Replacing Posluszny goes beyond Marcus Buggs
by Brian Galliford on Sep 17, 2009 2:00 PM EDT
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62 comments
Nursing a broken arm for the second time in three years, Buffalo Bills middle linebacker Paul Posluszny underwent successful surgery on Tuesday and is expected to miss roughly six weeks of this season. While it's obviously good news that Posluszny won't be placed on season-ending Injured Reserve, as he was in 2007, the fact that he'll miss around half of the 2009 regular season is clearly bad news for Buffalo's defense.
BuffaloBills.com reported yesterday, after confirming with defensive coordinator Perry Fewell, that Marcus Buggs would be Posluszny's replacement for the foreseeable future. Buggs, a second-year player (and former undrafted free agent) out of Vanderbilt, replaced Posluszny solely in base 4-3 looks in New England. The team changed up sub-packages, and they should continue to do so until Posluszny returns. Here are the basics.
Buggs will be a 4-3 defender only. Fewell put it pretty accurately when he said that Buggs is capable of doing a "yeoman's job" of running the defense, but that he "is not Paul Posluszny." Bang on. Buggs is feisty, athletic and competitive, but he's also overmatched physically and a liability due to his inexperience. He can shoot gaps and plug lanes against the run, and he can handle making stops underneath on short throws. He's smart, and he's reliable as a tackler. But he won't be asked to do much beyond that, particularly outside of the team's base defense.
Ellison will take nickel, and perhaps dime, reps. I realize that most fans are making a stink about the fact that Ellison was involved in coverage responsibilities on Ben Watson's two scores late in the loss to New England. Let's not pretend that Ellison belongs in that situation in the first place, because he's not on the field if Posluszny is healthy. But Ellison is a smart defender who is becoming increasingly adept at picking his spots, and no matter how distraught you are about the loss, his coverage on the second Watson score was actually quite good. Ellison can play. Fewell confirmed yesterday that Ellison is Plan B at middle linebacker (in that scenario, rookie Nic Harris would man Ellison's usual spot), but for now, he'll stay on the strong side and line up next to Kawika Mitchell in nickel packages.
Bills can tinker with safeties, too. Fewell confirmed that the Bills had a third option to replace Posluszny, but would not elaborate; I'm just speculating here, but that third option could be Bryan Scott. He's no middle linebacker, but if the Buccaneers (or any future opponent before Posluszny's return) come out in base personnel (2 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB, 1 FB) in a passing situation, the Bills could slide Ellison inside for a play, let Scott man up in underneath coverage, and play Donte Whitner and Jairus Byrd as deep safeties. They did this on occasion against New England, with mixed results. Even if the Bills were to have that lineup on the field against the run, they don't lose a ton from having Buggs in, as Scott himself is a pretty stout run defender.
This situation is far from ideal. Posluszny is a team captain, and his prowess defending the run is severely underrated. You never, ever want one of your young, developing leaders out of the lineup. But the Bills are in good hands (as long as this remains temporary) because of the smarts of Ellison, the versatility of Scott and the skill set of Buggs. This is precisely why the Bills target these types of players, but again, it's merely a band-aid. Get well soon, Poz.
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Good write up- when the season began and everyone was worried about the LB depth, I liked the fact that the Bills are deep in the secondary. I always viewed Scott as a mix between a LB and a SS so that right there isn’t a big deal. The only thing I am hoping is that without Poz they might be forced into some groupings and as games go by teams might be able to figure these out and exploit them
I was born in Buffalo, and NO, it's not a suburb of New York City
by Ghetts on Sep 17, 2009 2:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
this makes you miss DiGiorgio
We got your back Leodis!
by poz on Sep 17, 2009 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Buggs looked overmatched against NE. It’s kind of sad that he is our best option right now. I have a feeling he’s going to get attacked early and swallowed up in the interior often. You can bet TB and our future opponents will be running right at him. We need Stroud and Williams to really play well this next month and a half…
Instead of re-signing Justin Jenkins so quickly, maybe it would have been more prudent to go after a MLB??
~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 Sep 17, 2009 2:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
We can still cut Jenkins, or anyone, at any time. Any MLB we sign will probably not play too much against Tampa.
by jj24 on Sep 17, 2009 2:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought they were shopping for a MLB a lot during the offseason and couldn’t find anyone. I doubt they bring in someone new now.
"Next time I get the opportunity I am going to hold on and make a better decision." ~ Leodis McKelvin. (Can't ask for anythitng more than that)
by NolaBillsFan on Sep 17, 2009 2:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I doubt they bring in anyone with real credentials or promise without making a trade. Even then, it would probably cost us someone we may not be comfortable parting with. The increased urgency to bring in someone, anyone, now would be because we are one deep at MLB.
by jj24 on Sep 17, 2009 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Would you
want to see the Speacial Teams coverage units looking as they did against NE all over again? This is the reason Jenkins needs to be out there on ST’s.
Season Ticket Holder Sec: 312, Row: 15
"There's NO place like home when it's the Big Tree Inn"
by Pocono Bob on Sep 18, 2009 10:39 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
LB depth
IMO this injury pretty much answers the question of whether or not we’ll be drafting a LB early in the next draft.
by Zorak84 on Sep 17, 2009 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
over a defensive end? try again.
EDWARDS THE NEW PISTOL , OWENS THE BAD SLAYER , EVANS THE FLYING METEOR AND COMING SOON THE BEAST MODE THIS IS SPARBUFONIA - abayarde
by the_prophet on Sep 17, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not really
Lacking experienced depth isn’t a reason why we might need to go LB high….
~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 Sep 17, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Their depth could actually be pretty solid by next season too. IF Buggs gets some good PT over the next month, Harris develops and DiGi comes back healthy, they might not need to add any depth.
by kaisertown on Sep 18, 2009 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
who will be available?
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
by silverstreak3k on Sep 17, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
who's available now is the question
And i’m pretty sure Derrick Brooks is available now, and he played in tampa where there ran what D? the tampa 2. use him for 6 weeks so poz can heal properly without the extra pressure of coming back early and when he comes back slide brooks or poz to the outside. For a regime that needs to win this year or there done this seems like a no brainer
by J. Mackin on Sep 17, 2009 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
If it was such a no-brainer, why is Brooks sitting out there unsigned? He wants a full-time starting job and money. Why give it to him when he might only be a slight improvement, if that, over Ellison?
~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 Sep 18, 2009 1:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
slight improvement?
Brooks would be replacing Buggs, not Ellison. Brooks is a perenial probowl who had a decent season last year while injured. he’s back to good this year and would be filling in for poz while he’s injured. maybe they switch brooks to the bench when he’s healthy, maybe they slide him to outside, i don’t know but the coaching staff needs to be thinking about right now. Brooks knows the defensive scheme and offers more then a slight improvement over Buggs (no offense to Buggs).
Starting a movement to draft Jimmy Clausen in april, he'll be the 2nd coming of Kelly, the saviour of the Bills
by J. Mackin on Sep 18, 2009 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Poz is the person we are least prepared to replace on defense, in terms of depth. Any other position on defense we could simply plug in a replacement and the situation is pretty much set. With Poz, we have to scramble to adapt to all kinds of situations the offenses with throw at us. Losing DiGi hurts a lot more than originally felt, now.
by jj24 on Sep 17, 2009 2:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
This is kind of off subject...
but doesn’t it seem like as well as Roscoe has done in his career as a punt returner, he’s been incredibly indecisive in that capacity going back to last year? Even when they’ve tried to get the ball to him on screens in space and he doesn’t cut like he used to. Maybe that’s just me, but if that’s the case isn’t he pretty much useless in all capacities?
by live6453 on Sep 17, 2009 2:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
… indeed, this is off subject.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 17, 2009 2:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Man, no kidding. What does Roscoe have to do with Buggs or the MLB spot?
by Mark Parisi on Sep 17, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have a question
Could it be that the third mystery is not Bryan Scott but moving Ellison inside and putting Aaron Maybin on the outside? Giving Ellis more playing time at DE? thoughts guys?
We got your back Leodis!
by poz on Sep 17, 2009 2:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
That’s not going to happen. Maybin is staying at DE.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 17, 2009 2:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’d think starting Harris at Mitchell’s spot and moving him inside would be more likely…
~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 Sep 17, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yessir. Actually, I know Buggs has that extra year in the system over Harris and Palmer, but I’m kind of hoping to see Harris and Palmer get some reps this week. Something about having Buggs at MLB doesn’t instill me with confidence. It’s really just based on intuition, though. I can’t stay with total confidence that playing Mitchell or Ellison at MLB with Palmer or, more likely Harris, would be better for the defense as a whole.
by jj24 on Sep 17, 2009 4:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Poz Overated
I love Poz and want him to be all that a lot of us think he is, but he still is a long way from being a top MLB. I often see him take himself out of the play by overpursuing and often gets blocked. I think he has potential but now in his third season he will have missed about 50% of the games, it is hard to reach your potential when you are always injured.
by billsfan69 on Sep 17, 2009 2:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Of course Poz still has a ways to go before he can be considered among the top MLBs in the league. But that doesn’t mean he’s not leaps and bounds ahead of a player like Buggs and that he won’t be sorely missed.
So easy Marshawn Lynch can do it.
by thatguy34 on Sep 17, 2009 2:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Poz is one of hte best young linebackers in the game
i think it was obvious how much we missed him after he got hurt by how much the middle of the field was attacked.
We got your back Leodis!
by poz on Sep 17, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sign or Trade?
Is there anyone out there we could bring in that is a FA or a team has been shopping around? Likely?
by PFD on Sep 17, 2009 2:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No, not likely.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 17, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We know that they are going to run, and run often, so if Kelsey is going to play, i don’t see any reason why they don’t put Maybin at LB during those situations. Especially if they activate Ellis this week to give people a breather .
"Security comes from earning it--not seeking it." Marv Levy
by howedyhowe on Sep 17, 2009 3:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybin’s biggest weakness is run support. Why would you amplify that playing him at linebacker?
The Maybin-at-LB idea just ain’t happening, folks. :)
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 17, 2009 3:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
touche
"Security comes from earning it--not seeking it." Marv Levy
by howedyhowe on Sep 17, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybin’s not a LB, so that’s the reason why they shouldn’t just put him 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 Sep 17, 2009 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Confused
I am a little confused they didn’t try to find a way to get Harris in for the 4-3 alignment. I guess either one of two reasons. 1. They have little faith in Mitchell or Ellison in the middle or 2. Harris just isn’t ready.
by Berg79 on Sep 17, 2009 3:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Or...
They simply would rather make one switch (Buggs in for Poz), than makes two moves (Ellison over to MLB with Harris at SLB)…I too would rather have Harris/Ellison/Mitchell as out temporary LB corps, but I trust the front office…A. Palmer will be active this week…I hope…
by NorCal BillsFan on Sep 17, 2009 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it’s likely, but nowhere near certain, that Palmer dresses.
And yeah, you’re mostly correct – they’d rather make one swap than multiple swaps. Don’t be completely shocked if Harris sees some reps, though.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 17, 2009 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah…never looked at it that way. I guess I looked at it from a personell standpoint of Harris/Ellison/Mitchell v. Buggs/Ellison/Mitchell not 2 moves of positions (one of the outside guys inside (move 1) and add Harris (move 2).
Interesting 3rd perspective. All day I was convincing myself that the coaching staff felt Harris wasn’t ready and I was wondering how much more ready could Buggs possiby be.
I never thought I’d say this BUT it is important for Kelsay to stay healthy and help the run D wo Poz.
by Berg79 on Sep 17, 2009 4:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not to mention that Harris is really a guy still getting used to a position change himself, being a Safety for his entire college career
"Potential just means you haven’t done sh## yet"
by willgarr15 on Sep 17, 2009 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just plugging in Buggs
With this being a long term switch, it will behoove the Bills to make an immediate plan for this week, and another contingency plan for the following weeks if things don’t go right. We are going to have to give Ellison or Mitchell reps inside this week just in case something happens to Buggs. We can play Buggs a lot against Tampa and if he clearly can’t get it done, then more changes like moving Ellison or Mitchell permanently can be made going into the Saints game.
by jj24 on Sep 17, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ellison has gotten reps at MLB in the practice setting. As I mentioned in the article, Fewell told BuffaloBills.com yesterday that they have two backup plans behind Buggs.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 17, 2009 4:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know you’ve said it but, for me, i need to type it as an exercise in acceptance. I really think, in my heart of hearts, that Harris can help the team more right now. Clearly, Bugga is plan A going in, so I’m trying to come to grips with it. : )
by jj24 on Sep 17, 2009 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think we’ll be in the nickel for the entire Saints game. Maybe switching between 3 CBs and 3 safeties
"Next time I get the opportunity I am going to hold on and make a better decision." ~ Leodis McKelvin. (Can't ask for anythitng more than that)
by NolaBillsFan on Sep 17, 2009 9:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this could all be a good thing?
right? i mean think about it, buggs, palmer and harris all get meaningful reps. sure they will make mistakes, but i have confidence the rest of the team will be able to cover for them. then poz comes back 1/4 the way through the season healthy and ready to kick some butt down the home stretch. just looking for the silver lining
Buffalo, that's where it's at baby. - Adam 'Pacman' Jones
by silverstreak3k on Sep 17, 2009 6:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Buggs a clone of London Fletcher?
Buggs reminds me a lot of London Fletcher. Both 5’ 10" and feisty. All Buggs needs is to add about 20 pounds.
by penance on Sep 17, 2009 4:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I wish he could add those 20lbs in one week
by Zorak84 on Sep 17, 2009 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think him being 5’10" and undrafted is about the only comparisons to be made at this point…ha
~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 Sep 17, 2009 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
11 defensive backs
This goes to show that they should have kept more Linebacker depth, instead of keeping Corvo, since the Patriots did return the opening kickoff nearly 40 yards to start the game.
by BuffaloWhiner on Sep 17, 2009 4:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
… what? Corto is a linebacker.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 17, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think he was implying that Corto doesn’t cut it for LB depth.
Wouldn't it be ironic if this team imploded and it had nothing to do with TO?
by thefourwinds on Sep 17, 2009 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Joe Corvo has a helluva slap shot! Hopefully, the Bills can find a way to utilize that on the power play against the Lightning, I mean, the Bucs. Wait…..what?
by jj24 on Sep 17, 2009 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha. That Joe Corvo can hit some people too
"Potential just means you haven’t done sh## yet"
by willgarr15 on Sep 17, 2009 6:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Please, Joe Corvo cracks under pressure. He’s not the guy we want at LB. :)
by Mark Parisi on Sep 17, 2009 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Color me obvious
But put whoever is better on a game to game basis. If that means Buggs then go with him.
I think it should be based off of opponent and how well specific players match against that team dependent on scheme.
I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying
by J2 on Sep 17, 2009 4:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
No Depth
Is a major problem with this team. I don’t understand why we did not get a quality back up at any linebacker position. Our LBs are just good special teamers with very little upside to become starters for us or another team. That is a huge problem. Our backups need to be a lot better for us to ever compete for an entire season. Keep drafting 4th rd OLBs and ILBs. Poz is a decent starter but after he gets injured we need to change our defensive formation?! Great backup plan. No excuses for this team, sunday they better out perform a weaker opponent.
by pastj12345 on Sep 17, 2009 5:10 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs
We are on our third MLB this year. How many teams have three quality MLBs? Digi has prved very capable in the past but he got hurt in the preseason. Buggs already is option C.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Ignoring the grumblings on Rumblings.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 19, 2009 8:37 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why does anybody think that moving Maybin to LB is a good idea? It makes zero sense to me.
One thing I’ll add is that Buggs could see a lot of playing time this week. Somthing tells me that Tampa is going to try to pound out a victory and I’m not sure how much time Buffalo can spend in the nickel, even if Buffalo is putting 3 safeties instead of CBs on the field for their nickel.
by kaisertown on Sep 18, 2009 12:53 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Somthing tells me that Tampa is going to try to pound out a victory and
I too expect them to run run and run some more. I do like our run D but that was with Poz in there so i’m not sure how it’ll go.
Good thing we can stack the box against them cause it’s looking like their #1 WR isn’t gonna play
I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying
by J2 on Sep 18, 2009 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
is it merely an unfortunate coincidence or is posluzny’s forearm damaged goods—given that he fractured the same one?
by chaucer on Sep 18, 2009 1:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Titanium Left Arm!!!!!
After having at least 2 “shattered” bones in his left arm in his rookie year, and having it surgically repaired using titanium rods etc…. and after they do it all over again w/ the bone he broke this time around, Poz’s left forearm will be nothing short of a TITANIUM left forearm. No future worries w/ his left arm after that………
AND, to answer your question, YES, it’s totally a coincidence. He didn’t break the same bones as he had previously. Poz is FAR from “damaged goods” trust me.
Season Ticket Holder Sec: 312, Row: 15
"There's NO place like home when it's the Big Tree Inn"
by Pocono Bob on Sep 18, 2009 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i hope so. i like him, quite a bit. i want him to be in there tackling away
by chaucer on Sep 18, 2009 6:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Um, one of the bones was the same (there are only two bones in the arm between the elbow and the wrist). Poz said (via Chris Brown) that they replaced the short plate with a longer one so the stress point would be at a less important spot on the arm.
Wouldn't it be ironic if this team imploded and it had nothing to do with TO?
by thefourwinds on Sep 18, 2009 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
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