Comparison of the two Rosters that I have written down on Aug. 31 of each year. There were some changes shortly after this I think, but this is close to the initial 53 man roster from last year.
Quarterback: (DOWN)
Cutler, Clausen, Fales --- Cutler, McCown
Hindsight says that last years (backup) QBs are better than this years. But maybe Clausen will surprise as well this year.
Running Back: (DOWN)
Forte, Draughn, Carey, Perry --- Forte, Bush, Ford
Bush didn't give us much last year, but none of the three backups we're going with this year are proven in any way. Maybe that's why we kept so many of them.
If even one of the guys this year can make a solid contribution, then this will be an UP. But I have to see it happen first.
Full Back: (EVEN)
Fiametta --- Fiametta
Wide Receiver: (UP)
Marshall, Jeffery, Morgan, Holmes, Spurlock, Wilson --- Marshall, Jeffery, Bennett, Wilson, Anderson, Weems
If Wilson returns and contributes as we all hope he will, this will be a solid UP. However, even if he doesn't, Morgan and Holmes seem like a slight upgrade over the WR depth we had last year.
Tight End: (EVEN)
Bennett, Rosario, Mulligan --- Bennett, Maneri, Adams
Seems like a wash right now. Rosario and Maneri are both decent blockers, but we still don't have much after Bennett.
Tackle: (DOWN)
Bushrod, Mills, Ola, Leno --- Bushrod, Mills, Scott, Britton
With Mills just getting back and Ola and Leno not being that impressive in the preseason, we seem a bit less certain at the Tackle spot this year. If Ola and/or Leno are pressed into action, I hope they come on strong.
Guard: (DOWN)
Slauson, Long --- Slauson, Long, Brown
If De La Puente had been healthy recently, I'd give this an UP since I think he's more capable of backing up the Guard position than Brown was last year, but until then, we're a little short at the Guard Spot.
Long has looked even better this preseason than he did last season, and I think that could translate into him having an even better season this year.
Center: (EVEN)
Garza, De La Puente --- Garza, Boggs
When I'm certain that De La Puente is back healthy, this will be a Solid UP.
Defensive Tackle: (EVEN)
Ratliffe, Paea, Sutton, Ferguson --- Melton, Paea, Collins, Minter
Some will think this is a solid UP, but I don't see it yet. Ratliffe has been solid, but so was Melton for awhile there.
I see a lot of positive potential in Sutton and Ferguson, but these are two completely untested DTs who are going to be called on to provide a lot of work this year.
I hope they learn fast and get better quickly. I'm somewhat concerned that we've undervalued our DT depth yet again this year.
I was going to wait until after we fleshed out the PS a little to mention it, but this really feels like a problem to me.
Defensive End: (UP)
Allen, Houston, Young, Scott, Washington, Bass --- Peppers, Wootton, McClellin, Ozougu, Washington
The clearest UP on the Team. Improved significantly from #1 thru #4. I don't see the need for carrying six of them this year, but hopefully Bass and Washington can give us something on Special Teams.
Linebacker: (EVEN)
Briggs, Williams, McClellin, Bostic, Greene, Jones --- Briggs, Williams, Anderson, Bostic, Greene, Costanzo
This is at best an EVEN. That's assuming some improvement from Bostic and Greene, which I've seen signs of this preseason.
Cornerback: (UP)
Tillman, Jennings, Fuller, McManis, Hurst --- Tillman, Jennings, Frey, Bowman, McManis, Wilson
The little I've seen of Fuller so far gives this group a slight UP. But that's assuming he really has something special to offer the Secondary.
This group needs it. McManis has been better this year I think.
Safety: (EVEN)
Mundy, Conte, McCray, Vereen --- Wright, Conte, Steltz, Walters
I have hope that Mundy is just a little better than Wright, but I don't see much here to suggest this group is any better than it was last year.
I pray they aren't put in the same position they were last year, but given what I've seen from Tucker and this defense during the Preseason, I don't have much hope of that.
Specialists: (DOWN)
Podlesh, Gould, Mannelly, Hester --- O'Donnell, Gould, Hartson
Apparently Hartson is now gone and we have no LS at all. Even with him, this group doesn't inspire much confidence.
O'Donnell hasn't impressed me at all so far. I hope that changes once the season starts.
Mannelly and Hester are proving to be bigger losses than expected. I can't believe a better backup plan wasn't under consideration a long time ago.
