Darrick vs Damar…who makes the team?

[MJS]

I think Hamlin makes it over Forrest just from the fact he knows the system already. However, if Cole Bishop isn't ready to start, I could see then keeping Forrest because I think he would be a better starter. But it could really go either way.

 

I don't actually think Cam Lewis is a lock this year, though. His guarantees aren't much, so it wouldn't be too much of a hit if he didn't make the team. Hamlin, however, has a much higher cap hit if cut. Cam Lewis is in competition with Jordan Hancock, though.

[Aussie Joe]

Sal Capaccio picked Forrest … if that’s worth anything 

[Sojourner]

1 hour ago, BillsFanForever19 said:

 

I don't think he's the same guy as Hardy. Like at all. And while he was a 6th Rounder, he was only taken 7 picks after Hancock, 4 picks after Hawes. 

 

Hardy is a diminutive 5'9" Nickel, who was Drafted primarily to be a Return Man and failed to impress to a point that they traded a pick for Codrington to take his roster spot. If not for the return ability in College (that didn't show up in Training Camp and the Pre-Season), Hardy was probably a UDFA.

 

Strong is a 6'1" Outside CB with Zone coverage skills drafted to be a CB for us. He's a much better Outside CB than Hardy was a Nickel. Expected to go as high as Round 4 and fell more for being a Zone guy than anything else.

 

And while both were technically taken in Round 6, they were effectively taken almost a Round and a half apart. Dorian Strong was taken with the 1st Pick in Round 6 (Pick 177). Daequan Hardy was taken with the 43rd Pick in Round 6 (compensatory and second to last in the Round, Pick 219).

 

I view Lundt and Prather as the Draft Picks unlikely to make it. I'm not guaranteeing Strong makes it. But if he lives up to expectations and can play Teams, I think him beating out Ingram as the last CB (alongside Benford, Hairston, Taron, and Tre) is likely. He's more talented and has the potential to be developed into more.

Im with you man, totally different player. Was simply implying the parallel of the journey on the team. 
 

Definitley an outside guy and for that he’s competing for the backup and potential starter roles in that boundary position against:

Hairston/White/Ingram/Jackson/Porter Jr. 

all of whom were added this year. McDermott likes what he likes, hence the returns of White and Jackson. Unless he’s blowing the socks off them I don’t see him making it on anything else other than what you alluded to; special teams. Now, I’ll probably be wrong but that’s my stance right now. He’s in a crowded room against talent familiar to Sean and talent he obviously trusts. 
 

Strong and Hancock are the only guys from the later round I’ve seen impressive moments from collegiately to make the team given who they’re up against. One I’m inclined and hoping it is Hancock on. Not to say I’m against Strong it’s just he’s simply up against it to me personally. 
 

Codrington is a question mark. I’m on the standpoint they use Shenalt, Virgil, Darrynton Evans or even Elijah Moore for return duties this year

[machine gun kelly]

No thanks.  He’s in the tail end of his career.  We were better off with Hairston and if we needed experience with Tre.  Don’t you guys remember how he left.  He was a hair better than McGahee’s departure.

[The Cincinnati Kid]

6 hours ago, Aussie Joe said:

Sal Capaccio picked Forrest … if that’s worth anything 

It’s not.

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

8 hours ago, C.Biscuit97 said:

Much respect to Miyagi but Belichick knows more ball than you. Bills fans hating on Gilmore for not smiling was one of the dumbest things in the history of the franchise. He’s a future HOF but wasn’t good enough for us!!?

 

and damar became a mascot but also proved he’s a nfl player. He’s a solid backup who knows the system.

I actually think he got better after he left. He was way too grabby with us, a very shy tackler, and injury prone. I think he cleaned a lot of that up after he left (though I still have my suspicions that he isn’t a great teammate).

[Big Turk]

14 hours ago, BullBuchanan said:

If that was true maybe he'd have more than 6 starts over the last 2 years. He was thrust into the starting lineup due to injury, played ok and was then benched as soon as there were better options. Hamlin isn't a world beater, but he's a legitimate fringe starter. I don't know why folks act like he sucks.

 

He doesn't suck but he should be a depth player not the starter.

 

Forrest was playing really well in 2022 and started 11 games then got hurt in his 5th game in 2023 and fractured his shoulder which sidelined him for the rest of the year.

 

New coaching staff came in last year and as we know they have different opinions or different things he was being asked to do in the scheme so even tho he was healthy he didn't get a lot of playing time.

 

I am assuming the Bills think he is a good scheme fit and expect he will be more like the player he was before he got injured.

 

Considering their track record of DB coaching I'll defer to their judgement.

Edited 6 hours ago by Big Turk

[Walking Tall]

14 hours ago, BullBuchanan said:

If that was true maybe he'd have more than 6 starts over the last 2 years. He was thrust into the starting lineup due to injury, played ok and was then benched as soon as there were better options. Hamlin isn't a world beater, but he's a legitimate fringe starter. I don't know why folks act like he sucks.

And Hamlin was thrust into the starting lineup because of players retiring.

 

 

[Gugny]

If Damar Hamlin is a starter for the Buffalo Bills again, then Beane should be fired.
 

He is a goddam practice squad player. 
 

He shouldn’t be starting on a team that’s supposed to be contending for a Super Bowl. 
 

It’s nothing short of laughable. 
 

Edited 4 hours ago by Gugny

[GunnerBill]

Damar makes it.

[3rdand12]

17 hours ago, Miyagi-Do Karate said:

probably one of my least liked Bills’ players. Remember him always looking around and trying to blame the safeties? 

He might have been correct but . Never felt like a Team player to me. Just my vibe though. Vigilante CB

[3rdand12]

1 hour ago, Gugny said:

If Damar Hamlin is a starter for the Buffalo Bills again, then Beane should be fired. &nbsp
 

He is a goddam practicing squad player. 
 

He shouldn’t be starting on a team that’s supposed to be contending for a Super Bowl. 
 

It’s nothing short of laughable. 
 

absolutely agree. he is a complementary player at this point.

But I want my two safetys to be some of my Top Defensive players. yea we got spoiled. But Hyde and Poyer in their prime were the example and Bar Bills should be aiming for in McDs type of defense still

1 hour ago, GunnerBill said:

Damar makes it.

no knock against Damar , but Bills really need to work harder at solving that DB room longer term.

 Rapp fits McD style and calls plays. so his partner needs to be exceptionally athletic

[The Jokeman]

[Dillenger4]

I'll take Darrick. Hamlin is not good at football. At. all.

[GunnerBill]

56 minutes ago, 3rdand12 said:

 

no knock against Damar , but Bills really need to work harder at solving that DB room longer term.

 

 

No question. I am not happy that Damar is in competition to start. But he is.

[Augie]

18 hours ago, Process said:

Both. Lewis gets cut with Hancock taking his spot. 

 

I would not be shocked by that at all. 

[JP51]

19 hours ago, Billsfed1 said:

If Damar didn’t make the team I wonder where he would go.  For some reason I’m picturing him in a Cowboys helmet.

Pitt

I think they both make it... I think Lewis may be odd man out

[BigAl2526]

I think they both make the team.  Safeties on the team will be Rapp, Bishop, Forrest and Hamlin.  Lewis is a utility player, not a pure safety, so I'm not counting him (his roster spot is not guaranteed.).

[947]

Hamlin is the star of the upcoming Hallmark movie, of course he's not getting cut...

 

My son came home from HS football practice today & was all mad. He complained that several of the seniors on his team despite knowing the offense really well & knowing exactly what to do, just aren't good at football. I replied "sounds like you have a bunch of Damar Hamlins", he immediately agreed.

[frostbitmic]

I see both Hamlin and Forrest making the team, the battle will be for the back up position for Taron Johnson in the slot and as the #5 Safety. 

 

Right now that'll be a battle between Cam Lewis, Hardy and the rookie Hancock. Lewis has been here a few years and plays both slot and Safety and is a prime ST contributor. Hardy was a rookie last year on the PS and can play both CB and Safety and can return punts. Hancock is a rookie many here are big on, it should be a great battle.