Web Rumblings: Buffalo Bills News, 8/23

by MattRichWarren on Aug 23, 2011 10:07 AM EDT in Buffalo Bills News

Levitre tries hand at left tackle - BuffaloBills.com
"My job is to get the five best on the field," said Gailey. "Maybe that’s our five best is playing Chad (Rinehart) at guard and Andy (Levitre) at left tackle. We’re going to take a look at it. That’s our responsibility to take a look at it and Andy is doing an excellent job. He’s a very versatile player. He’s played it before so we’ll see how it goes."

Inside The Bills | Fred still top back
"I think probably the best way to talk about it right now is I think they’re both number one backs," said Gailey when asked where Fred Jackson and C.J. Spiller stand on the depth chart. "Fred is a little bit ahead right now, but I think they’re both number one backs."

Chan Gailey on Levitre, Jackson, Injuries - BuffaloBills.com
"The Bills head coach talked with the media after practice on Monday about Andy Levitre practicing at left tackle, Fred Jackson feeling underappreciated, and the injury situation."

Bills Roundup: Shuffling Continues Along O-Line - BuffaloBills.com
"Head Coach Chan Gailey continues to try to find the best offensive line combinations as Andy Levitre gets reps at left tackle, plus check out the top plays from Monday's practice, and get an injury update."

Bills take to expanded practice field - BuffaloBills.com
"Adjacent to the Buffalo Bills Healthy Zone Training Facility, the team's outdoor natural grass practice field was installed earlier this summer and is being used for the first time by the team today. The practice field project was funded entirely by Bills owner Ralph Wilson and the Bills organization."

Video Blog-Bills Game 2: At Least It's Over - RochesterHomePage.net
"The biggest positive from Buffalo's preseason loss to the Broncos is that it won't count in the standings. As for everything else, Thad Brown and Cory Hepola discuss in this week's Video Blog."

Inside The Bills | Merriman, Shep back
"Shawne Merriman and Kelvin Sheppard both re-joined their teammates in the practice setting."

Inside The Bills | Parrish practicing
"Parrish is back practicing as well as a couple of other injured players. Parrish, however, is still limited. Rookies Justin Rogers and Chris Hairston both re-joined practice here on Monday as well."

Inside The Bills | David Nelson exits
"Bills WR David Nelson has just stepped out of practice early."

Inside The Bills | Bills considered Pryor
"The presence of Brad Smith on Buffalo’s roster likely made it unnecessary to invest highly in a player like Pryor. Gailey admitted Smith’s presence on the roster was a factor in their decision on Pryor."

Inside The Bills | Naaman to miss rest of preseason
"That would rule him out for not only Saturday’s preseason home opener against Jacksonville, but also the preseason finale the following Thursday against Detroit."

Inside The Bills | Jones, White back before opener
"They’re both going to be back for the first ball game as I understand it," Gailey said. "Johnny will probably be back a little quicker than Donald, but I think they’ll both make the first ball game."

"1" is a crowd for Jackson - The Buffalo News
"I was shocked," Jackson said. "I feel like a No. 1 back, and I should be treated like one. As far as what's going on, you would have to ask them. I'm going to come out here and compete. I feel like I have been competing. I feel like I have done everything I can. It's been like that for two or three years, and nothing has changed."

Another day, another spot for Levitre - The Buffalo News
"Levitre rotated between left guard and left tackle with the first team Monday, which left him playing for guard Chad Rinehart and Demetrius Bell for some snaps with the offense and alongside them on others. Around and around Levitre goes; where he stops on the offensive line, nobody knows."

Buffalo Bills' Batten isn't taking football for granted | Democrat and Chronicle
"Part of me was dead inside, and if you haven't played football, you can't describe the feeling," Batten said, recounting the miserable summer and fall of 2010 when he was sidelined by a right shoulder injury and couldn't play the game that has defined and dominated his life for nearly 20 years.

Levitre Moves Again - WGR 550
Paul Hamilton provides soundbites from Bills practice.

Marv Levy's first novel to be released soon | Democrat and Chronicle
"There's a lot of insights into the coach-general manager-owner relationships...I based it on the humor that takes place in the locker room that you often hear about, or maybe a rift that occurs between a coach and a player, or maybe a player and their teammates. All of that is weaved into the book," said Levy. "There's even some original poetry!"

Bills Jackson Feels Out In The Cold - WGR 550
Jackson says he's been left in the dark about his status on the team and has been told nothing. When I asked him if he felt disrespected by the team, he said, "Absolutely I do."

Bills brass can't fool their fans - The Buffalo News
"Nick Barnett has been in town for three weeks. Barnett is a newcomer to the dysfunction. He played on a Super Bowl winner last year. So you have to respect the guy for telling fans not to throw away their season tickets. It's only preseason, after all, and way too early to give up on the team. But who could blame a Bills fan for bailing, when the organization itself seems to have given up on this season?"

Bills' Bell to host fundraiser in Tonawanda - Tonawanda News
"Buffalo Bills left tackle Demetrius Bell will be making his second trip to the Town of Tonawanda to host the amazing Sports Dash at 1 p.m. on Sept. 24 at Kenney Field to benefit his Kids.In.Sports Initiative."

Bills RB C.J. Spiller running toward high expectations - USATODAY.com
"Running back C.J. Spiller, a much-debated choice when he was selected ninth overall in 2010, wants to make certain his name is not added to a list of prominent flops that includes plump offensive lineman Mike Williams (2002), erratic quarterback J.P. Losman (2004) and injury-plagued defensive tackle John McCargo (2006)."

Bills RB Jackson feeling underappreciated - Yahoo! Sports
"I’ll continue to show up on the field," he said, "make plays when I get that opportunity."

Left Tackle Spot Up For Grabs | wgrz.com
"After a miserable performance in a 24-10 loss Saturday night in Denver, left tackle Demetrius Bell is competing to keep his starting job. Guard Andy Levitre took a good number of reps with the first team at left tackle on Monday, and Chad Rineheart moved in to work in Levitre's place at left guard."

Bills shuffle line again | WIVB.com
"My job is to get the five best (offensive linemen) on the field," said Head Coach Chan Gailey after Monday's workout. "And maybe that's our five best-with Chad Rinehart at guard and Andy Levitre at tackle. We're going to take a look at it."

8/22 Bills Transcripts - Gailey on LT, Jackson, Injuries | WKBW
Hear what everyone had to say after practice yesterday.

It was a rough Monday at Bills camp | ProFootballTalk
1. Running back Fred Jackson is unhappy. 2. The Bills don’t have a left tackle. 3. Donald Jones and Johnny White are out for the preseason.

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Comments

Not to overreact...

but seeing established veterans saying things like:

Let me know what’s going on. I don’t feel like I should be kept in the dark on anything. I have no idea. I would like to know where I stand. -Freddie Jackson

and..

As of right now, I’m told that I’m No. 1 at guard and rotating at tackle. If you want to know the definite answer, you’d have to ask Chan. They’re the ones who make the rules. -Andy Levitre

in the same newspaper on the same day is never good. If two key guys; whom we entered the preseason with zero concerns or questions about; can’t tell you what their roles are and are playing the ‘ask Coach’ card… there are issues. Especially on the heels of the (apparently) Lee Evans trade being so unpopular in the locker room.

Come in from the ledge, I’m not saying the “Gailey had lost the team…” yet. But he better recognize the early symptoms, and straighten it out.

by Brian in Shortsville on Aug 23, 2011 10:31 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

This whole Freddy thing is making me dislike the Spiller pick even more. I didn’t really care for the pick when they made it, but now their just forcing him on everyone. He’s shown very little of that “dynamic playmaking ability” thus far. It’s one thing to trade Lynch (whom I liked), but to alienate Freddy, one of the most solid RBs in the league?!

That dog won’t hunt, monsignor.

"What we've got here is failure to communicate. Some men you just can't reach, so you get what we had here last week which is the way he wants it. Well, he gets it. And I don't like it any more than you men." -Unnamed NFL CBA negotiator

by BuffaloBlueBlood on Aug 23, 2011 10:43 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

In a four week period we have witnessed what an offseason before training camp is like.

Only difference is the media is all over every single move because this year they have had a front row seat. Based on all these changes, trades, acquisitions or lack of acquisitions is getting a ton of press which normally would not be so visible by the media and the fans. It definately draws attention, criticism and debateable topics among the fans and media experts.

The one thing that does concern me is if Freddy is not happy. Freddy has been our player for like the last three or four years. You all remember Freddy the guy that Marv Levy found for us.

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 23, 2011 10:35 AM EDT reply actions

agreed.

I think you were there Saturday night, when we were using the word “mandhandled” in the game day thread before Gailey’s halftime interview. After Moore laid out Donald Jones, who issued the Bills’ rebuttal? Freddie, with a tackle breaking 20 yard run off right tackle, showing fire and emotion after.

That’s one entry in what could be an encyclopedia of moments like that from Freddie, and I’m sure everyone has a favorite. That Freddie is the heart and soul of the team, it’s sparkplug and source of energy is demonstrably so.

That it IS; in fact; so is (to me) another way of framing the same discussion about the past and recent drafting, by past and current regimes.

Their QB was a 7th round pick out of an ivy League school, whom, when he signed with the Bills, was joining his 3rd team in four years.

Their best TB is from a D-III school, via minor-league arena football, NFL Europe and the practice squad.

Their top WR and (for the moment) starting LT were 7th-round picks.

All cute, lovable mutts, free to good home, in a league of purebreds. That they’re the biggest and best dogs the BIlls have to hitch their sled to is an observable fact. If Losman, McGahee, Lynch, Evans and Mike Williams were in the middle of a string of Pro Bowls, it wouldn’t be the case.

Since it IS the case, they need to quit jacking around with Freddie, they need him and everything he brings right going into the season. Levitre too. He’s been at least a reliable starter since he got off the bus, on a line that hasn’t had much else reliable about it.

by Brian in Shortsville on Aug 23, 2011 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions

Freddy needs to just open his eyes a littlr

Obd picked a back with the ninth pick in 2010. They have to give spiller some type of time or its a wasted pick. Your a good back that they dont need to perform gor
For job success but can rely on if spiller falls o his face. Always thought it was a kc approach they want at running beck by commity . Thomas jones gets more carries is the number one back. jamal charles is a number 2 or 1a but is alot better in space and ends up with more yards. Least thats what I think obd is hoping for.

"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 Aug 23, 2011 11:20 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

Freddy is absolutely justified.

Fred Jackson has been our best offensive player over the past several years. He has put up the numbers that prove he is a number 1 running back in the NFL. It doesn’t matter that he is not as fast as Spiller, or that he is not the greatest athletic specimen on the planet. Freddy knows how to win. He knows how to earn positive yards, make big plays, score points, and win games. This is like Doug Flutie all over again. We have an example of a lesser athlete who is better at winning vs. a greater athlete who doesn’t know how to perform at a winning level. I don’t know about you, but I’ll take the player that can get us more wins every time. Now, I understand that CJ needs experience and touches to get better, but think about this. Many of the NFL’s greatest quarterbacks were groomed by QBs before them. Steve Young behind Joe Montana. Tom Brady (scum bag) behind Drew Bledsoe. Aaron Rodgers behind Brett Favre. Why would this logic not apply to Running Backs as well? Why can’t CJ sit behind Fred for several years, taking on only a small share of the carries while Fred produces for us? Why can’t he learn from Fred and take on an increased role gradually over time? Wouldn’t we Bills fans rather see a properly groomed CJ Spiller winning games for us in 2012 or 2013 instead of an unprepared CJ Spiller solidifying a draft bust label because too much responibility was thrust upon him too soon? Fred Jackson is the workhorse of the Buffalo Bills. He is being underappreciated by the coaching staff and the organization. He is justified in voicing his feelings, in my eyes. In fact, I feel great about it, because he said exactly what I, and I suspect many other Bills fans, have been feeling over the last few seasons.

by BuffaloOwdaTwnr on Aug 23, 2011 11:40 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs

Bills brass can't fool their fans

I think this is a pretty accurate article by Sullivan, the Bills do not seem committed to winning this season… I hope I’m wrong but it’s shaping up to be a long one.

"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix

"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez

by dnvrBillsfan on Aug 23, 2011 11:41 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed

Sully slapped me out of my off-season delusional state with this piece. It shouldn’t have taken this long but I’m afraid I have to agree with him. It’s beginning to look as though the new regime isn’t content to keep the talent from the old regime: all holdovers are being purged, or at least pressed very hard.

by Luther6 on Aug 23, 2011 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions