Final roster thoughts

[YardRat]

QB--I would have kept Tuel for at least a couple of weeks instead of three kickers, just in case EJ gets hurt, especially in Chicago. At least he knows the playbook.
TE--Really needs to become a priority at some point...IMO we've already seen the ceiling for Chandler/Smith/Gragg, and it isn't too high.
RB/FB/WR--Stacked at the skill positions, glad we kept a FB, Brown and Dixon excellent depth because we know FJ or CJ, most likely both, are going to get hurt sometime this season. Also glad we kept six WR's...Looking forward to seeing what WWW can do if EJ can get them the ball.
OLine---Uggh. If it's even possible, this squad is worse than last season and it's only redeeming qualities are Glenn and youth/potential. I hope like hell the rookies are fast learners and develop quickly.
DLine---Kind of surprised Smith was kept, and Cohen was cut. Gotta be Smith showed up in practice better than Cohen. Still would rather see a stronger body in KW's starting spot.
LBers---I like our LBers, and front seven overall. Good mix of experience and youth. Built to stop the run. Spikes should have been our #1 FA target, and we got him. Wish Kiko hadn't gotten hurt, but Bradham appears ready to adequately fill in. Doesn't have Alonzo's athleticism, obviously, but appears to be able to be a thumper and run with RB's and TE's.
CB's---Again, glad they kept six. Pretty strong through top 4...Cockrell can get OJT...just hope Brooks isn't pressed into a starting role at any time. Like Graham, a lot.
FS/SS---I hope Duke Williams starts opposite A.Williams, and not Searcy...IMO AW has the potential to be an upgrade, and DW just looks more athletic on the field. Defintely have more speed on the back end, we'll see if they also have ball skills to match.
ST's---As I stated in another thread, the biggest thing to watch with Moorman getting cut is if and how it affects Carpenter. Hope Goodwin stays healthy and they use Spiller as a return man once in awhile.

QB should be better than last season, especially with a vet back-up, but obviously that depends on EJ since the team has gone all-in on him. WR and RB have been upgraded tremendously. TE is a wash, and oline didn't get any better, at least to start the year. Dline is a wash, LBers definitely better (Spikes) CB's better (Graham), safeties I think will be better but I know some disagree with the loss of Byrd. Overall, this roster has more talent than last year's, but is still lacking, or at best waiting for progress, at the most important positions on the offensive side of the ball (QB and Oline), and that could be disastrous.

[better days]

4 of the Starting OL players have experience at LT, the most demanding position on the line other than maybe Center.

If nothing else that speaks to how athletic the OL is & it is a BIG OL as well.

I think this OL has the potential to be very good given a little time.

[RedEyE]

Finally. TJ Graham is off the roster.

[Scumbag College]

A few of my thoughts:

TE- This position has been neglected for so many years here and fielded by cast offs and 7th round picks. Chandler has regressed since his first year here. I know nothing about Gragg and it's his second year here. Smith is a good blocker but is not a threat in the least bit as a receiver. Wouldn't mind this offseason making an effort in FA for a viable receiving threat or using a mid round pick on a TE with size/speed.

OL- I'm feeling pretty good about Glenn, Urbik, Wood, and Henderson. Williams, Hairston, Pears, and Richardson allow some juggling and working guys in different positions and putting together a pretty good line I think. Kujo hopefully won't be active at all this year. He just plain sucks right now.

DL and LB- I really hope that the Bills will be scouring the waiver wires for help here the next few days for depth. I don't think the Bills were as deep as we thought they were. Even though they made the team today, I could see Wynn, Charles, J. Smith, and Powell all being replaced by other teams' cast offs. Not to beat a dead horse, but Cohen should have made the team.

[Frenchman]

Does anybody know if Carpenter will handle the KO's or will it be the new rookie P Gay?!

[ServoBillieves]

Other than flipping some pieces and being a year older, I'm having de ja vous from last season:

Going in to the season with a huge question mark at the QB position, with a backup who I don't trust. This year, the twist is it's a competent veteran, but he has 0 knowledge of the playbook and has 1 week to learn it before EJ gets injured, and we have to rely heavily on the running game.

I am hoping/praying that WHEN Chicago puts 8-9 in the box, we decide to put Marquise and Sammy in, run 2 fly routes and pray that EJ can hit wide open receivers.

Now... that aside...

QB: HA
RB: Excellent depth, excellent talent. CJ and Fred have the home run/grit factor, followed by Dixon and Brown with the grit/home run 2.0 factor. Throw in keeping Summers and I have to say well done with this group.
TE: Chandler needs to get healthy, Smith needs to get healthy, Moeaki needs to get healthy/come back, Gragg is a late rounder from last year who I have seen exactly 0 from. People rip on Chandler but he isn't as bad as everyone makes him out to be. He's not great, borderline good, but he's not bad.
OL: Mammoths do not a great line make, but I do like how it was addressed and we have a mountain to run behind. Can they help in pass protection? Let's hope so!
WR: WWWGHE, with the Good G sticking around instead of the "speedster" G we picked instead of Russell Wilson. This group is great talent but a question mark because of the obvious.

DL: Outstanding. Just as surprised as everyone else with Cohen being cut but aside from that, we still have one of the best defensive lines in football.
LB: Even without Kiko, a solid group making our front 7 stand out. I want to see these guys play a full 60 minutes together, seeming as how they'll probably have to play at least 40 per game. Conditioning is key for the front 7.
DB: I like who we have. That being said, with the new rule enforcements, I don't know how to gauge a secondary, so I'll shut my mouth.

ST: Carpenter and Sanborn, sweet. Did the FO get any calls for their Craigslist post for Punter? Gay ****? Must be a fake call... Oh, we signed 2 guys who have names Gay and Schmidt? Got it. This needs to be cleared up soon, one of them has to go and we can fill that roster spot with A) Bradham when he's back B) QB depth C) An H-Back, FB, LS, because, ya know Kick Off specialist is a necessity for ANY team, look at all the other teams keeping 3 kickers.

[HHURRICANE]

1) Oline will improve. A lot of talent and depth. If it doesn't than Marrone should be fired just on this issue alone.
2) I don't think the D is as great as everyone thinks.
3) Chandler gets a lot of hate here but he seems to catch the ball when needed.
4) I'm going on record that I am not a Spiller fan and this is with a kid at Clemson. I think we are better served with backs that can pound the ball between the tackles. Like our additions.
5) If EJ gets replaced by Orton based on bad play than it's going to Be groundhog Day all over again.

[YardRat]

4 of the Starting OL players have experience at LT, the most demanding position on the line other than maybe Center.

If nothing else that speaks to how athletic the OL is & it is a BIG OL as well.

I think this OL has the potential to be very good given a little time.

I think the oline has great potential, but it's going to take a lot of growing pains to get there (which can be the difference between how the offense performs, wins and losses ,etc) and even though they appear to be athletic, they still don't have enough power for my liking. If a team is going to rely on a running game, they need guys up front that can overpower and move defenders off the line of scrimmage, especially in third and short and red zone situations, and the interior still hasn't shown an ability to do that.

[sudzy]

5) If EJ gets replaced by Orton based on bad play than it's going to Be groundhog Day all over again.

The faces at GM and Head Coach may change, but, the results are the same.

[Night Train]

I like Gragg at TE. A little small at 6-3 but I noticed he finds open space and has some speed. Smith blocks very well. I don't trust Chandlers hands anymore.

I believe the Bills knew they could get Tuel through waivers and put him on the PS, if they even go that route. Few teams have 3 QB's actually active on game day.

Love our depth on the D front 7 and our DC Schwartz looks better than Pettine, who didn't have a clue how to stop the run. Secondary needs to develop as a unit. Williams is excellent at S.

The OL has to gel and that's the key to many wins this year.

..and then there's Manuel and Hacketts playcalling. The biggest wildcard of all..getting an experienced backup was good.


On to Chicago...where we've never won.

[swiper]

Is it correct? We have 2 punters on the roster right now?

[Novacane]

Is it correct? We have 2 punters on the roster right now?

Yeah. With all the punting we'll be doing they are worried about one wearing down,

[justasportsfan]

Chandler has regressed since his first year here. .

His numbers from last year playing in a new O with a musical chair qb position says differently.