Stock up / stock down... heading toward a 53-man roster

[northof49]

Is Logan now a lock to make the roster after that performance?  If so, who gets cut?

[LambertsFrontTeeth]

Maybe one of the CB's?

There seem to be a few too many that aren't making this roster.  I'm already expecting Burnett to be one of them.

[jonzr]

Hey Finny, you nabbed a comment on the blog from an Indy fan.

http://maximumgrilledsteelers.com/mgsblog/2009/08/a-first-cut-at-the-final-roster/

[DocLogic77]

Davis is useless...maybe the worst FB in Steeler history.  I would love to see Summers step up and either take his position or somehow make the #4 spot.

[DocLogic77]

As I re-read that post...as much as I enjoyed the read I have to disagree with at least one assessment.  I can't imagine the Steelers cutting Urbik...or even putting him on the PS.

[Finnegans Wake]

As I re-read that post...as much as I enjoyed the read I have to disagree with at least one assessment.  I can't imagine the Steelers cutting Urbik...or even putting him on the PS.

It's a work in progress.  This was after the first PS game, and I hope to update the status weekly.  Ultimately, I believe you'll be correct, but as we sifted through camp reports, Urbik was on the outside looking in (just barely).  I think he'll come around, but every player's gotta earn it.

[Preacherman0]

They cut Gibson from GA a couple of years ago, at a time when we really needed talent at WR. 

If he doesn't show something, I don't think they'll hesitate to cut him loose. 

[DocLogic77]

As I re-read that post...as much as I enjoyed the read I have to disagree with at least one assessment.  I can't imagine the Steelers cutting Urbik...or even putting him on the PS.

It's a work in progress.  This was after the first PS game, and I hope to update the status weekly.  Ultimately, I believe you'll be correct, but as we sifted through camp reports, Urbik was on the outside looking in (just barely).  I think he'll come around, but every player's gotta earn it.

I gotcha.  Just of note...being a Buckeye fan I watch alot of Big Ten ball.  Urbik has some footwork issues no doubt but in the phone booth he will punch a guy in the mouth.  He is a tough guard who I believe will bloom into a strong lineman.

[Finnegans Wake]

QB

Key Departures:   Byron Leftwich (TB)
Competition to Watch: Dixon v. Batch for the #2 spot

Locks:  1. Ben Roethlisberger, 2. Charlie Batch, 3. Dennis Dixon
On the bubble: None.
Cuts: Mike Reilly

Possible Practice Squad Material: Mike Reilly.  Reilly could fit as the #3 next year.

Stock Up:  Roethlisberger.  Ben survived having four bills of nearly useless left tackle flop onto his Achilles.  Welcome back, because your backups don't leave me confident we could lose you for any extended period.

Stock Down: Charles Batch and Dennis Dixon.  Batch has a lot of rust.  A lot.  He completed only about a third of his passes against the Redskins, and seems to underthrow the long ball consistently.  Sure, he knows our offense, and he's a smart guy, but right now he's looking more appealing as coach-in-making than guy to have under center for more than a half.  Put it this way.  Batch isn't just fighting the injury that ended his season last year about this time, he's also fighting the fact that he'll be 35 this season and has seen very little action over the last 5 years.  His statline?  Games played, 22; started, 4; 75-133, 1017 yards, 8 TDs, 4 INT, 88.5 passer rating.  Compared to Leftwich (29), Batch has been kept in a display case: Lefty has 33 starts and 39 GP; 603-1020 for 6805 yards, 40 TDs and 22 INTs, an 83.2 passer rating.  And Leftwich hasn't exactly been seeing a ton of action in his stops in Carolina and Pittsburgh.  My point is not to down Batch and say we should have kept Leftwich, but Batch's upside has always been evident, and at this point I'm beginning to wonder if the rust is permanent.

Dixon has been showing well this preseason, and needs to keep improving to make the push to be our #2 QB.  Tomlin's commitment to have Dixon get the lion's share of touches took a hit with Dixon's shoulder separation.  Dixon needs the work, frankly, and this is going to be a huge setback for him.  Not enough to jeopardize his roster status, but two more preseason games' worth of work would go a long way towards getting him ready for the 2010 season.  So, no prospective roster changes due to play or injury, but suffice to say that we need Ben to stay healthy.  Hope the great gamble that is our OL pays off.

RBs

Key Departures:  Gary Russell.
Competition to Watch:  Redman vs. Davis vs. Summers for the 4 and 5 spot.

Locks: 4. Willie Parker, 5.  Rashard Mendenhall, 6. Mewelde Moore
On the bubble: 7. Carey Davis, 8. Isaac Redman, Frank Summers
Cuts: Stefan Logan, Justin Vincent

Possible Practice Squad Material: Frank Summers.

Stock Up: "Joystick" Logan.  A few weeks ago, reports came in that Colbert was fending off queries from other teams (Lions?) who were wondering if Logan might be a camp cut.  At the time, Logan looked like just another one of an endless line of guys who were 1) too damned small to realistically be considered NFL caliber, and 2) had collegiate resumes that weren't about to translate to the NFL.  I call this the Joey Getherall Syndrome.  That was before Logan came out and racked up over 200 return yards (12 yards average on punts, almost 40 on kickoffs) in what was the best impersonation of Darren Sproles I've ever seen.  

Now, a lot of folks are screaming that Logan HAS to be a lock, and that rookie CB Joe Burnett's ball handling issues are too reminiscent of, say, Ricardo Colclough to inspire trust.  I'd like to see more of both Burnett and Logan, but right now you have to think that Logan is really, really, really close to cracking the lineup based on that performance.  If that's so, who gets demoted?  Last week's RB Wunderkind Isaac Redman?  Or the ever-predictable Carey Davis?  The easy answer should be Davis, but Cowher had his player favorites that we didn't understand, and so apprently does Tomlin.  That might mean we have to cut depth from some other position to add Logan.  Still, I'll bet that Tomlin doesn't thin the defensive ranks, and that this instead hurts Davis.

Also, stock up for Isaac Redman?  Two carries for 3 yards against the Skins?  Well, after a stellar showing against the Cardinals scrubs, Tomlin apparently threw all he could at Redman, having the Steelers starters give their best, and Redman scoring on 5 of 7 goal line drills.  Is he hiding Redman now, possibly to try to spirit him onto the practice squad unseen?  Or is he hiding Redman, to be a secret weapon on the 53-man roster?

Stock Down: Frank Summers, Carey Davis, Isaac Redman.  Summers has been sidelined with injury just when he needs to make his most compelling case for roster inclusion.  Right now, he's seeming more likely than before to be a practice squadder.  Davis, for the reasons listed in the Logan discussion, may be losing ground to players with actual, uh, talent.  And Redman -- what's the truth?  Is he a one-preason game wonder?  Or legit short yardage guy with some FB skills?  If Tomlin does try to sneak Redman onto the practice squad, good chance some team (Seahawks, Browns, Bills) will roll the dice.  

On the bubble: 7. Stefan Logan (PR/KR), 8. Isaac Redman, Carey Davis, Frank Summers
Cuts: Justin Vincent

Possible Practice Squad Material: Frank Summers, Isaac Redman.

WR

Key Departures: Nate Washington.
Key Additions: Shaun McDonald.
Competition to Watch:  Wallace vs. MacDonald for the WR4 spot.  

Locks:  9. Hines Ward, 10. Santonio Holmes, 11. Limas Sweed, 12. Mike Wallace (KR) , 13. Shaun MacDonald
On the bubble: None.
Cuts: Dallas Baker, Martin Nance, Steven Black, Brandon Williams, Tyler Grisham.

Possible Practice Squad Material: Steven Black, if they want size; Tyler Grisham, if they want moxie and sharp routes.

Stock Up: None.

Stock Down:None.

Some would argue that Sweed's inconsistency and Wallace's continuing emergence as a possible rookie threat could be stock up/stock down, but it's just more of the same, no real change.  I still think Sweed will be used in a Nate-plus role, and Wallace will be worked in more gradually at receiver, although he may share KR time with Logan, and get touches on trick plays (end-arounds, reverses).  This position seems pretty well determined; I doubt much changes from here on.

TE

Locks: 14. Heath Miller, 15. Matt Spaeth
On the bubble: 16. Sean McHugh, David Johnson
Cuts: Sherrod Dezmond

Possible Practice Squad Material: David Johnson.

Stock Up: David Johnson may never be a receiving threat, but he is showing some nice pop blocking in-line.  He's gaining on McHugh, if not passing him.

Stock Down: McHugh.  Despite his recent 3-year, $2.57 million deal deal, McHugh may lose his job if Johnson can keep impressing.  McHugh losing time for an arthro knee procedure will give Johnson more chances to do just that.

Locks: 14. Heath Miller, 15. Matt Spaeth
On the bubble: 16. David Johnson, Sean McHugh
Cuts: Sherrod Dezmond

LT

Key Departures: Marvel Smith.

Locks: 17. Max Starks
On the bubble: 18. Tony Hills, Jason Capizzi

Possible Practice Squad Material: None.

Stock Up: Ramon Foster.  Ramon Foster?  But he doesn't even play LT...  True, but by the Domino Effect, his outstanding play as a UDFA may spell the end for both Hills and Capizzi.  Figure that if Stapleton is healthy enough to start the season, or within the first few games, Essex can slide back to LT backup, with the understanding that he can also back up both OG spots as well.  That means the Steelers can afford to keep Foster away from the waiver wire, where he would undoubtedly be picked up pronto.   Neither is practice squad eligible.

Stock Down:  Hills and Capizzi are both mixed bags, but neither is having a stellar preseason.  Both need to show it, now or never.

Locks: 17. Max Starks, 18. Trai Essex
On the bubble: Tony Hills, Jason Capizzi

Possible Practice Squad Material: None.

LG

Locks:  19. Chris Kemoeatu
On the bubble:  20. Ramon Foster
Cuts: Jeremy Parquet

Possible Practice Squad Material: None.

Stock Up: Ramon Foster, who continues to impress.  Foster can actually play LG, RG, and some RT.  My impression is the coaches don't want to lose this guy, so he may be the strongest bubble candidate this side of Stefan Logan.

Stock Down: None.

C

Locks: 21. Justin Hartwig
On the bubble: 22. Doug Legursky, A.Q. Shipley
Cuts: None.

Possible Practice Squad Material: Doug Legursky, A.Q. Shipley.  

Stock Up: Legursky and Shipley.  Both acquitted themselves well thus far, the difference being that Legursky is farther along in strength and conditioning, and has positional flexibility, and Shipley is likely a year away.  Nothing changes, but both these guys seem to get it.

Stock Down: None.  

RG

Key Departures:   Kendall Simmons.

Locks: 23. Darnell Stapleton
On the bubble: 24. Kraig Urbik
Cuts: None.

Possible Practice Squad Material: Kraig Urbik.

Stock Up: Urbik.  Urbik won't win individual drills, but did a really nice job against Washington.  Ramon Foster may be ahead of him, but Urbik's showing some want-to, and the two promise a decent pair of guards sometime in our future.  

Stock Down: Stapleton.  Stapleton's injury has allowed Legursky, Urbik, and Foster to get into the OG rotation more.  Stapleton is likely a lock, being a former starter for the Super Bowl XLIII Steelers, but are the younger guys exposing Stapleton's lack of upside?  Maybe so.  He'll start this year, but by next year will he be the IOL version of Trai Essex?

RT

Locks:  25. Willie Colon
On the bubble: None.
Cuts: None.

Possible Practice Squad Material: None.

Stock Up: None.

Stock Down: None.

Offense: 25 players.

NT

Locks: 1. Casey Hampton, 2. Chris Hoke
On the bubble: Scott Paxson
Cuts: Steve McLendon

Possible Practice Squad Material: None.

Stock Up: None.

Stock Down: None.

LDE

Locks: 3. Aaron Smith
On the bubble: 5. Travis Kirschke, Ra'Shon "Sonny" Harris
Cuts: None.

Possible Practice Squad Material: Sonny Harris.

Stock Up: Harris.  Harris is another late round pick who is showing well.  Whether that means he makes the cut remains to be seen.

Stock Down: Kirschke.  Kirschke may find himself the odd man out if DBs need to steal a spot from another area.  Figure Eason can back up either DE spot.

Also, Finny's counting skills, which through some error of editing went from the third man on defense to the fifth man.  

Locks: 3. Aaron Smith
On the bubble: 4. Travis Kirschke, Ra'Shon "Sonny" Harris
Cuts: None.

LDERDE

Locks: 6. Brett Keisel, 7. Ziggy Hood
On the bubble: 8. Nick Eason

Possible Practice Squad Material: None.  

Stock Up: Eason.  Eason looks like he's found some resurgency playing in Pittsburgh, and he probably has the edge over Kirschke, if push comes to shove.

Stock Down: None.

Locks: 5. Brett Keisel, 6. Ziggy Hood
On the bubble: 7. Nick Eason

LOLB

Locks: 9. LaMarr Woodley
On the bubble:  10. Arnold Harrison, Bruce Davis, Patrick Bailey
Cuts: None.

Possible Practice Squad Material: None.

Stock Up: None.  

Stock Down:  Davis.  Davis is caught in the same trap Hills is: is he simply showing too little, too late?  

Locks: 8. LaMarr Woodley
On the bubble:  9. Arnold Harrison, Bruce Davis, Patrick Bailey
Cuts: None.

LILB

Locks: 11. James Farrior, 12. Keyaron Fox
On the bubble: None.
Cuts: Andy Schantz, Tom Korte.

Possible Practice Squad Material: None.

Stock Up: Korte.  Got a pick.  Still, doubt he makes the practice squad, much less the big cut.

Stock Down: None.

Locks: 10. James Farrior, 11. Keyaron Fox
On the bubble: None.
Cuts: Andy Schantz, Tom Korte.

RILB

Key Defection:   Larry Foote.

Locks: 13. Lawrence Timmons
On the bubble:  14. Donovan Woods
Cuts: None.

Possible Practice Squad Material:  None.

Stock Up: None.

Stock Down: None.

Locks: 12. Lawrence Timmons
On the bubble:  13. Donovan Woods
Cuts: None.

ROLB

Locks: 15. James Harrison, 16. Andre Frazier
On the bubble: None.
Cuts: None.

Possible Practice Squad Material:  None.

Stock Up: None.

Stock Down: None.

Locks: 14. James Harrison, 15. Andre Frazier
On the bubble: None.
Cuts: None.

ROLBLCB

Locks: 17. Ike Taylor
On the bubble: 18. Keenan Lewis, Anthony Madison
Cuts: Roy Lewis

Possible Practice Squad Material:  Roy Lewis.

Stock Up: None.

Stock Down: None.

Locks: 16. Ike Taylor
On the bubble: 17. Keenan Lewis, Anthony Madison
Cuts: Roy Lewis

ROLBRCB

Key Departures: Bryant McFadden.
Key Additions: Keiwan Ratliff.

Locks: 19. William Gay, 20. Deshea Townshend, 21. Joe Burnett (PR)
On the bubble: None.
Cuts: Keiwan Ratliff.

Possible Practice Squad Material:  None.

Stock Up: Ratliffe.  Ratliffe had a smart pick, and was active in all phases against Washington.  Looks like a DB squad with questionable S depth and two rookies possibly being added may have room for Ratliffe after all.  Especially since I short-changed the defense one player last week!

Stock Down: Burnett.  I still think Burnett's making some good plays, but he seems to have as many bad as good.  His value as PR is down following the Logan show, but Tomlin may be mindful that one injury to Logan would mean keeping Burnett might not be a bad idea.  

Locks: 18. William Gay, 19. Deshea Townshend
On the bubble: 20. Joe Burnett (PR), 21. Keiwan Ratliffe  
Cuts: None.

FS

Key Departures: Anthony Smith.

Lock: 22. Ryan Clark
On the bubble: 23. Ryan Mundy
Cuts: Derrick Richardson.

Possible Practice Squad Material:  Ryan Mundy.

Stock Up: None.

Stock Down: Mundy.  For all the whispers that the coaches liked Mundy's camp performance last year, "Mundy" seems like shorthand for "mundane."  Mundy could easily be a cut if coaches see an interesting FS hit the waiver wire.

SS

Locks:  24. Troy Polamalu
On the bubble: 25. Tyrone Carter
Cuts: None.

Stock Up: None.

Stock Down: None.


Defense: 25 players.

PK

1. Jeff Reed

Thanks for Coming to Camp: Piotr Czech.

P

2. Daniel Sepulveda

LS

3. Greg Warren

Stock Up: None.

Stock Down: Skippy.  Missed two FGs.  Sending tremors the size of mouse farts through Steelerdom.

Special Teams: 3 players.

[/quote]

[Finnegans Wake]

Meant to update after the last 2 preseason games, but the missus and I spent a few days at the shore (lovely time, thank you).  So, well, ya know.  But here's a look at stock up/stock down as Tomlin mulls final cuts and the waiver wire. 

QB

No surprises here.  BBR, CB, and DD.

RB

In my August 26 SU/SD, I had the RB squad listed as:

Locks: 4. Willie Parker, 5.  Rashard Mendenhall, 6. Mewelde Moore
On the bubble: 7. Stefan Logan (PR/KR), 8. Isaac Redman, Carey Davis, Frank Summers
Cuts: Justin Vincent

Possible Practice Squad Material: Frank Summers, Isaac Redman.

At that time, I correctly predicted Carey Davis was getting pushed out.  However, I saw Isaac Redman as having the best crack at the roster, rather than Frank Summers.  Summers has some versatility, as he can play FB and pull the short yardage duty, whereas Redman didn't see any FB duty.  Redman looked to be the best short yardage back on the team, so it's a surprise to me that he was cut.  Still, Redman and Summers were both ST contributors, so one or the other was bound to make Carey Davis expendable.

If Redman clears waivers I will be shocked.

My last update would have been to move Logan from the bubble to a stone cold lock.  After a full preseason of stellar returns, getting Darren Sproles for nothing was quite a coup.

WR

As expected.  Ward, Tone, Lima, Wallace, and Mac.  Be interesting to see if any WRs make it back to the PS; might be a spot for a true wombat, throw 'em all back and snag one or two off waivers.  Wasn't terribly impressed by the rest of this bunch.

TE

I'm seeing a pattern emerging with a couple players who had... what looked like arthro injuries that shouldn't have been of IR severity.  First, Stapleton gets IR'd, and now McHugh?  I think Tomlin's playing a game here.  Put two guys on hold who are known quantities that you wouldn't want to lose, and replace them with approximate talents with more upside and see how it shakes out.  Almost Belichick-ian.

Locks: 14. Heath Miller, 15. Matt Spaeth
On the bubble: 16. David Johnson, Sean McHugh
Cuts: Sherrod Dezmond

As of the last update, McHugh was losing the battle sitting on the bench.  Well, we've hedged that for now.  See how he and Staples can contribute, if at all, in 2010.

So far, pretty close on all my calls after 2 PS games.

LT

Locks: 17. Max Starks, 18. Trai Essex
On the bubble: Tony Hills, Jason Capizzi

Capizzi didn't do enough, frankly, but Hills was reeeeeaaaaally iffy too, IMO.  I think he might be a late cut.  Put it this way, I'll be surprised if he sticks.  What Tomlin may be doing is scanning waivers for something better.  If the best he sees is the battle-scarred Ollie Ross types, Hills sticks.  Sword of Damocles, though.

LG

Locks:  19. Chris Kemoeatu
On the bubble:  20. Ramon Foster
Cuts: Jeremy Parquet

Possible Practice Squad Material: None.

Nothing's changed since 8/20 here.  IMO, Foster was a near-lock, and he's looked impressive at OG and decent as swing tackle, though LT is a stretch.  Foster gave us the flexibility at OL backup spots to, uh, experiment with Stapleton, IMO.

C

Locks: 21. Justin Hartwig
On the bubble: 22. Doug Legursky, A.Q. Shipley
Cuts: None.

Possible Practice Squad Material: Doug Legursky, A.Q. Shipley.

Also from 8/20.  I think Legursky showed some decent flexibility between C and OG, and he seems to have more sand in his pants than Staples. 

Really didn't see room for Q on the 53-man, but I was impressed with his play, and he's my #2 PS wish list target after Redman.  Really think with strength and conditioning and some coaching, this guy could be a starter, best since Hartings at the very least.


RG

Key Departures:   Kendall Simmons.

Locks: 23. Darnell Stapleton
On the bubble: 24. Kraig Urbik
Cuts: None.


Again, not much changed since 8/20, although the 8/26 SU/SD had Urbik solidifying his spot.  I think he had an underrated and fairly solid preseason.  Making the team is apparently about more than 1-on-1 drills at Latrobe.

Also worth noting, the Pats are looking at signing Kendall Simmons.  Desperate bastards.

RT

Locks:  25. Willie Colon
On the bubble: None.
Cuts: None.

Again, this has not changed.

So, I got 24 of 25 on offense correct.  Summers over Redman. 

NT

Locks: 1. Casey Hampton, 2. Chris Hoke
On the bubble: Scott Paxson
Cuts: Steve McLendon

Possible Practice Squad Material: None.

Paxson making the 2008 squad remains odd to me.  3-deep at nose?  He looked like dead man walking to me this year.  Nice effort, but no spot for him.

LDE

Locks: 3. Aaron Smith
On the bubble: 4. Travis Kirschke, Ra'Shon "Sonny" Harris
Cuts: None.

OK, after Redman and Q, Sonny Harris is my next big wish.  This kid had a terrific preseason, and I really was starting to think he had made either Kirschke or Eason expendable.  He surpassed my draft expectations of him.  Think he might be a guy who can sneak through?  Much better than the McBeans and Orien Harrises of years past.

RDE

Locks: 5. Brett Keisel, 6. Ziggy Hood
On the bubble: 7. Nick Eason

Eason and Kirschke are decent role players, and I think we're in decent shape carrying them another year.  Really, it was Harris vs. Eason or Kirschke, and no other real surprises.

The Keisel deal is, IMO, a fine deal.  Retain a solid starter, and potentially ease him into the backup role as the next Kirschke.  Or, if Smith leaves, he stays as RDE.  Either way, smart move by the FO at the right price.

LOLB

Locks: 8. LaMarr Woodley
On the bubble:  9. Arnold Harrison, Bruce Davis, Patrick Bailey
Cuts: None.


Bailey was ROY last year, but was pretty bad this year, STs aside.  Not enough, sorry.  I really keyed on Davis the last couple of games, and fuck, he sucked.  If you don't have a spark after two years when late round guys like Sonny Harris are at least pushing for jobs, go take your UCLA resume and hit the circuit, puss-boy.

LILB

Locks: 10. James Farrior, 11. Keyaron Fox
On the bubble: None.
Cuts: Andy Schantz, Tom Korte.

No surprises.  Looks like Fox will start for Bell... er, Timmons, with his high ankle sprain.  I think Fox is more in the Foote mold, and will do well.  Timmons had some miscues this preseason, and will be in an actual competition here.

RILB

Locks: 12. Lawrence Timmons
On the bubble:  13. Donovan Woods
Cuts: None.

With Woods cut, we only have 3 ILB, unless we're using the flexibility of Dre Frazier or Arnie Harrison to cover inside.  A mild surprise, as I thought Woods was an asset.  Numbers game is tough.

Also, as noted, if the Ravens cut Dannell Ellerbe, I'd snag that kid up.

ROLB

Locks: 14. James Harrison, 15. Andre Frazier
On the bubble: None.
Cuts: None.


No shockers here.

LCB

Locks: 16. Ike Taylor
On the bubble: 17. Keenan Lewis, Anthony Madison
Cuts: Roy Lewis

Some folks are surprised we cut Madison, but I thought he was on the wrong side of the bubble.  Roy Lewis had a decent finale, though unspectacular.  Thought he was better than Mundy, despite the latter's pick 6.  Too little too late for Roy.

RCB

Locks: 18. William Gay, 19. Deshea Townshend
On the bubble: 20. Joe Burnett (PR), 21. Keiwan Ratliffe 
Cuts: None.

Ratliffe was a guy I didn't think much of, but he was a hard and steady worker through camp.  Saw him making the team over Madison, and was right on that.  OK, fine.  Decent veteran package player and ST; his CB skills are likely superior to Madisons, which clinched it.  Burnett was a guy many thought was a cut: flashes of Townshend alternating with, uh, Colclough.  Too much upside.  Early on, I had him as a near-lock, but he showed his rookie yips; still, a guy I believe Tomlin sees as being eminently malleable.  Remains to be seen if he can ever be PR.

FS

Key Departures: Anthony Smith.

Lock: 22. Ryan Clark
On the bubble: 23. Ryan Mundy
Cuts: Derrick Richardson.

Possible Practice Squad Material:  Ryan Mundy.

OK, Mundy isn't a cut... yet.  But I have to think we're scouring waivers.

SS

Locks:  24. Troy Polamalu
On the bubble: 25. Tyrone Carter
Cuts: None.

This may be Carter's last year, but we are dangerously thin at S and need a vet.  No surprise.

OK, so I had Woods wrong... Do I miscount?  Are we at 24 on defense with Woods cut? 

The specialists (Reed, Sepulverizer, Warren) remain.

We have a spot open.

I'd say calling 51 of 53 two weeks ago was pretty good prognostication.