CUTS - a few thoughts....

[Booger]

As I have been contended on a few of my points from the off season I was going to re-throw a few of the points back out there...

 

1. Kirk Morrison will be the 1st "surprise" cut if Moats beats him out for the starting OLB job. I had originally stated this some time back and found out Morrison's supporters were still living in 2008. He was invisible for Buffalo last year, he is aging and there is a bunch of youth around him at the position.

 

2. Marcus Easley - Will only keep 5-6 WR's (6 on a good day)...As stated many times before, Easley has never shown anything for Buffalo (or in college for that matter) other than he can find his way to the IR list. A very tough position to break into in the NFL and having a good "profile" on paper does not prove anything when it comes to the field. At this point I believe he is battling Roosevelt for that final position (if they keep 6). SJ, DJ, DN, TJG, DH (Hagan)...Currently I think Roosevelt has him edged out.

 

3. Brad Smith - Not sure what purpose he will serve. Not that they have great WR's, but all of the above are better than Smith. He may be listed as the 3rd QB but I dont think this experiment is going to continue into the 2012-13 season. The Bills have return men, have WR's and would sign a 3rd QB over Smith if the first 2 QB's were to get injured. If they get serious and try to lock up Byrd and Levitre before the season, Brad Smith is no more in Buffalo.

 

4. Torell Troup - If not for the fact they missed so badly in picking him in the 2nd round he would have already been cut. Blame it on injury if you would like, but Troup is not making the team and they can now use "injury" to bail themselves out.

 

5. Terence McGee - Love him, but injury and youth have made him expendable.

 

6. Tashard Choice - Tough for Gailey to get rid of a GT guy, but Johnny White looked a little better in the 1st preseason game.

 

Anyway, just some thoughts. Feel free to tee off...just remember (as I think many of you have a tough time realizing) they DO have to cut players and are not able to keep a roster size of 80

Edited August 13, 2012 by Booger

[DukeyBomb]

I don't see Easley or Troup getting cut. Troup can be IR'd if anything so he can come back healthy next season. He's too young, has too much potential and has too reasonable of a contract for the team to give up on him so soon. Easley will make the team with Hagan if we keep 6 I think. I don't see Roosevelt making the team what so ever.

 

But other than that I pretty much agree on everything else you said. I only kind of understand what they were trying to do with Smith but It's pretty much a failed experiment especillay with Young on the team, which I think he will make the team over Thigpen.

Edited August 13, 2012 by DukeyBomb

[bills1960]

I really do think Kirk Morrison is going to get the short end of the stick. The Bills have nine LB's in total currently. In a scheme where there's going to be a maximum of 3 at most times, someone has to go.

 

Chris White is a no-brainer. Nothing against the guy but he's shown nothing on ST or at the mike.

 

However the rest gets difficult. Moats, Shepp and Barnett are currently the starters so let's assume they're safe. Let's also assume Nix doesn't want to give up on his draft picks so quickly, ensuring Carder and Bradham spots as well.

 

That would leave Morrison and McKillop to battle it out for a potential last spot and I think the edge goes to McKillop simply because he's played his heart out on ST and at the back up mike linebacker spot so far in camp. In conclusion, I don't think Morrison is safe at all.

 

EDIT: I forgot Bryan Scott too, so it makes it even more difficult for his sake.

Edited August 13, 2012 by bills1960

[boyst]

With Morrison you have to be kidding. Everyone here screams about depth and you want to cut a good LB in his prime age who signed with a team that did not even utilize him because he was playing out of position. Go look at his career stats. first 5 years in the league all over 116 total tackles. In 07 he had a great year. I do not know what happened in Jacksonville but I do know that last year he did not have the skillset to contribute much. We need him for depth, leadership and versatility. He can slide inside on a pinch. 3-4 and 4-3 are completely different and he is a 4-3 LB.

 

Can't really make an argument on Brad Smith being cut unless you include Nesbit taking over #3 QB role. Ir wont happen, though.

 

And, Choice looked years beyond Johnny White and for that I can't imagine White over Choice. Plus Choice is cap friendly.

 

Roosevelt could be PS this year just to keep Easley. Easley had a huge upside. How far down the hill he has slide is too early to tell.

 

McGee is just hard to watch because he has been so strong on sp many bad teams and been dedicated throughout. More then many of his era, Evans, Lynch, McGahee, etc.

[Kelly the Dog]

There is almost a zero chance they cut Brad Smith. Gailey and Nix have stated as much.

 

I thought Morrison looked pretty solid and active in the first game. He rotated in with the ones. My thought is that they simply rewarded Moats' hard work in practice for 3-4 different reasons. If he really takes the confidence builder and runs with it it will make him a better player. It shows all the young guys we're not playing favorites and if you practice hard and play well we will reward you. And a jolt to the veterans telling them that your jobs are not safe because you're a starter. Morrison, even by the coach's viewing, has had a good camp, too. I also think they know they dicked Moats around a little and are rewarding his handling of it. I wouldn't at all be surprised if Morrison was starting on opening day. It would be great if Moats can beat him out though.

 

McGee was always slated to be ready by opening day, not by the first preseason game. He may not make the team although I still think he will. There is a decent chance he will start. Aaron Williams has not had a great camp, and Leodis has been fair at best.

 

I really liked how Johnny White ran, too. And not a fan of Choice at all. Gailey, unfortunately likes Choice a lot. I would love for White to make a few great runs to make it too hard to cut him. Choice will probably last though.

 

Easley is just not putting it together yet. Graham has been a bit of a surprise and Hagan has probably been better than anyone except SJ. Easley might not make it, although if I had to guess I would say they will keep 6 and Easley will barely hold on.

[bills1960]

With Morrison you have to be kidding. Everyone here screams about depth and you want to cut a good LB in his prime age who signed with a team that did not even utilize him because he was playing out of position. Go look at his career stats. first 5 years in the league all over 116 total tackles. In 07 he had a great year. I do not know what happened in Jacksonville but I do know that last year he did not have the skillset to contribute much. We need him for depth, leadership and versatility. He can slide inside on a pinch. 3-4 and 4-3 are completely different and he is a 4-3 LB.

 

 

There's a reason he just got beat out by Arthur Moats for the starting strong side spot. Yeah he might be more of a mike, but with McKillop playing good special teams I think that makes Morrison expendable.

[DukeyBomb]

With Morrison you have to be kidding. Everyone here screams about depth and you want to cut a good LB in his prime age who signed with a team that did not even utilize him because he was playing out of position. Go look at his career stats. first 5 years in the league all over 116 total tackles. In 07 he had a great year. I do not know what happened in Jacksonville but I do know that last year he did not have the skillset to contribute much. We need him for depth, leadership and versatility. He can slide inside on a pinch. 3-4 and 4-3 are completely different and he is a 4-3 LB.

 

Can't really make an argument on Brad Smith being cut unless you include Nesbit taking over #3 QB role. Ir wont happen, though.

 

And, Choice looked years beyond Johnny White and for that I can't imagine White over Choice. Plus Choice is cap friendly.

 

Roosevelt could be PS this year just to keep Easley. Easley had a huge upside. How far down the hill he has slide is too early to tell.

 

McGee is just hard to watch because he has been so strong on sp many bad teams and been dedicated throughout. More then many of his era, Evans, Lynch, McGahee, etc.

 

KIRK. MORRISON. IS. PLAYING. BETTER.

 

BARNETT, SHEP, MOATS, CARDER, BRADHAM AND B. SCOTT ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE. It's going to be tough to keep 7 LB's

Edited August 13, 2012 by DukeyBomb

[billsfan89]

No way they cut Morrision, they might bench him and put him as a backup but I can't see them cutting the guy when the position is so drastically thin. Troup I think they would rather just IR him and bring him into camp next season, with such a small cap him and a high draft choice invested in him I could see them trying to simply give him another go next year. Easley I could see getting cut, although I think that they will give him till the final cut to try to impress. Choice I could see getting cut too. McGee I think will make the team but I see him as on the bubble, but once again they will give him till the final cuts.

 

As for Brad Smith the guy is the third string/emergency QB and a wildcat specialist. In addition to running the wildcat and special teams ability I think he also gives the team value as being able to line up at receiver. Overall Smith's versatility and ability to run the wildcat will put him on the roster this season.

[San Jose Bills Fan]

From what I saw in the first preseason game, Morrison looked better than Moats.

 

While Moats might give the team more in the pass rush, Morrison seems like a much better run defender to me. Morrison seems to know where to go and doesn't take false steps, and he seems to be considerably bigger to the eye.

[billsfan89]

KIRK. MORRISON. IS. PLAYING. BETTER.

 

BARNETT, SHEP, MOATS, CARDER, BRADHAM AND B. SCOTT ARE NOT GOING ANYWHERE. It's going to be tough to keep 7 LB's

 

Carder will go to the PS and be brought up to the team on injury.

[Malazan]

Who, exactly, do you think is beating out Brad Smith for the 3rd QB position?

[Booger]

Who, exactly, do you think is beating out Brad Smith for the 3rd QB position?

 

As the Bills have done in years past and as a lot of teams do, they rock with 2 QBs

[Malazan]

As the Bills have done in years past and as a lot of teams do, they rock with 2 QBs

 

I don't have the words to help you. They ave said multiple times, over and over, that Brad Smith will be the '3rd QB' which is why they only have 2

[mrags]

I generally agree but there are a few IFs.

 

I don't see Easley getting cut. Unless he is either injured again or just absolutely horrendous. In that case I see him being placed back onto IR if injured and then cut at the end of the year. If he's horrendous, he'll be cut but he hasn't been so far

 

I don't think Morrison will be cut at all. He might be older and losing a bit but he's a veteran in a position where veteran leadership is needed. If Carder, Bradham, and another LB tear it up for the rest of the preseason then maybe hut I doubt he gets cut.

 

I personally want Choice to be cut. I think he played horribly last year when asked to fill in. And I think White has played better to this point but I just don't see Vhan pulling that trigger. I wish he would though.

 

Been saying McGee will be cut. It's almost cented after seeing just the first pre season game of Brooks. We will keep 6. Williams, Gilmore, Rogers, McKelvin, Brooks and probably anyone else over am aging McGee.

 

Troupe as someone said could see the IR, in that case I say the same thing as with Easley. They will be placed in IR until the end of the year then released.

[Kevin]

I do think that Easly and Troup get cut along with Batten, C. White, T. McGee, Thigpen/Young depending on who outperforms the other. Asper, Jasper, Dickerson I think are gone too.

 

Morrisson is the Nickel Linebacker with Scott, so I think they are both safe.

 

Smith is the wildcat and emergency QB so he won't get cut.

[Buffalo Barbarian]

I've said Troup is gone since he got here but big shock.

 

Easly cut? Maybe but I think he stays and we will be keeping 6 if not 7 WRs bc we run so many 5 wide sets.

 

I really do think Kirk Morrison is going to get the short end of the stick. The Bills have nine LB's in total currently. In a scheme where there's going to be a maximum of 3 at most times, someone has to go.

 

Chris White is a no-brainer. Nothing against the guy but he's shown nothing on ST or at the mike.

 

However the rest gets difficult. Moats, Shepp and Barnett are currently the starters so let's assume they're safe. Let's also assume Nix doesn't want to give up on his draft picks so quickly, ensuring Carder and Bradham spots as well.

 

That would leave Morrison and McKillop to battle it out for a potential last spot and I think the edge goes to McKillop simply because he's played his heart out on ST and at the back up mike linebacker spot so far in camp. In conclusion, I don't think Morrison is safe at all.

 

EDIT: I forgot Bryan Scott too, so it makes it even more difficult for his sake.

 

White is staying, His one of the few names that announcers kept bringinging up bc of all hte plays he was making.

 

Carder will go to the PS and be brought up to the team on injury.

 

Carder is a playmaker, he would poached off the PS instantly.

Edited August 13, 2012 by Buffalo Barbarian

[Beerball]

I do think that Easly and Troup get cut along with Batten, C. White, T. McGee, Thigpen/Young depending on who outperforms the other. Asper, Jasper, Dickerson I think are gone too.

 

Morrisson is the Nickel Linebacker with Scott, so I think they are both safe.

 

Smith is the wildcat and emergency QB so he won't get cut.

Chan on Jasper:

“Michael is struggling,” said Gailey. ”Michael has got to learn his assignments. He’s got to learn to play physical every snap. A big, strong guy that’s got a lot of talent as we all know, but he’s got to be more physical and he’s got to continue to push through on assignments.”

http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2012/08/11/jasper-update/

[FreakPop]

I've said Troup is gone since he got here but big shock.

 

Easly cut? Maybe but I think he stays and we will be keeping 6 if not 7 WRs bc we run so many 5 wide sets.

 

 

 

White is staying, His one of the few names that announcers kept bringinging up bc of all hte plays he was making.

 

 

 

Carder is a playmaker, he would poached off the PS instantly.

 

I agree 100% with this. He would be gone within hours if he was practice squaded. Chan and Wanny are not stupid, they know he would be gone.

[eball]

There is almost a zero chance they cut Brad Smith. Gailey and Nix have stated as much.

 

I thought Morrison looked pretty solid and active in the first game. He rotated in with the ones. My thought is that they simply rewarded Moats' hard work in practice for 3-4 different reasons. If he really takes the confidence builder and runs with it it will make him a better player. It shows all the young guys we're not playing favorites and if you practice hard and play well we will reward you. And a jolt to the veterans telling them that your jobs are not safe because you're a starter. Morrison, even by the coach's viewing, has had a good camp, too. I also think they know they dicked Moats around a little and are rewarding his handling of it. I wouldn't at all be surprised if Morrison was starting on opening day. It would be great if Moats can beat him out though.

 

McGee was always slated to be ready by opening day, not by the first preseason game. He may not make the team although I still think he will. There is a decent chance he will start. Aaron Williams has not had a great camp, and Leodis has been fair at best.

 

I really liked how Johnny White ran, too. And not a fan of Choice at all. Gailey, unfortunately likes Choice a lot. I would love for White to make a few great runs to make it too hard to cut him. Choice will probably last though.

 

Easley is just not putting it together yet. Graham has been a bit of a surprise and Hagan has probably been better than anyone except SJ. Easley might not make it, although if I had to guess I would say they will keep 6 and Easley will barely hold on.

 

Agree with all of this. I'm glad one of the tougher cuts will be for who is the 3rd string RB.

[abbottroadwarrior]

Like others, I'm not a big fan of Choice, but I suspect he stays. I wasn't impressed by his recognition on that red zone situation that ended with Lindell's shank. Would rather see White get a shot.