Report: LB Andra Davis to visit Buffalo
by MattRichWarren on Mar 15, 2010 7:39 AM EDT
in Buffalo Bills News
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WGR 550 is reporting this morning that the Buffalo Bills are hosting Denver Broncos free agent linebacker Andra Davis today (Monday) and tomorrow.
The 31-year-old Davis was released on Thursday, and the Bills are apparently moving quickly to sign the long-time 3-4 inside linebacker. He was drafted by Cleveland in the fifth round in 2002, playing seven seasons there. He only spent one season in Denver, starting 13 games in 2009.
Davis garnered 90 tackles and 3.5 sacks in 2009, but according to the Broncos SB Nation blog, Mile High Report, Davis "seemed to fade a bit" down the stretch, speculating his age is becoming a factor. In the Bills' system, Davis could add valuable experience to a front seven sorely lacking in that area with the transition to the 3-4 defense. Davis' role on the Bills would most likely be as the first reserve off the bench behind both Paul Posluszny and Kawika Mitchell in the middle of the Bills defense. As MHR put it in January:
Davis is a wonderful influence in the locker room and a talented backup, but it's my own feeling that we need to upgrade this position. He is a leader in the locker room. He helps the younger players to become the kind of NFL players that we need: professional, hardworking, always in the weight room or film room, and he helps them with technique as well. Andra Davis is like an additional coach, whether out on the field or in the locker room.
Davis is the fourth free agent through the doors at One Bills Drive. The latest visitor, defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy, re-signed with Minnesota, while guard Wade Smith came to town as well, but ultimately signed in Houston. The only person to sign on with the Bills is offensive tackle Cornell Green, who signed last week.
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For more comments from Bronco fans, check out this link from Thursday when Davis was released:
http://www.milehighreport.com/2010/3/11/1368710/broncos-release-lb-andra-davis-dt
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Hmm… interesting. I like it.
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by Brian Galliford on Mar 15, 2010 7:50 AM EDT reply actions
I am Sure You Like It
Because it makes no sense.
Just ask yourself drafting R.McClain not better then having A.Davis as a F/A?
You need seven rotating linebackers in the 3/4 defense.
Does this sound better.
OLB/A.MaybinILB/P.Posluszny ILB/R.McClain OLB/C.Kelsay
K.Mitchell, K.Ellison, S.Lee middle RD Pick
You realize we also need a LT, QB, and NT right? I’d rather have Bulaga, Okung, Clausen, Bradford, or Dan Williams at 9 before McClain. We have so many needs finding veteran depth at any of them is a good call.
"you just have to know there's always going to be adversity. None of these games are going to be easy. Nothing will be given to us" - Paul Posluszny
Your Right In A Way
Draft Now
#1/R.McClain-ILB Alabama #2/T.Cody-NT Alabama #3/K.Calloway-ROT Iowa
Trade:
A.Schobel,M.Stroud, K.Williams, S.Johnson, D.Whitner
By trading the above with future picks we can maybe get two more picks in the first and second round.
Then we grab with the #1/B.Bulaga-LOT Iowa #2/C.Wootton-DE Northwestern
Now we took care of our Offensive line needs and 3/4 defensive needs.
With our #4/A.Ulatoski-ROT to convert to ROG
#5/C.Jackson-FB Maryland
That would be ideal in a vacuum but the Bills have lots of other needs.
You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
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by MattRichWarren on Mar 15, 2010 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions
To be fair, the entire Broncos Defense faded down the stretch, not just him.
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good point UZ
in fact the entire Broncos team faded down the stretch, including their boy wonder coach.
I actually think there are two very possible roles for Davis in Buffalo. Either as the first reserve off the bench as MRW noted, or in a direct competition with Kawika to start inside with Posluszny. Davis is a great 3-4 presence and he might do well enough in camp to bump Kawika outside into a rotation with Schobel and Maybin. If Schobel retires, Davis’ chances of starting increase immensely as well.
"you just have to know there's always going to be adversity. None of these games are going to be easy. Nothing will be given to us" - Paul Posluszny
I"d rather the direct competition with Mitchell. I’m still not convinced that Mitchell would make a good Mike. But we know that Davis is a quality Mike.
The more I see, the less I know.
by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 15, 2010 9:59 AM EDT up reply actions
Rotoworld speculated he could come in and take Kawika’s job. I don’t see that as a possibility.
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by MattRichWarren on Mar 15, 2010 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I think that it’s a deffinate possibility. But he would have to earn it. I don’t thinkthat anything shouuld be given to anyone on this roster.
The more I see, the less I know.
by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 15, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
just checked that out
they even suggest he could take Kawika’s spot on the roster! This I dont see as a possibility, just as you mentioned. The Bills need all the depth they can get.
"you just have to know there's always going to be adversity. None of these games are going to be easy. Nothing will be given to us" - Paul Posluszny
Why not?
Davis isn’t coming off an ACL tear, and has experience in the 3-4. Mitchell has no experience in the 3-4, and needs to get healthy first…..
~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."
Kawika isn’t coming off an ACL tear either. His quad muscle came off his bone. They let him go to Uganda so he can’t be doing that bad.
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by MattRichWarren on Mar 15, 2010 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
Well it was his knee/quad
And he needs to prove he’s healthy first.
Who’s to say the inexperienced ILB coming off a major injury is a better option than an experienced ILB that is supposedly healthy???
~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."
Gotta agree with K on this one. I’d give Davis a better shot at starting too.
The more I see, the less I know.
by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 15, 2010 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions
When I look at the Broncos fans’ comments I see a guy who faded down the stretch because he wasn’t up to it. Yeah he started in Denver. Yes he has experience. I won’t claim to know anything about him. I think if healthy Mitchell is the starter. He hasn’t come off the bench since his second year in the league.
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by MattRichWarren on Mar 15, 2010 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Living around those same Broncos fans, I’d like to point out that most of them also want to fire McDaniels after his first year there because they over-exaggerate just about everything.
Unless the people at MHR are incredibly different from the other hundreds of Brocs fans I know :/
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by UZ on Mar 15, 2010 3:36 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL. Well, are Bills fans at BR any different?
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by MattRichWarren on Mar 15, 2010 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions
That whole team faded
I’m not holding that against Davis.
Health and experience at the position mean a lot to me. Mitchell has neither right now.
You are against Davis because he “faded” down the stretch, yet are all about Mitchell starting even though he is coming off injury and hasn’t exactly been a great player for us? That doesn’t make a ton of sense. If Davis were signed, I’d expect him to have a very good chance of starting.
~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."
Again, gotta agree. Davis spent the vast majority of his career playing the Mike position in the 3-4. Thats a position that we need to fill since Mitchell is coming off of an injury, has no expirience playing the Mike position and isn’t particularly good at shedding blockers or creating havoc down the middle. Davis has excelled threw out his career at both.
If we sign Davis I truly believe that there will be a camp battle for the starting Mike role and that it would be Davis’s to lose.
The more I see, the less I know.
by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 15, 2010 5:50 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t know enough about Davis or the Bills plans to say who is going to start. I could be wrong. It’s a different staff doing the evaluation so Mitchell’s past status doesn’t mean a whole lot.
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by MattRichWarren on Mar 15, 2010 9:00 PM EDT up reply actions
And "fade" is being kind
~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."
another big Thank You!
K- took your advice on firefox. What a difference…especially here. Everything loads faster – no waiting. Added ABP and ads are gone. Always took time to load with IE.
I’m getting used to it. Can’t see going back.
Thanks!
"huge, big, fast, nasty...all those terms"
Awesome
Hope you enjoy it.
Make sure you download all the Plug-ins you may need, like Shockwave, Java, Adobe Acrobat, etc. I think you can get those from the Firefox website, or you can download them when the need for them arises.
There are some nice Add-ons that you can download too. I like ForecastFox. It provides your local forecast in the small bar at the bottom of your browser. Very nice. There are all Email notification programs for Gmail, Yahoo, etc, that let you know when you have a new email, that you can also download and install. Ad Block Plus is a necessity too.
I’ve had Firefox crash a few times, but it saves your tabs and websites you had open, so you can restore your session when you start the browser again. I don’t think IE had that, at least that I was aware of.
~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."
Blech. Getting sick of Firefox and the “Well, this is a little embarrassing…” crash messages. This close to switching to Chrome.
Bill Polian and AJ Smith are gone, so there's not the usual balance between "sane" and "others." Ralph has mentally checked out since 1994. It's a very dangerous time. The coalition for reason is extremely weak.
This guy would help a lot with the transition to 3-4!
Being in Denver, I obviously hear a lot about the Broncos and people are not too thrilled with Davis’ release.
He was 2nd or 3rd on the team in tackles last year and I think he’d be a great addition, if only to help Poz and Mitchell learn the 3-4 ILB position.
its all good.
I like Davis
But I question Mitchell’s ability to play OLB in the 3-4. I think David and Mitchell would battle it out in camp. The winner gets to start next to Poz loser becomes the first guy off the bench. I think this visit, means we can safely rule out McClain at the 9th pick as well. I mean of course assuming Andra signs with us.
He's strictly an inside backer...
Judging by those numbers from the inside spot, I’m really digging the 3.5 sacks. He’d be a signing right along the lines with Larry Foote and probably considerably cheaper. I think if Schobel comes back we have all but 1-2 starting positions potentially very capably manned. We need some quality veteran depth however, and this would certainly be a welcome addition.
<Mitchell learn the 3-4 ILB position./blockquote>
Someone correct me if I’m wrong here, but hasn’t Mitchell already played some 3-4 ILB in his career?
no 3-4 for Kawika
KC was a straight 4-3 and he played MLB there prior to Giants stint.
Kawika is big enough to play SILB but is more of a WILB in playing style. Not a real thumper
This would be a great signing for us.
Davis is a quality Mike that has played in the 3-4 for most (if not all) of his career. He’s a recognised leader, and according to the Bronco’s site, he’s a class act all the way.
I say sign him, put him in direct competition with Mitchell (which I think he would win) and have Mitchell switching between in inside on running downs (replacing Puzz) and the outside on passing downs (replacing Maybin). It would add a lot of depth to our LB corps and be a smart move all around.
SIGN HIM!
The more I see, the less I know.
by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 15, 2010 10:02 AM EDT reply actions
He had one or two years as a MLB in a 4-3 in Cleveland early in his career.
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by MattRichWarren on Mar 15, 2010 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Still means that his last 6 seasons have been in the 3-4. Good enough for me.
The more I see, the less I know.
by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 15, 2010 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Hang on...
Replace Maybin on passing downs? Is that wrong, or have I missed something?
"Don't I know you?"
"Nah, that ain't me, man. I'm from Buffalo"
I ment obvious passing downs when we need someone in coverage. For example I don’t expect us to be using 4 LB’s in a Nickle or Dime packages. But i do expect us to be using 2 of them, such as Poz and Veek.
The more I see, the less I know.
by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 15, 2010 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Ov corse we’d us Maybin as a rusher in obvious passingdowns when using the 3-4 alignment.
The more I see, the less I know.
by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 15, 2010 3:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I like this guy
I honestly remember Davis having a memorably excellent game against the Bills in the snow game from 07. I have no clue if he’s still as good as he was that day, but linebackers usually stick afround into their 30s. Also, to put it mildly, I’m not a Kawika Mitchell fan (even when totally healthy) and I’d welcome an alternative next to Poz inside. I think this would be a good signing.
Just say no...to Trent Edwards at QB.
The 31-year-old Davis was released on Thursday, and the Bills are apparently moving quickly to sign the long-time 3-4 inside linebacker.
I thought they were just having him in for a visit, with a potential signing? Did you read somewhere the Bills are already prepared to sign him?
~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."
OT
But SB Nation wouldn’t let me in this bloody article for like 15 minutes. Anyone else have that problem?
Yeah it was having an issue.
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by MattRichWarren on Mar 15, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
It was more than 15 minutes for me.
Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.
by WhyBillsWhy on Mar 15, 2010 12:41 PM EDT up reply actions
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/03/15/andra-davis-to-visit-bills-monday/
PFT seems to think it could be a quick signing. But it is PFT so take it for what it’s worth.
Well I do agree with the sentiment of that article, now that I've seen it
If a physical is indeed scheduled, that tends to lead to a signing. Of course, that could be being done if the Bills thought Davis failed a physical as the reasoning for his release….
~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."
Haven't we learned not to "place this guy on our roster" too soon?
I have stopped getting excited about “visitors to OBD”.
We need so much depth at so many positions, especially at ILB, it would make sense for us to sign this guys and 5 others… but I have stopped getting any hopes up about visitors to OBD.
Nope. Just kind of a slip of the tongue I guess. I meant to bring him in for a visit.
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by MattRichWarren on Mar 15, 2010 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Why would he sign to be a back-up in BUF?
He can probably sign to be a back-up on a contender, why would he choose BUF?
I’m thinking he would start inside, with either Poz or Mitchell and the other would start on the outside opposite of Maybin or Schobel.
If they don’t sign Davis and they don’t draft a LB that can start, who will play LB for the Bills besides Poz, Mitchell, and Maybin (who we all assume will be starting).
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Schobel if he doesnt retire
"you just have to know there's always going to be adversity. None of these games are going to be easy. Nothing will be given to us" - Paul Posluszny
Nix said he likes teachers…might appeal to the guy. I think it’s good move.
"This is what happens Larry!, This is what happens! "-Walter Sobchak
by BigEasyBillsKrewe on Mar 15, 2010 11:08 AM EDT reply actions
well Im not getting my hopes up........
but this would be a solid signing in my opinion.
The only cure for a bad today is tomorrow.
by norcaliangelsfan on Mar 15, 2010 11:35 AM EDT reply actions
I’m all for Davis. 90 tackles last season… an established vet. He should compete with Veke, it seems to be the only way. I don’t want anyone handed anything this season. Competition for starting spots will only strengthen this team.
Fatang Fatang.
by NeverendingOptimism on Mar 15, 2010 11:41 AM EDT reply actions
side note
Incognito is here (SoFL) today to meet with Fins. It’s also reported that Bengals and Colts will make an effort to sign him.
It is mind boggling to me that these teams are interested and have much less OL woes than we do.
Another head scratcher…Indy signs Adam Terry, 6’8 335 lb. OT from Titans. All I can figure (and hope) is that CHIX knows something we don’t. Cuz I ain’t gettin it.
"huge, big, fast, nasty...all those terms"
Well, as somebody pointed out earlier, if the Bills do indeed sign Davis, that would seem to rule McCLain out. I would be ok with that as long as the Bills addressed that position in the draft in like the 3rd round with Micah Johnson. Veek is not the answer and Poz is too versatile to be going anywhere, so bringing in Davis for his leadership and knowledge of the 3-4 as a stop gap and still drafting someone like Johnson should be the way to go.
Ha...
This guy didn’t work out as WR a few years back, so why would we sign him now that he’s playing linebacker…..
….kidding…..
ill believe it when i see it
we are good at hosting, not signing
"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone" -Marshawn Lynch-
I skimmed the Bronco's comments about his release
and it sounds like Davis was a victim of age and numbers at his position in Denver. He’s a big run-stopping thumper in the middle but is a bit of a liability (due to some loss of speed) on third downs/passing situations. Out of their four ILB’s only one was a three-down player (not sure which one, DJ Williams?) and of the other three Davis was the oldest and had the least amount of money invested in him. Sounds like they are giving the younger guys a chance to step up and/or might be in the market for an ILB in the second/third round.
Several people expressed surprise that Denver didn’t keep him around longer, especially at least until training camp to battle for his spot and provide insurance against the younger guys. I think he’d be a pretty darn good pickup, especially to lead the rest of our LB’ers in the 3-4 transition.
Typical Bills
Thinking foolish and small again.
Don’t waist your time with A.Davis F/A.
You need seven linebackers for this 3/4 defense.
Just draft R.McClain and maybe get S.Lee in the middle rounds.
Bills 3/4 Defense 7 Linebackers for 2010
OLB/A.MAYBIN
ILB/P.POSLUSZNY
ILB/R.McCLAIN
OLB/C.KELSAY
K.MITCHELL/S.LEE/K.ELLISON as our rotation players.
Why spend foolish on a F/A A.Davis when you can get young and better and bigger with McClain through th edraft.
Trade D.Whitner and a future pick to his Hometown Cleveland and get their first round pick.
Then spend it on B.Bulaga LOT.
The team thinks small.
A Shame.
Do you not know about the different resposibilities of 3-4 ILB's?
As in the Will and the Mike? Poz is a Will, Mitchell is a Will, McClain is also a Will. Davis on the other hand is a very good Mike.
One is a free flowing guy that does most of his work in coverage and away from the line: the Will.
One is a thumper that takes on the remaining guard that the NT doesn’t cover, meaning he is more responsible for stoping the run and playing the line.
Having two Wills in the middle usually means that you do well in covergae but you’ll get run all over. Having two Mike’s means that your usually great against the run, but suck at covering passes that go up the middle. Usually either case means a failed 3-4 system.
You need one of each. Davis is a Mike, and has been a very good one for many years. Even if he has dropped off, the support role that he could play on this team is fanatastic. And his leadership abilities and his ability to almost be an extra coach for the LB’s is fantastic and could be a HUGE help for the development of this new system.
McClain on the otherhand would diffenetly get lost in the shuffle of a 3-4 if paired with another Will and would be the deffinition of a bad, out of system pick for us.
And your idea that anyone would give us a first rounder for Whitner, even if a future pick is involved, is ludicris. So to suggest that Cleveland would give us their 7th overall pick for him is… well you get my point.
The more I see, the less I know.
by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 15, 2010 7:44 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Whitner isn’t worth a first round pick, though.
Is your only reason for not bringing in a good player that they could bring in a different player?
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by MattRichWarren on Mar 15, 2010 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions
The only argument you’re really making there is that you prefer McClain to Davis. Who wouldn’t? That doesn’t mean this would be a bad signing.
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by Brian Galliford on Mar 16, 2010 8:10 AM EDT up reply actions
Any news on the visit so far?
The more I see, the less I know.
by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 15, 2010 9:02 PM EDT reply actions
Thanks!
The more I see, the less I know.
by CanadianBillsFan on Mar 16, 2010 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions
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