What player on/off the 49ers 53-man roster would surprise you?

by Fooch on Jul 13, 2009 8:00 AM PDT in News Comment 35 comments

Just when you thought there wasn't another way to discuss the 53-man roster, I thought I'd throw one more topic out there. Every one of us has a guy we want to see on the roster that likely doesn't show up in many other folks 53-man rosters. One of the entertaining aspects of being a sports fan is the cult followings that develop. Just looking at the 49ers, you've got the Thomas Clayton fan club (some more passionate about it than others) and you've got the Dominique Zeigler. These are two practice squad guys who folks just love in spite of reasons to step back from it.

While it would be nice to have a rational basis for the particular player, that is not always the case. You've got my Jay Moore fan club, which very well could be a group of 1. As many of you know, my main reason for being a fan is that after he put together a fine performance in the Senior Bowl in 2007, I put together a "Niners Nation Scouting Report" on him. He became a guy I just had a feeling about as a potential 49er. A little over two months later the 49ers drafted him in the 4th round and I was officially sold. I think it was the karmic synergy of the whole thing, or something like that. Fate had stepped in. Of course, two years later he has yet to spend a day on the active roster thanks to injuries.

I'll be honest: In that 53-man roster projection, it's safe to say that Jay Moore is possibly the shakiest guy there. That's not exactly a shocking admission I realize. Even with my projection, I think it's safe to say, I'd be a bit surprised by Jay Moore making the 53-man roster.

However, most of the bubble guys could fall into the "surprising" category I suppose. So, looking beyond that, maybe we can expand this conversation even further (this is developing pretty much as I type it):

Who would be a surprise to not make it through training camp?

I don't mean Frank Gore getting cut. Obviously that would be shocking, but that's just not going to happen. I mean something more along the lines of maybe Isaac Bruce? I don't think Bruce will get cut, but is it possible to see him shown the door come early September? The 49ers have talented young receivers and maybe after a strong showing in the first three weeks of the preseason, they decide to go all young. Not something I expect, but would it be the most shocking thing in the world?

Looking through the roster I don't see a lot of potential guys like that, but that is what would certainly make them surprises. I was originally going to throw out Adam Snyder as an option. But I think it's safe to say they'd get rid of Barry Sims before dumping Snyder. And Snyder can play tackle and guard which makes him a useful backup.

So, what do folks think?

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Sort of on the bubble...

…but I’d be surprised if Arnaz Battle were cut. He’s typically one of the most reliable pairs of hands the 49ers have, but an unsung hero if ever there was one. I know people love Dominique Ziegler, but he’s just not the same as Battle.

Now I can tell you who I would not be surprised to see cut, and that’s Michael Robinson. Now I know people are going to get after me for his “Special Teams” value, but honestly, do we keep guys on a team for Special Teams, besides a long-snapper, or do we keep them because they are also a valuable reserve at their regular position? Exactly. Robinson is not a valuable reserve at either RB position, therefore, I would not be surprised to see him cut.

I would be surprised to see any of the Rookie CB’s make the 53-man, unless Word-Evans makes the Practice Squad, and honestly, that’s where I see him. I would not be surprised to see Shawntae Spencer cut, if perhaps they think Tarrell Brown is ready to take the nickel spot, but I think he provides too much experience to be rid of just yet.

I would be surprised if Alex Boone were cut. I think he provides too much size and ability to not make the team. This, of course, goes along with I’d be surprised if he didn’t behave himself. He knows how much this means, and I’d be shocked to see him forget himself.

by Indiana Jim on Jul 13, 2009 8:44 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Battle vs Robinson

Which if these guys should Battle see the field over?
Bruce Morgan Crabtree Hill Jones Zegiler
Maybe 3 of those guys, but that’s a worst case scenario. So he’ll be a #4 at best, probably 5th or 6th.

So the only value he can add is on ST. Which is exactly what Mrob does.
And Mrob serves as the #3 Rb and backup FB. He is much more valuable.

Plus their contracts. Mrob signed an extension, Battle has one year left. The guy to cut should be an easy choice.

I don’t mean to come off as a Robinson homer/Battle hater, I just don’t see how you can argue Battle over Mrob.

by DesertFox on Jul 13, 2009 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Stepping forward

I perfer to go with the younger guys. With a 5 WR group, Zeigler over Battle/Bruce. Sorry Bruce. I also like Clayton and Moore, but they got to stay healthy. Will be tough for them to break into the lineup and I would hate to lose them. Simms a goner. Last year prove that.

by LASVEGASNINER on Jul 13, 2009 8:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Predictions

Sheets makes the team over Clayton.
Your boy Moore loses to Brooks.
Bruce becomes #3 receiver by October.
Battle is cut.
Baas is not in the starting lineup.
Marvel Smith will play all 16 games.
Coffee has less than 400 yards.
Crabtree becomes one of the most threatening receivers in the YAC category and the Niners use him frequently on trick running plays.
Bly has a “comeback” year.
Haralson and Lawson combine for 20 sacks, exactly.
Ohhhh… and Smith is starting by October.

by goatfather on Jul 13, 2009 9:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

wrong thread

I think you meant to post this in the bold statements thread.

Here's to Joe Perry, all-time leading rusher for the 49ers.

by Andrew Davidson on Jul 13, 2009 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

wrong thread

or not there are some interesting preditions by goatfather

by etb2 on Jul 13, 2009 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Fans stuck in the 80's are lame. Respect the past, live in the now.

by maveric_87 on Jul 13, 2009 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Battle Mtn.

So the 8 inactives at the begining of the season with this 53 man roster? N. Davis, Sheets, Battle, Wallace, Moore, McKillsop or Brooks, Hudson (unless Spencer isn’t ready) and who? Do you think Battle is going to be happy as an inactive and how does he maintain his roster spot if he is inactive and can’t help out on special teams. And do you think the 49ers are going to want to pay his salary if he is inactive most games? He has to beat out J. Hill and how does that help the 49ers for next year when Battle probably won’t be resigned anyway? This is why you need at who is going to be active when looking at the 53 man roster. To me it makes more sense if you are going to keep 6 receivers that Ziggy or Spurlock make it as the sixth, not Battle. If Rossum gets hurt then Spurlock (or Ziggy) gets moved to the active group and you don’t have to worry about Clements returning punts for a whole lot less money than Battle.

by Black47 on Jul 13, 2009 10:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Moran Norris

I would be surprised if Zak Keasey beat out Norris agian.

by etb2 on Jul 13, 2009 10:36 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i second that.

by dalien82 on Jul 13, 2009 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Roman

I’d be shocked to see Roman start this year and see Clayton having a breakout preseason, (again) becoming #2 behind Gore. Battle, Sims and Spencer get cut.

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

by bayboy on Jul 13, 2009 12:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Adam Snyder being cut shouldn't surprise anybody.

Yes, he plays guard and tackle, but what use is that to the 49ers seeing as how he’s a consistent liability at either.

Personally, I’d be surprised if any of the draft picks didn’t make the roster.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Jul 13, 2009 12:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

backups

Of course, Sims is older and worse, so I think he’s first on the chopping block. What would surprise me would be Snyder getting cut and the team holding onto Sims. However, if they cut Sims, do they really cut Snyder too and rely on Wragge and Boone as the primary backups?

by Fooch on Jul 13, 2009 12:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Cutting Snyder?(and Simms)

Why would they do that?

Snyder isn’t that bad….he’s not a liability.

by chikmagnet_565 on Jul 13, 2009 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

comment

I’m not saying they’d cut Snyder. I was just replying to FF’s comment. If the team were to cut Sims, I would think they would NOT cut Snyder.

by Fooch on Jul 13, 2009 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Adam Snyder is one of the worst linemen in the entire NFL.

“Adam Snyder – LG/RT (Grade: Very Poor, Cost: $1.8M, VfM: Very Poor) When the 49ers look back on the 2008 season they know that no position caused them more heartache (and the QB’s more ache period) than RT. Combined with Barry Sims and Jonas Jennings, Adam accounted for 15 sacks, 12 hits and 45 pressures while playing on the end of the line. Unbelievably his pass protection at LG, before he was moved to RT in W8, was even worse. At the interior position, which generally yields far less pressure he allowed 5 sacks, 1 hit and 21 pressures. He sat out the last two games of the year after suffering an ankle injury after 11 plays of the Miami game.
When we talked about Staley at least there was a yin and yang deal going. Unfortunately with Adam it’s all yang because however bad the 2nd year LT blocked for the run, Adam was significantly worse; by our reckoning almost twice as poor. Whilst Barry Sims was justifiably vilified by 49er fans for his efforts, it’s surprising that Adam didn’t get more of the blame but maybe that was just because not as many of his errors manifested themselves as sacks and his penalty count was much lower.
The bottom line is that for San Francisco to give their QB of choice a fighting start in 2009 then either Adam much play much, much better or he needs to be replaced.”

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Jul 13, 2009 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm ok with Snyder as a back up despite that

although his numbers suck, I’m fine with the 49ers keeping Snyder on a “do-everything” OL. he is definitely better suited as a back up, the fewer he plays, the better he is.

If there’s ever a time when Snyder is in the starting lineup, the 49ers should gameplan knowing the opponent’s defense will be keying in on Snyder’s side. If you have to leave a back into block, leave him into block. It makes the team less effective, but the fewer he has to play, the better. Injuries over the years have always forced Snyder in a different role, as a starter.

I think he’s a guy to keep, just because he’s a familar body on the O-Line. Continuity is big for the OL. If he can remain a super sub (and by that I mean OG/OT, not skill), and out of the starting lineup, he’s not a liability. It’s up to the other guys to stay healthy.

Here's to Joe Perry, all-time leading rusher for the 49ers.

by Andrew Davidson on Jul 13, 2009 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If there is no one available as viable FA

then these guys could have a shot in camp.

Tony Wragge
Joe Toledo
Matthew Huners

by WC-Ninerhead on Jul 13, 2009 5:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

according to ESPN.com

Wayne Gandy
Jon Runyan
Mark Tauscher

Are older but definitely better than Synder.

Go 49ers

by iaalexeeff on Jul 13, 2009 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was kind of my point

some folks just want to focus on the doom and gloom of s couple of guys who may or may not have been solid contributors in the past. Nobody is open to even the posibility that a player can overcome last year, develop skills , evolve into a a solid contributor. And all of this befor camp begins let alone pre season or heck even get into a live game situation and find themselves doing what they they dreamed of when they started playing… . God forbid that a person can have a the hope of having a great year dispite what some people think..

THIS IS A NEW SEASON AND NEW CHANCE…

Just an opion from a ’….DIE HARD NINER FAN…"

GO!!!!!!! NINERS!!!!!!

by WC-Ninerhead on Jul 13, 2009 8:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are an insufferable homer.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Jul 13, 2009 11:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

homers

Nothing wrong with being a homer. Every team has them.

by Fooch on Jul 14, 2009 7:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, but blindly denying logic and reasonable conversation just to mindlessly drone

about your love for a team is irrational, stupid, and leads to useless conversation.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Jul 14, 2009 10:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd argue

That your typical football fans, without or without the internet savvy to register on a football blog, isn’t the ideal demographic to facilitate a useful conversation.

Don't sweat it. I'm illiterate.

by methodrampage on Jul 15, 2009 8:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Then ignore him

If you think it’s useless conversation, feel free to ignore his comments. It’s only wasting your own time otherwise. I know there are plenty of folks here who don’t respond to other specific people because they realize it just leads them down the proverbial rabbit hole of useless conversation.

by Fooch on Jul 15, 2009 8:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would rather be a drone

and exhibit loyalty to a team of my choosing for my own reasons, than to be a drone to idle chatter about useless and meaningless statistics.

It is better to be a supporter of a team of people trying to do the best they can and having a level of success that inspires some folks than to be the slave of those drones who’s only interest is .“what have they have done to impress or entertain me lately..” so if being a drone is a bother, then get used to it because

I WE ARE NOT GOING AWAY,,

by WC-Ninerhead on Jul 16, 2009 9:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

useless and meaningless statistics

Right, as if you’ve never used statistics to prove your point?

by sfgfan on Jul 17, 2009 10:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow shocking

a 49ers fan on a 49ers fan site, well that’s the last thing i expected to see here

and in his 4th season, VD broke through the wall, Niners fan rejoiced and all was well in the kingdom. Singletary 3:42

by 49erLou on Jul 14, 2009 8:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bruce

I see Bruce possibly calling it quits if the young guns really step up and kick ass.

Fans stuck in the 80's are lame. Respect the past, live in the now.

by maveric_87 on Jul 13, 2009 1:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't know it he would quit

outright but I could see him taking seat on the bench, especialiy if the team is in contintion for the playoffs.. A chance at a ring would be enough to keep him intersted…

by WC-Ninerhead on Jul 13, 2009 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs