Bills play one starter, drop exhibition finale
by Brian Galliford on Aug 28, 2008 10:35 PM EDT
in News
19 comments
Thank the merciful gods of football. It's over.
The Buffalo Bills mailed this one in, playing just one starter - free safety Ko Simpson - in their final pre-season game, a 14-6 loss to the Detroit Lions.
Gibran Hamdan, the team's third quarterback - and not even a lock to make the final roster - got the start at quarterback over dinged starter Trent Edwards (who dressed, but did not play) and Fozzy Bear J.P. Losman. Playing behind a JV offensive line and with only a few playmakers at the skill positions, Hamdan's effort wasn't terrible; he completed 18 of 26 passes for 158 yards and electrified the crowd early with a 29-yard scramble that put the Bills in field position. Hamdan was injured late in the game, suffering an apparent head injury, but he's expected to be ready for the season opener - again, if he makes the final roster.
In all, Buffalo's pre-season finale was hardly a crowd-pleaser; on a personal note, I found myself wondering exactly how much money the Bills would pull in on the $1 hot dogs sold for tonight's Kid Night festivities. If anyone reading this is privy to that information, I'd be interested to know. Lots of tube-shaped bologna was consumed this evening.
I digress. There were some occurrances of note to discuss, so discuss we shall:
Youboty, Johnson Shine with Cuts Looming
Two players - wide receiver Steve Johnson and cornerback Ashton Youboty - stood out amongst their peers as several young players took their final stabs at making the 53-man roster, which will be finalized on Saturday.
Youboty was stellar; he recorded multiple pass breakups, tackled well, forced a fumble on a sack, and helped down a Brian Moorman punt inside the 10-yard line. The kid is just straight up a good football player, and it's excellent to see him proving himself. He's hungry and he's humble - and he played before Will James tonight. Bold prediction: Youboty is the team's nickel back after the bye week (Week 5), and he's pushing Jabari Greer for a starting role by season's end.
Meanwhile, Johnson - a seventh round pick this past April - was easily Hamdan's favorite target, snaring 8 passes for 74 yards. He showed excellent hands, nabbing passes low and away from his body, and he also flashed an ability to gain significant yardage after the catch. The kid has "stud slot receiver" written all over him. The better news? He was very solid on special teams tonight. I think he's now a lock for the roster.
Speaking of Shining... Dwayne Wright Didn't
Running back Dwayne Wright had an uphill climb to make the final roster tonight and had a golden opportunity to, at the very least, make the coaches think about this decision come tomorrow and Saturday. Alas, his 8-carry, 11-yard performance featuring his third fumble of the pre-season has probably sealed his fate. Buffalo's 2007 fourth-round draft pick is almost certainly a roster casualty at this point.
It wasn't just his running, either - Wright was flagged for lining up in the neutral zone on a punt block. Mental errors are inexcusable, especially when you're screwing up everything else you're doing offensively.
The Pre-Season is Over!
Don't expect a Film Session for this one folks; I no longer regret my decision to not set the DVR before heading up to The Ralph this evening. Instead, we'll do some roster predictions and cover the final cut-downs this weekend, talk a little more Jason Peters (but only a little), and get ready for Seattle Week. The regular season is upon us, folks, and I could NOT be more excited.
ROLL CALL: Here's the roll call from tonight's two open threads; shout-out to norcaliangelsfan, who once again paced the crew with 189 comments. Thanks to the following folks who joined the thread tonight (and to Kurupt for keeping the ship sailing smoothly): norcaliangelsfan, Kurupt, FemaleFanatic85, BuffCrunch, Krenn, Scoe221, spavery, NYTXFAN, WABillsfan, sireric, the Skycap, twoeightnine, LeClaireBill, ScrumHalf9, MARVelous, Cinga, mckelvin, Polish Lover, Kumario!, Pocono Bob, keuka121
0 recs |
19 comments
Email
Print
Comments
You are quick
You must have gotten home no more than 20 minutes ago from the game, and don’t you live in Rochester no less? Already having this up, you are a machine.
Youboty certainly cemented his place on the team if it wasn’t already set. I think he’s just playing his way into more reps during real games at this point. I’d play him ahead of James all the time, though I’m not sure how comfortable he is in the slot. I suppose Greer would slide inside if Youboty is the 3rd CB. He’s certainly well ahead of McKelvin and has distanced himself from Corner. I’m not sure what to think of James at this point. He didn’t play a whole lot early, and then was on the field for most of the 4th Q. I guess the staff wanted to see Youboty early, or James really is fighting for his spot.
I’m not sure Stevie Johnson is a lock yet, but tonight sure helped his cause. It remains to be seen how the TE situation plays out (keep 4 or 5?), the OL shuffle goes (Peters in or out?) and whether we keep Hamdan, a 9th DL or a 7th LB. I’d have to say Johnson earned a spot on the team tonight, but I’m not so sure he’ll get it. I hope he does because I love the dude and think he has great potential here. Wow, what hands!!! We need to keep this guy around and he proved capable on ST. I wonder if he could potentially push Jenkins off the roster now????
I have to believe we may look at another #3 RB elsewhere after the cuts. I’m not sure the coaches are confident enough in Omon yet as the #3. I think they want to stash him on the PS for now, so if a solid enough veteran comes along, we could see a signing there. Dwayne Wright, you play hard and go 110%, but you can’t fumble and keep your job son. Tough way to go out, but it’s his own doing. Hopefully, he’ll get a show elsewhere in the future.
Wow, are our backup interior OL bad or what?
~K
by Kurupt on Aug 28, 2008 10:48 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Could be right about Omon to PS…I am not overly impressed by him, but do say he keeps his hands on the ball.
I also hope Johnson stays. He is a good receiver, and when he made plays on special teams, he was ready to hit. I amnot saying he is as good as Sam Aiken, but he has the enthusiasm, and better receiving skills.
JUST TO NOTE: CJ Ah You led St. Louis in tackles, and Martin Nance led Minnesota in receptions…good for them
The Bills CAN win every game
by killascript on Aug 28, 2008 11:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Omon
I think we overrate him a tad because frankly, he’s not Dwayne Wright. He’s looked about as good as a D2 RB can be expected to look, but he’s still somewhat tentative running the ball. It’s probably due to him being a rookie stepping it up quite a ways in talent level, as well as trying not to embarrass himself with fumbles. I think the Bills would prefer if he were on the PS instead of being counted on in case of an injury to Lynch/Jackson. They gave Wright every opportunity to stay ahead of Omon tonight, but he blew it. That’s why I feel they could be looking through the cut this weekend…
~K
by Kurupt on Aug 28, 2008 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Omon to PS, but Johnson on the roster
A lot of WRs are nicked up on other team rosters (e.g. Jacksonville and Cincinatti come to mind) and Johnson has shown some serious hands. If we tried to slip him onto the PS now, I don’t think he would make it via Waivers. Alot of teams, even if they wouldn’t play him right away would steal him for their PS as well, he needs to stick if for no other reason than to make Reed crap his pants that he might be gone by end of season and make him play better.
Hamdan might make the roster, hard to say how DJ is looking at the season, but if he feels both Trent and JP might get ground up a bit this season (I think the Phins will be whole lot tougher out this time) we may need to keep him there just in case.
Wright my boy, you should have called up Tiki and gotten some pointers on how to not put the ball on the ground. Your done, and I’ve got a fork to put in your back if you want to be sure. Omon will got PS, but then again the Bills may want to keep a familiar face on the field and will ship Hall down in his stead and not bother with a new guy going into the season.
Youbuty from the highlights and the snippets I caught on XSSports.com looked great tonight, as he has all season. He is now a 53 roster man, and as you said K, he may be looking at the nickel role. Smell ya later James.
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
by WABillsfan on Aug 29, 2008 1:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I actually live in Batavia… it’s about half way between Buffalo and Rochester. Quick trip. Also left after the very beginning of the fourth quarter. We have AWESOME seats… 10 yard line, directly behind the visitor’s bench. Anyone wishing to mail me rotten tomatoes, cottage cheese balloons or dead octopi, I will most certainly heave them at Tom Brady for you this season.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 29, 2008 6:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also… why can’t we keep 3 tight ends? Right now, I think the Bills will keep Royal, Anderson and Schouman, cut Massaquoi (who may beat out Anderson), and put Derek Fine on the PUP-list.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 29, 2008 6:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
They can’t put Fine on the PUP list – that’s only for players who fail their physical at the beginning of training camp (Manning, for example).
by Krenn on Aug 29, 2008 7:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Since when? It was my understanding that anyone could go to the PUP list at any time – they just had to miss 8 regular season weeks, and they had to be listed on the injury report at the time of the activation to PUP. Those were the only two stipulations I was aware of.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 29, 2008 7:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah. Here’s the real rule. A player can’t be placed on the PUP list if they started training camp on the active roster.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 29, 2008 7:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Put Fine on the IR
he’s gone for at least half the season anyways, I’d imagine
~K
by Kurupt on Aug 29, 2008 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, how much longer will Schouman be out???
I’m guessing we can’t rely on only 2 TE’s for more than a week or two….
~K
by Kurupt on Aug 29, 2008 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m understanding that it’s a short injury – 1-2 weeks.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 29, 2008 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Injuries
According to Jauron, Hamdan was ‘dazed’ – possible concussion; Corto has a definite concussion (he might be placed on IR rather than the PS), and DiGiorgio has a rib injury of unknown seriousness.
Not very many injuries, but it might affect the LBs kept/cut/placed on IR. There’s a good reason only backups played… Speaking of which, Jeff Saturday is reportedly out 6-11 weeks from last week’s game against the Colts.
by Krenn on Aug 28, 2008 11:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Corto to IR
for a concussion? Why not just to the PS instead, so he can practice and be called up if needed.
~K
by Kurupt on Aug 28, 2008 11:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was just thinking that the Bills tend to send players in preseason to IR if they’re marginal – even if it’s a minor injury – rather than cutting them. But probably not for one as minor as a concussion.
by Krenn on Aug 29, 2008 7:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he is O.K. I think Hamdan stays.
Wright is gone.
Johnson and Massaquoi make the team.
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
by sireric on Aug 29, 2008 6:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
hamdan
looked good last night, strong arm but he seemed to be a little behind his recievers. maybe a little slow going through his reads. Johnson should definitley make the team, he’s a football player period, could turn into a stud wr. Youboty is finally getting it and James should be traded to clevland or just cut. GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by jimkutica on Aug 29, 2008 8:00 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Injuries
Hamden,
Looked very good considering what he had to deal with last night. THe number three, “if playing time he gets” could surprise alot of people in a few years. HE needs to stay.
I agree Johnson keep, Massaquoi sounds like he belongs with the BIlls just in name alone. Sounds Rather French Canadian/Native American. He looked good last year. Mr Wright Wrong. Did not impress me last year. Front line subs need work and experience, but they got it .
We have a lot to look forward to this season Mates. I see a shining star. Remember we could of made the play offs last year on a gimpy team. So we should go alot farther this year! GO GO BUPPALO. As my Kids would say!
by JimBilly on Aug 29, 2008 8:42 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
SB Nation's home for daily Buffalo Bills coverage.
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2009 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
