Eight Is Not Enough At Safety ???

[mgteich]

We felt the need to add 2 UDFA safeties. Isn't EIGHT enough? I understand the speculation that we might part ways with Peppers. Still, SEVEN is enough.

Peppers, Dugger
Epps, Hawkins, Woodson, Mapu
Schooler, Pettus
Minkins, Polk
============
WOODSON
I expect that Woodson will be our backup nickel back, certainly needed since how often Jones is out injured. He also can back up on the outside.

But perhaps you all like Bolden, Dial and/or Battle?

CORNERS: Gonzo, Davis, Jones, Austin, WOODSON
on the bubble: Bolden, Dial, Battle
=================
HOW MANY DO WE NEED? Ten seems right, although we often carry an additional DB as a special teamer.
5 CB
4 S
1 ST

 

[RobertWeathers]

Real possibility there is significant turnover in that position next year- possibly this year.

Hawkins is not a lock. Neither is Dell. If Woodson shines and Mapu emerges then Peppers or Dugger might be moved.

 

[hornetfb85]

I’m betting Vrabel sees Mapu as more of a LB than a S.

 

[203Pat]

I’m betting Vrabel sees Mapu as more of a LB than a S.

I am hoping so.

 

[hornetfb85]

I am hoping so.

Sizewise that seems to be what he likes at ILB.

W. Woodward 6’0 233
J. Brown 6’0 226
R. Evans 6’2 232
D. Long Jr. 5’11 225

Undersized quick LBs.

 

[RobertWeathers]

I’m betting Vrabel sees Mapu as more of a LB than a S.

Hes a SS. I'm a fan of Mapu. When used properly he can make plays. Hes at his best when the ball is in front of him in the short and intermediate part of the field.

If he plays to his potential and Woodson shines, and Duggar and Peppers stay flat/drop off we could two new FS/SS starting next year.

 

[Nunchucks]

I’m betting Vrabel sees Mapu as more of a LB than a S.

I agree, he is like 230 lbs. More like a LB, which is how he should have been used all along.

 

[Grogan14]

We felt the need to add 2 UDFA safeties. Isn't EIGHT enough? I understand the speculation that we might part ways with Peppers. Still, SEVEN is enough.

Peppers, Dugger
Epps, Hawkins, Woodson, Mapu
Schooler, Pettus
Minkins, Polk
============
WOODSON
I expect that Woodson will be our backup nickel back, certainly needed since how often Jones is out injured. He also can back up on the outside.

But perhaps you all like Bolden, Dial and/or Battle?

CORNERS: Gonzo, Davis, Jones, Austin, WOODSON
on the bubble: Bolden, Dial, Battle
=================
HOW MANY DO WE NEED? Ten seems right, although we often carry an additional DB as a special teamer.
5 CB
4 S
1 ST

Pepper, duggar, schooler, woodson and mapu are the locks
So it will be 5 with schooler as st ace

 

[mgteich]

I’m betting Vrabel sees Mapu as more of a LB than a S.

as the 9th LB?
Landry, Jennings, Chaisson, Swinson
Spillane, Tavai, Ellis, Gibbens
======
I have the DL as (could be Roy or Pharms)
Williams, Barmore, Tonga, Farmer, White, Pharms, Roy
====

 

[Nunchucks]

as the 9th LB?
Landry, Jennings, Chaisson, Swinson
Spillane, Tavai, Ellis, Gibbens
======
I have the DL as (could be Roy or Pharms)
Williams, Barmore, Tonga, Farmer, White, Pharms, Roy
====

Maybe he is cut or traded

 

[mgteich]

Maybe he is cut or traded

perhaps.

Mapu certainly has a chance. I do think his opportunity is at LB. For example, he COULD beat out Gibbens for a roster spot. I don't him beating out anyone else.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

Between the numbers at safety and their complete and total lack of any coverage ability whatsoever at LB, I think they're in line to play a lot of dime defense. You have your 2 outside CBs, your slot CB, your FS and SS, but then instead of a second ILB you play an extra SS.

FS - Epps, Woodson
SS - Peppers, Pettus
"LB" - Dugger, Mapu

That's what I expect the final roster to be, but there's room for surprises.

Schooler is a STs only guy, no sense in counting him here. Hawkins is a JAG who is the type of guy you should always be looking to replace on the roster with someone better/younger. The depth chart loOks crowded now BUT...

Epps is coming off a season ending injury and may start training camp or even the season PUP.

If Pettus regresses then that spot could still be up for grabs. He's hardly a firmly established player.

Woodson is just a rookie and while he's likely guaranteed a spot because of draft status, it's also possible he comes in like a total bust and they can't count on him for snaps.

Mapu might be a lost cause that has no positional home and maybe the new staff gives up on trying to develop him.

Peppers/Dugger are probably expendable at some point now or in the future so you want the depth to make a trade now if it makes sense. If someone else seizes their role and/or someone makes a decent trade offer you want to be able to pounce.

 

[mgteich]

Between the numbers at safety and their complete and total lack of any coverage ability whatsoever at LB, I think they're in line to play a lot of dime defense. You have your 2 outside CBs, your slot CB, your FS and SS, but then instead of a second ILB you play an extra SS.

FS - Epps, Woodson
SS - Peppers, Pettus
"LB" - Dugger, Mapu

That's what I expect the final roster to be, but there's room for surprises.

Schooler is a STs only guy, no sense in counting him here. Hawkins is a JAG who is the type of guy you should always be looking to replace on the roster with someone better/younger. The depth chart loOks crowded now BUT...

Epps is coming off a season ending injury and may start training camp or even the season PUP.

If Pettus regresses then that spot could still be up for grabs. He's hardly a firmly established player.

Woodson is just a rookie and while he's likely guaranteed a spot because of draft status, it's also possible he comes in like a total bust and they can't count on him for snaps.

Mapu might be a lost cause that has no positional home and maybe the new staff gives up on trying to develop him.

Peppers/Dugger are probably expendable at some point now or in the future so you want the depth to make a trade now if it makes sense. If someone else seizes their role and/or someone makes a decent trade offer you want to be able to pounce.

So, we will regularly play dime
RCB
NB
LCB
FS
SS
SS/LB
========
OK, who are the back ups at CB and S? You seem to want to have three backup safeties. What about CB? Who beyond Austin?

So, how many total DB's (not counting Schooler)?

 

[Family]

Mapu might be a lost cause that has no positional home and maybe the new staff gives up on trying to develop him.

Mapu's abilities are obvious. But he seems to be out of position more than any other player I can remember. I think even some of Mapu's fantastic plays are made because he is out of position.

Maybe it's because he is playing out of position. Whatever that position is.

If Mapu can't clean this up, I don't know how much a new coaching staff is going to be patient.

 

[upstater1]

We might not have a single player on this team capable of playing FS... so it makes sense to have a lot of competition at the position.

I expect it will be Dugger against Hawkins for the starting spot, but both of them looked lost in last year's defense. Both players have looked better under different coaches in the past.

We'll see.

I still think they need a FS.

 

[Hugepatsfan]

So, we will regularly play dime
RCB
NB
LCB
FS
SS
SS/LB
========
OK, who are the back ups at CB and S? You seem to want to have three backup safeties. What about CB? Who beyond Austin?

So, how many total DB's (not counting Schooler)?

If I had to do a 53 man roster projection now...

QB (2): Maye, Dobbs
RB (3): Stevenson, Henderson, Gibson
WR (7): Diggs, Williams, Boutte, Douglas, Hollins, Polk, Baker
TE (3): Henry, Hooper, Bell
OL (10): Campbell, Strange, Bradbury, Onwenu, Moses, Wilson, Lowe, Robinson, Wallace, Sow
IDL (4): Williams, Barmore, Farmer, Tonga
EDGE (5): Landry, White, Jennins, Chaisson, Swinson
LB (4): Spillane, Gibbons, Elliss, Tavai
CB (5): Gonzalez, Davis, Jones, Austin, Dial
S (6): Dugger, Peppers, Epps, Woodson, Pettus, Mapu
STs (4): Borregales, Baringer, Schooler, Ashby

I'm light on LBs there, but that's accounting for the S group covering the STs duties there and again, playing a lot of dime with one of them essentially playing LB. Also light on RBs and don't have a FB, once again kind of counting on the S's to take those STs roles.

Diggs at WR and Epps at S seem like possible PUP candidates as well which could open up additional spots. 7 WRs and 10 OL could be heavy too.

 

[hornetfb85]

as the 9th LB?
Landry, Jennings, Chaisson, Swinson
Spillane, Tavai, Ellis, Gibbens
======
I have the DL as (could be Roy or Pharms)
Williams, Barmore, Tonga, Farmer, White, Pharms, Roy
====

IMO, Tavai will be a camp cut. Doesn’t fit the Vrabel ILB mold.

 

[Patsfan1645]

If I had to do a 53 man roster projection now...

QB (2): Maye, Dobbs
RB (3): Stevenson, Henderson, Gibson
WR (7): Diggs, Williams, Boutte, Douglas, Hollins, Polk, Baker
TE (3): Henry, Hooper, Bell
OL (10): Campbell, Strange, Bradbury, Onwenu, Moses, Wilson, Lowe, Robinson, Wallace, Sow
IDL (4): Williams, Barmore, Farmer, Tonga
EDGE (5): Landry, White, Jennins, Chaisson, Swinson
LB (4): Spillane, Gibbons, Elliss, Tavai
CB (5): Gonzalez, Davis, Jones, Austin, Dial
S (6): Dugger, Peppers, Epps, Woodson, Pettus, Mapu
STs (4): Borregales, Baringer, Schooler, Ashby

I'm light on LBs there, but that's accounting for the S group covering the STs duties there and again, playing a lot of dime with one of them essentially playing LB. Also light on RBs and don't have a FB, once again kind of counting on the S's to take those STs roles.

Diggs at WR and Epps at S seem like possible PUP candidates as well which could open up additional spots. 7 WRs and 10 OL could be heavy too.

Sorry...you lost me at Polk, Baker. I will bet that Chism will be ahead of one of these guys at the end of training camp.

 

[rkarp1]

Epps not healthy enough to start the season??
Hawkins a JAG that is vulnerable
I am pumping the brakes on Woodson being a roster lock

 

[neuronet]

Give me all of it!!!