If Bills must cut a corner, James should go

by Brian Galliford on Aug 25, 2008 11:30 AM EDT in Opinion Comment 36 comments

Youboty, rookies pushing James off roster? (Photo Source)

One of the more intriguing positional battles that the Buffalo Bills were keeping tabs on heading into training camp was the battle going on for five - perhaps six - slots at cornerback. The Bills had three incumbents, a free agent addition, and three drafted rookies battling for spots on the team - and given the unique situations of players like Jabari Greer, Ashton Youboty and Leodis McKelvin, there were plenty of story lines to follow at the position.

Now, a month has passed since the onset of that battle, and not surprisingly, there have been some surprises, some disappointments and some depth chart shuffling at the position. We're three games into the pre-season, which means roster cut-downs are looming. We've seen enough from the top six corners on Buffalo's roster to boil the battle down to one fact: if the Bills feel they must cut a cornerback and keep only five on the roster, it's veteran Will James that needs to go.

Five or Six?
Buffalo's top six cornerbacks are all certainly talented enough to remain on the final roster - that's not very debatable. The problem with keeping all six players is that the Bills are virtually certain to keep five safeties, as John Wendling's special teams prowess locks him in behind the team's top four safeties. Eleven defensive backs is an awful lot to keep, and if the Bills decide to trim that number to ten, it's a cornerback that's getting the axe.

There is an argument to be made, however, that the Bills should keep the best 53 players on the team - and if that argument is followed, it very likely includes eleven defensive backs. If the Bills follow this strategy - and it seems like a very logical strategy to follow - don't expect any of Buffalo's top six corners to get cut. All of them have shown versatility and a willingness to play special teams to date. They're all good players.

Where potential meets veteran savvy
If the final verdict is five corners, however, the choice is clear in my mind: it's Will James that needs to go. The Bills have a solid starting tandem in Terrence McGee and Jabari Greer. Ashton Youboty - long thought to be the odd man out in this group - has two pre-season interceptions and has been the best tackler at the position. There's zero chance that the Bills will cut either of its two rookie corners, Leodis McKelvin and Reggie Corner - even if McKelvin's play has bridged between average and awful to date.

The main argument behind keeping James - besides the fact that he's been taking first-team reps at nickel corner since signing with Buffalo - is the fact that he's a veteran. It might be unwise for Buffalo to rely on a youngster at the nickel spot, as the position carries more importance in Buffalo's style of defense than it would for most other teams. But from what we can discern, the Bills are looking for size and physicality at the nickel spot - and Youboty can provide that. McKelvin and Corner are only going to get better the more they play, and the same can be said for Youboty at this point as well.

I've seen James making the same mistakes as the young guys this pre-season - he's flashed poor tackling habits and a tendency to get beat deep. So have the young guys. The young guys have potential; James doesn't at this point in his career. Ergo, easy choice for the Bills, in the estimation of yours truly - if the Bills axe a cornerback, Will James seems the most likely target.

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James' Contract

Obviously, his contract is relevant. What are the terms of his contract and how much can we save by releasing/trading him? I seem to recall a 1 year contract. Youboty is interesting because it is his last year.

by labill on Aug 25, 2008 11:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

2 year deal

by Kurupt on Aug 25, 2008 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks. What was his signing bonus?

by labill on Aug 25, 2008 1:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

no clue, can't find any more details

probably not much

by Kurupt on Aug 25, 2008 6:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trade market? Yes CB’s have a market but then again …

He’s all but CUT! What proof do we have he can step it up and make a difference in the Bills for longer than a lucky big play every 2 years?

-Dave
http://www.eSellOut.com
Bills Tickets for the fan who needs odd #’s of tickets!

by esellout on Aug 26, 2008 12:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree

James has been the least effective, other than McKelvin, thus far.

He continues running as the first team nickel, which is hard for me to see the Bills cutting. I still think 6 CB’s are kept for the reason you mentioned….keep the best talent. However, as injuries continue to pile up, that may not be possible….

by Kurupt on Aug 25, 2008 11:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

6 CB's

I think we got to keep 6. With New England in our division and now Favre, we are facing throw-happy teams, and we need depth at that position. Plus injuries seem inevitable so having solid depth is key. I am surprised that McKelvin is so far down the depth chart, but it is not a bad thing. He is only 21 years old, and having a season to get seasoned and hopefully be on a winning team, will do the young man so much good Plus he can make an impact returning kicks.

It will be interesting to see in a few years what the Bills do with Greer/McGee. If Corner and McKelvin produce, they maybe the starting tandem in 2 years

MARVelous

by MARVelous on Aug 25, 2008 12:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Remember, though, that the Bills will almost certainly put Kennard Cox on the practice squad. While he’s not up to the level of the other six right now, he will gain some experience through the year practicing with the team. That gives them an extra CB in case of injuries who would be familiar with Bills players, coaches and systems.

by Krenn on Aug 25, 2008 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Almost certainly?

I hope not. That guy just flat out stinks. He can’t make an open field tackle to save his life. He was also pretty poor as a coverage man in college, so I can’t imagine that’s going to change….

by Kurupt on Aug 25, 2008 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

trade?

Speaking of New England, I like keeping the taller James to cover Randy Moss in the endzone. What do you think we could get back for Yabody? I love the Ohio State Product, in his first full season, if i forget the torching by his old teammate Holmes. I think the kid can grow into a great Nickle Guy, and have no clue what they should do. I say Keep them all and bring Peters back.

by Oaks77 on Aug 25, 2008 4:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

James has shown nothing that would lead me to believe he would be an effective slot corner or backup to the 2 incumbents. As Brian has stated, James has exhibited poor tackling skills and at times poor coverage skills. I couldn’t imagine at this point James covering Wes Welker in the slot and not getting beat often.
You would expect more from a veteran like James but he doesn’t seem to have the same skill set as a few years ago.

by gatornation on Aug 25, 2008 1:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If we keep 5 CB's

I could definitely see James being cut. I believe if either Youboty or Corner gets cut, another team will snatch them up quickly. That may not be the case with James.

Get the Bills back to the big game!

by Blitz on Aug 25, 2008 1:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It wouldn’t surprise me to see him cut tomorrow, just to give him more time to find another team.

by Krenn on Aug 25, 2008 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They might just do that

I’ve seen them do that in the past, and it would be another classy move for this FO. I’ve nothing personally against James, I just think he is the most expendable compared to the other options at CB.

Get the Bills back to the big game!

by Blitz on Aug 25, 2008 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that'd be a dumb move

What happens if one of the other five get hurt against Detroit? Then what? We have to go find another CB somewhere or are stuck with a guy like Dustin Fox as #5. YUCK.

Don’t cut a guy now just to be nice to him. It’s not going to be any harder for him to find a job 4 days later.

by Kurupt on Aug 25, 2008 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I guess

the nightmare of Jason Webster’s injury early last season is still pretty fresh in our minds. While the Bills could sign someone else off the street (like a Jeremetrius Butler, for example), we better hope we don’t ever actually need that 5th CB to take the field as a starter, regardless of who it is.

Get the Bills back to the big game!

by Blitz on Aug 26, 2008 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know some people have talked about that as a possibility, but I don’t buy it. If one of our other 5 CBs get hurt on Thursday then James becomes a lock to make the team. That alone will keep him around past Tuesday.

by kaisertown on Aug 25, 2008 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We will keep 6 for third down 4yds and longer situations.

The Bills third down run defense will be better this year. However our linebackers are not good enough yet to cover short to medium length pass routes over the middle. I think the coaches are aware of this and will substitute DB’s for LB’s to overcome this weakness. What do you think?

by gjv on Aug 25, 2008 3:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Youboty

With all that Youboty has been through, passing of his mother to him missing all that time, it looks like he’s coming along really well, and I would hate to see him go, I hope he stays, plus the Bills need to open conversation with Peters, even if they are going to stand firm on not resigning him this year, give him some sort of assurance if they have not. This is the year for the Bills to prove all the naysayers wrong, I really hope a contract squabble will not cause them to miss the playoffs,
Let’s go Buffalo!!!!!

by Hassanali181 on Aug 25, 2008 6:37 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good thread Brian....

Obviously, last night, my frustration over McKelvin showed.. But the kid has ability, and natural talent that apparently is gonna take a while to develop… Other than his return last week, he’s really shown us nothing…. Sorta sounds like Youboty Huh???? But his “light” seems to have finally come on!!!
Through 3 weeks of preseason, I see our depth chart as……………..
McGee
Greer
Youboty
Corner
McKelvin
James
Cox; et all
Whether we keep 5 or 6, well… You can see my list….

by Cinga on Aug 25, 2008 8:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

no way

corner is ahead of McKelvin.

McKelvin and Hardy - rookies of the year

by poz on Aug 26, 2008 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You do realize that Corner is actually ahead of McKelvin?

by Brian Galliford on Aug 26, 2008 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he wont be by seasons end

McKelvin and Hardy - rookies of the year

by poz on Aug 26, 2008 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

or for that matter by week 6 in my opinion

McKelvin and Hardy - rookies of the year

by poz on Aug 26, 2008 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, but I believe that the original point was that he is currently ahead of McKelvin.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 26, 2008 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yea I just realized that. my bad Cinga

McKelvin and Hardy - rookies of the year

by poz on Aug 26, 2008 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think the Bills keep all six.

Let’s not rip McKelvin too much for that 90+ yard bomb he gave up. He actually had perfect coverage on the play, he just jumped too early. He knew he was in perfect position, got excited and jumped a step or two and a second too soon. If he waits another step to go up after the ball, then he either knocks it down or picks it off and we are all talking about how much progress he has made. You have to remember that the preseason isn’t about results. If a DB drops an INT, I don’t care. He should be rewarded for being in a great position to make a play, because chances are he is going to catch it next time, just like the odds are that McKelvin will time his jump a little better next time and make a big play.

I hope the Bills go into the season with the depth chart of:

McGee
Greer
Youboty
McKelvin
James
Corner

I also hope that Youboty or McKelvin earn their way into a starting role at some point during the year too.

by kaisertown on Aug 25, 2008 9:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Reggie Corner had a good blog posting on bb.com – he said that at this level for a cornerback, every single step counts. One wrong angle or one false step and that’s it. That’s essentially what McKelvin did – he just took one wrong step.

Incidentally, Corner also mentioned learning a lot from James on playing the slot position…

by Krenn on Aug 25, 2008 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wendling a lock?

Special teams are important, but the decision on whether to keep a player has to be what else they can contribute in their primary role as well. Is Wendling really a lock?

Coy Wire signed with Atlanta after finishing last year with a neck injury with the Bills. The Bills must have decided that overall, he didn’t bring enough to the table to risk keeping him around.

“Probably the guy that showed the most and flashed the most Friday and Saturday was Coy Wire and he’s only been with us for about a week,” said Falcons coach Mike Smith, referring to the team’s full-scale scrimmage and simulated game, respectively. “Of all the guys we weren’t aware of what they could do, he’s probably the guy who showed the most.”

by LGB on Aug 25, 2008 10:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes

I expect him to be a ST captain actually. What position do we need another warm body instead of a ST ace and potential captain???

Coy Wire was cut because he failed a physical.

by Kurupt on Aug 25, 2008 11:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually

The Bills released Wire because he couldn’t pass his exit physical. If he had been able to pass that who knows what happens.

by twoeightnine on Aug 26, 2008 1:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, what K said.

That’s what I get for leaving a page open and not reloading.

by twoeightnine on Aug 26, 2008 1:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Special teams are important, but the decision on whether to keep a player has to be what else they can contribute in their primary role as well. Is Wendling really a lock?

Seeing as Wendling’s primary role IS special teams, I’d say yes, he’s absolutely a lock for the roster. He won’t see the field on defense unless we’re very, very desperate, but the kid’s a whiz on special teams.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 26, 2008 6:34 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree with the quoter.

Is he good enough on special teams to warrant a roster spot JUST because of that? If he plays abyssmal defense, there’s not much reason to keep him around, unless he’s so good that he’s clearly a ST captain.

by Dyl on Aug 28, 2008 2:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s what I’m saying. He IS good enough to keep based on his special teams play. He’s an outstanding punt gunner and has a shot at blocking kicks. He’s a difference-maker at that part of the game. He is, with 0% doubt, going to make the roster.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 28, 2008 7:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You need ST players too

even if they aren’t really going to contribute at their “normal” position. Wendling is one of the best, if not the best, ST player we have. You don’t get rid of a guy like that to keep someone like Gibran Hamdan, Jason Jefferson, Tim Massaquoi, etc as examples.

The way this team treats ST makes it pretty obvious that Wendling is a lock, and rightfully so. With a young O and hopefully improved D, we will be relying on our ST as much as ever this year.

by Kurupt on Aug 28, 2008 11:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs