Early Stab At The Roster

[Joemailman]

Wasn't Conway a draft pick when Longwell beat him out? I could be wrong.

Yep. Conway was terrible though. Longwell clearly beat him out. It was a different situation from what we have here.

[vince]

Wasn't Conway a draft pick when Longwell beat him out? I could be wrong.

I believe Longwell was a late addition to the team - after he was cut from another team - Seattle I think. He was added because it had quickly become clear that Conway was having big problems and they needed someone who could make a field goal.

[Iron Mike]

Wasn't Conway a draft pick when Longwell beat him out? I could be wrong.

I believe Longwell was a late addition to the team - after he was cut from another team - Seattle I think. He was added because it had quickly become clear that Conway was having big problems and they needed someone who could make a field goal.

Longwell came from the 49ers.

[falco]

Wasn't Conway a draft pick when Longwell beat him out? I could be wrong.

Yep. Conway was terrible though. Longwell clearly beat him out. It was a different situation from what we have here.

I like Crosby, I think he'll be our kicker. I'm just saying stranger things have happened.

I wonder if Wolf got chided for blowing a 3rd round pick on a bust of a kicker? At least he didn't trade up for it I guess.

JH, where do you get these things? Are you basing this on a short clip you saw of players on the sidelines? Or do you have a legitimate source?

[Bretsky]

Wasn't Conway a draft pick when Longwell beat him out? I could be wrong.

I believe Longwell was a late addition to the team - after he was cut from another team - Seattle I think. He was added because it had quickly become clear that Conway was having big problems and they needed someone who could make a field goal.

Conway was a 3rd round pick
Longwell was cut by the 49ers

[RashanGary]

JH, where do you get these things? Are you basing this on a short clip you saw of players on the sidelines? Or do you have a legitimate source?

It's a coplete guess and a hunch. It's neck and neck. I think it might come down to who is the better team guy.

It's sort of a weird thing that I pick up on TT. He has a strange affinity for team guys and lockerroom (sideline) love.

I listen to all of Thompsons press conferences. He seems to be very concious of how guys get along. I just would not be suprised if the final straw is the guy who gets along best in the lockerroom. After the short clip, I saw something with Crosby that I don't see with Rayner.

It's just a guess but it has some twisted logic behind it.

[GBRulz]

Rayner does a ton of community events with teammates. He also watched the SB on board a navy aircraft carrier with a handful of teammates. I'd say he gets along with them just fine.

The pre-season sidelines are a little different. Guys are working hard and stressing out over making the team. Do you not think Rayner isn't just a bit nervous for his job right now?

I don't really care which kicker we go with. The one that gives us the best chance to win is all I care about. To make up accusations that Rayner doesn't get along as well with teammates in the lockerroom is a bit far-fetched.

[RashanGary]

Never said to take the lesser guy. May the best guy win.

I think they are equal but Crosby might have an intangible edge that Thompson looks for.

[HarveyWallbangers]

Pretty silly, Nick. You have no idea if Rayner is well-liked or not. You have no idea if Crosby is well-liked or not. As far as Rayner goes, I remember training camp reports from last year that stated his teammates did indeed like him because he was different than your typical kicker. He was a part of the team... a football player.

[RashanGary]

Pretty silly, Nick. You have no idea if Rayner is well-liked or not. You have no idea if Crosby is well-liked or not. As far as Rayner goes, I remember training camp reports from last year that stated his teammates did indeed like him because he was different than your typical kicker. He was a part of the team... a football player.

I could be wrong, just a hunch. No one will ever know, I just think Thompson weighs how good of a team mate that guys are more than other GM's. I thought it might translate to this neck and neck race.

[falco]

Pretty silly, Nick. You have no idea if Rayner is well-liked or not. You have no idea if Crosby is well-liked or not. As far as Rayner goes, I remember training camp reports from last year that stated his teammates did indeed like him because he was different than your typical kicker. He was a part of the team... a football player.

I could be wrong, just a hunch. No one will ever know, I just think Thompson weighs how good of a team mate that guys are more than other GM's. I thought it might translate to this neck and neck race.

I think Thompson will take whoever is going to be the most reliable and accurate kicker, regardless of whether the teammates love him or think he is a jerk.

[RashanGary]

Question 1

Who is the better field goal kicker?

Answer 1

All things considered they are equal




Question 2

Who is the better kick off guy?

Answer 2

They are both equal




Question 3

Who should we keep?

Answer 3

If we can get a trade for one or teh other take it. If not, we can either flip a coin or take the better lockerroom guy. Let's take the better lockerroom guy.



Last resort tie breaker. They are equal. Nobody is pulling away. A tie breaker like intangibles might have to be used.

[falco]

I guarantee you by the end of the preseason they will have enough information to make a decision one way or the other. If the decision comes down to who the other players like better, than the coaching/evaluation staff are not doing their jobs.

[HarveyWallbangers]

From Bob McGinn's chat--which would seem to go against JH's argument. McGinn could be wrong, but we just don't know enough to make an ascertation like that.

Q: Digger of Andover - Hi Bob; A 52 yarder off the grass on the road to seal the victory? Not bad for your first NFL kick. Can he do it off the tundra in December? What are Crosby's chances of unseating Rayner? Does Rayner have to falter, or will a tie go to the draft pick? Either way, I feel a lot better about kicker than I did 1 yr ago. Lay your wisdom on me, oh mighty sage.

A: Bob McGinn - Dig: If the cut was today, no way they'd cut Crosby. His potential is vast. He has been automatic. Rayner hasn't been quite as good. Many veterans are pulling for Rayner. It's tough on a rookie in this setting. All the kid has done is make everything. Yes, the FG kicking should be better in 2007.

[RashanGary]

Yes, I do appear to be wrong.