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About all you have to know about Paxton is that a) every snap is on target and b) no kicks get blocked from pressure up the middle. The only reason this is a battle is the yearly need to evaluate the wisdom of tying up a roster spot on a long snapper. I'm not aware of the other candidates on the roster, but I'm sure there are a couple.
Camp Battle
Slater vs Other for Returner
Slater did a fine job at UCLA. This battle is less about Slater and more about risking injuries to the other candidates (Maroney, Hobbs, Faulk, Welker, CJack)...all of whom will be heavily counted on in their primary roles. Slater also has experience at UCLA on coverage teams and losing Andrews makes Slater's skills even more needed.
Camp Battle
The Rest of the Field for Remaining ST Spots
Izzo is the captain, though he may be surviving more on reputation than production at this point. Evans and Alexander were on multiple ST units. Spach, Spann and Ventrone mucked in as well when they were on the roster and active.
Aiken is a ST ace from Buffalo. Eckel and Stupar have probably spent time on ST as well but nothing noteworthy. Ruud has the skills (straight line speed and excellent tackler) to contribute and Redd/Guyton are prime candidates for the UDFA to stick on the roster. Richardson and Wilhite are more likely to be developmental corners than ST contributers.
Metaphorically Speaking
Got 4 spots available and lots of great candidates. There are a lot of skills at the bottom of this roster which is a great sign. Given this, it is really difficult for me to give a valuable spot to Paxton. I'll do it, but I can only hope that someone else can eventually take his responsibilities. Nothing against Paxton, just not big on one-trick ponies...even if that trick is pretty important.
Almost put Slater as a roster lock. This team needs a returner and he is the guy. He can play on return and coverage teams...and also serves as an emergency WR and S. Unless he flakes out on or off the field, he gets a spot.
Like Paxton, would like to see Izzo's spot on the team challenged by someone like Alexander or the rook LBs. I get the sense that he is still effective enough and provides needed locker room intangibles. Give him the spot.
It is likely one of Evans or Eckel gets the last spot on the active 45. Eckel seems like a better runner, but Evans gets a lot of work on different ST units and is a solid blocker at FB. Advantage Evans.
Aiken and Alexander are tough cuts. The rest move on to battle for the remaining gameday inactive spots and possible practice squad/shadow roster.
Cut or Traded: Cassel, Pollard, Ross, Mruczkowski, SThomas, LSanders, Aiken, Alexander Battling for Inactive Spots:
RB: Eckel
TE: Spach, Stupar
LB: Ruud, Redd, Guyton
CB: Richardson, Wilhite
Final spots and adjustments up next...
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I think you can put Paxton in the lock category. I agree with the other locks. That makes 5 ST both Washington and Woods IMO will play more of a role this year (bold prediction but I bet Washington catches more passes this year and Woods seems to be coming along). Anyway I digress, that leaves a few more STs spots not many. Frontrunners Evans, Eckel (because they have played great STs for us in the past and one will stay for sure to be the FB) and Izzo (also because of his pat play). After that I am real interested to see what Slater and Aiken can offer to the unit.
Wow this position is really crowded. There are a lot of sters on this team that alot of us are real interested in. There are a lot of guys fighting for a few of the last positions on the team.
__________________
"We go down to New Orleans, and ain't anybody give us a chance? Nobody! And what did we say to them?"
Got 4 spots available and lots of great candidates. There are a lot of skills at the bottom of this roster which is a great sign. Given this, it is really difficult for me to give a valuable spot to Paxton. I'll do it, but I can only hope that someone else can eventually take his responsibilities. Nothing against Paxton, just not big on one-trick ponies...even if that trick is pretty important.
BB's been tying up a spot on the 45 with Paxton for a while now, so I don't see that changing: Paxton is just that good. IIRC, Dave Thomas was a part-time long snapper in college.
Quote:
It is likely one of Evans or Eckel gets the last spot on the active 45. Eckel seems like a better runner, but Evans gets a lot of work on different ST units and is a solid blocker at FB. Advantage Evans.
That sounds similar to my view; that said, don't underestimate Eckel's ST contributions; he seems to be around the ball a lot. [FWIW, I could see them trying this preseason to work Eckel in more; supposedly they were trying to get him more involved in goal-line offenses towards the end of the season.]
__________________
"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots
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What's the deal, M? You've gotten awfully prolific lately. Are you on deadline? Taking over for Reiss? Kidding aside, these are great, great posts. I always open them first. Thanks!
STs are always hard to evaluate, for me. It's almost the opposite of line play, which I also find difficult to evaluate. Everything takes place lickety split in a wide area where you're lucky to figure out who hit who.
One thing about Izzo is he's like the safety. You'll see him ready to assist and on plays where someone's getting away, he has the experience to see it happening and make the stop. His STs tackles are tied for 2nd with Washington.
That said, Rodney's slippage as starting safety could be the biggest impediment to Izzo's chances. I could easily see Rodney as filling Izzo's role. He has similar size to Izzo, superior tackling, and has obvious value to the defense, even if Sanders takes on Rodney's starting role. Rodney is already a big factor on STs, though I don't where to find a specific breakout of STs tackles, so I can't back that up.
In a team looking to squeeze the most out of each roster spot, and where Rodney is being paid an awful lot to be less than a full-time safety, this may be a way for him to help out.
Okay, so maybe I'm crazy on this one. One of the things Izzo does is go to all the STs meetings and make sure all the players (many of them rookies) are in the right positions. That's a lot to ask of a guy who also has to play significant defensive snaps. More likely, Slater becomes the next Izzo.
I agree and will go a little further and say that Slater is a lock to make this team!
Its highly unusual to say this about a rookie 5th round draft pick but the circumstances are very beneficial for Slater making the team.
As mentioned above, we really do need a return man this year. The guys who have done it for us in the past are just too valuable in their primary roles. Additionally, Andrews is gone. And they did trade up to get Slater. Andrews had already been popped for herb when the draft took place and as the draft progressed in the 5th, when BB and SP saw that Slater was still there, they pulled the trigger to move up and get him. I'm pretty sure they were thinking return game when they made this pick!
If anyone else out there cringed with fear as much as I did when Welker was returning punts (with visions of season ending injury dancing in my head) Slater will be so very welcome on this team.
This kid has the skills to add a much needed element to the team (a viable and consistent return game) and the fact that he can also play some D and O in a pinch, spells a roster lock in my opinion.
I suppose every camp has some exciting battles, but it seems that this year especially we will see a lot of young players looking to make their mark both on special teams and defense. Many of them have a good chance to make the team as well. I can't wait!
I agree and will go a little further and say that Slater is a lock to make this team!
Its highly unusual to say this about a rookie 5th round draft pick but the circumstances are very beneficial for Slater making the team.
As mentioned above, we really do need a return man this year. The guys who have done it for us in the past are just too valuable in their primary roles. Additionally, Andrews is gone. And they did trade up to get Slater. Andrews had already been popped for herb when the draft took place and as the draft progressed in the 5th, when BB and SP saw that Slater was still there, they pulled the trigger to move up and get him. I'm pretty sure they were thinking return game when they made this pick!
If anyone else out there cringed with fear as much as I did when Welker was returning punts (with visions of season ending injury dancing in my head) Slater will be so very welcome on this team.
This kid has the skills to add a much needed element to the team (a viable and consistent return game) and the fact that he can also play some D and O in a pinch, spells a roster lock in my opinion.
They may have been thinking return when they drafted Slater but I think they were thinknig kick return. I doubt he is the punt returner. I think that will go to Welker again as he was really good at it and the timing on punts is such that you want someone really reliable who you know wont fumble as you can be hit a split second after the catch unlike in the Kick Return game.
to be honest I didn't cringe as much as get out of my seat as I was expecting a good return everytime.
__________________
"We go down to New Orleans, and ain't anybody give us a chance? Nobody! And what did we say to them?"
As mentioned above, we really do need a return man this year. The guys who have done it for us in the past are just too valuable in their primary roles. Additionally, Andrews is gone. And they did trade up to get Slater. Andrews had already been popped for herb when the draft took place and as the draft progressed in the 5th, when BB and SP saw that Slater was still there, they pulled the trigger to move up and get him.
All of this is true, but remember that the trade for Slater only came after they weren't able to get Zackary Bowman. [In other words, Bowman was their first choice, but Slater was a more than welcome consolation prize.]
__________________
"Momentum was quickly snatched away by New England, who once again proved that any Patriot, at any moment, can make a play." —Inside the NFL, Packers v. Patriots
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It's interesting to look at ST spots..but it's a bit more complex after the usual 3 (kicker, punter, long snapper). The parts are not exactly interchageable...I think if one went with only 3 RBs or 4 WRs...it would not be the best...which is why it's a bit harder too look at these players as MOST serve as a backup role as well. Few are really St non-positional players. Thus said, I think there are a number of battles here and all will be interesting.
It's interesting to look at ST spots..but it's a bit more complex after the usual 3 (kicker, punter, long snapper). The parts are not exactly interchageable...I think if one went with only 3 RBs or 4 WRs...it would not be the best...which is why it's a bit harder too look at these players as MOST serve as a backup role as well. Few are really St non-positional players. Thus said, I think there are a number of battles here and all will be interesting.
There certainly is an added dynamic there. Sometimes you have to make a decision what is more important to the team a Sub role/depth or a STer.
__________________
"We go down to New Orleans, and ain't anybody give us a chance? Nobody! And what did we say to them?"
Camp Battles: Special Teams
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