Only Two Tight Ends Healthy for game against Giants

[Woodman]

PITTSFORD – Chris Gragg and Dominique Jones may not be familiar names for even the most loyal soldiers of Bills Mafia, but fans watching Sunday night’s preseason opener against the New York Giants can expect to see plenty of them.
Gragg and Jones are the only healthy tight ends on the Bills’ roster after Lee Smith joined Scott Chandler and Tony Moeaki on the sidelines for Thursday’s practice at St. John Fisher College. Smith has a lower-body injury, coach Doug Marrone said afterward, while Chandler has been out since Sunday with a groin injury and Moeaki is sidelined by a hamstring problem.
Gragg also missed time earlier in camp after heat-related cramping issues left him hospitalized for two days. But Marrone said afterward he’s hopeful the second-year tight end will be ready for a full workload against New York.
“I hope so. He did a good job today coming back,” the coach said.
Offensive lineman Chris Hairston, who left Wednesday’s practice with a back injury, did not participate Thursday. Starting left guard Chris Williams suffered a toe injury during practice and did not return.
In his place, Cyril Richardson, Antoine McClain and J.J. ‘Unga rotated in.

http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/bills-nfl/bills-notebook-only-two-tight-ends-healthy-for-game-against-giants-20140731?two-bills-drive

This is a great opportunity for these two, here's hoping they make the most of it.

[The King]

I liked Gragg at Arkansas. He's pretty quick for a TE, I just think his blocking is lacking, he's more of a pass catching specialist.

[Fletch]

Ask around, I'm pretty sure that you can find several people here to insist that Gragg's going to post Olsen-like numbers this season.

[Night Train]

Loaded at WR. so look for spread looks with the RB's getting both carries and swing passes.

I expect it to be boring but they'll be working on execution for the OL.

[kscdogbillsfan1221]

don't think it matters. there seems to be some good depth at WR. true, TE is a young QB's best friend but given what we have elsewhere I'm not super concerned

[stuckincincy]

I expect it to be boring but they'll be working on execution for the OL.

Same here. Probably a few long bombs my both clubs to jazz up the (probably) well-lubricated crowd.

[swiper]

Lee Smith was back at practice on Friday.

http://www.wgr550.com/pages/9034669.php?pid=418653

[Parzival]

Ask around, I'm pretty sure that you can find several people here to insist that Gragg's going to post Olsen-like numbers this season.

No one has said that.

[Parzival]

don't think it matters. there seems to be some good depth at WR. true, TE is a young QB's best friend but given what we have elsewhere I'm not super concerned

Plus, hopefully Chandler will be ready before the end of pre-season. He's no all-star but at least he's a big target, and with the added talent at WR he could have a pretty goo year if he can just hold on to the ball.

[stuckincincy]

Plus, hopefully Chandler will be ready before the end of pre-season. He's no all-star but at least he's a big target, and with the added talent at WR he could have a pretty goo year if he can just hold on to the ball.

Yep. He's not tops but is a good player. There are times where you need some blocking bulk plus a possible pass threat. 3 wrs seems to be the norm for a lot of plays these days, but the defense knows that. Sometimes I wonder if a so-called "standard set" gives them pause. Dunno.

[GvilleBills]

Good for Gragg to get as many reps as possible.

[OpIv37]

Plus, hopefully Chandler will be ready before the end of pre-season. He's no all-star but at least he's a big target, and with the added talent at WR he could have a pretty goo year if he can just hold on to the ball.

Never been a big Chandler fan but he has been good in the red zone. With Mike Williams to take some of the pressure off, it should definitely help the red zone O.

That being said, I wish we had a better target for EJ at TE. The position has been neglected for years.

[swiper]

Good for Gragg to get as many reps as possible.

They should know what they have in Gragg after this game.

[stuckincincy]

Never been a big Chandler fan but he has been good in the red zone. With Mike Williams to take some of the pressure off, it should definitely help the red zone O.

That being said, I wish we had a better target for EJ at TE. The position has been neglected for years.

Decades.

The jury's out on Williams. TB sold him off for a 6th rounder after substantially fattening his wallet in July 2013. Was put on IR Oct. 13 after "battling a hamstring injury". They got 22 catches, 261 yards, 2 tds out of him.

We will have to wait until games start to see if he pays dividends on his camp plaudits.

[GvilleBills]

They should know what they have in Gragg after this game.
I'm excited for his potential. Buffalo has swung and missed on that type of TE before (Everett, Nelson).
If Gragg can bring that athleticism, would be a boon for the offense.