Bobby's Injury and the Final Roster

by: Michael Steffes

It seems as if Bobby's injury will throw a crimp in the Hawks final roster plans, so I thought it would be worth taking a look at how it might shake out.

First off, Bobby is not eligible for the PUP list. He got hurt in camp. The only list he is eligible for is IR, and that ain't happenin', especially since he will be back in the first quarter of the season.

However, the team is going to need 5 wideouts to operate. If Branch and Engram both end up missing week one, the team will be keeping 7 wide receivers. If you count...

7 WR's,3 QB's,5 RB's,3 TE's,9 OL-men, = 27.

I would think the Hawks would prefer to balance the roster with 25-25-3 (offense-defense-specialists), but I could see them carrying an extra offensive player at the start. In 2005, the team actually started the season with 27 offensive players and only 23 defenders, but it hard to see that happening with the quality depth on that side of the ball.

One idea would be to let Jeb Putzier go, and then bring Joe Newton off the practice squad if the team needs a third TE. That would seem to make a lot of sense to me. In the past the team has only carried two tight ends at times, choosing to use a linemen as the third TE in short yardage.

Another option would be to only carry 8 linemen. However, unless Spencer does something soon, we can expect the team will need the bodies. The most likely player on the outside would be Chop.

On the defense, the team will have to make some tough choices. One that hasn't been mentioned would be PUPing Will Herring, and starting the season with 6 linebackers. That would allow 8 DB's and 9 D-linemen to remain. Also, if Babs is healthy, the team may try and sneak a safety or two to the practice squad.

And of course, don't rule out the fact that more injuries could change all of this again. Hopefully the team will get people back, instead of losing any more. ~END~