A team's roster offers valuable insights into their perspective on various units and how they plan to approach the season. Here are some observations from the current 53-man roster:
Starting with the most obvious position—quarterback. The addition of Teddy Bridgewater speaks volumes about the team's feelings toward Kyle Trask. Bridgewater brings veteran experience and will serve as a reliable backup if needed, but he’s not a long-term solution. His arm strength is limited, and defenses could exploit that if he were to start multiple games. This move indicates the team’s lack of trust in Trask and a belief that he may have reached his ceiling in development. It would be poor management for a playoff-caliber team to rely on Trask if something were to happen to Baker Mayfield.
Now, let’s address the Shilo Sanders situation. He entered training camp with strong work habits, was a great teammate, and handled media well, but unfortunately, he just didn’t perform well enough on the field. As a fan of his father, Deion Sanders, I would have loved to see him succeed on my favorite team. However, having a legendary father doesn’t guarantee success in the NFL.
Sanders clearly loves the game, and I hope he finds a new team to continue his career. However, his performance in college raised concerns—he was a liability in coverage and missed too many tackles, and we saw that trend continue in the preseason. His ejection wasn’t as big of a factor as many think. His release shortly after the game seemed aimed at giving him a chance to catch on with another team sooner. I wish him all the best; he seems like a great young man.
On the defensive side, I wasn’t surprised by the waiving of Nate Jackson. Yes, he had an interception and a sack in the first preseason game, but sometimes luck plays a role. He was in the right place at the right time for those plays. While he loves the game, he seems to lack the athleticism needed to compete at this level. In contrast, John Bullock made the team due to his special teams contributions and tackles. Remember, football consists of three units: offense, defense, and special teams. A great team excels in all areas.
I was a bit surprised the team kept only five outside linebackers, but it makes sense—they clearly feel comfortable using Elizah Roberts at edge if needed, especially after his strong preseason performance on the defensive line.
The decision to keep six cornerbacks is also noteworthy. This suggests a willingness to utilize corners at nickelback more than in previous years. Jacob Parrish may start at nickel, becoming the first corner to do so since Sean Murphy-Bunting.
I anticipate the Bucs will try to land Garrett Greene, Owen Wright, Jake Majors, and possibly Nick Jackson on the practice squad, as they all fell victim to the numbers game. I’d also like to see them pursue quarterback Hendon Hooker or safety Lewis Cine, both of whom were highly regarded during their draft years but were waived earlier this week by their respective teams.
Remember, this 53-man roster is not set in stone. It will undergo adjustments in the coming week, and it will continue to evolve throughout the season.
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