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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2009 > September > 03 > Entry
Chick’s picks: My shot at the 53-man roster
TWO WORST DAYS ON
THE NFL CALENDAR:
PRESEASON FINALE &
‘CUTDOWN DAY’
We have come to the point where we must endure the two worst days on the NFL calendar.
The preseason finale and “Cutdown Day.”
The last exhibition game is only good for the backups because it’s their final opportunity to make a good impression.
They’re not only playing for their respective teams. They’re playing for 31 other clubs as they attempt to put their best foot forward in search of employment.
As for “Cutdown Day,” it’s brutal because friends must say goodbye.
The Cincinnati Bengals need to look around the locker room tonight before and after they face the Indianapolis Colts. A lot of guys won’t be here on Saturday, Sept. 5.
That’s when NFL teams slash their 75-man rosters down to the league-mandated maximum of 53.
Even if you survive Saturday, it doesn’t mean you’ll be around on Sunday. the Bengals have been searching high and low for a third cornerback this summer.
Unable to find one, they’ll likely pluck a cornerback off the waiver wire.
Here’s my shot at the 53-man roster.
Remember: Rookie offensive tackle Andre Smith, the club’s top draft pick, is on a two-week roster exemption, so he doesn’t count against the 53-man roster.
When the exemption ends after the Sept. 13 opener against Denver, the Bengals must knife a player to make room for Smith on the active roster.
OFFENSE (24)
• QBs (3) — Carson Palmer, J.T. O’Sullivan, Jordan Palmer.
• RBs (4) — Cedric Benson, Brian Leonard, Bernard Scott, Jeremi Johnson.
• WRs (6) — Chad Ochocinco, Laveranues Coles, Chris Henry, Andre Caldwell, Jerome Simpson, Quan Cosby.
• OL (9) — Andrew Whitworth, Nate Livings, Kyle Cook, Bobbie Williams, Anthony Collins, Dennis Roland, Jason Shirley, Jonathan Luigs, Scott Kooistra.
• TEs (2) — Daniel Coats, Chase Coffman.
DEFENSE (26)
• DL (9) — Domata Peko, Tank Johnson, Pat Sims, Langston Moore, Robert Geathers, Antwan Odom, Michael Johnson, Jonathan Fanene, Clinton McDonald.
• LBs (7) — Rey Maualuga, Dhani Jones, Keith Rivers, Rashad Jeanty, Abdul Hodge, Brandon Johnson, Darryl Blackstock.
• DBs (10) — Leon Hall, Johnathan Joseph, David Jones, Geoffrey Pope, Chris Crocker, Roy Williams, Chinedum Ndukwe, Marvin White, Corey Lynch, Kyries Hebert.
SPECIALISTS (3)
PK Shayne Graham, P Kevin Huber, LS Brad St. Louis.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Tough cuts — Frostee Rucker, Jim Maxwell, Chris Harrington, Tom Nelson, DeDe Dorsey, James Johnson, Morgan Trent, Maurice Purify, Freddie Brown, Evan Mathis, Andrew Crummey
Don’t be surprised if — Langston Moore and Jeremi Johnson get knifed … Darryl Blackstock makes it … Tom Nelson sticks instead of Corey Lynch or Marvin White … Morgan Trent sticks instead of Geoffrey Pope … Kyries Hebert is a special teams head hunter, but he’s on the bubble.
Practice squad candidates — Morgan Trent, Tom Nelson, Freddie Brown, Maurice Purify, Augustus Parrish, Fui Vakapuna, Rico Murray, Dan Skuta.
Is this the year? — Could the Bengals break the mold and go with just two QBs? If Carson Palmer could stay healthy, yes. But he can’t, so you keep Jordan Palmer.
I’m convinced — The Bengals will claim a cornerback off the waiver wire.
And remember … you don’t just “name” an eight-man practice squad. The players must pass through waivers in order to be signed to the practice squad. I have a feeling that undrafted rookie safety Tom Nelson — should he get cut — will not pass through waivers. He has an excellent chance to stick on the 53-man roster.
Permalink | Comments (17) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Bengal Fan
September 3, 2009 11:58 AM | Link to this
Tom Nelson has been getting a lot of love on HBO’s Hard Knocks, I wouldn’t be surprised to see both Corey “BlockThatKick” Lynch and Nelson both make it and Marvin White gets released. Also think Maurice Purify has a shot to make the 53 man roster.By jeff
September 3, 2009 12:24 PM | Link to this
Chick from your list I would eliminate: Quan Cosby- He only does one thing they need versatility Jordan Palmer- No need to explain this, and they should only keep two Langston Moore, Fanene can play the inside. McDonald- Practice squad I think Nelson makes it oer Lynch, and Trent makes it over Pope. I also agree they will bring in a CB. That leaves 3 spots open: I think Rucker makes it, I think they will keep DeDe and I think they will keep a 1oth lineman in Mathis. I wouldnt be shocked if they keep Pressley because it seems like they are tired of dealing with JJ’s weightBy Ft. Myers Foursome
September 3, 2009 1:07 PM | Link to this
The Bengals need a good running game. If Jeremi Johnson is close to his weight, he’ll make it. He’s the best run blocker they have. He’ll clear the path for Benson and help protect Palmer. Without him, I don’t think Palmer will last the season.By William
September 3, 2009 1:28 PM | Link to this
I still think DeDee Dorsey will get the last RN spot on the roster. Carson likes him.By thirtyand13
September 3, 2009 1:34 PM | Link to this
They will keep 2 fullbacks for sure since they are short on te’s. That means Quan Cosby is gone.Tom Nelson just gives them more.i think either C. Lynch or K. Hebert is done.By steveinvandalia
September 3, 2009 1:35 PM | Link to this
what no Parrish? just kidding, I think they sighned him to give Hard Knocks comic relief. Good to hear my favorite beat writer again. You will be missed Chick.By Homer
September 3, 2009 1:44 PM | Link to this
OFFENSE (24) • QBs (3) — Carson Palmer, J.T. O’Sullivan, Jordan Palmer. • RBs (5) — Cedric Benson, DeDe Dorsey, Bernard Scott, Jeremi Johnson, . • WRs (6) — Chad Ochocinco, Laveranues Coles, Chris Henry, Andre Caldwell, Jerome Simpson, Quan Cosby. • OL (9) — Andrew Whitworth, Nate Livings, Kyle Cook, Bobbie Williams, Anthony Collins, Dennis Roland, Evan Mathis, Jonathan Luigs, Scott Kooistra. • TEs (2) — Daniel Coats, Chase Coffman. DEFENSE (26) • DL (9) — Domata Peko, Tank Johnson, Pat Sims, Froste Rucker, Robert Geathers, Antwan Odom, Michael Johnson, Jonathan Fanene, Clinton McDonald. • LBs (6) — Rey Maualuga, Dhani Jones, Keith Rivers, Rashad Jeanty, Abdul Hodge, Brandon Johnson. • DBs (11) — Leon Hall, Johnathan Joseph, David Jones, Geoffrey Pope, Morgan Trent, Chris Crocker, Roy Williams, Chinedum Ndukwe, Marvin White, Tom Nelson, Kyries Hebert. SPECIALISTS (3) PK Shayne Graham, P Kevin Huber, LS Brad St. Louis.By richardb
September 3, 2009 3:41 PM | Link to this
After listening to HardKnocks last night it seems the Bengal coaches have already decided most, if not all the positions. Isn’t tonight’s game only about keeping the starters out and letting the people not making the team absorb the punishment?By richardb
September 3, 2009 3:45 PM | Link to this
I forgot to add: DDN editors, Chick Ludwig is a writer’s sports writer. You ought to use him to report the pro game. Hey Chick, the National Football Post is a real good writers web site, maybe their looking for talent.By Steve
September 3, 2009 5:36 PM | Link to this
Hey Chick, you overlooked one of the most obvious & best cuts the Bengals could make. Get rid of MB.By Steve
September 3, 2009 5:38 PM | Link to this
Hey Chick, you overlooked one of the most obvious & best cuts the Bengals could make. Get rid of MB.By VoHo
September 4, 2009 8:08 AM | Link to this
Chick! Hey Stud, are you sneaking in the back door of the Bengals War Room at DDN? Good to have you a on the 48-man game day roster two days in a row! My surprise “keeper” would be Chris Pressley. I think he can be what JJ was in half a season. Then you keep Leonard as the “other” fullback and pass catcher. Many pundits are saying its Leonard or Dorsey but I think the decision may be Dorsey or Scott. Nelson should make it over Cosby for his tackling on STs. I think there’s also a tough choice among White, Herbert and Lynch. At DT/DE hybrids, I think it will be McDonald or Moore… not both. I’d like to see them pick Harrington over Rucker. He’d be great energy off the bench and probably has more ST potential. Too bad Fat Albert may end up stealing a roster spot while his foot heals. Does the team get a grace period on him? BTW – Dorsey returned punts in college, have the Bengals tried him there in the past?By Joe Bearcat
September 4, 2009 9:09 AM | Link to this
VoHo-The Bengals get a 2 week roster exemption for Smith. 1 week was the last preseason game, the other week is week 1 of the regular season. I’m hoping for Nelson-makes it on versatility and Pressley-I’d rather root for an over-achiever than worry about how many burgers JJ has eaten this week.By d
September 4, 2009 2:01 PM | Link to this
So they aren’t keeping Brian Leonard…and he’s not listed as a “tough cut”….Keeping Jeremi Johnson would be stupid, especially when Leonard can play FB.By d
September 4, 2009 2:03 PM | Link to this
So they aren’t keeping Brian Leonard…and he’s not listed as a “tough cut”….Keeping Jeremi Johnson would be stupid, especially when Leonard can play FB.By nyc
September 4, 2009 9:26 PM | Link to this
this is truly amusing…like it really matters who the bungals keep or cut..its totally pointless…they are one of the sorriest franchises in pro sports…if they get lucky and win a game or two…and i am being gracious here..it is irreleventBy Stone
September 4, 2009 11:00 PM | Link to this
Seriously nyc. You need a life dude! You are getting OWNED on this blog over and over. Why write in from nyc with your garbage. You are gonna look like a complete idiot when the Bengals win. Did MB cut you as a gy water boy or something? Are you bitter? Go jump off the Eiffel Tower you lamess.