Alphas first stab at the 53 as we approach first preseason game

[NewEra]

19 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

More likely than cut him would be he develops some nagging injury and winds up on IR to start the season.

This is what I’m hoping for with Doyle and Stevenson.  

[Simon Says]

Bills won't keep 11 DLINE. Phillips and Addison could be trade bait.

Gilliam won't see many reps on offense and can be replaced on ST.

If Sweeney doesn't make it, Bills might acquire a TE.

I think a CB that can return kicks could be  a smart pickup.

Get younger by replacing Jones with A. Williams

Edited August 12, 2021 by Georgie
Add Williams

[DCofNC]

On 8/10/2021 at 7:01 PM, Sheneneh Jenkins said:

imo the rookie that looks most impressive makes it and other may go to PS. I think Obada makes the 53 also. I feel confident saying he is a lock.

That’s not an option, you don’t cut a 1st or 2nd round pick and hope they clear waivers to stash them on the PS. 

[Hapless Bills Fan]

Interesting roster review by Fairburn and Buscaglia in the Athletic

https://theathletic.com/2765876/2021/08/12/observations-on-all-92-buffalo-bills-players-as-they-head-into-the-preseason/

 

If there's any positions on offense where you want to hear their take, LMK.  I'm focusing on D here.

 

Their take on the DE roster battle.  They see Hughes and Addison as locks.

Quote

Greg Rousseau: Even with a year off from football, Rousseau has looked ready for the NFL in his first camp. What stands out most is not just his length but that he understands how to use it to manipulate offensive linemen and impact passing lanes. He’ll make an impact as a rookie.

Boogie Basham: After a hot start to camp, Boogie Basham has faded a bit. He worked with the third team during the scrimmage and hasn’t had as many splash plays. His flexibility to play inside could help him find the gameday roster this year, but the Bills’ defensive line is deep.

Efe Obada: Obada has been the Bills’ star of camp on the defensive side of the ball. Rarely does a practice go by without Obada getting into the backfield for a pressure or sack. He’s looking like a sure bet to make the team and a player who will factor into the rotation. Obada also happens to be a jovial personality in front of a microphone, a plus for reporters and readers.

A.J. Epenesa: Epenesa carried his strong spring into training camp. He’s now light enough that it doesn’t appear he’ll be a factor as an interior rusher, but that’s fine because he looks a lot quicker off the edge and hasn’t lost his power. A productive second season could be in store.

Darryl Johnson: Heath Farwell called Darryl Johnson a matchup nightmare on special teams, but Johnson’s work on the special teams units might not be enough to save his roster spot this year. He’s found his way into the backfield occasionally, but the Bills are too deep at defensive end to find a spot for him in the rotation.

Mike Love: Love deserves credit for being a terror against the third-team offensive line in the two stadium practices. There’s a reason the Bills have kept him around so long. Maybe he sticks on the practice squad again, but the numbers game will make it so tough for him to be on the active roster. He deserves to play somewhere in the NFL in 2021, though.

 

Their take on the DT roster battle.  See Lotulelei and Oliver as locks.

Quote

Harrison Phillips: Now fully healthy, Phillips has had some flash days at camp where he’s looked like a good run defender with some pass-rushing juice. To me, he’s a one-technique defensive tackle only, which limits his gameday role. Phillips has done enough to make the team so far this summer.

Vernon Butler: Of the defensive tackles with a chance to make the team, Butler has been the least impressive of the group. His low pressure percentage from last year has transferred to the summer, and Phillips has outplayed him. Butler suffered a concussion and has sat out the previous few practices as well. The Bills can save $3.3 million by releasing Butler, and that extra cap room would look pretty good to roll over into 2022 if Butler doesn’t improve.

Justin Zimmer: Bar none, Zimmer has been one of the best-performing defensive players of training camp. He is constantly winning his one-on-one matchups and is loved and respected by both his coaches and teammates. If he continues this performance in preseason games, Zimmer should make the 53-man roster without hesitation. If his excellent 2020 season is any indication, there’s no reason to believe Zimmer will fade.

 

Their take on the LB roster battle:

Quote

Andre Smith: Smith is looking more and more like a good bet for the roster. They’ve been developing him on defense in addition to their trust in him on special teams. Smith signed a two-year deal this offseason which is another positive sign that he’ll remain in Buffalo for the year.

Tyler Matakevich: Lock Matakevich in as one of the 53. He’s their best special teams player on the roster and has shown some improvement in run defense this camp as well.

Tyrell Adams: The sixth linebacker spot is where things get interesting for the Bills. Adams has shown well both as a defender and on special teams, which will help his case. I would not be surprised if Adams served in the same role as Darron Lee last year as the veteran practice squad linebacker.

Tyrel Dodson: Dodson is in his third summer with the Bills which is when they need to start seeing a step forward. Dodson hasn’t been remarkably noticeable, though that could change as linebacker is one of the toughest positions to gauge in non-tackling practices. Dodson will battle Adams for the sixth linebacker spot, as well as the entire roster. It’s no guarantee that the Bills even keep six linebackers.

Joe Giles-Harris: Giles-Harris was a late-spring add and had one practice with both an interception and fumble recovery. He hasn’t stood out outside of that day and likely faces an uphill climb to make the roster over Adams or Dodson.

 

Their take on the CB roster battle:

Quote

Levi Wallace: Wallace handles himself like a veteran who belongs in the starting lineup. He’s had a clear edge over Dane Jackson from the start of camp and is showing why the Bills haven’t yet added another veteran at corner. He looks a bit bigger, too.

Dane Jackson: Jackson is very active around the football. He has the instincts to break on the ball and make plays. But his lack of consistency has caused up to lose ground to Levi Wallace in the battle for the No. 2 cornerback job.

Siran Neal: Neal has been around the ball a lot, making multiple interceptions in camp to this point. While he does most of his work as a nickel cornerback, the Bills have also tested him on the boundary. He looks like a roster lock at this point.

Rachad Wildgoose: Wildgoose has played both in the slot and on the boundary. He’s improved as much as any cornerback from the start of camp to where he is now. He’s unafraid to hit. He’ll be fun to watch in the preseason.

Cam Lewis: The Bills have tested Lewis in the slot and on the boundary to see how much they can get out of him. An injury ruined his opportunity at playing time a year ago, but the Bills haven’t forgotten all he did to earn that chance. He hasn’t been spectacular in camp, but his experience is keeping him ahead of the rookies.

Olaijah Griffin: Of the two undrafted cornerbacks, Olaijah Griffin has looked slightly better in the first 11 practices. He’s handled himself well in one-on-one drills and has impressive ball-tracking skills. He’s worth developing on the practice squad.

 

[MJS]

12 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

Henry wasn’t an issue last season…. The Bills pass rush didn’t sniff Tannenhill and he picked them apart. 
 

Bills defense doesn’t match up well with the Titans or Chiefs. Just gotta hope the pass rush is improved and Allen can carry the team again.

The Bills were also banged up against the Titans. Milano and White didn't play. John Brown and Zach Moss were both inactive too. Josh Allen and Tremaine Edmunds both played, but they were both dealing with injuries. I think the 2020 game against the Titans was just not a good representation of the Bills or the Titans given the strange COVID situation and the significant injuries to the Bills.

 

I'm looking forward to playing them them this year.

6 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

Interesting roster review by Fairburn and Buscaglia in the Athletic

https://theathletic.com/2765876/2021/08/12/observations-on-all-92-buffalo-bills-players-as-they-head-into-the-preseason/

 

If there's any positions on offense where you want to hear their take, LMK.  I'm focusing on D here.

 

Their take on the DE roster battle.  They see Hughes and Addison as locks.

 

Their take on the DT roster battle.  See Lotulelei and Oliver as locks.

 

Their take on the LB roster battle:

 

Their take on the CB roster battle:

 

They mentioned that we save money by releasing Butler? I thought we took a significant dead cap number from releasing or trading him, and that was one of the things that solidifies his roster chances.

[GunnerBill]

20 minutes ago, MJS said:

They mentioned that we save money by releasing Butler? I thought we took a significant dead cap number from releasing or trading him, and that was one of the things that solidifies his roster chances.

 

Yea I believe they are wrong. That saving depended on moving him before 1st June. Now I believe it would be all dead money and zero saving.

[BillsFanForever19]

On 8/11/2021 at 4:49 PM, Alphadawg7 said:

Its certainly possible, but like I said in another reply, I just don't who we cut/trade to keep him.  For right now, I just don't know where to fit him in.  Again though, this roster is prior to preseason play, so maybe once the games get going some cut worthy players will reveal themselves and make it easier to find spots for guys like Taiwan, Daryl, Hodgins, and Sweeney.  

 

Don't know where? You're keeping ELEVEN D-Lineman. It's going to be 10 at the absolute most. You're keeping 10 DB's also. How do you justify Cam Lewis? We have the same exact DB's we had last season, minus Josh Norman and Dean Marlowe replaced by Dane Jackson and Damar Hamlin (also Siran Neal is a CB, not a Safety). 

 

They aren't going to keep an extra DB or DL who won't dress unless someone gets hurt over their Special Teams captain who will play every game. Taiwan Jones was chosen as a healthy scratch tonight. He's not going anywhere. Even if it came down to the RB position, Jones will make it over Breida or whomever they decided was the RB3 Yeldon role.

Edited August 14, 2021 by BillsFanForever19

[Alphadawg7]

11 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Don't know where? You're keeping ELEVEN D-Lineman. It's going to be 10 at the absolute most. You're keeping 10 DB's also. Why? How do you justify Cam Lewis? We have the same exact DB's we had last season, minus Josh Norman and Dean Marlowe replaced by Dane Jackson and Damar Hamlin (also Siran Neal is a CB, not a Safety). 

 

They aren't going to keep an extra DB or DL who won't dress unless someone gets hurt over their Special Teams captain who will play every game. Taiwan Jones was chosen as a healthy scratch tonight. He's not going anywhere. Even if it came down to the RB position, Jones will make it over Breida or whomever they decided was the RB3 Yeldon role.

 

Ive already said since posting, what was my first draft prior to preseason, that after hearing from people I think we could keep just 4 DT instead of 5 and that someone like Butler or Phillips are probably staring at the bubble right now.  

 

Taiwan I also said could make the roster, but sorry, him being a healthy scratch is not an indication of him being a lock.  He offers literally nothing they consider of value offensively considering he never sniffs the field, even when short handed.  They already know with certainly exactly what he brings to the table, which is 100% ST value.  They have had him here multiple seasons, he does not need as much evaluation.  

 

So, just because he is sitting doesn't mean he is locked in, it could be to give some looks to others to see what they can bring to fill his ST role.  And if someone else impresses at ST that they also value at another position (like say Kumerow), then Taiwan could end up cut.  

 

Its the first preseason game, they are going to take longer looks at lesser known players as much as they are going to sit key players.  Taiwan is not a key player no matter how good he is on ST.  He is just a specialist who offers very little beyond that.  And if no one shows potential to fill his ST role, his odds of making the roster certainly increase.  But this roster isn't going to be easy to make this year, good players won't be on the final roster.  

 

And as far as Cam goes, he has had some positive reports in camp and flashed in the past.  I still think having to go through offensive juggernaughts to get to the Super Bowl, the defense is going to be slightly weighted than offense this year given its an elite unit and the defense was the achilles heal last year and dealt with more injuries, not to mention having more younger developing players in the depth charts of the D.

[BillsFanForever19]

7 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

Taiwan I also said could make the roster, but sorry, him being a healthy scratch is not an indication of him being a lock.  He offers literally nothing they consider of value offensively considering he never sniffs the field, even when short handed.  They already know with certainly exactly what he brings to the table, which is 100% ST value.  They have had him here multiple seasons, he does not need as much evaluation.  

 

So, just because he is sitting doesn't mean he is locked in, it could be to give some looks to others to see what they can bring to fill his ST role.  And if someone else impresses at ST that they also value at another position (like say Kumerow), then Taiwan could end up cut.  

 

Its the first preseason game, they are going to take longer looks at lesser known players as much as they are going to sit key players.  Taiwan is not a key player no matter how good he is on ST.  He is just a specialist who offers very little beyond that.  And if no one shows potential to fill his ST role, his odds of making the roster certainly increase.  But this roster isn't going to be easy to make this year, good players won't be on the final roster.  

 

If you look at the healthy guys who aren't playing, they're all locks. So you're suggesting Taiwan Jones and only Taiwan Jones is sitting bc they know what he is? With Zach Moss and Christian Wade hurt so we're already short staffed tonight at RB and need bodies? C'mon 🙄

 

That's not why he's sitting tonight. He's sitting because he's an important piece to our squad like the others who are sitting. You look at Special Teams and say you want someone who does more than just that. But that's not how McBeane looks at it. They realize and have talked about the importance of having a solid core as when you just rely on offensive and defensive contributors, you get burned. 

 

Yes, Taiwan Jones doesn't offer much outside of Special Teams. But that doesn't matter. Because Special Teams is one of the three phases of the game and he's our most important player in that role. I think you're seriously disrespecting that side of the ball by saying it's not enough that he's only a good Special Teams player.

Edited August 14, 2021 by BillsFanForever19

[Alphadawg7]

26 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

If you look at the healthy guys who aren't playing, they're all locks. So you're suggesting Taiwan Jones and only Taiwan Jones is sitting bc they know what he is? With Zach Moss and Christian Wade hurt so we're already short staffed tonight at RB and need bodies? C'mon 🙄

 

That's not why he's sitting tonight. He's sitting because he's an important piece to our squad like the others who are sitting. You look at Special Teams and say you want someone who does more than just that. But that's not how McBeane looks at it. They realize and have talked about the importance of having a solid core as when you just rely on offensive and defensive contributors, you get burned. 

 

Yes, Taiwan Jones doesn't offer much outside of Special Teams. But that doesn't matter. Because Special Teams is one of the three phases of the game and he's our most important player. I think you're seriously disrespecting that side of the ball by saying it's not enough that he's only a good Special Teams player.

I humbly disagree that him sitting guarantees him a roster spot.  I fully understand the value of STs, I am not saying it’s impossible for Taiwan to make the team, I’m saying I disagree it’s a foregone conclusion as you suggest.  Just my 2 cents

Edited August 14, 2021 by Alphadawg7

[BillsFanForever19]

1 hour ago, Alphadawg7 said:

I humbly disagree that him sitting guarantees him a roster spot.  I fully understand the value of STs, I am not saying it’s impossible for Taiwan to make the team, I’m saying I disagree it’s a foregone conclusion as you suggest.  Just my 2 cents

 

I don't know how you can say "you fully understand the value of STs" and then write a guy off the roster who was called "the best gunner in the NFL" by McDermott in Camp, then disregard what it says that we're not risking him getting hurt when we're already down a number of RB's by saying (that as opposed to literally every other player we're doing that for) we're just doing it because "they know what he is".

 

I'm not saying that just his sitting makes him a lock. I'm saying he was already a lock and them not risking him getting injured tonight says all you need to know.

Edited August 14, 2021 by BillsFanForever19

[Alphadawg7]

1 hour ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

I don't know how you can say "you fully understand the value of STs" and then write a guy off the roster who was called "the best gunner in the NFL" by McDermott in Camp, then disregard what it says that we're not risking him getting hurt when we're already down a number of RB's by saying (that as opposed to literally every other player we're doing that for) we're just doing it because "they know what he is".

 

I'm not saying that just his sitting makes him a lock. I'm saying he was already a lock and them not risking him getting injured tonight says all you need to know.

Please show me where I “wrote him off the roster”.  I don’t know what you are reading dude, I said multiple times, even before you chimed in, he very well could make the roster.  
 

You are insisting he’s a “lock” and I simply disagree with your lock assessment.  Don’t start twisting it to make it sound like I’m declaring it’s impossible for him to be on the roster because I haven’t remotely come close to saying anything of the sort.

 

And hate to break it to you, but Taiwan, as the “best gunner in football”, has been cut multiple times in his career, including by Beane and McD in 2019 when this roster was a lot easier to make.

 

So sorry, your absolute confidence in him making the roster is not an opinion I share.  I do fully acknowledge he very well could make the roster, I am not even remotely insisting he won’t.  This was just my initial 53 man prediction at end of camp, before preseason game play where stock in players will go up and down, injuries will happen, trade inquiries will occur etc. 

[GunnerBill]

2 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

I humbly disagree that him sitting guarantees him a roster spot.  I fully understand the value of STs, I am not saying it’s impossible for Taiwan to make the team, I’m saying I disagree it’s a foregone conclusion as you suggest.  Just my 2 cents

 

Guarantees him, no. But the signs are very much pointing to him making the team after tonight IMO. 

[BillsFanForever19]

5 hours ago, Alphadawg7 said:

Please show me where I “wrote him off the roster”.  I don’t know what you are reading dude, I said multiple times, even before you chimed in, he very well could make the roster.  
 

And hate to break it to you, but Taiwan, as the “best gunner in football”, has been cut multiple times in his career, including by Beane and McD in 2019 when this roster was a lot easier to make.

 

You literally wrote him off the roster by having him as a cut. And while I point out that was extremely unlikely in the first place and that tonight points to it being even more unlikely than that - you maintain that it means nothing.

 

Hell, even when Antonio Williams was dinged up - they still opted to keep him on the bench and then put Williams back in later when he was cleared. If he were a fringe player on the roster or even in a battle to keep his job, they wouldn't have done that.

 

You can hedge your bet by saying "he might still make it". But you don't seem to want to hear the logic pointing to that already being the case and continue to point to reasons why he could/should be cut. I don't know any other way of reading it than you're personally writing him off the roster.

 

And I hate to break it to you, but McDermott never cut him. He's also not been cut multiple times in his career. He was cut once in 2017 after 6 seasons with the Raiders, most likely for cap reasons while being on the final year of a 3 year contract extension there.

 

He was a Free Agent after the 2018 season with us and chose Houston in FA because they offered him more. And after a year of subpar Special Teams, McDermott and Beane realized their mistake and brought him back for last year and this year. 

Edited August 14, 2021 by BillsFanForever19

[BillsCelticsAngelsBama]

Looking at the Bills depth chart, I think it's a crime that Gabe Davis is not listed as a starter. He was a great addition to the team. i know he'll play a lot but he is too good not to be  a 1A receiver in the next season or two. That's all I have to whine about. !! GOBILLS

[Brand J]

Was there ever talk about expanding the 53 man roster to 55 or so since they’re playing 17 now? Teams should be allowed to carry more bodies on the roster.

[dollars 2 donuts]

@Alphadawg7  you may have convinced me, especially after last night, that the Bills may go 10 deep on the DL.

 

Edit: @BarleyNY you too, man.  I thought 9 at most, but now…

Edited August 14, 2021 by dollars 2 donuts

[Doc]

6 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

You literally wrote him off the roster by having him as a cut. And while I point out that was extremely unlikely in the first place and that tonight points to it being even more unlikely than that - you maintain that it means nothing.

 

Hell, even when Antonio Williams was dinged up - they still opted to keep him on the bench and then put Williams back in later when he was cleared. If he were a fringe player on the roster or even in a battle to keep his job, they wouldn't have done that.

 

You can hedge your bet by saying "he might still make it". But you don't seem to want to hear the logic pointing to that already being the case and continue to point to reasons why he could/should be cut. I don't know any other way of reading it than you're personally writing him off the roster.

 

And I hate to break it to you, but McDermott never cut him. He's also not been cut multiple times in his career. He was cut once in 2017 after 6 seasons with the Raiders, most likely for cap reasons while being on the final year of a 3 year contract extension there.

 

He was a Free Agent after the 2018 season with us and chose Houston in FA because they offered him more. And after a year of subpar Special Teams, McDermott and Beane realized their mistake and brought him back for last year and this year. 

 

It's not ideal but Jones will be kept strictly as a gunner.  Antonio Williams' uninspiring performance last night likely means PS for him, at best.

 

6 hours ago, MOVALLEYRANDY said:

Looking at the Bills depth chart, I think it's a crime that Gabe Davis is not listed as a starter. He was a great addition to the team. i know he'll play a lot but he is too good not to be  a 1A receiver in the next season or two. That's all I have to whine about. !! GOBILLS

 

Don't worry, Gabe will have his chance next year.  When they signed Sanders it wasn't for him to be a backup.

 

1 hour ago, dollars 2 donuts said:

  you may have convinced me, especially after last night, that the Bills may go 10 deep on the DL.

 

Edit: @BarleyNY you too, man.  I thought 9 at most, but now…

 

I don't think there is a 10th OL worth keeping.  I think they'll stick with 9.

[dollars 2 donuts]

15 minutes ago, Doc said:

 

 

 

I don't think there is a 10th OL worth keeping.  I think they'll stick with 9.

 

Doc, I agree, but I was referring to defense of line.

[Doc]

15 minutes ago, dollars 2 donuts said:

Doc, I agree, but I was referring to defense of line.

 

D'oh!  Guess I need to start wearing reading glasses now.