Merged: TE/H-back depth chart

[Redskins8588]

So who do you think is going to be released?

[Hogskin]

No real insight on that, except that I feel sure it won't be Rasby, Cooley or Sellers. Most likely Ware and/or Kozlowski.

They will probably do one of 2 things if the article is correct: Waive 1, practice squad 1, keep 1 inactive, or waive 2 and keep 1 inactive. I believe the active roster limit is still 45. So that means there are 8 inactive slots (if you count the 3rd string QB). They could keep one there, but keeping 2 weekly inactive TE's seems real unlikely.

[sportscurmudgeon]

With the signing of Fred Baxter, the Redskins now have seven tight ends on the roster. Thats S-E-V-E-N.

Yes, tight end/H-back is an important part of the Joe Gibbs offense and they will need some depth at that position, but it is not likely that there will be seven TE's on the roster on opening day. My guess would be three but it could be four if one of the guys is actually a special team player who never really gets into a game as a TE.

At various times, all of these guys have been gushed over by posters here. So now it's time to forget all the stuff about how each and every one of them might make it to the Hall of Fame; now it's time to predict which ones will make the team and which will be parking cars at the Washington Hilton come September.

Here are the names:

Fred Baxter
Robert Royal
Walter Rasby
Kevin Ware
Mike Sellers
Brian Kozlowski
Chris Cooley

I think Rasby, Baxter and Cooley make the team. Remember, Cooley was one of their few draft picks this year so it might be embarrassing to cut him...

[SkinsRock]

Keep in mind that these guys are filling two different positions, blocking TE and H-back, and some of the H-backs will be using the roster spots normally reserved for fullbacks. So I could see them keeping as many as 6 of them, and no fewer than 4.
I see Rasby and Baxter as the blocking TE's, and Sellers and Cooley as the primary H-backs. The rest will battle for the remaining slot(s).

[Hogskin]

I agree, Rock. For a good part of Gibbs' last go-round, Warren was the blocking TE, and Didier the H-back. I think Baxter is the most tenuous of the 4 you mentioned as keepers. He should at least make the practice squad or the weekly "inactives" if he is not one of the 4 active TE's. I also would bet Cooley has a great shot at moving into the starting H-back spot before the end of the season. Hopefully, he and Sellers both have the smarts to play that complex position. Something else to think about, Gibbs uses a lot of 3 WR sets. In those formations, you can not have 2 TE's on the field.

[MTK]

Cooley and Kozlowski will compete for the starting h-back spot, while it looks like Rasby the the recently added Baxter will duke it out for the starting blocking TE.

My bubble guys would be Royal, Ware and Sellers. Sellers seems to have the best chance at sticking, Ware is the biggest long shot and Royal falls somewhere in between.

[Hogskin]

Matty, interesting!! I thought Sellers would start out as the H-back with Cooley eventually getting the job. I'm sure you have more insight on this than I do...

[MTK]

Not really, John, just my 2 cents

[SkinsRock]

According to Joe C's minicamp reports, Sellers was the top guy at H-back, which was a factor in my thought that he may be the starter at the beginning of the season. But of course anything can happen by the end of training camp...

[Defensewins]

I like Sellers. He is a monster blocker and has good hands. Plus he is fairly cheap, who could ask for anything more?

My prediction:
Sellers will be starter at H-back, with Cooley as his backup.
Rasby starter at TE, with Baxter as his backup.

[Redskins8588]

I see Sellers being the starting H-back at the begining of the season and by mid-season I think that Sellers will be spliting time with Cooley, as long as he develops for us. Sellers was a good player for us the first time he was on the team, and I think that he will be just as good for us this time too. Just a question, when Sellers was here under Norv, was he a TE then to? I thought that he lined up in the back field alot, thats why I was under the impreson that he was a full back.

I agree that Royals and Baxter will be the primary blocking TE's.

[Carnage]

I like Cellars too. I see Ware and Royals on the street.

[SmootSmack]

So is the consensus here that Leonard Stephens is out of the picture and not even worth debating? I think Koz and Ware could be gone. I suppose Ware could go on the practice squad. I think the big question mark is really Royal. I think Rasby, Baxter and Sellers are locks. And like curmudgeon said, you can't really cut Cooley. And for a 3rd round pick he probably can't go on the practice squad either.

[joecrisp]

Originally Posted by Redskins8588

I see Sellers being the starting H-back at the begining of the season and by mid-season I think that Sellers will be spliting time with Cooley, as long as he develops for us. Sellers was a good player for us the first time he was on the team, and I think that he will be just as good for us this time too. Just a question, when Sellers was here under Norv, was he a TE then to? I thought that he lined up in the back field alot, thats why I was under the impreson that he was a full back.

Sellers was indeed a fullback, but Turner used him in an H-back role as well. Sellers' size (6-3, 260) and mobility makes him an ideal fit for the 'tweener role of H-back.

[FRPLG]

Word is they will have 4 active for game days where most teams have 2 and at most three. I'd guess they end up cutting 2 and keeping one for the practice squad/inactive lists. I think it is a total crapshoot who makes it since none of them are making big bucks. Cooley is a definite. There is no way they'd draft a guy in the 3rd and cut him unless he ends up being terrible. I have enough confidence in there talent evaluating to think he is probably their best receiving tight end already since the others are mostly the blocking type except Sellers.