Bills ILB Nick Barnett Enjoying Excellent Pre-Season
by Brian Galliford on Aug 23, 2011 3:00 PM EDT
in Buffalo Bills Opinion
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We've spent the entire day talking about Fred Jackson's frustration and that messy state of the Buffalo Bills' offensive line. It's time for a mood-lifter, and here's my offering: after extensively re-watching the team's first two pre-season games, I'm thrilled to death with the acquisition of inside linebacker Nick Barnett.
My instinct is to compare Barnett with his positional predecessor, Paul Posluszny, and to this point, it's been no contest. Barnett plays a more instinctive and aggressive style of football. He is a much better and more explosively deliberate athlete in space, moves better sideline to sideline, and drops into coverage more effectively. He will have more impact as a blitzer than Posluszny ever did. The upgrade made is very obvious.
Barnett's impact goes beyond said upgrade, in my opinion. His versatility makes him an ideal fit for the scheme as an every-down linebacker. He's got a very contagious on-field persona that will really elevate this group's mentality on game days. His impact is already obvious, and he's not even performing to his peak yet.
Bills fans have focused on Shawne Merriman's performance in Chicago, or the impressive two-game span from Marcell Dareus, as their source of comfort in trying times as a Bills fan. Barnett belongs in that territory, as well. I firmly believe he's been Buffalo's best defender this pre-season, and is certainly their best free agent acquisition to date.
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So happy we got him.
Like you said, his versatility is what makes him such a great fit here.
No complaints on this front at all.
Now attending the Univ. of Hockey.
You mean...
To date this year, right?
by Buffalo Mo on Aug 23, 2011 3:19 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Maybe not.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Aug 23, 2011 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions
wait? what?
Best free agent signing ever?
by Buffalo Mo on Aug 23, 2011 3:37 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Well not that extreme, no. I was thinking maybe Buddy and Chan’s…
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Aug 23, 2011 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions
i was worried
That you were grasping for some sort of ultra positive, which is uncharacteristic of you. I may be able to get on board with the best signing in the past two regimes if he stays healthy.
by Buffalo Mo on Aug 23, 2011 3:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Out of curiosity...
Who do you all think is the Bills best free agent signing ever?
by BuffaloOwdaTwnr on Aug 23, 2011 4:50 PM EDT up reply actions
? not sure
The best one I can clearly remember is Bryce paup. He was a monster for us for all 3 years on the team.
by Buffalo Mo on Aug 23, 2011 5:01 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Gotta go James Lofton
One of the final pieces for the Super Bowl runs.
by ChuckBuffInFlo on Aug 23, 2011 5:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Love the pickups you guys have all mentioned, but I gotta go with THE BISCUIT! Cornelius Bennett. Awesome playmaker and great guy.
"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Aug 23, 2011 7:27 PM EDT up reply actions
TKO
Spikes was to me the best FA ever. He was awesome here. I cant remenber before that, and don’t know who are the FAs in the Super Bowl teams. Im 27.
by Fernando brazil on Aug 23, 2011 9:23 PM EDT up reply actions
Yea too bad he only played here two years. Wish we would have been more patient after his achilles injury. Man those two helmet flying tackles were so intense!!! I loved his kicks and punches after a big play
by JBarkley82 on Aug 23, 2011 11:09 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
yeah
in Madden ( i dont remenber the year), when we select to play with the Bills, they showed a video of Spikes with his moves after a big play, awesome.
by Fernando brazil on Aug 23, 2011 11:23 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s so awesome. Man imagine if Spikes was still in his prime and on our team right now….with Merriman, Barnett, Dareus, Williams, Moats, Carrington etc omg!!! I wish we had drafted him instead of Cincinnati!!
by JBarkley82 on Aug 24, 2011 12:44 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
he continues to do well
Just signed with the Chargers and was doing very well with the 49ers. Wrong move by the Bills to let him go.
by Fernando brazil on Aug 24, 2011 12:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Serious question, little off topic
Whats wrong with Merriman?
"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 23, 2011 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
i think he is feeling less than perfect
and they want him to be 100% for the season opener.
I think that they think that he is ready and Pre-season has little impact on his ability to play.
"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-
All well and good
unless you ar a young guy working your tail off just to see a guy never have to practice and yet still start over you.
Harooo
sure
but this is common with Vets.
"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-
The young guys deserve their shot, and I’m super excited about your young linebackers upside, but they have to earn their keep and they can learn behind Merriman and Barnett for that matter. Merriman, had 39.5 sacks in his first three seasons, two pro bowls and an all pro season. His play in the. Chicago game, even though he was playing a bad offensive line showed his explosiveness and intense style of play are back to form. He has already earned his spot and this team needs him to lead their pass rush.
by JBarkley82 on Aug 23, 2011 11:33 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Don't you think we should wait until.....you know...he actually plays in a game that counts?
QB SMASHER KING KONG JASPER
Dareus will put you on you Dar-e-ass
If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
Are you talking about Barnett or Merriman? Either way these guys both bring their a game and raise the level of play on the entire defense when they are on the field. I agree that it’s the regular season that counts(whether a player needs to step up his game or continue his high level of play from the pre season), but these two vets have already proven they are solid and consistent when fully healthy. That’s more of a worry for a guy who is only in his first, second or third season, and we are not sure if he’s the real deal. These guys will bring it :)
by JBarkley82 on Aug 23, 2011 11:39 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I was talking about Barnett being named the Bills top FA signing ever
QB SMASHER KING KONG JASPER
Dareus will put you on you Dar-e-ass
If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
Yah super happy with this pick up. If him and merriman stay healthy we will have a respectable deFense.
"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 3:22 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Love the Barnett pickup
IMHO, There is been way too much negativity this off season. Our Defense really ought to be much improved this year. And that, more than anything else, was the reason why we lost so many games last year…
I thought Barnett was .....
an upgrade as soon as we acquired him and he has played well. However to me Dareus has been the best player on defense thus far IMO. I’ll also add that Poz never had the luxury of playing behind a player like Dareus to go along side Williams.
by As Smart as I Look on Aug 23, 2011 3:31 PM EDT reply actions
Good point, but Dareus’ presence doesn’t account for Barnett’s natural instincts on sniffing out a play and quick pursuit to the ball carrier(in the Broncos game when he instinctively felt the ball was gonna be handed off to the rb off to the right, and appropriately met him for a tackle in the back field) and that’s without studying the teams plays!!
by JBarkley82 on Aug 23, 2011 11:46 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Good To Hear
It is nice to hear some positives regarding Bill’s!
Baby steps are for babies. Step it up buffalo!
totally agree. We’re aren’t going to win the SB this year but we are making progress. We gotta walk before we can run.
by WestCoastBills on Aug 23, 2011 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions
love the barnett pickup
… that deflected pass he made against denver saved yet another 15-yard gain and was a play Poz couldn’t make in his dreams. But i am curious about the “contagious” part of his demeanor. What did you see?
by Tomski on Aug 23, 2011 3:41 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Yeah
something positive… I was thinking you were becoming a negative nancy ;-)
"...You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win, and I don't care if you don't have any wins. You go play to win. When you start tellin' me it doesn't matter, then retire. Get out! 'Cause it matters." ~ Herm Edwards
"Talk's cheap. We all know that. It's like I've always said: 'Don't tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby.' " ~ Buddy Nix
by Jason from OH-IO on Aug 23, 2011 3:44 PM EDT reply actions
here's the downer...
the defense will be all exciting to watch a couple of games but then this would be a demoralized group…
offense is so bad, they will never be on the field
the defense will be forced on the field for long periods of time..
they can put their best effort only for so long…
by the 2nd half of the season, the play will be mediocre due to defeat setting in…
due to extended play, lot of defensive players will get injured…
since barnett, merriman, davis, edwards have a history, they are likely to get injured again…
at the end of the season, this will be a disillusioned group…
all this because of the bills not having an OL
you’re a glass half empty kinda guy aren’t you…? ;)
I doubt the offense will be as bad as many think. This is hardly the Greatest Show on Turf but we aren’t as bad as many think. It’s only the 2nd game of the Pre-Season… Give it time.
by WestCoastBills on Aug 23, 2011 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions
i think i have a tendency to bring things to neutral… if there is a positive post, i like to bring up the -ve side… if there is a negative post, i like to bring the +ve side…
that’s just me
by statcruncher on Aug 23, 2011 3:54 PM EDT up reply actions
If it is a mediocre post do you just 'Rec'?
by Falls4Life on Aug 23, 2011 3:58 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Change from last year?
Other than the loss of Evans (which we didn’t have for a big piece of last year anyway) and the addition of Brad Smith what has changed for this offence from last year?
This was one of the better offensive teams to watch the Bills have had in the past 10 years and wll with one of the worst defensive performances on the other side (i.e. had to play from behind and rarely had the advantage of good field position or a tired opponent defense).
I know they aren’t showing much in thier dialed down playbook for the preseason and the rust of the lockout is still showing but who’s to say they can’t repeat a similiar performance to last year when they had a pourous defense costing them so many games?
Exactly!!
There’s no reason to believe Fitz can’t play as well, if not better than last season. I mean last season he became the starter in week 3, and all off season leading up to last year, he was getting second team reps. And for taking over after the season began, he hit his stride pretty quickly. This year we had a shortened off season, but I think Fitz will get his timing and accuracy up to par by Sept 11th, if not before October. Let Action Jackson lead the charge ;). And Smith!!
I like having Smith on the team. It makes it a bit more difficult for opposing teams, because they have to study so many formations now :). And Gailey is the offensive mind equivalent to Rex Ryan’s defensive mind, so I’m betting Gailey will help utalized Smith even more than he was w/ the Jets.
by JBarkley82 on Aug 24, 2011 12:56 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Passive-aggressive posting. Had to happen to someone.
Year two is upon us.
by Buffalo for Eternity on Aug 23, 2011 4:45 PM EDT up reply actions
C'mon man
If you want to say negative things like that, keep that in your head. The words have power, and we need to say the positive things and keep with faith in our team, they are improving, and we will see that.
by Fernando brazil on Aug 23, 2011 9:28 PM EDT up reply actions
if words have power, then no team will be unsuccessful… if words have power then just because there are more fans for patriots, they will continue to be successful…
by statcruncher on Aug 23, 2011 10:13 PM EDT up reply actions
So....
We upgraded DE. We have another DE/OLB entering his second year waiting in the wings to fill the second DE slot, or fill the other OLB spot (and then some).
We upgraded ILB. We have a rookie preparing to take hold of the other ILB position.
We upgraded OLB. We have what looks like a solid replacement for the other OLB (Batten).
We upgraded CB. Our 2008 1st round CB also had his best camp to date. Florence is solid and McGee is hopefully finally healthy.
We’re par for course on SS maybe slightly upgraded. Have a rookie there with potential.
Our NT is a pro bowler, and we have a 2nd year player who looks like he could be productive as well.
Looks like the Bills defense could be a real sleeper this year. If ever there was a year we need our Offense to be at least solid, this is it.
by NordicBillsfan on Aug 23, 2011 4:36 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
we got a new 2nd round CB… mckelvin still sucks… i doubt he had a good camp… mcgee is not healthy… we r down to an iffy florence and a rookie williams… which is fine… just nothing to be positive about…
and our FS has been AWOL for 2 years
by statcruncher on Aug 23, 2011 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Byrd has been AWOL? I thought he’s played well for a young guy. Even thoughts his ints were down I thought he overall game play was good last year.
by WestCoastBills on Aug 23, 2011 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Yah had to mean just last year cause he is only in his third year now. He overall played better last year just made less ints.
"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 5:13 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
i would bet int total was down
becasue sack total was down due to not having a pass rush due to the retirement of our DE (name slips me at this moment). Obviuosly, he and kyle together were a force
Schoebel
He was only here for a decade so it’s understandable :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 23, 2011 7:37 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yah and the fact that we faced the least amount of pass plays last year doesn’t help.
"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 7:40 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Sanchez
Mark Sanchez handed Byrd 3 Ints two years ago in an OT loss; Sanchez had 6 total Ints that game. That really padded Byrds stats. I was there…among the JETS fans. We got the win! Just because Byrd didn’t have as many Ints last year didn’t mean he didn’t play just as well.
Yup
I thought mcgee was healthty had a great camp and a decent preseason. Williams had a great camp and an ok preseason. Or did I misd something
"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 5:10 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Mcgee is not health?
since when?
"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-
ok, not making this stuff up…
listen to radio and listen to all the local sports analysts… even today paul hamilton said mcgee was looking slow and sluggish through out the pre-season… he was just lucky to interecept a tipped ball against denver… that too after BRADY QUINN carved us out
by statcruncher on Aug 25, 2011 9:25 AM EDT up reply actions
Not to burst your bubble
Wilson is not an improvement on Whitner, I call it a wash with Wilson slightly better in the passing game while Whitner was better against the run. Your NT ( although a favorite of mine) is not a true NT for a 3-4 defense. Who is the rookie taking hold of the other ILB? I remind you the Bill’s defense was horrible last year and yes we are upgraded, but realistically no better than being in the middle of the pack (which is a huge improvement). I think the run defense will be much better. The offense looks no better and could be worse, so realistically, what can we expect this year, 5 -6wins? I mean, don’t we have like one of the tougher schedules. I guess the silver lining could be playing a tough schedule with a young team, it should help down the road. Hopefully we can remain injury free this year!
Merriman and Barnett
Now we need the LB’s we had on the roster to start showing they can play as well and maybe we got a good team
Great addition
Take Poz of course just about any day of the week. Compare the #‘s @ the end of the season, if #50 gets 80% of 51’s production I’d be surprised.
"Alright Men, lets go out there, bust um in the chops & get somebody bloody. If your not a superstar you best be sweating that ass off. Take the W in battle & make the Bills Nation Proud."
by Blood, sweat & Win on Aug 23, 2011 4:58 PM EDT reply actions
Different Player, Diff Negative/Positves
Hard to compare him to Poz really because they are so different, which is what makes this move “good” for Buffalo. Poz’ was a sure tackle and I’ve noticed Barnett is cetainly NOT. Nevetheless, his coverage ability and lateral movement is apparently much much better.
Overall, not a knock on Poz, but the Bills defesne got better for what they’re trying to be.
Ryan FitZpatrick - The Inconvenient Truth.
I'm excited
If the Barnett plays anything like he did against Denver all year, that will be a great pick up. He has amazing instincts, sometimes to a fault, but he seemed to be out there giving it is all on every play. If he flies around that much in a supposedly vanilla D, can’t wait to see what he does when they game plan.
I wonder how Poz is doing in Jacksonville? I do wish the guy well and hope he is successful for them. Except of course when they play us…
You only have to wait 4 more days to find out.
"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 6:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Was thinking the same about Poz
So I turned on the Atlanta Jax game from this weekend as it was replayed on NFLN. As swear to you, and this is no exaggeration, that the very first play I saw was an Atlanta run close to the own goal line, where their all pro FB met Poz right in the hole in an awesome collision. And as expected, Poz crumbled like a house of cards, with quiet literally this FB pancaking Poz to the ground so perfectly that he, I swear this actually happened, the FB had Poz pinned to the ground in what looked like an older brother does to his kid bro, to a point where it looked like the two were having a conversation w each other after the play, as the FB still sat on top of Poz – who literally could not get up from under this ‘pin’.
The play said it all for me. Imagine what that looker room must feel the next day when u watch film w all ur teammates and coaches? Poz, the big prize FA, pinned to the turf well after the play like a little boy!
It was awesome. So glad he is gone.
Barnett looked like a leader in denver
he just seemed to be in the middle of the defensive players on the field, talkn em up etc.
Barnett is a beast
lets hope he can stay healthy.
And as a slightly OT side note, can we please get Sheppard on the field?
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
i agree with you
on both things. Now is time to Shep step up in the last 2 pre season games and grab the other starting spot in Barnett’s side.
by Fernando brazil on Aug 23, 2011 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh man Barnett and Sheppard playing together!! I hope Shepp is 100% soon. He is a big time leader on the field and playing with emotion is a big part of his game, as Gailey pointed out in the draft press conference on Shepp. He and Barnett on the field raises the level of play and intensity of the defense in a big big way.
by JBarkley82 on Aug 24, 2011 1:03 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
On a different topic that I know has been very popular here
The ravens signed Bryant McKinnie so now we can finally stop hearing about that now. What’s up with Hangartner this year? I haven’t heard much about him other then that he isn’t getting a lot of reps. Seriously think they need to have him on the o-line come week 1.
different topic for a different article
go back to the main page and scroll down an article or 2 and you’ll see Brian wrote an article about Hang and the “5 best OL” for the Bills. You may find your answer in there.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
I wholly agree that Nick Barnett is definitely one of those that deserves more credit for his great playing skills. If he hadn’t be grabbed up as a free agent then the team may have been in a sore spot.
Halloween World
someone
can say how much playrs we have in top 200 by scout inc. matt williamson?( In$iders only)
by Fernando brazil on Aug 23, 2011 11:38 PM EDT reply actions
Barnett
I think Nick is one of the nicest pro athletes I’ve met. He’s very courteous and is just a normal guy. And he drives a sick range :)
And I bet he kisses babies too lol :). I got the impression that he is a real cool guy from the interviews I’ve seen Chris Brown had with him when he was visiting and then signing with the team. Ace!!
by JBarkley82 on Aug 24, 2011 1:06 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I'm just saying it.
I think D may well be on lock.
The D-Line is looking good. The LBs have talent, and even some depth, though I’m not too sure about Kelsay being out there… then again, neither is Chan if I’m reading him using Carrington on the outside. The backfield has a lot of pieces that can gel together… I’m really not worried too much about one half of the game, and that says a lot.
Now let’s get this O-line figured out. I don’t think we can count on a top-twelve pick next year to choose our LT of choice, after all.
"Why so serious?... so raise your glass if you are wrong/in all the right ways..." -- P!nk
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