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1.) Before Shell's retirement, I'd tend to agree with you. But with that happening, unless they're going to keep a wild card like Gouraige or Van Demark instead, he'll be here. We're going to keep at least 4 OT's. 2.) Make no mistake about it, Kyle didn't look good last week and had shaky moments throughout Camp. But Keenum looked pretty bad in the beginning last season as well. As McDermott said there's a "learning curve" when new QB's come on the team. This late into the Offseason and with the only other option being Matt Barkley, I imagine that when push comes to shove, they'll still view Kyle's traits and more recent track history of performing in the league as the better option amongst the two. But that could change if he performs god awful in the last two games. 3.) Shorter was always viewed as a Developmental prospect. A guy with great measurables and of high pedigree coming out of college that would take some time. If he were drafted in the 7th or late 6th, I'd probably agree with you. But having spent a 5th on him, I think he's going to get at least a year in the system, regardless of underwhelming performance so far. I think they'll keep an extra Defensive End on the roster while Von is out that will get axed when he's ready. This isn't even a question. It's not a "justification" in their eyes. They gave him a contract extension just last season. He's not going anywhere. You may feel that way. But that's not how they operate. Investments matter. They spent a 3rd Rounder on Bernard just last season. He was either the starting MLB or first backup for this team before he got injured (probably still is when healthy). Bernard will be on this roster. Shorter, again, as I touched on above was always drafted as a guy who would need some time to develop. Year 1 mainly working on Special Teams. If he were drafted later, maybe they'd wash their hands of him. But they're going to give a 5th Rounder at least a year. Again, a 5th Round Pick is different than a late 6th or 7th. And even guys like Stevenson and Hodgins who were drafted later were given some time before they gave up on the investment. Beane has never given up on a Rookie Draft Pick that high, that quickly. True, it is speculative that Shell retired because he didn't have a path to the roster. But 9 times out of 10, that is the reason when veteran free agents retire at this point in the year. You may view him as "empirically bad". But he is and has been the first Backup OT on this team. With Shell's retirement, his spot is even more secure. If they felt he was as bad as you think he is, they wouldn't have re-signed him early in the Offseason. If you're hoping or expecting that he'll be released in favor of some combination of 2 of the 3 of Doyle, Gouraige, and Van Demark beneath Dawkins and Brown - you're going to be disappointed. They want at least one guy with experience.

If MLB was something that Beane and McDermott were as concerned with as posters here are, they'd have done a move like this before the start of Camp. Even if there is someone better than what we have out there, McDermott will value those who were with the team practicing all offseason and training his plays over them. It's a complicated defense. McDermott isn't the "plug and play" type. I don't think Queen is enough of an upgrade that they'd bring him on now, behind the 8 Ball, so to speak.

Quessenberry isn't going anywhere following Shell's retirement. The depth chart released during the Pre-Season is pretty much meaningless. We'll keep 4 OT's and I don't see Gouraige making it over him. And Shell's retirement was almost surely because he knew he wasn't making the team over Quessenberry and Doyle.

My Predicted 53 after Training Camp: QB - Josh Allen, Kyle Allen RB - James Cook, Damien Harris, Latavius Murray FB - Reggie Gilliam WR - Stefon Diggs, Gabe Davis, Deonte Harty, Trent Sherfield, Khalil Shakir, Justin Shorter TE - Dawson Knox, Dalton Kincaid, Quintin Morris OL - Dion Dawkins, Connor McGovern, Mitch Morse, O'Cyrus Torrence, Spencer Brown, Ryan Bates, David Edwards, David Quessenberry, Tommy Doyle DE - Von Miller (PUP), Leonard Floyd, Greg Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa, Shaq Lawson, Boogie Basham DT - Ed Oliver, Daquan Jones, Jordan Phillips, Poona Ford, Tim Settle LB - Matt Milano, Tyrel Dodson, Dorian Williams, Terrel Bernard, A.J. Klein, Tyler Matakevitch CB - Tre'Davious White, Kaiir Elam, Taron Johnson, Dane Jackson, Christian Benford, Siran Neal S - Jordan Poyer, Micah Hyde, Taylor Rapp, Damar Hamlin ST - Tyler Bass, Sam Martin, Reid Ferguson Cuts: QB - Matt Barkley RB - Darrynton Evans, Jordan Mims WR - Andy Isabella, Tyrell Shavers, Dezmon Patmon, Isaiah Coulter, KeeSean Johnson, Marcell Ateman, Bryan Thompson TE - Jace Sternberger, Joel Wilson OL - Ike Boettger, Nick Broeker, Richard Gouraige, Greg Mancz, Kevin Jarvis, Ryan Van Demark, Alec Anderson DE - Shane Ray, Kingsley Jonathan, Kameron Cline DT - Eli Ankou, DJ Dale, Kendall Vickers, Cortez Broughton LB - Baylon Spector, Travin Howard CB - Cam Lewis, Alex Austin, Ja'Marcus Ingram, Kyrin Brown S - Dean Marlowe, Zayne Anderson, Jared Mayden

My gut says Spector. I think he was up against it numbers wise when we Drafted another LB in the 3rd this year and re-signed Dodson (as well as Klein). And now with Bernard going down with a Hamstring injury, most likely taking him out of at least the Pre-Season, I think they're going to want Klein back there as a steadier backup to Dodson to start the season, over Spector. Spector got a chance to show what he could do with the 1's early in Training Camp. But since then, he's been delegated to 3rd or 4th squads and Klein saw the field before him in Pre-Season Game 1 (not to mention Klein being brought on last season and given reps over Spector while he was on the roster). Depending on the severity of Bernard's hammy, it's possible he's put on PUP for the first 4 weeks to let it fully heal. If that happens, both Klein and Spector will probably make the 53 initially.

Not to mention, you don't take an All Pro at one position, one of the top 2 or 3 True OLB's in the entire NFL and have him switch positions because there's better depth at his true position. That's absolute madness.

No one who would be at the caliber of play that McDermott would plug and play them as a Starter over what we've had working with us in the system all offseason is going to be cut.

Exactly what Herb Nightly said. They aren't going to have him play exclusively at OLB for all of Training Camp of his Rookie Season and then just before the season starts, switch him to MLB. Not to mention, he's pretty much the only other OLB on the team besides Milano. He'll be needed when Milano needs to sub out and/or if he gets hurt.

It will not come down to Matakevitch or Dorian Williams. Both will 100% be here. Either AJ Klein or Baylon Spector will be released. Milano, Dodson, Bernard, Williams, and Matakevitch are locks. Leaving only one more spot as historically we only keep 5, 6 tops. Like it or not, the Bills utilize bottom of position roster spots for core Special Teams players. And Matakevitch is our Special Teams captain, going into a year where we've lost or moved on from multiple core Teams players. They aren't going to release their Special Teams captain and they absolutely will not release a Day 2 pick from the same year.

Damn. Shell was someone who had 61 starts in 70 games and started double digit games last season. He represented some hope outside of Spencer Brown and the guys we had behind him last year in David Quessenberry and Tommy Doyle. Obviously, it didn't work out. Now we're most likely running back the same guys behind Brown. I don't like that. I knew Spencer Brown wasn't going to be replaced, but someone new with starting experience that provided insurance if Brown faltered outside of Q and Doyle would have been nice.

What makes you say Shorter isn't an NFL WR? Seems a little harsh after 1 Pre-Season game. He definitely has the size, speed for that size, and the build. He was also a #1 College recruit. He's a developmental project, for sure. As such, I think it's a little early to make such a proclamation.

Yeah, I think they found out that an extra shell really doesn't do much when it comes to the brain being rattled around. In today's day and age of information when it comes to Concussions and Brain Injuries, if that made a difference, it would still be around. They've surely since come up with better safety measurements for helmets since then that doesn't require a shell.

That goes without saying. Even if we hadn't signed Harris, Murray, and Evans - they spent a 2nd Round Pick on James Cook to be the guy this year. Bringing in his older brother would mess with that development and confidence that this is his team and his starting job.

I'd be surprised if Doyle makes the squad. He's had too many injuries and hasn't really developed. And I don't see the team keeping 5 OT's. With Dawkins, Brown, Quessenberry, and Shell - it'll be hard for him to beat out any of those 4. Maybe they keep 1 Veteran between Quessenberry and Shell so they can hold on to Doyle. But this could be the end for him on the 53.

Epenesa's clearly the more dependable player between he and Basham. He's also on the last year of his contract, so the return wouldn't be worth it. He's not going anywhere this season. Basham could be a "change of scenery" type move that could be potentially interesting to another team and he has multiple years on his deal. He'll also be on the outside looking in when Von returns anyways, as we wouldn't keep 6 DE's. Between Von, Floyd, Rousseau, Epenesa, Lawson, and Basham - one's going to go and it's probably going to be him.

Here we go again... At no point did I say there isn't concerns or that there wasn't any merit to having concerns. If anything, I'm pointing to his biggest detractors who argue the guy has zero redeeming qualities and have a total vendetta for him. Just like all of our Gabe Davis discussions, I'm looking at things from Brandon Beane's stance from his words and actions. What's likely, what's not likely, and the different points to the discussion from all angles. Not just ranting and raving about my own personal viewpoint. And that's where we always seem to butt heads here. Your view is this is a place to discuss (or rant) about your personal (often hardline) stance. Whereas I don't see the point in that when it comes to personnel and focus more on what the guy calling the shots is likely to do or not do. But back to Davis. Yes, he had drops last year. But Beane's stance has been that he was dealing with injuries that effected his game (and yes, I hear your concern that this has been an issue in other years) and was also playing against tougher CB's and tougher coverage than he had been up to that point in his career in that it was his first year as a Starter. However, even with your concerns, again, of which there is some merit to, he was 33rd in the league in Reception yards by WR and 16th in the league in TD's by WR. Which is at the very top end production for a #2 WR. And he put up top production for a #2 WR in a year that you argue wasn't a good year for him. Beane sees a guy that is going into his second year as a Starter and can grow with that experience and a belief that he won't be injured as much. If he can do that, he will have even better numbers. If he truly feels this way as he says (and his actions this offseason has proved) and he can get him re-signed now at a number that fits a top end #2 WR, he may be inclined to do so as if he does perform up to his expectations - it will cost a lot more. Whether you personally think it's wise or not.

Ask people around here and the answer is no way. He could have an All Pro season and a large portion of the fans of this board would want him to walk. That said, there seems to be a large disconnect in what those fans think of him and what Brandon Beane thinks of him. Beane has talked about wanting him back and being a long term member of this team dating back to before this offseason (in which he's mentioned it multiple times). If he truly feels that way and can get him under an Oliver like deal for a WR now (aka a decent number, but not amongst the top paid for his position) - it might behoove him to do so rather than wait and possibly lose a gamble if he plays to a level that would make him extremely overpaid in FA next year.

I saw Scott live twice in the span of a year with two different groups. Once with Velvet Revolver at Six Flags Darien Lake on 8/16/07 and once more when he reunited with STP at CMAC on 7/15/08. The STP show is memorable to me because I had never seen someone so obviously messed up perform so well. In between songs he'd say something into the microphone. It was completely incoherent and slurred beyond belief. But then the song would start and he'd sound clear as day and hit every note. It wasn't a backing track either. I'll never understand how outside of the song he could barely put a word together but when the songs started, he was money.

I mean, good for you. Everyone's entitled to an opinion. But it doesn't change how McDermott and Beane view things and operate. Jones, Kumerow, and others aren't here anymore. So for the "we're wasting roster spots on ST'ers; anyone can do this" crowd, you've already gotten a win. But when it comes to Matakevitch, that's been his role since Day 1. With the turnover that's already been there, they aren't going to turn around and cut him too. If they felt that way, they'd have done it early in the offseason when they were making moves to free up cap space.

The "Anyone can play Special Teams" mentality is fan speak and not based in reality. Especially with this team that places an emphasis on having core guys that almost exclusively play Teams. You can think that all you want. But that's not reality or how this regime works.

Bridgewater was the last safe clear upgrade, unfortunately. The list that remains all have questions marks when it comes to age and/or performance. Here's the entire list of Free Agents who are still available: Carson Wentz Matt Ryan Joe Flacco Chase Daniel Nick Foles Cam Newton Bryce Perkins EJ Perry Tim DeMorat

Matakevitch isn't going anywhere. With the losses of Taiwan Jones, Jake Kumerow, and others who were core Special Teamers - Matakevitch is clearly the Captain of the Special Teams. He is currently on the PUP. I don't know if it's a short term issue that will have him activated for Week 1 or it's something longer. If he isn't activated by Week 1, his roster spot could temporarily go to someone else. But make no mistake about it, when he's activated, he's on the 53.

Mine is very close. But Reggie Gilliam is staying and that's not even a question. He plays a number of roles for this team and was given a two year extension just last season. I'd say the differences between mine and yours would be Boettger and Lewis are Practice Squad and Reggie Gilliam and either Boogie Basham or Shane Ray sticks. And while I like Sternberger sticking instead of Quintin Morris, I think he'd really have to play extremely well in the Pre-Season for that to happen. Even then, they might put Sternberger on the Practice Squad. The team really likes Morris. Hamlin and Phillips? What? Damar Hamlin will not be cut. Either he's ready to roll mentally and physically, in which case he's unquestionably the 4th Safety. Or he's not and he's put on a Reserve list. After everything he's been through, they aren't going to outright cut the guy. Especially when you consider you need 3 vested years in the league to earn a pension and he's only had 2. They'd never straight screw him over like that. Jordan Phillips? No way. When healthy, he's one of our most productive Defensive Lineman. If we didn't want him, we'd have never re-signed him. And he just came off the PUP and is ready to roll. We aren't going to keep less than 5 DT's (there were times last year during injuries where we had 6 or 7). And honestly, if there was a cut there, I'd cut Settle before Phillips.

I was surprised to see he was with the 1's on the 1st series at the Red and Blue scrimmage in the Slot. They also had Kincaid lined up behind Knox on the line and then set him into motion. He caught a TD that night too. He's been impressing all Camp. If that series is any indication, with Diggs, Kincaid, Davis, and Knox all also on the field at the same time - Sherfield is going to be find himself open pretty often.

Oh damn. Yeah, there goes that idea. He really represented the best available. Everyone else is either questionable and/or very old. Carson Wentz Matt Ryan Joe Flacco Nick Foles Chase Daniel Cam Newton At this point, we may just be stuck. But I wouldn't be against bringing someone in from the list for the Pre-Season and maybe Practice Squad just to have a look see or an emergency fall back.