IgotBILLStopay

We all know Reggie Ragland is not a great fit for the 4-3. He is not great in passing downs and cannot really chase down people all over the field. That is why he is practicing with the thrid unit. I still think it is best to trade him to a defense that uses a 3-4 and get an offensive lineman or WR in return. That said, if such a trade does not happen, I have been wondering how best can the defense use his special talents this year. Based on the preseason games (this year and last), he might be the surest tackler we have. Additionally, he does appear to have a nose for the ball in run defense. Does anyone remember a 3rd and short in one of the recent preseason games, where he brought down the RB short of the first down with a solo tackle? I feel he will be great in Red Zone packages. With a shortened field, his chasing deficiencies will be masked. I also feel he will be useful on first and second downs against power RBs, who run north south. Some such guys who we will face this season are - Marshawn Lynch, Mark Ingram, Adrian Peterson (though he can dance as well), Cam Newton (yeah the guy can run as well), Andre Williams & Spencer Ware.

so we are one Brady injury away from winning the division?

How credible is the week 10 deadline? Before I read that Rodak piece I was always under the impression that the players had to be cut prior to week 1.

I think the Bills will keep 5 at RB/FB. They will be focusing on the run game, and want as many players at that position. I agree it is better to go with 5 RBs - but nobody else appears to have distanced himself. They will keep 6 WR's, not 7, and Andre Holmes will be on the roster. I think Shorts is headed for the Practice Squad. I still think the 3rd round comp pick is in play with this regime. Otherwise I wouldnt have thought twice about leaving Andre Holmes in there. At CB, I see Leonard Johnson being kept over players like Mabin & Sylve. I agree this is purely my gut feel. Actually I think LJ was higher on the provisional depth chart - so what you say is quite likely. My choice is conditional on Seymour being healthy.

The following can still be shaken up with a Ragland trade for Martavis Bryant / Josh Gordon. Quarterbacks (3): Tyrod Taylor, Nathan Peterman, T.J. Yates Running backs/fullbacks (4): LeSean McCoy, Jonathan Williams, Mike Tolbert, Patrick DiMarco Wide receivers (7): Jordan Matthews, Anquan Boldin, Zay Jones, Philly Brown, Brandon Tate, Rod Streater, Dalkiel Shorts Suspended: Walt Powell Tight ends (3): Charles Clay, Nick O'Leary, Logan Thomas, Michael Ola Offensive tackles (4): Cordy Glenn, Jordan Mills, Dion Dawkins Suspended: Seantrel Henderson Interior offensive linemen (5): Richie Incognito, Eric Wood, John Miller, Ryan Groy, Karim Barton Defensive ends (4): Shaq Lawson, Jerry Hughes, Eddie Yarbrough, Max Valles Defensive tackles (4): Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus, Jerel Worthy, Adolphus Washington Linebackers (7): Lorenzo Alexander, Preston Brown, Ramon Humber, Reggie Ragland, Gerald Hodges, Tanner Vallejo, Matt Milano Cornerbacks (5): Tre'Davious White, EJ Gaines, Shareece Wright, Kevon Seymour, Greg Mabin (or Sylve) Safeties (4): Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, Colt Anderson, Bacarri Rambo Special teams (3): Reid Ferguson, Colton Schmidt, Stephen Hauschka

View from the other side http://www.espn.com/blog/philadelphia-eagles/post/_/id/21664/carson-wentz-eagles-teammates-taking-jordan-matthews-trade-hard Hard to dislike a guy who does this: "From a personal standpoint, basically every time I do one-on-ones it's against Jordan Matthews," Jenkins explained. "If I stay after to do releases with a receiver, it's going to be Jordan Matthews. So for me, even in my daily preparation, I now have got to find a new Jordan Matthews. And I know he's kind of been that guy in a bunch of guys' lives, whether it be Carson Wentz or Trey Burton, Zach Ertz -- he's had a big role in a lot of guys' lives, not only just what he does on the field."

My picks Quarterbacks (3): Tyrod Taylor, T.J. Yates, Nathan Peterman Cuts: None Running backs/fullbacks (4): LeSean McCoy, Jonathan Williams, Mike Tolbert, Taiwan Jones Cuts: Patrick DiMarco, Cedric O'Neal, Jordan Johnson, Joe Banyard Wide receivers (6): Sammy Watkins, Zay Jones, Philly Brown, Brandon Tate, Rod Streater, Dalkiel Shorts Suspended: Walt Powell Cuts: Andre Holmes, Jeremy Butler, Brandon Reilly, Rashad Ross, Dez Lewis Tight ends (4): Charles Clay, Nick O'Leary, Logan Thomas, Wes Saxton Cuts: Jason Croom, Keith Towbridge Offensive tackles (3): Cordy Glenn, Dion Dawkins, Jordan Mills Suspended: Seantrel Henderson Cuts: Michael Ola, Cameron Jefferson Interior offensive linemen (5): Richie Incognito, Eric Wood, John Miller, Ryan Groy, Karim Barton Cuts: Vlad Ducasse, Greg Pyke, Zach Voytek, Jordan Mudge Defensive ends (5): Shaq Lawson, Jerry Hughes, Ryan Davis, Eddie Yarbrough, Max Valles Cuts: Ian Seau, Marquavius Lewis, Jake Metz Defensive tackles (4): Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus, Jerel Worthy, Adolphus Washington Cut: Deandre Coleman, Nigel Williams Linebackers (7): Lorenzo Alexander, Preston Brown, Ramon Humber, Reggie Ragland, Gerald Hodges, Tanner Vallejo, Matt Milano Cuts: Carl Bradford, Jacob Lindsey, Abner Logan, Sam Barrington Cornerbacks (5): Ronald Darby, Tre'Davious White, Leonard Johnson, Shareece Wright, Kevon Seymour Cuts: Bradly Sylve, Greg Mabin, Marcus Sayles, Charles James Safeties (4): Micah Hyde, Jordan Poyer, Colt Anderson, Baccari Rambo Cuts: Shamiel Gary, B.T. Sanders, Trae Elston, Joe Powell Special teams (3): Reid Ferguson, Austin Rehkow, Stephen Hauschka Cut: Colton Schmidt

My understanding is slightly different. His contract signed over 2 yrs. to the AF on graduation. Last year a general reprieve (not specific to him) was granted that gave him hope. But this year that loophole was closed so he has to serve out his original contract. Did I get this wrong?

I did not know about the week 10 loophole. Real chance Davis Ducasse and Hauschka / Poyer are released prior to week 1. DiMarco will likely not be released. I also did not realize that Goodwin and McCray being released by their teams could hurt the calculations for us.

Clay's knee issues just made it more likely Barnidge signs with da Bills. Was clever of McD to talk about it publicly. Likely increases playtime for GB

The nice thing about this signing is that it frees Lorax to play on the DL in select packages though I don't know how he will do in a 4-3. Now onto Barnidge backup RB and backup safety watch

any updates on the "week to week"? Is he back to running after that knee sprain?

While that is smart analysis - sometimes it makes sense to factor in how much better / worse the other team in the division will become - so it is a good idea to poach players from another team in the division (or prevent poaching by another team in the division) even if you overpay for them. Belichik does that all the time - with Hogan, Darelle Revis, Sammy Morris etc. He has particularly taken Rex Ryan to the cleaners a few times. See for example - http://deadspin.com/5835551/why-is-bill-belichick-stockpiling-mediocre-former-jets-this-offseason

SiriusXM NFL Radio‏Verified account @SiriusXMNFL 3h3 hours ago More FA TE @GaryBarnidge: I would love to the #1 guy in the TE room but I have no problem being a mentor either. 1 reply1 retweet2 likes Reply 1 Retweet 1 Like 2 SiriusXM NFL Radio‏Verified account @SiriusXMNFL 3h3 hours ago More FA TE @GaryBarnidge: I visited the #Bills and heard from multiple different teams. Heard from #Jaguars and some old coaches w/#Broncos. 1 reply5 retweets5 likes Reply 1 Retweet 5 Like 5 I think the real problem with the Bills might be that he will be neither the #1 TE nor a mentor. I read that tweet to imply Bills are very much interested but Barnidge wants to wait and see if he can become the #1 TE.

According to this ranking, Hodges is the second best free agent left. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/02/27/pfts-free-agent-hot-100/ as an aside, any idea why nobody appears interested in Ryan Clady? Before we drafted Dawkins, I was hoping we'd get him.

My dream plan for the Bills: 1. Sign Hodges, Barnidge, backup RB, backup DL & safety 2. Get all the injured players healthy - Ragland, Sammy, Shaq, Zay, Listenbee, Cordy 3. Go to war!

Thanks the bandit27. I knew we did great on Inside Zone plays - but did not realize we were good on the outside zone plays too and that we ran that a lot!The numbers don't lie. I feel a bit better already. Hope they don't give up on the Inside Zone plays too much though.

Agree!

http://buffalonews.com/2017/05/22/vic-caruccis-bills-analysis-bigger-adjustment-likely-offensive-scheme/ I have been thinking about our offense for this year. According to Carucci, there are two changes that are likely to happen: Wide Zone Blocking and passing coming primarily out of Play Action settings on the early downs. I am a little concerned about the Wide Zone Blocking scheme - our offensive line has not really done this much. I worry about tinkering with something that was working before (like Rex Ryan with the Defense). While Shady can be electric with the Inside Zone blocking against a soft run box, I dont how he will do in the revised scheme. The Play Action oriented offense I wholly endorse for now. I feel with a dual threat QB, we did not do it enough last year. But did we not do it because of OC's preferences or because Tyrod was not good at it in practice? If it is the former (and I think it is), I am excited. If it is the latter though, I am concerned.

I dont think that is true 26CornerBlitz. Bills, Panthers, Jags were all interested. Chances are even the Steelers may have been interested if they knew what was happening with Ladarius Green.

The more I think I understand the NFL CBA, the more confused I get. Gary Barnidge is probably the hottest free agent out there. And he was signed to a pretty reasonable remaining contract if you do not consider the signing bonus. I understand he was the odd man out after the Browns drafted Njoku. But why didnt the Browns try to trade him? I am sure several teams would have parted with at least a 4th rounder for Barnidge's residual contract. It is my understanding that the acquiring team does not have to pay the signing bonus. So that money would have remained dead cap for the Browns - but they could have acquired a pick no? Was there something in the CBA that prevented such a trade?

Any updates on the grade of the sprain (I,II or III)? MRI?

The Bills were not really drafting a #2 WR at 37. They were drafting a Sammy replacement - perfect down to injury issues

this may have been Sully's most balanced article ever! He acknowledges that fans think of him as a wet blanket, gives all their reasons for optimism in the team and himself advocates a "wait and see" approach. like most, I find Sully's and Isola's negativity grating - but this article is not an example of that.

hmm last year at this time Brad Kaaya was a cant miss prospect. let us play out the next CFB season pls.