Speculation on the empty roster spot - further tooling of the ground game?

[JSn]

While Eckel was clearly not a statement cut, the roster seems to be at 52. It's also interesting that Gutz is 3rd QB. Obviously it's competition time for at least the #2 spot, if not the #1 in practice.

Watching the charger last night I thought their defense was spotty, though Cro is obviously still the man.

Offensively though, pretty dynamic showing. I was rooting against the Jets, and while I reveled in the beating I wondered how the heck we're supposed to take on an offense like that. Ball control and pocket time. Rivers has good throws because he has good receivers AND good time in the pocket. So the coaching on offense may be as much about buying Matt time as having him make faster reads.

However, I think the genuinely AWESOME running game the Bolts have makes the O line look better and buys Rivers more down-field space.

So the empty roster spot? How about BJGE coming up and having a go? He looked pretty explosive in pre-season with a hint of dance. I'm not saying he could be the starter (although it seems possible the way Maroney has been doing so far) but imagine if we could fire up a truly awesome running game?

The Bolts running game isn't just a product of their o-line, those runners are often simply powering through defenders or squirting through holes. That leap-frogging TD by Darth Tomlinson was just plain nifty.

So picture it: if BJGE and Maroney are the backfield ninjas of secondary running and Faulk, Jordan and Morris are the double threats (Morris and Jordan both looking very good so far this year, Faulk a given)...

If we can reverse the attack and use the smashers early and the dancers later, we can open up the middle and probably start seeing Moss, Gaff and Welker (and maybe more of the others, though I think Washington and Aiken are good trade-bait too).

Wow, I got right into it. Anyway, I'm not claiming to be a coach or anything, just speculating on alternate ways to put this thing together.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Re: Speculation on the empty roster spot.

Possible moves:
- Richardson may be flashing better development at CB from his PS spot and be brought up for a game speed tryout.
- C.J. Jones could be brought back at WR to help stretch the field.
- A new TE could be coming in for a look.
- A new DB could be brought in to challenge O'Neal.
- I don't think BJGE is ready to come up, but until Maroney is healthy they could be thinking about his burst and speed.
- Seau may be ready to return.
- You Lynch fans are dreaming, but heh, it's your fantasy.
- Spach may be coming back at TE, but he wouldn't add much.
- Pioli may have found another OL to test drive.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

Re: Speculation on the empty roster spot.

Possible moves:
- Richardson may be flashing better development at CB from his PS spot and be brought up for a game speed tryout.
- C.J. Jones could be brought back at WR to help stretch the field.
- A new TE could be coming in for a look.
- A new DB could be brought in to challenge O'Neal.
- I don't think BJGE is ready to come up, but until Maroney is healthy they could be thinking about his burst and speed.
- Seau may be ready to return.
- You Lynch fans are dreaming, but heh, it's your fantasy.
- Spach may be coming back at TE, but he wouldn't add much.
- Pioli may have found another OL to test drive.

I'm assuming there are no 3rd-year PS players who have to be called up, no?

 

[JSn]

Re: Speculation on the empty roster spot.

Possible moves:
- Richardson may be flashing better development at CB from his PS spot and be brought up for a game speed tryout.
- C.J. Jones could be brought back at WR to help stretch the field.
- A new TE could be coming in for a look.
- A new DB could be brought in to challenge O'Neal.
- I don't think BJGE is ready to come up, but until Maroney is healthy they could be thinking about his burst and speed.
- Seau may be ready to return.
- You Lynch fans are dreaming, but heh, it's your fantasy.
- Spach may be coming back at TE, but he wouldn't add much.
- Pioli may have found another OL to test drive.

OK, but which one would you bet on? IMO, if Bru is hurt much (two weeks to recover though) it's Seau, unless Guyton looked good. Hard to notice the LB's when the other team is instantly in the secondary.

What new DB or TE, though? I don't see who they would find that's any better than we have. The bonus OL guys playing TE seemed to work pretty well.

I don't think poking new DB's into the system right now will help anything, personally. They need to stay focused. We know they can play. They just didn't.

Can we trade Moss for Cutler or Manning? lol

 

[BradyManny]

Re: Speculation on the empty roster spot.

Possible moves:
- Richardson may be flashing better development at CB from his PS spot and be brought up for a game speed tryout.
- C.J. Jones could be brought back at WR to help stretch the field.
- A new TE could be coming in for a look.
- A new DB could be brought in to challenge O'Neal.
- I don't think BJGE is ready to come up, but until Maroney is healthy they could be thinking about his burst and speed.
- Seau may be ready to return.
- You Lynch fans are dreaming, but heh, it's your fantasy.
- Spach may be coming back at TE, but he wouldn't add much.
- Pioli may have found another OL to test drive.

IMO all signs point to this, whether its related to O'Neal or not, they tried out DBs yesterday, so I'd expect them to bolster that position. I'd really like Law to face reality and just take a vet min job w us.

Personally, I'd like to see them have some trial by fire with Wheatley. He looked ready for it and its working fairly well with Mayo - he [mayo] is making some mistakes, sure, but hopefully he doesn't make those mistakes in December/January.

 

[JSn]

Re: Speculation on the empty roster spot.

IMO all signs point to this, whether its related to O'Neal or not, they tried out DBs yesterday, so I'd expect them to bolster that position. I'd really like Law to face reality and just take a vet min job w us.

Personally, I'd like to see them have some trial by fire with Wheatley. He looked ready for it and its working fairly well with Mayo - he [mayo] is making some mistakes, sure, but hopefully he doesn't make those mistakes in December/January.

Yeah, but I only recognized one name on that list. Who are these guys?

Law won't come back to a Brady-less team for little money and he'd really need to play safety, imo.

 

[Jimke]

Re: Speculation on the empty roster spot.

I hope that the spot is filled by a blocking tight end or an

offensive lineman. If Kazur doesn't get some help fast, Cassel

will be injured in the next couple of games.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Re: Speculation on the empty roster spot.

OK, but which one would you bet on? IMO, if Bru is hurt much (two weeks to recover though) it's Seau, unless Guyton looked good. Hard to notice the LB's when the other team is instantly in the secondary.

What new DB or TE, though? I don't see who they would find that's any better than we have. The bonus OL guys playing TE seemed to work pretty well.

I don't think poking new DB's into the system right now will help anything, personally. They need to stay focused. We know they can play. They just didn't.

Can we trade Moss for Cutler or Manning? lol

That's just it, there isn't enough data to make an educated guess. I currently don't have a favorite pet peeve to exercise, so I can't even work up any enthusiasm for pounding my chest and shouting for them to sign Lynch or something equivalent.

As for the question on finding new personnel: There are approximately 248 Practice Squad players in the league, all of whom can be signed by someone who is willing to give up a roster slot for 3 weeks. If some team is hoarding a blocking TE on their PS...

 

[JSn]

Re: Speculation on the empty roster spot.

As for the question on finding new personnel: There are approximately 248 Practice Squad players in the league, all of whom can be signed by someone who is willing to give up a roster slot for 3 weeks. If some team is hoarding a blocking TE on their PS...

Ah, I forgot about that. Hm. I'm wondering if NO is shopping that same list right now?

 

[mgteich]

Re: Speculation on the empty roster spot.

It should be time to sign Seau. We could use a 3rd TE. We need a 4th safety who can be useful in run support. In any case I expect two signees before our next game.

BTW, I don't think a new CB would challenge O'Neal. He would challenge Wheatley for reps, and perhaps Lewis Sanders.

Possible moves:
- Richardson may be flashing better development at CB from his PS spot and be brought up for a game speed tryout.
- C.J. Jones could be brought back at WR to help stretch the field.
- A new TE could be coming in for a look.
- A new DB could be brought in to challenge O'Neal.
- I don't think BJGE is ready to come up, but until Maroney is healthy they could be thinking about his burst and speed.
- Seau may be ready to return.
- You Lynch fans are dreaming, but heh, it's your fantasy.
- Spach may be coming back at TE, but he wouldn't add much.
- Pioli may have found another OL to test drive.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Re: Speculation on the empty roster spot.

Ah, I forgot about that. Hm. I'm wondering if NO is shopping that same list right now?

I missed something, did Shockey have another glass slipper break?

 

[JSn]

Re: Speculation on the empty roster spot.

It should be time to sign Seau. We could use a 3rd TE. We need a 4th safety who can be useful in run support. In any case I expect two signees before our next game.

BTW, I don't think a new CB would challenge O'Neal. He would challenge Wheatley for reps, and perhaps Lewis Sanders.

How about Slater? How did he do in his three snaps? Not much to judge by, but... he's fast and tough right? He's gonna have a hard time snagging the KR spot after the day Hobbs had. Might he become trade fodder or a cut?

 

[JSn]

Re: Speculation on the empty roster spot.

I missed something, did Shockey have another glass slipper break?

Yep. Out 3-6 weeks with a Sports hernia.
Shockey out 3-6 weeks with sports hernia

 

[FalconHeavy]

Re: Speculation on the empty roster spot.

It should be time to sign Seau. We could use a 3rd TE. We need a 4th safety who can be useful in run support. In any case I expect two signees before our next game.

BTW, I don't think a new CB would challenge O'Neal. He would challenge Wheatley for reps, and perhaps Lewis Sanders.

Any chance they could use LB like seau as a blocking TE ?? worth a shot given the current situation

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

Re: Speculation on the empty roster spot.

Yep. Out 3-6 weeks with a Sports hernia.
Shockey out 3-6 weeks with sports hernia

I've always thought he was better as a pumpkin.

 

[Patjew]

Re: Speculation on the empty roster spot.

Maybe they'll sign Seau, move Mayo outside, and install Vrabel as a full-time TE.

 

[JSn]

Re: Speculation on the empty roster spot.

Maybe they'll sign Seau, move Mayo outside, and install Vrabel as a full-time TE.

Ugh. That's about as sweet and sour an idea as I can imagine. It would add some SERIOUS blocking, but he's a good LB. Real good.

Think he can just play all snaps on both sides?

 

[MoLewisrocks]

Re: Speculation on the empty roster spot.

Yep. Out 3-6 weeks with a Sports hernia.
Shockey out 3-6 weeks with sports hernia

Too bad Colston is out a month and apparently Patten is dinged up. Would be hysterical to see the Saints get it together and go on a run over the next 6 Shockey-less weeks...

 

[FalconHeavy]

Re: Speculation on the empty roster spot.

Ugh. That's about as sweet and sour an idea as I can imagine. It would add some SERIOUS blocking, but he's a good LB. Real good.

Think he can just play all snaps on both sides?

That would be sick

 

[Patjew]

Re: Speculation on the empty roster spot.

Ugh. That's about as sweet and sour an idea as I can imagine. It would add some SERIOUS blocking, but he's a good LB. Real good.

Think he can just play all snaps on both sides?

That's how I like it.