Fencer

While there are lots of competitions, it seems like things are really pretty straightfoward outside the DL/OLB carousel:

K/P/LS -- it's clear who they are.

QB -- it's clear who the three are.

RB -- there are two vets who were productive last year, two old vets on their last legs, and two rookies. Straightforward competition.

TE -- there are two vets who were productive last year, a late-pick rookie, and a UDFA who is impressing in camp. Straightforward competition.

OL -- the whole starting OL from the latter part of last season is back, and most of the reserves. There are also are two rookies. Straightforward competition.

WR -- all the WRs from the bulk of last season are back, plus one new vet who's an obvious keeper. Straightforward competition.

ILB -- all last season's ILBs are back. There's some competition vs. other positions because of ST-heavy roles. Also, there may be some competition with "big nickel" specialist safeties.

S -- the top three safeties are back as is the 5th (Brown). 4th safety is up for grabs, as is the possibility of again creating a 5th safety roster slot.

CB -- all of last year's CBs are back, plus the guy who was injured all year, plus a keeper rookie. Straightforward competition, except to the extent that CBs and Ss compete with each other for certain reps (on all four downs, actually).

__________________
"To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness." -- Oscar Wilde

supafly

Yes, on paper everything certainly looks quite promising--not only now, but also for the future.

I would not want a 5th spot devoted to safety in this particular yr, but you never know. I would think that 9 DB's will be enough. 5 CB's (Bodden, DMcC, Arrington, Dowling, and Butler) 4 Safeties (Chung, Meriweather, Sanders, and Brown. The possibility of the 5th safety lies with : (Barrett/Free agent to be signed/cut signing for depth)

IF the team does sign an average to decent safety, for example the rumored guys like Goldson from SF---then I think that they do keep 5 safeties along with the 5 CB's mentioned from above. The 4th safety, who is a lock to make the squad in my opinion, would be Sergio Brown. I believe that they will pursue his development, and were quite pleased with his rookie contributions. The 5th safety would be the FA signing, or replacement for McGowan. As we know, in an absolute 100% worst case situation, Dowling can play some reps there during his rookie yr, which I doubt happens, since he will already have his hands full trying to learn one position at CB as it is. But he is a fine emergency situation, and a strong possibility to eventually be moved there, maybe as soon as next yr even.

patchick

Good post -- much of the roster is remarkably well settled with both starters and depth. I'd quibble with this, though:

OT does seem straightforward, but the interior line less so. The "starting" OL from the end of 2010 had a backup playing OG. Assuming that starting job is now Connolly's, they have to replace him as the #1 backup to 3 different positions.

That means finding 2 position-flexible players out of: Wendell, a decent but undersized player who's best at center; Ohrnberger, who was cut last year and by all reports is having a rough camp; Cannon, who's on NFI and seems like a RG/RT type; and two JAG vets. IMO that's by far the weakest competition of any area on the roster.

Daigle

I agree, for this season OL is a bit short. I still wake up screaming after last seasons playoff game, seeing Brady getting mauled or just hurried. I absolutly love Connely, how can we forget the runback against packers, but can he hack it as a starter ?

In the long run, one of my favourites Cannon will surely step up but for this season I have to say I´am a bit worried.

For the next draft we might have to go OL first in 2012 too.

Fencer

Fair enough. And repurposing Light to guard, if it happens at all, is more apt to work next offseason (and even then it's complicated -- which of Mankins or Light moves right?).

Besides, we haven't had our annual sign-and-retire OL vet yet ...

__________________
"To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness." -- Oscar Wilde

msu8051

Don't forget that we signed Chris Morris. He plays both C/G and has more game experience than any of the back-ups. According to recent blogs he's doing pretty well...

sg14

I'm keepin an eye out for the Fletcher/ Spikes competition.

Big fan of Fletcher's athetic aability, reminds me of Bruschi., would like to see him get on the field a bunch.

Have heard good reports about both this TC,

sbpatfan

Chris Morris went to my high school. I felt bad for him when he got drafted by the Raiders.