Entering today, the Bills' roster stood at 79 players, or four more than the 4PM limit that the NFL set for its first cut down date. Since then, roster moves have been made to reach said limit. Second-year guard Aaron Merz was placed on Injured Reserve, ending his season just in time for shoulder surgery; S Jon Corto, OT Walter Stith and WR Felton Huggins were released. That leaves 75 Buffalo Bills vying for 53 roster positions, with one more game to impress. The final cutdown comes on Saturday September the First - two days after the Lions game.
Don't miss Stith - he resembled a revolving door at offensive tackle; he spent last season on the practice squad. Don't feel bad for Huggins, either - his release is merely product of great depth at wideout. But feel free to lament the release of Corto - he never had a real shot to make the roster, but the Orchard Park native was a great story. He has a good shot at making the practice squad.
Time for an Article Roundup
Two articles making their way around Bills fans' computers caught my eye today, so I thought I'd comment on them quickly here:
In this article by Allen Wilson of The Buffalo News (which states that Paul Posluszny is a lock to start at middle linebacker... wow, good call), this quote from Poz captured my attention:
The coaches weren't happy with the performance against the Titans? Thank the high power for that. So Paul is starting inside and the coaches are miffed because their team looks, well, young. The alluring headline didn't exactly mask how ultimately useless this article was. It must be the pre-season.
Connor Byrne. Great writer, excellent Bills coverage - you've heard me speak highly of him before if you've been with us longer than a month. Apparently, he doesn't think Fred Jackson is a lock to make this roster. The obvious reasons? Marshawn Lynch, Anthony Thomas and Dwayne Wright, o'course.
This question sounds familiar. It begs questioning again, however, with final cutdowns just three days away (Wednesday, Thursday, Friday... yeah, three). How useful would a fourth RB be on this roster? Very. There are two rules in football: don't bet on dogs and keep good football players on your team. Jackson deserves a spot, plain and simple.
SBN American Conference Fantasy Football
So you want to hear how cool (read: nerdy) some of my fellow bloggers at SB Nation and I are? We're playing fantasy football. Relax, other people who play fantasy, you're not nerds yet. Since there are so many of us (with another one on the way... wink), we split into two leagues - twelve of us (including yours truly) AFC bloggers are in the American Conference, while twelve NFC bloggers comprise the National Conference. The two leagues will be ending their respective seasons on Week 15, so that the two champions can meet in the "Super Bowl". We're working on naming rights as we speak; suffice it to say, the ultimate prize is a goal for all 24 of us. Are we nerds yet? No - we just kick ass.
Anywho, thought I'd share my team with y'all - I'll be adding standings on the sidebar when I get time so you can keep track. I hope to bring fantasy glory to this site. I'd like you all to be a part of greatness.
QB: Carson Palmer (CIN), Jason Campbell (WAS)
RB: Maurice Jones-Drew (JAX), Marshawn Lynch (BUF), Julius Jones (DAL), Leon Washington (NYJ), Chris Brown (TEN)
WR: Steve Smith (CAR), Plaxico Burress (NYG), Donte' Stallworth (NE), Devery Henderson (NO), Eddie Kennison (KC), Rod Smith (DEN)
TE: Todd Heap (BAL), Bo Scaife (TEN)
K: Josh Scobee (JAX)
DEF: New England (puke)
I'd love to hear your thoughts on this roster. Be sure to check in with some other AFC blogs (and Fake Teams) to see their teams as well!