If the Bills' Season Started Tomorrow...
by Brian Galliford on Aug 1, 2008 3:24 PM EDT
in Buffalo Bills Opinion
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PrintThe Buffalo Bills are through their first full week of training camp, so it's time to start another new series here at Buffalo Rumblings. After each week of training camp, I'll post my projections for the team's 53-man roster based on a combination of what we've seen/heard, certain situations (ahem, Mr. Peters), and anything else applicable. We'll compare notes each week this series is featured as sort of a stock market for each Bills player as camp progresses.
Prior to the third pre-season game - when most, if not all, of the major roster decisions are really made - Kurupt will be breaking down the battles for the final few roster spots between several players at several positions. Consider this a complement to that future discussion, as well as an add-on to the predictions that sireric made earlier this week.
Note: Predictions have been updated in light of LB Alvin Bowen's likely season-ending injury. Without further ado, here's how I believe the 53-man roster would look if the season started tomorrow (starters capitalized):
Quarterbacks (3)
TRENT EDWARDS, J.P. Losman, Gibran Hamdan
Running Backs (3)
MARSHAWN LYNCH, Fred Jackson, Dwayne Wright
Fullbacks (1)
DARIAN BARNES
Wide Receivers (6)
LEE EVANS, JOSH REED, Roscoe Parrish, James Hardy*, Justin Jenkins, Steve Johnson*
Tight Ends (3)
ROBERT ROYAL, Derek Schouman, Derek Fine*
Offensive Tackles (4)
JASON PETERS, LANGSTON WALKER, Matt Murphy, Demetrius Bell*
Offensive Guards (3)
DERRICK DOCKERY, BRAD BUTLER, Jason Whittle
Centers (2)
MELVIN FOWLER, Christian Gaddis
Defensive Ends (4)
AARON SCHOBEL, CHRIS KELSAY, Ryan Denney, Chris Ellis*
Defensive Tackles (5)
MARCUS STROUD, KYLE WILLIAMS, John McCargo, Spencer Johnson, Jason Jefferson
Outside Linebackers (4)
ANGELO CROWELL, KAWIKA MITCHELL, Keith Ellison, Marcus Buggs*
Inside Linebackers (2)
PAUL POSLUSZNY, John DiGiorgio
Cornerbacks (5)
TERRENCE McGEE, JABARI GREER, Leodis McKelvin*, Will James, Reggie Corner*
Free Safeties (3)
KO SIMPSON, George Wilson, John Wendling
Strong Safeties (2)
DONTE WHITNER, Bryan Scott
Specialists (3)
K Rian Lindell, P Brian Moorman, LS Ryan Neill
Practice Squad (8)
RB Xavier Omon*, WR Jason Jones*, OG Robert Felton*, OG Nevin McCaskill, DT Corey Mace, LB Blake Costanzo, LB Jon Banks*, CB Kennard Cox*
Injured Reserve (1)
LB Alvin Bowen*
The Cuts (17)
QB Matt Baker, RB Bruce Hall*, FB Jonathan Evans, WR Felton Huggins, WR Scott Mayle, TE Courtney Anderson, TE Tim Massaquoi, OT Kirk Chambers, OT Patrick Estes, OG Duke Preston, DE Copeland Bryan, DE Shaun Nua, DT Teraz McCray*, CB Ashton Youboty, CB Dustin Fox, S Jon Corto, P D.J. Fitzpatrick
Flame away. I'll save my explanations for the comments section, because I'm sure there will be many, many disagreements. Let's discuss.
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Interesting
I don’t see the team going with 3 QBs so that would free up 1 slot for either WR or CB. Given that Mayle and Huggins are training camp fodder (or street FAs signed when guys start going down with long term injuries) I’d see that going to CB….and Youboty.
I don’t know that I see Chambers getting cut but it’s certainly within the realm of possiblity. The team chopped Pennington without having a proven back up so they may go for the ‘potential’ in Murphy and Bell.
Overall I like your version of the roster, particularly the Prestonless aspect.
I kept 3 quarterbacks because I watched Matt Baker on Tuesday. He was awful. Both of Buffalo’s top two quarterbacks aren’t bulletproof when it comes to injuries by a long shot. They can’t risk relying on Baker as the backup if one of them goes down, because the talent gap between Hamdan and Baker is immense.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 1, 2008 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
In regards to Chambers, I cut him because I think the Bills are looking for a way to. All of their moves at that position are desperate right now – moving Walker, transitioning Murphy, speeding along the development of Bell. They’re desperate for something, and it may not necessarily be to replace Peters. I think Chambers is a surprise cut.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 1, 2008 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions
To add to the reasoning behind my cutting Chambers:
The Bills absolutely HAVE to value athleticism in their reserve tackles this year because of the fact that all 3 teams in the AFC East – as well as some of their playoff competition, predominantly the Browns – play 3-4 defenses. Chambers isn’t equipped athletically to handle speed rushers like Vernon Gholston, Calvin Pace, Mike Vrabel, Adalius Thomas, and Joey Porter. I think the Bills will come to believe that they’re better off letting a better athlete like Murphy handle those guys in the event that one of their reserves is pressed into playing time.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 1, 2008 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t have any major problems with those 53.
The one thing I would change is dropping one of the interior offensive lineman from the 53 or the PS. If McCaskill or Felton get cut, you could drop a player who would be inactive every week like Buggs or Omon to the PS and keep Youboty around.
To be honest, I don’t think the club is looking for a way to keep Youboty around like everyone else seems to be. There are ten defensive backs listed up there, and the Bills will need some serious depth and flexibility along the offensive line depending on how the Peters situation turns out. That’s why I kept Gaddis over Youboty.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 1, 2008 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Gibran Hamdan
I think a lot depends how he performs in the preseason. Also, is he practice squad eligible? That may play a role into whether or not he makes the 53-man roster.
Hamdan was drafted in 2003 and has spent time on the practice squads of four different teams (Seattle more than once, San Francisco, Miami and Buffalo). I believe he does have some eligibility left (can’t be sure without doing the research), but I’m not sure I see the advantage to putting him there in the first place. The team would just have to cut someone if (when?) Edwards went down anyways. I think it’s just easier and smarter to make him a part of the active roster.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 1, 2008 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Then how could he have been on Buffalo’s practice squad last season? You’re ineligible after 2 accrued NFL seasons, but Hamdan was in his third last season…
by Brian Galliford on Aug 1, 2008 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
“An otherwise eligible player may be a practice squad player for a third season only if the Club by which he is employed that season has at least 53 players on its Active/Inactive List during the entire period of his employment.”
Gotcha. Got a link for that? Never could find a good one…
by Brian Galliford on Aug 1, 2008 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
its a pretty thick read, but here is a site that has copy/pasted the official rules:
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2007/09/01/practice_squad_rules
I think Hamdan
sticks on the final roster because the coaching staff likes the insurance of having that 3rd QB available if disaster strikes.
I do see them putting Omon on the PS at the expense of someone like Mace so they can have an extra OL while this Peters situation is in limbo. So maybe this roster isn’t as Prestonless as you hope, Ron. ;)
Get the Bills back to the big game!
There are 9 offensive linemen listed above. Even if the season started tomorrow and Peters wasn’t here, they’d still have 8 guys to use. That’s par for the course for this team, save the last few weeks of the ‘07 season. I kept nine BECAUSE of the Peters situation; if he comes back, I don’t think they’ll keep that many.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 1, 2008 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions
They may need that extra slot for an OLB if Bowen’s injury is serious.
Get the Bills back to the big game!
Ha, yeah… figures an injury would happen as soon as I make a prediction. I should retire from blogging…
Let’s hope Ace is OK. Our LB depth is pretty putrid without him (beyond Ellison and DiGiorgio, that is).
by Brian Galliford on Aug 1, 2008 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Bowen
Well Bowen’s inj opens a spot. I think Chambers and Youbouty make the roster. Ko’s inj is an interesting topic as if he is not fully ready to go 5 safety’s seems more likely.
Ko’s ready to go. His MRI was clean and he’s back at practice full force. Even so, I still think they keep five safeties since Wendling is really exclusively a specialist.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 1, 2008 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Adjusted for Bowen’s injury:
- Moved Bowen to IR.
- Moved WR Steve Johnson from practice squad to active roster.
- Added LB Jon Banks to practice squad.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 1, 2008 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Can't argue too much about this roster.
One thing I would change is Omon. I just think he’s bound for the practice squad. I think that spot could be used for a STs player, or another lineman on either side of the ball.
I’d also suggest Steve Johnson for the PS as well, for the same reasons listed above.
Maybe in their place, I’d keep Chambers, Youboty, Costanzo, Preston, or Jefferson.
Isn’t this exercise so much easier this year, as opposed to the last 7 years? This is the closest thing to a set roster I’ve seen in quite some time.
I didn’t think it was an easy exercise at all. Those last few spots are so much more difficult to figure out, because our special teams guys are more unknown this season.
I just think he’s bound for the practice squad. I think that spot could be used for a STs player, or another lineman on either side of the ball.
Johnson was getting major reps on punt coverage and punt jamming at the practice I saw, and he didn’t look too bad. I think he can play special teams just about as well as any guy you mentioned above, save maybe Youboty.
I kept Omon in lieu of an extra tight end. I think if Barnes were to go down, the Bills could just as easily tinker with Wright or Omon as the “big” back, and I think at some point, we can sacrifice one special teams guy (who would likely just be inactive anyway) for a guy with promise. Omon was that guy – and he may be able to play special teams, too.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 1, 2008 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions
Johnson & Omon
If Johnson can play STs well, then I’d be ok with keeping him. I just think that having 6 WRs is a bit of a luxury.
As to Omon, he’d better be a STs demon. Did you catch him in practice at all? I missed forgot if you did mention him.
The only reason I’d still keep these guys on the practice squad is because in all reality, they’ll never see the active roster anyway. With that, I’d rather protect a couple of guys who have some experience, even if they’re inactive as well.
You have me re-thinking my stance on Omon. I added him because he was an alternative to Courtney Anderson, who I don’t think will make the team, but I tried to base it on what I thought the Bills would do… so I think I’m going to head on up to the main post, click that good old “Edit” button, and swap Omon out for Jason Jefferson.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 1, 2008 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions
You still have Jefferson on the list of cuts, though. I’d consider switching Blake Costanzo instead, though; he was a decent special teams player last year, and the loss of Bowen could give him a spot.
I did consider Costanzo. He’s got PS eligibility left, though, something Jefferson hasn’t. The Bills still have some depth without Bowen, and Jefferson can play some end if one or two of them go down. He’s more valuable as a reserve than Costanzo is as a specialist, IMO.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 1, 2008 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I like that move
Jefferson is the perfect depth guy the Bills can just leave inactive and if they get an injury at either DT or DE, can just plug into the lineup as a depth guy and someone who can help on specials a little bit. If Jefferson were ever active for a game I think the Bills could use him on 3 special teams units (everything but kick coverage), albeit in a role that is pretty easy to fill. Corey Mace doesn’t provide any practice squad value other than emergency depth anyways and you could easily justify giving his spot to Omon.
I was not able to watch a ton of games last year, so correct me if I am wrong, but wasn’t Youbuty a gunner on the punt coverage squad? And wasn’t Bobby April pretty happy with his performance? With the release or lack of resigning former ST studs I think that Youbuty still stands a pretty solid chance of making this roster. With Bowen’s injury that stands more than ever. Also, I think OBD wants him to succeed with him being a third rounder. He still has the tools and measurables that scouts look for, he has just gotten a pretty raw deal the last few years (mom, injury, Greer’s emergence). Finally, it seems as if he has been making plays in TC, Chris Brown mentions him fairly frequently, and while he has been relegated to the third string with McKlevlin’s signing, I still think he can make a difference on this team. Just an outside shot, but what id he outperforms McGee. Then we have a starting duo of McKlevlin and Youboty and McGee can focus exclusively on returning kicks. All speculation (as many of my posts seem to be…and as many of us BIlls fan seem to be doing this offseason), but what if…
Buffalo’s two punt gunners last year, after all of the injuries occurred, were Justin Jenkins and John Wendling. I believe Youboty was a member of the kick coverage unit.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 2, 2008 9:15 AM EDT up reply actions
Indeed
Youboty had two tackles in kickoff coverage; none on punt coverage last year. I’m not sure who the other gunner was in the beginning of the season; Jenkins didn’t play until week 7. Jim Leonhard, perhaps?
Actually, it was Jabari Greer. He had been a punt gunner for a few years (and a darn good one, too), but when he was forced into starting action, the Bills couldn’t risk another injury at corner.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 2, 2008 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions
I dont know why
But the Buffalo Bills have been all over NFL.COM in the last few weeks. It seems to me like they are trying to build up hype for this team subconsciously among football fans. For today, the site did a special on the top 10 players who have been left out of the hall of fame, and even though he was only #9 on their lists, the cover picture was none other than Steve Tasker.
http://www.nfl.com/halloffame/story;jsessionid=281D860381FD0966A925A758DDEC1334?id=09000d5d8099cc39&template=with-video&confirm=true
McKelvin and Hardy - rookies of the year
Poz’s link doesn’t work; check it out here.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 1, 2008 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
They spoke about this on WGR this week, and I think Tasker’s mention was well-deserved. That was an excellent video as well.
I’m not sure that Tasker’s mention has anything to do with trying to build hype for the Bills though.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 1, 2008 6:29 PM EDT up reply actions
not the mention the cover pic
on nfl.com itself the story was headlined by a pic of Tasker. I just find it weird that for the last two years I couldnt catch the Bills on NFL.COM ever. But this off-season they seem to be getting a lot of attention. Maybe it has more to do with the fact that I have become so used to being a fan of an irrelevant team that I forget what it feels like to be considered a contender by the national media.
McKelvin and Hardy - rookies of the year
by poz on Aug 1, 2008 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions
The Bills are just a more interesting team in general this year. Young QB, top 10 fantasy RB, big play threat Lee Evans, the Stroud trade, pro-bowl LT holding out, probably 5 different defensive starters than the team had playing by week 3, interesting division with question marks everywhere and another monday night game.
The Bills just havn’t had this much going on in awhile.
Some changes I'd go with
I’m not sure I’d keep Hamdan. Is he really that much better than Baker, and if we were down to those guys, wouldn’t we already be screwed anyhow?
I’d keep Courtney Anderson, a TE with size and some blocking ability. Who knows what Fine can give, and I’m not sold Schouman’s going to be the answer.
I’d still think Chambers makes the team, with Bell on the PS or on the team in place of Murphy. Chambers is still running with the first team O at RT. He must be doing something right…
I wouldn’t bother with Jason Jefferson. That’s the type of player we can pick up during the week if we have an injury. No need to tie up a roster spot on him, IMO.
Marcus Buggs? Isn’t he like 5’10”, 220 lbs? I’d rather keep Costanzo, a guy who proved he can contribute on ST, and brings some actual size to the backup LB position.
I still think Youboty makes it. I’d replace Jefferson with him…
~K
Answering one by one…
I’m not sure I’d keep Hamdan. Is he really that much better than Baker, and if we were down to those guys, wouldn’t we already be screwed anyhow?
In brief, yes. He really is that much better than Baker. And yes, if we were faced with the prospect of starting Gibran Hamdan at quarterback, we would be screwed. But that’s not a good reason not to keep the guy.
I’d keep Courtney Anderson, a TE with size and some blocking ability. Who knows what Fine can give, and I’m not sold Schouman’s going to be the answer.
Anderson was one of my last cuts. I’m taking the fact that Fine has been taking first-team reps, and holding his own, as a sign that the Bills are relatively comfortable with the trio of Royal, Schouman and Fine. I don’t think any of those three get cut, and I don’t think they keep four tight ends. So Anderson goes… and if a TE gets hurt, well, nobody’s going to sign Anderson after he’s released by us anyways.
I’d still think Chambers makes the team, with Bell on the PS or on the team in place of Murphy. Chambers is still running with the first team O at RT. He must be doing something right…
Well, we’re only a week into camp, K – did you really expect Murphy or Bell to supplant Chambers this early in the game? I don’t think the coaching staff is married to the idea of starting Chambers (or having him on the team, for that matter), and Murphy/Bell are reportedly getting better each week. Give it time. I wouldn’t be shocked at all to see Chambers slide on the depth chart over the next 2-3 weeks.
I wouldn’t bother with Jason Jefferson. That’s the type of player we can pick up during the week if we have an injury. No need to tie up a roster spot on him, IMO.
You wouldn’t, but Buffalo will. I agree that Youboty has a shot at a bigger impact, but Buffalo always does things a bit differently than we’d all like them to. They’ll value the versatility in their D-Line reserves more than an 11th DB.
Marcus Buggs? Isn’t he like 5’10", 220 lbs? I’d rather keep Costanzo, a guy who proved he can contribute on ST, and brings some actual size to the backup LB position.
Yeah, Buggs is small, but he looks like a promising specialist (and a great athlete), something the Bills need to replace with Bowen gone. Costanzo played three weeks last season – he’s definitely not proven much of anything (though more than Buggs). John DiGiorgio took first-team reps at weak side linebacker yesterday, so it’s clear that Buggs would only see the field on defense if three of the team’s top five linebackers went down. He’s a more promising specialist than Costanzo, so he stays.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 2, 2008 9:24 AM EDT up reply actions
So Anderson goes… and if a TE gets hurt, well, nobody’s going to sign Anderson after he’s released by us anyways.
Agree on that last part.
I think Jason Jefferson stinks, and he’s one of those “Why bother?” players to me. I don’t see him being active on gamedays or adding much of an impact anyways. Maybe a guy like Terez McCray can be a PS call-up during the season if necessary. I just don’t like keeping a guy who’s not very good just to keep a 10th DL.
Well, Buggs was just replaced by Spragan, so we know how the staff kind of felt about that position after the the top 5 and Bowen. Buggs can now be a PS hopefully, and I still think Costanzo has a little bit of a chance to contribute on ST’s. But he’s less of a need now that another good sized LB has been added in Spragan.
And until Chambers gets wiped out in the preseason games, I have to believe he makes the team, as an experienced tackle, something Murphy and Bell sorely lack. Though, if they can prove as capable as Chambers, I could see the cut coming. However, if Peters stays away for a considerably longer period of time, and we need a starting RT against Seattle, I think it’d be Chambers.
~K
It’s just a FA visit at this point… we’ll add him next week when we run this feature again.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 2, 2008 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions
Woops… guess Rotoworld is behind the times. We’ll still update it with Spragan next week.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 2, 2008 10:24 AM EDT up reply actions
Move Bell to PS
I know this is a ‘dead’ thread by now, but in case you review this Brian before your next list, I think Demetrius Bell will start the season on the PS, and why not? You don’t need him on the roster at this point so store him on the PS until he’s needed. Then you can use that spot for another big red zone target on Andersen or that 11 DB.
It sounds like Bell has a big future, but I wouldn’t lose a roster spot when you don’t need to.
And as Youboty seems to be making plays, I’d keep him around. Lets have some luxury for once.
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