Originally posted by jimbagg:
Wishful thinking, and nothing more in the original post, as I see it. Would love to see some or all of these players excel, but I have to agree with Geek. I don't expect more than 1 or 2 to make the Final 53 roster.
Boone - Unless Solari/Brown see something special that Foerster didn't, then Boone, as essentially a rookie, is not going to win a spot backing-up ANOTHER rookie at RT. That job will fall to a veteran, like Sims and/or Snyder. I applaud Boone's make-over efforts to stick in the NFL. But it's all about foot quickness, and I don't know that weight changes directly affect motor skills all that much. Barring injury to another player at his position, Boone will be a late TC cut. Maybe they try to stash him on the PS again. Maybe Boone's new physique attracts a new suitor and he is claimed by another team (more likely).
Briggs - very vulnerable to a losing his job to a Round 4 or higher draft pick. Otherwise, if no significant players added at his position in this draft, then he has a chance to stick as a core ST performer. Gotta root for this kid. Undrafted, small school, etc.
Smith - With McCloughan gone, who would be embarassed if he gets cut? No one. Smith has had numerous opportunities to contribute (CB, S, PR), and taken advantage of none of them. Always seems to be nicked-up just enough to miss time. His only plus seems to be that he can play BOTH FS and SS, and he is younger (and cheaper) than Roman in that role. This guy is 90% of the way to being a bust. The jury will be in before the end of TC.
Taylor - Maybe a better SS candidate than Smith. Certainly seems to be more durable than Smith, if less versatile. Has made some noise on ST coverage units. Seems to be trending up, whereas Smith is either treading water or sinking.
I recall a play last season, I believe it was against Atlanta, where Taylor ran, out of control, through the backfield on a pass play, knocking either Dre Bly or Clements down and allowing the Atlanta receiver to catch the ball and make a big play. The guy has great physical talent, but has alot to learn.
Smith is a mystery, but someone apparently thinks he can play, or is willing to give him a shot this season. He needs to stay healthy.
Briggs was a standout last TC, and was mentioned as such by Spikes and others. He's added twenty pounds of muscle, and presumably is going to be that much stronger. Should be fun to see how it translates onto the field.
Boone is not a rookie. He's had a year on the PS to see how everything fits together on an NFL team; he's been through an NFL TC; he's had a year to study the playbook and learn his assignments; he's practiced every week against NFL talent. Presumably, the NFL game is no longer a blur to him. That puts him ahead of most rookies, imho.
Solari may very well see something in Boone that Foerster missed, not just because he might be a better coach, but because Boone is in better physical condition that he was when Foerster was here. Weight loss may not directly effect one's fine motor skills, but being in good condition certainly means better foot speed. It also means that one can perform longer, and with more agility, before getting winded. In short, Boone's improved physique means he's more agile than he was a year ago. Solari has to be pleasantly surprised, and planning to take advantage of Boone's improvement in some way.
I'd start him over Snyder at RT--although that obviously doesn't mean Solari would. I could see them cutting Snyder, starting Sims and Staley at OT, backed by a rookie OT and Boone, then gradually working Boone, or the rookie, in at RT, rather than throwing either of them in as the starter.
Its interesting to see the UDFA class from last year's draft still having some importance. Wouldn't it have been nice to still have Sheets around as well.
