Anyone else sensing a Bates dilemma?

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

I'd stick with the 5 who played the game on Sunday.

[Motorin']

  On 12/29/2021 at 3:53 PM, BuffaloBill said:

 

 

Laughable that weight is even considered for OL. 

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There's plenty of very good interior OL in the NFL right around 300lbs. 

 

Jason Kelce was 280 at the combine. He's never been over 300lbs. 

 

Both staring OG's for Tampa are under 310. 

 

Being 305 is totally fine for an OG who can run a 5.0 40.

 

Edited December 29, 2021 by Motorin'

[Joe Mama]

Community Member

 858

Posted 49 minutes ago

Isn't it Ryan Bates?

 

And all this time I thought it was MASTER

[Motorin']

  On 12/29/2021 at 4:12 PM, Joe Mama said:

Community Member

 858

Posted 49 minutes ago

Isn't it Ryan Bates?

 

And all this time I thought it was MASTER

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His father's name, for real, is Norman. 

[TheBrownBear]

  On 12/29/2021 at 4:12 PM, Joe Mama said:

Community Member

 858

Posted 49 minutes ago

Isn't it Ryan Bates?

 

And all this time I thought it was MASTER

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I heard he pancaked Judon and said "You just got Rick-rolled by MASTER BATES"

[BillnutinHouston]

Surprised how many people are getting tripped up on the Rick thing - I didn't think the reference was that obscure but I guess not many here watch or listen to the player press conferences where "Rick" was explained as an inside joke among the players.

[eball]

I've been clamoring for Bates to get in the mix all season.  Was nice to see him play well in such an important game.

[LABILLBACKER]

For the last 2 years I've never understood why Bates gets buried. Every time he fills in he plays very well. As a Guard I think he's better than Ford, Feliciano and Boettger.  But the brain trust has other ideas.

[HamptonBillsfan]

The silver lining in the players activated after missing one or two games is that they will be fresh and ready to play getting treatment throughout their absence. Feliciano should provide better performance as depth if Bates gets starts. We look to be getting healthy on offense going into prime time.

[Motorin']

  On 12/29/2021 at 4:34 PM, HamptonBillsfan said:

The silver lining in the players activated after missing one or two games is that they will be fresh and ready to play getting treatment throughout their absence. Feliciano should provide better performance as depth if Bates gets starts. We look to be getting healthy on offense going into prime time.

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Feleciano can obviously play C too. So having him as the depth piece provides good flexibility on the interior. 

 

 

[mabden]

I would have put Bates in before Ford for any game this year.  I hope he starts/stays on the line for the rest of the season.  Keep Feliciano on the bench as the backup Center.

[HamptonBillsfan]

  On 12/29/2021 at 4:45 PM, Motorin' said:

 

Feleciano can obviously play C too. So having him as the depth piece provides good flexibility on the interior. 

 

 

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You have to believe he's been nicked up this year, because he played better in previous seasons. Hopefully the break helps. 

[chris heff]

  On 12/29/2021 at 4:34 PM, LABILLBACKER said:

For the last 2 years I've never understood why Bates gets buried. Every time he fills in he plays very well. As a Guard I think he's better than Ford, Feliciano and Boettger.  But the brain trust has other ideas.

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I think it’s because he’s such a good backup they don’t play him.

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

  On 12/29/2021 at 3:28 PM, Doc said:

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.

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The argument in the past was if something happened to Morse he's the only backup center, but if Feliciano is also active, he too could play center.  So more options!

[Buffalo Junction]

  On 12/29/2021 at 4:16 PM, TheBrownBear said:

I heard he pancaked Judon and said "You just got Rick-rolled by MASTER BATES"

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I’d lmao if he yelled “pickle Rick” after pancaking someone. 🤷‍♂️

[Pags24]

Bates should have been a starter for the last 2 years!  He's our best guard on the team.  I'll take him over Feliciano, Boettger and Williams at G.  Leave Feliciano on the bench as the backup G/C.  Bates deserves to be on the field. 

[Doc]

  On 12/29/2021 at 4:52 PM, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

The argument in the past was if something happened to Morse he's the only backup center, but if Feliciano is also active, he too could play center.  So more options!

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But he's not the only backup C.  It makes no sense.  

 

But he gets 2 games to audition for the starting job.

[HomeskillitMoorman]

  On 12/29/2021 at 3:45 PM, DCofNC said:

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.

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If he balls out again, it definitely does start raising some questions about the staff after seeing McKenzie too. 

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

  On 12/29/2021 at 4:57 PM, Doc said:

 

But he's not the only backup C.  It makes no sense.  

 

But he gets 2 games to audition for the starting job.

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Besides Bates, Morse, and Feliciano, who else plays center.   Last month when they wouldn't play Bates, Felicinao was out, so the only backup possible was Bates unless there's someone else I'm missing.  This week have two options so would agree, they could start Bates.

[Mat68]

Right now he is probably the 6 or 7th best lineman.  Top five Dawkins, Feliciano, Morse, Williams, Brown.  Bates can play center.  He is what he is.  He is the break glass in case of emergency lineman.  Behind him its a grease fire.