TitanInsider Board

I would be very surprised if Gado made it over Blount. I look at it "a bit" like I look at Smith at QB (even though Smith was a draft pick, and the third RB plays ST). The team doesn't plan on using their 3rd quarterback just as they don't play on using their 3rd RB as part of their regular offense. At this point, they're managing their roster so that they can keep a developmental player so they don't get claimed on waivers.

At this point Smith isn't better than Simms, and Blount probably isn't better than Gado. However, the greatest likelihood is that they soon will be. The team can always find a RB or QB on the street midseason if worst came to worst. This is particularly true at the RB position. And in both cases there's a good chance that Gado and Simms would be there midseason anyways.

I would not be surprised if they sign some camp cuts for the backup OL, LB or RB spots.

One thing I didn't address is David Thornton's status. It's becoming clear that he's not going to be ready. They could leave him on PUP, but since he's making $4.35 million, the prudent move is to release him, if he can pass a physical or settle with him. Bud is already paying Kerry Collins $5.5 million to be a backup. I'm not sure he wants another $4 mil tied up in another guy who may not get to play that much.

QUARTERBACKS: (3) Vince Young, Kerry Collins, Rusty Smith

RUNNING BACKS: (4) Chris Johnson, Ahmard Hall, Javon Ringer, LeGarrette Blount

TIGHT ENDS: (4) Bo Scaife, Craig Stevens, Jared Cook, Sean Ryan

RECEIVERS: (6) Nate Washington, Justin Gage, Kenny Britt, Lavelle Hawkins, Damian Williams, Marc Mariani

OFFENSIVE LINE: (8) Michael Roos, Leroy Harris, Eugene Amano, Jake Scott, David Stewart, Mike Otto, Troy Kropog, Fernando Velasco.

DEFENSIVE LINE: (9) William Hayes, Jason Jones, Tony Brown, Jacob Ford, Jovan Haye, Derrick Morgan, Sen'Derrick Marks, Dave Ball, Jason Babin

LINEBACKER: (7) Stephen Tulloch, Will Witherspoon, Colin Allred, Rennie Curran, Jamie Winborn, Stanford Keglar, Gerald McRath

DEFENSIVE BACKS: (9) Cortland Finnegan, Michael Griffin, Chris Hope, Jason McCourty, Alterraun Verner, Vincent Fuller, Ryan Mouton, Donnie Nickey, Robert Johnson.

SPECIALISTS: (3) Rob Bironas, Brett Kern, Ken Amato

PUP/SUSPENSION: (2) Gerald McRath (4 Weeks) & David Thornton (6 Weeks)

PRACTICE SQUAD: Kevin Matthews, Nick Schommer, Dominique Edison, David Howard, Myron Rolle, Ryan Durand, Steve Pfahler, Eric Bakhtiari

My Thoughts:

We keep four tight ends again this year, as a run first team we need two run blocking TEs and Sean Ryan fits that bill. Plus he has shown he can catch some passes as well. I see Blount making it at this point, Fisher just seems to be in love with this guy. The question you got ask yourself is this, who would be available midway through the season if someone get's hurt? Blount or Gado? Does someone like Raheem Brock make the roster? I've got to say I haven't really been impressed with him this preseason.

Also do we go with an expensive veteran in Dave Ball or go younger and cheaper with a player like Eric Bakhtiari for one of the last DE positions? Bakhtiari is leading the team in sacks this preseason if I'm not mistaken. I think Schommer's screw ups last night hurt him and likely means Nickey get's at least one more year on the team with Nick heading back to the PS for one more year.

Do we look at the waiver wire for some veteran offensive line back ups? I'm honestly concerned with our depth there and wouldn't be opposed to picking someone up there.

With McRath on suspension we get to carry an additional player and looks like we're PUPing DT and that two frees up another roster spot for six weeks. My guess we'll play the system with Thornton and here are our options with him;

1. If healthy, keep him around a veteran depth.
2. Cut him if not healthy.
3. IR him after six weeks.

So in theory we can carry 55 players for the first few weeks of the season.