Football is a funny game as more times than you might realize a guy lands on the practice squad that might have outplayed or played a veteran pretty close to even but for the team to keep him in the fold they “hide” him on the practice squad to get him more experience before exposing him to the active roster. Some guys end up living on the practice squad for a few years before ending their football dreams but sometimes those players are motivated to keep improving their game and get signed by other teams to the active roster when a need arises. These players would have been great stars in NFL Europe, too bad the NFL does not believe in a triple AAA system as in these players might be the next Kurt Warner, La’Roi Glover, or Jake Delhomme.
Some of the practice squad guys that I expect to hear from in the coming weeks and years include:
Buffalo Bills: Joique Bell RB and Naaman Roosevelt WR…Two raw players that if the Bills can tuck away for a year will have a legit chance next year to play and have a real role with the team, Bell actually may see the active roster once they trade Marshawn Lynch at some point this season.
Miami Dolphins: Nathan Overbay TE..played big at a small school and will need time to learn the interknit parts of the position but has the potential to be a special player in the league.
New England Patriots: Shawn Crable OLB..Have to say I am surprised he is on a practice squad but that shouldn’t be for long. Has potential to contribute just need to focus on improving his game.
New York Jets: Cody Brown OLB and Martin Tevaseu NT…Two talented defensive players who have not been able to put it all together. If anyone can get them to it will be Rex Ryan.
Cincinnati Bengals: Chase Coffman TE..Should Chase ever be able to stay healthy, he could become the perfect #2 TE in Cincinnati.
Cleveland Browns: Larry Asante SS and Jordan Norwood WR…Young players who get the benefit of sitting and learning while the Browns continue to make strides.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Dorian Brooks OG, Kyle Jolly OT and Al Woods NT/DE..Three big bodies that I know will be on a roster at the start of the 2011 season. Assuming there is a season.
Houston Texans: Malcolm Sheppard DT…big wide body who should work his way into the rotation. Look for him on an NFL roster in 2011.
Indianapolis Colts: Tom Brandstater QB…still can not figure out why he was cut but glad Indy snatched him up as he has at least #2 QB skills and should be on a roster soon. Perfect candidate if they still have NFL Europe. Too bad the NFL doesn’t believe in a triple AAA structure.
Tennessee Titans: Kevin Matthews C and Myron Rolle SS..Matthews will get on a roster with a little more practice and time to digest the game. Rolle certainly has ability but will constantly be questioned whether his heart is in the game as his off-field academic achievements are certainly well known.
Denver Broncos: Jeff Byers G/C..Byers is a versatile player who can provide depth at both guard and center. Likely will be a guy who stays on the practice squad and pushes for a roster spot by the end of the year when linemen start to really get banged up.
Kansas City Chiefs: Verran Tucker WR…nice size speed combo but will have to put in the time but if he does should secure a roster spot in the coming years.
San Diego Chargers: Curtis Brinkley RB…a player everyone would pull for to make it in the league and once he gets his shot you know he’s going to relish the chance of playing ball again.
Dallas Cowboys: Travis Bright G, and Martin Rucker TE….Bright will find a spot on the roster this year especially with a guy like Alex Barron holding a spot for ransom. Here is a prediction Dallas trades M. Bennett and next year their three tight ends are Witten, Phillips and Rucker.
N.Y. Giants: Rhett Bomar QB and Nate Collins DT..Bomar has the arm to make it in the league he just needs some real game experience. Something he’ll probably have to get elsewhere but should find a spot for himself on a roster within the next two year. Collins needs to bulk up some but once he’s added a few pounds he’ll have teams lining up for him.
Philadelphia Eagles: Chad Hall WR and Jeff Owens DT…Hall has some great work ethic and speed to make up for his lack of size. He’d make a great 5th receiver and special teams star (think Danny Amendola a few years ago). Big Jeff Owens belongs on an NFL roster it’s just that he happened to be taken by Philly that he’s on the practice squad. Maybe someone like Atlanta, Jacksonville or Minnesota will discover the talented Mr. Owens.
Washington Redskins: Selvish Capers OT …Capers will sit and learn for the next year on the practice squad but with work should develop into a nice swing tackle for the Skins.
Chicago Bears: Juaquin Iglesias WR..If I were the St. Louis Rams this would be a player I would be adding to my roster sooner than later. Iglesias would make Bradford learning curve go that much faster since they have a familiar with each from their days at Oklahoma.
Detroit Lions: Robert Callaway DT..Dominating size that simply needs to improve stamina to become part of a defensive line rotation.
Green Bay Packers: Breno Giacomini OT …experienced player who just needs some more time before he locks down a roster spot for a nice ten to twelve year career.
Atlanta Falcons: Robbie Agnone TE…nice size combo that would be a great roster addition to the Ravens should Todd Heap not stay healthy.
Carolina Panthers: Rashawn Jackson FB..Underrated fullback who isn’t afraid of contact. Should blossom in the next few years and be the lead FB for some team in the NFL.
New Orleans Saints: DeMario Pressley DT…big body that needs to stay healthy but if he does can certainly help a lot of teams.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Dezmon Briscoe WR…with a little time to grown up on the practice squad Briscoe could really explode in the NFL. Do not be surprised to see the Cowboys look to bring him into the fold this spring to see if this Dallas native might fit with his home team.
Arizona Cardinals: Herman Johnson G …Monster of a man who just needs to get his focus on the game and study, study, study and take to coaching or he’ll be out of the league for good.
St. Louis Rams: Danario Alexander WR..another big wide receiver who if he can get himself healthy could be a special player in the league.
Two players to keep an eye on to land on a practice squad within the next few days are
Clifton Geathers and Micah Johnson. Geathers is a monster of a man who could be an unstoppable force for a defense if he is motivated and keeps himself out of trouble. That’s a big IF. Johnson is a blue collar LB that if he can stay healthy would be a great prospect for the Patriots to get behind.
Did I miss any other guys? Let me know.
Did I miss any other guys? Let me know.
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