14 Days Buffalo Bills Comment

WGR 550 reports WR/KR/QB Brad Smith is "firmly atop" the list of potential cap casualties for the Bills.

Smith, 29, has two years left on a four-year, $15 million contract, and the Bills can save $2.75 million against the cap by releasing him this summer. Buffalo drafted Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin in the second and third rounds, respectively. The Bills also added top UDFA Da'Rick Rogers to the mix with Stevie Johnson and T.J. Graham. Smith doesn't have much of a role anymore. Beat writer Joe Buscaglia also names RT Erik Pears, K Rian Lindell, QB Tarvaris Jackson, and DE Mark Anderson as candidates for release.

8 Months Buffalo Bills Comment

Bills WR/QB Brad Smith caught two passes for 49 yards and a touchdown in Week 4 against the Patriots.

We all know the drill on Smith by now. While he has some talent and can play multiple offensive and special teams roles, he's never a big enough part of Chan Gailey's week-to-week game plan to be given serious fantasy-start consideration. Smith entered Week 4 with five touches for 27 total yards. Leave him on the waiver wire heading to Week 5 against San Francisco.

GAME SUMMARIES & FANTASY COMMENTARY:

Thursday Night Game:

Green Bay Packers 23 (1-1) | Chicago Bears 10 (1-1)

Fantasy Focus -- Packers: The disappointing showing from Aaron Rodgers (219-1-1) is not a surprise. Despite what some think, it's Greg Jennings (DNP -- groin) who makes the Packers passing attack go. Jordy Nelson (6-84-0) topped Green Bay in receiving, but he's much better as a No. 2 receiver with Jennings on the field commanding attention from top cover corners. Dropped passes and sloppy play continue to plague Jermichael Finley (4-26-0), while James Jones (2-(-1)-0) continues to show that he is inconsistent from week to week, even as a fill-in starter. The play of Cedric Benson (20-81-0 rushing and 4-35-0 receiving) was a pleasant surprise following his dud Week 1 showing. Randall Cobb (1-28-0 rushing and 1-20-0 receiving), as I warned you last week, likely will not be a consistent fantasy contributor.

What you should know: As you probably suspected, Rodgers and the Green Bay passing game will return to amassing astro-numbers when Jennings returns, so patience is in order. While Benson is worth a roster slot, he probably is not a savior for your team. The Packers remain a heavy pass-first offense, and Benson usually plays very well against his former team. Benson's numbers versus the Bears could be his best game of 2012.

Fantasy Focus -- Bears: The Bears offense looked like world beaters in Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts, but the Monsters of the Midway played like eggbeaters against the Packers. Chicago had success running the football against the Pack (like the 49ers did in Week 1) with Matt Forte (14-54-0 rushing and 4-49-0 receiving) and Michael Bush (14-54-0 rushing and 0-0-0 receiving), but Chicago seemed determined to have Jay Cutler (126-1-4) do a Drew Brees impersonation, and Cutler was sacked seven times. Brandon Marshall (2-24-0) was blanketed all game long and dropped a touchdown grab in the end zone. With Marshall facing regular double teams, none of Chicago's other receivers, including Earl Bennett (2-21-0), Alshon Jeffrey (1-7-0) and Devin Hester (0-0-0) stepped up.

What you should know: It's obviously time to downgrade the Bears passing attack. Marshall remains a must-start, but Cutler rates as just a fantasy backup. Forget about the other Chicago receivers for now. Bush has solid No. 2 fantasy running back value going forward as a fill-in starter. Forte is not expected to return until after the Bears' Week 6...

10 Months Buffalo Bills Comment

The Bills are incorporating more passing plays for Brad Smith in their Wildcat package.

Smith's primary role will be on special teams, but the Bills plan to get him involved in spread/option packages and at wide receiver. Smith saw 403 offensive snaps last season, drawing 41 targets.

11 Months Buffalo Bills Comment

Coach Chan Gailey said the Bills have ''expanded their plans'' for Brad Smith in the team's Wildcat package.

Smith has worked almost exclusively at quarterback during OTAs, but Gailey confirmed the Bills will continue to use him at wide receiver and in a gadget-type role. In addition to special teams, Smith projects as the Bills' third quarterback and fifth receiver in 2012.

11 Months Buffalo Bills Comment

Bills coach Chan Gailey stated at the end of minicamp Friday that Brad Smith will be the team's third quarterback in 2012.

Smith will also be the gadget guy and Wildcat quarterback. Gailey's comment suggests the Bills will keep just one of Vince Young and Tyler Thigpen on the final, 53-man roster. Our money is on Young backing up Ryan Fitzpatrick.

1/12/2012 Buffalo Bills Comment

Bills coach Chan Gailey plans to continue to use Brad Smith in a gadget-type role in 2012.

Smith made five starts down the stretch in 2011, but averaged only 32 yards in them. He's not a natural wideout. "We were going along there and running the Wildcat with him and if you'd look, when our third-down efficiency dropped off was when we had to move him to wideout full-time," Gailey said. "...He can be your fifth or sixth wideout, he can be a good special teams player."

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