Buy-Low: Chase Roullier (C)

[JGMcD2]

The Commanders released Chase Roullier today with a post-June 1 designation. 
 

He was Allen’s teammate at Wyoming and went in the 7th round in 2017. He played well enough to receive 4/$40.5M extension prior to the 2021 season.
 

He fractured his fibula in 2021 and tore his MCL in 2022, which seems to be the reason behind his release - they weren’t comfortable with $12M cap hits the next two seasons after he only played 10 games in 2021/2022. Prior to 2021 he started 46/46 games and was seen as pretty durable. 
 

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by JGMcD2

[BuffaloBillyG]

Now this is the kind of move I wouldn't mind...and Josh has a way of getting guys he knows. Potentially a bit low guy this year. We are pretty deep at IOL right now (that was weird to type) but at the right price I'd be on board

[JohnBonhamRocks]

You know if he played with Rodgers he’d already be a Jet

[Freddie's Dead]

GIT 'R' DUN!!!!!

[TheFunPolice]

make it a 3 year deal so we can get a steal for a couple seasons if it works out 

[Warriorspikes51]

Bring him to camp!

Can someone cut their starting quality RT for us while we're at it

Dawkins  _________

McGovern   Bates

Morse  Roullier

O'Cyrus   Edwards
________ Brown 

Battle between  Broeker, Boettger, Doyle, Gouraige, Quessenberry 

Edited May 5, 2023 by Warriorspikes51

[Chandler#81]

Intriguing for sure.

[Beck Water]

30 minutes ago, JGMcD2 said:

The Commanders released Chase Roullier today with a post-June 1 designation. 
 

He was Allen’s teammate at Wyoming and went in the 7th round in 2017. He played well enough to receive 4/$40.5M extension prior to the 2021 season.
 

He fractured his fibula in 2021 and tore his MCL in 2022, which seems to be the reason behind his release - they weren’t comfortable with $12M cap hits the next two seasons after he only played 10 games in 2021/2022. Prior to 2021 he started 46/46 games and was seen as pretty durable. 
 

 

 

Intriguing.  I haven't followed him enough - has he played any position other than C?  Do we know any details about how he broke his fibula and how he tore his MCL?  Was he breathing fire and trying to do too much?

 

Beane has been pretty adamant about positional flexibility from backup G.  But, we are thin on the ground at C right now - we got into our 3rd string C in several games and it wasn't pretty.

 

 

[JohnBonhamRocks]

Beane has a history of red shirting players. Maybe this could be one of those. “Hey, sign here, rehab all year on IR, and compete with Bates to be our long term C in 2024.”

[Dr.Mantis_Toboggan]

Bringing him in would free Bates up to go battle for the starting RT spot, and would give them a great option to move on from Morse next year, which I think is in the best interest for everybody involved with his concussion history. Morse’s dead cap# would be $8.36m this year, where as only $3m next season with a cap savings of $8.5m.  Either way this is likely Mitch’s last year in a Bills uniform, it’s going to be hard for Roullier to find a starting job that he can just walk into this time of year, let him compete for the job, and at the very worst he is an insurance policy against a concussion prone Center.

 

 

[ndirish1978]

This is not a bad idea. 

[Udubalum07]

As a Wyoming grad, it would be a good signing.  He played all the interior line positions at wyoming, at different points of his career. Was one of the most durable lineman in his 4 year career, and is technically sound. He is also very smart. 

He would be cheap right now, and would be worth a look, if his injury history turns around, he could have another solid 5 years in the league. 

Edited May 5, 2023 by Udubalum07

[JGMcD2]

1 hour ago, Beck Water said:

 

Intriguing.  I haven't followed him enough - has he played any position other than C?  Do we know any details about how he broke his fibula and how he tore his MCL?  Was he breathing fire and trying to do too much?

 

Beane has been pretty adamant about positional flexibility from backup G.  But, we are thin on the ground at C right now - we got into our 3rd string C in several games and it wasn't pretty.

 

 

Per PFF he played 192 snaps at LG and 4 snaps at RG with Washington in 2018. Otherwise, he's played center exclusively in the NFL. 

 

Also, per PFF, he played 1,601 snaps at LG and 52 snaps at RG across 2014 and 2015 at Wyoming. He played center exclusively in 2016 before being drafted. 

 

Seems to line up with what @Udubalum07says below!
 

56 minutes ago, Udubalum07 said:

As a Wyoming grad, it would be a good signing.  He played all the interior line positions at wyoming, at different points of his career. Was one of the most durable lineman in his 4 year career, and is technically sound. He is also very smart. 

He would be cheap right now, and would be worth a look, if his injury history turns around, he could have another solid 5 years in the league. 

 

The durability point is something I'm glad to hear more of. He was seen as EXTREMELY durable in the NFL before these past two seasons - I don't worry much about the broken leg because it's hard to control that. The MCL tear is concerning... but not enough to completely scare me away. 

 

Knowing how much McBeane seem to value the center position (Signing Morse for Josh Allen, Bates not being allowed to play G for awhile because he was the backup center) I'd kick the tires on this. Josh loves his boys and I remember seeing him pumped up on social media after Roullier got his big extension. Health permitting, I think this could be a shrewd move for the future and a hedge against Morse's concussion history. 

[Beck Water]

1 minute ago, JGMcD2 said:

Per PFF he played 192 snaps at LG and 4 snaps at RG with Washington in 2018. Otherwise, he's played center exclusively in the NFL. 

 

Also, per PFF, he played 1,601 snaps at LG and 52 snaps at RG across 2014 and 2015 at Wyoming. He played center exclusively in 2016 before being drafted. 

 

Seems to line up with what @Udubalum07says below!
 

 

The durability point is something I'm glad to hear more of. He was seen as EXTREMELY durable in the NFL before these past two seasons - I don't worry much about the broken leg because it's hard to control that. The MCL tear is concerning... but not enough to completely scare me away. 

 

Knowing how much McBeane seem to value the center position (Signing Morse for Josh Allen, Bates not being allowed to play G for awhile because he was the backup center) I'd kick the tires on this. Josh loves his boys and I remember seeing him pumped up on social media after Roullier got his big extension. Health permitting, I think this could be a shrewd move for the future and a hedge against Morse's concussion history. 

 

If he has positional flexibility and is willing to sign a come-in-and-compete contract, then I'm For It.

 

Did he have the MCL surgically repaired, anyone know?

[Bobby Hooks]

Hmm… I’m not opposed to this. If we brought him in we would’ve obviously gotten Josh’s approval. 
 

He wouldn’t say yes to a guy that would get him creamed. It’s wild to say but considering our depth (weird), on the line, he could even sit for a while and get himself to 100%

Edited May 5, 2023 by Bobby Hooks

[JGMcD2]

7 minutes ago, Beck Water said:

 

If he has positional flexibility and is willing to sign a come-in-and-compete contract, then I'm For It.

 

Did he have the MCL surgically repaired, anyone know?

Yes, his right MCL was surgically repaired. Read that he tried to avoid it but ultimately opted for surgery. Surgery was the week of October 4th, 2022. 
 

I believe he broke his left fibula, which means his major injuries have been to different legs. 

[BigAl2526]

After all the lost time, I  assume he can't command 10 million a year.  What would it take to sign him? 

[hondo in seattle]

2 hours ago, BuffaloBillyG said:

Now this is the kind of move I wouldn't mind...and Josh has a way of getting guys he knows. Potentially a bit low guy this year. We are pretty deep at IOL right now (that was weird to type) but at the right price I'd be on board

 

I can only imagine!  It was weird to read.  

[T master]

3 hours ago, JGMcD2 said:

The Commanders released Chase Roullier today with a post-June 1 designation. 
 

He was Allen’s teammate at Wyoming and went in the 7th round in 2017. He played well enough to receive 4/$40.5M extension prior to the 2021 season.
 

He fractured his fibula in 2021 and tore his MCL in 2022, which seems to be the reason behind his release - they weren’t comfortable with $12M cap hits the next two seasons after he only played 10 games in 2021/2022. Prior to 2021 he started 46/46 games and was seen as pretty durable. 
 

 

 

You can almost bet Josh is in Beanes ear one this one .

[BillsFanForever19]

4 hours ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

Bring him to camp!

Can someone cut their starting quality RT for us while we're at it

Dawkins  _________

McGovern   Bates

Morse  Roullier

O'Cyrus   Edwards
________ Brown 

Battle between  Broeker, Boettger, Doyle, Gouraige, Quessenberry 

 

Spencer Brown will not be outright replaced.

 

Beane has been adamant since the end of last season that he has full faith in him and that he accounts his regression in Year 2 to his having back surgery and missing the entire offseason. Then being dinged up with other injuries midseason. There's definite logic in that.

 

He said from the end of the year he just wanted depth behind him. And when it came down to what we could afford and what he thought the best fit there was, he chose bringing back Quessenberry. And then didn't even Draft an OT at all.

 

I do think we should look at another OT. With Tommy Doyle having torn his ACL and then playing an entire game on his torn ACL on 9/27 - pretty sure he'll be on the PUP to start the year. Meaning the 4th OT is right now someone like Richard Gouraige, Ryan Van Denmark, or Alec Anderson. Ike Boettger and Nick Broeker are Guards.

 

Beane may very well be fine with Dawkins and Brown as our Starters with Quessenberry as the swing Tackle behind both and someone like Gouraige, Van Denmark, or Anderson behind him - until Doyle is ready. I'd like to see us bring in something a little more though.

 

But if we do, it's not going to be a Starter to compete and usurp Brown. I don't think Beane's even looking at RT as a competition spot. It would be another small Quessenberry like deal.

 

And when it comes to additions at this point, we really have to temper expectations. After Poona Ford and Latavius Murray, we're going to have to come up with some money just to sign our Draft Picks. Getting money to sign our picks,  someone like Roullier, another solid OT, AND a solid DE is an impossibility right now.

 

We've been thrift shopping ever since signing McGovern and Harty (because we have to) and I don't see that changing this late into Free Agency, after everything we already had to do to tweak the cap to get done what we've done.

 

And I'd doubt they'd sign Roullier to be the backup Center and keep Bates. I think signing Roullier would spell the end for Bates, who is our Backup Center. Especially if he is beaten out by Torrence or Edwards on the Starting Lineup at Guard. We'd probably move him to someone rather than pay him what we're paying to be our 4th OG and 3rd Center. And I don't know that Beane is looking at Bates as an expendable piece that needs upgrading from.

Edited May 6, 2023 by BillsFanForever19

[AuntieEm]

4 hours ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

Bring him to camp!

Can someone cut their starting quality RT for us while we're at it

Dawkins  _________

McGovern   Bates

Morse  Roullier

O'Cyrus   Edwards
________ Brown 

Battle between  Broeker, Boettger, Doyle, Gouraige, Quessenberry 

There may be cuts end òf preseason where we pick up some improvements if the preseason tape on oline chemistry looks like it needs help and there's any better players in cuts from other teams.  We may be set that's what we may find out in preseason. 

 

 

[BuffaloBillsGospel2014]

I'm all for building the best OL we can possibly get.

[aristocrat]

We have a lot of lineman already but one more couldn’t hurt

[BillsFanForever19]

21 minutes ago, aristocrat said:

We have a lot of lineman already but one more couldn’t hurt

 

This is a good point. We're currently sitting at 17 Lineman. We generally only keep 9 on the 53. 

 

In addition to the signings of Connor McGovern and David Edwards, the drafting of O'Cyrus Torrence and Nick Broeker, and the re-signing of David Quessenberry - there's been under the radar moves like the re-signing of Ike Boettger, the signing of Kevin Jarvis, bringing back Greg Mancz, and signing two of the top 9 available UDFA OT's (according to NFL.com)

 

A lot of work has been done on the OL already. Not convinced Beane feels he needs to do more there, given the cap situation we're in. But I wouldn't be opposed.

[Beast]

Unless he can also play guard there is no spot on this roster for him. At least not this season.

[Pete]

15 hours ago, Warriorspikes51 said:

Bring him to camp!

Can someone cut their starting quality RT for us while we're at it

Dawkins  _________

McGovern   Bates

Morse  Roullier

O'Cyrus   Edwards
________ Brown 

Battle between  Broeker, Boettger, Doyle, Gouraige, Quessenberry 

Beane is going to trade OL for more draft picks IMO.  There is a shortage of OL in NFL and the Bills have too many

[WhoTom]

12 hours ago, Beast said:

Unless he can also play guard there is no spot on this roster for him. At least not this season.

Looks like he can:

 

15 hours ago, JGMcD2 said:

Per PFF he played 192 snaps at LG and 4 snaps at RG with Washington in 2018. Otherwise, he's played center exclusively in the NFL. 

 

Also, per PFF, he played 1,601 snaps at LG and 52 snaps at RG across 2014 and 2015 at Wyoming. He played center exclusively in 2016 before being drafted.

 

[C.Biscuit97]

Josh knows his butt. Sign him!!!!

[Simon Says]

I dont know if he played 46 of 46,I think he missed a couple games during that stretch.

But, besides that,why would the Bills sign him? They already have several guys who can play center if Morse goes down.

They won't be able to stash him on the Practice Squad....what is his current health status? Will he be able to practice this summer? Then what? Carry him on the 53,tying up a roster spot,in case of emergency?

 

[Thurman#1]

20 hours ago, ndirish1978 said:

This is not a bad idea. 

 

 

It'll depend on the doctor, which we will never hear about, and the salary, which if the doctor's report is good will likely be fairly high in a year when we have to keep expenses down.

[Rocky Landing]

3 hours ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

Josh knows his butt. Sign him!!!!

Maybe ask Josh first? Just because he knows him doesn't mean he likes him...

[3rdand12]

7 minutes ago, Rocky Landing said:

Maybe ask Josh first? Just because he knows him doesn't mean he likes him...

Well its worth the ask.
 One of the reasons Morse is still center , is his smarts.
And Bill really have to look to the future at this position. regardless if this is the guy

If he could get stashed on IR ??

[Rocky Landing]

52 minutes ago, 3rdand12 said:

Well its worth the ask.
 One of the reasons Morse is still center , is his smarts.
And Bill really have to look to the future at this position. regardless if this is the guy

If he could get stashed on IR ??

I'm all for kicking the tires, absolutely.

[buffaloboyinATL]

22 hours ago, JGMcD2 said:

The Commanders released Chase Roullier today with a post-June 1 designation. 
 

He was Allen’s teammate at Wyoming and went in the 7th round in 2017. He played well enough to receive 4/$40.5M extension prior to the 2021 season.
 

He fractured his fibula in 2021 and tore his MCL in 2022, which seems to be the reason behind his release - they weren’t comfortable with $12M cap hits the next two seasons after he only played 10 games in 2021/2022. Prior to 2021 he started 46/46 games and was seen as pretty durable. 
 

 

Good find. I could get behind this addition. 

[BADOLBILZ]

 

Greg Mancz reading this thread

 

[buffaloboyinATL]

17 hours ago, Beast said:

Unless he can also play guard there is no spot on this roster for him. At least not this season.

Yeah, but I am all for developing the heir apparent at center. I am a big Mitch Morse fan, but his concussions scare me.  It is only a matter of time before he has to call it quits. 

[Teddy KGB]

Sounds French.    He’s probably soft and smokes too many cigarettes 

[buffaloboyinATL]

3 hours ago, Teddy KGB said:

Sounds French.    He’s probably soft and smokes too many cigarettes 

He and Rousseau will be sittin’ in the locker room eating fromage.  

[Simon Says]

On 5/5/2023 at 4:03 PM, JohnBonhamRocks said:

Beane has a history of red shirting players. Maybe this could be one of those. “Hey, sign here, rehab all year on IR, and compete with Bates to be our long term C in 2024.”

Who has  Beane "red-shirted" to create this "history"? Can't stash healthy players on I.R. 

[JohnBonhamRocks]

56 minutes ago, Herb Nightly said:

Who has  Beane "red-shirted" to create this "history"? Can't stash healthy players on I.R. 

Some speculated Buffalo would just be using the IR to stash Hodgins there for a few weeks in an effort to keep him off waivers where other teams could claim him https://billswire.usatoday.com/2020/09/07/buffalo-bills-brandon-beane-isaiah-hodgins-injured-reserve/
 

I think the same was claimed for Marquez Stevenson.

 

Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane likes the rule changes. 

“There’s a line that the league worries about roster stashing, just putting guys on to get another guy so I think you want to make sure that people aren’t stashing,” Beane said. “That’s going to be what the league stance is. I think it’s come to a pretty good medium.”

 

https://wtop.com/nfl/2022/11/nfl-injured-reserve-rule-change-forcing-teams-to-be-choosy/

 

 

@HaplessBillsFan on here had a nice post explaining it:

 

Right.  So what we did last year with (I believe it was) Tommy Sweeney could work.  Sweeney, who had a foot injury, was on the initial 53.

To accomodate him, we actually cut a player we truly wanted to keep, Andre Roberts, whom other teams immediately tried to sign. 

 

Roberts had a "gentleman's agreement" with Beane, which he honored.  As soon as the season began, Sweeney was placed on IR and Roberts was re-signed at his original contract, but with his season's salary fully guaranteed as it would have been if he'd been on the 53 man roster opening day.
 

 

 

 

About IR roster options

 

https://www.buffalorumblings.com/platform/amp/2021/8/30/22647035/buffalo-bills-general-manager-brandon-beane-sure-to-employ-roster-shenanigans-this-week