Andy Isabella working out

[ParanoidAndroid]

https://www.si.com/nfl/bills/news/buffalo-bills-andy-isabella-workout-free-agent-sign-contract-rumors-training-camp


Potentially looking to add more depth on offense, the Buffalo Bills are set to work out former second-round receiver Andy Isabella.

[ParanoidAndroid]

PS depth?

What are we going to do with all those UDFA receivers?

[Ed]

The only thing I remember about Isabella is during the 2019 draft thinking how the heck is this small WR from UMass getting drafted ahead of DK Metcalf?

[notacon]

What a great name. :D:

[ParanoidAndroid]

Fast. Was ticking up his second year but nothing to write home about. Then got buried on the Cardinals depth chart.

[Woodman]

All I remember about him is .... "SPEED"

[Woodman]

The only thing I remember about Isabella is during the 2019 draft thinking how the heck is this small WR from UMass getting drafted ahead of DK Metcalf?
Why didn't we draft Metcalf???? :boozer:

[Woodman]

4.31

Isabella is listed as a 5-foot-9, 188-pound wide out and was a second-round pick by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2019 NFL Draft. Running a 4.31 40-yard dash time at the NFL combine, Isabella is known for his speed and also has experience as a return man.

[YardRat]

Who did they release to make room? Or is he taking up one of the PUP spots?

[ParanoidAndroid]

I could be wrong but I think we had an available spot.

That said, the receiver room is a bit overcrowded.

[Ed]

Who did they release to make room? Or is he taking up one of the PUP spots?
I think he's probably taking up one of the PUP spots. Here are the latest transactions:

July 28, 2023 Signed CB Kyron Brown. Waived CB Cam Dantzler with an injury designation. Signed WR Andy Isabella.
July 25, 2023 Signed TE Jace Sternberger and RB Darrynton Evans. Placed LBs Von Miller, Tyler Matakevich and DT Jordan Philips on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Placed RB Nyheim Hines on the reserve/non-football injury list. Released TE Nick Guggemos.

So they've released 2, 3 to PUP, 1 to NFI, and have signed 4. Based on their current roster I'm only counting 88 so I think they still have a couple spots. My guess is Matakevich comes off the PUP soon, but we should see another signing.

[daryls61]

Small but fast as hell.

[notacon]

Who did they release to make room? Or is he taking up one of the PUP spots?


I think he's probably taking up one of the PUP spots. Here are the latest transactions:

July 28, 2023 Signed CB Kyron Brown. Waived CB Cam Dantzler with an injury designation. Signed WR Andy Isabella.
July 25, 2023 Signed TE Jace Sternberger and RB Darrynton Evans. Placed LBs Von Miller, Tyler Matakevich and DT Jordan Philips on the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list. Placed RB Nyheim Hines on the reserve/non-football injury list. Released TE Nick Guggemos.

So they've released 2, 3 to PUP, 1 to NFI, and have signed 4. Based on their current roster I'm only counting 88 so I think they still have a couple spots. My guess is Matakevich comes off the PUP soon, but we should see another signing.

“Active/PUP” counts toward roster size at any and all times. (https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-training-camp-roster-faqs-defining-injured-reserve-pup-list-nfi-and-more)



Active/PUP list: Players are placed on this list during training camp and count toward a team's 90-man roster. Players can be removed from the list at any time during camp, but can't be placed back on the list. Players on this list as of final roster cutdowns must be placed on the Reserve/PUP, released, traded or counted against the 53-man roster.


That’s why it’s called “Active/PUP” as opposed to “Reserve/PUP”.

This is the difference between the two...



Reserve/PUP list: Teams must decide by the 53-man roster cutdown deadline (Aug. 30 this season) whether to place a player on this list. Players placed on this list at that time must miss at least the team's first four games -- down from six in seasons prior to 2022. Unlike in the past, players can be activated immediately after such time has elapsed. Any player who is designated Reserve/PUP on or after rosters are reduced to 80 (Aug. 23 this season) will also be subject to the same four-game absence.

Players on the PUP list are paid their entire base salary. A player's contract will not be tolled (meaning the contract will not be suspended and resumed the following season) while on the PUP, unless he is in the last year of his deal and he is both not able to perform football services as of the sixth regular season game and is not activated during that regular season or postseason.


Isabella took the spot created when the Bills waived Jalen Wayne yesterday (https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/2869352/jalen-wayne/fantasy/) (Friday 7/28/23).

All three, Miller, Phillips and Matakevich are on “Active/PUP” and count toward the 90 man roster.

Right now (I keep my own roster spreadsheet and try to keep it current) there are 13 WR’s on the roster.


<tbody>
Stefon Diggs


Gabe Davis


Khalil Shakir


Deonte Harty


Trent Sherfield


Justin Shorter


Dezmon Patmon


KeeSean Johnson


Isaiah Coulter


Tyrell Shavers


Bryan Thompson


Marcell Ateman


Andy Isabella

</tbody>

The Bills usually start the year with six on the 53 man roster. In 2022 they started the with six on 53 man roster and three additional on practice squad.

[POTLAND PSILBYLO]

Maybe looking for return man competition - two-TD-in-one-game Hynes gone.

[notacon]

Maybe looking for return man competition - two-TD-in-one-game Hynes gone.

Deonte Harty was 1st team All-Pro returner in 2019.

He will almost assuredly take the punt returner job.

With the stupid rule changes for kickoffs (https://www.nfl.com/news/nfl-owners-pass-rule-to-place-ball-25-yard-line-fair-catch-kickoff) meant to increases the number of fair catches to put the ball on the 25, kick returning job is going to be different for sure and hopefully will not be renewed after the 2023 one year trial.

[Woodman]

Maybe looking for return man competition - two-TD-in-one-game Hynes gone.

Yeah Nyheim Hines

[sukie]

The new Kickoff rule makes return guys “fair catchers”. But I do believe he is technically filling the Hines spot since he has experience returning.

[Cali512]

Now that hes signed, i keep seeing this thread as "hes working out", as in "hes having a great camp"

[Historian]

Dropped everything they threw at him today.

[Cali512]

Dropped everything they threw at him today.



Your the only person who has said this. Every blog/review of today says he had a very good day

[notacon]

Your the only person who has said this. Every blog/review of today says he had a very good day

Yep. It’s kinda weird that Historian posted what he did.


Joe B. had this to say (https://theathletic.com/4746919/2023/08/03/buffalo-bills-training-camp-6/)....


Isabella pops on second- and third-team work

For an addition in the middle of training camp, wide receiver Andy Isabella (https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/andy-isabella-Zqut4vxPmMVA770o/) has looked pretty good so far while trying to learn a new playbook on the fly. Isabella, who has worked primarily at slot receiver since his arrival to the Bills (https://twitter.com/BuffaloBills/status/1685051374575243264?s=20), has seen his opportunities slowly increase during team drills. He shows some real talent as an intermediate, middle-of-the-field route runner. On Thursday, Isabella worked in with the second- and third-team offenses, and brought in one touchdown pass, and two other receptions to quietly make his mark.

The 5-foot-9 Isabella was a 2019 second-round pick and is trying to keep his career alive, but he’s done a nice job so far. Considering Khalil Shakir (https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/khalil-shakir-AUksgZov8jpvh7HT/) and Deonte Harty (https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/deonte-harty-ukF8L13ujWc3h2Oh/) have their roster spots locked in, and with fellow slot receiver Bryan Thompson (https://theathletic.com/nfl/player/bryan-thompson-W9CjNczem32tRh01/) sidelined with a concussion, Isabella has the chance to be a heavy contributor in their preseason games. Isabella remains a roster longshot, but if he does well enough with the opportunity, a practice squad invitation in 2023 is definitely within his reach.

As I posted above (http://www.billszone.com/fanzone/showthread.php/263569-Andy-Isabella-working-out?p=5035031&viewfull=1#post5035031), there are 13 WR’s on the roster today. It would be a pretty big surprise if the five of the (usual and expected) six WR that make the opening day 53 man roster is not this...

Diggs
Davis
Shakir
Harty
Sherfield

That means eight competing for ONE spot. Isabella would do well by making the practice squad.

[Historian]

The Thursday practice was live on NFLN.

Not only did he drop passes, he then tripped over the ball once.

It was comical.

[Forward_Lateral]

Camp fodder

[JoeMama]

The Thursday practice was live on NFLN.

Not only did he drop passes, he then tripped over the ball once.

It was comical.

LOL

As I read this post, the Benny Hill theme song is playing in my head.