Chargers Training Camp: Paring Down the Roster
by Wonko on Aug 12, 2010 9:00 AM PDT
in San Diego Chargers Training Camp/Preseason
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PrintThe Chargers website just came out with an initial depth chart for the team. Looking at this I can try figure a few things out. I usually like to do this to help me watch players in the preseason games. Also, as I start to see or hear about good performances its good to keep in mind which roster spots are actually up for grabs. In the preseason you may fall in love with a guy that just isn't going to make it because of a numbers game.
Starting (25 = 11 offense + 11 defense + 3 special teams)
Most of you will know these names so we'll just list them and be done with it. Phillip Rivers, Ryan Mathews, Jacob Hester, Malcom Floyd, Legedu Naanee, Antonio Gates, Brandyn Dombrowski, Kris Dielman, Nick Hardwick, Louis Vasquez, Jeromey Clary, Jacques Cesaire, Antonio Garay, Luis Castillo, Larry English, Kevin Burnett, Stephen Cooper, Shaun Phillips, Antoine Cason, Eric Weddle, Darrell Stuckey, Quentin Jammer, Mike Scifres, Nate Kaeding and David Binn. Remember, this is according to the new Chargers Depth Chart posted today. Take your complaints up with them not me.
Sure Fire Backups (20 = 2 draft picks + 1 KR/RB + 1 QB + 1 RB + 2 WRs + 2 TEs + 3 OL + 2 DEs + 1 OLB + 1 ILB + 4 DBs)
We can start with the draft pick who are going to make this team (2): Cam Thomas, Jonathan Crompton.
We can move on to the kick returner/backup RB (1): Darren Sproles.
For the rest I'm going to make assumptions amount minimum numbers and pick the highest on the depth chart to fill them.
Backup QB: Billy Volek
Backup RB although he's also a FB (1): Mike Tolbert
Backup WRs and TEs (4): Buster Davis, Jeremy Williams, Kris Wilson, Randy McMichael.
Backup OL can't just be 2nd string so I'll pick the most likely (3): Scott Mruczkowski, Tyronne Green, Tra Thomas.
Backup DEs, OLB, and ILB (4): Alfonso Boone, Travis Johnson, Jyles Tucker, Brandon Siler.
Backup DBs (4): Donald Strickland, Nathan Vasher, Steve Gregory, Paul Oliver
The most controversial selection may Jyles Tucker. He's listed on the second string, but is he really better than Applewhite? Also, if Merriman comes back then English becomes that one backup and Tucker moves closer to the bubble. Everyone else here makes a sense, and if you disagree then I'll just point at the depth chart as my evidence.
Okay, that was the easy part, let's move on to hard part.
Camp battles (5 = 1 RB + 1 WR + 1 DL + 2 LB)
The next 5 positions will get more players, but who those players are is up for grabs.
RB (1): Marcus Mason, Shawnbray McNeal and Curtis Brinkley. I say all 3 have an equal shot at this spot. Preseason games will matter here.
WR (1): Josh Reed and Seyi Ajirotutu. There are other wide receivers in camp, but these are the only 2 that I think have a shot at being WR #5.
DL (1): Ogemdi Nwagbuo, Vaughn Martin and Ryon Bingham. I think we only need to carry 7 DL, but, at least in my view, more than 1 of these guys has a good shot at the team
LB (2): Jyles Tucker (once Merriman reports), Antwan Applewhite, and James Holt. At least two of these guys is making the squad. One may be left to fight it out elsewhere.
The Bubble (3)
That least just 3 spots left and we don't need them to come from specific positions. They just need to be guys who contribute on specials teams and can provide depth at a position that has injuries or requires a heavy rotation. I'm going to list them out by positions just to break them all up.
WR: Loser of camp battle plus Gary Banks and Richard Goodman. I think only Ajirotutu can make the actual team, but I'm sure at least one of these guys will go to the practice squad
DL: Losers of camp battle plus Derrick Jones. This may be the most likely spot that gets filled. We might as well shift the bubble down to 2 spots.
LB: Loser of camp battle plus Darry Beckwith, Mike Nixon, Kion Wilson and Ali Highsmith. The loser of the camp battle with have will have an inside track. At least one of these guys is practice squad bound.
DB: C.J. Spillman and Traye Simmons. I guess you could throw in Brandon and Dante Hughes as well as Quinton Teal, but I'll owe you a beer if they make the team over these two.
That's it. Barring injury we aren't going to carry another QB, RB, TE, K, P or OL in my opinion. Its also worth noting that we don't really have any injuries that I've heard of that would force us to carry a certain position from the bubble group, so its still all up in the air. Please, feel free to mix and match who think will make the team or to use this as a guide for the preseason games.
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Last 5 spots belong to the GM
Or so Michael Lombardi always said. There is some truth that the bottom of the roster guys need to be based more on their long term prospects rather than their short term ability to contribute to the team. I’m not sure how that would affect you list other than to say the older guys like Gary Banks and Ryon Bingham will be cut if they aren’t going to be game day active. Plus, as a poorly thought out rule of thumb, this might favor the small college guy who has unrealized potential over the big college guy who has realized most of his potential.
by Stephen (shaynes41) on Aug 12, 2010 9:19 AM PDT reply actions
There’s a lot of guys that I don’t want to lose that we obviously will. That’s a fantastic sign of this team’s depth.
-I don’t think Bingham stands a chance.
-I’d be shocked if Josh Reed didn’t make the team. Just sayin’.
-As stated before, I think McNeal is the best option for replacing Sproles next year…which gives him the inside track.
-It hasn’t been mentioned enough, but Jyles Tucker has been a beast in practice.
Math is hard.
Bolts from the Blue - Destroying your opinions with facts.
-I agree that Bingham doesn’t stand a chance and this exercise highlights that (I hope).
-Josh Reed is making this team. Like I said in the story, blame the Chargers depth chart for where he fits in, not me.
-There’s no evidence I’ve seen to make me believe that McNeal has the inside track. That doesn’t mean he doesn’t have it.
-I would think that if it came down to Tucker vs. Applewhite or Tucker vs. Holt or Tucker vs. anyone other than Phillips/Merriman/English/Cooper/Burnett/Siler then Tucker wins the battle.
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
McNeal makes it because he’s good & a possible replacement for Sproles should he leave next year.
Josh Reed will likely make it because of experience, but I firmly believe we’d get more bang for our buck from Banks. He’s hungry & would almost certainly give much more effort on ST than Reed.
With the loss of Butler, Applewhite or Holt likely get moved inside. Whichever one goes inside, the other goes outside Barring injury, Tucker is in. AJ has to defend giving him that contract extension somehow.
Keep an eye on Lang. I haven’t heard much from TC regarding him, but he was a beast at Troy. He could be a guy who bumps someone like Holt or Applewhite from the OLB unit.
Boone played well last year, but I believe a healthy Bingham may just beat him out. Not the popular view, but I wouldn’t write Ryon off just yet. For that matter, you could just as easily see Cesaire on the outside looking in. Age is beginning to become a factor for him.
I think Tutu goes to the PS. Not quite ready for prime time.
If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!
Robert Hunter
by Buck Melanoma on Aug 12, 2010 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions
I don’t know about them keeping McNeal on the roster because of what he can do next year. A.J.‘s decisions in previous year at the 3rd RB position have been more about who can help this year in case of injury. That’s what it probably comes down to. McNeal might be that guy, but I’m just saying that’s his path to the roster not the thing about replacing Sproles in 2011.
Just judging by practice and depth chart usage, it seems like Cesaire is the start at DE. So I wouldn’t bet on him getting cut. 3 or 4 months ago I would’ve nodded with what you’re saying, but the evidence now is to the contrary.
I believe Lang has had trouble getting reps, even in practice. I like him too, but there seems to be no room at the inn.
I think they may keep Ajirotutu from the PS because they like him and don’t want to lose him to another team.
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
I'm pretty sure Cesaire makes the team.
I’m not at all convinced he starts.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 12, 2010 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions
McNeal can contribute now
He’s just a newer version of Sproles. I’d like to see him take some of the return duties in order to keep Sproles a little fresher for RB reps.
Not enamored with the idea of Cesaire as a starter again this year. He’s a good b/u but tends to wear down pretty quickly, IMO. Castillo needs to step it up this year – he’s got a lot of money left to earn.
I think they like Ajirotutu as well, but a similar argument can be made regarding him that you made about McNeal – can he contribute now if necessary? It’s a real crapshoot as he’s unlikely to last on the PS – too many teams that could use a big WR.
If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!
Robert Hunter
by Buck Melanoma on Aug 12, 2010 2:01 PM PDT up reply actions
Sproles deserves a little more credit
He was a fourth round pick who has contributed to the Chargers recent success with some big plays.
McNeal is an UDFA who may or may not make the team, or ever even play a down in the NFL.
I would love to see McNeal become the next Sproles, but I think it is a little early to call him “just a newer version of Sproles”.
by JeromeB on Aug 12, 2010 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Watch him
One of the reasons that he sorta fell through the cracks was because he left Miami for SMU to be close to his ailing mom.
I love Sproles – always have. And I mean no disservice to him. But I believe that you’ll be pleasantly surprised at the comparison.
If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!
Robert Hunter
by Buck Melanoma on Aug 12, 2010 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions
I was surprised on Cesaire too
Also also about V. Martin being so far down the chart. I wonder if it is for motivation.
"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 Aug 12, 2010 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions
Just his 2nd year removed
from college ball in Canada. He’s getting there & I haven’t heard word one questioning his work ethic or motivation.
If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!
Robert Hunter
by Buck Melanoma on Aug 12, 2010 4:49 PM PDT up reply actions
He's destined for the practice squad
Barring injury, we’re only carrying 8 OL. Even then I figure that if 2 out of Thomas, Dombrowski and Green are healthy enough to play week 1 then we won’t carry an extra OT.
The PS should be 1 WR, 1 OT, and 3 out of Versatile OL, DL, LB and CB
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
I say left tackle (minus MM that is)
Maybe not the weakest, depending on how the alternatives fare. But certainly IMO the biggest question/uncertainty facing the team.
Not really.
If they can’t run Dombrowski, they’ll pay McNeill.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 13, 2010 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions
You know, “in case of fire, break glass.”
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 13, 2010 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions
McN and VJ aren't going to be taking spots on the roster, right?
That is, we don’t have to cut anybody until they sign, no?
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 12, 2010 12:54 PM PDT reply actions
Yes.
They haven’t signed so therefore they don’t hold a roster spot. Granted, once they do sign, we’ll have to kick two more people out.
You mean Josh Reed and Tra Thomas?
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 12, 2010 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Possibly.
Just depends on what AJ wants to do.
by Its Mikey!! on Aug 12, 2010 1:06 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
This is correct, you do not reserve roster space for players not under contract
Essentially its best to think of the three unsigned players as you would any other free agent except they are forced such that they can only sign with one team.
No, I don't think you're an idiot. Please don't go trying to prove me wrong about that.
Bolts from the Blue - General Manager: It is what it isn't
I am really disappointed that Martin is so far down on the depth chart
I’m really rooting for his career to take off. Being Canadian, he’s the one guy in the NFL I really want to have a lot of success. His story is a bit of a big deal here since he was the first underclassman from a Canadian college in the NFL draft. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like he is progressing the way the team wants him to and he might be on the outside looking in.
I am not sure how the practice squad rules work, but since he was on the active roster last year I am not sure he can be placed on the PS. I really hope he picks his game up.
He'll make the team.
They made it very clear when they drafted him that he’s a project. Don’t worry; they’ll have patience with Jamaican Bacon, as long as he keeps looking better.
What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the cheerleaders!
by Neoplatonist Bolthead on Aug 13, 2010 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions
Jamaican Bacon
hahaha
I prefer Vicious, but that’s pretty damn funny.
If the thunder don't get ya then the lightning will!!
Robert Hunter
by Buck Melanoma on Aug 13, 2010 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions
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