Anyone else sensing a Bates dilemma?

[BillnutinHouston]

By most if not all accounts, Rick Bates played quite well Sunday, which especially with current OL availability issues raises the question of whether he will or should start at G going forward.  

 

All year (and before) he seems to have been kept in reserve as the backup C, but at what point do you throw caution to the wind, gamble on Morse staying healthy and putting your best 5 out onto the field?

 

McD was asked about this after the game but immediately deflected the question.  

 

Curious to see what you all think about this.

[NewEra]

He got wrecked on more than a couple occasions, but I’d rather give him a shot rather than Feliciano.  Ford had been playing a little better, but I don’t think he’s been playing any LG this year.  Hopefully we don’t have to have this conversation again next season

[sullim4]

Given that Feliciano can play at C, and that Bates had a great game at G... I would keep him in there.

[BuffaloBillyG]

He's a good depth player due to this versatility. However he's easily upgradable and we should hope that Beane feels the need to address the OL with players not currently on the roster this time.

Edited December 29, 2021 by No Place To Hyde

[oldmanfan]

Start Bates and use Feliciano as the backup C/G assuming he’s healthy.

[BruceVilanch]

It's honestly all dependent on mongo and his availability, but at this point we need to win the last 2 for a home game in the playoffs, if it were me I'd roll with the best 5

[Your Brown Eye]

Isn't it Ryan Bates?

[Philo]

1 minute ago, Your Brown Eye said:

Isn't it Ryan Bates?

 

I believe it was Knox that said they call him Rick in the locker room, because he just looks like a Rick

[JohnBonhamRocks]

2 minutes ago, Your Brown Eye said:

Isn't it Ryan Bates?

Rick is his nickname from his teammates who apparently just think he looks like a Rick. 

Just now, Philo said:

 

I believe it was Knox that said they call him Rick in the locker room, because he just looks like a Rick

Yeah, that. Haha

[Doc]

If he’s worth starting at LG, It’s silly to not start him just because he’s the backup center. If something happens to Morse, you make a change like they did when Boettger went down Sunday.

[BillsPride12]

5 minutes ago, Philo said:

 

I believe it was Knox that said they call him Rick in the locker room, because he just looks like a Rick

That's the sign of a strong locker room right there

[Motorin']

 

Bates is the quickest and most athletic  lineman we have, next to Spencer Brown.

 

And it was noticable against the Pats. He was flying around... In fact, he kind of reminds me of the type of lineman the Pats always seem to find at the end of the draft or as an UDFA, who ends up starting for them for years...

 

I imagine we'll get Ford back before Feleciano... 

 

What will Sean do?

 

 

[HalftimeAdjustment]

7 minutes ago, Philo said:

 

I believe it was Knox that said they call him Rick in the locker room, because he just looks like a Rick

 

Maybe that's why he doesn't get to play, the depth chart says Ryan Bates but he's not available only that Rick guy.

[TheBrownBear]

5 minutes ago, Motorin' said:

 

Bates is the quickest and most athletic  lineman we have, next to Spencer Brown.

 

And it was noticable against the Pats. He was flying around... In fact, he kind of reminds me of the type of lineman the Pats always seem to find at the end of the draft or as an UDFA, who ends up starting for them for years...

 

I imagine we'll get Ford back before Feleciano... 

 

What will Sean do?

 

 

Interesting.  I wonder why Bates fell all the way out of the draft.  Not even a late day 3 selection?  He looks undersized, but solid to me.  He's only 24 years old.  Hope the Bills keep him here in this utility lineman/backup center role for awhile.  

[Dablitzkrieg]

31 minutes ago, BillnutinHouston said:

By most if not all accounts, Rick Bates played quite well Sunday, which especially with current OL availability issues raises the question of whether he will or should start at G going forward.  

 

All year (and before) he seems to have been kept in reserve as the backup C, but at what point do you throw caution to the wind, gamble on Morse staying healthy and putting your best 5 out onto the field?

 

McD was asked about this after the game but immediately deflected the question.  

 

Curious to see what you all think about this.

Are you referring to Rick Grimes?

[DCofNC]

Gotta love guys that are so valuable you can’t play them.  If he’s good enough to be on the field then he belongs on the field, that’s like playing Turbiski all year because you want to save Allen for when you really need him. 
 

I’m not giving this staff the benefit of the doubt on personnel, they have proven not to deserve that, more than once.

Edited December 29, 2021 by DCofNC

[Motorin']

5 minutes ago, TheBrownBear said:

Interesting.  I wonder why Bates fell all the way out of the draft.  Not even a late day 3 selection?  He looks undersized, but solid to me.  He's only 24 years old.  Hope the Bills keep him here in this utility lineman/backup center role for awhile.  

 

The knock on him was that he didn't have the length to play OT, and wasn't broad enough to play inside. 

 

He was noted for solid pass protection, but lacking power in the run game. 

 

He was projected as an emergency swing tackle. 

 

[chris heff]

Is the dilemma to keep him in the lineup, or whether to call him Rick or Ryan?

[Simon]

3 minutes ago, Motorin' said:

 

The knock on him was that he didn't have the length to play OT, and wasn't broad enough to play inside. 

 

He was noted for solid pass protection, but lacking power in the run game. 

 

He was projected as an emergency swing tackle. 

 

 

He absolutely cannot play Tackle in this league, but I think he's probably a viable option on the inside

[BuffaloBill]

20 minutes ago, Motorin' said:

 

Bates is the quickest and most athletic  lineman we have, next to Spencer Brown.

 

And it was noticable against the Pats. He was flying around... In fact, he kind of reminds me of the type of lineman the Pats always seem to find at the end of the draft or as an UDFA, who ends up starting for them for years...

 

I imagine we'll get Ford back before Feleciano... 

 

What will Sean do?

 

 

 

 

Laughable that weight is even considered for OL.