After two pre-season games, it’s time to revisit our projection for Buffalo’s 2012 final 53-man roster. (Check our laughable preseason one here, and last week’s projection here.)
I’ve gotta tell you…there’s some tough choices for Chan Gailey to make here. Let’s see how it could shake out.
Quarterback: Ryan Fitzpatrick, Vince Young, Brad Smith
Young is almost certainly ahead for the #2 job right now over Tyler Thigpen. I still think Smith is making the team…but I can’t say I’d be stunned if the Bills decide to cut him loose either. How much value does he really have? Does Gailey have a plan for him?
Running back: Fred Jackson, C.J. Spiller, Tashard Choice
Freaking Tashard Choice. Johnny White’s continued injury problems means he’s in trouble, which gets Choice on the team by default. Stay healthy, C.J. and Fred.
Fullback: Corey McIntyre
McIntyre hangs on to his job. Dorin Dickerson seems to be more of a factor at TE right now.
Wide Receiver: Stevie Johnson, David Nelson, T.J. Graham, Donald Jones, Derek Hagan
No changes here. Naaman Roosevelt didn’t help himself with that awful drop against Minnesota. Marcus Easley continues to be invisible.
Tight End: Scott Chandler, Lee Smith
Chandler and Smith are locks. Could Dickerson make the team as a tight end/fullback/H-back combo? Maybe. I want to see how he plays this weekend against Pittsburgh.
Offensive Line: Andy Levitre, Eric Wood, Erik Pears, Kraig Urbik, Cordy Glenn, Zebrie Sanders, Chris Hairston, Chad Rinehart, Colin Brown
Levitre, Wood, Pears, Urbik, and Glenn for sure. Hairston and Rinehart are more or less locks as well. The Bills would love to keep Sanders and let him sit the bench all year to develop. Brown is the tricky spot. Do they keep him as a true backup center? Does rooke Mark Asper take the spot instead? Do they decide to keep a fifth tackle instead with Sam Young? I’ll guess Brown for now.
Defensive Line: Mario Williams, Mark Anderson, Kyle Williams, Marcell Dareus, Chris Kelsay, Kyle Moore, Dwan Edwards, Spencer Johnson, Kellen Heard
The release of Shawne Merriman opens up a spot for Moore, who is now almost a certainty. Heard is the tricky one here…he’s been hurt, but I think he can play. But that spot might go to Jarron Gilbert, who can play inside and outside.
Linebacker: Nick Barnett, Kelvin Sheppard, Bryan Scott, Nigel Bradham, Tank Carder, Scott McKillop, Arthur Moats
I’ve not been impressed with this group so far in preseason. If Nick Barnett gets hurt, this team could be screwed. Kirk Morrison has looked old this preseason. I think he’s done.
Cornerback: Terrence McGee, Leodis McKelvin, Stephon Gilmore, Justin Rogers, Ron Brooks, Aaron Williams
Six CBs is a lot, but the Bills have such uncertainty/health issues here that keeping six guys around probably isn’t a bad idea.
Safety: George Wilson, Jairus Byrd, Da’Norris Searcy, Delano Howell
Howell has played quite well this preseason. He has a real shot to sneak onto this roster as this year’s undrafted rookie who makes the roster.
Specialists: Rian Lindell, Brian Moorman, Garrison Sanborn, John Potter
Potter is on the team, people. Get used to that. The real question is – could he win the kicking job outright from Lindell?
So what do you think? Am I wrong/crazy in a few spots? Let me know in the comments!