Bills News and Notes 6/1: It's all about Owens

by Brian Galliford on Jun 1, 2009 8:30 AM EDT in News Comment 28 comments

Now that SB Nation has unrolled some fabulous new updates to the blog platform, we'll be starting a summer series each Monday morning in which we'll throw together a post with relevant Buffalo Bills links. It's now very easy for me to do, and more importantly, it gives y'all a better forum in which to discuss hot topics - and if there's anything you'd like to see expanded as the discussions unfold, well, that's what I'm here for.

And yes - I am, indeed, writing this post this morning just to play with my new toys.

On to the news of the day!

Scout.com's Ed Thompson - a writer we politely (we hope) and publicly ripped in recent weeks - says that barring injury problems, the Bills should win ten games.

Tim Schmitt of the Niagara Gazette has a nice piece on a highly contested Bill (at least in these parts) - second-year OLB Alvin Bowen.

Mark Gaughan of the Buffalo News takes a look at the moves that all four AFC East teams made - something we recently did as well.

More from Gaughan, who interviews DT Marcus Stroud. The DT's new deal is discussed.

In case you didn't hear, Bills WR Terrell Owens caught a 70-yard touchdown pass during Friday's OTA practice. Apparently, it was a spectacular play - which is somehow surprising when discussing Mr. Owens.

CB Leodis McKelvin has missed a couple of practices with an undisclosed, non-football-related finger injury. This is one reason to love OTA season - teams can act like Bill Belichick does all season and be very mysterious about disclosing injuries.

John Wawrow of the AP has a nice piece up about the opposite personality dynamic between Owens and Lee Evans.

Lindsay Carucci (hey, familiar last name!), writing for BuffaloBills.com, discusses CB Drayton Florence and the potential role he'll fill as a Bill in 2009.

As we discussed last week, RB Marshawn Lynch has bulked up to 230 pounds - but the troubled star isn't sure he'll be able to keep the weight on throughout the season.

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Pre-June Developments:

The best news I have heard in all the pre-june news was the new attitude and possible development of John McCargo who could add the depth at DT that is certainly needed.

The 3 most interesting training camp battles (in my eyes) will be 1. Who will win the CB spot (Will Corner be too good to keep off the field?). 2. Will anyone actually win the OLB spot or will Ellison get it by default (lots of players in the mix to start opposite Mitchell). 3. The Nelson v. Fine competition at TE (will Nelson only be used in passing situations or can he earn a full time starting job?).

by Berg79 on Jun 1, 2009 8:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

from what i've read from chris brown's blog...

he says not to expect nelson to make much of an impact during his first rookie season.. he said that the TE coach has been on him constantly about his route running because coming from a spread he hasn’t had to read coverages and change his routes accordingly… so i don’t expect him to make a push for the full time TE position.. he said that his head has really been swimming in OTA’s…

also i was very happy to hear that mcargo seemed to be changing his ways, and re-committed himself to the game.. but as far as the OTA’s have went so far i haven’t heard much. i konw they aren’t pads so the o and d line don’t really mean much right now.. i hope he can come on strong when the pads go on.. and get more reps than last year and be able to help this team out.. because i’d like to be able to resign him simply because we was one of our first round picks and it would make the team look better.. but if he doesn’t have it they need to cut their losses after this year w/ him.

by Shovel51 on Jun 1, 2009 10:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bills Digest and Chris Brown are both saying...

Nelson’s head is swimming. Lower your expectations of the kid now fellas. At least for this year.

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

by MattRichWarren on Jun 1, 2009 11:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It probably is easier to fit a TE in situationally, but I only really expected a Hardy type season in Nelson’s first year. It is a lot to take in. It seems that RB’s have a much easier time transitioning from college to the pros. The fundamentals and responsibilities of the college and pro running games must be more similar than that of WRs.

by syrbillsfan on Jun 1, 2009 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah i agree.. i'd like to see them at least use him in a double TE set and tell him to run a seam.. if we can use him in this fashion alone he will make some plays for us..

i just don’t get it sometimes.. i mean i understand that there is a big step from college to the pro game, but last year we had a guy like hardy i think he should have been on the field every time we got inside the 20 just so teams had to account for his height and in the end zone.. and i would have used him if for nothing else to throw jump balls/fades to in the back of end zone all year… to me that it least will give him some confidence that he can make plays and he’d be helping the team…

w/ nelson i’d do the same thing..except maybe have him get comfortable running 2 or 3 routes, primarily the seam and i’d use him to do just that until he became comfortable w/ other areas of the game..

if you have young guys on the team i’d like to see them get in games at least situationally if they can help us out.. you can’t tell met that hardy couldn’t have caught a few more fade passes in the end zone (as he did against the jags, and that other one in the front corner where he came back and reached over the db, may have been the cards game)… even if these guys aren’t ready to take on everything their position demands at least allow them to do what they are good at now… rather than waiting to give them any time until you think they are a completely player..

by Shovel51 on Jun 1, 2009 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The thing they are working on is reading the defense...

and running the route accordingly. You’d essentially be telling them to run one route and nothing else. That wouldn’t really help them develop.

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

by MattRichWarren on Jun 1, 2009 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The problem with the double TE set for us is that it takes Josh Reed off the field. I think for our purposes the best set on the field is, at least to start the season-
WR – Owens, Evans, Reeds
TE – Fine
RB – Lynch

by syrbillsfan on Jun 1, 2009 4:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hope the 3 WR set is the formation we use the most – wait – sorry I retract that statement – extra point formation is the formation I want to use the most – then 3 WR set

Everyone has a photographic memory… some just don’t have film

by J2 on Jun 1, 2009 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

extra point = field goals....

errr…..

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

by MattRichWarren on Jun 1, 2009 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

huh?

extra point formation as in we just got 6 pts and the extra point would be 7….

thats why I didn’t say FG formation – or am I missing something?

Everyone has a photographic memory… some just don’t have film

by J2 on Jun 1, 2009 4:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Isn't extra point formation eerily similar to FG formation?

kicker, holder, snapper, guys trying to make sure the kick doesn’t get blocked…..

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

by MattRichWarren on Jun 1, 2009 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it is the same thing – i just said extra point formation and not FG formation because I didn’t want people to think I liked to settle for FG’s

Everyone has a photographic memory… some just don’t have film

by J2 on Jun 2, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Exactly.

But I still called you on it. :-)

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

by MattRichWarren on Jun 2, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think your dead on there syrbillsfan. Nelson wont have the ground shattering season we all dream he will. Will he be effective? probably. Will he develop into theTE we all think he can be? Most likely. But will he have a stellar first year? no. He just doesn’t know how to read coverages yet in order to get open. But don’t worry, he’ll get it eventually.

by CanadianBillsFan on Jun 2, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Everything

sounds good in June….all these guys look great in shorts and t shirts, at least to beat reporters….Last year in Minnesota the local papers were oodling over the progress of Tarvaris Jackson and we all know how that worked out (was benched after 2 games).

The one thing I am excited about is everyone is there, working hard, and they are building team chemistry and they are all going to be on the same page come September. Dick Jauron, like any coach, is a huge believer in the only way to become better is hard work and he’s got to be happy to have everyone including T.O. there working hard. Now, I may completely disagree with who is running the offensive show (Turk) but he has no excuses to not have this unit perform.

Most importantly I love the work the OL is getting. With all 5 guys, no contract disputes, and everyone getting paid well, these guys can just go to work and they really are the most important piece of this team in 2009. So I’m thrilled with the work that is going in, I’m thrilled with the way the FO handled the off-season, but we are still the Bills

MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens

by MARVelous on Jun 1, 2009 9:20 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Stroud Article

2 things jumped out at me in the Stroud Article

Drew did his job as an agent but at the same time it’s a testament to Russ [Brandon] and John [Guy] to want to do the things to keep me here and get things done

This Bills WILL keep their word as long as you hold up the end of your bargain. I’ve seen this with every player save for Peters and Jacksons agent (but that worked out in Jackson’s case). The Bills are obviously not cheap and Russ and John do a good job of keeping their word – that carries.

As you see he’s a presence out here on the field, and just his presence makes everybody out here play a little bit harder

On TO – this one I expected and am glad that a veteran said it. I fully expect everyone to pick up their game because of the expectations that TO brings with him for himself and the team. This is a great if you ask me. Something this team desperately needed.

Everyone has a photographic memory… some just don’t have film

by J2 on Jun 1, 2009 9:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

This Bills WILL keep their word as long as you hold up the end of your bargain. I’ve seen this with every player save for Peters and Jacksons agent (but that worked out in Jackson’s case). The Bills are obviously not cheap and Russ and John do a good job of keeping their word – that carries.

except greer, unfortunately.

by the_prophet on Jun 1, 2009 9:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They had an offer on the table to Greer for two weeks. He took the money in New Orleans.

Buffalo Rumblings - all you care to know about the Buffalo Bills and more

by Brian Galliford on Jun 1, 2009 9:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i wasn’t saying that they were wrong for not paying him – i was more saying that as in ‘i wish that greer had resigned instead of taking that extra amount’.

by the_prophet on Jun 1, 2009 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

good point

J2….the Bills do reward their players if they work hard, produce and in due time they get their payday. You can’t argue with that. You can question who they pay but the whole mantra that the Bills are cheap is flat out unjustified and wrong

MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens

by MARVelous on Jun 1, 2009 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Bills put enough money on the table. Greer found more in New Orleans. He is a decent corner, but he wasn’t even as good as McGee. No need to overpay, especially with a pile of up and comers on the roster.

by syrbillsfan on Jun 1, 2009 10:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

speaking of bowen i saw that nic harris was getting reps ahead of him... i don't see him starting unless he really comes on later in the year..

by Shovel51 on Jun 1, 2009 10:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed. If Bowen keeps going at this rate I see an outside possibility of Bowen being released.

by CanadianBillsFan on Jun 2, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why is it an outside possibility?

He was a fifth round draft pick. How much have we really invested in him?

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

by MattRichWarren on Jun 2, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought that he was a third. My bad. But yeah, I still think that unless he really brings up his game that he’ll be gone by the pre-season. I was putting my money on Thomas being cut, but if Bowen continues to disapoint, then he becomes the prime candidate. Heck if the cut date were today I’d keep Costanzo before Bowen.

by CanadianBillsFan on Jun 2, 2009 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs