Too early for a 53 prediction? Yeah, probably.. (1 Viewer)

[rockthedox]

Here's my guess, based on the first preseason game and the way I imagine everything else playing out. This will almost certainly change, but at least it helps me to start wrapping my mind around some of the types of cuts we'll have to make.

QUARTERBACKS (2): Drew Brees, Garrett Grayson

Grayson wins the backup job. McCown is solid but I think he would still be available if we need him. This also frees up a needed roster spot.

RUNNING BACKS (4): Mark Ingram, C.J. Spiller, Marcus Murphy, Daniel Lasco
Murphy is the only question mark in my mind. Hightower is solid but Lasco will outplay him, is more versatile, and a lot younger. I think Lasco can actually back up both Ingram and Spiller, not to mention that he's a beast on special teams. I think they may diminish his ST role as they see how valuable he can be. Murphy is a stopgap. He's better than average (Cadet) but not consistent and has too many drops. If someone else steps up, he's gone. Cadet and Hightower are both solid, but not needed.

FULLBACK (1): John Kuhn

Kuuuuuuuhn! It sucks for the other guys, but it's not even a debate. He was on team for a few days and instantly was at the top of the depth chart and making a difference on the field. I'm really pumped to see him play more.

WIDE RECEIVERS (5): Brandin Cooks, Willie Snead, Michael Thomas, Brandon Coleman, Tommy Lee Lewis

That's a WR set to get excited about! Top 3 are locks. I don't really see much other competition from the other WRs on the roster though. As I mentioned in another thread, four of those guys have really shown talent that sets them apart and one is like...really, really tall.

TIGHT ENDS (3): Coby Fleener, Josh Hill, Michael Hoomanawanui

No debate, but we'll probably stash one of the other guys on the PS. Does having a really solid TE core make Coleman expendable? He's just here because of his size.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN (8): Terron Armstead, Max Unger, Zach Strief, Andrus Peat, Tim Lelito, Senio Kelemete, Jack Allen, Landon Turner
This one is hard. I think the top 6 are locks and I made a guess on the other two. We'll definitely need to see more.

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN (9): Cameron Jordan, Nick Fairley, Sheldon Rankins, John Jenkins, Kasim Edebali, Tyeler Davison, Bobby Richardson, Obum Gwacham, Onyemata/Tull (one to PS, one to 53)
Same here. Top 6 are likely locks. Not sure about Gwachum/Onyemata/Tull. I doubt all of them make it and I'd love for one of them (or another DLineman) to really stand out from the pack over the next 3 games.

LINEBACKERS (6): James Laurinaitis, Stephone Anthony, Dannell Ellerbe, Craig Robertson, Nate Stupar, Michael Mauti
Kikaha would have made this one a lot more difficult, but I think this one is fairly easy too. I'm liking what I see from Laurinitis so far. Anthony is going to be solid at SAM. The defense just plays better when Ellerbe is on the field. I want him to be healthy more than anyone else on the team. The other three are very solid backups and I love Mauti's energy and ST play. Interesting that no one is really stepping into Kikaha's hybrid rusher role...maybe Tull?

CORNERBACKS (6): Keenan Lewis, Delvin Breaux, Damian Swann, P.J. Williams, Ken Crawley, De'vante Harris
This one wasn't too hard because I cut in other areas to have us carry 6. I think ideally we would only have 5 (Crawley or Harris) but there are just too many injury questions.

SAFETIES (6): Kenny Vaccaro, Jairus Byrd, Roman Harper, Vonn Bell, Erik Harris, Trae Elston
Same here. Much harder if we go with 5 and have to drop Harris or Elston. In all likelihood one will go on PS. I'm hoping for 3 safety sets with Vacarro, Byrd, and Bell. Harper is solid Veteran backup. Harris and Elston are also really intriguing and I want to keep them around.

SPECIALISTS (3): Thomas Morstead, Connor Barth, Justin Drescher
Forbath isn't the answer. May as well try Barth.

Notable drops:
Forbath: Will we ever get a solid kicker?
McCown: Could be wrong here, but I think there is just too much talent and injury questions in other areas to go with 3 QBs this year.
Dixon Bros: It's been a fun ride, but the UDFA talent this year is awesome.
Houma/Johnson: Sucks, but you aren't going to beat Kuhn as a fullback.
Hightower/Cadet: Lasco makes them dispensable.
Harris/Dangerfield/Lampman/Bell: Solid, but not spectacular.

Let's see how the other 3 games play out, but this is my best guess (and wish list) for now.

 

[SaintfromOZ]

I believe Hightower will make this team.Erik Crawley? You mean Ken Crawley.
I would actually prefer Cadet over Murphy. Marcus Murphy makes me cringe ever time he's near the ball
Oneymata/Tull won't clear waivers to be stashed on the PS
I really don't want Coleman to make this team if he's not going to play with heart

 

[VoodooChild85]

I like it. The only possible change could be Josh Hill being beat out by Allen or manhertz

 

[rockthedox]

I believe Hightower will make this team.Erik Crawley? You mean Ken Crawley.
I would actually prefer Cadet over Murphy. Marcus Murphy makes me cringe ever time he's near the ball
Oneymata/Tull won't clear waivers to be stashed on the PS
I really don't want Coleman to make this team if he's not going to play with heart

Man, I'm struggling to keep all of these UDFA's names straight. Hopefully they explode and that won't be an issue anymore.

Cadet is solid but you're rarely going to get a big play. Maybe that's what we need though?

I'd High tower sticks around, what happens with the other guys? That would be 5 RB and a fullback. Even with all the ST play it seems like a lot.

Think Onyemata and Tull can figure it out soon? They've both got a lot of work to do.

I don't want Coleman either but I feel like he's getting the Toon treatment and will have one more year.

 

[rockthedox]

I like it. The only possible change could be Josh Hill being beat out by Allen or manhertz

Think so? I like the other guys but Hill hasn't shown any reason why he shouldn't stick around. Are the other guys THAT good?

 

[Eman5805]

I don't see any way Onyemata isn't on the 53, simply because we couldn't retain him otherwise. So it would have to be Tull we try to sneak onto the PS.

 

[nolafan33]

Short of Grayson looking like 2007 Tom Brady for the rest of the preseason I think McCown is as safe as Drew is from not making the cut.

 

[WhoDat_SB44]

Mine:

Offense(23)

QB(3): Brees, McCown, Grayson
RB(4): Ingram, Spiller, Lasco, Murphy
FB(1): Kuhn
WR(5): Cooks, Thomas, Snead, Coleman, Lewis
TE(3): Fleener, Hill, Houmanawanui
LT(1): Armstead
LG(2): Lelito, Kelemete
C(2): Unger, Allen
RG(1): Peat
RT(1): Strief

Defense(27):

DE(2): Cam, Richardson
DT(2): Davison, Jenkins
DT(3): Rankins, Fairley, Onyemata
DE(3): Edebali, Gwachum, Tull
SLB(2): Anthony, Stupar
MLB(2): JL, Robertson
WLB(2): Ellerbe, Mauti
CB(3): Breaux, Swann, Harris
FS(2): Byrd, Bell
SS(3): Vaccaro, Harper, Harris
CB(3): PJ, Keenan, Crawley

Special Teams(3):
K: Barth
P: Morestead
LS: Drescher

My last guy is Davis Tull, but I don't see him making the team as of now. I would put another offensive tackle, but I don't know who to put there right now and Peat will essentially be our 3rd tackle. I almost went with Tim Hightower, but 5 RBs may be too much. I'm not sure Mauti makes the roster, but I'm sure we keep 6 LBs and not sure right now who would make it over him. Thought about adding a 4th tight end as well lol. So as of now I'm sticking with this 53.

 

[baarbogast]

do we have another returner outside of Murphy? Lasco is gunner, so both could stay. McCown I see coming back after week 1 so his salary isn't guaranteed.

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

Kikaha was never going to play a hybrid rusher role. Was going to be a DE just like Edebali

Erik Harris is a FS.

Trae Elston could make it to the PS.

Tull could possibly make it to PS

Ken Crawley could maybe get on PS. He did not have a great showing Thursday and was leap frogged by Devante Harris with the 1's at today's practice.

Like the call in Lasco over Hightower. That's a possible scenario.

Mauti plays Sam and I think Stupar is a Sam/Will swing and Robertson is a Will/Mike swing.



http://m.neworleanssaints.com/s/30866/DEPTHCHARTS

 

[Ti Rider]

While I understood why he went undrafted I was actually impressed with Landon Turner (#78) against the Pats. He was a force in both run and pass blocking. He easily one of the best players on the field against the Pats third and fourth teamers. If he keeps this up I can easily see Turner climbing up the depth chart and making the 53 man roster......

 

[ELLIASJWILLIAMS]

While I understood why he went undrafted I was actually impressed with Landon Turner (#78) against the Pats. He was a force in both run and pass blocking. He easily one of the best players on the field against the Pats third and fourth teamers. If he keeps this up I can easily see Turner climbing up the depth chart and making the 53 man roster......

Would has been nice to hear about him moving up the depth chart if this were true.

It was noted that Michael Thomas was with the 1st over Coleman and Harris was with the 1's over Crawley. Maybe we'll hear something tomorrow

 

[SoggyBottomBoy]

do we have another returner outside of Murphy? Lasco is gunner, so both could stay. McCown I see coming back after week 1 so his salary isn't guaranteed.

Can Lewis return?

 

[rockthedox]

Kikaha was never going to play a hybrid rusher role. Was going to be a DE just like Edebali

Erik Harris is a FS.

Trae Elston could make it to the PS.

Tull could possibly make it to PS

I've been mulling a trade with McCown eventually ending up in Dallas for Leary. When scheme isn't helping the ground game and Talks from Alex Gibbs isn't helping you may have to take a look at personnel. *Wlid Card*. Likely doesn't happen but I'd get mad kudos for going with my "where there's smoke there's a fire" instincts. We've never outright denied going for Leary.

Ken Crawley could maybe get on PS. He did not have a great showing Thursday and was leap frogged by Devante Harris with the 1's at today's practice.

Like the call in Lasco over Hightower. That's a possible scenario.

Mauti plays Sam and I think Stupar is a Sam/Will swing and Robertson is a Will/Mike swing.



Saints Home

Ooh...I like that. We need a guard more than 3QB and they need a backup. However, I'm watching the Dallas game now and Prescott actually looked pretty good. Rams have a solid D too.

 

[WhoDat_SB44]

Kikaha was never going to play a hybrid rusher role. Was going to be a DE just like Edebali

Erik Harris is a FS.

Trae Elston could make it to the PS.

Tull could possibly make it to PS

I've been mulling a trade with McCown eventually ending up in Dallas for Leary. When scheme isn't helping the ground game and Talks from Alex Gibbs isn't helping you may have to take a look at personnel. *Wlid Card*. Likely doesn't happen but I'd get mad kudos for going with my "where there's smoke there's a fire" instincts. We've never outright denied going for Leary.

Ken Crawley could maybe get on PS. He did not have a great showing Thursday and was leap frogged by Devante Harris with the 1's at today's practice.

Like the call in Lasco over Hightower. That's a possible scenario.

Mauti plays Sam and I think Stupar is a Sam/Will swing and Robertson is a Will/Mike swing.



Saints Home

I saw Harris in at strong safety for most of the game the other night, unless Bell was playing strong? I mixed up Mauti & Stupar. I think Robertson will likely be a Will in the base and Mike in the nickle. Not sure who will play Mike in the dime out of him & Ellerbe?