By Cullen Tonge
With the start of the NFL season just over 40 days away, every team has reported to their respective training camps. The Bills were the first to report so we have already had a bit more exposure to our team than most fans around the country. Throughout the handful of practices the team has had, we have already seen some flashes of greatness for our beloved Super Bowl favorites. These flashes of greatness by some players have dampened the chances of others to make the team. Although you think these guys might be locks to make the 53-man roster on August 31, I disagree. Remember, these are my bold predictions so I may end up being completely wrong. But hey, that’s why they are bold.
1. Jamison Crowder
I know, I know. The Bills signed Crowder to come in and be the replacement for Cole Beasley. However, I think that with his injury history that he might not even get that chance. There have only been a handful of practices so far and it’s still early into camp, but Crowder has already missed all but one of them. With Marquez Stevenson on the team and healthy, the Bills have a young and speedy return man. That means that Isaiah McKenzie can get a more advanced role in the offense, primarily in the slot. When McKenzie’s name has been called, he has been there ready to take on the challenge and has produced. Rookie Khalil Shakir has shown signs that he was a steal in the draft and could end up being the starting slot receiver by the end of the year. Right now, Crowder is slotted to start in the slot, but by the end of camp, I wouldn’t be surprised if he was cut.
2. Tyler Matakevich
Matakevich was a captain last season and is mainly a member of the Bills because of his special teams’ contributions. However, with the drafting of Terrel Bernard, his spot might be up in the air. The team used a valuable asset in a third-round pick to get Bernard. He may be the replacement for Tremaine Edmunds, but that is still a year away. I think Bernard gets a shot to be the replacement for Matakevich this year on special teams to get him into the mix and in games. If Andre Smith wasn’t going to be suspended for the first part of the season, Matakevich would more than likely be gone. That might be the main reason he is on the 53-man roster by the end of camp, because his defensive contributions are barely there. If Bernard shows that he can tackle and effectively run the scheme on special teams, Matakevich could be saying goodbye to the Bills.
3. Zack Moss
Even though he is only going into his third season and the Bills used a high pick on him, Moss is quickly running out of chances to be a Buffalo Bill. Devin Singletary is the number one back on this team, with rookie James Cook behind him. Taiwan Jones will make the team as a special teams stud and Duke Johnson has a shot to be the third running back used in the offense. Moss doesn’t offer anything special or extra that the offense doesn’t get from Singletary and Cook. Johnson is a veteran who has been around the league and could be a valuable teacher for Singletary and Cook.
Because of his lack of special abilities and youth, The Bills would be taking a chance if they want him to be on the practice squad, but I don’t think they would be too worried. They have Raheem Blackshear on the team as well they signed as an undrafted free agent. Blackshear would certainly make it through waivers and get a spot on the practice squad. At 5’9”, 200, he is built just like Moss. If he doesn’t start to really show something at camp Moss could find himself being poached off waivers and heading to a team that isn’t favored to win the Super Bowl.