The Tampa Bay Vipers have announced their official week one depth chart for the 2020 season.
PLANT CITY, FL — The 79-day journey to April 26, 2020 has officially begun. As the Vipers kick it into full gear prepping for the New York Guardians, the team has finally launched their official depth chart.
Tomorrow the Vipers are holding their last practice that’s available to the media until they fly out to New York/New Jersey for week one. Now that we have an official depth chart to go off, we can finally focus on how the coaching staff plans on game planning for certain players rather than trying to guess who’s going to get the playing time.
There aren’t a ton of surprises in the Vipers depth chart. It was already announced that Aaron Murray was going to be the quarterback. The team selected tight end Nick Truesdell with their first skill position draft pick, so no surprise that he’s also a starter. Second round pick, Seantavius Jones, however, is currently listed as a backup behind camp standout, Daniel Williams.
Asked #Vipers OC Jaime Elizondo about (starting!) WR Daniel Williams (@jsudwilliams) pic.twitter.com/d4ek6p9hPj
— EE (@EvansEric10) February 5, 2020
Reece Horn and Jalen Tolliver are also listed as starting receivers on the initial depth chart. De’Veon Smith, who was the third round pick of the Vipers, was listed as the starting running back ahead of Jacques Patrick. However, I’d expect there to be enough touches to go around for the both of them.
The biggest stand out on the depth chart to me was the fact that Quinton Flowers was solely listed as the third sting quarterback. Yes, I’m aware this isn’t fantasy football and they can’t place Flowers in the flex.
Coach Trestman has made it clear that Flowers will have a role in their offense. Not to foreshadow, but that role might highlight an upcoming article.
Defense wins championships
“You wanna win? You gotta have corners!”
The words of the always entertaining defensive coordinator, Jerry Glanville. Unfortunately for the Vipers, the first four cornerbacks they drafted are not starters.
They did trade their first pick Arrion Springs for Jalen Collins, who is currently slotted as a backup on the initial depth chat.
I spoke with coach Glanville after practice today and asked him how he thought Rannell Hall’s transition has been going.
“For the first two weeks, it looked impossible,” Glanville replied. “It looked like we were wasting our time. Somewhere along the line, the light bulb went off. I promise you now, since our last – whatever you call that thing we did with New York where you weren’t allowed to tackle – he’s not even the same guy he was a week ago. I really believe now it’s a big, big plus for us. He’s special. He’s fast, physical. Has he tackled yet? No. But I think he will.”
Hall is currently listed as a backup on defense. He is listed as the starting punt and kick returner, though.
First overall pick on the defensive side of the ball, Obum Gwacham, was placed on IR-designated to return on January 22nd. Deiontrez Mount, the Vipers second round pick in the front-seven portion of the draft, anchors the defensive line. Seventh round pick, Lucas Wacha won the middle linebacker job and will be lined up next to Terrence Plummer who will be the weakside linebacker.
Roster construction by the numbers
The Vipers drafted 21 of the starters, 14 in the open phases.
They have 20 players from the state of Florida, four being from the Tampa area.
Seven players were claimed off of waivers.
Three players were acquired via trade.
One number that means the most? 52. That’s the number of players on the roster. All fighting for one thing: A championship.
Also a reminder, for all Tamp Bay Viper updates follow me on twitter @EvansEric10. Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel for some behind the scenes interviews!
