CUTS - a few thoughts....

[dpberr]

I highly doubt Morrison goes anywhere. Man is a super reliable tackling maching in a 4-3 defense and isn't he a starter?

 

I agree with Choice. I dont' see where veteran experience is needed at RB and he's shown nothing for quite some time.

 

I don't think there will be any signficant surprise cuts this year. I fully expect guys like Thigpen and McGee to be cut outright and others like Carder and Asper to head to the PS.

[Dorkington]

I highly doubt Morrison goes anywhere. Man is a super reliable tackling maching in a 4-3 defense and isn't he a starter?.

 

He's second on depth chart, behind Moats. Split first team reps with Moats in the first game.

[Booger]

People assume Morrison can be a starter at an OLB position. So funny to me that people base their opinions on a player off of statistics from 2, 3, 4 years ago. They take out of the equation, Age, most recent performance (in his case past two years) and the fact that MLB not OLB is his primary position.....the position he played in Oakland where he had all the success that has convinced everyone he is uncuttable.

 

Remember this....there is a reason why he was traded (and traded for a 5th round pick).....there is a reason why no one picked him up last year as he was a free agent heading into the season and the only reason the Bills did was because of multiple injuries....and there was a reason he barely played for Buffalo last year. Anyone that says "he was playing out of position" take a look again at what they are projecting him to play this year.

 

If the Bills had a chance to sign Jerry Rice today you people realize that you would be getting exactly that...Jerry Rice today....not Jerry Rice of 1990 correct?

Edited August 13, 2012 by Booger

[Malazan]

Why are we so quick to cut depth here at TBD?

 

Gotta have room to sign every player that we have heard of before! DUH! Did you hear Lee Evans was released?!

[eball]

If the Bills had a chance to sign Jerry Rice today you people realize that you would be getting exactly that...Jerry Rice today....not Jerry Rice of 1990 correct?

 

But...but...Jerry Rice today is better than 80% of the Bills' WR corps.

[Kelly the Dog]

 

Remember this....there is a reason why he was traded (and traded for a 5th round pick).....there is a reason why no one picked him up last year as he was a free agent heading into the season and the only reason the Bills did was because of multiple injuries....and there was a reason he barely played for Buffalo last year. Anyone that says "he was playing out of position" take a look again at what they are projecting him to play this year.

 

There is also a very good reason that Buddy Nix, who gets about a 98% approval rating,on personnel decisions here, signed Kirk Morrison to play LB twice in the last two years.

 

Edited August 13, 2012 by Kelly the Dog

[actionjackson1231]

The Lindell situation is very interesting...He has been shaky as of late, and that shank on thursday certainly didn't help him lol. We were put in a lot of bad situations last season, because of his inability to kick the ball in the endzone. Potter has a hell of a leg, and if he can do the same in the next 3 games, I don't see why he wouldn't make the team. It would certainly make sense. Moorman is gonna have a hell of a season too it seems!! Go Bills!!

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

...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

 

I guess the reason many forget is because there usually are 80 players on the roster at the end of the year counting injured reserve.

[Booger]

There is also a very good reason that Buddy Nix, who gets about a 98% approval rating,on personnel decisions here, signed Kirk Morrison to play LB twice in the last two years.

 

At some point a GM may run out of "options". You do realize that not every single player Nix brings in he expects to be a long term solution. Morrison was nothing more than a plug and continues to be as he resigned cheap. They are constantly looking to upgrade Morrison.

[The Wiz]

I highly doubt Morrison goes anywhere. Man is a super reliable tackling maching in a 4-3 defense and isn't he a starter?

 

I agree with Choice. I dont' see where veteran experience is needed at RB and he's shown nothing for quite some time.

 

I don't think there will be any signficant surprise cuts this year. I fully expect guys like Thigpen and McGee to be cut outright and others like Carder and Asper to head to the PS.

Poz led the team every year in tackles. You want him back?

 

Mcgee is as good as gone in my book. Can't heal, getting old and a lot of young depth pressing for a spot.

Edited August 13, 2012 by The Wiz

[djp14150]

What I forecast in the roster is:

 

OFFENSE: 3 QB, 4 RB, 6 WR, 2 TE, 9 OL DEFENSE: 9 DL, 6LB, 9 DB SPECIAL TEAMS: 4 FOR 52 roster players

 

1 spot is saved as a wild card player that the team feels they can't get them on the practice squad.

 

There is at least 1 player on the PuP...TE Caussin

 

QB the battle is bvetween Young and Thigpen ...Smith is the 3rd QB. Young has to be a total bust for him not to get the job. There is too much upside with him.

 

RB: White vs Choice vs Dickerson (is he a RB or TE)

 

WR: Easiey, Aiken, Roosevelt, Hagan, Martin, Sessions battle for 1-2 roster spots. Session can make the practice squad

 

TE: Brock, Onobun, Smith, Dickerson 1-2 roster spots

OL: Harriston, Pears, Glenn, Wood, Brown , Levitre, Urbik, should be safe The rest in a battle for 2 spots...a G and a T. Some of the players can get to the PS.

 

DL: The only safe ones are Merrimen, Mario, Anderson, Kyle Williams, and Dareus. I think Kelsey could be a cost veteran cut given his salary.

 

DB: 3 safeties are safe (Byrd, Wilson, and Searcy) For CB I think McGee, Gilmore, Aaron Williams are safe.

 

LB: This can get complicated....There ability to play special teams matters. In most defensive sets I see a 4-2-5 or 5-1-5 lineup (using Merriman as a DE who could drop off as a LB then blitz a DB). There are a couple of players they would like to have on the practice squad. Scott is another one where he can play pure safety instead of LB.

 

Sheppard, Scott, and Barnett are safe, I think Carder has an inside shot at making the final 53.

[NickelCity]

I know that he will most likely be cut, but I'm surprised that there is not more chatter about Delano Howell. Anyone notice how he's been doing at camp? Nix said he wanted to add another safety, but hasn't done so yet. Maybe Howell has a fighting chance?

[The Senator]

Theres no point in arguing this, they won't let themselves believe that he has a purpose and that teh wildcat will be used.

 

I think the #3 QB spot counts against your game day total, but what the rule change does is allows your #3 to come in and replace your QB without having to remove your QB from the game. Smith can come in on offence in a wildcat formation, and Fitz can go sit on the bench for the couple of plays, then return when they go back to a regular formation. In the past, Fitz would have to stay on the field and lineup somewhere else, like WR or else he would be out for the remainder of the game.

 

But of course the Bills could just plug anyone there in that spot and be just as successful, cause Smith is barely adequate as a football player and why would you want to keep a guy around who can play atleast 3 different positions and exploit a special rule put in place when you can use that roster spot to keep an backup at another position!

 

The Bills can accomplish the same thing with a far less expensive, far more talented, and far more versatile player like current safety (and former Georgia Tech QB) Josh Nesbitt

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syQm4UtOF-M

.

Edited August 13, 2012 by The Senator

[Sisyphean Bills]

There is also a very good reason that Buddy Nix, who gets about a 98% approval rating,on personnel decisions here, signed Kirk Morrison to play LB twice in the last two years.

 

Link?

[djp14150]

Roosevelt cant do Ps based on my understanding of the PS rules. Easley can.

[Kelly the Dog]

 

 

Link?

Well I would link you to another well respected Bills site, Buffalo Rumblings, which has a very similar fan base and discussion style but I don't want to take people away from this great site. So go there and look up their latest approval poll a week or two ago which had Nix at 96% approve, 0% disapprove, and 3% unsure from about 1500 votes.

[Pirate Angel]

Kirk Morrison isnt going anywhere...Clowney gets cut before Easley.

Eddins gone

Troupe gone

Thigpen gone

[ganesh]

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

 

You don't have to Yell. We can all read it.

[Sisyphean Bills]

Well I would link you to another well respected Bills site, Buffalo Rumblings, which has a very similar fan base and discussion style but I don't want to take people away from this great site. So go there and look up their latest approval poll a week or two ago which had Nix at 96% approve, 0% disapprove, and 3% unsure from about 1500 votes.

 

OK. You actually seem to be referencing numbers from a poll, which is good. All too often, people whip out a number like that with absolutely nothing to back it up, but also with full knowledge that no one would even think of questioning it because it sounded like they knew the poop.

[San Jose Bills Fan]

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

 

Great.

 

You woke up the baby.

 

Thanks.

[DukeyBomb]

I would be willing to bet a pretty penny Torell Troup DOES NOT GET CUT. This guy just got done having surgery on his back, he's in pain and he can not get on the field. But he will NOT get cut because of this. He isn't old and constantly getting injured like McGee, who also has NO upside. He is a young talented 2nd round pick that is getting better and better. He is also much younger than Dwan and Spencer. If we didn't cut a guy like Merriman after his first two seasons... I doubt we are going to cut Troup who has a much more manageable contract. If anything, he goes on IR.

 

http://sports.yahoo....07232--nfl.html

 

I'm rooting for the kid more than anybody on the team hands down.

Edited August 14, 2012 by DukeyBomb

[PromoTheRobot]

 

My surprise cut... Lindel. Its hard to take up a roster spot just for a kick off specialist. So, I think they keep the young guy with the big leg. I'm not sure I agree with that, but just what I'm thinking.

If you start seeing Potter getting more FG tries that could be a sign.

 

PTR

[bmur66]

I think Jasper will get cut first. He is struggling with his assignments.

[DukeyBomb]

Yeah that's so funny...

[FreakPop]

I would be willing to bet a pretty penny Torell Troup DOES NOT GET CUT. This guy just got done having surgery on his back, he's in pain and he can not get on the field. But he will NOT get cut because of this. He isn't old and constantly getting injured like McGee, who also has NO upside. He is a young talented 2nd round pick that is getting better and better. He is also much younger than Dwan and Spencer. If we didn't cut a guy like Merriman after his first two seasons... I doubt we are going to cut Troup who has a much more manageable contract. If anything, he goes on IR.

 

http://sports.yahoo....07232--nfl.html

 

I'm rooting for the kid more than anybody on the team hands down.

 

Merriman was still pretty young going through his injury problems. Plus he had proven to be a stud in every way shape and form, that is something Troup has yet to prove. Troup has proved nothing as of yet. The Dline looks good and deep without Troup in it. I do not think Troup has a chance of sticking around, but that is just my opinion.

[ChanOverChin]

Morrison will make the team even if he doesn't start at OLB. He can play MLB and ST so he gives us good depth.

 

B. Smith will be our #3 QB unless Thigpen really starts to show something, which to me is highly doubtful. The Bills have the Wildcat Guru in the fold now so expect B. Smith's Wildcat skills will be better utilized this year.

 

BTW, V. Young is really starting to come on. It has taken him longer to learn the Bills' offense than expected but he's finally getting there. His natural athleticism is too good to ignore, which is why he will make the team as our #2 QB over Thigpen.

 

Troup would make the final roster as the fifth DT, but he's not healthy and my guess is that he won't be healthy enough to make the final roster. I'm hopeful that the Bills will put him on IR or the PUP list to keep him around until he is finally healthy.

 

At WR, I currently have Hagan over Easley. St. Johnson/Nelson/D. Jones/Graham are all virtual locks. If the Bills only keep 5 WRs then I think Hagan makes it over Easley. if they take 6 WRs (and they definitely might), then I think Easley would be #6 (although don't discount R. Martin because he is a decent WR and an excellent ST player).

 

McKillop is a guy who is flying under the radar. I think he makes the final roster over C. White because he can play MLB and is an excellent ST player. He's also a tackling machine and Wanny really likes him.

 

If that's the case then we take long time vets Barnett, Morrison, and Scott and a nice group of hungry younger guys in Sheppard, Moats, McKillop, Bradham, and Carder.

 

The Choice vs J. White competition is still to be decided. I originally thought that Choice would win out easily, but I have to admit that White outperformed Choice in the first preseason game. Still, I think that Gailey favors Choice because he's much more familiar with him, knows what he is capable of, and knows that he will need a dependable #3 RB during the season. We will see what happens.

[DukeyBomb]

Merriman was still pretty young going through his injury problems. Plus he had proven to be a stud in every way shape and form, that is something Troup has yet to prove. Troup has proved nothing as of yet. The Dline looks good and deep without Troup in it. I do not think Troup has a chance of sticking around, but that is just my opinion.

 

Troup showed some talent. Wanny was impressed with his 2010 tape. Guys with Troups ability and potential don't grow on Trees. So when we cut Troup... and 2-3 years down the line we don't have Edwards and Johnson... We still won't have Troup... Who could be a stud at the time.

 

I think the roster limit should be raised by two.

[BuffaloFan68]

So far I see White out-performing Choice but to be fair we should have White run with the first 2 strings & then have Choice run against the 3-4's and then see how they look. Choice looked poor in preseason game 1.

 

I also feel that we need to take a closer look at Donald Jones as a WR on the bubble. That kid drops way more than he catches.

 

We should also try to keep Brad Smith for this season. I have a feelin that I'd we let him go, the Jets will try to get him back.

[Matt in KC]

Morrison will make the team even if he doesn't start at OLB. He can play MLB and ST so he gives us good depth.

 

B. Smith will be our #3 QB unless Thigpen really starts to show something, which to me is highly doubtful. The Bills have the Wildcat Guru in the fold now so expect B. Smith's Wildcat skills will be better utilized this year.

 

BTW, V. Young is really starting to come on. It has taken him longer to learn the Bills' offense than expected but he's finally getting there. His natural athleticism is too good to ignore, which is why he will make the team as our #2 QB over Thigpen.

 

Troup would make the final roster as the fifth DT, but he's not healthy and my guess is that he won't be healthy enough to make the final roster. I'm hopeful that the Bills will put him on IR or the PUP list to keep him around until he is finally healthy.

 

At WR, I currently have Hagan over Easley. St. Johnson/Nelson/D. Jones/Graham are all virtual locks. If the Bills only keep 5 WRs then I think Hagan makes it over Easley. if they take 6 WRs (and they definitely might), then I think Easley would be #6 (although don't discount R. Martin because he is a decent WR and an excellent ST player).

 

McKillop is a guy who is flying under the radar. I think he makes the final roster over C. White because he can play MLB and is an excellent ST player. He's also a tackling machine and Wanny really likes him.

 

If that's the case then we take long time vets Barnett, Morrison, and Scott and a nice group of hungry younger guys in Sheppard, Moats, McKillop, Bradham, and Carder.

 

The Choice vs J. White competition is still to be decided. I originally thought that Choice would win out easily, but I have to admit that White outperformed Choice in the first preseason game. Still, I think that Gailey favors Choice because he's much more familiar with him, knows what he is capable of, and knows that he will need a dependable #3 RB during the season. We will see what happens.

I agree Hagan is ahead of Easley. Way ahead at this point if you ask me. In a quote last week Gailey sounded like he wanted to say he had a spot and had to kind of awkwardly soften his language. I'm going to mangle the paraphrase, but it was something like "Hagan is really doing well and is a lock to um, really lock up a spot, if he uh keeps up his strong play."

 

At first I was suprised McKillop was ahed of Carder on the depth chart in front of Carder because I hadn't heard of him and figured he was camp fodder and motivation for Carder to beat him out. That said, now thatg I'm paying attention, I think he's playing verywell and is likely to make the team.

[DJasper Probincrux III]

Troup's back isn't going to get better fellas. Back problems don't really go away and when your job is to be a 350 lb forklift that's oddly not good for your back in and of itself. He's done.

[Sisyphean Bills]

The Choice vs J. White competition is still to be decided. I originally thought that Choice would win out easily, but I have to admit that White outperformed Choice in the first preseason game. Still, I think that Gailey favors Choice because he's much more familiar with him, knows what he is capable of, and knows that he will need a dependable #3 RB during the season. We will see what happens.

 

Anybody here old enough to remember Anthony Gray? That dude ran for several miles in the pre-season and everyone thought he'd make the team easily. Turned out he got cut because the coaches didn't trust him to pick up a blitz. For that matter, CJ Spiller is a great runner who has struggled to get on the field for similar reasons. In fact, Spiller's struggles are precisely why Choice was brought in in the first place.

 

Now, I'm not saying White isn't a complete back and maybe even a better option. Chan has already let some of his old Georgia Tech players go since coming to the Bills.

[QCity]

People assume Morrison can be a starter at an OLB position. So funny to me that people base their opinions on a player off of statistics from 2, 3, 4 years ago. They take out of the equation, Age, most recent performance (in his case past two years) and the fact that MLB not OLB is his primary position.....the position he played in Oakland where he had all the success that has convinced everyone he is uncuttable.

 

Remember this....there is a reason why he was traded (and traded for a 5th round pick).....there is a reason why no one picked him up last year as he was a free agent heading into the season and the only reason the Bills did was because of multiple injuries....and there was a reason he barely played for Buffalo last year. Anyone that says "he was playing out of position" take a look again at what they are projecting him to play this year.

 

Keep in mind that there is a huge difference between playing inside and outside in a 3-4 scheme. He really didn't even see the field last year, and 30 is not considered over-the-hill for a LB. In the 4-3 we are running this year the LB spots will be almost interchangeable (that's coming from Wanny), which is much closer to the MLB position he excelled at in Oakland. I'm not saying he is still that player, but I don't think he gets cut.

 

If that's the case then we take long time vets Barnett, Morrison, and Scott and a nice group of hungry younger guys in Sheppard, Moats, McKillop, Bradham, and Carder.

 

There's just no way we carry 8 LBs in our current 4-3 scheme. Even 7 would be pushing it. The LB battle is going to be very interesting over the new few weeks.

[eball]

<snip>

 

McKillop is a guy who is flying under the radar. I think he makes the final roster over C. White because he can play MLB and is an excellent ST player. He's also a tackling machine and Wanny really likes him.

 

 

I had not heard this reported previously, but if McKillop is in fact flying, he's a lock. Think of the blitz possibilities. Unstoppable.

[FreakPop]

Troup showed some talent. Wanny was impressed with his 2010 tape. Guys with Troups ability and potential don't grow on Trees. So when we cut Troup... and 2-3 years down the line we don't have Edwards and Johnson... We still won't have Troup... Who could be a stud at the time.

 

I think the roster limit should be raised by two.

 

Sorry but sports are what have you done for me lately. I'm really thinking Chan doesn't give a rats..... about an unproven depth dline man 2-3 years down the road. He cares about the now and right now I think Troup is on the outside looking in. Too many guys ahead of him skill wise that don't have a history of injury problems. What's the point of keeping him? Sorry but good by Mr. Troup.

[Captain Hindsight]

I had not heard this reported previously, but if McKillop is in fact flying, he's a lock. Think of the blitz possibilities. Unstoppable.

[dwight in philly]

i know they probably wont cut him, but sheppard seems like an enigma at this point. he came in with lots of fanfare. at present he is barely a blip on the radar. not sure how much that is injury-related. i guess i expected more from him.

[truth on hold]

Sure sounds like troupe is done. He's still not 100%, complaining about being in constant pain and even questioning why he had the disc fusion surgery in the first place. I feel for the guy and everything, but with the quality of our starters and depth of our backups, it's time move on.

[Pete]

Thigpen stays, Young Cut, Smith stays

 

Troupe stays

 

Barnett, Scott, Sheppard, McKillop, Carder, and one of Moats/Morrison(my $ is on Moats) Bradham to PS

 

Stevie, Nelson, Jones, Graham, Hagan, Easley make it as WR's

 

Potter wins job over Lindell

 

 

Thats my predictions

[3rdand12]

Young stays

Trouper goes at least to IR or PUP. or cut.

we keep both Morrison and Moats. I know..

Do we keep five wr's? Easley not sure..

Potter, will get postion, not yet though. Lindell starts.

we dont add a safety to keep Morrison and Moats, float Scott back there when needed.

just an opinion of course, still early and tough to call this year

[BillsCelticsAngelsBama]

I would be willing to bet a pretty penny Torell Troup DOES NOT GET CUT. This guy just got done having surgery on his back, he's in pain and he can not get on the field. But he will NOT get cut because of this. He isn't old and constantly getting injured like McGee, who also has NO upside. He is a young talented 2nd round pick that is getting better and better. He is also much younger than Dwan and Spencer. If we didn't cut a guy like Merriman after his first two seasons... I doubt we are going to cut Troup who has a much more manageable contract. If anything, he goes on IR.

 

http://sports.yahoo....07232--nfl.html

 

I'm rooting for the kid more than anybody on the team hands down.

Wow he's in pain and he can not get on the field. That's agood reason to keep him. He's gone.. Deal with it. He's a second rounder only because he was picked a couple of rounds early. Age is overrated. Dwan Edwards, at his age, is better than Troup will ever be. Upside.. based on what, oh yeah he was picked in the second round. The Bills need to move on and get players who will be ON the field.