Final Prediction: Buffalo Bills 53-man roster

by Brian Galliford on Sep 5, 2009 10:02 AM EDT in Buffalo Bills News

Ed. Note - I posted this on Friday, but Turk Schonert stole my thunder. Moving this up for cut-down day. This is it, folks - my final 53-man Buffalo Bills roster projection. I don't think many of you understand just how extraordinarily thankful I am that I won't have to do this again.

After the jump, you'll find my final 53 in depth chart form. You'll also find roster exemptions, a projected practice squad, and the full list of projected cuts. I didn't do any explaining, because I've explained myself six times to this point. If you have questions or comments on this particular projection, hit me up in the comments section.

Pos.	#	Starter	#	Backup	#	Reserve
WR2	83	Lee Evans	11	Roscoe Parrish	17	Justin Jenkins
TE	86	Derek Fine	88	Jonathan Stupar
LT	68	Langston Walker	77	Demetrius Bell
LG	67	Andy Levitre*
C	63	Geoff Hangartner	66	Seth McKinney
RG	70	Eric Wood*
RT	60	Brad Butler	73	Kirk Chambers
TE	80	Derek Schouman	89	Shawn Nelson*
WR1	81	Terrell Owens	82	Josh Reed	13	Steve Johnson
QB	5	Trent Edwards	14	Ryan Fitzpatrick	10	Gibran Hamdan
RB	22	Fred Jackson	33	Dominic Rhodes	44	Xavier Omon
LE	90	Chris Kelsay	92	Ryan Denney	93	Chris Ellis
1T	99	Marcus Stroud	97	John McCargo
3T	95	Kyle Williams	91	Spencer Johnson
RE	94	Aaron Schobel	58	Aaron Maybin*
SLB	56	Keith Ellison	54	Nic Harris*	57	Jon Corto
MLB	51	Paul Posluszny	53	Marcus Buggs
WLB	55	Kawika Mitchell	64	Ashlee Palmer*
CB2	28	Leodis McKelvin	27	Reggie Corner	46	Ellis Lankster*
SS	43	Bryan Scott	37	George Wilson
FS	20	Donte Whitner	31	Jairus Byrd*
CB1	24	Terrence McGee	29	Drayton Florence	26	Ashton Youboty
K	9	Rian Lindell
P	8	Brian Moorman
LS	69	Garrison Sanborn

Roster exemptions: RB Marshawn Lynch (Reserve/Suspended); WR James Hardy (Reserve/PUP)

Practice squad: RB Bruce Hall, WR Shaine Smith, TE Tyson DeVree, OT Chris Denman, C Brandon Rodd, DT Derrick Jones, LB Alvin Bowen, CB Cary Harris

Full list of cuts (inc. practice squad): QB Matt Baker, RB Bruce Hall, FB Corey McIntyre, WR Felton Huggins, WR C.J. Hawthorne, TE Tyson DeVree, OT Jonathan Scott, OT Nick Hennessey, C Brandon Rodd, C Christian Gaddis, DE Copeland Bryan, DE Ataefiok Etukeren, DT Derrick Jones, DT Corey Mace, LB Alvin Bowen, LB Ryan Manalac, CB Cary Harris, FS Ko Simpson, SS John Wendling

Yeah, I made some not-so-minor tweaks from my usual projection. I'm guessing that you'll be able to reason out why some of these moves were made; again, if you've got questions about why I kept a certain guy over another, or why a certain number of players were retained a specific position, or just an overall thought process, hit me up in the comments section.

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Comments

I will be surprised if Bowen doesn’t make the practice squad.

"We want to win immediately. To say you're building is an incomplete sentence. ... You're building for a future coach and general manager."
-Marv Levy

by TEMSON on Sep 4, 2009 11:52 AM EDT reply actions

Bowen not on PS? Surprise. But DeVree is? Wow, I thought he was just a body to get through the Lions game.

"What in the hell have I gotten myself into?" - Bruce Smith HOF

by Chriz on Sep 4, 2009 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

I picked DeVree b/c of the uncertainty surrounding Fine’s hamstring. That’s the only reason I put Stupar on the roster, too.

But you did catch my mistake. For whatever reason, I put Etukeren in instead of Bowen. I’m not sure what my fingers were doing, but I assure you they were blatantly ignoring my brain.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Sep 4, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

why dont u think Bowen would make the PS?
and as far as CJ goes i wouldnt be surprised if he got picked up by another team to fill their wideout coverage gap or even added to a PS

Malcom De King Numba 70 DE yaaadddaamean!

by nyckidd on Sep 4, 2009 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

See above response to Chriz re: Bowen.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Sep 4, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe brian wrote this one to throw everyone off of what he really thinks?!

I was born in Buffalo, and NO, it's not a suburb of New York City

by Ghetts on Sep 4, 2009 1:22 PM EDT reply actions

… what purpose would that serve? This is what I really think.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Sep 4, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I think this is the first time you have responded to one of my comments… Since now I know you read my comments – next week I am going to post some posts comparing ’08 roster to ’09 roster – were you planning on doing something similair?

I was born in Buffalo, and NO, it's not a suburb of New York City

by Ghetts on Sep 4, 2009 5:20 PM EDT up reply actions

A) I read every comment here. As Dwight Schrute would say, “Part of my job is to.”

B) No. No, I am not planning that, so feel free. :)

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Sep 4, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Wait, you read every comment here? Then why do I? Oh yeah… compulsion.

Brian, do you water the plants at night, too?

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Sep 4, 2009 6:37 PM EDT up reply actions

This is the Internet. Plant life is minimal.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Sep 4, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions

I meant in the office, you know the Rumblings office in Scranton. When you go to a rival website am I going to have to talk to the cleaning staff for not watering the plants?

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Sep 4, 2009 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions

And while you’re at it, can you have them arrange the toys on my desk?

by pozzed51 on Sep 4, 2009 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions

I actually have toys on my desk. I’m Michael Scott, but I quote Dwight Schrute.

Let’s not get too hasty on this rival site business, either.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Sep 4, 2009 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions

The funny thing is that your the boss, aka Michael Scott, and if anything, MRW is your Dwight sidekick. You’re already watering the plants Matt! Everytime you welcome somebody to the site, you’re re-arranging Brian’s toys.

by kaisertown on Sep 4, 2009 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Nice…. I am not a beet farmer. Plus I am clearly Andy Bernard. I was in an a cappella group in college. Seriously.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Sep 4, 2009 10:28 PM EDT up reply actions

I was in an a cappella group in college. Seriously.

Which one?

Wouldn't it be ironic if this team imploded and it had nothing to do with TO?

by thefourwinds on Sep 4, 2009 11:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Here Comes Treble. Obviously.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Sep 5, 2009 7:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Tell me the “Take A Chance On Me” wasn’t sick… implausible due to the delay on the phone I think, but sick.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Sep 5, 2009 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions

I was in the Potsdam Pointercounts. They are now and were then very good, placing in national competitions. We just don’t get much pub because of the location of Potsdam, NY. One of our former members was a finalist on America’s Got Talent a couple years ago with his pro a cappella group.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Sep 5, 2009 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions

I thought it might have been the Pointercounts. I was a member of the Hullabahoos at UVA for 4 of the 5 years I was there, directing them my last year in the group.

Wouldn't it be ironic if this team imploded and it had nothing to do with TO?

by thefourwinds on Sep 5, 2009 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions

Pretty cool. I’ve heard of them. Never was one to get into other groups and learn every college group on the east coast or anything.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Sep 5, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions

and so is sunlight….

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Sep 5, 2009 2:29 AM EDT up reply actions

I actually like this roster, and I tend to agree with your assessment of how will make it and who won’t. In addition, I really like that Ashlee Palmer made the roster, as I think he can become a very adequate LB in this league, especially due to his tremendous speed for a LB.

by BillsfanfromDenmark on Sep 4, 2009 2:09 PM EDT reply actions

I think this will probably be close to the real thing

It keeps the majority of the best players and the guys needed for depth where we need them. Only thing I was surprised at was Bryan being off the roster, with older DE’s I think we might want to keep him around.

(443): My mom came into my room and told me to flip off the tv. I gave it the middle finger. Note to self: STOP SMOKING THIS S#!T

-textsfromlastnight.com

by WABillsfan on Sep 4, 2009 2:18 PM EDT reply actions

Corey McIntyre

Does anybody else out there think that it would be better to keep McIntyre than Omon? Here’s my thinking — he is cut from a different mold than the other guys. He can hammer the ball up in there in a late game grind it out situation if needed and he can also block! Omon can’t block to save his life and he is very similar to the other guys. Look at teams like the Giants and the Titans with their huge backs that punish the defense late in games. I’m not saying McIntyre is Brandon Jacobs, just that he’s looked pretty good carrying the ball and would at the least be a nice option to block in the backfield on passing downs…

by IthacaBillsFan on Sep 4, 2009 2:43 PM EDT reply actions

I’m not sure about “better,” but he’s got a very legitimate chance to be the third RB at the beginning of the season, particularly since Omon got hurt last night.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Sep 4, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions

This looks pretty good to me. Since Buffalo doesn’t need Jenkins as a WR and is keeping 4 TEs, I would lose Jenkins and add Wendling, who I think is a better special teamer.

by kaisertown on Sep 4, 2009 3:53 PM EDT reply actions

hardy

if theoreticaly hardy comes off the PUP before the season, who gets cut? even mid-season, whats the plan there? for Lynch, im assuming its the 3rd RB.

by caboose on Sep 4, 2009 4:57 PM EDT reply actions

Gotta be Jenkins right? Unless Buffalo trades a WR away.

by kaisertown on Sep 4, 2009 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah. Jenkins. Pretty straight forward.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Sep 4, 2009 6:11 PM EDT up reply actions

In strong agreement

I very much agree with this roster and think Brian has done an excellent job of polishing it up over the last several weeks. My one question is whether Copeland Bryan makes the team instead of Ryan Denney. Denney is a vet who is also valuable on special teams, but Copeland still has upside, has played very well in the preseason, and costs a lot less. I think it is going to be the hardest choice the coaching staff has to make and I suspect it could go either way.

by Macktruck on Sep 5, 2009 12:04 AM EDT reply actions

Still wondering myself if they’ll be able to trade Denney for something. They may be trying. Sad that I’m still up thinking about all this…

Wouldn't it be ironic if this team imploded and it had nothing to do with TO?

by thefourwinds on Sep 5, 2009 1:36 AM EDT up reply actions

Bryan’s an injury risk. Denney’s as dependable, if underwhelming, as they come. I suppose it’s possible, but I don’t view it as likely.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Sep 5, 2009 7:41 AM EDT up reply actions

Any chance Buffalo cuts to 52 in order to add a guy from another team?

If so, who gets the axe?

Of course we could make things more challenging, Lisa, but then the stupider students would be in here complaining, furrowing their brows in a vain attempt to understand the situation--Seymour Skinner

by Ron From NM on Sep 5, 2009 10:06 AM EDT reply actions

Any chance Buffalo cuts to 52 in order to add a guy from another team?

That’s a good question. You have to think there will be someone cut from a better team who might be a good fit here. I guess the answer to your question depends on who is out there..

by krytime on Sep 5, 2009 10:23 AM EDT up reply actions

I think it’s a very real possibility with the LBs that they have.

From Brian’s roster above you could cut either the 4th TE (Stupar) or the 7th LB (Palmer).

by Pistol on Sep 5, 2009 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions

It would be Palmer… add a LB, take a LB.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Sep 5, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions

or both. Both belong on the PS if they don’t make the squad. If we keep one, I hope it’s Palmer….I think he could play ST better than Stupar could….

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Sep 5, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions

Looks like Rhodes might have been that guy already?

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Sep 5, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Final Cuts

Corto going to be cut along with Denney or Kelsay

by Bob on Sep 5, 2009 10:25 AM EDT reply actions

Neither would surprise, though obviously I, personally, disagree with you.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Sep 5, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Jenkins?

IF we are keeping 4 TE’s and we know Nelson can line up wide (we’ve seen it when he scored his first TD) why keep Jenkins? rather use the spot on Bryan/Wendling/McIntyre, and if WR gets hurt there is always a vet we could sign for a year

going to be an interesting day of cuts. I hope jamal lewis gets the cut to boost my fantasy team (i got James Davis)

by jwest529 on Sep 5, 2009 10:27 AM EDT reply actions

Yes, I chose Jenkins over Wendling. They won’t keep six ends, and they won’t keep four running backs. With Corto on the roster, I didn’t see the need to keep Wendling, and I’m having a hard time believing they’d stock up so heavily on defense. Jenkins has utility.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Sep 5, 2009 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions