Latest Wande Owens (UDFA) Hype

[Mr. WEO]

7 hours ago, NewEra said:

Yes, in this situation- because safeties are immune to improving because…. Of last seasons competition.  Got it.

 

sanders was such a bum that he out snapped Gabe by a wide margin.  
 

competition often breeds improvement.  That’s my point. My only point here

 

"outsnapped"?  lol, ok.  let's run with that.  626 yards over 747 snaps for Sanders is 0.84 yards per snap.  Compare to 549 yards over 410 snaps for Davis yielded 1.34 yards per--a whopping 59% difference in efficiency of utilization between the 2.   Let's now add in that every pass  Davis caught in 2021 (35) was either a TD or a 1st down.  Compare that to Sanders, where 35 of 42 passes were TDs (fewer than Davis) or 1st downs.

 

you will now conclude that Davis was a more efficient WR when he was in the game than Sanders--good work!

[Mr. WEO]

5 hours ago, Mike in Horseheads said:

I thought the purpose of preseason games was to see how you can improve your roster.

 

Starters are pretty much set, as are many depth guys from the previous season.  

 

The games are  largely a bunch of back benchers and soon to be cut scrubs struggling to get a spot. Once the games end, 40% of the summer roster instantly disappears.

[Mat68]

15 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

That's why I said I don't think he has much of a shot, not that he has no chance. Between possible injuries and surprise off the field issues, it's not impossible for anyone who's at Training Camp to make the Roster. But it's pretty unlikely to me.

 

The number at Safety is almost always 4. As you said, Rapp and Bishop are locks. I also think at least one of Jordan Hancock and Cam Lewis are locks. Both are Backup Safety and Backup Nickel that are listed as Safeties or "DB" falling under the Safety Depth Chart (given the crowded field at CB).

 

Of the 11 5th Round Picks that were selected in the McBeane regime, not a single one were outright cut as a Rookie. The exceptions from those 11 5th Round Picks that didn't make the roster in Year 1 are Vosean Joseph and Justin Shorter, who were "redshirted". I see Hancock brought in as a replacement for Cam Lewis, as both the words of the team and the player say he's playing the exact same role.

 

With Hancock, I see 3 possible scenarios: 1.) He outright replaces Lewis and Lewis is released, saving 1.75m in Cap 2.) Hancock doesn't look ready to take on the role from Lewis, he's "redshirted", and Lewis keeps his spot alongside Rapp, Bishop, and most likely one of Hamlin or Forrest 3.) They like the idea of having 2 guys who can play Safety, Nickel, and Special Teams and keep both Hancock and Lewis as the depth underneath Rapp and Bishop.

 

Ultimately, I see it playing out like this: Rapp and Bishop are locks. For one of the spots, it comes down to Jordan Hancock or Cam Lewis, who double as the Backup Nickel CB. And the other spot comes down to Hamlin or Forrest. I think if the board got their way, Hamlin would be cut. But I think the brass views him MUCH differently. I'll believe it when I see it that they go from Starting him to not even having a place for him as depth.

 

Save for unexpected injuries or off the field things that could bring suspensions or cuts, Owens would have to beat out Hamlin and Forrest and also have the Bills thinking Hancock over Lewis instead of Hancock and Lewis. It's a big ask. UDFA's generally only tend to make it when the depth is poor and they don't have many options, like Buffalo Joe at LB. Safety isn't one of those situations.

Agree with Hancock.  He is roster lock. Last season Hamlin, Bishop, Rapp Edwards, and Lewis were on the intial 53.  With Benford, Douglas, Johnson, Elam and Ingram

 

I think there are more spots than you think.
 

 CB Benford, Hairston, White, Johnson and open could be Hancock or Hardy, Jackson, Ingram and Strong.

 

S Rapp, Bishop and 3 spots could be Hancock depends what position he plays through camp preseason.  If he takes Lewis that still leave 2 open spots.  For Hamlin, Forest, Lewis, and possibly Owens.  
 

I get the numbers change each year but on a team that didn't have much roster turn over Safety and depth at Safety is the only real open competition on the roster.  If a UDFA makes the roster its the likely only spot possible unless they find a return man.  

 

[Doc]

5 hours ago, Mr. WEO said:

Starters are pretty much set, as are many depth guys from the previous season.  

 

The games are  largely a bunch of back benchers and soon to be cut scrubs struggling to get a spot. Once the games end, 40% of the summer roster instantly disappears.

 

Which is to say...they're not completely set.  Which has been the point.

[Mr. WEO]

3 hours ago, Doc said:

 

Which is to say...they're not completely set.  Which has been the point.

sure

[GunnerBill]

22 hours ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

That's why I said I don't think he has much of a shot, not that he has no chance. Between possible injuries and surprise off the field issues, it's not impossible for anyone who's at Training Camp to make the Roster. But it's pretty unlikely to me.

 

The number at Safety is almost always 4. As you said, Rapp and Bishop are locks. I also think at least one of Jordan Hancock and Cam Lewis are locks. Both are Backup Safety and Backup Nickel that are listed as Safeties or "DB" falling under the Safety Depth Chart (given the crowded field at CB).

 

Of the 11 5th Round Picks that were selected in the McBeane regime, not a single one were outright cut as a Rookie. The exceptions from those 11 5th Round Picks that didn't make the roster in Year 1 are Vosean Joseph and Justin Shorter, who were "redshirted". I see Hancock brought in as a replacement for Cam Lewis, as both the words of the team and the player say he's playing the exact same role.

 

With Hancock, I see 3 possible scenarios: 1.) He outright replaces Lewis and Lewis is released, saving 1.75m in Cap 2.) Hancock doesn't look ready to take on the role from Lewis, he's "redshirted", and Lewis keeps his spot alongside Rapp, Bishop, and most likely one of Hamlin or Forrest 3.) They like the idea of having 2 guys who can play Safety, Nickel, and Special Teams and keep both Hancock and Lewis as the depth underneath Rapp and Bishop.

 

Ultimately, I see it playing out like this: Rapp and Bishop are locks. For one of the spots, it comes down to Jordan Hancock or Cam Lewis, who double as the Backup Nickel CB. And the other spot comes down to Hamlin or Forrest. I think if the board got their way, Hamlin would be cut. But I think the brass views him MUCH differently. I'll believe it when I see it that they go from Starting him to not even having a place for him as depth.

 

Save for unexpected injuries or off the field things that could bring suspensions or cuts, Owens would have to beat out Hamlin and Forrest and also have the Bills thinking Hancock over Lewis instead of Hancock and Lewis. It's a big ask. UDFA's generally only tend to make it when the depth is poor and they don't have many options, like Buffalo Joe at LB. Safety isn't one of those situations.

 

I think Hancock is a lock. Don't think it is a lock that it is one of the 4 nominal safety spots that he accounts for. If Hancock and Lewis BOTH make it then sure, one of the is being counted as a safety. But that is a 50/50 proposition IMO.

[BillsFanForever19]

2 hours ago, GunnerBill said:

 

I think Hancock is a lock. Don't think it is a lock that it is one of the 4 nominal safety spots that he accounts for. If Hancock and Lewis BOTH make it then sure, one of the is being counted as a safety. But that is a 50/50 proposition IMO.

 

He's listed as a "DB" on the roster, just like Lewis. So technically, we ended last season with 3 Safeties and a "DB", with 5 CB's and an extra "CB" that was just a KR. Lewis fell under the Safety depth chart more than anything. And I think given the even more crowded field at CB than Safety and Hancock's official designation, it's much more likely to me he'll be counted on the Safety depth chart over the CB depth chart, like Lewis was. But I suppose you're right, it's not a guarantee.

 

I just think it's easier to make room for him in the Safety numbers game than it is with the CB numbers game. Benford, Hairston, and Taron are locks. Leaving likely 2, maybe 3 spots for Tre, Strong, Ingram, Jackson, and the rest of the PS/UDFA field.

[GunnerBill]

1 minute ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

He's listed as a "DB" on the roster, just like Lewis. So technically, we ended last season with 3 Safeties and a "DB", with 5 CB's and an extra "CB" that was just a KR. Lewis fell under the Safety depth chart more than anything. And I think given the even more crowded field at CB than Safety and Hancock's official designation, it's much more likely to me he'll be counted on the Safety depth chart over the CB depth chart, like Lewis was. But I suppose you're right, it's not a guarantee.

 

I just think it's easier to make room for him in the Safety numbers game than it is with the CB numbers game. Benford, Hairston, and Taron are locks. Leaving likely 2, maybe 3 spots for Tre, Strong, Ingram, Jackson, and the rest of the PS/UDFA field.

 

Sure, it is easier for him to make it there..... if the Bills think he can play there. But they are not going to keep him as a safety if all they want to put on his plate in year 1 is nickel duty. If you are making it as one of the 4 safeties on the roster the Bills better be comfortable you being out there as a safety. We know they are with Lewis. Maybe they will be with Hancock. Backup safety spots are one of the areas where I think there is a genuine camp battle, especially if Bishop can prove himself a starter.