My 53-Man Roster

Tomorrow, the Broncos will have to release all but 53 players, along with practice squad players, as mandated by the NFL. If I were Head Coach, this is whom I would put on the roster.

[NOTE – This post was written Thursday afternoon, before the Arizona game, so anything regarding that game is not included.]

QUARTERBACK – Jay Cutler will make the team. I know, breaking news. The improvement of Patrick Ramsey is evident from one game to the next – a good sign he’ll be a half-decent backup should the worst occur. It’s hard enough for me as a Northern Arizona student to see Ernster go – if they cut Preston Parsons, the other NAU alum on the team, I’ll really be disappointed. The move looks likely as Darrell Hackney looks to grab the coveted practice team third quarterback spot.

RUNNINGBACK – If (and that’s a big if) the Broncos were to keep a fourth tailback, this battle will be interesting tonight. Selvin Young has looked very impressive in games this pre-season, and Andre Hall has been struggling with injuries. If Hall plays, he will have this one and only shot to show he’s worth keeping on the team. Meanwhile, the fullback battle looks wrapped up with Kyle Johnson and Paul Smith.

WIDE RECEIVER – This area seems pretty set in my mind. Walker, Marshall, Stokley, Clark and Hixon. Quincy Morgan will be the 6th guy if the Broncos keep that many. Rod Smith is on the PUP, meaning he’s out until at least October, at which time the Broncos will have another 6 weeks to determine his fate.

TIGHT END – This one is as hard to predict as any, and my gut tells me the Broncos may be keeping a whopping 5 tight ends. Daniel Graham, Tony Scheffler and Mike Leach are the locks to make the roster (Leach being, of course, the team’s long snapper). The coaches still really like Stephen Alexander for his veteran leadership and his blocking, and Nate Jackson has probably done more for his career this pre-season than anyone else on the team. I think it will be hard to cut ties with Jackson, and so the Broncos will keep 5.

OFFENSIVE LINE – The Broncos generally don’t keep a ton of backups on the offensive line. It’s usually the starting five and then three or four backups, meaning that some good linemen will be on the outside looking in. The starters should be Lepsis, Hamilton, Nalen, Holland and Pears. This leaves Adam Meadows as the backup tackle, Chris Kuper and Chris Myers as valuable backups in different positions – Kuper can play both G and T, Myers G and C. With Hamilton out, Myers will get the start… I know, ugh. Of interesting note, rookie Ryan Harris – I’m guessing he’ll be placed on IR this season.

DEFENSIVE LINE – Suddenly a very young group at defensive end, the defensive line roster will have 9 players. Dumervil and Engleberg get the start, and the rookies fill in behind them for the time being. Sam Adams, Jimmy Kennedy, Marcus Thomas, and Amon Gordon will fill in at DT, with Alvin McKinley finishing up the group. McKinley has also seen action at DE in the past so provides good depth at both positions. Gone already is Veal and Lang, and I suspect Burton will be next.

LINEBACKER – Nate Webster has won the SAM battle, and there are no signs of Jeremiah Trotter making a trip to Denver anytime soon.

SECONDARY – Besides the dynamic duo, we have Foxworth, probably the best 3rd corner in the league, and then it’s Paymah and Jeff Shoate, who has really impressed this pre-season. Safety doesn’t need much explaining.

My Final Roster

Again, this is MY OPINIONATED LIST of whom I think should make the roster, not necessarily a prediction of whom I think will make the roster.