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- Jan 11, 2013
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Cornerbacks:
21 Janoris Jenkins 5'10 198 3 North Alabama
He still shows tremendous potential and should benefit greatly from the Greg Williams scheme. Has been on the sideline for the past week, he will no doubt step right back in to the starter’s role when he returns. Sometimes overly aggressive in coverage, he needs to learn when to let the play come to him. But his man to man skills can be impressive when he locks on to a guy. They will need a big comeback year out of Jenkins, as his absence in practice has exposed the huge void when he isn’t out there.
22 Trumaine Johnson 6'2 204 3 Montana
Appears ready to take the next step as a starting CB. He has flashed and had one of his best practices earlier this week, posting multiple pass break ups both in one on one drills, and 11 on 11. He can get caught being too aggressive and ends up giving up a big play, but overall, he has shown to be the most consistent CB on the roster right now. He has struggled with what looks to be nagging injuries throughout camp, but when he is on the field he steps up.
32 Brandon McGee 5'11 193 2 Miami (FL)
McGee has rotated in with regular 1st unit reps, due to Jenkins being on the sideline. He has shown marginal improvement over last year’s training camp. But has been “picked on” at times. He has all the physical traits to be a good CB, but just hasn’t put it all together to be consistent on a daily basis. That being said, he is a core contributor on Special Teams, so his roster spot should be safe.
20 Lamarcus Joyner 5'8 184 R Florida state
Joyner has been used exclusively in the Nickel CB role, since the first two days of camp. He was exposed on the outside at CB, but since assuming the Nickel role, he has shown to have very good instincts and should thrive in Williams’ scheme. While physically limited, he struggles at times in one on one situations, but has a knack for coming up with a big play. Has had multiple Interceptions in team drills, and has been very physical in the padded practices. This guy just oozes “football player”. Somewhat surprised that he hasn’t been included in many Special Teams, and so far hasn’t taken a single rep at Safety.
33 E.J. Gaines 5'10 195 R Missouri
Gaines has quickly moved up the depth chart. Part of it is due to the injuries cropping up to players ahead of him, but also because he has shown the ability to make plays when on the field. While his measureables might not jump off the page, he plays fast. He has gotten steady 2nd unit reps at CB and Nickel, while mixing in some 1st team reps this week at CB. His football IQ is obvious, he reads the play as well as anyone. Similar to Joyner, he has had multiple Interceptions in camp by just being able to read the play and adjust to the ball in the air. He is showing up on multiple Special Teams.
35 Darren Woodard 5'11 175 1 Texas - El Paso
As one of the returning CBs on the roster, he was given early reps with the 2nd unit and rotated in with the 1st unit when injuries started to pop up. He has struggled to maintain his standing, and seems to have reverted back to his UDFA standing of last year. He will need another strong showing in the Preseason games to regain his roster spot. Another DB who is rarely seen on Special Teams.
39 Greg Reid 5'8 190 1 Valdosta State
Already a fan favorite, he has struggled to shake of the rust from his previous injuries. Has been relegated to 3rd unit reps, rotating with other back end of the depth chart guys. He benefited from the injuries and moved up to 2nd unit reps this week, and seemed to be energized by the opportunity. The first two weeks of camp, he appeared disinterested and dejected, and did virtually nothing to stand out. He had a few moments this past week, with an INT versus the 3rd unit, and has played more physical in the padded practices. But the bothersome to me, he is on NONE of the core Special Teams, other being 4th in line as a Punt Returner at this point. That he isn’t showing up on any of the coverage units is telling.
47 Marcus Roberson 6'0 191 R Florida
He has been getting all of his reps with the 3rd unit. Like Reid, he is part of the rotation with the other back of the Depth chart guys. He displays good cover skills, but has not shown even a little interest in the physical part of the game. For him to have any chance of making the roster as the 6th CB, he needs to show up on Special Teams. As thus far, he isn’t included on a single ST unit. Not a good sign.
41 Jarrid Bryant 6'3 185 R South Dakota
Easily the biggest of all the CBs, he hasn’t really shown much to distinguish himself. Has missed the past week of practice, which won’t help his case to make it past the first cut.
Safeties:
25 T.J. McDonald 6'2 219 2 So. California
Has been a fixture since the first day of training camp last year. He is being used primarily near the Line of Scrimmage, and will have coverage responsibility in matching up with the second TE or picking up RBs coming out of the backfield. He still struggles in one on one matchup, but is very effective in zone when close to the LOS. He provides a presence in run support, and has been utilized frequently blitzing off the edge. He needs to build off his rookie season, and become a difference maker for this defense to take the next step. He is also being included on the coverage units on Special Teams.
23 Rodney McLeod 5'10 195 3 Virginia
Head Coach Jeff Fisher all but announce earlier this week that Rodney McLeod will be the starting Free Safety in 2014. He is primarily being used as the single high Safety, and has shown to the instincts to read the play and go side to side in deep coverage. If he can focus solely on playing Safety, and so far he hasn’t taken a single rep as a Nickel CB, he should be able to develop into a much more consistent performer. His biggest issue is missing on too many tackles, and since they just don’t tackle in practice, he will have to show he is capable in the Preseason Games. Will also resume his role as one of the leaders on Special Teams.
38 Cody Davis 6'1 206 2 Texas Tech
He has taken every rep at Free Safety with the 2nd unit. He is not flashy, but he just makes plays. Hardly a practice goes by, without Davis coming up with some sort of turnover, be it in 1 on 1 , 7 or 7 or 11 on 11. If he shows he can make the same sort of impact during the Preseason Games, he could challenge McLeod for more playing time at FA. Regardless, he is on virtually every Special Teams and his roster spot appears safe.
31 Maurice (Mo) Alexander 6'2 220 R Utah State
Like Davis, Alexander has taken every rep as the 2nd unit Strong Safety. His athleticism is obvious. But after missing all of the OTAs, he is behind the rest in terms of his comfort level in the system. He can look lost on one play, and flash the next. While his inclusion on defense might still be a year away, I can see him being this year’s Ray Ray Armstrong on Special Teams. When he stops thinking first, and starts playing fast, he will be fun to watch.
37 Matt Daniels 6'0 211 3 Duke
Having missed most of OTAs, and the first two weeks of training camp, Daniels is just now getting his legs and starting to participate on a regular basis. He is still relegated to 3rd team reps at Strong Safety, he needs to earn his roster spot on Special Teams. His inability to stay healthy might finally catch up with him, but they do seem to like what he brings on Special Teams.
43 Avery Cunningham 6'0 203 R Central Michigan
He has been getting regular reps at Free Safety with the 3rd unit, and looks like he has a decent understanding of the system. He hasn’t done much to show he will last, but he hasn’t embarrassed himself either. Might be a Practice Squad candidate.
26 Christian Bryant 5'9 198 R Ohio State
Recently activated from the Non-football PUP list, he is now participating in the full practices. He missed all of OTAs, but he seems to have a pretty good grasp of the position. He is now getting regular reps with the 3rd unit at Free Safety, displacing A. Cunningham. It’s been obvious he is anxious to get on the field, as his first day back, they had to pull him off the field during a Special Team drill. While his roster spot in murky, I would imagine he sticks around on the Practice Squad.
Specialists:
Kicker:
4 Greg Zuerlein 6'0 196 3 Missouri Western
He has picked up where he left off. He has been very consistent in practice, and was routinely hitting from outside 50 yards. Many people overlook last year, but he was 26-28 for 92.9 % which was among the league leaders. It’s not IF he will break the record for longest FG, it’s WHEN.
Punters:
6 Johnny Hekker 6'5 236 3 Oregon State
Coming off his ProBowl season, it may be hard for some to believe that Hekker actually looks better this year in camp. He is working on his directional punting every day, and continues to just pound the football. Routinely kicking the ball 65 yards in the air, with 4.9-5.1 hang time.
2 Bobby Cowan 6'4 219 1 Idaho
The left-footed punter is having a decent training camp in his own right. If he wasn’t competing with the reigning ProBowler, he might have a chance to open a few eyes. If he kicks the ball in the Preseason as he has in practice, he may find a team willing to give him an extended look after the cuts are made.
Long Snapper:
44 Jake McQuaide 6'2 244 4 Ohio State
I was skeptical when they chose to keep McQuaide over Massey, but so much for what I know. He is every bit as consistent, and I cannot remember a bad snap even at practice. Be it deep snapping on the punt team, or on FG’s he is as good as anyone in the league.
49 Jordan Hus 6'1 233 1 Regina, Canada
Again, if it were it not a case of trying to compete with the incumbent who is as good as there is, Hus should get a look from other teams once the Preseason is over.
This is just one man’s opinion of how the roster has taken shape in the three weeks they have been in training camp. This roster has come together, and from where I sit, only has a handful of spots still up in the air. The Preseason games should makes things crystal clear for many of the back end of the roster guys.
Looking forward to seeing them hit the field against someone other than themselves.
September 7th cannot get here fast enough.
21 Janoris Jenkins 5'10 198 3 North Alabama
He still shows tremendous potential and should benefit greatly from the Greg Williams scheme. Has been on the sideline for the past week, he will no doubt step right back in to the starter’s role when he returns. Sometimes overly aggressive in coverage, he needs to learn when to let the play come to him. But his man to man skills can be impressive when he locks on to a guy. They will need a big comeback year out of Jenkins, as his absence in practice has exposed the huge void when he isn’t out there.
22 Trumaine Johnson 6'2 204 3 Montana
Appears ready to take the next step as a starting CB. He has flashed and had one of his best practices earlier this week, posting multiple pass break ups both in one on one drills, and 11 on 11. He can get caught being too aggressive and ends up giving up a big play, but overall, he has shown to be the most consistent CB on the roster right now. He has struggled with what looks to be nagging injuries throughout camp, but when he is on the field he steps up.
32 Brandon McGee 5'11 193 2 Miami (FL)
McGee has rotated in with regular 1st unit reps, due to Jenkins being on the sideline. He has shown marginal improvement over last year’s training camp. But has been “picked on” at times. He has all the physical traits to be a good CB, but just hasn’t put it all together to be consistent on a daily basis. That being said, he is a core contributor on Special Teams, so his roster spot should be safe.
20 Lamarcus Joyner 5'8 184 R Florida state
Joyner has been used exclusively in the Nickel CB role, since the first two days of camp. He was exposed on the outside at CB, but since assuming the Nickel role, he has shown to have very good instincts and should thrive in Williams’ scheme. While physically limited, he struggles at times in one on one situations, but has a knack for coming up with a big play. Has had multiple Interceptions in team drills, and has been very physical in the padded practices. This guy just oozes “football player”. Somewhat surprised that he hasn’t been included in many Special Teams, and so far hasn’t taken a single rep at Safety.
33 E.J. Gaines 5'10 195 R Missouri
Gaines has quickly moved up the depth chart. Part of it is due to the injuries cropping up to players ahead of him, but also because he has shown the ability to make plays when on the field. While his measureables might not jump off the page, he plays fast. He has gotten steady 2nd unit reps at CB and Nickel, while mixing in some 1st team reps this week at CB. His football IQ is obvious, he reads the play as well as anyone. Similar to Joyner, he has had multiple Interceptions in camp by just being able to read the play and adjust to the ball in the air. He is showing up on multiple Special Teams.
35 Darren Woodard 5'11 175 1 Texas - El Paso
As one of the returning CBs on the roster, he was given early reps with the 2nd unit and rotated in with the 1st unit when injuries started to pop up. He has struggled to maintain his standing, and seems to have reverted back to his UDFA standing of last year. He will need another strong showing in the Preseason games to regain his roster spot. Another DB who is rarely seen on Special Teams.
39 Greg Reid 5'8 190 1 Valdosta State
Already a fan favorite, he has struggled to shake of the rust from his previous injuries. Has been relegated to 3rd unit reps, rotating with other back end of the depth chart guys. He benefited from the injuries and moved up to 2nd unit reps this week, and seemed to be energized by the opportunity. The first two weeks of camp, he appeared disinterested and dejected, and did virtually nothing to stand out. He had a few moments this past week, with an INT versus the 3rd unit, and has played more physical in the padded practices. But the bothersome to me, he is on NONE of the core Special Teams, other being 4th in line as a Punt Returner at this point. That he isn’t showing up on any of the coverage units is telling.
47 Marcus Roberson 6'0 191 R Florida
He has been getting all of his reps with the 3rd unit. Like Reid, he is part of the rotation with the other back of the Depth chart guys. He displays good cover skills, but has not shown even a little interest in the physical part of the game. For him to have any chance of making the roster as the 6th CB, he needs to show up on Special Teams. As thus far, he isn’t included on a single ST unit. Not a good sign.
41 Jarrid Bryant 6'3 185 R South Dakota
Easily the biggest of all the CBs, he hasn’t really shown much to distinguish himself. Has missed the past week of practice, which won’t help his case to make it past the first cut.
Safeties:
25 T.J. McDonald 6'2 219 2 So. California
Has been a fixture since the first day of training camp last year. He is being used primarily near the Line of Scrimmage, and will have coverage responsibility in matching up with the second TE or picking up RBs coming out of the backfield. He still struggles in one on one matchup, but is very effective in zone when close to the LOS. He provides a presence in run support, and has been utilized frequently blitzing off the edge. He needs to build off his rookie season, and become a difference maker for this defense to take the next step. He is also being included on the coverage units on Special Teams.
23 Rodney McLeod 5'10 195 3 Virginia
Head Coach Jeff Fisher all but announce earlier this week that Rodney McLeod will be the starting Free Safety in 2014. He is primarily being used as the single high Safety, and has shown to the instincts to read the play and go side to side in deep coverage. If he can focus solely on playing Safety, and so far he hasn’t taken a single rep as a Nickel CB, he should be able to develop into a much more consistent performer. His biggest issue is missing on too many tackles, and since they just don’t tackle in practice, he will have to show he is capable in the Preseason Games. Will also resume his role as one of the leaders on Special Teams.
38 Cody Davis 6'1 206 2 Texas Tech
He has taken every rep at Free Safety with the 2nd unit. He is not flashy, but he just makes plays. Hardly a practice goes by, without Davis coming up with some sort of turnover, be it in 1 on 1 , 7 or 7 or 11 on 11. If he shows he can make the same sort of impact during the Preseason Games, he could challenge McLeod for more playing time at FA. Regardless, he is on virtually every Special Teams and his roster spot appears safe.
31 Maurice (Mo) Alexander 6'2 220 R Utah State
Like Davis, Alexander has taken every rep as the 2nd unit Strong Safety. His athleticism is obvious. But after missing all of the OTAs, he is behind the rest in terms of his comfort level in the system. He can look lost on one play, and flash the next. While his inclusion on defense might still be a year away, I can see him being this year’s Ray Ray Armstrong on Special Teams. When he stops thinking first, and starts playing fast, he will be fun to watch.
37 Matt Daniels 6'0 211 3 Duke
Having missed most of OTAs, and the first two weeks of training camp, Daniels is just now getting his legs and starting to participate on a regular basis. He is still relegated to 3rd team reps at Strong Safety, he needs to earn his roster spot on Special Teams. His inability to stay healthy might finally catch up with him, but they do seem to like what he brings on Special Teams.
43 Avery Cunningham 6'0 203 R Central Michigan
He has been getting regular reps at Free Safety with the 3rd unit, and looks like he has a decent understanding of the system. He hasn’t done much to show he will last, but he hasn’t embarrassed himself either. Might be a Practice Squad candidate.
26 Christian Bryant 5'9 198 R Ohio State
Recently activated from the Non-football PUP list, he is now participating in the full practices. He missed all of OTAs, but he seems to have a pretty good grasp of the position. He is now getting regular reps with the 3rd unit at Free Safety, displacing A. Cunningham. It’s been obvious he is anxious to get on the field, as his first day back, they had to pull him off the field during a Special Team drill. While his roster spot in murky, I would imagine he sticks around on the Practice Squad.
Specialists:
Kicker:
4 Greg Zuerlein 6'0 196 3 Missouri Western
He has picked up where he left off. He has been very consistent in practice, and was routinely hitting from outside 50 yards. Many people overlook last year, but he was 26-28 for 92.9 % which was among the league leaders. It’s not IF he will break the record for longest FG, it’s WHEN.
Punters:
6 Johnny Hekker 6'5 236 3 Oregon State
Coming off his ProBowl season, it may be hard for some to believe that Hekker actually looks better this year in camp. He is working on his directional punting every day, and continues to just pound the football. Routinely kicking the ball 65 yards in the air, with 4.9-5.1 hang time.
2 Bobby Cowan 6'4 219 1 Idaho
The left-footed punter is having a decent training camp in his own right. If he wasn’t competing with the reigning ProBowler, he might have a chance to open a few eyes. If he kicks the ball in the Preseason as he has in practice, he may find a team willing to give him an extended look after the cuts are made.
Long Snapper:
44 Jake McQuaide 6'2 244 4 Ohio State
I was skeptical when they chose to keep McQuaide over Massey, but so much for what I know. He is every bit as consistent, and I cannot remember a bad snap even at practice. Be it deep snapping on the punt team, or on FG’s he is as good as anyone in the league.
49 Jordan Hus 6'1 233 1 Regina, Canada
Again, if it were it not a case of trying to compete with the incumbent who is as good as there is, Hus should get a look from other teams once the Preseason is over.
This is just one man’s opinion of how the roster has taken shape in the three weeks they have been in training camp. This roster has come together, and from where I sit, only has a handful of spots still up in the air. The Preseason games should makes things crystal clear for many of the back end of the roster guys.
Looking forward to seeing them hit the field against someone other than themselves.
September 7th cannot get here fast enough.
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