By NFL rules, the cut-downs come in two parts and on two days. The first of those days is tomorrow, when the Chargers have to reduce their roster size to 75. The cut down to 53 players will happen after the 49ers game on Friday. I kept that in mind when trying to decide who has a chance of going in these first cuts, knowing that certain positions will need bodies for the SF game either due to injury (Defensive Line) or to avoid injury (Offensive Line, Tight End).
By my count, the Chargers have 81 players listed on their active roster. If you remove Ben Muth and Wopamo Osaisai, both of whom were released already, you're down to 79. Although Demetrius Byrd is listed, the moment he's signed he'll go straight to IR so he really shouldn't count against the numbers. Now we're at 78.
What I think the Chargers will do is get rid of players from deep positions. Guys that have had a hard time getting on the field even in the preseason. Here's a list of some of the likeliest candidates to be looking for work tomorrow:
- Truman Spencer - Good job, kid. You saves Scifres' leg in training camp and showed yourself to be worthy of an NFL job in the process. He'll be let go tomorrow because the team no longer has a need for him and also so that he can grab a job with another team before the start of the season.
- Ryan McDonald - Not to sound like a jerk, but I feel like I have a better understanding of the Chargers roster than most people. Even I'm left saying "Who?" when McDonald's name comes up. A 3rd string Center is a strong candidate for the first cuts.
- Billy Latsko - I think the team really likes Billy, but he's not a better FB than Mike Tolbert and even Tolbert is on the bubble. Having him on the team against SF gives the Bolts unnecessary depth.
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Kestahn Moore - Same as Latsko's situation. Moore sits behind LaDainian Tomlinson, Darren Sproles, Michael Bennett and Gartrell Johnson. I think whether or not Sproles wants to get a handful of carries against the 49ers will determine whether the team keeps Moore around for that game.
- Charles Davis - He lost out on the 4th TE spot to Kory Sperry. I think the team tries hard to keep Sperry on the practice squad (and he might get some reps against SF with Gates sitting most of the game), but there's no need to keep Davis around another week.
Do you have any thoughts about Bolts From The Blue? Would you like to contribute to this week's mailbag? Whenever you have something to say, don't hesitate to e-mail me directly.