The Bills’ cuts are officially posted at their web site. While most of the cuts were to be expected, there were a few surprises for me on this list.
I didn’t think the Bills would chance cutting QB Levi Brown, as it sounded like Chan Gailey had high hopes for him. I’m assuming the Bills think the 7th round pick will clear waivers and make his way onto the practice squad. The Bills did use three different starting QBs a year ago, and it looks as though Chan Gailey wanted to be prepared, just in case. No surprise on the order on the depth chart, Fitzpatrick is the second string, Brohm the third.
I am surprised Kirk Chambers is on this list myself. Not because he’s particularly good, he did struggle a season ago, but he has experience at playing both the guard and tackle spots.
The Bills cut WRs James Hardy, Chad Jackson, and Naaman Roosevelt. My guess would be the Bills plan on putting Roosevelt on the practice squad. I am very surprised that Chad Jackson is on this list. He seemed to have a good camp and a pretty good 4th preseason game. I know he hurt his ankle and that may have been a factor, but it was more likely that the Bills felt Donald Jones could contribute more on special teams.
Both RBs Chad Simpson and Joique Bell were waived, as was to be expected with Fred Jackson returning to health so quickly.
The Bills kept DE John McCargo, who has shown his first glimpses in a couple of seasons. They also kept backup safeties Cary and Dominique Harris (no relation) to maintain DB flexibility. I personally think Cary Harris is a more adept “centerfielder” at FS than George Wilson is. I’m also very excited the Bills held on to LB Antonio Coleman, and CB Ashton Youboty, two under-the radar players who I think could really contribute.
I very highly doubt the Bills would get T.J. Houshmandzadeh, though I know many Bills fans would like to have a very good possession receiver (79 catches a year ago) opposite Lee Evans. He would not seem to fit into the Bills’ long term plans. However, if the Bills did sign him, it would tell you that the Bills think much more highly of their chances at making the playoffs THIS season than most other observers do. Plus, it helps that a clause in his Seahawks contract requires them to pay the difference between what he is signed for with another team. So if the Bills signed him for a veteran minimum $850,000, the Seahawks would be on the hook for over $6 million, so money would not be an issue.