Predict the WRs on the Final Roster

[membengal]

It has been touched on in the Shipley thread and the observations thread, but perhaps it can be centralized.

What are your predictions for the final roster when it comes to the WRs?

I think they keep only six and that AB is indeed done for the year one way or the other. My guess:

Ocho

Owens

Shipley

Caldwell

Simpson

Cosby

with Briscoe to practice squad, Matt Jones and M. Purify cut, and Antonio Bryant to IR or an injury settlment...

[whizzo]

Ocho

Owens

Shipley

Caldwell

Simpson

Cosby

with Briscoe to practice squad, Matt Jones and M. Purify cut, and Antonio Bryant to IR or an injury settlment...

I like your thinking. does purify still have PS eligibility?

[ArmyBengal]

Yeah, there are a couple situations that will play into this. Will Bryant get released or IR'd ?? Will they carry 7 WR's, while only carrying 2 QB's ?? So there are a few different way you could look at this.

I'll try to give it a shot considering all and only look at who gets the slots.

HEALTHY BRYANT CARRYING 6

Chad, TO, Bryant, Shipley, Caldwell, Simpson

NOT HEALTHY BRYANT CARRYING 6

Chad, TO, Shipley, Caldwell, Simpson, Cosby

HEALTHY BRYANT CARRYING 7

Chad, TO, Bryant, Shipley, Caldwell, Simpson, Cosby

NOT HEALTHY BRYANT CARRYING 7

Chad, TO, Shipley, Caldwell, Simpson, Cosby, Briscoe

Granted all of this is considering that everyone else stays healthy. If not, this all can change in the blink of an eye.

God forbid...

[Kazkal]

I thought if you were activated for 6 games you can't go on the PS or something like that.

[membengal]

Well done covering your bases on that, army.

Whizzo, I don't think Purify has practice squad eligibility left, but I dunno for sure. I think if he's cut, he doesn't clear waivers in any event.

As for 6 vs. 7, I just think the 6 above with AB to the IR covers their bases for 2010 and lets AB recover (if he can) and lets them go with their usual at another position (like DB).

[ArmyBengal]

Well done covering your bases on that, army.

It just goes to show how many variables they are dealing with at the position.

I suppose Matt Jones could factor in there somewhere, but I still don't think he will.

I'm just happy we are sitting here wondering who our 6th and possibly 7th WR could be.

What a great problem to have huh ??

[derekshank]

I would have posted my prediction... but Army already did it for me.

Way to ruin it... Jerk.

[membengal]

Which one of his scenarios was your guess, derek?

[derekshank]

Which one of his scenarios was your guess, derek?

I agree with all 4 scenarios... but what I think is most likely is the Bengals keeping 6 with Bryant being healthy.

[HairOnFire]

I would have posted my prediction... but Army already did it for me.

Way to ruin it... Jerk.

Using that standard Memphis ruined it for me with the opening post. Because short of issuing an all-points ditto I didn't have anything to add.

Of course all of that may change if Hoosier offers yet another mocking assessment of Jerome Simpson's chances to make the roster.

[Wraith]

My guess is:

Ochocinco, T.O., Shipley, Bryant, Caldwell, and Simpson. With Briscoe going to the PS. I don't see this team going with two QBs, too much risk. I also see them carrying 10 DBs (as tough as it is to predict the WRs the DBs might be tougher). Simpson is playing too well and is too talented to not make this team IMHO besides he remains to only player on this team with the talent to replace Chad if he gets injured, Bryant and T.O. have different skill sets Simpson can do what Chad does at least from an athletic standpoint. Matt Jones is dead meat, Cosby is terrificly talented but tell me where he will line up on game day aside from PR, Shipley is our primary slot guy Bryant is the other slot guy and Calwell is our third slot guy, Cosby won't see the field except as a punt returner. Adam Jones and Jordan Shipley give you the PR capability AND give you play on the field with the depth on this team you have to keep players who can help you at multiple positions.

[HoosierCat]

Of course all of that may change if Hoosier offers yet another mocking assessment of Jerome Simpson's chances to make the roster.

I'll be happy too, right after you explain once again how Antonio Bryant is The Answer.

[Stripes]

Briscoe, Purify, Simpson, M. Jones, Caldwell... only five. The extra roster spot is saved for H-back Daniel Coats.

Just kidding.

Chad, Owens, Shipley, Caldwell, Simpson, Cosby/Bryant

Regarding Cosby: If he manages to stick, I still wonder what will be done with him. He'd probably still return punts, but how long would it take for the coaching staff to get ancy wondering what could be with Shipley? Of course, if Cosby were to tear it up that wouldn't matter. He's still a great special teamer though beyond just that. He's a fantastic blocker on kick returns and a decent gunner too.

[membengal]

I guess my thought is that Shipley could certainly return punts, but if there is room for both Shipley and Cosby, I would rather not expose Shipley to possible injury on punt returns when it looks like he will be kinda key as the third receiver/slot guy for this offense...

[ArmyBengal]

I would have posted my prediction... but Army already did it for me.

Way to ruin it... Jerk.

Well, if it helps if the question is what they do with Cosby if they keep him in the top 6, it's easy.

Nothing. He would be inactive in my opinion and the return duties would fall to one of the others and hold him for the following year.

Of course all of this is minus any future injury. God forbid...

[Stripes]

I guess my thought is that Shipley could certainly return punts, but if there is room for both Shipley and Cosby, I would rather not expose Shipley to possible injury on punt returns when it looks like he will be kinda key as the third receiver/slot guy for this offense...

That's probably how it'd go. Years ago when asked about Ratliff's struggles, Marvin shrugged it off and said something along the lines of "if he doesn't fumble, I'm happy". If the rest of the staff shares that sentiment (or even if not), Marvin likely won't put Shipley in harm's way to fill a role he isn't terribly worried about in the first place.

[Stripes]

I would have posted my prediction... but Army already did it for me.

Way to ruin it... Jerk.

Well, if it helps if the question is what they do with Cosby if they keep him in the top 6, it's easy.

Nothing. He would be inactive in my opinion and the return duties would fall to one of the others and hold him for the following year.

Of course all of this is minus any future injury. God forbid...

I wonder if it's a bit muddier than that. If Cosby makes the team, I think they'd have to play him to make use of his special teams capabilities. Thus the inactive receiver would probably end up being Caldwell.

[Kazkal]

I guess my thought is that Shipley could certainly return punts, but if there is room for both Shipley and Cosby, I would rather not expose Shipley to possible injury on punt returns when it looks like he will be kinda key as the third receiver/slot guy for this offense...

Adam Jones has looked good returning too.

I wonder if it's a bit muddier than that. If Cosby makes the team, I think they'd have to play him to make use of his special teams capabilities. Thus the inactive receiver would probably end up being Caldwell.

Well I'd say Byrant until he was healthy then caldwell

[ArmyBengal]

Well, if nothing else, cutdowns should be very interesting at the WR spot. There will be some players that end up on other rosters really quick. Can anyone recall such a roster battle for the 6th WR spot before ?? It's much more fun than trying to figure out who the starters are going to be !!!

[BlainThePain]

All I hope is that if Cosby or David Jones doesn't make the team, they get traded for conditional picks to keep them out of the division. Cosby would feed a sizable need on special teams for the Steelers, and I could see David Jones starting for the Ratbirds.

I do think we'll only carry nine offensive lineman this year, so that could open up the possibility of carrying seven wide receivers.

[Kazkal]

My money is if we cut cosby he's becomes a brown.

[BlainThePain]

My money is if we cut cosby he's becomes a brown.

I'm not ruling it out, but the Browns have Cribbs. I'd say Cosby will go somewhere that is desperate for a punt returner and needs all-around special teams help. I'm still holding out hope that he makes our squad somehow.

[ArmyBengal]

I would love to see them package some players up in a trade, it's just unlikely.

[HairOnFire]

So far every prediction made has Simpson making the team, right?

That's amazing.

In fact, I wonder how many of you would have made the choices you did if this poll had been conducted a month ago? Or for that matter, a week ago?

[membengal]

I would not have, but that is because a week ago I still thought AB would play. AB not playing changes my thinking.

And, frankly, if that's the case, I am glad AB is hurt and can't go. I remain enamored with the idea of Simpson, so I am all for keeping him on. I just figured he was odd man out in the WR spending spree.