Here is an example of how the “Chop Block” was envisioned. Basically, it’s just random musings, outtakes (aka, material that doesn’t fit into a featured story), or follow-ups to featured stories (or what we call “front page” content). Sometimes it’ll just be statistics, or ratings, that may only interest me.
Yesterday I wondered about Cincinnati’s roster breakdown over a period of time (specifically the start of the Andy Dalton era) when final cuts were made; how many times did the Bengals take two or three quarterbacks? What’s the average number of linebackers taken? This isn’t a scientific study and doesn’t predictably correlate to anything that Cincinnati does; this is a means to satisfy my own morbid curiosity.
A few points: These numbers are based on the 53-man roster following final cuts. During most years there have been additional moves made between final cuts and the first regular season game. Those weren’t included.
For example, the Bengals final roster included seven receivers in 2013 with the intention of placing Andrew Hawkins on IR (with a designation to return). Due to rules at the time, in order to be placed on IR (with a designation to return), you had to be on the 53-man roster after final cuts. Once he made the final 53-man roster, he was placed on IR and Cincinnati signed Dennis Roland back. Researching and updating roster changes after the final 53-man roster was announced felt too involved for the scope of my curiosity; therefore I stuck with the final cuts for this posting; not the moves made afterward.
Also, H-Back was included with the running backs and not tight ends — this seems to be obvious but, I’m reiterating for clarity.
Position breakdown at final cuts
POS | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | AVG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
POS | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | AVG |
QB | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2.1 |
RB | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4.7 |
WR | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6.4 |
TE | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3.3 |
OT | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3.7 |
OG | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3.1 |
C | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2.0 |
OFFENSE | 27 | 25 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 26 | 25 | 25.4 |
DT | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4.0 |
DE | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4.6 |
LB | 6 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 6.3 |
Safety | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 4.7 |
CB | 5 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 5.0 |
DEFENSE | 23 | 25 | 26 | 25 | 24 | 24 | 25 | 24.6 |
Specialist | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3.0 |
ROSTER | 53 | 53 | 53 | 53 | 53 | 53 | 53 | 53.0 |
53-Man roster announcements: 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011.