Early, early roster/depth chart projecting

by sam23 on May 13, 2009 5:59 AM PDT

Looking through Maiocco's 81 man roster breakdown that Fooch posted in the Nuggets this morning, it jumped out at me that there are going to be some very tough calls when it comes time to trim it down to a final 53 man roster. Inevitably, at least some of the common "sleeper" favorites among are bound to be cut loose. The bad news is that guys who have been staples of ninersnation discussions over the past few years and have garnered a whole lot more diehard fan adulation than their limited game day contributions (if any) merit, like Jay Moore, Michael Clayton, Ray McDonald, Marcus Hudson, Ahmad Brooks, Jimmy Williams, Alex Boone, and Kory Sheets are in serious danger of not making the team. The good news is that this probably means we may have some pretty good depth at a lot of positions, and the bottom of our roster will be packed with potential. Obviously its far too early to accurately predict or project a final 53 man roster. Injuries, trades, coaching preferences and schemes we aren't yet privy to, practice squad eligibility, contractual implications, and performance in the OTA's, minicamps and preseason are obviously going to be what actually determines the final roster and depth chart. But ignoring all of that for the sake of offseason boredom: If the final cuts and building of the depth chart were up to you, what would your 2009/2010 49ers 53 man roster/depth chart look like today?

Mine:

QB- 1.Hill (QB1) 2.Smith (QB2) 3.Davis (QB3)

RB/FB- 4.Gore (RB1) 5.Norris (FB) 6.Coffee (RB2) 7.Clayton (RB3) 8.Robinson (RB/FB/ST)

WR- 9.Crabtree (WR1) 10.Bruce (WR2) 11.Morgan (WR3) 12.Jones (WR4) 13.Hill (WR5) 14.Battle (WR/ST)

TE- 15.Davis (TE1) 16. Walker (TE2) 17. Bear! (TE3)

O-LINE- 18.Staley (LT1) 19. Baas (LG1) 20.Heitmann (C1) 21.Rachal (RG1) 22.Smith (RT1) 23.Snyder (T/G) 24.Wragge (G/C) 25.Wallace (C2) 26.Boone (RT2) 27.Sims (T/G?)

D-LINE- 28.Smith (RE1) 29. Franklin (NT1) 30. Balmer (LE1) 31.Sopoaga (NT2/DE) 32.Evans(LE2)

LB- 33.Haralson (ROLB1) 34.Spike s(TED1) 35.Willis (MIKE1) 36.Lawson (LOLB1) 37.McKillop (TED2) 38.Ulbrich(OLB/ILB/ST) 39.Moore(OLB2) 40.Brooks(OLB2)

DB- 41.Clements (LCB1) 42. Harris (RCB1) 43.Goldson (FS1) 44.Lewis (SS1) 45.Brown (CB3) 46.Spencer(CB4) 47.Smith (FS2/CB5) 48.Williams (SS2/FS/CB/ST) 49.Taylor (S/ST)

ST- 50.Nedney (K) 51.Lee (P) 52.Jennings (LS) 53.Rossum (KR/PR/emergency CB)

Notable cuts/practice squad- McDonald, Roman (hopefully traded for a late round pick), Hudson, Jean-Francois, Zeigler, Sheets, Huard

There were some pretty tough calls there, the team I chose is a little light in the defensive backfield and on the defensive lines but both positions have guys with a lot of versatility creating some extra depth. I ultimately chose Clayton and Battle over Hudson simply because I think Battle is a better ST contributor and Clayton deserves a shot now, right? Then the battle for the "last" roster spot came down to McDonald v. Boone and the o-line appears to have more injury issues than the d-line and, on the field, Boone looks to be a better fit for what it sounds like Singletary wants to do.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan though, which is as important as the views of Niners Nation's writers or editors.

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Depth chart?

QB: Hill, Smith, Davis (3)
HB: Gore, Coffee, Robinson, Sheets (4)
FB: Norris (1)
WR: Bruce, Crabtree, Morgan, Jones, Hill (5)
TE: Davis, Walker, Pascoe (3)
OT: Staley, M.Smith, Sims (3)
OG: Baas, Rachal, Snyder, Wragge (4)
OC: Heitmann, Wallace (2)
NT: Franklin, Sopoaga (2)
DE: J.Smith, Evans, Balmer, McDonald, Jean-Francois (5)
OLB: Haralson, Lawson, Moore, Brooks (4)
ILB: Willis, Spikes, McKillop, Ulbrich (4)
CB: Clements, Harris, Brown, Spencer, R.Smith (5)
S: Lewis, Goldson, Williams, Roman (4)
ST: Nedney, Lee, Jennings, Rossum (4)

Possible Practice Squad players: Zeigler (WR), Boone (OT), Mitchell (NT), Egboh (DE/OLB), Taylor (S)

Thoughts:
I took Sheets over Clayton because Sheets seems to be more versatile in terms of where he can contribute right now. I kept Robinson because he can fill in for Norris during a game if Norris goes down, and Keasey will almost always be available in free agency.

I skimped a little at WR because I just don’t see the 49ers going more than three wide very often. If someone gets hurt, Zeigler will get his chance to shine. Needless to say, I think Battle has reached the end of the line for his 49ers career (as much as I like the guy).

Up front, I took RJF over keeping an additional offensive lineman because most of the 49ers backup offensive linemen are so versatile. RJF seems like he provides a little special potential and could eventually be worked into the rotation inside on passing downs if he makes the active 48 on gameday.

The defensive backs is where it was a little tricky for me. I’m a firm believer that Singletary really likes Roman, so unless someone gives ANYTHING (even a late rounder) for Roman, he’s going to be on the roster. However, that’ll come at the expense of players like Hudson, Baker, or Taylor. Hudson has reached the end of his 49ers career, I think.

There are still three open spots on the practice squad that would be available to other team’s cuts.

by sfgfan on May 13, 2009 10:39 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

I think it is a toss up between keeping Clayton and Robinson.

Robinson is an ok,, not great FB and even worse at RB and they can always re-sign Keasey if Norris goes down.
I think that Nolan really liked Roman and Sing basically already has replaced him. I don’t think he will make the team over either Hudson, Baker or Taylor.

I agree with most everything else you said as it is going to be a tuff call to cut people this year.

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

by Eastbayjim on May 13, 2009 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Perfect! well... except

like you said DB

by goatfather on May 13, 2009 5:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Re:

Your projections look accurate, at least in my opinion, ~~but put a pile of shit in one hand and what my opinion is worth in the other hand and see which fills up faster~~.

by jfainsf49 on May 13, 2009 11:09 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs

+1

by 5-0 on May 13, 2009 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions

depth chart

QB HILL,SMITH,DAVIS all though i would rather have smith cause that would mean he tore it up at camp

RB: GORE,SHEETS,COFFEE,ROBINSON i go with sheets cause he seems more of change up back than cofee but either one really

WR:CRABTREE,MORGAN,BRUCE,HILL,BATTLE in all seriously i would like to see us cut or trade jones he should not hinder our devlepment

TE:DAVIS,WALKER,BEAR this one is easy

OT: Staley, M.Smith, Sims (3)
OG: Baas, Rachal, Snyder, Wragge (4)
OC: Heitmann, Wallace (2)
NT: Franklin, Sopoaga (2

LB- 33.Haralson (ROLB1) 34.Spike s(TED1) 35.Willis (MIKE1) 36.Lawson (LOLB1) 37.McKillop (TED2) 38.Ulbrich(OLB/ILB/ST) 39.Moore(OLB2) 40.Brooks(OLB2)

DB- 41.Clements (LCB1) 42. Harris (RCB1) 43.SPENCER (FS1) 44.BROWN (SS1)

FS:GOLDSTON,J.WILLIAMS,BROWN i belive we will cut or trade roman

SS:LEWIS,J.WILLIAMS.TAYLOR I belive williams will have an inpact a SS he is at 218 right now thats big

cppeter

by foreveryoung66 on May 13, 2009 12:53 PM PDT reply actions

i would like to see us cut or trade jones he should not hinder our devlepment

Being 26 (27 a third of the way or so through the season), he should be considered as much a part of of a developing team, as he is still pretty young.

Interesting that you are keeping six safeties on the roster. Does any team actually do that?

Also, in your flurry of cuts and pastes, you lost the defensive ends.

by sfgfan on May 13, 2009 1:14 PM PDT up reply actions

He has J. Williams at safety twice so only 5 safeties….and he also has Brown on the depth chart at CB

Thing A

by sam23 on May 13, 2009 5:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Wow.

I should really take a closer look. The copy and paste thing threw me off big time, I guess.

by sfgfan on May 14, 2009 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions

I'll wait for preseason results

by bignerd on May 13, 2009 1:50 PM PDT reply actions

THIS IS HOW I WILL DO IT

QB: 1 HILL 2 DAVIS 3 HUARD/SMITH (SMITH LOST THE BATTLE, SING TRADED HIM OR AS THIRD STRING THEN HUARD TRADED OR KEPT)
HB: 1 GORE 2 COFFEE 3 CLAYTON 4 SHEETS
WR: 1 BRUCE 2 MORGAN/CRABTREE 3 HILL/JONES
OL: Staley, M.Smith, Baas, Rachal Heitmann
DL: demetric evans/ kentwaan balmer justin smith (no competition)
i want jean-frank at DT, then it would be sopoaga/ franklin and JF

LB obvious spikes then willis (funny if mckillip beats willis out the starting spot)
lawson/brooks harylson
CB clements harris/brown smith spencer
SS golston roman
FS: LEWIS/ WILLIAMS
K KNEDNEY
P LEE
KR ROSSUM SHEETS/SPURLOCK
PR ROSSUM

by big beaner on May 13, 2009 9:25 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

this

by jfainsf49 on May 13, 2009 11:01 PM PDT up reply actions

MY BAD

*OR THEN

by big beaner on May 13, 2009 9:26 PM PDT reply actions

Here is mine..

QB Hill Smith Davis – the talent is not good enough here to keep 4 Qb’s

HB Gore Coffee Sheets – Sheets if he is really lucky – other wise I think they could go with Keasey as a ST/b/u FB

WR Crabtree, Morgan, Bruce, Hill, Jones – Unfortunately, I’ve already predicted someone swiping Ziggy off the practioce squad, the Seahawks might take him, we’ll see how much he wants to be 49er for sure

TE – DUH?

OT Staley, Smith, Sims – let’s hope Smith can stay healthy, ther is NO depth here
OG Rachal, Baas, Snyder, Wragge – I think Rachal has a great year, Baas is make or break, the other to are always good in a pinch
C Heitman, Wallace – Depth again
NT Franklin, Sopoaga – the only 2 guys who can handle the job, it’s a big one!
OLB – Parys, Manny and ??
ILB – Easy, Willis Spikes Ulbrich McKillop
CB Clements Harris Brown Smith Spencer – yep all 5 and I expect one more before ther season starts, from where???
FS Goldson/ Smith
SS Lewis/ Williams
ST Nedney, Lee, Rossum

by Josh G and the Shaun Hill band wagon on May 13, 2009 9:43 PM PDT reply actions

you’re not carrying a LS?

Thing A

by sam23 on May 13, 2009 10:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Uh yeah Jennings..

..it’s late sorry!

by Josh G and the Shaun Hill band wagon on May 13, 2009 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions

I als didn't put a Fb up there..

..ouch.. I’m going to sleep.. but it’s Norris, unless Ziggy goes and we rtain Keasey.. G’nite!

by Josh G and the Shaun Hill band wagon on May 13, 2009 10:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Or a DE?

..man I shouldn’t ofg posted this late, But D. Evans and J. Smith are in htere for sure..ugh!

by Josh G and the Shaun Hill band wagon on May 13, 2009 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Now what happens

if we picked up michael vick, our offense would be unstoppable in the nfl lol

by Italian King on May 14, 2009 7:55 AM PDT reply actions

+1

lol, lets do it!

by Poundtherock on May 14, 2009 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions

NINERZZZZ BRAZZZZ

"I'll be honest with you, I love his music, I do, I'm a Michael Bolton fan. For my money, I don't know if it gets any better than when he sings "When a Man Loves a Woman"

by 49erLou on May 14, 2009 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Here's mine

QB: Hill, Smith, Huard (3)
HB: Gore, Clayton, Coffee, Sheets (4)
FB: Norris (1)
WR: Bruce, Jones, Morgan, Crabtree, Hill (5)
TE: Davis, Walker, Pascoe (3)
OT: Staley, M.Smith, Boone (3)
OG: Baas, Rachal, Wragge, Snyder (OG/T) (4)
OC: Heitmann, Wallace (2)
NT: Franklin, Sopoaga (2)
DE: J.Smith, Evans, Balmer, McDonald (5)
OLB: Haralson, Lawson, Harris, Brooks (4)
ILB: Willis, Spikes, McKillop, Ulbrich (4)
CB: Clements, Harris, Brown, R.Smith (4)
S: Lewis, Goldson, Williams, Roman (4)
ST: Nedney, Lee, Jennings, Keasey, Rossum (5)

Practice squad players: Davis, Sheets, Zeigler, Taylor, Jean-Francois (5)

Cuts: Robinson

Joe and Steve were under the same system for years... don't expect Smith to be super so soon.

by bayboy on May 14, 2009 1:18 PM PDT reply actions

The best chance to make a run

QB= Hill/Davis/Smith
RB= Gore/Coffee/Clayton/Sheets
WR= Crabtree/Battle/Morgan/Hill
TE= Davis/Walker/Bear
LT= Staley/Sims
RT= Boone/Smith
LG= Rachal/Snyder
RG= Bass/Wragge
C= Heitmann/Wallace
DEFENSE
RE= Smith/Balmer
LE= McDonald/Evans
DT= Sopoaga/Jean-Francois/Franklin
ROLB= M.Lewis/Harylson
TED= Spikes/Mckillop
MIKE= Willis/Ulrich
LOLB= Lawson/Green
CB1= Clements/Spencer
CB2= Brown/Harris
FS= Goldson/Smith
SS= J.Williams/Taylor
KR= Coffee/Rossum
Aquisitions I would Make= 2010 1st round picks for Julius Peppers, or Anquan Boldin. And I would most definitrly pick up Plaxico Burress. This is a no brainer. Singletary will put some get right up in him fast. I would cut Roman, Robinson, Bruce, Huard. -Biggest mistakes we made= Letting our last offensive coordinator go. He brought finesse, and execution to our offense. We do not need two Mike Singletary’s. It would have brought balance to our team like the old days. Smash mouth, and execution on offense. If S.Hill would have started we would have looked good. However, Coach Nolan would have remained our head coach, and singletary would have never been at the Helm. It all happened for a reason….Truly yous. The Fantasy GM of the San Fransisco 49ers. Stelf Bombz.
PR= Rossum/J.Hill

by STELF BOMBZ on May 16, 2009 1:30 AM PDT reply actions

so you don’t carry a FB and you cut last year’s leading receiver?

Thing A

by sam23 on May 16, 2009 4:50 AM PDT up reply actions

SS?

Michael Lewis? Not even as a backup? I hope you forgot him and did not leave him out. He is a beast. Just didnt have a FS in Roman

In Shaun Hill will trust

by iaalexeeff on May 17, 2009 1:46 PM PDT up reply actions

He has Lewis at ROLB, in place of the team’s leading pass-rusher. Okay.

Joe Martinez: My fingers are crossed and my palms are together for you.
When it's all said and done, America will be remembered for three things: The Bill of Rights, jazz, and baseball.

by cornball on May 18, 2009 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Oooops

I definitely was sleep at the switch. How could I forget the fullback that help gore break out with 1,700 yards in Moran Norris. My bad. And Bruce is washed up. He benefited from having his favorite coordinator, and is not physical enough for our future. He’s St. Louis’ left overs.

by STELF BOMBZ on May 16, 2009 12:01 PM PDT reply actions

Revised final 53

QB- 1.Hill (QB1) 2.Smith (QB2) 3.Davis (QB3)

RB/FB- 4.Gore (RB1) 5.Coffee (RB2) 6.Sheets (RB/ST)

FB – 7. Norris (FB) 8. Robinson (FB2/RB3/ST)

WR- 9.Crabtree (WR1) 10.Bruce (WR2) 11.Morgan (WR3) 12.Jones (WR4) 13.Hill (WR5)

TE- 14.Davis (TE1) 15. Walker (TE2) 16. Bear! (TE3)

O-LINE- 17. Staley (LT1) 18. Baas (LG1) 19. Heitmann (C1) 20. Rachal (RG1) 21.Smith (RT1) 22.Snyder (T/G) 23.Wragge (G/C) 24.Wallace (C2) 25.Boone (RT2)

D-LINE- 26.Smith (RE1) 27. Sopoaga (NT1/DE) 28. Franklin (NT2) 29. Balmer (LE2) 30. Evans(LE1) 31. Jean-Francois (DE)

LB- 32.Haralson (ROLB1) 33.Spikes(TED1) 34.Willis (MIKE1) 35.Lawson (LOLB1) 36.McKillop (TED2) 37.Ulbrich(OLB/ILB/ST) 38.Moore(OLB2) 39.Brooks(OLB2)

DB- 40.Clements (LCB1) 41. Harris (RCB1) 42.Goldson (FS1) 43.Lewis (SS1) 44.Brown (CB3) 45.Spencer(CB4) 46.Smith (FS2/CB5) 47.Williams (SS2/FS/CB/ST) 48.Taylor (S/ST)

ST- 49.Nedney (K) 50.Lee (P) 51.Jennings (LS) 52.Rossum (KR/PR/emergency CB)

53: McDonald, Battle, Singletary’s choice. ???

NOTE:
Clayton runs a 4.63, gained only 1000 yards in 4 years of college, and finished his senior year as the #3 running back for Kansas State with 330 yards. He sat for two years on the practice squad while every other NFL team passed him up. This is not the desperate Niner team of the past 6 years or so. There is no place on the varsity for JVs.

Kezarvet

by kezarvet on May 18, 2009 6:14 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs