Good Night / Bad Night - Pre-season game 2

[GunnerBill]

Here we go... my take on who hurt themselves and who helped themselves in our beatdown of the Bears:

 

Good Night for...

 

Mitch Trubisky - Let's start with the returning hero Mitch Trubisky going back to the team that gave up on him (and he would still be the best QB on their roster right now). His first drive he was a little amped up and high on a couple of balls, but overall Mitch had a great half. I was advocating last year for an upgrade on Matt Barkley. A team with a Superbowl level roster and a Quarterback still earning essentially rookie level money for the year should have a high end backup. If (heaven forbid) Josh missed time Mitch could keep this team on track. 

 

The "starting" defensive line - Okay Greg Rousseau will grab the headlines, and rightly so he stood out again, but the whole of that 'starting' dline - Rousseau, Phillips, Oliver and Epenesa - was outstanding. They demolished the Bears (admittedly poor) starting oline. Rousseau grabbed another sack, two in two games, and Epenesa got a couple of really impressive pressures and one big Quarterback hit. I was impressed with Harrison Phillips again too - he had a batted ball on the first play and pushed the pocket well. He left the game injured and hopefully it is nothing serious. They also played the run better this week. All four of them were impressive and I also liked the fact Leslie had them move about and line up in different spots. Ed rushed once from the edge, AJ rushed stood up from the interior.... it remains to be seen what it looks like when the lights go on against the Steelers but so far so good on improving the line play.  

 

Jacob Hollister - Dawson Knox remains atop of the depth chart and has started both pre-season games but he had another drop today and Job Hollister caught 3 for 53 and a 2 point conversion. He isn't the athletic freak that Knox is but he has looked like a solid addition who knows his role and has safe hands. I'm not sure the staff sees Tight End as a live "competition" but I think you are going to see both get plenty of opportunities when the regular season starts. 

 

Reggie Gilliam - Not sure there was ever any doubt about Gilliam making the roster but a really nice night for him, 2 short yardage touchdowns, plus a short yardage conversion for a first down and a really nice block on the Zack Moss run to the 1. He is a core special teamer, he can play full back, he can play tight end, and he ended this game playing some tailback. He is just the definition of a McBeane player - versatile, smart, tough, and with that underdog chip on his shoulder. The up-back handoffs in short yardage and goalline situations definitely look like an addition to the offense, it's not something this staff has done a lot before now though I remember Marrone and Hackett used them occasionally with Frank "the tank" Summers a few years back. 

 

Marquez Stevenson - With that one play on punt return I think this kid secured his place in Buffalo. You can't cut guys with his speed who score special teams touchdowns in pre-season and expect them to get through waivers. It almost never happens. Teams with less depth will be willing to take a shot and just use him as a returner. I still don't think he looks anything special as a receiver at this point and given the players ahead of him finding a spot is tricky. Could they stash him on IR? Sure. Could they put him on the 53 thinking "we will cut him a few weeks into the season when teams are a bit more settled and then sneak him on the practice squad".... they could definitely try that but that is what Denver tried with Isaiah McKenzie three years ago and the Bills (at the time a bad team with little depth) liked the upside enough to claim him. Unless Buffalo is willing to lose him, Stevenson has to be on the squad in my opinion. 

 

 

Bad Night for...

 

Outside corner depth - I commented last week and I am still concerned. Siran Neal was a bit unlucky on the long touchdown throw because he had good position but at the same time my concerns about his speed as an outside guy remain. Dane Jackson played better than last week, he was tighter in coverage and just more active and around the ball. Nick McCloud had a pick on Dalton but just generally I still feel the Bills are thinner at the spot than a Superbowl contender should be. Interestingly I didn't see Levi Wallace out there at all (please correct me if I just missed him) which would suggest given that he did start last week that McDermott and Frazier have now declared whatever battle there was for CB2 over. 

 

Jake Kumerow - Seems slightly harsh to have a player who scored a touchdown on the "bad night" list but it was hard to find guys for this category this week after that performance. Here is my thinking on Kumerow: he had two bad drops. Yes the ball was a bit off target on the first but still he should have hauled it in. Also Isaiah McKenzie proved yet again that he is the 5th best receiver on this team, led the Bills in yards and receptions, can play outside and in the slot, and even if you ignore the returners job he belongs on this roster. Then Stevenson has the big return and makes himself very difficult to sneak onto the practice squad as discussed above. All of which means the WR6 spot that Kumerow looked to have essentially tied up might just be a little vulnerable again. The Bills could choose to go with 7, of course, but what looked like a done deal at receiver suddenly got interesting. 

 

Matt Haack - Not a great night for the Bills' new punter. It was remarked on by a few people last week that he seemed to take a while to get his punt off and on his shanked 29 yarder in the 2nd quarter the Bears definitely got close enough to disrupt his motion. He also had a 48 yarder in the second half where he was guilty of the thing I used to criticise Bojo for pretty frequently - out kicking his coverage with poor hang time. Was not impressed. Worth watching when the season kicks off. 

 

Jake Fromm - I know, I know, it sounds like I just wanna get on the kid's back, I really don't but 3/7 for 20 yards at 2.9 yards per attempt. I'm sorry I see nothing that suggests he has the arm to play in the league. I didn't think Davis Webb shone yesterday either, but at least he manages to get the ball out and into the hands of his playmakers. Fromm is the 4th best Quarterback on the roster. He could still land on the practice squad but I would have thought Webb will be ahead of him for that spot if he also clears waivers. There is no reason for the Bills to keep either of them as a 3rd guy on the 53. 

 

The 3rd team offensive line - You know you are struggling for negatives when you have to start digging into the 3rd team oline but these guys were all over the place. I was pretty happy with the Jack Anderson selection in the 7th round (I had him graded a little higher) but having seen him play two games he very much fits in the category of "developmental prospect" who needs some time and seasoning. Jordan Devey also majorly struggled at center. There was nobody on this line who looks like making a late push for the roster. 

 

 

There you have it folks. That is how I saw week 2!

Edited August 22, 2021 by GunnerBill

[BillsFanThru-N-Thru]

Also have to say that the starting offensive line handled Khalil Mack and the Bears front seven rather well too.

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, BillsFanThru-N-Thru said:

Also have to say that the starting offensive line handled Khalil Mack and the Bears front seven rather well too.

 

They did. Cody Ford was my 6th "good night" he just missed the cut. Thought he in particular helped himself. And obviously for Dion just getting out there was a win in itself. 

[RobbRiddick]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

Here we go... my take on who hurt themselves and who helped themselves in our beatdown of the Bears:

 

Good Night for...

 

Mitch Trubisky - Let's start with the returning hero Mitch Trubisky going back to the team that gave up on him (and he would still be the best QB on their roster right now). His first drive he was a little amped up and high on a couple of balls, but overall Mitch had a great half. I was advocating last year for an upgrade on Matt Barkley. A team with a Superbowl level roster and a Quarterback still earning essentially rookie level money for the year should have a high end backup. If (heaven forbid) Josh missed time Mitch could keep this team on track. 

 

The "starting" defensive line - Okay Greg Rousseau will grab the headlines, and rightly so he stood out again, but the whole of that 'starting' dline - Rousseau, Phillips, Oliver and Epenesa - was outstanding. They demolished the Bears (admittedly poor) starting oline. Rousseau grabbed another sack, two in two games, and Epenesa got a couple of really impressive pressures and one big Quarterback hit. I was impressed with Harrison Phillips again too - he had a batted ball on the first play and pushed the pocket well. He left the game injured and hopefully it is nothing serious. They also played the run better this week. All four of them were impressive and I also liked the fact Leslie had them move about and line up in different spots. Ed rushed once from the edge, AJ rushed stood up from the interior.... it remains to be seen what it looks like when the lights go on against the Steelers but so far so good on improving the line play.  

 

Jacob Hollister - Dawson Knox remains atop of the depth chart and has started both pre-season games but he had another drop today and Job Hollister caught 3 for 53 and a 2 point conversion. He isn't the athletic freak that Knox is but he has looked like a solid addition who knows his role and has safe hands. I'm not sure the staff sees Tight End as a live "competition" but I think you are going to see both get plenty of opportunities when the regular season starts. 

 

Reggie Gilliam - Not sure there was ever any doubt about Gilliam making the roster but a really nice night for him, 2 short yardage touchdowns, plus a short yardage conversion for a first down and a really nice block on the Zack Moss run to the 1. He is a core special teamer, he can play full back, he can play tight end, and he ended this game playing some tailback. He is just the definition of a McBeane player - versatile, smart, tough, and with that underdog chip on his shoulder. The up-back handoffs in short yardage and goalline situations definitely look like an addition to the offense, it's not something this staff has done a lot before now though I remember Marrone and Hackett used them occasionally with Frank "the tank" Summers a few years back. 

 

Marquez Stevenson - With that one play on punt return I think this kid secured his place in Buffalo. You can't cut guys with his speed who score special teams touchdowns in pre-season and expect them to get through waivers. It almost never happens. Teams with less depth will be willing to take a shot and just use him as a returner. I still don't think he looks anything special as a receiver at this point and given the players ahead of him finding a spot is tricky. Could they stash him on IR? Sure. Could they put him on the 53 thinking "we will cut him a few weeks into the season when teams are a bit more settled and then sneak him on the practice squad".... they could definitely try that but that is what Denver tried with Isaiah McKenzie three years ago and the Bills (at the time a bad team with little depth) liked the upside enough to claim him. Unless Buffalo is willing to lose him, Stevenson has to be on the squad in my opinion. 

 

 

Bad Night for...

 

Outside corner depth - I commented last week and I am still concerned. Siran Neal was a bit unlucky on the long touchdown throw because he had good position but at the same time my concerns about his speed as an outside guy remain. Dane Jackson played better than last week, he was tighter in coverage and just more active and around the ball. Nick McCloud had a pick on Dalton but just generally I still feel the Bills are thinner at the spot than a Superbowl contender should be. Interestingly I didn't see Levi Wallace out there at all (please correct me if I just missed him) which would suggest given that he did start last week that McDermott and Frazier have now declared whatever battle there was for CB2 over. 

 

Josh Kumerow - Seems slightly harsh to have a player who scored a touchdown on the "bad night" list but it was hard to find guys for this category this week after that performance. Here is my thinking on Kumerow: he had two bad drops. Yes the ball was a bit off target on the first but still he should have hauled it in. Also Isaiah McKenzie proved yet again that he is the 5th best receiver on this team, led the Bills in yards and receptions, can play outside and in the slot, and even if you ignore the returners job he belongs on this roster. Then Stevenson has the big return and makes himself very difficult to sneak onto the practice squad as discussed above. All of which means the WR6 spot that Kumerow looked to have essentially tied up might just be a little vulnerable again. The Bills could choose to go with 7, of course, but what looked like a done deal at receiver suddenly got interesting. 

 

Matt Haack - Not a great night for the Bills' new punter. It was remarked on by a few people last week that he seemed to take a while to get his punt off and on his shanked 29 yarder in the 2nd quarter the Bears definitely got close enough to disrupt his motion. He also had a 48 yarder in the second half where he was guilty of the thing I used to criticise Bojo for pretty frequently - out kicking his coverage with poor hang time. Was not impressed. Worth watching when the season kicks off. 

 

Jake Fromm - I know, I know, it sounds like I just wanna get on the kid's back, I really don't but 3/7 for 20 yards at 2.9 yards per attempt. I'm sorry I see nothing that suggests he has the arm to play in the league. I didn't think Davis Webb shone yesterday either, but at least he manages to get the ball out and into the hands of his playmakers. Fromm is the 4th best Quarterback on the roster. He could still land on the practice squad but I would have thought Webb will be ahead of him for that spot if he also clears waivers. There is no reason for the Bills to keep either of them as a 3rd guy on the 53. 

 

The 3rd team offensive line - You know you are struggling for negatives when you have to start digging into the 3rd team oline but these guys were all over the place. I was pretty happy with the Jack Anderson selection in the 7th round (I had him graded a little higher) but having seen him play two games he very much fits in the category of "developmental prospect" who needs some time and seasoning. Jordan Devey also majorly struggled at center. There was nobody on this line who looks like making a late push for the roster. 

 

 

There you have it folks. That is how I saw week 2!

Fantastic write up. The d line has me really excited 

[Gambit]

Fantastic write per usual GB. Thank you for always giving us solid stuff to read. I'm so damn excited to see our Dline play in the regular season. Groot and AJ look impressive. BTW, Kumerow's name is Jake. Poor guy gets put in the bad night column and has his name forgotten. 

[GunnerBill]

Just now, Gambit said:

Fantastic write per usual GB. Thank you for always giving us solid stuff to read. I'm so damn excited to see our Dline play in the regular season. Groot and AJ look impressive. BTW, Kumerow's name is Jake. Poor guy gets put in the bad night column and has his name forgotten. 

 

Haha. Thanks for the spot on Kumerow. I finished this off early this morning! 

[ganesh]

No mention of the three knee injuries in the bad night. It included Stevenson 

 

Kumerow is a mismatch with his speed and size.  He is definitely making this roster 

[Not at the table Karlos]

5 minutes ago, ganesh said:

No mention of the three knee injuries in the bad night. It included Stevenson 

 

Kumerow is a mismatch with his speed and size.  He is definitely making this roster 

Think Stevenson has foot/ankle injury. He was in a walking boot

Edited August 22, 2021 by Not at the table Karlos

[GunnerBill]

10 minutes ago, ganesh said:

No mention of the three knee injuries in the bad night. It included Stevenson 

 

Kumerow is a mismatch with his speed and size.  He is definitely making this roster 

 

Yea I think Stevenson was ankle. The injuries obviously are a bad sign - especially Spencer Brown because he is the best of the three backup tackles right now. 

 

I am not as convinced on Kumerow. He is clearly the 6th best receiver, but unless Stevenson is going on IR the Bills probably need to put him on the 53 to keep him. Do they carry 7 and only 2 tight ends plus Gilliam (with Sweeney on the PS if he can get back)? Possibly. Not sure where else they would go light. 

[Chandler#81]

Great stuff as usual, GB! I may be alone on this, but I think we’re good at DB. It would take a couple injured guys missing a few games before shopping ensues, imo. If so, there’s a million to choose from as every team  goes 4-5 wide at times. We don’t NEED another Tre White, just competence with a particular skill set.

 

I think Kumerow and Hollister are locks and we haven’t even seen Josh throw to his homeboy yet.

 

Simply put, Haack & Fromm are trash. I fear Bojo & A. Robert’s will be sorely missed this year.

 

 

[Solomon Grundy]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

 

They did. Cody Ford was my 6th "good night" he just missed the cut. Thought he in particular helped himself. And obviously for Dion just getting out there was a win in itself. 

Singletary had to be 6B

1 hour ago, ganesh said:

No mention of the three knee injuries in the bad night. It included Stevenson 

 

Kumerow is a mismatch with his speed and size.  He is definitely making this roster 

Good route runner too

[FLFan]

Great job GB.  You were bound to get some flack for daring to criticize Kumerow, but I felt the same way. The sideline catch was really good, but the drops were bad.  He does not seem to get much separation.  Unfortunately, the injury to Stevenson     could resolve the question.  With Hodgins also out, I don’t see anyone else who can challenge Kumerow’s spot at WR 6. 

[Ridgewaycynic2013]

1 hour ago, Chandler#81 said:

Simply put, Haack & Fromm are trash.

Haack's a hack?! 😳

*
And not this newfangled version of 'hack' you youngsters all use. 🤨

Edited August 22, 2021 by Ridgewaycynic2013

[The Gravytrain]

1 hour ago, ganesh said:

No mention of the three knee injuries in the bad night. It included Stevenson 

 

Kumerow is a mismatch with his speed and size.  He is definitely making this roster 

Agreed. And the first drop wasn't his fault. He was arm barred and couldn't get his second hand up to the ball. 

[DCbillsfan]

1 hour ago, ganesh said:

No mention of the three knee injuries in the bad night. It included Stevenson 

 

Kumerow is a mismatch with his speed and size.  He is definitely making this roster 

Kumerow's sideline catch right before half sealed his spot for me.  How many WR6 guys can do that?

[ganesh]

29 minutes ago, FLFan said:

Great job GB.  You were bound to get some flack for daring to criticize Kumerow, but I felt the same way. The sideline catch was really good, but the drops were bad.  He does not seem to get much separation.  Unfortunately, the injury to Stevenson     could resolve the question.  With Hodgins also out, I don’t see anyone else who can challenge Kumerow’s spot at WR 6. 

Hodgins definitely has not played better than Kumerow.

[FLFan]

7 minutes ago, ganesh said:

Hodgins definitely has not played better than Kumerow.

Did not say he did, just that he was the only potential challenger other than Stevenson, but with both now apparently hurt, his spot is likely safe.  

[MasterStrategist]

I've been touting "Speedy" (Stevenson's nickname) for quite a while.  If not the best, one of the top, return men in college football.  Bills specifically targeted him to replace Roberts.  G

 

Great post by GB.  As he said, will now be tough to cut him and bring through waivers.  His injury looked like a misstep, hopefully minor as he was seen walking (with a boot) on sideline later in game.

 

Another shout out, to another player I'm high on, Damar Hamlin.  @Gunner thoughts on him?  I've seen him.play thru high school and college, thought he should have been drafted in the 4th round.  He's going to be a player, nothing special athletically but he's a field general and a physical safety.  Hoping he has one of the safety spots locked up.

[dave mcbride]

2 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Yea I think Stevenson was ankle. The injuries obviously are a bad sign - especially Spencer Brown because he is the best of the three backup tackles right now. 

 

I am not as convinced on Kumerow. He is clearly the 6th best receiver, but unless Stevenson is going on IR the Bills probably need to put him on the 53 to keep him. Do they carry 7 and only 2 tight ends plus Gilliam (with Sweeney on the PS if he can get back)? Possibly. Not sure where else they would go light. 

Silver lining — if they stash Stevenson on the practice squad with a genuine (not fake!) foot injury or put him on 8-week IR, he is less likely to be snatched away by another team. I don’t think he makes the roster as it is, but he’s a good developmental prospect and I wouldn't like to lose him.

[BillsFanSD]

46 minutes ago, DCbillsfan said:

Kumerow's sideline catch right before half sealed his spot for me.  How many WR6 guys can do that?

This.  Kumerow is ridiculously good for a sixth WR.  I don't expect flawless play from somebody that deep on the depth chart, but the guy can make plays.