Krieder, Urban, Morey, Pope, Becht, Gandy, Lutui, Brown, Branch, Highsmith, Hobson, Davis, Toler, Francisco, Canfield.

Now of those the ones that I think are in the biggest battles to get a place are – Canfield, Branch, Francisco, Krieder.
With Castille, Dykes, Ross or any of the safeties battling for the last few spots.

I believe the following players are not locks:

Vallejo, Spach, Patrick (Patrick doesn’t count against roster so he won’t be cut, but he isn’t one of the 53 either)

My suprises are that TE Byrd and DL Dykes make the roster. Berry could be the most shocking cut.

FB – I think Krieder beats out Castille for this job as Krieder is a Whiz/Grimm guy. Just a tough nosed player that will get the job done to the best of his ability. I really like Castielle but he just doesn’t have the blocking ability we want in this position right now.

WR – With our need to improve our special teams this year i think Morey makes the cut as he was a pro bowler and is a captain on special teams.
Urban could make a push if Doucet proves to not be good on special teams.

TE – There is going to be a huge battle for this position in training camp and the pre season. I think Becht and Pope make it since Patrick won’t be on the roster for the first 4 weeks.

OL- Gandy definitely makes it here along with Lutui and Elton Brown.

DL – I think Dykes and Branch make it from the 4 listed. Branch will be given one last shot to show that a pile of crap isn’t more valuable than him.

LB – Highsmith, Davis, and Hobson make it in this group.

CB – Toler makes it with ease from this group.

S – This one is a little tougher as Francisco is very good on special teams but so is Lewis. Since I have 2 spots left I’ll take a gamble and say they both make it.

RB – As much as I like LSH’s potential, he’s a practice squad guy for a year.
FB – Kreider, but he’s the only one that makes it.
WR – Urban and Morey make the cut. Sad to see Long go but why mess with a good thing?
TE – Becht and Byrd. Byrd actually takes the place of Castille and fills the H-back/hybrid fullback role.
OL – Gandy, E Brown, Lutui. Leaves not true center backup but Wells and E Brown can fill in.
DL – Dykes and Branch. Branch’s last shot but I think it ends up being his best year (which isn’t saying much)
ILB – Highsmith and Hobson
OLB – None. Davis sticks on the practice squad until someone goes down and someone will go down
CB – Toler. I liked Adams but his size is too much to overcome.
S – Lewis and Keyes. Keyes is my surprise of the bunch b/c he’s a true safety with some potential.

That’s 15 spots which means’ I’ve got on final 53rd spot to hand out and what the hell, I’ll keep Will Davis. He won’t be active on game days until someone goes down but why risk putting him out there if you don’t have to.

FRANCISCO, Seriously? anyone else think so, this guy is what i would refer to as a 2string bust

I’ll inlcude 37, I think B. Berry gets cut. (Cheers to StuckinColorado, I’m using his format)

My 16:

RB – LSH – gets it, Garvin stays on the practice squad

FB – Kreider – Great lead blocker, if Castille is eligible PS

WR – Long & Morey – Fully agree, Long beats out Urban and Morey’s ST play is too valuable

TE – Becht & Byrd Agreed on all — (Pope begins the season on the roster if Spach is on PuP, but will be released when Spach is healthy again) – Becht proves he’s a great blocking TE – Byrd is hungry and beats out Pope for the spot to stay

OL – Gandy, Lutui & E. Brown – Agreed – Canfield is narrowly beat out by E. Brown, but sticks on the practice squad

DL – Dykes & Leisle – This is Branch’s last chance, and they want to start preparing in case he doesn’t ever show up

ILB – Hobson & Highsmith – Hobson is valuable with experience and ability to play outside or inside and Highsmith continues to bulk up and improve

OLB – Davis – his pass rushing ability makes Berry expendable

CB – Toler – another lock here

S – Lewis – Agreed – Lewis is just as good (at half of the price)

I think just stating Long beats out Urban this year is a short-sighted assessment. Remember, Urban is 4th on the depth chart. For Long to do this, Doucet would also have to beat him out because Doucet’s spot isn’t going anywhere this year. Finally, Urban’s the versatile guy that can play all the positions if he has to plus he contributes some on ST. I don’t think anyone has seen this from Long yet.

We’re gonna have to see a lot from Long and Doucet for it to work this year. If anything is working in Long’s favor, it would be that Urban was probably a Haley guy (they were in Dallas together, I think).

Other spots, most of which I said a couple months ago:

WR: Morey earned the rest of his contract in ‘08, but everybody wants Long to move up now. However, there’s very little to be gained by bumping Long up in favor of Morey this year, as there will be no game-time available at WR (not to mention the other stuff). Coaches will take a hard look at Long in pads but he’ll stay on the PS this year. Expect him to get called on waivers or a 2010 debut, barring significant injuries.

TE: Either Pope or Byrd will place-hold Patrick’s roster-spot. With Becht & Spach, there’s no need for 4. However, if Spach goes on the PUP, we’ll see even more of the two underachievers…

FB: There’s no sense replacing Smith with Kreider. If Wells & Hightower have a fresh start at developing a rapport with their FB, it seems futile to bring in another old man who will be replaced in a year or two. Not only can Castille do a little bit of everything, including ST, now is the perfect time to get him in-sync with the half-backs.

NT: Branch’s renewed offseason efforts show Whiz a glimmer of hope. He makes the squad, doesn’t start. Leisle who?

OLB: I can also see Berry getting cut, but he’ll make it if they feel comfortable putting Davis on the practice squad.

ILB: I think Togafau has the edge over Highsmith now simply because he lasted through a longer portion of the season. Regardless, I have no idea who’s going to end up backing up the position. I don’t think the two UFA’s have much of a chance.

CB: Toler is a lock in my mind, but I don’t count Adams totally out of the game. I’m surprised Tony Davis didn’t last a bit longer — sounded like he had a decent report coming out of college. I assume this to mean they have more faith in Fontenot than I would have guessed.

S: There’s no way Ware makes it this season. I anticipate Francisco sticking around but I don’t anticipate them keeping more than 4 players at safety. Keyes will most likely stay on the PS this year while Lewis & Francisco battle it out… If they do keep five, it’ll be these two.