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!
