Leonidas

Wait, so he's not going to start at TE Week 1? http://forums.twobillsdrive.com/topic/115434-bored-so-here-is-my-53-man-roster/page__p__1898945__fromsearch__1#entry1898945

Except Robert Ayers wasn't hybrid 3-4 OLB/DE, he was a prototypical 4-3 DE, and my understanding is that he's failing to transition to 3-4 OLB as is being expected of him in Denver.

This.

I have a real hard time speaking highly of Chad Jackson after watching the Indy game. Four of his five catches were short, comeback routes against scrubs, and of course he had the great catch from Brohm deep for 25+/- yards. But he was targeted far more than the five times he caught the ball, and those plays scared me off. Jackson is a 4.3 guy, so he's got speed. But there were several times he couldn't get separation which, especially on deep routes, with his speed, and considering the competition he faced, is a big concern. The thought that Johnson might not "make the team" is insane, but he hasn't really stood out as the clear cut #2 across from Evans. I'd still wager that Johnson wins it at this point, but I'd like to see what Hardy's got when healthy. We drafted him high for a reason - he was a force at Indiana.

This is the worst idea I've heard here in a long time. At least people trying to trade a second round pick for a LT they've admittedly never watched or really heard of filled a need. Which need does Mankins fill exactly? I know, I know, it's just Leonidas being angry and pessimistic...

Agreed, and I didn't mean to say it was an awful idea, it isn't, I just think we finally have some talent at TE (instead of the Tim Euhus/Derek Fine days) and a second round pick is too valuable to spend on a TE especially given our situation. We are considerably stronger at TE IMO than at QB, LT, OLB, and even NT and can't afford to give away draft picks while rebuilding.

Can somebody tell me what Levi has done to warrant getting picked up if we PS him? He's 5-for-12 for 38 yards, no TD's and one pick. There is nearly 100% chance he gets put on the PS this year. With that happening, we probably keep the guys we have now, no sense in cutting them. Fitz's salary, although higher than normal for a backup maybe, isn't exactly breaking the bank.

Ray Lewis was accused of manslaughter, but the case didn't even go to trial. He didn't do it. Jamal Lewis was sentenced for dealing coke, which he definitely did do. So you are right on the rings, wrong on the murders. I also don't want someone that's actually killed people on my team, but that's personal preference. Why would we give up a 2nd rounder for a TE, especially if we think Nelson is the TE of the future and we have a ton of holes to fill on our roster? That 2nd round pick could be spent better elsewhere IMO. I'd rather have Nelson and Stup battle it out and bring in a top LT or QB talent with the 2nd round pick.

Did you see him today? Some of you obviously got to him, he said he was afraid to badmouth the city or the team. I actually like Le Batard. I find him increasingly amusing. Bob Ryan on the other hand !@#$ing sucks. He's a completely biased, intensely dis-likable schmuck who has no personality and shouldn't be on television if at all avoidable.

I don't hate Donte, and I don't really understand the hate for Donte. A little annoying when he assumes the role of captain, but at least he can make plays. Maybin's done...nothing. Literally. And he thinks a little too highly of himself considering that fact. Maybin needs to STFU and play. Taunting fourth stringers is embarrassing.

Agreed, but the offensive line plays as a unit. You don't need five first rounders to have a great offensive line.

I'll bet you a grand, barring injuries to Parrish, Hardy, and Johnson, that Jackson is not the #2 WR. Deal? +1

Fixed.

I'm not trying to slight him, I just don't see how he fits the scheme. I remember we started in a base nickel defense with four down linemen, and he was a distraction from the get-go. Someone here recommended he be a 3-4 DE which I disagree with, but I do want to find a place for him to play. I've got the game DVR'ed still. Want to go over it play-by-play??

Wait, what? When Maybin jumped from 234 at PSU to 249 at the Combine, his speed dropped precipitously, running a hugely disappointing 4.89 40. Maybin played in college at Rian Lindell's weight. He played at the same weight as Cincinnati safety Roy Williams. He showed no other moves than pure speed, and when he got up to NFL weight (if that's what you call it) he slowed down and has disappointed. Now you say speed is one of his assets? He's still got some quickness I suppose, but there's no "freak speed" there, and his best experience is via Twitter. Not sure where your getting this optimism.

I dunno, sometimes he looked confused, sometimes he just looked unable to get open. He's too fast to be unable to get separation, especially against Indy's scrubs. He made that one nice catch from BB, but the rest were dinks and dunks. I think he's got to play well on specials to make the team, because right now he's behind Evans, Johnson, Parrish, maybe Hardy (if he'd ever play - hard to say there), and potentially even Nelson, not to mention all these other bums he's fighting against (Roosevelt, Rhea, Jones). I disagree. Go back and watch it. The first play his coverage was nearly perfect, the WR just make a great play on the ball. The second one he blew it, but he's got the skills to play the position, he's just young and raw. I think he makes the squad. Can he get PS'ed?

He's not going to be a pro-bowler, come on man. I would love for you to be right, but he doesn't fit the scheme at all. I'm hoping he's serviceable at NT and can eat up blocks like people twice his size, but pro bowl is a little too optimistic. I was impressed by his play last night, but remember, we played a lot of four-man fronts to combat the Indy 3WR sets.

Jackson for Ryan Clady, straight up.

Bell looks great, but it's against inferior competition. Lest we forget NFL Europe rushing champion Ken Simonton. I like what I see so far, but I wouldn't mind seeing him get a few reps with the first squad next week. In fact, I'd like to see him spell Spiller early on. I'm not as impressed with Simpson (aside from Simpson's KR last night and his nostalgic last name). Trent also did it against the starters which says a lot. Brohm did it against the scrubs (with the scrubs too, of course). But level of competition is a huge factor. We're still too raw to surpass 7-9 IMO. But here's to hope. Jackson's also almost 30. People love to say that he hasn't taken the hits other RB's have taken, but the fact remains, he's still old for an RB. He is most certainly not the future at the position. Spiller and Lynch are, and this Bell kid is turning some heads. I would love to trade Jackson to a team in need of an RB (Seattle? Denver?). Not sure that he's got a lot of trade value, maybe a fourth.

I totally agree, but they didn't play horribly tonight. Plus, Dog is just about the most ridiculously optimistic person on this board. Put those together and that's the attitude you get. The interesting thing is though, we gave up only one sack, and that was to some scrub. Indy's got a great pair of DE's in Freeney in Mathis, too. I did see Cornell Green do his best impression of a revolving door on that one play though. Still, encouraging, especially when you consider just how bad the line play has been in recent years.

Did anyone see him chase down 4th string QB Tim Brandstater with two minutes left, get in on the tackle, then start yelling at him? Seriously? You're an unproven, disappointing-thus-far 11th overall draft pick, and your jawing at someone who's guaranteed to not be on the team in two weeks? Give me a break.

That's how it's been every year though, back to when Jim Sorgi was the backup for them for years, now Painter, and Drew Willy last year. Not only are they bad QB's (or at least very raw), but Manning runs the offense and it's painfully apparent when he's not in there. There's another reason I put Manning above Brady in the endless argument of who's better - Matt Cassel was able to do what Sorgi/Painter/Willy never could have.

Now the world is definitely coming to an end...

Kyle Williams is a good player, even if he doesn't fit the scheme...at all. His salary is such that if you can't get good trade value for him we can use more on four man fronts. I think we should play a fair amount of four-man fronts - not just in nickel and dime - since the personnel is so geared toward that anyway and slowly transition to the 3-4. Let's be honest though, the two rookies - Troup and the undrafted - are the only real NT's we have. I still think McKelvin is going to be a baller, even though some here want to roast him. Beautiful play on the ball thrown to Wayne. Roscoe Parrish on the end around: why don't we do that more often? I know it exposes him to injury, but it seems like it might be one of the best ways to get the ball in the playmaker's hands. Spiller is a baller. For all of you clamoring for the draft, you were right. I didn't think we needed another RB, but from this very limited action that I've seen, the kid can play. I don't say it often, but I was wrong on that pick, and he exudes the "draft for value" that successful teams use. Who the hell is the special teams coach? I miss Bobby April already (talk about taking someone for granted). Our coverage units are embarrassing. I'm not a Poz 'hater' (God I hate that word), but he's got to be able to take down that backup TE and not merely bounce off him. I know he just had groin surgery, but come on. I don't fault him as much for not being able to cover Addai because of said surgery...and of course that's a mismatch anyway. He also couldn't get off his block for the life of him the play later. Reggie Torbor was listed as the JLB. What the hell is the JLB? Did anybody else notice Byran Scott playing MLB on the Addai touchdown? And correct me if I'm wrong, but shouldn't Donte be the FS when Byrd is out with Wilson (or Scott) as the SS, not the other way around? I don't have the hate for Donte, but he didn't look good out there in the beginning. Seemed to recover though. Hell of a pick-six by McGee. I know Evans was wide open, but Edwards' throw was perfect. In fact, I was impressed by Edwards tonight. It's only his second game in the system and he seems to be progressing. I think he is the guy this season, but barring a momunmental improvement, I still think a QB should be drafted first next year. Ellis Lankster got beat twice in a row, but he's young and I think he's still got a lot of potential and should make the squad. I think Youboty - although he played well - might be in trouble since he's a few years older and has been unable to stay healthy (although he certainly outplayed Lankster tonight). Cary Harris too, since he couldn't even make Jauron's squad, and Reggie Corner certainly has nothing locked up. Brohm could be his own thread here. For the record, I'm not rooting against Brohm. I just thought many were a little too high on him considering his utter lack of performance thus far in his career. My first thought was that he's done nothing to change my mind. Nice one pass to Jackson, but I wasn't impressed early on, especially on that drive. Got off to a slow start (just like his career), missed a screen pass (embarrassing), threw a terrible pass to Jackson in the endzone. He wasn't playing terribly, but seemed to be being outplayed by Edwards. I will say that Brohm throws a nice deep ball and isn't afraid to chuck it, so maybe it's more of a reflection on whom he was throwing it to (since Chad Jackson, for all his speed, can't seem to get open). He also seemed to gain confidence as the night progressed, and I'd like to see more. I'd like to see him with the first-team offense - and against the opposing teams' first-team defenses - just to see how he would perform. All that being said, I don't think he showed anything even close enough to supplant Edwards. But if he improves a little, Fitz could be on his way out. I did get the impression Brohm's confidence level is night and day from what it was last year. Barring injury or rapid turn around, Chad Jackson isn't making the team. He needs more catches like he had on that one from Brohm. The guy looked confused and had trouble getting separation against scrubs. Said it before, say it again. Aaron Maybin is a bust. And I'm just a little sick of him celebrating a tackle for no gain after being ineffective for his career thus far. Act like you've been there before. I like the Dwan Edwards pickup. I liked it before, but I think he quietly had a good game. I think McCargo and Ellison finally get cut this year. If Arthur Moats is going to make this team, it'll be on specials. I hate the idea to punt with under four minutes left in the 3rd. Why not try a 52-yard FG and see where Lindell's at at this point in his career? Not Bills-related, but Curtis Painter blows. Thoughts?

This...sadly.