Karma's Right Now Roster | Page 2

Originally posted by Karma:
So many people are flying off the handle with the pace of the Free Agent season, so I thought I would look at the roster as it stands and try to predict where we will make our moves.

QBs: (Keep 3)

Locks: Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick

Needs: One veteran. Masoli is just a fill-in and will be lucky to make the practice squad as a RB.

RBs: (Keep 5)

Locks: Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, Anthony Dixon, and Bruce Miller

Possibilities: Moran Norris, Jack Corcoran. If Bruce Miller performs well and Jack Corcoran shows promise Moran Norris could be cut. Bhyam's injury, however, might mean that Norris makes the roster. Miller has never been a lead blocker before and Corcoran is an unknown at this point. Bhyam could have helped ease the transition as the two of them improved by being an H-Back, but now they have no one else to be the backfield sledgehammer. My guess is that Norris mentors Miller for the year. Still, they never would have signed OCrcoran to a three year deal unless they saw something in him. We'll see what happens. Anyone miss Brit Miller?

Needs: Perhaps a veteran RB to push the youngsters. Hunter seems to be impressive in the early going so this might be less necessary.

WRs: (Keep 5)

Locks: Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan, Ronald Johnson

Possibilities: Right now Ted Ginn, Kyle Williams, and Dominique Ziegler (when healthy) are all trying to prove they belong. Ted Ginn's only shot is if no one else proves to be an adequate option in the return game. Ginn is an above average KR/PR, but a drop machine at WR. He really doesn't fit the WCO. Williams is a quick-twitch slot-type receiver but injuries have kept him from making a dent yet. If he proves to be sure handed and a good route runner he will make the team and fight Ronald Johnson for reps. Ziegler's injury puts him at a disadvantage. He better hit the ground running when he comes back.

Needs: One veteran. Crabtree's injury puts this need near the top of the priority ladder. They need a consistent vet to bolster a squad full of potential but lacking in experience.

Darkhorse: Kevin Jurovich. He worked out with the other players all offseason and seems to be one of those scrappy players that pushes everyone.

OL: (Keep 9)

Locks: Joe Staley, Mike Iupati, Anthony Davis, Alex Boone, Adam Snyder

Possibilities: The team has 5 spots left to fill. The best internal candidates are Chilo Rachal, Daniel Kilgore, Michael Person, Nick Howell, Chase Beeler, and Derek Hall. We all have issues with Rachal's play but the new staff might be willing to see if they can get something out of him, so he will more than likely make the team. Beeler has a great shot at the team if Harbaugh believes he can be molded into the future center for the team. They will have to choose between Kilgore and Person for one roster spot. They traded up to get Kilgore so I give him the edge. The rest of the guys have a steep hill to climb to make the team.

Needs One veteran center and possibly one back-up tackle. The team has been linked to Olin Kreutz, but he is also talking retirement so we will see what happens. If they can't get Kreutz then Snyder will be focused on the Center position leaving the team with only three tackles which would make signing a fourth tackle a necessity. This is a thin unit with youth on the bench. THey can be good if they stay healthy and get consistent play from whoever plays center.

TEs: (Keep 3)

Locks: Vernon Davis and Delanie Walker

Possibilities: Konrad Reuland would have the upper hand if Nate Byham is out for the year. Reuland has a knowledge of Harbaugh and ROman and could be a solid number 3.

Needs: None. They might sign another UDFA if Byham is really out.

DL: (Keep 6-7)

Locks: Justin Smith, Isaac Sopoaga, Ray McDonald, Ricky Jean-Francois

Possibilities: Will Tukuafu was impressing the coaches last year and was mentioned by Fangio in his press conference so he is probably next in line for a roster spot. Beyond him Ian Williams probably has the best chance to be groomed for a role at NT.

Needs: One veteran. The team seems to be open to bringing Franklin back. If that is the case, the line is pretty well set. I hope that works out, but if not the team must identify a guy to bring in that can contribute to the rotation immediately. With RJF as the most proven back-up teams will just run it on us and wear down that line.

LBs: (Keep 8-9)

Locks: Patrick Willis, NaVorro Bowman, Ahmad Brooks, Parys Haralson, Aldon Smith

Possibilities: Scott McKillop and Larry Grant figure to be locks on the inside, but Keaton Kristick might be able to beat out one of them. Ahmad Brooks figures to be the emergency 5th ILB so there is no reason to keep all three of those guys. If they keep nine LBs it will be five outside guys. Thaddeus Gibson and Antwan Applewhite have the inside track on the last OLB roster spot. As mentioned, the team could keep both if they keep 9 guys here. If they keep nine that will mean only 6 DLs. That wouldn't be terrible since all of the OLBs have experience as DEs in the nickel package.

Needs: The team might decide to bring in another OLB to compete with Gibson and Applewhite but with bigger needs elsewhere this is most likely to group of guys for 2011. Many have called for Lawson's return and I would be ok with that but I don't see that as a big need. Aldon figures to supplant Haralson at some point this season and Brooks should suprise with more playing time.

DBs: (Keep 9-10)

Locks: Shawntae Spencer, Tarell Brown, Chris Culliver, Phillip Adams, Reggie Smith, Taylor Mays, C.J. Spillman

Possibilities: For those of you that can't count, that makes seven locks. Spencer and Brown are the only guys with experience as CBs so they are no brainers. Chris Culliver is extremely athletic and a relatively high draft pick. He is extremely raw but will get at least a year to prove he can play. Adams showed tremendous potential last year so he works his way onto the roster barring a FA splurge (not likely). Smith was an adequate safety last year, Mays has mega-upside, and Spillman is young and ST ace. Now for the hard part. Who are the other 3-4 guys? Tramaine Brock was a suprise roster name from last year but I don't see him making the team again. With only two guys on the roster with starting experience at CB they need experience more than anything. The team needs one more safety and Goldson seems to be still on the radar. Resigning him makes the most sense since he has starting experience and has shown, albeit one season, that he can be a difference maker as a FS. If they let him walk they need to find a guy that has experience playing FS since Mays and Spillman project more to the SS position.

Needs: At least one CB that can compete for a starting spot and probably one more veteran CB. The team also needs to sign (or resign) at least one veteran FS.

ST: (Keep 3)

Locks: David Akers, Andy Lee, and Brian Jennings.

Needs: None. These guys are three of the best in the league.

So, that is where we stand now. Yes, there are still plenty of holes to fill. By my count we need to sign:

QB - 1 vet
WR - 1 vet
OL - 1 vet center and possibly 1 vet tackle
DL - 1 vet with 3-4 experience
DB - 2 CBs and 1 FS

That means we have to sign 6-8 guys before this is over. That might include resigning Franklin and Goldson or all new guys. That is a big number to bring in but our roster isn't nearly as bereft of talent as most on here would like you to think. Center is the only real trouble spot on offense. Yes, we could use another vet at WR but we have a talented group of guys there. If Crabtree comes back healthy we might even laugh at wanting to bring in another guy. Defense is a more desperate situation. The defensive line starters are fine but thin. The LB questions are whether Bowman is ready to step in for spikes and can Fangio find a way to get the outside guys to the QB. Haralson doesn't get many sacks but at his worst he is a very good run stopper. Can we see the Brooks we have been waiting for? I hope so; if not Aldon Smith may get thrown in quicky. The other guys should be good ST players and solid back-ups. The secondary is the real issue. If we don't bring in a few guys soon the rest of the defense will suffer. I guess we'll see what happens this week!

I think a lot of the board, (myself included). would/could feel better with: Olin Kreuntz, 2CB's- (Fabian Washington, Rodgers, Asante Samuel, etc....we need 2 from this group). Resign Franklin and Goldson. Get Malcolm Floyd.Lastly, get a vet QB via FA or trade. These moves will fix all the above problems and resolve anxiety for us all !

[ Edited by toppdogg32 on Aug 1, 2011 at 01:25:10 ]

Originally posted by OptimusPrime52:
nice work but two things grabbed my eye. first didnt the niners just resign wragge to a deal? that would make him a lock and a possibility at center.

also brooks was playing ilb a few years ago but they switched him to olb where he has shown the most promise. id say brooks will be competeing for a starting spot at olb this year.

You're absolutely right, I forgot to put Wragge on the list. As he has some experience at center he is probably a lock. That would make Wragge, Staley, Iupati, Davis, Snyder, and Boone the six locks with three positions left to fill. Kreutz would be great and would leave two spots for the most promising two youngsters. Rachal's injury is hurting his chances right now.

Brooks will definitely stay on the outside this year but his experience in the middle might benefit the team if the other TED candidates fall on their faces.