Addressing Cutdowns
August 25th, 2018
Decisions.
A week from today, we will know the initial roster of your 2018 Bucs.
At 1 p.m. on Sept. 1, the Bucs have to trim their roster to 53 players. The team will likely release that information later in the afternoon or early evening.
What happened last night in the third preseason game against the Lions could directly impact who gets cut and who will be looking for work next weekend.
Wide receiver is easily the deepest position on the roster followed by tight end and then linebacker. But with injuries to Kendell Beckwith and Devante Bond, linebacker all of a sudden is not that deep. Does that help Jack Cichy?
The rookie from Wisconsin really hasn’t stood out to Joe, but of course, Joe is an untrained eye when it comes to all linebacker responsibilities. He was a tackling machine at Wisconsin until he blew out his knee. Koetter has hinted that Cichy may still be a tad mentally hesitant because of that surgery, which is natural for guys recovering from that procedure.
Joe suspects the man formerly known as “Fabio,” Riley Bullough, will benefit more than Cichy, who seems destined for the practice squad as Bullough was last season.
Wide receiver is crazy deep. It appears rookie Justin Watson will make the squad, but perhaps Joe is jumping the gun there. He seems dinged up often. And how will the mess of an injury list on the offensive line impact, say, wide receiver?
Given how the offensive line is battered with injuries, the Bucs may elect to keep more offensive linemen than previously expected. That would impact the depth of receivers and perhaps tight ends or linebackers.
For example, tight end Antony Auclair, a great story from the obscurity of Canadian college football to a rookie free agent and then an NFL roster, has been pretty invisible this summer outside of a strong block on Peyton Barber’s touchdown run last night. Bucs coach Dirk Koetter, who loves tight ends, has already announced “Honcho” Alan Cross was not a bubble player.
Joe suspects after last night’s performance, backup left tackle Mike Liedtke earned a spot on the final-53. Given how he can also play center and guard, which Koetter covets, it’s hard to see Liedtke not making the team. Two weeks ago he was a long-shot.
Would keeping Liedtke bounce Auclair off the roster or maybe some receiver like Bobo Wilson? Joe suspects the Bucs will keep the pride of the velvet-lined lounge of the famed Vero Beach Ramada Inn, Freddie Martino.
This is all a fun puzzle to try to piece together. A puzzle that will be solved officially in a week.
And a reminder, the NFL only has one cutdown date after the rule change early last year.
August 25th, 2018 at 3:06 pm
No roster will be set until Sept. 3 when teams seagull cut players.
For a bubble player 9/3 > 9/1.
August 25th, 2018 at 3:09 pm
honcho
August 25th, 2018 at 3:10 pm
have we cut vita yet?
August 25th, 2018 at 3:11 pm
Think Shaun will make it.
August 25th, 2018 at 3:16 pm
I disagree about Auclair, he made a nice block on Barbers TD run!
I think he makes the team for his blocking prowess
August 25th, 2018 at 3:19 pm
Remember that Jameis does not count toward the final 53 man team until he returns. This should open another spot temporary for an extra ol.
August 25th, 2018 at 3:26 pm
My heart skipped a beat when my main man, Freddie Martino, dropped a pass last night. But Freddie made a comeback with his awesome touchdown catch late in the game. Go Freddie!!!!!
August 25th, 2018 at 3:32 pm
Bond seems injured more than he’s available.
August 25th, 2018 at 3:38 pm
All I have to say is Nigel Harris and Cincey better make it before Bond and Joe dirt.
August 25th, 2018 at 3:48 pm
Joe
You want Martino to make the squad just so you can keep using that silly moniker that obviously makes you, and most likely only you, chuckle.
Sure, your staffers at JBF World Headquarters laugh and tell you it’s hysterical…. but come on, they gotta eat!
August 25th, 2018 at 3:55 pm
Bobo-no
Sergio-practice squad
Bond-NO!
Fabio-practice squad
Nigel-practice squad
Liedtke-YES!-team
Martinez-Yes
Bernard Reedy-no, No, NO!
Whitehead-yesplease
Auclair-practice squad(won’t last long as he will get swooped)
Shaun runningback–yes-team
August 25th, 2018 at 3:57 pm
dario ogunabowale-no to squad even
igwebuike(safety) maybe if there is an open spot on the practice squad
August 25th, 2018 at 3:58 pm
My boy #44 didnt get any 1st team looks so that means either Shan Wilson or another teams cut is our 4th RB, right?
Liedtke last night looked like he is worthy of a spot. Watson has also looked worthy this preseason.
Everytime somebody brings up Joe Dort I get a quick moment of excitement, I mean hes Joe Dirt c’mon, which quickly fades when I get flashbacks to him playing in real NFL games.
August 25th, 2018 at 4:00 pm
I think Noah Spence will be gone!
August 25th, 2018 at 4:07 pm
NEWS ALERT:
Bucs hosting Terrance West–I saw it on NFL.com
need an update on Noah Spence-couldn’t break through–his technique aint working or something–he was up against 3rd and 4th string–good athlete–maybe he could be a linebacker
August 25th, 2018 at 4:16 pm
Spence should be done. watching him with the next UPS drivers and School subs he has done nothing. Does not even show up. I think his shoulder injuries has finished him.
August 25th, 2018 at 4:32 pm
Some NFL teams are gonna swope up our Receiver and tend end surplus once cut-downs come. And they are gonna get some gems. I like Joe Dirt. But I don’t think he makes the squad or the practice one. I got the Bucs takin a few of some other teams cuts.
August 25th, 2018 at 4:37 pm
Why in God’s name would we keep Martino? What’s he do? Watson and stop. That’s 5.
August 25th, 2018 at 4:38 pm
Auclair isn’t going anywhere. Anthony made a very nice catch last night btw.
Watson has made the 53 as long as he doesn’t get injured. Tough call between Bobo and Martino for the 6th WR spot if there is one. Martino still likely slightly ahead of Wilson – but Bobo has more future upside I believe…
Bailey looked great in the first 2 pre-sdeason games – but I heard he got carted out during warm ups??
August 25th, 2018 at 4:38 pm
I think the best player that will be released is Bobo Wilson….he’s got #2/#3 potential but so does the rookie who has made some legit NFL catches. The 3rd string TE has some talent, but he’s probably a #2 at best. I feel like everywhere else its pretty obvious who gets cut.
August 25th, 2018 at 4:52 pm
auclair is definetly not going anywhere regardless of the injury problems else where lol. he’s the no 3 TE in an offense that requires a lot more out of that spot than usual . have you not noticed how often he has been in the game with the 1s? he doesn’t even play with the “bubble” players but you suspect he wouldn’t make it? just a irresponsible and idiotic take. beckwith probably starts on PUP list meaning you can keep an extra linebacker without it counting against the 53 . don’t think line should be much of a problem were you need to take a extra body unless marpet and benenoch can’t get back healthy in time for new orleans. have couple bodies on the off line that are capable of playing tackle to go along with the no 3 tackle who at this point is probably liedtke
August 25th, 2018 at 4:58 pm
Reedy dropped 2 passes he should have caught.
August 25th, 2018 at 5:09 pm
Dear Santa,
I know it is too early but will you PLEASE cut Chris Conte as an early Christmas present to all of us Buc fans. We have been loyal and faithful to them and can’t stand this sub par piece of crap on our team anymore.
Signed
Buc Fans
August 25th, 2018 at 5:21 pm
Conte missed an assignment last night and looked absolutely lost doing it.
He even looks awkward when is just standing there.
We can only wish they would cut him.
Now that Evans is hurt, not only will he make the team %90 chance he starts.
Where is the bang your head against the wall emoji?
August 25th, 2018 at 5:24 pm
Conte missed an assignment last night resulting in a HUGE play and looked absolutely lost doing it.
He even looks like a moron just standing there.
Now with Evans hurt, not only will he make the team, there is a 90% chance he starts.
Where is the bang your head against the wall emoji?
August 25th, 2018 at 5:24 pm
Auclair is on this team 100%.
Reedy is gone for sure.
Between Bobo Wilson, Freddie Martino, and Sergio Bailey, I think Martino has the biggest edge (slightly), with Bobo next in line.
ME13, D-Jax, Godwin, Hump, Watson doesn’t look too shabby for the top 5. Just need the o-line to hold up…
August 25th, 2018 at 5:33 pm
@Billy from where I sit on the field I saw at least two plays that Conte was responsible for. Both resulted in big gains for Detroit. He will cost us games and jobs this season.
August 25th, 2018 at 5:48 pm
Sergio Bailey…stashed is on IR…
August 25th, 2018 at 5:48 pm
This is the time of year where it helps to have some empathy for those who don’t make it…..they’ve worked and dreamed most of their life….through High School (perhaps before) College, sat through the draft without success…..made a tryout or were signed as UDFA…..worked their tails off against high odds…..
Its a very small and elite field….the NFL player….I wish them the very best and hope that their education prepared them for success at something else.
August 25th, 2018 at 5:51 pm
Very nice article, Joe. Thank you for the reminder because I forgot. In your opener I wondered if there would be a preliminary round of cuts.
August 25th, 2018 at 5:54 pm
Count me in the camp that believes that Justin Watson absolutely deserves to make this roster over Freddy Martino, Bernard Reedy and Bobo Wilson.
August 25th, 2018 at 5:56 pm
I don’t care. I’m sure they’ll make good decisions. Most of these guys that squeaked onto the team last season are expendable. Guys like Bullock, Auclair, Reedy and Martino are easily replaced if injuries come. I’d look hard at the rookies before most of those guys because you don’t know how good they can become. All theses others will never be great.
August 25th, 2018 at 6:13 pm
Here’s my final 53 as of right now
QB: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Ryan Griffin, Jameis Winston(When he returns from suspension will be the #1 QB but wont take up a Spot until said time)
HB: Peyton Barber, Ronald Jones, Jacquizz Rodgers, Shaun Wilson
TE: O.J. Howard, Cam Brate, Antony Auclair, Alan Cross
WR: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Desean Jackson, Adam Humphries, Justin Watson
O-Line: Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet, Ryan Jensen, Caleb Benenoch, Demar Dotson, Evan Smith, Michael Leidtke, Leonard Wester (if healthy) or Alex Cappa.
D-Line: Jason Pierre-Paul, Gerald McCoy, Beau Allen, Vinny Curry, Will Gholston, Vita Vea, Noah Spence, DaVonte Lambert, Jerel Worthy or Mitch Unrein
Linebackers: Lavonte David, Kwon Alexander, Kendell Beckwith, Adarius Taylor, Cameron Lynch
Safeties: Justin Evans, Chris Conte, Keith Tandy, Jordan Whitehead
Corners: Brent Grimes, Vernon Hargreaves, Carlton Davis, MJ Stewart, Ryan Smith, Josh Robinson
Specialists: Chandler Catanzaro K, Bryan Anger P, Drew Ferris LS
Obviously when Jameis comes back Griffin will be demoted to the PS.
August 25th, 2018 at 6:22 pm
They will absolutely not put Griffin on the PS…..he hasn’t been placed there for over 2 years and he would never stick……He will likely be the primary backup for Jameis next year…..
Say goodbye to someone else….
I think Beckwith may be placed on PUP or IR. That will open up a slot for Bulloch or Cichy.
August 25th, 2018 at 7:23 pm
They are not going to cut Noah Spence Lol an replace him with who he’s a situational pass rusher who’s missed almost all of last season he still learning An we know he was stunted with coach J Hayes
August 25th, 2018 at 7:37 pm
Spence is a situational pass rusher that does not produce results….chances a better than even he is gone
August 25th, 2018 at 7:46 pm
Joe…did you look at the “box score” from the Detroit game? Cichy…6 tackles, 5 solo tackles…Bullough…2 tackles, 2 solo, one for loss. Now I know stats don’t mean everything…but….
August 25th, 2018 at 8:01 pm
I don’t know about Spence…kind of a tough call. BTW…Conte had six tackles, Johnson actually had eight.
August 25th, 2018 at 8:13 pm
@SwiftyBuc … “Obviously when Jameis comes back Griffin will be demoted to the PS.” Sorry but I don’t think Griffin can be placed on the PS. BTW, only counted 51 on your list, including Jameis. So with Jameis not counting for the first 3 games, you get to add 3 more to your list (BTW, I agree with all 51 you’ve listed). In addition though, we’ll keep 1 more WR, 1 more OLineman, and while Jameis is suspended we’ll keep 1 more RB (as a return man). Not sure at this point who the WR will be (I suspect Martino), but I’ll guess that the extra OLineman has yet to be signed (a FA or trade) and the same with the RB (Licht will sign someone when the cuts occur). When Jameis comes back, he’ll either replace someone who’s gone onto IR or he’ll replace the 5th RB (probably Wilson). Griffin ain’t goin’ nowhere is my guess (he’s next year’s backup when Fitz hangs it up).
August 25th, 2018 at 8:31 pm
Agree with Defense Rules. BTW, Derwin James looking good. Just sayin…
August 25th, 2018 at 8:33 pm
Didn’t Koetter say Sergio Baily had a freak ankle injury—a dislocation or something—in warmups and had surgery? Sounds like IR to me.
August 25th, 2018 at 8:35 pm
Is Griffin even eligible for the PS? Hasn’t he been there like 5 years?
August 25th, 2018 at 8:49 pm
Not sure Griffin is eligible for the PS although I think he is not. Regardless, he is not going to the PS. He is now a commodity for this team and a future long term backup for Jameis assuming JW can keep his head straight. Which is another reason Griffin needs to be on the roster
August 25th, 2018 at 9:21 pm
Ah I didn’t realize there was an experience limit to what Players are eligible for the PS.
August 26th, 2018 at 1:14 am
Why would Martino make the team? Is he a special teams demon? He had a bad drop Friday. Meanwhile Justin got hurt a little long ago and has looked like a stud yet is on the bubble? Wut?
August 26th, 2018 at 1:16 am
As for Cichy and Riley…unless you think Cichy just needs time to get his knee in order, it makes little sense to keep the guy who wasn’t a draft pick and isn’t nearly as athletic (kinda like Martino and Watson)
August 26th, 2018 at 4:32 am
Wow, looking at QB stats in the preseason. NFL.com has 110 listed…
Here’s the last two…
109 Austin Allen TB QB
3-9 33.3% 37yards 0TDs 1 INT – 7.4 Passer rating
110 Mike Glennon ARI QB
2-7 28.6% 11.yards 0TDs 1IN – 0.0 Passer rating
August 26th, 2018 at 10:50 am
Chris… Crunchy was a draft pick. And often takes a couple years to come back from that injury 100 percent..
August 26th, 2018 at 10:51 am
Cichy.
August 26th, 2018 at 12:05 pm
Honestly with soooooo many players being cut around the league I suspect we might have some new faces on this team . . . .js