Predicting the Buffalo Bills' Final Roster

by Brian Galliford on Aug 29, 2008 10:00 AM EDT in Opinion Comment 58 comments

The Buffalo Bills have finished their slate of pre-season games with a 2-2 record, and the countdown has now begun to the team's weekend roster cuts. The Bills must trim 22 players off of their current roster to reach the league maximum of 53 by 4:00 PM EST on Saturday, as mandated by the National Football League.

In preparation for this most sacred of events - it does signal the onset of the regular season, after all - it's time to start submitting final roster predictions. It's something that we're almost obliged to do, and I'm betting that some of y'all are chomping at the bit to make your own predictions as well. Let us, with this in mind, use this as the official Rumblings roster prediction thread. Below, you'll see my final predictions; feel free to leave comments, debate, and leave your own predictions in either the comments section or in your own lovely FanPost. To the predictions:

Quarterbacks (3)
Trent Edwards, J.P. Losman, Gibran Hamdan

Running Backs (3)
Marshawn Lynch, Fred Jackson, Xavier Omon

Fullbacks (1)
Darian Barnes

Wide Receivers (5)
Lee Evans, James Hardy, Josh Reed, Roscoe Parrish, Justin Jenkins

Tight Ends (4)
Robert Royal, Derek Schouman, Derek Fine, Tim Massaquoi

Offensive Tackles (4)
Langston Walker, Kirk Chambers, Demetrius Bell, Jason Peters

Offensive Guards/Centers (5)
Derrick Dockery, Melvin Fowler, Brad Butler, Jason Whittle, 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 (4)
Kawika Mitchell, Angelo Crowell, Keith Ellison, Blake Costanzo

Inside Linebackers (2)
Paul Posluszny, John DiGiorgio

Cornerbacks (6)
Terrence McGee, Jabari Greer, Ashton Youboty, Will James, Reggie Corner, Leodis McKelvin

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)
WR Steve Johnson, WR Felton Huggins, OL Christian Gaddis, OL Robert Felton, DT Teraz McCray, LB Jon Corto, LB Marcus Buggs, CB Kennard Cox

Gone Outright (14)
RB Bruce Hall, RB Dwayne Wright, FB Jonathan Evans, WR Scott Mayle, TE Courtney Anderson, OL Patrick Estes, OL Nevin McCaskill, OL Dustin Dickinson, DE Copeland Bryan, DE Derrick Jones, DT Jason Jefferson, DT Corey Mace, LB Donnie Spragan, LB Jon Banks, CB Dustin Fox

I can justify every selection I've made, of course, but in the interest of saving space, I'll let you guys rip apart my selections before valiantly defending myself. Let's hear it, folks - lots of important decisions are about to be made, and we need to know what you think is going to happen.

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Comments

- I like and agree with your roster for the most part.
- I really want to see Steve Johnson on the active roster, however the only place I could find that I would cut somebody out is CB. I guess that means no Will James, and that is really the only switch I would make for my own prediction.
- I too believe Hamdan makes the team, and think that Massaquoi makes it over Anderson.

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

by sireric on Aug 29, 2008 10:07 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Johnson instead of James

Alot of teams will now have noticed that Johnson is going to be good and is not bad already due to his sick hands. I don’t think he would make it through Waivers this year. The other thing could be the team keeping three TEs with Fine going to IR.

Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....

by WABillsfan on Aug 29, 2008 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought you said Johnson was a lock yesterday?!?!?!

Right now, there’s really nowhere to keep him unless we cut Hamdan, James or Jenkins…

I’d keep Bryan and Fox on the PS, especially ahead of Cox who doesn’t deserve a spot there.

by Kurupt on Aug 29, 2008 10:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If Peters goes on the Exempt List

Johnson should make the team

by Kurupt on Aug 29, 2008 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am not a huge fan of Cox myself, but my gut tells me he’ll be there.

Bryan might stick. He played very well yesterday.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 29, 2008 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They Cant Put Fox On The Practice Squad

by Parrish11rules on Aug 29, 2008 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s what I thought, too – but Chris Brown says he’s eligible. See: http://buffalobills.com/blog/index.jsp?post_id=3931

by Krenn on Aug 29, 2008 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought Fox was ineligible too. I had to really read through all the NFL rules a few times to figure it out. He already has two years on the practice squad (06/07) and an accrued season (05). That should leave him ineligible, but since his accrued season was spent on the IR and he was a free agent aquisition for the Bills, he still has another season of practice squad eligibility.

by kaisertown on Aug 29, 2008 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

May be hope for Steve Johnson

Brian, I believe you’re counting the Jason Peters roster slot as part of the 53. If he remains a no show, I believe they can use it for Johnson. Although the situation would hopefully change, I’m not holding my breath. Perhaps Peters injury was a little more serious than everyone thought (this is the only logical reason I can come up with for being so non-communicative).

by NJBill on Aug 29, 2008 10:37 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes, I kept Peters on the active roster. Call that one a gut feeling as well, though I’m far less certain my gut is right on that one. If the Bills place him on the DNR list – and chances are great that they will unless they hear something from Peters, say, TODAY – then yes, that extra spot would go to Johnson. He was my last “cut”.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 29, 2008 12:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Johnson

I believe that there is at least a 50-50 chance that we will lose S. Johnson if he is cut. The Cowboys, Bengals, and Pats—just to name a few, are looking for wideouts, and he has showed well in the pres-season.

One other thing. While I know we are all rooting for OBD to wrap up Lee long-term ( think this will get done), he is, at least for the moment, tied into his current contract. While we could franchise him, this is a strategy that OBD is loathe to enter. I am NOT saying that Johnson is going to turn into Lee Evans—-hardly. But Reed will be one year older next year, and I would hate to enter 2009 needing to pick up possibly 3 wideouts who can contribute.

Not worth the risk of letting him go I think. He has some nice upside.

Geronimo

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

I totally agree with you G. I would keep 6 WR’s and let go a TE. Massaquoi doesn’t quite have the upside that Steve has.

by the Skycap on Aug 29, 2008 3:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There’s a couple quotes from Jauron on bb.com where he says talent is more important than numbers at a position. Perhaps he’d be willing to go with 3 TEs even if some are injured since the fourth TE is definitely less talented than Johnson…

Here’s what the Bills should do – play Josh Reed at TE until Fine is healthy. That gives them a great pass-catching tight end, and they can still go four wides with Evans, Hardy, Parrish, and Johnson!

by Krenn on Aug 29, 2008 3:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We need 2 healthy TE's to start the season

that is a guarantee. You can’t run any two TE sets or short yardage packages otherwise. Royal will be joined by either Anderson or Massaquoi on the opening day roster. Whether 3 active spots are taken up or 4, depends on whether they place Fine on IR, which I think they should.

I agree keep talent over numbers, but you can’t do that ALWAYS. I think Johnson makes it regardless of the TE position because Peters sounds headed for the Exempt list opening a spot. We do need to have 2 healthy TE’s to start the year, so we’ll see how it plays out.

by Kurupt on Aug 29, 2008 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is Jenkins that more deserving than Johnson?

Johnson has looked good in practice and games…and seems to have better size and athletic ability, of course not really better size 2 inches more and 5 pounds less, but I don’t know, he just seems better if you can’t keep them both

The Bills CAN win every game

by killascript on Aug 29, 2008 10:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes, Jenkins is more deserving than Johnson, because he’s one of only a handful of guys who is involved on every special teams unit imaginable. He’s a lock; Johnson isn’t.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 29, 2008 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think that Jenkins is a better receiver than Johnson too. At least for now.

You could argue that Jenkins was as or more productive in college. He caught 62 passes for 880 yards and 9 TDs despite terrible QB play. He was considered a similiarly touted or ranked WR to Steve Johnson, but Jenkins tore his ACL during training camp of 2005.

At the very least the gap between Johnson and Jenkins’ receiving abilities is too small to overlook Jenkins special teams abilities.

by kaisertown on Aug 29, 2008 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Chris Brown's 53

Has a few differences

Peters on the Did Not Report List
Johnson makes it
7 LB’s (Buggs and Costanzo, no way)
Will James cut (he’ll make it over Buggs)

Not sure how he can keep that Buggs dude and Costanzo. Neither should make it over James. Give one of them a spot and the other a PS invite.

by Kurupt on Aug 29, 2008 10:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, he’ll probably be right about Peters, but I don’t think there’s any chance they keep seven linebackers. If they’re surplussing talent, it’s at WR and CB.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 29, 2008 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Buggs and Costanzo

will probably make it due to their special teams play. It seems Bobby April has a great deal of influence over these decisions. Will James is not a special team performer

Given Johnson’s performance last night I think he makes the active roster and Jenkins gets cut.

by gatornation on Aug 29, 2008 11:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I said it before, I’ll say it again – Justin Jenkins is a lock to make this roster. I foresee no circumstance in which he’s cut.

If Johnson makes the team (and Peters is on the active roster), it’s Will James that should be getting cut.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 29, 2008 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bruce Hall

I don’t see him on your list anywhere. I would put him on the practice squad instead of Cox.

The only other thing i would change is Stevie Johnson instead of Will James unless Peters doesn’t report and James would stay.

by VeroBeachBillsFan on Aug 29, 2008 11:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree – Hall definitely should go to the practice squad. If we move Johnson to the active roster in place of James, that frees up a slot for him.

Also, according to CB, Dustin Fox is eligible for the practice squad, so that’s an option instead of Cox.

by Krenn on Aug 29, 2008 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Whoops. I had Hall in the practice squad list, but forgot to add him to the cuts list when I re-tinkered with it. I do think Hall has a good shot at the PS.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 29, 2008 12:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

With Wright gone I think Hall definitely ends up on the Practice Squad, essentially the 4th RB. We all know RBs can go down in the blink of an eye.

by BuffCrunch on Aug 29, 2008 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Derek Schouman

Schouman is eligible for the PS. Do we really think that another team would put him in a 53 man roster if we cut him — and would it really be a loss even if they did? He couldn’t play immediately with his injury, anyway, so no other team will pick him up (as I said, no team would pick him up even if he were healthy). We just don’t need 4 TEs (especially this list of TEs — compare our list of TEs to our list of CBs; why are we going to keep 4 lousy TEs?). Put him in the PS, open up that one spot that could go to Will James (now there is a guy who another team would pick up if we cut him).

by labill on Aug 29, 2008 11:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

If any of the two injured tight ends are going to the PS, I think it’ll be Fine. Schouman is ahead of him at this point, and while he does have PS eligibility left, I think he’s staying on the active roster. Massaquoi stays as the third TE (second until Schouman heals), and when Schouman and Fine are both healthy, Massaquoi gets cut (or Anderson gets cut…).

by Brian Galliford on Aug 29, 2008 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Massaquoi sticks until all 3 are healthy (Royal/Schouman/Fine)

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

by sireric on Aug 29, 2008 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well, yes. But Robert Royal is healthy, and as I said, when the other two get there, Massaquoi can go.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 29, 2008 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

On the injury time frame...

On Wednesday, Jauron said that Schouman’s injury return was within about three weeks. That could mean he’s only going to miss one game. As for Fine, he said:

"It’s going to be a significant amount of time that he’s going to miss," said Jauron. "But as you know he hasn’t been put down in any way shape or form. So we’re counting on him to come back."

That sounds like he definitely wouldn’t be placed on IR, but who knows what Jauron’s “significant time” means – four weeks, six? At least football isn’t as vague as hockey, where they would just report that Fine had an ‘upper body’ injury, and had ‘upper body’ surgery.

by Krenn on Aug 29, 2008 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fine could play with a cast, it would seriously impede his pass catching ability, but he could still block, which means that he could be the emergency fullback if needed.

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

by sireric on Aug 29, 2008 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I foresee

Fine being placed on the PUP list. That would free up a roster spot for the first 6 weeks, wouldn’t it? Enter Steve Johnson… Then we dump a TE (Massaquoi)when Fine comes back… unless somebody else has been placed on IR by that time (fingers crossed!).

by BuffCrunch on Aug 29, 2008 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fine is ineligible for the PUP list

the PUP is for players who began training camp injured

by Kurupt on Aug 29, 2008 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why keep that space open though

an emergency FB? That’s pretty useless, IMO.

It sure sounds like Fine probably tore ligaments in his thumb or broke it pretty badly, thus the surgery. Once that heals, say 5-6 weeks (who knows though), he still needs time to get strength in his arm back, which could be another few weeks. Is it really worth keeping Fine on the active roster, at the expense of another player, so we can deem him inactive for 2 months and then hope he can make it back healthy???? This is a tough decision that will need to be made with the docs consulted here.

I’d hate to lose talent at WR or CB so we can have a backup TE inactive for 8-10 weeks.

by Kurupt on Aug 29, 2008 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

excellent point

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

by sireric on Aug 29, 2008 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oops

Thanks for the clarification Kurupt! Great point about Fine’s injury too. Of course we are merely speculating on the extent of his injury, but why not place him on the PS then. Another team isn’t likely to pick him up because he won’t be able to contribute to a roster right away. Then when he heals or a player is lost to IR the Bills can call him up…

by BuffCrunch on Aug 29, 2008 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You got it

I’d hate to risk exposing him to the PS when we can keep him for certain on the IR. Of course this is all speculation based on his injury, but due to the surgery and importance of using his hands, I’d have to imagine he’ll be out a significant chunk of the season. I don’t like having a guy sit out for half the season taking up a roster spot when we aren’t even sure how long he’ll be out. If he was a starter or a heavy contributor, then it makes more sense, but as a rookie backup, I think the roster spot can be better used elsewhere.

by Kurupt on Aug 29, 2008 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Would someone really pick up Will James that fast though? It’s not like the Bills snatched him on the first day of free agency – it was over two weeks in. And back in 2006 after the Giants cut him, nobody signed him until October…

by Krenn on Aug 29, 2008 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I couldn't agree more about keeping Johnson

I was really happy to see we had picked him up when we did – though I admit I DID just like him because he had that big game in college versus LSU’s defense. Seeing him catch some GREAT balls last night just re-solidified my thoughts. Hamdan threw one ball that was way outside of Johnson’s frame and he pulled it in even while being hit immediately. That’s a catch that good, reliable NFL receivers make – and I don’t see Justin Jenkins as a better player at all.

I can’t wait to see the final roster….and by the way, did anyone else love that play where Corto held his own against huge Michael Gaines in the flat? He needed some help to bring him down, but for a converted safety I thought it was a hell of a play.

by Slimmons on Aug 29, 2008 12:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jenkins vs. Johnson

It really comes down to this, Jenkins is better at ST, but Johnson is a better receiver, with more upside. If the Bills feel that they need the help on ST Jenkins stays, if they really value Johnson’s receiving and YAC ability they keep him.

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

by sireric on Aug 29, 2008 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Which, boiled down further, means Jenkins is ahead of Johnson at this point. There are four receivers that would play O ahead of Johnson, so his value is far more limited to the team than that of Jenkins.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 29, 2008 12:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly. The #5 WR will really only see the field on ST. There-for Jenkins (being a better STer) is a better option.

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

by sireric on Aug 29, 2008 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+ Johnson/Huggins
- Massaquoi
+ Spragan
- Costanzo

My only differences.

by Dyl on Aug 29, 2008 1:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Costanzo is an absolute beast on ST.

He’s your new Stamer/Haggen. Spragen? Never really noticed him.

by twoeightnine on Aug 29, 2008 2:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is no reason for Will James to make this team. He has TWO total tackles in the entire preseason, and nothing else. No passes defensed, no sacks, no assists, nothing. The only reason he would make this roster is because of money.

Steve Johnson deserves a spot in my opinion. So does Jenkins. We keep them both. No reason to keep 4 TE’s. We can Massaquoi or Anderson on the practice squad in case we need them later.

by bruuuuce_02 on Aug 29, 2008 3:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And experience.

He also adds experience, something the Bills DBs don’t have a whole lot of. He has 45 career starts – that’s more than Greer, Youboty, Corner, McKelvin, Wilson, Wendling, and Simpson combined. That said; I agree that he should get cut – money isn’t much of a factor – he’d only be a $750K hit against the salary cap.

By the way – neither Massaquoi or Anderson are eligible for the practice squad; both are veterans.

by Krenn on Aug 29, 2008 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hamdan?

I’m not sure it makes sense to keep him. I can’t imagine not being able to pick him up off of the street if there’s an injury.

by PozDispenser on Aug 29, 2008 3:58 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Why put Mayle on practice squad

What possible purpose can he serve? He is not a WR. He can not catch the ball. Save a spot for a more deserving person. I’ll be surprised if the Bills cut D. Wright. Remember he was a 3rd rd. pick. Hamdan can go to the practice squad as well. Buggs will get a look from another team (Patriots) if we let him go or try to hide him on the practice squad.

by the Skycap on Aug 29, 2008 4:00 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

… I don’t have Mayle on the practice squad…

by Brian Galliford on Aug 29, 2008 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sorry Brian, I was referring to Chris Brown’s article.

by the Skycap on Aug 29, 2008 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

LOL. Gotcha. Then I agree. :)

by Brian Galliford on Aug 29, 2008 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Watching the waiver wire

I’ll be paying close attention to the Eagles cuts. If they release Jerome McDougle, I hope the Bills acquire him. He is a pass rushing gem. You ask why then are the Eagles releasing him, they have the same problem we have at CB.

by the Skycap on Aug 29, 2008 7:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Watch the Jets too

Marques Murrell is a DE/LB who has really impressed.

The Giants may release Danny Ware, a more polished RB prospect than Omon at this point.

by Kurupt on Aug 29, 2008 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure why the Bills would be looking for a DE. The idea of Ware, however, has been and remains intriguing. I agree with you, K, that they’re not much more confident in Omon than they are in Wright.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 29, 2008 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pass rushers my friend

can never have enough of them. Murrell has been impressive for the jets and supposedly has a knack for getting to the QB. If we have a spot open, which I doubt we will, that’s the type of player I"d look at from other teams….

by Kurupt on Aug 29, 2008 7:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Steve Johnson and Justin Jenkins

Keep em both. Hardy, Parrish, and Reed have all missed time in the preseason due to injuries. After watching the terrible situation we were in with receivers last year, I think we need to keep this position deep and talented. The idea of keeping Jenkins and Johnson over James seems to make more sense to me.

Without James we have still have 4 corners who can play the outside(McGee, Greer, Youboty, and McKelvin) and 3 that can play the slot(Greer, Corner, and McKelvin.

by jj24 on Aug 29, 2008 9:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agree, except with the idea that McKelvin can play the slot. He can’t. Swap his name with “Youboty” and I’ll agree with everything you say, though the idea of Greer in the slot scares me.

by Brian Galliford on Aug 29, 2008 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs