Astrobot

Thank you! Sorry I wasn't there last night, I feel I let you down, but I came down with some asthma thing, which I haven't had in years. Weird. Anyway, I'll be back at SJF on Monday.

I'm excited about Gaskins. Let's stick with whom we have there. I wonder if Branden Albert would like to return to his home town.

Bryan Scott is an awesome pass coverage OLB who will profit from Pettine's defense. He is 6th among all 4-3 OLB's last year in pass coverage. He was a poor run defender (34th of 40). We've seen him in a OLB/S role in this defense, and he has had some moments, but he'll be a backup ILB (Alonso, Moats, Bradham), and could help out at S (A.Williams, Searcy, D.Williams, Meeks). He won't be a OLB this year (M.Williams, Lawson, Hughes, Blatnick, Dowtin).

They are in better condition than most teams. Only Philly and NEP* are running plays in camp at the 14-16 sec. rate.

I will not be buying a jersey this year of the 22nd-rated WR. Three training camps, three injuries. Be a better example to the young guns. Pro Football Focus' Top 22: 1 Andre Johnson 2 Calvin Johnson 3 Michael Crabtree 4 Roddy White 5 Vincent Jackson 6 Anquan Boldin 7 Julio Jones 8 A.J. Green 9 Reggie Wayne 10 Brandon Marshall 11 Percy Harvin 11 Demaryius Thomas 13 Golden Tate 14 Steve L. Smith 15 Lance Moore 16 Danny Amendola 17 Sidney Rice 17 Brandon Stokley 17 Malcom Floyd 20 Mike A. Williams 21 Wes Welker 22 Steve Johnson

Post of the Preseason!

Astro's TC Disappointments By Position RB---Drew Smith: One good burst of acceleration on one swing pass. <Gaskins, Brown, FJ and CJ. WR--Brad Smith: More drops than catches and the new guys deserve his spot. Pass. TE---Mike Caussin: Three training camps, three injuries, strike three. OL---Hutch Eckerson: Should have been cut 5 days ago. What? He was? Chiefs signed him, though. DB--Mana Silva: Wrong time to make it known you're leaving, no matter what the reason. LB--Brian Smith: I didn't write this ND LB down once, but at least you didn't bring an inflatable to camp. DL--Izaan Cross: It was a tie between Cross and Tipoti for least mentions. Ehhhh, waive 'em both. OP--Your spelling of the word "dis-appoint-ment". Prefix, root, ending.

Hey Maddenboy, I'm impressed! I could use some help with DraftTek...pm me. Astro

I felt a need to modify my profile pic to that of my favorite dog in childhood. Not ScoobyDoo, not Lassie, but Astro from The Jetsons! My screen name comes from an educational software company we dabbled with called Astrobot Academy. There, now you know.

Whoah, a triple negative. You blew my mind... Thanks, Pooj! Yep, I'm Bills Analyst for DraftTek. Also Editor. Also RB Analyst. Doesn't pay the mortgage but it gets me to Las Vegas once a year for NFL Draft week.

Fewer people in the stands today. Threats of rain, serious humidity, and the PGA running here at Oak Hill kept people away. Oh, and work. Shout-Out to Rich, who was up here from Pittsburgh, and Brian from the other forum (BadlandsMeanie), who both were with me for the entire practice! That's why the notes will be better! He knows his stuff. Buddy Nix was there for practice, as was Mike Mayock. Rich says Buddy player or coached under Bear Bryant. Nix high-fist to Russ Brandon was cool. Mayock's here because he got his facts wrong in a recent article about the Bills trading up for EJ (I made that up). Caussin was out there finally, pushing a sled with weights on the sidelines--Rich says this is his 3rd Training Camp being injured, so he's competing with Stevie.. Chandler has his compression sleeve on again. No sign of Gaskins. Anyone know about this? Rogers, McKelvin, and Pough weren't in jerseys. Most of the positional drills were the same, DL guys doing explosion off the line with rip moves. DB's were doing a simulation where they had to switch up on the man they were covering. In Period 6, not 7 on 7 or anything, EJ and Tuel were throwing to WRs. Easley and Kaufman each made three very nice catches. Sampson made a strong catch, Sinkfield and Woods both made 20 yarders. KAufman and Da'Rick had a drop. Brad Smith made his one catch. Tuel made a bad throw to TJ Graham, then a superb throw to Hogan right on the money. One of Kaufman's catches from Tuel went 50 yards in the air. Some great PBU's when they went to 11 on 11: Aaron Williams had the best one, folowed by Gilmore and Nickell Robey on Easley. They began putting loud music over the PA system to simulate the Colts dome. "Any Way You Want It comes on and Chandler starts air-guitar. OLine for both 11 on 11s was (from LT end): Cordy, Colin Brown, Wood, Urbik, Pears. I have liked Pears in the past but he kind of lumbered out to the second level to make a block, so he gets the Slug Award today. Some highlights of 11 on 11: Graham hauls in a 40 yard pass from EJ down to the 11, am Manny Lawson sack, Goodwin splitting 2 defenders, and a 50 yarder from EJ to I think Graham. Ron Brooks had a pass breakup on Easley, EJ sidestepping a sack and taking off, EJ avoiding MArio Williams sack and hitting Sampson (who's rising in our eyes)... Drew Smith showed great acceleration upfield after catching a swing pass, Hopkins and Lindell trading 57 yard FGs, Lawson and Robey having too much fun on the sidelines to a rap song, Great play by CJ getting swing pass after Woods and Goodwin cleared the area, EJ better at diagnosing now. Tuel still doing the pat pat pat at times. Nice pass to Lee Smith by EJ, then Chandler on the other side caught one. Dareus had a sack, the team had a sack, Freddy up the middle for 40. Still see Graham on kick returns, with Goodwin and Sampson (for now, until he's cut) as backups. New wedge blockers in there today--Provo and Lee Smith were in there, with Jay Ross still in the middle. A couple of new twists today--Here was the most interesting one: How would you like to be the DC trying to cover Marquise Goodwin outside of TJ Graham with CJ Spill,er lined up as a WR on the other side? OK, now add Fred Jackson in the backfield with EJ Manuel. Thought so. Easley came back in the second 11 on 11 period with a pair of nifty grabs, Tuel to Easley for 25, then right back at ya for 15 more. EJ threw an on-the-money pass to Marquise for about 20 with Crezdon Butler in perfect position. My point is that EJ put the ball where only Goodwin could catch it, even with perfect protection. Da'Rick Rogers made a sweet catch on a Moulds-like slant route and shifted into 4th gear, goodbye. The 11 on 11 ended when Fred Jackson showed us he hasn't missed a step with a 40 yard run up the middle. Snapshots: ---Meeks came up really quick on a swing pass to the RB and tackled him for a loss. He's been active on KR duty as a gunner, too; He'd have made one tackle on Graham today. --Kyle Williams, Dareus, Mario, and Carrington each had a sack today. --TJ Heath had 3 PBUs today, so a PS berth wouldn't surprise me. Crezdon Butler had a PBU against Marquise. --Center Screens by CJ and FJ were big gainers. --Lindell-Hopkins is a dead heat. They matched each other from 40 and 50 yards today. They still are trying to take out the video man; Lindell his his foot and Hopkins forced him to bat one away today. --The Twos in 11 on 11 were Lawson, Troup, Branch, Blatnick, Bradham-Moats-Dowtin, TJ Heath-Rolle-Dangerfield-Ellis. --Colin Brown is impressing me from the RG position in that he's getting to the 2nd level. I see a great pulling Guard in Urbik today. --Saw Sinkfield's speed for the first time today, but was even more impressed at his ability to nab the low throw that Tuel made. Pass was good for a 25 yard gain. Maybe Tuel didn't expect Sinkfield to go that far? --Gragg's back in my notes for a 30-yard hookup with Tuel. --Tuel made a couple inaccurate throws, most notably one too high for Da'Rick. However, Tuel throws nice long passes (Yes I heard Hackett give credit to the receivers for some of those). --Kolb supposedly comes back tonight. I've heard no word on if he'll play in Indy. Thanks again to Mrs. Bot for dropping me off and picking me up! Astro

Thanks! At least I wasn't scratching my arse.

My buddy in my blues band owns ~125 acres including Delaney Bay and the point next to it. It's a little shallow in there, so pull your motor up if you go in there!

^ ^ ^ Best explanation. I like that Marrone is thinking about this even before the First Preseason Game.

Yep. But I was told not to read anything in it! http://forums.twobil...64-glenn-to-lg/ Here's what Marrone says about Cordy playing OG or OT: http://www.buffalobills.com/media-center/videos/Bills_Focus_Cordy_Glenn_Tackles_New_Challenges/c9208803-8a91-49c5-9099-d4e2b00ce028

Buffalo Bills sign free-agent DB Mark LeGree as per 1 minute ago. http://sports.yahoo.com/news/buffalo-bills-sign-free-agent-172826004--nfl.html?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

More on Gaskins RB: "scored a pair of touchdowns, made good on a two-point conversion, broke multiple tackles on a run into the secondary and showed some athleticism on a reception on a swing pass over his outside shoulder for a first down from quarterback Jeff Tuel. He also effectively picked up a blitz giving Tuel time to complete a 40-yard pass to Marcus Easley." http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-2/RB-Gaskins-showing-hes-more-than-power/7ea72661-b85d-4c4d-8bec-9566a1d5fe0c

You are one funny cat.

Holy Schidt, I was eating my Great Grains at 7:55 AM!

Informal Pre-Preseason Game Depth Chart of Skill Positions, based on camp production: RB - Keep 3: Spiller-----------------the incumbent, most runs of 10+ Jackson---------------we'll give him spot 2 for previous work, now healed Gaskins (rookie)-----2nd-most runs 10+ after Spiller, way more than FJax Choice (5 yrs.) Brown (inj) (1 yr.) Drew Smith (rookie) WR - keep 7: Stevie Johnson (6 yrs.) TJ Graham (2 yrs.)--------------more catches than anybody, best KR Robert Woods (rookie)-------so pro-ready Marquise Goodwin (rookie)-more catches than Da'Rick or Easley Da'Rick Rogers (rookie)-----better on ST than Easley Marcus Easley (2 yr------------talented on long ball, but fewer catches than Hogan Chris Hogan (1 yr.)-------------can't remember a dropped ball Kevin Elliott (inj) (2 yrs.) DeMarco Sampson (2 yrs.) Brandon Kaufman (rookie) Brad Smith (8 yrs.) Terrell Sinkfield (rookie) Dorin Dickerson (3 yrs.) TE - Keep 3: Scott Chandler (7 yrs.)----------------the incumbent, now healed, was best receiver Lee Smith - (3 yrs.)----------------------now catching the ball and was best blocker Chris Gragg (rookie) - 244 lbs.------more catches than any TE in camp Nick Provo (tie) (rookie) - 249 lbs.-----latecomer, knows Marrone/Hackett system Trade: Brad Smith WR Waive: Dorin Dickerson WR/TE, DeMarco Sampson WR, Drew Smith RB Practice Squad - Provo TE, Brandon Kaufman WR, Terrell Sinkfield WR Injured - Kevin Elliott WR, Zach Brown RB

I think his battle is now for #3 or a spot on the Bills. Tuel is profiting from his absence, and throws an accurate deep ball.

Shout-Out to RSXFirestorm (sp) who came down to introduce himself and say thanks. Very gratifying. Must have been my Winfield 26 jersey with the silver duct tape over the nameplate saying ASTROBOT that gave me away! Warm sunny day at SJF with 1/4 of the crowd here for Monday night or Sunday. They used the new grass field. No Kolb, Choice fully participated, Hairston was in pads today and peripherally participated in position drills, then did situps, slides, backpedals real slowly, etc with a trainer. I'd guess he's about 60%. Chandler dressed and for the first time I saw no compression sleeve--good news. Elliott still has the sling. He was doing sprints from sideline to sideline for a while. Zach Brown was not in pads, so Gaskins and Choice are your RB's battling for the 3 spot right now. In positional drills, the DBs worked on tackles, backpedals, then 3 on 8 pass coverage. Defensive Linemen did side-to-side running, WRs were thrown the ball as they ran toward the passer, then did cuts through cones. RBs were dragging an anchor-like weight as they ran, then worked with the QBs on handoffs, then ran through a rack of foam arms in securing the ball. OL did drive blocking, then 2-on-1 blocking using blocking pads. QBs did footwork then handoffs to the RB, then did passing to WRs on the stadium field. LBs worked on taking the right angle to the RB, then allowed the RB to make cuts so LBs could adjust. Again, I don't recall seeing this much work, or these drills, in my last 8 years here. Two things I noted that our QBs need in future drills: (1) work on getting the receiver the ball right when they make their cut. Receivers are standing there for a 1/2 second before the pass is made. (2) QBs need a drill where they look at the non-intended receiver before making their pass. There is some staring with both, but EJ made a leap today in going through progressions, which I'll get to. Electronic boards at either end of the field display "Period" and "Time Remaining" (again, never seen in camp before). All coaches know what their group is going to do for each of the 14-16 Periods. Period 6 begins the actual fun part of practice. Today, it began with 5 on 5 (2 or 3 DL plus LB vs. 2-3 WRs and QB and sometimes RB). Kyle Williams may play DE more than DT, and it suits him. Dareus occasionally didn't release himself from the blocker, allowing the run to go through his gap. Blatnick continued to shine. Moats shed bloackers very well, and of course Alonso and Moats love creating havoc out there. Neither are afraid of contact to be sure. Mario isn't full go you can tell, but he's out there doing the right thing. Carrington has one gear for practice or game--love his effort. Period 7 was 11 on 11. I see Welch in at LT and Sam Young at RT, and Young does a good job holding off Blatnick. The DL is Dareus, Carrington, K-Williams and Manny Lawson. EJ hands off to Spiller; I'm watching Gilmore cover Woods right in his back pocket. Gilmore and Sherman from Seattle are my early picks for Pro Bowl. A WR (TJ?) sucks Aaron Williams to his L, allowing Spiller to run to his R. EJ throws to Chandler for 7-8 yards and Chandler looks full go. CJ rips off 30 yards going off LG. Hogan goes to the ground to make a neat 15 yard catch. He's my #8 on the depth chart. Brad Smith mis-catches a pass yet again, but they go right back to him on a screen to the other side but for no gain. I will not be surprised (and will be relieved) if Smith is not on the final 53. A pass deep to Da'Rick Rogers was one step too long. Gilmore was right on him, but the ball was placed so that if anyone was going to get it, it would have been Rogers. Both QBs are good at that. Sack on the next play thanks to Williams and Williams. Tuel's in, but there's a bad hike on the next play. Could have sworn it was Chris Scott but I doubt he'd be the OC. Drew Smith misses a good pass; to me he's the waived RB. They're fixing Choice's helmet in the middle of the field as punt practice from the back of the end zone begins. Stahovich wins today's punt battle, with kicks from back of the end zone. Powell had a lame quail caught on the 35 on the same side of the field; 2 others went to the 45, and one went to the far 45 (65 yds.). Stahovich was consistently in the 50-65 yd. range. Nickell Robey dropped his long punt. Both punters had to run one out of bounds (never saw that before). Period 9 was 7 on 7. They are actually calling plays in the huddle for the first time, but still it's brisk.Robey redeemed himself by coming up super-quick on a swing pass to Freddy. EJ then went to Woods for 10, (and this is important) went through 3 progressions with his eyes nice and quick, then took off on a keeper for 15. EJ handed off to Gaskins, who went up the middle for a nice gain. Tuel came in and disappointed me. He held on to the ball for too long, and was Trented for a 5 yard loss. His next pass play was better, Easley for a long one was tackled by Heath and Ellis. A pass to Sampson and Da'Rick Rogers ended his turn. EJ passed with good velocity to Goodwin, immeditely touched by Ron Brooks (not writing his name enough). EJ again made 3 reads and took off with Searcy tackling him. EJ went to HOgan on an underneath route. Tuel looked at his target too long and Kip Edwards and Duke Williams closed in. Tuel responded to adversity with a bomb to Easley (best pass-catch combo of the morning) for 40+ yards and to KAufman for 20 yds. Period 11 was a 14-minute 11 on 11 session. Carrington shone on the first play, flushing EJ so that he ran smack dab into Dareus. I think both EJ and Dareus were both surprised. The next pass hit Dareus in the helmet. EJ ran for 5 on the next play, but Pears couldn't find his man to block. PEars has been pretty reliable. EJ found Woods on a quick out for the first down, then CJ runs for 15, but CJ carried it to the end zone and got a cheer (his birthday Mon.). EJ to TJ on a slant-in from the left side went for more because of a sweet spin move from TJ (best move of the day). Gaskins carries it up the middle for a few, then Brad Smith re-secures his #6 spot on my depth chart with back-to-back catches. He doesn't disappoint me, though, as he mis-catches EJ's pass on the left sideline due to poor footwork (no base to spring up for the pass). Marquise Goodwin, my #4WR, almost makes the catch of the morning for a 50 yarder vs. Crezdon Butler, but it's off his fingertips. The 11 on 11 finishes with Gaskins rumbling upfield for 20. Still like him better than Choice for the #3 spot. He has 28 pounds on Choice. Neither of them is particularly fast, but I'd feel better with a more substantial back behind a lightning guy Spiller and an aging Fred. Period 12 was Kickoffs. Your gunners were Da'Rick, Nickell, Kip Edwards and Woods. Kaufman and Sampson were the fastest to the KR, Kip Edwards and Unamba were slowest. Second group's gunners were Rolle, Ellis, Searcy and Sinkfield, and this time the gunners Sinkfield and Ellis were fastest to the KR, and Izaan Cross was slowest. TJ Graham was today's best returner; he reads blocks ahead of him the best. Brad Smith is 2nd, and Goodwin was disappointing. Your brick in the middle is Jay Ross; he's a blocker with attiude. TJ Heath impressed me in coverage, and Da'Rick showed great effort on ST. Period 13 I looked at blocking on the O-line, as it is a concern of mine. From L to R they had Welch, Urbik, Wood, Cordy Glenn, and Pears (A guy I was sitting with said they are trying Cordy out as a swing, and don't read too much into it). Stars in the drill were Spiller and Kaufman, who caught a 40-yarder from Tuel. Defensively Unamba stopped Goodwin for no gain on an out pattern. Legursky did well at OG, Antoine Caldwell the new Guard saw his first action and looked quite good, and Zebrie Sanders moved his man further and stayed on his man longer than either of them. He's not quick, but if he locks on you, you're out of the play. The other new thing I noticed is that Spiller and Freddy were in at the same time in the backfield. The new OL is Welch-Cordy-Wood-Urbik-Pears, Graham on the outside with BRad Smith in the slot next to him (remember that'll be Stevie), and Woods over on the right end. Chandler's the TE. See you right here tomorrow! Hopefully Friday night I can meet up with several of you who've said you're coming. Message me and we'll make arrangements. Astro

Zebrie Sanders will make a good running-series LG. Play 1, he moved his man to his right about 8', essentially pinning the DE against the DT. Play 2, he pushed his man back and held him upright long enough for the play to pass by. Play 3, Carrington went wide on him but Sanders was so wide, it took him out of the play. Sanders is not quick enough for the fast moves used on passing downs, but if you have a lead and are going to run a lot, Zebrie's decent. Legursky is the better pass blocker. Makes me wonder if the Bills take Kouandijo or Lewan next year and move Cordy in to LG.

I haven't laughed that hard on this board for a long time!

I am very concerned with Guard. We only have Urbik, who according to PFF is a very good one. We had the great LG and let him walk. I have (3) Guard, (2) Safety, and (1) OLB as the Bills' top 3 needs on DraftTek, and would be willing to move Guard up if we sign BJ Scott. Brain Fart. i'm thinking of somebody else, but sub in Mario Williams as our LB/DE and the argument still stands.