Gunner's Roster Thread 2019

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

11 minutes ago, ProcessAccepted said:

I don't think that Andre Roberts a probable. Should be a red. Sills and Duke Williams have as good a chance as him to make the team.

 

...agree.....saw a quote (paraphrased)where McBeane said, "the Duke Williams signing changed the priority of needing to draft a WR early"......must really like the kid......

[GunnerBill]

7 minutes ago, ProcessAccepted said:

I know he's a return specialist, but I can't seen them giving up a wr spot without some serious thought if he doesn't offer more. WR is where they are going to have some really difficult decisions. Such a change from last year having so many options.

 

If he is their best returner then Roberts will be on the team absolutely regardless of whether he is in the top 6 receivers. The question then becomes 7th receiver vs 10th DB vs 10th OL vs 4th TE vs 4th RB.

 

But that extra receiver better play special teams on coverage units. They are not keeping 6 wide receivers who only play wide receiver. Absolutely no chance.

 

[Rocky Landing]

6 minutes ago, freddyjj said:

Not following the logic here.  Roberts is a great ST return man who has put up respectable #s as a depth WR.   Sills and Duke are bigger slower guys who don't play STs at all 

Is it a given that Duke Williams can't play special teams? He's big, strong, and physical, and highly motivated. I would think he would be a natural for ST.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

33 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I just don't think there is any chance Ford starts at guard. I think he either starts at right tackle this year or they ease him in as the season goes along. I'd be stunned if he lined up as a starter opening day at guard. They want him to play tackle and have been very open about it. I think the "we can always try him at guard down the line" meant beyond his rookie year.

 

I could see that - even with feliciano in the starting lineup you have a basically solid 6th guy in ford who can play as an extra blocker, and guard and tackle.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

1 minute ago, Rocky Landing said:

Is it a given that Duke Williams can't play special teams? He's big, strong, and physical, and highly motivated. I would think he would be a natural for ST.

 

 

 

....anybody know if he ever attempted it in CFL or did so in college?.............

[Rocky Landing]

5 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

...agree.....saw a quote (paraphrased)where McBeane said, "the Duke Williams signing changed the priority of needing to draft a WR early"......must really like the kid......

I hope he gets his shot-- one of my favorite off-season stories. But, it sounds like he has been struggling in OTAs. Although, obviously, too early to read into such things...

[GunnerBill]

4 minutes ago, Rocky Landing said:

Is it a given that Duke Williams can't play special teams? He's big, strong, and physical, and highly motivated. I would think he would be a natural for ST.

 

To make the roster he might have to. Same goes for Sills. 

[Rocky Landing]

2 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

 

 

 

....anybody know if he ever attempted it in CFL or did so in college?.............

I don't know. But, he laid down some hard hits on defenders in the CFL!

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

Just now, Rocky Landing said:

I hope he gets his shot-- one of my favorite off-season stories. But, it sounds like he has been struggling in OTAs. Although, obviously, too early to read into such things...

 

...me too....think he has his head screwed on straight and knows this is probably his ONLY chance at the NFL....if he's cut, probably bounces around for awhile with signings/releases before returning to CFL......it's ALL up to him.....mega bucks potential vs a pittance...........

[freddyjj]

11 minutes ago, Rocky Landing said:

Is it a given that Duke Williams can't play special teams? He's big, strong, and physical, and highly motivated. I would think he would be a natural for ST.

While he may be able to be a gunner, he hasn't done so to date.  And he or Sills have no value as returners.  They both face an uphill battle for 6th WR spot.  ST ability will be a factor as to who claims that spot.

[OldTimeAFLGuy]

...hope that Eddie Y sticks.......kid has shown some promise.....

[TPS]

I think the position group with the most locks is DL--all 3 in blue are locks.  

Otherwise, great stuff.

[Jumpsuit Jim]

We fans might have Foster ahead of Zay Jones on our depth charts, but I doubt that is the case with McD and company. I have a feeling Zay is a more “lock” and that he will see much more playing time than Foster throughout the season. 

[freddyjj]

7 minutes ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

...hope that Eddie Y sticks.......kid has shown some promise.....

think Eli Harold and Mike Love may give him a battle come training camp.

 

Thought Mike Love sang for the Beach Boys?

[Rocky Landing]

7 minutes ago, freddyjj said:

While he may be able to be a gunner, he hasn't done so to date.  And he or Sills have no value as returners.  They both face an uphill battle for 6th WR spot.  ST ability will be a factor as to who claims that spot.

Absolutely.

A lot of the players who were active on special teams last year don't seem to get projected to make the final roster this year. Pitts, and Neal come to mind. Between D. Williams, and Sills, Duke seems more like a ST fit to me-- strong runner, and a good blocking WR. Sills looks lanky to me.

[John from Riverside]

This roster looks talented and deep

[Florida Bills Fanatic]

Based on the limited information from OTA's and other sources, I think this is a credible analysis.  

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

I sure hope Haushka is back to form. Was a mess late in the year after the BS hit

Edited May 30, 2019 by Over 29 years of fanhood

[Alphadawg7]

My only changes would be Trent, Jordan, and Shaq are locks unless traded.  Maybe that’s why you have them as probably, but outside a trade or major injury I just can’t see any of those 3 not making the roster.  

 

Great work though, and totally agree with everything else you put down.  

Edited May 30, 2019 by Alphadawg7

[Alphadawg7]

3 hours ago, Jumpsuit Jim said:

We fans might have Foster ahead of Zay Jones on our depth charts, but I doubt that is the case with McD and company. I have a feeling Zay is a more “lock” and that he will see much more playing time than Foster throughout the season. 

 

I don’t know, Foster has been having himself a good OTA too.  I think he has a significant chance to hold down a starting role.  Zay’s only real threat of not being on this team would be in a trade (like I said in my now infamous thread lol).  But that would require someone like Duke to make a strong case for himself and move up the depth chart before that would happen.  If not, Zay is safe this year and a lock for the roster.  

 

But the battle isn’t just about making the team, it’s for playing time too.  So will be fun to see Brown, Foster, Zay and Foster battle it out.  Cole and Roberts have their roles on lock down.  It’s a 4 way battle to start at the two outside spots.  I can’t wait to see all these guys battle and see how Josh does too with all the new weapons.  

 

Also super excited to see Knox and Singletary out there in preseason too.  

[Jay_Fixit]

Zay Jones should be in black.

[Logic]

37 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

I can.

 

McDermott puts a big emphasis on special teams.

 

As for the OP, agree with just about all of it except DiMarco. Why is that guy still here? 

Well, for one thing, read the sentence that you typed right above the sentence that I bolded. Fullbacks play an enormous role on special teams.

From the Buffalo News: 

"DiMarco played on the punt-coverage and kickoff-return units in every game and was on kickoff coverage almost every game. He played five games on punt returns. In all, he played 38 percent of the special-teams snaps."

Add nearly 40% of the special teams snaps to around 15% of the offensive snaps and you have a rosterable player.

[billsfan_34]

7 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I did. Good spot.

 

It refers to the team currently getting beaten 1-0 in the Europa League Final.

Smart ass lol

6 hours ago, OldTimeAFLGuy said:

...hope that Eddie Y sticks.......kid has shown some promise.....

Love him for depth

[Royale with Cheese]

I agree with most except Josh Allen in black.  We signed Tyree Jackson clearly to push Allen for the starting QB job.  

[billsfan_34]

17 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:

I agree with most except Josh Allen in black.  We signed Tyree Jackson clearly to push Allen for the starting QB job.  

Tell ya what- it would be a pleasant surprise if he pushed for the number 2, I think ? 

[ProcessAccepted]

17 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

If he is their best returner then Roberts will be on the team absolutely regardless of whether he is in the top 6 receivers. The question then becomes 7th receiver vs 10th DB vs 10th OL vs 4th TE vs 4th RB.

 

But that extra receiver better play special teams on coverage units. They are not keeping 6 wide receivers who only play wide receiver. Absolutely no chance.

 

Yeah I'm not sure what they'll do. My only point was that I'd downgrade Roberts from probably to having to fight for his roster spot. He's a really good return guy, I get that but that may not be enough.

[GG]

18 hours ago, K-9 said:

Did you really just say none of the punters has a leg up in the competition for a roster spot?

 

Didn't both of them have injured legs?

[freddyjj]

11 minutes ago, GG said:

 

Didn't both of them have injured legs?

The left footed one had a shoulder from the dreaded fake FG (his understanding) 

[GG]

1 minute ago, freddyjj said:

The left footed one had a shoulder from the dreaded fake FG (his understanding) 

 

They should have called the injury by its proper name - extreme brain crampitosis.

[K-9]

20 minutes ago, GG said:

 

Didn't both of them have injured legs?

I know Carter did, but I’m not sure about the other one whose name is too laborious to type. He may have had a shoulder issue, iirc. 

[Kirby Jackson]

Nice job GB!! I’ll nitpick a little but nothing major:

 

 

Zay to black

Maurice Alexander to red

Jordan Phillips to black

DiMarco to red

Shaq to black (with the uncertainty always surrounding Murphy he’s the insurance)

 

 

[K-9]

11 minutes ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Nice job GB!! I’ll nitpick a little but nothing major:

 

 

Zay to black

Maurice Alexander to red

Jordan Phillips to black

DiMarco to red

Shaq to black (with the uncertainty always surrounding Murphy he’s the insurance)

 

 

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

20 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

BLACK - Guaranteed roster spot (excluding major injury or suspension)

BLUE - Probable roster spot

 

Tight End

Lee Smith

 

Wide Receivers

Robert Foster

Zay Jones

Defensive Line

Trent Murphy

Linebacker

Vosean Joseph

 

I think these in black are probables, and these blues are locks.

 

Pretty close across the board. 

[Rocky Landing]

2 hours ago, ProcessAccepted said:

Yeah I'm not sure what they'll do. My only point was that I'd downgrade Roberts from probably to having to fight for his roster spot. He's a really good return guy, I get that but that may not be enough.

I think it would be enough. I believe that Roberts' return ability is the primary reason they acquired him. He may barely see the field on offense.

 

1 hour ago, Kirby Jackson said:

Nice job GB!! I’ll nitpick a little but nothing major:

 

 

Zay to black

Maurice Alexander to red

Jordan Phillips to black

DiMarco to red

Shaq to black (with the uncertainty always surrounding Murphy he’s the insurance)

 

 

I agree Zay to black. I certainly wouldn't put him above Foster on the depth chart.

Edited May 30, 2019 by Rocky Landing

[BADOLBILZ]

21 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

 

 

 

I agree 100% with your listings.  Going into camp it's pretty straight forward where they all stand right now, IMO.

 

But of course injuries,  acquisitions(and possibly departures) and a few guys playing up or down from their rank will change the final roster slightly.   The biggest decisions will be on the OL.   Cutting guys like Teller or Boettger in favor of older players might be a good short term play that looks bad in a couple years but those are good problems to have.

Edited May 30, 2019 by BADOLBILZ

[Formerly Allan in MD]

Gore makes it.

[GunnerBill]

2 hours ago, Over 29 years of fanhood said:

 

I think these in black are probables, and these blues are locks.

 

Pretty close across the board. 

 

I think Foster is way more of a lock than Zay. 

[Bill from NYC]

1 hour ago, BADOLBILZ said:

 

 

I agree 100% with your listings.  Going into camp it's pretty straight forward where they all stand right now, IMO.

 

But of course injuries,  acquisitions(and possibly departures) and a few guys playing up or down from their rank will change the final roster slightly.   The biggest decisions will be on the OL.   Cutting guys like Teller or Boettger in favor of older players might be a good short term play that looks bad in a couple years but those are good problems to have.

Would the 500K signing bonus make it tough to release Yeldon or is that too little to care about.

[JOE IN HAMPTON ROADS]

On 5/29/2019 at 4:17 PM, Rocky Landing said:

 

- I think that whether Tyree Jackson makes the team depends largely on how well he plays in preseason. If he shows even a little promise, I would think that McD, and Beane would not feel comfortable putting him on the practice squad. A 6'7", athletic QB, with a cannon for an arm, who shows any amount of potential would get snatched up pretty quickly off the PS, I would think. In fact, he may end up as a lock well before TC is done.

 

+1

 

Matt Barkley is not our franchise #2, but Tyree may well be.  If Tyree looks good, they may even dump Barkley early like they did AJ last year … well, hopefully not.

[Rocky Landing]

2 hours ago, JOE IN HAMPTON ROADS said:

+1

 

Matt Barkley is not our franchise #2, but Tyree may well be.  If Tyree looks good, they may even dump Barkley early like they did AJ last year … well, hopefully not.

That would be a huge mistake to dump a proven backup based upon the preseason performance of a UDFA rookie. They dropped AJ based on Late Nate Peterman's preseason performance, and look what happened. I would lose an enormous amount of confidence in McD, and Beanie if they failed to learn from that error.