The only ones I’d keep are ‘Lif, Lopez, Rock Ya-Sin, probably have to keep Maddox with the safety group decimated, Rodrigo.
The IR Trio of Davenport, Levi and Paschal need to go, for the love of God Brad. Reader and Amik just not good enough for what they’ll be paid, Anzalone and AQM are going to price themselves out of here and the others I just don’t care enough about. Actually Awosika I’d keep, he’s a solid enough backup.
Just pointing out that we don’t need to draft Robertson’s replacement to train as we already have one on the team.
Holmes will sign 70 percent of these guys
On paper. Dude has 20 snaps in 2 years, 22 when you count body parts.
Of course, $$$, likelihood of fully recovering from injury, and the alternatives would have everything to do with the decision to try to keep or not.
But in terms of who I’d like to see back/gone, I have 10 in, 10 out.
IN
WR Kalif Raymond (stud who deserves more WR targets)
DL Levi Onwuzurike (should be fully recovered)
DT Roy Lopez (rare bright spot on the interior DL)
LB Grant Stuart
S Avonte Maddox
DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (probably will get outsized offers elsewhere)
QB Kyle Allen (showed plenty in the preseason)
CB Rock Ya-Sin (did a nice job for us)
LB Malcolm Rodriguez (better than Barnes, I think, but can he stay healthy)
TE Shane Zylstra
OUT
DT DJ Reader
LB Alex Anzalone (good cover LB, but the vibes from him have been sour)
CB Amik Robertson (overrated after his game against JJ last year, but underrated now)
DE Marcus Davenport
DE Josh Paschal
S Daniel Thomas
G Kayode Awosika
LB Zach Cunningham
LB Ezekiel Turner
OT Jemarco Jones
Interesting take.. they play different positions.. although Barnes has looked very confused and defeated since that ravens game.
Above Teslaa?
I see you’re a betting man lol
Rodrigues can play the SAM role - and I suspect he’d be called on to do it if Barnes left.
No. But when he was healthy Lif played about a third of the offensive snaps; he just didn’t get targeted much. Would like to see him and TeSlaa get targeted more often when they’re out there - which of course would mean that ARSB and Jamo get targeted somewhat less.
Well, Levi’ll has been out at least since July - and he showed himself able to last a full season last year (may have missed a game or two). I wouldn’t bet TOO much, but …
None of these guys are in the must keep category for me, sadly. Call me Bob Barker because I want to keep these guys if the price is right.
Lopez, Rock, Maddox, AQM, Lif, Rodrigo, Stuard, Levi.
Amik and Anzalone are in the “Let’s see what happens in the draft first” category. I don’t think either will go off the market quickly.
Guys like Kyle Allen and Zylstra will either make the team for vet minimum or keep themselves ready in case they get called up. I’m fine with having Allen as Goff’s backup for another year.
why get rid of Anzalone, he’s earned his keep here , showed talent, effort, the WANT to be here/ put in the damn work for this team, he is a lunchpail guy-sign in -go to work-type LB. HE is pretty damn healthy as well- a massive plus for us. The pro’s are greater than the con’s.
I’m adding on to this statement: I understand cost, but the way I see it is, OUR staff, would not pay these guys what they do IF they can’t afford to and have a comfortable amount of cash left over.
I agree on Anzalone. He is one of the best LBs in the NFL in pass coverage. If we had a different DC Alex would be the only LB on the field on 3rd and long. Now if we had a LB that could rush the passer that would be different but Barnes and Jack can’t cover and they are not good pass rushers.
I would also keep Lopez if these guys can be had at a reasonable price. If any of these guys are priced too high I would gladly take the comp picks.
I’m one that wouldn’t “mind”hanging onto Barnes, He can’t be the disrupting LB, he can be when the defense as a whole is a damn joke.
Facts if you have to release that many bum players you weren’t good to begin with.
“Only 49 out of 53 made the roster. Our standard doesn’t change” Brad Holmes
That whole ordeal to start season still makes me scratch my head. This isn’t Grand Rapids high school program.
I get the message they were trying to send but still very odd in today’s NFL.
Oh I’m not advocating we should get rid of him. I was saying he and Jack should not be on the field in obvious passing downs. For some reason Shep likes to keep 3 LBs on the field all the time. I don’t think LBs should be in these situations unless they are exceptional in coverage or rushing the passer. Alex is exceptional in coverage.
who stays:
Goff
Anzalone
Lopez
LaPorta
Branch
Hutch
Sewell
Gibbs
Monty
St Brown
Bates
J Campbell
Teslaa
Rock Ya Sin (still needs PT and experience)
Rodrigo.
Kyle Allen
Kalif Raymond
Kennedy
Levi O
AQM
Stuart
Muhammed
We need to find better guys than most of those players
Got to take care of your own.
I feel like a couple injured guys are low dollar must signs:
Paschal and Levi O. Veteran min. big upside.
Would like back:
Allen, Kalif, Lopez, Stuart, Maddox, Rodriguez, Rock, Zylstra and Muhammad.
Gone:
Reader and Anzalone. I think Barnes is ready to step up. Rodrigo is ready for a bigger role too.
You think so bud? I’ve been disappointed in his play. After the new contract I expected a lot more
I wanna love the guy, I just see a mediocre player who struggles in coverage. I feel like he needs to play less not more
Agreed on Rodrigo needs more chances but he is a free agent so who knows
I wonder how well suited the three LBer set was and how suited Barnes was for his role in 2025. Honestly I don’t feel like Anzalone has been happy since the emergence of Jack Campbell and Barnes.
I think Barnes needs to be more of a wild card who can cover, blitz and play off ball LBer. Alex pushed Barnes into a role I don’t think Shep knew how to handle.
Alex is 31. Still has game in him but I also want to see what Rodrigo can do too. I bring back Rodrigo and I turn Barnes loose. It is time for Barnes to shine.