Buddy Nix On Shawne Merriman's Health and Outside Linebackers

by MattRichWarren on Feb 25, 2011 5:00 PM EST in Buffalo Bills News

Shawne Merriman was on the practice field for about 15 minutes in a Buffalo Bills uniform before re-aggravating an injury that eventually forced him to injured reserve. After a hefty contract extension, the outside linebacker is rehabbing and getting ready for the 2011 season, says Bills head coach Chan Gailey.

"I can only give the report that I get," Gailey told BuffaloBills.com. "I get the report from the training staff, Bud Carpenter and his staff and all things are positive at this point. I think we’re all looking forward to seeing how he progresses, his continual improvement and what he’ll be able to do if we can get on the field with him."

Seeing Merriman on the field should bolster the Bills' anemic pass rush, and provide a dynamic they lost when Aaron Schobel retired. GM Buddy Nix may change his draft approach based on the health of the man he once helped draft as a member of the San Diego Chargers front office.

"A big factor for us is if Merriman gets healthy," said Nix. "So far, so good. If he does (get healthy), he adds a lot to the pass rush. I think a lot will depend on that."

"I know him and I’ve got a lot of confidence in him too," Nix continued. "He’s a great player. He did a lot of good things for us in San Diego and when he came in there we really started getting better on defense."

Nix went on to state in his interview with BuffaloBills.com that he believes the young pass rushing talent on the roster is pretty good.

"We feel good about outside 'backer," said Nix. "We do have a bunch of good young guys. We need a couple of inside 'backers. We need some bigger, stronger guys to help us stop the run."

If the GM's words mean anything this time of year, it looks like Von Miller may not be a consideration at number three after all. The Bills may be content to ride with Merriman, Chris Kelsay and Arthur Moats, along with some of their other young prospects.

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Does this mean

Nix really likes our OLB’s. Or is he really meaning that our ILB’s are just so much worse again (bar Poz who is o.k.) I don’t consider OLB a position of strength by any means – though there are worse spots on the roster.

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

by Will G on Feb 25, 2011 5:10 PM EST reply actions

yah think he likes the young guys he found in last years draft the amount of decent players we got in the back end of the draft is surprising really. have to see how they do next year. sad thing is thow that theres only like martez wilson at ilb this year and thats about it not many big guys at ilb this year one of the weakest postions in the draft gonna have to get one or two in fa if we want the right sized guys

by matthew62 on Feb 25, 2011 5:23 PM EST reply actions

Is anyone else worried about this?

Merriman may be able to play next year, but there are big questions about whether he will ever again be the player he once was in San Diego. Does this seem like a reasonable gamble for Nix to be taking, or should he be drafting at least one other top-notch OLB to line up opposite Merriman if he is healthy or to take his place as our main pass-rusher if he is not?

by Macktruck on Feb 25, 2011 5:39 PM EST reply actions

Get Healthy

Thats great , I’m more concerned that he stay healthy as well. Hoping that I’m being to leery regarding Merriman’s health/injury issues. Didn’t take long for re-injury thats for sure.

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

by buffalobacker on Feb 25, 2011 5:42 PM EST reply actions

If a team is banking on a player “getting healthy” as I really have to question the direction this team is taking.

by Al Bundy is my hero on Feb 25, 2011 5:53 PM EST reply actions

I agree with the concern

But then again, I don’t believe anything a coach or GM says at this time of the year. My question, how high is too high to draft the top ILB (arguably), Martez Wilson?

by S2 on Feb 25, 2011 6:06 PM EST reply actions

Sigh....

When Nix and Gailey talk so glowingly about OLB it really makes me wonder.

I don’t see how Merriman’s health over the next two months should have any bearing on who gets drafted. They need to be placing very little value and low expectations on Merriman’s ability to stay on the field. They need to add quality players to the position whether Merriman is healthy or not, but they should also plan for him not being out there just in case. Assuming his health and even basing potential picks on it would be ridiculous. Let’s hope that’s not the case.

I still have no clue how they can feel so good about this unit. Did they forget the ineptitude of this past season? Did they forget the talent they (don’t) have? Did they forget that its made up of an injury prone former roidhead, three low round/undrafted projects, a first round nobody and an All-World practice superstar?!? How can they be good enough? Again, hoping for the best, but these comments make me wonder. Maybe its just a heavy dose of GM-speak.

~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 25, 2011 6:07 PM EST via mobile reply actions 2 recs

“A big factor for us is if Merriman gets healthy,” said Nix. “So far, so good. If he does (get healthy), he adds a lot to the pass rush. I think a lot will depend on that.”

Too many if’s and depend’s! Still it looks like Nix is going to stand pat here.

I’m dreading the upcoming draft and FA signings. Games are won and lost in the trenches, and I see the Bills loading up at skill positions.

by Rick A on Feb 25, 2011 7:45 PM EST up reply actions

I was floored reading that quote… especially given the fact the Bills are talking about looking at Bob Sanders given his injury history.

It makes me nervous as a fan that this team might start out hot and then the injuries hit and we are back to square 1.

by Al Bundy is my hero on Feb 25, 2011 8:37 PM EST up reply actions

Well, if Merriman doesn’t make it, we always have Kelsay manning the other side of the field. He does seem pretty durable, which is no doubt the reason he commands such a lofty salary. Come to think of it, I can’t think of any other reason.

by Macktruck on Feb 25, 2011 9:18 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed

I tend to feel its all “GM speak”. What scares me is if this franchise is gonna spend some money on quality players versus the injury prone, downside of career signings that have occurred recently. Can’t fault Chan or Nix for lack of fundage. It’s like “we can only spend this much so lets gamble and hope he does good” approach. Getting better thru draft is what I heard coming from Nix and I’m starting to see why he said that. Open up the wallet Ralph, can’t take it with you!

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

by buffalobacker on Feb 25, 2011 10:36 PM EST up reply actions

Thats it right there

I dont see Vonn Miller at 3. but even a 2nd or 3rd prospect at OLB to me is a must have. So many positions to draft it doesn;t even matter. You could argue an upgrade at every position. Even at DT if we are going to have more 4-3 looks. Carolina could go Newton, Denver Dareus and then the Bills take Fairley. Fairley and Williams inside is a BEASTLY defensive front. You could even fairly a End in the 3-4 and he could be nasty. I guess the same thing goes for Dareus as well, if the draft order changed.
We have to draft defense because we are so poor at it. Every QB in the draft is no where near a sure thing, and the Bills have to get players that make the defense better. The offense generates some points, and while a tight end would be nice, we shouldn’t forget that free agency, once the CBA passes, will help the team alot.

Go Bills because I'm a blind homer... sort of

by killascript on Feb 25, 2011 11:31 PM EST up reply actions

THANK YOU

I could not have said it better myself. I thought I was alone in this thinking. Based on these posts, I see I am not. And, rec’d x 100.

by billskk69 on Feb 26, 2011 10:47 AM EST up reply actions

When Nix and Gailey talk so glowingly about OLB it really makes me wonder.

I think your wondering about the wrong things.

To me it means their committed to working with the younger players that they have on the roster and improving them. They wanted to be the best teachers and clearly if you’re looking to be the best teachers then you need players to mold.

When the Bills say they are building through the draft it means developing those 3rd, 4th, 5th etc… round guys into productive NFL players. Not just giving up on them after a year – they drafted those guys for a reason and that reason was to teach them the NFL. Batten, Moats, Maybin are all young OLBs that need to learn the NFL.

I took his statements as we have youth at the position that we’re trying to grow. We’ll take a guy if there’s a clear upgrade as that’s their M.O. but they won’t force their hand in any way because there is youth there that needs grooming. It’s a long and painful rebuild – this is part of that rebuild.

Anyone with half a brain wouldn’t come away with his comments thinking he’s super happy with that group – just that there are bodies there with good upside that need to keep learning and playing.

Never use two drops of the formula. It would cause a reaction on the molecular level that is completely unpredictable.

by J2 on Feb 28, 2011 10:53 AM EST up reply actions

Quinn

Can he play OLB and 34 DE?

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

by billsoferie on Feb 25, 2011 6:44 PM EST reply actions

Yes. He’s a better fit for the 4-3, but he can stand up.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Feb 25, 2011 7:49 PM EST up reply actions

i like him as an OLB

he is quick for his size, and could cause some havic running downhill on the outside.

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

by billsoferie on Feb 25, 2011 9:42 PM EST up reply actions

So OLB is not a problem, and Poz is fine in the middle.

Is this to say that adding a starting ILB will make the defense considerably better?

by Pistol on Feb 25, 2011 8:01 PM EST reply actions

Poz is likely a free agent. :-)

I think adding a healthy Merriman, someone at DE not named Stroud, Wannstedt, and someone at SS and you might have a pretty nice defense. I could be wrong, though.

You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
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by MattRichWarren on Feb 25, 2011 8:55 PM EST up reply actions

i think they will re sign Poz

i dont think he will look for a huge contract and we cant afford looking for 2 ILB’s

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

by billsoferie on Feb 25, 2011 9:43 PM EST up reply actions

How could was Merriman at covering during his days in SD?

Acceptable #3 Selections: Blaine Gabbert, AJ Green, Von Miller, Cameron Jordan, Marcell Dareus, Prince Amukamara, Patrick Peterson, Robert Quinn

by NordicBillsfan on Feb 25, 2011 11:41 PM EST up reply actions

Merriman is known for his pass rush ability. That’s what I’ll say. To drop him into coverage wastes his talents.

You can't have CHANGE without CHAN.
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by MattRichWarren on Feb 26, 2011 8:37 AM EST up reply actions

wow, meant how “good”

Acceptable #3 Selections: Blaine Gabbert, AJ Green, Von Miller, Cameron Jordan, Marcell Dareus, Prince Amukamara, Patrick Peterson, Robert Quinn

by NordicBillsfan on Feb 25, 2011 11:41 PM EST reply actions

/facepalm. what I’m replying to was meant to be a reply to my "how good was merriman at covering during his days in SD?

Acceptable #3 Selections: Blaine Gabbert, AJ Green, Von Miller, Cameron Jordan, Marcell Dareus, Prince Amukamara, Patrick Peterson, Robert Quinn

by NordicBillsfan on Feb 25, 2011 11:42 PM EST up reply actions

Tough one...

I see Merriman bringing leadership and intensity to the defense but as always the big question is IF he can stay healthy. The Bills haven’t had much luck with signing vets that have stayed healthy—last year they signed Davis, Green and Edwards and all ended up on IR. The year before they went thru how many O-lineman? Hopefully Merriman bucks the trend.

At this point and with the Bills needing so many up grades signing him was worth the risks…

"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 26, 2011 8:45 AM EST reply actions

I got nothin'...

The Merriman thing is so iffy! I don’t know what to make of it. I think Nix feels the same way, I think his fingers are crossed on this one. Let’s one or two decent years of pressure, not sacks, pressure and let him go on his merry way. Same with Sanders. Enough time to draft some other positions this year, then in the following drafts (rebuild years 3 & 4) finish off the pieces of the puzzle and cut them loose.

"I've never been a big numbers guy. Numbers are good for giving you numbers, but great QBs make the plays that keep drives alive, move chains and win games."
-Bill Cowher

by superchops on Feb 26, 2011 8:54 AM EST reply actions