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Here's a few of the key battles to watch in the Detroit/Bills final preseason game tomorrow (assuming you're going to the game or don't live in the Buffalo area and can watch it)
Jon Corto vs Alvin Bowen vs Ashlee Palmer (6th LB spot)
Buggs and Harris are locked in as backups. It's likely the Bills only keep six linebackers. Corto probably has the edge going as an established special teamer. Bowen should see a lot of action in what is to be the most important game of his life. Palmer looked good early in camp and against Tennesssee but his injury probably killed his chances of making the 53. At least one LB between Bowen/Palmer will make the PS squad, assuming they're not claimed elsewhere. The waiver wire could come into play here as a veteran LB is brought in.
Ko Simpson vs John Wendling vs George Wilson (4th safety spot)
It's very conceivable the Bills only keep four safeties. Whitner, Scott and Byrd are roster locks. Wilson is likely to make the team as a special teams player, and a guy who can make plays at safety. If the team keeps a fifth, it's Wendling vs Simpson. Keeping a fifth safety probably happens only if the Bills don't keep six cornerbacks. With McGee, McKelvin and Corner locked in, and Florence and Lankster likely to make the cut, Ashton Youboty could be in trouble.
Copeland Bryan vs the Numbers game.
SChobel, Kelsay, Maybin and Ellis aren't going anywhere. It's unlikely Denney does either. That's five defensive end. THat leaves Bryan in trouble due to the numbers game. Would the Bills keep six defensive ends and 10 defensive linemen on the roster overall? Highly doubtful. That means Bryan would likely have to have a monster game and show the staff something that would lead to a Denney release.
The only other chance he'd have is for the Bills to cut John McCargo, only go with three defensive tackles and have Denney line up to play some DT-- not likely.
Jonathan Stupar vs Derek Fine vs Possibility of 4 TE's
Derek Fine could be in trouble. His hamstring has been bothersome and it's kept him from having a chance to impress the coaches. He's a veteran (of sorts) but hasn't done much in his brief past to guarentee a roster spot. Stupar has looked great in camp and the preseason, but is still likely the odd man out-- unless the Bills keep a fourth tight end. If Stupar has another solid game against Detroit, Fine in part due to his injury, could be shown the door.
Jonathan Scott vs Brandon Rodd vs Demetrius Bell's Bad Back
If Bell was fully healthy, the Bills would probably only keep eight offensive linemen on the roster. Chambers, McKinney and Bell are almost certainly the three backups. But with Bell suffering from a back problem, the team won't go into week one with only two healthy linemen on the bench. This means the Bills will at least probably start the season with a ninth linemen. This puts Scott or Rodd into play. (This is also bad news for another position as the team will keep one less somewhere else)
Possible trade bait over the next week.
With Buggs and Corto barely ever seeing a live NFL football field, and Bowen/Palmer never playing an NFL down, the Bills are woefully thin in terms of experience at linebacker depth. Don't be surprised to see Ashton Youboty or even Roscoe Parrish getting dealt for a veteran linebacker.
Youboty's availibilty in trade could come down how healthy Drayton Florence is.
Jon Corto vs Alvin Bowen vs Ashlee Palmer (6th LB spot)
Buggs and Harris are locked in as backups. It's likely the Bills only keep six linebackers. Corto probably has the edge going as an established special teamer. Bowen should see a lot of action in what is to be the most important game of his life. Palmer looked good early in camp and against Tennesssee but his injury probably killed his chances of making the 53. At least one LB between Bowen/Palmer will make the PS squad, assuming they're not claimed elsewhere. The waiver wire could come into play here as a veteran LB is brought in.
Ko Simpson vs John Wendling vs George Wilson (4th safety spot)
It's very conceivable the Bills only keep four safeties. Whitner, Scott and Byrd are roster locks. Wilson is likely to make the team as a special teams player, and a guy who can make plays at safety. If the team keeps a fifth, it's Wendling vs Simpson. Keeping a fifth safety probably happens only if the Bills don't keep six cornerbacks. With McGee, McKelvin and Corner locked in, and Florence and Lankster likely to make the cut, Ashton Youboty could be in trouble.
Copeland Bryan vs the Numbers game.
SChobel, Kelsay, Maybin and Ellis aren't going anywhere. It's unlikely Denney does either. That's five defensive end. THat leaves Bryan in trouble due to the numbers game. Would the Bills keep six defensive ends and 10 defensive linemen on the roster overall? Highly doubtful. That means Bryan would likely have to have a monster game and show the staff something that would lead to a Denney release.
The only other chance he'd have is for the Bills to cut John McCargo, only go with three defensive tackles and have Denney line up to play some DT-- not likely.
Jonathan Stupar vs Derek Fine vs Possibility of 4 TE's
Derek Fine could be in trouble. His hamstring has been bothersome and it's kept him from having a chance to impress the coaches. He's a veteran (of sorts) but hasn't done much in his brief past to guarentee a roster spot. Stupar has looked great in camp and the preseason, but is still likely the odd man out-- unless the Bills keep a fourth tight end. If Stupar has another solid game against Detroit, Fine in part due to his injury, could be shown the door.
Jonathan Scott vs Brandon Rodd vs Demetrius Bell's Bad Back
If Bell was fully healthy, the Bills would probably only keep eight offensive linemen on the roster. Chambers, McKinney and Bell are almost certainly the three backups. But with Bell suffering from a back problem, the team won't go into week one with only two healthy linemen on the bench. This means the Bills will at least probably start the season with a ninth linemen. This puts Scott or Rodd into play. (This is also bad news for another position as the team will keep one less somewhere else)
Possible trade bait over the next week.
With Buggs and Corto barely ever seeing a live NFL football field, and Bowen/Palmer never playing an NFL down, the Bills are woefully thin in terms of experience at linebacker depth. Don't be surprised to see Ashton Youboty or even Roscoe Parrish getting dealt for a veteran linebacker.
Youboty's availibilty in trade could come down how healthy Drayton Florence is.
" ~ yordad
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