Predictions on the final 22 roster cuts
By Brian Miller
I have had a rather rough weekend, severe sun poisoning has made me feel like a 3 year old in terms of the length of my concentration. I did not bother to predict the 32 cuts that were looming for the week, and instead watched as the first 9 officially got cut. Ony Tim Massaquoi who was reportedly released has yet to be named officially. So feeling better and able to think a tad more clearly…if that is even possible considering my normal state leaves a few questions as well…I will try and predict the final 22 cuts expected before the start of the season.
One of the areas to watch closely is the WR spot. The Miami Dolphins have already released David Sutton who could still land on the practice squad which will be formed on Sunday. The situation with the WR spot is that there is some depth there but not likely the positions available. Chambers, Hagan, Booker, and Ginn have 4 slots tied up. That leaves PK Sam, Kerry Reed, Az-Zahir Hakim, Michael Malone(22) and Marvin Allen(21). We can assume that Allen and Malone are both shoe-ins for release. That makes the number 20. Still, take out those 2 and at minimum 1 or 2 more will have to go. Depending on how the Dolphins keep Ginn this year, special teams listing or WR listing. My guess is that we will see one or two of Reed, Sam, and Hakim on the waiver wire come the end of the week. My prediction: Hakim(20) and Sam(19). Leaving 18 more to be cut.
RB’s, Oline, and TE’s. Of the 3 groups, the RBs and the Oline are the spots to watch. The Oline could throw out a suprise but the RBs will be the hard one to look at. Miami has good depth at what was considered a weak spot going into TC.
RB: Brown, Chatman, and Schlesinger are all in. That leaves Cobbs, Booker, Mauia, and Eckel. We can assume that Eckel(18) will not see his name on the 53. Will Miami realistically keep 6 RB/FB combinations? That is a tough one to call. Cobbs(17) will likely be cut and end up on the practice squad if he clears waivers, which is not a given. Booker will make the team and the Dolphins will go into the regular season with 5 RB/FBs’ on the roster. Booker will make his mark on STs. Cut count: 16 to go.
Oline: Here is where the surprises should come from on the offensive side of the ball. Here we have Satele, Carey, Hadnot, Mormino, and Alabi, all assured a spot. If one of these guys does not make the team it would be a huge surprise. The following guys should make the team, but are the ones that if a surprise does come from this unit, it would likely be one of these: Ingram, Esera, Liewinskie, and Wilson. These two are the biggest question marks, Joe Toledo and LJ Shelton.
In the case of Shelton, who is now working with the 1st unit again, it is unlikely that he gets cut, however, it is not out of the realm of possibilities should a FA come on the market that provides an upgrade. Toledo(16) Inj list, who if I am not mistaken is still hurt, will likely be placed on one of the injury lists thereby alleviating a roster cut. Down to 15.
The following Olineman are not likely to make the roster: Stephen Parker(15) and Dan Stevenson(14). That leaves the number at 13.
TEs’: Courtney Anderson has played well enough to likely earn a roster spot, Justin Peelle has been o.k. but could be the lone cut from the TE squad. The Dolphins could go into the season with only two TEs’ on the final 53 with one more on the PS. My guess is that they go to battle with 3 however. The final spot will be between Halterman and Peelle. Massaquoi should have been the 10th player cut in the first wave. If not, then look for 2 TEs’ to lose their spots in this cut. My guess, Aaron Halterman(13).
On the offensive side of the ball, 10 players should be cut, leaving 12 spots left to be chopped. It is unlikely that the Dolphins will cut 12 from their defense so there may be a few that find the streets that I have not predicted…obviously. I will do QBs’ at the end.
On Defense: With 12 cuts remaining, the defensive players will not find it any easier.
On the line. The DL/DE spots represent the best depth for the Dolphins, in fact, they have perhaps one of the best units depth wise in the NFL and other teams will be watching this list of cuts.
Taylor, Roth, Holliday, Traylor, and Soliai, are all locks for the final 53. It says alot about Soliai as a rookie making the squad with this unit. But he is that good and will see plenty of playing time this season.
Wright and Fifita are two who also will probably make the roster but they are not locks. Still, Miami will likely keep them for depth.
Mkristo Bruce, Page, Love, and Soi, (cut numbers 12, 11, 10, and 9) are all set to find their names off the list of 53. One or two may end up on the 8 man PS, of the 4 I believe that Soi could be that man. It is of course possible for one of them to make the roster, but given some of the other areas of need, talent, and potential, especially on offense, I can’t believe that this unit will not take a hit.
Roster cut down by 4 more, 8 more to go.
LBs’: Thomas, Porter, Crowder are no brainers. Abraham Wright, Pope, Spragan, and Gabaja-Biamilia should all find their names on the final 53 as well.
McCune, Miles, and Maxwell should be cut (numbers 8, 7, and 6). That would bring the total left down to 6. However, I have not seen enough so far of rookie Kelvin Smith to think that he will make the final 53. Of all of the Dolphins April draft picks, only Smith could land on the outside looking in.
DBs’: Daniels, W. Allen, Worrell, Bell, Tillman, and Hill will likely all make the roster. Some because there is not much solid depth and there is no depth because the starters are not that great to begin with. Miami really needs to address these positions next year. Jason Allen will likely make the team and this will be the last year he gets the pass. His production is horrible and it is safe to say that he will wear the bust tag by years end. He needs to step it up. Michael Lehan is another who should make this squad.
The problem with the DBs is that traditionally, more are kept than any other position. So finding who may be cut here is like digging for your favorite needle in a box of needles.
Johnson, Goodman, Harris, and Pope are the remaining CBs and it is likely that Johnson(5) and Pope(4) will get cut. Reducing the number to 4. On the safety side of things, Courtney Brown(3) is the odd man out and he will find the cut list as well. 2 to go.
With Andre Goodman(2 INJ list) still not back from his shoulder injury, Miami could place him on an injured list and therefore reduce yet again the number needing to be cut. I would look for this to happen. Goodman will join Toledo on that list. 2 to go.
I saved the QB’s for last.
We know that Beck and Green are on the team. What we do not know is where Cleo Lemon falls into the scheme of things. Is he possibly going to be traded? With the way John Beck has been performing, he could easily be the number 2 QB by seasons start. That leaves Lemon on a short leash. Lemon signed a one year deal with Miami and any team trading for him would likely want at least a 2 or 3 year deal. But he has some value especially for a team like Atlanta who has a depth problem.
Should Lemon get traded, Gibran Hamdan(1) would likely make the roster but would stay on the inactive emergency list. We would go to war with Green and Beck. If Lemon is not traded, Hamdan is cut.
For me, the cuts are interesting, but they are not as interesting as what happens after the final 53 is decided upon. There are still 31 other teams who will be making some crucial decisions this week and there will be some solid veterans released that still can start. Either for cap purposes or because some team values the potential of a younger guy. Either way, the real story begins to unfold in the days following the final cuts. The Dolphins could make a move by bringing in a seasoned veteran who will contribute to this team, that would throw one of those who made the roster, to the curb.All in all, this will be a wild week and an even wilder weekend. There will be a lot of unemployed football players this time next week. Miami will begin setting up their practice squad on Sunday and a week later, FINALLY, the season will start.