State of the Bills Roster: Safeties
by Brian Galliford on May 6, 2009 1:15 PM EDT
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114 comments
Now that the 2009 NFL Draft is in the books and off-season player acquisition will crawl at a snail's pace, Buffalo Rumblings has begun re-examining the Buffalo Bills' revamped roster. We continue off our 'State of the Roster' series this morning with a look at the safety position. Previous installments: QB, OT, DE.
No Buffalo Bills safety has intercepted a pass since Week 14 of the 2007 season, when Donte Whitner picked off a wounded duck from then-Dolphins QB Cleo Lemon in a late-season 38-17 drubbing of Miami.
Let that sink in, folks. The Bills have now played nineteen consecutive games without getting a single game-changing interception from any of their five safeties - a position at which depth has been relatively consistent for the injury-plagued Bills. You were actually surprised when the Bills selected Oregon DB Jairus Byrd this season to provide a boost to the playmaking potential of this group? You probably should not have been.
One can always make the argument that 'no pass rush' automatically equals 'no interceptions', particularly in the case of safeties. And, no interceptions aside, Buffalo does have quality players at this position. But the selection of Byrd serves as a warning to the rest of the players at the position: 'good' and 'consistent' aren't enough. Things need to change. The selection also, however, clouds the team's plans at the position.
STARTER: Donte Whitner
Whitner has had an interesting off-season. Rumors spread quickly at the end of the '08 season and throughout this off-season that the Bills were planning on using Whitner at free safety permanently - rumors he himself helped along. Now, however, the Bills have brought the pick-happy Byrd on board, with that move having two implications: Whitner may not be a lock to play free safety, and the selection is an indictment of his lack of big plays. Whitner is what he is - an extremely versatile player, a fiery competitor and a leader. But he doesn't make plays - and the team needs plays from this position. Whitner looks like he'll be picking up his old role (strong safety, nickel back, rover, whatever you want to call it) in 2009.
Jairus Byrd
Buffalo brought this kid in to make big plays, and he's not going to do that from the bench. He may not "start" - not in name, anyways - but Byrd will play a lot immediately. He'll start by season's end if things go well. Teamed with Whitner, Byrd gives the Bills two safeties that are ideal fits in the Tampa 2 - fast, athletic and able to move down and cover receivers in the slot. If Byrd can contribute right away, this highly average position turns into a team strength for Buffalo.
STARTER: Bryan Scott
It's difficult for a player to be under-appreciated and over-appreciated simultaneously, but Scott is in that territory. Like most of his running mates at the position, Scott doesn't deliver big plays on a routine basis. He's not a great safety; like Whitner, he's a heady, steady performer. He's a bit overrated, if you're asking me - I don't think he's starting safety material at the NFL level. But he can be an excellent asset playing the right role, and it appears he's destined for said role this season. Scott's a hard hitter and a superb tackler, and he acts as an extra linebacker on multi-wide receiver running plays. He also has the size that Whitner and Byrd lack in matching up with tight ends. There are skills and measurables he possesses that the other safeties simply don't bring to the table. In that role, his value to Buffalo skyrockets.
George Wilson
A special teams captain, Wilson is versatile - able to play both safety spots relatively well - and the converted receiver possesses solid ball skills as well. Wilson's role is defined - special teams ace and valuable reserve safety. He's a virtual lock to make the team, and he's a good player to have around.
Ko Simpson
Though he may be worth millions, that luxury may not last much longer for Ko. Entering his fourth season in the league, Simpson has weathered an up-and-down start to his career - he was a starter for the bulk of his rookie season, missed all of 2007 with an ankle injury, and saw Scott take his starting role on a permanent basis last year. He's not a great athlete and a poor fit in this defensive scheme. Particularly if Byrd has a strong pre-season - but perhaps even if the rookie doesn't - Simpson is a strong candidate to get a pink slip before the September 14 opener.
John Wendling
Buffalo kept five safeties last season for the sole purpose of keeping Wendling on the team. He's one of only a handful of players that participates on every special teams unit. He's a favorite of coordinator Bobby April. He's just as strong of a lock to make this team as Whitner, Byrd and Scott are.
Contract situations: Outside of Byrd - who will likely sign a four-year deal at some point - all of these guys have expiring contracts within the next two seasons. Wilson and Simpson are in the final years of their respective deals. Whitner, Scott and Wendling are free agents after the 2010 season. From this angle, drafting Byrd was a smart move as well.
Bottom Line
I was not a fan of this position prior to the draft. I consider this position the strength of the defense with Byrd on board - even before he's played an NFL down. Whitner's a good player that can match up well in virtually any situation. Byrd will be the same type of player, sacrificing some of Whitner's athleticism for legitimate playmaking skills. Scott is a great situational defender that is excellent against the run and can match up with tight ends thanks to his size. Wilson and Wendling are solid reserves that can help the team in other ways. This position is all set - keeping five seems likely - and if Byrd develops well and the team's pass rush improves even incrementally, we may see the overall production of this group increase as well.
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Hahahahaha
I was not a fan of this position prior to the draft. I consider this position the strength of the defense with Byrd on board
That is a bit over the top. How is Byrd going to help Whitner be a better tackler?
It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs fly - Sure enough 100 days in Obama's presidency - swine flu
by Joe P. on May 6, 2009 1:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The “Whitner can’t tackle” stuff is completely overblown, in my opinion. He’s a good tackler. I don’t know where that idea came from.
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by Brian Galliford on May 6, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm with you Brian
I’m pretty sure that’s the one thing Whitner can do. He fails to make plays in the passing games and chooses to lay big hits instead of making a play on an interception. But his tackling has always been top-notch for a safety in my mind…
by willgarr15 on May 6, 2009 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, I wouldn’t call him a “top-notch” tackler, either. He’s more than adequate, but certainly not great. He misses tackles and he takes his fair share of bad angles.
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by Brian Galliford on May 6, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok maybe I went overboard with that one…
by willgarr15 on May 6, 2009 1:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Whitner has always had a bit of a problem with angles. He’s a tough tackler with decent technique…I just think he gets in trouble in pursuit. I DO think that calling this position a strength is premature but I’ve got my fingers crossed!
I know FOR A FACT that you cannot triple stamp a double stamp.
by Scrumtrulescent on May 6, 2009 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Scrumtrulescent
that’s the funniest name i’ve ever seen.
by willgarr15 on May 6, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree. He isn’t a great tackler or anything like that, but he’s solid. I think the Whitner can’t tackle stuff comes from Bills tunnel vision. It’s totally normal for Lynch and Jackson to break a tackle or two on every single run, but our defensive backs aren’t allowed to miss a tackle every so often?
by kaisertown on May 6, 2009 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed. Even if his numbers have gone down each year, his tackle numbers are still very solid. I’d actually call Whitner’s tackling ability the strength of his game.
by CanadianBillsFan on May 6, 2009 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d actually call Whitner’s tackling ability the strength of his game.
But what exactly does that tell us? Nothing!
~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 May 7, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
How did my words get twisted from
How is Byrd going to help Whitner be a better tackler?
to
"Whitner can’t tackle"
If you want to say Whitner is a good tackler, I would respectfully disagree. He consistently takes bad angles and misses tackles. Also, he shows poor form, which by the way, lead to him getting run over and injured last year. Just because he has made a lot of tackles doesn’t make him a good tackler. I have prepared a lot of meals…does that make me a Top Chef?
Personally, all this talk about Byrd magically transforming into a top flight DB smells of desperation to justify a questionable draft choice. Maybe he will, but put down the Kool-Aid and try to be objective.
It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs fly - Sure enough 100 days in Obama's presidency - swine flu
by Joe P. on May 6, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
THANK YOU JOE!
You took the words right out of my mouth. Pass the kool-aid.
Character and Intelligence
by thurman on May 6, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You got it.......you know I put a little something extra in it, right :-)
It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs fly - Sure enough 100 days in Obama's presidency - swine flu
by Joe P. on May 6, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
My reputation precedes me. BTW, regarding your sig...
Character and Intelligence
by thurman on May 6, 2009 4:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks.....My take on it was as a comic one liner :-)
It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs fly - Sure enough 100 days in Obama's presidency - swine flu
by Joe P. on May 6, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe he will, but put down the Kool-Aid and try to be objective.
Some singed eyelashes coming your way after reading that one, Joe. Za-freaking-ing!
I’m saying Whitner is a good tackler. I mentioned above that he takes bad angles and misses tackles, pretty much in the exact same phrasing in which you said it. He can get better – but so can pretty much every safety in the league. Whitner brings so much more to the table than just tackling. He’s a good player.
How is my thinking Byrd is a good player me trying to justify a questionable pick? Well, first, I suppose I should address the “questionable pick” part of that – I don’t think it’s a questionable pick. Buffalo needed a safety. They took a guy that had three more-than-solid years of production at a high-profile college as a CB but with skills that translate to S. Honestly, how anyone thought that Buffalo would take Everette Brown with that pick is beyond me after we’d taken Maybin. So I liked the pick the instant it was made – if you want to say I’ve drunk the Kool-Aid, so be it, but I was drinking it immediately.
Back to the original point – I can’t possibly claim that Byrd is the player that I think he can be this year. I think he has a chance to be – a very STRONG chance – but I’m not clairvoyant, folks. The reason I like him, as I told poz below, is that his skill set meshes perfectly with what Whitner and Scott bring to the table. That’s why I called safety the strength of the defense – variety of skills with great depth, and if there’s a playmaker there, well, that’s one more playmaker than we’ve got at every other defensive position. I very well could be wrong, and actually hope I am – we need DE to be this defense’s strength in a baaaaaaaaaad way.
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by Brian Galliford on May 6, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why did it have to be Brown?
Honestly, how anyone thought that Buffalo would take Everette Brown with that pick is beyond me after we’d taken Maybin.
I would have been OK with Brown, but I believe I was rooting for the Bills to take a LB at that point. I think McKenzie was still on the board.
Back to the original point.
I consider this position the strength of the defense with Byrd on board
In order for our DBs to be a strength, Byrd would have to make the other DBs better. I don’t believe that Byrd makes any of our other DBs any better.
It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs fly - Sure enough 100 days in Obama's presidency - swine flu
by Joe P. on May 6, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your point about making the folks around him better is valid. Perhaps I just have a higher opinion of the safeties than you do. I’ll stand by my point, though – the front seven still has a lot of question marks, but the safety position, IMO, is stable and ready to produce.
I think McKenzie was still on the board.
You saw where he got hurt at mini-camp and is out for the season, right? :)
McKenzie went #95 overall. They had another shot to get him, too… says something about his grade on their board.
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by Brian Galliford on May 6, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I did not see that.....too bad for him.....what happened?
But, for the purpose of this discussion, I don’t see how that injury is relevant to whether the Bills should have taken him over Byrd. McKenzie was known as a durable player. It is a moot point anyway….the Bills drafted Byrd, for better or for worse. I hope it is for the better, but I just don’t view Byrd as a player who turns our DBs from an area of weakness to one of strength.
It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs fly - Sure enough 100 days in Obama's presidency - swine flu
by Joe P. on May 6, 2009 4:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i'm going to throw in my 2 cents...
first of all mckenzie tore his acl.
2nd of all when was db ever really a weakness on this team? i don’t really think our defense was a weakness last year at all, but would have been even better if we could have gotten a pass rush. what byrd brings, according to his college career is a ball hawk safety, that had the best ball skills in the draft and is extremely smart.
smart safety’s do make your entire team better they are the MLB’s of the back end of your defense. they get everyone lined up and call coverages.
i’ve said this before but malcom jenkins said that whitner was the best and smartest player he ever played with. that he would actually call the plays sometime before the offense ran them. he said that he made everyone around him better. now i know he is in the nfl now and hasnt produced the turnovers we would all like but he is still a good player, a smart player, a leader, very competitive, and we could do a hell of a lot worse.
now i’m using whitner as an example of the type of impact this kind of football player can have on the guys around him. because i think that there are very many similarities between whitner and byrd, except that byrd has a proven track record as a ball hawk at the colegiate level, so if it translates to the nfl we will have a great player on our hands. i would also say that byrd is probably actually ahead of whitner as far as when whit came into the league, byrd is older, has had his dad a db coach in the nfl, in a tampa 2 scheme none the less in chicago, and has also worked w/ guys like aneas williams, not to mention he has great character. he is a smart guy who plays hard, but what i think will help the secondary out even more than having a ball hawk in the secondary is if we can get a pass rush up front.
by Shovel51 on May 6, 2009 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i don’t really think our defense was a weakness last year at all, but would have been even better if we could have gotten a pass rush.
I hear this argument quite frequently as well, and can’t fathom it, either.
Folks, we played some of the absolute worst teams in the league last year. We were ranked 14 in total defense, sure, but we were doing it against the freaking Rams, Chiefs, Seahawks, Browns, Jaguars and 49ers. God-awful football teams. Statistically, we weren’t much better last season than we were in 2007.
We needed work defensively – at pretty much every position.
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by Brian Galliford on May 6, 2009 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Uh, of course that means the Bills’ offense was even worse than we’ve made it out to be.
by thefourwinds on May 6, 2009 8:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The run D didn’t improve either. I’ve talked about this before and still don’t understand why people think the D was so improved last year. It struggled at every level in every facet, and that was against the dregs of the league!
~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 May 7, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that's not even a valid argument in my oppinion.. we played who we played and that's all we have to go off of....
each game is different, and teams are so competitive in this league i really don’t think that matters. for example one week the pats could score 6 points the next 56, we can be shut out one week and put a 50 burger up the following, we can hold a good team to 10 points and give up 28 to bottom feeder. it’s all week to week and one game at a time.
last year we finished 14th in the league in yards allowed, so what you’re saying is if we did that again this year (considering we play 2 of the tougest divisions in football, and have one of the hardest schedule right now) it would be more satisfying??? i think it not it would still mean that we were in the middle of the pack, which isn’t bad but isn’t great, and we would all say that we didn’t improve on the year before. so even though we finished 14th this year it’s more like 20th, and next year it would be more like finishing 8th in the league due to the strenghth of schedule? sorry but that doesn’t make sense you can’t hold a team hostage because of who they played. don’t forget we also played in the toughest division in football last year, played the chargers, broncos, and cards 3 of the mos potent offenses in the league last year
by Shovel51 on May 8, 2009 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
First thing’s first – just because I disagreed with your post doesn’t mean I thought the defense was bad last year. That’s not true. It was good enough for us to win more games than we did, and for that given year, that’s all that matters.
And as for this question…
so what you’re saying is if we did that again this year (considering we play 2 of the tougest divisions in football, and have one of the hardest schedule right now) it would be more satisfying???
“Satisfying” isn’t the right word. It would undoubtedly be a more significant accomplishment. But as you mentioned, we need to get better defensively, and staying the same against a better schedule isn’t significant enough an improvement.
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by Brian Galliford on May 8, 2009 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ok so you said everything but it being bad..
you couldnt’ fathom it not being a weakness, and we played some of the worst competition in the league last year… i guess then our whole team was just a weakness except special teams play..
but then you say that it was good enough for us to win games, so i don’t completely understand what you are trying to say.. first it’s a weakness, but then it’s good enough to win games.. if it’s good enough to win games then it wasn’t the weakness that caused to lose most times.. it was our offense.. but i do agree we need to improve and it wasn’t great.. and that i was good enough to win games… out of the 3 areas sp. teams, offense and defense i’d rank it 2nd to sp. teams….which isn’t sayingmuch… we have the best sp. teams in the league and about the worst offense.
by Shovel51 on May 8, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
sorry but that doesn’t make sense you can’t hold a team hostage because of who they played
well maybe Brian won’t – but I sure as hell will. Who cares if we beat sisters of the poor last year? Those teams had a combined winnign percentage (when we were 5-1) of .300 – whip de freaking da.
Our defense and offense are nothing special and our rankings were inflated because of competition – thats my opinion.
Silence is golden but duck tape is silver
by J2 on May 8, 2009 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so i don’t completely understand what you are trying to say.. first it’s a weakness, but then it’s good enough to win games.
Does that mean I can’t say both of those things?
Our defense was a weakness – not because it was bad, but because it was just kind of… there. The defense had little to no impact on the outcome of each game. It did not produce many big plays, but it kept the point totals down on some pretty crappy offenses as well as some pretty good ones (like 20 points in NE – that’s a winnable game).
But it also kept us in games when our offense was struggling – case in point, the losses to San Francisco and Cleveland. Pretty much every AFC East game fits that mold, too, with the possible exception of the road Jets loss – we were in all of those games. Even the Toronto game.
Why are you so dead set against me saying that who we played didn’t effect how the defense performed? Seems like a pretty critical factor to me.
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by Brian Galliford on May 8, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
what?
The defense had little to no impact on the outcome of each game
So if we lost most of our games then you’re sort of saying Shovel’s point , right? Our offense lost us those games.
Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.
by poz on May 9, 2009 10:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LOL yes! I’m saying that the offense sucked last year, but the defense was “good enough to win games” only in the most minimal of capacities. Our defense was pretty dreadful, too, and the only reason we were still in games was because of the teams we were playing.
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by Brian Galliford on May 10, 2009 7:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ll agree with you on that. We have a deffence thats good enough not to lose games for you, but not dominant enough to win games for you. To win we need our offence to step up to the plate.
by CanadianBillsFan on May 10, 2009 10:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I still don’t understand how a position can go from a weak point to a strength based on the addition of Byrd, who’s going to be switching positions to play FS. Just because his skills are different than the other guys doesn’t mean this position is a strength. Maybe down the road, but right now it’s still a major question mark. What happens if Byrd isn’t ready? We’ll have the same non-production we had last year.
I very well could be wrong, and actually hope I am – we need DE to be this defense’s strength in a baaaaaaaaaad way.
And that’s why many of us wanted more than just Maybin to be brought in. That position is still a major question mark as well, and will definitely need to be addressed next year.
~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 May 7, 2009 12:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
But only two guys can play there at one time.
So bringing in Maybin and Brown still leaves Schobel ahead of one of them. It becomes redundant, at least this year and next, to have both guys in plus then where does that leave Ellis?
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 7, 2009 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well what happens when Schobel is ineffective again, or reinjures his foot?
The Giants seem to be doing just fine with more than 2 pass rushers.
~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 May 7, 2009 3:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Right.
I hear your pain. But we didn’t really have the ability to add pass rushers with so much other crap on the roster. I am personally hoping Ellis does something this year and will be that third pass rushing guy to take the place of Schobel in certain situations or when he gets hurt.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 7, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ellis would be a good fit rushing from the left side. I hope he does something, anything, this year. We sure need him to be a pass rushing threat…..That would reduce my fears a bit…
~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 May 7, 2009 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I consider this position the strength of the defense with Byrd on board
I’m not really sure it’s over the top, because really, what other position would be stronger? Our DL with their awful pass rush and average run defense? Our LB corps with Keith Ellison doing anything, Mitchell disappearing for games at a time, and Poz not yet reaching his potential? Maybe, our CBs are stronger, but until McKelvin gets a few more games under his belt, I think it’s too early to call CBs the strength of the defense.
So, I wouldn’t argue against Safety being the strength of the defense at this point. It’s just not a praiseworthy statement. Nor is it a vote of confidence for Whitner, Scott, Byrd, and co. It’s really just an indication of how average our defense is.
If the glove don’t fit, it couldn’t be Whit...
by thatguy34 on May 6, 2009 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Scott is definitely the best person to cover most TEs. He shut down Vernon Davis and limited Gates and Winslow to 55 and 40 yards, respectively.
He didn’t do so well against Gonzalez and Anthony Fasano, though…
by Krenn on May 6, 2009 1:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He was also not asked to lock down those two players man-to-man like against Davis and Gates. On a side note, shutting down Vernon Davis is not a tough task since the guy does not like to work hard at anything. Not a shot against Bryan Scott but Davis’ work ethic
by willgarr15 on May 6, 2009 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Someone might remember this better, but did Scott even play against KC? I remember George Wilson getting burned a couple of times in that game. Was it Whitner who was injured? Anyone remember?
by kaisertown on May 6, 2009 1:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, he played against KC, but didn’t start. Wilson and Simpson did, ha! He had a sore left knee heading into that game and had been a limited participant in practice all week. I don’t think he was able to go full out against KC….
~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 May 7, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Scott
I think Bryan Scott was the most under-rated player on our team last year. He was as sure of a tackler as anyone and really played well. I think this is especially note worthy for a guy who many of us really had no expectations for. Brian, I really like the fact that you labeled him as a starter, even though I am sure you will say the “starter” label means little. To me, right now I would take Bryan Scott over Whitner at SS. He just played lights out last year.
"It's that time of the year where all teams are involved in making some, to a degree, painful decisions." - Marv Levy
by Jason from OH-IO on May 6, 2009 1:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
im a bit confused
as to why everyone is treating Byrd as if he’s going to be this immediate difference maker and yet less people seem to think Maybin will be a difference maker, people doubted that McKelvin could be a difference maker right away, and nobody expected anything from James Hardy.
I don’t mean any offense to anyone but it does sort of seem that a lot of people want to be the guy who sounded smart and was always behind the “controversial” Byrd pick. I have no problem being confident that the guy was a great pick or that he will contribute but some of the expectations have to be tempered.
Just some examples:
from Brian :
I was not a fan of this position prior to the draft. I consider this position the strength of the defense with Byrd on board – even before he’s played an NFL down.
So safety was a weakness but now its the “strength of the defense” because of a 2nd round pick of a player who was a corner in college and is noted as being a bit slow?
thatguy noted:
what other position would be stronger? Our DL with their awful pass rush and average run defense? Our LB corps with Keith Ellison doing anything, Mitchell disappearing for games at a time, and Poz not yet reaching his potential? Maybe, our CBs are stronger, but until McKelvin gets a few more games under his belt, I think it’s too early to call CBs the strength of the defense.
I just don’t get how Byrd makes our safety position a strength but you don’t even mention Maybin, the #11 pick, when discussing our “awful pass rush”. You say Poz hasn’t reached his potential yet, as a former second rounder, and yet you seem comfortable with the idea that a current second rounder playing a new position with no experience will be better for our safeties than Poz will be for our linebackers? After getting his first full season and an offseason under his belt at MLB? You say McKelvin needs some more games under his belt but if Brian is right, and Byrd will be the starter if not in name, well then Byrd is going to likely need more games under his belt than the consensus best corner back in the 08 draft, a known playmaker, McKelvin needed right?
There are other examples from previous posts so I don’t mean to single out you guys, though I do welcome your no doubt solid responses. But here are just a few more things to consider before we assume this guy makes our safety position a strength.
We play in a division with fast wide receivers and big time playmakers, except for Sanchez there are seasoned QBs in the East. Our schedule also has us facing off against Randy Moss, Antonio Bryant, Reggie Wayne, Marques Colston, Ted Ginn, Andre Johnson, Steve Smith, Braylon Edwards, Roddy White, and Wes Welker catching passes from the likes of Peyton Manning, Matt Schaub, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Matt Ryan.
How on Earth do you expect the Bills to field a slow, corner back rookie at FS against that lineup of burners and explosive offenses with any bit of confidence let alone say that his presence makes the position the strength of our defense?
Jabari Greer surprised a lot of people by earning playing time and then surprised even more people by fending off the #11 pick, best corner in the draft, Leodis McKelvin to keep that starting position. Lets temper expectations and realize that Bryan Scott has already surprised a lot of people by earning solid playing time last year and may yet surprise some more by fending off a second round rookie. I think Greer was the better man to start last year despite the playmaking superiority of McKelvin. Expect something similar this year. Scott will be the better man to start despite the playmaking superiority of Bryd. But like McKelvin did, expect Byrd to make some big plays and come up huge in some games in a limited role like McKelvin did. Just don’t expect him to make the safety position our strength all by his lonesome.
Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.
by poz on May 6, 2009 3:06 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
You’re too focused on one area and not focused enough on another.
A) Maybin and Byrd do not play the same position. Historically speaking, it is MUCH easier for a rookie safety to make an impact than it is for a rookie defensive end. Byrd had three outstandingly productive seasons at Oregon. He never had a blip in his production. Maybin has far more questions to answer than Byrd does, and at a position at which it’s much more difficult to break in.
B) Byrd’s straight line speed is slow, but his short-area numbers were toward the top of this year’s CB class. He’s quick. The FS spot is ideally suited for him – he can utilize his quickness while masking the straight-line speed issues because he’s playing deep. He won’t have to recover as often at FS.
I don’t think I insinuated that I think Byrd is this instant-impact guy. If so, I apologize. I don’t expect him to come in and pick off 8 passes and go to the Pro Bowl or anything like that. The reason I’m excited about what he brings to the table is that for the first time, the Bills have two safeties that can COVER. Say what you want about Scott, Wilson and Simpson, but their coverage skills are limited. Whitner and Byrd can cover anyone. I LOVE the mix of skills that Whitner, Byrd and Scott bring to the table as a trio. That’s the only reason I think the position is the strength of the defense.
I hope you don’t think I’m selling Maybin short, either. My post from this morning was merely to say that it’s tough for DEs to be productive as rookies, and that he’ll need help to “fix” Buffalo’s pass rush. That doesn’t mean I don’t think he’s going to be a terrific addition – you may remember that I had him rated as the best DE in the draft class and one of the top 2-3 players regardless of position. I’m THRILLED he’s a part of this team. But that doesn’t mean he’s instant impact. If I were a betting man, I’d bet on Byrd having a “bigger impact” – however that’s measured.
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by Brian Galliford on May 6, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Whitner and Byrd can cover anyone
I know one thing….Whitner cannot cover a TE to save his life….i.e. San Diego’s Antonio Gates….
MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens
by MARVelous on May 6, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah… but that’s what Scott’s for. Should have lumped him in there… he’s got man skills on tight ends, but he’s not agile enough to play deep reliably on a consistent basis. Though even that’s tough to claim, because he hasn’t been asked to do much of it.
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by Brian Galliford on May 6, 2009 3:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha
If that’s what Scott’s for, why did you include Whitner?
~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 May 7, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just because Whitner can’t cover a big-bodied TE doesn’t mean he can’t cover period. He’s very good in the slot.
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by Brian Galliford on May 7, 2009 1:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ain't that the truth
Whitner gets abused by pretty much every TE he’s lined up against in man to man coverage. He’s ALWAYS trailing the TE he’s trying to cover….
~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 May 7, 2009 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
To be fair, not a lot of safeties can cover Antonio Gates effectively.
Whitner can cover, but he is not elite.
Bills fan half way around the world
by moncheri on May 7, 2009 2:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If memory serves me correctly, you were the first person to get on the Maybin train and remained there throughout the whole process, so don’t worry I know how happy you are to have him on board.
I’m just concerned that we my be asking too much of a safety unit that is going to be going against what has to be the toughest schedule in terms of offensive firepower they will be facing through the air, let alone expecting Byrd to be able to unseat Scott and excel in such an environment. Remember, with this schedule, if Byrd is on the field he’s going to be getting a wake up call real fast and he’ll get more than his share of “welcome to the NFL, son” moments, likely with many of them resulting in TDs against us. He is a rookie after all, even if he’s got good short area quickness, I would rather not rely on inexperience heading into our schedule.
And don’t think that because Byrd wasn’t the pick I wanted doesn’t mean I’m not thrilled to have him now that he’s here, sort of like having a third kid that was an accident, haha! I too am excited about the trio of Scott, Whitner and Byrd but you say that if Byrd doesn’t start week 1 he will be by the end of the year if things go well. I’d rather have Scott play well and keep Byrd as a situational guy than have Scott needing to be replaced, in my view, if things go well Byrd will not end up a starter.
I know you love Maybin but I have to admit, it has felt like Maybin is getting stiffed a bit here at least relatively comparing him to Byrd. Let’s remember, playing pass heavy teams means Byrd will be getting thrown at more with more chances to get burned while Maybin will be getting more chances to rush the passer, with more opportunities for sacks!
Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.
by poz on May 6, 2009 4:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
if Byrd is on the field he’s going to be getting a wake up call real fast and he’ll get more than his share of "welcome to the NFL, son" moments, likely with many of them resulting in TDs against us.
Why? It’s not like he’s making the jump from Troy to the NFL. Byrd played at Oregon, in the Pac-10, against some of college’s best teams. And he did so at a very productive level. He’ll make mistakes, but his learning curve won’t be NEARLY as steep as McKelvin’s was last season.
Let’s remember, playing pass heavy teams means Byrd will be getting thrown at more with more chances to get burned while Maybin will be getting more chances to rush the passer, with more opportunities for sacks!
Haha – I admit that my cautious optimism with both of these guys is pretty obviously more cautious with Maybin, but I think you went too far the other way! Why does a pass-heavy scheme give Maybin a shot at sacks, but Byrd the chance to get burned and not, you know, intercept passes? :)
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by Brian Galliford on May 6, 2009 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't mean to answer for poz, but IMO
there is less risk in letting Maybin pin his ears back and go after the QB on passing downs than having Byrd in coverage. If Maybin screws up, he most likely just doesn’t make it to the QB. Maybin has the rest of the defense backing him up if he gets fooled into a pass rush and the play is actually a run. If Byrd gets burned, it could very well be for a TD.
It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs fly - Sure enough 100 days in Obama's presidency - swine flu
by Joe P. on May 6, 2009 7:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, yeah. I was just poking fun at him. :)
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by Brian Galliford on May 6, 2009 7:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think a lot of this discussion is the result of us having no actual, you know, football, to talk about.
by thefourwinds on May 6, 2009 8:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well....we could do like ESPN and talk about whether Farve is going to come back :-P
It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs fly - Sure enough 100 days in Obama's presidency - swine flu
by Joe P. on May 6, 2009 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think I may need to take a self-imposed hiatus from Rumblings for a while…just to “dry out.”
by thefourwinds on May 6, 2009 9:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I find that happens naturally as the weather improves. More time spent working in the yard and fishing :-)
It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs fly - Sure enough 100 days in Obama's presidency - swine flu
by Joe P. on May 6, 2009 11:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We need to ban that name
what a POS
~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 May 7, 2009 1:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
you answered beautifully Joe!
and yes, fourwinds, I do wish we had real football to talk about but its always fun to flesh these things out before the season, so we don’t have to waste time when we want to be talking about all the TDs TO and Lee are hauling in, right? Right?
Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.
by poz on May 6, 2009 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hauling.......hmmmmmm. Could be the theme of the upcoming season?
T.O. and Evans Hauling in TDs
McKelvin and Parrish hauling a$$ on returns
Schobel and Maybin hauling down QBs
if not…
Jauron hauling boxes out of his old office :-)
It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs fly - Sure enough 100 days in Obama's presidency - swine flu
by Joe P. on May 6, 2009 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Personally, I like both Scott and Byrd...
and I think they are both best situationally for now.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 7, 2009 3:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think your mostly right, but I want to throw a couple of thoughts out there. One is that Byrd doesn’t have to start to come in and have some impact. Maybe not a major impact, but if his presence prevents a deep pass or two and if he picks of a couple of passes, those are the kinds of things that can lead to an extra win at some point. Ko Simpson had 66 tackles last season. It was actually the fifth most on the team. Buffalo will rotate the 3 safeties quite a bit this season, so while Byrd almost certainly won’t be the starter by name, he will have a pretty big role on the defense.
by kaisertown on May 6, 2009 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i hope he has a big role
but I hope Byrd’s role is the kind when we’re facing a 2nd and 7 or a 3rd and 3 and we need to be ready for a run or a pass, we put Byrd at FS, Whitner at SS with McKelvin and McGee at corner, Poz and Mitchell at LB and Bryan Scott in as a DB/LB hybrid.
Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.
by poz on May 6, 2009 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That sounds good to me. And it doesn’t have to be like in week one. I agree with your response to Brian that Byrd won’t be a starter this year. What I expect is for him to get a few more snaps every week and slowly take some playing time away from Scott, Whitner and Ellison. And you make a great point about Scott in the DB/LB hybrid role. We should really be talking about the 3 safeties AND Ellison rotating in and out of 3 positions. Plenty of playing time to go around.
by kaisertown on May 6, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
agreed....good points poz...rec'd
It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs fly - Sure enough 100 days in Obama's presidency - swine flu
by Joe P. on May 6, 2009 7:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice post poz....rec'd
I agree with much of it.
The Byrd being a major impact thing while Maybin isn’t seems like people are basing too much on past DE results. Nobody expects Maybin to be lights out this year. I agree with that, but I still think he’ll be our best pass rusher. Byrd on the other hand is a guy I think will take some time before he has an impact. Making the position switch and being a tad slow to start with, might make him extremely slow to the ball while he works on his recognition from the FS position. I worry about that. Thinking Byrd will have a bigger impact than Maybin is kind of like how everyone keeps talking about there’s a reason teams passed on Everette Brown once, but Shawn Nelson was a superb pick even though teams passed on him 3, 4, 5 times. I think they’re just saying it to justify things a bit….
Our schedule also has us facing off against Randy Moss, Antonio Bryant, Reggie Wayne, Marques Colston, Ted Ginn, Andre Johnson, Steve Smith, Braylon Edwards, Roddy White, and Wes Welker catching passes from the likes of Peyton Manning, Matt Schaub, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Matt Ryan.
And which one of these things is not like the other? I’m guessing it’ll take one guess to figure that out!
~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 May 7, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Guys… Byrd is not really making a position switch. He was a high school free safety. If anything, he made a position switch at Oregon, where injuries forced the team into moving Byrd to CB. He’s a natural-born safety.
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by Brian Galliford on May 7, 2009 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ted Ginn really isn't that great?
or do you mean Matt Schaub?
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 7, 2009 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Schaub is a very good player
when healthy.
Ginn is, uh, a speedy guy?
~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 May 7, 2009 3:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
so it was Ginn huh?
:-)
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 7, 2009 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup
him and Braylon Edwards don’t belong in that group of WR’s….
~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 May 7, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe Braylon is bringing everyone their 5 hour energy drink….I’m not sure what Ginn is doing there.
If the glove don’t fit, it couldn’t be Whit...
by thatguy34 on May 7, 2009 5:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
intended to highlight
that speed is going to give Byrd problems. If he was considered a bit slow in the college game, guys like Ginn will burn him.
And guys, lets be real, Braylon Edwards had a bad year, he’s still a very good receiver
Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.
by poz on May 7, 2009 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I disagree that speed will hurt Byrd. How often do FS’s get toasted by speed guys? Why would he be matched up with a WR? If Ko Simpson and George Wilson can avoid getting burned deep, then I’m pretty sure Byrd can too.
~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 May 7, 2009 11:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
George WIlson didn’t exactly avoid getting burned deep, but I think your right. If you picture a FS in a deep zone and a WR running a fly route down the sideline, the FS’s ability to diagnose the play, react instantly, explode out of his break and take a proper angle to get to the WR are all as important as the straight line speed to get there. A FS should be pretty far downfield before just turning and running with the WR. And more often than not, the deep safety should be breaking forwards or almost directly to his side on a ball that’s being thrown or already in the air.
by kaisertown on May 7, 2009 11:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well Wilson didn’t have much time this past season defensively, but the only time I ever remember him getting beat on a deep ball was in the Pats Sunday nighter in 2007. Of course, he was slow to the ball everywhere else, so it’s not like he played well out there…
We haven’t allowed too many deep balls in Jauron’s tenure due to the zone principles of our D. I doubt that’ll change with Byrd out there.
~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 May 8, 2009 12:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The only ones I can remember are like Randy Moss..
just going over Greer or something. It really takes a tremendous play(er) to get a deep ball against the Bills.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 8, 2009 11:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
And Byrd was injured when he ran at the combine and at his pro day. After having watched a few higlight vids I’m sure that his speed wont be nearly as big of a problem as ppl think. He might not be blazing fast, but he will be fast enough for a FS.
by CanadianBillsFan on May 8, 2009 4:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also
Braylon Edwards has had one really good year. He’s got such terrible hands and concentration issues. His play was downright comical last year. He’s nowhere near being a top WR, and was only up there for one of his four years. He reminds me of Michael Clayton, who has had terrible drops issues ever since a studly rookie season.
~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 May 7, 2009 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
wow
i never even thought about it that way
everyone keeps talking about there’s a reason teams passed on Everette Brown once, but Shawn Nelson was a superb pick even though teams passed on him 3, 4, 5 times. I think they’re just saying it to justify things a bit
I was furious when we passed on Brown and Barwin and I never even considered that. Great point!! Well done throwing that out there, I like it and if you don’t mind, will proceed to use it in future debates
Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.
by poz on May 7, 2009 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
go for 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 May 7, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also
I really disagree with this statement:
I think Greer was the better man to start last year despite the playmaking superiority of McKelvin.
Not the part about Greer, because he was easily a better player at the time of the start of the season. McKelvin just wasn’t ready. I do disagree with the “playmaking superiority” part. I just don’t see it. Don’t let Leo’s return abilities cloud your judgment of his defensive playmaking ability. He rarely flashed any last year. He had 2 INT’s off of Tyler Thigpen last year and nothing else. I expect him to really pick it up this year as he’s more comfortable, but to make a statement like that, especially in comparison to a player like Greer with good ball skills, seems a bit over the top!
~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 May 7, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Leo also had some nice plays against Cleveland
Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.
by poz on May 7, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
thatguy noted:
what other position would be stronger? Our DL with their awful pass rush and average run defense? Our LB corps with Keith Ellison doing anything, Mitchell disappearing for games at a time, and Poz not yet reaching his potential? Maybe, our CBs are stronger, but until McKelvin gets a few more games under his belt, I think it’s too early to call CBs the strength of the defense.
I just don’t get how Byrd makes our safety position a strength but you don’t even mention Maybin, the #11 pick, when discussing our "awful pass rush". You say Poz hasn’t reached his potential yet, as a former second rounder, and yet you seem comfortable with the idea that a current second rounder playing a new position with no experience will be better for our safeties than Poz will be for our linebackers? After getting his first full season and an offseason under his belt at MLB? You say McKelvin needs some more games under his belt but if Brian is right, and Byrd will be the starter if not in name, well then Byrd is going to likely need more games under his belt than the consensus best corner back in the 08 draft, a known playmaker, McKelvin needed right?
Woah, sorry Poz. I totally missed the fact that you quoted me in your response. And now, it’s prolly too late and no one will see this, but I’ll attempt to respond anyway. My point was mostly meant to be tongue-in-cheek. I was trying to point out that it wasn’t a stretch to say that Safety is our strongest position bc everything else was mediocre or bad last season. I wasn’t trying to say that Safety was much better or will be much better with Byrd. I was attempting to point out that basically every position on Defense could improve and become “the strength of our defense” because everyone was bad last season.
You make great points and I don’t disagree with a single one of them.
Did I like the Byrd pick? No. In fact, at the time, I absolutely hated the pick. I have slightly warmed to the idea since then, but I’m certainly not a huge fan of the pick. My point was to say that maybe Byrd will step in and be great, and Safety will become the “strength of the defense.” Or maybe, he’ll step in and be mediocre and Safety will still be the “strength of the defense” bc the other parts are so weak. Who knows?
All I know…is that the Byrd is the word.
If the glove don’t fit, it couldn’t be Whit...
by thatguy34 on May 8, 2009 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this group
is only as good as the front 7 and if the offense can take leads in games. How are DB’s specifically Safeties in this example, supposed to make plays when in 90% of our games last year we trailed in the 2nd half and thus teams played ball control offense?
Whitner is what he is. I’m not sure what they are planning now with Byrd on board. Whitner is not a strong safety. He is not a great blitzer and is not dominant in run support. But I do believe he would be best suited at FS if the front 7 played up to snuff and the offense gave us leads. But if Byrd is such a ball hawk, Scott can play SS and matchup with TE’s I’m not sure where that leaves Whitner?
Bottom line is, regardless of how much we want Maybin/Byrd to produce in year 1….they ain’t going to do it unless our 2nd, 3rd, 4th year guys play to a level that the team succeeds so much that Maybin and Byrd can fly under the radar and do their specific, unique talents and not worry about digesting everything a 5 year vet knows in year 1. To say the Safeties are the strength of the defense….IMO, your safeties can only be as good as your pass rush….so as of now, I thin this group has a ton to prove, and they can’t and they won’t unless the front 7 applies pressure on the QB
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by MARVelous on May 6, 2009 3:23 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I’m not sure what they are planning now with Byrd on board. Whitner is not a strong safety. He is not a great blitzer and is not dominant in run support. But I do believe he would be best suited at FS if the front 7 played up to snuff and the offense gave us leads. But if Byrd is such a ball hawk, Scott can play SS and matchup with TE’s I’m not sure where that leaves Whitner?
You speak as if the team can only put two safeties on the field. You will see Whitner, Scott and Byrd on the field at the same time quite a bit next season.
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by Brian Galliford on May 6, 2009 3:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just for future reference......I've always been on the Byrd train!!!!!!!
Godspeed Nick - RIP - 1986-2009
by norcaliangelsfan on May 6, 2009 4:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Pac 10 homer....
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by MattRichWarren on May 7, 2009 3:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
hater..............
Godspeed Nick - RIP - 1986-2009
by norcaliangelsfan on May 8, 2009 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You think I give a rat's behind about college football?
Call me when Syracuse isn’t the 110th best team in the country and we’ll talk. :-)
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 8, 2009 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was pretty hyped about drafting Jairus Byrd myself. I know some people were upset, but i like the idea of having a ballhawk in the secondary
by Lynchisin23 on May 6, 2009 7:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I am officially sick of hearing the words Byrd and ballhawking in the same sentence :-O
The man has yet to hawk a darn thing in the NFL. “Below average timed speed…Is not real quick and lacks a burst…Will struggle to run with speedy wideouts…Takes too many chances…Not a big hitter…Has trouble getting off blocks.” http://www.draftcountdown.com/scoutingreports/cb/Jairus-Byrd.php Granted this analysis is of him at CB, but are most of those knocks really going to get better with him at DB? But, he is a ballhawk!!!! It is kind of like saying a girl has a great personality. It is not a bad thing, but lets be honest…..If she looked like Megan Fox that wouldn’t be the first thing you would say about her. Let’s hope Byrd is an Ugly Duckling :-)
It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs fly - Sure enough 100 days in Obama's presidency - swine flu
by Joe P. on May 6, 2009 8:15 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
hahahaha!
anytime Megan Fox is brought into a discussion the comment is rec’d!
Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.
by poz on May 6, 2009 10:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
You should only rec when Joe posts up a photo of her as well ;)
Bills fan half way around the world
by moncheri on May 7, 2009 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If we can have someone who can finally shut down some of the afc east recievers we get killed by every year, ill call him whatever i want. Anyways, i said it in 2 scentences.
by Lynchisin23 on May 6, 2009 8:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
My post above was not meant to single you out. It has been a cumulative effect since draft day :-)
I don’t care what you call him. Ballhawk, Seahawk, Chickhawk, Stringfellow Hawk….whatever! The guy is a slow CB. If he makes such a great FS, then why didn’t he play that position more in college? And by the way, you don’t get extra points for brevity :-)
It was once said that a black man would be president when pigs fly - Sure enough 100 days in Obama's presidency - swine flu
by Joe P. on May 6, 2009 9:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If he makes such a great FS, then why didn’t he play that position more in college?
Easy – he went to Oregon as a safety, but played cornerback after a long string of injuries. He was so productive there that Oregon just left him there. He was a free safety in high school
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by Brian Galliford on May 7, 2009 8:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
It’s because everybody knows that the Byrd is the word
If the glove don’t fit, it couldn’t be Whit...
by thatguy34 on May 7, 2009 9:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Byrd is not slow
Just because the guy ran slow in a 40yard dash during the combine, then everybody say he is slow. I’d have to respectfully disagree:
1)He was allegedly just recovered from a leg injury before the combine. Even though he might be healed, he also missed training time (which was what everyone else did before the combine). That affected his time a bit.
2)He was a punt returner for Oregon. How slow could he be?! I don’t think the coaches at Oregon were stupid enough to put a really slow guy to return punts (no matter how good his hands are in fielding the ball in the first place). Byrd has quickness — not blazing speed. But definitely cannot be called slow.
3)His INTs from college indicate that he has good anticipation and good hands. I view these traits more important than what his sprint time is. You can try to get track guys to play football, but they are poor football players most of the time. The game is not just about speed. When you have good anticipation, it can make you seem faster than what your actual speed is, because you’ve taken 2 steps before your opponent has taken his first step. Playing speed (as opposed to pure running speed) is what matters in the game. So I’d call Byrd is fast player, but not a fast runner.
Bills fan half way around the world
by moncheri on May 7, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey man...
if you hit reply to his statements this would be threaded right under what he said to you. Try it out sometime :-)
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 7, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
exactly why he’s telling you about it. if you don’t know about the “z” button, just hit that on your keyboard and it automatically scrolls you down to the newest comment.
Guards Brad Butler and Brandon Rodd are decent. - Pete Prisco
Brandon Rodd!! Our best player.
by poz on May 7, 2009 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Which by the way, is pretty much the greatest feature since keyless car entry.
If the glove don’t fit, it couldn’t be Whit...
by thatguy34 on May 7, 2009 8:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Safety...
I am not going to say it’s the strength of our defense or drastically improved but I like Scott in his role and think Byrd is a good addition in his role. I love George Wilson and Wendling in their roles as well. Get the picture? We need a playmaker. Whitner hasn’t been that guy. Nobody else has either. Maybe Byrd can be I don’t know. We can hope that the trio of Whitner/Scott/Byrd can really do some great things out there. It won’t make or break our season but it would certainly help.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.
by MattRichWarren on May 7, 2009 3:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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