NFL Cuts: 53 San Francisco 49ers Worth Keeping
Okay, here we go.
The rosters will be chopped down to the magic number (53) by 1pm Sept 4. I'm not expecting too many big surprises, but my roster list travels a little off the map here.
Much of my ridiculous forecast is based on where it seems like it would be smart to proceed with the roster additions and subtractions.
It's a little outside the box, but not too far off the deep end. Agree or disagree, enjoy this visual roster prediction.
1—QB1—Alex Smith
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This is probably the biggest no-brainer while creating a 53-man roster here. If Alex was on his way out, we would have noticed by now.
2—QB2—Davd Carr
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David Carr was brought in to do exactly what he's doing. And he'll do it all season unless Smith gets busted.
3—QB3—Nate Davis
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Nate Davis will not touch the football this year, baring a catastrophe.
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4—RB1—Frank Gore
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Correction: this is the biggest no-brainer on the roster. Frank is the heart and soul of the 49ers offense.
5—RB2—Brian Westbrook
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I'm giving Westbrook the seniority here, as his veteran status simply outranks the rest of the running back corp.
6—RB3—Anthony Dixon
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There's no way the 49ers cut Dixon after the pre-season he's been having. He's the team's future at running back, even if Gore is the present.
7—FB1—Moran Norris
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Behind every great running back out of a power-I formation is a great Fullback. Actually, Scratch that. In front of every great running back out of a Power-I formation is a great fullback.
Norris is pretty dang good; Frank makes him even better.
8—WR1—Michael Crabtree
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Like so many other 49ers: he's young, talented and has stratospheric expectations to live up to.
9—WR2—Josh Morgan
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The Knock on Morgan has been his inconsistency. There are some games where he just can't be found. Other times, he's a standout. Morgan's best contibution, however, is the 220-pound receiver's ability to block on running plays.
10—WR3—Ted Ginn Jr.
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The speed the 49ers craved last year showed up this off-season in the form of Ted Ginn Jr.
11—WR4—Doninique Ziegler
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Camps best surprise (IMO) was probably this tall skinny fellow—with a big, fat heart.
12—WR5—Kyle Williams
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He's small, and now I worry delicate. Nevertheless, there are still some big expectations from the rookie. After all, he's a prototype slot receiver.
13—TE1—Vernon Davis
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78 catches, 965 yards, 13 touchdowns. Need anybody say more?
14—TE2—Delanie Walker
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Walker is more of a speedy, receiving tight end, but block just fine as well.
15—TE3—Nate Byham
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More of a bruising blocker than Walker, Byham can still hurt a defense receiving if they forget about him.
16—OL1(LT)—Joe Staley
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The best, most experienced guy on the line, Joe is holding the left tackle spot until injured (Knock wood) or supplanted.
17—OL2(G2,C2)—David Baas
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Baas, last year's Bob McKittrick award recipient, will start the season at center until Eric Heitmann returns. He will then be their backup center and guard.
18—OL3(LG)—Mike Iupati
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This big rookie is getting plugged directly into the line. Agile, hostile, mobile, he's a big asset.
19—OL4(C)—Eric Heitmann
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Out the first couple weeks with a broken leg bone, Heitmann needs to come back strong when he returns.
20—OL5(RG)—Chilo Rachal
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Rachal, a second round pick in 2008, is coming along nicely. Starting all but one game last year, he provides some experience next to Rookie Anthony Davis.
21—OL6(RT)—Anthony Davis
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The second big, bad, first-round pick will also start; not bad for a 20-year-old.
22—OL7(T2,G2) Adam Snyder
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Snyder has made a start at every position except center. He's a versatile and valuable backup.
23—OL8(G2,T2)—Barry Simms
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Simms returns to the 49ers this year as their oldest lineman. At 35 years-old, he'll be doing a lot of mentoring, but can also step in wherever needed. Simms filled in for Joe Staley for seven games in 2009, and did a good job.
24—OL9(C3,G3)—Tony Wragge
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Heitmann's out, making Wragge the backup center while Baas fills in.
25—DL1(NT1)—Aubrayo Franklin
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The franchise nose guard is back.
26—DL2(RE1)—Justin Smith
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A staple of the defense, Smith is ready for another good season; he knows no other kind.
27—DL3(LE1,NT3)—Isaac Sopoaga.
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Fairly versatile big man on defense, Sopoaga is a brick to move.
28—DL4(NT2)—Ricky Jean Francois
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He's small and young, but can be effective.
29—DL5(LE2)—Ray McDonald
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Yet another good talent on the defensive line.
30—DL(RE2)—Demetric Evans
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Adequate on the pass rush, Evans can work against the run too.
31—LB1(MILB1)—Patrick Willis
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You've never heard of Patrick Willis? That means you live under a rock.
32—LB2(MILB2)—Takeo Spikes
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Aging like fine wine, Spikes returns for his 13th year.
33—LB3(LOLB1)—Manny Lawson
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Lawson was a mild concern as an OTA holdout, but he did add 25 pounds of muscle during the off season.
34—LB4(ROLB1)—Travis LaBoy
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Many see him as a starter—if he can stay healthy.
35—LB5(OLB2)—Ahmad Brooks
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Coming off a lacerated kidney, Brooks looks to reignite the sack fire he started last year.
36—LB6(ILB3)—NaVorro Bowman
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The young man can play, and he will.
37—LB7(OLB3)—Parys Haralson
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Haralson still needs to come out of his shell, but he's getting there.
38—LB8(ILB4)—Matt Wilhelm
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Adds depth as s special teams standout more than anything.
39—CB1—Nate Clement
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Expensive, and he's no Revis, but he plays.
40—CB2—Shawntae Spencer
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Might actually be the best corner on the team.
41—CB3—Karl Paymah
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Welcome to San Francisco, young man.
42—CB4—Tarell Brown
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More youth speed, and skill.
43—CB5—Phillip Adams
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Finally a recent picture of Adams. Welcome to the NFL, rookie.
44—S1—Dashon Goldson
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Best safety on the team.
45—S2(SS1)—Micheal Lewis
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Pretty intense: right for the position.
46—S3—Taylor Mays
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Apparently, they do still make players like Taylor mays.
47—S4—Reggie Smith
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Just another young, talented defensive back.
48—K—Joe Nedney
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Gotta have a kicker.
48—P—Andy Lee
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Lee is a Pro-Bowl punter.
50—LS—Brian Jennings
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Somebody has to snap it.
3 Spots Left...
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This is where it gets tricky...
51—RB—Michael Robinson
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No question this guy's name comes up every time the chopping block is mentioned; his running does not impress anybody. Blocking and tackling on special teams, however, save his place here.
52—FB—Brit Miller
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I think Miller get a shot from the get go this year. He does well on special teams as well, as he converted to fullback from linebacker.
53—OL—Alex Boone
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When the press mentions cutting Boone, they include the likelihood that he'll be claimed off waivers by another team before the 49ers can get him to the practice squad. Keeping him aviods this mess.
And Then...
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Obviously this isn't official. Some spots (especially the last three here) leave the door open for debate and controversy. Actual rosters are revealed Saturday.
Until then, um... Go 49ers!
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