Six young Bills poised to break out in 2010

Im going to say Johnson can breakout, but I am hopeful for Hardy as well. I am a bit surprised you put Brohm on this list, not that I am certain how you view certain players, but I guess every fan has to hope that a player in his 3rd year, has matured in the mind enough to pick up this offense and say, “I was a top college QB with all the physical tools, and I am going to bounce back from a slow start” I don’t know how his personal demeanor is, but I can only hope he leads by example and his early adversity becomes a strength, just where Edwards’ early successes (or perhaps better put, starting oppportunities) have perhaps hurt his long term viability.
Love that Maybin is only 22… he may have been more of a luxury pick than any player last year, and is a clear example of why the NFL needs a solid farm league… Maybin would have been great in NFL Europe or something just to get used to playing more NFL style games. I am as of right now advocating a farm league. Thik about the players we could put on there right now. Levi Brown, some of the lineman and the undrafteds. It would have helped for other players that didn’t pan out too such as Brohm… oh well

I’ve just got a good gut feeling about him. Despite his trouble in Green Bay. That’s a different situation.

I’m also excited about all the other players on the list.

This bit of positivity is just what I needed after reading all the post draft fall out. I’m actually OK with the draft and believe I fall into sireric’s (among others’) camp. I trust Nix so am more than willing to give this calss a fair break. Anyway, that’s off topic.

Gailey says he likes our existing young talent and so do I.

I love Trent…..but his mental makeup is seriously questionable……..Fitzy isnt the answer as a starter……..Brown is a 7th round pick, not expecting much from him…….but Brohm…he has his best chance to become a starter in the NFL with this team……this year.

If he lives up to the potential it could be the shrewdest move the Bills have ever made picking him up from the PS of GB.

Not only that…..he’d make Nix/Gailey look like genius……and me foolish for doubting them after they missed the obvious value of Clausen in the 2nd round.

So sure I can talk myself into Brohm…..I wanted him to play more last year…..but I understand why Peppermint Perry didnt play him.

I too love Levitre….loved it when he was picked……..(obvious Pac-10 bias aside) He’s gonna be good for a long time as long as he stays healthy…..

I dont have the same faith in the other 4 that you listed (I like Nelson a lil more than the others……..especially Maybin…….just do not think that kid is anything special)

Looking forward to training camp…….especially for the QB competition. That decision is ultimately going to decide how this year is going to go……..

I also wouldn’t necessarily call him a future star, either, because really, when are 3-4 defensive ends ever stars?

Well, Bruce Smith and Phil Hansen come to mind.

I love the story Brian. Before I even started reading the article my top 5 would have been them except Carrington, but then I realize he does have potential to do something this year.

Im excited for this season. So many good young players, with high ceilings. I dont know why everyone is so down on this team. If you look at our roster… I think we can compete in the AFCE this year. To hell with everyone saying we cant. We have explosiveness, we have toughness, we have new coaches, we have players that want to win. Alot of our roster wasnt here during the 00-09 decade. They dont have that losing culture around them. Lets suprise everyone, eh?

1. Levitre – I think he’s already begun to break out. He played very well down the stretch last year and is probably our best lineman as it is. Plus, how can a Guard truly break out?!?!

2. Nelson – I think he’ll get the chance to break out by default, and because I have a feeling this offense will rely heavily on him in the passing game. I hope he’s up for the challenge. His blocking improved throughout the season last year, and I expect further development this year. With a WR position filled with youngsters that will likely rotate a lot, I think Nelson’s bigger role will allow him to break out more than any of those guys.

3. Maybin – Also by default due to playing time. I really hated everything I saw out of Maybin last year. He lacked explosion, pass rush moves, counter moves and could not get away from a tackle if he was engaged. He looked like he was overmatched all year. With his move to OLB being a question mark, at least in how he’ll handle all the non-pass rush duties, he’s going to need to improve tenfold over last season. I just hope he can show some improvement, and at least prove he’s capable of being a full time player. Or at least a player that deserves to be on the field….

4. Johnson – I don’t like Johnson in the slot all that much. I like him on the outside where his size is an advantage. He’s also an underrated blocker, in my opinion, so that should get him on the field more. I think that might actually give him the edge as a potential starter too. Somebody will have to catch passes, I’m guessing Johnson has as good a chance as anyone.

5. Brohm – I don’t think he’s the opening day starter, but I do think he’ll be the backup. He’ll get his chance this year, and deserves a shot if he can prove himself capable of handling the position in practice. If he’s not overwhelmed, I’d like to see him get that shot mid-season. Do I think he’ll succeed? No, I don’t think he’s very good. But the opportunity should be there, at some point.

6. Carrington – He’ll play, but he’s likely only to be part of the rotation. I’m guessing he’ll see 15-20 snaps, but that might not be for a good chunk of the season. Even if he plays a significant role, it’s unlikely he’s going to be putting up stats or performances that epitomize a breakout. Next year, though, I’d expect bigger things out of him, once he has gotten his feet wet.

He showed flashes of raw talent last year and the opportunity for Nelson to be major part of the offense is all but guaranteed. If he is comfortable in the NFL by his sophmore season, he could really take off.

Well you’re certainly going out on a limb with Brohm. I want to see him in training camp before I give him a roster spot, let alone say he’s going to beak out.

I agree with that list, but what about Spiller? Too obvious a choice?

It’ll help Maybin out quite a bit if he’s out for more than 7 snaps a game, I think!

Seems like the type player we draft really young. Sucks at first. Slowly progresses with good coaching and really peaks in his last year under contract. We just need to pay him when he hits this point and not let him leave for more $$ elsewhere.

I like the article, my main problem with Maybin is that last year it just didn’t look like he knew what he was doing. I mean the guy has madden abilities, but he needs to really work on pass rushing other wise someone can just take an angle and take him out of the play.
I am heavily routing for Brohm, for a 2nd rnd pick originally he just seems like an underdog.
I do agree on Jackson being the most polished, however, I see Spiller being thrown in the slot a lot. The knock I’ve heard on him is he isn’t the best pass blocker, but due to his talents you’re gonna want him out on the field.
Out of all the players listed I think Nelson is going to have the biggest year. When Nix and Modrak was talking about drafting Spiller and saying they needed more talent, Modrak specifically said they really felt like they had a talented TE with Nelson (don’t have the exact quote). And to me, that leads me to believe, that like Spiller they are going to find a way to get Nelson involved as much as possible.
The thing about Levitre breaking out is, what is a break out year for a guard? And for that matter, if the rest of the o-line is avg or below avg, does it matter? For Levitre being my favorite linemen he can’t block everyone…

For Levitre being my favorite linemen he can’t block everyone…

Why not???

Cue T-Rex references…

well, I obviously became a Dawg fanatic, but aside from that, payed attention to GaTech to a certain extent… Anyway, when Gailey took over there, Tech was still under sanctions and a lose of scholarships for a year or 2, and he came in as a disciplinarian.. Often, especially in the beginning, players sat out games for “disciplinary” reasons with him, something I don’t remember his predecessor, George O’Leary, ever doing… Coming into OBD, I’m seeing that same disciplinarian approach in OTAs…

Moral of the story… If his Tech days hold, the players who practice the hardest, and make the most progress, will be the ones on the field on Sundays.. I think we can view this as a new era in Buffalo, and Chix has no reason to give loyalty to any of the holdovers. But any of the players who buy into his system, and show him what they can, or are willing to do, he’ll get them on the field, and push them to be the best they can be…..
A final note on Maybin… I moved to Md a few months ago due to work, now living right up the road from the Ravens complex, and know from news, as well as people I’ve met since here, Maybin has indeed been working his butt off this offseason. Often with Ray Lewis BTW, and through the same personal trainer.. I for one, am anxious to see if that work can carry over into his play…

but upon further retrospect, who else could have been on this list? we only have a few young guys that havent done hardly anything yet, i guess brohm is just as good as other to have a break out year. i hope brohm gets his chance, i hope all these player make great impacts, and most of all i hope troup owns that middle!

Brian I usually agree with you, but Brohm….keep dreaming.

He sputtered in Green Bay and unfortunately hasn’t shown any flashes of brilliance since.

Bro…. Brohm

Took a look around the internets about this guy Brohm. Quite a few critics – not a strong arm, checkdown artist, wobbly passes, worked out of a spread in college… bla bla bla.

I’d be happy if he emerges as serviceable, but I’m not holding my breath.

At this point, I’m a Trent guy, dinged skull and all.

If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with.

Obviously the coaching staff must see something…and are betting the farm on it. Levitre’s wouldn’t be so much as a “break out” considering his play last year…but if Bell steps up as it seems the coaching staff is expecting him to, the this would be his year.