Dawson and Crossen

mgteich said:

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5th safety? How many defensive backs do you think that we'll carry. IMO, the 4th safety is a ST who hopefully is an emergency 4th safety. At least that is how the position has been used in the past. Brooks is a fine candidate for the 4th safety.

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Then where is Ebner?

???

Jason would cost more cap money if he is cut than if he stays. He has a $5M guarantee.

Hyped said:

There's always injuries....and I wouldn't call Jason McCourty a lock to make the 53 as well....

In addition, J. Jones is an UFA next year and likely will command Justin Coleman money (36M/4yrs)....so we still need some youth movement.

I think one of them makes it.

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patfanken said:

BTW- I think his ST's value is greatly undervalued by you. I can see him as a regular on KO's and Punt coverage teams at a minimum.

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Honestly this is his most realistic way -- maybe even only one that doesnt require injuries to others -- to a roster spot. Doubtful that he can win a spot as S (or even less likely CB) outright.


And quite honestly that is an important role. We are getting once again into the season of
posters undervaluing ST and instead trying to keep fringe players on the roster in exchange for ST players. Same shortsighted stuff as every year.

supafly said:

Then where is Ebner?

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I've been struggling with that question myself.

I'm a big Nate fan but his contract/cap hit make it very conducive to potential "adjustment". If he takes a hard line he might be cut.

Hes one of those players where the BB slogan, "There is always room for <insert selfless, hard-working, team player's name here> on your team". applies.

Hopefully they figure it out and his career ends as a NEP

supafly said:

Then where is Ebner?

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Ken is talking about a 4th and 5th safety that actually get reps at safety.

For me, and my personal roster building, I have a separate section for special teamers. Some of these players are STO and never play a position; some are on the team as special teamers and also are emergency backups.

Last year we kept 7 of these players (we also had Grissom). This core of 10 players (including the 3 specialists) is very important to Belichick. There are many roles, and in a given game almost all are active. Many posters almost ignore these positions, questioning whether we should keep any STO players other than the specialists (P, K and LS). Every year, they want to get rid of Slater, Ebner and King, and others like them. And, somehow, they make the team. IMO, these players are not bottom of the roster players. Like the specialists, they are "starters" at their ST positions and much higher on the depth of the roster than the 8th LB, the 8th DL, the 9th OL or the 5th WR.

2018
Slater
King
McClellan
Grigsby
Humber
Ebner
Crossen

2019
Slater
Bolden
Calhoun (maybe)
King
Ebner
Brooks
Crossen (maybe)

luuked said:

Honestly this is his most realistic way -- maybe even only one that doesnt require injuries to others -- to a roster spot. Doubtful that he can win a spot as S (or even less likely CB) outright.


And quite honestly that is an important role. We are getting once again into the season of
posters undervaluing ST and instead trying to keep fringe players on the roster in exchange for ST players. Same shortsighted stuff as every year.

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My goal for him this year is to see him take 20% of Chung's snaps away. We are just beating that man to death with his 85+% snap rate

Patstopia said:

Year after year we see the defensive back field diminished by a few or many. What may be a surplus today may quickly turn into a shortage tomorrow.

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Funny how people never consider this when setting the paper roster even before TC. Lol

PatsBoy12 said:

Funny how people never consider this when setting the paper roster when before TC. Lol

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Yes, these so called “problems” at certain positions of depth often tend to sort themselves out by the beginning of September, much like we saw with WR, last year.

In my opinion, Crossen is the obvious man out if the season were to start today, but like you said, just one injury can change that very quickly.

supafly said:

Yes, these so called “problems” at certain positions of depth often tend to sort themselves out by the beginning of September, much like we saw with WR, last year.

In my opinion, Crossen is the obvious man out if the season were to start today, but like you said, just one injury can change that very quickly.

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Agreed, Supa, that Crossen would most likely be on the outs if the season started today. He's very raw and needs a lot of refinement.

But yeah, we'll know a lot more by September.

patfanken said:

My goal for him this year is to see him take 20% of Chung's snaps away. We are just beating that man to death with his 85+% snap rate

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There maybe some spot rest here and there but Chung is playing every down if he's healthy