The preseason is getting close to the point where teams will have to trim down their rosters. Each team is currently able to carry 90 players on their roster but will be required to reduce that number to 75 players. They will have to cut that number down even further to get under the 53 man requirement before the season starts. This week Around the AFC North takes a look at some of the roster bubble players in the division.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens have had a very competitive group of wide receivers that are fighting for a final roster spot. Deonte Thompson has consistently been able to get behind the Ravens defensive backs in practice. Thompson has the speed and ability to attack the ball in the air that is needed to be a vertical threat. Tyrod Taylor took a few deep shots against the San Francisco 49ers in the first preseason game. They weren’t able to connect on them, but the threat of a receiver with speed like Thompson’s will stretch the defense.
Both Thompson and Michael Campanaro are making their impact felt in the return game. Thompson returned a kickoff 108 yards against the Dallas Cowboys in the second preseason game. His break away speed was evident once he hit the outside and pulled away from everyone. Those are the kinds of plays that will make it difficult to let Thompson go.
He has dropped a few of the deep passes that were thrown to him but overall, this has been a productive camp in Thompson’s eyes. The kickoff return was a huge step in the right direction. “It was big. Guys are making plays all over.” Thompson said. “I am in a tough competition right now so it was big. Everything counts right now for me. I have had a pretty good camp, had a couple of deep balls that I let go but camp has been good.”
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals have used first round draft picks on cornerbacks recently have selected both Dre Kirkpatrick and Darqueze Dennard. Leon Hall is returning from injury and Terrence Newman is still a starter after finishing his 11th season last year. None of this bodes well for Adam Jones. The Bengals also have two younger corners in rookie Victor Hampton and second year player Chris Lewis-Harris. It’s not likely that Jones will be released but the NFL always places an emphasis on younger and less expensive replacements when it comes to depth on a roster.
Jones’ cap number this year is $2.8 million if he makes the roster. If they release him, he has $600,000 in dead money. In other words, the Bengals can save $2.2 million if Jones is not on the roster. Dennard has taken the majority of the reps as the nickel corner but the Bengals coaches have said that this is one of the better camps that they have seen from Jones. “My mindset is to play smarter, work on my technique and stay healthy. I am trying to get better every day. You never know when the game can be over.” Jones said.
There was a time when Jones was the primary return man for the Bengals as well. That job now belongs to the speedster, Brandon Tate. Jones still has a very good chance to make the roster and contribute this season. It’s a numbers game and things could get gloomy for Jones if the Bengals only decide to carry four or five corners.
Cleveland Browns
Anthony Armstrong could make the roster if the Browns decide to keep six receivers. He is working with the third team right now but he is behind Miles Austin and Nate Burelson, two veteran receivers that have a history of injuries. Armstrong has ties to new Browns offensive coordinator, Kyle Shanahan from their days with the Washington Redskins. He has achieved success before with Shanahan when he averaged 19.8 yards per reception in their first year together.
Coaches always tend to bring “their guys” with them when they join a new organization. Shanahan and the Browns are hoping to get a player that will be looking to prove his value after having not been in the league since 2012. This is surely the opportunity that Armstrong wanted. “I built a level of trust with Kyle in Washington,” Armstrong said. “He’s a coach that will put you in a position to make a play. If you are really good at something, he’s going to find a way to make a big play happen.”
Armstrong has shown that he can still play from the moment he got to the Browns. He has been a bright spot in practices as he has gotten open against the Browns secondary which will be a very solid unit. His familiarity with Shanahan’s system also increases his value because it makes him almost like a coach on the field. “I try to share all the knowledge I can, and guys are not afraid to come and ask me questions,” Armstrong said. “I know that, if I can get them to do the right thing, it’s going to help them get open and ultimately it can help me get open if I have a complementary route. If they break too early, I’ll say, ‘Hey, make sure you get your depth (right), because you’re helping this other guy get open and (the entire offense succeed).” His selfless mindset makes him someone that Shanahan will surely go to bat for when it comes to making the roster.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers pride themselves on linebackers. It has been a tradition that dates back to the 1970s. They have had their share of nasty, physical players at linebacker. Jordan Zumwalt is right in line with the tradition. Sixth round picks are normally doomed if they get injured during camp. Zumwalt has been injured but there’s a chance that he can sneak onto the roster as a special teams guy.
Zumwalt has the body and attitude to be a special teams demon. The Steelers don’t usually keep six inside linebackers so it will be ultra important for Zumwalt to show that he is deserving of a roster spot over third year linebacker, Sean Spence. The hamstring injury that Zumwalt suffered in mini camp hindered his growth into an outside linebacker role and resulted in his being moved inside. Zumwalt has the right mindset when it comes to competing for a roster spot.
“Every competitor thrives in a situation like that. The ones that worry about it are the ones that usually have a hard time with it. I try not to worry myself with it. I am here to compete, that is why I am here. I am here because I know I can compete and hang with these guys.” Jordan said. “I need to show that I can do it. I need to show that I know what I am doing. That I have been putting the study time in. I need to earn some respect, I need to grind, work hard and sweat with everybody. I need to show that I can play and hang with these people.” Zumwalt continued: “My progress is coming well. I wish I could have the reps, it helps a lot to learn when you are doing the plays.” He will need to keep making plays in practice along with games in order to make the roster.
