49ers 53-man Roster Cuts

by David Fucillo on Aug 30, 2008 12:44 PM PDT in San Francisco 49ers News

I was originally going to do this as an open thread as information came in, but I decided to instead wait until the deadline and all the news came out. The 49ers had until 1pm today to cut down to the 53-man roster limit.

Released

Ashley Lelie
Moran Norris
Thomas Clayton
Dominique Zeigler
Cam Colvin
Jerard Rabb
Robert Ortiz
J.J. Finley
Brian De La Puente
Alan Reuber
Joe Toledo
Chris Patrick
Walter Curry
Atiyyah Ellison
LaJuan Ramsey
Louis Holmes
Larry Grant
Dennis Haley
Markus Curry
D.J. Parker
Ricky Schmitt

Injured Reserve

As was posted yesterday as a preliminary report, Jay Moore was officially placed on the IR list. This is the second time in as many years Moore has been injured in the final game of the preseason and placed on injured reserve. Last year it was a high ankle sprain. Maiocco and Barrows seemed to think Moore would not make it through waivers to the practice squad if he had been healthy, so this might be a blessing in disguise. Or, we could just be delaying the inevitable. Either way he won't count against the 53-man roster so that's one man down.

It looks like this means Roderick Green made the roster. Parys Haralson injured his shoulder last night, but Barrows reported he was told it was nothing to worry about. I wouldn't be surprised if the keeping of Roderick Green was a bit of insurance, although he can bring a solid pass rush.

I'll have more thoughts later, but a few notables are not that surprising, including Ashley Lelie, Moran Norris and even Larry Grant. Lelie and Norris are finished with the 49ers, but assuming he clears waivers, Grant will be on the practice squad. One guy I don't expect to clear waivers again is Thomas Clayton. I hope he does, but I'm not holding my breath.

EDITOR'S UPDATE 12:55pm: Also means they kept Marcus Hudson. That gives them 11 DBs heading into the season. Just liked him or plan going with a lot of nickel and dime defenses?

More to come later today.

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Comments

Rossum

Seems like a waste of a roster spot, especially when considering he’ll keep another player inactive.
Walker, Robinson, and Battle can handle returns and are all going to be active every game, and would keep a spot open for another defensive player.

by DesertFox on Aug 30, 2008 1:16 PM PDT reply actions

Also...

With Allen Rossum staying we have 12 DBs… 12? Damn I would have rather have kept Thomas Clayton.

by StrictlyFootball on Aug 30, 2008 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Rossum

The only way Rossum steps on the field as a DB is if at least 3 or 4 DBs get hurt. And even then they’d probably try and sign somebody else.

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by David Fucillo on Aug 30, 2008 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions

I'd rather dump Rossum

and add the recently released Deltha ONeal who could return kicks (though he is a bit fumble prone) and play corner WHEN spencer and harris go down.

by sam23 on Aug 31, 2008 3:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Both Lelie and Ziegler? So are they going with just 5 receivers (Bruce, Johnson, Battle, Hill, Morgan) or am I forgetting someone?

Trent Kline: Decentish. Also, my website is called ChatterBalks Dot Com. It's not being updated right now. Hope for more at your own risk.

by groug on Aug 30, 2008 2:26 PM PDT reply actions

5 receivers

Nope, it’ll be 5 wide receivers….I need to find the link but Martz has indicated he wants to line up Delanie Walker out wide when he can. I believe Walker was actually a WR in college. I’d expect with Walker and Davis you get an additional wide receiver anyways. Although I certainly wouldn’t have minded keeping Zeigler around.

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by David Fucillo on Aug 30, 2008 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Just 5 wideouts...

This one is a bit of a head-scratcher. Perhaps they’re hoping that a Martz-experienced wideout will come free after the rest of the teams make their cuts—Shaun Macdonald/Mike Furrey anyone? Or perhaps they’re counting on nobody else picking up Ziegler. The fact that the Disease and Walker have the kind of speed they do helps make sense of it, though, especially since they kept Bajema on the final roster as a 3rd TE. I’d be surprised if the opening day roster looks the same as the one that Maiocco has posted, though; 12 DBs (w. Rossum) just seems a little ludicrous, especially since J. Smith could get equal consideration as a LB…I’d look for some movement to drop Hudson or Lewis and to add a lineman.

by grantmp on Aug 30, 2008 2:56 PM PDT up reply actions

not too surprising

Like you said keeping 3 TE’s makes having 5 wideouts a non issue, ecspecially with walker and davis. Martz said Walker will have a much bigger role in his offense then what people are expecting.

by enut21 on Aug 30, 2008 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Weird rumor...

Nolan said he would like to have a sixth WR in his press conference, preferably somebody who has know how of Martz offense or a Veteran. A hour later there was people saying that we were interested in getting Joe Horn. Who knows…

by StrictlyFootball on Aug 31, 2008 4:04 AM PDT up reply actions

eh we already have an ancient receiver, I dont think another one will help

Simply by pulling on both ends, Patrick Willis can stretch diamonds back into coal

by 49erLou on Aug 31, 2008 11:28 AM PDT up reply actions

I can see them keeping Zeigler, Clayton, Grant and De La Puente on the practice squad.

I really don’t understand why 12 DBs but the 5 WRs and adding Davis, Walker and Gore into that group on any given down they have a lot of receiver talent.

Also, I really liked walker returning kickoffs. He is fast and tough so he could have a future there.

"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"

by Eastbayjim on Aug 30, 2008 3:07 PM PDT reply actions

I don't care about Lelie, he's had two years to make his mark.

They will be sorry if somebody snatches Clayton off waivers and then one of the other 3 RBs gets injured. They should have kept Clayton and 11 DBs. Isn’t Hudson practice squad eligible anyway?

by wickedmpulse on Aug 30, 2008 5:31 PM PDT reply actions

“They should have kept Clayton and 11 DBs.”

"I been waitin' a long time for this! I been waitin' since the f**kin' amateurs!" --WILL "THE THRILL" CLARK

by Josh from Hollywood on Aug 30, 2008 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Foster v. Clayton?

Foster looked pretty good in one game, (Green Bay, I think) not so much otherwise. I was wondering if Clayton would have been a better choice. How are they rated as pass catchers? I hope they can hide him on the practice squad.

I’m also wondering, what with all the DBs, if that’s just until they scan the waiver wires for someone that they’ve been looking at.

by Bob In Beaverton on Aug 30, 2008 7:05 PM PDT reply actions

Foster vs. Clayton

While it’d be interesting to have Thomas Clayton as the primary backup to Gore, Foster is a guy who has proven himself (in some aspects) and gives them a really solid veteran backup at running back. The last three season he’s rushed for between 876 and 897 yards. He’s had health issues, so having him spelling Gore should keep him healthy. And assuming Clayton sticks on the practice squad, if Foster were to get hurt they could quickly bring back Clayton.

If the team was clearly on its way to 3-13 or 4-12 I’d say go with Clayton so we can see what we’ve got. However, while the team may not be a playoff team, I think they’re in a position where it’s a better idea to have the veteran backup. Thoughts?

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by David Fucillo on Aug 30, 2008 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Clayton will be on the roster sometime this year...

unless he is picked up on waivers, Thomas Clayton will be in to add a body when somebody gets injured. Although I hope that won’t happen, Deshaun foster is injury prone, Michael Robinson is coming off an injury, and Gore has screws in his knees and shoulders. I don’t know the last time where all 3 RBs have been healthy (for the 49ers) for the whole year.

by StrictlyFootball on Aug 31, 2008 4:12 AM PDT up reply actions

also...

Thanks for joining and commenting. Always good to get new folks commenting.

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by David Fucillo on Aug 30, 2008 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Scrap heap

Fooch perhaps you could make another post about this with a little more info on available players….but are there recently cut players we should be looking at now? I said above I’d like to see Deltha ONeal come back to the bay area, but I dont know how much he has left in the tank and he was pretty up and down even in his prime. I havent really heard who else was cut from other teams today besides Rudi who obviously isnt a great fit here.

by sam23 on Aug 31, 2008 3:36 AM PDT reply actions