Astrobot

Praying for Jim tonight. Tomorrow he finds out whether the treatments worked.

I'm wondering about Mizzou QB James Franklin. He's on the Lions' depth chart as 4th. Other 4th QBs right now are Sanchez, Alex Tanney, Josh Portis, Who knows about the Chiefs. Aaron Murray and Tyler Bray will push Chase Daniel.

I liked what I saw from Randell Johnson in the time he was out there. Like Marrone says all the time, "We'll have to watch more tape".

1. We sure need help behind EJ, and I'm moving QB to P2 on Drafttek's Positional Priorities, but since we don't have a RD1 pick as yet, it's probably moot. We need a vet (vereran, and yes maybe a veterinarian). 2. We didn't put in a system for the Steelers. What you saw was pure player evaluation, and we learned a lot more about depth behind various positions. I'm much more comfortable about our DLine depth than I was before the game, for example.

Yep. They'll finish their careers here in Buffalo! Good one.

Yes. From my notes on Cockrell for DraftTek: Ross Cockrell was the DB who Duke had on Mike Evans during the bowl game this year. He had a distinct size disadvantage (5 inches in height, 40 lbs in weight) and held him to 4 catches for 72 yards and 0 TDs. And forced Evans into 2 personal foul penalties in the 1st half. http://www.newsobser...e-cockrell.html He's a boundary corner at best, but his work ethic is notable. He used to organize film study groups at his school, 2-time captain, that'll keep him around. We won't keep him to be a Safety, IMHO.

Would you rank order those in that way? Explain, and reconsider TE. Yup. Didn't get 'em all. Moorman, B P 38 Jackson, Fred RB 33 Pears, Erik T 32 Williams, Kyle DT 31 Lawson, M DE 30 Branch, Alan DT 29 Chandler, S TE 29 Dixon, Dennis QB 29 Graham, C CB 29 Sanborn, G LS 29 Williams, Mario DE 29

Tuitt is going to be a beast, and this year. Kujo made sense at the time but we may come to regret not taking Tuitt.

I have DE43 ranked high as a positional need for the Bills at DraftTek, and moved it up for the next mock (from P3 to P2 Priority). Lawson (vs run) and Hughes (vs pass) combined are one good player if they can somehow fuse their DNA. Branch is old, Ik Igbinosun has been effective vs 2nd and 3rd stringers; I'd like to see what he can do with the ones. He's ranked 2nd of 85 DE43s in preseason by ProFootballFocus (subscription required). Jaquies Smith is a good PS; Jarius Wynn and Bryan Johnson are as good as waived. Despite having 4 players in PFF's top 25 DTs right now (Cohen, KWilliams, Dareus, Stefan Charles), part of that is strong work against 2nd and 3rd stringers (Landon Cohen, Charles), I have DT43 as a need due to the Dareus situation and Kyle Williams' age. Cohen has been with 1/4 of NFL teams and has never stuck anywhere, and Charles makes me nervous (#2 in most penalties by a DT)

Yes. One more injury during preseason would do it for Goodwin, IMHO. It might affect Graham, but Summers or Gurley as well, as I see those two as the PS receivers.

Nailed it. Of the 6 oldest players, two are DE's and 2 are DTs. 8 Moorman, Brian P 38 91 Lawson, Manny DE 30 79 Pears, Erik T 32 95 Williams, Kyle DT 31 94 Williams, Mario DE 29 90 Branch, Alan DT 29

Before PGH game I have 6 #Bills WRs on the 53 (MWilliams, Woods, Watkins, Hogan, Goodwin, Easley), Summers and Gurley on PS #BillsMafia #Bills Special Teamers rank in preseason: Easley(3rd), Powell (13th), Gaines-Ladler -Brooks-Meeks (tied 31st), Hogan, Hopkins, Cockrell next

Right now, before PGH, PFF has our WRs rated in this order in the NFL. This is obviously affected by whether they're playing against the 1's or 2's or 3's of the defensive team: 7 Mike Williams 9 Robert Woods 20 Chris Hogan 44 Chris Summers 67 Tori Gurley, Marquise Goodwin (tie) 71 Sammy Watkins 93 TJ Graham 106 Marcus Easley 121 Kevin Elliott 283 Caleb Holley Summers (2 for 2) and Gurley (1 for 1) have 100% caught, Hogan (5 for 6) has 83.3% caught, Woods (8 for 12) and Mike Williams (2 for 3) have 66%. Those put them in the Top 100 WRs.

Done. Thanks, Bob!

I need a ticket for the night practice on Monday, and I'll reward you with notes on the practice. Anybody have one extra ticket? Astro

We have four #1 WRs. Mike Williams is ProFootballFocus's 3rd-ranked WR in the NFL overall, and so far leads the Bills in YPC. Robert Woods has the most receptions in the NFL (8), the 3rd-most YAC yards in the NFL, and leads the Bills in that category Marquise Goodwin is tied for 5th in the NFL in YAC per reception. And then there's Sammy.

Pears is still inconsistent. Some screen grabs I made and tweeted: Replaying #CARvsBUF game, watching Pears closely. #2: Did Pears not get the snap count? pic.twitter.com/iXx8IJuRFk Replaying #CARvsBUF game, watching #Bills Pears closely. #3: Pears pancakes man, pass complete. #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/ZWUXTinCpe Watching #Bills Pears closely. #4: Pears lunges for his man but Brown runs other side for 15. #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/2t4eWRNUS1 #Bills Pears closely. #5: Pears lunges for 2nd level, misses on 1st and goal but Dixon runs other side #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/2a5U8kn6nl Watching #Bills Pears closely. #6: 2nd and Goal - Pears pushes lineman back - Dixon scores TD. #BillsMafia pic.twitter.com/n9J6KIzZpy

Both of these are spot on. They want Woods to play more angry. Coaches feel that he's too mild mannered out there, and isn't taking what could be his. Plus they're kicking the tires on Hogan. Belichick says this board helps him more than video.

Yep. Doomed.

Brain Fart. Anybody know how to change a post's title?

Bills began practice early, or late, depending on the way you look at it. It was supposed to be 8:00am, they changed it to 2 p.m., then started at about 1:10 due to impending thunderclouds. The Bills ran practice until 3:10 (early, and a cheer from the team signaled they were happy about that). Positional Drills again was an 8-ring circus, extremely well-planned compared to past staffs. I watched LBers do the trash can drill first. Spikes was taking a pronounced leadership role, at one point having each LB hit him from an up position. He hit the shoulder pads of Rivers repeatedly at one point, almost exorting him to psych up. Bradham looked like he had messed up at one point, but maybe he was stoned (bad joke). Dixon had the Ones for a bit in the next session first and goal (but from the 25), and he had trouble with the snap, juggled it, threw high (yet again). I saw Dixon complete one NFL pass today, but that was his record in the 3 times I've seen him. He's the quintessential Camp Arm. The Real QBs were with the WRs, actually. EJ completed long passes to Chris Summers (remember the name--practice squad), Mike Williams, and threw an incompletion to Tori Gurley (also having a good camp and the other possible WR--he's built well, a la Easley or Da'Rick, less seasoned than either of them). Tuel had a real sweet pass to Namaan Roosevelt, who had executed a perfect curl to catch it, then darted off diagonally acorss the field. It would have been a long gain. They're probably still trying to dig Brooks out of the turf where he was deked. EJ came back in and Sammy actually dropped the ball. Film at 11:00. It was an out route. Not to be outdone, Gragg dropped the next one, and Nickell Robey INT-ed the next one. Bad series for the rookie. The next time EJ came in, though, he was money He connected with Mike Williams who'd run a "buttonhook and go", Mike Williams again on a slant, and then threw catchable balls to Tori Gurley (did you remember the name?) who plucked it away from the defender, then hit Hogan down the middle. After a bad pass to Namaan Roosevelt, EJ hooked up with Caleb Holley for a 35-yarder, again a Practice Squad hopeful. Tuel returned, and his throw to Marquise Goodwin was probably on the money but Marquise couldn't extricate himself from the coverage down the sideline. TJ Graham made a nice Roscoe-like catch (he's running with the Twos), and Chris Summers (remember the name--practice squad) made another nice catch. Tuel finished off with another one to Tori Gurley. Of the three potential PS WR's I like Summers-Gurley-Holley, in that order, but Summers is the likely PS guy. He's 6-5, 215 with a frame to add more. Gurley is bulkier, 6-4, 230 on the roster, so he could stick too. Holley is 6-2, 200. Lewis got his turn (likely as the Three QB). He hesitated too long, threw too far in front, and had an INT on three of his opportutnities. Kevin Elliott had a nice catch vs Ron Brooks who had good coverage on the play. It was part Lewis, part Elliott. I had given up on Elliott last time I went to camp, but this showed me something. EJ returned and threw a sweet pass to Easley, who looks smooth as silk out there. He caught it in stride for a ~25 yard play. The next pass out of EJ's hands was PLAY OF THE DAY #1. Sammy caught a deep fly pattern down the left sideline for a TD and got the crowd ooh-ing and ahhh-ing. That was what they had come to witness. For the rest of 11 on 11, I paid close attention to the linemen and line play. RT was Erik Pears, and he looks like he's renewed his lease on this wagon train. RG was the steady yet unspectacular Urbik, C is of course Erik wood, and Cyril Richardson and Seantrel Henderson shared the Blind Side. This is causing consternation, but both are blocking well. Cyril Richardson is getting "it", and (although I didn't see or notice Hughes out there today), he's holding his own against the Ones in pass coverage, and absolutely walling off in run coverage. RT Two was Cyrus Kouandjio, and Urbik's replacement was #63, Jared Wheeler. Wheeler was a Panther Center and there's no room for him (Khalil, Folkerts, Matthews), so the Bills claimed him. Wheeler has also played RG and LG in the NFL (3 games each, I think--somebody check that). His viability will depend on his versatility. Winner Winner Chicken Dinner goes to Cyril Richardson, with honorable drumstick to PeEars. Really. Kick Returns were shared by Watkins, Goodwin, Graham with blocking by Anthony Dixon. Kudos for effort go to Fred Jackson, our latest re-up, and Chris Gragg (block) and Spikes (pursuit). I love that Spikes covered the width of the field to get in on the action. Losers: Mario Butler, you engaged your man with your body and eye contact, but by doing so you missed the kick returner. Dennis Dixon, Camp Arm, threw his completion today to Chris Summers, PLAY OF THE DAY #2. It was a 40 yard bomb down the sideline. Summers finished with a catch over the middle for 12 yards. EJ comes in and throws to Seven Eleven Hogan, and with a guy drped all over him, Hogan makes the catch. I'm ready to say he's the slot guy who'll often be with the Ones, as Watkins looked great out wide. Watkins was gummed up over the middle at one point, making me wonder whether Hogan (220 lbs) with more beef might help inside. Now at OG, Antoine McClain doesn't keep his base under him, and lunges at times. He's big enough to use his base more than his arms to fend off. Hogan comes back into the WR rotation and catches one right above Robey. Lack of height didn't serve Nickell well, but Hogan is showing he not only belongs on this team, but is either the #3 WR or the #4. I think with his experience, Mike Williams is the #1, with Sammy a #2 working on being the #1A. Unga is playing now, and I see him as our #9 or #10 OL, which is the pivot spot as I see us keeping 9. He doesn't have the push of Cyril or Antoine as a Guard, but he plays within himself. Manny Lawson is on one knee in the middle of the field, I think he's gassed. Maybe someone can tell me what they said about Hughes. Maybe Manny had to play too much today? Field Goal kicker Carpenter is money. After watching him kick several through the uprights, they ended that segment early. Next, in kickoff practice, Hopkins kicked the ball to East Rochester. SJF put in a track and field track with the football field inside, and around the outside of the track is an iron fence. Hopkins hit the fence once and bounced it out over the fence on successive tries. Your "top gunners" looked like Easley, Goodwin, Graham, Aaron Williams; then Brooks, Woods, and Namaan Roosevelt. The Special Teams Coach Danny Crossman was being very articulate and definite about what he wanted out there. EJ had three more chances. His deep pass for Watkins went over his head, but I'd fault contact that wasn't called on the rookie (could happen this year). Some trouble by the rookies Henderson and Richardson holding out the pressure on the next play, a run play for Fred Jackson. Finally, Watkins showed again that slot receiver may not be his place, as he got gummed up in traffic and was late to his spot. On EJ's second series, he connected with Hogan again on a deep pattern, Woods on a trailing pattern that Hogan cleared out, and handed off. Cyril Richardson threw the best block to spring him. Kudos also here to Pears on a good series. The thrid series had the same OL as we'll likely see Sunday at 8. Here I noticed Seantrel the most. He gave an extra push in pass protection that assured that the DE wouldn't get to EJ. EJ made a low pass over the middle to Fred Jackson that Freddy dove for and caught, my PLAY OF THE DAY #3. Observations: 1. It's Mike Williams, Sammy Watkins, Chris Hogan, Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin, Marcus Easley for me. Next would be Summers and Tori Gurley, Practice Squad. No to Namaan Roosevelt, TJ Graham, Kevin Elliott, and Caleb Holley. 2. Tuel has supplanted Lewis as our Two. However, Lewis had a decent throwing day, putting some control on his passes, especially one late to Easley and Caleb Holley. 3. Watkins should be our wideout not our slot. 4. EJ is calmer in the pocket, going through progressions. Better than even a week ago. 5. Spikes has taken command of the LBs. 6. Ty Powell had a pick late in practice and ran it the entire length of the field. I like that. I hope he sticks around...PS? 7. Randell Johnson stands out. He looks like a football player. Can he play like on on Sunday? 8. Where was Hughes? Why wasn't I notified? If he was there, why was he invisible? Love to All, especially those from out of town or out of the country. Go Bills! Your devopted draft droid, Astro

I'm going. A couple of guys that were frequently corresponding with me at DraftTek are going, as is my grandson, so I dunno how my notes will be.

Most Hijacked Thread Ever. I had to go back to the top wondering if I really was in a Cyril Richardson/Cyrus Kouandjio thread.

Wow. Them's good ear candy right there. and there.

Easley's ST tackles are more than double the #2 guy. I don't think it's an either-or between Easley and deep kicker. I'm going to wait until after this weekend to name my 53-man roster, but I'll say in advance that Easley will be on it!