What a homer...oh waithttp://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/1...ons-do-it-bestHonorable mention for roster depth goes to Buffalo, San Francisco, New York Giants and Houston. The Bills have a lot of ground to make up but are moving quickly to have great depth including Vince Young, Fred Jackson, David Nelson, defensive linemen Chris Kelsey, Dwan Edwards, Shawn Merriman, Alex Carrington, Torell Troupe and DBs Leodis McKelvin and Aaron Williams.
So below are the 10 areas they use in the article to evaluate teams depth. I think the Bills are looking pretty good for most of these.
1. A backup quarterback who can go at least 2-2 if he had to take over for a month straight.
Say what you want about Vince Young, but the fact is he's got a lot of experience as a starter and a winning record. I think he's plenty capable of coming in for a month and going .500.
2. A second running back who could be a 1,000 yard back if he had to take over or at least generate 75 yards of offense a week as a runner and receiver.
Fred Jackson and CJ Spiller. Enough said.
3. A third wide receiver who could go in for a starter down and generate 4-6 receptions a game as an X or a Z.
Our WR's are somewhat of a question mark after Stevie J. Maybe we have great depth, or maybe we have no depth. A lot to be determined here, but for now I don't think we can say we have that guy.
4. A second tight end who could be a legitimate threat as a blocker or receiver.
I don't know how important a second TE is in our offense, but after Chandler, no one else stands out. They're just bodies right now.
5. Two experienced backup offensive linemen. A swing tackle for either side and an inside player for the guards/center. Experience required because they will not get many reps in practice until injuries occur.
I think Chad Rinehart is a legitimate starter in this league and will probably get that opportunity somewhere else next year. Chris Hairston got some valuable experience last year at LT and would probably be an even better RT, so I feel really comfortable with him being a back-up swing tackle.
6. A third defensive tackle already in a rotation that could play a whole game well if a starter went down.
We don't know who's going to make the final cut, but I think we have a good mix of experience and young potential at DT. Our D-line depth overall looks good.
7. A pass rush specialist that could play some run down situations if a starter went down.
Whether it's Anderson, Merriman, or Kelsay, we have experience and production in our 2's. Depth looks solid.
8. A fourth corner back that could bump up to the nickel corner if that player had to replace an injured starter.
Assuming Gilmore and Williams are the starters, McGee or McKelvin would make a pretty good 4th CB. I know some people hate McKelvin because he's been a disappointment as a top pick, but as a 4th he's got a lot of talent and experience, and he's in a good position to have his best season. Throw in Brooks and Rogers and I think our CB depth is solid.
9. A third safety that can start or provide a defense with an opportunity to play some ‘Big Nickel' when needed.
I guess our third safety right now is Searcy. He got some playing time last year with Wilson's injury and did ok, but it's hard to say right now how much he can really be counted on. I still think of Scott as a safety, but it seems like he's being considered more as a LB. Apart from those two there's really no one else at safety. I've read somewhere that Buddy Nix felt good about our depth at safety, but I don't really see it.
10. Four core special team players that could help on offense or defense in a pinch. That is a total of 14 players not listed as starters that become the most important people on a roster when injuries take starters off the field. Which teams look the most ready to answer the challenge of roster depth?
I don't know who these four players are exactly, but I think we have some good candidates in guys like Brooks, Bradham, and Carder.
Overall, I like our depth, but my biggest concerns would have to be Safety and Tight End right now. I'm not personally concerned about WR depth because I like the guys we have, but they have a lot to prove.
Jim Leonard is availableOriginally Posted by Ed
I noticed that. I wouldn't mind having him here, but I'm assuming he's looking for a place he can compete for a starting spot.
First, Williams will be a starter.
Second, McKelvin isn't good depth. He sucks. Nelson isn't very good depth either- in fact, our WR's suck after Stevie.
Third, we have no depth whatsoever on the OL.
We have depth at QB and on the DL. Beyond that, it's VERY shaky.
That's just not true. Rinehart is excellent depth. He started plenty of games last year and played well.
It's decent but not deep.
idk, seems to me they have pretty good depth on the oline. assuming glenn will be good, that gives them three starting capable tackles. rinehart started some last season and graded well so that gives them three guards. and brown filled in at center and then guard when urbik had to play center so that gives them their pivot backup and capable guard reserve. i think they are at least average in oline backup if not better
"Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seem they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one."
I wouldn't mind seeing a true b/u center and free safety brought in.
Long you live and high you fly And smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry And all you touch and all you see Is all your life will ever be.
I didn't realize Freddy was our backup RB. Sports writers must know more than we do.Honorable mention for roster depth goes to Buffalo, San Francisco, New York Giants and Houston. The Bills have a lot of ground to make up but are moving quickly to have great depth including Vince Young, Fred Jackson, David Nelson, defensive linemen Chris Kelsey, Dwan Edwards, Shawn Merriman, Alex Carrington, Torell Troupe and DBs Leodis McKelvin and Aaron Williams.
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