Buffalo Bills Will Keep Arthur Moats At OLB - For Now

by Brian Galliford on Oct 11, 2011 2:01 PM EDT in Buffalo Bills Opinion

With veteran outside linebacker Chris Kelsay sidelined potentially until Week 8 with a calf issue sustained in practice last Thursday, the Buffalo Bills have finally found a home for Arthur Moats. For the last two weeks, Moats has played outside linebacker - and though it's not a permanent home, it's better than the flip-flopping he'd done between outside and inside linebacker since the start of training camp.

"He did a nice job," said head coach Chan Gailey of Moats' performance as part of a rotation filling in for Kelsay. "He wasn’t perfect. He hadn’t practiced there a lot so I think as he gets more work there maybe he’ll continue to give us a little juice off the edge."

It's nice to hear Gailey admit that Moats has helped the Bills' pass rush in the last two weeks. After three anemic games to start the season, the Bills have done a nice job of pressuring Andy Dalton and Michael Vick in consecutive weeks - and though Moats hasn't been the driving force behind that development, he's flashed play-making potential again, as seen by his hit on Vick that altered a throw eventually intercepted by George Wilson.

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if

if moats ends brady’s carrer with a sack, i will buy his jersey.Before it happens ,i think we will draft a lb with our 1st round next year

proud to be a die hard bills fan from france

Prediction for 2011; 9-7 and a wild card ticket

by le f07 on Oct 11, 2011 2:07 PM EDT reply actions

I would buy the Jersey of any Bills player who can do that, even if it’s Reggie Corner (one of my most hated players).

I still don’t understand why the Bills keep trying to force him into an ILB role. He has great speed and looks so much better on the outside as a pass rusher.

by SiriusRed on Oct 11, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions

yes even maybin,oh well too bad, but he can do it as a jet,lol

proud to be a die hard bills fan from france

Prediction for 2011; 9-7 and a wild card ticket

by le f07 on Oct 11, 2011 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Hooray!

Never should have left the OLB position. His hit on Michael Vick was nearly identical to the one on Favre. Both resulted in interceptions.

by tpsabres on Oct 11, 2011 2:07 PM EDT reply actions

seriously

glad we can put this ILB silliness behind us.

This even grates my passive cheese - LeClaire Bill

by poz on Oct 11, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

for now

by Mindbender14 on Oct 11, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

dont scare me!

This even grates my passive cheese - LeClaire Bill

by poz on Oct 11, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

Call it a 75% maybe.

Check out buddynixon.com for more of my work.

by cjf4 on Oct 11, 2011 3:11 PM EDT up reply actions

agreed.

I mean I get the theory but who cares if someone isn’t a prototype. Some guys are just good at things, he’s good at rushing the passer and that’s rare so let him get after it.

11 years of losing has taught me just a smidge of humility. - k8

by J2 on Oct 11, 2011 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

results are all that matters

and as you said, its rare to find a man who can get to the passer, let em get after it!

This even grates my passive cheese - LeClaire Bill

by poz on Oct 11, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I totally agree with the sentiment that you need the prototypical player, but come on, the kid is so much better on the outside. Look at James Harrison. He is 6’ 240, while Moats is 6’2" 250. I just dont get it. If he makes plays, who cares that hes not 6’4" and 265? To me if you make plays thats more important that your physical attributes.

"That's why you keep playing, gentlemen"

-Chan Gailey-

by Eric Murawski on Oct 11, 2011 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions

also

remember gailey, last year, talking about how great of leverage and center of gravity he plays with which makes up for his size to make the tackles and has the speed/power to turn that edge. I for one think he is the long time answer for our pass rush woes and can’t wait to see him secure that spot. That would allow us to focus somewhere else in our draft, such as cb

by Bestbillieve86 on Oct 11, 2011 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions

I can’t pass judgement on his future, but he certainly seems to have that innate ability to bend the edge, and use countermoves that you just cant really teach. I hope he becomes a very good pass rusher. I also hope the Bills draft another stud pass rusher in the upcoming draft.

I never thought I would say this, but I would rather see the Bills continue to build the D through the draft rather than drafting a QB and OT. I think both are necessary, but as we have already seen, this offense can put up points. If the D becomes a top 10 unit, we have a very good football team.

"That's why you keep playing, gentlemen"

-Chan Gailey-

by Eric Murawski on Oct 11, 2011 7:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Almost agree

In the first round I love the idea og going defense, be it lineman or linebacker but I hate the idea of picking up a corner in the first round, barring the once a decade corner… Rod woodson…which you can’t really predict anyway.

You can ALWAYS get a decent corner to develop, you cannot always get a super fast 350 pounder who can stop on a dime.

by Doctor Huge Pecs on Oct 12, 2011 6:08 AM EDT up reply actions

Defensive gameplan looked dramatically different in weeks 1-3 than 4 and 5. Particularly week 5.

I have low expectations. But high hopes.

by greysquirrel on Oct 11, 2011 2:13 PM EDT reply actions

I thought the Eagles game was George Edward’s best day as a defensive playcaller.

by PineWoodsBillsFan on Oct 11, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions

yes, lots more blitzing and confusing. I think that’s part of the reason we picked him off 4 times, he’s not the smartest QB in the league

11 years of losing has taught me just a smidge of humility. - k8

by J2 on Oct 11, 2011 2:18 PM EDT up reply actions

It also opened us up for those big plays in the second half. Well, even playing the straight vanilla we were playing the first few weeks left us open to the long gainers… So, I guess I’m up for big yardage with turnovers as opposed to big yardage with none.

Go blitzing! I’m curious to see how many times we did actually blitz… I know to me, it looks like a blitz even when it really isn’t.

Another season (maybe), another year getting on the roller coaster. Hope the ride lasts more than 16 games :)

by syrbillsfan on Oct 11, 2011 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Not sure about the blitz being the primary problem in the second half. For example, the two big Vick runs were 3 or 4 man rushes. The Desean Jackson TD was also not a blitz. There were some short completions that beat the blitz, but I don’t think if the big gainers were the result of a blitz.

I just think the defensive packages are very team and gameplan specific. We know how to blitz, but its not always the right strategy. Blitzing can be a real crutch and an even bigger liability at times, so I’m not enthused by it unless its realy working (and luckilky this apst week it seemed to be).

I have low expectations. But high hopes.

by greysquirrel on Oct 11, 2011 3:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I'm confused why this guy doesn't play more

It seems to me every time he touches the field he makes plays. I just hope they don’t give up on him because he is not an ideal fit into the OLB or ILB position. Hopefully this coaching staff can work him in, at least as a positional pass rusher for the time being until they get him settled into a position. I think we have good things ahead of us at the LB position with Sheppard and Moats

by csc06258 on Oct 11, 2011 2:23 PM EDT reply actions

He was injured in the pre-season.

Another season (maybe), another year getting on the roller coaster. Hope the ride lasts more than 16 games :)

by syrbillsfan on Oct 11, 2011 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Also Confused

I’m sure he makes mistakes and has flaws that the staff sees, but I know for a fact he is 10x better than Kelsay. I have hated Kelsay since he got here and I am sick of seeing him overrun reverses, be slow, and not get sacks. Then they rewarded him with an extension a year or two again. God he sucks so much put him on IR we don’t want him back in week 8. Keep Moats in there for Christsake.

by Adam O on Oct 11, 2011 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions

haha you crack me up. I have thought the same thing about Kelsay for years and years. Although I will say he has played a lot better this year…but is still horrible. I find it comical too when he gets sucked in so bad on reverses.

by csc06258 on Oct 11, 2011 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed

I won’t say Kelsay is horrible just is not a LB.

by Coach Bob on Oct 12, 2011 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions

#dontcrossthemoats

by wagerbombs on Oct 11, 2011 2:42 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs

the dude makes plays out there

Never liked gaileys reasoning behind moving him to ilb. One of the few mistakes he has made.

"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-

by billsoferie on Oct 11, 2011 2:57 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs

Could of been edwards and the staches decision.

"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus

by matthew62 on Oct 11, 2011 2:58 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Agreed, but it was a mistake, whoever made it. Let him rush the freakin’ passers!

"Teams that don't deserve to win.... Usually don’t. Today is no exception." -- Mr Huge Pecs
"Nick Barnett is everywhere. He is behind you right now." -- Munchausen

by ChuckBuffInFlo on Oct 11, 2011 3:02 PM EDT up reply actions

It is more complicated than that. He isn’t terribly proficient at setting the edge on run plays / plays when he’s not blitzing. He also is lacking in the beef department (which would help him in the previously mentioned plays.)

Another season (maybe), another year getting on the roller coaster. Hope the ride lasts more than 16 games :)

by syrbillsfan on Oct 11, 2011 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

Anybody remember Bryce Paup? Darryl Talley? These guys were great as third-down, pass rushing specialists. I could see this as a perfect role for Moats. Some guys just have a knack of getting after the QB.

by SiriusRed on Oct 11, 2011 3:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Darryl Talley was GREAT at alot things on the football field.

by PineWoodsBillsFan on Oct 11, 2011 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

^^^^^THIS^^^^^

Talley may not have put up the sack numbers Biscuit did, but playing alongside Bruce will do that… Our Bills have had some great linebackers in our history, but Darryl was arguably, the best of all of them… An excellent, EVERY down LB!!!

Optimistic??? Of course I am!! I'm a Bills fan, and as of right now, we are undefeated on the regular season!!!
Things are truly looking up!!!

by Cinga on Oct 11, 2011 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Obviouslly, the Bills FO has made a ton of correct moves (Giving Fitz the job, Barnett for Poz, Wilson for Whitner, re-sign Florence, trade Evans) by the fact the team is winning. However, one of there biggest mistakes was moving Moats inside and at least it is remedied now while we are 4-1 as oppose to when it may be too late.

I couldn’t even imagine the media/fan trashing of Gailey/Nix if we were 1-4 because we couldn’t stop anyone and they then announced that Moats would be moving back outside.

I was vehimently against the Moats to ILB when it happened and hope they just leave him outside at least for the rest of the season. Even if it is situational.

On a completely unrelated note Moats has been great on Kickoff coverage.

by Berg79 on Oct 11, 2011 3:03 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

PT. Come on coach, get him on the field.

"Alright Men, lets go out there, bust um in the chops & get somebody bloody. Keep working hard till you get it right. Take the W in battle & make the Bills Nation Proud." coach Karma420

by Blood, sweat & Win on Oct 11, 2011 3:14 PM EDT reply actions

I don’t know if I want him on the field on running downs. He has trouble in the run game at OLB.

"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.

by stetzwebs on Oct 11, 2011 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he will improve against the run

but he’s a terror rushing the qb.

"Alright Men, lets go out there, bust um in the chops & get somebody bloody. Keep working hard till you get it right. Take the W in battle & make the Bills Nation Proud." coach Karma420

by Blood, sweat & Win on Oct 12, 2011 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions

please just keep him at weakside-OLB

by dgrid on Oct 11, 2011 4:00 PM EDT reply actions

DONT CROSS THE MOATS! - UPGRADE!

Some of the names people come up with for their kids start the kids out neck deep in social hell.

by DspYank on Oct 11, 2011 4:19 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Is no one going to comment on the ridiculously awesomeness of the picture used?

by BillsfanDan on Oct 11, 2011 4:24 PM EDT reply actions

What is so awesome about it?

by DirtyDrew on Oct 12, 2011 12:34 AM EDT up reply actions

Moats has so much untapped potential. Leave him at OLB! To steal a phrase from Der Jaeger “I don’t care how tall he isn’t.” Imagine if Moats spent training camps and pre season learning the OLB position? Leave him there, let him learn and grow.

"Sit down and watch my Buffalo Bills destroy your Kingdome" - Abayarde

Chris Kelsay is a good football player.

by nickdaniels on Oct 11, 2011 4:32 PM EDT reply actions

No joke Nick.

The guy basically ends Burt Farve’s carreer and then puts the crush on Vick directly causing an interception.
Leave him out there!

"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.

by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Oct 11, 2011 6:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree also. He has his shortcomings. Specifically, to me it seems in the running game he plays with a much higher pad level than he does when he is getting after the passer, so he struggles to set the edge. Thats a technique issue. Ill keep saying this, but James Harrison is 6’ 240lb, Clay Matthews is 6’3" 255lb. One is smaller than Moats (6’2" 250lb), and one is barely bigger, but they certainly make their share of plays. Who cares about his physical attributes, give the guy more time in practice and on the field to get the technique down and he could be a real player for Buffalo.

"That's why you keep playing, gentlemen"

-Chan Gailey-

by Eric Murawski on Oct 11, 2011 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Moats deserves to be out there...He has what it takes to get to the QB and create problems.

He has proven that he can rush the QB. This guy has “IT” when it comes to getting to the QB. With more time and experience he could be something special as an end rusher. I love this guys motor and power he brings to that position. Keep bringing it Moats!

by Dareurush! on Oct 11, 2011 6:58 PM EDT reply actions

Unfortunately

Everybody on this site knew he should be at OLB except OBD. To their credit they showed some flexibility in moving him back out there. Play the guy he will get better and he can do what Kelsay can’t, beat a tackle to the outside with his speed!

by Coach Bob on Oct 12, 2011 12:01 AM EDT reply actions

Maybin was cut, Sheppard was hurt early on, Morrison came in out of shape and not up to speed on the defense and finally Torbor went to IR

Eddins was put in IR and then out right released. It made sense to move Moats back to the outside. Sheppard is healthy, Morrison is healthy, Barnett and Davis are strong and Chris White should be coming back real soon. The Carrington experiment is nearly over as an OLB, the guy is just to big not to use at DE. The move makes sense to get Moats back outside.

YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde

by VanScottM on Oct 12, 2011 12:21 AM EDT reply actions

Moats is the only guy who I see out of our linebackers that consistently gets to the quarterback.

by billsfan26 on Oct 12, 2011 12:52 AM EDT reply actions

Moats for OLB

He’s shown a knack for disrupting the pass protection and timing between qb & reciever as long as it works to our advandtage I say use him until someone stops or takes advandtage of him. Let’s not out think ourselves no play call is prefect until it"s executed to prefection. If opposing teams think that he’s such a weak link let’s make them stop him not us, beause as I said it’s working for us. Meanwow Shepard seem to have a nice game as well, I think we are going into the Giants game with good reason to believe we will win.

by atsnigduh2u on Oct 12, 2011 4:11 AM EDT reply actions

another thinkg i dont understand is kelsay i dont like him playing that outside olb he cant run for his life hes just a passrusher thats it i thnk thats another kampman situation brewing of a guy who dosent fit what do you guys think of kelsay?

by azores2387 on Oct 12, 2011 11:41 AM EDT reply actions