***OFFICIAL 2012 Buffalo Bills Thread*** (1 Viewer)

[GroveDiesel]

I really hope the Bills cut Smith. $4M a year for him is a joke. They pumped him up to be this dynamic threat that would have a huge impact as a Wildcat type guy. He threw exactly one pass last year and it was intercepted. He did have a decent conversion rate on short yardage plays, but I don't think it would have been much different if they just kept Fitz in and handed it off to Freddy.

Plus the whole Wildcat thing just disrupts the flow if the offense. Gailey needs to give up his little gimmick, admit he screwed up this one, and cut bait now.

 

[nittanylion]

Thanks Ruds and Grove, but your responses beg a question: Are the issues with Smith, who is a hell of an athlete and football player, and who I think could have a tremendous impact as a matchup nightmare, if utilized properly, or with your Coaching Staff for being unable/unwilling to deploy him properly?

This coming from someone who lives in a state of eternal frustration because when Bill Cowher coached the Steelers, in 2002, he had Kordell Stewart (Colorado), Hines Ward (Georgia) and Antwaan Randle El (Indiana) - all who could have proficiently played QB, RB or WR on any given down, along with a Bull Moose of an experienced option tailback in Bettis (Notre Dame) and Red Zone matchup nightmare Plaxico Burress in his prime, and flat-out wouldn't even consider running the option, because it just wasn't what was conventionally done in the NFL.

Inside the 20, lining up 6'5" 235 Burress in the single wing, with choice of Stewart, Ward or Randle El under center and the other two flanking Bettis in the backfield, would have been practically indefensible in terms of the permutations you could run out of that personnel group.Breaking the huddle, there's almost no way a defensive captain would have been able to successfully diagnose what was to happen out of that set. Now add motion. Woof. Not only have been deadly efficient, and caused Defensive Co-oordinators across the League fits, it would have been fun, and good for the NFL.

While it's nowhere near as versatile a group, tell me it wouldn't be fun, and potentially explosive, to see Stevie Johnson line up in the single-wing, with slashing, angry Fred, smooth and quick CJ and versatile QB/RB/WR Brad lined up behind Fitz? You can't tell me that group couldn't put a defense on it's heels, and put up numbers?

...but you have to have a Coaching Staff smart enough and willing enough to put it in place, and that combination seems few and far between.

OK, rant over. Sometimes I cringe at the thought that the NFL itself is what's most responsible for limiting it's own progression. :sigh:

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

where do they use him? David Nelson is better in the slot, Stevie Johnson is better out wide. He's not a tight end. He's not a RB. And how many snaps do you give a Wildcat QB?

They could start him outside over guys like Donald Jones or whoever, but they didn't do that last year until they were forced to.

He's a WR4 and subpackage QB on this team. Doesn't really provide a ton of opportunity for him to make an impact.

 

[Crazy Canuck]

Thanks Ruds and Grove, but your responses beg a question: Are the issues with Smith, who is a hell of an athlete and football player, and who I think could have a tremendous impact as a matchup nightmare, if utilized properly, or with your Coaching Staff for being unable/unwilling to deploy him properly?This coming from someone who lives in a state of eternal frustration because when Bill Cowher coached the Steelers, in 2002, he had Kordell Stewart (Colorado), Hines Ward (Georgia) and Antwaan Randle El (Indiana) - all who could have proficiently played QB, RB or WR on any given down, along with a Bull Moose of an experienced option tailback in Bettis (Notre Dame) and Red Zone matchup nightmare Plaxico Burress in his prime, and flat-out wouldn't even consider running the option, because it just wasn't what was conventionally done in the NFL.Inside the 20, lining up 6'5" 235 Burress in the single wing, with choice of Stewart, Ward or Randle El under center and the other two flanking Bettis in the backfield, would have been practically indefensible in terms of the permutations you could run out of that personnel group.Breaking the huddle, there's almost no way a defensive captain would have been able to successfully diagnose what was to happen out of that set. Now add motion. Woof. Not only have been deadly efficient, and caused Defensive Co-oordinators across the League fits, it would have been fun, and good for the NFL.While it's nowhere near as versatile a group, tell me it wouldn't be fun, and potentially explosive, to see Stevie Johnson line up in the single-wing, with slashing, angry Fred, smooth and quick CJ and versatile QB/RB/WR Brad lined up behind Fitz? You can't tell me that group couldn't put a defense on it's heels, and put up numbers?...but you have to have a Coaching Staff smart enough and willing enough to put it in place, and that combination seems few and far between.OK, rant over. Sometimes I cringe at the thought that the NFL itself is what's most responsible for limiting it's own progression. :sigh:

This post would make sense if I knew what college Plaxico Burress attended.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Chan Gailey puts his guys in a position to succeed better than just about any coach in the league. He readily adapts his offense to better suit his players and take advantage of their abilities. If Brad Smith is a failure, it's because he's just not good enough, not because Gailey failed to adapt.

Smith's biggest problem is that he's a jack of all trades, master of none. There are plenty of great athletes that failed in the NFL. Smith doesn't do anything exceptionally well. The Wildcat worked for a while in Miami because Ronnie Brown was such a dangerous runner with great vision. Smith doesn't have the vision to be a great RB so it limits his success in the role. He's a better passer than Brown, but he's not good enough to progress through his reads. So you're stuck with a guy that will make one read, and then run of his guy is covered. And he's just not strong enough and doesn't have the vision to make that worth doing a whole lot. He's just not dynamic enough in any one area to sacrifice the abilities of other players to force him onto the field.

Honestly, the Bills probably used him about perfectly last year. He's just enough of a threat to throw that he can be successful on short yardage situations when a hesitation of a fraction of a second can give the offense a first down. I expect his number of throws will go up to around 10 for the year, but he'll only play 4 or 5 snaps a game. Which is a waste for $4M IMO.

Honestly, CJ Spiller could be used in that same type of role and be just as successful if not more so. He's way more dynamic than Smith and could offer up almost as much throwing the ball.

 

[Faust]

Bills go from 3-4 to 4-3 in measured fashion, and look formidable

By Pat Kirwan | CBSSports.com NFL Insider

Transitioning from one defense to another as can be as problematic as a coaching change, and coaches who rush into the scheme transition just because they believe in a system often are doomed to failure.

The advice from Bill Parcells: Don't rush!

Parcells once sat down with me to talk about the transition from a 4-3 defense to his favored 3-4.

I watched him make the transition with the Jets and I remember how long he took to make the switch in Dallas. He's against making the switch until you all the critical pieces up front are in place. That's why Mike Zimmer stayed in a 4-3 package under Parcells for the first two years (2003-04).

In 2005 Parcells signed NT veteran Jason Ferguson and drafted DeMarcus Ware and Marcus Spears and the transition was in play. Patience ruled that call in Dallas, and the same logic works for the 2012 Buffalo Bills.

Bills GM Buddy Nix is a smart and patient man. Nix and coach Chan Gailey hired Dave Wannstedt in 2011 while they were deep into a 3-4 defense. They didn't change to a 4-3 because Wannstedt -- a coach steeped in the 4-man front philosophy -- arrived at Orchard Park. They set their sights on 2012 for the transition and set a 12-month course to get the right players to foster the change.

Compare the starting 3-4 lineup for opening day 2011 and the projected 2012 lineup and you realize the Bills have done in one year what it took the Cowboys two years to accomplish: A masterful job of securing the right talent before the move.

Dareus can play DE in this scheme but will be much more effective inside as a "3 technique." Kyle Williams is more quick than powerful and he will do even more damage shaded on the center as a "1 technique." Dwan Edwards is now a backup.

Kelsey returns to his natural position (DE) but relegated to backup, too, and this improves depth. Andre Davis is gone. Barnett is better suited to play in a 4-3 front (scheme he played when originally drafted by Green Bay) and Merriman becomes a situational pass rusher which adds length to his career which has been up and down with injury. The only change in the secondary is McKelvin, who is now third string.

To make their 4-3 move, the Bills got two excellent defensive ends in free agency and moved all three linebackers to their natural positions. The addition of their 2012 first-round pick at corner (Stephon Gilmore) helps a secondary that already was fifth in the NFL in interceptions. Five retained players are at new positions and three new players join the starting unit. Not only do they make a major transition, they also improve their depth considerably.

Some points about the new lineup:

The Bills will not be giving up 4.8 yards a carry as they did in 2011. They will generate more than the 29 sacks they did last year. They will not be forced to blitz to get to the quarterback like they did last year when more than half of their sacks came off such pressure. I dare say they will improve on the 20 interceptions from 2011 because the front seven will be much better. Last year the Bills were No. 26 among NFL defenses. Look for a big jump in 2012 because they made the transition the right way. Take a look at the 2012 projected lineup, and it is impressive.

• This D-line alone should generate close to 30 sacks and stop the run. There are three potential Pro Bowlers in the group -- if we ever have another Pro Bowl.

• At linebacker, Morrison had 210 tackles in 2008-09 at this same position; Sheppard is a 245-pound natural middle backer; Barnett is a run and hit player with good pass coverage skills (nine INTs, 28 passes defended when he played in this scheme in Green Bay. This group should also generate close to 250 tackles as well as 6 sacks and 4 interceptions.

• In the secondary, Wilson and Byrd combined for seven INTs last season with a mediocre pass rush.

The key backups on this defense are solid. Carrington and Dwan Edwards can back up the tackles, Chris Kelsay and Shawne Merriman will get some pass rush while Aaron Williams and Da’Norris Searcy add depth in the secondary. The Bills can incur some injuries and still play well.

The Bills are now looking like a fine 4-3 defense built for the long haul.

 

[GroveDiesel]

2 corrections to that article:

1) Kelsay is the starter and will rotate with Anderson

2) Looks like the Bills are giving McKelvin a chance to start

 

[GroveDiesel]

It's really a big "if" with the history of some of the players, but I thinl Buffalo's defense could have a HUGE year this year.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

2 corrections to that article:1) Kelsay is the starter and will rotate with Anderson2) Looks like the Bills are giving McKelvin a chance to start

Kelsay should definitely "start" and play on run downs at least.I'd be pleasantly surprised if McKelvin makes the team and is anything more than a 4th string corner.I think Williams, Gilmore, and McGee will most likely be the top 3 when the season opens.

 

[Faust]

Buffalo Bills hold their breath on Ryan Fitzpatrick

By Dan Hanzus

Writer

Let's be frank here: The Buffalo Bills really need Ryan Fitzpatrick to step it up in 2012.

If he doesn't, it would show a serious breakdown in evaluation from the top of the organization on down. It might sound melodramatic, but eyebrows were raised in October when Fitzpatrick was given a seven-year, $62 million contract, a deal that included a $10 million signing bonus and whopping $24 million guaranteed.

That's Aaron Rodgers-type money, and that's why it had to give management a queasy feeling when Fitzpatrick threw 17 interceptions in the final 10 games of the season, posting a 70.1 passer rating and 2-8 record.

The Fitzpatrick before the contract was a different player (6 games, 12 TDs, 6 picks, 95.3 rating), and it begs the question: Will they get the Amish Rifle or Harvard Heartbreak?

For what it's worth, Bills coaches are excited what they see from Fitzpatrick at Bills OTAs.

"I didn't anticipate him hitting the back shoulder (throw) until the middle of camp and he just nailed that one," quarterbacks coach David Lee said Friday, according to the official team site. "He hit the go route, which bothered him last year especially to his left."

"I'm really pleased with how quickly he's taken to it, but it's not muscle memory yet because we haven't done it long enough. He's improving, but he's not yet where he's going to be."

Lee believes Fitzpatrick has the intangibles to be a leader the team rallies around.

"You've got to be a pressure player," he said. "What he did out there against Oakland last year (a three-TD effort in a 38-35 comeback win in Week 2) we need him do it four or five times this year because that's what's required at our position right now."

That seems to be asking a lot of Fitzpatrick, a seventh-round pick who's only shown flashes of greatness. But when you're paid like a star quarterback, that's what you're expected to be.

 

[Faust]

Young players with upside gunning for Bills' No. 2 WR

By Kevin Fishbain

The Bills’ search for a No. 2 wideout to pair with Stevie Johnson will be one of the focal points at training camp. The competition gets a head start in OTAs, and Johnson’s absence due to groin surgery allows for the younger receivers to get a little more attention.

Last season, David Nelson was second on the team in receiving, going 61-658-5. Nelson is a prototypical slot receiver, as the other spot on the outside did not produce. Brad Smith, Donald Jones, Naaman Roosevelt and Derek Hagan combined for 75 catches — or one fewer than Johnson’s total.

Jones suffered a season-ending ankle injury in Week 11, and while some observers haven’t been wowed by Jones’ play, we hear the team still believes he has a high ceiling. Challenging Jones will be third-round pick T.J. Graham, a speedster who needs to add bulk.

The wild card, as it was last training camp, could be Marcus Easley. The 2010 fourth-rounder has yet to play in an NFL game (he missed his rookie season because of a knee injury and last season with a heart ailment), but he is back in OTAs looking to make an impact.

“I am just happy to be playing football again. This has been long overdue,” Easley told the Bills’ website. “Everyone knows the story, but I am just glad to be out here competing and to be back out there with the fellas.”

We heard last year that Easley was a player the team was hoping would produce big things. He has the size to be effective on the outside and joins the competition of players with upside looking to fulfill that and grab the No. 2 receiver spot.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Kyle Williams participated fully today.

 

[Faust]

Ryan Fitzpatrick repairing mechanics with Bills coaches

By Dan Hanzus

Writer

Ryan Fitzpatrick might be one of the only guys to come out of Harvard lacking an education.

(That sentence can probably use some clarification.)

Fitzpatrick surely got a killer education in the traditional sense from the esteemed university. But let's just say "NFL Quarterback" wasn't an eligible major.

"You guys have seen me throw," Fitzpatrick said with a self-deprecating wink on Wednesday, according to The Associated Press. "I just go out there and throw. That's what I've done my whole life."

Fitzpatrick's style is mostly self-taught, and he acknowledged after a hit-or-miss season in 2011 that he could use some help to increase consistency.

"I knew I had a long way to go with my mechanics," he said. "I just didn't know how to find that person or how to improve at it."

That person became David Lee, the team's new quarterbacks coach. Lee -- a 38-year coaching lifer -- has worked closely with the QB since the beginning of OTAs. They have done work both on the field and in the film room as he attempts to tweak Fitzpatrick's game without overhauling it completely.

"Nobody's really ever taught me how to do it," Fitzpatrick said. "So now for a guy to come in and say, `This is why you're missing that throw,' he's going to be a very big help for me this year."

Fitzpatrick's play dropped off badly after he signed his extension in October, though a lingering ribcage injury likely played a role. The Bills need to hit on Fitzpatrick, and it's a smart move to attempt to refine some of the rougher edges of his game.

 

[Faust]

Could C.J. Spiller steal touches from Fred Jackson?

By Dan Hanzus

Writer

C.J. Spiller spent the first half of last season watching Buffalo Bills teammate Fred Jackson emerge as one of the most dangerous running backs in the NFL.

Jackson's fine play had the result of keeping Spiller on the bench, but after Jackson broke his leg in Week 11, Spiller got his chance. The 2010 first-round pick made the most of his opportunity, rushing for 446 yards over the team's final six games. He averaged more than five yards per carry and scored five touchdowns in that stretch.

Now the Bills have themselves a good problem. Jackson and Spiller have both shown themselves to be worthy of getting 20 to 30 carries a game. The Bills are going to have to decide who gets it.

"(Spiller's) confidence level just went through the roof in my opinion. He knows what to do a lot better now," Bills coach Chan Gailey recently told reporters, according to ESPN.com. "He has a lot of confidence that he can play running back, he can go out and play receiver, he can do a lot of things and blocking. He’s gotten better at his blocking from the previous year. His ball security was a lot better last year. He carried it multiple times and did a good job of controlling the ball."

Spiller has another fan in Bills general manager Buddy Nix, who said in January that the running back can be a "workhorse" back. Hmmm ...

Jackson signed an extension in May that essentially gives him a three-year, $10.8 million contract with the team. The $3 million signing bonus was the only guaranteed money in the deal, so the Bills are unlikely to defer to Jackson for financial reasons. The best man will see the most action, and it's shaping up as one of the most intriguing plotlines in Bills camp.

 

[Bronx Bomber]

I should have Faust post this but I'll give it a shot:

Easley faring well He’s seen most of his reps with the second unit through the first two weeks of OTAs, but Marcus Easley has blended back in well with the offense after missing all of last season with a medical condition. His first two NFL seasons have never allowed him to realize any of his vast potential, but it hasn’t affected his determination to succeed.

“I don’t think I need to talk to Marcus because his attitude has been so good,” said Gailey. “His work ethic and the things he’s done in the offseason to get ready to participate. He’s been so strong and so good I haven’t had to say a word to him. He is an upbeat guy. He knows he’s got to fight an uphill battle to get into the fray, but I think he can.”

Easley turned in the catch of the day Thursday. To view some of the better highlights from Thursday’s action just go to the Media Center at Buffalobills.com.

“He’s looked good. He doesn’t limp. He’s not having any shortness of breath,” said Gailey in reference to some of Easley’s past ailments. “All of those things that were bothering him earlier (in his career) aren’t bothering him now. So he’s done a good job.”

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-2/OTA-Report---Day-5/c018bfc3-4e1c-488f-896f-a029eb9985e8What else are you guys hearing about him? Im pulling for this guy.

 

[Faust]

I should have Faust post this but I'll give it a shot:

Easley faring well He’s seen most of his reps with the second unit through the first two weeks of OTAs, but Marcus Easley has blended back in well with the offense after missing all of last season with a medical condition. His first two NFL seasons have never allowed him to realize any of his vast potential, but it hasn’t affected his determination to succeed.

“I don’t think I need to talk to Marcus because his attitude has been so good,” said Gailey. “His work ethic and the things he’s done in the offseason to get ready to participate. He’s been so strong and so good I haven’t had to say a word to him. He is an upbeat guy. He knows he’s got to fight an uphill battle to get into the fray, but I think he can.”

Easley turned in the catch of the day Thursday. To view some of the better highlights from Thursday’s action just go to the Media Center at Buffalobills.com.

“He’s looked good. He doesn’t limp. He’s not having any shortness of breath,” said Gailey in reference to some of Easley’s past ailments. “All of those things that were bothering him earlier (in his career) aren’t bothering him now. So he’s done a good job.”

http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-2/OTA-Report---Day-5/c018bfc3-4e1c-488f-896f-a029eb9985e8What else are you guys hearing about him? Im pulling for this guy.

I think that the Bills are still holding out hope that he can claim the #2 WR spot and I thought that I had read somewhere that they are still high on his prospects of developing into that role.

 

[Faust]

Stevie Johnson 'ready to go' for Buffalo Bills

By Brian McIntyre NFL.com

Less than two months after undergoing groin surgery, Buffalo Bills wide receiver Stevie Johnson said he's "way ahead of schedule" in his recovery. The team had planned to hold him until training camp opens up, but Johnson's rapid recovery could allow him to participate in next week's mandatory minicamp, Tim Graham of The Buffalo News reported Monday.

"I'm ready to go," Johnson said. "They said it was about six to eight (weeks), but I'm feeling like I'm ready to be out there, and I think we're moving towards that next week."

A seventh-round pick out of Kentucky in 2008, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Johnson emerged as the Bills' top receiver over the last two seasons, catching 158 passes for 2,077 yards and 17 touchdowns. The Bills kept Johnson off the free-agent market by giving him a five-year, $36.25 million contract extension in early March.

Having Johnson healthy for the start of training camp is a much higher priority, but if he's able to get some work in with the full team during minicamp, the Bills should let him play, even if it's just for a few snaps.

"We'll see how things go," Johnson said. "As of now, they're saying I'll be out there to get some reps."

 

[Ralph Wilson]

I really hope the Bills cut Smith. $4M a year for him is a joke. They pumped him up to be this dynamic threat that would have a huge impact as a Wildcat type guy. He threw exactly one pass last year and it was intercepted. He did have a decent conversion rate on short yardage plays, but I don't think it would have been much different if they just kept Fitz in and handed it off to Freddy.Plus the whole Wildcat thing just disrupts the flow if the offense. Gailey needs to give up his little gimmick, admit he screwed up this one, and cut bait now.

It really makes me wonder why Chan can't get more out of this guy. Maybe they tried to do to much with him. If they just give him a "Tebow" type package, maybe he would excel. Keep the passes short with the option to run if he wants. 3 or 4 times a game and it could keep the defense on their heels.

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

I really hope the Bills cut Smith. $4M a year for him is a joke. They pumped him up to be this dynamic threat that would have a huge impact as a Wildcat type guy. He threw exactly one pass last year and it was intercepted. He did have a decent conversion rate on short yardage plays, but I don't think it would have been much different if they just kept Fitz in and handed it off to Freddy.Plus the whole Wildcat thing just disrupts the flow if the offense. Gailey needs to give up his little gimmick, admit he screwed up this one, and cut bait now.

It really makes me wonder why Chan can't get more out of this guy. Maybe they tried to do to much with him. If they just give him a "Tebow" type package, maybe he would excel. Keep the passes short with the option to run if he wants. 3 or 4 times a game and it could keep the defense on their heels.

He may be athletic, but I just don't think he's that much of a football player. He's kind of an antithesis of a guy like Fred Jackson, whose play on the field seems to far exceed his athleticism.With Brad Smith I don't think I've ever said to myself after watching a play, "Wow, that was a good play." I seem to do that a couple times a year with everyone, even role players. I really can't think of any stand out plays since Brad joined the team. I recall a couple nice catches, a nice run, etc. but nothing that was stand-out.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Chan Gailey seemed to indicate today that Donald Jones is in the lead for now for the #2 WR spot FWIW.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Speed Dial: How highly does Bills D-line rate?

June 14, 2012 - 11:31 AM | 0 comments

By Tim Graham

Welcome to the first Press Coverage installment of "Speed Dial," a recurring post I introduced at my old ESPN.com blog.

I call up three folks from my Rolodex and get their opinions on a particular topic that's on my mind.

Today's question: Where does the Buffalo Bills' revamped defensive line rank league-wide?

Keith Sims, three-time Pro Bowl guard for the Miami Dolphins in the 1990s:

"I definitely would agree that on paper its top 5. I would put them in the conversation with the New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers in what they bring to the table. It's going to be a scary proposition to have those monsters at defensive tackle, and Mario Williams is a one-man wrecking show. As a former offensive lineman, that would keep me awake at night having to face the Bills twice a year.

"You look at the formula that a lot of teams try to follow is what Giants have done. If you can put together a menacing defensive line and get consistent pressure from your front four on a quarterback in such a passing league, it puts you in every game. The Giants went 9-7 and got to the Super Bowl, where they played a great offensive team. But that defensive line was able to put constant pressure on Tom Brady. When you can do that, you'll be on the right side of wins more times than not.

"Shawne Merriman is the candle on top of the cake. If you can get anything out of him, I see him as similar to the role Jason Taylor had with the Dolphins and Jets the last couple years. You don't need him to play every down, but if you can get him to seven, eight, nine sacks in a situational role and he come in to spell the starters, that's a tremendous help.

"When I played against the Bills, the one uncovered guy on our line, his No.1 priority was to help on Bruce Smith. When you're looking at that line you're facing on Buffalo now, who are you going to help with? And then, if Shawne Merriman can recapture half of what he was, that's unbelievable.

"I think they're going to be scary. I don't think they'll catch New England, but I think Buffalo could be a playoff team this year."

Seth Payne, Olean resident (for now) and 10-year defensive lineman for the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans:

"I don't think it's a reach that they may end up being in the top five. They've got some great individual players, but they've never all played together. The big question is whether the whole is greater or equal to the sum of all the parts.

"I just reviewed Mario Williams' game against the Dolphins last year, and he had just about as textbook of a hump move as you'll see. That was Reggie White's move. [Williams] used it on Jake Long, which a couple of Bills fans should be thankful about. Mario was poised probably to have his best season ever last year before he got hurt. I thought those few games before he got injured he was improving every game. He's such a big guy that when he can get a couple steps in space he's tough to stop. It's just a matter of physics. When you get a body that big moving that fast it's tough to redirect him.

"They got a nice, complete package of guys that can rush the passer and get off the ball quickly. It's a great group of starters. The one thing I'm interested in watching as the season progresses is Stephon Gilmore because it's not fair to expect him to be a shutdown corner in the league right away, but he's certainly shown the ability to be that. If Stephon Gilmore develops, then it'll get to the point he's helping that front line out and that will get them even more pressure as he's able to handle one-on-one coverage more. It has the makings of a really exciting unit."

Damien Woody, former New England Patriots, Detroit Lions and New York Jets offensive lineman:

"I'm really, really high on Bufalo's D-line. That's one of the main reasons I think they'll make the playoffs. They're going to cause havoc. Their Achilles heel has been the defense. But the problem was they couldn't generate pressure on the quarterback. Now they can generate pressure just from their front four. You're going to have to double-team somebody, Mario Williams probably. But Kyle Williams is a stud. Mark Anderson had 10 sacks last year, and Marcell Dareus is only going to get better.

"That's a top five defensive line, no question. I would definitely put them in the same sentence as the New York Giants. Potentially, they can be better. The difference is at defensive tackle. I don't think the Giants have a defensive tackle as good as Kyle Williams. I played against that guy, and he was a problem every time. He's just now starting to get his due because he was in Buffalo. But I've known for years he was gooooood. You ask people around the league, and they know who Kyle Williams is.

"I'm picking the Bills to beat out the Jets for a playoff spot. The Bills are 'that team' this year. They're going to be a sexy pick. The key is Fred Jackson staying healthy and the offensive line staying healthy and having continuity. The Bills can be a scary team."

http://blogs.buffalonews.com/press-coverage/2012/06/speed-dial-how-highly-does-bills-d-line-rate.html

 

[Faust]

Mario Williams is 'freaking Hercules,' says Bills WR

By Dan Hanzus

Writer

"NFL Total Access" kicked off its "32 teams in 32 days" series last week. We decided to score some brownie points by writing an accompanying post each night. We'll focus on one goal that each team needs to accomplish before Week 1.

Bills defense must improve following facelift

It was difficult to find an area of strength on the Buffalo Bills' defense last season. The unit finished 26th in yards allowed, 27th in sacks, 28th in rush defense and 19th in pass defense. Yikes.

Aware of the unit's shortcomings, the Bills busted out the checkbook to change their fortunes. In came defensive ends Mario Williams (six years, $96M) and Mark Anderson (four years, $19.5M), who have combined for 88.5 sacks in their careers. Meanwhile, Buffalo used the 10th overall pick in April's draft to address the secondary with cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who the team feels can slide directly into a starting role.

Defensive tackle Kyle Williams is back following an injury-plagued season, as is wild-card linebacker Shawne Merriman. And don't forget defensive tackle Marcell Dareus, the third overall pick in 2011 who showed serious potential as a rookie.

But this defense will be anchored by Mario Williams, who was handed record money to lead the unit's transformation. Wide receiver Stevie Johnson spoke glowingly of the linebacker Thursday on NFL Network.

"A beast, man. He's huge," Johnson said, adding that "the dude's like freaking Hercules out there. He just leans on you and gets a sack. He's looking real strong out there. Our whole defense is looking dominant."

The Bills would love domination. But they'll settle for some much-needed consistency by the time they meet the New York Jets in Week 1.

 

[Faust]

Video Links:

32 in 32: Buffalo Bills

04:02 – How hot are the Bills heading into the 2012 season? Steve Johnson joins "NFL Total Access" to explain the team's progress this offseason.

Bills fantasy outlook

00:49 – Will Bills RB Fred Jackson be the fantasy cash cow in 2012 or will C.J. Spiller steal his spotlight? Michael Fabiano has the answer on that and other Bills to target in your fantasy draft.

 

[Faust]

Vince Young, Tyler Thigpen battle for Bills backup role

By Gregg Rosenthal

Around The League editor

Here's what we know about the Buffalo Bills quarterback position:

1. Ryan Fitzpatrick is paid like a franchise quarterback. Despite his struggles at the end of last season, he's going to be treated like an entrenched starter, unless he massively struggles this offseason.

2. Brad Smith has worked out almost exclusively at quarterback this offseason. (On Friday, he was at receiver.) Tim Graham of the Buffalo News passed along word Friday that coach Chan Gailey plans to use Smith as the team's No. 3 quarterback this year.

"(Smith) worked at quarterback, which we needed him to do that. He'll go into the season -- unless something major changes, which I don't foresee -- (as) the third quarterback. So he has to have enough quarterback knowledge to get you out of a game.

3. Gailey confirmed that the team will still use plenty of Wildcat offense with Smith at the helm.

4. Vince Young and Tyler Thigpen are battling for the backup job. With Smith's spot as the No. 3 quarterback secure, it doesn't take a genius to realize that the loser of the Thigpen/Young will be out of a job.

This is Young's last, best chance to make an impact as a pro. We like his chances.

 

[Faust]

TE Chandler's strong offseason continues

June 19, 2012 8:03 p.m. - by Mark Ludwiczak

TE Scott Chandler's strong offseason continued Tuesday at the start of mandatory minicamp. Chandler had two highlight-reel grabs -- including one over leaping LB Kirk Morrison -- and has been a frequent target in the passing game. Chandler is expected to remain a major part of the offense in 2012.

 

[Yenrub]

It's really a big "if" with the history of some of the players, but I thinl Buffalo's defense could have a HUGE year this year.

I think the Bills are going to be a nice sleeper defense this year. Outside of Brady and maybe Schaub they don't face a QB that scares anyone and that could lead to plenty of turnovers

 

[Faust]

Vince Young reportedly in lead for Bills' No. 2 job

By Gregg Rosenthal

Around The League editor

Brad Smith is slated to be the Bills' No. 3 quarterback this year, which means Vince Young and Tyler Thigpen are battling for the team's backup spot behind starter Ryan Fitzpatrick.

It's early, but Young looks like he's currently the slight favorite, according a Wednesday report from Tim Graham of the Buffalo News. It sounds like neither player, however, is playing very well at this week's minicamp.

Graham said both players have looked "mediocre at best" in offseason practices and "lousy at times."

In short: Ryan Fitzpatrick shouldn't have to worry yet about anyone taking his job anytime soon.

 

[GroveDiesel]

From what I've been reading, Donald Jones has looked pretty good so far. That's great news. The guy is still pretty young and he was looking decent last year before the high ankle sprains.

IMO, more important than who the #2 is though, is how everyone progresses as a whole. The Bills simply aren't going to have a Randy Moss+Wes Welker combo. But if Stevie can be a legit #1, and the Bills have 3-4 other guys that can play different roles well, then that's good enough. If Jones and Graham can stretch the field vertically and Nelson+Chandler can work underneath and the middle, the offense can be very good.

 

[Faust]

Marcell Dareus ready to be a star for Buffalo Bills

By Gregg Rosenthal

Around The League editor

As we count down the days to training camp, Around the League will examine one player from every team set for a breakout campaign in 2012. We did the New York Jets first. Next up: The Buffalo Bills

Marcell Dareus is set to be a star

Bills defensive tackle Marcell Dareus wasn't ever especially likely to make big noise as a rookie like Cincinnati Bengals receiver A.J. Green. Dareus plays a position (defensive tackle) that takes time to learn. Furthermore, many of his duties in Buffalo last year had to do with occupying blockers. That doesn't garner much attention, even though he recorded a respectable 5.5 sacks.

After a slow start, Dareus proved that he's going to be a keeper. ProFootballFocus ranked Dareus the No. 12 defensive tackle in the entire league last year. His best four games came in Weeks 6, 8, 14 and 16. He excelled as a pass rusher, ranking fifth according to ProFootballFocus' pass-rush metrics. Watching Dareus on tape, his combination of size, power and agility is remarkable. There's a reason NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock ranked him as the best player in last year's draft.

Everything this offseason points to a monster season in 2012 for Dareus:

• He will get a full offseason to work on his game and a season of experience, during which he learned how to be a pro.

• The Bills changed defensive schemes this offseason, and there will be more four-man fronts. Dareus won't have to occupy blockers as much this year.

• The players around Dareus have vastly improved. Kyle Williams is back at defensive tackle, while Mario Williams and Mark Anderson are on the outside.

Defenses are often going to have to single-block Dareus. After watching him toward the end of 2011, he is not a player you want to single-block.

Don't be shocked if Dareus -- and not Kyle or Mario Williams -- winds up leading Buffalo's impressive defensive line.

 

[GroveDiesel]

One of the reasons I see Fred Jackson continuing his dominance despite his age, is that he has relatively low mileage on him for a RB his age and he doesn't take a whole lot of big hits. I don't think that 95% of fans around the league realize just how elusive he is.

PFF ranks him 2nd in the league behind only J-Stew over the last three years in their "elusiveness" rating. And nobody in the league has caused more missed tackles than Jackson over those 3 years. This not only leads to his effectiveness, but also his durability.

www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2012/07/01/three-years-of-the-elusive-rating/comment-page-1/#comment-6325

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

One of the reasons I see Fred Jackson continuing his dominance despite his age, is that he has relatively low mileage on him for a RB his age...

That's a bit of a misconception. He did play two years indoors, and one year in NFL Europe between college and the NFL.

 

[GroveDiesel]

One of the reasons I see Fred Jackson continuing his dominance despite his age, is that he has relatively low mileage on him for a RB his age...

That's a bit of a misconception. He did play two years indoors, and one year in NFL Europe between college and the NFL.

Sure, but they play less games, have less offseason work, and play against inferior competition. So while he didn't have zero miles during that time, it was much much less than NFL RBs had during that time.

 

[Grigs Allmoon]

One of the reasons I see Fred Jackson continuing his dominance despite his age, is that he has relatively low mileage on him for a RB his age...

That's a bit of a misconception. He did play two years indoors, and one year in NFL Europe between college and the NFL.

Sure, but they play less games, have less offseason work, and play against inferior competition. So while he didn't have zero miles during that time, it was much much less than NFL RBs had during that time.

I would agree it was 'less.' I definitely wouldn't say it was 'much much less.'

 

[Faust]

Ryan Fitzpatrick's contract looms big for Buffalo Bills

By Brian McIntyre

Around the League writer

"Around the League" is taking a look at each team's salary-cap situation heading into training camp. Next up: The Buffalo Bills.

Adjusted Cap Number: $134.519 million

Cap Room Remaining: $7.382 million

Best bargain: Jairus Byrd. The No. 42 pick in the 2009 NFL Draft, Byrd made an instant impact in the Bills secondary, and the NFL, when he tied for a league leading nine interceptions and made the Pro Bowl. An impressive total considering he only started 11 games and finished the season on injured reserve. In the two seasons since, Byrd has just four interceptions, two he returned for touchdowns, with two sacks and six forced fumbles. Byrd showed last season that he could stay on the field, playing in a career-high 98.65 percent of the team's defensive snaps. (His previous high was in 2010 with just over 80 percent of the snaps)

In the old collective bargaining agreement, second-round picks did not receive base salary escalators for the fourth and final season of their rookie contracts. So Byrd is slated to play out this season for the league minimum base salary of $615,000 along with a $25,000 workout bonus.

Potential cap casualty: 10 Bills have cap numbers in excess of $4 million. Due to the team's conversion back to a 4-3 defense, seven of those players are defensive linemen, including projected backups Shawne Merriman ($5.75M), Dwan Edwards ($4.475M) and Spencer Johnson ($4M). Merriman's $4 million base salary is partially guaranteed ($3 million, for skill and cap, which could keep him safe), but Edwards and Johnson could find themselves on the free agent market before the start of the season if some of the younger defensive linemen step up in the preseason.

Contract issue looming in 2013: Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Bills signed Fitzpatrick to a six-year, $59 million extension last October. By the end of the 2012 season, $21 million of that will have been paid out. If Fitzpatrick has another season in which his interception total nearly matches his touchdown total, and his passer rating is once again in the 80.0 range, the Bills will have to make a decision on his contract -- which includes a $3 million roster bonus (partially guaranteed, for injury only) that comes due on the second day of the 2013 league year and has cap numbers that will swell from $6 million this season to $10.4 million or higher from 2013 through 2015.

 

[Faust]

Fred Jackson, C.J. Spiller could split Buffalo Bills carries

By Marc Sessler

Writer

The Buffalo Bills have an enviable problem on their hands: two talented running backs, one football.

Before Fred Jackson fractured his fibula in November, the fifth-year back produced six 100-yard games and 31 of the Bills' 60 big plays on offense. With Jackson sidelined, the Bills weren't the same team, but C.J. Spiller bloomed, with five touchdowns over the final five games.

The Bills are committed to getting both backs on the field this season.

"I can promise you this, we will not make everybody happy," coach Chan Gailey told the Buffalo Bills' official website. "That will not happen this year. The only thing that will make everybody happy is winning. That's what the goal is, to come up with plans that incorporate everybody's abilities that allow us to win. Other than that, I can't predict what's going to happen as far as percentages for their touches."

It's a trend we're seeing across the NFL, with the featured-back role vanishing in favor of a committee of specialized runners. The Bills were at their best when Jackson was used heavily last season, but Spiller was drafted for his versatility, which was on display late in the season.

Having too many weapons hasn't been a problem for the Bills in recent years. We believe they'll figure this one out.

 

[Faust]

Buffalo Bills' tickets in Toronto reduced 35 percent

By Dan Hanzus

Writer

If you're a Buffalo Bills fan unsure about crossing the border to see the team's Week 15 game in Toronto this season, your decision just got a little easier.

The Buffalo News reported Tuesday that Bills season-ticket holders have been informed via email that the average ticket price for the Dec. 16 game against the Seattle Seahawks has been reduced 35 percent compared to previous years.

The price slash has been attributed to a combination of high ticket prices and the team's struggles to field a winner in recent years. The Bills and Rogers Media are heading into the final year of a five-year deal that exports eight games -- three preseason and five regular-season -- for $78 million.

The Bills have made out like bandits here. They collect every cent even if Rogers Centre resembles a ghost town at kickoff. The NFL recently approved an extension taking the partnership through 2017. Lower admission costs were part of the new deal.

In general, the Bills' games in Toronto have been an underwhelming affair. According to the Buffalo News, tickets have "been given away by the stack" in past years, which makes one wonder why Rogers Media wants to stay in business with the Bills.

The answer is that Rogers Media wants to stay in business with the massively popular NFL. They're not willing to give up on their investment just yet.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

awesome breakdown of the Bills RBs from Bucky Brooks at NFL.com: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d82a8271a/article/bills-blueprint-for-fred-jackson-and-cj-spiller-in-2012?module=HP11_writer_experts

Conclusion

Gailey's decision to diversify the offensive workload has been met with skepticism, but I believe the Bills are more difficult to defend with both Jackson and Spiller playing key roles. If Gailey can work out the logistics to make sure both receive enough touches to make an impact, Buffalo's offense could become one of the league's most difficult to defend in 2012.

 

[Faust]

Chan Gailey says Buffalo Bills deeper than ever

By Marc Sessler

Writer

Chan Gailey wasn't an exciting hire on paper. The Buffalo Bills could have pursued a flashier name, but they went after a coach with a track record for tutoring quarterbacks and playing dynamic offense.

We saw flashes of that last season. Behind quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, the offense posted 31.3 points per game over the first six weeks. That included a stunning win over the New England Patriots.

It didn't last. Buffalo crumbled down the stretch, suffering key injuries on both sides of the ball. Depth was an issue as the team lost nine of its last 11, but Gailey says this year's roster is his deepest yet.

"Not even close," Gailey told The Buffalo News, comparing his roster to the 2010 squad. "(General manager) Buddy (Nix) and I laugh from time to time. It's a good laugh.

"We were trying to find 53 players that we thought could help us win that first year. This year we may have to let some good football players go that we wouldn't even have thought about (releasing) two years ago."

The Bills are better on paper, but we still have questions about Fitzpatrick after his plane-crash finish to 2011. He's healthy again, and there's a lot of excitement bubbling up in Buffalo -- and the defensive line alone is reason for that -- but with 10 wins in two seasons, the Gailey-Nix Project is on the hook to produce a winner in 2012.

 

[Faust]

Vince Young, Tyler Thigpen battle for Bills' backup job

By Marc Sessler

Writer

Training camp is right around the corner, meaning we can finally witness some of these quarterback competitions we've been prattling on about for months.

One under-the-radar battle is about to take place in Buffalo, where Vince Young and Tyler Thigpen will fight for the Bills' No. 2 spot behind Ryan Fitzpatrick.

"I think it's going to be a good competition," coach Chan Gailey told the team's official site. "Tyler has the advantage of being here and being in the system. Vince has the advantage of playing in games and the experience. Vince has more experience than Tyler. Tyler has more experience in this offense than Vince. So there's a trade-off there. It depends on who ends up doing the best job during the course of the entire preseason."

Young was "inconsistent" during offseason practices, according to the site, but allowed his athleticism to take over (something Gailey values and knows how to coach). Thigpen was slowed by an abdominal injury during organized team activities and minicamp, but returned to take a decent amount of snaps. Basically, nothing has been decided.

The problem for both quarterbacks is Brad Smith, who will operate Buffalo's Wildcat package, and has worked primarily as the team's No. 3 passer. His job is safe.

Thigpen and Young are in a game of musical chairs. One seat remains in Buffalo. It's hard to fathom Gailey letting Young walk, but Thigpen has been a survivor in the NFL. One of these players will be looking for work elsewhere.

 

[Faust]

Bills rookie WR Graham draws comparison to teammate

Posted July 22, 2012 @ 2:35 p.m. ET

By Kevin Fishbain

One of the top competitions at Bills training camp will be for the No. 2 WR spot, with several candidates for the opening on the outside opposite Stevie Johnson. Donald Jones appears to be the leader entering training camp, with Marcus Easley being a wild card, as he has yet to play in an NFL game. Veteran Derek Hagan is another challenger. Third-round rookie T.J. Graham is not one of the front-runners, but he should factor into the receiver rotation as a stretch-the-field option. A track star in college, Graham gained 16.5 yards per catch at North Carolina State last season, and has drawn some comparisons to Johnson. “He has natural instincts when he catches a hitch or a slant. His abilities are similar to mine,” Johnson told PFW. “He can be a big threat.” Graham opened some eyes in OTAs and minicamp, and Johnson said QB Ryan Fitzpatrick also noticed the similarity between the two wideouts when watching film.

 

[flysack]

I just came from the Bills training camp at St. John Fisher College. A couple observations from the 7 on 7s -

Fitz has a clear repertoire with Steve Johnson and David Nelson. Both of them caught everything thrown their way. Johnson is really fast, smoking everyone who tried to cover him, while Nelson was incredibly good at using his body to catch balls with defenders draped all over him. Both looked in midseason form.

#80 Derek Hagan was a disaster. He dropped balls thrown squarely between the 8 and 0. He couldn't break coverage at all - the only INT I saw came from a DB covering him. It was a well thrown ball, the DB just saw the ball before Hagan did. I know he's a veteran, but I wouldn't be surprised if he was cut before the season. The guy is garbage.

ETA: another guy who looked good was #82 Ruvell Martin, another veteran who's bounced around the league, breaking in with GB. I've never heard of him before, but he looked really good in the 7 on 7s, getting separation from DBs (including Gilmore) and hauling in a couple spectacular sideline bombs. I'd keep an eye on him during preseason, with the #2 WR spot open.

 

[GroveDiesel]

Been hearing a lot of stuff about Aaron Williams getting toasted quite a bit so far. That's not good. Sounds like that #2 CB spot is still up for grabs.

Still wish McKelvin could get healthy and figure out how to play the ball. He's great at sticking with guys, he just can't then use his positioning to knock balls down.

 

[QB Bills]

Took a trip to training camp last week. A few observations:

The good:

-Dareus is absolutely unblockable. Expecting a huge jump in his sophomore season.

-Gilmore looks good as advertised. Good size, fluid, fast. He stuck with everyone he covered.

-Fitz looked accurate and confident. He fired the ball into some tight windows and displayed good touch as well.

-CJ Spiller added some serious muscle but looks fast as ever.

-TJ Graham stood out. Not sure what role he will play in his rookie season but I like the long-term outlook.

The bad:

-Thigpen and Young looked equally bad. Struggled to make reads and very inaccurate. Young does still have a cannon, though.

-Aaron Williams was getting beat all over the place. David Clowney even embarrassed him on a deep ball.

-McGee is not ready for the season. I would not be surprised if he is cut.

-Glenn and Hairston rotated at left tackle. Not saying either was noticeably bad, but they need to make a decision on a starter soon. Both will need a lot of preseason work.

 

[Faust]

Vince Young, Tyler Thigpen battle for Bills backup

By Marc Sessler

Writer

Trust us: Somebody is going win the backup quarterback job for the Buffalo Bills. Days into camp, however, this race is off to a troubling start.

Contestant No. 1, Vince Young, has struggled to grasp coach Chan Gailey's shotgun-heavy spread offense.

Contestant No. 2, Tyler Thigpen, has been a wild card, failing to hit targets in practice despite his familiarity with the scheme.

Nobody is breathing down Ryan Fitzpatrick's neck, with The Buffalo News hinting the job won't be decided until late in the preseason.

"They both have not done anything to distance themselves from the other," Gailey told The Buffalo News on Tuesday. "Both -- some things are good one day and some things are bad one day. We just have to keep letting them play. They've got to get a feel of the speed of the game with pads, feeling the pass rush around them, doing the little things they do best."

No surprises here. We're days into camp and we expected this one to start slow. We've questioned before if Young even will make this team, but it's a stark reality both men face. Whoever loses this competition could be looking for work, with Brad Smith penciled in as the team's No. 3 passer and Wildcard specialist.

Somebody will walk. That alone makes this one of training camp's more intriguing competitions.

 

[Steve Tasker]

I am getting really amped up for the season, but I have to say, I'm pretty worried about all of the hype that the team is getting from the national media. I can't help but be worried about a letdown .

Good news from camp today, Dareus looked "completely unblockable" in the 1v1 drills, per local radio.

 

[GroveDiesel]

The Ralph Wilson Jr. Pro Football Research and Preservation Center was dedicated yesterday. It is a $2.5M expansion to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH funded by Ralph Wilson Jr.

So tired of people who call Wilson cheap or say he's senile. He's been a fantastic owner and always wants what's best for the game of football, even if that's not always in his personal interest.

Here's a link that includes the text from Mr. Wilson's speech yesterday: http://blogs.buffalonews.com/press-coverage/2012/08/ralph-wilson-makes-hall-of-fame-appearance.html

(and if you're a Bills fan and not reading Tim Graham's Press Coverage blog, you should be)

 

[GroveDiesel]

I am getting really amped up for the season, but I have to say, I'm pretty worried about all of the hype that the team is getting from the national media. I can't help but be worried about a letdown .Good news from camp today, Dareus looked "completely unblockable" in the 1v1 drills, per local radio.

I know. Us Bills fans have been kicked in the balls so many times you just don't want to get your hopes up. But it's hard not to with this group. Especially since they're so likable and connect with the fans so much too. #billsmafiaAnd yeah, I have a feeling Dareus is headed for a HUGE year. This d-line could be really really special. To think that one of Mario/Meatball/Dareus/Anderson will always be against single blocking is crazy. And most likely 2 of them. The only minor concern I have about the line is that I really haven't heard a whole lot about Kyle Williams. Makes me wonder if his age and the foot injury last year has reduced him from special to just a good player.

 

[GroveDiesel]

~5 minutes until the first game action for the 2012 season!

 

[Obie Wan]

The Ralph Wilson Jr. Pro Football Research and Preservation Center was dedicated yesterday. It is a $2.5M expansion to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, OH funded by Ralph Wilson Jr.

So tired of people who call Wilson cheap or say he's senile. He's been a fantastic owner and always wants what's best for the game of football, even if that's not always in his personal interest.

Here's a link that includes the text from Mr. Wilson's speech yesterday: http://blogs.buffalonews.com/press-coverage/2012/08/ralph-wilson-makes-hall-of-fame-appearance.html

(and if you're a Bills fan and not reading Tim Graham's Press Coverage blog, you should be)

good to see Ralph has the team locked into a lockterm lease in Buffalo where the Bills are footing the bill for substantial improvements

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

anyone watching this through NFL Preseason Live app?

Trying to watch on my ipad but it's super choppy and nearly unwatchable with all the interruptions.