With training camp and preseason now complete, the Buffalo Bills have trimmed their roster from 75 to the required 53 players. Barring any waiver claims, this will be the roster that Buffalo has in their season-opener against the New York Jets. I'll be breaking down the roster by position, as well as giving each position a grade. First up is the offense...
Quarterback (3) - Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tyler Thigpen, Tarvaris Jackson, Brad Smith
There's no surprise that Fitzpatrick is starting for the Bills in 2012, as he had a great first half of 2011 before a rib injury affected his play down the stretch. Perhaps no player will have a bigger effect on this teams' success or failure as Fitzpatrick, who will need to make better decisions with the ball down the stretch for the Bills to reach the playoffs.
Thigpen was flat-out awful in the preseason, and after the acquisition of Tarvaris Jackson from the Seattle Seahawks, I believed was all but assured to be cut. With Jackson still learning the offense, Thigpen will at least be on the roster until Jackson is able to assimilate himself into the scheme.
Jackson has been hit-and-miss in his career, and was actually respectable for the Seahawks last year despite battling injuries almost all season. Jackson has great mobility and a strong enough arm to deal with the lake-effect weather in Western New York, but has yet to fully harness his talents. He was a low-risk acquisition for Buffalo, requiring a conditional seventh round pick for a capable backup that can fill in reasonably well in the event of a Fitzpatrick injury.
Buffalo has planned all offseason to use Brad Smith as the emergency quarterback, even though he'll see the field as a receiver, as well as taking snaps in the Wildcat. Smith doesn't possess the accuracy to contribute as a pure passer, but his positional versatility helps.
Running Backs (3) - Fred Jackson, C.J. Spiller, Tashard Choice
Jackson was among the league leaders in rushing and receiving yards for all running backs before suffering a fractured fibula which ended his 2011 season in week ten. While he's now in his 30's, Jackson doesn't have the usual wear-and-tear on his body that most running backs of that age have. One of the league's most underrated players, Jackson is great as both a pass-catcher, runner and blocker, and should still be an effective player in 2012.
Spiller was beginning to be viewed by some as a bust, playing sparingly at running back behind Fred Jackson his first one and a half seasons. After the Jackson injury, Spiller showed the big-play potential that made him a top ten pick in 2011. While Spiller is still playing behind Jackson, I expect Spiller to see more consistent playing time and touches this season, and could end up being Buffalo's starting running back in 2013.
Choice has bounced around some in the league, but beat out 2011 draft pick Johnny White to be the Bills third running back. While he's struggled some with fumbles and doesn't provide a lot on special teams (which you'd hope for in a third running back), Choice is a serviceable player that played for Gailey when the pair were at Georgia Tech.
Fullbacks (2) - Corey McIntyre, Dorin Dickerson
Chan Gailey offenses don't really feature the fullback much, instead preferring to spread the defense out with 3+ wide receiver sets and a single back. McIntyre is an aggressive blocker that's solid on special teams (where he'll make his money.
Dickerson is a freak-level athlete, but is more of an H-back than a traditional run-blocker. I believe Gailey kept Dickerson on the team to create potential mis-matches against opposing linebackers and safeties, using his 6'2", 227 pound frame and excellent physical tools on both special teams and in the passing game
Wide Receivers (4) - Stevie Johnson, Donald Jones, David Nelson, T.J. Graham
I was somewhat surprised to see the Bills keep just four receivers on their roster, even with Brad Smith capable of filling in to play in some 5-wide sets (the team did retain both Marcus Easley and Kamar Aiken on the practice squad). Stevie Johnson is the first receiver in Bills history to record consecutive seasons of 1,000+ yards receiving. An excellent route-runner, Johnson has the potential to become a Pro Bowl caliber player as long as he can avoid the occasional mental lapses on touchdown celebrations.
Donald Jones has prototypical size and speed for the receiver position, and is a very good blocker as well. His hands and route running still could use some more refining, but had a solid training camp which solidified his 2012 status as the de-facto #2 wideout in Buffalo.
David Nelson has great size for a receiver (6'5"), and is almost used exclusively in the slot. A solid route-runner, Nelson lacks the ideal strength and speed to be much more than a #3 receiver, but works very well on the short to intermediate routes, using his size to gain yards after catch.
2012 3rd round pick T.J. Graham is an absolute burner that brings a vertical threat in the passing game that the 2011 iteration of the Bills lacked. While he may not get extensive playing time early in the season at receiver, opposing defenses will have to pay attention when he's on the field, which should open up the intermediate passing game more.
Tight Ends (3) - Scott Chandler, Lee Smith, Mike Caussin
Metzelaars.
Smith will make his bread as a blocker in short-yardage situations, as his hands and athleticism won't blow anyone away.
Like Thigpen, I was a bit surprised that Buffalo kept Caussin on the active roster. He's respectable in just about every area, but won't blow you away with anything he does. Should the Bills need to make a roster move, Caussin's spot is one of the first that's likely to be taken.
Offensive Tackles (4) - Cordy Glenn, Erik Pears, Chris Hairston, Sam Young
I was surprised that Glenn slid to the second round this season, as his size/strength combination, as well as his experience in the SEC and positional versatility made him a very attractive draft pick. Glenn will have some struggles against the quicker pass-rushers in the league, as at 6'6", 340 pounds, lacks the elite lateral quickness of most left tackles. Should he struggle there, he's a more natural fit at right tackle, and could also be an elite-level guard should the coaching staff decide to ever slide him inside.
Pears was a journeyman until a steady season on the right side for the Bills in 2011 earned him a contract extension. While he battled injuries throughout training camp, he should provide steady pass protection and above average run-blocking.
Before Pears missed significant time with injury, Hairston seemed to be ahead of Glenn in the race to become the starting left tackle. While Hairston doesn't have the ceiling that Glenn does as a pro prospect, he's got more natural footwork and is a better pass protector. If Glenn struggles this season on the left side, it's entirely possible that Hairston takes over the position down the line. In the meantime, he's a very good swing tackle.
Young made the team largely because rookie fifth round pick Zebrie Sanders was placed on injured reserve, but can also play some guard in a pinch.
Offensive Guards (3) - Andy Levitre, Kraig Urbik, Chad Rinehart
Levtire won't wow anyone with his physique or athleticism, but does a great job of using leverage and technique to consistently get the job done. A free agent after this season, it's entirely likely the Bills try to lock him up to an extension before he hits the open market next March. Levtire is one of the better pulling guards in the league, and likely would have made the Pro Bowl in 2011 were it not for having to play (and struggling at) center and left tackle.
Urbik also has the ability to play center (which he did for Buffalo after Eric Wood went on injured reserve in 2011), but is better suited at guard, where he uses great lower body strength and a solid punch to be among the best run-blockers on the team.
Rinehart proved capable of being a respectable starter when the team was forced to shuffle the line due to injury last season. Another road-grader type, Rinehart is an effective run-blocker.
Centers (2) - Eric Wood, Colin Brown
While he's in the discussion for being the best Buffalo offensive lineman, there are legitimate concerns about his health, which has caused him to miss about a season's worth of games in his three years in the league. Wood is great at making calls at the line of scrimmage, and plays with a mean streak which makes him a very good run-blocker. If he can stay healthy, the Bills offense should be able to continue what it started in the first half of 2011.
Brown adds depth and positional versatility, as his height (6'7") could make him an option as a reserve tackle. If all goes well, Brown won't have to see the field, as he struggles some with stronger defensive players, as he's often going to lose the leverage battle due to his aforementioned stature.
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