*Bills safeties discussion thread* (1 Viewer)

[Aaron Rudnicki]

http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2009/11/25/s...-will-continue/

Last week against Jacksonville the Bills employed a safety rotation where Donte Whitner and Jairus Byrd subbed in and out for one another through the course of the game. Interim head coach Perry Fewell liked how it worked last Sunday and intends to continue with it moving forward.

“That’s a good problem for us keeping guys in that rotation,” said Fewell. ”When Donte was hurt earlier in the season, he’s a very good run defender and I think our run defense improved a bit last week because Donte Whitner was in the mix. And Byrd is an excellent pass defender and his production is well documented. So that’s a good thing for us to make sure we have both of those guys out there and have them serve a role that they can function in.”

George Wilson has also been very productive and he’s expected to remain in the strong safety role.

“He has been very productive and played well for us,” said Fewell of Wilson. ”We’ve been better in that (position). I like having that problem.”

With Byrd’s nagging groin problem it’s also likely that they want to split reps in games at the free safety position to reduce the wear and tear on Byrd with six games to play. Whitner has also been on the field as the team’s nickel corner with the team shorthanded on cornerbacks.

 

[Maroney=Sped]

http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2009/11/25/s...-will-continue/

Last week against Jacksonville the Bills employed a safety rotation where Donte Whitner and Jairus Byrd subbed in and out for one another through the course of the game. Interim head coach Perry Fewell liked how it worked last Sunday and intends to continue with it moving forward.

“That’s a good problem for us keeping guys in that rotation,” said Fewell. ”When Donte was hurt earlier in the season, he’s a very good run defender and I think our run defense improved a bit last week because Donte Whitner was in the mix. And Byrd is an excellent pass defender and his production is well documented. So that’s a good thing for us to make sure we have both of those guys out there and have them serve a role that they can function in.”

George Wilson has also been very productive and he’s expected to remain in the strong safety role.

“He has been very productive and played well for us,” said Fewell of Wilson. ”We’ve been better in that (position). I like having that problem.”

With Byrd’s nagging groin problem it’s also likely that they want to split reps in games at the free safety position to reduce the wear and tear on Byrd with six games to play. Whitner has also been on the field as the team’s nickel corner with the team shorthanded on cornerbacks.

Is Whitner finally healthy enough to be on the field for most snaps with Byrd's injury, or is part of the reason for the rotation that Whitner's still injured? The article doesn't address this.

 

[Kal]

I've finished the player participation for the Bills and the game should be up tomorrow when the analysis is complete.

Here's what I noted in regards to the Bills safety position

* George Wilson stayed in on every snap, including goalline

* Bryan Scott is an outside linebacker now. He plays goaline snaps and in some short down and distances he actually lined up as part of a 5/6 man defensive line with his hand on the ground

* Jarius Byrd may have started in the base package, but he only rotated in for about 4 plays in the base package. He does come in as a safety in the nickel with Whitner playing the nickelback role. I don't know the injury status of McGee but if he is back soon it will be interesting to see what they do here.

*Whitner is practically every down and he offer much more value than Byrd in a tackle based league. When the Bills used Byrd as a deep safety (Wilson is practically always in the box) he almost never got involved in running plays. Whitner does a much better job of getting his backside in gear and going after the tackler.

The Bills want Byrd because he has a nose for the ball but its like having 10 men on the field when teams run at the Bills with him on. He doesn't take good angles and isn't a hitter.

Byrd saw 43% of plays to Whitners 80% (Wilson was 99%)

Be sure to check the site out tomorrow for any other tidbits. Your support means a lot to us

 

[thatguy]

I've finished the player participation for the Bills and the game should be up tomorrow when the analysis is complete. Here's what I noted in regards to the Bills safety position* George Wilson stayed in on every snap, including goalline* Bryan Scott is an outside linebacker now. He plays goaline snaps and in some short down and distances he actually lined up as part of a 5/6 man defensive line with his hand on the ground* Jarius Byrd may have started in the base package, but he only rotated in for about 4 plays in the base package. He does come in as a safety in the nickel with Whitner playing the nickelback role. I don't know the injury status of McGee but if he is back soon it will be interesting to see what they do here.*Whitner is practically every down and he offer much more value than Byrd in a tackle based league. When the Bills used Byrd as a deep safety (Wilson is practically always in the box) he almost never got involved in running plays. Whitner does a much better job of getting his backside in gear and going after the tackler.The Bills want Byrd because he has a nose for the ball but its like having 10 men on the field when teams run at the Bills with him on. He doesn't take good angles and isn't a hitter.Byrd saw 43% of plays to Whitners 80% (Wilson was 99%)Be sure to check the site out tomorrow for any other tidbits. Your support means a lot to us

Good stuff Kat.

 

[kapp]

Anyone know if Scott is starting a LB again?

 

[Jene Bramel]

Anyone know if Scott is starting a LB again?

Scott is the starting WLB, yes. This won't change unless/until Nic Harris proves himself a capable option or the Bills suffer a bunch of injuries at safety again.