We have had two and a half weeks of action since my previous training camp roster projection. Since then, training camp has started and I think we all have a better grasp at which players are serious contenders to make the final roster. I didn't post a practice squad last time, but I'll indicate a few hopefuls this time around. There will probably be two more roster projections in the next couple of weeks before the final 53-man roster is unveiled.
| Pos |
Final Roster |
Players Cut |
| QB |
Colt McCoy
Seneca Wallace
Jarrett Brown
|
Troy Weatherhead
|
| RB |
Peyton Hillis
Montario Hardesty
Brandon Jackson
|
Armond Smith*
Quinn Porter
|
| FB |
Owen Marecic
|
Tyler Clutts
|
| WR |
Mohamed Massaquoi
Brian Robiskie
Greg Little
Joshua Cribbs
Jordan Norwood
Carlton Mitchell
|
Johnathan Haggerty*
Demetrius Williams
L.J. Castile*
Chris Matthews
Rod Windsor
Juan Nunez
|
| TE |
Ben Watson
Evan Moore
Jordan Cameron
Alex Smith
|
Evan Frosch
|
| OL |
Joe Thomas
Eric Steinbach
Alex Mack
Shawn Lauvao
Tony Pashos
John Greco
Jason Pinkston
Branndon Braxton
Steve Vallos
|
Phil Trautwein
Pat Murray
Dominic Alford
Calton Ford
Jarrod Shaw
|
| DL |
Ahtyba Rubin
Phil Taylor
Jabaal Sheard
Jayme Mitchell
Marcus Benard
Brian Schaefering
Derreck Robinson
Travis Ivey
|
Brian Sanford
Ko Quaye
Kyle Anderson
Andre Caroll
Jabari Fletcher
Scott Paxson
|
| LB |
Scott Fujita
D'Qwell Jackson
Chris Gocong
Kaluka Maiava
Titus Brown
Brian Smith
|
Steve Octavien
Auston English
Benjamin Jacobs*
Archie Donald
Eric Gordon
Sidney Tarver
|
| S |
T.J. Ward
Usama Young
Mike Adams
Ray Ventrone
Eric Hagg
|
Brett Johnson*
|
| CB |
Joe Haden
Sheldon Brown
Dimitri Patterson
Buster Skrine
James Dockery
|
Coye Francies*
Ramzee Robinson
DeAngelo Smith
Carl Gettis
Darian Hagan
|
| ST |
Ryan Pontbriand
Phil Dawson
Richmond McGee
|
Jeff Wolfert
|
|
Players already gone: OG Billy Yates (retired), DL Broderick Bunkley (trade cancelled), P Reggie Hodges (injured reserve), LB Alex Wujciak (cut), LB Derrick Addai.
The above list contains 53 players that I kept, and 35 players that I cut. My practice squad only contains six players, meaning two players would come from other team's cuts. Listed below is what has changed since the last time. Any position not listed did not have any changes.
General Roster Projection Notes
- Running Back: No changes. RB Armond Smith makes the practice squad due to his speed and the reps he's received as a kick returner.
- Wide Receiver: I added WR Jordan Norwood to the final roster, since it seems clear the team is utilizing him with the first-team offense, at least while Massaquoi is still out. For the practice squad, I think L.J. Castile makes it because he has shown some good hands at camp. I also put Johnathan Haggerty on their for the second year in a row, although he hasn't had as much time to shine in camp this year.
- Offensive Line: I was originally going to add OT Branndon Braxton to the list and just remove OL Steve Vallos. Braxton has been the primary backup offensive tackle in camp and has received some good reviews. I was forced to retain Vallos after OG Billy Yates retired though since Vallos has some experience playing center.
- Defensive Line: This is where all of the big changes happened. First, I made sure DE Marcus Benard was listed as a defensive end this time. After that, I added DL Derreck Robinson and DT Travis Ivey were added to the list. Robinson wasn't on the roster yet when I made the previous list, and with Ivey, he adds more depth at tackle after the Broderick Bunkley trade went bad. The three defensive linemen I removed were Bunkley, DT Scott Paxson, and DE Brian Sanford. Between Sanford and Ivey, it was a coin flip.
- Linebacker: Since he is getting reps with the first-team defense, I added undrafted free agent LB Brian Smith to the final roster, though I'm not convinced we won't sign a veteran and put Smith on the practice squad when it's all said and done. In exchange, LB Steve Octavien was cut. I also put LB Benjamin Jacobs on the practice squad to have someone to develop.
- Safety: No changes. Newly-signed S Brian Smith was put on the practice squad due to his previous affiliation with Dick Jauron and Pat Shurmur.
- Cornerback: There were two additions and two subtractions here. Added to the list were Dimitri Patterson, who looks to be the nickel back, and James Dockery, who has made a lot of plays in camp and is now being considered a hybrid cornerback/safety. I reluctantly removed Coye Francies, but I think he can still be put on the practice squad. DeAngelo Smith was my previous hybrid player, but he was replaced by Dockery.
- Special Teams: With P Reggie Hodges going on the injured reserve, in comes P Richmond McGee.
Feel free to share your own updated roster projections here, or some changes you would make to mine.
Only six LBs? Hmm
lightninmcqueen - August 17, 2011 via mobile
saw that too.
not very Mangini-ish.
discoinferno083 - August 17, 2011
I was thinking at least 7 or 8 Backers, not 6
lightninmcqueen - August 17, 2011 via mobile
Why have 7 or 8 “Backers” in a mock roster when they all suck, besides the starting 3, and we know they’ll add more through free agency once teams make their cuts?
CavsBrownsFan - August 17, 2011
@ CavBrownsFan
What makes you think we are going to add a FA LB when we have had plenty of time to do so already and haven’t?
Aussie Brown - August 18, 2011
There are still cuts to be made when teams have to trim down their rosters. Someone may cut a guy who doesn’t fit their 3-4 D, but who might be an upgrade over who we have for our 4-3.
JustBob - August 19, 2011
in a 4-3? 8 backers i way too much for a 4-3
bross09 - August 18, 2011
agreed.
DawgsNHawgs - August 18, 2011
Don’t stop them, it’s perfect time for irrelevant Mangini hate.
Villeslgr - August 18, 2011
Well, we do run a 4-3 now.
rufio - August 18, 2011
Just for fun I would like to do a project 53-man roster
QB- Colt McCoy, Seneca Wallace
OL- Joe Thomas, Eric Steinbach, Alex Mack, Shawn Lauvao, Tony Pashos, Jason Pinkston, Brandon Braxton, John Greco
WR- Josh Cribbs, Greg Little, Mohamed Massaquoi, Jordan Norwood, Brian Robiskie, Demetrius Williams*
RB- Peyton Hillis, Brandon Jackson, Montario Hardesty
FB- Owen Marecic
TE- Evan Moore, Ben Watson, Alex Smith*, Jordan Cameron
DL- Ahtyba Rubin, Phil Taylor, Jabaal Sheard, Jayme Mitchell, Brian Schaefering, Scott Paxson*, Auston English*, Marcus Benard
LB- D’Qwell Jackson, Scott Fujita, Chris Gocong, Kaluka Maiava, Titus Brown
CB- Joe Haden, Sheldon Brown, Dimitri Patterson, Buster Skrine, James Dockery
S- T. J. Ward, Usama Young, Mike Adams, Ray Ventrone*, Eric Hagg*
S/T- Phil Dawson, Richmond McGee, Ryan Pontbriand
I am going to leave 3 spots on the roster open because they could be free-agent pick-ups before the regular season. One spot could be taken by one of the following players: DeAngelo Smith, Brian Smith, Ramzee Robinson, Steve Vallos, Brett Johnson, Pat Murray, and Armond Smith.
I am hoping they are able to find some other developmental QB for a 3rd QB other than Jarrett Brown
FreddieC - August 20, 2011
Can somebody please explain to me why we need Brian Pontbriand? Does he do something that I’m not aware of? I just don’t understand why we can’t have Seneca Wallace do Pontbriand’s job. I may be missing something though.
Bodacious43 - August 17, 2011
Pontbriand is the long snapper and one of the best in the game (and it’s Ryan, not Brian).
Erie's Scribe - August 17, 2011
Umm… yeah… I’m guessing you don’t know what a Long Snapper does. He’s the Center for the punt and field goal formations. Seneca Wallace most definitely can not fulfill his role. On top of that, Pontbriand is one of the best in the league at what he does and has been to the Pro Bowl as the “need” player twice.
North Coast Flea - August 17, 2011
He is a pro bowl long snapper
lightninmcqueen - August 18, 2011 via mobile
This deserves a bold FAIL.
Brownie's Year - August 18, 2011
Necessary harshness.
DawgsNHawgs - August 18, 2011
Definite Rec here!
Jacob Elder - August 18, 2011
We need an anti-rec option for this.
Browns town - August 18, 2011
There is, it’s called the “flag” action.
Simmsinns - August 18, 2011
I know, but flagging it 3 times won’t change the color of the post. There should be a highlight for posts like these, say light blue.
Browns town - August 18, 2011
I imagine red would be a good one.
North Coast Flea - August 18, 2011
Flagged posts turn red for mods. Or pinkish-red.
rufio - August 18, 2011
Well that ruins my whole stoplight theory. Maybe if they implemented an anti rec they could change the flags to actually put a little flag next to the comment.
North Coast Flea - August 18, 2011
A red flag does pop up on them. I am sure they could go to green/blue/red, or orange or something else.
rufio - August 19, 2011
I’m color blind. Can hardly tell the difference between green and red. True story. Light blue it must be!
Browns town - August 18, 2011
My dad is color blind. Same issue with greens and reds as you.
Simmsinns - August 18, 2011
Ah, I see what you’re saying. Not a bad idea, to point out the fail posts that are worth a laugh.
Make it so.
Simmsinns - August 18, 2011
Sorry I got confused and thought he was the holder for field goals. Do teams usually have somebody just for longsnapping?
Bodacious43 - August 19, 2011
Only everybody.
C.b.I - August 19, 2011
4-3 Defense, less backers than in the 3-4. Makes sense, but I could see 7 since the backers are dinged up
Erie's Scribe - August 17, 2011
Just looking at this list makes is evident that S and LB will be next year’s draft priority.
Mean Ol' Pete - August 17, 2011
for both quality and depth
Mean Ol' Pete - August 17, 2011
Any idea on who the top prospects are?
lightninmcqueen - August 18, 2011 via mobile
Lots of LBs. Manti Te’o out of Notre Dame is a MLB probably, very smart player and prototypical size.
Dont’a Hightower is big and physical and follows in the footsteps of Bama’s Rolando McClain. Smart but I am unsure about exactly how fast he is.
Courtney Upshaw is another Bama backer, a little smaller, a little faster, still very good.
Travis Lewis is the senior in Oklahoma’s super duo, and watch out for Sean Spence out of Miami.
Vontaze Burfict out of ASU is right up there with Te’o, maybe a little more physically gifted, but not as smart.
Luke Kuechly out of BC is another guy to watch.
At Safety, I’d say Ray Ray Armstrong out of Miami is the top guy right now. He’s very big. Both of the Alabama safeties deserve looks as well.
rufio - August 18, 2011
Kuechly is a tackling machine, should be a solid pro. Honestly, I’d rather draft linebackers from rounds 2 on, they usually aren’t great 1st round picks.
Roger Dorn - August 18, 2011
It depends on Burfict’s head and his progress on the mental side this year, but he definitely has the physical ability to be one of those who is worth it. I think Kuechly will be there in the 2nd round.
rufio - August 18, 2011
Burfict is a pyscho. Rumored to have been in a locker room fight this season.
I want nothing to do with that guy.
Bernie19Kosar - August 20, 2011
I like Te’o and Burflict
bross09 - August 18, 2011
If I had to guess right now what we draft next year I would say starting LB and CB, and DT/ DE depth as well as a WR and OL.
crazyL80 - August 18, 2011
Good news is there are several guys at WR and DE who will be among the best in the draft.
rufio - August 18, 2011
Don´t cut these guys:
Tyler Clutts, L.J. Castille, Juan Nunez, Evan Frosch, Phil Trautwein, Dominic Alford, Calton Ford, Jabari Fletcher, Scott Paxson, Steve Octavien, Archie Donald, Eric Gordon and DeAngelo Smith.
You may cut these guys instead:
Seneca Wallace, Jarrett Brown, Brandon Jackson, Jordan Norwood, Ben Watson, Alex Smith, Eric Steinbach, Branndon Braxton, Steve Vallos, Jayme Mitchell, Marcus Bernard, Brian Schaefering, Derreck Robinson, Travis Ivey, Scott Fujita, Chris Gocong, Titus Brown, Usama Young, Mike Adams, Ray Ventrone, Eric Hagg, Dimitri Patterson and James Dockery.
It means that regarding starting slots, we have only this to work with:
Colt McCoy, Peyton Hillis, Montario Hardesty, Owen Marecic, Mohamed Massaquoi, Brian Robiskie, Greg Little, Joshua Cribbs, Carlton Mitchell, Evan Moore, Jordan Cameron, Joe Thomas, Alex Mack, Shawn Lauvao, Tony Pashos, John Greco, Jason Pinkston, Ahtyba Rubin, Phil Taylor, Jabaal Sheard, Scott Fujita, D’Qwell Jackson, Kaluka Maiava, Brian Smith, T.J. Ward, Joe Haden, Sheldon Brown, Buster Skrine.
This is the reality cheque by mooncamping, who is known for at least trying to get to the Super Bowl every year.
mooncamping - August 18, 2011
North Coast Flea - August 18, 2011
How do you do it…
crazyL80 - August 18, 2011
Wait, what? Is this a joke?
darthVictor13 - August 18, 2011
It’s only funny if it’s not. lol
DawgsNHawgs - August 18, 2011
you personally try to get to the super bowl every year?
pwndabear - August 18, 2011
In Mooncamping’s world its always the Superbowl, played by two teams entirely made up of Fullbacks.
Off-the-Chain - August 18, 2011
I really hope you are joking…
athensdawg - August 18, 2011 via mobile
Kimble_79 - August 18, 2011
I didn´t know James Hetfield was in Dramadies.
mooncamping - August 19, 2011
I didn´t know Dramadies was in your vocabulary.
Simmsinns - August 19, 2011
They are, guilty pleasure. Alone Jennifer Aniston´s path of destruction makes you wonder if she can stay hitched this time.
mooncamping - August 20, 2011
I was hoping this would be a fanpost.
Roger Dorn - August 18, 2011
Wow! I’m speechless. LMAO!
DawgsNHawgs - August 18, 2011
Oops, did I say Fujita to work with. Sorry, glitch.
mooncamping - August 19, 2011
Alone in August these players have been cut:
DT Sean Murnane, LB Tim Dobbins, C Beau Warren, DT Colby Whitlock, RB Chris Henry, LB Maurice Simpkins, DE Korey Bosworth, DB Jack Williams, LB Zack Follett, (TE John Nalbone), RB Chauncey Washington, DB Chevis Jackson, WR Jeremy LaFrance, DE Ricky Sapp, FB Pat DiMarco, TB Emmanuel Moody, DT Marlon Favorite, G Anquez Jackson, DT Billy Blackard, DE Joe Joseph, LB Robert Henson, DE Zane Parr, OG Mark Wetterer, DB Eugene Clifford, DB Marcell Gipson, WR Kole Heckendorf, OG Cody Habben, FB Kevin Gidrey, (DT Carlton Powell), WR Mark Dell, RB Chase Reynolds, OT Tony Ugoh, DE Ra´Shon Harris, DE Thaddeus Gibson, OT Joe Toledo, DT Tank Johnson, TE Garrett Mills;…another team´s trash is another team´s treasure. You get the feeling the front offices don´t realize there is a competitive setting.
mooncamping - August 18, 2011
Which of these would you take, and who would they replace from your list above?
athensdawg - August 18, 2011 via mobile
I think we will sign 4-5 players from good teams that we had on our draft board either this year or last – and will intercept them before the good teams can add to their practice squads. This will give us players in the 22-24 range which will fit what we are trying to do.
realmccoy - August 18, 2011
Pretty sure players can be signed from other teams’ practice squads.
DawgsNHawgs - August 18, 2011
That’s not the right question for moon. More like: which one of these players wouldn’t you take?
TheDriveStillHurts - August 18, 2011
Sean Murnane, Colby Whitlock and Billy Blackard stand out as servicable bodies on D-line, to discern if they are talented. Joe Joseph and Zane Parr, I would wager, are can´t miss outside containment DEs. Chris Henry is the real deal as a rumbler, a rare work horse, my most emphatic endorsement. Emmanuel Moody is a speedster. Kole Heckendorf was extremely productive at North Dakota. Chase Reynolds, also interesting, spirited little ball carrier. Remember when I endorsed John Malecki for guard, he is now a Steeler…Cody Habben is the same type of classic guard, he even stood out to me in action, when I watched the Huskies last year. Too bad about Carlton Powell getting picked up, he was a beast and sack master at VT. Ra´Shon Harris…monster! Tony Ugoh? Anyone? He could give Ryan Clady a run for his money as a scrappy right tackle. Joe Toledo, freak, could also contend for right tackle. TE Garrett Mills, awesome, why the heck would they waive him? Since we are looking for DBs, why not add Chevis Jackson, Eugene Clifford, Marcell Gipson and Jack Williams to the fray, mooncamping discerns them as athletes at the position, ones with grit. Maurice Simpkins, Zack Follett and Robert Henson are Ernie Sims class, tough little buggers for LB with good motors, if you want to spruce things up behind the d-line, I endorse. Ricky Sapp and Thaddeus Gibson are situational players, with unusual bodies. Korey Bosworth…anyone named Bosworth deserves a try out.
mooncamping - August 19, 2011
That is an unfortunate name.
North Coast Flea - August 18, 2011
An unfortunate name maybe, but an unfortunate name with a lot of game. Come on NFL, be a haven, it´s traditional to give guys chances.
mooncamping - August 19, 2011
In reading about Steve Octavien’s vulgar displays of aggression in practice I am wondering aloud if we should not keep him around in lieu of Hagg . . .
Les Fleurs Du Mal - August 18, 2011
In lieu of Ray Ventrone.
I would also like to keep Darian Hagan.
HenryDawg - August 18, 2011
I can’t argue with any of these projections.
SBP - August 18, 2011
I think it’s a pretty good projection…
on another note, I think Shurmur is running a pretty smooth camp.
mr.saturday.night - August 18, 2011
My projection for RB:
Peyton Hillis
Montario Hardesty(IR)Brandon Jackson
Simmsinns - August 18, 2011
A true Clevelander
Roger Dorn - August 18, 2011
I honestly had a lot of high hopes for Hardesty after the last years draft, I even had some hope for him as a backup to Hillis earlier this off-season. But at this point, I’m convinced this guy is a tender knee RB, perpetually injured.
I hope I’m wrong, but all signs seem to be pointing towards that. I really think we should play him tomorrow night, we need to see if he can take it at this level, find out what we have.
Simmsinns - August 18, 2011
100% agree, and even if he does stay healthy this season… How many more seasons can he last?
lightninmcqueen - August 18, 2011 via mobile
Plenty of players make full recoveries from what was described by the team as not one of the very serious knee surgeries.
Roger Dorn - August 18, 2011
It’s not like he’s having microfracture surgery, and a lot of people even wanted a RB who did.
rufio - August 18, 2011
" …what was described by the team as not one of the very serious knee surgeries."
A bit of a fib here. All Knee surgeries are very serious due to the complex nature of the joint.
Aussie Brown - August 18, 2011
Arthroscopic knee surgeries on NFL players are not that big of a deal.
rufio - August 19, 2011
RE: One problem
I don’t think the Browns better cut UDFA RB Smith because I doubt he’d clear waivers due to his speed. He can play on ST and learn the quick hit 3rd down RB stuff from B Jackson.
Wyoming Chas - August 18, 2011
Not saying he’d definitely clear waivers, but I don’t think speed will be enough to force someone else to stash him on their 53-man roster. I can’t imagine his speed being in the “too good to pass up” category. Being a ST contributor would certainly help his case.
Chris Pokorny - August 18, 2011
I wasn’t paying a whole lot of attention once Armon Smith got into the game… is he really that fast? Is he Mike Wallace or Chris Johnson fast?
C.b.I - August 18, 2011
He is, he had 4.1 yards per carry as well, 10 for 41 i believe, correct me if i’m wrong.
lightninmcqueen - August 18, 2011 via mobile
Per twitter, james dockery was told to learn, KR, PR, nickel, dime, FS, gunner, and kickoff, they have him every where!
lightninmcqueen - August 18, 2011 via mobile
I think Auston English makes it and Ivey doesnt. English playing as a DE or sub-package DE or whatever he was playing later in the game.
rufio - August 18, 2011
Jabari Fletcher as a cut? I’m a bit surprised. I thought I had read at least a couple of positive things about him (not saying I did, just that I thought I did) whereas I’m trying to recall anything on Ivey and Robinson beyond “also present.”
JustBob - August 18, 2011
I think Fletcher has missed most of camp with a leg injury and then a knee sprain. Maybe he played a bit in between those injuries. Maybe an injured reserve candidate to stash him?
Robinson and Ivey haven’t been special, they just have the experience factor going for them. Robinson more so than Ivey.
Chris Pokorny - August 18, 2011
Thanks. I honestly couldn’t remember much on those guys. The injury rather than the play is probably why Fletcher’s name stuck in my head.
JustBob - August 19, 2011
I agree with pretty much all of it but of course we can all debate on who is going to be the last players to make the team. See I see Auston English making the team and Scott Paxson making the team. Right now Scott Paxson is listed as Phil Taylor’s back-up. Plus I think I heard Scott Paxson has had an impressive camp. Today I heard Ramzee Robinson and DeAngelo Smith has made our depth at CB better. I am thinking they might make the team if nothing else for special team purposes. I don’t know about Carlton Mitchell, I know they like him but the guy can’t stay healthy. I see him going to the practice squad. I think Demetrius Williams makes it. He has had impressive camp also.
FreddieC - August 18, 2011
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