Vision Quest: Roster Wars Final Guess on the Eve of Cut Day

Well I was going to let my last Roster prediction stand for the entire season. But then they put Blaylock and McAddley on IR and cut Salave’a and Butler in the opening round of cuts. Seriously we have more people on IR right now then the Bengals have non-felons on their team. And after last night’s game we have the real possibility of a few more people who might have made the roster on the IR like Eubanks. I swear someone on the team is doing their best Tonya Harding impression trying to get on the final roster.

I also don’t think the Redskins are done. They could add a few players to either their PS or final roster at positions they are short. Like Corner, Wide Receiver, Fullback, and Tight End. This could mean guys who get a spot on Saturday may lose it by Sunday. So with no real confidence in its accuracy here is my latest…and last…prediction for the final 53 and Practice Squad come the end of the weekend.

Quarterbacks
Projected Roster Petitions: 3
Projected Starter: Jason Campbell
Projected Depth: Mark Brunell, Todd Collins
On the Bubble: Jordan Palmer

Analysis: Unless Brunell gets traded, no way Jordan Palmer makes the top 53. He looks to be every bit the busted draft pick many of us feared. The one good thing that came out of his performance on Thursday was that we don’t have to worry about anyone trying to steal him to sign to their roster. Question is who is #2. I think it is Mark Brunell. I still maintain that Collins passes were not as crisp as Brunell’s and Brunell has the game day experience.

Running Backs
Projected Roster Petitions: 3
Projected Starter: Clinton Portis
Projected Depth: Ladell Betts, Rock Cartwright
On the Bubble: Marcus Mason
Camp Fodder: Dee Brown

Analysis: Wow Marcus Mason looked great. I am a believer in the hype now. This kid is going to be something special. But I think numbers will keep him on the PS still. The top 3 are safe and with Blaylock out of the mix Mason may be activated during the season if one of our backs gets injured.

Fullback
Projected Roster Petitions: 1
Projected Starter: Mike Sellers
On the Bubble: Brian Bell
Camp Fodder: Fred Beaseley

Analysis: Last year the Redskins only kept 1 FB on the roster and I think that is what they will do this year as well. Beaseley has done absolutely nothing to warrant a PS spot and Bell looks to be too raw and probably is looking at a PS spot. During games if needed Yoder and Cooley can both back up the FB spot

Tight Ends
Projected Roster Positions: 3
Projected Starter: Chris Cooley
Projected Depth: Todd Yoder, Eric Edwards
Camp Fodder: Jake Nordin,

Analysis: Cooley is a stud and if we do not resign him soon I may be visiting RedskinsPark with a 2x4 and dealing out justice old style. As noted above Yoder and Cooley in addition to the TE duties will backup the Fullback spot. Edwards got hurt but nothing serious and should be able to fill the third TE spot adequately.

Wide Receivers
Projected Roster Positions: 4
Projected Starters: Santana Moss, Antwaan Randle_el
Projected Depth: Brandon Lloyd, James Thrash
On the Bubble: Carl Berman, Ryan Hoag,
Camp Fodder: Burl Toller, Corey Bradford

Analysis: I just don’t think our 5th WR is on our squad right now. We could easily cut someone in favor of signing a legitimate 5th WR after the other teams make their cuts. Hoag is impressing me a lot and I look forward to his growth on the PS.

Offensive Line
Projected Roster Positions: 10
Projected Starters: Chris Samuels (LT), Pete Kendall (LG), Casey Rabach (C), Randy Thomas (RG), Jon Jansen (RT)
Projected Depth: Mike Pucillo, Stephon Heyer, Taylor Whitley, Todd Wade
On the Bubble: Calvin Armstrong, Kili Lefotu, Jason Fabini,

Analysis: Nothing changes here from before. I look forward to see our starting 5 on the field and healthy for the first time on the 9th. If we need our backups at some point I am not as panicked as other years with Wade, Pucillo and even Heyer on the bench. Lefotu makes the squad due to injuries and the need to keep an extra Oline guy around.

Defensive Line
Projected Roster Positions: 9
Projected Starters: Andre Carter (RE), Cornelius Griffin (DT), Kedric Golston (DT) Phillip Daniels (LE)
Projected Depth: Renaldo Wynn, Lorenzo Alexander, Anthony Montgomery, Demetic Evans, Chris Wilson
On the Bubble: Alex Buzbee
Camp Fodder: Ryan Boschetti, Martin Askew, Justin Hickman

Analysis: I think both of the young guys in Lorenzo Alexander and Chris Wilson make the squad. I see no reason for us to keep Boschetti or Askew at this point over them. Alex Buzbee may benefit from a year on the PS.

Linebacker
Projected Roster Positions: 7
Projected Starters: Rocky McIntosh (WLB), London Fletcher-Baker (MLB), Marcus Washington (SLB)
Projected Depth: Randall Godfrey, Khary Campbell, HB Blades, Anthony Trucks
On the Bubble: Dallas Sartz
Camp fodder: Matt Sinclair


Analysis: Ok I am officially on the Anthony trucks bandwagon. This reminds me of 2005 where McCune a 5th round draft pick went on the PS where a UFDA in Zach Kelsay went on to make the active roster. Sartz is in the dreaded McCune position this time around. He just has not done much and Trucks seems to be around the ball a lot.


Corner
Projected Roster Positions: 5
Projected Starters: Sean Springs, Carlos Rogers
Projected Depth: Fred Smoot, David Macklin, John Eubanks
On the Bubble: Ade Jimoh, Leigh Torrance
Camp Fodder: Byron Westbrook


Analysis: Say it ain’t so Jimoh, say it ain’t so. I know Eubanks got hurt; but I don’t think Jimoh is not here come tomorrow. If the medical staff thinks Eubank’s injury is grave enough perhaps they will put him on the final IR. Leigh Torrance played well enough to overtake Byron Westbrook for the PS spot.

Safety
Projected Roster Positions: 5
Projected Starters: Sean Taylor (FS), Laron Landry (SS)
Projected Depth: Omar Stoutmire, Pierson Prioleau, Reed Doughty
On the Bubble: Vernon Fox


Analysis: The Redskins have kept 5 safeties every year since Joe Gibbs came back. I think they do so again, especially with Eubanks going down. Prioleau may be called upon to play corner from time to time and they will need a backup. Doughty has not looked horrible and he does not have PS eligibility. So I think he sneaks on the team.

Special Teams
Projected Roster Petitions: 3
Projected Starters: Sean Suisham (K), Derrick Frost (P), Ethan Albright (LS)


Analysis: The three safest guys in DC are the Redskins special teamers. These guys aren’t going to make the pro-bowl anytime soon (though Albright should because he is the best at what he does) but they will be serviceable, which is more then I can say for just about any other year that I can remember.


Practice Squad Projections


1.) Marcus Mason (RB). Young kid, probably will be on the roster some time before the end of the season. He has quickness and a knack for finding openings and holes. You can’t teach that. Once he learns the system backward and forward he could be the Rock of the future.


2.) Brian Bell (FB/TE). A decent TE and FB who will be learning the system if he is needed for injury coverage.

3.) Jordan Palmer (QB) And the award for worst draft pick of the 2007 season goes to…..you guessed it. He looked horrible. Seriously, it made me wish for Danny Wuerfel, that bad.


4.) Dallas Sartz (LB) If for some reason Jordan Palmer can’t fulfill his duties as Worst draft pick of the year, Dallas Sartz will assume the title and crown. He got hurt early in camp and just never showed any reason to get excited about his wearing a Redskin uniform. And now he is hurt again.


5.) Calvin Armstrong (T) A lot of scouts seem to think he is a decent player and could really develop with one more year on PS.


6.) Leigh Torrance (CB) I guess it is possible they put Eubanks here but I think he is going to the IR or to the top 53. So I am bettingTorrance gets a shot at the PS for a year and will be immediately called upon in case of an injury.


7.) Alex Buzbee (DE) He is a nice young prospect and probably the guy that benefits most from Salavea’s cut. He needs to bulk up a bit and learn the nuances of playing on the DL but can be a good player


8.) Ryan Hoag (WR) No one made more of his chances on the filed, save Mason, then Ryan Hoag. His catch should have won us the Steeler game and his TD againstJacksonville should give him a shot at the PS.


We shall see what happens come 4pm tomorrow. I literally have no idea as the injuries and flurry of roster moves over the last two weeks are more information then this fan can process.