Tinkering With The Roster Before The Bye

I'm bored and we don't have a real game this weekend or next. BB will surprise us with who he acquires; he always does. But, I do expect to see us add 3-4 players (at least the two IR players plus a TE).

I thought that I would look at our roster a bit. We have one open roster spot, 22 on offense, 23 on defense, and 7 on ST's (including Slater, Ebner, Richards, and Gunner).
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DEFENSE (23 going to 22 if Bennett is traded)
I don't see us doing anything except trading Bennett (if we can get an offer). If we move Bennett, I don't see us acquiring another player on defense. His 10 or so reps can be absorbed by others; Cowart would be active each week in his place.

SPECIAL TEAMS (7)
I don't see us doing anything. With Ebner back, we COULD cut Richards. However, he is good on ST's, and his presence allows Brooks to be relieved of ST's duties, important since Chung was injured and we shouldn't be putting Brooks at risk playing ST's.

OFFENSE (22, going to 23 if Bennett is traded)
1. We have an open position.
2. We will likely add a position on offense by trading Bennett.
3. We will add a WR (Harry or another)
4. I expect us to add a FB and/a TE. If we go with a FB, we would need to waive one of our TE's.
5. Wynn will replace Cunningham on the roster.
6. BB is likely still looking for a backup center, who can also be a backup guard.
7. BB is likely still looking for a swing OT.

Where’s the confirmation on the supposed Bennett trade?

Why would they trade Bennett? It makes no sense to erode our depth with this move.

Who at fullback? The one fullback on a practice squad (Minnesota’s) took a raise instead of leaving a few weeks ago, and the 49ers decided that none of the seven veterans they worked out this week were worth a spot.

I agree, we cut Cunningham when we bring back Wynn.

not sure we would trade Bennett, I think he is dinged up and once recovered, we should see his snap count go up.

bb will scour the rosters and practice squads of all the other teams looking for a tight end or wide receiver. I am sure he will find something, but not sure how much we get from that.

if allen ever gets healthy, he would be a nice addition.

If Bennett is injured, then I withdraw the speculation.

However, if he is injured, I'm not sure why he played for even 11 reps, especially the 8 reps in garbage time.

You wish me to find quotes from mediots that speculate that a trade of Bennett is possible, given that he played 11 reps on TH, and then only in garbage time?

Brick27 said:

Where’s the confirmation on the supposed Bennett trade?

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BelizePats said:

Why would they trade Bennett? It makes no sense to erode our depth with this move.

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1) Bennett is playing very little.
2) Bennett is very expensive.
3) Cowart is available and inactive in every game.
4) We can use the roster spot on offense.

mgteich said:

You wish me to find quotes from mediots that speculate that a trade of Bennett is possible, given that he played 11 reps on TH, and then only in garbage time?

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Speculate. Keyword. Awesome “insight” from these mediots.

mgteich said:

If Bennett is injured, then I withdraw the speculation.

However, if he is injured, I'm not sure why he played for even 11 reps, especially the 8 reps in garbage time.

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big difference between injured and dinged up.
The ding appears to be upper body or shoulder. His get off at the snap seems quick, but he can’t use his upper body to beat the o line,

Brick27 said:

Speculate. Keyword. Awesome “insight” from these mediots.

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Let us all know when Belichick starts being effusive in public discussions about pending moves.

mgteich said:

1) Bennett is playing very little.
2) Bennett is very expensive.
3) Cowart is available and inactive in every game.
4) We can use the roster spot on offense.

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1. For the moment he is not playing a lot but you know that what is happening in Sept/Oct is not always what is the case in November/December. Our D line has been healthy. So far! But if this position remains injury-free throughout the entire season, I think both you and I would be surprised. It's a brutally violent position with a high degree of serious injury probability. If nothing else, he's excellent insurance.
2. Almost half of his salary has already been paid. At this point in the season, he's actually not that expensive going forward for the rest of the year.
3. We have no idea whether or not Coward can step in and be effective. He's been inactive more often that not. For all we know he's struggling with the playbook or has practiced poorly?
4. No argument there.

Sciz said:

Who at fullback? The one fullback on a practice squad (Minnesota’s) took a raise instead of leaving a few weeks ago, and the 49ers decided that none of the seven veterans they worked out this week were worth a spot.

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I get that the role of FB in Shanahans offense is a lot more diverse and requires a deeper skillset but that right there tells you a lot about whats left on the scrap heap that are street FAs.

mgteich said:

1) Bennett is playing very little.
2) Bennett is very expensive.
3) Cowart is available and inactive in every game.
4) We can use the roster spot on offense.

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I don't think trading Bennett is worth it. You are not saving much money at all. Depending on when he gets traded somewhere between 2-3M. Which is not the equivalent of "VERY EXPENSIVE".

I mean I can see something is up with his playtimes trending in the wrong direction but solely from a financial point of view I don't see the necessity.

Cowart doesn't necessarily play the same role as Bennett. Even though they might have the same positional designation that doesn't mean both are redundant in how they would be used.

We can always release e.g. Kessler if we REALLY need that roster spot.

Ochmed Jones said:

big difference between injured and dinged up.
The ding appears to be upper body or shoulder. His get off at the snap seems quick, but he can’t use his upper body to beat the o line,

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Grown up sized shoulder pads could help with that

Ted Nugent cannot stay with more bad weather on the horizon. The look on his face when kicking a PAT is like he was looking at a 60 yarder.

There is no doubt in my mind that he would be rattled if iced by the opposing coach on a crucial kick.

Bennett trade makes zero sense.

SBLIII said:

Bennett trade makes zero sense.

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While I agree with the message, I don’t think it’s « zero ». Sometimes you need to rid yourself of grumblers. If Bennett becomes difficult, it makes some sense.

BelizePats said:

Why would they trade Bennett? It makes no sense to erode our depth with this move.

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Makes a lot of sense to me. Bennett was brought in before Collins signed, the LB's are tearing it up and it's safe to say barring injuries the 3/4 is here to stay this season. As far as eroding depth goes they aren't looking at replacing a large number of snaps if he is traded. There are teams, including the one he came from, that need D lineman desperately and the Pats would be looking at 'selling high' in that regard.

maust1013 said:

Makes a lot of sense to me. Bennett was brought in before Collins signed, the LB's are tearing it up and it's safe to say barring injuries the 3/4 is here to stay this season. As far as eroding depth goes they aren't looking at replacing a large number of snaps if he is traded. There are teams, including the one he came from, that need D lineman desperately and the Pats would be looking at 'selling high' in that regard.

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If Bennett can net us some help on the OL/TE I’m all for it. But if all we can get is a late rounder I would hold on to him.