Buffalo Bills' Kirk Morrison Signing Offsets Reggie Torbor Injury
by Brian Galliford on Aug 25, 2011 11:35 AM EDT
in Buffalo Bills News
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PrintThough the Buffalo Bills made a significant free agent signing Wednesday night in reaching a verbal one-year agreement with Kirk Morrison, don't expect the team's inside linebacker position to look drastically different any time soon.
Most major outlets reporting the news agree that the signing took place to offset an injury to Reggie Torbor that may be more serious than first indicated. Torbor had been taking reps with the first-team defense on passing downs - and while that's not an ideal role for Morrison, he's still considered an upgrade on run downs. He may even be an upgrade on run downs over starter Andra Davis; Pro Football Focus credits Morrison with just one missed tackle in a down year with Jacksonville.
Rookie Chris White is also dealing with an injury, but he's working towards a return. Another rookie, Kelvin Sheppard, has already returned to the practice field. It remains highly unlikely that the team moves Arthur Moats back to outside linebacker, as they seem committed to playing him inside. Nick Barnett is the only player truly entrenched as a starter.
In all, the landscape isn't changing much at inside linebacker. With Morrison, however, it is looking decidedly better.
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I would hope that Torbor’s injury had nothing to do with the signing, and it was just a matter of getting a good player in on a good contract. That whole, stacking players on players thing. Either way, the Bills are better today.
I’m not sure when Torbor’s injury occured, but when he was playing against Denver he looked awful.
He wasn't alone.
I’m not sure when Torbor’s injury occured, but when he was playing against Denver he looked awful.
many looked terrible, but only a few got blamed for it.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
Oakland
Didn’t Morrison have a couple really solid years in Oakland? I remember hearing on NFL radio that they were surprised to see he wasn’t re-signed by the Raiders. Kinda seems like they caught a Buffalo cold in that case.
Not to be a jerk or anything, well partially.
Sort of a big name signing, this should make most rumblers happy. Then again, there has been no money mentioned yet. The question that should be asked is if Torbor wasn’t injured, this would not happen, so does that mean that the Bills value Reggie Torbor more or less than Kirk Morrison. IMO these FA are more about what Gailey wants to to with this team not the size of the name or the history or the player or the big splash T.O. type of signing. They want there own people in there or specific people that they feel they can groom to be in there contributing. Many FA will come in and play their game, not the game of the coach or staff running the show.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
I think they value Torbor more than one-year deals. The fact that they signed him for one year is telling, in my opinion.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
I would think of this more of a 1 year try-out/back up. If he fits well with the defense I would expect them to try to resign him for a longer contract. It could also be he wanted a one year contract in a place where he might start so that he could prove he’s still great inside. It’s good for this year at least and he can teach the younger guys quite a bit so I would take the long term wait and see on it.
Most vets have been going that way this summer. I believe it has something to do with earning a shot at a better contract after this year.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 25, 2011 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions
@stezwebs
It tells you the team has young players they expect to be ready to step in. It tells you this FA period is a buyers market. It tells you Morrison is ready to prove what he needs to prove to the league or that he overpriced himself in the market or would only play for a certain amount of money and was willing to wait until he got that or close to it.
Morrison is a good football player.
I never disagreed that he’s a good football player, but he probably doesn’t fit in with where they want to take the defense eventually. Also, what I’m not sure about is why they only offered him one year, but offered Torbor two years last year. Do they plan on leaving the veteran behind after this year, regardless of who it is? That’s what’s telling to me.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
That would make sense if Torbor wasn’t in the final year of his deal.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Aug 25, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Torbor has had a year in the system whereas Morrison is going to be playing catch up for a while, so I think he’s still valued slightly higher.
I realize that they’re unlikely to resign Torbor, but if Morrison is an upgrade, why not offer him a similar two-year deal to Torbor’s last year? Do they want to move away from any of them by the end of the year, or do you think this is a try-out period? I ask because Nix has been reluctant to sign one-year deals for plug-and-play veterans, so I don’t know why he made the exception.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
well, in fairness
we don’t know what they offered to Morrison, who is an upgrade in physical ability… where Torbor really only ever had the advantage of knowing the system, and now the disadvantage of not playing this season. I see the fact that we didn’t extend Torbor as a statement that he was and has always been a stop gap to help the young core group begin to learn more. (likely along w Andra Davis whom i believe will become a coach anyway) I have to assume that is the mindset and intention of any of the guys on our roster that have connection to the defense in the past, or the offensive scheme in past (wrotto, howard) as they bring some additional benefit beyond average play. otherwise… i don’t understand their presence at all.
by ThaRealTruth on Aug 25, 2011 7:04 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s true, we don’t know the specifics of the deal, except that it was a one-year deal, which is really all I was commenting on.
I agree that he’s a stop gap, and his time in Buffalo is more than likely done. I hope the young LBs are going to be stepping up. I’m a little worried about Shep’s lack of reps, but not worried about the ILBs in general because of this signing, so there’s hope there.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
i meant morrisons relative deal
but then, i guess you still catch my drift.
if you look beyond this season, and accept that it will be similar for moats, batten and shep all together… we are building a bigger front 7, and in the immediate future we got much more talent. and we will continue to select LBs and DLs… but that is the way to build. I am just hopeful we don’t ignore the O line for the next 3 years waiting for these guys to gel, and not even getting there.
by ThaRealTruth on Aug 25, 2011 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Moats OLB??
I know you don’t believe so Brian but I wish Bills brass would move Moats back to OLB. Our depth chart would look better (having Moats behind Merriman), and at ILB I’m afraid Moats gets buried on the bench.
by RockyTopBill on Aug 25, 2011 11:44 AM EDT via iPhone app reply actions
Until moats grows about 3-4 inches, this isn’t happening
by bizarro bills on Aug 25, 2011 12:49 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
So what do you think about Elvis Dumervil?
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 25, 2011 1:10 PM EDT up reply actions
As per Chris Brown per Alex Marvez – Merriman recruited Morrison. If both reports are true then that means both Morrison and Barnett were recruited by Merriman.
That according to FOXSports.com’s Alex Marvez, who tweeted the following.
alexmarvez Newly signed BUF LB Kirk Morrison said on Sirius XM that Shawne Merriman was recruiting him for the past 1 1/2 weeks to join the Bil
Love it
Kirk Morrison is a football player nothing more nothing less, the guy quietlky goes about his business on the field to the point where you don’t even notice he’s out there cause hes just very very smooth as an ILB.
This pick up is a huge addition to the Bills, like I said before he’s not Patrick Willis but the man can play football. And if Merriman believes he’s good enough to recruit then all the power to Merriman. I have not been this excitied about a FA signing since the Bills signed London Fletcher. Actually Morrison reminds alot of London, not playing style but a guy who is underatted because they aren’t boiterous our self promoting they just do their job at a high level and becuase of the fact they are not dancing after tackles and stuff they go unnoticed
"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 25, 2011 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
You mean he doesn't dance after tackles:)
I hope they didn’t over pay, this isn’t going to go over very well if he doesn’t dance once in awhile. I am betting that is why he hasn’t signed anywhere else. The places where all the big name FA go or stay. I hope Brandon can compensate somehow in sales for lack of dancing after tackles.
disclaimer: This is my attempt at adding humor to a situation that tends to be a common thread lately. Honestly, great pick up, we have been so lacking at Linebacker although I love the young guys the team has drafted, if they are not ready yet, than this signing is all good, BUT we could use an OLB stud too.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
BUT we could use an OLB stud too
His name is Arthur Moats. I don’t really care what people say about “he is not tall enough”. Someone needs to explain to me how height matters at the LB position. Weight I can understand, but height? Can you rush the QB? Can you set the edge?"
"Sit down and watch my Buffalo Bills destroy your Kingdome" - Abayarde
I don't recall Moats being effective setting the edge?
I know there has been an outcry on this site to move Moats back to OLB. I also believe Moats looked more comfortable at the end of the line than he does playing on the inside. However, I do not remember Moats being effective setting the edge. Does anyone have a different recollection? I agree he showed some pass rush ability, but was he a liablity against the run on the outside?
by WhatGoesAround on Aug 25, 2011 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Not that I'm disagreeing with you
but more just to answer you’re question. The reason why people prefer taller OLB is because they have to go up against 6-6 to 6-8 offensive tackles in the league. Not that it can’t be done (see Elvis Dumervil the guy is like only like 5’11) but it’s pretty hard to be 6’ tall and have the burst or arm length to rip past a tackle who has a huge wingspan. You need to be able to hold him up and locate the ball carrier or rip past him and get in the backfield to the QB, it’s not all just about speed arms have a lot to do with it and shorter arms (LB) usually don’t beat out longer arms (OT)
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
can you cover 6'5" tight ends that weigh twenty pounds heavier and are just as fast?
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
Is it bad that I dont know how to handle a free agent success (knock on wood) like lights out anymore? I dont post here often but I read religiously, and the last time I remember the bills being successful I was eating flutie flakes before getting on a school bus…
I’ve got to say I think regardless of health, shawne merriam has been an impact signing for this team…
"The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"
by Chronicbillzfan on Aug 25, 2011 12:55 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
staying healthy and out of HGH's way,
he will lead the team is jersey sales by mid season.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
I still might have to stick with freddy’s jersey…i love D, played lb in high school, and I watch defensive minded, but that man is a one man offense (09 season) and his play makes our O worth watching
"The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"
by Chronicbillzfan on Aug 25, 2011 1:15 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I really have to stop buying jerseys...
and let some random person off the street pick mine out. The last 3 jerseys I bought were Evans, Poz and Whitner…
Catch the Taste!
DON'T GET A DAREUS OR MERRIMAN THEN!!!!!!!!
PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!
In fact, skip Jairus Byrd and Aaron Williams too… as a favor to me. ; )
basically steer clear of 1st and 2nd rounders i guess… hahaha… grab a Moorman jersey and wear it with pride. hahaha
by ThaRealTruth on Aug 25, 2011 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Same here
I don’t have a jersey for a Bill who is currently on the roster now. Spikes, Poz (2), Lynch (2), Evans and Whitner….all gone.
Really scared to buy my next ones now lol. Figured I’d go OL and DL at first for a change of karma maybe.
Merriman
Damn autospell
"The absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"
by Chronicbillzfan on Aug 25, 2011 1:06 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Love it!
Few months ago I was getting ripped because I loved the Merriman signing and even if he doesn’t play well here he seems to be committed and says he wants to recruit better players here to help the team. Fellow Rumblers blasted me saying there’s no proof of that and it’s just all talk etc. but now it’s finally coming to fruitition. Awesome :)
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
Man I guess Merriman wasn’t lying when he said he’s recruit free agents to come to Buffalo. We all thought that meant former Chargers but he’s getting anybody he believes is good. I like that. Its been a long time since we had a vocal person on the defense that doesn’t pertain to twitter.
Now if only he would recruit some good OLinemen.
Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin. -- stetzwebs
Unfortunately, experience doesn't always lead to wisdom - Joe P.
by thefourwinds on Aug 25, 2011 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
These guys in the middle get hurt often
it is huge fir this team to have a few guys that can step in and play.
Morrison and Barnett sounds solid for starters and having Davis, Moats, and Shepperd behind them is nice to have.
We have a nice mix of veteran and young blood at this position. Moats and Sheppard beter have their eyes and ears opan at all times.
"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-
Can someone help me understand
Davis’ role? I thought he was playing well this year. Is he/Torbor/Harrison different types of players / different roles?
GO BLUE!!!
Off topic, but....
I don’t wanna waist a fan post but does anyone know if this game will be on local tv here? I haven’t been able to find out anywhere.
Merriman is Fired up about this team
HE is recruiting players to come play, he is showing lots of love to Buffalo and saying the right things in interviews.
Is he the guy that can lead in the locker room and field that we have needed for awhile now? I bet that since Merriman has been asking him to come, he starts next to Shawn.
I would suspect that B.G. is treading cautiously on this topic until there is some legitimacy to him being here.
I still stand behind him playing only against the Patriots, Jets and the dolphins, don’t care much about anything else and yes that is hyperbole, but how sweet it is going to be compared to years past.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
I think Chris White's ankle hurts more
Don’t you, Chris? I bet he’ll be on IR shortly…. Question is if Sheppard goes on it.
IR = Red shirt
Chris White will Red shirt for sure. Maybe not Sheppard, but you never know…
I veiw White and Sheppard the same as
Moats and Batten. Having those players under contract followed by the camp updates we have been reading is a comfort for things to come. But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves, even Kyle Williams took a few years to reach elite status, so I have much patience with these guys and yes even Kelvin Sheppard has some learning to do.
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 25, 2011 1:05 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd.
I wish more commenters understood this.
Year two is upon us.
by Buffalo for Eternity on Aug 25, 2011 8:36 PM EDT up reply actions
agree
though kyle williams produced plenty when he got snaps… even early. their mistake was not leaving him in there and waiting for development he may not have even needed. that guy just penetrates in the 3. he was a great 4-3 dt, and certainly holds his own in the nose even though he isn’t a true 0… he is so solid. all our lbs are young and have potential, except the two interior vets we just picked up, who likely are our starters… and they young guys can spell proven vets? sounds good to me. our LBs are WAY better than last year, already.
by ThaRealTruth on Aug 25, 2011 11:50 PM EDT up reply actions
This defense is suddenly looking so much more veteran than we would have anticipated.
Look at some of the veteran starters – Kyle Williams, Dwan Edwards, Kirk Morrison, Nick Barnett, Shawne Merriman, Drayton Florence, Terrence McGee, George Wilson.
These are all guys who have been there done that for a while and each has had success in his career with many of them going through periods – or still are – of being questioned for their ability or whether they’ve lost a step. That gives them something to prove.
I think you throw it in with the right young talent – Dareus, Byrd – and with rotational bits that fit in both categories – Kelsay, Moats, Williams, McKelvin, Carrington – and I like this defense a lot.
The offensive line will hold this team back all season long but it did so last year as well. This team will post a better record than last year and this defense will put us in position to win close games. I really see this squad as a 7-9 to 9-7 team.
This even grates my passive cheese - LeClaire Bill
I agree with that, and think we could even exceed that if our top defensive guys can stay on the field.
Check out buddynixon.com for more of my work.
we better not go 7-9...
the bills have spent too many years lately finishing mid to bottom with picks 12-15 and none of them working out… and it seemed like all of those years we finished 7-9…
Catch the Taste!
It's amazing what an above average defender can do for your morale eh Poz
You tak a look at the core of ILB before Barnett and Morrison and we have Moats, Sheppard, Andra Davis and Reggie Torbor. To me that looks pretty bad
You add Morrison and Barnett and suddenly you get the feeling this defens is going to turn some heads. i absolultly love the signing and as you know have been screaming all off season to grab an LB. Good on ya Buddy.
The key to it all is health though. Morrison hasn’t played football since January of last year = Not good. I just hope he’s in shape and comes to practice ready to play.
"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 25, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
This concerns me a bit
If they are top half of the league defense, which I seriously doubt they will be, then I would have no problem with them being a veteran squad. However, being old and bad is an awful combo.
All that aside, I do like the signing. I see him in a similar vein to Andra Davis.
I do have to disagree with this though
The offensive line will hold this team back all season long but it did so last year as well. This team will post a better record than last year and this defense will put us in position to win close games. I really see this squad as a 7-9 to 9-7 team.
I believe it was our defence that held us back last year more than it was the OL. I think it’s easier to win in spite of a bad OL then it was to win in spite of a bad defense. Our OL needs to improve of course, but you can help mask those issues with schemes.
I see us in that 6-10 to 8-8 range also this year, assuming Fitz plays the same as he did last year.
by lonestar_ak on Aug 25, 2011 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
assuming Fitz plays the same as he did last year.
Well said. I suppose I too am assuming Fitz is Fitz from 2010. I guess that is a big assumption. I just trust the guy but you are right, if hes not the 2010 Fitz, this will be a LONG season
This even grates my passive cheese - LeClaire Bill
i don't see what evidence there is to the contrary
i see the same things i saw from him as he led us to …. 3rd pick in the draft. i am hoping he shows marked improvement and can land us in the 1st pick this coming year. that is like getting 2 firsts again… without moving. i am so down for a franchise qb and a couple bookend OTs….. sign me up. because even then if we start fitz… HE HAS A CHANCE… and if or when he still can’t get it done, we can move on clean. that is the positive with their approach… cut your losses, because “we’ll see” guys might never come through. i prefer to run with a chance instead of accepting a disappointment. they think they are running with a chance still, but if he doesn’t perform, he is likely done here too. unless we plan some serious O line upgrades somehow. which i just don’t see.
by ThaRealTruth on Aug 25, 2011 11:46 PM EDT up reply actions
so far this preseason i’ve seen nothing to suggest Fitz can win us more games – he regressed and hopefully it’s only because of the lockout. You’d think he’d work on his footwork and accuracy more but that doesn’t look to be the case.
too bad the Redskins, Carolina and Bengals are going to be worse than us
by J2 on Aug 26, 2011 8:52 AM EDT up reply actions
redskins looked fine
in fact, Beck looked far superior to fitz, as did their zone blocking and blitzes. Carolina can be worse, they are gonna be satisfied with Cam, thus not impacting the selection… and the third and final is why i am rooting for Dalton. I hope the kid is good w Green… cuz then maybe they pass on Luck/Jones also. I just want a franchise QB
by ThaRealTruth on Aug 26, 2011 4:17 PM EDT up reply actions
the title needs revision
“Buffalo Bills’ Kirk Morrison Signing Offsets Reggie Torbor Suckitude”
I don’t understand why Torbor saw the field so much with the starters. He’s not much of a run defender, but even worse in passing situations. He’s too stiff and no longer as athletic. I guess it might be that there was really nobody else, but why not Andre Davis (he’s usually in the right spot at least) or Bryan Scott? Heck, I’d rather have Kelsay back in coverage (hyperbole alert).
With Morrison more of a run defender, I’m wondering what his addition means? Is he a good blitzer? Will he simply be a semi-upgrade in passing situations and backup Barnett and maybe Davis, or is his role going to be more significant???
Either way, he’s an upgrade over Torbor across the board, IMO, so its definitely a nice pickup. I just hope they don’t keep Torbor over a young guy now; he has no future like they might.
~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 25, 2011 3:15 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Is it just me
Or have we suddenly gone from zero talent at linebacker to one of the more stacked LB squads in the NFL? Not to mention 2 of the best DL’s in the game?
I would bet serious money that our defense will be much improved over last year.
Stacked yes if they were all three years younger
Solid definately, and a very promising young group coming up.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
This defense is going to be fun to watch!
"Being a Bills Fan is a Tough Job for Tough People…" – Luther6
by Montel on Aug 26, 2011 2:06 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Here's the real question...
If Morrison is even slightly better than the options we already had AND he was sitting out there in free agency without a team, why didn’t we sign him a few weeks ago?
Why did it take a lesser talent getting hurt to bring in this guy? I don’t know a ton about Morrison and I’m taking the word of Brian and others on this sight, but why now?
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