Bills Training Camp: Personnel Moves Highlight Top Stories
by Brian Galliford on Aug 19, 2011 12:16 PM EDT
in Buffalo Bills Training Camp
Email
PrintBuffalo Bills training camp officially reached its conclusion on Thursday with the final camp practice of the 2011 season. Just how busy have these past three weeks been? Take a look at the big stories emerging from camp this season.
Player Personnel Moves
Chan Gailey: Eric Wood To Center, Brad Smith At Quarterback
At the outset of training camp, Chan Gailey announced that Eric Wood would be his first-team center, and that free agent signee Brad Smith would be working as a quarterback during camp...
Chan Gailey, Bills To Practice Arthur Moats At ILB
... then he confirmed GM Buddy Nix's statement that second-year pass rusher Arthur Moats would be moving to the inside linebacker position.
Bills Training Camp: Alex Carrington Gets Reps At OLB
The most surprising personnel decision the team made during camp was to give 304-pound defensive end Alex Carrington work as an outside linebacker. Even more surprising: the experiment may actually be working.
Free Agent Signings
Bills Agree To Three-Year Deal With LB Nick Barnett
Nick Barnett was signed to a three-year, $12 million deal after the start of training camp - but before the first day he could practice (August 4).
Bills Sign WR Buster Davis, Waive DB Domonic Cook
As a precursor to a trade that was very clearly in the works at that point, the Bills signed free agent receiver Buster Davis, a former first-round draft pick of the San Diego Chargers.
More Player Personnel Notes
Report: Bills, NT Kyle Williams Talking Contract Extension
This NFL.com report - later confirmed by Williams himself - states that the Bills are currently working to sign their Pro Bowl defensive tackle to a lucrative, long-term contract extension.
Bills Trade WR Lee Evans To Ravens
Preempted by the signing of Davis, the Bills' biggest personnel move of the summer was to trade the seven-year veteran Evans to Baltimore for a meager fourth-round pick.
Buffalo Bills Waive DE/OLB Aaron Maybin
After two tumultuous and unproductive seasons, the Bills cut ties with 2009 No. 11 overall pick Aaron Maybin. He's since landed with the New York Jets.
The Big News From Practices And Games
Bills Training Camp: Chan Gailey Sees Lack Of Depth At OT
Bigger than any personnel story, however, has been Gailey's open and varied dissatisfaction not just with his offense and his team's depth performances, but with his offensive line. He's been openly critical of his line depth multiple times, and is now tinkering with the starting unit. This, Bills fan, should be your chief on-field concern for the time being.
44 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I really can't complain about any of this...
Except what’s going on with the O-Line. Rhinehart better be far better than anyone else we have on the line for both Levitre and Hangartener sitting out of 1st team reps.
Final sentence hits the nail on the head
The biggest question mark by far at the moment is o-line depth. I suspect the OG situation will sort itself out, and Wood is entrenched at Center with Hangartner available as the main reserve. But we have no one to send in if either Bell or Pears goes down with a major injury. If that happens, it could be a season-ending event for the team as well as for the player.
If I may, I would like to add:
If that happens, it could be a season-ending event for the team as well as for the player.
for what could be a potentially successful season, compared to recent years.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
If I may, I would like to highlight
compared to recent years…
by BuffaloFanFromCT on Aug 19, 2011 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
I tend to agree, it seems like there are the pieces on the interior to get the job done, maybe its not there yet. But depth is better and some more tinkering and practice should get us a solid 4-5 interior linemen.
The tackle situation is no worse than last year. Maybe better given Pears can go to the left-side if Bell gets hurt more so than anyone else last year and Pears I’ve already decided is better than Green. Recall our right side was a revolving door of Howard, Wrotto, Green, Pears, I can’t remember how many different RTs started — often with a week or two of practice on the team. It was just a piece of the myriad of problems we had (LB and d-line I would have ranked higher).
by greysquirrel on Aug 19, 2011 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I think, as far as the O-line is concerned, that moving guys like Rinehart into the ‘starting’ unit is intended to see what they have in guys they’ve seen less of. At this point Gailey knows what he has in Hangartner and Levitre. Moving Urbik, Rinehart and Wrotto in as starters should get them a decent look at those players’ ceiling. When all is said and done – Levitre and Hang will be on the roster and at least one of Urbik, Rinehart or Wrotto won’t be.
Another season (maybe), another year getting on the roller coaster. Hope the ride lasts more than 16 games :)
My guess
Chix is in no rush to win. They’re taking their time experimenting because they have full confidence that three losing seasons won’t get them canned.
Depends on how the team performs in year 3
A losing season does not guarantee someone will get canned, it will be more about the big picture.
The big picture is that by the third season if they don’t post at least a 9-7 record then they need to get canned.
by The Adam Bomb on Aug 19, 2011 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
And start over again? As long as progress is being made then I am ok with a 5 year plan
Never confuse movement with action.
~Ernest Hemingway
by NolaBillsFan on Aug 19, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Totally agree.
I think blowing up entire front offices and coaching philosophies can be really counterproductive if you are trying to build a culture of player development in a particular system (the only way this franchise will find longer-term success in my opinion). If we are failing at developing that culture, by all means, blow it up. But if its about impatience, you gotta be realistic about what can be accomplished.
by greysquirrel on Aug 19, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
I think that Nix has five years. I don’t think the same is true for Gailey. I think after 3 years, if we do not have at least a .500 record, he might be replaced.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
I don’t understand why one would get more time than the other. If anything, Gailey should be given more time than Nix, not less. Gailey is constrained by the talent Nix brings in.
Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin. -- stetzwebs
Unfortunatly, experience doesn't always lead to wisdom - Joe P.
by thefourwinds on Aug 19, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Kind of a chicken and the egg thing. I think coaching staffs have a big impact on what we perceive the level of talent brought in is. It takes a front office longer to really move the needle on what the team has, whereas there are time where its obvious a coach is no longer effective (regardless of talent). I don’t think that will be Chan’s problem and I don’t think Nix wants to stay more than five years, hence building an actual front office.
by greysquirrel on Aug 19, 2011 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions
A five year plan is fine, as long as the fifth year is a run at the Superbowl. If they aren’t 9-7 by year three then chances are they won’t be 12-4 by year 5. This is year 2, and there’s no reason why the Bills shouldn’t finish 7-9 at the least. They have enough talent and a weak enough schedule to pull that off. They could have done that last year but for a few “unlucky bounces” so to speak.
For the record, I think they are on the right track to achieving a Superbowl run in five years (barring any major mismanagement between now and then). I do think they will finish around .500 this season, and that they will achieve at least the 9-7 mark by year three.
by The Adam Bomb on Aug 19, 2011 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I hate our schedule this year… but otherwise I’m on board. There’s noise in this process, so you might do better or worse along the way. But going into every season expecting a winning record is where you need to be to be a consistent playoff team and once you are there you can start thinking about rolling the dice on pieces for a contender.
by greysquirrel on Aug 19, 2011 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t hate it as much as others. I think that we get to play Washington, Oakland, KC (who I think will crash back to earth), Miami x2, and the Cowboys. I think we have a good chance in all those games.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
At this pace
At this pace (4 players a year out of draft) and only 1 legit free agent plus roster turnover, I’m thinking 6-7 years unless something changes.
This is a pretty pessimistic view of the rebuild, in my opinion. We had three “legit” free agent signing this year, in Thigpen, Smith, and Barnett. We signed Merriman last year and he’s a starter. We got a ton of good players that were UDFAs last year, as well. So Nix has turned over approximately half of the lineup in two offseasons. At this pace, the rebuild will be complete in 4 years.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
What if we go 9-7 but lose our last 6 games?
All I am saying is the number does not matter. We need to see improvement and if we do the staff stays.
my reply to this statement
He’s been openly critical of his line depth multiple times, and is now tinkering with the starting unit..
Sign OT Jon Stinchcomb, who was dropped by the Saints a little while ago. He’s a veteran, he knows what he’s doing (has been starting for multiple years), and most importantly, we have enough money for experimentation with the offensive line. If anything, he could be a starter solution at OT, or he could provide solid depth along the offensive line.
"Let's look inside the mind of GREG JENNINGS."
by Kramer on Aug 19, 2011 1:03 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Rec'd
Yeah, I don’t get the delay on this guy. Perhaps his injury is worse than we thought?
by ChuckBuffInFlo on Aug 19, 2011 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Agreed
We took a chance on Dwan Edwards and that worked out.
No harm in at least putting him through a physical.
My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope.
From what I’ve read its that he looks like he hasn’t recovered yet. I check out the Saints talking about his release and I guess he looked terrible in their sole preseason game. I think it was a torn quad or something. This is an injury that can take a while to really recover from. Edwards was more of an underlying condition concern. Stinchomb might just be bad if he lacks power and agility in his leg still. I like his rep though…
by greysquirrel on Aug 19, 2011 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe he isn’t the physical bruiser type that Gailey is looking for.
Another season (maybe), another year getting on the roller coaster. Hope the ride lasts more than 16 games :)
Not surprise
Rhinehart is in a battle for starting spot on O-Line.w/ praise he receive from Galiey last yr, what I am surprise is w/ whom he is battling.
Well, when you pile it all together like THAT....
… then it sounds like the Bills have had a busy and productive offseason… maybe more than most other teams in the league.
We have a very different identity as a team right now than we did week 17 last year, and we’re not done yet.
In regards to Stinchcomb….
Free agent RT Jon Stinchcomb is currently seeing doctors about recovering from a torn quad, according to a Ravens official.
This helps explain why the 2009 Pro Bowler was cut by the Saints on Monday. Recent knee injuries and the lingering effects of this torn quad will keep interest in Stinchcomb muted. Aug 18, 9:51 AM
Nice find. Injured guys aren’t gonna help… even if they went to a Pro Bowl.
by greysquirrel on Aug 19, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions
Word. This kind of injury would make him useless to us. He wouldn’t see a down of action this season anywhere. This guy needs a year off the field to recover. If he’s around next season……….
by The Adam Bomb on Aug 19, 2011 1:42 PM EDT up reply actions
But why not grab him and put him on the PUP list
Let him get better. And by week 10 hes our starting RT.
hmmmmmm, that just seems to make way to much sense, I would rather have a Stinchcomb @ 70% then Mansfield Wrotto @ 100% or even 110%
"Big Gulps Eh, Well See ya later" - Lloyd Christmas
" You Gus ready To Let The Dogs Out" "What?" " you Know, Who Let the dogs out rough rough rogh rough" - Zack Galifinakis - The Hangover
by PaullyPforPrez on Aug 19, 2011 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Stinchcomb and Levoir
Is it possible that these two are worse than what we already have?? Why aren’t they in here so they can be evaluated
Worse than we already have is irrelevent...
It’s a matter of depth. If they bring in a guy and Pears beats him out for the job, so be it. If one of them go down and we have a slightly worse OT to put in rather than a absolute plug, that’s good too…
Catch the Taste!
Carrington at OLB
This is an interesting move that I hope ultimately leads into a starting role in place of Kelsay on the strong side. Carrington has the length and power to set the edge and now seems like a better pass rusher than Kelsay who lost his “impact player” abilities with age (if he really ever had it…) Strong side OLB is one of the toughest positions to play and have a lot of tackles as you are taking on the TE/FB or an OT to turn the play back inside for the ILB’s to clean up the running back. Often they have to drop into flat too for pass coverage against the TE/FB, so not many sack opportunities either.
I think Carrington would at least have to get down to 285ish
to be effective at this position.
Lamar Woodley; who to me is the bar setter at this position is around 270 and he sometimes struggles in coverage, hes great at edge setting and rushing the passer, so to be honest I think Carrington at 305 would be just a little to heavy to start at this position. IMO
"Big Gulps Eh, Well See ya later" - Lloyd Christmas
" You Gus ready To Let The Dogs Out" "What?" " you Know, Who Let the dogs out rough rough rogh rough" - Zack Galifinakis - The Hangover
by PaullyPforPrez on Aug 19, 2011 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think he’d be used quite the same way, I would still seem him playing a similar role to Kelsay with his hand on the ground.
Check out buddynixon.com for more of my work.
I have to disagree...
Weight makes absolutely no difference in this conversation. It is all about athleticsm and reaction time. If a 300 lb man can run agility drills and 40’s faster, take on blockers, and rush the passer better than a 250 lb man, does the weight make a difference as to who should be starting? I don’t think it does, the best man for the job is the man that can do the job best. If Carrington is better at the position than others, that is where he should play. Adalius Thomas (Bal & NE) used to play OLB at 290 lbs and he went to the Pro Bowl in 2006 with 11 sacks, the position is hyrbid one where you should be bigger than a typical OLB but still be able to perform the same job functions.
And regarding Moats…if the coaching staff knew they were going to play Carrington/Merriman/Batten/Kelsay & Coleman at OLB, Moats would be best playing where his physical makeup would not hamper him in the long-term. I like Moats and his play from last year, but I can see this coaching staff is trying to get the best players on field at all positions (with the long term vision of winning a SB as the ultimate goal). With Merriman (really, who knew?) seemingly back to his old self, and Kelsay on the other side with Carrington and Batten backing them up. Barnett and Shepherd in the middle, with Moats and White as their backups. There is still another spot open for someone like Torbor who can fill in at any LB position.
And regarding Levitre: Gailey can obvisously see that we have no T depth, so his solution is to get the biggest and (potentially) best lineman on the field for a long-term solution. If he can get Rhinhart and Urbik to play up to the their potentional as well, Levitre could conceivably play at any position on line. He would be the first non-starting lineman in at any position. I doubt this is his plan, but it wouldn’t surprise me since Levitre does not fit the size and nastiness standards that Gailey seems to employ (Hangman does not meet them either and look where he is at now).
Act like a sober human being, not a drunk Internet username. -- Brian Galliford
by NorCal BillsFan on Aug 19, 2011 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Carrington
I was at the game in Chicago, and it made an impression on me how well Carrington moves for a guy his size. Pretty athletic. Whether that translates to a larger role on the starting D – beats me. But I was struck by how well he gets around the field in a live setting.
by LeClaire Bill on Aug 19, 2011 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Buffalo Rumblings
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Things to know about NFL men who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam
- How Kyle Orton almost cost the Colts Andrew Luck
- Detroit Lions DT Nick Fairley arrested again; now has more NFL arrests than NFL sacks
- Former high-school star Brian Banks does serious time on trumped-up charge, now hopes for an NFL shot
- Former ‘idiot kicker’ Mike Vanderjagt in trouble after accosting junior-high heckler
