On the matter of roster depth......offense

spanky1 · May 30th, 2005, 02:37 PM

Jeff Golin has suggested that the ideal depth chart has a back up for every "pair" of starters......I believe that we have an even better depth situation than that. May I propose the following:

a) LOT: Leonard Davis is the man here. We all know that he's not likely to play in all 16 games however (although he is carring 15-20 lbs. less these days). J. Newton is apparently doing well so far in mini and OTA'S......earning Green's praise is always very encouraging this early in the game. When Davis went down last year, Wells preformed quite well. Reuber can also play OLT.

b) LOG: Wells came on strong as the season progressed. I expect him to have a breakout year. Remember, he has impressed the O-Line coaches as a rookie and last year it was also stated that he is the most athletic O-Lineman we have. Backing him up are Cantu and Leckey.

c) C: Stephanovich is also a potential for a BIG JUMP in improvement. I believe that he will end up as an elite C in the league. We are thin here, but Leckey has been groomed as the back up.

d) ROG: I like Brown to start but he'd better get his Hamstring 100% or there's the potential that he becomes a "dog house" sitter. Bridges will push Brown to the edge as the starter. Either way, one backs up the other. Again, Leckey is a possible depth player on this side as well.

e) ROG: Ross will prove to a very valuable starter at ROG. Reuber and Newton are available to slip into this position as a back up. If Wakefield makes the team, he becomes another ROT prospect at back up.

From my vantage point, we darn near have two psssible back up's for every starter on the line. That's depth to me.

BACH · May 30th, 2005, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spanky1

Jeff Golin has suggested that the ideal depth chart has a back up for every "pair" of starters......I believe that we have an even better depth situation than that. May I propose the following:

a) LOT: Leonard Davis is the man here. We all know that he's not likely to play in all 16 games however (although he is carring 15-20 lbs. less these days). J. Newton is apparently doing well so far in mini and OTA'S......earning Green's praise is always very encouraging this early in the game. When Davis went down last year, Wells preformed quite well. Reuber can also play OLT.

b) LOG: Wells came on strong as the season progressed. I expect him to have a breakout year. Remember, he has impressed the O-Line coaches as a rookie and last year it was also stated that he is the most athletic O-Lineman we have. Backing him up are Cantu and Leckey.

c) C: Stephanovich is also a potential for a BIG JUMP in improvement. I believe that he will end up as an elite C in the league. We are thin here, but Leckey has been groomed as the back up.

d) ROG: I like Brown to start but he'd better get his Hamstring 100% or there's the potential that he becomes a "dog house" sitter. Bridges will push Brown to the edge as the starter. Either way, one backs up the other. Again, Leckey is a possible depth player on this side as well.

e) ROG: Ross will prove to a very valuable starter at ROG. Reuber and Newton are available to slip into this position as a back up. If Wakefield makes the team, he becomes another ROT prospect at back up.

From my vantage point, we darn near have two psssible back up's for every starter on the line. That's depth to me.

Wakefield is tall and light. If he makes it, it going to be as a LT not as a RT.

I doubt Step will be a star, but I do think he'll be much better this season. Leckey was one of the best O-linemen in college, but perhaps too small for the NFL. He's added some weight and should develop into a solid back-up at all three interior positions.

Reuber is the x-factor on the OL IMO. He didn't get much attention when he was signed last year, BUT The War Room actually gave him the exact draft grade as Adam Berger got this year and we're jumping up and down about signing Bergen. He's a "power tackle" a bit on the short side. With a whole year on the practice squad he had the possibility to develop into a capable back-up at RT with the ability to play both guard spots.

Overall I agree, but I am concerned with the depth at LT. I'm not sure Wells can handle the position if BIG is injured for a longer period of time.

spanky1 · May 30th, 2005, 03:56 PM

BACH:,

Newton at OLT.......me gut is telling me that he might have something here. No, not to take Davis' place........yet!

Buckybird · May 30th, 2005, 05:24 PM

I still have not figured out why Lecky is not our starting center and Step
one of our starting guards. Should have happened from day one.