Sal Capaccio tweets starters... Spencer Brown and more...

[Doc]

The gameday inactives will likely be 5 out of Hart, Lewis, Spector, Hamlin, Sweeney and Lawson.

[CNYfan]

4 minutes ago, Doc said:

The gameday inactives will likely be 5 out of Hart, Lewis, Spector, Hamlin, Sweeney and Lawson.

I think I only disagree on Hamlin.  He is a very physical player and as the 4th safety will have some value on Special Teams.  

[nosejob]

18 hours ago, Sierra Foothills said:

 

Because of his late-season struggles and injury-shortened offseason I was surprised to see him promoted for week one.

 

I guess the Bills are betting that Brown is better off being thrown into the fire than being eased in.

I'm willing to bet they collectively have over 100 yds. rushing and hopefully control the T.O.P. especially late. Maybe that's why they named Brown the starter.

[Rockinon]

I think it's going to come down to what match ups the coaches think they can exploit. One week we may see an extra running back. The next might be an extra WR. We all ready know how dangerous the passing attack is but there were times when we needed to run more effectively last year. I honestly don't think the offense will change much. Passing is still the bread and butter of this offense. The difference is going to be finding out how effective the running backs can be. Finding out not just how well they can rush, but how well they can receive.  The pieces that were added in the off season seem to make it clear that the plan is to simply make the offense more diverse.  Right now I think they are concentrating on their Thursday night match up and what they can exploit against the Rams defense. The following week it will be a different game plan.

[hemma]

1 hour ago, Coach Tuesday said:

No, it’s the first article that came up.  He was also getting knocked backwards in his limited preseason pass pro opportunities.  

I don’t doubt that he was getting knocked backwards on pass pro.  5’ 11’ and a basically stationary 190 doesn’t hold up well vs 6’3 240 (or whatever) moving at 15 mph.  I would hope that Beane factored that into his draft board.  The avg weight of an nfl back is 215.  Spotting 25 lbs is a bunch.

 

I went through the AFC rosters and found 3 RBs that came in lighter and even then, by only a few lbs.  None of the 3 of them played more than a handful of snaps last year.

 

He may get somewhat better in 2022 but realistically, he is what he is for the rest of this year.  

If Beane hoped for better, well shame on him.

[UKBillFan]

2 hours ago, JakeFrommStateFarm said:

So I see the evidence is growing. It's gone from one practice to "limited preseason opportunities"

 

Is that all of it ?

 

If you all don't think he can pass protect watch the national championship game against Alabama.

 

Time after time Cook was picking up free rushers giving Bennett time to throw.

 

This is another problem with posters here. 99% don't watch college football. 

 

Please stop spreading this misinformation and watch for yourself

 

Playing pass protect in college is different to playing pass protect in the NFL. He has the mental ability to do it; he understand what he needs to do. Can he translate this against players who have better physical attributes and more experience?

 

That won't be just a question for us but all rookies across the NFL. Hopefully he can.

[frostbitmic]

17 hours ago, DapperCam said:

Everybody here saying Taiwan Jones isn’t a real running back must have scrubbed the Bills vs Texans Wild Card OT from their memory.

 

(mostly kidding, he’s just a gunner)

Jones is as much a RB as Barkley is a Punter.

[artmalibu]

56 minutes ago, frostbitmic said:

Jones is as much a RB as Barkley is a Punter.

The Bill averaged 27 total rushes per game last year and that includes all the carries of the RBs, QBs and WRs.  Its hard for me to think the will dress 3 RBs that dont play special teams to get 6 to 9 touches each.  

 

I cant forget this,  so if Jones is need as an emergency RB Im ok with that.  And if Barkley was the #2 QB I would be happy with him as an emergency punter based on what I saw in preseason....

 

 

 

 

[Doc Brown]

8 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I believe the rules now are you can dress 48 as long as 8 are OL. If fewer than 8 are OL they can dress 47. 

 

Looking at that roster for week 1 and trying to find the five inactives is tricky. 

 

I think Sweeney, one OL (Doyle if he is still hurt or Van Roten or Hart), Shaq and Cam Lewis are the four most likely. I'd probably say Spector is the next most likely given he would be up mainly for teams and they have Dodson who can play teams and Matakevich who is a teams captain up but I don't think it is totally mad to think that Crowder is a possibility too if McKenzie is healthy... or of course Moss if they only dress 3 running backs. 

Based on Morris and Doyle not practicing today and the Rams personnel my guess would be Morris, Doyle, Spector, Basham, and Cook.  I just have a feeling they won't trust Cook in pass protection against the heavily blitzing Rams with Donald drawing double teams leaving free blitzers.  Lawson over Basham because he's better against the run and not breaking containment with all of the Rams window dressing. 

[Matt_In_NH]

5 hours ago, Doc said:

The gameday inactives will likely be 5 out of Hart, Lewis, Spector, Hamlin, Sweeney and Lawson.

They don’t often have three RBs active not counting that Taiwan guy.   I think it’s likely Moss sits. 

[Forlorn hope]

We won't get a true idea about injuries until Monday. Usually the 1st practice is a maintenance day if you're banged up 

[YoloinOhio]

3 hours ago, UKBillFan said:

 

Playing pass protect in college is different to playing pass protect in the NFL. He has the mental ability to do it; he understand what he needs to do. Can he translate this against players who have better physical attributes and more experience?

 

That won't be just a question for us but all rookies across the NFL. Hopefully he can.

Pass protection is an area of development for almost every RB coming out of college. It has nothing to do with Cook personally. Very few are fully developed in this aspect as rookies and if they are drafted to a team with a pass heavy offense, it will almost always be a process and a learning curve. 

[billybrew1]

On 9/3/2022 at 12:46 PM, Sierra Foothills said:

Not surprised about Elam starting nor am I surprised about Shakir or James Cook.

 

There are MANY here who believe that McKenzie is not fit to be the starting kick returner. I feel/felt he should be given another shot because his upside is pretty damn high.

 

I thought Spencer Brown would wait a few weeks behind Quessenberry before being named the starter.

You’re not surprised Zach Moss best-out James Cook, our second round pick?

Wow, when did you realize this?

[Sierra Foothills]

51 minutes ago, billybrew1 said:

You’re not surprised Zach Moss best-out James Cook, our second round pick?

Wow, when did you realize this?

 

From the beginning. I never thought Cook had leapfrogged Moss.

 

I thought Moss, a 3rd round pick in his 3rd year in the system, full recovered from his 2021 ankle problems was going to be ahead of the rookie who is to me, a situational weapon.

[Toledo Bill]

22 hours ago, Dave_Bills said:

This organization doesn’t play politics. The best players play and your spot is earned

Then why is Sweeney on the team? He is terrible.

[ToGoGo]

23 minutes ago, Toledo Bill said:

Then why is Sweeney on the team? He is terrible.

 

I'd write a letter to Beane immediately and let him know. We still have a few days before the season begins. Please! The entire organization needs to be made aware of Toledo Bill's insight!

[UKBillFan]

24 minutes ago, Toledo Bill said:

Then why is Sweeney on the team? He is terrible.

Because the other option was a struggling Howard?

[Forlorn hope]

1 hour ago, Toledo Bill said:

Then why is Sweeney on the team? He is terrible.

Because he wasn't 100% last year and is a physical tough blocker 

Howard can't move and is not as physical 

[Kwai San]

What is wild to me is that Jones is the Starter versus Settle.....huh?  I guess my old brain ain't comprehending that one.....I know I know rotation and all that.  I guess....

[Doc Brown]

9 minutes ago, Kwai San said:

What is wild to me is that Jones is the Starter versus Settle.....huh?  I guess my old brain ain't comprehending that one.....I know I know rotation and all that.  I guess....

He's the main one technique taking Star's role.  They usually list that player as the starter.  Plus, what exactly has Settle done so far in his career to earn the starting role on a rotating defensive line?

[Sammy Watkins' Rib]

On 9/3/2022 at 1:26 PM, MasterStrategist said:

Can't look at the depth chart in such a boxed way.  Same can be said about backup WR, Cooks role on offense, etc.  There will certainly be multiple formations/looks that will dictate playtime over depth chart.

 

Yeah I will be shocked if Moss actually out snaps Cook on offense. 

[Kwai San]

8 minutes ago, Doc Brown said:

He's the main one technique taking Star's role.  They usually list that player as the starter.  Plus, what exactly has Settle done so far in his career to earn the starting role on a rotating defensive line?

 

Call me crazy, which you will and I will not disagree, I thot Settle had a pretty good camp.  I am ALL about getting the best person in that slot.....if that is Jones then so be it.  Thanks for setting this old dude right!

[NewEra]

1 hour ago, Forlorn hope said:

Because he wasn't 100% last year and is a physical tough blocker 

Howard can't move and is not as physical 

He was so physical that McD turned to a rookie OT to play TE2 over him when things mattered most.  

[billybrew1]

On 9/3/2022 at 1:07 PM, Beck Water said:

 

Fair.

 

I guess some posters here will be relieved to see that Jake Kumerow isn't listed as the backup at outside WR behind Diggs and Davis

He's only listed as the backup WR behind Davis 😁

 

Surprises to me: 

Moss > Cook as RB2

Bernard listed as the starting SLB ahead of Dodson - I guess the team sees his pre-season performance differently than fans do

Cam Lewis listed as the backup NCB and Siran Neal listed as the backup outside CB 🤷‍♂️

 

Anyone explain that last to me, I'll be obliged

 

As far as the LBs go, I thought Giles-Harris was our best in preseason. I liked the cut of his jib.

[Sierra Foothills]

1 hour ago, Kwai San said:

What is wild to me is that Jones is the Starter versus Settle.....huh?  I guess my old brain ain't comprehending that one.....I know I know rotation and all that.  I guess....

 

Jones has started 110 games in the NFL.

 

Settle has started 2 games as a pro.

 

This is reflected in their respective contracts.

 

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/tim-settle-25264/

 

https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/buffalo-bills/daquan-jones-14523/contracts/

[Forlorn hope]

1 hour ago, NewEra said:

He was so physical that McD turned to a rookie OT to play TE2 over him when things mattered most.  And at your convenience he wasn't 100% , but even though tommy Sweeney was crushing ppl this preseason and Howard was at best soft, you have a hang up. 

Why ???

Edited September 5, 2022 by Forlorn hope

[Forlorn hope]

It's honestly pathetic and weird if you think Howard was better than Sweeney this preseason 

[NewEra]

42 minutes ago, Forlorn hope said:

Why ???

Why? Why what?  
 

Why did you do to that quote….

 

crack is whack!

35 minutes ago, Forlorn hope said:

It's honestly pathetic and weird if you think Howard was better than Sweeney this preseason 

Who said a word about Howard?  Wth dude…

[GunnerBill]

6 hours ago, Forlorn hope said:

Because he wasn't 100% last year and is a physical tough blocker 

Howard can't move and is not as physical 

 

He isn't. Sweeney is, and always has been, an atrocious blocker. 

[CorkScrewHill]

On 9/3/2022 at 8:13 PM, VaMilBill said:

Not sure who was really better in the preseason, Elam or Benford. But curious if the reason Elam is starting is because of his draft status. 

Sean McDermott it appears has not actually committed to who is starting on the opposite side of Jackson.

 

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/09/07/bills-not-naming-a-starting-cb-in-place-of-tredavious-white/

 

W will find out on Thursday it appears.

[DCofNC]

I’m interested to see if Cook being the 3rd RB means he doesn’t dress for games, the way they did with Moss last year.  I would find it REALLY hard to believe, but this RB by committee thing does take up and extra spot on game day.  It may be that one of the bottom WRs/TEs won’t dress.

30 minutes ago, CorkScrewHill said:

Sean McDermott it appears has not actually committed to who is starting on the opposite side of Jackson.

 

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/09/07/bills-not-naming-a-starting-cb-in-place-of-tredavious-white/

 

W will find out on Thursday it appears.

As it stands based on what we saw, I would be putting Beneford out there, Elam has more raw ability, but it’s raw.

[Coach Tuesday]

44 minutes ago, DCofNC said:

I’m interested to see if Cook being the 3rd RB means he doesn’t dress for games, the way they did with Moss last year.  

 

This is my expectation.  Happy to be wrong about it.  I know there are fans convincing themselves that the Bills "hid" Cook in the preseason which I think is borderline hilarious.  My expectation is that he doesn't dress for the first month or so and certainly not tomorrow night, I can't fathom them trotting out Cook in pass-blocking situations with 99 on the other side of the field...

[VaMilBill]

47 minutes ago, DCofNC said:

As it stands based on what we saw, I would be putting Beneford out there, Elam has more raw ability, but it’s raw.

I would agree with that assessment. Beneford looked better to me overall. More disciplined, better mechanics, etc.

 

 The other part of me that thinks Beneford will start is the fact that McD hasn’t announced it. If they were truly equal, it would be obvious to simply start Elam. 
 

on the other side, they could be trying to make the rams better gameplan recognizing whoever starts is going to have a tough matchup. 

[GunnerBill]

1 hour ago, CorkScrewHill said:

Sean McDermott it appears has not actually committed to who is starting on the opposite side of Jackson.

 

https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/09/07/bills-not-naming-a-starting-cb-in-place-of-tredavious-white/

 

W will find out on Thursday it appears.

 

Leslie said they will both play but seemed to imply Elam will start. 

[T master]

On 9/3/2022 at 2:45 PM, Doc said:

So I see Shakir is backup outside WR (good), the RB's appear to be in order of what down they'll be playing (lol) and rumors of the coaching staff being down on Elam were way off.  And good to see Brown back in the starting lineup, with Quess providing decent depth.

 

Glad to see Brown back where he belongs but i think (do you) that Cook is behind Moss only because he is a rookie & may need more time to prove him self as far as learning the offense and will eventually replace Moss as that guy ?

 

I think the FB should possibly be the 3rd RB up he's bigger & can probably run with more power than Moss i'm just not a fan of him never have been & thought the pick could have been same position better player say a A.J. Dillon type but that's just me i guess .

[DCofNC]

15 minutes ago, Coach Tuesday said:

 

This is my expectation.  Happy to be wrong about it.  I know there are fans convincing themselves that the Bills "hid" Cook in the preseason which I think is borderline hilarious.  My expectation is that he doesn't dress for the first month or so and certainly not tomorrow night, I can't fathom them trotting out Cook in pass-blocking situations with 99 on the other side of the field...

I feel the same way, but man what an awful look to have the 2nd round pick not dressing for games for 3 consecutive years.  I know Beane has worked some magic, but his drafts are almost tragic outside of Allen.

[DCofNC]

2 minutes ago, T master said:

 

Glad to see Brown back where he belongs but i think (do you) that Cook is behind Moss only because he is a rookie & may need more time to prove him self as far as learning the offense and will eventually replace Moss as that guy ?

 

I think the FB should possibly be the 3rd RB up he's bigger & can probably run with more power than Moss i'm just not a fan of him never have been & thought the pick could have been same position better player say a A.J. Dillon type but that's just me i guess .

I think we may see Gilliam as the 3rd RB with Jones as a ST captain and the “ability” to step in if needed.  
 

I agree with your assessment on Moss, but I am cautiously optimistic he will be much better this year.  We have not seen the guy from college yet, but I saw glimpses of it this pre-season.  He was a hammer in college, and he has really underrated hands, I won’t be shocked to see him keep Cook from dressing for a while.  He’s the short yardage guy, by default (and I don’t agree with it based on the past, I think DS can do just as well), he is definitely a better blocker and if he can start to show that little bit of burst/pop he had in college, he’s talented enough to start in the NFL.  I’d be happy to have a problem of too many guys that are too talented to bench at a weak position from last year, but man, if we have a 2nd round pick not dressing for the 3rd straight year, I might just lose it.  I hope I’m wrong about it and I hope Cook is a beast, but I don’t see the justification for his draft slot at all.  Wasn’t happy with the pick at the time, still haven’t seen a reason to change that, hopefully they were “hiding” their weapon.

[HappyDays]

46 minutes ago, Coach Tuesday said:

I can't fathom them trotting out Cook in pass-blocking situations with 99 on the other side of the field...

 

They didn't draft him to pass block. It was not his strength in college. If they aren't dressing him because of his pass blocking that is a rare case of the front office not being in lock step with the coaching staff. I expect him to dress and have a specialized role in the pass game.

[GunnerBill]

8 minutes ago, HappyDays said:

 

They didn't draft him to pass block. It was not his strength in college. If they aren't dressing him because of his pass blocking that is a rare case of the front office not being in lock step with the coaching staff. I expect him to dress and have a specialized role in the pass game.

 

The problem is if you are a pass catching back in the NFL and you can't pass block at all you are a hand tip to the defense every time you trot out there. I don't think the Bills drafted Cook to pass block, that is absolutely right, they drafted him to pass catch. But third down backs who can't pass block are a very niche category in the NFL and they don't tend to stick for very long. Cook doesn't need to be an expert blocker, he just needs to hold his own. Sal C has described it as "just get in the way" and that is pretty much it. You just need to buy Josh a second. 

 

Personally I think Cook will be active for the most part but if he isn't I tend to agree with @Coach Tuesday that it will likely be his pass blocking keeping him off the field. 

[Putin]

On 9/3/2022 at 2:53 PM, CorkScrewHill said:

The thing that surprised me was Bernard leapfrogging Dodson. He had some plays, but I didn’t see him as better than Dodson at this point

Maybe he showed more in practice ?