I think everyone makes good cases for individual players. I think the coaches are going to have a tough time deciding the 53-man roster.
“You want to keep the best 53 guys – and 61 guys with the practice squad – so each year, it kind of changes,” head coach Mike Shanahan said. “Sometimes it may be a little bit higher at one position than the other, based on who you think who the top 53 are and based on your practice squad of eight people as well.”
Based on 1niks 53-man projections (and they're pretty good) I might however make just a few slight adjustments.
DB - I think Tanard Jackson will make the team. Jackson's experience, familiarity with Raheem Morris and with what Morris likes to do with his secondary, I think Jackson will be valuable. He'll most likely have to shed some rust over the next few weeks, but I think he'll get it done and become a valuable member in the backfield rotation.
I therefore would have Richard Crawford, the rookie 7th rounder out of SMU, heading for the practice squad. They can develop him there for a while in hopes of promoting him at a future point in time.
RB - I'm going to assume at this point that Hightower will be healthy and ready for the season. I therefore think they'll start the season with Hightower, Helu and Royster. I've read that the coaches like Alfred Morris. But I also know Shanahan really likes Hightower. So if Hightower has no major injury setbacks and looks to be a go for the season, Hightower should be on the roster.
If that's the case, I think they'd move Morris to the practice squad to start the season, much like they did with Royster last year. That way Morris can continue to develop, much like we saw Royster develop on the practice squad last year, and if Hightower struggles or re-injures himself, they can quickly promote Morris to the active roster.
WR - This is where I think it will be a tough decision. The team kept 8 WR's last year, including Banks, so considering Shanahan's comments above, I'm thinking they may go with 7 WR's this year. The reason I believe the team may keep 7 WR's is because I think the coaches have to consider that Morgan may struggle early returning from his leg injury and we've now heard that Armstrong is struggling with a shoulder injury. Although Hank has been looking very good thus far in camp, his hip injury is also something to consider as well. A rotation of 7 WR's will keep fresh legs in the game at all times and prevents a few of the previously injured WR's from getting overworked and further injured.
I'm thinking the 7 WR's will be Garcon, Morgan, Hankerson, Moss, Armstrong, Banks and Robinson. That would leave out Austin and Briscoe.
The tough thing to consider is that I believe whoever is cut will be quickly picked up by another team. Banks has been looking good at WR in camp, and considering the value we know he brings in the return game, assuming he stays healthy, I think they keep him on the roster.
I've already made a case for Robinson in another thread. I just can't see them cutting Robinson outright. And if they try to move him to the practice squad again, I believe he'll be quickly signed by another team. Even though Robinson still
may (or may not) be a step behind in development, I just can't see Shanahan cutting him after just one season, especially considering there was no offseason last year due to the lockout. Robinson was hand-selected by Shanahan because of his speed and the fact that Robinson played for Shanahan's friend June Jones at SMU. I've read that Shanahan likes players from that offense. Robinson brings impressive speed, and we all know speed is something that can't be taught.
If we believe Garcon, Morgan, Hankerson and Moss are locks, then being able to also contribute on special teams is something to consider as well for the three other WR's that
'may' make the team. Banks, Robinson and Austin all have the ability as returners. And for the record, Austin has played well in camps and preseason as well, so it would be tough to see him go.
But I digress. This will be a very tough for the coaches. Again, you could make a case for any of these guys.
ey
