If the Bills' Season Started Tomorrow, V2.0

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2008 11:17 AM EDT in Opinion Comment 85 comments

With more than two weeks of training camp in the books and a pre-season opener under their belts, the Buffalo Bills inch ever closer to the day that they will cut down their roster from where it stands currently (81 players) to where it needs to be for the regular season (53). This is the second installment in a series of posts we'll be using for roster cutdown discussions, called "If the Bills' Season Started Tomorrow".

Nearly two weeks ago, the first installment of the series was my first attempt at predicting the final roster, based on what we knew at the time. It's fascinating, therefore, to see exactly how much has changed after just one pre-season game and a few practices.

So, with the Bills set to play their second pre-season game tomorrow, now is as good a time as any for the second installment of this series. Just like last time, I'll leave you my Final 53 here, and you can poke holes in my logic, leave your own predictions, and discuss the generalities of the roster cutdowns. To the cuts:

Quarterbacks (2)
TRENT EDWARDS, J.P. Losman

Running Backs (3)
MARSHAWN LYNCH, Fred Jackson, Xavier Omon

Fullbacks (1)
DARIAN BARNES

Wide Receivers (6)
LEE EVANS, JAMES HARDY, Roscoe Parrish, Josh Reed, Justin Jenkins, Steve Johnson

Tight Ends (3)
DEREK SCHOUMAN, Robert Royal, Derek Fine

Offensive Tackles (4)
JASON PETERS, LANGSTON WALKER, Kirk Chambers, Demetrius Bell

Offensive Guards (3)
DERRICK DOCKERY, BRAD BUTLER, Jason Whittle

Centers (2)
MELVIN FOWLER, Duke Preston

Defensive Ends (4)
AARON SCHOBEL, CHRIS KELSAY, Ryan Denney, Chris Ellis

Defensive Tackles (4)
MARCUS STROUD, KYLE WILLIAMS, Spencer Johnson, John McCargo

Outside Linebackers (5)
ANGELO CROWELL, KAWIKA MITCHELL, Keith Ellison, Donnie Spragan, Blake Costanzo

Inside Linebackers (2)
PAUL POSLUSZNY, John DiGiorgio

Cornerbacks (6)
TERRENCE McGEE, JABARI GREER, Will James, Leodis McKelvin, Ashton Youboty, Reggie Corner

Free Safeties (2)
KO SIMPSON, George Wilson

Strong Safeties (3)
DONTE WHITNER, Bryan Scott, John Wendling

Specialists (3)
Rian Lindell, Brian Moorman, Ryan Neill

Practice Squad (8)
QB Matt Baker, WR Felton Huggins, OG Christian Gaddis, OG Robert Felton, DE Derrick Jones, DT Corey Mace, LB Marcus Buggs, DB Kennard Cox

The Cuts (20) *In order of cuts, from first to last
WR C.J. Hawthorne, S Jon Corto, DT Teraz McCray, P D.J. Fitzpatrick, WR Scott Mayle, RB Bruce Hall, FB Jonathan Evans, WR Jason Jones, TE Tim Massaquoi, OT Patrick Estes, OG Nevin McCaskill, DE Shaun Nua, LB Jon Banks, CB Dustin Fox, DE Copeland Bryan, OT Matt Murphy, TE Courtney Anderson, RB Dwayne Wright, DT Jason Jefferson, QB Gibran Hamdan

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Comments

Dwayne Wright x2

Just a heads up that you have Dwayne Wright being cut and making the team at the same time. I know the Bills front office can be indecisive at times (J.P V Trent, Johnson v Flutie) but this is a first for them. I’m guessing you meant to put Oman as a cut.

by BuffaloBrewed on Aug 13, 2008 11:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ha! I knew someone would catch that mere seconds before I fixed it. And you were wrong – I meant to put Omon on the roster. :)

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2008 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ha. Touché.

I am actually much happier with Omon on the roster instead of Wright. I feel he has a bigger upside on special teams, but he’ll have to prove it during the remaining preseason games if he wants the roster spot.

by BuffaloBrewed on Aug 13, 2008 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It just goes to show how eerily similar Wright and Omon are that I got them mixed up. Or, rather, called Omon Wright.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2008 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll be watching more of Omon on Thursday, but that fumble by Wright was terrible, and it is something that he seems to do alot of. They should treat him like the kid in the movie ‘The Program’; he should carry the ball wherever he goes

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on Aug 13, 2008 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

OT's

I don’t see both Estes and Murphy getting cut unless Murphy’s injury is bad enough for an injury settlement. Given our relative thin depth at the position I don’t see it happing. Of course if Peters is in camp that could be a different story.
anyone hear the story yesterday about him being in WNY?

by gatornation on Aug 13, 2008 11:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

This leaves them with no OTs on the practice squad, either. Only Bell is eligible for the PS, though – both Murphy and Estes are veterans with too many seasons.

However, if Butler can play tackle, there are more options. For example, if Walker was injured, shuffling Butler to RT would make Whittle start at guard and bring Felton or Gaddis from the PS to back him up.

by Krenn on Aug 13, 2008 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I cut both of them because of Chambers’ presence as the third tackle and the promise of Bell. Since my plan was to keep 4 tackles all along, I decided to cut the two veterans and save practice squad space for guys with bigger potential. We have enough depth at OT, in this case, with Peters/Walker/Chambers/Bell.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2008 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

you would keep Bell on the active roster and not the PS? he is green as green gets and should not see the field this year. give him a year on the PS and see what you have after that. if he’s on the active roster and sees time at tackle you may want to change your prediction of 2 QB’s on the roster now!!

by gatornation on Aug 13, 2008 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hang on now, I never said he’d see time at tackle. I think the kid’s got a bright future, and the team has a track record for keeping young tackles with promise on the roster. (Of course, in the case of Terrance Pennington, he saw the other side of the spectrum as well.)

I don’t necessarily think Murphy or Estes brings more value to the team than Bell. Don’t forget that Murphy is making a position switch himself, and is nearly as green (and not as talented) at the left tackle position. Estes is training camp fodder, in my opinion.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2008 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Murphy or Estes would provide more immediate help then Bell. there’s no denying Bell’s potential but the other 2 have NFL experience. keeping Bell on the ps allows him time to develop his craft. if he’s on the active roster this year he blocks for extra points and field goals and that’s it. that isn’t good use of a roster spot.

by gatornation on Aug 13, 2008 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If he’s on the active roster this year, he’s ideally not playing – and neither are Murphy or Estes if they’re the ones who make the cut. I’ll put a guy that’s a little greener with much more upside on the active roster any day of the week, especially if they’re that deep on the roster. Don’t forget about the value of the practice setting as well.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2008 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bell would getting plenty of practice time on the practice squad and at this point we don’t know if Peters will be playing anytime soon. that would put bell 2 injuries away from playing on the line. that to me is a scary proposition.
I think the bottom line is Peters and the Bills need to reach an agreement so he can get to camp and we can put this issue to rest. please

by gatornation on Aug 13, 2008 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Of course, I probably should have mentioned that I put Bell there on the assumption that Peters will be in camp. And he will be. (I think.)

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2008 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

man i hope he gets into camp soon. this is getting really old. hanging our hat on converted tight ends and Karl Malone’s illegitimate kid.

by gatornation on Aug 13, 2008 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How much time will Peters need to get ready for Seattle?

Great plays don't make great players; great players make great plays.

by Fort Worth on Aug 13, 2008 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

good question

i guess it depends on his overall conditioning and recovery from the injury. i would think an athlete like that wouldn’t need a great deal of time, maybe 1-2 weeks.

by gatornation on Aug 13, 2008 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And he must learn the new protection calls for the passing game...

You’re right, this is getting really old.

Great plays don't make great players; great players make great plays.

by Fort Worth on Aug 13, 2008 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

after watching the Steelers game

Bell is going to make this team; you can mark it down. He’s raw and shouldn’t play at the beginning of the year, but the team can’t risk losing him to someone else just to keep a marginal player like Estes or Preston or whoever. My new guess at the OL:

Peters/Dockery/Fowler/Butler/Walker

Chambers
Bell
Preston
Gaddis

surprise cut: Whittle; Murphy IR (try again next year)

Never forget 56-10. Revenge.

by SuperFan82 on Aug 15, 2008 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not the only position switch

Actually, Estes was also a TE in college, and he just switched to tackle two seasons ago when the 49ers drafted him. Strange that of the six tackles on the Bills roster, just two played OL in high school. I bet it’s because of their speed – high school coaches can always put the big slow kids on the offensive line, but big fast players get placed on the defensive line (or play basketball).

by Krenn on Aug 13, 2008 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i would

hate to see Wright get cut as I think he can be something if given time. Unfortunately though, the numbers game may force him out unless the coaches really think he can contribute on ST’s

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Aug 13, 2008 11:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree. The reason I kept Omon in this run is because I saw much more out of him in blitz pickup than I did from Wright. Dwayne is currently getting a lot more work on special teams, though. They’re equal runners in my book. This race could get interesting.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2008 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

too bad I feel we havent seen the last fumble from Wright........

and Omon should over take him before the first of Sept

http://bills.sportsbloggingnetwork.com/

by norcaliangelsfan on Aug 13, 2008 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow pretty much what i would go with

Assuming Peters is in camp soon, and that’s a major assumption, I don’t see the need to keep more than the 4 tackles you kept, especially if Butler can swing out in an emergency. I may be inclined to keep another Guard, but probably not. Having Gaddis & Felton on the PS negates the need for another on the active roster, as neither would dress for games anyways.

I really hate Preston and would hate to see him make the team. If he is indeed better than Gaddis, then it makes sense, but man, I’d hate to have that guy on the active roster again, AND dressing for games. Heck, even though it’s not going to happen, I’d see if Bentley would come in as a backup here on a 2-3 year deal with a great chance to start at Center next year. See ya Preston in that scenario.

Dwayne Wright, Xavier Omon. Xavier Omon, Dwayne Wright. Oye. You can polish a turd all you want, but it’s still a POS. Right now, I’d have to agree on Omon assuming he has some ST ability, and he’s still an unknown. We’ve seen Dwayne Wright fumble and fumble and fumble that it’s almost too much to overcome, IMO. However, keeping Wright active and Omon on the PS wouldn’t be a terrible scenario for me either. No matter what, I can’t see both making it.

The only position I’d drop a guy from is OLB and that guy is Costanzo. I think I’d rather keep Courtney Anderson, but it wouldn’t be a major deal either way. I think Spragan will be fine on ST’s negating anything Costanzo would provide.

by Kurupt on Aug 13, 2008 12:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I kept Costanzo because he is a part of nearly every special teams unit the team has – and he’s a member of the top unit. I think he stays, nearly on the same level as a Justin Jenkins.

LeCharles Bentley was in Detroit yesterday…

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2008 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And left without a deal

He didn’t want a 1 year contract

by Kurupt on Aug 13, 2008 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just hate

Wright’s fumbles. It’s getting to the point where I almost expect it from him whenever he touches the ball. And I cringe. But anyway, do you think that Fine could possibly surpass Royal as well? I kind of think it’s a possibility….I was never big on Royal aside from his locker room leadership capabilities anyway. Plus Fine didn’t look too bad in preseason so far.

Wearing my Bills jersey to the Eagles-Bills game last year in Philly probably wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done. But then again, that's why they call me die-hard.

by FemaleFanatic85 on Aug 13, 2008 12:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I do think Fine will pass someone by season’s end; he’s the future of that position as it sits right now. But to start the season, no, I think he’s third-wheeling behind Schouman and Royal (whatever order they end up in).

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2008 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So you think that Fine could turn out to be a decent TE then in the long run?

Wearing my Bills jersey to the Eagles-Bills game last year in Philly probably wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done. But then again, that's why they call me die-hard.

by FemaleFanatic85 on Aug 13, 2008 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nope. I do think he’ll be better than Royal has been, but being better than Robert Royal does not a decent tight end make. This should be a position of primary focus next off-season.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2008 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

For next offseason (draft needs?),

keep an eye this season on Oklahoma State TE Brandon Pettigrew, Oklahoma TE Jermaine Gresham, Georgia Tech DE Michael Johnson, and Florida State DE Everette Brown. Too bad Florida TE Cornelius Ingram tore his ACL.

Yeah, the Bills need to find a legitimate, long-term answer at tight end.

Great plays don't make great players; great players make great plays.

by Fort Worth on Aug 13, 2008 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah hopefully Gresham declares early. I like Chase Coffman (Mizzou) way more than I did Rucker. John Phillips (Virginia) is another guy to keep an eye on.

I would bet that Brown stays at FSU for his senior year, but it will be a great draft for DEs regardless.

by kaisertown on Aug 13, 2008 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bear Pascoe, Fresno State Watch him. The kid is a beast and hell his name is BEAR!

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Aug 13, 2008 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fine

You have to realize Fine is Derek Schouman and Derek Schouman is Fine. I will never understand that draft pick until 4 years from now and we see where their careers go.

Is this game tomorrow night on NFL Network???? Or am I screwed out of seeing the Bills again?

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Aug 13, 2008 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Since when are Fine and Schouman the same guy? From what I’ve seen, Fine looks smoother and has softer hands than Schouman. I’m not saying he’ll be great, but I do think he’ll be much better than Schouman.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2008 2:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He'll be Fine

of course!

Get the Bills back to the big game!

by Blitz on Aug 13, 2008 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i'll

love that if that is the case but I don’t see it at this point. I feel bad for Schouman having to do all that FB crap last year that SF-M put him through. Fine and Schouman are both slow, lumbering, blocking TE’s.

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Aug 13, 2008 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Schouman’s not a blocking tight end. Slow and lumbering, yes. But he’s not a great blocker.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2008 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

On NFL Network at midnight

by Kurupt on Aug 13, 2008 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Will Marshall Faulk be covering the game?

Only then will he realize that the Bills do, in fact, need a new left tackle.

Great plays don't make great players; great players make great plays.

by Fort Worth on Aug 13, 2008 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

great line

i couldn’t believe how big of an idiot he was when he said that. I mean I swear, just goes to show that in the off-season they run out of things to talk about so they talk out of their *

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Aug 13, 2008 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

NFL Network

Every time I see that Faulk is on the show, I just hit the fast-forward button (I’m usually not watching live TV). That guy can’t get off the show fast enough.

Great plays don't make great players; great players make great plays.

by Fort Worth on Aug 13, 2008 6:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Wearing my Bills jersey to the Eagles-Bills game last year in Philly probably wasn't the smartest thing I've ever done. But then again, that's why they call me die-hard.

by FemaleFanatic85 on Aug 13, 2008 1:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Update on Matt Murphy

It’s a rotator cuff – so either season-ending surgery, or it’ll heal well enough to make it through the season. He’ll wait and see in two weeks. If it’s surgery, that’s IR, of course. But if not, I think he’s got a decent chance to make the roster over Chambers.

by Krenn on Aug 13, 2008 2:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Doubt that

A guy with an injured rotator cuff trying to transition to Tackle is not going to make it over a guy who is healthy and more experience, and potentially better…

by Kurupt on Aug 13, 2008 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How many of us would have ripped Brian up 2 months ago if we saw Derek Schouman as the starting TE? The kid has come a long way.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Aug 13, 2008 2:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would have ripped me up.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2008 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

4 months ago

I would have ripped Brian up for picking Martin Rucker at #11 overall in the draft to be the starting TE.

Just kidding, Brian :)

Great plays don't make great players; great players make great plays.

by Fort Worth on Aug 13, 2008 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oye… boy, did he fall fast. I thought for sure he’d be in the area where Dustin Keller ended up. At least I was half right…

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2008 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Which would have been worse?

Rucker at 11 or Josh Johnson in the 3rd.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Aug 13, 2008 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rucker at 11, hands down

You don’t EVER want to get a 1st round pick wrong (i.e. – Mike Williams).

Get the Bills back to the big game!

by Blitz on Aug 13, 2008 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Twice as many as the number who ripped me...

For suggesting that he was decent back in March.

by krytime on Aug 13, 2008 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have 2 words for you

Aaron Merz…

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Aug 13, 2008 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dude, you ALWAYS know where the low blow’s at. :)

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2008 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Kry expects it from me.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Aug 13, 2008 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You're 100% right. I do.

And that comment was completely called for. Anyone who toots their own horn better be ready for stuff like that. With that said, I’d love to be playing against sireric (and you Brian) in the 1st league. I think I’d really enjoy that banter. Rest assured, I’m sure I’ll be going at it with Kaisertown. I hope he knows that I will not allow any of the players on my roster to have an agent of any sorts. And I also won’t draft a WR in the first round; I’ll probably draft a DT…

by krytime on Aug 13, 2008 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

2 QBs

I love keeping 2 QBs, but realistically, I don’t think that will happen - especially after having done so and retracted last year. Brian, if Hamdan is kept (he appears to be the last one cut by you to keep a player), who would you cut/PS? My wild guess is that you kept Costanzo for the 53rd spot and had to cut Hamdan. I absolutely love each of the CBs, but frankly, keeping 6 is a bit of a luxury - we need to trade one (Youboty) soon. I know this would be considered crazy, but, personally, I think we should keep only 2 TEs (and have one on PS)—cut Schouman (I realize he is much loved by the editors here).

by labill on Aug 13, 2008 3:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Teams often use 3 TE's

for goal line offenses, so I think you have to have at least 3 TE’s on the roster. I think I would rather cut Costanzo and maybe throw Reggie Corner on the PS, and keep the 3rd TE and a 3rd QB.

Get the Bills back to the big game!

by Blitz on Aug 13, 2008 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

6 CB's

Why is that such a luxury? Last year that was a necessity. We have 6 talented CB’s, why get rid of one just because we have to keep a scrub like Hamdan? And do you really feel comfortable having two rookies that may not be totally ready come week 1? They all have special teams ability as well.

Why would you only keep 2 TE’s? You can’t go 3 TE’s at the goal line and you can’t put either of the two on ST’s. There is a MUCH better chance we keep 4 TE’s than 2. In fact, there is no way we only keep two.

by Kurupt on Aug 13, 2008 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't disagree

I actually love the idea of keeping only 2 QBs - I just think that the Bills will not do it. My question was what should happen if 3 QBs are kept, then one of Brian’s guys have to be dropped. I really like the CBs, and 6 is a lot - but I agree we can’t cut any of the 6; they’re too good. As far as “scrubs” are concerned, our TEs are all pretty much scrubs. I think we can pick up anybody and they’ll be just as good. I certainly hate the idea of keeping 4 scrub TEs. By the way, I think offenses rarely use 3 TEs near the goal line, especially if you have a FB—I think it is more common to add a tackle eligible. Perhaps, as Brian says, Steve Johnson would be dropped (and hopefully put on PS).

by labill on Aug 13, 2008 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They've done it for a few years now

keeping 2 QB’s. I don’t think it’s anything out of the ordinary for us.

If a 3rd QB is kept, I’d dump Costanzo. He’s too run of the mill for me and nothing that we can’t replace with Digi/Spragan/Ellison/Wendling/Scott/Youboty/James/Ellis/Jenkins/Barnes/RB/Fine/etc on Special Teams.

I think TE, FB and even LB are positions where you can find guys in the middle of the season to contribute if necessary. I’d rather keep talented CB’s and WR’s than useless 4th TE’s, backup FB’s and afterthought LB’s….But that might be me

ALso, 6 CB’s isn’t a lot when you don’t have a superstar at the position, have a couple of inexperienced rookies, have injury prone players (McGee, James) and saw how decimated the position became last year. I want talent on this team even if it’s being found as a 6th CB….

by Kurupt on Aug 13, 2008 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

2 qb's

is a no brainer. No sense keeping Hamdan or Baker when either guy could be signed up or brought up from PS ina heart beat if edwards goes down

We better keep 6 CB’s. And there is no way only 2 TE’s. They don’t keep 4 though unless they think Anderson can offer up some big play ability, cuz he doesn’t offer much else in terms of blocking or ST’s.

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Aug 13, 2008 5:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Schouman much loved? Hardly. I think he should be our third-stringer. If I had my way, he’d be fourth-stringer, and Courtney Anderson would get the nod over him.

The last guy I kept on the roster was Steve Johnson. So if I had to keep Hamdan, I’d have released Johnson.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2008 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is Jason Peters injured?

Perhaps the reason Peters has reported to camp is that his late season injury was more serious than first reported. What other reason could there be for a team player like Jason to let his team and teammates down. Not to mention the hefty daily fines he is suffering. What do you think?

by gjv on Aug 13, 2008 3:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Commented this on the other post you put this in too…

Unlikely, in my opinion. If he’s hurt, why isn’t he letting the Bills’ award-winning training staff treat him? No, this isn’t injury-related, methinks…

Welcome to the site, btw. :)

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2008 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Eugene Parker

I think it’s his agent that’s making this a stare down contest. He’s pulling the same thing with the Rams and Steven Jackson. the longer it goes the more I believe Peter’s camp will cave. Parker doesn’t get paid if there’s no deal and he hasn’t made one cent off of Peters as he wasn’t his agent for the current deal.

by gatornation on Aug 13, 2008 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is Jason peters injured?

The Bills have made it known that they will negotiate a new deal. Jason would have to report for the negotiations to start. The Bills have made it known that Jason has earned a new contract. So why is there a need for a stare down?

by gjv on Aug 13, 2008 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think there are other more likely explanations besides injury.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2008 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thankyou for the welcome. What other logical explanations do you have?

by gjv on Aug 13, 2008 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Doesn’t like training camp. Wants to prove that he’ll take the holdout to a new level next season if they don’t pay him when he comes back. Wants to stay down south as long as possible, in preparation for the Buffalo winter.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 13, 2008 4:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

His injury was minor. A hernia is a series of small tears in the abdominal wall. A hernia only causes pain and you can actually play through one. Peters probably did play with pain right above his pelvic bone and in his groin for a few weeks before he finally started sitting out. Peters was 100% ready to go months ago. His surgery was in early January and the recovery time was reported as 8-10 weeks. That means he should have been fully recovered from an injury that never leaves any lingering problems in mid March.

The possible holdups here are:

Peters is getting bad advice from his agent.

One of the sides’ asking price is WAY off. If Peters and his agent are going to ask for Jake Long type 11 mil a season then the Bills have probably already told him it isn’t happening. If the Bills are only going to offer 5.5 mil a season then Peters should still be sitting at home and waiting for that number to come up.

I think the other explanations get a little too unlikely. Peters might just hate training camp or maybe he is way overweight and is struggling to get back closer to his trim 340 pound figure. Who knows at this point?

by kaisertown on Aug 13, 2008 5:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If I changed my argument with you on Agents...

From hating them as a whole, to just hating Parker, would you agree with me?

by krytime on Aug 13, 2008 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I Agree

All I want to say is my roster at the present time would be identical. Practice squad would be slightly different…very slightly.

by Berg79 on Aug 13, 2008 8:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Couple

of discrepancies. From what I’ve seen of Marcus Buggs I would take him over Blake Costanzo any day. Also, McCaskill needs to be on the practice squad over Gaddis. Gaddis is useless and McCaskill is a pretty impressive athlete with a lot of upside.

Otherwise the roster is solid.

"I don't agree with a damn thing you say, but I would die for your right to say it."

by ForeignArrow on Aug 14, 2008 2:24 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree about McCaskill. Nearly did put him there in place of Gaddis.

I also like Buggs, but I kept Costanzo simply because I saw him on the field for every special teams play against the Redskins in the first half.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 14, 2008 6:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe

the Bills’ coaches are trying to make a keep/discard decision on Costanzo, and they want a good long look at him before they made that decision. Just a guess. Buggs is smaller (ugh, the grammar sounds bad there) but presumably quicker? How does Buggs compare with Costanzo on ST abilities?

Get the Bills back to the big game!

by Blitz on Aug 14, 2008 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Practice Squad Rules

MAybe someone has covered it, but aren’t players on the practice squad considered unrestricted free agents and are eligible to sign with any team. I don’t think people keep that in mind when they suggest to put Demetrius Bell or Reggie Corner on the practice squad.

Or am I mistaken?

by south123 on Aug 14, 2008 8:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I found this

“In addition, a player under contract to a club as a Practice Squad player is completely free to sign a contract with another NFL club during the season in order to be on the second club’s Active/Inactive (i.e., 53 man) list. A practice squad player may not sign an NFL Player Contract with his Club’s next opponent later than 4:00 p.m., New York time, on the sixth day preceding the game (except in bye weeks, when the prohibition commences on the tenth day preceding the game).If another club signs a Practice Squad player to its 53 man roster it does not have to provide any sort of compensation to the player’s former club but it generally must keep the player on the 53 man roster for at least 3 weeks, thereby mandating that he earns in 2007 the minimum first year salary for said 3 week period ($285,000 prorated weekly).”

I’ll give you the link in case you want to read the whole thing.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Aug 14, 2008 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

hmmm

I didn’t realize a team could sign a guy for only 3 weeks off someone’s PS. I thought it was for the rest of the season….weird

by Kurupt on Aug 14, 2008 9:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought the same thing.

Kinda makes me wonder why the Bills kept Copeland Brian around all year.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Aug 14, 2008 9:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its not only three weeks. Its a minimum of three weeks. So you can’t just poach someone off a practice squad to get a little extra depth for one week and then cut him loose.

And South, I am very confident that guys like Demetrius Bell and Steve Johnson would be safe on the practice squad. Reggie Corner probably would too, but the Bills won’t risk it with him.

by kaisertown on Aug 14, 2008 10:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gibran Hamdan

Sorry but I simply don’t see the Hamdan cut, he’s been performing well in camp and put out decent drives from difficult situations in the skins game. He’s been outplaying Matt Baker for sure. With J.P. leaving the Bills next season for about 99% sure it looks like Hamdan is being setup as 2nd QB for the 2009 season with Baker taking PS this season and having a go at 3rd QB for 2009 which will prevent us from having to draft an expensive QB in the 2009 draft.

If Baker would have been close enough to Hamdan his performance I could see us going with 2 and just Baker on PS with the intention of signing him to the active roster if Trent goes down, how things stand now I simply don’t see it.

Also in the Skins game Hamdan had 3 drives, all started way back our goalline; he looked to move the offense out of that area on all 3 drives, however one drive the ball was lost due to a fumble by the RB, other drive a penalty on 3rd down cost us the first down with the only option being to create punting room (which he got), then his third drive he took the offense all the way across the field (lindell stunk up the fg kick). It was a solid performance considering the circumstances (whereas JP had greating starting positions for example).

The remainder of the pre-season games will tell us more, if the intention of cutting Hamdan is there you’ll see his playtime limited in favor of Baker.

by DrAtomic on Aug 14, 2008 11:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You could be right about Hamdan. I don’t see the Bills keeping 3 QBs on the active roster AND Baker on the PS however. They could easily draft a 5th rounder or lower next year and groom him to be the 3rd behind Trent, and Hamdan in ’09.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Aug 14, 2008 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Additional info

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080807/SPORTS03/808070356/1021

“Gibran does a great job, especially in preparation during the week,” said quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt, who played against Hamdan when both were toiling in NFL Europe. “The biggest thing with Gibran is he needs game experience, and that’s what we need to do in the preseason. We need to see a lot of him in the preseason.”

by DrAtomic on Aug 14, 2008 12:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs