Log jam at running back and tight end

[CalDolFan10x14]

I don't think Messam makes the squad.

 

[deadlydolphinz]

I wouldnt be surprised to see Bush traded or cut.

You do not trade or cut your most explosive offensive weapon.... ohh wait....:deadhorse:

 

[tylerdolphin]

I wouldnt be surprised to see Bush traded or cut. While Philbin seems excited to have him as a checkdown/wideout option, he will be making just under $5 million or so this season. Way to much for a situational player, even one as good as he is. This coaching staff is high on Slaton, Miller was just drafted, and Ireland isnt about to throw away Thomas after a single season. Unless Messam blows away the staff, hes destined to be cut.

As for tight end, those 3 are probably locks, but last years left overs are probably gone. Depending on how Brown does we might throw him on the practice squad(is he eligible for that?).

No way we cut Bush. That would leave us with exactly zero proven explosive threats on offense.

 

[Spesh]

Forget that.....Bush was our BEST offensive player last year and played hard every game unlike some others on the roster. He was a leader and to me, he turned the corner in his career by staying healthy and becoming a more physical runner. I think a 1-2 combo of Bush-Miller can be electric. Get those guys the ball in open space and use Thomas as a short yard/late game battering ram.

I have a feeling we might keep all the guys listed, including Slaton (who i think fits this offense perfectly). Bush/Thomas/Miller have all been nicked up in years past so we need some depth there. If the coaches don't sign a pure FB and use guys like Messam and Clay as situational blockers, you can use that roster spot for the extra RB.

So was Bell, and we cut him over a roughly the same contract in a position that we are very thin in.

Keep in mind, Philbin has already stated that he wont be using Bush like Sparano did. His vision for him is more in line with what Bush did with the Saints. Passes into open space so Bush can run around. I have little doubt that Reggie was less than thrilled by that news.

Injuries could very well make the difference. If healthy i cant see us going out there with 4 running backs, especially when we could get a cheaper "4th" back if the need arises. But Miller dropped in the draft due to injury and we might want to limit him to kick returns for a bit. Still doubt Messam will hit the field for us.

 

[Pat-London]

C Clay is too small to play TE.

Clay - 6'3'' 239lbs
Hernandez [New England TE] - 6'1'' 245lbs

care to correct your statement/opinion?

 

[Spesh]

No way we cut Bush. That would leave us with exactly zero proven explosive threats on offense.

Teams rebuilding and we are kinda stacked at running back at the moment. Slaton was a threat for Houston before he fumbled the ball a few times and Arian Foster played out of his mind in his place.

For those stunned by that suggestion, lets look at it from a front office perspective: Miller was just drafted. Slaton was just resigned because he "fits the scheme" we are introducing. We have 2 players remaining. One was just drafted very high the previous year by the current and the other is sitting on a 1 year hefty contract. To me it makes sense which one is the obvious choice.

We could cut Slaton. Perhaps drafting Miller changed their perspective on the position(as it should). But at the moment it looks like Bush to me. He is on his last year, hes going to be making nice bucks, and we are moving him back into a position he was disgruntled with.

 

[cljh19]

Cut/trade Bush? Lmao and people say Ireland is a bad GM! Glad some of you people arent running the show!

 

[utahphinsfan]

RB and TE will be lead this team in catches, IMO. I expect to keep 4 RBs and 4 TEs and not keep as many WRs.

If memory serves, The Packers had 6 TE's on their roster last and fewer WR's.

Per Wikipedia, Clay is listed with the running backs as a FB/TE. My guess is he's used like the Redskins use Cooley.

Listed below are the skill playersis the roster now & early Sept IMO.

Now		Opening day
RB	TE	WR		RB	TE	WR
Bush	Brown	Bess		Bush	Brown	Bess
Clay	Egnew	Cunningham		Clay	Egnew	Cunningham
Medlin	Fasano	Gates		Miller	Fasano	Gates
Messam	Mastud	Hartline		Slaton	Yeatman	Hartline
Miller	Yeatman	Hogan		Thomas		Matthews
Slaton		Moore				Wallace
Thigpen		Naanee
Thomas		Pruitt
		Wallace
		Matthews

 

[cljh19]

News flash people......Only Bush is proven! If we let him go, we dont look so good and very unproven!

Bush is hitting his prime right now, no way he is going anywhere.

 

[Predaphin]

For the purpose of this thread, let's just assume Charles Clay falls soley in the category as tight end and not as a fullback.

At tight end, I would assume Fasano, Clay and Egnew are locks to make the 53 man roster. But what if the long shot Les Brown does impress, or left overs Yeatman and Mastrud improve?

Running back is extremely congested. You have Bush, Thomas, Slaton, Messam and now Miller competing for roster spots. Five running backs who you could make a strong argument for all to make the team, but do they keep them all?

I think those two positions are going to be very intriguing going forward into mini camps and training camp. A lot of talent worthy of the 53 man roster. Who gets left behind, or do they all make it?

I think Yeatman and Mastrud's days are numbered. These guys have been around for a while and haven't shown anything other than they can block. We aren't running that scheme anymore, so they are pretty much gone. I think we keep 3 tight ends with Fasano, Clay and Egnew. I think Les Brown is a longshot, but if he does happen to surprise people, I wouldn't be surprised if we kept 4 TE's on the roster considering Philbin likes to use tight ends. But in the end I really think we will have 3.

At running back is where it gets interesting....Bush, Thomas, Slaton, Messam and Miller all competing for a spot...I really think Slaton will be the odd man out. I think Bush, Thomas and Miller will be our 3 RB's on the roster with Messam possible moving over as the FB/RB on the roster. Messam would be our bruiser, but again, we are running a different style of offense now. besides, Thomas is more like an atheletic bruiser.

I am really pulling for Messam I would like to see him make our team, but I know even he is a longshot..

 

[vagrantprodigy]

If a RB goes, it'll probably be Slaton. I think Mastrud and Yeatman could easily be gone as well.

 

[miami234ever]

RB: Bush/Thomas/Miller/Slaton
FB: Messam
TE: Fasano/Clay/Egnew/Miles

 

[gregorygrant83]

You guys really think Brown goes from playing high school football at a small school in Utah to making the NFL? Best scenario is he impresses in pre-season and makes the practice squad this year, learns the game and competes for a roster spot next year.

 

[cuban_refugee]

I think we might keep 5 Rbs......each of the guys on the team now have different attributes that are good and important for the WCO. We might only keep 3 TEs and put 1-2 on the Practice Squad.

 

[Dr. Phin]

And we took Miller and Egnew....why? I don't see how people think this was such a great ****ing draft when they didn't take the BPA's or even fill needs. Instead, they create logjams of mediocre players...