KOKBILLS

From what I know...and I listen to WGR religiously...It's the same incident being rehashed over and over again first by Joe B, and then Hamilton piggy-backing on it...It was during a goal-line-drills part of practice a few weeks back...Rogers did not know he was supposed to be in the offensive package, and the Coaches could be heard clearly yelling out his name...Goodwin ran on to the field for a second to cover for Rogers before Da'Rick came running out...Apparently Rogers took an earful...But I swear to you I have heard that exact story regurgitated over and over again on WGR...I have heard no other specific report on Rogers not paying attention, or dogging it, or anything like that...Just the same story which probably happens to dozens of NFL players every week during Camps...It's part of the micro reporting were getting these days on the NFL...It's nice to get such detail...But it can also get a bit ridiculous as well... And for the record I have a lot of respect for Joe B because I think he works hard and he pumps out the info...Hamilton should stick to hockey...I don't think he's a football mind at all...But even in the case of Joe B I am 100% certain there are quite a few members of this very board that are more qualified to speak to the intricacies of the NFL than he is...And that's not a knock on Joe B either...It just is what it is...So you have to take a bit of what you hear on WGR with a grain of salt...Overall though I appreciate the coverage...It beats the hell out of what I got for 20 years in Charlotte NC that's for sure...

You point is well taken...I don't think anyone here thought the Bills would have this much quality competition at WR...It certainly will make the decision to cut Rogers easier if in fact that's the way the Bills coaches want to go... It's interesting because I wonder how much of Rogers struggles have to do with how ill-prepared he was for learning an NFL Offense...Especially one that demands you to think quickly at all times...He basically played one full year of big-time College football...I doubt the Offense at Tennessee Tech looked much like the one the Bills are running...And the competition was...well...It was Tennessee Tech...The WR position may very well be the toughest behind only QB to come in and contribute immediately in the NFL...Calvin Johnson is the best WR I've personally ever seen, and he only had 48 receptions and 756 yards as a Rookie...Even Jerry Rice fell short of 1000 yards as a Rookie...And the line of 1st round busts at WR is literally a mile long...I'm certain this has to be a consideration in ultimately deciding Rogers fate... I still think he's got a 50/50 chance to make the roster because the top 5 looks pretty good, the 6th WR is going to be inactive on most Sunday's anyway, and the Bills should easily be able to slide a couple of the lesser known WR's down to the PS...But we'll see soon enough...

Agreed 100% my friend...

Amen to that! Can I get a hallelujah people?

That's just letting the facts get in the way of a good story... Seriously though Kolb did not play poorly in that game...His QB rating was 82.3 for the game (though he had a low QBR of 30.6)...He did have 2 TD's (one passing one throwing), but only 140 yards while completing 55.6% of his passes...Clearly the big story of the game was Brady's 79 QB rating (and the same 30.6 QBR) at home...Rarely is Brady that ineffective at home, especially when he throws for over 300 yards which he did in that game (316)...What is even more interesting is that NE only had one turnover, a Brady INT in that game to Arizona's 2 TO's...It was just a weird game...Kind of fluky if you ask me...But admittedly no one did...

At face value that may seem like an obvious decision...But I don't think it's nearly that obvious with the Bills coaching staff...I think Tuel has caught on to this offense quicker than Kolb has...Partly due to the fact that Kolb missed significant time...Plus it's not like Kolb has necessarily lit the NFL on fire during his career...No question Tuel is an extreme underdog in this fight...But I think he should be given a look with the 1's because you never know until you know...

This is a tough decision for Marrone...I'm going to be very interested in how he handles the reps this week because...traditionally...week #3 of preseason is the trial run...Starters play more than any other preseason game...Most of the time for at least the 1st drive of the 2nd half...On one hand you want to give your potential starting QB a lot of reps should Manuel's rehab cost him week #1...On the other hand I think if it really was a competition between Tuel and Kolb, it would be a dead heat...And I'm guessing Hackett and Marrone would LOVE to see how Tuel performs with the starters against some real NFL starting competition... Should be interesting if nothing else...

If so they can do it with or without a guy that clearly does not want to be in Buffalo and has a prick for an agent... That's just my opinion though...We'll see...

That was a hell of a shot across Kolb's bow by Marrone... Was it not?

This^^^ All respect due to Flash who clearly looks like a special talent, I think Easley looks the part of an NFL #2 WR much more than Goodwin does...And I like to see what he does against a few #1 CB's...To my admittedly uneducated eye Easley looks like a beast...He looks like he's got some Anquan Boldin in him, only Easley is faster...I think he needs a a bigger opportunity, and what better time than the preseason to do it?

So...You think not bringing Byrd back = sacrificing yet another season in the name of a rebuild? He's one player...And if you don't think the Bills are in year one of a complete overhaul I don't know what to tell you...Yes it looks very promising due to the Coaches...But it's preseason...And this is a VERY young team...The fact that it looks so good is further incentive for the Bills to make darn sure they get something in return for Byrd next off season...This roster is going to need that extra pick...It will build on something much bigger than what this season may or may not be if they give in to Byrd's pos agent...Plus chances are still very likely Byrd is back by game 2-3 anyway... Don't get me wrong...I'm not blind...I know Byrd is a very good Safety...Probably a top 10 Saftey in the NFL...But the writing is on the wall with this one...He does not want to be in Buffalo...To me it's crystal clear...He's allowing his agent to push this thing to the very end for nothing more than the insurance that the Bills cannot secure compensation for him next season...He does not want to be here...Now...I'm not sure if it's simply because he's a west coast guy, or because the Bills have sucked since he's been here, or whatever...But I'm going under the educated-guess/assumption that the guy does not want to sign long term in Buffalo for anything less than being the top paid S in the NFL...And he is NOT the top playing S in the NFL...So...If I'm the Bills there is no way I'm giving an inch...And whatever that leads to...well...it's just going to have to do for now...I think they overcome it somehow, someway regardless... But in no way do I believe that Jarius Byrd is the difference maker between another 6-10 season and the playoffs...EJ Manuel? Yes...JB...Not so much...

The main reason I'm thinking it's a better strategy to keep Rogers on the 53 is the fact that the way it looks right now the Bills will be pretty solid from 1-5 (Stevie, Woods, TJ, Goodwin, and Easley), and that 6th WR will likely be inactive on most Sundays anyway...I think for Da'Rick that is the best scenario...It gives him a little hope and confidence bump, but he's still got to work hard to get any PT...Then stash one or two of the other young guys on the PS in case of injury...Like I said before...For this team, at this time, I just think the risk vs. reward in keeping Rogers is well worth it...We'll see though...With this bunch it's hard to imagine the Bills can go wrong...

Agreed Bro... And it's my guess Smith is the odd man out...I like Brad Smith...But he's a vet luxury on a very young team looking to grow together...Easley and Rogers have far better long-term WR upside than Smith IMHO...Plus...I think at least one, if not two, of the other young WR's make it to the PS as well...

Exactly correct...

Exactly...And that's why I say let him holdout as long as he wants...And I think Whaley agrees with me based on where we are now...The truth is the Bills are in year one of a complete overhaul from the FO down to the place kicker...To give up their right to get something in return for Byrd would be seriously stupid IMHO...And I realize the Bills are never going to get a 1st and a 3rd back for Byrd...But with the tag they can negotiate compensation, which I'm guessing in the end will turn out to be a 2nd round pick...In no way do I want the Bills to give that right up...Let him rot at home...

Rarely are those players formerly 1st team all SEC WR's with the measurable's Rogers has, and a clean injury history... It's all between the ears with Da'Rick...If it ever clicks he'll be special...if not then...You know...But at this point he's just a Rookie at one of the tougher positions to master in the NFL...To think he would be a clear standout at this point is a bit ridiculous if you ask me...Especially considering his rough ride in College...Which admittedly was completely Rogers fault...But anyway...I still think the kids upside is worth keeping him ahead of Brad Smith...The thing I did not account for was these other young WR's on the Bills Roster looking as good as they have...Including Easley who just looks like a beast out there...

Or the leverage returns at the end of the season when they can Draft a Safety high should they wish... And I thought Bryd could only play for the Tag money after the deadline? The following is just my opinion... In no way do I want the Bills to give up any of their rights where Byrd or his jackass agent are concerned...They need to assure they can tag him next season in order to work out a trade and get something back for him...I'm all but certain he's done as a Buffalo Bill after this year anyway...Better to assure they get something in return...And basically that's why his jackass agent has him holding out still...They want the Bills to waive their right to tag him next year...Which means the Bills get nothing in return when Bryd does exactly what he's wanted to do all along, and walks...

Good grief...You've got to be kidding me... Well...At least it's not serious...But crap!!!

I'm pretty sure most folks here understand the waiver process behind the PS...It's called "sneaking" because some players are clearly under-the-radar-types with real talent...So teams will play them less in games with the hope that the other 31 will lay off due to a lack of film... But sure...There's no technical way to avoid the waiver process...I have to believe most Bills Fans know that...I hope they do anyway...

I totally agree with this take...But unless the Bills change the way they've been handling him depth-chart-wise, I'm going to be thinking they are more inclined to at least attempt to sneak him down to the PS...I don't think it will work either...And to be honest I think it would be a mistake...But it's sure starting to look like that's what they have in mind...Because clearly they are not trying to feature him thus far...

I don't think there is any question that if in fact Manuel plays well next week, it will undoubtedly be on like a mofo...

Well...I realize he was unblocked...And that was not the point of the post... But anyway....

Gotta give it too Lawson...He was coming full steam and still held on to throw Ponder for the big loss...Very nice play...

No thanks...I just don't think this team is at the point where they can have a luxury like Smith while allowing a talented younger player to get away...And I don't see how it's possible Smith can be a bigger contributor in any phase of the game than he has been here the past couple years, simply because there is more competition now for playing time...And it's not like he set the world on fire since he's been here, even with a major rash of injuries at the WR position... Brad Smith is a solid vet...Don't get me wrong...But this is a unique situation...If the Bills keep Smith they are chancing cutting a legit young talent at WR, while trying to build a talented roster for the future...The Saints are at a completely different organizational point...They are thinking about winning the SB every year, and did just 4 seasons ago...I think Brad Smith would be perfect for a lot of teams...Just not the Bills right now...

Tried to watch Troup a bit on Sunday...Looked to me like he was running in quicksand...No quickness at all to his game...Just a plugger and nothing more...Rooting for the kid though... Gilbert did impress me, though he's on the light side for this bunch...And I'm not sure what they will be looking for in the back-ups...But it seemed to me that Gilbert was getting the most consistent pressure... Who knows...