Detroit Lions 53-Man Roster Prediction (Pre-Bills Game Edition)

Would like to see Ian Johnson make the 53-man roster, but can also see him being on the practice squad and hopefully earning a spot next year. Same for Silva too

I think your read on Donald Thomas being cut is exactly right. Hilliard may have shown enough that they can use him in the short term, and get someone from waivers if there is a longer term injury to a Guard. I think that move is also partly due to Culbreath’s play and potential [they are worried about losing him on the PS].

The only significant disagreement I have with you is the seven Linebackers. I feel that Isaiah E. is out and his spot will go to Silva [most likely] or a sixth corner.

Out of Culbreath, Hogue, and Silva; I think Silva has a much better chance to stay on the PS without getting signed by another team. That may influence the choice between him and either Vasher or McDonald for the last spot.

I also agree with you about the last RB spot. That is where a trade or pick up could be made to bolster the lineup. Harrison has not looked that great.

my only difference is I have Silva beating out Coleman. It sounds to me that Coleman has not been all that steady in camp; he plays too loose in coverage and is slow to identify plays. Not the type of thing I want a veteran for. I thought he was a decent S, but it seems many Atlanta fans didn’t care for him.

Silva has played better than ALL the DB’s this preseason. And Coleman has been burned way to many times. Just because he has experience doesnt mean he is the better choice. If you have 2 players and 1 has talent and 1 has experience then talent should win hands down everytime. I realize we are still feeling the after affects of the Millen ways of doing things but those days are THANKFULLY long gone. Talent wins on this Lions team. Silva wins it and eventually takes the starting spot either through injury or inefectiveness. Also he would never make it to the PS since there have been so many injuries and crappy starters in the NFC North alone.

You sure do know your football. Obviously, a very well thought out post. I have to agree with every single one of these players making the team. Yes there are a few tough calls, but I think you nailed it. Toughest call for me was Silva. I suspect that he will get cut, and get picked up by another team. That would be a bitter pill to swallow as I think he has a lot of potential. Sentimental favorite Caleb Campbell is also a tough call, but he simply hasn’t shown me enough to keep him on the roster. I’m hoping you’re right about Hogue. He has the natural talent and ability to be a solid linebacker soon, and I would hate to see another team pick him up. I’m hoping that the ghost of Lydon Murtha will serve as a reminder to keep Culbreath on the squad. That young man has a future in the NFL. Whoever thought Ryan Donohue would unseat Nick Harris? That kid has really impressed me with his punt placement.

I’d keep Silva and drop Ekejiuba. Last year, Schwartz alluded to the need to keep 10-11 DBs on the roster due to the excessive injury rate in the group.

Ekejiuba hasn’t shown any inclination to play a positional role at LB. In addition, the play of Carpenter, Stovall and Davis are mitigating factors in cutting Ekejiuba. We can even add Hogue to that group.

I had doubts about Fluellen making the roster after Fairley was drafted, but his versatility is indispensible.

I like most of your predictions, Sean, but am disappointed with a couple. If I had to pick one, it would be Ricardo Silva. I definitely agree with keeping Donahue, Hogue and Culbreath.

I would also clear an extra spot, by giving the cutting Don Mulbach, and give the Long Snapper duties to another center; preferably Raiola, in order to keep him on the roster, as I would replace him in the starting line-up with either Niswanger or Gerberry. Raiola prevents Detroit from having a running game, and you can’t even put him at Guard. Actually, I’d make Gandy the snapper, and utilize his versatilty to provide depth, and include Long Snapper in the 9. It’s really time to thank Dom for his past service, but this team is out the point where obvious holes must be addressed. With an absence of RBs who can create on their own, the running game is only going to improve with better run blocking. I think the coaching staff and front office is beginning to show that they haven’t a problem with pulling out the ziggy. Donahue beating out Harris will prove that again.
  

I am perfectly in line with you on the LBs, while close at DL, CB, and S. I have Callaway beating out Fluellen, eliminating Berry, to go with 4 CBs, and Silva replacing Coleman.

I am perfect with you at WR, although am struggling with leaving Tim Toone off as a 6th. Our TEs and RBs will be seeing a lot of passes, so I’m comfortable going with just 5 WRs.

Now let’s get radical, and start thinking about the future, along with this season. On the OL, first I give Peterman a bus ticket. I go with your selections at OT, along with keeping Donald Thomas. At TE, I go the same with Pettigrew, Scheffler, and Heller at TE/HB, although I could dream a bit here, and go with Finley instead, for more burst and future considerations. I don’t believe he will survive waivers.

Let’s add a little shock to radicalism… at RB, I go with Best, Brown, Ian Johnson, Harrison, and Logan. I cut Maurice Morris, who is older than dirt, along with being unable to compete in the pre-season, and having no upside. I keep Matt Clapp to develope as FB, while he rips heads off playing Special Teams, and gives opponents a taste of The Clapp! That uses up one of my two open spots; reserving the last one.

I’ve saved QB for last, so I can exit quickly, as the shower of eggs and rotten tomatoes begins. Drew Stanton has grown, and Stafford can say that he will play in all 16 this year, but I want to see it. Hopefully, he will. I believe that Stanton has surpassed Hill, who has never had the tools to be a starting QB. I want to see who out-performs who tonight, and I’d like to see Stanton given the opportunity to be the 2nd QB in and complete for the back-up job. If Drew Stanton is the better of the two, do you need a career back-up as your 3rd string QB? NO… you keep Zac Robinson, who appears to have the tools to be a starter himself a little down the road. God bless Shaun Hill for his contributions, but is he the best today? I think NOT, so why cut players who at least will create some trade value. If Stanton hadn’t been resigned, then Hill would be the best back-up we have, but the dynamics have been changed. You might even be able to get a 7th round pick for Hill.

Okay… start throwing the garbage. Thanks Sean for taking the time to present your take on the 53-man roster. However it shakes out, after all the bodies hit the heap, the Lions are going to have a much improved roster. I’m sure we will be looking for a RB who will help this season, along with other youthful talent. I’m still reserving my last spot, as much could change. If I had to spend it now, I would add either Toon, Berry, Miller, or Finley. I’m not even going to bother with Practice Squad at this point, until the FAs are sifted through.

He just doesn’t have it i don’t see how anyone here can’t see that… give me J. Bell anyday (saints 4th RB)

This is his 3rd year in the league…

QB- Cut/Trade Hill or Stanton keep Robinson. The kid hasnt lasted on 2 PS and he wont ours again. Stanton has come along far enough to keep him as a #2 and develop Robinson behind Stafford and Stanton. Hill can be cut and is expendable this year. I say cut because only way you work out a trade is w/ Hill or Stanton which w/ cuts happening teams wont be so fast to do so.

Saftey – Silva could easily beat out Wendling w/ a solid performance as that seems to be the camp battle currently going on for the 4th spot by most news outlets reporting. Wendlings injury has hampered his ability to compete properly. Could i see 5 back there sure could but most accounts say they wont.

Lb -Eke is out. I got a feeling that they will make sure that they keep mainly Levy and Tulloch on the field for most plays but will always have a combination of 2 of the 3 starters in rotating Carpenter and Palmer for most part while developing Hogue. Schwartz seems very high on him and if he gives a good showing tonight he’s roster bound.

OLine/TE- as i was posting this Gee Garold brought up the point about the LS position could it too be expendable this year to fill in another position on the Line? Until recent the FB position seemed to be a battle then bam Schwartz and Co. finally say you know what we dont need one. And i agree w/ the importance of one (LS) Im just saying could they actually be considering it? though i believe a position will go to TE to keep 4 as one injury and this team will lose depth there very quick.

ultimately I think the Lions need to make a move towards freeing up 2-3 positions by carrying 6 LB’s cutting the FB you free up 2 of those allowing for the 4th TE im seeing in place of the FB and the one LB cut goes to the Line or could go to the safety spot and carry Wendling, Coleman and Silva allowing Silva to develop as 4th spot but behind them while not loosing ST advantage then one of those two on the outs next year. Though i dont see 5 Safeties.

what scares me is this the Injury along the Line – yes Cherilus looks good and coming back to health but does it stay there? Backus one durable S.O.B w/ a torn pec muscle even if slight and now considered healed that tissue will be tender for awhile easy to tear again. Peterman had nagging injuries if they happen again …. nuff said .. Fox’s Foot this year and his knee last year … these injuries arent serious on top but takes while for these things to heal and get them right. Im all for trying to figure out 1 more lineman. Stafford has to stay protected and keep upright period. This is where that cut from the LB (7) should go to match that FB cut for the extra TE.

Remember how Harrison and Bell played in their first game? They needed time to adjust to running behind our line (and being tackled behind our line, but that’s a different comment). If we add another back from someone else’s cuts, it’ll take them time to adjust too. They probably wouldn’t be ready until week 3 or 4.

Thanks for the history lesson here, on the Great LS Debate, NorthLeft12. Yes, I remember Raiola’s difficulty in long snaps, but who is considered the back-up LS? I’m not saying that it is an unimportant position, but is the idea for having one player, whose sole responsibility is to snap, to cut down the chances for injury? I’m not trying to open up a new debate, which has been covered previous to my appearance here, but there are only so many spots, and a team can lose valuable talent elsewhere, which it has invested in. At one time, players who performed kicking duties was not a sole specialized position, and often starters on the field, like Jim Martin, Paul Hornung, and Wayne Walker; players who didn’t miss many games. I don’t recall, but perhaps rosters were smaller then.

Perhaps I’m guilty of trying to fit players in whom I don’t want to part with. Actually, I was hoping to see Dominic Raiola make the Pro Bowl as the LS. LOL

He’s a FA now, and been cleared of the majiuana charges. He’s only 26, with little mileage, and has to have a chip of his shoulder. He has a couple workouts scheduled. Is it too late for the Lions to bring him in for a look? This would be a total crapshoot, but one of the other RBs could lay an egg tonight.

he didnt take long to clear waivers as the Eagles and Vikings were also in the hunt for a FB.

Flu’s versatility is a huge benefit to him though. So far I think Silva beats out Wendling or Coleman. Agree totally that Logan will be listed as an RB and will probably get reps at RB over WR.

Overall, you did a very solid job with this, Sean.

But not all of it.

I think the Lions will cut Hogue and keep Vasher, and I think they will cut Donahue and keep Harris. My feeling on the punter topic is that, overall, Nick Harris is the better punter/holder, and as long as Jason Hanson is our kicker, Nick Harris’ job is safe.

I have not seen the Lions activate Phonz yet. I really think they plan to PUP him which will delay the decision on one roster spot for six weeks. In that case you could see either Vasher or Silva make the team in his spot. It gives the Lions six weeks to see if an injury happens to one of the defensive backs that will put somebody on IR, while still having a long term plan to back fill for the injury. If nobody gets hurt then the Lions will have to make a decision.

My guess is that the Lions would keep Vasher over Silva in this scenario if they feel Silva can squeak through waivers on final cuts. I think he has a better chance of sneaking through when there are about a thousand guys cut with him than if he is one of only a few cuts when people come off PUP.