Matt in KC

My take is Summers is playing well as a FB and even better on special teams. He gives the Bills a dimension they don't get from other players. If they don't keep a FB, then we've learned the coaches are fully embracing subterfuge. Why spend time on plays with a FB if they aren't going to be in the playbook (or is it just for our defenses benefit)? Or perhaps he'll be the final cut, and we just abandon the position to make those last tough roster decisions. I'm just saying I think having a FB gives us more choices than keeping 7 WRs and no FB. And no way would I keep Summers over Easley. But Hogan, Kaufman and Rogers? Yes, I like them all, but I think Summers helps us more now. I'd love to have any of the other guys on the PS (or of course the final 53, if we can fit them).

TaskersGhost, I notes at least 3 times in the Vikings game Goodwin looked really good (blocking) on running plays in the first quarter. Seriously, look for it. He and Woods are blocking as aggressively as I've ever seen for rookie receivers, and more than most receivers ever do, regardless of experience. 5th WR? Behind who? And why do our games so far strike you as an over-emphasis on the (straight-line) speed game? We've been playing a short passing game so far.

Crud. I just found the Goodwin thread. My post really belong over there.... copying!

I've seen both Goodwin and Woods be very aggressive about blocking, especially on running plays. Kudos to our coaching staff! I would have just credited the players, but both of them are off-the-charts for effort for rookies, the best I've seen. With the talk of TJ blocking more it sounds like it's coaching point of emphasis, not just the players we happened to land.

I don't see an active (first page) generic WR thread, so this is probably the place to post. I'll make it sounds like it's about Rogers. ---- I've seen both Goodwin and Woods very aggressive about blocking, especially on running plays. Kudos to our coaching staff! I would have just credited the player, but both of them are off-the-charts for effort for rookies, the best I've seen. Because of this, I suspect it's coaching, not just the players we happened to land. Da'Rick doesn't seem to be "there" yet in blocking or ST play. Goodwin and Woods are two great models for him, and any young player.

Hey John. Ignore the blowhard yelling at you about your post. What do you mean hypocrisy? Whose? (Nigel; the law vs. say, alcohol; posters here?)

You don't like the way Summers has looked, Coach Tuesday? While I really like our WRs, I favor keeping him over a 7th WR. We may have some opponents where we really want him, and he's shown good ST play so far.

I agree Easley looks different, and much better than ever. He looks comfortable and relaxed. He's getting open, and is catching the ball.

Yes, he was. He was on kickoff coverage and played in the first and second quarters. I thought he played well on a couple running plays I noticed.

Can he pre-book PS games 3 and 4 to count toward any future suspension that is handed down?

Da'Rick Rogers > Drew Haddad

Yes it is!

Link?

Yeah, i'm not sure where we'll land w Byrd and the safety situation. OG is the biggest need, though I don't know that that means picking one first. The earlier the pick, the more i think we should consider an OT; later in round = guard.

Here's my initial take, without much thought. I don't know, for instance how long if left on our players' contracts P2 = CB, OG P3 = RB, S, C P4 = RB, OT, TE P6 = LB Edit: I agree with our post after mine. LB = P4 P9 = QB

Yeah, I'm torn. Smith is good at WR, enough to be our 5-6th. He's a good ST player, and a veteran who seems like good influence on the rookies. But, I don't think he's passable as a QB at all. I think I'd rather have Kolb on the roster, but not dress, and not have Smith on the roster in favor of a WR who is likely to be a better, younger option with a little more experience.

Has Brad Smith taken any snaps at QB this year? Any? I don't think there's any way he's our emergency QB. If he happens to be on the team, I can see him playing if all other QBs get hurt during a game, but that's it.

NFL Waivers Does anyone know if a team (i.e. the Bills) can put in a waiver claim for a player they waive?

I agree with all of your early points, Poojer. I'm not reading too much into Kolb's struggles yesterday. It's his first game in how long? ...and he just sat down for a week. He was clearly rusty and his timing was off. The speed he ran the offense bothered me more than anything. I think it's risky to go into the season with just rooky QBs. The question would be whose roster spot he's taking. Rogers? The other Rogers (Justin), or Butler? Summers? If Kolb just can't get it together and they look like a different team with him at the helm these last two games, I agree, it could be better to cut him in the final wave to shore up other positions.

My guess is the Bills really like Rogers and are limiting his PS game exposure to try to sneak him to the PS. What I don't know is if it will work. Would you really try picking up Rogers for your team without actually seeing anything from him? Also, with the waiver process, isn't it like the draft where worst teams get first pick? If so, Rogers would just need to make it past the teams with a worse record than the Bills last year. I think they want to keep 5-6 WRs, but Rogers, Easley and Hogan are making it very hard to cut down that far (also keeping SJ, TJ, Goodwin, Woods). Maybe whatever reciever is knicked up goes on the mini-IR to start the season. I like Kaufman too, but think they try to get him to the PS. I really hope he makes it there too.

8 punts averaging <29 yards = unacceptable. I understand missing a kick; it happens. But wth is up with that!?

Great article, and great "scheme"! I think this also jumps up a QBs maturity as he's practicing again and again reading the defense, instead of remembering the giant list of plays and where he's supposed to go for first read, second read etc., all of which is very heady trying to remember everything.

Bills leading. Total Votes: 36

He's a modern day Jim Thorpe! (kidding)

I'm surprised there hasn't been more talk about Smith. In past years we spent considerable time speculating that we'd need to keep a TE in to help block because of our concerns on the O-Line.