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2012 New Orleans Saints
Note: Retainer or Acquisition in Bold; Needs indicated in Italics WR Marques Colston, Adrian Arrington, Joe Morgan TE Jimmy Graham, David Thomas LT Jermon Bushrod, Marcel Jones LG Ben Grubbs, Eric Olsen C Brian De La Puente, Matt Tennant RG Jahri Evans, Andrew Tiller RT Zach Strief, Charles Brown WR Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, Nick Toon QB Drew Brees, Chase Daniel FB Jed Collins, Korey Hall RB Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Chris Ivory RDE Will Smith, Turk McBride, Greg Romeus RDT Sedrick Ellis, Mitch King LDT Brodrick Bunkley, Tom Johnson, Akiem Hicks LDE Cam Jordan, Junior Galette SLB Scott Shanle, Martez Wilson, Jonathan Casillas MLB Curtis Lofton, Jon Vilma, Ramon Humber WLB David Hawthorne, Chris Chamberlain, Will Herring LCB Jabari Greer SS Roman Harper; Jonathon Amaya, Corey White FS Malcolm Jenkins; Isa Abdul-Quddus RCB Patrick Robinson, Johnny Patrick P Thomas Morstead K John Kasay, Garrett Hartley LS Justin Drescher If these players are our projected roster after training camp, we stand at a count 51, 52 if we keep two kickers which is not likely... We are very thin at Cornerback, Offensive Line... Could use more depth at Tight End, Defensive Tackle, Safety... Two fullbacks? LB depth has turned around quickly Where does Martez Wilson make his check? Is Hartley through as our Kicker?[/QUOTE] |
I've got to say that the roster is starting to look good with the talent and depth at almost all positions - they still need to add players to the CB depth and probably one more TE, maybe Higgins?
Two FBs would otherwise be a luxury that should be avoided, but Hall is one of the best special team contributors the Saints have, and so I doubt they are eager to get rid of him. Also, the Saints are one of those teams who have a fairly large portion of running plays that require the effective use of a FB, so it would stand to reason that they would carry a backup FB in case anything happened to Collins, just like they carry 4 RBs. Also, I think they could stand to lose one of the LBs and Shanle with a $2.95M cap hit would be a likely candidate, because even though he might be a very serviceable backup (even a starter in a pinch), he is on the older side, with a relatively high cap hit and only one more year on his contract. I think the DT and DE depth are both adequate as they are, barring any suspensions and assuming that Romeus will be healthy enough to start the season and contribute. If the situation requires it, they could always temporarily move Jordan to the interior and Wilson down to the line of scrimmage to be an edge rusher during a game. Although Hicks did some edge rushing himself up in Canada, I seriously doubt that they should place him there in the NFL, because that is where his deficiencies are the most apparent based on the video I've seen - even against the Canadian collegiate opposition. They definitely shouldn't keep both kickers and cutting one of them along with Shanle would open up room for 3 more players for the final roster - maybe a TE and 2 CBs. |
Strong work, JP.
I agree that the Saints are thin at O-line and CB. I read that the Saints plan to keep rookie Corey White at CB so maybe he's not as slow as the numbers suggest. I hope that you're wrong about McBride beating out Romeus. The D-line is very intriguing and from what little I have seen of guys like Romeus, King, and Johnson I have nothing to go on but hope. The guy I'm really wanting to do well is King. I saw him chase a few guys down in last years pre-season so he seems to have that "motor" that coaches love. What's up with Hartley? I suppose that the Saints are bringing Kasay back to help coach the kid but if they keep Kasay past the first cuts I will immediately think that Hartley is not going to work out. I think that the Saints shouldn't do the two FB thing this year. If TE Humphries is still available, the Saints need to call him and bring him in. This is it for Arrington. He has the best chance to make an impact now that Meachem is gone. |
Romeus, prior to collegiate injury had first round grades; but he's got to beat out the others to move up the chart...
Really would like to have drafted Norman; allowing time to acclimate, he could have been a real addition to the DB platoon... If Hicks can adjust to the talent level, Ellis departure after this season won't hurt so bad... We got two more OL that should really alleviate the depth issue if they can't contribute along with the FA signings... It's wait and see with White; I thing he's brought in to be a Safety... Nervous about CB right now... |
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Fixed :) |
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And didn't he say in that recent interview that he played CB for Samford? |
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I think some of the confusion also stems from the fact that he was listed as a safety in the draft - I'm not sure who makes those calls. |
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Here is the video they showed after we drafted him.
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damn what a hit at .32!
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OK. Well that's different than what they had on the NFL Network coverage where they listed him as safety, I just checked it since I still have the draft shows. And I listened to the in-house announcement for what they told his position was, but they only announced him as a defensive back.
But then when they show some game clips on him, where they highlight him on the field before the snap, the small photo of him has "CB" on the lower left corner along with his name. So, go figure. I haven't watched the ESPN coverage personally, so I didn't know there was a difference. |
He played CB at Samford but most "experts" projected him at safety in the NFL, probably because of the 4.55 40 yard dash.
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Well, he ran a 4.39 in the 40 yard dash on his Pro Day at Samford, which was a significant improvement over the combine result of 4.55.
Of course you can't really compare Pro Day results with Combine results, but that 4.39 would've been the 3rd fastest time among all defensive backs, so he does have some speed to him. And Claiborne ran a 4.50 in the combine being the 10th fastest defensive back, so there was only a 0.05 difference between him and White in that regard. Quote:
ProFootballWeekly.com - Draft Prospect - Corey White |
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Yeah, but the positives are pretty good too: Quote:
And his vertical leaping ability seems to be one of his strong suits - the height of it but also the timing of the jump accompanied with the assessment of the trajectory of the ball. |
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Well, I think being a "physical tackler" and possessing a "dedicated and hardworking" mindset to go along with being "tough and durable" can go a long way no matter what position you play in the NFL. If you ask me, I wish more "higher level" draftees had such characteristics to go along with their supposed talent... and yes, I'm looking at you Ellis. |
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Sure, but I choose to look at it from a positive perspective. |
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I can't remember when we picked a 5th rounder that was projected to be an UDFA/practice squad candidate. Maybe Stanley Arnoux? But Stanley was a 4th. |
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I get what you mean, but that evaluation was done based on the combine performance (based on the values used with the overall grade), which wasn't as strong as his Pro Day performance at Samford. Combine is a hectic experience for many of these young kids and that's why many times the results may not be as flattering as they could be. Now this could obviously be a sign of him not being able to handle the pressure in a tough situation, but in the post draft press conference both Vitt and Spags said that where White really impressed them was the game against Auburn, which was the toughest opponent Samford faced the whole year and a high pressure situation. The fact that Flajole particularly targeted him as a DB he wanted to add to the secondary does make me feel a whole lot better about the Saints picking him in the 5th, but naturally he could be a bust, just like every other pick. And sorry JP for hijacking your thread! |
2012 New Orleans Saints
Note: Rookies in Bold; Status Uncertain in Italics WR Marques Colston, Adrian Arrington, Joe Morgan TE Jimmy Graham, David Thomas LT Jermon Bushrod, Marcel Jones LG Ben Grubbs, Eric Olsen C Brian De La Puente, Matt Tennant RG Jahri Evans, Andrew Tiller RT Zach Strief, Charles Brown WR Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, Nick Toon QB Drew Brees, Chase Daniel FB Jed Collins, Korey Hall RB Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Chris Ivory RDE Will Smith, Turk McBride, Greg Romeus RDT Sedrick Ellis, Mitch King LDT Brodrick Bunkley, Tom Johnson, Akiem Hicks LDE Cam Jordan, Junior Galette SLB Scott Shanle, Martez Wilson, Jonathan Casillas MLB Curtis Lofton, Jon Vilma, Ramon Humber WLB David Hawthorne, Chris Chamberlain, Will Herring LCB Jabari Greer SS Roman Harper; Jonathon Amaya, Corey White FS Malcolm Jenkins; Isa Abdul-Quddus RCB Patrick Robinson, Johnny Patrick P Thomas Morstead K John Kasay, Garrett Hartley LS Justin Drescher |
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And it seems that at the moment you should place White as the #4 CB as that seems to be his main position and what the coaching staff are planning on using him for based on the post draft press conference.
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2012 New Orleans Saints
Note: Rookies in Bold; Status Uncertain in Bold Italics WR Marques Colston, Adrian Arrington, Joe Morgan TE Jimmy Graham, David Thomas LT Jermon Bushrod, Marcel Jones LG Ben Grubbs, Eric Olsen C Brian De La Puente, Matt Tennant RG Jahri Evans, Andrew Tiller RT Zach Strief, Charles Brown WR Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, Nick Toon QB Drew Brees, Chase Daniel FB Jed Collins, Korey Hall RB Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Chris Ivory RDE Will Smith, Turk McBride, Greg Romeus RDT Sedrick Ellis, Mitch King, Remi Ayodele LDT Brodrick Bunkley, Tom Johnson, Akiem Hicks LDE Cam Jordan, Junior Galette SLB Scott Shanle, Martez Wilson, Jonathan Casillas MLB Curtis Lofton, Jon Vilma, Ramon Humber WLB David Hawthorne, Chris Chamberlain, Will Herring LCB Jabari Greer NCB Corey White SS Roman Harper; Jonathon Amaya FS Malcolm Jenkins; Isa Abdul-Quddus RCB Patrick Robinson, Johnny Patrick P Thomas Morstead K John Kasay, Garrett Hartley LS Justin Drescher |
Still Need More Help/Depth on the Offensive Line, Tight End, and Defensive Back...
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2012 New Orleans Saints
Note: Rookie & FA Additions in Bold; Status Uncertain in Italics; Bold Italics FA Rookie Additions... WR Marques Colston, Adrian Arrington, Joe Morgan, Chris Givens, Kevin Hardy TE Jimmy Graham, David Thomas, Jake Byrne, Josh Chichester LT Jermon Bushrod, Marcel Jones, Aderious Simmons LG Ben Grubbs, Eric Olsen C Brian De La Puente, Matt Tennant, Brian Folkerts RG Jahri Evans, Andrew Tiller RT Zach Strief, Charles Brown, Dan Hoch WR Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, Nick Toon, Malcolm Beyah QB Drew Brees, Chase Daniel FB Jed Collins, Korey Hall RB Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Chris Ivory, Travaris Cadet RDE Will Smith, Turk McBride, Greg Romeus RDT Sedrick Ellis, Mitch King, Akiem Hicks, Tyrunn Walker LDT Brodrick Bunkley, Tom Johnson, Remi Ayodele LDE Cam Jordan, Junior Galette, Braylon Broughton SLB Scott Shanle, Martez Wilson, Jonathan Casillas, Aaron Tevis MLB Curtis Lofton, Jon Vilma, Ramon Humber, Kadarron Anderson WLB David Hawthorne, Chris Chamberlain, Will Herring, Stephen Johnson LCB Jabari Greer, Marquis Johnson, A.J. Davis NCB Corey White SS Roman Harper; Jonathon Amaya, Jose Gumbs FS Malcolm Jenkins; Isa Abdul-Quddus, Jerico Nelson, Johnny Thomas RCB Patrick Robinson, Johnny Patrick, Laron Scott P Thomas Morstead K John Kasay, Garrett Hartley LS Justin Drescher |
Got some locals with an opportunity...
Wouldn't be awesome if some of these Rookie FA's and past late rounders come on and perform better than the first rounders... Two things would happen; teams would start scrutinizing their scouting departments more and the draft would expand... Now that the NFL is eliminating the ProBowl and expanding its promotion of the draft, I see rounds being added back... |
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That would definitely be something I'd support, and I'd be fine with 10 to 12 rounds in the draft. It would give the teams more playing room and force some of the teams that seem to only pick players from reputable big schools to look also at the smaller schools. And last, but not least, more young players would get their dream come true with a NFL team picking them in the draft. |
Think about it, all 32 teams are in it - so it's not like fans aren't gonna watch...
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And think about the amount of trades that would happen between those teams if, for example, five more rounds were added to the draft. |
One of the benefits to dropping down to 7 rounds was that it gave the UDFA the ability to choose which teams are the best fit for them.
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That is true, but on the other hand, the UDFAs don't have a guaranteed salary as do all draft picks according to the pay scale included in the new CBA. I remember hearing on some show during the draft that it is the teams who really benefit from the current structure and not the UDFAs though they can choose more freely the team they want to sign with, but end up making very little. Of course, that is a generalization because the top UDFAs are probably going to get pretty nice contracts due to the bidding war that might start between teams over the player's rights, but still majority get very little. |
2012 New Orleans Saints
Note: Rookies in Bold; Status Uncertain in Italics WR Marques Colston, Adrian Arrington, Nick Toon TE Jimmy Graham, David Thomas LT Jermon Bushrod, Marcel Jones LG Ben Grubbs, Eric Olsen C Brian De La Puente, Matt Tennant RG Jahri Evans, Andrew Tiller RT Zach Strief, Charles Brown WR Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, Joe Morgan QB Drew Brees, Chase Daniel FB Jed Collins RB Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Chris Ivory RDE Will Smith, Junior Galette, Martez Wilson RDT Sedrick Ellis, Akiem Hicks, Mitch King LDT Brodrick Bunkley, Remi Ayodelle,Tom Johnson LDE Turk McBride, Cam Jordan SLB Scott Shanle, Jonathan Casillas MLB Curtis Lofton, Jon Vilma, Ezra Butler WLB David Hawthorne, Chris Chamberlain, Will Herring LCB Jabari Greer, Johnny Patrick SS Roman Harper; Jonathon Amaya, Corey White FS Malcolm Jenkins; Isa Abdul-Quddus RCB Patrick Robinson, Corey White P Thomas Morstead K John Kasay, Garrett Hartley LS Justin Drescher Will updated as Training Camp opens... We've got some big questions at Defensive End... RB's are a little banged up... Opportunities abound at Wide Receiver and Offensive Line... Listed Morgan as a Rookie despite the injury year last season... What will happen with CB depth? Spagnuolo effect? Really like some of the names on our team (I know, sound like Madden); I mean, come on... We've got a Guard name "Tiller"... A guy named Bunkly up the Middle... Cool Brees as your quarterback... Malcolm in the middle as your safety (hope that is more of an action film than comedy this year)... |
2012 New Orleans Saints [Training Camp Ed.]
Note: Rookies in Bold; Status Uncertain/Injured in Italics WR Marques Colston, Adrian Arrington, Courtney Roby, Nick Toon, Derek Moye WR Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, Joe Morgan, Andy Tanner, Marques Clark, Chris Givens TE Jimmy Graham, David Thomas, Derek Schouman, Mike Higgins, Jake Byrne LT Jermon Bushrod, Marcel Jones, Aderious Simmons, DeOnt'ae Pannell LG Ben Grubbs, Eric Olsen, Scott Winnewisser C Brian De La Puente, Matt Tennant, Brian Folkerts RG Jahri Evans, Andrew Tiller RT Zach Strief, Charles Brown, Fenuki Tupou, Hutch Eckerson QB Drew Brees, Chase Daniel, Luke McCown, Sean Canfield FB Jed Collins, Korey Hall RB Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Chris Ivory, Joe Banyard, Travaris Cadet RDE Will Smith, Junior Galette, Martez Wilson, Tyrunn Walker RDT Sedrick Ellis, Akiem Hicks, Tom Johnson LDT Brodrick Bunkley, Remi Ayodelle, Swanson Miller LDE Turk McBride, Cam Jordan, Braylon Broughton SLB Scott Shanle, Chris Chamberlain, Will Herring MLB Curtis Lofton, Jon Vilma, Ezra Butler, Kandarron Anderson WLB David Hawthorne; Jonathan Casillas, Nate Bussey, Lawrence Wilson, LCB Jabari Greer; Elbert Mack, Kamaal McIlwain, Cord Parks, Laron Scott SS Roman Harper; Jonathon Amaya, Corey White, Jerico Nelson FS Malcolm Jenkins; Isa Abdul-Quddus, Johnny Thomas, Jose Gumbs RCB Patrick Robinson; Johnny Patrick, Corey White, Marquis Johnson, AJ Davis P Thomas Morstead K John Kasay, Garrett Hartley LS Justin Drescher |
Question Marks about Position Battles entering Training Camp
Defensive End - Can Spagnuolo turn this group around? Do we have depth with Will Smith's pending suspension? Can Martez Wilson become the star that Junior Gallette has also been promised as? Cornerback - We were told that Tracy Porter leaving was the demise of this unit by "experts" that even admit they don't watch the team weekly; but Porter's departure does ask two questions - Is Johnny Patrick ready to step into the nickel back position and be effective? Do we have the same, or better depth? Tight End - Speaking of depth, do we have enough quality depth at Tight End? Not all TE's are going to be named Jimmy Graham, but do we have guys that can be effective, forcing defenses to spread their coverage? Offensive Tackle - This group has struggled against speed rush teams and the right tackle position has become a job of who wants it less. Is there yet another diamond free agent rookie waiting to shine? Can Grubbs vindicate the FO for letting Nicks facing Salary Cap Suicide? |
2012 New Orleans Saints [Training Camp Ed.]
Note: Rookies in Bold; Status Uncertain/Injured in Italics WR Marques Colston, Adrian Arrington, Courtney Roby, Nick Toon, Derek Moye Does AA change his ways or does Nick Toon step up and make either AA or Roby expendable? WR Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, Joe Morgan, Andy Tanner, Marques Clark, Chris Givens Can Joe Morgan make the next step? Does Devery's contract expose him to an upstart for being cut or traded? TE Jimmy Graham, David Thomas, Mike Higgins, Derek Schouman, Jake Byrne Mike Higgns et al there's a third spot if you've got something; cause we need TE's in this offense. LT Jermon Bushrod, Marcel Jones, Aderious Simmons, DeOnt'ae Pannell This can become an extremely critical position real fast if we don't get some depth and improvement here. LG Ben Grubbs, Eric Olsen, Scott Winnewisser Grubbs should vindicate FO immediately; Olsen is a lot of talent sitting behind him... C Brian De La Puente, Matt Tennant, Brian Folkerts Surprise of last year's training camp - let's see him build on it; has Tennant progressed? RG Jahri Evans, Andrew Tiller Can this rookie develop and mature as Nicks had under Evans tutelage? RT Zach Strief, Charles Brown, Fenuki Tupou, Hutch Eckerson Strief has waited for this opportunity and shown that he's an excellent backup; Charles Brown has to be one of the biggest disappointments in an otherwise productive source of Tackles from USC; with that name Fenuki needs to upset and take over here... QB Drew Brees, Chase Daniel, Luke McCown, Sean Canfield It's Drew's world, but this offseason showed we need a Padawan... FB Jed Collins, Korey Hall Is there better depth chart in the league than our Fullback position? RB Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Chris Ivory, Joe Banyard, Travaris Cadet ...oh, yes there is; can this group get healthy and stay healthy? RDE Will Smith, Junior Galette, Martez Wilson, Tyrunn Walker Another disappointing group of promise; does Martez Wilson play so hard they come off and he takes over this spot? RDT Sedrick Ellis, Akiem Hicks, Tom Johnson Hope Ellis doesn't rub off on Hicks; is Hicks injury prone? Can we get some production here? LDT Brodrick Bunkley, Remi Ayodelle, Swanson Miller Well we've got some studs in there; could end up being the strength of the defensive line... LDE Turk McBride, Cam Jordan, Braylon Broughton Disappointing rookie year, can Spags turn it around? We sure are thin at Defensive End... SLB Scott Shanle, Chris Chamberlain, Will Herring Shanle can prove alot of people wrong with new coach; Chamberlain is one of two very underrated signings; was Herring a victim of the GW ineptness? MLB Curtis Lofton, Jon Vilma, Ezra Butler, Kandarron Anderson Does Vilma get his health and playing time back? Is Curtis Lofton an All-Pro in the making? Can these rookies make a good showing? WLB David Hawthorne; Jonathan Casillas, Nate Bussey, Lawrence Wilson One of the mose underrated signings in all the NFL; Hawthorne should have an impact; Casillas is a off-injured tease for fans who are waiting for something that may not be there. Is Nate Bussey progressing or has he maxed? LCB Jabari Greer; Elbert Mack, Kamaal McIlwain, Cord Parks, Laron Scott Greer may be the most underrated defender in the NFL. Mack is good depth; Do one of these rookies become the story of the 2012 training camp? SS Roman Harper; Jonathon Amaya, Jerico Nelson How do these Safeties perform as they're exposed in Spag's defense? FS Malcolm Jenkins; Isa Abdul-Quddus, Johnny Thomas, Jose Gumbs Can Malcolm lose both his bad ways of play and dress and play like a former first rounder? RCB Patrick Robinson; Johnny Patrick, Corey White, Marquis Johnson, AJ Davis Should be the Best Position Battle in Camp. P Thomas Morstead Wake up over their! K John Kasay, Garrett Hartley This shoudl be Kasay's job after the way he performed last season; can Hartley redeem himself and put an end to the drama at the K position LS Justin Drescher You have one function, for the love of Mike, do it well... |
2012 New Orleans Saints [Training Camp Ed.]
Note: Rookies in Bold; Status Uncertain/Injured in Italics WR Marques Colston, Adrian Arrington, Courtney Roby, Nick Toon WR Lance Moore, Devery Henderson, Joe Morgan, Andy Tanner, Marques Clark, Chris Givens TE Jimmy Graham, David Thomas, Mike Higgins, Derek Schouman, Jake Byrne LT Jermon Bushrod, Marcel Jones, Aderious Simmons, DeOnt'ae Pannell LG Ben Grubbs, Eric Olsen C Brian De La Puente, Matt Tennant, Brian Folkerts RG Jahri Evans, Andrew Tiller RT Zach Strief, Charles Brown, Fenuki Tupou, Hutch Eckerson QB Drew Brees, Chase Daniel, Luke McCown, Sean Canfield FB Jed Collins, Korey Hall RB Mark Ingram, Pierre Thomas, Darren Sproles, Chris Ivory, Travaris Cadet, Joe Banyard RDE Will Smith, Junior Galette, Martez Wilson, Tyrunn Walker RDT Sedrick Ellis, Akiem Hicks, Tom Johnson LDT Brodrick Bunkley, Remi Ayodelle, Swanson Miller LDE Turk McBride, Cam Jordan, Braylon Broughton SLB Scott Shanle, Chris Chamberlain, Will Herring MLB Curtis Lofton, Jon Vilma, Ezra Butler, Kandarron Anderson, Ramon Humber WLB David Hawthorne; Jonathan Casillas, Nate Bussey, Lawrence Wilson, LCB Jabari Greer; Elbert Mack, Kamaal McIlwain, Cord Parks SS Roman Harper; Jonathon Amaya, Corey White, Jerico Nelson FS Malcolm Jenkins; Isa Abdul-Quddus, Johnny Thomas, Jose Gumbs RCB Patrick Robinson; Johnny Patrick, Corey White, Marquis Johnson, AJ Davis P Thomas Morstead K Garrett Hartley, John Kasay LS Justin Drescher |
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