The Buffalo Bills finished their last practice before their live scrimmage on Saturday at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY. Here are three thoughts from the 7th session of training camp:
Jul 31, 2015; Pittsford, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback
Matt Cassel(16) sets up to throw a pass during training camp at St. John Fisher College. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports
1) Could Matt Cassel be cut?
It is safe to say that these last two practices have been the worst of Cassel’s seven at Buffalo Bills Training Camp so far. Yesterday was horrendous and today he was not much better, with Tyrod Taylor and EJ Manuel both looking much better than the veteran. Which leads to the question: Could we see Matt Cassel be cut from the team?
Think about this logically. He is owed a base salary of $4.15 million this season, with a $500,000 roster bonus. By cutting him, you save this money and add it onto players who deserve it (see: Preston Brown and Marcell Dareus).
Why is it a suggestion for Cassel and not Taylor? Because the latter provides a running threat that could be used in read-option plays and wildcat formations, should Rex Ryan install that into the playbook (and many, including me, think he should.) Matt Cassel basically has Kyle Orton mobility but has had a little more success in the league.
So if it is Manuel or Taylor earning the starting job, do not be surprised if Matt Cassel is not on the Bills’ roster Week 1.
2) Young receivers continue to turn heads:
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Dezmin Lewis and
Andre Davis. What? Those names don’t ring a bell? Well, begin to learn them because they are both capable names that could end up on the Bills’ 53-man roster.
At 6’4′, Lewis is the tallest receiver on the Bills roster, making him a great threat in the red zone and on jump balls down field. Lewis has shown terrific range, hauling it high passes and skying in the air to bring down balls that seemed uncatchable when they first left the receivers hands.
Davis has not been as well known, but he’s listed at 6’1″ but 211 lbs, and only Marcus Easley and Lewis are bigger than him. Davis is a stocky receiver who showed his hands today, catching a deep ball with his fingertips from the arm of Matt Simms.
With these two young receivers making way, you could see a name like Marcus Thigpen left off the finalized roster.
3) There are no weaknesses to this defense:
Coming into the year, there was a lot of criticism of the Bills’ secondary. Would it be able to perform with the front seven? The answer, at least through the first week of camp, is a resounding yes.
Today was probably the secondary’s best as a whole, with even the backups shutting down their offensive counterparts to the point where Taylor, Manuel and Cassel either could not make a pass, or had to force a throw for the sake of throwing it.
Stephon Gilmore, poised for a breakout season in my eyes, picked off Manuel on an out route today, and Nickell Robey jumped a slant route Thursday to haul in an interception.
The front seven will already be really good. But if the secondary can play like it did today consistently, this could be the best defense in the league.
News and notes from Twitter:
Great read by Manuel on deep ball. Saw Hogan was covered over the top, so he threw it back shoulder and it was hauled in #BillsCamp
— Cameron Boon (@lilboon) August 7, 2015
In rush the passer drill, Randell Johnson just blew up Jerome Felton at the line #BillsCamp
— Cameron Boon (@lilboon) August 7, 2015
Defense brings the house, car, boat, everything on Taylor and he can't get away. EJ's turn #BillsCamp
— Cameron Boon (@lilboon) August 7, 2015
Simms to Woods in tight coverage, then hits Lewis in stride downfield. We've got a starter and his name is Simms (not Phil) #BillsCamp
— Cameron Boon (@lilboon) August 7, 2015
Haven’t gone to training camp yet? Here’s what else you missed: