Bills Training Camp: Five Risers And Five Fallers

Interesting that we’ve heard virtually nothing about any of the un-drafted rookies. For years now there were always a few who at the very least received lots of press and a number who actually made the final roster. Is this an indication of the growing depth of the team (minus of course the O line), poor selection in UDFA’s, or just a quirk for this year.

Does anyone know why it has taken Sheppard longer to recover than what was originally stated? I thought that he was only supposed to miss a week and it has been much longer than that.

Based on what I saw last week, I would have expected to see Andra Davis, Naaman Roosevelt and Kellen Heard on that list. Chandler was unimpressive as a receiver to say the least, and Carrington reminds me too much of Ryan Denney (they both wear #92, maybe that’s part of it).

I expected to see Torrel Troup and Buster Davis (the ostensible reason Evans was traded). But I give Troup a pass because of his broken hand. And Johnny White didn’t look particularly impressive except from a durability perspective. He ran hard every play without appearing winded, but didn’t show good cutting or tackle breaking capability.

1) Chad Rinehart was NEVER in danger of not making the roster. He played well last year when he subbed at RG and he was always under consideration for a possible starting job, although the coaching staff decided to let Urbik get the first shot as the starter at RG. The one thing that has changed is that Levitre has been disappointing so far and Rinehart is now getting a serious look as a starter at LG, but Urbik remains a question mark and Rinehart may end up there when everything shakes out.

2) Kelvin Sheppard has been injured, but Chan Gailey knows what he can do from the Senior Bowl and still loves him. Shep will definitely make the roster (as will Chris White), but both may not get as much playing time right away because of their training camp injuries. If they have “fallen,” it’s only by an inch or so.

3) I don’t think David Nelson has “fallen” at all, but remains solidly within his former role. When I was at training camp I noticed that Nelson was always included among the Bills’ “elite” receivers in the 7-on-7 drills — he was out there in the same group with Stevie Johnson, Jones, Chandler, Fred Jackson and Spiller. He is going to see a lot of action this year if he stays healthy. My own hunch is that Jones is not going to make it as Lee’s replacement — his hands aren’t good enough, and he doesn’t have that much speed — with the result that Nelson will replace him in that role as the season wears on.

4) I agree that Levitre has “fallen” this season, and I wonder if part of the reason is his conditioning. I observed him sweating buckets (literally) the other night when all the guys on the team weren’t dropping so much as one bead of sweat that I could see. He is also noticeably smaller than Rinehart when they stand next to each other. He is smart and athletic, though, so I wouldn’t count him out.

The article title was, “Five Risers And Five Fallers” — not “Five Risers And Five Goners” . . .

Circumstances largely beyond the control of the Fallers — injuries, the lockout-shortened off-season activity, contributed to them being fallers.

Of the five “Fallers”, the only one who’s truly a “Goner”, is Shawn Nelson — for reasons already well-established {lack of size, lack of blocking ability, problems getting and staying on the field}

The “Fallers” all have, or will have, legitimate opportunities to reverse their status:

With Parrish’s leg injury , D. Nelson has the opportunity to move into the slot/3WR.

Hang hasn’t been considered for a guard spot because . . . he’s a center, not a guard. And he’ll likely go back to that as soon as Wood is moved over {which I guesstimate will occur about 3 weeks into the season}

Sheppard’s injury prevented him from being an instant starter at ILB; Barnett’s signing made that unnecessary, at least for now.

Levitre, as noted, has had the requisite fire lit under him by Rinehart.

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I agree with all expect Levitre and Nelson.

Levitre – Guess I can’t really say too much about a guy who may no longer be a starter when he has been a starter…. but I don’t think he has fallen from anything yet.

Nelson – If Nelson remaining in the same spot as he was last season is a fall, then we have a LOT of fallers on our roster right now. Especially considering all the competition we DO have at the WR position. If anything, that Roosevelt’s strong camp hasn’t given HIM more looks at Nelson’s position… shouldn’t that be considered a fall for Roosevelt? We all know Nelson makes the roster but the verdict is still out on Namaan, despite his contributions last season. That would be a bigger fall.

Rising or falling has to do with the expectation from the beginning of camp! D Nelson was looked at as the biggest “up and comer” rookie WR coming into this year, and he is not moving into L Evans spot…..therefore, he stayed neutral, or was down a little…….We all thought Levitre was a LOCK at Guard…and apparently so did he, so he didn’t show to camp in his best shape, and they are lighting a fire under his arse……..and on and on. RELAX everyone, my goodness….

for the first time since we got bledsoe, i am actually excited about a bills team. I think we may have a very good defense this year. When you cause as much disruption as kyle williams and marcell are going to cause, good things happen. Our DB’s int total will rise. I also think the carrignton will supplant kelsay and essentially we will line up 3 atheletic 300+ pounders to stop the run and sirupt the passer. If merriman is healthy i can see the potential of a great defense. I also like batten and moats if needed behind merriman. I know august is a month for hope in the nfl, but i feel strongly about our defense.

Worried to death about the Offense, but teams are good with adequate offense and strong defense. Please make note this is my first positve feeling pre-season since bledsoe came over and only my second one in eight years. I have the same feeling i did in 1980 after a decade of defeat to shulas dolphins. +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
An expression of my positive feelings