joeydolfan
Scout Team
Offensive Lineman
Vernon Carey: Moved back to his more natural RT spot Vernon has a chance to make the pro bowl for the first time in his career this season. I think Vernon played LT pretty well last year and his versatility to play both sides is an added bonus. Hopefully the front office takes care of Vernon and signs him to a new contract to keep the guy here for many years to come.
Jake Long: For the 1st time in a long time I have a sense of ease with our bookend tackles. Jake may have some ups and downs in his rookie season with speed rushers but I can’t wait to see the big fella maul people in the running game. If he stays healthy I think Jake makes a pro bowl or two over his career.
Samson Satele: Solid rookie campaign and having to battle Ferguson on a daily basis will only speed his progression. I look for the smiling Samoan to get better each game and earn the praise of others and be in pro bowl consideration.
Justin Smiley: Not much mentioned on Smiley from the training camp reports which is a good thing for an OL. Whether he plays RG or LG as long as he is a solid starter, opens running lanes and is not a turnstile to the QB I will be happy.
Donald Thomas: One of the surprises of this year’s rookie class has been the 1st team RG for the last 6 days. Early reports everyone is aware of, very strong, heavy with a viscous hand punch. Is it possible we actually found a diamond in the rough? Please lord let it be so.
Steve McKinney: Reliable veteran who can play C or G and is getting healthy after knee surgery. For his versatility alone he makes the final roster.
Ikechucku Ndukwe: Second team LT at this point although I am very nervous about our backup tackles at this point. Serviceable backup at this point but could just as easily be released if we sign a better backup from roster cuts and purges.
Trey Darilek: Not the most talented guy on the line but from camp reports he is smart, plays hard and can play a lot of different spots on the line which is necessary for backup OL.
Shawn Murphy: From camp reports he needs to get stronger and is still learning technique and the playbook. I would also not be surprised to see him land on the practice squad for a year.
* While I am more optimistic on our OL this year with our front line starters, I still think we are one more good draft away from being a seriously deep and talented OL. Next years draft is especially deep with offensive tackles and I think we use at least two picks on lineman next year. Depending on roster cuts I would not be surprised in the least to see two or more of the guys above gone and replaced by better backups. Shawn Murphy and Daren Heerspink are definite candidates for the practice squad
Tight Ends
Anthony Fasano: Lets be honest, the front office traded for Fasano to be the starter period. He has pretty good hands, is a decent route runner and can block. I think he has a pretty good year for us this year in his first as a fulltime starter.
David Martin: I would not care one way or the other if he did not make the team but head office seems to like his pass catching ability at this point. I would think that has to be the skill they like since Marin could not block his way out of a phone booth.
Sean Ryan: For the 3rd and final TE slot I have to go with Ryan due to his blocking skills. When we need a first down with one or two yards to go I think Sporano brings in the two TE set with Fasano and Ryan to knock some heads and help move the pile.
* I like Justin Peelle I just don’t think he makes the final roster for salary cap reasons and just not being as good of a blocker as Ryan is. Mathew Mulligan has had a few moments in training camp and could be stashed on the practice squad for some seasoning.
Tomorrow I will try to post my predictions for the defense especially the DL which I am really excited about especially my boy Kendall Langford who I believe will turn into a beast of a DE.
Vernon Carey: Moved back to his more natural RT spot Vernon has a chance to make the pro bowl for the first time in his career this season. I think Vernon played LT pretty well last year and his versatility to play both sides is an added bonus. Hopefully the front office takes care of Vernon and signs him to a new contract to keep the guy here for many years to come.
Jake Long: For the 1st time in a long time I have a sense of ease with our bookend tackles. Jake may have some ups and downs in his rookie season with speed rushers but I can’t wait to see the big fella maul people in the running game. If he stays healthy I think Jake makes a pro bowl or two over his career.
Samson Satele: Solid rookie campaign and having to battle Ferguson on a daily basis will only speed his progression. I look for the smiling Samoan to get better each game and earn the praise of others and be in pro bowl consideration.
Justin Smiley: Not much mentioned on Smiley from the training camp reports which is a good thing for an OL. Whether he plays RG or LG as long as he is a solid starter, opens running lanes and is not a turnstile to the QB I will be happy.
Donald Thomas: One of the surprises of this year’s rookie class has been the 1st team RG for the last 6 days. Early reports everyone is aware of, very strong, heavy with a viscous hand punch. Is it possible we actually found a diamond in the rough? Please lord let it be so.
Steve McKinney: Reliable veteran who can play C or G and is getting healthy after knee surgery. For his versatility alone he makes the final roster.
Ikechucku Ndukwe: Second team LT at this point although I am very nervous about our backup tackles at this point. Serviceable backup at this point but could just as easily be released if we sign a better backup from roster cuts and purges.
Trey Darilek: Not the most talented guy on the line but from camp reports he is smart, plays hard and can play a lot of different spots on the line which is necessary for backup OL.
Shawn Murphy: From camp reports he needs to get stronger and is still learning technique and the playbook. I would also not be surprised to see him land on the practice squad for a year.
* While I am more optimistic on our OL this year with our front line starters, I still think we are one more good draft away from being a seriously deep and talented OL. Next years draft is especially deep with offensive tackles and I think we use at least two picks on lineman next year. Depending on roster cuts I would not be surprised in the least to see two or more of the guys above gone and replaced by better backups. Shawn Murphy and Daren Heerspink are definite candidates for the practice squad
Tight Ends
Anthony Fasano: Lets be honest, the front office traded for Fasano to be the starter period. He has pretty good hands, is a decent route runner and can block. I think he has a pretty good year for us this year in his first as a fulltime starter.
David Martin: I would not care one way or the other if he did not make the team but head office seems to like his pass catching ability at this point. I would think that has to be the skill they like since Marin could not block his way out of a phone booth.
Sean Ryan: For the 3rd and final TE slot I have to go with Ryan due to his blocking skills. When we need a first down with one or two yards to go I think Sporano brings in the two TE set with Fasano and Ryan to knock some heads and help move the pile.
* I like Justin Peelle I just don’t think he makes the final roster for salary cap reasons and just not being as good of a blocker as Ryan is. Mathew Mulligan has had a few moments in training camp and could be stashed on the practice squad for some seasoning.
Tomorrow I will try to post my predictions for the defense especially the DL which I am really excited about especially my boy Kendall Langford who I believe will turn into a beast of a DE.