49ers vs. Texans: Demarcus Dobbs vs. Will Tukuafu

by David Fucillo on Aug 27, 2011 8:00 AM PDT in 49ers Roster

The 49ers and Texans square off tonight and we'll have a chance to see a variety of position battles unfold. One in particular has me scratching my head trying to figure out who is "leading" the battle. I honestly am not really sure where Will Tukuafu and Demarcus Dobbs stand in relation to each other along the defensive line.

Tukuafu and Dobbs both play defensive end and are both battling for playing time in the preseason. I was looking at some recent posts by Maiocco and Barrows to see how they viewed the two players over the course of training camp. Maiocco recently put together a 53-man roster projection, while Barrows put together a 90-man roster review a week ago.

I link to those specifically because they bring up different opinions in regards to Dobbs and Tukuafu. In his 53-man roster projection, Maiocco has Dobbs as "looking good, but work to do" and Tukuafu as "It's a numbers game" who has had a solid camp. In Barrows now week old 90-man roster view, he describes Dobbs as an ideal practice squad candidate who needs to add strength and size, while as for Tukuafu, "[h]e's taken Demetric Evans' spot as the backup defensive end this year."

Our own Tre9er seems more sold on Dobbs than Tukuafu. Anybody else sold one way or the other?

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Neither would see much playing time outside of special teams

I question the 49ers approach to using Dobbs, they had to envision him as a practice squad project at first. He needs to gain a good 15+ lbs. However, they played him a good deal and he played so well that he is probably the most likely guy to get claimed by another team once he goes on waivers.

Seems unlikely they’d keep both projects Dobbs and Williams on the 53 man roster and go to battle with just the 4 defensive vets and they probably view Williams as the more valuable prospect as a potential NT.

I think I’d keep Dobbs over Williams though, he just appears to be better. ( To be fair, I viewed both of these guys as UDFA projects, and did not classify Williams as a “3rd-4th rounder” like many people seem to have )

by whistlingmountain on Aug 27, 2011 8:11 AM PDT reply actions

*Neither Williams/Dobbs

by whistlingmountain on Aug 27, 2011 8:12 AM PDT up reply actions

maiocco has Norris, Kristick and Spillman on his 53 man roster.

I think all 3 are expendable and could open the door to keep a better player that might get plucked off our practice squad.

by wtlichens on Aug 27, 2011 8:50 AM PDT via mobile reply actions

Spillman is basically a lock at this point

Norris could go either way

I think Kristick is battling with Costanzo for a single spot.

Maiocco also has 6 WR, which I think could easily be 5 since they’ll be using a lot of 2 TE sets.

—

I still think it’s not Tukuafu vs Dobbs, but rather Williams vs Dobbs. If Tukuafu is competing with anyone it’s potential cuts from other teams, neither Williams or Dobbs appears ready to see action despite our love for the new.

by whistlingmountain on Aug 27, 2011 9:01 AM PDT up reply actions

5 WR vs 6 WR.

I think you’re right.

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by Drew Kerr on Aug 27, 2011 12:15 PM PDT up reply actions

I only kept 5 WR on my projected 53, but kept 2 on the PS. I waived Norris and kept only 2 QBs

(my feeling-if we waive McCown, nobody will claim him. Should either Smith or Kaep be hurt, he can be resigned and brought back).

This allowed me to keep Spillman, Kristick, and Costanzo (I place a LOT of value on STs). I also kept Williams and, of Dobbs and Tukuafu, kept one on the 53 and the other on the PS (but I’m waffling as to which way to go… as if my decision actually matters LOL)

After all was said and done, a lot more got said than done.

by OldJock on Aug 27, 2011 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions

The telling story will be if their still there after teams cut down to 54 , wouldn't be surprise to some new faces at that point ...!!

I'm your " Huckelberry "...it's just my game ...Jimmy Raye your no daisy ...!!

by Edggy on Aug 27, 2011 8:53 AM PDT reply actions

When do they cut down to 54?

September 2nd?

Play to Win!

by Pat Willie on Aug 27, 2011 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions

It's 53...

And that is not until after the last preseason game at some point. Not sure the exact date.

I know the first cuts will come August 30th.

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by Drew Kerr on Aug 27, 2011 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions

i think I've asked this before but....

Didn’t they allow the 3rd Qb not to count toward the 53 man roster in the new cba?

by wtlichens on Aug 27, 2011 11:19 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

no, the change was that there's one more active spot on gameday

but the 3rd qb now counts against that number ( it didn’t used to )

so you can have 46 on suited on game day.

by whistlingmountain on Aug 27, 2011 11:24 AM PDT up reply actions

gotcha. thanks

by wtlichens on Aug 27, 2011 11:27 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions

The final cut is September 3rd

That’s also the last day for our guys to be on the PUP list. Anyone on the PUP list after final cuts must miss the first 6 regular season games.

by Ougadas on Aug 27, 2011 11:54 AM PDT up reply actions

I'll have to lock that date in to my memory.

I wasn’t for sure the exact date but knew it was the week before the opening game.

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by Drew Kerr on Aug 27, 2011 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Develop D. Dobbs and I. Williams and let RJF be the first back up for all three spots.

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by Drew Kerr on Aug 27, 2011 9:31 AM PDT reply actions

80 on 30th, 53 on 3rd

It’s good to see worries about other teams (besides Seattle) grabbing our players. But have to expect one or more players will be culled from other teams cuts, so school’s still out till the 3rd.

by oldfoggy on Aug 27, 2011 11:00 AM PDT reply actions

So we will be -10 a couple days after the game.

I actually think Harbaugh won’t waste time. I think there’s gonna be some cuts right after the game. As early as tomorrow.

You have to focus on the players that are going to be there. So the sooner, the better in getting rid of some of the dead weight (so to speak)

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by Drew Kerr on Aug 27, 2011 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Will Tukuafu went to Oregon and was a great Duck player.

Tukuafu is a cool name, but the anouncers always butcher it.
Anouncers….Too-cough-oo
Real…Too-Koo-af-oo……the a is a soft a.

by ericalancanty on Aug 27, 2011 12:35 PM PDT reply actions

"The past is the past. The only time I look into the rear view is for the cops and I don't speed." -Shawn Andrews

by TryAndCatchVD on Aug 27, 2011 4:02 PM PDT up reply actions

I like Dobbs' motor

He might need to bulk up a bit but but he has the physique and the drive. My primary impression of him to date is that he looked more like a veteran on the field than a rookie.

No more excuses Alex ~ okay?

by riderless on Aug 27, 2011 12:37 PM PDT reply actions