Tough Competition for Dante's Academy
 

The reality is that the OL roster is set through 2008, almost all through 2009.

Starters are set through 2009 Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kaycur
Two top backups are set through 2009: O'Callaghan, Yates
Two last backups through 2008: Hochstein, Britt
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We get might excited about Elgin or Oldenberg or Hilliard, or some UDFA, or someone from another squad or even Mruc. In the end, there is no reason for any of these to be placed on the 53. We can choose to pay a player a roster rookie salary while still on the Practice Squad (as we did in the past for Yates), but there is no reason to use up a roster spot.

IMHO, it would nuts to put an inexperienced rook on the squad in order to trade away an OT that we have developed for at least tow years, and who is capable of starting for us.
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BOTTOM LINE
1) We have our eight OL's for the roster, nine if Yates isn't put on the IR.
2) There will be fierce battle for the Practice Squad that will continue all season, as players are evaluated.
3) There is likely to be several players from other teams that audition at the Academy.

Re: Tough Competition for Dante's Academy
 

Elgin and Oldenburg seem to be the leaders for Practice Squad; I like Barthelmes, but Elgin looks so much better without the experience of a year on PS and a season in NFLE; Hilliard needs a closer look, but working solely at RT vs Old working LG/LT and Elgin all three interior OL, it doesn't look good.

Re: Tough Competition for Dante's Academy
 

such a wonderful problem to face