2009 Roster Prediction

[kravix]

I know TC hasnt even started yet, but I am bored and on edge for it to begin. So given the roster as is here is my prediction for the 2009 opening day roster.

QB- Schaub, Orlovsky, Grossman
It isn’t Schaub’s fault he keeps taking dirty hits, but this is probably the year we keep 3 QB’s just in case.

RB- Slaton, Brown, Foster
After Slaton there is not much to get excited about, but I predict we get 10 games out of Brown this year, which I am ok with.

FB- Leach
There is not much need to take a second FB out of camp when you have TE’s that can line up in that spot if needed.

OL- Brown, Pitts, Meyers, Brisiel, Winston, Butler, Caldwell, White
Return the starters again. As much potential as Caldwell has I doubt he bumps anyone.

WR- Dre, Walter, Davis, Anderson, Jenkins
Bye bye Jacoby, immaturity and bad ball handling will bite him this time. Besides with the best WR in the leauge and Davis sitting there this squad is scary deep and good.

TE- OD, Dreessen, Hill, Casey
Keeping 4 is not crazy, we have had 4 for years, it is just that one is always considered the LS only and not a real TE. We will see alot of Double TE sets this year and alot more TE in the backfiled this year. I woldnt be suprised to see 3 on the field a few times either.

DE- Mario, Smith, Barwin, Bullman, Nading
The best DE group ever to take the field for this team. Bullman could possibly start for a few teams, not a bad rotation at all.

DT- Johnson, Okoye, Robinson, Cody, Okam
TJ is not going anywhere. The coaches have said over and over he is doing exactly what they have asked him to do. His motor and passion has gone up since Kubiak shown up. Okoye could have a stellar year if the Def actually plays to his strength. DelJuan stormed on the scene last year and could be the opening day starter if TJ hasn’t fully recovered.

LB- Diles, Demeco, Cushing, Adibi, June, Bently, Thompson
This gives me chills. I think Diles wins the starting spot with his effort, although June as a good shot at beating both him and Adibi out with his experience alone. I am starting to worry that Adibi may never really play for us.

CB- DRob, Reeves, Bennet, Quin ,Molden, McCain
Not a bad lineup. Quin will most likely bump Molden for the nickel.

S- Wilson, Ferguson, Barber, Nolan
Bye bye Harrison.

K/P- Brown, Turk


This is a very very young team, without a lot of very old vets running around as we have seen in the past. Which can be a good thing and a bad thing. There is also more talent and more good players on this team than we have ever had.

[Mike]

That is a really good effort.

I think you are wrong on Harrison. He might be a starter.

[papabear]

Kravix-why are you so worried about Adibi? I know he was hurt last year, but he looked pretty good when he did play. There was something that was keeping him from keeping his weight on that has apparently been resolved. He's added weight this year that should help him to deal with the pounding. He didn't really have too many injury problems in College. I think he missed a few games his freshman year. I know he's a little lite, but he's working to get stronger. He's probably our fastest LB, what you want a WLB, and is supposed to be pretty good in coverage too.

I'm just curious why your so worried about Adibi and the WILL in general. Adibi was a steal in the draft last year. He needed to get bigger and stronger, and reports are he has. Diles is a guy who you know at the least will work his tail off. Maybe never be a star, but he showed he could be a solid player last year. They were both injured last year, but that's why they brought in the veteran June to back them up. I'm not worried about that spot at all.

I also think Buster Davis beats out Chaun Thompson for the last LB spot.

[NBT]

You disparage Hawkins by not including him with the TE's, which he is, in addition to being a damn good long snapper. My hunch is that either Hill or Casey spends the year on the PS.

[NBT]

I think Ferguson's age is against him. If any of the other safeties show improvement, he will be the odd man out. I agree that Harrison needs to really show his best to make the team.

[NBT]

How can you say that TJ is not going anywhere when he just had an operation for sports hernia a few weeks ago? That injury kept Joppru from ever finding a place on an NFL team. I think he goes on the IR, opening a slot for Cody, or Okam, or even Del Juan Robinson who played pretty darn well at NT last year.

[cadams]

i think you are wrong on jacoby and adibi

i think jacoby makes the team, and adibi will be a starter. he has put weight on, and is a more athletic lb than diles. diles will be the 1st backup in the rotation. sucks for diles, but i think adibil is going to be GOOD this year.

[kravix]

Originally Posted by papabear

Kravix-why are you so worried about Adibi? I know he was hurt last year, but he looked pretty good when he did play. There was something that was keeping him from keeping his weight on that has apparently been resolved. He's added weight this year that should help him to deal with the pounding. He didn't really have too many injury problems in College. I think he missed a few games his freshman year. I know he's a little lite, but he's working to get stronger. He's probably our fastest LB, what you want a WLB, and is supposed to be pretty good in coverage too.

I'm just curious why your so worried about Adibi and the WILL in general. Adibi was a steal in the draft last year. He needed to get bigger and stronger, and reports are he has. Diles is a guy who you know at the least will work his tail off. Maybe never be a star, but he showed he could be a solid player last year. They were both injured last year, but that's why they brought in the veteran June to back them up. I'm not worried about that spot at all.

I also think Buster Davis beats out Chaun Thompson for the last LB spot.

Im not down on Adibi, but his development has been hampered by injuries. When we drafted him I belived he was an instant lock for the Will, and its possible he takes his spot there later, but Diles was playing his butt off last year pre injury, and was leading the team in tackles with a sack and int.

I wouldnt be suprised with Davis beating Thompson for the last LB spot, but I went with the locker room vet since its possible neither would suit up or see the field much.

Originally Posted by NBT

You disparage Hawkins by not including him with the TE's, which he is, in addition to being a damn good long snapper. My hunch is that either Hill or Casey spends the year on the PS.

He is a TE and currently the LS, but I have a feeling one of the rookie TE's take over LS duties. I dont see Hill going to the PS as he is the blocking TE, and it seems like the coaches are as much in love with Casey as alot of fans are.

I could be wrong about Hawkins, we will know better towards the end of camp and Pre season whether he is in serious contention for a roster spot or not.

Originally Posted by NBT

I think Ferguson's age is against him. If any of the other safeties show improvement, he will be the odd man out. I agree that Harrison needs to really show his best to make the team.

I can agree with this, but we just resigned Ferguson, even tough it was a small contract. He started half the season for us last year and played fairly well. I think Barber is the only one that may possibly beat him out for a starting job atm. Harrison's spot may very well depend on whether he can beat out someone for special teams play rather than Safety play.

Originally Posted by NBT

How can you say that TJ is not going anywhere when he just had an operation for sports hernia a few weeks ago? That injury kept Joppru from ever finding a place on an NFL team. I think he goes on the IR, opening a slot for Cody, or Okam, or even Del Juan Robinson who played pretty darn well at NT last year.

He definatley could land on the IR this year however if they project him comming back healthy by the second or third game his roster spot is pretty safe IMO. And I did say that DelJuan probably gets the nod out of the gate if TJ isnt recovered. However, if this surgery fixes whatever has been kicking TJ's butt the last 3 years then it will be pretty hard for either of them to keep him from the number one spot. The only one that maybe could have a bigger impact is Okam, but he wold need to explode, super nova like, to get there from his performance last year.

[barrett]

Regarding Adibi, it's encouraging he has added weight, but it's easy to put on weight in the offseason. It's far harder to carry it during the season. I'll be cautious about him until he can play a whole season at NFL LB size.

[Bigtinylittle]

I think there will probably be fewer surprises this year than any other Kubiak year.

I can't see White beating out Studdard. Blood is thicker than football?

I will be very surprised if JJ gets cut. Coaches hate to admit mistakes. Not that JJ is definately one. Kubiak will wait till he's sure.

Like JJ, Harrison is looking like one of those mistakes that coaches hate to admit, but since he was drafted in a lower round than JJ, he may be easier to let go of. Given his size and speed, he should be a much harder hitter than he is. I guess he just doesn't love contact that much. I would love to see Dunta's brain in Harrison's body.

Kravix has us going with Slaton, Brown, and Foster and Leach. If we only keep one FB, then I think we definately keep 4 RBs

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Bigtinylittle

I will be very surprised if JJ gets cut. Coaches hate to admit mistakes. Not that JJ is definately one. Kubiak will wait till he's sure.

I think Jones getting traded is more likely than Jones getting cut. There have been a few deals this offseason where depth WRs have been moved around. If Jones shows anything in the preseason, his value in the market could be fortified to acquire another player or mid-round draft pick.

Of course, if he does show improvement, maturity, consistency... then he becomes a lot harder to trade, right?

Originally Posted by Bigtinylittle

Kravix has us going with Slaton, Brown, and Foster and Leach. If we only keep one FB, then I think we definately keep 4 RBs

I tend to agree with this. If the Texans don't think they can float Foster to the practice squad, then they might open Week 1 with someone else like Moats on the roster. This ought to make it harder to carry a 5th DE or a 7th LB.

[Nconroe]

Hard to argue about any of the choices, options above. should be really tough to get to 53 this year without loosing a few guys who will definitely get on some team. maybe there will be a few trades for future picks.
See what happens during preseason for a clearer picture on some of the tougher choices.

[NBT]

Hopefully, other teams will have the same problem, and we can slip them through to the PS.

[jaimeg]

I'm very curious about Jeremiah Johnson. Spoke to an Oregon fan this summer who raved about him. (6 something yards a carry?)

[dalemurphy]

Originally Posted by jaimeg

I'm very curious about Jeremiah Johnson. Spoke to an Oregon fan this summer who raved about him. (6 something yards a carry?)

From what I've seen from him, he has the potential to be akin to Dominick Davis. He's very explosive, has very good vision (particularly in space and the open field), good balance, but isn't particularly strong or fast. Hopefully, he will max out his talent the way Davis did.