Nothing really shocking, but a few notes on the initial 53:

- Surprised at the McCord trade. I thought they might keep him on the PS, and groom him to take over for Taylor next year. He certainly looked to have the talent. But as good as he looked, I suppose Miami (or another team) would have poached him anyway; might as well get a pick for him.

- Kind of surprised that none of the lower RB really stood up and earned a spot. I thought Strong, Nixon, etc. - at least one of that group would have done so.

- Still surprised that out of Reed/Doubs/Wicks that Reed was the one they kept (and that they let two of those three go)... but per Gute, they did try with Doubs and it was no go. So, what can you do? If the guy doesn't want to be here...

- Biggest surprise to all the way down is that they let Darian Kinnard go. They must feel pretty good about Belton as the first backup at OT.

- Edge: Not a surprise per se, but they're going into the season with an edge group that had a grand total of 4 sacks last season. And even when Parsons returns, that total only goes up to 16.5. These are more the stats of an edge group on a rebuilding team, not a team with Super Bowl aspirations. They're pinning a LOT on a lot of young guys. Hope they're up to the challenge!

- DT: Again not a 'surprise', but I am amazed at how much stronger the DT group looks (at least on paper - they still have to go out and do it on the field) compared to last year. Bringing in Hargrave is a big deal (to that group, and to the team overall).

- CB: I'm just surprised they didn't do more to fix that group. As it stands, they are one injury away from being back to Carrington Valentine seeing major playing time. Still the weakest group on the team. Have to hope that the upgrades at DT, and the young guys at Edge, can get enough pressure to mitigate that.

- Specialists: You had a FG unit that was perfect through 3 preseason games, and as a unit they looked as absolutely rock-solid as they have in years... therefore, you change the LS right before the regular season starts. Considering how downright persnickety a FG unit can be vis-a-vis chemistry, timing, "everything having to work just so", etc., I don't get why you would change what was working (and go back to a player from when it wasn't working as well). Just hope it doesn't come back to bite them.