Training Camp Battles Analysis

[Ethan in Cleveland]

Nice job OP! Very well written. 

[H2o]

Excellent write up @BillsFanForever19 

 

Moss vs Johnson - Beane and McDermott hate cutting guys they drafted, but it may happen here. They say Moss was hampered by the lingering effects of his ankle injury in 2021. We'll see. This is going to be a true TC and Preseason battle for a roster spot. Last year, in Miami, Johnson also showed that he offered a bit more in the running game and not just receiving out of the backfield. My thought is Johnson should make the team over Moss, but my gut says that Beane and McDermott will stick with the guy they drafted. 

 

Crowder vs McKenzie - I fully expect Crowder to be the starter in the Slot, but I think McKenzie gets mixed in more with Beasley being gone. I wouldn't be surprised if they see an equal number of snaps between them and then we get Shakir mixed in for a few snaps a game. 

 

Shakir vs Stevenson - I think that Shakir proves early his worth in the return game. I hope Stevenson has been working his tail off this offseason because he faces an uphill climb to even make the 53. If we try to stash him on the PS, I wouldn't be surprised if Schoen and Daboll scooped him. He has speed, but he really needs to work on his craft and show value on ST. 

 

Sweeney vs Wydermyer vs Morris - Personally, I think they keep Wydermyer on the 53. Sweeney hasn't shown much and Morris nothing at all. I suspect Sweeney will be stashed on the PS and Morris will be an outright cut. It's another situation though where Schoen and Daboll might cherry pick though. Wydermyer reminds me of a Lee Smith type. A blocking TE who can slip out occasionally to catch a pass, hopefully minus all the Lee Smith types of penalties. He is limited athletically though, that 5.03 40 time being the evidence. 

 

Doyle vs Tenuda - I think Doyle's athletic profile and year in the system already give him a leg up. Tenuda is a prime candidate for the PS. 

 

Cody Ford - 💩 Waste of a roster spot.

 

Epenesa vs Basham vs Lawson - I think Epenesa is the first man up behind Von Miller and Lawson will be the first man up behind Rousseau. Bahsam will get some snaps at DE, but I expect his role to continue more as an interior guy on pass rushing situations much like Obada was used last year. Lawson's last year in Buffalo was solid. He had 6.5 sacks and some nice stops in the run game. He fits our defense more than anywhere else he has been in his time since. I hope they told Epenesa to gain about 10-15lbs during the offseason. His first two years I think him being too light, compared to college, has been one of his main issues. Basham just needs some refinement and to keep himself at about 270lbs so his quickness can flash a bit more. 

 

Jones vs Settle - I actually think the battle may be more Settle vs Phillips for the backup spot behind Ed O. I think Jones is definitely our 1-Tech going into the season. Settle has the ability to play both spots on the interior just like Ed though, where I think Phillips is strictly a 3-Tech in our defense. The depth along this front in 2022 is fantastic though. 

 

Bernard vs Dodson - I think they see Bernard as an athletic upgrade to Klein. I also think Bernard is going to surprise some people his rookie year with that athletic ability, especially against the run. Once he sees his lane and get going downhill you can see the pop in his pads. He loves to hit people. I also think with his ability you will see us be able to run more 3 LB sets and I believe he will be first man up if Milano is forced to miss any time. Dodson will jus be depth again. 

 

Lee vs Spector vs Smith - Honestly, I think Spector ends up on the PS. I think both Lee and Smith will end up being cut outright. Like you said, there are only so many spots for LB's on this roster and named the 5 who will make it. 

 

Lewis vs Benford - I think Benford sticks because they see him being able to slide in as a S if CB doesn't work out. I'd expect Lewis to hit the PS. 

 

Haack vs Araiza - Haack may even request a release before TC so he can latch on somewhere else. He's not beating out Araiza. Keenum can handle holding duties if need be. 

[GunnerBill]

5 minutes ago, H2o said:

 

Haack vs Araiza - Haack may even request a release before TC so he can latch on somewhere else. He's not beating out Araiza. Keenum can handle holding duties if need be. 

 

Beane has made clear that is a non-starter. The Punter will hold. Because those 3 specialists get to work together in practice in a way that the backup QB doesn't. 

[H2o]

1 minute ago, GunnerBill said:

 

Beane has made clear that is a non-starter. The Punter will hold. Because those 3 specialists get to work together in practice in a way that the backup QB doesn't. 

Either way, Haack is gone. Araiza will be fine if he is to handle that role as well. 

[Rico]

5 hours ago, StHustle said:

 1 thing I’m sure of is that McKenzie will NOT be cut. He has capitalized time and time again when given opportunities to perform within this offense. You don’t resign a guy like that for cheap then cut them.

Yep.

Until proven otherwise, Lil Dirty > Crowder.

[Rochesterfan]

1 hour ago, H2o said:

Excellent write up @BillsFanForever19 

 

Moss vs Johnson - Beane and McDermott hate cutting guys they drafted, but it may happen here. They say Moss was hampered by the lingering effects of his ankle injury in 2021. We'll see. This is going to be a true TC and Preseason battle for a roster spot. Last year, in Miami, Johnson also showed that he offered a bit more in the running game and not just receiving out of the backfield. My thought is Johnson should make the team over Moss, but my gut says that Beane and McDermott will stick with the guy they drafted. 

 

Crowder vs McKenzie - I fully expect Crowder to be the starter in the Slot, but I think McKenzie gets mixed in more with Beasley being gone. I wouldn't be surprised if they see an equal number of snaps between them and then we get Shakir mixed in for a few snaps a game. 

 

Shakir vs Stevenson - I think that Shakir proves early his worth in the return game. I hope Stevenson has been working his tail off this offseason because he faces an uphill climb to even make the 53. If we try to stash him on the PS, I wouldn't be surprised if Schoen and Daboll scooped him. He has speed, but he really needs to work on his craft and show value on ST. 

 

Sweeney vs Wydermyer vs Morris - Personally, I think they keep Wydermyer on the 53. Sweeney hasn't shown much and Morris nothing at all. I suspect Sweeney will be stashed on the PS and Morris will be an outright cut. It's another situation though where Schoen and Daboll might cherry pick though. Wydermyer reminds me of a Lee Smith type. A blocking TE who can slip out occasionally to catch a pass, hopefully minus all the Lee Smith types of penalties. He is limited athletically though, that 5.03 40 time being the evidence. 

 

Doyle vs Tenuda - I think Doyle's athletic profile and year in the system already give him a leg up. Tenuda is a prime candidate for the PS. 

 

Cody Ford - 💩 Waste of a roster spot.

 

Epenesa vs Basham vs Lawson - I think Epenesa is the first man up behind Von Miller and Lawson will be the first man up behind Rousseau. Bahsam will get some snaps at DE, but I expect his role to continue more as an interior guy on pass rushing situations much like Obada was used last year. Lawson's last year in Buffalo was solid. He had 6.5 sacks and some nice stops in the run game. He fits our defense more than anywhere else he has been in his time since. I hope they told Epenesa to gain about 10-15lbs during the offseason. His first two years I think him being too light, compared to college, has been one of his main issues. Basham just needs some refinement and to keep himself at about 270lbs so his quickness can flash a bit more. 

 

Jones vs Settle - I actually think the battle may be more Settle vs Phillips for the backup spot behind Ed O. I think Jones is definitely our 1-Tech going into the season. Settle has the ability to play both spots on the interior just like Ed though, where I think Phillips is strictly a 3-Tech in our defense. The depth along this front in 2022 is fantastic though. 

 

Bernard vs Dodson - I think they see Bernard as an athletic upgrade to Klein. I also think Bernard is going to surprise some people his rookie year with that athletic ability, especially against the run. Once he sees his lane and get going downhill you can see the pop in his pads. He loves to hit people. I also think with his ability you will see us be able to run more 3 LB sets and I believe he will be first man up if Milano is forced to miss any time. Dodson will jus be depth again. 

 

Lee vs Spector vs Smith - Honestly, I think Spector ends up on the PS. I think both Lee and Smith will end up being cut outright. Like you said, there are only so many spots for LB's on this roster and named the 5 who will make it. 

 

Lewis vs Benford - I think Benford sticks because they see him being able to slide in as a S if CB doesn't work out. I'd expect Lewis to hit the PS. 

 

Haack vs Araiza - Haack may even request a release before TC so he can latch on somewhere else. He's not beating out Araiza. Keenum can handle holding duties if need be. 

You were doing so well until this.  Keenum is not going to hold.  It is going to be a punter.

 

It has been stated many times - due to very limited practice time - the 3 special teams players (long snapper, punter, and kicker) have to do the majority of their work while the Offense and Defense practice.

 

No team is taking players away from practice to have them hold full time.

 

A guy like Keenum may get a few snaps just to practice on a weekly basis for in game injury, but the punter is going to have to hold this position down on a full time basis.

 

 

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, H2o said:

Either way, Haack is gone. Araiza will be fine if he is to handle that role as well. 

 

I think it is Arazia's job to lose. 

[BillsFanForever19]

8 hours ago, H2o said:

Excellent write up @BillsFanForever19 

 

Jones vs Settle - I actually think the battle may be more Settle vs Phillips for the backup spot behind Ed O. I think Jones is definitely our 1-Tech going into the season. Settle has the ability to play both spots on the interior just like Ed though, where I think Phillips is strictly a 3-Tech in our defense. The depth along this front in 2022 is fantastic though. 

 

Thank you very much. I really appreciate your saying so and putting so much effort into your thoughts as well.

 

As you said, Phillips is strictly a 3-Tech. So I think he's clearly the backup and rotational option to Oliver over there. Brandon Beane said at his presser that he sees Settle at 1-Tech "first". But he certainly has the flexibility to play both. It seems to me the D-Line is Oliver and Phillips on one side and Jones and Settle on the other.

 

At 37:01 -

 

 

Edited May 4, 2022 by BillsFanForever19

[BillsFanForever19]

9 hours ago, CSBill said:

Excellent work  @BillsFanForever19  Thank you

 

Just one comment, I think (and I have nothing to prove it, just speculation) that Benford, and maybe even Bernard, are candidates for Safety positions. The Bills Safeties, by design, play like free agents on the field. That is, they are interchangeable and the Bills do not play a Strong or Free Safety type of game. Rather, both can play up and rush the passer or support the run, and both can cover WRs, and for the most part, they both have zone coverage responsibilities. So what do they most need in these positions, intelligence and athletic ability. I feel that Benford and Bernard both fit the profile. We'll see.

 

Thank you, as well. There's always a small concern when I put a lot of time into a post that I'll sign on the next day and have a bunch of notifications calling me a moron. So I appreciate both you and the poster above me.

 

Beane certainly is a guy who values flexibility and tweeners on Defense. But listening to his pressers post Draft, it certainly appears that each will be played at the positions they were Drafted as. He spoke of Benford being a guy he could see playing Safety if need be. So I think this season, that's where he's going to be and if they don't like how it worked, maybe next season they'll give him a look at Safety.

 

Bernard I don't see as anything but a Linebacker. He is quick and slightly undersized, especially at MLB. But given where he was Drafted, I think if Beane thought he might be a Safety, it's something he would have talked about right off the bat. Instead, he spoke exclusively about his flexibility being between Outside and Middle. 

[H2o]

55 minutes ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

Thank you very much. I really appreciate your saying so and putting so much effort into your thoughts as well.

 

As you said, Phillips is strictly a 3-Tech. So I think he's clearly the backup and rotational option to Oliver over there. Brandon Beane said at his presser that he sees Settle at 1-Tech "to start". But he certainly has the flexibility to play both. It seems to me the D-Line is Oliver and Phillips on one side and Jones and Settle on the other.

 

At 37:01 -

 

 

Beane is absolutely my favorite person I like to listen to talk. He's informative without giving too much away, and at the same time he is as honest as they come. 

[SlimShady'sSpaceForce]

https://www.si.com/nfl/bills/news/peeking-ahead-to-buffalo-bills-training-camp-battles-running-back

 

Thus, the first in our series previewing the most compelling roster battles begins here.

Here are the principal players:

Devin Singletary

Duke Johnson

James Cook

Zack Moss

Taiwan Jones

Reggie Gilliam (fullback)

[BillsFanForever19]

12 minutes ago, SlimShady'sSpaceForce said:

https://www.si.com/nfl/bills/news/peeking-ahead-to-buffalo-bills-training-camp-battles-running-back

 

Thus, the first in our series previewing the most compelling roster battles begins here.

Here are the principal players:

Devin Singletary

Duke Johnson

James Cook

Zack Moss

Taiwan Jones

Reggie Gilliam (fullback)

 

It's clear. Singletary and Cook will be here. Jones will be here for Special Teams. Gilliam's our FB/TE/Unofficial 6th OL. Beane has always kept 3 RB's and a 4th guy who is a Special Teamer (Senorise Perry when it wasn't Taiwan Jones). So it comes down to Johnson v. Moss for the 3rd Guy. Simple as that.

 

And then I'd expect Blackshear on the Practice Squad taking Antonio Williams spot after he signed with the Giants. And/or maybe the loser of the Moss/Johnson battle, if they don't get picked up by another team.

Edited May 4, 2022 by BillsFanForever19

[billybrew1]

The fact is we don’t know how good or how bad we are going to be at DT….

Hopefully Jones, Settle, Jordan and Ed are working out as we speak and getting ready to work hard together.

It is very unusual for a playoff team to nearly completely rebuild its DT position so I sure hope Beane knows what he is doing as the DL as a whole probably determines if we win a Super Bowl or not….

Is Settle the FA Find of the 2022-23 season like many suggested?

Does Daquan Jones have the stamina to impose his will on an OL this year? He’s a pretty good player but every year is different.

Ed is going to see less doubles this year with Von to his right and at 24, is he ready to become a star?

is Jordan Phillips working hard to pump that iron? He can be too much to handle when his mind is set to it…

 

 

[hondo in seattle]

16 hours ago, StHustle said:

 1 thing I’m sure of is that McKenzie will NOT be cut. He has capitalized time and time again when given opportunities to perform within this offense. You don’t resign a guy like that for cheap then cut them.

 

I tend to agree with you that McKenzie won't be cut... but I'm far less certain than you are.  

 

McKenzie was clearly in McD's doghouse for part of last year.  Whatever you and I may think of him, if the coaching staff doesn't love him for whatever reason, he may end up being expendable.  

[Rocky Landing]

12 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

Fans seem to think Kromer is a miracle worker…

I don't know about "miracle worker," but I'd say he's a definite upgrade to Bobby Johnson.