Metaphors
In the Starting Line-Up
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Locked Down Roster Spots
K: Gostkowski
P: Hanson
WR: KWashington
LB: Woods
Candidates (4 spots available)
RB: Evans, Eckel
WR: Aiken
TE: Spach, Stupar
LB: Izzo, Alexander, Ruud, Redd, Guyton
CB: Richardson, Wilhite
S: Spann, Ventrone
Other: Slater, Paxton
Camp Battle
Paxton vs Other for Long Snapper
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.
Roster So Far...
1-2: QB Brady, Gutierrez
3-5: RB Maroney, Faulk, Morris <Evans>
6-9: WR Moss, Welker, CJackson, Gaffney <Washington>
10-11: TE Watson, DThomas
12-18: OL Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kaczur, O'Callaghan, Hochstein
19-23: DL Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, Green, Wright
24-29: LB AThomas, Hobson, Mayo, Vrabel, Bruschi, Crable <Woods>
30-33: CB Hobbs, Bryant, Wheatley, Webster
34-37: S Harrison, JSanders, Meriweather, TWilliams
38-45: ST Gostkowski, Hanson, Paxton, KWashington, Woods, Evans, Izzo, Slater
Gameday Inactives
46: QB O'Connell
47-48: OL Britt, Yates
49: DL LSmith
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...
K: Gostkowski
P: Hanson
WR: KWashington
LB: Woods
Candidates (4 spots available)
RB: Evans, Eckel
WR: Aiken
TE: Spach, Stupar
LB: Izzo, Alexander, Ruud, Redd, Guyton
CB: Richardson, Wilhite
S: Spann, Ventrone
Other: Slater, Paxton
Camp Battle
Paxton vs Other for Long Snapper
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.
Roster So Far...
1-2: QB Brady, Gutierrez
3-5: RB Maroney, Faulk, Morris <Evans>
6-9: WR Moss, Welker, CJackson, Gaffney <Washington>
10-11: TE Watson, DThomas
12-18: OL Light, Mankins, Koppen, Neal, Kaczur, O'Callaghan, Hochstein
19-23: DL Seymour, Wilfork, Warren, Green, Wright
24-29: LB AThomas, Hobson, Mayo, Vrabel, Bruschi, Crable <Woods>
30-33: CB Hobbs, Bryant, Wheatley, Webster
34-37: S Harrison, JSanders, Meriweather, TWilliams
38-45: ST Gostkowski, Hanson, Paxton, KWashington, Woods, Evans, Izzo, Slater
Gameday Inactives
46: QB O'Connell
47-48: OL Britt, Yates
49: DL LSmith
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...