I think the increased punt return opportunities for Parrish, along with the decreased kickoff return opportunities for McGee, is directly related to the improved performance on defense from last season to this season. Instead of allowing touchdowns, field goals, and ensuing kickoffs, the defense is actually stopping opponents and forcing punts.

I do like Parrish better than Hester. Parrish uses better judgement and consistently gets at least 10 yards. The selection of Parrish at #52 overall in 2005 feels a little better now.

You make a good point about personnel, Brian. The ST unit is going to be altered slightly week to week because of the different game requirements for personnel.

Re: McKelvin, I’d love to see him continue to get time returing kickoffs. As you noted, McGee hasn’t been stellar here so far this year (of course, he’s had fewer opportunities with opponents not scoring as much), and kickoff returning seems to require less judgment than punt returning (and we all know how well Parrish is doing on the punt returns). McKelvin showed some questionable judgment during the preseason on punt returns (when to field, when not to field), but he did have a couple of good kickoff returns, of course including the TD against the Steelers.

I see this as yet another example of how the coaching staff is figuring out what their young guys do well (like Hardy) and letting them do it. I’ll go on record and say I expect to see McKelvin break a KO return for a TD this season. Maybe that’s not much of a prediction, but it seems to be his best opportunity to make a big play and the best skill he has shown so far in his short time on the Bills.

our special teams actually had a lot of turnover this offseason. It seemed to me that our draft was almost entirely about replacing guys on our special teams. We lost at least 4 or 5 guys long standing special team studs. It might take a little while, but I think we will get there. Hopefully we will see Leodis a little more too.

I didn’t like to read these words: “Sunday’s wedge consisted of Fred Jackson…” I didn’t catch that watching the game.

I know your 2nd RB is supposed to play STs. But, this team treats STs different than most. They keep extra roster spots for those “mid-sized” guys. I think Jackson should be exempt from STs duties, much like Lynch and Evans are. Especially keep him out of the wedge. Isn’t that the most violent place on a football field?

Bills fans all over are making comparison to Lynch/Jackson reminding them of Thermal/Davis. But it’s kind of/almost like an apples to oranges comparison. Davis exclusively backed up Thurman. With this pairing, I think we are seeing something different. They played in the backfield at the same time for 10 plays Sunday. That’s a large chunk of your offense lining up in a very rare formation in the NFL today; two RBs in the backfield. Many teams eschew the FB, being in favor of adding another WR, or even a TE/HB. Not many add the RB. I think we’re going to see alot more of this too. It seems like it could be something that forces opposing defenses to really do some thinking.

Back to your post. Thanks for the efforts doing the review by the way. Do you by chance, have a STs line-up for each of the four units? I would like to know if it’s as consistent, or at least, semi-consistent as an offensive or defensive depth chart. My guess is that for the most part, it is very fluid.

I thought the KO returns were somewhat disappointing. If McKelvin isn’t going to get much time on the defensive side of the ball, I’d like to see him take all KO duties. Gets him on the field, and at least gives him a chance to get his uniform dirty. Gives McKGee a break too.

You mentioned Jackson, Williams, and Barnes were part of the wedge. Aside from Jackson, I would have thought Williams and Barnes would have made excellent wedge guys. If Barnes isn’t cutting it here (or in the regular offense), maybe it’s time to scour the waiver wire. Whatever happened to the guy from ATL (MacIntrye was it?)

Fort Worth – you made a comment I agree with, but nevertheless, wailed against four years ago: "The selection of Parrish at #52 overall in 2005 feels a little better now.
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I’ll be looking to watch Neill on Sunday. That’s what’s cool about going to the games; you don’t have to watch the ball. Has he really turned into a little devil? If he’s progressing, is there any chance ever in hell that he eventually takes these skills to the DE position? Without seemingly trying to make a comparison to one of the greatest special teamers players off all time, Steve Tasker did start out as a lowly WR, then performed a STs task(s) very well, and eventually turned into a solid contributor at his original position.

On a quick segway here. And as I’ve made a brief comparison, although loosely, to a Bills guy from now to another from the SB era, I’d like to make a few more general comparisons. Solid players (and young) in the QB, WR, and RB department. A solid OL. Innovative play calling. A fast, “bend but don’t break” defense, and league leading STs play. Huh…

Haven’t noticed George Wilson out there much. Has he been? Was Schouman out there too?

I made mention in an earlier post that Parrish’s name would be metioned in thew same breath as Hester’s, but maybe that’s not giving Roscoe enough credit!

reminds me of a certain dante hall when hall was gettin it done. roscoe is way more consistent in picking up positive yards tho. hall would dance till he lost five sometimes.

Roscoe’s punt returns are pretty electric, but I would think that McGee’s kickoff returns rank right up there with them (assuming, of course, that McGee is not heading for the sideline).