Final Cuts Made -- More Moves on the Horizon?

The big surprise is DS Jeff Robinson getting cut. Has anybody seen Jon Condo in the preseason do anything? Were the deep snaps fine?

Any thoughts on who might come in as backup safties?

Rafael:
Are you sure that Fujita will be Ware backup? He was a SS OLB in KC and has the size to man that position in the 3-4.

Cosby:
He was the deep snaper for almost all the snaps on kicks and punts in which we didn’t see a diference from Robinson to him, so I say that he’s good and doesn’t cost much.

Cowboys sign Price 1 year $2mil

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2151065

Chandus,

You might be right. I spent all last week predicting they would trade for a SOLB. Here they do it, and I let it get past me. Man, thanks for covering my back.

Raf,
Isn’t Reeves the backup for Davis right now, or is his FS position relevant to the Nickel only?

did anyone post hugh douglas getting released? with him and simon gone now thats alot missing from there front 7

Reeves is a corner. I don’t recall him playing deep safety in the nickel packages, but I might be wrong. I still thing they’ll bring in two safeties. They’ve got one open spot and can flip Ogbogu if they need to open another one.

Rafael,

Looks like Nate Jones made the team also as a 6th CB. Any idea what his role will be?

Can’t feel too good with Torrin Tucker being the only backup tackle and a rookie at right. I’m expecting a transaction to bring in a veteran after week one.

Joe,
I remember reading long ago that Tuckers problems were not his physical skills but rather the mental side. So maybe w/ enough rep’s he will “get it” as BP loves to say.

Mark D,

He’s not on the final roster on the team’s site.

Any one remember Nate Jones being cut?

Just checked the team site again. He’s listed on the roster.

The site now also lists 53. Somebody must have left Jones off the initial list.

Raf,
By the way, thanks for the posting the advice Mr/Ms. Alias on the last thread. They were getting on my nerves.

I think Nate Jones will be part of a trade or a guy thats on the bubble pending more roster moves

I just realized, 10 rookies (at this point) have made the 53 man roster. That must be a BP record. It’s also a good sign of good things to come. BP doesn’t take age into consideration (unless they’re really old) when choosing who makes the team, and in fact lack of age/experience usually hurts guys in the BP cutting process. That means we have some very good rookies on the squad: guys who can come in right away and make significant contributions, and some who have lots of upside (Tyson Thompson for example). I am very impressed by our offseason at this point (I lump preseason in with the offseason), and I don’t think we could have gone about it much better. We were lucky when it came to injuries (except for Cundiff and Rogers, but I think we’ll be better off without them—without Rogers anyway), and guys like Spears bounced back pretty quickly. Losing Beriault could be a blessing in disguise. He is going to be healthy pretty quickly after the surgery, and he’ll have time to bulk up a little, learn his way around our Defense a bit better, and maybe try to improve his speed and all around skills a bit while on IR. I think he will come back next year ready to make a significant contribution.

With regard to Kalen Thornton, BP loves the kid, and he’s seen some flashes of greatness from him. He’s a prototype OLB for the 3-4, and if he can get his knee working again, he will provide some good depth for us at the LB position for us next year. Either that, or BP figures he isn’t paying him that much, and has an excuse to keep him on IR (knee) without taking up a roster spot, so he has nothing to lose.

I was unfortunately unable to see the preseason games, but I didn’t hear/read about our new LS Condo, which is a good thing. If I didn’t hear about him, that means he didn’t make any mistakes (though I did hear about him making some good ST plays, which never hurts). I guess BP lowered his age standards (from Vinny), meaning the 37 or 38 year-old Robinson was a bit too much the elder statesman for the ’Boys.

Don’t forget Noll played some Tackle, and was expected to prepare for/learn the Tackle position during the preseason. BP must be impressed with what he’s seen from Noll as an all around contributor on the O-Line. And don’t forget that Gurode can play guard in a pinch (what a painful pinch that would be).

(sorry, this was quite a bit of rambling. I promise my future posts have some semblance of organization)

i was looking at the roster and noticed we only have 7 people with more then 10 yrs exp. i see alot of people with r-5 years. all the people saying we are this old team doesnt look so old now to me.

BP never did care for Vollers and Walter that much. They were from the previous regime. It is interesting to note that as of today, of the 53 guys on the roster for the last game of 2002; only 7 remain. Now that’s remolding a team. Opening day roster 2003-35 left. Opening roster 2004-19 left. Now only 7. And we are a better team.

KCE,

Tucker got better after that horrid performance in the 1st preaseason game. Maybe, in a way, he is starting to “get it”. I just think they have to get veteran insurance in case he goes in the tank again. Noll hardly played the tackle position this summer. Could he be ready in a pinch?

Joe,
Really could not agree more. We got a rookie late 6th rounder starting w/ a guy that will never be confused w/ a Rocket Scientist backing him up.

Given the savy of some of the LDE’s we will face this year, Drew B. could get hurt (or at least lose faith and get happy feet).

Mike, that was a good call. Those with 10 or more are also the undisputed team leaders, people you would like to have some experience. Bledsoe, Glenn, Glenn, Rivera, Glover, Allen, and Johnson, and all have younger up-and-comers behind them.

The 7 players with 10yrs experience are all former Pro Bowlers also. Great vets for the younger players to emulate.

KCE:
As far as I remember, last year we had Tucker “the rocket scientist” playing RT with Testaverde on the pocket, how many times was he sacked? 30 something? That was normal if your team wasn’t called Indianapolis. So Tucker made a good job while protecting the passer, he was abysmal in run support and Gurode only made things worst, that’s why Rivera was signed, to help in there and if this last game of preseason means something is that the move could work.

This is has nothing to do with this subject but…..we should be looking for a QB in the next draft….I am watching the texas game and Vince Young is just incredible….the guy can run like hell, he has 3 TD at the half, and when it counted last year he ran for like a mile on Michigan….

Maybe he can be next Michael Vick, with passings skills as well….

It looks like Bill went with potential over experience .Interesting
since most of us figured he would go the other way.

Thanks for the illumination on the pass vs run support issues. Query?, How do Torrin’s penalty stat’s look for last year.

becker
he has a win now mentallity, but hes alos building for the future. i like where we are heading and i think if the tuna sticks for another year or 2 we will be the class of the nfc again.

Becker, Parcells knows this isn’t a Super Bowl winner this year. He is trying to win while he builds, to instill winning in a young and talented team. I like this strategy.

Not one to crow, but my roster guessing/wishful thinking has somewhat come true. If they add Verba (or some other ORT), I’ll start to feel like Dr. Z.

Just kidding…

Anyway, WOW! Awesome group. Let’s review the list:

QB – Check
RB – Check Plus Plus
TE – Yup, in spades
WR – Check
OL – Che…..Wait another day. But almost there
DL – he he he he he (Man, Parcels must feel like a kid on Christmas)
CB – Check Plus
S – Check…minus…What the heck happened to Coady?
LB – Check, now that we signed the Chiefs’ top tackler the past two years…enough to give Burnett a chance to grow

Whew! That’s a wish list. Bill must have been a very good boy this year.

add a good safety and this team is solid all around. si.com might not be to far off from there possible super bowl contedor. also theres a poll on espn.com about who will be the nfc’s cinderella super bowl team will be and i think we are at 20% of the votes.

One of the things i noticed was whenever B.P. gave one of these
young guys a chance to step up the player did : Petitte RT
(even when he hurt his ankle),T.Thompson (ribs),Gurode at
center,Barber after fumbles and then his foot,Spears in his
only preseason game,Pepper did it with his last preseason
performance,Beriault with his knee in his only game.Even
Torrin T. which surprised me since B.P. had been moving
Vollers around as a backup but now that i think about it
neither Vollers or Walter could beat out T.T. last year to
 so start at RT it makes sense how long are you going to
 carry these guys to be backups??

has anyonbe heard any more about jerome woods being released?

possibly being released

Mantab
Im not ready to completly give up on Henson yet. Here in Tennessee Steve Mcnair went through a simular training with good veterans and he too wasnt the 2nd backup when the veterans got hurt. He started when he was ready and that wasnt right away. He had talent that the coaches were willing to wait on because of the veterans playing in front of him. I believe if henson gets it one day he could be the guy. He has good talent but makes rookie mistakes because he hasnt played much.

KCE,

Come on now…it’d be a very long stretch call LA, Eric Williams, or a number of other guys a Mensa society. While he may be dumber than a box of rocks, he’s a freak. Every write-up starts with Tucker, the most physically gifted. He’s just a slow learner…I’m patient.

ManTab – wouldn’t want Vick. Roy Williams said he was really set back in his development by Young. Great college QB, lousy Pro.

Next year’s 1st Rounder is the best LB or WR available. Bledsoe’s signed for three years to give us two more transition years for a trade (Rivers/Brees anyone?) or draft in ‘07. Maybe a flier on a late round gem. If you just want a player better than Henson, you’re thinking way too myopically. Henson gets another YEAR, not just training camp.

One last,

Bledsoe, Keyshaun, Glenn, and many other vets have been quoted saying they’re preparing for a run. This year and next is really their last chance. They’re also in the key skill positions. This team believes.

Worst to first, like Atlanta, NE, Carolina, Jets, & Chargers the past few years.

We’re gonna do it bay-be!

i would love to see brees come over to the good side next year, obviously 1 of them is leaving. and then i agree the best lb or wr available, unless price and crayton have a chance to become elite. other wise the best o-lineman available

if he has years like the last who gives a damn how tall the guy is. football isnt measured in height.

Forgot about that. If a Pace-type player falls, that would be a very good pick.

Good LBs can be had in the second, third round. WRs can be found everywhere, but the true playmakers are usually snached up early.

WTF, let’s get to this year.

I agree Hensons time is running out if he doesnt get it he is gone. what do we lose by cutting him?

My two cents on Torrin and Gurode what a difference a
little competition makes in their play.No competition they
screw up left and right give them some competition and
they step it up.

Year 3 patience pays off

it worked in 2003 for the defense when it was ranked first though right. maybe last year had alot to do with in jured people….

does anyone here think morgan will bring much in a trade?

maybe a 6th or 7th at the most…

You guys dont know what the hell your talking about. I live in San Diego, and there is no way Brees is the same height as Flutie.

lol thats pretty funny actually. i kinda take it as a positive you wanting to be me and all. when you grow up maybe you can own your own business and not rely on your parents for gas money to go get some taco bell

If you were coaching against the cowboys

what would your game plan be? Be marty for 1 minute and tell me what you plan for and how you beat the cowboys. i think it could be a daunting task if you stop and think about it.

first thing has to be slowing julius down. then try to take away whitten. on offense id run at ware all day long till he figure out how to stop the run on the outside and push it back inside. then id throw at keith davis, see how hes gonna do. deffinetely dont think running between the guards is gonna be smart with ferg and glover patrolling there

1st how do you stop julius if the line is working as well as it did when it was all together? no sarcasm being serious

i dont know if your o-line is outplaying there d-line i guess there screwed. the lb’s better hit the holes they are supposed to hit and if jj gets to the safeties hes gonna have a huge day.

also keep in mind we might have enough talent at reciever to keep 8 men out of the box

i agree jj needs some good runs off the bat to open up play action we saw thursday what happens if jj goes off early, opened that 40 yd td to glenn right up.

do you think we lose the game on rookie mistakes or special teams? also tell me what you mean by run at ware? If things are working i hope roy is close by if that happens.

Rafael

When you went to Training camp did you see L Allen getting any reps at the tackle position at either side? I don’t feel very good (Tucker is the only back up) with no rumors of getting another tackle in here.

Thanks Rafael!!

In fear of sounding stupid who is Tony Bosseli?

That wasn’t Rafael… and guys, start ignoring the guys that say nonsense. Bosseli retired 5 years ago.

thnx Chandus

I suspect we might not be done at offensive tackle. We will probably wait until after the first game, take a look at how Petitti and/or Tucker played, and bring in a veteran if needed. If that happens, my guess is that Noll gets kicked off the island. Peterman and Gurode can provide depth at guard.

Jones and Thornton shouldn’t get too comfortable either. I am sure we are studying the waiver wire, and probably already have claims in. And, Rafael may be right, with the Cowboys looking to trade Ogbogu for a safety.

The decision to replace Robinson with Condo probably had more to do with age than with contract. Robinson is 35 and showed some signs of slipping last year. Condo is 24, and could be our long snapper for the next 10-12 years.

i thought i read where it freed 1.1 million as well as the age difference

mike,

I am certain that you are correct. I just don’t think that was the primary reason for Robinson’s release. I see it as a combination of reasons: age, salary cap, and perhaps some declining skills. I just gave more weight to the age factor, but I have no real insight into the Cowboys’ thinking here.

Hey! For all we know, Condo may have thoroughly outplayed Robinson in training camp. I think that might be a pretty good reason for that decision. :)

The LB starting four should be:
Ware-Nguyen-Burnnett-Fujita

does anyone disagree?

Matt,
Shanle @ ILB with Nguyen. He is bigger.

So, how does San Diego stop Julius Jones? Then Thompson breaks a big one on the outside. Sweet!

Seriously, I love the Fujita pick up, because that solidifies our LB corps. I wouldn’t be surprised if Ogbogu AND Morgan are traded for Safety as well as OL help.

Price will be a difference maker for this team. Glenn, Johnson, Price and Witten, or Glenn, Price, Crayton and Witten. Who do you cover?

Our defense is gonna be a monster! They’ll get beat once in a while because of youth, but with all the playmakers on that D? Look out NFL, ’cause here comes Doomsday all over again!

James,

Shanle is the same size as burnett but 2 lbs lighter :)

Matt,

That might be the long-range plan, but it will take awhile. First Fujita has to be brought up to speed and actually beat out Singleton. Then, Burnett would have to learn the inside position and beat out James. All of that would take some time to accomplish.

They might not want to mess with Burnett learning a new position until next year. Burnett is a bright guy, but he is still a rookie, and they might not want to overload him too soon. For now, he’s Ware’s backup, which is a good thing. We don’t want Ware wearing down by playing 95% of the defensive snaps. That is the primary reason to delay moving Burnett inside.

Also, we already have a couple of pretty good backup ILBs in Shanle and Fowler. So, that position is well covered. I don’t think any of our ILB’s would be good candidates to backup Ware, and Ogbogu or Singleton sure couldn’t do it. Burnett is better suited for that role. So, I think we will keep him there for this year.

Next up lets get a kicker, Safety depth and I’m still not comfortable with our OT’s especially backup to Adams

get a kickr yah but cortez hanst been bad at all, excellent on kickoffs. safety to me is our biggest hole right now, without a doubt.

That’s not a hole, more like an abyss…

denver released a safety/cb in jeremy lasuere (sorry about the spelling)i remember boys fans in yahoo regretting we passed on him in the 2004 draft.

New name for the defense, if it lives up to our expectations. ? Doosmday the Remake

Or better yet Doomsday III the Return

How about Doomsday-ja-vu?

With only 3 offensive tackles, could Marcus Spears play there if needed?
He apparently played tight end and fullback for LSU.