Guys who looked okay last night and who didn't

[bowery4]

I thought Rosie showed up (even with the drop got 6 passes for 60 yards, question does that help? will he make the team?). The back up safety Howard looked good and got a few plays. Mc Killop looked better than Shep to me, Morrision and Moats? where were they? That worries me. Donald Jones looked good in space on his TD catch and run. Shawn Merriman was good when he finally got in with the 2s, Edwards had a sack. Carrinton, nothing I saw.

Who did you see that changed your opinion about if they may or may not make the team?

[Bangarang]

I really like Ron Brooks. He has a lot of talent.

[Rock'em Sock'em]

+ Moats. He seemed to be in many plays on both defense and special teams

+ Morrison. Seemed solid to me.

+ Brooks. Another solid outing

+ Kyle

+ Marcell

 

- Sheppard. Where has he been this pre-season? I'm expecting a MLB in a 4-3 to be in most plays. Do they take him out for nickle package or something?

- Merriman. He did make one nice play to beat a block from their backup TE. Otherwise, it seemed like he was not motivated to play too hard.

- Chandler. Missed on a couple blocks.

- Spiller / OL. A lot of bouncing around, but no yards on limitted carries.

[bowery4]

My post was wrong with

Howell's name, sorry.

 

Liked Brooks as well, forgot to add him.

[jr1]

Ron Brooks looks like a keeper

[HOUSE]

Mark Kelso was bashing Kevin Sheppard all night long, Missed tackles, out of position, wrong angle. Sheppard was still on the field in the 4th quarter.

 

Kelso's final comment was " The Bills need better play from the MLB position."

 

Makes no sense to play a starter that long in a meaningless preseason game. Something is up with this......IMO

Edited August 18, 2012 by HOUSE

[mountainwampus]

Good: Dareus and Kyle W both look super-human. Howell was good. Heard looks too good to cut. Kyle Moore flushed Joe Webb from the pocket 2 times, decently. Graham finally looking like a starter. Dickerson finally making catches and showing good speed and blocking. Moats was solid. Fitz and VY.

 

Bad: Asper, Williams and Carmon on the O-Line. Sheppard missed some tackles, lost his footing, Ruvell Martin didn't get past the marker on 4th down catch. Thigpen and Brad Smith can't throw. Choice never seems to get more than 2-3 yards. Cut em.

[KOKBILLS]

Mark Kelso was bashing Kevin Sheppard all night long, Sheppard was still on the field in the 4th quarter.

 

Makes no sense to play a starter that long. Something is up with this......IMO

 

Well...They're trying to get him experience at the Mike no question...He really lacks overall play time, and it's a new Defense to boot...But that Kid...I don't know...Nothing he does tells me he's ready for what is to come...A decent MLB should have a Pro-Bowl head start behind this line, and Shep gets blocked, or takes himself out of too many plays...It's a concern...No question about it...He should be dominating in Run Defense minimum...And it is not happening...Not yet at least...But it is only pre-season week #2...We'll see...

[bowery4]

Ahh Dickerson another one I forgot but I keep Corey Mac and make him TE#3 for the final cuts.

 

BTW I agree with most of this but didn't really notice Moats, might have been my stream it cut out a couple of times

Good: Dareus and Kyle W both look super-human. Howell was good. Heard looks too good to cut. Kyle Moore flushed Joe Webb from the pocket 2 times, decently. Graham finally looking like a starter. Dickerson finally making catches and showing good speed and blocking. Moats was solid. Fitz and VY.

 

Bad: Asper, Williams and Carmon on the O-Line. Sheppard missed some tackles, lost his footing, Ruvell Martin didn't get past the marker on 4th down catch. Thigpen and Brad Smith can't throw. Choice never seems to get more than 2-3 yards. Cut em.

 

What is the gel time on a good on paper D switching back to the 4/3 I wonder

Well...They're trying to get him experience at the Mike no question...He really lacks overall play time, and it's a new Defense to boot...But that Kid...I don't know...Nothing he does tells me he's ready for what is to come...A decent MLB should have a Pro-Bowl head start behind this line, and Shep gets blocked, or takes himself out of too many plays...It's a concern...No question about it...He should be dominating in Run Defense minimum...And it is not happening...Not yet at least...But it is only pre-season week #2...We'll see...

[sllib olaffub]

I think in nickel packages Sheppard is brought out, along with Moats/Morrison, and Barnett and Scott become the two LB's. That would explain some of the missing time for Sheppard, as we saw a ton of nickel last week. Still - I'd have to agree with the questions surrounding Shep. A middle linebacker should be hands down the most remarkable, noticed LB on a squad. He should know how to make big hits, and with our D-line - it's obvious there will be a crease or two up the middle for backs to run in, but that shouldn't be too much of a weakness, since our middle LB should be there to nail the guy when he makes it past the DT's. I just haven't seen that kind of PRESENCE from Sheppard. I, too, think our MLB of the future is not on this roster (although McKillop looked okay to me).

[Tsaikotic]

I thought CB Green looked pretty good..he's not going to make the team, but he still looked pretty solid...P.S. maybe??

[HurlyBurly51]

I thought CB Green looked pretty good..he's not going to make the team, but he still looked pretty solid...P.S. maybe??

 

The only time I noticed Green was when he got burned and beaten bad on a deep ball. Cut.

[Maury Ballstein]

Might as well have Dickerson as Te #2. Keep Corey Mac. Lee smith is te#2 ??? Never seen him do anything

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

Who didn't:

1. The Run d up the middle. Kyle and Darius weren't dominating the middle as they normally would. Assume preseason malaise.

2. Shep- looked slow and blockable. Might be an artifact of injury

3. Aaron Williams was beat often. He may not be as ready to start as hoped through Simpson and ponder looked great.

4. Spiller - so quick but indecisive. Outsmarts himself a lot. Used his elusiveness to turn a 3 yard loss into a 7 yard loss.

5. Thigpen- if he isn't cut, I will be shocked. He threw a nice td to a min LB.

6. Brad smith throwing. I just don't care for this wrinkle in the play book. For his first play he ran the same play as thigs last, touchdown pass to a Min LB.

 

Who did:

1. I don't see what everyone else was complaining about on VY. I though he looked just fine and should be the #2.

2. Graham. This kid is good and fast. Will be starting by mid season. Had a great deep grab, he had 4 steps on his guy. Decent PR too.

3. Roosevelt - this guy is giving the coaching staff every reason to keep him other than on bad drop. Gets open makes grabs fights for yars...

4. Chandler- not just good catching great downfield blocking

5. Freddie- this guy is an enigma. Not flashy or electric, average speed, but slips through a seem for big yards consistently

6. Jones- i haven't seen a wr turn a quick slant into a td like that since Andre Reed. Heads up on fumble recovery.

7. Brooks- I like this kid better than Williams, or Gilmore in preseason. Granted he is tested more, but every time the ball is near him he is tipping, intercepting, breaking up, tackling. The steal of the 2012 draft for buf.

8. Fitz- You said ok... Was 8/11 for 50 or so and a td. Pass to Stevie was outstanding Farve like shot.

9. Kelsey- he was in the backfield causing more trouble than the other DE's combined.

10. Dickinson I hope they keep him around and keep developing him. Couple nice plays.

11. Choice looked a million times better over ps game 1.

[Nukethis]

I really like Ron Brooks. He has a lot of talent.

 

Guys who looked good:

Agreed on Brooks. Thought he looked like a solid player.

Roosevelt continues to be boring and just get open and catch the ball.

Kyle Williams is back to having those incredibly quick first couple of steps.

The Bills finally have a CONSISTENT KO specialist. I hope they keep John Potter.

VY looked like hes finally starting to get Chans system.

TJ Graham can develop into a game breaking weapon with his outside speed.

Shawn Powell boomed punts again but also pooched 1 inside the 20 Aussie style. 36 yo Moorman may actually face a challenge.

 

Who Didnt Look Good:

Tashard Choice. Can we please get rid of this 2-3 YPC guy who is only here because he played college ball for Chan ?

Aaron Maybin. I just had to include him on this list out of habit.

Thigpen and Brad Smith. 2 of the worst throws ever.

LBers as a group were not good and did not fill gaps.

 

 

Is Marcus Easley still on the team ?

Goodbye Torrell Troup. Not being able to play with injuries will end his Bills career. Too bad as he had promise.

 

On to game 3 of the preseason where teams actually try to win this game and set a tone.

[Buffaloed in Pa]

#36 all over the place.

[Ronin]

DL looked good considering that the D never blitzed. They logged two sacks in about 20 plays or so. Can't ask for more than that. Despite the heat that Mario's taking for no sacks, the DL did their job.

 

The problem is in the LB and CBs. There is no experience at the CBs and there's only one decent LB in Barnett. That's going to be a liability all season long. Way too much pressure on the DL to perform.

 

Who cares what players did against 2nd, 3rd, and 4th team players, they're not going to be the ones that they're lining up against in regular season, so it's not a measuring stick.

 

The first team O had one brief drive against the Vikes' 2nd team D and was abysmal otherwise. Spiller showed nothing, no speed. Jackson was OK. The receivers are obviously going to be an issue all season long. You simply cannot take WRs like Jones, Nelson, and the rest and turn them into a group that's going to excel in a spread or in a normal pro set offense for that matter. They're backup receivers being asked to start. Blame the geniuses that put the roster together.

[1B4IDie]

The best thing Lee Evans has done in his career for the Buffalo Bills is land us Ron Brooks. That kid is a stud!

[HumbleAndHungry]

Ron Brooks: Great ball skills, even when he seems beat, he recovers and gets his hands in between the defenders while avoiding PI calls

TJ Graham: Has shown more promise in 2 preseason games than Easley has in two years, great speed and surprisingly good ball skills

John Potter: As good as advertised regarding leg strengh

Arthur Moats: Has brought good energy and is involved in several plays

Delano Howell: made some great open field tackles last night and did well in pass coverage, also had funble recovery

[stony]

DL looked good considering that the D never blitzed. They logged two sacks in about 20 plays or so. Can't ask for more than that. Despite the heat that Mario's taking for no sacks, the DL did their job.

 

The problem is in the LB and CBs. There is no experience at the CBs and there's only one decent LB in Barnett. That's going to be a liability all season long. Way too much pressure on the DL to perform.

 

Who cares what players did against 2nd, 3rd, and 4th team players, they're not going to be the ones that they're lining up against in regular season, so it's not a measuring stick.

 

The first team O had one brief drive against the Vikes' 2nd team D and was abysmal otherwise. Spiller showed nothing, no speed. Jackson was OK. The receivers are obviously going to be an issue all season long. You simply cannot take WRs like Jones, Nelson, and the rest and turn them into a group that's going to excel in a spread or in a normal pro set offense for that matter. They're backup receivers being asked to start. Blame the geniuses that put the roster together.

 

He shouldn't be taking crap. It's preseason.

 

Personally I think Mario is going to have a Pepper's-like 1st year w/ the team (his 1st year in Chicago) where he only gets 8-9 sacks but makes life so much easier around the dine for everyone else.

 

Kyle was a beast last night. His quickness his back.

 

Dareus is an amazing athlete for such a fat man. The play where he ran down the line was freaking awesome.

 

Aside from two running plays the Dline looked fine to me.

 

CBs are the weakness of the team. Don't want to overreact cause it's preseason but outside of Barnett our LBs are going to have problems guarding RBs out of the backfield. We're going to see a lot of Scott this year.

[CardinalScotts]

+ Moats. He seemed to be in many plays on both defense and special teams

+ Morrison. Seemed solid to me.

+ Brooks. Another solid outing

+ Kyle

+ Marcell

 

- Sheppard. Where has he been this pre-season? I'm expecting a MLB in a 4-3 to be in most plays. Do they take him out for nickle package or something?

- Merriman. He did make one nice play to beat a block from their backup TE. Otherwise, it seemed like he was not motivated to play too hard.

- Chandler. Missed on a couple blocks.

- Spiller / OL. A lot of bouncing around, but no yards on limitted carries.

Spiller limited carries..ya 2

[dwight in philly]

I think in nickel packages Sheppard is brought out, along with Moats/Morrison, and Barnett and Scott become the two LB's. That would explain some of the missing time for Sheppard, as we saw a ton of nickel last week. Still - I'd have to agree with the questions surrounding Shep. A middle linebacker should be hands down the most remarkable, noticed LB on a squad. He should know how to make big hits, and with our D-line - it's obvious there will be a crease or two up the middle for backs to run in, but that shouldn't be too much of a weakness, since our middle LB should be there to nail the guy when he makes it past the DT's. I just haven't seen that kind of PRESENCE from Sheppard. I, too, think our MLB of the future is not on this roster (although McKillop looked okay to me).

i think sheppard is someone we should be concerned about. i think he is not the player i expected, and i am sure the bills are feeling the same way. only excuse could be an injury, but if not, i have real concerns about him.

[BuffaloBillsMagic1]

Howell a real surprise, Sheppard can't get off of any blocks to make a tackle. Cut him now.

[bills1960]

Brooks continues to impress. Reminds me of a young Terrence McGee. Not big but fast, physical and perfect for the nickel corner spot.

 

Same goes for TJ Graham. If he doesn't get at least a snap with the first team O next week I'm going to begin questioning Gailey's agenda. What does Derek Hagan have that Graham doesn't other than experience? That's what the preseason is for, get him some reps against actual starting D-Backs and see what happens.

 

Searcy looks pretty solid in his open field tackling other than a few of those Webb runs (which I'd need to watch again to tell whether he was at fault). He's going to have a big role this year in TE coverage along with Scott so it's nice to seem him gelling a bit.

 

Gilmore may not have wowed anyone last night but he definitely didn't do anything to regress in his game. The one play that stuck out to me was a fade pass on the second drive I believe in the back corner of the endzone. Wasn't fooled, didn't freak out. Just made sure he didn't interfere and locked the receiver up. We've seen enough of our guys get burned on plays like that so that was one of the few bright spots.

 

McKillop made all of his plays except for whiffing on an open field tackle late in the game that resulted in a pretty big run after the catch for one of their TE's. He's a guy I'd like to see get some more reps in the first half rather than the second. He's proved that he can stand up to second and third string offenses, but I won't say he's in competition with Shepp until he can make some plays against first string guys.

[Optometric Insight]

I liked that one FF by McKelvin. Impressed me and made me open my eyes a little.

[bills1960]

I liked that one FF by McKelvin. Impressed me and made me open my eyes a little.

 

Agreed, but that guy wouldn't have even had the ball had he not burned McKelvin on a slant pattern.

[Optometric Insight]

Agreed, but that guy wouldn't have even had the ball had he not burned McKelvin on a slant pattern.

Well, you can look at it in two positive ways:

 

1. He made up for making a mistake and it won't happen again

 

2. He knew that something was going to happen that would work out for him and he let the guy complete the pass

[Johnny Hammersticks]

I'm not sure why Aaron Williams seems to be catching so much criticism following last night's game. He looked pretty solid to me....even on that long reception by Jenkins....Williams was in his hip pocket the entire way, and even got his hand on the ball and almost knocked it away....great play by the WR. He had 2 other completions against him....both by Jerome Simpson. The first was a 4 yard reception for which Simpson faked a go route, stopped and caught the ball on a 4 yard out pattern. Good tackle by Williams to stop him in his tracks. The second reception was a crossing pattern by Simpson for which Williams was screened by another Vikings WR. Simpson should have been picked up by a linebacker, was not, and went for a decent gain. Again, I didn't notice any glaring mistakes by Williams in coverage or in run defense.

 

Maybe someone else noticed something I did not which would warrant criticism? I watched him pretty closely.

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

I'm not sure why Aaron Williams seems to be catching so much criticism following last night's game. He looked pretty solid to me....even on that long reception by Jenkins....Williams was in his hip pocket the entire way, and even got his hand on the ball and almost knocked it away....great play by the WR. He had 2 other completions against him....both by Jerome Simpson. The first was a 4 yard reception for which Simpson faked a go route, stopped and caught the ball on a 4 yard out pattern. Good tackle by Williams to stop him in his tracks. The second reception was a crossing pattern by Simpson for which Williams was screened by another Vikings WR. Simpson should have been picked up by a linebacker, was not, and went for a decent gain. Again, I didn't notice any glaring mistakes by Williams in coverage or in run defense.

 

Maybe someone else noticed something I did not which would warrant criticism? I watched him pretty closely.

 

I think it was the Simpson play that got everyone freaked out. Visions of McK getting toasted by Santonio Holmes. I with you on great play... I never even heard of this guy until his flip last year, but he looks stout.

[Trader]

I thought Rosie showed up (even with the drop got 6 passes for 60 yards, question does that help? will he make the team?). The back up safety Howard looked good and got a few plays. Mc Killop looked better than Shep to me, Morrision and Moats? where were they? That worries me. Donald Jones looked good in space on his TD catch and run. Shawn Merriman was good when he finally got in with the 2s, Edwards had a sack. Carrinton, nothing I saw.

Who did you see that changed your opinion about if they may or may not make the team?

 

Aiken and Ruvell Martin are easy cuts I like Roosevelt and he might have moved ahead of Clowney and Hagen on his preformance last night and in camp. I would like them to keep 6 receivers.

[Ronin]

He shouldn't be taking crap. It's preseason.

 

Personally I think Mario is going to have a Pepper's-like 1st year w/ the team (his 1st year in Chicago) where he only gets 8-9 sacks but makes life so much easier around the dine for everyone else.

 

Kyle was a beast last night. His quickness his back.

 

Dareus is an amazing athlete for such a fat man. The play where he ran down the line was freaking awesome.

 

Aside from two running plays the Dline looked fine to me.

 

CBs are the weakness of the team. Don't want to overreact cause it's preseason but outside of Barnett our LBs are going to have problems guarding RBs out of the backfield. We're going to see a lot of Scott this year.

 

Yeah, I think that pretty much sums up what I said.

 

I'm not the one getting on Mario's case, but some have. He'll be fine despite the fact that I think we overpaid for him.

 

I also still say that having put that money towards decent coaching and management would have gone much, much further towards producing a winner.

[San Jose Bills Fan]

I understand Johnny Hammerstick's questions about the Aaron Williams criticism but it has to be taken in the context of numerous reports of him struggling in practice, and his whiffed tackle last week which turned a routine 2 yard gain into a 9 yard gain.

 

Also, I don't care if he's in position if he doesn't make the play. A good corner doesn't let a receiver get away with a subtle push in the back because a good corner slows down enough that there's no way the receiver will get anywhere near close to the ball.

 

Just like a QB has to throw a ball where only his receiver can get it, a cornerback has to position himself where only he can catch it. If Williams is victimized on that play without learning, he'll be victimized many more times. It's like blocking out in basketball… position yourself where either you catch it or it falls to the ground. Leverage 101.

 

Sheppard was horrible and to his apologists, he and others have repeatedly said that this was virtually the same defense he played at LSU so I'm not gonna buy any excuses. His play has been atrocious.

 

I'm reminded of Gailey's comments two weeks ago correcting the media assumption that Sheppard was locked into the starting job. Whatever the theories are as to why Sheppard was playing into the 4th quarter, there is no way to spin it into a positive. In the best-case, Sheppard looks stellar and is pulled after the first quarter so the team can evaluate McKillup and Carder.

[Tsaikotic]

few of you mentioned John Potter...can he not kick FG's?...I think he makes the team anyways, just wondering...don't know much about him.

[K-9]

few of you mentioned John Potter...can he not kick FG's?...I think he makes the team anyways, just wondering...don't know much about him.

 

He was wide left on EVERY kickoff. He's gotta split the uprights on those.

 

GO BILLS!!!

[MARCELL DAREUS POWER]

this game just looked like the bills had no interest... jmo

 

i saw dareus and mario on a few plays literally just stand up...

[Hapless Bills Fan]

- Sheppard. Where has he been this pre-season? I'm expecting a MLB in a 4-3 to be in most plays. Do they take him out for nickle package or something?

 

They do, actually. The nickle LBs are Scott and Barnett

[NickelCity]

I posted this a few days ago:

 

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?

 

I thought he played very well. If Chan and Nix were planning on bringing in another safety, I guess it's reasonable to assume a spot is attainable. Go Cardinal.

[Formerly Allan in MD]

Mark Kelso was bashing Kevin Sheppard all night long, Missed tackles, out of position, wrong angle. Sheppard was still on the field in the 4th quarter.

 

Kelso's final comment was " The Bills need better play from the MLB position."

 

Makes no sense to play a starter that long in a meaningless preseason game. Something is up with this......IMO

What's up is they feel he needs as much work as he can get and if that doesn't work, they know what has to be done about/with him.

[HurlyBurly51]

I posted this a few days ago:

 

 

 

I thought he played very well. If Chan and Nix were planning on bringing in another safety, I guess it's reasonable to assume a spot is attainable. Go Cardinal.

 

I admit I had to look up his number, but this Howell guy is the number one guy who caught my attention in that game. Very solid.

[BobChalmers]

What is the gel time on a good on paper D switching back to the 4/3 I wonder

 

This is a good question in general but they are not switching BACK to anything. This is not the Tampa-2 Jauron was running.