Remaining Roster Battles

[hemma]

45 minutes ago, Sammy Watkins' Rib said:

Who is our returner? I think the OP left Stevenson out in his list of options for the last spot. Traditionally you would think one of Stevenson or Austin would make the team as the returner. Personally I am willing to roll the dice with McKenzie in that role despite his issues but I know many are not. So who is our returner if it is not Stevenson, Austin or McKenzie?

Blackshear looked pretty good today.

Let’s see who they put out there next week.

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

6 minutes ago, khlax3 said:

 My thought in the OP was

 

KR: cook and blackshear (cook starts as the primary but if role increases throughout season blackshear could become primary)

 

PR: shakir as the primary with blackshear also backup. If shakir ends up with a prominent role on offense this could be also transition to blackshear)

 

In order for blackshear to make it though he has to prove he can also play on coverage teams 

 

Blackshear would take Taiwan Jones' spot I assume? 

[hemma]

2 minutes ago, Sammy Watkins' Rib said:

 

Blackshear would take Taiwan Jones' spot I assume? 

No, he said he’d keep Taiwan.  Maybe reread his post.

[That's No Moon]

19 minutes ago, nosejob said:

IDK there's something about this guy after reading all the scouting crap that just gives me the gut feeling. I wish i could provide an NFL comparison.

They did this with someone else not that long ago. I can't remember who though. Cut them early, then signed them to PS later.

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

Agree with most except Blackshear.  Can't see them keeping 4 RB's plus Jones and Gilliam on a team that for the past couple of years only would go with 2 RB on game days.  Definitely not wasting a slot for Blackshear.  Instead that last slot likely will go to Kumerow.

 

This Blackshear love is kind of funny.  Reminds me of the past couple of seasons it was Wade, D Williams, and think there was also a RB named Williams.  He did great in the 4th quarter of pre-season games going up against mostly other undrafted players.

 

If White isn't ready week 1, the 7th CB choice becomes and easy one.

 

Looking at the numbers that gives a total of 25 to offense, 2 QB, 2 TE, 9 OL, 4 RB, 1 FB, 7 WR, and 25 to defense 9 DL, 6 LB, 6 CB, 4 S plus 3 specialists. 

 

Now the question is how do you get down to 47 on game day.  For that drop 1 OL, 1 DL, 1 WR, 1 LB.  After that it gets tougher for the last two.  Last season they often went with just 1 TE and 3 RB.  This year though see that being tough choice as Singletary, Moss, and Cook all have uniquely different strengths.  Personally if it were up to me I'd keep all three active and sit Jones but not so sure they will.  It often may come to either sitting Howard or Gilliam and maybe a CB??  Or instead it may end up being one of the three REAL RB's if past actions are any indicator, but won't make me happy if that's the choice.

[AmishRifle]

I don’t see the utility of holding on to OJ Howard based on preseason game 1.    He didn’t offer much even when he was playing late in the game.  I’d rather roll with the younger guys and continue to develop them than keep him on the roster.  

[Simon Says]

9 hours ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

Agree with most except Blackshear.  Can't see them keeping 4 RB's plus Jones and Gilliam on a team that for the past couple of years only would go with 2 RB on game days.  Definitely not wasting a slot for Blackshear.  Instead that last slot likely will go to Kumerow.

 

This Blackshear love is kind of funny.  Reminds me of the past couple of seasons it was Wade, D Williams, and think there was also a RB named Williams.  He did great in the 4th quarter of pre-season games going up against mostly other undrafted players.

 

If White isn't ready week 1, the 7th CB choice becomes and easy one.

 

Looking at the numbers that gives a total of 25 to offense, 2 QB, 2 TE, 9 OL, 4 RB, 1 FB, 7 WR, and 25 to defense 9 DL, 6 LB, 6 CB, 4 S plus 3 specialists. 

 

Now the question is how do you get down to 47 on game day.  For that drop 1 OL, 1 DL, 1 WR, 1 LB.  After that it gets tougher for the last two.  Last season they often went with just 1 TE and 3 RB.  This year though see that being tough choice as Singletary, Moss, and Cook all have uniquely different strengths.  Personally if it were up to me I'd keep all three active and sit Jones but not so sure they will.  It often may come to either sitting Howard or Gilliam and maybe a CB??  Or instead it may end up being one of the three REAL RB's if past actions are any indicator, but won't make me happy if that's the choice.

There is no point in "sitting" Jones. His value to the Bills is on special teams. If another player beats him out for the ST gig,he gets cut.

[Pete]

Blackshear takes Dukes spot IMO.  He's younger, cheaper, more upside, and he will be returner and special teams.  He has Bills DNA

 

"Raheem Blackshear actually wants to be Deebo Samuel.

That is to say, the hybrid running back since his college days at Rutgers and Virginia Tech has been craving the opportunity to be utilized however his future NFL employer may deem fit.

He'll carry the ball, he'll go out for and catch passes, he'll return kicks and punts. Hell, he'll even go in at left tackle if that's what his coaches want."

 

https://www.si.com/nfl/bills/news/bills-undrafted-free-agent-profile-raheem-blackshear

Edited August 15, 2022 by Pete

[Milanos Milano]

1 hour ago, Pete said:

Blackshear takes Dukes spot IMO.  He's younger, cheaper, more upside, and he will be returner and special teams.  He has Bills DNA

 

"Raheem Blackshear actually wants to be Deebo Samuel.

That is to say, the hybrid running back since his college days at Rutgers and Virginia Tech has been craving the opportunity to be utilized however his future NFL employer may deem fit.

He'll carry the ball, he'll go out for and catch passes, he'll return kicks and punts. Hell, he'll even go in at left tackle if that's what his coaches want."

 

https://www.si.com/nfl/bills/news/bills-undrafted-free-agent-profile-raheem-blackshear

If we don’t find a way to keep Blackshear, it would be criminal. The dudes heart was the size of the moon Saturday. He was great on the ground and in the air. People with his hunger deserve a role. He played well and the passion showed, him, Shakir, and Hodgins showed up. 
If a player like Kumerow makes the team over Blackshear, it’s a travesty. 

11 hours ago, hemma said:

Blackshear looked pretty good today.

Let’s see who they put out there next week.

I hope he makes the PS at the least. Not many paths for him to get on the 53 unfortunately, unless he takes over for Moss’s spot, which looks unlikely. 

[Matt_In_NH]

13 hours ago, scuba guy said:

I think Howard may be a gunner 

 

The old added ship up or ship out

The problem is his contract is pretty much all guaranteed.  So talent wise this might be the right decision but you have to then fill it with a guy who has at least a minimum salary so that will eat into the 5 million cap left.

[Freddie's Dead]

2 hours ago, IronMaidenBills said:

The dudes heart was the size of the moon Saturday.

 

THIS^^^^^^^^^^^^  Dude's ankle was breaking and he still dove forward for the TD.  I love that freakin' guy.  Get Blackshear on my team.

[Robert Paulson]

13 hours ago, Big Turk said:

I'm not so sure they aren't keeping 3 TEs and even if they only keep 2, I don't know that Howard is beating Sweeney out...

 

Sure he might be ahead of him on the depth chart now but if the Bills think Sweeney has room to grow and Howard doesn't offer them much upside, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Howard get cut. That type of thing happens a lot around the NFL.

agree not feeling the love for OJ Howard or Stevenson.

 

Howard is super slow with stone hands: Sweeney can get better and josh likes to pound beers with him-good locker room guy

 

Stevenson has not shown me anything except dropped balls and being hurt-CFL guy 

 

 

23 minutes ago, Matt_In_NH said:

The problem is his contract is pretty much all guaranteed.  So talent wise this might be the right decision but you have to then fill it with a guy who has at least a minimum salary so that will eat into the 5 million cap left.

just looked it up: $3.5MM against the cap one way or another- he's staying and he is stealing

[Paul Costa]

13 hours ago, nosejob said:

I think Wydemeyer(sp)? will be placed on p.s ...and I think by the end of the year, he'll replace a worn out Howard and make a huge. smooth. lumbering target fo JA

I think they will bring in Steven Carlson former Browns TE to replace him. Jamestown NY native. Great ST player, excellent blocker, solid pass catcher. 

[Big Turk]

17 minutes ago, Robert Paulson said:

agree not feeling the love for OJ Howard or Stevenson.

 

Howard is super slow with stone hands: Sweeney can get better and josh likes to pound beers with him-good locker room guy

 

Stevenson has not shown me anything except dropped balls and being hurt-CFL guy 

 

 

just looked it up: $3.5MM against the cap one way or another- he's staying and he is stealing

 

Stevenson pretty much a guaranteed IR stash at this point.

[Royale with Cheese]

Every year after one preseason game, this board falls in love with a player.

Blackshear had a nice game like many before him.

 

I don’t see a spot for him.  Singletary, Moss and Cook I believe will be our 3 RB’s.  Taiwan will be our 4th reserve RB and main special teams ace.

 

We won’t keep 5 RB’s.

[newcam2012]

14 hours ago, JoPoy88 said:

He’s shown up in camp this year apparently. 

Sweeney is just OK. He's not they dynamic TE the Bills really want. OJ looks to be pretty bad. If he couldn't do anything with Brady that's a big red flag. He's probably been the biggest disappointment thus far. I don't see a turn around in play. 

[LABILLBACKER]

Like to see Crowder, Hodgins and Blackshear make it as insurance.  I have no clue who that last d lineman will be.

[Robert Paulson]

44 minutes ago, Big Turk said:

 

Stevenson pretty much a guaranteed IR stash at this point.

3 years on IR? Why bother?

[SCBills]

16 minutes ago, Robert Paulson said:

3 years on IR? Why bother?

He’s at a premium position.  If you draft a guy and can stash him until time runs out, you do so.  
 

Look at Hodgins .. in the program for 2 years and is now pushing for a roster spot with one more cheap year on his deal after this year.  

 

We need as many dirt cheap contract contributors as possible with Josh Allen graduating from his rookie contract moving forward.  

[BuffaloBill]

15 hours ago, Big Turk said:

I'm not so sure they aren't keeping 3 TEs and even if they only keep 2, I don't know that Howard is beating Sweeney out...

 

Sure he might be ahead of him on the depth chart now but if the Bills think Sweeney has room to grow and Howard doesn't offer them much upside, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Howard get cut. That type of thing happens a lot around the NFL.

reports suggest Howard has been disappointing. He may not make the team.