DPR4444 Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 Hogan has been one of the best special steamers on the field the first two games If this is the case, maybe he would be better off playing in Cleveland. is that part of the rookie hazing?
26CornerBlitz Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 Goodwin is a lock, but did anyone notice how Xavier Rhodes out muscled him when Kolb was picked off in the Vikings game? Not sure how ready he is to matchup as a WR in the NFL. Easley makes the final 53 as he's finally healthy and ready to make a contribution this year. Hogan is JAG IMO and I would worry about keeping him based on preseason. I like Kaufman for the PS. Sampson....CYA Would try to deal Smith for a 7th and if not it's bye bye with a TY. And Surprise!!! I'd keep Da'Rick for his long term potential that's far greater than any of the "bubble" guys.
eball Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 Goodwin is a lock, but did anyone notice how Xavier Rhodes out muscled him when Kolb was picked off in the Vikings game? Not sure how ready he is to matchup as a WR in the NFL. Easley makes the final 53 as he's finally healthy and ready to make a contribution this year. Hogan is JAG IMO and I would worry about keeping him based on preseason. I like Kaufman for the PS. Sampson....CYA Would try to deal Smith for a 7th and if not it's bye bye with a TY. And Surprise!!! I'd keep Da'Rick for his long term potential that's far greater than any of the "bubble" guys. We saw that differently. I saw Goodwin turning to the outside, while Kolb threw to the inside -- right into Rhodes' hands. I didn't see any "muscling-out" going on. Still, I think we would all agree Goodwin isn't there to be a "physical" receiver.
mountainwampus Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 Everyone, please reconsider Graham as a lock! He's sooo bad. He dropped 7 passes (only caught 53.4% of targeted passes), lots of drops in college, 10 fumbles in 2 college seasons, cost us a victory vs Pats last year (even though everyone wanted to blame Fitz for the INT) he drops A LOT in practice, he is scared of contact based on how many he "alligator armed" last season. I just don't see any merits. No hands, zero instincts, no blocking ability or physicality whatsoever. Speed alone does not make a WR. There's no room for both Goodwin AND Graham. Goodwin has won.
BuffaloBillsMagic1 Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 Hogan has to be on list, maybe evevn Kaufman. SJ, woods, Easley, Goodwin, Graham are definite 5 and I say Hogan and Kaufman though I wonder if an NFL team can have 2 white WRS on same team.
Haven Moses Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 I concur. Graham is no lock. Still think Da'Rick ends up on the PS
eball Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 Everyone, please reconsider Graham as a lock! He's sooo bad. He dropped 7 passes (only caught 53.4% of targeted passes), lots of drops in college, 10 fumbles in 2 college seasons, cost us a victory vs Pats last year (even though everyone wanted to blame Fitz for the INT) he drops A LOT in practice, he is scared of contact based on how many he "alligator armed" last season. I just don't see any merits. No hands, zero instincts, no blocking ability or physicality whatsoever. Speed alone does not make a WR. There's no room for both Goodwin AND Graham. Goodwin has won. Aside from this being a complete overstatement and exaggeration, it is true Graham had a disappointing rookie season. He also, however, worked extremely hard in the off-season and showcased that work in camp. Look at the first couple of plays in the Indy game -- he blocked extremely well for Spiller's first two big runs. I'm not quite understanding the hatred, but I'm sure you have your reasons. In any event, it would be a complete shock for Graham to be cut.
dollars 2 donuts Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 Forgive me, C.O.C., because I didn't have the opportunity to read your whole post as I have to step out. The one comment that I do want to make with respect to the early portion of you post is that it would be nice if there were two games remaining for guys to make their case, but I've seen in years past guys play great in game 4 and not make this team. I can't remember the particular RBs name (maybe Gray?) who ran for 126 yards in the final preseason game and was cut. Maybe the mentality is different with Marrone, but I will be interested to see.
eball Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 Forgive me, C.O.C., because I didn't have the opportunity to read your whole post as I have to step out. The one comment that I do want to make with respect to the early portion of you post is that it would be nice if there were two games remaining for guys to make their case, but I've seen in years past guys play great in game 4 and not make this team. I can't remember the particular RBs name (maybe Gray?) who ran for 126 yards in the final preseason game and was cut. Maybe the mentality is different with Marrone, but I will be interested to see. I think the problem for casual fans is that they (we) tend to focus on the stats coming out of the preseason games, when in truth I don't believe the coaches look at that much at all. A RB who gains 100+ yards playing against future pizza delivery guys doesn't impress them. They're more worried about that same RB who doesn't pick up a blitz, goes the wrong way on a pass route, can't remember the plays, or takes a bad angle on special teams. Marrone has constantly talked about players "competing" -- something that doesn't always show up on the stat sheet. I don't think anyone is making this roster based upon gaudy stats in the 4th preseason game; if there are any decisions left for the staff to make by then it will be about the "little things" like attitude, intelligence, and how good they will be in practice helping their teammates get ready to do battle.
boyst Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 What the hate on Graham? Saying Goodwin is faster may be true but Graham is no slouch and outweighs Goodwin
bluenews Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 Da'Rick Rogers will have 40+ receptions and 5 TD's for the Bills this season.
eball Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 What the hate on Graham? Saying Goodwin is faster may be true but Graham is no slouch and outweighs Goodwin There are some who will never get past hating a draft pick. For crying out loud, we still have posters who can't bring themselves to say Spiller was a good pick!
boyst Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 There are some who will never get past hating a draft pick. For crying out loud, we still have posters who can't bring themselves to say Spiller was a good pick! that's all it is. I am still do with this team from drafting Willis
buffaloboyinATL Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 I agree with everyone's opinion regarding Rogers having a high ceiling and the most upside amongst the bubble receivers. That being said, I have a gut feeling that he will be unceremoniously dropped in the very near future. Too many hints from the coaching staff that he is not giving it his all.
Just in Atlanta Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 I say we keep Kaufman, if nothing for the distinction of having the only Jewish WR in the NFL other than Jeremy Bloom.
Hapless Bills Fan Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 Hogan has been one of the best special steamers on the field the first two games, not sure what games you have been watching...been outstanding on kick coverage and made one of tackles inside the 15 yard line on one of the returns... Are you saying he'll "clam up" during the regular season? Easley has also gotten a lot of ST reps and can play ST well. FWIW Chris Brown was posting as if 6 WR was the "bubble" number - ie 5 WR would be kept, 6 would be a "stretch"
UticaBill Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 OK assuming we keep 7 not 6 we already know at least 4 names for sure. SJ, Woods, Graham, Goodwin....Easley's not gotten a chance against the 1's and barely time against the 2's in games so far, so if he makes this roster we MUST see him go against the 1's in the next 2 games.... otherwise I think despite his stats and good relationship with Jeff Tuel, he could easily be gone.... Depending of course how Hogan and Kaufman and the rest perform of course! Smith's versatility earns him a spot ONLY if we keep 7wrs... if we keep only 6, then I think Smith's number may get pulled....maybe not... but the other WR's have done more to earn a spot so far. SO, really there are two spots up for grabs and 5 guys fighting for them...each with good wr qualities though fairly dissimilar to each other. I think we will know with fair certainty by tomorrow evening!
boyst Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 Are you saying he'll "clam up" during the regular season? Easley has also gotten a lot of ST reps and can play ST well. FWIW Chris Brown was posting as if 6 WR was the "bubble" number - ie 5 WR would be kept, 6 would be a "stretch" Maybe if you consider that Dickerson would be a TE/WR/other... he'd be the wildcard 6. I am not sure he makes the team. With our offense we need fresh legs. Sprint after sprint is going to really take a toll on these guys. There is no reason not to expect at least 6 WR's.
metzelaars_lives Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 Yes this topic has been discussed before, but maybe not from this point of view (I just love the liberal tendencies of this board's monitors who control everything that is said and done on this board - talk about taking the fun out of it). Anyway, so many people have already pre-determined which WRs will make the final roster based upon only the first two preseason games. I say to you, "Hold your horses". There are still two more games to be played. Pay attention which of these WRs garners the most reps on ST. Those are usually the guys that the team is trying to find a way to find a fit on the roster. SJ/Woods/Goodwin/Graham are all locks to make the final 53 IMHO. I believe that Goodwin has surpassed Graham because of his elite speed and great hands. Goodwin's game is simply more explosive. he has been a very pleasant surprise. After that, there are really some very tough decisions to be made. Whether the Bills decide to keep 6 or possibly 7 WRs will impact the no. of players taken at another position so this is an important discussion. I believe that once you get past determining the top four WRs (i.e. the guys who are going to garner most of the reps on offense each Sunday) you then must look at which players can help you the most on ST and then also provide quality WR depth. The remaining WRs to choose from include D. Rogers/Easley/Hogan/Kaufman/B. Smith/Sampson. My take on these guys from a "complete body of work" perspective (i.e. not just what they've done in the preseason games, but also what they've done in practice and the potential that they have exhibited overall) is as follows: Hogan - consistent, possession receiver. But how much can he contribute on ST?? His upside is limited. Easley - has been surprisingly good, has the most yards of this group in the preseason games, but it has mostly been against 3rd string guys, many of whom won't be playing on Sundays. His upside is pretty high. I love his prototypical size/strength/speed/youth. Kaufman - very tall, rangy receiver who I think is destined for the PS. He has no reps on ST thus far, which is a tell tale sign that the Bills are not seriously considering him for the final 53. He has a decent upside and could be a very good complimentary reciever in another year or two because he's athletic and a solid pass catcher at 6'-5". Sampson - has shown some things, but mostly in garbage time. My guess is that he will be waived on 8-27-13. You always need to show well, but if you're only showing well against 3rd/4th stringers it doesn't mean a whole lot. You've got to show well against 1st/2nd string guys because those are the guys that you're going to go up against on Sundays. D. Rogers - easily the most talented of this group. He has everything that you're looking for in an NFL WR from a physical standpoint. SI's Peter King dubbed him a "Baby Randy Moss". Can he contribute on ST?? That remains to be seen. His upside is extremely high, even to the point that he could be a Pro Bowl WR. I don't think that I can realistically say that about anybody else in this bunch. B. Smith - vet WR, can play QB, can return kicks/punts, can be a gunner on kicks/punts. He is extremely.......extremely valuable because he can do all of that and do it well. Even if he's not a starter at one of those positions, as the seasons moves forwards and various starters are injured he can step right in and get the job done. Did I mention that he can be a positive impact on ST?? I believe I did. And for that reason I believe he will make the final 53 man roster. The Bills would not have sought to reduce his salary if they didn't plan to keep him. They would have simply waived him. They don't need him to be a starting WR, but they do need his ability to contribute on ST. When you go through the process of trying to figure out the depth of the Bills roster at each position you quickly figure out that it's somewhat diffcult to fill 53 roster spots (with high quality players). To me that means that the Bills will fill their roster with 7 WRs as long as WR #5/WR #6/WR#7 can all contribute on ST. If the team is going to keep 7 WRs then I think those 7 have to be: SJ/Woods/Goodwin/Graham/B. Smith/Easley/D. Rogers. I like Easley over Hogan because Easley has more upside. If you take Hogan he's not likely to play much on offense anyway this year so you take Easley because he may surpass Graham at some point. I like D. Rogers to make the final roster because of his very high ceiling. As long as he can contribute on ST he can help you this year. In future years he could be a real gem. You would likely be keeping him over a 6th CB (possibly J. Rogers/TJ Heath) or 5th S (J. Meeks) and none of those guys appear to have the upside that he has. So limiting free speech is a "liberal" or "progressive" tactic?
26CornerBlitz Posted August 23, 2013 Posted August 23, 2013 So limiting free speech is a "liberal" or "progressive" tactic? Oh no!!!
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