WR battle heading into first preseason game

[MR8]

1) Brown

2) Jones

3/Slot) Beasley

4) Foster 

5) OPEN

6) Roberts - Being mixed in as WR, but still primarily a Special Teamer

 

From all reports that #5 spot is looking like Ray Ray McClouds, but the battle isn't over yet fellas.... while TC is wrapping up as they enter Preseason games, this is where the guys like Duke Williams and David Sills are going to shine more.  Both are big bodied WRs which is something this roster will not have without them.  They are high point jump ball threats who won't wow you with their top end speed like Brown, Foster or McKenzie, but their catch radius and hand skills getting free from defenders will.

 

When Williams was signed, Beane said that is when he felt he didn't need to go and get a WR in the draft.  They had a lot of faith in him as a player to feel that way... Then as has become famous from Bills Embedded, they made Sills far and away their #1 target in UDFA... so they really wanted him too, at the very least as a developmental project.

 

At current, WIlliams is a more polished product right now as he played in the CFL And honed his game, where Sills is much more raw... but Sills has WAY more growth potential left in him...

 

These guys won't stand out as much in shorts and helmets as they will with pads on in live game action... their skill sets are more conducive to being "Gamers" than practice studs...

 

I am VERY curious to see if either of them stands out and makes a name for themselves to really start pushing to make this roster, or if they're going to stay left behind in the dust.

 

As of right now the reports are that Williams hasn't been remarkable, and Sills has dropped a few too may balls and looked a little off balance running routes.  Could still be nerves, but both need to right the ship if they want a shot at that last spot on the roster.

[MJS]

1 hour ago, ScottLaw said:

Dump Dimarco and keep 7 WRs. 

Dimarco is a lock and always has been. Do you expect a 7th WR to add more value to the team than a core special teamer AND someone who gets playing time on offense?

 

Not sure where all the Dimarco hate came from, but all indications are that the coaches and players love him. He was a captain.

 

Is it just bad practice to carry a FB these days? Maybe we should be more like the Superbowl champion Patriots ... oh wait ... they carry a FB too.

[MR8]

1 minute ago, MJS said:

Dimarco is a lock and always has been. Do you expect a 7th WR to add more value to the team than a core special teamer AND someone who gets playing time on offense?

 

Not sure where all the Dimarco hate came from, but all indications are that the coaches and players love him. He was a captain.

 

Is it just bad practice to carry a FB these days? Maybe we should be more like the Superbowl champion Patriots ... oh wait ... they carry a FB too.

 

I would've agreed if they didn't have so many darn issues with health at TE.  If Kroft, Croom, and Knox weren't all hurt (some worse than others) I could easily see them looking to run an H-Back system for when they want a blocker back there, and when they don't keep a TE on the line to block as necessary.  

 

However their top 3 TEs have all been hurt, and Kroft will likely miss the start of the season.  Lee Smith is a great blocking TE, but he's also slow and not a threat in any other way, so he's less than Ideal for anything but pass blocking... you can't really roll with him as your #1 TE.

 

I don't see them cutting DiMarco when they don't have a viable healthy H-Back, and their TE position is in shambles... they're going to want to keep a FB to make sure they can spring the running game to take pressure off Allen in the passing game.

 

Of course that's my opinion, and last year the stats showed DiMarco was not used much... but he was still on the roster... 

 

Could be wrong, but I think they keep him at least for part of the season until they get Kroft back healthy.  Then they may get more creative with a healthy set of TEs who can run, catch, and block.   

[reddogblitz]

Brown, Beasley, Foster Roberts, Williams, Sills.

[Rocky Landing]

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

 

From what Astro has said they have worked both McCloud and McKenzie as both returners and gunners. Will be very interesting to see who is out there on teams on Thursday. Roberts will be the #1 returner and it appears Siran Neal will get first shot as their primary gunner. 

 

1 hour ago, co_springs_billsfan said:

I think everyone is assuming that because Ray Ray is ahead on WR play he beats out McKenzie, but McKenzie brings a different skill set on offense, and Special Teams plays a bigger role in these decisions than us fans usually assume.

 

 

There's going to be eleven guys on the field on every special teams play. So far, we've only heard a handful of names. But, considering how lousy our ST play was last season, I have to assume that there will be a concerted focus on ST this season.

[eball]

26 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

A decent FB?

 

The guys useless. Special teams ace for a special teams unit that was god awful last season. *****, put Lee Smith at FB if you have to. 

 

If it came down to keeping an extra OL/WR or Dimarco and his useless offensive status, I'm taking the extra WR/OL hands down......especially considering the extent to which the starters at OL/WR get nicked up over the course of a season.

 

 

And for the umpteenth time, I'm glad you're not making the personnel decisions at OBD.  You're right, though -- your favorite team doesn't care about ST either, as they let Andre Roberts get away.

[Punching Bag]

4 hours ago, ScottLaw said:

Dump Dimarco and keep 7 WRs. 

 

3 hours ago, eball said:

 

Sound strategy -- jettison a ST ace and decent FB for a guy who might see the field once every three games.

 

Well Patrick DiMarco did a bruising on a number of JEST players last year.  Think that might have something to do with it?

[YoloinOhio]

On 8/4/2019 at 1:53 PM, Phil The Thrill said:

 

I don’t think they keep 5.  If Roberts is getting work at WR, I can see them keeping Ray Ray because he can takeover as a returner - though he was atrocious last season

RRM listed as an option as a returner fwiw on first depth chart out of camp 

 

 

 

[Punching Bag]

16 minutes ago, ScottLaw said:

Was that the same game where the Jets special teams essentially won the game for them? ?

I notice that you are happy about that one win of two.

[3rdand12]

On 8/4/2019 at 2:28 PM, K-9 said:

I really like McKenzie as his insertion into the lineup last season paid immediate dividends as Daboll sought to get more quick twitch and speed in the lineup. I’m rooting for the kid.

 

That said, if he’s cut, it will be for all the right reasons. And something tells me Andre Roberts is going to announce his arrival as a legit WR threat in this league.

I can see both counts. Mac and Roberts.

 who can still qualify for PS ? regardless of whether they are more likely than not to be picked up ?

 For me ? That's the tricky bit.

 

If Croom gets healthy and has developed he might nearly equal a WR. They lined him up outside last year looking for mismatches.

How many can they put on temp IR. to hide  lol

[K-9]

2 minutes ago, 3rdand12 said:

I can see both counts. Mac and Roberts.

 who can still qualify for PS ? regardless of whether they are more likely than not to be picked up ?

 For me ? That's the tricky bit.

 

If Croom gets healthy and has developed he might nearly equal a WR. They lined him up outside last year looking for mismatches.

How many can they put on temp IR. to hide  lol

I think if it comes down to Roberts or MAC, it’s Roberts hands down. But I don’t think it’s gonna come down to that as I think Roberts is already our 5th. I’m thinking it’s between Mac and Ray Ray.

[3rdand12]

5 minutes ago, K-9 said:

I think if it comes down to Roberts or MAC, it’s Roberts hands down. But I don’t think it’s gonna come down to that as I think Roberts is already our 5th. I’m thinking it’s between Mac and Ray Ray.

i apologize i do not know why the passion for Mcloud.

and you can set him in PS as well i believe, just in case.

A. Roberts has done well so far by everything i have read.

 

 i still want a list of PS candidates : )

This is a GMs job to manage all the potential we suddenly have at WR etc  this year.

 

good fun to ponder !

 but still early...

looking forward to the upcoming Pre season game 

Go Bills !

[Alphadawg7]

4 hours ago, MJS said:

He'll get snatched up the moment he is cut. Teams will line up for him. I think he's making the team. He just showed too much last year to not make it this year. The question is how much playing time he'll get.

 

Brown, Beasley, Jones, Foster, Roberts, and Ray-Ray. Maybe Sills to the practice squad.

 

But there's a long way to go, and unfortunately injuries might happen and be a deciding factor in this WR competition.

 

True, but I would add there is 0% chance Foster would get cut.  Beane would trade him before cutting him as there would absolutely be a market for Foster.  

 

Not saying he's gonna get a bounty, but Beane is the same guy who got a 3rd and a 5th for 2 QB's that weren't good, were about to be cut, and going to teams who didnt need a QB (TT and AJM).  

 

I also think the odds of Foster not being here this year are quite low

[ROCBillsBeliever]

16 hours ago, MR8 said:

1) Brown

2) Jones

3/Slot) Beasley

4) Foster 

5) OPEN

6) Roberts - Being mixed in as WR, but still primarily a Special Teamer

 

From all reports that #5 spot is looking like Ray Ray McClouds, but the battle isn't over yet fellas.... while TC is wrapping up as they enter Preseason games, this is where the guys like Duke Williams and David Sills are going to shine more.  Both are big bodied WRs which is something this roster will not have without them.  They are high point jump ball threats who won't wow you with their top end speed like Brown, Foster or McKenzie, but their catch radius and hand skills getting free from defenders will.

 

When Williams was signed, Beane said that is when he felt he didn't need to go and get a WR in the draft.  They had a lot of faith in him as a player to feel that way... Then as has become famous from Bills Embedded, they made Sills far and away their #1 target in UDFA... so they really wanted him too, at the very least as a developmental project.

 

At current, WIlliams is a more polished product right now as he played in the CFL And honed his game, where Sills is much more raw... but Sills has WAY more growth potential left in him...

 

These guys won't stand out as much in shorts and helmets as they will with pads on in live game action... their skill sets are more conducive to being "Gamers" than practice studs...

 

I am VERY curious to see if either of them stands out and makes a name for themselves to really start pushing to make this roster, or if they're going to stay left behind in the dust.

 

As of right now the reports are that Williams hasn't been remarkable, and Sills has dropped a few too may balls and looked a little off balance running routes.  Could still be nerves, but both need to right the ship if they want a shot at that last spot on the roster.

 

I agree with most of this, but if you've been to training camp and seen Sills, it is one heck of a stretch to call him "big bodied". He's got stringbean genes, man. He is tall, but very wiry. Needs a year of PS and some heavy lifting and tons of wings to bulk up a bit. 

[MR8]

9 minutes ago, ROCBillsBeliever said:

 

I agree with most of this, but if you've been to training camp and seen Sills, it is one heck of a stretch to call him "big bodied". He's got stringbean genes, man. He is tall, but very wiry. Needs a year of PS and some heavy lifting and tons of wings to bulk up a bit. 

 

That's definitely a good point, I am more referring to his catch radius and height, but it's fair to say he needs to get stronger... 14 reps at the combine wasn't worst but certainly wasn't the best either.  

[ROCBillsBeliever]

1 hour ago, MR8 said:

 

That's definitely a good point, I am more referring to his catch radius and height, but it's fair to say he needs to get stronger... 14 reps at the combine wasn't worst but certainly wasn't the best either.  

 

Height and catch radius, absolutely! Check and check.

[billsredneck1]

On 8/4/2019 at 1:36 PM, 3rdand12 said:

so a rough guess as to the WR's by rank and position.

we know the 3  locks.

 Brown Beasley and Jones.
#4 Foster ?

 

Maybe the TE situation allows an extra WR to start the season ?
and all the RBs might affect the 53 as well.

 Hope Daboll has a flexible plan and finds the right guys for his schemes

i'm pulling for duke. they know they need that  big body redzone guy. if he comes on strong games 3 and 4, i  think he'll make it. the guys that start out the first couple good not so much....ie. brandon reilly. they talked about this yesterday on obl.

On 8/4/2019 at 2:33 PM, Alphadawg7 said:

 

True, but I don’t think Yeldon is trending towards making it to be on the final 53 IMO.  

yeldon is a star special teamer. they will roll with 4.

[billsredneck1]

19 hours ago, NewEra said:

I didn’t see much of him

he was behind a couple of guys who got drafted high and the qb wasn't the greatest. plus dabol was his coach there. i can't give names without looking it up, but that's the story.

foster ain't going anywhere. i think they'd be foolish not to have him and brown on the outside together. they can rotate jones and beasley, but it think we'll see a lot of 4 wide sets.

sprinkle in the duke in the redzone. i don't think they will use roberts that much at wr except maybe like an andre holmes type spot duty.

[Rocky Landing]

2 hours ago, billsredneck1 said:

 

yeldon is a star special teamer. they will roll with 4.

Perry has more chops as a special teamer.

[ColoradoBills]

2 hours ago, billsredneck1 said:

 

yeldon is a star special teamer. they will roll with 4.

 

Early in the year I checked Yeldon's Special Teams snap count on Pro Football Reference.

It showed he didn't play ST.

 

Do you have any info on his ST play?

[Just Joshin']

10 hours ago, ROCBillsBeliever said:

 

I agree with most of this, but if you've been to training camp and seen Sills, it is one heck of a stretch to call him "big bodied". He's got stringbean genes, man. He is tall, but very wiry. Needs a year of PS and some heavy lifting and tons of wings to bulk up a bit. 

You are not kidding.  The WRs were on the far side of the practice field near the bleachers.  He was so skinny he looked out of place on a football team.  From that view it is also obvious about the smurf reference.

[billsredneck1]

18 hours ago, ColoradoBills said:

 

Early in the year I checked Yeldon's Special Teams snap count on Pro Football Reference.

It showed he didn't play ST.

 

Do you have any info on his ST play?

sorry, i was going by what i heard from murph and tasker. i thought it was yeldon but maybe it was in fact perry.

[eball]

On 8/5/2019 at 7:37 PM, 3rdand12 said:

i apologize i do not know why the passion for Mcloud.

 

Pretty much every reporter at camp has noted RayRay's improved attitude, physique, and performance, and McD specifically named him during a recent PC.

[ColoradoBills]

4 hours ago, billsredneck1 said:

sorry, i was going by what i heard from murph and tasker. i thought it was yeldon but maybe it was in fact perry.

 

It's all good.  Truthfully I was a little disappointed that Yeldon didn't have any ST experience.

It seems to me if he wants to make the team as the 4th RB he needs to get more snaps somewhere.

Probably was Perry, he is suppose to be a ST standout.

[3rdand12]

13 hours ago, eball said:

 

Pretty much every reporter at camp has noted RayRay's improved attitude, physique, and performance, and McD specifically named him during a recent PC.

Thanks E !

 here's hoping he continues improving. was raw last year for sure.
 these are the things that give me hope about Bills Scout team. Since Beanes Boys have come on.. these late rounders and undrafted kids have kept me interested. and make us keep an eye on them. here Ray us showing in his second year of Camp. That's pretty alright

9 hours ago, ColoradoBills said:

 

It's all good.  Truthfully I was a little disappointed that Yeldon didn't have any ST experience.

It seems to me if he wants to make the team as the 4th RB he needs to get more snaps somewhere.

Probably was Perry, he is suppose to be a ST standout.

Perry has been noted as a standout.

 Yeldon needs to consider expanding his resume

: )

good kid and player. Like him

 but always some one  some how can push you off a team and unemployed. Make your self needed T Yeldon !

[Nelius]

McKenzie looked great tonight. Wondering how this all shakes out. Could Andre Roberts end up being the spare part? Would love to see Christian Wade return a few kicks now.

[JoPar_v2]

6 minutes ago, Nelius said:

McKenzie looked great tonight. Wondering how this all shakes out. Could Andre Roberts end up being the spare part? Would love to see Christian Wade return a few kicks now.

 

Ain't no way they get rid of Roberts in my opinion but I'd like to see much more of Wade as well.

 

It's going to be RayRay OR McKenzie. Can't see any way they keep both, even though I'd very much like to. Only way that would happen *I think* would be to trade/cut both Zay and Foster.

[Nelius]

On 8/6/2019 at 7:21 AM, billsredneck1 said:

i'm pulling for duke. they know they need that  big body redzone guy.

 

Man I'm pulling for Duke too but he's seemingly even more fringe at this point. Unless they roll with him strictly for his size? Allen is tall but can they really keep Beasley--RayRay?-McKenzie? 

 

I guess he's only an inch taller than Zay but damn Zay seems so much smaller to me. Maybe the big will be Tommy Sweeney.

[Nelius]

1 minute ago, JoPar_v2 said:

It's going to be RayRay OR McKenzie. Can't see any way they keep both, even though I'd very much like to. Only way that would happen *I think* would be to trade/cut both Zay and Foster.

 

Yeah completely agree. Coach seems to love both RayRay and McKenzie, but hey I guess that's the culture. McKenzie would get the nod right now from me.

 

Agree on Roberts too, they brought him here for a reason. Just throwing him out there as a curveball really since they seem to have so many quick, shifty dudes right now. Assuming Roberts and McKenzie both make it then Foster has got to be the most at risk, it would seem to me. Maybe McKenzie is the natural odd man out and I'm overrating him, but damn he just seems to always make plays.

[JoPar_v2]

2 minutes ago, Nelius said:

 

Yeah completely agree. Coach seems to love both RayRay and McKenzie, but hey I guess that's the culture. McKenzie would get the nod right now from me.

 

Agree on Roberts too, they brought him here for a reason. Just throwing him out there as a curveball really since they seem to have so many quick, shifty dudes right now. Assuming Roberts and McKenzie both make it then Foster has got to be the most at risk, it would seem to me. Maybe McKenzie is the natural odd man out and I'm overrating him, but damn he just seems to always make plays.

 

Based on last night's game performance - I agree it's McKenzie all day. But apparently RayRay's been tearing it up during TC practices. Roberts. just being who he is as an all-pro returner, and getting serious reps at WR to boot, makes me think he's perfectly safe. Only one I've heard who's been sh***** it up consistently this year is Foster.

[Dr.Mantis_Toboggan]

I don’t see what Zay brings to the table. Seems like a nice guy, but he just never seems to be ready for the moment, I think the NFL game is just too big for the small school product. Josh needs dependable WRs, but Jones continues to show us he is the polar opposite. It’s definitely not uncommon to swing and miss on a 2nd round WR, and I can’t think of another who has been afforded more opportunities to succeed, and just continues to literally drop the ball, now 3 years in. He is the Nate Peterman of WRs, when does he run out of chances?  

[JoPar_v2]

29 minutes ago, Dr.Mantis_Toboggan said:

I don’t see what Zay brings to the table. Seems like a nice guy, but he just never seems to be ready for the moment, I think the NFL game is just too big for the small school product. Josh needs dependable WRs, but Jones continues to show us he is the polar opposite. It’s definitely not uncommon to swing and miss on a 2nd round WR, and I can’t think of another who has been afforded more opportunities to succeed, and just continues to literally drop the ball, now 3 years in. He is the Nate Peterman of WRs, when does he run out of chances?  

 

As far as chances go, he's probably on his last couple. So who else gets axed then? Lotta other drops in that game last night besides Zay's. Some guys ONLY dropped the ball, didn't make any catches. We cutting them too, right?

[Rocky Landing]

I don’t think McKensie, or McCloud made a strong enough push to lock up a #6 spot on this offense. After tonight, I think there is a better chance of only carrying five WRs. If we do only carry five WRs, I think Senorise Perry makes this team. And, I’m good with that.

[Dr.Mantis_Toboggan]

1 hour ago, JoPar_v2 said:

 

As far as chances go, he's probably on his last couple. So who else gets axed then? Lotta other drops in that game last night besides Zay's. Some guys ONLY dropped the ball, didn't make any catches. We cutting them too, right?

Well the WR position is still far from deep.  Foster, you know he’s not going to catch everything, but he breaks those big plays so you deal with it and just hope he continues to improve.

Brown and Beasley are both proven commodities.

After that who knows, it is possible Zay makes the team due to overall lack of talent at the position but I could also see Cam Phillips taking his spot.  Phillips routinely stands out throughout camp and made his time on the field count Thursday.  Still two more meaningful preseason games, but I think the WR group on the final 53 could definitely be Brown, Beasley, Foster, Phillips, Roberts, McCloud/McKenzie.

[JaCrispy]

1 hour ago, Rocky Landing said:

I don’t think McKensie, or McCloud made a strong enough push to lock up a #6 spot on this offense. After tonight, I think there is a better chance of only carrying five WRs. If we do only carry five WRs, I think Senorise Perry makes this team. And, I’m good with that.

Thought Mckensie had some nice catches and a nice return...definitely a positive night for him imo.

[The Bills Blog]

Are people seriously still suggesting that Zay Jones might be cut?

 

McKenzie needs to be on the team/field. He makes plays and looks every bit as dangerous as he did last year. Remember, Beane wanted him for a long time.

 

McCloud to the practice squad.

Edited August 9, 2019 by The Bills Blog

[Dr.Mantis_Toboggan]

51 minutes ago, The Bills Blog said:

Are people seriously still suggesting that Zay Jones might be cut?

 

McKenzie needs to be on the team/field. He makes plays and looks every bit as dangerous as he did last year. Remember, Beane wanted him for a long time.

 

McCloud to the practice squad.

I dunno about “people”, but I sure as ***** was... Yeah I forgot, WRs who fail top total 1000 yards in two seasons combined, while serving as the top WR option are totally untouchable... cutting a WR who has completely failed to live up to his potential would be unfathomable in the league, totally unprecedented!!! Especially when they have trouble with their primary responsibility, ya know, actually catching the football...

 

[The Bills Blog]

3 minutes ago, Dr.Mantis_Toboggan said:

I dunno about “people”, but I sure as ***** was... Yeah I forgot, WRs who fail top total 1000 yards in two seasons combined, while serving as the top WR option are totally untouchable... cutting a WR who has completely failed to live up to his potential would be unfathomable in the league, totally unprecedented!!! Especially when they have trouble with their primary responsibility, ya know, actually catching the football...

 

Dude, Zay Jones is not a bust. I almost feel like people expected him to be a top-end #1 or something. They view him through that lens and that's why they're upset. But Zay is a mid-high-end #2 WR and would be the same on many many teams.

[H2o]

10 minutes ago, The Bills Blog said:

Dude, Zay Jones is not a bust. I almost feel like people expected him to be a top-end #1 or something. They view him through that lens and that's why they're upset. But Zay is a mid-high-end #2 WR and would be the same on many many teams.

Zay still makes the same mental lapses and shows the same stone hands at times just as he did his rookie year. I like the guy, but I think I'm starting to see him more for what he is. He cost the team a first down on the opening drive and basically a TD on a dime throw by Josh Allen. You can't be doing these types of things, especially when the regular season starts. 

[Doc Brown]

\

2 minutes ago, The Bills Blog said:

Dude, Zay Jones is not a bust. I almost feel like people expected him to be a top-end #1 or something. They view him through that lens and that's why they're upset. But Zay is a mid-high-end #2 WR and would be the same on many many teams.

I've been disappointed with him because his main strength in college was catching the damn ball and winning 50/50 balls.  He's yet to show that here.  He's a very good route runner and Josh Allen and him developed a chemistry last year so he pry makes the team.  He needs to step up though.