Roster Cuts: Round Two

Here are the second round of cuts, trimming the 49ers’ roster to 53.

K Shane Andrus

WR Bobby Guillory

WR Kevin Jurovich

T Matt Kopa

G Brian De La Puenta

QB Jarett Brown

LB Keaton Kristick

LB Mike Balogun

DL Will Tukuafu

DL Derek Walker

S Chris Maragos

LB Matt Wilhelm

I’m not surprised by 99% of these cuts, except for Matt Wilhelm. Wilhelm’s release opens up a spot as Pat Willis’ backup. It would be asking too much to expect the rookie Navorro Bowman to be the backup to both Takeo Spikes and Willis.

So here’s how the 49ers’ roster shakes out:

QB: Alex Smith,David Carr, Troy Smith Nate Davis

RB: Frank Gore, Brian Westbrook, Anthony Dixon

FB: Moran Norris

TE: Vernon Davis,Delanie Walker, Nate Byham

WR: Michael Crabtree, Josh Morgan, Ted Ginn Jr., Kyle Williams, Dominique Ziegler

T: Joe Staley, Anthony Davis, Barry Sims, Alex Boone

G: Mike Iupati, Chilo Rachal, Adam Snyder, David Baas, Tony Wragge

C: Heitmann

NT: Aubrayo Franklin, Ricky Jean Francois

DE: Justin Smith, Ray McDonald, Issac Sopoaga, Demetric Evans

OLB: Manny Lawson, Amhad Brooks, Parys Haralson, Travis LaBoy, Diyral Briggs

ILB: Patrick Willis, Takeo Spikes, NaVorro Bowman

CB: Nate Clements, Shawntae Spencer, Tarell Brown, Will James, Tramaine Brock, Phillip Adams

S: Michael Lewis, Dashon Goldson, Taylor Mays, Reggie Smith, Curtis Taylor

LS: Brian Jennings

K: Joe Nedney

P: Andy Lee

I was previously mistaken. Will James was not cut, he is still on the team and figures to be the fourth cornerback for the 49ers. I thought that they

49ers’ First Round of Cuts

The 49ers have announced their first round of cuts today and some the names might surprise you, I know a few surprised me.

RB Michael Robinson

FB Brit Miller

FB Jehuu Caulcrick

WR Jason Hill

WR Kevin Jurovich

C Cody Wallace

DL Khaliff Mitchell

TE Tony Curtis

TE J.J. Finley

OLB Bruce Davis

CB Karl Paymah

Names like Caulcrick, Miller, Jurovich, Wallace and even Hill don’t surprise me. Those guys were a step behind the pack the entire preseason. However, I am surprised to hear Robinson, Curtis and Paymah were cut.

Robinson has been with the team ever since he was drafted in 2006, but he’s had to rely entirely on his special teams prowess. With a new special teams coordinator in town, the 49ers may have been looking for Robinson to be more versatile than just a one-dimensional special teams ace. I don’t blame the 49ers for the move, he was stagnant as a running back.

Paymah’s release confounds me even more. I thought he was having a good preseason and looked to be in line to be the team’s nickel corner, especially after Will James’ release last week.. Those duties will now go to Tarell Brown, who looked shoddy at times playing as the #2 when Shawntae Spencer was the #1 to fill in for Clements. The fourth cornerback on the field will then be rookie Philip Adams. That shows a lot of faith in the rookie to get it done when needed, or maybe it means they’ve got their sights on a free agent corner. We’ll see.

Now onto who is practice-squad eligible:

FB Brit Miller

FB Jehuu Caulcrick

WR Kevin Jurovich

C Cody Wallace

DL Khaliff Mitchell

TE J.J. Finley

OLB Bruce Davis

Those six could likely land on the practice-squad with two more open spots for the second round of cuts in the effort to trim their roster to 53.

Here is a preview of the second-round of cuts:

T Matt Kopa

G Brian De La Puenta

QB Jarett Brown

LB Mike Balogun

LB Keaton Kristick

S Chris Maragos

S Curtis Taylor

All of which are practice-squad eligible, giving the 49ers’ 13 candidates for 8 spots with the practice team.

Who, of the rookies, remains?

RB Anthony Dixon

WR Kyle Williams

TE Nate Byham

CB Tramaine Brock

CB Phillip Adams

G Mike Iupati & T Anthony Davis (That’s Obvious!)

This is may be one of the first seasons in many years that the entire draft class has made the 53-man roster.

Congrats Rooks!! You’re still employed!