Buffalo Bills Believe They're "Thinnest" Defensively

by Brian Galliford on Feb 24, 2011 2:01 PM EST in Buffalo Bills News

While the fact that Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey believes the team will be a hybrid defense going forward is interesting enough, a different opinion of his might be more relevant to the 2011 NFL Draft. That opinion? Gailey believes his team is weakest defensively. (Which is fairly obvious, but nice to hear, anyway.)

"Defense is where we’re the thinnest," Gailey told The Buffalo News in Indianapolis on Thursday.

Stating also that the team has plans to re-sign Paul Posluszny once a new CBA is in place, Gailey also confirmed that improving at inside linebacker is an emphasis for the team. Even with plans to re-sign Posluszny, and with Andra Davis and Reggie Torbor under contract, the Bills are poised to lose Akin Ayodele and Keith Ellison via free agency, and need to improve drastically in this area.

Gailey also told The News that he was not in Buffalo when the team hosted free agent safety Bob Sanders on a visit this past Tuesday.

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Some decent prospects at ILB

Martez Wilson, Greg Jones, Casey Matthews. I dunno how much depth there is, but we can probably pick up a decent ILB in the 2nd or 3rd round.

by Renegade23 on Feb 24, 2011 2:17 PM EST reply actions

add

kelvin Sheppard to that list

by dgrid on Feb 24, 2011 2:48 PM EST up reply actions

…who was making the D call for Gailey at Sr Bowl

by dgrid on Feb 24, 2011 2:48 PM EST up reply actions

I keep telling people about

Mario Harvey from Marshall – keep an eye on him.

Act like a sober human being, not a drunk Internet username. -- Brian Galliford

by NorCal BillsFan on Feb 24, 2011 3:27 PM EST up reply actions

and he will be available in the 5-7 range

Act like a sober human being, not a drunk Internet username. -- Brian Galliford

by NorCal BillsFan on Feb 24, 2011 3:27 PM EST up reply actions

I’m surprised that no one is talking about Mark Herzlich as an option at ILB. He has size, instincts, block shedding ability and is very competant in coverage. He lacks speed, pass rush ability and has a somewhat low ceiling but those deficiencies would be less problematic if he moved from OLB to the inside. I think he would be an excellent beater on the inside next to Poz, where his ability to stack and shed will dictate his contribution. The 3rd round seems like an appropriate place for him.

THAT is why i'm serious.

by Trashplate on Feb 24, 2011 3:13 PM EST up reply actions

Forgot about him actually – but yes I agree

by Renegade23 on Feb 24, 2011 3:26 PM EST up reply actions

I also like Herzlich

and I think he could be a versatile piece to a hybrid defense.

i’m sure i’m going to regret this conversation… but what the hell - J2

by poz on Feb 24, 2011 3:45 PM EST up reply actions

thanks coach for stating the obvius. haha!

Was the FA question just about Pos or can we read into this that Florence, and Whitner are not being looked at for a re-sign?

Please base your arguments in provable facts instead of pulling stuff out of your rear. -CanadianBillsFan- This is why talk is cheap because the supply always exceeds the demand.

by jbbillfan on Feb 24, 2011 2:18 PM EST reply actions

Directly from The News article (not a Gailey quote):

The Bills’ coach said the team definitely will try to retain inside linebacker Paul Posluszny, whose contract is up.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Feb 24, 2011 2:23 PM EST up reply actions

Donte Whitner is going to become the Bills’ public tweetperson. I can see it now.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Feb 24, 2011 2:24 PM EST up reply actions

The only tweeter I care about is the one in my bass amp.

"Ability without character will lose. The Bills are going to be a team of high character. That stamp I will push very hard. I hope we can convey that to our fans and project something very special to the rest of the nation." - Marv Levy

by BuffaloBlueBlood on Feb 24, 2011 3:48 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

You have crushed this Tweeter’s self esteem. :’(

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Feb 24, 2011 3:49 PM EST up reply actions

lol

I guess tweeting has its place man, but I just can’t get into it. Can’t even get past the name.

by BuffaloBlueBlood on Feb 24, 2011 3:55 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Obviously you're not trying to state it's the case...

but stating they’re thinnest on defense doesn’t mean they’re committed to spending the draft retooling it (as we witnessed with the OL last year). It certainly doesn’t mean they’re likely to take a defender in the first round either. I do hope it means they go heavy on defense in the draft, but i’m not hopeful they ignore every QB prospect on the way to the podium.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Feb 24, 2011 2:23 PM EST reply actions

In other news...

Gailey: Water…it’s wet!

by Mindbender14 on Feb 24, 2011 2:30 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Haha

“the Bills are poised to lose Akin Ayodele and Keith Ellison via free agency”

Sounds too funny.

The Bills are thinnest everywhere. There’s probably more talent and depth on O, but there’s still some big needs over there. Other than Meatball, the rest of the D really needs help. A ton of help, actually.

~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 Feb 24, 2011 2:34 PM EST via mobile reply actions

There’s probably more talent and depth on O

Yep. But I’m not sure I see huge needs, at least in an immediate sense (and by immediate, I am of course removing QB from the picture). RT? TE? Otherwise, it’s pretty well set.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Feb 24, 2011 2:35 PM EST up reply actions

I think TE is a bigger need than many fans are taking the time to admit. I wonder if, internally, they see the value of a stud at TE?

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Feb 24, 2011 3:09 PM EST up reply actions

Okay, let’s just put it out there that i’ve set up a classic TWSS moment.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Feb 24, 2011 3:09 PM EST up reply actions

A pre-emptive strike. Nice.

by BuffaloBlueBlood on Feb 24, 2011 3:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Well

At least he didn’t try to sugar coat the weakness.

"It ain't supposed to make sense. It's faith. Faith is something you believe that nobody in his right mind would believe."

- Archie Bunker, "All In The Family"

by Goose22 on Feb 24, 2011 2:35 PM EST reply actions

The defense probably is thinner...

…couple that with the fact that Buffalo’s offense was once again in the bottom fourth of the league last year (for what? the 8th straight year?) and it’s really splitting hairs to call one side of the ball worse than the other. One thing is sure, they’ll need HUGE, HUGE improvements from the draft class of 2010 going forward or this whole operation might sink. Last year’s draftees’ performance as rookies on a talentless roster is mind boggling. excuse time is over for the 2nd year players in 2011.

"There's only one C.J. Spiller." -Buddy Nix

by Port Royal on Feb 24, 2011 2:38 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

Playmakers

I bet Nix/Gailey will use the 3 on the best playmaker available. I remember an interview with Nix last year when he said the team was starved for them, and adding them in the first round and at the 3rd overall pick is the best was to get them. Because we sure arent attracting them in free agency. AJ Green or Patrick Peterson, welcome to Buffalo.

by NoHuddle12 on Feb 24, 2011 2:51 PM EST reply actions

I agree

But if the choice comes down to Green or Peterson, i hope its Peterson. We have a much greater need at CB than we do at WR

by Winnie33 on Feb 24, 2011 3:02 PM EST reply actions

Green seems like the best bet to go nuts on the league though.

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Feb 24, 2011 3:10 PM EST up reply actions

The time is now to draft an ILB who can start immediately. The rook would be walking into a situation of having Poz playing next to him to help him learn the defense and would be backed up by two savvy, coach like veterans in Reggie Torbor and Andra Davis who have a lot to teach about the 3-4 defense and the NFL. Its a really good situation for a rookie ILB to walk into here in Buffalo.

i’m sure i’m going to regret this conversation… but what the hell - J2

by poz on Feb 24, 2011 3:48 PM EST reply actions

Agreed

You must be pleased to hear the want to resign Poz.

Now if we can add that stud OLB like Quinn our LB’s would be transformed. Then again, you spend 2 of the top 34 selections in the draft in any position and it will be transformed :-)

Poz, to help you get your wish of Quinn at #3 I’ve even changed my sig to support ya !

The Buffalo Bills - drafting big, mean, fast nasties since 2011.

by Will G on Feb 24, 2011 6:54 PM EST up reply actions

hahaha thanks my man!

Love the sig!

And yes, I am very pleased to hear he is a priority. We will see if it happens though, its tough to know if we will even be watching any football all year (wow, I think I just broke into a sweat)

i’m sure i’m going to regret this conversation… but what the hell - J2

by poz on Feb 24, 2011 8:17 PM EST up reply actions

No football would suck

You’ve got to have something to watch while drinking !

The Buffalo Bills - drafting big, mean, fast nasties since 2011.

by Will G on Feb 24, 2011 9:03 PM EST up reply actions

I agree

I see TE as an important and needed upgrade to create a more efficient offense. I would actually like to see 2 effective TEs on this team considering all of the 3-4 fronts the Bills face.

by WhatGoesAround on Feb 24, 2011 4:07 PM EST reply actions

Choking on the smoke

Degrees of thinness aside, IMO Gailey and Nix will draft a QB if they think what they have this year looks better than what they might have a shot at next year. No shot at Locker next year — I think every realist can agree on that. I’ve been hoping for Dareus or Peterson because we got absolutely hammered so many times last year. However, when you look at how many times we actually scored 20+ points, it wasn’t very many. It wasn’t like we were getting beat 35-24 every week. Part of that is the D not getting the offense enough possessions, either by stops or turnovers, but a big part of that also lies with the offense. Between illegal hit to head rules, can’t hit a defenseless receiver and illegal contact rules, the Shield has gone irreversibly towards a QB and WR game. Is Cam another JeMarcus Russell or another Steve Young? Whatever happens under the CBA, this probably will usher in a new era in signing rookie QBs to the benefit of the owners and maybe ultimately that’s what will make OBD call Newton in Round 1.

by AlwaysaBillinPhilly on Feb 24, 2011 5:10 PM EST reply actions

Locker?

Who mean Luck, right? Very good points.

QB or D? What are we gonna do at #3?

by buffalobacker on Feb 24, 2011 5:33 PM EST reply actions

Oops!

Above was a respone to Philly.

QB or D? What are we gonna do at #3?

by buffalobacker on Feb 24, 2011 5:34 PM EST up reply actions

With the power invested in me, I do hereby proclaim........

Chan’s new nickname forever will be, “The Vest.”

Bellychunk already had “The Hoodie” copyrights, so Chan had to do his own thing.

"Adversity is an opportunity for heroism." Marv Levy.

by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Feb 24, 2011 5:50 PM EST reply actions

Could be combine Chan and Vest and call him "Chesty"

then when we talk about Buddy and Chan, we can call them “Chesty CHIX” :-)

Anyone but Cam Newton at #3

The important thing is not to stop questioning. - Albert Einstein

by Joe P. on Feb 24, 2011 6:27 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Mmmm

Maybe it’s just me, but I have a problem calling 2 elderly gents “Chesty Chix” Kind of has the same impact as a cold spoon to the groin :-)

The Buffalo Bills - drafting big, mean, fast nasties since 2011.

by Will G on Feb 24, 2011 6:56 PM EST up reply actions

Cold spoon huh....I will have to take your word for it ;-)

Anyone but Cam Newton at #3

The important thing is not to stop questioning. - Albert Einstein

by Joe P. on Feb 24, 2011 7:11 PM EST up reply actions

I'm told it was an old remedy nurses used at sponge time :-)

Before my time I’m afraid.

The Buffalo Bills - drafting big, mean, fast nasties since 2011.

by Will G on Feb 24, 2011 9:03 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah -- meant LUCK -- HUGE difference! Thanks BBacker

by AlwaysaBillinPhilly on Feb 24, 2011 6:16 PM EST reply actions

Offense vs defense?

Tough call but let’s think about it. If oline is bell-levitre-wood-urbik-pears then what happens to the previous center. Also wang looks more like a guard than a tackle. Wang, depending how small the pickings are for tight end could line up there as a blocker. An up grade could be made for pears so here is what i would suggest draft jason barksdale or jason pinkston in the third or forth. I think either one could be a valuable starter at rt and potentially 2-3 yrs down the road start at Lt. it would be nice to have competition for a RT spot as the team produced very nice acquisitions during the season. Love the guard pick ups. I don’t know who the bills have behind bell that could even be considered worthy of being called a LT. I make this a need right away. Also, I definetely see a need for a 50/50 TE and wouldn’t mind 2 of them in draft as long as 1 of them was round 5 or later (assuming wang didn’t dress as one- he started out as a TE in virginia). Herzlich could be a very good linebacker and depending how much people have done there research he could be there in round 4 due to his previous record with cancer. Would love him as an addition. Also batten will be back ad I do believe he is a thumper at ILB. He should help to take up blocks. Another point is that davis ILB actually called the plays for b-lo in 3-4 situations so i wouldn’t take him out of the question completely. Akin was productive but not a difference maker. Would be nice to resign him for backup. Is 5 ILB to much? Also very easy to see the bills adding an OLB in von miller or quinn. This would probably signal the end of maybin who if he ever plays probably won’t be able to cover a wide reciever if his life counted on it due to his poor hip roation and mobility. I also don’t think I could as well but I wish him luck as it is not my career. I also worry about buffalo tring to add to many ILB as this doesn’t seem to be that exciting of a draft class as I have see before. Saw wilson play and he looked as though he wanted to play patty cake on 50% of the plays.Do you really want to add medicore players in this draft to pay mediocre for the next 5 yrs? I think the bills would be wise to spend the first 3 picks on defense unless someone spectacular falls to them. Go bills Look forward to hearing comments

by billleve on Feb 24, 2011 8:23 PM EST reply actions