Oh, I would believe that's what he thought. But, discussions and press cannot be in the minds of those that actually make decisions. That's why I note what I have heard from GM's and coaches about the early roster decision making. I don't doubt Strief was outside the original 53. Possibly outside of the eight (at that time) practice squad list. But he was likely inside the 75 early on. I can't imagine he would be 81-90 as a draft pick.

That's who we are talking about. Those last ten that are only there to take snaps. While those players you mentioned, including Pierre Thomas, may not have been in the 53 originally, they surely weren't in the bottom of the barrel dredges (81-90) when camp began. Any player drafted (Strief, Colston, etc.) was going to clear that cut to 75.