Will Moats make the team?

[Fixxxer]

Both Batten and Moats were college defensive ends, so that is a good start for them.

 

Batten was getting playing time early in the year and was showing he could play (sans the stupid late hit on Vick) He hardly saw the field when Merriman went down, I'm still scratching my head about the decision to pushed him out of the field for Spencer Johnson, rendering two player useless.

I can see him being a better fit at LB, he's more agile in space than Moats, I can see the coaching staff moving him to SOLB. Unfortunately the uncertainty migh play against his odds to make the team.

 

Moats was our most consistent pass rusher, there were no high sacks numbers but the guy was the guy that put the most pressure on opposing QBs. I saw him giving fits to two LT monsters like Thomas and Long. He still has potential and I hope Chan and Wanny can see that.

 

 

FWIW and for the measurables fans, Moats has longer arms than Alex Carrington (though, he has smaller hands)

 

Alex Carrington Arkansas State Height: 6'5 1/4 Weight: 285 Arm lenght: 33 1/4 Hand size: 10 1/2 40 time: 4.89 Bench press: 26

Arthur Moats James Madison Height: 6'0 1/4 Weight: 246 Arm lenght: 33 3/4 Hand size: 8 5/8 40 time: 4.66 Bench press: 24 Vertical: 36.5 Shuttle: 4.37

http://www.footballsfuture.com/2010/combine/de.html

[eball]

It may also mean that the overall talent on your team is very low and picking the guys who actually make your team better could be quite murky at best. I would prefer a scenario where a guy like Moats is an obvious cut because we are so stacked on defense. I think he's used up the equity from his Favre hit. He had every opportunity last year to make plays and he didn't reveal himself as any kind of special talent.

As I scan the current Bills roster at DE I have no choice but to conclude your statement is ridiculous.

[Turbosrrgood]

Both Batten and Moats were college defensive ends, so that is a good start for them.

 

Batten was getting playing time early in the year and was showing he could play (sans the stupid late hit on Vick) He hardly saw the field when Merriman went down, I'm still scratching my head about the decision to pushed him out of the field for Spencer Johnson, rendering two player useless.

I can see him being a better fit at LB, he's more agile in space than Moats, I can see the coaching staff moving him to SOLB. Unfortunately the uncertainty migh play against his odds to make the team.

 

Moats was our most consistent pass rusher, there were no high sacks numbers but the guy was the guy that put the most pressure on opposing QBs. I saw him giving fits to two LT monsters like Thomas and Long. He still has potential and I hope Chan and Wanny can see that.

 

 

FWIW and for the measurables fans, Moats has longer arms than Alex Carrington (though, he has smaller hands)

 

Alex Carrington Arkansas State Height: 6'5 1/4 Weight: 285 Arm lenght: 33 1/4 Hand size: 10 1/2 40 time: 4.89 Bench press: 26

Arthur Moats James Madison Height: 6'0 1/4 Weight: 246 Arm lenght: 33 3/4 Hand size: 8 5/8 40 time: 4.66 Bench press: 24 Vertical: 36.5 Shuttle: 4.37

http://www.footballsfuture.com/2010/combine/de.html

 

I respectfully but completely disagree with this. Actually, Batten saw plenty of playing time after Merriman went down, but did absolutely nothing. As a matter of fact he was beaten badly over and over again on the run, and didn't get a sniff of the QB. That's why the coaches stopped playing him.

 

Not that we had any strong pass rushers last year, but how could you consider Moats our best? What did he do exactly? Dareus was actually our best consistent pass rusher, with Kelsay a very close second whether you want to admit it or not. Kelsay may have only had 5 sacks, but he was the only one to provide consistent pressure from the outside, even if he lacks the closing burst and agility to finish. Moats had 2.5 on the rarely successful speed rush, but other than that never got near the QB and was a gigantic liability against the run.

Edited May 2, 2012 by Turbosrrgood

[Fixxxer]

I respectfully but completely disagree with this. Actually, Batten saw plenty of playing time after Merriman went down, but did absolutely nothing. As a matter of fact he was beaten badly over and over again on the run, and didn't get a sniff of the QB. That's why the coaches stopped playing him.

 

Not that we had any strong pass rushers last year, but how could you consider Moats our best? What did he do exactly? Dareus was actually our best consistent pass rusher, with Kelsay a very close second whether you want to admit it or not. Kelsay may have only had 5 sacks, but he was the only one to provide consistent pressure from the outside, even if he lacks the closing burst and agility to finish. Moats had 2.5 on the rarely successful speed rush, but other than that never got near the QB and was a gigantic liability against the run.

 

I'll rewatch the games, I noticed lots of Batten plays on special teams but the guy was buried in the depth chart behind Kelsay, who plays like 90% of the snaps, being at LB or DE. When it was a passing situation Kelsay and Moats were the bookends.

 

As I said before Moats doesn't have the numbers but if it's an obivious passing situation he's the guy closest to the QB making a little difficult for them. He's not a finished product by all means, but he still has potential.

[eball]

I respectfully but completely disagree with this. Actually, Batten saw plenty of playing time after Merriman went down, but did absolutely nothing. As a matter of fact he was beaten badly over and over again on the run, and didn't get a sniff of the QB. That's why the coaches stopped playing him.

 

Not that we had any strong pass rushers last year, but how could you consider Moats our best? What did he do exactly? Dareus was actually our best consistent pass rusher, with Kelsay a very close second whether you want to admit it or not. Kelsay may have only had 5 sacks, but he was the only one to provide consistent pressure from the outside, even if he lacks the closing burst and agility to finish. Moats had 2.5 on the rarely successful speed rush, but other than that never got near the QB and was a gigantic liability against the run.

Them's fightin' words in these parts...

[SpecialK15]

Moats is a special teamer too, don't forget. He's got good potential and he's around the ball *when* he's on the field. Problem is he's had a hard time getting on the field on defense. I'm pulling for him to make the team, good character, potential to make impact, good team player.

[RealityCheck]

As I scan the current Bills roster at DE I have no choice but to conclude your statement is ridiculous.

Of course you would since I was not talking about the current Bills roster but rather the logic in referring to what "tough cuts" can signify in general. More to the point that I made previously, given the quality of the current Bills roster at DE (and barring major injury) Moats will be an EASY cut.

Edited May 2, 2012 by RealityCheck

[Coach Tuesday]

Moats and Batten are entering Year 3. You hate to give up on young guys after two years, especially where (i) they were drafted by this regime and coaching staff (sans Edwards), (ii) they've seen the field (i.e., they're not total busts), and (iii) presumably they're still improving. I'd hate to see either of them get cut.

[Turbosrrgood]

Regardless of skill, anyone not named Mario Williams, Carrington, Anderson, and Kelsay will have a hard time making the team at DE just due to the numbers game (assuming Batten and Moats could only make the team as DE's). Eddin's I think could play 4-3 LB.

 

Merriman is coming off injury, but I think much of his contract is guaranteed. So if he's healthy, I think he will make the team.

 

I personally think Kelsay should start opposite Williams, with Anderson coming in on passing downs. However Kelsay has a decent salary this year, the Bills MAY consider cutting him for that reason. If he gets cut one of those other guys might have a chance. I doubt that will happen though, the Bills have been decimated by injuries in recent years. Mario Williams, Merriman, and Kyle Williams are all coming off serious injuries, I doubt the Bills want to lose the depth they have built up this off season.

Edited May 2, 2012 by Turbosrrgood

[eball]

Moats and Batten are entering Year 3. You hate to give up on young guys after two years, especially where (i) they were drafted by this regime and coaching staff (sans Edwards), (ii) they've seen the field (i.e., they're not total busts), and (iii) presumably they're still improving. I'd hate to see either of them get cut.

The problem, Coach, is that they were drafted into a 3-4 scheme and really haven't distinguished themselves on a less than stellar roster. Now that the talent has been upgraded significantly and the scheme has changed, I'd argue now is the perfect time to cut bait unless they really show something in camp.

[st pete gogolak]

Let's face it. A bunch of guys were drafted or acquired to fit into a 3-4 (Merriman, Troup, D. Edwards, Moats, Batten, even Sheppard to a lesser extent). Going to a 4-3 means that it's going to be awfully tough to find a home for any of these guys (except Sheppard). I hope Merriman is kept as a pass rush specialist because if he's healthy, he could flourish in that role but if they keep Merriman in that role, I see no possibility of Moats or Batten making the team. I'd also like to see Troup make the team just because he's a high #2 and it's too painful to contemplate cutting a guy picked one spot ahead of Gronkowski.

 

Also, are they really going to try Alex Carrington at DT? If that's true, if I'm Carrington, I'm asking to be released. Jeez Louise, last year in training camp, they are playing him as a 300 pound OLB! He's either a 3-4 or 4-3 DE. I'd like to hope he's an effective 4-3 DE and that he makes the team in that capacity.

[Kelly the Dog]

I see Moats fighting it out with Chris White and even Scott McKillop, who may be the only true 4-3 MLB we have on the whole roster. Even though Merriman is strictly a DE, if he is kept on the roster, which he will be barring injury, I think Moats doesn't make the team, and only White of those three makes it as a back-up. If Merriman is not on the team, they may keep Moats for his versatility to line up a few plays a game on passing downs as a 4-3 rush DE as well as playing back-up LB. A lot depends on if Chris White looks like he can play MLB, he looked surprisingly good and fluid last year before he got hurt, and I know the coaches like him a lot.

[mattsox]

Ive seen some early 53 man roster predictions and most have Moats getting cut. I hope he makes the team. Hes great for Buffalo and i believe hes a capable backup LB.

I'd love to see him make the Team. Seems like a great character guy, but it comes down to if he can fit in the new scheme and make a difference in it.

[robertpaul49]

I hope he plays well in camp and pre-season and makes the team. It seemed that he has pass-rushing skills. I think they will try him at strong side linebacker.

 

Merriman is going to be a DE.

 

Carrington is going to be a DT. A lot of the veteran 3-4 defensive ends are going to get cut, but I think that Nix is going to try to hold onto the players they drafted. However, it is going to an interesting training camp.

[eball]

I'm really starting to wonder about this urban legend of Arthur Moats and his mystical pass rushing skills -- because I watch a fair amount of Buffalo Bills football (i.e., every second) and I just haven't seen it.

 

Is Arthur Moats really Sasquatch?

[Turbosrrgood]

I'm really starting to wonder about this urban legend of Arthur Moats and his mystical pass rushing skills -- because I watch a fair amount of Buffalo Bills football (i.e., every second) and I just haven't seen it.

 

Is Arthur Moats really Sasquatch?

 

, well said.

[Buffalo Barbarian]

DEs: Williams, Kelsay, Anderson, Merriman, Edwards, Batten. I doubt that the Bills are gong to keep 6 DEs and Batten is the worst player in the group.

 

Bills might want to think about shopping Moats and Batten around for a case of beer or something as opposed to having to cut them for *literally* nothing.

Edwards doesn't fit and Merriman is junk so now its's really 4 players

[Billsguy]

I think both him and Batten are gone, and are replaced with draft picks.

 

Yes, I agree. You can add Dwan Edwards and/or Kelsay/Merriman.

[BRAWNDO]

Yes, I agree. You can add Dwan Edwards and/or Kelsay/Merriman.

 

I think Kelsay and Merriman make it because I think the Bills want to keep rotating DEs through the whole game.

[stony]

Regardless of skill, anyone not named Mario Williams, Carrington, Anderson, and Kelsay will have a hard time making the team at DE just due to the numbers game (assuming Batten and Moats could only make the team as DE's). Eddin's I think could play 4-3 LB.

 

Merriman is coming off injury, but I think much of his contract is guaranteed. So if he's healthy, I think he will make the team.

 

I personally think Kelsay should start opposite Williams, with Anderson coming in on passing downs. However Kelsay has a decent salary this year, the Bills MAY consider cutting him for that reason. If he gets cut one of those other guys might have a chance. I doubt that will happen though, the Bills have been decimated by injuries in recent years. Mario Williams, Merriman, and Kyle Williams are all coming off serious injuries, I doubt the Bills want to lose the depth they have built up this off season.

 

Good post Turbo.

 

I too think Kelsay will be the Week 1 starter opposite Mario. I think he'll split time with Anderson throughout the year, but Kelsay will defiitely be a player this year. His depth will be the reason why he doesn't get cut. Its nice having a position of strength instead of one of weakness for once.