BillnutinHouston Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewEra Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullim4 Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 Given that Feliciano can play at C, and that Bates had a great game at G... I would keep him in there. 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBillyG Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 (edited) 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 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldmanfan Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 Start Bates and use Feliciano as the backup C/G assuming he’s healthy. 8 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BruceVilanch Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Your Brown Eye Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 Isn't it Ryan Bates? 10 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philo Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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 14 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnBonhamRocks Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsPride12 Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorin' Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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? 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HalftimeAdjustment Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBrownBear Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dablitzkrieg Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCofNC Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 (edited) 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 1 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorin' Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris heff Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 Is the dilemma to keep him in the lineup, or whether to call him Rick or Ryan? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBill Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D. L. Hot-Flamethrower Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 I'd stick with the 5 who played the game on Sunday. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorin' Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 (edited) 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' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Mama Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 Community Member 858 Posted 49 minutes ago Isn't it Ryan Bates? And all this time I thought it was MASTER 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorin' Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBrownBear Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillnutinHouston Posted December 29, 2021 Author Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eball Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LABILLBACKER Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HamptonBillsfan Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorin' Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mabden Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HamptonBillsfan Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris heff Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Formerly_of_Roch Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Junction Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. 🤷♂️ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pags24 Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeskillitMoorman Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_Formerly_of_Roch Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mat68 Posted December 29, 2021 Share Posted December 29, 2021 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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