Official UDFA Thread

[pbmax]

Question - the article that mentions thePack signing 3 tryout guys says the team has 88 players but is not over the 80 limit b/c unsigned rooks and unsigned tender guys don't count.

So does that mean that as a guy signs - let's say someone signs a tender or a rook draftee signs a contract in the next two weeks - that the team must then cut someone? In other words, if you're one of the three tryout guys signed, could you then be cut before you ever even got to OTA's?

Yep. But they will get a few weeks. It will be a bit before all the RFA tenders are signed and then it will be late July before all the draft picks are on board.

[Patler]

Rights to 88 players
7 unsigned drafted rookies
4 unsigned RFAs.

Seems they have 77 signed players, so the first 3 signings will not require the release of another player, until they get to 80 signed players. Thereafter, every new signing will require someone to be released to make room on the 80 man roster.

[Fritz]

Wouldn't it suck to be signed and think you'd get a shot and then get cut before you ever set foot on the field?

[vince]

I wouldn't be surprised to see some vets cut that no longer fit into their plans to give them a chance to catch on with another team before camp starts.

[Patler]

I wouldn't be surprised to see some vets cut that no longer fit into their plans to give them a chance to catch on with another team before camp starts.

Any ideas who? I went through the roster this morning, with the same thought in mind. With the drafted tackles, Giacomini and maybe Barbre could be gone before camp. Probably Lumpkin, too. Harrell if he isn't 100%. Maybe Talley.

Currently the 88 players include:

15 O-line
4 QBs
3 FBs
5 RBs
5 TEs
10 WRs

7 DEs
4 NTs
13 LBs
10 CBs
7 safeties
Jarrett Bush (corner? safety?)

2 punters
1 kicker
1 LS

They seem to be heavy in OL, RB, WR, DE and CB. Maybe an extra QB and safety.

[vince]

You mean I have to back up my blanket statements with supporting information now? That's a bunch of bull.

When you break it down, here's what I came up with - not that I expect some of these names to be cut, but here are the possible non-rookies that could be on the chopping block before the 80-man...

Bush
Bell
Clark
Lumpkin
Giaco
Barbre
Crabtree
Lee
Harrell
Toribio
Talley

I'd like to put Poppinga's name down, but they're so thin at OLB and Popp's a reliable guy if nothing else. It's way too early to cut bait with him I'd say.

[Fritz]

The only name there that would surprise me is Lee. Two years' investment, thin at the backup corner spot. They need to see if he can play before they cut ties.

If Harrell gets cut before camp you know his back is truly fubared.

[Patler]

You mean I have to back up my blanket statements with supporting information now? That's a bunch of bull.

When you break it down, here's what I came up with - not that I expect some of these names to be cut, but here are the possible non-rookies that could be on the chopping block before the 80-man...

Bush
Bell
Clark
Lumpkin
Giaco
Barbre
Crabtree
Lee
Harrell
Toribio
Talley

I'd like to put Poppinga's name down, but they're so thin at OLB and Popp's a reliable guy if nothing else. It's way too early to cut bait with him I'd say.

Lee? I think only if he isn't healthy. Otherwise they will play the heck out of him in preseason to see what he has.

Not sure if he will be around in September though!

Could be time for a whole new set of backup DBs this year. If they find another decent return man, Blackmon's tenuous hold will also slip.

[Patler]

The only name there that would surprise me is Lee. Two years' investment, thin at the backup corner spot. They need to see if he can play before they cut ties.

If Harrell gets cut before camp you know his back is truly fubared.

Agree completely on Harrell. If he is "healthy" they will really push him in preseason games to see if he holds up. If he doesn't, bye-bye.

[vince]

Agree on all that. I was actually thinking of Donald Lee, although I would be surprised to see it. He's officially lost his starting gig though, and while Havner is a terrible blocker, they may be thinking of going in another direction with the tight-end position altogether and give him a chance to catch on with another team where he can get more playing time. We all know how McCarthy likes his fullbacks doing the lead blocking, and the two positions are somewhat interchangeable when it comes to the running game. On top of that, Finley has turned himself into a pretty respectable blocking tight-end too.

They've done that with a few guys who lost their spots... Bretsky's idol Bob Ferguson to name one.

[Patler]

Agree on all that. I was actually thinking of Donald Lee, although I would be surprised to see it. He's officially lost his starting gig though, and while Havner is a terrible blocker, they may be thinking of going in another direction with the tight-end position altogether and give him a chance to catch on with another team where he can get more playing time. We all know how McCarthy likes his fullbacks doing the lead blocking, and the two positions are somewhat interchangeable when it comes to the running game. On top of that, Finley has turned himself into a pretty respectable blocking tight-end too.

They've done that with a few guys who lost their spots... Bretsky's idol Bob Ferguson to name one.

So by "Lee" you mean't Donald, not Patrick? That makes more sense. My earlier comment was with repect to Patrick Lee.

I thought about Donald Lee, too, but with Havner rehabbing and the others inexperienced, I figured Donald Lee is safe into training camp anyway. Sure on the bubble for a final roster spot though. If he was a devastating blocker he might be kept for that, but he isn't much more than just "OK" and has reverted back to the knock against him before GB, that he drops too many..

[sharpe1027]

I think one of Hall and Kuhn are gone eventually. I doubt they go with 3 FBs again and some of TTs comments make me believe they like what they see with Q. Johnson.

Doubtful that anything happens before camp though.

[SkinBasket]

Jarrett Bush (corner? safety?)

Hopefully, "would you like fries with that?" will be a closer description of his position come fall.

[retailguy]

Jarrett Bush (corner? safety?)

Hopefully, "would you like fries with that?" will be a closer description of his position come fall.

No, no no. I've been told that's too "old school" and outdated. The new politically correct terminology is "would you like to supersize that?"

[pbmax]

Jarrett Bush (corner? safety?)

Hopefully, "would you like fries with that?" will be a closer description of his position come fall.

No, no no. I've been told that's too "old school" and outdated. The new politically correct terminology is "would you like to supersize that?"

I think you mean to ask if they want orange slices.