Projecting the 49ers 53-man roster #2

by Fooch on Aug 11, 2008 3:00 AM PDT in News

Two months ago we ran a little exercise of projecting the 53-man roster. Since that time, enough has changed to allow us the chance to revise our projections. If you've had a chance to check out Mike Sandos NFC West blog, he went through each team and gave roster analysis at all of the units (since updated with some of the 49ers injury and roster moves). Feel free to throw out any disagreements you have with some of my projections. I've bolded and underlined additions and will mention subtractions down below.

Offense
QB (3): Alex Smith, Shaun Hill, J.T. O'Sullivan
RB (3): Frank Gore, DeShaun Foster, Michael Robinson
FB (2): Moran Norris, Zak Keasey
WR (5): Isaac Bruce, Bryant Johnson, Arnaz Battle, Jason Hill, Josh Morgan
TE (3): Vernon Davis, Delanie Walker, Billy Bajema
LT (2): Joe Staley, Barry Sims
LG (2): Adam Snyder, Tony Wragge
C (2): Eric Heitmann, Cody Wallace
RG (2): David Baas, Chilo Rachal
RT (1): Jonas Jennings

Defense
DE (4): Isaac Sopoaga, Justin Smith, Kentwan Balmer, Ray McDonald
DT (2): Aubrayo Franklin, Ronald Fields
OLB (3): Manny Lawson, Tully Banta-Cain, Parys Haralson
ILB (5): Patrick Willis, Jeff Ulbrich, Dontarrious Thomas, Takeo Spikes, Larry Grant
CB (6): Nate Clements, Walt Harris, Shawntae Spencer, Tarell Brown, Donald Strickland, Reggie Smith
FS (2): Mark Roman, Dashon Goldson
SS (2): Michael Lewis, Keith Lewis

Special Teams
K: Joe Nedney
P: Andy Lee
LS: Brian Jennings
KR/PR: Allen Rossum

Changes
I made three changes, and only one of them is my own judgment call. Damane Duckett was placed on injured reserve and Sims is looking like a sure bet to make the team. Spikes is clearly in to replace Brandon Moore, so no surprises there.

The only "big change" I made was to plug in Zak Keasey and take off Ashley Lelie. It sounds like Lelie might miss another week, which puts him that much further behind. Couple that with the continued emergence of Josh Morgan and Lelie has to be considered on thin ice. Keasey has received a lot of playing time with the first team offense and got into quite a bit of action on Friday. The other option is keeping Keasey and dumping Moran Norris. I'm curious what people think about the fullback situation, even if it isn't the most glamorous of positions.

The Bubble
As roster spots become more secure, the questions becomes who remains on the bubble? Jay Moore made some plays (including a sack) last Friday and definitely helped himself. At the same time, Mike Nolan specifically said that while he'd done some positive things, he wasn't going to get bumped up because he still had areas to improve. While Tully Banta-Cain looked solid, I could certainly see him battling Moore and Roderick Green for a roster spot. However, I think TBC is the likely winner in that battle. I'm curious if Moore would eventually find himself on the practice squad.

I think Ashley Lelie is not necessarily on the bubble, so much as in some kind of purgatory. If he doesn't get healthy I don't see how he doesn't get cut. Josh Morgan certainly has room to improve, but if he keeps it up at this pace he's certainly not going to lose his spot to Lelie. A final addition to the bubble would be Louis Holmes. It sounds like he's been really impressing folks, although it's an uphill battle for him to make the 53-man roster.

Alright, anybody I'm overlooking or over-rating? I'm pretty sure most of us are praying for a whole lot of answers this Saturday against Green Bay. While there are bubble players, the questions are more related to the depth chart of the existing roster. A guy like Moore or Holmes will definitely need to step up their game Saturday night.

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Keasey AND Norris?

I don’t think that’s going to happen.

The offense is already one that hardly uses a fullback, so what would be the point in keeping both? Norris is the incumbent, but Keasey has been getting a lot of reps lately. I think the 49ers believe they already know what they have if Norris and are trying to find out what they have in Keasey. In the end, they should keep one or the other, as keeping both would just be poor use of a vital roster spot.

Who would I suggest to take that place? While he didn’t look too good (from what I saw, which admittedly, wasn’t a lot) in his performance on Friday, I think that if it’s a toss-up between him and Keasey/Norris, you go with him. Who am I talking about? Thomas Clayton.

Aside from that, the only spot I’m iffy about (in Fooch’s prediction) is the 5 ILBs. I don’t think the team needs that many, and I find it unlikely they’ll carry that many. The signing of Spikes will probably do one of the following: spell the end of Ulbrich’s career as a 49er, or send Grant to the practice squad just because he’s eligible.

Who would take up that extra spot? My guess would be someone like Rod Green, Jay Moore, or another NT/DT (Cohen).

by sfgfan on Aug 11, 2008 9:13 AM PDT 0 recs

Yeah, the only way Keasey stays on is as a taxi squad guy just in case. There’s not really a good reason to have 2 fullbacks.

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by 408 on Aug 11, 2008 12:10 PM PDT up 0 recs

Norris is the man!

He has been the key to Frank Gore’s running game. It was because of him that he was able to churn out over 1,000 yards last year. When he is in Gore will get at least an extra yard or two. Also he is a faster and stronger runner than Keasey, and I remember us going to him on some short yardage plays and him picking it up. When Shaun Hill won those games, Norris was his savior. He was great at picking up the blitz and he was Hill’s security blanket and caught a good amount of balls when Hill was in trouble. Also Norris is one of “Nolan’s Guys” as he has strong morals and makes good choices. Also in pre-season if a guy gets alot of playing time doesn’t that usually mean they are unsure about him?

by StrictlyFootball on Aug 11, 2008 12:20 PM PDT up 0 recs

53 man roster

I would agree that the 9ers should keep only one fullback and the edge goes to Norris.
However I thing that the team would be making a big mistake if the roster does not include Jay Moore. I believe that he will become a very good football player. His play and energy was outstanding last week.If he is put on the practise squad he will be snatched up in a heartbeat by another team. He can play standing up or de. He will also be a good special team guy. He is also a player with good speed. I think that he will be a starter next year.
Who goes? Ulbrich unfortunately. Also regretably Haralson. But Moore is a keeper. I was also very surprized at how good he looked at 270 pounds.
Delanie Walker looked a natural returning kicks. I hope he is given more opportunities to do so in the remaining preseason games. At his size he looked very graceful and natural. Another pleasant surprize.
Alex Smith solidified his role as the qb. In his short time in the game he made few mistakes. He moved the team. JT O’Sullivan scared me. In particular on his interception,. And Hill just looks like a number two qb.
I think that it would be an understatement to say that the offense has a way to go before the season begins. Without drastic improvement we are looking at a 3 and 13 team. Hopefully the Greenbay game will give us hope. I just cannot take another season like last year. Bring back Eddie D!

by mikemccwolf on Aug 11, 2008 3:56 PM PDT 0 recs

Uh...

... keeping J.Moore instead of Haralson? That’s. Just. Not. Happening.

I understand wanting to keep J.Moore on the roster, but he hasn’t shown anywhere NEAR the pass-rushing ability that Haralson has shown (and even Haralson hasn’t shown that much). If they move ANYONE to the practice squad to keep Moore it would probably be Grant. If they were to cut someone, it will have to be Ulbrich. I strongly doubt they cut one of their better OLBs just to continue playing with another OLB conversion.

Besides, I don’t think it’s guaranteed that he gets picked up. He didn’t play any regular season snaps at all last year, so other teams don’t really have any film on him. All they have are the few minutes he logged in each of the preseason games (before he got hurt). While it’s definitely possible he’ll get picked up, I don’t think it’s as clearcut as you make it sound.

by sfgfan on Aug 12, 2008 9:00 AM PDT up 0 recs