Arkansas Bengal Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 Projecting the Bengals' 53-man roster Coley Harvey, ESPN Staff Writer CINCINNATI -- The first wave of preseason cuts are on the horizon for the Cincinnati Bengals and other NFL teams as they work to get their rosters down to 75 players by Tuesday. With the releases of three this past Tuesday, the Bengals have 87 players on their roster. Although we will start having a better idea after the third preseason game where some of Cincinnati's fringe players stand, we can try to project the roster. Based on what we've seen in practices and two preseason games, here's a 53-man roster projection: Quarterbacks (2): Andy Dalton, AJ McCarron (practice squad: Keith Wenning) Running backs (4): Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard, Rex Burkhead, Cedric Peerman (cut: Mark Weisman, practice squad: James Wilder Jr., Terrell Watson) H-backs (1): Ryan Hewitt Wide receivers (6): A.J. Green, Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu, Greg Little, Mario Alford, Brandon Tate (IR: James Wright, cut: Denarius Moore, Tevin Reese, Onterio McCalebb, practice squad: Jake Kumerow, Michael Bennett) Tight ends (3): Tyler Eifert, Tyler Kroft, C.J. Uzomah (cut: John Peters, practice squad: Matt Lengel) Centers (2): Russell Bodine, T.J. Johnson (cut: Jake Smith) Offensive tackle (4): Andrew Whitworth, Andre Smith, Eric Winston, Jake Fisher (injury list: Cedric Ogbuehi, cut: Tanner Hawkinson, Matt O'Donnell, practice squad: Dan France) Offensive guard (3): Clint Boling, Kevin Zeitler, Trey Hopkins (practice squad: Chris Jasperse) Defensive end (5): Carlos Dunlap, Michael Johnson, Margus Hunt, Will Clarke, Wallace Gilberry (cut: Sam Montgomery) Defensive tackle (5): Geno Atkins, Domata Peko, Brandon Thompson, Marcus Hardison, Pat Sims (cut: Devon Still, Kwame Geathers, practice squad: DeShawn Williams) Outside linebackers (4): A.J. Hawk, Emmanuel Lamur, Paul Dawson, Marquis Flowers, (injury list: Vontaze Burfict, Sean Porter, cut: Jayson DiManche, Chris Carter) Middle linebackers (2): Rey Maualuga, Vincent Rey (cut: Nico Johnson, practice squad: Trevor Roach) Cornerbacks (5): Adam Jones, Dre Kirkpatrick, Darqueze Dennard, Leon Hall, Josh Shaw (cut: Brandon Ghee, Chris Lewis-Harris, practice squad: Troy Hill) Safeties (4): Reggie Nelson, George Iloka, Shawn Williams, Derron Smith (cut: Shiloh Keo, Floyd Raven) Specialists (3): Kevin Huber, Clark Harris, Mike Nugent (cut: Tom Obarski) Remaining position battles to watch Keep a close eye on what happens with the final roster spots at running back, offensive tackle, defensive tackle, outside linebacker and safety. Some of our hardest projected cut-down decisions came at those positions. At outside linebacker, the decision of keeping Flowers over Carter was difficult because the latter has been solid all preseason, and was one of the few bright spots in Monday night's game at Tampa Bay. Carter deserves a spot on the 53-man roster. But the Bengals are still trying to groom Flowers and are also encouraged by what he's given them on defense and special teams. Things could change at defensive tackle by the end of the preseason, especially considering Sims has missed multiple practices and didn't play in Monday's game. When he has been out there, he has outperformed Still. DeShawn Williams could be hard to hide on the practice squad. We chose Derron Smith over Keo for the final safety spot, but Keo has played quite well, too. In this case, the younger Smith's playmaking potential was the deciding factor. France has played well enough to sneak onto the 53-man roster. His status could be dictated by possible injury-list designations that affect other offensive tackles at the start of the regular season. Finally, be on the lookout for updates about the competition between Wilder and Watson. The practice squad seems most likely for both, given the stranglehold others have on running back jobs. Wilder might hold a slight edge because of his recent strong special teams play. http://espn.go.com/blog/cincinnati-bengals/post/_/id/18581/bengals-roster-53-man-locks-snubs-preseason-cuts Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Dub Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 Again I have no idea why we'd risk Williams getting poached off the PS for the sake of Margus Hunt. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmoothD Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 Again I have no idea why we'd risk Williams getting poached off the PS for the sake of Margus Hunt.Totally agree Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 I think Williams and Carter make it. And Kumerow wouldn't surprise me either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PatternMaster Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 Chris Carter is playing at a high level, it would be a shame if he were cut but there is a lot of politics involved in making the final 53 and some team will notice his play and give him a shot.  I like Coley's predictions but the Bengals hope find a spot for Carter, dude's been balling. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|westside bengal| Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 Again I have no idea why we'd risk Williams getting poached off the PS for the sake of Margus Hunt.Dead Money? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hooky Posted August 26, 2015 Report Share Posted August 26, 2015 Again I have no idea why we'd risk Williams getting poached off the PS for the sake of Margus Hunt.Agree. And Denarius Moore over Brandon Tate. I'm good with the rest. Though I agree that Carter should get a shot. Since he was the only one that made a play the other night. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmckbengal Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 I agree I think Tate is gone, my gut tells me Peko may be gone as well. He got pushed around Monday night. His pay doesn't equal his play. Love the guy (his family is awesome as well), but I think he needs to go! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scharm Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 Chris Carter's snaps came earlier in the game than other players so I think he's a live shot to make it. Margus Hunt made the 1 play but his motor was lacking a lot on his other snaps.  He really didn't look like he wanted to play, IMO.  Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Dub Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 Dead Money?Sunk cost; that money is gone either way. Williams has to be on a chump-change contract (by NFL standards) so it really comes down to whether it's worth admitting a mistake in order to gain a player that might actually contribute something more than colorful sound bites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B.A.B. Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 I agree I think Tate is gone, my gut tells me Peko may be gone as well. He got pushed around Monday night. His pay doesn't equal his play. Love the guy (his family is awesome as well), but I think he needs to go!Peko is lucky we have very little talent behind him. I think he's a terrible football player at this point but I can't realistically say someone like Devon Still is better Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnglishBengal Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 I hope Peko gets cut. Â Then have Deshawn Williams instead of Margus Hunt (who can get traded to the Vikes, say), and keep Carter as the 7th LB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Dub Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 Cut Peko and replace him with who at NT? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EnglishBengal Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 Cut Peko and replace him with who at NT?Brandon Thompson and Pat Sims Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Dub Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 (edited) Brandon Thompson and Pat Sims You do realize neither of them played vs. Tampa due to injury?I don't think replacing a, what, 8-year starter (?) with 2 often-injured guys who aren't even playing in the preseason is a realistic option. Edited August 27, 2015 by T-Dub Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 I agree I think Tate is gone, my gut tells me Peko may be gone as well. He got pushed around Monday night. His pay doesn't equal his play. Love the guy (his family is awesome as well), but I think he needs to go! That's just a bad burrito.   Peko's not going anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Dub Posted August 27, 2015 Report Share Posted August 27, 2015 That's just a bad burrito.   Peko's not going anywhere. I could see BT potentially moving ahead of him by the end of the year. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimKrumrieFan Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 I just hope to God Carter does not make this team and steal a spot from a guy who actually has a future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 I hope that if Carter makes the team he is productive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Dub Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 I hope that if Carter makes the team he is productive.I'm sure he could bounce off running backs and get pancaked on the pass rush just as well as AJ Hawk & for a lot less money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scharm Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 (edited) I just hope to God Carter does not make this team and steal a spot from a guy who actually has a future.   There's only so much roster space that can be dedicated to the "future".      Every year you typically can mark down just about every team's picks 1-4 are making, it has to be high 90s percentage.      You can't go to far in reserving spots for guys that aren't performing and getting out played.   Sure you run the risk (as every team does) that the light comes on once you cut the individual. Probably more guys never pay off vs. the ones that eventually do.  Edited August 28, 2015 by scharm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ColdWarrior Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 Chris Carter's snaps came earlier in the game than other players so I think he's a live shot to make it. Margus Hunt made the 1 play but his motor was lacking a lot on his other snaps.  He really didn't look like he wanted to play, IMO.  This will be the make-or-break week for Carter.  Sounds like he's gonna get some snaps in Lemurs spot rather than as a gadget rusher.  The back-up Tampa QB drifted backward in the pocket right into his arms, inflating his numbers.  I'm really looking forward to seeing him play more as an actual OLB for evaluation.Regarding Margus, he looked like the coaches have been focused on having him contain the run/set the edge more than turning him loose.  I think that made him look a little lazy 'cause he wasn't crashing.  I still have hope for him but now agree that 2nd round was too high...  He needs less Estonian and more Tazmanian to his game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
|High School Harry| Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 (edited) This will be the make-or-break week for Carter.  Sounds like he's gonna get some snaps in Lemurs spot rather than as a gadget rusher.  The back-up Tampa QB drifted backward in the pocket right into his arms, inflating his numbers.  I'm really looking forward to seeing him play more as an actual OLB for evaluation.Regarding Margus, he looked like the coaches have been focused on having him contain the run/set the edge more than turning him loose.  I think that made him look a little lazy 'cause he wasn't crashing.  I still have hope for him but now agree that 2nd round was too high...  He needs less Estonian and more Tazmanian to his game.With the 53 man roster, one must always leave a little wiggle room for late cuts by other teams the Bengals will add that will bump a bubble player or two.As far as Margus... I am a big fan and that usually does not bode well for the player.  What I thought was he was pretty much a one trick pony last week.  That said, he did usually end up in the Tampex Bay backfield rather than being blown off the play like some others... I don't think he's lazy or anything like that, he is simply rather stoic and does not show a lot of emotion or celebrating or whatever.  One play that may have gone unnoticed was I think he was on the ground in the trash and caught the running back's ankles or calves and it not bringing him down, held him up for the rest of the D to catch up with him. Edited August 28, 2015 by High School Harry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scharm Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 This will be the make-or-break week for Carter.  Sounds like he's gonna get some snaps in Lemurs spot rather than as a gadget rusher.  The back-up Tampa QB drifted backward in the pocket right into his arms, inflating his numbers.  I'm really looking forward to seeing him play more as an actual OLB for evaluation.Regarding Margus, he looked like the coaches have been focused on having him contain the run/set the edge more than turning him loose.  I think that made him look a little lazy 'cause he wasn't crashing.  I still have hope for him but now agree that 2nd round was too high...  He needs less Estonian and more Tazmanian to his game.IMO, Margus had a couple chances to get in on a play in pursuit and really didn't seem interested.  More content to let some other player get the tackle.Of course, I don't think the whole team was really that interested in playing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky151 Posted August 28, 2015 Report Share Posted August 28, 2015 IMO, Margus had a couple chances to get in on a play in pursuit and really didn't seem interested.  More content to let some other player get the tackle.Of course, I don't think the whole team was really that interested in playing. The team did look uninterested. But a few guys like Dawson stood out as playing hard. Hunt would have helped his cause if he were in that group but he wasn't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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