Stroud one of three Bills starters out for Sunday

by Brian Galliford on Nov 20, 2009 1:54 PM EST in News Comment 49 comments

The Buffalo Bills, led by interim head coach Perry Fewell, will be looking for a win in Jacksonville without the services of three key starters.

Marcus Stroud did not practice all week with a knee injury and has been ruled out, according to BuffaloBills.com. This could potentially leave the Bills with just two healthy defensive tackles on Sunday. Also ruled out were tackle Demetrius Bell (knee), linebacker Keith Ellison (thigh) and cornerback Ashton Youboty (ankle).

Stroud's absence is of critical importance. The Bills have the NFL's worst run defense, and they're about to take on the NFL's fifth-leading rusher in Maurice Jones-Drew without their most proven run defender. Exacerbating that issue is the fact that fellow defensive tackle Kyle Williams is on the injury report as well, listed as questionable with a knee injury that has caused him to miss Buffalo's last two games.

Spencer Johnson will start in Stroud's place, and if Williams can't go, John McCargo will make his first start of the season as well. Converted safety Bryan Scott will make a second straight start at outside linebacker in place of Ellison. Rookie guard Andy Levitre will flip out to left tackle in place of Bell, with veteran Seth McKinney getting the nod in Levitre's left guard spot.

Joining Williams as questionable for Sunday are receiver James Hardy (groin), cornerback Terrence McGee (knee) and rookie free safety Jairus Byrd (groin). McGee and Byrd were both limited in practice on Friday. With Donte Whitner returning to the lineup (he's not listed on the injury report and practiced all week), George Wilson would start at safety if Byrd can't go. If McGee cannot play, the Bills will dress just three healthy cornerbacks in Jacksonville (Drayton Florence, Reggie Corner and Ellis Lankster).

Meanwhile, Jacksonville will be missing one key defensive starter (cornerback Rashean Mathis) and is likely to be without another (middle linebacker Justin Durant is doubtful).

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Ellison

is not a key starter and we are better off without him playing. I would like to see Nic Harris get some PT. Why don’t the coaches use this guy more. He has potential and if he is going to play for us in the future he needs to see the field.

by csc06258 on Nov 20, 2009 1:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

You are going on a myth here. Ellison has been one of the most effective guys on defense all year. Fans seem to be very down on him, but they are 100% wrong. He is not headed to the Pro Bowl any time soon, but he has been doing a solid job.

Nic Harris has a lot of promise and I hope he gets some playing time, but he is still very raw (and is also still in process of converting from SS to LB). Bryan Scott would be more effective at SS, but in their desperate condition thanks to all the injuries it looks like the Bills will have no choice but to start him at OLB to take advantage of his veteran savvy.

by Macktruck on Nov 20, 2009 2:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ellision is awful man. Next time he plays, focus on him for a couple plays and you will see what I mean. I don’t think its far fetched to say we would lose anything by starting Nic Harris/Scott over him. I find the game to be like watching a comedy when watching Ellision try to play. If there was a stat on who gets run over the most, its ellision; also if there were a stat on who over pursuits on plays the most, its Ellison. Rewind to the Jets game, a couple of those huge runs (I can’t specifically remember all the big runs that game) were Ellisions fault. He finds himself out of place on a lot of plays. I want to see Nic Harris play, he is the future olb of this team.

by csc06258 on Nov 20, 2009 3:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I have watched Ellison this year and I didn’t see the same things you apparently did. To my eye he looked like a player who knew where to be on the field and usually made the play when he got there. That wasn’t always true in the past, but this year he has looked solid. A lot of players were responsible for missing tackles on big runs against the Jets, not just Ellison.

by Macktruck on Nov 20, 2009 3:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t think its far fetched to say we would lose anything by starting Nic Harrisover him.

Based on what? His special teams tackling abilities? He has done zippo at the NFL level.

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell

by MattRichWarren on Nov 20, 2009 9:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ellison's been in the league for four years

He became a starter last year due to the injuries that occurred at that position. He started this year because no other Linebacker wanted to join the bills or he beat out any competition that was brought in. His play this year was well above average, especially for a linebacker that was only supposed to be on the field for 30% of the plays. To say he stinks and that we are better off without him just shows the lack of credible insight that is brought to the discussion about his contributions to this team.

Excuses are a sign of weakness!!!!!!

by VanScottM on Nov 20, 2009 11:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

How long until Lynch and Jackson are playing LB for this team?

What about Hang as a DT?

Give me a break here……….

Pass the chocolate cake!

by norcaliangelsfan on Nov 20, 2009 2:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Oh god I think with these injuries this is the worse I have seen the Bills D look in a long time…
Think about it, if McGee doesn’t go then our three CB would be 2 who were supposed to be playing only nickel and a 7th rnd pick rookie.
At LB there would be a converted safety, Poz, and a vet that should be reserve only.
For Dline we have a healthy rotation at DE with possibly two back up DT as starters and no one as reserve! WOW
I am sure they would use Denney as a backup DT if Williams can’t go

I was born in Buffalo, and NO, it's not a suburb of New York City

by Ghetts on Nov 20, 2009 2:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Last week, Buffalo played Tennessee with four opening-day starters defensively in their normal positions: Kelsay, Schobel, Stroud and Posluszny.

In Jacksonville, we’re looking at Kelsay, Schobel, Williams (if we’re lucky), Posluszny, Whitner and McGee (if we’re lucky). So we’re actually getting healthier.

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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Nov 20, 2009 2:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Say what you will about Kelsay, but the guy’s been a pretty good picture of health for this team.

Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.

by TheAfghanTwilight on Nov 20, 2009 2:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah "he must work out"

Pass the chocolate cake!

by norcaliangelsfan on Nov 20, 2009 2:52 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh he most definitely works out. His arms are huge. It’s too bad it takes more than big arms to be a stud DE.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Nov 20, 2009 3:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh well

Its not like Stroud has been a difference maker this year. This D was going to get run over with or without him as it was. It would be nice to see Williams back on the field though.

Get healthy Byrd! You’re the only guy worth watching anymore.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Nov 20, 2009 2:10 PM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Get healthy Byrd! You’re the only guy worth watching anymore.

don’t forget Brian Moorman!

Never put salt in your eyes

by J2 on Nov 20, 2009 2:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Brian Moorman? Punt Returns? Anyone?

by neverbeentobuffalo on Nov 20, 2009 5:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh well Its not like Stroud has been a difference maker this year.

Typical K. :-) He’s better than McCargo, Johnson with NOBODY backing them up….

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell

by MattRichWarren on Nov 20, 2009 9:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

With all the injuries the Bills have had on defense....Fat Albert couldn't make a difference

That said, Matt, you are correct. Stroud was our best DT :-(

"Are the Bills better than we think, or do they just suck the life out of most teams they play and drag them down to their level? - oompaloompa

by Joe P. on Nov 20, 2009 9:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Of course he is

But that’s not saying much. He hasn’t been disruptive at all.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Nov 20, 2009 11:11 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

It's going to be an ugly week for our run defense

Never put salt in your eyes

by J2 on Nov 20, 2009 2:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

thats the way its been all year.

Pass the chocolate cake!

by norcaliangelsfan on Nov 20, 2009 2:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

How does Hardy hurt his groin after missing so much time?

Well in reality, it’ more likely to happen to him now. He’s not in game shape. But still – what’s up with this guy? Youboty Redeux?

Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.

by TheAfghanTwilight on Nov 20, 2009 2:52 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The easiest thing to do

is list the whole team as “questionable”

by fansince60 on Nov 20, 2009 2:56 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Easiest and truest

Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.

by WhyBillsWhy on Nov 20, 2009 3:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You’re dead on. He hasn’t run full speed for almost a year. A lot of guys pull up with hammy or groin injuries in camp. Same reason.

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell

by MattRichWarren on Nov 20, 2009 9:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This just gives me more reason to think the new regime will use Fitzpatrick’s experience (remember, he is a veteran) to lead an aerial assault.

Bills win in a nail biter 53-48 (as Jones-Drew runs wild of course) but Fitzpatrick goes for about 430 and 6 tds.

This is what I envision when reading the injury report

by kilowatt44 on Nov 20, 2009 3:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

430 and 6 TDs?! What, did the Bills sign some former Hogs?

Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.

by TheAfghanTwilight on Nov 20, 2009 3:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

shotgun, spread formation…just picture it now.

i need something…anything to help me through…this is all i got.

by kilowatt44 on Nov 20, 2009 3:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah you need something alright....

a reality check my friend lol.

And maybe some downers.

Pass the chocolate cake!

by norcaliangelsfan on Nov 20, 2009 3:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I like kilowatt’s spirit. But I think Perry Fewell is going to insist on emphasizing he ground game. His strategy is going to be to put the ball in the hands of Freddie and Marshawn and rely on Fitz as little as possible (though he will likely go deep when we do pass and take advantage of the Jags’ injuries in the secondary). The whole idea will be to control the clock and keep our badly injured defense off the field. Don’t know if that’s going to work, but I bet it’s how Fewell is thinking based on his comments.

by Macktruck on Nov 20, 2009 3:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

however, if the line doesn’t block efficiently then i would personally spread them out and go 4-5 wr sets and even put jackson or lynch in the slot (if you only plan to use 4 true wr) and run shallow crossing routes, sluggos for evans and owens.

we haven’t shown that look all year and would at least have the element of surprise. i’m not saying it will work, i’m saying it will be different. i think if we try and run over and over again, this could get ugly and quick.

by kilowatt44 on Nov 20, 2009 3:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If they’re going to run the spread, it should be with Roscoe and Fred.

Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.

by TheAfghanTwilight on Nov 20, 2009 4:23 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

keep in mind 400 of those yards will come from toss to the halfback who are still behind the LoS

by neverbeentobuffalo on Nov 20, 2009 5:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

1 of 3 starters out???

If only Buffalo was only missing 3 starters!

Stroud
Mitchell
Ellison
McKelvin
Possibly Byrd
Possibly McGee
Possibly Williams
Bell
Butler
Schouman

Of course we could make things more challenging, Lisa, but then the stupider students would be in here complaining, furrowing their brows in a vain attempt to understand the situation--Seymour Skinner

by Ron From NM on Nov 20, 2009 3:42 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

As a Jaguars fan I wanna ask you

with so many injured starter players and a head coach change this week; What are your expectations to this game?

Life without knowledge is death in disguise

by Zoltan from Budapest on Nov 20, 2009 4:15 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I’d like to see a rushing TD, no actually just a offensive TD would make me happy.

Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.

by TheAfghanTwilight on Nov 20, 2009 4:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I expect our guys to play hard at the beginning – then possibly fall apart or keep it close.

I certainly don’t see the Bills winning – our defense consists mainly of backups and our QB is a backup and our O-line consists of backups and backups to backups to backups.

Never put salt in your eyes

by J2 on Nov 20, 2009 4:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for both of you for the answer

Life without knowledge is death in disguise

by Zoltan from Budapest on Nov 20, 2009 5:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I'd expect more of the same

The Bills will play hard, though it’s tough at this point to state just who it is that will be suiting up to play. As long as Jacksonville runs the ball 30+ times the Jags should cruise to a comfortable victory. If, on the other hand, the Jags throw the ball then Buffalo has a better chance of keeping the game close until the last 10ish minutes.

by Ron From NM on Nov 20, 2009 5:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We have a pass happy offensive coordinator(Dirk Koetter)

who can obsessed with the pass sometimes; but I hope he will feed MJD; and than he will turn to the pass.

Byt the way Drayton Florence is still playing dreddfull like he played last year when he was in Jville? Because if so; David Garrard will target him all day long.(Just as the Bills will do with Reggie Nelson who was terrible at CB in the 2nd Titans game; when mathis was out-and he will return to tha spot on Sunday-Just to cheer you up with something)

Life without knowledge is death in disguise

by Zoltan from Budapest on Nov 20, 2009 5:21 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually...

I have really liked Florence this year. It seems to me he just plays the receivers more physically and closer than the 10 yard cushion everyone else plays with.

"I lost my mind three months ago when I woke up married to a pineapple, an ugly pineapple... I still love her though."

by Seattlite on Nov 20, 2009 10:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What happened to our weekly chats with the opponent team's blog?

Did I miss it this week?

Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.

by TheAfghanTwilight on Nov 20, 2009 4:26 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2009/11/16/1160120/better-know-the-jacksonville

it got pushed down because there was one or two other noteworthy items happening in Buffalo this week

Never put salt in your eyes

by J2 on Nov 20, 2009 4:44 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I missed a "ask Buffalo Rumbings" section on BigCatCountry

But I totally understand after all the turmoil happened with the HC changes at the team.

Life without knowledge is death in disguise

by Zoltan from Budapest on Nov 20, 2009 5:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

We might need to repost

but It’s practically already Saturday so oh well.

"HULU: An evil plot to destroy the world. Enjoy"
The Flavour of the Day is Turf. - Courtesy of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Keeper of the "That's what she said"

by TheTealDeal on Nov 20, 2009 9:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll go do it now and answer questions tomorrow. Wife is out of town.

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell

by MattRichWarren on Nov 20, 2009 9:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Life without knowledge is death in disguise

by Zoltan from Budapest on Nov 21, 2009 3:22 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Question

Is this the most starters we’ve ever lost in a season? What about the most players on IR?

We gotta get tougher in training camp, too much country club practices.

by telka on Nov 20, 2009 10:56 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Getting tougher in camp would lead to more injuries in camp wouldn’t it? John Clayton says we run about an average training camp as far as toughness.

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
Your daily source for Buffalo Bills information.

by MattRichWarren on Nov 21, 2009 9:17 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

An injury theory

I have a theory that the Bills players are, on average, more prone to injury than are the players of most teams because of who they are, not because of training and conditioning issues. I can think of three things that should increase the risk of injury.

(1) Anatomical structural differences. Some people are more prone to joint and bone injuries than others. Scouting reports on injury history should never be ignored. Injuries are random of course, so players who had one serious injury in college might prove to be solid in the NFL (Thurman Thomas, Willis Magahee) but a history of repeated injury is likely to continue or worsen.

(2) Skill, talent level, not only of an individual player, but of a player’s teammates. Play is inherently chaotic, but the more control a player and teammates around him have, the less likely they are to collapse or collide in weird and dangerous ways. For example, watch the NE line play now in mid-season form, making huge pockets, with throwing lanes, no one falling or even losing control. Compare to a typical Bills pass play. In which case is injury more likely?

(3) The ratio of speed to weight for players behind the lines. We like light, fast players, don’t we?

by Sixteenthback on Nov 21, 2009 10:27 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs