Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
A good day on defense and more, 3 observations from Day 2 of #Bills training camp:
The Buffalo Bills have started their 2022 training camp journey.
Here were three big observations and takeaways that surfaced from reports during Day 2 of camp:
B/R: Cody Ford is squarely on #Bills’ roster bubble:
Things have not gone well for Cody Ford with the Buffalo Bills. Even Bleacher Report can see that from a mile away.
B/R named seven NFL veteran players that are squarely on their team’s roster bubble as 2022 training camp approaches. Ford’s name is found.
First, here’s how B/R explains the Ford selection:
Offensive line depth is always important, especially for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
At some point, you have to start considering an offensive lineman as a liability, though. Cody Ford is in that territory with the Buffalo Bills.
He’s been given opportunities to catch on as both a tackle and guard but hasn’t done enough to continue to get those chances. According to Sports Info Solutions, Ford had the worst blown block percentage of anyone on the team with at least 250 snaps.
PFF agreed that his play wasn’t up to par. He earned a paltry 46.4 grade from their analysts despite only giving up two sacks.
Whether it’s been guard or tackle, the 25-year-old has been a turnstile and weak link.
The Bills have acknowledged this with their moves this season. They bolstered the interior of the offensive line with the additions of Rodger Saffold, David Quessenberry and Greg Mancz.
With just $4.875 million in cap space, the Bills could use the $1.5 million they would save by parting ways with Ford.
For some, it could be a surprise to see Ford appearing on such a list. In a blink of the eye, Ford is no longer a youthful prospect for the Bills, he’s entering his fourth year in Buffalo and time is almost up for up.
Ford, a second-round pick of the Bills in 2019 after Buffalo traded up for him, has never firmly cerement his roster position. He has started 29 games in his career but never found that consistency the team had once hoped for–Which is similar to his status on the roster this offseason.
Buffalo general manager Brandon Beane did say earlier this spring Ford has a fresh slate in 2022 with the addition of new offensive line coach Aaron Kromer.
The Bills then went to sign veteran offensive line depth, even as recently as at minicamp with Greg Van Roten.
Not great signs.
Ford has to show he’s worth a roster spot this summer.
[lawrence-related id=102789,102820,102793]
There’s a few candidates for this one spot:
[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbw1j59gmjw5gdj player_id=none image=https://billswire.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]
Because the Buffalo Bills have such a deep roster there might be a few veterans considered to be on the “roster bubble” as 2022 training camp approaches.
But ESPN took a stab at naming one that stands out the most near the edge of the 53. The former world-wide leader named offensive lineman Greg Van Roten as the selection.
First, here’s the breakdown on Van Roten’s roster status:
The Bills don’t have many roster battles, but there will be a fight for the final offensive line spot. After spending the past two years with the Jets, Van Roten, 32, was signed during the offseason program and brings needed experience to the interior of the Bills’ line. That doesn’t mean he’s guaranteed to make the final 53-man roster, and he’ll be battling for a spot with veteran interior lineman Greg Mancz, who has more experience playing center, and tackle Luke Tenuta, a sixth-round pick.
Van Roten signed in Buffalo just before minicamp. He was a bit of a surprise addition, but not just because of Mancz or Tenuta, there’s a fourth player worth tossing into the equation: Cody Ford.
Ford, a second-round pick of the Bills in 2019 after Buffalo traded up for him, might be fighting for his NFL career. Ford has disappointed during his time in the league, having been given opportunities at both guard and tackle.
While general manager Brandon Beane did say Ford has a fresh slate in 2022 with the addition of new offensive line coach Aaron Kromer, Van Roten’s addition does not bode well for Ford.
Regardless, the best man for the job will win this roster spot that’s wide open right now.
[lawrence-related id=102595,102584,102579]
5 #Bills bounce-back candidates for 2022:
The Buffalo Bills have a roster littered will talent.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t room for improvement.
Here are five bounce-back candidates for the Bills in 2022:
5 most competitive position groups on #Bills’ offseason roster:
The Buffalo Bills will continue to add to their roster even with the conclusion of the 2022 NFL draft. However, we have a really good feel for where things stand.
Some positions are pretty set in stone. We know who, pending injury, will be starting at some spots come opening day. Think… quarterback.
Others have some layers of uncertainty.
With that, here are the five most competitive position groups on the Bills:
Winners, losers from the #Bills after the 2022 NFL draft:
Each year the NFL draft comes and goes and all the attention is on the players picked. At this year’s event, the Buffalo Bills added eight to their roster.
But these additions have their ripple effects through the roster that was already in place. Let’s run through some of those now.
Here are winners and losers from the Bills roster following the 2022 draft:
The 5 worst #Bills draft picks since 2017:
The Buffalo Bills have head five NFL drafts under the watch of head coach Sean McDermott. General manager Brandon Beane soon joined the organization after that first one in 2017.
The team’s current front office leaders have had several very profitable selections over that span. There should be faith in their abilities at having a successful sixth one in 2022.
Still, not every pick has panned out.
With that, here are the five worst selections made by the Bills since 2017:
Winners, losers from the #Bills’ offseason so far:
The inital wave of free agency from the 2022 NFL offseason is over. The Buffalo Bills were players in that pool.
Looking ahead, the Bills will be at the upcoming NFL draft as well. Buffalo holds seven totals picks there and some of them will change how we look at the team’s roster.
But for now, here are winners and losers from the Bills’ locker room so far this offseason:
With the NFL regular season wrapped up, which former Sooners are heading to the NFL playoffs?
Oklahoma DNA can be found all over the NFL these days. After fantastic seasons, several former Sooners will play in the postseason for their respective teams.
Former quarterbacks Kyler Murray and Jalen Hurts will lead their respective teams into the playoffs. Murray and the Arizona Cardinals go on the road to face the NFC West champion Los Angeles Rams. Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles travel to take on Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Facing off against Murray and fellow former Sooner Jordan Phillips will be former offensive lineman Bobby Evans.
Sticking with the NFC, CeeDee Lamb and the Dallas Cowboys will play host to Trent Williams and the San Francisco 49ers. Lamb capped a great second year in the league with 1,102 yards receiving, 79 receptions and six touchdowns for the Cowboys. He finished 12th in the league in receiving yards while leading a talented Dallas Cowboys wide receiver corps. Along with Lamb, Neville Gallimore will be making his first appearance in the playoffs.
Turning to the AFC, after finishing second in the NFL in rushing yards, Joe Mixon and the Cincinnati Bengals will host the Las Vegas Raiders in the wild-card round. Samaje Perine also plays for the Bengals. The Raiders pulled off an overtime win over the Los Angeles Chargers and Kenneth Murray’s squad to make it into the postseason.
Cody Ford and Daryl Williams will take on Rhamondre Stevenson as the Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots are set for their first-round matchup.
Sticking with the AFC, the Kansas City Chiefs, with Orlando Brown, Creed Humphrey, Blake Bell and James Winchester, remain one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl this season. The team is led by Patrick Mahomes.
With six games this weekend, there are several opportunities to put on your Sooners gear and cheer your favorite former Sooners as they make their way through the NFL playoffs with the hopes of hoisting the Lombardi trophy.
Contact/Follow us @SoonersWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oklahoma news, notes, and opinions.
#Bills activated Cody Ford, Cam Lewis off Reserve/COVID-19 list:
One day after adding four players off of their Reserve/COVID-19 list, the Buffalo Bills have done so with two more pieces on Thursday.
The team announced that offensive lineman Cody Ford and cornerback Cam Lewis were activated from the designation.
Those moves come after offensive lineman Jon Feliciano, defensive lineman AJ Epenesa and wide receivers Cole Beasley and Gabriel Davis were activated on Wednesday.
The first four are more likely players that could immediately be brought back into the starting lineup.
In terms of Lewis, he’s most certainly a depth piece. Depending on what Buffalo (9-6) decides to do with their offensive line, Ford might end up starting in Week 17 against the Atlanta Falcons (7-8).
In addition to Ford and Lewis, the Bills made a few other transactions.
Added back to the practice squad from the COVID list was tight end Quintin Morris.
To make room for him there, running back Antonio Williams was released.
Follow the Bills Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
[lawrence-related id=94357,94355,94303]
