Guessing The Final-53
August 28th, 2018
Projected survivor.
This is one reason why the NFL is so popular. As the drudgery and cruel teasing of the preseason drags on, a light at the end of the tunnel can be seen.
It’s a parlor game. It’s called “Guess the 53.”
So Jenna Laine of ESPN took a stab at it with one more exhibition game remaining, the AAF job fair Thursday night.
As we are four days away from the initial-53 being announced, Laine offers her vision of the final-53 (There is always jockeying on the roster when decent players are cut by other teams that the Bucs may or will bring on board.)
No major surprises from Laine
She believes the velvet-lined lounge of the Vero Beach Ramada Inn will offer drink discounts in celebration of Freddie Martino beating out Bernard Reedy and Bobo Wilson for a job.
Laine also thinks offensive tackle Leonard Wester, who has missed most of training camp, will beat out camp meat sleeper Cole Gardner. Yes, she believes Mike Liedtke also will pass muster on the line.
With linebackers, the surprise here is that Laine thinks Jack Cichy has done enough to keep a gig over established veteran Devante Bond. Laine thinks Bond’s foot injury dooms him.
Laine finishes her predictions with rookie defensive backs squeezing cornerback Javien Elliot out of employment.
August 28th, 2018 at 1:43 pm
Good with all of that other than Martino over Wilson
August 28th, 2018 at 1:47 pm
She nailed it !
August 28th, 2018 at 1:54 pm
We are cutting some good players….and, as I predicted all of our 2018 draft picks will make the team…..
If there is a chance to put a couple of these players on IR……..Bond, Wester…..we should do that because they are too good to completely let go.
Our 53 will be stronger and so will our PS.
August 28th, 2018 at 1:57 pm
Love Martino. Member when we had receivers that had no idea how to get open LOL gosh I don’t miss those days.
That Defense is going to be awful again so sorry to say. Outside of JPP, absolutely no upgrades just gap fillers.
August 28th, 2018 at 2:04 pm
I would rather Bobo over Martino
August 28th, 2018 at 2:07 pm
I like reedy personally.
No America. Vea Allen mj Davis and curry are app upgrades. Terrible analysis.
August 28th, 2018 at 2:08 pm
All*
August 28th, 2018 at 2:13 pm
I’m with LordC and BucHead:
Wilson over Martino. Martino will make a good play and then drop an easy one.
Bobo has been more consistent, but unfortunately he has been injured for part of camp.
Bullough may get cut since he has a minor injury which would allow the Bucs to keep 10 offensive linemen(Cole Gardner). If Bullough is not claimed by someone else the Bucs can add him to the practice squad.
August 28th, 2018 at 2:15 pm
For those scoring at home, this would mean the entire draft class made the team which is pretty impressive.
August 28th, 2018 at 2:22 pm
you losers need a life and a job and a woman
August 28th, 2018 at 2:30 pm
Looks pretty spot on to me. Maybe Bobo makes it over Martino, but truthfully haven’t seen much from him in the games yet.
Also not sure if Bond is definitely the odd man out over Joe Dirt and Cinchy at LB.
Agreed JabooBuc, that would be impressive.
August 28th, 2018 at 2:38 pm
All of our 2018 draftees may just make the team………….I am scratching my head trying to figure if that’s a good or bad thing. I’ll say mostly good with a aftertaste of bad.
Also isn’t RB/KR #38 a undrafted player? He may stand a chance to make the squad.
RB is one of the more intriguing battles to follow. It will be interesting to see if they make a move or close their eyes and dress up 2 rookies. Maybe they even consider using the extra roster place(for Winston suspension) on RB.
August 28th, 2018 at 2:47 pm
The Tackle position is a major concern for this roster. We need another tackle with some experience on this roster.
Are they really going to go into a season with a guard as your backup tackle playing out of position? I heard Benechot is a guy they like to slide over to tackle…….And in my opinion Wester is a better guard the he is tackle.
Get some freaking tackles that are professional tackles not guards or center playing a position they are not fully prepared for. This seems like a very simple concept.
I mean for chists sake, why not start throwing OJ oug there when Dotson hoes down? I’ve seen him handle an edge rush.
August 28th, 2018 at 2:47 pm
And I know throwing OJ at tackle is a stupid idea…….that’s the point.
August 28th, 2018 at 2:51 pm
Her predictions look pretty solid to me.
August 28th, 2018 at 3:00 pm
Bond should be bye bye. Why is he still here?
August 28th, 2018 at 3:00 pm
Freddie MUST make the final 53. Go Freddie!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 28th, 2018 at 3:11 pm
I don’t know Lamarcus. What’s so bad about Bond?
August 28th, 2018 at 3:26 pm
Agree with AlteredEgo. Jenna nailed it IMO … with 1 possible exception. She kept 6 LBs while Jameis is on suspension, and that makes sense IF Beckwith is still a No-Go, but close, when Game 1 rolls around (assumes that they don’t want to put him on PUP). But IF Beckwith is a full GO come Game 1, then I think we’ll go with 5 instead of 6 LBs, and will then go with 5 RBs (the 5th one isn’t on the roster yet but needs to be).
Also think that Licht may yet sign a veteran CB, and IF that happens then Josh Robinson would likely be odd man out. IF Licht signs a veteran OLineman, then Wester will most likely be odd-man-out for the time being.
August 28th, 2018 at 3:45 pm
Like several above, I prefer Wilson over Martino.
To those knocking Leidtke, he’s been pretty darn good at LT this preseason, considering he’s never played LT before. He’s certainly earned the roster spot.
August 28th, 2018 at 3:58 pm
I don’t understand the idea of keeping Martino, at this point we all know what he is. Bobo meanwhile seemingly has some upside, but if he’s still being a complete a-hole behind the scenes, I guess he could be out. Also Ryan Smith should be gone. The best thing that could happen for the Bucs would be if the Bucs cut Smith and someone in the NFC south signed him and our QBs got to go against him. He’s awful and doesn’t deserve a spot on the team.
August 28th, 2018 at 4:20 pm
Liedke could be our swing and future RT of the future.
August 28th, 2018 at 4:22 pm
I agree about Ryan Smith and hopefully Elliot gets cut as advertised.
They both look out of their depth.
On a more funny note
***Robert Ayers gets cut by the Lions 1 DAY after signing the DE***
LMAO
August 28th, 2018 at 4:26 pm
gotta agree with david lee roth on this one….
a life, a job, a woman…priorities…
53 man roster…not so much
August 28th, 2018 at 4:44 pm
The Wilson/Martino battle is interesting……I think they both have displayed they can play in the NFL……I also know Jameis likes to throw to both of them….it seems to me that Martino has the edge….and the better voice.
August 28th, 2018 at 4:49 pm
You got too many FSU fans that wanna take BoBo Wilson over Martino on this site Joe.
August 28th, 2018 at 5:00 pm
Rod Munch
“I don’t understand the idea of keeping Martino, at this point we all know what he is.”
He’s a guy that made a nice ass catch for a TD last week. Bobo Wilson has played in 3 games with one reception in the NFL. Wish we could’ve taken Bailey over both of em but Martino is much more suitable for the last WR spot.
August 28th, 2018 at 5:00 pm
She is spot on with her analysis. Great article Joe.
August 28th, 2018 at 5:01 pm
I don’t see any real surprises.
One thing is apparent. When cutdown day arrives for many players versatility is the determining factor. The more positions you can cover with your one roster spot makes you that much more valuable.
Either got to be a star or very, very versatile. Go Liedtke.
August 28th, 2018 at 5:02 pm
How has Ryan Smith been playing this preseason? I haven’t noticed.
August 28th, 2018 at 5:05 pm
Who ever #6 WR is needs to send Sergio Bailey a thank you/get well card.
August 28th, 2018 at 5:49 pm
Jimmy jack
Bond is the least impactful player on the Bucs roster for last 2 years. Give that spot to either Nigel Harris or Cincey
August 28th, 2018 at 5:50 pm
Especially Cichy. He looks like a keeper. Still slow but he shows he has “it”
August 28th, 2018 at 5:51 pm
I could care less if Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck make the squad! Bucs need to WIN this season..period. Don’t care who scores..what scores..How they score..How they stop offenses….By any means necessary..WIN. To hell with the Buc annual excuses parades.
August 28th, 2018 at 6:09 pm
Lemarcus…Agree about Cichy…he never has been fast…but as you say, he seems to have a nose for the play and is a good tackler. And I think a year removed from his ACL injury will help him pick up a step next year. And I think he would never make it to practice squad, and would be picked up by another team.
August 28th, 2018 at 6:18 pm
BucHead5588 Says
“I would rather Bobo over Martino”
The problem there is Bobo has not earned a spot. He was given a fair shot, but an incumbent always has a slight edge. Bobo should have tried harder. Like Watson did.
August 28th, 2018 at 6:20 pm
I think the player cut when Winston returns will be Ryan Smith.
Smith has had a chance to prove himself, and he had a good chance of making the team, but the two drafted CBs both turned out to be very good.
August 28th, 2018 at 6:25 pm
My own predictions are pretty close to the same, with only a couple exceptions.
(just click my name to see)
August 28th, 2018 at 6:36 pm
I bet Jenna has it within 2-3 players at worst.
Nice job Ms Lane. I guess you really are paying attention to the Buccaneers as a fan would.
I imagine one of the Cole(s) will get the last back up OT spot – probably Gardner – but I’m not sure of those guys health status atm – so maybe Liedtke does win that spot because he’s healthy and showed reasonably well when thrown into the fire at LT. At least 1 if not 2 of those 3 will go to the practice squad if they clear waivers.
I kind of doubt Joe Dirt and Cichy both make the final 53 over Bond. Health could be the determining factor there as well though. Bond has played too many games I believe to be PS eligible – Bullough and Cichy are both eligible if they don’t get snagged. Perhaps Jenna believes the Bucs think Bond has peaked and that Cichy has more potential upside? We know how much coaches love Bullough’s “tude” – but I’d say Bond for sure has the athletic edge over Bullough. Bond sure seems to get hurt a lot – there’s another factor. Tough decisions there at LB- lots of bottom of the roster talent at LB . Cam Lynch is most likely a bubble candidate as well. Usually those situations come down to who is the most valuable on special teams – and I honestly don’t know the answer to that between those 4 (Lynch, Bond, Bullough and Cichy)
And finally – the 6th receiver. Martino may indeed have the edge – because he’s been here longer and has shown more in real games that Wilson has. That said – if Bobo is healthy and ready to go coming into week 1 – That’s the player I keep if there is to be a 6th receiver kept. We know what Martino is capable of – and for a 6th receiver – he’s not a bad choice. But Bobo has untapped upside and could definitely be a better player in a year or 2 than Martino is. Bobo has more speed, more quickness, more elusiveness and more YAC capability than Martino. He also has a chance to be a pretty good and perhaps very good return specialist which IMO is the deal cincher at that spot.
Last thought –
I had a hunch that special teams Ace Josh Robinson was potentially on the bubble this year. Then he made that b-e-a-utiful play at the goal line Friday night – tapping the ball to Ryan Smith for a downed punt at the 2 yard line. And its like – “yea – OK – that’s right – he’s really good at that chit.” If Robinson can do that a couple times again this year in real games and make 10 ST tackles – he’s worth $1.7M and a final roster spot.
That one play probably took him off the bubble – LOL. Nice job Josh!
August 28th, 2018 at 6:41 pm
Bonzai – Ryan Smith isn’t going anywhere.
He’s an exceptional “gunner” and would make the team on that basis alone at his salary. Ryan Smith is not a finished product at CB either – so he will for sure be here at least 2 more years through his rookie contract.
August 28th, 2018 at 7:00 pm
Bonzai…Cichy will not make the practice squad…the Packers would pick him up and he would likely go home before we would get another sniff at him…so you might want to reconsider that. And you can bet Licht and Koetter know it as well as I do.
August 28th, 2018 at 7:13 pm
Mark001
Cichey is number 48. U must be mistaking him for number 49 who is just not that good
August 28th, 2018 at 7:39 pm
Lemarcus…never said Cichy was 49. Was saying you are correct…and he did have an ACL last year…that is why he didn’t play for Wisconsin.
BTW…look at the tackles he had last game… Personally I think he is better than #49. as you indicated, a couple years younger, but he wouldn’t run the 40 for a time before the draft because he is still getting stronger from the ACL about a year ago, but about a 4.7/8 . As I remember, good but no burner. a Hardy Nickerson Junior/ Beckwith kind of speed.
August 28th, 2018 at 7:55 pm
BTW Bonzai…before the injury, some had Cichy slated as a possible forth rounder. Frankly as he contributes to every special teams we have, as he is, and is showing a great deal of promise, I don’t see us letting him slide.
August 28th, 2018 at 8:41 pm
Mark – I’m pretty sure I saw somewhere Licht quoted as saying some GMs he was talking to were referring to Cichy as a possible 2nd rounder prior to the major injury.
August 28th, 2018 at 8:46 pm
Mark001
JK. I think Cichey is slow because he is fresh off the knee injury and will take time for him to “get his feet under him”. But I still think he show enough to be in the NFL roster. Not a practice squad player. He is totally gonna be a good one
August 28th, 2018 at 9:14 pm
Lemarcus…agree 100%. Some other team would snap him up before he ever made it to our practice squad.
Pickgrin…he has certainly better than 6th round talent and I don’t see us letting him out the door.