Recapping Buffalo's off-season and projecting depth
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 1:30 PM EDT
in Buffalo Bills News
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PrintFor the most part, the 2009 NFL off-season is over. You'll still see the occasional free agent signing here or there, particularly in the case of rookie prospects that were not drafted in this past weekend's NFL Draft. In the case of the Buffalo Bills, the franchise continuously kicks the tires on any and all available players; we've heard today that with a remaining hole at SAM linebacker, the Bills will kick the tires on Seahawks free agent LB Leroy Hill.
The Bills were surprisingly active both in free agency as well as this past weekend in the Draft. We wanted to provide y'all with a quick recap of Buffalo's off-season to date, including player defections, acquisitions, draft picks, and an updated depth chart. Here's everything that's relevant that has happened in Buffalo this off-season.
Player lost: QB J.P. Losman, TE Robert Royal, OT Jason Peters, OG Derrick Dockery, C Duke Preston, C Melvin Fowler, OG Jason Whittle, LB Angelo Crowell, CB Jabari Greer
Free Agents signed: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, RB Dominic Rhodes, WR Terrell Owens, C Geoff Hangartner, OG Seth McKinney, LB Pat Thomas, CB Drayton Florence
2009 Draft class: TE Shawn Nelson, OG Eric Wood, OG Andy Levitre, DE Aaron Maybin, LB Nic Harris, CB Cary Harris, CB Ellis Lankster, FS Jairus Byrd
As you can see, the Bills let nine players - free agents, players under contract, or traded players alike - walk out of the doors of One Bills Drive for good. Through free agency and the draft, the Bills have added fifteen players - and as previously mentioned, more could be coming.
With the new Bills in the fold officially, it's time to update the depth chart. Please note that this is just a projection - my projection, if you wish - and should not be considered canon from the team's standpoint. It includes every player currently on the roster outside of the reported UDFA signings that have not yet been confirmed by the team; those players will be added once they're official. Agree with the placement? Disagree with some of the slotting? Have your own ideas on the depth to share? That's what the comments section is for. Have at it, folks.
Bold players = free agents
Bold* players = draft picks
| Pos. | STARTER | Backup | Res. | Res. | Res. | Res. |
| WR | Lee Evans | J. Reed | R. Parrish | J. Jenkins | Jefferson | Sam |
| LT | Langston Walker | K. Chambers | J. Scott | |||
| LG | Andy Levitre* | |||||
| C | G. Hangartner | S. McKinney | M. Philip | |||
| RG | Eric Wood* | B. Rodd | ||||
| RT | Brad Butler | D. Bell | C. Denman | |||
| TE | Derek Fine | S. Nelson* | Schouman | J. Stupar | ||
| WR | Terrell Owens | S. Johnson | J. Hardy | F. Huggins | Hawthorne | |
| QB | Trent Edwards | R. Fitzpatrick | G. Hamdan | M. Baker | ||
| RB | Marshawn Lynch | F. Jackson | D. Rhodes | B. Hall | ||
| FB | Corey McIntyre | X. Omon | ||||
| LE | Chris Kelsay | R. Denney | C. Ellis | |||
| DT | Marcus Stroud | J. McCargo | C. Mace | |||
| DT | Kyle Williams | S. Johnson | M. Smith | |||
| RE | Aaron Schobel | A. Maybin* | C. Bryan | |||
| SLB | Keith Ellison | A. Bowen | N. Harris* | J. Corto | ||
| MLB | Paul Posluszny | J. DiGiorgio | P. Thomas | |||
| WLB | Kawika Mitchell | B. Costanzo | M. Buggs | V. Hall | ||
| LCB | Terrence McGee | A. Youboty | R. Corner | D. Fox | ||
| SS | Bryan Scott | G. Wilson | J. Wendling | |||
| FS | Donte Whitner | J. Byrd* | K. Simpson | |||
| RCB | Leodis McKelvin | D. Florence | C. Harris* | Lankster* | ||
| K | Rian Lindell | |||||
| P | Brian Moorman | |||||
| LS | Ryan Neill |
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Comments
Now way am I happy until they sit Keith Ellison
Ellison CAN NOT start on this team – we’ve got to plug that hole and I would like to see another DT for depth….
I said Yes, only because they at least “tried” to make some moves to get better. TO, Rhodes, reshuffling the overrated OL, and finally adding a pass rush threat made me happy. I’m not happy about keeping the coaching staff in tact, but there’s only so much that can be done. I hope Ellison isn’t a starter, but it’s looking that way, which would be unfortunate. If we can get Hill, that’d be excellent. Also, I don’t like having the entire starting D returning. They were pretty bad last year and I can only see marginal improvement if we keep that lineup out there often again this year. I also don’t like Walker at LT, but there’s not much the Bills could do once Peters was on his way out.
Why is Omon listed at FB?
~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."
Why is Omon listed at FB?
Well, let’s face it – with 23/22/33 on board, he’s not going to play much at RB, is he? He switched to #44 for some reason, too…
I’m surprised you noticed that before my putting Levitre at left guard and Wood at right guard…
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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Good point
I suppose. Is he big enough though? I know he was listed at 225 last year, but he sure didn’t look like he was anywhere near a FB’s size…
You’re right, I did not notice the two Guards. I don’t think it’s a big deal though. Is there a huge difference between LG and RG? Why did you put them that way?
~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."
Im with you on all of these.
Godspeed Nick - RIP - 1986-2009
by norcaliangelsfan on Apr 27, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions
How was the D "pretty bad" last year?
The pass rush was awful, sure. But how many games did we get blown out? How often was our D saving us or keeping us in a game? More often than not our offense was what kept us from winning…. Dolphins, Jets, Niners, and Pats games come to mind off the top of my head. By the way, if we win those games we go 11-5 and make the playoffs as the AFC East rep. The offense kept us from winning games. The Defense was between 10-16 in most categories.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Apr 28, 2009 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions
We didn’t play that many top offenses last year, so that helped their numbers.
Let’s see, run D still couldn’t stop anyone.
No pass rush
No turnovers
I agree the D did a better job that the O and kept us in the game a few times, but they also have to be more opportunistic in the future.
I thought the D was mediocre at best and we need more out of them this season. We go as the offense goes, but it’s not like the D was out there winning games last year either….
~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."
My only point is that the D wasn't out there losing us games last year either...
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Apr 28, 2009 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions
the last piece
the last part has to be OLB Leroy Hill
Think about how good this defense could be with Hill, Poz, Mitchell as your LB corps. A good secondary, and hopefully with Maybin taking over for Kelsay a solid front 4. Not to mention we should be able to run the ball with a revamped o-line. Please land Hill to solidify the D.
Anybody heard anything about Lynch getting his appeal reduced? I know Brandon Marshall got his reduced right before the season. Is that how long we will have to wait to find out if Lynch gets his suspension reduced?
Hill would be awesome
I dont think our front 4 is solid yet. I would like to see a new DT in there.
And if I remember right i asked about when Lynch could appeal his suspension a few weeks ago and was told he had 10 days after the Hall of Fame game to appeal it.
I would like to see a new DT in there.
Really? to do what? Stroud and Williams were excellent last year. With Williams actually being the better of the two. Why would we need a new starting DT? If anything we need a new starting DE.
by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 27, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Aren’t the guards backwards? I thought Wood would be LG?
Also, won’t Maybin be lined up at LE? I can’t see them pulling Schobel on passing downs? Or would they move him to LE and have Maybin at RE?
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Ha! Thanks. Yeah, I flip-flopped the guards purposely based on a hunch – and I think there’s more than a 50% chance I could be wrong on that. :)
Levitre played LEFT tackle in college. He’s spent at least two years on the left side of the line using left-side footwork and techniques. Wood was a right-handed center in college; he’s used to playing with a right-aligned stance, even if he was at the center of the line. We need these two rookies to be as comfortable as possible next year. I’d keep Levitre on the left and Wood on the right to keep them as comfortable as possible – and as their skills are so interchangeable, I don’t think there’d be a negligible difference, particularly that we can measure now.
Plus, Levitre is the better pass blocker. I want the better pass blocker on Langston’s side.
As for Maybin – I put him on the right side simply because Chris Ellis spent last year bulking up to play left end. Ellis is the “left end of the future”, so to speak. The pass rushers play on the right. Maybin will undoubtedly line up at both end positions.
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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Very interesting….you’re the first I’ve read to say that about the guards.
Thanks for explaining the DE roles, think they’ll have Maybin stand up on some downs?
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I think there’s a very good chance Maybin stands up occasionally. Schobel has done it for the past two years on occasion. But that will only be on obvious passing downs.
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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions
oh
he will play standing up, and if they are smart and want to use him on 1st and 2nd downs they will move him around. He can’t just line up on the line of scrimmage every time. I really, really believe the Bills are going to change their defense some this year with more blitzing now that they have the pieces to do it with Maybin, the LB’s and Safeties
MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens
If Maybin work out
The Bills will need to blitz less. A blitz is when you send more than 4 guys across the line of scrimmage. If we get a proper rush from our front 4, we should blitz less. Last year at 30-35% (i don’t remember exactly) of snaps, we actually blitzed quite a bit which makes the cover 2 less effective because it takes a man away from a coverage responsibility. Maybin’s abilities should get our front 4 over the hump and allow us to pressure without blitzing, and in so doing increase the effectiveness and “playmaking” by the LBs and DBs.
Both right
Maybin could pressure the quarterback or stay on simple coverage while a blitz comes from somewhere else.
Character and Intelligence
What I wouldn’t mid seeing is Maybin occasionally Lining up at the SAM behind Kelsey. I think he has the speed and agility to make a good blitzing same on OBVIOUS passing downs.
by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 27, 2009 5:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Any chance of both of them rushing from the same side--at the same time? (Schoebel/Maybin)
The Bills CAN win every game
that gets me strangely aroused
Schoebel must be thrilled with this pick…takes a lot of the heat off him….gives the opposing d another pass rush threat to worry about
by tiimbitz4786 on Apr 27, 2009 9:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Right
What if they both were on one side…what would another team do? They could stunt and do all kinds of craziness…and also, I also think there will be formations where Maybin could be a double rush threat, almost like a hybrid 4-4 where he is like another linebacker, but coming at the opposing team from all over….there is a lot of strategy to be had there…ets hope they don’t squander it
The Bills CAN win every game
We might be able to steal a page from the Cards D and have him play both DE and LB on almost every play, kinda like what they did with Travis Laboy and Bert Berry.
by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 28, 2009 2:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Fun to speculate, isn’t it?
I don’t think there’s a limit on what you may or may not see defensively this year when it comes to blitz packages. Perry Fewell takes a lot of heat, but he’s a pretty creative coordinator. There are exciting possibilities.
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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 10:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh that answers my question above....
~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."
I think your hunch is right though. I think Levitre is better suited to be a LG then Wood is.
by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 27, 2009 5:49 PM EDT up reply actions
The last 2 picks should have been prospects at DT or G to hopefully add some depth there. Obviously late round picks cant be counted on to pan out, but Id like to know they at least tried for positions of need rather than corners that will be cut or maybe get lucky and stay on the practice team
depth at guard...
For two spots we have two rookie starters, Mckinnie, and Chambers who has backed up there before. We have plenty of depth there. How many OL guys do you think are going to make the roster? 5 starters plus McKinnie, Chambers, and Bell is 8. They only had 8 on the roster last year didn’t they?
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Apr 28, 2009 9:42 AM EDT up reply actions
Could the Bills kick the tires on Runyan?
The Bills through the draft and free agent additions have become meaner on the o-line. Since we do not have definite LT would Runyan be a fit for a year to let Butler, Chambers, and Bell progress?
Fat, Drunk, & Stupid is No way to go through life.
Runyan was a RT in Philly and has serious injury concerns. Buffalo won’t touch him.
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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Jones is slipping quickly. VERY quickly. Very much on the downside of his career. There’s a reason Cincy drafted Andre Smith – the Bengals’ line was terrible last year. Jones is also an injury risk.
Get used to it, folks – Walker is starting at left tackle until further notice.
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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions
You think Walker is the best suited to play LT on the roster?
I don’t care if they go with that they have, I just wonder if Walker is too bulky for LT.
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I’m not sure what you mean by “best suited”. If you mean “best suited out of the folks on the roster or currently available”, my answer is yes – by far, but only for now. If you mean “best suited in terms of his skill set”, clearly not.
I mentioned somewhere else that I don’t think you need an elite, Jason Peters-type left tackle to win consistently in the NFL. You just need a competent, smart player that gives you consistent play. As long as it’s consistent, you can find ways to mask the deficiencies. Walker is by far the best choice based on that fact alone.
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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions
Naw…meant best on the roster. If the Bills are going to spend $ anywhere else this offseason, I want it at LB or DT. They can try out Walker and hopefully Bell takes over in 2010.
I just wondered if Butler or Chambers would be a better LT than Walker.
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How long until Walker holds out for more money, especially if he excells at it?
"It's not delivery, it's DiGiorgio!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Apr 27, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
Not sure if that’s sarcasm or not. I’ll take it as not.
Walker is, and will remain, Buffalo’s highest-paid offensive lineman. That should appease him, particularly since he’s the type of athlete with the type of contract that can be cut at any point.
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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Brian, if Walker is not the long-term answer at LT and the only person on the roster at the moment who does have the skill set to occupy that critical position is Bell, why wouldn’t the Bills want to get him on the field as soon as possible at RT to get him ready? You seem to assume that they will move Butler to RT just to make room for Levitre, but Butler has been an excellent G and will likely not make as good a RT as Walker, so that would be a very temporary move. And is Levitre really ready to start, or does he need a year in the conditioning program to build up his strength?
My sense is that everything will depend on Bell. If they believe he is ready to play RT this year they will put him there to hasten his development as their future LT (as Russ Brandon said explicitly would happen last week). If he is not quite ready, I suspect they will plug in Kirk Chambers at RT until he is ready rather than move Butler just for one season. If you doubt this, keep in mind that the Bills had the chance to draft Oher and passed on him . They also passed up a number of other OT’s who were available to them in rounds one and two. The fact that they did that speaks volumes about the confidence they have in Bell. If that’s true, then he is the key figure around whom their o-line plans will evolve.
You seem to assume that they will move Butler to RT just to make room for Levitre, but Butler has been an excellent G and will likely not make as good a RT as Walker, so that would be a very temporary move. And is Levitre really ready to start, or does he need a year in the conditioning program to build up his strength?
My thought process is this: Buffalo will put the best line it can field out at Gillette come September 14. The center of the debate really centers in on which player has the ability to start quicker: Demetrius Bell or Andy Levitre. I view Levitre as an instant starter. I don’t think Bell’s there yet.
This line isn’t set in stone, by the way – I just think it’s the most probable outcome. There will be a boatload of competition there in mini-camps and probably very early in training camp. But they need to pick a line and go with it, and considering they moved up to take Levitre, I’m betting he’ll start over Bell. For now.
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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Don’t forget, Butler is pretty injury prone. if he gets hurt, Bell could be out there fairly quickly, as long as he proves he is better then Chambers.
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
Ain't that the truth.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Apr 28, 2009 9:44 AM EDT up reply actions
just a matter of time before Bell takes over one of the two starting spots. Butler’s when he’s injured and Walker’s after Butler comes back. Let’s hope Bell is as good as they say he is.
by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 28, 2009 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
Bian, that does make sense if one assumes (as you do) that Levitre is more ready to start than Bell. My assumption is the opposite. Bell has spent a year in the conditioning program and has reportedly gained 20 lbs., bringing him up to 325-330. He has also been practicing with the team, has by all reports made a great deal of progress, and knows the offensive system well. He has no actual NFL game experience, but neither has Levitre. Levitre was “an overachiever” in college, and there are real questions as to whether he is NFL-ready at this point, especially in terms of his lower-body strength (which is crucial in being able to anchor).
That’s why my best guess is that we will see Bell out there next fall in Foxboro and not Levitre. As Chris Brown put it in his blog last week (I believe this is a direct quote), “The coaching staff has a high level of confidence in Bell.” Since Brownie is right there in the building and talking with the coaches all the time, that makes me think Bell will be more ready than a rookie whose talent level is somewhat limited. But again I’m just guessing based on very limited evidence. You are absolutely right that everything will depend on what happens during the OTA’s and especially during TC. Indeed, there could be all sorts of surprises this year, so we should all be humble about our speculations, myself included.
Bell has exactly 3 years of experience playing football period. Zero high school and only two years of division 2 football, and 1 year sitting on an NFL bench. I don’t know that Levitre is head and shoulders better, but I don’t think that it is a big stretch to say that he is either.
The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.
But Bell is a significantly better athlete than Levitre. And what really matters is what he can do on the field right now, not whether he played in high school or his first few years of college. In any event we will have a much better handle on where he stands in a couple of months when TC begins and we can watch him in action, both in practice and during preseason games.
Well, Mike Williams is a better athlete than Demetrius Bell…
Bell has an edge because he’s been in the system for a year. But we traded up to draft Levitre for a reason. He’ll start.
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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions
Don’t think that’s true at all about Mike Williams. He is not/was not in the same league in terms of athletic ability as Bell, as you will see in due course. In any event, the Bills have an abundance of talent on the o-line now and will have to make some decisions in the course of TC, where I suspect there is going to be a lot of switching around. I frankly doubt that anyone has a sure grip on a particular starting position at this point, whether he is a veteran or was acquired during FA or if the team made the mistake of trading up to get him.
How can you possibly know this about Demetrius Bell?
He is not/was not in the same league in terms of athletic ability as Bell, as you will see in due course.
Yes Bell is athletically gifted but we have seen absolutely nothing from this kid. I am as hopeful as you are that he will develop but I don’t know if saying he is not in the same league as a top 5 pick is the right statement to make without seeing him, ya know, do anything.
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by MattRichWarren on Apr 28, 2009 9:47 AM EDT up reply actions
Chances of Wood surpassing Hargartner?
Butler, Walker, Hargartner, Wood, Levitre, is already five good lineman….then you have Chambers and Bell….Chambers, to me, was surprisingly good, and Bell looked to have the ability, without the strength/size or experience just yet….
Basically, besides the question, I say we are better with the current O-line, then we were before the draft, and even with Peters, when you have a strong group, why would you want one guy, who is unhappy or perhaps a “me” first guy, making more than double everyone else….I say we are better at the O-line…and I love it
The Bills CAN win every game
I would say slim to none
we just paid Hangartener a boat load to come in and be our center…I’ve heard now from brian and Chris Brown and Buffalo News that Wood will be a guard…
I’d say the only chance of that happening is an injury to hang
by tiimbitz4786 on Apr 27, 2009 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions
and injuries always happen
BUT also, the best five had better be out there Sept 14th and if Harngartener isn’t one of them, he has no business being there, big contract or not
The Bills CAN win every game
No. Hangartner is our starting center. He, Walker and Butler have starting positions locked up, but Hangartner is the only one of the three whose position is already known.
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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Perhaps…best to have as little ?s on the O line as possible going into camp. Hopefully Trent has been taking plenty of snaps from him since he’s been signed
The Bills CAN win every game
by killascript on Apr 28, 2009 12:14 AM EDT up reply actions
If anything, I think Walker will be happier to play LT. I doubt he’d ever hold out just because we put him at LT. He’s always proven to be a team player, doing whatever the coaches ask of him.
by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 27, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Why Levi Jones?
I understand the appeal of obtaining a new LT, but that doesn’t mean that it can be just any LT that on the market. Jones is not an upgrade over Walker IMO. If yyou don’t believe me, just look at all the injuries and concussion problems that Carson Palmer has. We need a LT that will protect Trent’s blind side, not ferther the chances of Trent having an injury. Until we can find a real upgrade to Walker, I’m satisfied with keeping him at LT. And fyi, Jones is not an upgrade.
by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 27, 2009 6:00 PM EDT up reply actions
In a league where few teams don't have warts ...
the Bills should be able to win with this team if Edwards progresses. I think they’ll try to improve at LB and maybe O-line before the season starts, but probably not going to have new impact players. Time to win with these boys. If we can’t, then we’ve got to change the staff. One thing I like about this is that appears that they’ll need fewer positions of need in next years draft. That’s progress.
Is attaining Leroy Hill possible?
Should I be holding my breath?
by TrentEdwardsHoF2018 on Apr 27, 2009 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I wouldn't...
you might pass out by the time anything happens. :-)
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by MattRichWarren on Apr 28, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions
an improvement for sure
Not perfect, but I think overall, the team is better as a whole.
Now if they could add Hill and trade for Tamba Hali, I would be all about this off-season!
John I.
That would be fantastic.
Penn Staters belong at Penn State. The problem with a lot of kids is they just don’t know they are Penn Staters yet.
Noli nothis permittere te terere.
by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Apr 27, 2009 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Hmmm
You didn’t fix the left side of your o-line, we (Pats) didn’t fix our pass rush. Will it cancel eachother out? ;- )
What? A Pats fan on our blog?!?!?! JK
With al seriousness, I think “weakness” on the left side is seriously overhyped. It’s because everyone is comparing Walker to Peters, so of corse Walker looks weaker. But he’s not any weaker then the Cards LT from last year, and he was able to bring them to the SB,so I’m not too worried. Your pass rush wont suffer too much either. I mean didn’t you guys draft McKenzie in the third? if I’m right then you guys should be fine. I’m looking forward to the MNF game we got.
by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 27, 2009 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
Yeah, it was just a jest. Avoiding injuries things should work out on both sides, but it is just one of those spots, where you don’t really know what you have until the season starts.
Agreed on that too. We could both come out great like we could both be desasterous.
by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 28, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Is this a projection for going into training camp or who will win the battles.
If it is a chart for week 1 is there any reason you think Scott will hold onto the SS spot considering the spot a high 2nd round pick on a safety. Also, wouldn’t Harris be first in line to replace Mitchell?
If it is what the depth chart will look like for training camp then I doubt they list Levitre over Chambers at guard. Back when Poz was drafted and everyone knew he would be the starter they still listed Digiorgio for depth purposes. Kind of make the rookies earn it.
Yeah, this is definitely not a training camp depth chart – otherwise, there wouldn’t be any rookies higher than second string.
This is how I believe we’ll line up to open football games, with players like Byrd, Maybin and Nelson seeing significant playing time. We’ll use our top five rookies extensively.
Also, wouldn’t Harris be first in line to replace Mitchell?
Possibly. He’s the first of the rookies who will have to “earn it” for longer than the training camp portion of the lead-in to 2009. That’s the only reason I have Costanzo listed ahead of him – plus I just think Harris is a better fit at SAM.
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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Gotcha. Surprise you still have Parrish on the roster then and as mentioned I’m very surprised you think Scott will win the starting SS spot.
There’s a chance that Parrish might not be around come July. For now, he’s on the roster, so he’s on the depth chart.
I think we’re looking at a safety situation in which they work Byrd in situationally at the outset. Whitner will play every snap. They’ll play Byrd some, they’ll play Scott some. They did this with Ko Simpson and George Wilson last year – they played more than two safeties every game. Even if Scott “starts” or “wins the competition”, as you phrased it, both he and Byrd should play a lot.
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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Philip Hunt
What happened to your guy Hunt, Brian? Is he signed yet? I can’t believe he went undrafted.
Haha – Hunt was K’s guy, not mine. :)
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by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions
He was
until he measured out at 244 and barely over 6 feet tall. I still think he could contribute somewhere as a situational pass rusher or 3-4 OLB, but there ended up being about 20-25 DE prospects I liked more than him in this draft….
~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."
And no, Hunt still hasn't signed anywhere.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on Apr 28, 2009 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions
What I like about this team---depth
a lot less prone to injuries (other than with trent)
last year we had several guys who if they went down we were screwed (i.e. schobel)…this year, we have a lot more interchangeable parts
Earl Weaver had the best line
About depth. “Depth is great until you have to play it.”
We need to stay healthy for a change.
Geronimo
Don't disagree with anything you said...
but it’s nice to have options….not realistic for a team to stay healthy for 16 games
I think other than QB, we’d be able to at least “survive” any type of injury this year…
by tiimbitz4786 on Apr 27, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
Great line and mostly true....unless your depth happens to be Tom Brady :-)
"Get ready for the pain women…the pain train is coming Whooo Whooooo !!!!!" – Terry Tate Office Linebacker
Do not agree with FS and LE
It has been said Maybin can play both positions, LE and RE, hopefully hes good enough to start over the pathetic Chris Kelsay. Also, Hopefully Byrd can play FS and we can keep Donte at Strong. Fs is where you make your so called “big plays” and if thats what they brought in Bryd to do, start him there and keep the “no big play” Whitner at SS.
I agree that having Maybin/Byrd start would be completely ideal. They’ve got to earn it, though.
Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Lee Evans
Maybe I missed something but why wasn’t Lee Evans listed under wide receiver????
Because the Bills like to move their receivers around. Over or under receiver is a meaningless title on our team.
by CanadianBillsFan on Apr 27, 2009 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions
he is.......
WR is the very first line
Godspeed Nick - RIP - 1986-2009
by norcaliangelsfan on Apr 27, 2009 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Brian kinda lined it up like they would be on the field.....
so its all good.
Godspeed Nick - RIP - 1986-2009
by norcaliangelsfan on Apr 27, 2009 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Yep. All 11 of them.
Wait, can we play the A-11 now? Our offense would be Hangartner at C (or maybe Neill), Fine and Nelson next to him, Jackson and Edwards in the backfield, and then Evans, Hardy, and Parrish wide to the left; T.O., Johnson, and Reed wide to the right.
Yeah, I split up WR and CB because, you know, you generally start two of them… :)
Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more
by Brian Galliford on Apr 27, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions
just a gut feeling
I think harris will start at lb and nelson will start a te at the start of season
by BigUgly on Apr 28, 2009 8:29 PM EDT reply actions
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