The auditioning has ended, which means it's time for Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini to confer with his staff and make some critical decisions.

By 4 p.m. today every NFL team needs to reduce the size of their rosters to 53 players. Coaches hate this time of the year because they realize they're shattering the dreams of some, although doors could open elsewhere for many who are waived.

Following is a look at how the 53-player roster might shake out.

• QUARTERBACKS (3): Brady Quinn, Derek Anderson and Brett Ratliff.

• COMMENT: The key question is whether Quinn or Anderson is named the starter. It's also possible that Richard Bartel, who outplayed Ratliff throughout camp, could be the third guy, but Mangini brought in Ratliff from New York.

Look for Quinn to get the starting job, which could open the door for a trade of Anderson. If that happens, would there be a big falloff from Anderson to Ratliff? Some, but not as much as it might seem.

• RUNNING BACKS / FULLBACKS (5): Jamal Lewis, James Davis, Jerome Harrison, Lawrence Vickers and Charles Ali.

• COMMENT: Davis has been the biggest surprise of camp. The rookie sixth-round draft pick is quick, aggressive and confident. He should share time with Lewis and could move ahead of the 30-year-old veteran at some point during the season.

Ali could be waived, but Vickers is injury-prone. Depth is needed at fullback.

• TIGHT ENDS (3): Robert Royal, Steve Heiden and Martin Rucker.

• COMMENT: By no means a strength of the roster, now that Kellen Winslow is gone. Heiden is the best blocker, but can he stay healthy? Royal is an adequate receiver, but he can't stretch defenses. Rucker was silent most of camp, but he may have saved his job with a good showing in the final preseason game.

• RECEIVERS (6): Braylon Edwards, Mike Furrey, Mohamed Massaquoi, Brian Robiskie, Joshua Cribbs and David Patten.

• COMMENT: It will be interesting to see who Mangini matches with Edwards as a starter. Furrey is listed with Edwards on the depth chart, but that doesn't mean much. Massaquoi has been slightly better than Robiskie in a battle of second-round draft choices. Cribbs will get more time than in previous seasons.

Six receivers are more than many teams carry, but Patten needs to stay if Cribbs doesn't develop.

• OFFENSIVE LINE (9): Alex Mack, Eric Steinbach, Joe Thomas, Floyd Womack, John St. Clair, Hank Fraley, Rex Hadnot, Isaac Sowells and Pat Murray.

• COMMENT: Mack, a first-round draft choice this year, started slowly but played better as camp progressed to edge Fraley at center. Fraley appeared to be in trouble earlier, but he was determined to make the final cut and it showed on the field.

There's plenty of flexibility here. Steinbach could move outside to play tackle. Fraley can play guard, while Womack can move to a tackle. Don't be surprised if Hadnot starts at right guard once his injured knee is fully healed.

• DEFENSIVE LINE (6): Kenyon Coleman, Shaun Rogers, Robaire Smith, Corey Williams, C.J. Mosley and Ahtyba Rubin.

• COMMENT: This group appears stronger than last season for a few reasons. The overrated Shaun Smith is gone, and Louis Leonard was traded to the Carolina Panthers. Coleman and Mosley are additions that will help the run defense, and Williams and Robaire Smith are healthy after injury-plagued 2008 seasons.

Rogers missed all four preseason games with an undisclosed injury. He seems to be fine when seeing him on the field and in the locker room. Rubin has made big strides in year two and could start at nose tackle, but the defense needs Rogers on the field.

• LINEBACKERS (9): Kamerion Wimbley, D'Qwell Jackson, Eric Barton, David Bowens, Alex Hall, Titus Brown, Kaluka Maiava, David Veikune and Beau Bell.

• COMMENT: Wimbley had a good camp and could flourish in coordinator Rob Ryan's system because of the freedom he's allowed. Barton replaces Andra Davis on the inside next to Jackson, which should be a slight plus. The outside spot opposite Wimbley should go to Bowens, but he didn't play in any preseason games because of an injury.

There are concerns in this area. Bowens is 32 and has started just 22 games in a 10-year career. Veikune and Maiava are rookies and not ready for action other than special teams. Development by Hall as an outside pass rusher would be huge. Bell will help on special teams.

• SECONDARY: (9): Brandon McDonald, Eric Wright, Brodney Pool, Abram Elam, Hank Poteat, Coye Francies, Nick Sorensen, Mike Adams and Bret Lockett.

• COMMENT: McDonald and Wright will start at the corners, with Pool and Elam set at the safety spots. Poteat and Francies are the backup cornerbacks, but that's no great comfort. Poteat is a journeyman and Francies is a rookie that looks good one minute and bad the next. Pool suffered what is believed to be his fourth concussion in five seasons. Elam is supposed to be a big-play strong safety, but he didn't show it in the preseason.

Look for Mangini to search the waiver wire for help in this area.

• SPECIALISTS (3): Kicker Phil Dawson, punter Dave Zastudil and long snapper Ryan Pontbriand.

• COMMENT: All three are among the best in the NFL. Cribbs saves a roster spot by handling kick and punt-return duties.

mmclain@tribtoday.com