Why we drafted so many DB's could be ingenious

by dabillsr1 on Apr 27, 2009 10:44 AM EDT

While practically everyone in Bills nation is still scratching their noggins about why the Bills continued to pick DB's in the later rounds of the draft when we already have top players at the position and what seems to be like quality depth, I have a very good opinion of what is happening here...

Yes, most of us either believe that DJ is in love with the position because he played the position once and figures that you can never have enough of them. OR many of us believe we are just wasting the picks on players that will never make the team. OR (like Brian G.) the Bills were using those picks on "Best Player Available" at the time and not based on position of greatest need.

Here is what I think that I am not sure if anyone has considered yet that in fact could be quite ingenious on the part of the Bills...

First, where have the Bills been the strongest at for the better part of the last 4-5 seasons... Special Teams. Who is our Assistant Head Coach and recently voted best special teams coach in the league... Bobby April. When it comes down to final roster cuts each year, the people that make the team are the ones that make the biggest difference on special teams. Finally, what rule change was enacted this year that make BA really worried about the coming season... no more wedge in kick-offs.

SO, we drafted a bunch of "speedy tacklers" who can get up the field and make plays on special teams. In the past, you needed a few bigger "wedge busters" to go in and sacrifice their bodies to open up the holes for the outside guys to come in and make the tackle. Now that rule is gone, my guess is that special teams will look like a bunch of smaller speedy guys flying around to make plays. (Remember we recently extended Justin Jenkins contract as an RFA). Sure if a few of these guys develop into impact players on defense that would be good too or have to play because of injury or something... However, I think April had a key influence on the draft board this year and we'll see if it pays off before any other team catches on...

It's risky because you have to rely on UFA's to fill other spots for positions of need on your roster but might be worth it, particularly when we have to "win now"

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

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Interesting Analysis

I never thought about it that way. I will be curious to see how things shake out to see if you are right. The obvious problem is how many of the limited slots on the 53-man roster will be filled by these guys? I’m sure some of them will get stashed on the practice squad.

I'll donate $1 to help Mary Wilson pay the estate tax...who's with me?!?

by O.J. Is My Bodyguard on Apr 27, 2009 11:41 AM EDT reply actions

I think the particular guys Buffalo drafted supports this theory.
Good tacklers, not that great in man-to-man, good at jamming on the line of scrimage.

by rat on Apr 27, 2009 12:56 PM EDT reply actions

I hope you are right!

by Djlarose on Apr 27, 2009 2:54 PM EDT reply actions

Completely agree. The only chance Lankster has to make this team is to be a special teams stud. I know it’s almost moot with the talent we have at returning kicks, but the kid can fly on kick returns once he gets the ball.

by willgarr15 on Apr 27, 2009 3:14 PM EDT reply actions

That’s a solid angle. Don’t forget about defending the Wildcat, either – Pat White is going to be a tricky out in Miami. You fight speed with speed, and we’ll need guys that can tackle and cover most particularly to defend that defense.

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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 3:37 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, Brian… you defend a defense? C’mon, man…

We’ll need speedy guys to defend that offense.

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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions

by dabillsr1 on Apr 27, 2009 3:50 PM EDT up reply actions

Oh no!

Talking in the 3rd person!!

~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 Apr 27, 2009 3:52 PM EDT up reply actions

Ben is getting too deep in his psychi… RUN!

by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 28, 2009 1:58 AM EDT up reply actions

yea

Miami could be real trouble in that wildcat this year …

by Buffalove83 on Apr 28, 2009 1:33 AM EDT up reply actions

I ain't scurred

If there’s one thing the Bills did well last year, it was shut down the Wildcat.

~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 Apr 28, 2009 2:01 AM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

by willgarr15 on Apr 28, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions

But of course

Pat White wasn’t running it….

I wonder how often the Dolphins are going to put him in at QB a game to run it?

~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 Apr 28, 2009 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

As a WVU alum I know first hand how explosive PW is with the ball. The scary thing now with their wildcat is his ability to throw the ball on the run.

by willgarr15 on Apr 28, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Didn't I read

that the Patriots put 6 DBs on the field on some passing downs last year. Seems like these would be the types. Hard hitting with some ball hawking skills…

by Chazjr on Apr 27, 2009 3:52 PM EDT reply actions

But you can only keep so many at one position. With 5 already on the roster, drafting two doesn’t make any sense. I think they were just hedging their bets and hoping that one of the two can make the roster as the 6th CB. That is what makes the most sense. But I still think that’s a stupid philosphy considering that this team will probably keep 5 safeties and one of those safeties (Byrd) could play CB in a pinch. I threw out this list in another post, but Buffalo pretty much has to keep at least this many players at every position:

2 QB
4 RB/FB
3 TE
5 WR
8 OL
8 DL
6 LB
5 CB
4 S
3 ST

So that is 48 players which only gives Buffalo the ability to add an extra player at 5 positions. Let’s work under the assumption that they will keep Hamdan as a 3rd QB and say that Buffalo can only keep 4 more players. Are these guys really better special teamers than Wendling and Wilson? My guess is no and Buffalo will definitely keep 5 safeties. What are the odds that Buffalo doesn’t keep 6 WRs now that Roscoe survived draft day? We’re down to two spots. Would Buffalo really cut Kelsay, Denney or Ellis? If not than that’s 5 DEs. I guess keeping 3 DTs is a possibility, but it’s riskier than keeping 5 CBs. Buffalo will have Pat Thomas, Nic Harris, Blake Costanzo, Ace Bowen, Marcus Buggs and Jon Corto battling for the 5th and 6th LB spot. Any one of those guys would also be a great fit as a 7th LB who specializes in special teams. Is Buffalo going to keep 4 RBs until Marshawn comes back from suspension? Where could these CBs possibly fit on the roster to contribute on special teams? I think that injuries are the only way that either Harris or Lankster make the team.

by kaisertown on Apr 27, 2009 4:18 PM EDT reply actions

Well I think Omon is gone.

And I think Pat Thomas will be gone along with Buggs and either Corto or Costanzo. Mithcell and Poz start and Ellison, Digi, Bowen, Harris and Corto/Costanzo will be our LB depth.

And you should specifiy which Harris you’re talking about. :-) I got confused.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Apr 28, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Sorry about the Harris thing. Even if Buffalo cuts and keeps the LBs that you mention, it’s still seven. If we assume that Mitchell, Poz, Ellison and DiGi are safe than Buffalo has to keep only two of Harris, Bowen, Thomas, Costanzo, etc… to be able to keep an extra player at a position other than LB.

I think a player or two at deeper positions need to go on IR before the season starts for C. Harris or Lankster to make the team. I wonder if there was a single NFL team that kept 11 defensive backs to open last season.

by kaisertown on Apr 28, 2009 5:26 PM EDT up reply actions

You're probably right about C. Harris and Lankster...

unless they do something on special teams that puts them ahead of Corto and Costanzo.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Apr 29, 2009 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

yup the late rounds of the draft is totally Bobby April.......

great write here. Rec’d

Godspeed Nick - RIP - 1986-2009

by norcaliangelsfan on Apr 27, 2009 5:18 PM EDT reply actions

I hope it's for Special Teams

Terrence McGee is in the last year of his contract. I really hope they are not thinking about letting another starting quality DB and ace returner go, but that seems to be their philosophy. Clements, then Greer – McGee could be next. They seem to think that they can continue to let these guys go once they’re established and want big money in favor of young guys they get on the cheap.

by theblas on Apr 30, 2009 8:40 PM EDT reply actions