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From being the starter to not even being the 3rd MLB on the 53? Yeah, that is bold.

AJ Klein 2nd up at MLB. Pretty sure he was signed as our "Break Glass in Case of Emergency" option at MLB. With Dodson looking bad and Bernard hurt, I think we'll be breaking that glass.

Yeah, dating celebrities and/or doing commercials really messed up guys like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, and Patrick Mahomes.

What a beautiful throw and catch. Would have never gotten it off if not for the hold. But still good to see a connection like that between Allen and Davis.

What IS the issue then? You don't like that he's not living how you'd prefer him to live off the field?

Toasting Josh Allen after his first series of the Pre-Season. We're off to a level headed start to the season.

I mean, anyone who has recently retired is pretty much toast. Brady is probably the closest because his toast is still better than average and he has more experience in the postseason than maybe any QB in history. But guys like Philip Rivers, Drew Brees, Ben Roethlisberger, and Matt Ryan had massive drop offs in their play, arm strength, etc. when they hung it up.

I dont doubt that he wishes someone was further along. But as someone above stated, McDermott often uses talking to the media as a way to light a fire under players. So while he may have a level of concern, I don't think it means they're panicking and would look at making a move at this point. I think it's more likely as you said that they're probably considering keeping and playing Klein. He was re-signed as the break glass option, in my opinion. An average veteran with experience that they can fall back on to be a halfway steady hand, if worse came to worse and neither Dodson or Bernard stepped up or were injured Again, I don't doubt that they were hoping someone had broken away from the pack at this point and there may be some truth in it. But I also think it was about sending a message. Those options were available when they chose to bring back Klein. Most likely for his familiarity. And at their level of play and/or age combined with the fact that those guys would be coming into a complex Defense, being thrown in the fire without Training Camp, there's zero chance they think any of them are any sort of upgrade over who they've had in Camp.

I think Isabella has a chance to stick. We'll be keeping 7 WR's instead of 6 if that happens, with a position elsewhere carrying 1 less player. Maybe 4 DE's instead of 5. But I still see it more likely that he'll be on the Practice Squad and the first WR up if there's an injury. Shorter is going to be here. He hasn't done anything so awful that they're going to pass on trying to develop him and give up on a 5th Round Pick before he even gets to the regular season. Beane has never outright cut a Rookie Draft Pick that high in Year 1. He traded away Wyatt Teller in Year 1 and he's regretted that decision ever since.

I think the next two Pre-Season games will be telling when it comes to Kyle Allen and Matt Barkley. If Barkley runs with the 3's for both games, I'd be surprised if Allen was unseated. However, if come Game 3 Barkley is running with the 2's, then Allen's probably not making the 53. As for the idea of Shorter being Red Shirted, he'll need to have a legitimate injury they can play off of. In the case of Isaiah Hodgins' Shoulder, he had surgery on it during the season he was on IR. Marquez Stevenson was also injured during Training Camp and was put on IR for a foot injury. He was activated at the end of November that same year and then had surgery on his foot following the season. So while it seemed questionable at the time, both injuries were legitimate and both ended up requiring surgery. They can't just say "yeah, he has an injury and he'll be on IR for the year" and just make it up.

They surely didn't go into this thinking there was zero possibility that MLB would be a weak point this season. They're paid millions to assess every situation from all angles. They assessed it and decided they wanted to see if they had something serviceable or more in Tyrel Dodson and Terrell Bernard this season. They surely knew then and probably more than ever know now, they're going to take their lumps. As Beane said in a Presser this offseason, these players won't get better without experience and they need to play to get that experience. This season is about finding out if they have something in Dodson or Bernard or not when it comes to the MLB position. In the meantime, they must feel that between what will be alongside them in Milano, the D-Line in front of them, and the Secondary alongside and behind them - that they can coach around them to help them out and still have a successful D regardless of how they play. If they don't perform well enough, they'll be replaced next season. But it's clear they didn't think having a stud MLB is going to make or break this team and this Defense this season. They had all the opportunity to do more and made a conscious effort to roll with what they have. I don't think an injured hammy to Bernard (who's already working on the side) and a freakout in Practice with Dodson is going to make them abandon their plan. Yes, he said there was concern. But I read that more as him trying to humble and/or light a fire under these guys then the idea that they're going to look elsewhere this late in the game. And as I said in a previous post, anyone who will be available via a cut or a trade option is not going to represent such a talent upgrade that McDermott would value them over guys who had the full offseason of Training and practicing with the team under their belt. Patrick Queen included.

I think there may be some concern. I also think it's quite possible McDermott simply wanted to put some fear and humility into Dodson following his outburst. Ultimately, what I was trying to say is that I don't think the team is all that concerned if MLB is a weak spot in the Defense this season. Their actions, or lack thereof, to this point kind of says it all. They could have gotten a better one in Free Agency. They could have Drafted someone in the 2nd. They valued putting those assets elsewhere. Now at this point, it's kind of too late with the complexity of the position and the conservative fashion in which McDermott brings new players along. Like I said above, with the complexity of the position in McDermott's Defense and the conservative nature in which he brings new players along - I would be shocked if they made a move like Queen just before the start of the season. There's a "chance" for almost anything to happen. But in how they operate, how late it is, the fact that it would take cap space we don't have, and Draft capital on top of it - I think the likelihood is little to none. They made a point to go into this season and see if they could develop younger players into the role. It would be very unlike them to almost completely avoid addressing the position all offseason and then last second make a panic move and then plug and play that person this late in the game. Understandable and I appreciate your saying so. I can see how essentially my playing "devil's advocate" can be annoying. To be clear, it's not so much defense of them. I don't think they're always right. It's just going into Year 7 of this regime, the way in which they operate is pretty clear. So when something is proposed that is uncharacteristic of either Beane and McDermott, I can't help but go to that instead of just going along with a discussion of hope that I see as unlikely.

Is it? I had no idea the "main purpose" of TSW was to play Fantasy Madden GM. Thanks for the heads up. Personally, I come here to discuss news, analyze games and players, and roster building in a realistic fashion. But maybe you're right. Maybe it is more about creating 200+ page threads about things that will never happen and everybody getting riled up when they don't. I'm sorry that basing my opinions on player acquisitions is more about whether I see it as something that Beane or McDermott would do and less about what I would do or want.

Damn. I'm sorry my posts are "all the same". I just never see the point in discussing player acquisitions or actions from mine or others point of view that don't line up with how Beane and McDermott historically operate over going into the 7th season of their regime. Bernard has started working out on the sidelines. If he's not ready for Week 1, they'll probably PUP him and keep an extra LB. But McDermott is as conservative of a coach when it comes to playing time for players who haven't had time with the playbook or an offseason building with the team. He barely let a RB (the easiest position to transition) see the field after we made a midseason trade for him. I see no way he's interested in rolling with a Mike LB'er who has to make playcalls for the Defense this late in the game. And I don't see Beane giving up Draft Picks and cap space on top of it right now. Like I said, if they were that concerned, it would have happened already.

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.