What I'd like to see our final 53 look like

[Jetsfan80]

QB (3)

Mark Sanchez

Mark Brunell

Kellen Clemens

Key Cut(s) - Kevin O'Connell

Rationale - I don't get the need to trade Clemens. Unless we get a 5th rounder or better, he's got to be worth keeping.

RB (4)

Shonn Greene

LaDanian Tomlinson

Joe McKnight

Chauncey Washington

Key Cut(s) - Danny Woodhead

Rationale - Chauncey earned his way onto the roster with his play against Carolina. And McKnight doesn't appear to be a lame duck after a strong punt return. Woodhead, hopefully, finds himself on the practice squad.

FB (2)

Tony Richardson

John Conner

Key Cut(s) - Jason Davis

Rationale - Davis will get scooped up as a team's starting FB the moment he gets picked up. The consequence of too much talent.

WR (5)

Santonio Holmes

Jerricho Cotchery

Braylon Edwards

Laveranues Coles

Brad Smith

Key Cut(s) - David Clowney, Aundrae Allison, Larry Taylor, Marcus Henry

Rationale - Another crowded position after the additions of Holmes and Coles. After Week 4, all bets are off for Coles once Holmes returns. My guess is we try to trade him. "Hard Knocks" appeared to have sealed Clowney's fate.

TE (3)

Dustin Keller

Jeff Cumberland

Ben Hartsock

Key Cut(s) - Matthew Mulligan

Rationale - Cumberland has impressed, Mulligan, has not. We could use another pass-catching TE in case Keller goes down, and Cumberland might be a bit of a diamond in the rough among the UDFA pool.

OT (3)

D'Brickashaw Ferguson

Damien Woody

Wayne Hunter

Key Cut(s) - Dan Gay, Michael Turkovich

Rationale - Seems pretty straightforward to me. Gay is another practice squad possibility.

OG (3)

Brandon Moore

Matt Slauson

Vladimir Ducasse

Key Cut(s) - None

Rationale - Again, straightforward. Ducasse provides versatility by being able to backup the RT position as well.

C (2)

Nick Mangold

Robert Turner

Key Cut(s) - None

Rationale - Once again, the Jets have the added benefit of Turner being equipped to play any of the three interior line positions.

DE (5)

Shaun Ellis

Mike DeVito

Vernon Gholston

Rodrique Wright

Matt Kroul

Key Cut(s) - Ty Steinkuhler

Rational - The Jets could use some depth at the DE position, especially with Shaun Ellis heading into his final season as a Jet.

NT (2)

Kris Jenkins

Sione Pouha

Key Cut(s) - Martin Tevaseu

Rationale - No change from last year here. Hopefully Pouha won't be needed as much as he was last season.

OLB (4)

Calvin Pace

Bryan Thomas

Jason Taylor

Jamaal Westerman

Key Cut(s) - N/A

Rationale - A bigtime strength for the Jets is the depth at the OLB position.

ILB (4)

Bart Scott

David Harris

Lance Laury

Kenwin Cummings

Key Cut(s) - Brashton Satele, Tim Knicky

Rationale - Laury has been VERY impressive in camp, and with Harris not expected to get an extension, could eventually end up in the running to help replace him if he signs elsewhere.

CB (6)

Darrelle Revis

Antonio Cromartie

Kyle Wilson

Dwight Lowery

Drew Coleman

Marquise Cole

Key Cut(s) - Brian Jackson

Rationale - Yes, Revis will be there, and yes, Rex loves depth at corner. Coleman earned himself a spot by being a team player, taking a pay decrease, and also by getting a pick against the Panthers.

FS (3)

Brodney Pool

Eric Smith

James Ihedigbo

Key Cut(s) - Donovan Warren

Rationale - Warren hasn't been seen or heard from, and there's good reason for that.

SS (1)

Jim Leonhard

Key Cut(s) - N/A

Rationale - While Leonhard certainly isn't the only one who can man the position, he's the only one who plays it WELL.

LS (1)

Tanner Purdum

K (1)

Nick Folk

P (1)

Steve Weatherford

[Maxman]

Good analysis I can't disagree with any of it. Not sure what Laury's deal is though, he is someone I plan on watching a lot on Friday night vs the Skins.

James Ihedigbo -- not sure what to even list him as at this point. I really see them doing a lot of that hybrid linebacker role with him this year.

[StraightCash]

Santonio doesn't count as a roster spot until week 5.. so you can use him/coles together as 1 spot and keep another WR

Also I don't think Woodhead is practice squad eligible..

Someone we like isn't going to make the team from the RB/WR group. Unfortunate. Personally I hope its not Woodhead, but its a tough spot to be in.

[StraightCash]

Santonio doesn't count as a roster spot until week 5.. so you can use him/coles together as 1 spot and keep another WR

Also I don't think Woodhead is practice squad eligible..

Someone we like isn't going to make the team from the RB/WR group. Unfortunate. Personally I hope its not Woodhead, but its a tough spot to be in.

My edit would be to use Santonio/Coles together to keep Clowney... and I think Wright or Kroul won't make it as a DE.. I'd like to see them find a spot for Woodhead there. If Satele gets healthy and plays like hes shown he can, maybe he earns a spot- but he looks like a PS pick.

[#27TheDominator]

Pretty good job. I agree with almost everything.

I agree with Brett on Woodhead and the Holmes deal. There is NO way that the team goes with only 4 WR for the first 4 weeks. Especially with how thin Baltimore is in the secondary. Teams often put 3 and 4 WR on the field at the same time, they never have 3 HBs. I think they'll probably keep Clowney around and then choose between Coles and Clowney when Holmes comes back. The Hard Knocks segment had them carrying 5 RBs total. You have 6 and it's probably too much. As Brett said, I don't think Woodhead is PS eligible. Maybe Richardson retires. The only way they keep only 4 WR is if they are comfortable with one of the backs (LT? Taylor? McKnight? Woodhead?) in the slot.

I also don't see Mulligan getting cut. Cumberland has looked good, but he can't block. Neither can Keller. I can't see burning 3 roster spots on TEs and having only 1 that can block. The only way I see this is if they do keep the extra FB and he plays some TE or maybe they actually like using Turner or Hunter there, but it would be odd to have 3 TEs and still be trotting Gs and Ts out there at TE.

A couple of other things.

The good reason you haven't heard from Donovan Warren is that he had a concussion. Might be good to stash him on IR.

I didn't see the game last week, was Knicky playing ILB? He should be an OLB. He's an undersized pass rushing DE. They may have used him at ILB because Satele and Mauga are both hurt and Lee joined the team late in the week.

I doubt Laury is going to be taking over for Harris. He never did much more than ST with the Seahawks, but who knows. Laury is 28 and will be 29 before the Super Bowl, I'd like some younger bodies. I'm pretty sure he will the team though.

Contrary to what Brett said I'm pretty sure that Kroul will make it and it's likely that Wright (or Steinkuhler) will also. Remember that they have Gholston (who can in a pinch play OLB) but nothing else at backup DE. Pitoitua was on the roster all last season. While he was inactive much of the time, he was there and I would expect at least 4-5 DE. Especially since Devito is the 3rd DT. The Hard Knocks board had 6 DL, from that I'd expect only Kroul. I guess you could argue that the OLB all could play DE if necessary, so who knows.

[jack48]

My edit would be to use Santonio/Coles together to keep Clowney... and I think Wright or Kroul won't make it as a DE.. I'd like to see them find a spot for Woodhead there. If Satele gets healthy and plays like hes shown he can, maybe he earns a spot- but he looks like a PS pick.

I don't get the Woodhead love, frankly. Spunky little guy, but too small. Why do guys love small players so much? Also have a vivid memory of him allowing that Ginn runback against Miami last year. I happen to think we need another RB who can lower his shoulder and ram the ball, because Greene does get nicked up, and is not ready to add 200 carries to his load. LT is not that kind of back. If Greene goes down and we have no one to pound the ball, we might as well mail it in.

[slats]

There is NO way that the team goes with only 4 WR for the first 4 weeks. Especially with how thin Baltimore is in the secondary. Teams often put 3 and 4 WR on the field at the same time, they never have 3 HBs. I think they'll probably keep Clowney around and then choose between Coles and Clowney when Holmes comes back. The Hard Knocks segment had them carrying 5 RBs total. You have 6 and it's probably too much. As Brett said, I don't think Woodhead is PS eligible. Maybe Richardson retires. The only way they keep only 4 WR is if they are comfortable with one of the backs (LT? Taylor? McKnight? Woodhead?) in the slot.

I also don't see Mulligan getting cut. Cumberland has looked good, but he can't block. Neither can Keller. I can't see burning 3 roster spots on TEs and having only 1 that can block. The only way I see this is if they do keep the extra FB and he plays some TE or maybe they actually like using Turner or Hunter there, but it would be odd to have 3 TEs and still be trotting Gs and Ts out there at TE.

The Jets are a run first team with some question marks at the RB positions. Greene looks to be an injury risk, LT is a hitting the wall risk, and McKnight is a completely unknown quantity - but does not look like a guy who can run between the tackles with any consistency. I think Chauncey Washington sticks as a 4th HB. If the Jets had taken a 230lb pounder in the fourth round, then maybe Danny Woodhead would have more of a shot as LT's backup as a receiving RB. But they didn't. Rex has said that Tony Richardson should feel safe, but I'd have to think he's on the bubble. If he is safe, I think 6 RB's total is pretty likely - with McKnight, Chauncey, and Conner all having prominent special teams roles.

The Jets could go into the first four games of the season with Edwards, Cotch, and Coles as the top three WR's and lining LT or McKnight outside in four WR sets - if they ever get there. They probably like having Keller on the field, too. I think Larry Taylor has an outside shot to stick as a fifth WR. Definitely looked like Westoff liked him a lot better than he liked Clowney.

Mulligan's another guy who Westoff obviously likes. The guy's an absolute beast, and it would be nice to have a guy with hands playing TE in those 2 and 3 TE sets the Jets like to run. The fact that Cumberland could make it as an additional receiving TE makes that 5th WR less important in the early going, too.

[Jbro22]

I really hope Woodhead makes it.

[bitonti]

when exactly has cumberland impressed? in practice? I dont think he's done much in the preseason. Mulligan makes it over Cumby or they keep 4 TE.

Rod Wright ******* sucks. They will take a waiver wire DL before they keep him.

all know how i feel about woodhead

[Maxman]

when exactly has cumberland impressed? in practice? I dont think he's done much in the preseason. Mulligan makes it over Cumby or they keep 4 TE.

Rod Wright fucking sucks. They will take a waiver wire DL before they keep him.

all know how i feel about woodhead

Funny about Cumberland... he must be a really nice guy. I have been reading about how good he looks all camp. I go to one practice and he has two drops. Yet I was the only one I saw that wrote about it. Manish and Jenny Vrentas haven't shown me that they can be critical of the Jets.

[#27TheDominator]

The Jets are a run first team with some question marks at the RB positions. Greene looks to be an injury risk, LT is a hitting the wall risk, and McKnight is a completely unknown quantity - but does not look like a guy who can run between the tackles with any consistency. I think Chauncey Washington sticks as a 4th HB. If the Jets had taken a 230lb pounder in the fourth round, then maybe Danny Woodhead would have more of a shot as LT's backup as a receiving RB. But they didn't. Rex has said that Tony Richardson should feel safe, but I'd have to think he's on the bubble. If he is safe, I think 6 RB's total is pretty likely - with McKnight, Chauncey, and Conner all having prominent special teams roles.

The Jets could go into the first four games of the season with Edwards, Cotch, and Coles as the top three WR's and lining LT or McKnight outside in four WR sets - if they ever get there. They probably like having Keller on the field, too. I think Larry Taylor has an outside shot to stick as a fifth WR. Definitely looked like Westoff liked him a lot better than he liked Clowney.

Mulligan's another guy who Westoff obviously likes. The guy's an absolute beast, and it would be nice to have a guy with hands playing TE in those 2 and 3 TE sets the Jets like to run. The fact that Cumberland could make it as an additional receiving TE makes that 5th WR less important in the early going, too.

I don't doubt that the Jets will carry 4 half backs. I just don't see them carrying 4 RBs and 2 FBs with only 4 WR. Based on the OP, maybe he is right and they will just carry the additional WR while Holmes is gone. 4 WR and one is Brad Smith? Nah. Maybe if they like Cumberland as a hybrid WR, but I think of Cumberland more as a developmental guy.

[Obrien2Toon]

I don't get the Woodhead love, frankly. Spunky little guy, but too small. Why do guys love small players so much? Also have a vivid memory of him allowing that Ginn runback against Miami last year. I happen to think we need another RB who can lower his shoulder and ram the ball, because Greene does get nicked up, and is not ready to add 200 carries to his load. LT is not that kind of back. If Greene goes down and we have no one to pound the ball, we might as well mail it in.

+1. He does not help this team at all.

I think you can almost guarantee that Greene will at least miss some time every year with how he runs the ball. Have to keep the all around back in Washington.

Good post by the way, agree with everything except I think they find away to keep Mulligan.

[bitonti]

I don't get the Woodhead love, frankly. Spunky little guy, but too small. Why do guys love small players so much?

5'9" 200 is not too small for NFL RB.

But his value is really on special teams, and that's what the 5th/6th RB will be expected to do... not tote the rock on offense.

[Jetsfan80]

I disagree that we need to have an extra WR on the roster until Holmes gets back. We can already go 5-wide with Edwards, Cotchery, Keller, Coles and either Brad Smith or LT, so where's the need to have another body? I'd rather stash away an extra corner or defensive lineman with that spot in case someone gets hurt. Clowney is totally worthless, so if for some reason we DID carry 6 WR's, I'd prefer to see that spot go to Allison.

As for Mulligan, exactly how many blocking TE's do we need? Did you guys not see Westhoff totally ripping into this guy about his intensity on "Hard Knocks"? Cumberland may have some drops issues right now but he has a lot more potential as a pass-catcher than Hartsock or Mulligan. Who else on our roster would you like to be our TE if Keller gets hurt? What free agent would you pick up if your answer is "no one"?

[tstevens403]

5'9" 200 is not too small for NFL RB.

But his value is really on special teams, and that's what the 5th/6th RB will be expected to do... not tote the rock on offense.

the DUDE is NOT 5'9. 5'7 MAX, maybe even shorter. but other than his face, he does look like he has some weight.

[#27TheDominator]

I disagree that we need to have an extra WR on the roster until Holmes gets back. We can already go 5-wide with Edwards, Cotchery, Keller, Coles and either Brad Smith or LT, so where's the need to have another body? I'd rather stash away an extra corner or defensive lineman with that spot in case someone gets hurt. Clowney is totally worthless, so if for some reason we DID carry 6 WR's, I'd prefer to see that spot go to Allison.

As for Mulligan, exactly how many blocking TE's do we need? Did you guys not see Westhoff totally ripping into this guy about his intensity on "Hard Knocks"? Cumberland may have some drops issues right now but he has a lot more potential as a pass-catcher than Hartsock or Mulligan. Who else on our roster would you like to be our TE if Keller gets hurt? What free agent would you pick up if your answer is "no one"?

I'll agree to disagree on that one. I'm okay with the idea of having Keller or one of the RBs in the WR role, but while Holmes is out I'm don't see them going with 3 WR + Brad Smith. As for Allison vs. Clowney I'll leave that to them. They bring the same skillset, so it's basically just which one they think is better.

[bitonti]

the DUDE is NOT 5'9. 5'7 MAX, maybe even shorter. but other than his face, he does look like he has some weight.

height is not a requirement for NFL RB. In fact the bigger a back is the more of a target he presents to the defense. guys likes MJD get lost in the shuffle.

but again that roster spot isn't gonna be about offense, its gonna be about specials. Out of Woodhead and Washington I think Danny Woodhead does more for specials. Altho if Chauncey Washington keeps making hits on special teams he's gonna make a real case for himself.

What im trying to say here is it's probably Westoff's pick when we get that low on the roster.

[SoFlaJets]

the only thing I disagree with is Danny Woodhead-he'll make the team over Chauncey-I also agree that Clowney is done here-he doesn't even seem to be into it anymore-lousy gunner never even near the play crappy pass catcher-I'd like to see Larry Taylor-he is a pretty good kick returner. Also, if Rex can ever get through to Adalius Thomas I can see him on the team replacing Pace for a while if his $$$ demands aren't unREVISanable

[slats]

the only thing I disagree with is Danny Woodhead-he'll make the team over Chauncey-I also agree that Clowney is done here-he doesn't even seem to be into it anymore-lousy gunner never even near the play crappy pass catcher-I'd like to see Larry Taylor-he is a pretty good kick returner. Also, if Rex can ever get through to Adalius Thomas I can see him on the team replacing Pace for a while if his $$ demands aren't unREVISanable

Chancey vs. Danny is one of the more interesting story lines on the Jets this year. Could be either/or, both or neither.

You watching the game now? You see Westoff getting in Clowney's face on the sideline? I don't know if that's tough love he's giving him, or he's just sick of him. I tend to think he's just sick of him.

I don't think your boy Larry Taylor has much of a shot. He shows some burst on returns, but they look they've decided on McKnight for punts and Smith for KO's. I'd say he maybe has an outside shot to stick as the fifth WR while Holmes serves his suspension - but that he's really going to have to come up huge in this last week to make that happen. Westoff showed him some love in the last Hard Knocks, but we haven't seen that on the field since he pulled him for McKnight against the Panthers.

[SoFlaJets]

Chancey vs. Danny is one of the more interesting story lines on the Jets this year. Could be either/or, both or neither.

You watching the game now? You see Westoff getting in Clowney's face on the sideline? I don't know if that's tough love he's giving him, or he's just sick of him. I tend to think he's just sick of him.

I don't think your boy Larry Taylor has much of a shot. He shows some burst on returns, but they look they've decided on McKnight for punts and Smith for KO's. I'd say he maybe has an outside shot to stick as the fifth WR while Holmes serves his suspension - but that he's really going to have to come up huge in this last week to make that happen. Westoff showed him some love in the last Hard Knocks, but we haven't seen that on the field since he pulled him for McKnight against the Panthers.

no I didn't see Westhoff getting on him I just noticed how he is never near the returner as the gunner-Wallace was ALWAYS right there

[T0mShane]

Just to be extreme, in a perfect world I'd like to see Vernon Gholston get cut just to show the rest of the team that they're serious about having winning players around, and not guys who may or may not show up and play hard. Gholston is freak, but he is an unapologetic dog of a player. That sh*t has to eat a lot of guys in that locker room alive, especially when you factor in the money.

Also, let's be real, Woodhead is a lost cause. He can't pass protect, so he can never play on offense, and he can't cover kicks or return because he's just not big enough. I'm sure Rex gets a hard-on watching him bust his a$$, but he doesn't have the physical tools to be versatile enough to hold down a roster spot. He's Kevin Swayne.

[Larz]

NT (2)

Kris Jenkins

Sione Pouha

isn't pouha playing RDE ?