Chan Gailey Happy With Alex Carrington At OLB

by Brian Galliford on Aug 18, 2011 11:35 AM EDT in Buffalo Bills Training Camp

Of all of the various personnel decisions that the Buffalo Bills have made this year in training camp, none have been as curious as the decision to play the 6'5", 304-pound Alex Carrington at outside linebacker. Drafted in the third round last year to be a defensive end in the team's 3-4 defense, Carrington is now being used as a stand-up pass rusher and run stuffer in George Edwards' hybrid defense.

Bills head coach Chan Gailey seems very pleased with the results to this point.

"He's doing a really nice job of rush outside," Gailey said of Carrington on Wednesday night. "You're only going to show him every now and then dropping - that's not what he does - but you do it just enough to create indecision sometimes. He's a big load on the edge, and he's got good speed for a man his size. He's been an interesting project during the course of camp thus far."

It's still not clear if the team will be using Carrington more on the line or at his new position once the games start to count. Either way, "interesting project" doesn't do it justice; Carrington may very well be the heaviest outside linebacker in the NFL.

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Sounds like a great thing in nickel and dime situations, when you have plenty of DB’s on the field in coverage anyway.

I love the way our defense just keeps getting stouter and stouter.

by cmeid on Aug 18, 2011 11:37 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed, I love innovative-type wrinkles like this

by billsnterps on Aug 18, 2011 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions

Carrington at OLB is a big winner

I watched Carrington at training camp last night very closely and I can testify that he was all over the field, constantly making plays. Having the ability to move in space really seems to suit him. I should add that the Bills were also allowing Dareus and Kyle Williams to move around the field a lot. I don’t believe I have ever seen a d-line that mobile, and it was devastating for the offense. Putting Carington at OLB seems to fit this strategy perfectly.

by Macktruck on Aug 18, 2011 11:43 AM EDT reply actions 4 recs

I agree with this, rec'd.

I think Chan may have made a nice move here. I think Carrington carries his weight really well and as far as him being the heaviest outside LB in the league…well, someone has to be, right?

"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde

by StroudFanClub on Aug 18, 2011 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Many guys that can play many positions and do it well…. Sounds awesome.

by greysquirrel on Aug 18, 2011 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions

I think Chan is attempting to get bigger bodies on the field for our Defense’s attacking positions (oxymoron anyone!), this reminds me of a guy that coaches a little south of here, he wears a hoody, I can’t seem to remember his name. If Carrington can be our “poorman’s” Willie McGinest. I will be happier than a tick on a fat dog!

Remember Chan took Mike Tomczak to a divisional playoff! The guy can coach QBs!

Newton will be a BUST at the next level, mark my words. He looked very pedestrian in the BCS game. He might be full of Athletic abilities but so was Vince & Jamarcus. He can’t read a defense to save his life! - Keysh67

by Mr S on Aug 18, 2011 9:01 PM EDT up reply actions

chan

Chan is trying to get bigger and more talented everywhere. I wish him luck, Go Bill’s!

Baby steps are for babies. Step it up buffalo!

by buffalobacker on Aug 19, 2011 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions

I do like the idea, as I think that it plays to the “get the best players on the field” philosophy, but I do have concerns. He won’t be asked to drop back often, but he will sometimes. How will be be able to cover TEs? This is a big concern for me. I do take consolation knowing that if he gets Kelsay off the field, he’ll be a better pass rusher and run stopper and we won’t be losing that much in coverage, so it’s probably a net gain.

"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 Aug 18, 2011 11:47 AM EDT reply actions

Imagine this. Marcell Dareus eating up the RT andRG. Alex Carrington rushing in 1v1 against a TE or no one. Sounds like a nice mismatch to me.

by NordicBillsfan on Aug 18, 2011 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions

yeah, and w/ K Williams eating up the C & LG, that leaves the LT to handle Merriman!

by dgrid on Aug 18, 2011 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah and who is blocking Dwan Edwards in that scenario ?

Dareus will Carry Us.

by Will G on Aug 19, 2011 12:40 AM EDT up reply actions

How will be be able to cover TEs? This is a big concern for me.

At 6’5", he’ll probably cover most TEs better than Whitless and Kelsuck.

Girls use hair spray, Men don't.

DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND GROW UP BY NOT USING HAIRSPRAY MALES!

Don't be a Paully!

by The Buffalo Kid on Aug 18, 2011 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions

Match-up problems can happen in any scheme depending on the defensive assignments. But how often is a DE in a 4-3 asked to cover a TE? It’s really not something that has to be a problem more than any other potential matchup issue on the defense. Could he get stuck in a bad match-up? Yes. But he could also create at match-up problem. HE could also be asked to drop in a zone blitz, but we all know Raji is asked to do that — its a gamble that can pay-off.

His hand looks to be in the dirt a lot…. I’ve grown increasingly convinced we as a group don’t know what the heck the Bills system is or whether its really that different from a 4-3 in most looks… So we can call him an OLB or a DE or both.

by greysquirrel on Aug 18, 2011 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions

You....

are right sir!

gobills!

PodunkO - The great post ender!

by podunkowego on Aug 18, 2011 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't worry

He won’t be in there in obvious passing downs, more so for run support and rushing the passer…

by doctork44 on Aug 18, 2011 2:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Like how we have guys playing more than one position, and being productive. shows the new found depth of this d-line and linebacking core. With him on the field we can easily transition without making subs, which is definitely a plus, especially during a two minute situation.

Fitzmagic

by tomcs on Aug 18, 2011 11:51 AM EDT reply actions

Even if he’s out there to absorb more blocks, that will free our other (quicker)LBs to get in there and make the play. This move is surprising, but it’s a pleasant surprise.

by jkra0512 on Aug 18, 2011 11:54 AM EDT reply actions

I like it, do whatever it takes to get football players on the field.

by cencalclassics on Aug 18, 2011 11:55 AM EDT reply actions

Let's get K in on this. He has been advocating a pass rush forever.

The disclaimer is: It is all theory at this point and time. With no game film to compare.

This is interesting and as Mack mentioned from last night and what we saw last satuday this guy is a beast this year. Anyone thought this would be the case would definately have an ear where we would all like to have one. Anyways. Carrington is a very interesting subject but I think the bigger topic is the fact that in Nix’s first draft, he drafted three defensive ends from college that specialized in thier programs as pass rushing DE’s. The bills since then have been converting all three of them to positions where they can continue that pass rushing and focusing on run defense as well. This will and should grow into a very potential disruptive defense both against the Brady’s and Rothlisburgers of the league.

I think K’s thoughts on this are what is needed, he tends to bring us back to earth at times, but there has been equal praise from Gailey about Batten as well as Carrington and we all know what Moats can offer with pass rush. Just curious K, that’s all.

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 Aug 18, 2011 11:56 AM EDT reply actions

You said it

Its all a nice thought at this point. He can look good in practice against Pears, Wrotto, Howard or whoever, but until we see how he plays the position in a real game in pressure situations, we have to simply remain hopeful.

I obviously haven’t seen him at OLB, so I don’t know how he will handle it. As I’m sure you’d expect, I’m pretty skeptical of the move. I’m not that worried about him lining up there from time to time, but more how it will effect the rest of the front 7 and how the opposition will try to take advantage. I’m assuming he won’t be dropping into coverage, at least I hope he won’t be. I just don’t know if a 300 lb guy can do that, no matter how well he might move. If opposing teams see that he drops from time to time, they’ll quickly try to capitalize. But then again, how much worse can he be than 90?

I think more importantly is how it’ll impact the other players around him. Since again I’m assuming he wouldn’t drop back much, and Merriman is most likely rushing on the other side, would this be basically a 5-man front? Is it mostly for run looks? Its a great way to add size against the run, but at this point I think itd be a bit of a predictable lineup. I don’t know how often Carrington or Merriman would drop back so I’m guessing we’d see a lot of 5 man rushes. That would probably help the pass rush, but put added pressure on the secondary and ILB’s. I don’t really know.

In the end, if this helps our D become more stout against the run and get Kelsay off the field, I’d be happy. Carrington would hopefully be a lot less susceptible to misdirection. I’m not sure how much this would help the pass rush since it remains to be seen how good he is at it. Standing up might help him get better push into OT’s, which would help his bull rush. I think he might be better rushing from DE though.

I’d rather have him at DE and I’m leery of tge move, but it could definitely help this defense get stronger. I’m loioking forward to seeing if he can have some success there the next couple of preseason games. I hope they give him some first team snaps.

~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 Aug 18, 2011 2:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

All we did was take a page from the Giants playbook of a few seasons ago where they had three to four legit pass rushers

that they would rotate or play all at once and get the biggest mismatch on passing downs in their favor. Spags spearheaded that setup, and I thought it was awesome, and obviously Nix does too since we have a bunch of pass rushers developing into that same type of nightmarish QB killing setup.

Goose22- "I have a quick first step, I’m so good just go an ask my rep
I look like Tarzan but play like Jane" Aaron May(have)bin

by WABillsfan on Aug 18, 2011 11:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Pass rush is, in my opinion the most important aspect to a defense in today’s NFL. I’m psyched we may actually have one this year. If we could emulate what the Giants had in 2007 – 2009, I would be very happy with that.

"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 Aug 19, 2011 12:12 AM EDT up reply actions

I’m glad Maybin is gone, but if he wasn’t, the Bill’s would have had the heaviest and lightest LB’s in the league.

by jhloje on Aug 18, 2011 11:59 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Like the moves being made on the Defense. If everyone can stay healthy, I really think this can be a good D. Can’t wait for the home opener to get here!

by Jbar7 on Aug 18, 2011 11:59 AM EDT reply actions

skeptical...

by Mindbender14 on Aug 18, 2011 12:07 PM EDT reply actions

Have to see how well he plays in space

That is Kelsay’s weakness. Hopefully we’ll get a feel in the next few exhibition games. It’s tough to react when you’re that big.

by Rick A on Aug 18, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Stoked

I am stoked that carrington is having a good camp, especially at OLB… a position I never imagined he’d fit into when we drafted him.

He and Mario Williams have to be the biggest OLBs in the league.

by Wien on Aug 18, 2011 12:20 PM EDT reply actions

I always hoped he could have been a pass rusher at the 260/270 range we drafted him and even I thought that was a bit too big and far fetched to work, and now he adds 30+ pounds is over 300 and now is playing OLB. Very weird situation but I’m not mad. I always liked him, read a nice story about him and his kid and his kid always played with the Bills on Madden even before he was drafted so he felt like the draft choice was fate or whatever but nonetheless I hope he has a productive, injury free season along with the rest of our defense!

http://twitter.com/#!/CLoSkills - Sports talk/opinions on Twitter, follow and I'll return the favor.

by CLoSkills on Aug 18, 2011 1:02 PM EDT reply actions

Even Kyle is stoked.....

This comment is slightly off-base but I can’t remember Kyle ever talking proud like this….
"I think when me and Marcell are inside I think if we’re getting after it and we’re running pretty hot we’re going to be hard to deal with," said Williams. "I think that he does some things better than I can, I do some things better than he does. I think we play well off each other. I don’t know if you watch practice very much, but I’m always talking to him. I’m always pointing things out to him. I think we’ve really got a chance to be good. I really do. I think we can do some things up front."

You add merriman to that and…..a thing of beauty……..and Carrington and the rest of our D looks ready to help! Oh lordy no injuries! No Jinxes!
No Jinxes ! No Jinxes!!
gobills!

PodunkO - The great post ender!

by podunkowego on Aug 18, 2011 1:27 PM EDT reply actions

You're a fan

You’re not on the field. Jinxes don’t exist.

Hope that helps ;)

by lord gloom on Aug 18, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions

Where have you been

He’s a BILLS fan, and for us jinxes definitely exist :p

The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun

by mob16151 on Aug 18, 2011 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions