Anyone else sensing a Bates dilemma?

[BillnutinHouston]

By most if not all accounts, Rick Bates played quite well Sunday, which especially with current OL availability issues raises the question of whether he will or should start at G going forward.  

 

All year (and before) he seems to have been kept in reserve as the backup C, but at what point do you throw caution to the wind, gamble on Morse staying healthy and putting your best 5 out onto the field?

 

McD was asked about this after the game but immediately deflected the question.  

 

Curious to see what you all think about this.

[NewEra]

He got wrecked on more than a couple occasions, but I’d rather give him a shot rather than Feliciano.  Ford had been playing a little better, but I don’t think he’s been playing any LG this year.  Hopefully we don’t have to have this conversation again next season

[sullim4]

Given that Feliciano can play at C, and that Bates had a great game at G... I would keep him in there.

[BuffaloBillyG]

He's a good depth player due to this versatility. However he's easily upgradable and we should hope that Beane feels the need to address the OL with players not currently on the roster this time.

Edited December 29, 2021 by No Place To Hyde

[oldmanfan]

Start Bates and use Feliciano as the backup C/G assuming he’s healthy.

[BruceVilanch]

It's honestly all dependent on mongo and his availability, but at this point we need to win the last 2 for a home game in the playoffs, if it were me I'd roll with the best 5

[Your Brown Eye]

Isn't it Ryan Bates?

[Philo]

1 minute ago, Your Brown Eye said:

Isn't it Ryan Bates?

 

I believe it was Knox that said they call him Rick in the locker room, because he just looks like a Rick

[JohnBonhamRocks]

2 minutes ago, Your Brown Eye said:

Isn't it Ryan Bates?

Rick is his nickname from his teammates who apparently just think he looks like a Rick. 

Just now, Philo said:

 

I believe it was Knox that said they call him Rick in the locker room, because he just looks like a Rick

Yeah, that. Haha

[Doc]

If he’s worth starting at LG, It’s silly to not start him just because he’s the backup center. If something happens to Morse, you make a change like they did when Boettger went down Sunday.

[BillsPride12]

5 minutes ago, Philo said:

 

I believe it was Knox that said they call him Rick in the locker room, because he just looks like a Rick

That's the sign of a strong locker room right there

[Motorin']

 

Bates is the quickest and most athletic  lineman we have, next to Spencer Brown.

 

And it was noticable against the Pats. He was flying around... In fact, he kind of reminds me of the type of lineman the Pats always seem to find at the end of the draft or as an UDFA, who ends up starting for them for years...

 

I imagine we'll get Ford back before Feleciano... 

 

What will Sean do?

 

 

[HalftimeAdjustment]

7 minutes ago, Philo said:

 

I believe it was Knox that said they call him Rick in the locker room, because he just looks like a Rick

 

Maybe that's why he doesn't get to play, the depth chart says Ryan Bates but he's not available only that Rick guy.

[TheBrownBear]

5 minutes ago, Motorin' said:

 

Bates is the quickest and most athletic  lineman we have, next to Spencer Brown.

 

And it was noticable against the Pats. He was flying around... In fact, he kind of reminds me of the type of lineman the Pats always seem to find at the end of the draft or as an UDFA, who ends up starting for them for years...

 

I imagine we'll get Ford back before Feleciano... 

 

What will Sean do?

 

 

Interesting.  I wonder why Bates fell all the way out of the draft.  Not even a late day 3 selection?  He looks undersized, but solid to me.  He's only 24 years old.  Hope the Bills keep him here in this utility lineman/backup center role for awhile.  

[Dablitzkrieg]

31 minutes ago, BillnutinHouston said:

By most if not all accounts, Rick Bates played quite well Sunday, which especially with current OL availability issues raises the question of whether he will or should start at G going forward.  

 

All year (and before) he seems to have been kept in reserve as the backup C, but at what point do you throw caution to the wind, gamble on Morse staying healthy and putting your best 5 out onto the field?

 

McD was asked about this after the game but immediately deflected the question.  

 

Curious to see what you all think about this.

Are you referring to Rick Grimes?

[DCofNC]

Gotta love guys that are so valuable you can’t play them.  If he’s good enough to be on the field then he belongs on the field, that’s like playing Turbiski all year because you want to save Allen for when you really need him. 
 

I’m not giving this staff the benefit of the doubt on personnel, they have proven not to deserve that, more than once.

Edited December 29, 2021 by DCofNC

[Motorin']

5 minutes ago, TheBrownBear said:

Interesting.  I wonder why Bates fell all the way out of the draft.  Not even a late day 3 selection?  He looks undersized, but solid to me.  He's only 24 years old.  Hope the Bills keep him here in this utility lineman/backup center role for awhile.  

 

The knock on him was that he didn't have the length to play OT, and wasn't broad enough to play inside. 

 

He was noted for solid pass protection, but lacking power in the run game. 

 

He was projected as an emergency swing tackle. 

 

[chris heff]

Is the dilemma to keep him in the lineup, or whether to call him Rick or Ryan?

[Simon]

3 minutes ago, Motorin' said:

 

The knock on him was that he didn't have the length to play OT, and wasn't broad enough to play inside. 

 

He was noted for solid pass protection, but lacking power in the run game. 

 

He was projected as an emergency swing tackle. 

 

 

He absolutely cannot play Tackle in this league, but I think he's probably a viable option on the inside

[BuffaloBill]

20 minutes ago, Motorin' said:

 

Bates is the quickest and most athletic  lineman we have, next to Spencer Brown.

 

And it was noticable against the Pats. He was flying around... In fact, he kind of reminds me of the type of lineman the Pats always seem to find at the end of the draft or as an UDFA, who ends up starting for them for years...

 

I imagine we'll get Ford back before Feleciano... 

 

What will Sean do?

 

 

 

 

Laughable that weight is even considered for OL. 

[D. L. Hot-Flamethrower]

I'd stick with the 5 who played the game on Sunday.

[Motorin']

17 minutes ago, BuffaloBill said:

 

 

Laughable that weight is even considered for OL. 

 

There's plenty of very good interior OL in the NFL right around 300lbs. 

 

Jason Kelce was 280 at the combine. He's never been over 300lbs. 

 

Both staring OG's for Tampa are under 310. 

 

Being 305 is totally fine for an OG who can run a 5.0 40.

 

Edited December 29, 2021 by Motorin'

[Joe Mama]

Community Member

 858

Posted 49 minutes ago

Isn't it Ryan Bates?

 

And all this time I thought it was MASTER

[Motorin']

1 minute ago, Joe Mama said:

Community Member

 858

Posted 49 minutes ago

Isn't it Ryan Bates?

 

And all this time I thought it was MASTER

 

His father's name, for real, is Norman. 

[TheBrownBear]

3 minutes ago, Joe Mama said:

Community Member

 858

Posted 49 minutes ago

Isn't it Ryan Bates?

 

And all this time I thought it was MASTER

I heard he pancaked Judon and said "You just got Rick-rolled by MASTER BATES"

[BillnutinHouston]

Surprised how many people are getting tripped up on the Rick thing - I didn't think the reference was that obscure but I guess not many here watch or listen to the player press conferences where "Rick" was explained as an inside joke among the players.

[eball]

I've been clamoring for Bates to get in the mix all season.  Was nice to see him play well in such an important game.

[LABILLBACKER]

For the last 2 years I've never understood why Bates gets buried. Every time he fills in he plays very well. As a Guard I think he's better than Ford, Feliciano and Boettger.  But the brain trust has other ideas.

[HamptonBillsfan]

The silver lining in the players activated after missing one or two games is that they will be fresh and ready to play getting treatment throughout their absence. Feliciano should provide better performance as depth if Bates gets starts. We look to be getting healthy on offense going into prime time.

[Motorin']

9 minutes ago, HamptonBillsfan said:

The silver lining in the players activated after missing one or two games is that they will be fresh and ready to play getting treatment throughout their absence. Feliciano should provide better performance as depth if Bates gets starts. We look to be getting healthy on offense going into prime time.

 

Feleciano can obviously play C too. So having him as the depth piece provides good flexibility on the interior. 

 

 

[mabden]

I would have put Bates in before Ford for any game this year.  I hope he starts/stays on the line for the rest of the season.  Keep Feliciano on the bench as the backup Center.

[HamptonBillsfan]

1 minute ago, Motorin' said:

 

Feleciano can obviously play C too. So having him as the depth piece provides good flexibility on the interior. 

 

 

You have to believe he's been nicked up this year, because he played better in previous seasons. Hopefully the break helps. 

[chris heff]

16 minutes ago, LABILLBACKER said:

For the last 2 years I've never understood why Bates gets buried. Every time he fills in he plays very well. As a Guard I think he's better than Ford, Feliciano and Boettger.  But the brain trust has other ideas.

I think it’s because he’s such a good backup they don’t play him.

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

1 hour ago, Doc said:

If he’s worth starting at LG, It’s silly to not start him just because he’s the backup center. If something happens to Morse, you make a change like they did when Boettger went down Sunday.

 

The argument in the past was if something happened to Morse he's the only backup center, but if Feliciano is also active, he too could play center.  So more options!

[Buffalo Junction]

38 minutes ago, TheBrownBear said:

I heard he pancaked Judon and said "You just got Rick-rolled by MASTER BATES"

I’d lmao if he yelled “pickle Rick” after pancaking someone. 🤷‍♂️

[Pags24]

Bates should have been a starter for the last 2 years!  He's our best guard on the team.  I'll take him over Feliciano, Boettger and Williams at G.  Leave Feliciano on the bench as the backup G/C.  Bates deserves to be on the field. 

[Doc]

3 minutes ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

The argument in the past was if something happened to Morse he's the only backup center, but if Feliciano is also active, he too could play center.  So more options!

 

But he's not the only backup C.  It makes no sense.  

 

But he gets 2 games to audition for the starting job.

[HomeskillitMoorman]

1 hour ago, DCofNC said:

Gotta love guys that are so valuable you can’t play them.  If he’s good enough to be on the field then he belongs on the field, that’s like playing Turbiski all year because you want to save Allen for when you really need him. 
 

I’m not giving this staff the benefit of the doubt on personnel, they have proven not to deserve that, more than once.

 

If he balls out again, it definitely does start raising some questions about the staff after seeing McKenzie too. 

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

1 minute ago, Doc said:

 

But he's not the only backup C.  It makes no sense.  

 

But he gets 2 games to audition for the starting job.

 

Besides Bates, Morse, and Feliciano, who else plays center.   Last month when they wouldn't play Bates, Felicinao was out, so the only backup possible was Bates unless there's someone else I'm missing.  This week have two options so would agree, they could start Bates.

[Mat68]

Right now he is probably the 6 or 7th best lineman.  Top five Dawkins, Feliciano, Morse, Williams, Brown.  Bates can play center.  He is what he is.  He is the break glass in case of emergency lineman.  Behind him its a grease fire.