eball Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 I'll be disappointed if Nick Barnett is playing any sort of significant role on the Bills next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pirate Angel Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Kelsay - old, expensive, and average at best Spencer Johnson- also has a fairly hefty contact for what he provides, and Carrington has made him expendable George Wilson- Outplayed by Searcy last season. Aaron Williams should get slid over to SS as well which is where he was projected to play out of college. Bryan Scott to play backup as well Fred Jackson- hate this but old and injured and pricey...Complimentary RB's can be found in Free Agency Ryan FitzPatrick- his contract voids any reasoning to keep him Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuntheDamnBall Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Kelsay - old, expensive, and average at best Spencer Johnson- also has a fairly hefty contact for what he provides, and Carrington has made him expendable George Wilson- Outplayed by Searcy last season. Aaron Williams should get slid over to SS as well which is where he was projected to play out of college. Bryan Scott to play backup as well Fred Jackson- hate this but old and injured and pricey...Complimentary RB's can be found in Free Agency Ryan FitzPatrick- his contract voids any reasoning to keep him I think every one of these guys has a 50/50 shot at this point, mostly due to contract restructuring and Wilson's role on ST's and in the locker room. And FJax is not pricey for a capable #2 with a great history, who just needs to heal up. I don't think we'll ever see him be what he was the past few years, but all they need him to be is a solid part of the rotation. If they did somehow get Tavon Austin or a real power runner, they could have a formidable three-headed monster like the Giants have had. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maybe Someday Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 I know people have guys that they just don’t like for one reason or another as evidenced by all the “he sucks, cut him now” responses/threads but the fact is that not every player on the roster can be all pro caliber, you need roll players and depth as well. Of course some of last year’s starters should not be starting. If they were we'd have been better than we were but they’d be solid back-ups for us at the very least. I’d be completely shocked if Shepard & Chandler aren’t on this team next season. I’m not saying Shepard is great but he is one of the better LBs that we currently have. He’s young, still developing and we’re not going to cut and replace every LB on the roster in 1 off season, it’s just not feasible. He’ll be around for depth/special teams at the very least but I’m expecting that he’ll be starting again next year. IMO, upgrading the OLBs is a higher priority than replacing him. Besides SJ13 & CJ, Chandler was the most reliable pass catcher that we had last season. At least 2 drops per game?!?!?! What games were you watching? Even if we do bring in another TE, Chandler would be a solid #2 and definitely has value on this team. He’ll probably start out the year on the PUP so we will need to bring in some other options. IMO Aaron Williams gets a pass because he’s still young and developing. I think he’s more suited to be a safety than a CB. He’d be depth behind Byrd (assuming he re-signs) and can play CB in a pinch. Depending on who we draft and bring in as FA signings, I don’t think any players that are currently under contract will be cut prior to camp unless they are due a large roster bonus and very few of our current vets have a large bonus coming due this year. It doesn’t matter how much they make, their salary is not guaranteed until week 1 so let them come to camp and compete. If they can’t hack it, then cut them. The big bonus’ due to players on the bubble are to Fitz who is due $3 mil and Brad Smith who is due $500k. Fitz’s bonus is likely due before we would be able to bring in another FA veteran QB or resign TJax so I expect him to be back for 1 last season. BS should be worried. That being said, here are the guys on last year’s roster that I don’t think will be on the opening day roster in 2013: Choice/Thigpen – Only on the team because of Chan. Shouldn’t be resigned. Ruvell Martin – Can’t believe he was even on the roster last season. Shouldn’t be resigned. Kirk Morrison – Was only here for depth, shouldn’t be resigned. Nick Barnett can/should be that veteran backup next season. I know Barnett has lost a step but his leadership and experience have value…especially with all the young guys we have at LB. Maybe Pettine bring Bart Scott with him to play that role. Erik Pears – I believe he was kind of a one year wonder and the RT job is Hairston’s to lose. I’m curious to see what strides Zebrie Sanders has taken in the off season. Kelsay – Thanks for all the hustle but you just can’t get the job done. We have to replace him with another DE that can play the run and I don’t think we have that guy on the roster. Mark Anderson is a 3rd down pass rush specialist (and I use that term loosely), not a full time DE and Moore wasn’t all that great against the run either. I wouldn’t be surprised if Moore lands a decent FA contract with another team. Brad Smith – I think we draft and/or bring in veteran WRs. His roster bonus and $2.75 mil salary likely make him a casualty. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkington Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 I don't see us making any contract based cuts other than maybe Fitz. After that, everyone under contract, I imagine, will be back during pre-season to fight for a spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuntheDamnBall Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 I’m not saying Shepard is great but he is one of the better LBs that we currently have. See, for some, that means we can't afford to part with him, and for others, that's a wake-up call regarding a giant issue. If he is one of the best we have, that's simply pathetic. Upgrade the entire LB corps for christsakes. There are always teams giving up on a London Fletcher or another older player with good years left in him. There are always good LBs deeper in the draft. Try to get one of the better ones in FA, and then take some good, calculated risks. If Sheppard is still among the better ones after that, then good for him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainwampus Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 1. Kelsay 2. Thigpen 3. Choice 4. Spencer Johnson 5. Ruvell Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
todd Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Brad Smith is gone. In thinking about the number of plays he is in on vs. his contract, it just isn't worth it. If we're doing analytics, he's not worth it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1B4IDie Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 There's a chance they'll move him to safety. Maybe that will work out poorly too, but I envision them giving him at least a year at that position before giving up on him. I think Williams can be a good Safety. The Buffalo Bills organization must try him at Safety before outright cutting him. He clearly can't play CB but he doesn't shy away from contact. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodeMonkey Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 (edited) Is Choice still under contract? Regardless, he's almost certainly gone. Hmmm I don't know. Marrone, I believe, likes the run. If so he going to need more than 2 RBs, particularly when one of them is getting up there in age and has gotten hurt the past 2 seasons. Unless he is planning on stocking up via the draft or FA. Edited January 18, 2013 by CodeMonkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maybe Someday Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 See, for some, that means we can't afford to part with him, and for others, that's a wake-up call regarding a giant issue. If he is one of the best we have, that's simply pathetic. Upgrade the entire LB corps for christsakes. There are always teams giving up on a London Fletcher or another older player with good years left in him. There are always good LBs deeper in the draft. Try to get one of the better ones in FA, and then take some good, calculated risks. If Sheppard is still among the better ones after that, then good for him. I totally agree with you, all of our LBs need to be upgraded eventually. I just don’t think we can replace/upgrade every LB on the team this off season alone. In looking at all of the LBs currently on the roster, I don’t feel he’s the weakest link. I also believe that at the very least, he can be solid depth and that we’re not going to give up on him after only 2 seasons, especially with all the scheme changes, crappy coaching, etc. For those reasons, I really think he’s back again next season. Even if we were to draft a MLB in the 1st round, I still think he’s on this team next season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsBytheBay Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 I'd say, let's see who we bring in first. I'm sure thus staff has diffrent opinions about players than the previous staff. A change of scheme may benifit some guys. I would cut older back ups first. Kelsay, Morrison, McGee, guys like that. Younger guys that have shown flashes I would hold on to. Who knows, the problem just may have been coaching. I can't even imagine losing Chandler. Yea, he isn't Gronk, or J Graham, but come on. How do you cut a 6'7" dude, who doesn't drop anything in the endzone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KeisterHollow Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 It's tough to say who on defense would be axed when we don't really know what our defense will look like. I suspect there are players who are just not good enough, regardless of whether or not they "fit" a scheme - like, say, Sheppard, or McGee (he's just too old and oft injured), and Kelsay, who, although he's not terrible, should be replaced with players with higher ceilings. Another consideration is the approach the new staff is going to take - I don't think they'll be looking at this as a "rebuild", and I know they're aware they don't have 3 or 4 years to get to the playoffs. If they were looking at this as a rebuild, they'd likely cut the older players with higher caps who have a very mid-level ceiling, while going heavier on younger guys who have yet to display their ceiling. If it were a rebuild they'd definitely cut Fitzpatrick. However, in this case, if he were willing to restructure or if his cap number is not too high for a 2nd stringer, they might keep him for just that - a mentor type. I'd prefer they didn't, but it's just a matter of how they're approaching it. I think the O-line stays mostly intact. I think Donald Jones is out, but Neslon, Stevie, Graham, and I believe Easley stay. I could see a F.A. move at TE. Our RB's are good. Our D-line is good, too, although they might look to pick up a young DE with upside. The biggest cuts/changes on Defense will be linebacker, I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CardinalScotts Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 whats sad is almost any name you throw out there you think ya maybe - ha. McGee for sure Barnett Kelsay George Wilson Choice Sheppard has some ability, just lost in the scheme Scott does Pettine have room for a tweener Aaron Williams will not be cut because I think they are going to move him to safety and I'll think he'll be great at it Fitzpatrick will stay - get him a #2 wr allow Nelson and Graham to work from the slot making Jones a very good #5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhg Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Who are the first 5 players cut that Chan thought we needed to keep around Mine are Kelsay, Choice, Barnett, Chandler, Fitzpatrick Why would he cut Chandler? Pretty sure Choice is RFA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dibs Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Why would he cut Chandler? Pretty sure Choice is RFA. UFA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhg Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 UFA Oops. Meant to say UFA. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billybuc Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Wouldn't be surprised to see Fitz be kept as a player/coach. Is Merriman still on the roster? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malazan Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 They should definitely cut the guys who aren't on the team. Genuis! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Direhard Fan Posted January 18, 2013 Share Posted January 18, 2013 Chandler plays in 2013. Fitz stays. It's only 3 mil in March to keep him. Hes the only starter we have. Scott stays. Say good bye to George. McGee? McGee who? Gone. Keep Lindell. Worry about Byrd and our "O" line first and foremost. I think we will see an even younger team than LY. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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