Buffalo Bills preseason Week 2: roster one-liners

The Buffalo Bills have opened their 2013 preseason schedule with back-to-back wins over the Indianapolis Colts (44-20) and Minnesota Vikings (20-16). Two weeks from today, NFL teams will cut their rosters down to 53 players in advance of Week 1 of the regular season. With all of that in mind, here's where each of the Bills' 88 players stands with two weeks to go - in one line each.

Quarterback

EJ Manuel - On the verge of winning the starting job, and growing more comfortable in Nathaniel Hackett's offense. Fart noise.

Kevin Kolb - Time will tell if he's run out of opportunities to lock down the No. 1 role. He hasn't.

Jeff Tuel - He's cooled off a bit, but has still made a strong case for the 53-man roster.

Running Back

C.J. Spiller - If 11 carries in 18 preseason snaps is any indication, Spiller should plan on a lot of touches this season.

Fred Jackson - Showing he has enough left in the tank to be a reliable No. 2 back.

Tashard Choice - Right on schedule this preseason, averaging 4.0 yards per carry.

Zach Brown - Signs of life (and open-field wiggle) against Minnesota, with 42 yards on eight touches.

Kendall Gaskins - Appears to have slid on the depth chart thanks to a minor fumbling problem.

Fullback

Frank Summers - Used as a lead blocker on offense (30 snaps) and on returns (15).

Drew Smith - Similar use as Summers on offense, but only four special teams snaps to speak of.

Wide Receiver

Stevie Johnson - Returned to practice this week; may try to suit up against Washington on 8/24.

Robert Woods - Appears to be the YAC receiver that the Bills desperately needed.

Marquise Goodwin - Big plays in practice have not yet translated to preseason reps at receiver.

T.J. Graham - May need to return from a groin injury quickly to avoid losing a prominent role.

Chris Hogan - Continued his bid for the final roster with a solid special teams showing against Minnesota.

Marcus Easley - 10 receptions, 143 yards and the sixth-most special teams snaps (24) on the team in two weeks.

Brad Smith - The new contract (and last night's TD) helps, but a slew of youngsters are gunning for his job.

Brandon Kaufman - Zero special teams snaps hurts his cause, but he's shown well as a receiver.

Da'Rick Rogers - May be in the proverbial dog house after a late entrance into the Vikings game.

DeMarco Sampson - Unlikely to make the team, but has also had a good showing this summer.

Kevin Elliott - Unfortunate pair of injuries (shoulder, ankle) have likely sealed his fate.

Terrell Sinkfield - Little-used undrafted rookie a non-factor in the battle above him.

Tight End

Scott Chandler - Looked rusty in his return to the starting lineup against Minnesota.

Chris Gragg - Has quietly played 90 snaps in two games, but with limited production.

Lee Smith - Blocking specialist may have already been passed by the higher-upside Gragg.

Dorin Dickerson - May have sacrificed some snaps when he asked to switch from WR to TE this spring.

Nick Provo - Camp body that's taken a lot of reps due to injuries at the top of the depth chart.

Offensive Tackle

Cordy Glenn - Struggled a bit early in camp, but seems to have shaken off the rust.

Erik Pears - Has been a consistent performer coming off of season-ending surgery in 2012.

Chris Hairston - Three-plus weeks on the PUP list have killed his chances of starting.

Sam Young - With Hairston out, has easily been the Bills' most consistent reserve tackle.

Thomas Welch - Second-team left tackle has been better in practice than in games.

Tony Hills - Street free agent signing is a right tackle only, and a longshot to make the team.

Zebrie Sanders - A mere nine snaps in two weeks means that Sanders won't be on this roster.

Offensive Guard

Kraig Urbik - Remains as consistent as ever in his right guard spot.

Colin Brown - Two preseason starts make him the early favorite to start at left guard.

Doug Legursky - Even if he doesn't start, he has a roster spot sewn up thanks to his experience at center.

Antoine Caldwell - Signed early in camp, Caldwell has played more snaps (92) than any Bill this preseason.

Keith Williams - An injury has kept him out of action, and he's unlikely to make the team as a result.

Zack Chibane - Syracuse grad only has six snaps under his belt this preseason.

Center

Eric Wood - Performing as expected; here's to staying healthy, Mr. Wood.

David Snow - Has made some mistakes with snaps this summer; could be a practice squad candidate.

Ryan Turnley - Barely registering as the third-team center (with Legursky exclusive at guard).

Defensive Line

Kyle Williams - 17 snaps against Minnesota are a good sign in his return from injury.

Marcell Dareus - Summer-long progression continued Friday night with a preseason sack.

Alex Carrington - Earned ardent praise (and a starting job) from the coaches with a very strong camp.

Jay Ross - Played eight snaps in 2012, but looks like the team's top line reserve at the moment.

Alan Branch - Free agent signee is picking up his play after a very slow start to camp.

Corbin Bryant - Underrated athlete has quietly put together a good summer; leads group with 58 exhibition snaps.

Torell Troup - Has flashed against the run, but is in a dog fight with many talented players for the roster.

Jarron Gilbert - Another line reserve that has flashed potential in camp, just like he did in 2012.

Izaan Cross - The only defensive lineman without a legitimate chance at the 53-man roster.

Rush Linebacker

Mario Williams - Only has eight snaps this preseason as he coasts into Week 1.

Manny Lawson - Will lock down a starting job with ease after a slow start in training camp.

Jerry Hughes - Trade out of Indy has given him new life; two big sacks against Minnesota.

Marcus Dowtin - Hybrid player has shown well as an edge rusher, but he can also play inside.

Jamie Blatnick - Has played well in pass rush situations and is performing on special teams, too.

Kourtnei Brown - Undisclosed injury forced the Bills to bolster depth at this position with Westerman.

Jamaal Westerman - Re-united with Pettine late in camp, Westerman saw eight snaps against Minnesota.

Linebacker

Kiko Alonso - Shoulder injury a small bump in the road in an otherwise excellent rookie preseason.

Nigel Bradham - Getting a lot of preseason work as he works toward a Week 1 start.

Arthur Moats - Continues to find a way to make a positive impression despite another position change.

Bryan Scott - Against Minnesota, Scott was used in the same sub-package linebacker capacity as in previous years.

Chris White - Making progress as a reserve linebacker, and still the team's best specialist.

Brian Smith - Not likely to make the team, but keep an eye on him for the practice squad.

Keith Pough - Now that he's back from injury, could make a late-summer push for the practice squad.

Cornerback

Stephon Gilmore - On schedule as he looks to emerge as one of the league's best.

Leodis McKelvin - It'd be nice to see if he's No. 2 caliber this preseason, but he's out with a groin injury.

Ron Brooks - Still rough around the edges, but has the nickel job all but sewn up.

Nickell Robey - Has earned the trust of the coaches, and appears to be a top reserve here.

Crezdon Butler - Even with a missed game, he's a factor at the back end of a weak depth chart.

Justin Rogers - The sooner he's back on the field, the better his chances of making the team.

T.J. Heath - An early-camp look with the ones does not appear to have mattered much in his roster bid.

Kip Edwards - The steadiest of the team's project corners in preseason action.

Jumal Rolle - Routinely abused in camp and against Minnesota, though his pick-six was memorable.

Don Unamba - Camp body that currently leads all corners in reps taken this preseason.

Safety

Jairus Byrd - Still has a chance to walk into the starting lineup when he decides he's ready to play.

Aaron Williams - Clearly the best safety on the team with Byrd currently out of the picture.

Da'Norris Searcy - Playing the run well, but continues to struggle mightily in coverage.

Duke Williams - Has been fairly quiet after some summer hype that he might have a first-team role.

Jonathan Meeks - Fifth-round pick has toiled with the third team, losing second-team reps to Ellis.

Dominique Ellis - Was thoroughly reamed by Danny Crossman after a block in the back flag against Minnesota.

Jordan Dangerfield - Camp body type that hasn't popped as expected on special teams.

Mark LeGree - In-camp signee is currently the last player in the safety rotation.

Kicker

Dustin Hopkins - Perfect on field goal attempts thus far and has a much bigger leg than his veteran counterpart.

Rian Lindell - The clock is ticking on Lindell's Bills career.

Punter

Shawn Powell - In his first game since winning the job, Powell was horrendous (28.9-yard average on eight attempts).

Long Snapper

Garrison Sanborn - Might have more job security than any player on this football team.