A Proposed 53 Man San Diego Chargers Roster
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Sep 2, 2009 6:47 AM PDT
in Training Camp/Preseason
75 comments
We've gone through some of the position battles and depth chart at several of our key positions. While those discussions are fruitful for who is starting and who is backing up, it is always difficult to figure out who might stick around from that group as a 3rd guy or special teams guy. Those sorts of decisions tend to be made in the context of the entire roster rather than a specific position group.
We will know the real answer by Saturday, but I thought we might take a cut at it now in light of how the preseason has progressed so far. Outside of wasting some of your time, it can't really hurt to take a preliminary cut at who is going to be on the 53 man roster once Saturday evening rolls around.
So if you're interested read on!
First of all, let's review some roster size basics. By the time the regular season starts, the Chargers will have 53 players on their roster. On game day, the coaches will pick 45 players to be "active." These active players will suit up and can play. The inactive players will be on the sideline in street clothes. The exception to this is the 3rd string QB who is labeled as the emergency QB. He is technically inactive, but is still suited up. He can be activated during the game if the first two QBs get injured. If he comes into the game, the first two QBs are not allowed back in. You don't have to have an inactive emergency QB. Theoretically, you could have 3 active QBs (no one does this) or you could only have 2 QBs on your 53 man roster and have a WR or RB effectively be your third QB (I know Marty did this a few years and the Colts have done it forever). No other inactive player can be activated during the game.
They will also have a practice squad of up to 8 additional players. The practice squad is composed of players who have been cut and gone through waivers without being signed by any other teams and are then signed to the practice squad. Not every player is eligible for the practice squad. The eligibility rules are:
- No more than 3 years on the practice squad.
- No more than nine games on the active list in a previous season.
- from the Collective Bargaining Agreement p.170 (interesting read if you are into this kind of stuff)
If the guys who are cut get cut Saturday around noon, they can be resigned to any team's active roster or practice squad on Sunday afternoon. All right, so you know the basics, so let's start counting!
First of all, the starters who we all agree will be starting opening day (injuries excepted of course)
| # | Name | Pos. | Yrs. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mike Scifres | P | 7 |
| 2 | Nate Kaeding | K | 6 |
| 3 | LaDainian Tomlinson | RB | 9 |
| 4 | Kris Dielman | G | 7 |
| 5 | Antonio Gates | TE | 7 |
| 6 | Nick Hardwick | C | 6 |
| 7 | Vincent Jackson | WR | 5 |
| 8 | Marcus McNeill | T | 4 |
| 9 | Philip Rivers | QB | 6 |
| 10 | Luis Castillo | DE | 5 |
| 11 | Stephen Cooper | ILB | 7 |
| 12 | Jamal Williams | DT | 12 |
| 13 | Antonio Cromartie | CB | 4 |
| 14 | Quentin Jammer | CB | 8 |
| 15 | Shawne Merriman | OLB | 5 |
| 16 | Shaun Phillips | OLB | 6 |
| 17 | Kevin Burnett | LB | 5 |
| 18 | Chris Chambers | WR | 9 |
| 19 | Jeromey Clary | T | 3 |
| 20 | Jacob Hester | FB | 2 |
Now, the backups, critical specialty guys (Sproles, Cason, etc.), and guys in position battles where they are sure of making the team even if they aren't starting.
| # | Name | Pos. | Yrs. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Malcom Floyd | WR | 4 |
| 22 | Kynan Forney | G | 9 |
| 23 | Brandon Manumaleuna | TE | 9 |
| 24 | Scott Mruczkowski | C | 5 |
| 25 | Legedu Naanee | WR | 3 |
| 26 | L.J. Shelton | T | 11 |
| 27 | Darren Sproles | RB | 5 |
| 28 | Billy Volek | QB | 10 |
| 29 | Charlie Whitehurst | QB | 4 |
| 30 | Ryon Bingham | DE-DT | 5 |
| 31 | Antoine Cason | CB | 2 |
| 32 | Jacques Cesaire | DE | 7 |
| 33 | Jyles Tucker | OLB | 3 |
| 34 | Eric Weddle | FS | 3 |
| 35 | Travis Johnson | DE | 5 |
| 36 | Buster Davis | WR | 3 |
Let's throw in our top 3 draft picks and assume they are making the team no matter what.
| # | Name | Pos. | Yrs. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | Louis Vasquez | G | R |
| 38 | Larry English | OLB | R |
| 39 | Vaughn Martin | DE | R |
We are through 39 spots on the roster and now we are to the spots where guys might need to worry about not making the roster. The veterans have the inside track on making the team, but could be dislodged by someone else, or even squeezed because of roster pressures elsewhere (For instance, what if Bignham isn't going to play until week 5, we would need to keep an additional DL until Bingham comes back. That could squeeze someone at a different position). First of all, here is where we stand depth-wise at all the positions (needed starters in parenthesis)
- K/P (2) - 2
- QB (1) - 3
- RB (1) - 2
- FB (1) - 1
- TE (1) - 2
- OT (2) - 3
- OG/C (3) - 5
- WR (2) - 5
- DL (3) - 6
- OLB (2) - 4
- ILB (2) - 2
- S (2) - 1
- CB (2) - 3
Here is how I see the rest of it shaking out. I've added in a practice squad eligible (pse) column to mark guys that can be placed on the practice squad. If a guy is practice squad eligible, the team may be inclined to cut him and keep the non-eligible guy (all other things equal). Then they hope the guy makes it through waivers and they sign him to the practice squad and essentially keep both. The guys without a number by their name are the guys who don't make the team.
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If the numbered guys at left make the roster, our position counts look like this:
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QB(3) - Rivers, Volek, Whitehurst
RB/FB(5) - Tomlinson, Sproles, Hester, Bennett, Johnson
C/G/T(9) - Hardwick, Dielman, McNeill, Clary, Forney, Vasquez, Mruczkowski, Dombrowski, Shelton
TE(3) - Gates, Manumaleuna, Wilson
WR(5) - Jackson, Chambers, Floyd, Naanee, Davis
DL(7) - Castillo, Williams, Cesaire, Bingham, Martin, Scott, Johnson
OLB(5) - Merriman, Philips, English, Applewhite, Tucker
ILB(4) - Burnett, Cooper, Siler, Dobbins
S(5) - Weddle, Hart, Gregory, Ellison, Oliver
CB(3) - Cromartie, Jammer, Cason
ST(4) - Scifres, Kaeding, Binn, Osgood
There are plenty of debatable items above. Does Dombrowski beat out Green? Scott beat out Nwagbuo? Siler beat out Beckwith? I really don't know. I intentionally leaned the roster towards the vets, but that could shake out differently. Having Bingham injured but still on the roster means we have more DL than we might normally want. Three CBs seems like a bad idea, but maybe Oliver and Weddle can play it in a pinch.
Cutting the list of players down to 53 players leaves some good players on the street. I'm pretty sure I won't be right, but this is as good a place as any to start from.
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It's tough
I like what you’ve done, but there’s not a chance in hell the team carries only 3 cornerbacks. If Cason, Cromartie or Jammer gets injured then we have Weddle or Oliver playing nickel corner? No thank you.
I think with the time that Cesaire and Bingham have missed, they’ll be put on the PUP list if not the IR. That will give them time to recover and then time to get back up to speed with the rest of the team.
So, if I’m making a guess I’m taking Cesaire and Bingham off the initial 53 man roster and adding Nwagbuo and Castille back in. I also might consider adding Green on and taking Mooch off (or even Michael Bennett) just because the team typically doesn’t cut draft picks, but I still saw him working too much at Guard to be sure that he could be the team’s backup Center.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
by John (obviousman) on Sep 2, 2009 7:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
no way Mooch doesn't make the team
he was the primary backup at the interior line positions last year… Dombrowski would get let go first. Cesaire and Bingham can’t be put on the PUP (you have to have been on the PUP from the start of training camp), and if IRed, they will be gone the whole season. Who starts at RE in game 1? Travis Johnson? I am a little scared of that. So, let’s say Cesaire plays on Friday and is ready to go in week one. We IR Bingham. at NT we have Williams and Scott, and at DE we Castillo, Cesaire, Martin, Johnson. Not bad. But I wonder about Bingham being IRed. I would tend to suspect that he would have been IRed yesterday if he was going to be IRed, but I could be suspecting wrong.
3 CBs is worrisom, but who else do you put back there? Castille isn’t real good. Plus, Castille will make it through to the practice squad, which is almost as good as him being on the 53 man (I assume he would be inactive week to week anyways). If AJ can find another CB via trade or waiver wire, I might be inclined to bump that up. It is 3 mainly because I am underwhelmed by the options more so than I think 3 is a good number.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Sep 2, 2009 8:18 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Good info.
I can’t disagree with anything you’ve said. Rec’d.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
by John (obviousman) on Sep 3, 2009 4:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No PUP for D-Linemen
Bingham and Cesaire are not eligible for the PUP since they participated in training camp. I do see Bingham landing on the IR with Johnson here now. However, I see them signing a vet CB in the roster spot not keeping anyone else currently with the team. Keeping Gartrell over Tolbert would be a mistake, in my opinion. Nice update though, as I’ve been wanting to see this list again after seeing some preseason games.
by Jaroby on Sep 2, 2009 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just curious
How long did it take to tag the whole freaking roster for this?
by JollyWaffle on Sep 2, 2009 9:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
sb nation does it all for me
’cause they like me.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Sep 2, 2009 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Tolbert, Beckwith & Coleman
Seem to be the best prospects on this proposed scrap heap. I thought Coleman played last year, but I didn’t see him on the USA Today list. All three are very low salary cap guys.
Which people on the proposed 53-man list do you think are vulnerable?
To me it is Tucker (cap), Bingham (injury) and Ellison (depth at safety, and the flexibility of Gregory & Oliver).
Man! I really regret that they can’t find a place for Charley Martin. The guy lacks size, but he is a football player. He seems a lot like Eric Weddel to me – a high motor guy with good instincts. We need receiver like Martin, he just gets open. We might rue this day just like the day when Wes Welker was let go.
by Trendsearcher on Sep 2, 2009 9:48 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Tucker is safe, we need 5 OLB because we are going to have three on the field sometimes.
Bingham might end up on IR, but I think if it was going to happen, it would have already happened.
I also think Ellison is safe because of his flexibility, I saw him playing a lot of ILB (probably more a in-the-box safety) in addition to SS with the 2nd stringers.
Some guys like Siler or Dombrowski might be in trouble, but they would be swapped with someone at their same position (Beckwith / Green)
My eyes keep being drawn to Osgood and Binn, but I think they make the team unless we have a few more Bingham type injuries where we have to keep someone on the roster yet they can’t play for a month or so.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Sep 2, 2009 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Applewhite or Tucker
In my opinion Applewhite or Tucker goes and another DL is kept. They may have 3 on the field during some plays, but when they do one will have to lined up either at ILB or DE. So I am not sure an extra OLB like Applewhite is needed (my reasoning there probably only makes sense to me since it was so poorly worded). They would miss Applewhite on Special Teams however so I could live them cutting Tucker instead.
Also I don’t see any way that they get rid of Binn.
by JeromeB on Sep 2, 2009 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
agree on Martin
would love to see him with a roster spot.
by Hoot1969 on Sep 2, 2009 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not clear on the emergency QB rule
Does Whitehurst have to count against the 53? I thought there was a 3rd/Emergency QB rule that allowed for an extra player.
by CoastalBronco on Sep 2, 2009 11:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The 3rd QB does count towards the 53-man.
But he doesn’t count towards the 45 gameday actives. He’s allowed to dress and prepare along with the other 45 guys. He just can’t go in unless the other two QBs get hurt, and once he goes in, the first two QBs are out of the game permanently.
Greg Maddux for manager.
by maestro876 on Sep 2, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
cool
thanks for the edification
by CoastalBronco on Sep 2, 2009 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
About the running backs.
I gotta say it. I think they keep Tolbert over Bennett.
Greg Maddux for manager.
by maestro876 on Sep 2, 2009 11:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
you may well be right
if we don’t have Bennet and LT gets hurt, our prospects dim in my view. Sproles can’t bear an every down back burden and Johnson and Hester haven’t shown a lot of promise as runners either.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Sep 2, 2009 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed on Bennett
I think it would be a big mistake to get rid of Bennett.
by JeromeB on Sep 2, 2009 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bennett has been great in preseason
I’d think he gets picked up somewhere if they don’t keep him. My guess is Johnson gets cut before Bennett.
by CoastalBronco on Sep 2, 2009 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Johnson is a draft pick
and they see him as developing and having value in the future. They’ll keep him for that, I think.
It took me a while, but I think John is right about him.
Greg Maddux for manager.
by maestro876 on Sep 2, 2009 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can't see them keeping Tolbert
With LT being a little more injury prone, the chargers on this key super bowl run season I don’t see them comfortable with Gartrell & Sproles splitting carries if LT goes down. You want a veteran back back there.
by TJBOLT on Sep 2, 2009 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's the thing, though.
They only see Bennett as having value if LT gets hurt and they need someone to take over full time.
They think Tolbert has more value if LT is healthy.
Therefore, they think it will be better for the team to keep Tolbert and release Bennett.
Greg Maddux for manager.
by maestro876 on Sep 2, 2009 1:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
really, how much value does Tolbert bring? backup FB and special teams. I think his value there is replacable off the street. Bennett is not replacable off the street.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Sep 2, 2009 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm just the messanger.
This is what’s being reported. It could be they have a change of heart, or that the reports are wrong.
But this is what the coaches are saying—they like the actual value Tolbert brings over the potential value Bennett could bring.
Greg Maddux for manager.
by maestro876 on Sep 2, 2009 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know your speaking for the coaches,
But if they want “actual value” over “potential value” then I say keep Bennett over Gartrell. I understand that they could be betting that LT stays healthy the whole year, but based on recent history that appears to be a bad bet.
by JeromeB on Sep 2, 2009 2:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Either Castille or Hughes makes the team
You need at least 4 corners in a current roster in the NFL, lets just remember that possible matchups with the Patriots and Colts they will kill the chargers if they lack depth at the corner spot.
by TJBOLT on Sep 2, 2009 12:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Hughes is on IR.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Sep 2, 2009 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's my 53 man roster
Beyond the players I’ll mention key cuts
25 Offensive Players
QB(3) – Rivers, Volek, Whitehurst
RB/FB(5) – Tomlinson, Sproles, Hester, Bennett, Johnson
Key cuts: Mike Tolbert
C/G/T(8) – Hardwick, Dielman, McNeill, Clary, Forney, Vasquez, T. Greene, Shelton
Key cuts: Scott Mruczkowski, Brandon Dombrowski
TE(3) – Gates, Manumaleuna, Wilson
WR(6) – Jackson, Chambers, Floyd, Naanee, Davis, Osgood
25 Defensive Players
DL(7) – Castillo, Williams, Cesaire, Bingham, Martin, Scott, Johnson
Key cuts: Ogemdi Nwagbuo
OLB – Merriman, Philips, English, Applewhite, Tucker
ILB – Burnett, Cooper, Siler, Dobbins
S(4) – Weddle, Gregory, Ellison, Oliver
Key Cuts: Clinton Hart
CB(4) – Cromartie, Jammer, Cason, Castille
3 Special Teams Players
ST(3) – Scifres, Kaeding, Binn
I know cutting Clinton Hart is out of the blue, but his playing time sure seems to be going down. And he with Tolbert are last cuts
by TJBOLT on Sep 2, 2009 1:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Add one ILB to finish the 53 man roster
Darry Beckwith is the fifth and last ILB to make 25 defensive players
by TJBOLT on Sep 2, 2009 1:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think you'd be better off
Trying to predict what the Chargers will do instead of wishcasting your version of the 53 man roster. But, that’s just, like, my opinion, man.
Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.
by Wonko on Sep 2, 2009 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I’m the bagman.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
by John (obviousman) on Sep 2, 2009 5:25 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs
backup center?
Shelton is a tackle and Vasquez is a guard. Greene is listed as a center but only played guard in the preseason (as I remember).
your offensive line group makes me nervous. sub Mooch for Greene and I’m more comfortable.
Not a bad cut, although I haven’t seen or heard anything about Hart getting the axe. It does make the DB numbers more reasonable.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Sep 2, 2009 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm sure that there is a group of fans that think Hart could get cut
But, it’s really, really rare to see a guy get cut after being the only guy at his position to play with the first team in the preseason. Usually, there will be at least some sort of hint that an incumbent starter would get cut.
Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.
by Wonko on Sep 2, 2009 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree Hart won't get cut
because there is really no known replacement for him at this point.
by Steve (Grey Suit) on Sep 2, 2009 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly
he won’t be replaced in 2009.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
by John (obviousman) on Sep 3, 2009 4:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The Backup center makes for an interesting choice
I’m chossing Green over Mooch simply because teams don’t tend to cut 4th rounders and last I checked A J Smith is not known as the most egoless guy in the world.
I understand veteran over rookie, but it sure seemed Mooch was gone even before preseason started.
by TJBOLT on Sep 2, 2009 1:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't think
A.J. has ever made a roster move due to his ego.
Wisdom can not be cultivated through ignorance of information.
by Wonko on Sep 2, 2009 2:00 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hart will not be cut
He just signed a relatively long term contract before last year and the salary cap hit from that will likely make AJ shy away from releasing him. Also, everyone had a down year last year so I have a feeling that season has been written off by the coaches.
We need 9 lineman, Dombrowski might be the odd man out. AJ likely won’t cut a draft pick so Brandon could wind up on the PS in favor of keeping Green on the team.
I am not so sure about Ian Scott. He didn’t get a lot of playing time last year and I haven’t heard a lot about him this year. If it is injuries you are worried about it makes more sense to keep the much younger Nwagbuo. Neither will see a lot of time on the field. I can see them keeping Nwagbuo on the PS and that he probably won’t be picked up by some one else, so maybe he gets cut instead and Scott makes the 53-man.
If they keep Ellison, which I think they probably will, then one of the LBs has to go. If they use Ellison in Nickel packages as an extra guy in the box it cuts down the need for a 9th LB. I would like to think that its Applewhite that goes. They have been very high on him and he hasn’t quite panned out as they wanted.
Osgood has one year left and he is gone. Binn is safe, he has recovered more than 1 muffed punt in the last few years and he is a high motor, very reliable guy. Bingham may end up on IR which opens up one more spot, then it has to be Castille at 4th CB. Otherwise, he;s on the PS. I think the defense will be running a lot of zome covers in the dime sets so it makes to keep extra safeties instead of corners. We could see a 3 corner 53-man with 5 safeties. Wouldn’t be so bad…
by riversformvp on Sep 2, 2009 3:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't think Hart will be cut either
but it won’t be his contract numbers that keep him here. He is in the third year of a 6 year deal with a $500K signing bonus, The Chargers would come out ahead (related to the cap) if they cut him before the regular season.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Sep 2, 2009 3:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hmm
Here’s my quick whack at it:
QBs: Rivers, Volek, Whitehurst, I mean duh.
Running backs: Tomlinson, Sproles, Hester, Bennett, Mike Tolbert
OLine: Hardwick, Dielman, McNeill, Clary, Forney, Vasquez, Shelton, Mruczkowski
Tight Ends: Gates, Manumaleuna, Wilson
Receivers: Jackson, Chambers, Floyd, Naanee, Davis, Osgood
Defense
DLine: Castillo, Williams, Cesaire, Bingham, Martin, Johnson, Nwagbuo
OLB: Merriman, Philips, English, Applewhite, Tucker
ILB: Burnett, Cooper, Dobbins, Siler
Safeties: Weddle, Gregory, Ellison, Oliver, Spillman
Corners: Cromartie, Jammer, Cason, Castille (Castille might get bumped if they aquire somebody)
Punter: Scifres, duh
Kicker: Kaeding
Long snapper: Binn
That might be too many safeties, but what the heck.
"Football is a physical sport, sometimes you have a disagreement on what's going on, and you have a discussion about it." Kris Dielman
by Brian (DaBolts) on Sep 2, 2009 4:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
That looks pretty solid. I’ll be surprised if we keep Spillman over Hart, though. Same with Nwagbuo over Scott, though that would be less shocking.
Bolts from the Blue // "Game over." - Jamal Williams
Bloody Elbow // "Every normal man must be tempted at times to spit upon his hands, hoist the black flag, and begin slitting throats." - H.L. Mencken
by Richard Wade on Sep 2, 2009 5:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You are likely correct
Acee is claiming that Bingham is most likely done for the season; that would leave Scott and Nwagbuo. Spillman has a much smaller chance; but that kid can hit.
"Football is a physical sport, sometimes you have a disagreement on what's going on, and you have a discussion about it." Kris Dielman
by Brian (DaBolts) on Sep 2, 2009 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
dump Osgood, add Martin, dump Tolbert, add Gartrell
part hope, part reason… Yes, ST suffers in the short term, but as someone here remarked, H Milligan was a Pro Bowler on Special Teams, and where is he?
Would hate to see Charly Martin playing Wes Welker for someone else.
by Hoot1969 on Sep 2, 2009 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Reasonable
I’m not big on Gartrell, but it would be great if Martin could make the squad somehow. I could see dropping Tolbert and adding Martin maybe.
"Football is a physical sport, sometimes you have a disagreement on what's going on, and you have a discussion about it." Kris Dielman
by Brian (DaBolts) on Sep 2, 2009 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I likely made the Osgood remark
Not high on keeping a guy who adds nothing else to the team. I know that folks talk about how much he’s brought to ST, he’s a Pro Bowler, yadayadayada. First of all – ST Pro bowler? If that really meant anything, Scifres would have been there by now. It’s a freakin’ popularity contest. And he isn’t going to crack this WR unit. ‘Nuf said. He probably sticks, but I don’t support it. Some will say the same applies to Binn, but how many times over his tenure have you seen a bad snap? He sticks.
Mruc stays. Green can’t be looked at as a b/u center. Not enough reps. If Green goes to the PS, you can bet he gets snagged. Dombrowski goes back to the PS.
Charly Martin goes to the PS. Frankly, I’d keep Banks over Martin, but that’s just my take. I think he could be our Wes Welker or another EP – good slot receiver who could churn out 3rd down conversions.
Gartrell, IMO, is on the bubble but will probably make it due to the potential that they see in him. Again – probably wouldn’t last long on the PS. Denver would possibly grab him. Bennett has earned a spot. I see Tolbert, with work on his blocking, as more of a true FB prospect than Hester. Trying to force Hester into the FT FB slot is putting a square peg in a round hole.
I’d really like to see Nwagbuo make the squad, but the acquisition of Travis Johnson makes that pretty unlikely. I’d also like to see Hart gone & replaced by Spillman, but that’s also unlikely. With Hughes now gone to IR, we’ll see Oliver moving back to more of a corner role.
So here’s my shot ….. complete with my desire to see Hart & Osgood gone.
QB – Rivers, Volek, Whitehurst
RB – LT, Sproles, Bennett, Johnson
FB – Hester, Tolbert
OT – McNeill, Clary, Shelton
OG – Dielman, Forney, Vasquez, Green
C – Hardwick, Mrucowski
TE – Gates, Manu, Wilson
WR – Jackson, Chambers, Floyd, Naanee, Davis (Banks is a numbers casualty)
DL – Castillo, Williams, Cesaire, Martin, T.Johnson, *Bingham, Nwagbuo *if Bingham is IR’d we keep Scott – we probably keep him anyway, but I like Nwagbuo’s game better
OLB – Merriman, Phillips, English, Applewhite, Tucker
ILB – Cooper, Burnett, Dobbins, Siler
CB – Jammer, Cromartie, Cason
S – Weddle, Gregory, Spillman, Ellison, Oliver (as CB/S)
P/K – Scifres, Kaeding
LS – Binn
If push comes to shove & we decide to get a 4th CB, Spillman is odd man out. Maybe he’d last on the PS …. I see a lot of potential there. Looks at least as good as Hart in coverage & a much better tackler.
If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!
Robert Hunter
by Buck Melanoma on Sep 3, 2009 4:55 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
you got 6 RB/FBs?
that’s quite a lot
by not humble enough on Sep 3, 2009 9:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
a also agree about charly martin
He’s versatile and can fill a lot of roles as an emergency back up. If he can be effective on special teams, I’d say keep him. I also agree about bennet, he has impressed me during preseason. Tolbert hasn’t.
by irishlad on Sep 2, 2009 5:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Not a chance
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
by John (obviousman) on Sep 2, 2009 6:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
not a chance on what?
Martin? Bennett?
by Hoot1969 on Sep 2, 2009 6:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Either one.
Greg Maddux for manager.
by maestro876 on Sep 2, 2009 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Especially Martin
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
by John (obviousman) on Sep 3, 2009 4:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Saturday cut down
Hey Stephen – I did my list awhile ago and made the changes with the acquisition of T. Johnson and cut of Gordon, and I basically had the same 53 man roster as you except I had Clark over Dombrowski…just guess work on my part with that selection.
I’m hoping they keep Bennett but I have a feeling he will be cut. The only guys on our cutdown list that I’d like to keep for sure are C. Martin & Spillman but I think they are keeping Tolbert. This is a mistake IMO but I’m just a fan not a GM.
by Kirkendog on Sep 3, 2009 2:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
everyone's making predictions, here's mine:
i like TJBOLT’s set-up…
Here’s my 53 man roster
Beyond the players I’ll mention key cuts
25 Offensive Players
QB(3) – Rivers, Volek, Whitehurst
I think the chargers could do without Whitehurst, he’s a good 3rd-stringer but Volek and Rivers have it covered. And in a emergency Naanee is there.
RB/FB(5) – Tomlinson, Sproles, Hester, Bennett, Johnson (sorry but he’s not that good)
Key cuts: Mike Tolbert
C/G/T(8) – Hardwick, Dielman, McNeill, Clary, Forney, Vasquez, Shelton, Scott Mruczkowski
Key cuts: T. Green (PS), Brandon Dombrowski, Clark
TE(3) – Gates, Manumaleuna, Wilson
WR(6) – Jackson, Chambers, Floyd, Naanee, Davis, Martin
Osgood get’s traded for 3-4 round after final pre-season games show a bunch of teams they need a #2-#3 WR. AJ likes to develop players, having only soon to be free agents isn’t how he does it.
25 Defensive Players
DL(7) – Castillo, Williams, Cesaire, Bingham, Martin, Scott, Johnson
Key cuts: Ogemdi Nwagbuo (PS)
OLB – Merriman, Philips, English, Applewhite, Tucker
ILB – Burnett, Cooper, Siler (badass!), Dobbins
S(4) – Hart, Weddle, Gregory, Oliver
Key Cuts: Ellison (PS)
CB(4) – Cromartie, Jammer, Cason, Castille
3 Special Teams Players
ST(3) – Scifres, Kaeding, Binn
Clearly I’m mostly in agreement with TJBolt
by not humble enough on Sep 3, 2009 9:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
There’s no telling that those guys ever make it to the practice squad. I think all of them (Green, Nwagbuo and Ellison) would have a good chance of signing elsewhere.
AJ offered Osgood for a trade and got zero offers. There’s not a snowball’s chance in hell that he gets traded and/or the Chargers get a 3rd or 4th rounder for him.
Charly Martin is not making the team.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
by John (obviousman) on Sep 3, 2009 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Osgood didn't trade because everyone was trying to find a gem in their UDFAs
after the last pre-season game, time to face the music.
I believe your snowball is not in hell, just oklahoma. it’s cold there sometimes.
by not humble enough on Sep 3, 2009 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
and what do you think about Fourney and Vasquez being the guard back-ups
is Fourney making too much to be a back-up?
by not humble enough on Sep 3, 2009 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i don’t think cost matters at this point, he’s not getting cut if he doesn’t win the starting job. He is too valuable off the bench if Vasquez stumbles.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Sep 3, 2009 11:17 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
They tried to trade Osgood for a 7th round pick this off-season.
That’s basically a bag of balls. And there were no takers.
Greg Maddux for manager.
by maestro876 on Sep 3, 2009 9:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks for the vote of confidence
Can’t see Ellison not making the team, Osgood will make the team nobody is going to give up that much. If someone did the chargers would pay for the flight.
by TJBOLT on Sep 3, 2009 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think they keep Osgood
just so they don’t have to play against him. I’magine how much damage he would do on ST against us.
by SJO on Sep 4, 2009 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Charly Martin- don't let him go!
Not keeping Charly Martin is a mistake. Just because we have depth in WR does not mean we should lost someone as explosive and exciting as Martin. it would be a shame as it’s clear he will make another team quickly and excel.
by CaliforniaBoy on Sep 3, 2009 9:45 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
which WR would you send packing?
by not humble enough on Sep 3, 2009 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whitehurst
I know it’s out of the blue, but he just isn’t that great, and we have Rivers plus Volek. Volek could be a starter anywhere in this league, but choose to stay and play with the best. That’s dedication and teamwork. If Rivers goes down (dear god I hope not) then Volek is there. If Volek is injured…. It’s a risk, but it’s worth it.
by CaliforniaBoy on Sep 3, 2009 9:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
League rules
require you to have 3 QBs on your roster.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
by John (obviousman) on Sep 3, 2009 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wow I did not know that
Learn somethin’ new everyday, and that I was something new for me today. Thx John.
Could Naanee count as the third back up? We should have put Legedu under center a few times this pre-season and seen if he could fumble less/throw fewer interceptions than Charley.
by Trendsearcher on Sep 3, 2009 10:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i'm not sure about that
Colts have had two QBs for a long time. There are special exceptions to the active roster for a 3rd QB, but I don’t think it is a requirement. Schottenheimer had only two for a few years here.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Sep 3, 2009 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Perhaps I'm wrong
Wouldn’t be the first time. Stupid confusing NFL rules.
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
by John (obviousman) on Sep 3, 2009 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You don't have to have 3 QBs
but this is how the Chargers, and Norv Turner, do it. They aren’t cutting Whitehurst.
Deal with it.
Greg Maddux for manager.
by maestro876 on Sep 3, 2009 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
C Martin
I don’t think AJ will cut Whitehurst but if it’s allowed I would do it. I’d hate to see C. Martin turn into another Welker…I remember when we cut Welker at the time & I didn’t like that move than. Not that Martin is that good but he’s looked pretty good so far, but of course that is against back-ups so you never really know as much as the team doing the evaluating.
I never liked when Bochy always kept 3 catchers on the roster – 2 is fine, the 3rd guy takes up space.
by Kirkendog on Sep 3, 2009 6:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
You guys who are all going crazy about Martin
He’s only played against 3rd and 4th stringers. He’s just a guy. There’s nothing to justify keeping him over someone who can contribute (Osgood) in a key facet of the game (special teams) that gives the Chargers a marked advantage over other teams.
Greg Maddux for manager.
by maestro876 on Sep 3, 2009 9:55 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Exactly
Martin may make the PS. Don’t induct him to the HOF just yet. :-)
If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!
Robert Hunter
by Buck Melanoma on Sep 4, 2009 4:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rec'd
"I did not invent the wheel, I was the crooked spoke adjacent." - Aesop Rock
by John (obviousman) on Sep 4, 2009 7:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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