but if Ted brought him in I would think he should have some ability.

BUCKnation wrote:I could also see them keeping Driver and dumping Crabtree to make it 6 WRs and 3 TEs. It should be very interesting this offseason.

Can see 6 WRs - but both TT & MM seem non-comittal re DD

BigDee wrote:Do you think TT will resign Grant?

Only if he doesn;t get any other offer

RiotPunch wrote:One of the perks that come with Worthy is that he can play spot NT minutes. Just for what it's worth. I have no idea what to expect out of Muir at this point, but if Ted brought him in I would think he should have some ability.

Your right! problem solved - and TT does sign guys who suck & cut - O'dwyer & that vet s. No problem TT kicking the tires.

I'd like to see:

QB Rodgers Harrell
RB Starks GreenA Saine
FB Kuhn
WR JenningsG NelsonJ Cobb JonesJ Gurley
TE Finley WilliamsDJ TaylorR **Eric Lair** (Crabtree is a good blocker but I think it's time to move on)
OT Bulaga Newhouse Sherrod Datko
OG Sitton Lang Barclay
C Saturday EDS

NT Raji
DE Pickett Worthy Hargrove Daniels Guy **CJ Wilson** (Until Neal is active, Raji/Pickett all we need at NT)
ILB Bishop Hawk SmithDJ Francois
OLB Matthews Perry Manning **Sean Richardson** (why not?) Zombo or Jones (who cares which)
S Woodson Burnett McMillan Peprah JenningsMD
CB WilliamsT Shields Hayward House Bush

K Crosby
P Masthay
LS Goode

Rodgers/Harrell/Coleman
Starks/Green/Saine
Kuhn
Finley/Quarless/Crabtree/Williams
Jennings/Nelson/Cobb/Jones/Driver/Gurley
Sherrod-Lang-Saturday-Sitton-Bulaga/Newhouse/EDS/Dominguez
Raji/Colling
Pickett/Worthy/Hargrove/Daniels/Neal
Bishop/Hawk/Smiff/Manning
Clay/Perry/Jones/TOD/Zombo
Woodson/Tramon/Shields/Hayward/House/Bush
Burnett/Pepprah/McMillian/Jennings
Crosby/Goode/Mashtay
PS: Dale Moss/Marc Tyler/Jamari Lattimore/Sampson Genus/Brandian Ross/Anthony Levine/Sean Richardson/Lawrence Guy

I think one of Smith or Manning takes Hawk's job, and I can't see Hawk sticking around as a backup at his price. I think I read his base salary is 4.4m this year. Of course, if we cut him, I think the next three years of his prorated signing bonus stack up on this year's cap (4.8m), but the base definitely comes off and probably some bonuses, so it'd be close to a wash for this year.

ETA: Looks like he has a 250k workout bonus which we probably won't get back, but a 300k roster bonus. So if we were to cut him before that bonus date, I think he'd be 6.65m on this year's cap, but if we keep him, he'd be 6.55 on this year's cap. Anybody feel free to correct my math/understanding of NFL salary cap stuff.

We wouldn't save money on this year's cap, but we'd be paying him much less total money, because the money that would be on this year's cap if we cut him represents all the guaranteed money we gave him when he signed, whereas if we keep him this year, we'll still pay him that money PLUS his 300k roster bonus and 4.4m base salary. Gotta cut him, imo.

I see Hawk sticking for 2012 unless we really need the cash for some other player this year. In 2013, when Jennings needs to be extended and we need to start planning for Raji/Matthews extensions, I could see it. I could see us keeping up to 10 LB in 2012 to be honest.

LUKE23 wrote:I see Hawk sticking for 2012 unless we really need the cash for some other player this year. In 2013, when Jennings needs to be extended and we need to start planning for Raji/Matthews extensions, I could see it. I could see us keeping up to 10 LB in 2012 to be honest.

But you have to cut him now to clear space for next year. If you cut him next year, that signing bonus money will still be hanging around on next year's cap.

Ah, didn't know that. Then yes, I could see him out this season.

Cut him this year (before June 1st): cumulative cap money to Hawk = 6.65m (all this year)

Cut him this year (after June 1st): cumulative cap money to Hawk = 6.95m (2.15 this year, 4.8 next year)

Cut him after this year: cumulative cap money to Hawk = 11.35m (6.55 this year, the rest next year)