Bills 41, Chiefs 7: Charting Playing Time, Defense

by Brian Galliford on Sep 14, 2011 10:30 AM EDT in Buffalo Bills News

This is an experiment that we'll be conducting not only on a weekly basis, but as a running tally throughout the 2011 NFL regular season: keeping track of who is playing where for the Buffalo Bills. The premise is simple: we're simply going to keep track of the number of reps each Bills player takes during regular season play to get a strong idea of how the Bills use personnel.

Thanks to the nature of their 41-7 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday, the Bills used a ton of nickel and dime defenses, and as such, some unexpected players got an unexpectedly high amount of playing time, while others did not see much action at all. We'll break this up into two groups to best understand how personnel packages are formulated: linemen and rush linebackers go in one group, and linebackers and defensive backs go in the other.

Take a look at the data breakdown after the jump. You may be shocked to learn how little some nominal starters played as compared to how much at least one little-appreciated reserve saw the field.

D-Line And Rush Linebackers
Because the Bills were able to grab such a quick and commanding lead in the ball game, Buffalo's defensive linemen and rush linebackers are being grouped together because they're players that spent the overwhelming majority of the game with their hands in the dirt. It was a rare occasion, indeed, that an edge rusher stood up on this day.

There's not a lot that stands out here. On a very hot day in Kansas City, the Bills did a lot of rotating to keep their players fresh.

Player	Pos.	Reps	Stats
Chris Kelsay	DE/OLB	35/48	1 tackle
Marcell Dareus	DE/DT	32/48	2 tackles
Kyle Williams	DT	32/48	N/A
Shawne Merriman	DE/OLB	30/48	1 tackle
Alex Carrington	DE/OLB	21/48	N/A
Spencer Johnson	DE/DT	16/48	2 tackles, 1 sack
Dwan Edwards	DE/DT	15/48	1 tackle
Danny Batten	DE/OLB	10/48	2 tackles
Kellen Heard	DE/NT	5/48	N/A

All in all, it was a pretty quiet day for the folks up front. That was not the case for the players in the back seven, who were highly busy as the Chiefs attempted to play catch-up. Here's a look at the amount of playing time the team's inside linebackers and defensive backs received.

Player	Pos.	Reps	Stats
Nick Barnett	ILB	48/48	4 tackles
Leodis McKelvin	CB	48/48	3 tackles, 1 FR
Drayton Florence	CB	48/48	2 tackles, 1 INT
Jairus Byrd	S	48/48	5 tackles
George Wilson	S	48/48	5 tackles, 1 FF
Aaron Williams	CB	42/48	3 tackles
Bryan Scott	ILB	42/48	8 tackles, 1 sack
Andra Davis	ILB	5/48	N/A
Kirk Morrison	ILB	2/48	1 tackle
Terrence McGee	CB	1/48	N/A

You'll better understand the pass-heavy skew of the Week 1 playing time data in full chart form with playing time percentages. It'll be interesting to see if this trend continues in upcoming weeks, particularly as it pertains to one highly underrated player that saw a ton of playing time and was very effective in Kansas City: nickel linebacker Bryan Scott.

Player	Pos.	Rep Count	Playing Time %
Nick Barnett	ILB	48/48	100.0
Leodis McKelvin	CB	48/48	100.0
Drayton Florence	CB	48/48	100.0
Jairus Byrd	S	48/48	100.0
George Wilson	S	48/48	100.0
Aaron Williams	CB	42/48	87.5
Bryan Scott	ILB	42/48	87.5
Chris Kelsay	OLB	35/48	72.9
Marcell Dareus	DE	32/48	66.7
Kyle Williams	NT	32/48	66.7
Shawne Merriman	OLB	30/48	62.5
Alex Carrington	OLB	21/48	43.8
Spencer Johnson	DE	16/48	33.3
Dwan Edwards	DE	15/48	31.3
Danny Batten	OLB	10/48	20.8
Kellen Heard	DE	5/48	10.4
Andra Davis	ILB	5/48	10.4
Kirk Morrison	ILB	2/48	4.2
Terrence McGee	CB	1/48	2.1
Robert Eddins	OLB	0/48	0.0
Kelvin Sheppard	ILB	0/48	0.0
Chris White	ILB	0/48	0.0
Da'Norris Searcy	S	0/48	0.0

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Comments

wow

Can’t believe how little Andra Davis played or how much Scott played.

by Mindbender14 on Sep 14, 2011 10:34 AM EDT reply actions

Gonna go out on a limb and guess that you’ll see considerably more of Andra Davis this weekend. Probably Kirk Morrison, too.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Sep 14, 2011 10:40 AM EDT up reply actions

That’s not a limb – it’s a space station

by J2 on Sep 14, 2011 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

J2D2?

I have low expectations. But high hopes.

by greysquirrel on Sep 14, 2011 10:51 AM EDT up reply actions

lol – na, just an annoying commenter

by J2 on Sep 14, 2011 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions

I 100% agree

With a power running game coming into Buffalo this weekend, Davis and Morrison will need to be in.

I thoroughly enjoy this analysis, Brian. It makes a ton of sense seeing Scott in there for as much as he was with the Bills being up by so much and the Chiefs running game put on the back burner in the secnd half…

by jkra0512 on Sep 14, 2011 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Why did I not realize Bryan Scott was an ILB?

In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!

by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 14, 2011 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions

That’s just where he plays.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Sep 14, 2011 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Actually, he has played that role to some extent for the last couple years.

His coverage ability, size and speed allows him to play up in the box more so than the deep ball hawking safety. Aaron Williams brings a similiar thing, he is just young and will contribute in the same capacity in the early going. This is just my opinion, but this is why Williams was sought after by Nix. This gives us two guys on run defense from the secondary that can lay a hit and cover backs.

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 Sep 14, 2011 12:16 PM EDT up reply actions

I disagree about Williams

Williams seems to me more like the second coming of A. Winfield….a tough in your face CB. Scott is simply playing the ILB position (on passing downs) because he is a Safety that is not a huge liability when he plays closer to the line. IMO, Searcy was the one brought into the fold to fill in for Scott down the line, but I anticipate he wont be playing ILB for us anytime. To be honest, I really like how they are using Scott, he is a liability when he is in the defensive backfield, but he is an asset closer to the LOS on definite passing plays. I also think that Scott is playing ILB is simply because he is far better in coverage than other ILB we have on the roster, this will probably change next year with a draft pick or FA pickup.

Act like a sober human being, not a drunk Internet username. -- Brian Galliford

by NorCal BillsFan on Sep 14, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Let’s not forget that he’s a converted linebacker in the first place. I agree that Searcy — not Williams — is the Scottesque player of this bunch with his combination of power and speed. Searcy seems like he greater potential as a regular safety than Scott ever did, though, because — and you hinted at this — Scott is quick for a linebacker but he’s slow for a safety. He’s more ‘tweener’ than ‘hybrid’, but he makes it work in the situations he is wisely utilized in.

by paxon on Sep 15, 2011 1:24 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree in terms of shock factor but one should have guessed something at least along these lines as Andra really only plays as the SILB in 3-4ish looks and they seemed to have played the vast majority of the game in 4-3 and nickel looks. I really like that about this defense though. Depending on situational needs, they have guys who excel in particular situations to step in. On a game-to-game basis, many of these defensemen might be absolutely crucial or might only get in for a cup of coffee.

by paxon on Sep 15, 2011 1:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Thinking about it a little bit,

Barnett and Scott complement each other very well. They bring speed to the ball and provide coverage behind the front four very well. We may see tons of these numbers again in a couple weeks, but I would expect to see Davis, Barnett, Morrison and even Shep get increased reps this sunday. These posts definately create an interesting perspective, but the roster is big because of the different styles they face through out the season so they will change and we should be cautious to what conclusions we draw from this.

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 Sep 14, 2011 10:47 AM EDT reply actions

Johnson

For only playing 16 snaps, Spencer Johnson had an impact.
Might be pushing Edwards.

by zipper on Sep 14, 2011 10:52 AM EDT reply actions

yep, seems like he’s playn like a starter

by dgrid on Sep 14, 2011 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions

I think you’ll see this all year out of Johnson. He makes his playing time count.

by paxon on Sep 15, 2011 1:25 AM EDT up reply actions

How is this possible?

I’m almost positive I saw Shepp get in on the action late in the game..how does he have 0 reps?

by BleedBlue26 on Sep 14, 2011 11:06 AM EDT reply actions

i think

He was on Special Teams

by Mindbender14 on Sep 14, 2011 11:09 AM EDT up reply actions

i see on the offensive breakdown Brian mentioned that it was reps pre-cruise control, so i guess its the same here..

by BleedBlue26 on Sep 14, 2011 11:17 AM EDT up reply actions

Correct.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Sep 14, 2011 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions

thanks for that post

very nice breakdown, nice to have posts like that every week.

by Fernando brazil on Sep 14, 2011 11:40 AM EDT up reply actions

your're right

remember it too, a little screen/swing pass to Charles in which Shep and Williams combined for the tackle.. good knock on him too

by Acera on Sep 14, 2011 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions

The best part about this breakdown

Is that it really puts into perspective how each team we play week in week out can skew our overall rankings as a defensicve unit.

Bryan Scotts playing time in my opinion was vased purley on the fact we played nickel for almost the entire game.

Like Brian mentioned above, we get Oakland this week a very run heavy team, it will not surprise me 1 bit to see more Morrison and Davis (preferably Morrison).

I also would like to point out the use of our rookies on ST. The first play of the game Chris White causes a fumble with a good hard hit on McCluster and Shepp recovers the fumble. This is a great way to integrate our rookies into the NFL by playing them on ST.

Also interesting to see that Danny Batten replaced Shawne Merriman when he went out, and that Alex Carrington was used more as a 4 man front DE as oppose to a 3 man front OLB..

"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 Sep 14, 2011 11:15 AM EDT reply actions

Yeah it was a nice play by the rooks to start the season

Act like a sober human being, not a drunk Internet username. -- Brian Galliford

by NorCal BillsFan on Sep 14, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions

This doesn’t stun me too much. I remember thinking that Scott was out there a ton. I think he’s a good matchup to cover TEs and RBs etc out of the backfield. In watching the Oakland game, I would just have him shadow their fullback. He’s very fast and they even ran him on an end around. He creates matchup problems for most teams, but if Scott can shadow him, I think he will largely disappear. He has a perfect skill set to marginalize a guy like him.

Thank you thank you thank you thank you sireric for bringing the furious punching cat back into my life. - poz

by bluecollarbuffalo on Sep 14, 2011 11:26 AM EDT reply actions

Awesome info. Thank you Brian

One question though; Scott is listed as backup safety on the depth chart correct. I understand he is used mainly as the Nickle backer, with Searcy the only safety reserve do you think we will continue to see Wilson and Byrd play every snap all year? They both played great agains KC, but just wondering as the season wears down if they can keep that pace up?

by NHBillzFan on Sep 14, 2011 11:53 AM EDT reply actions

Full disclosure: it’s really hard to chart safety snaps from TV angles. It’s entirely possible that Searcy snuck in some PT and I just missed it. Byrd and Wilson played the vast majority of the game.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Sep 14, 2011 11:54 AM EDT up reply actions

definately need to get you a skybox with a staff of course :)

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 Sep 14, 2011 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Understood, and greatly appreciated.

I just thought from the time the 53 man was announced they were think at DB’s in general. Especially since this is now such a passing league with teams using the spread.

by NHBillzFan on Sep 14, 2011 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Not that my name’s Brian, but I think Searcy will start getting some spells for Wilson and Byrd by proxy of Wilson after a few weeks. Once Searcy’s really ready, and assuming he reaches his potential, he’ll be a great compliment to Wilson when they want to move the SS up in the box (not that Wilson isn’t good in the running game, but it’ll save him from being worn out and Searcy is a strong strong safety.

by paxon on Sep 15, 2011 1:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Nice work Brian, with some surprising numbers

I think I’m more surprised Williams saw so much PT as the team went with 3 CB’s often. Was he used as a spy on Charles and/or McCluster? Was Scott used in that role?

I’m surprised KC didn’t try ramming it down our throats more with the D going with 5.5 DB’s. I remember a lot of shotgun and draws or handoffs out of a spread for them. I wonder if they felt they couldn’t run out of a tight formation against our base D??

I’d have to believe Davis, Morrison, Merriman and Edwards will see a lot more time against Oakland. I hope we see a lot of 8 man fronts, stacking the box daring Jason Campbell to beat us.

~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 Sep 14, 2011 1:50 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

I remember one of the Cheifs saying their game plan was to get to the outside on us

It sounds like Haley did a poor job of adjusting in game as we were in nickel and dime so much.

Oakland scares me on this part. They are a power run team that has a back in Run DMC that can bounce it outside and gouge us just as badly as Charles could have.

We will not be able to scheme away their run game. We will have to play very solid, fundamental run d. If we can keep the Raiders under 130 rushing yds and 5.0 per carry then I think we have favorable odds of winning.

by lonestar_ak on Sep 14, 2011 6:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Was the Moats inactive? I dont remember

In case your wondering....it says F*** boston

by BLO 2 VT 2 TPA on Sep 14, 2011 1:54 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Yes, he will be out this week too I believe.

Act like a sober human being, not a drunk Internet username. -- Brian Galliford

by NorCal BillsFan on Sep 14, 2011 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions

What I wanted.....

To know was did we play the Scott/Williams nickel against KC’s two -WR set? I noticed we opened in that D and I didn’t notice us veer from that under normal conditions.
Everybody talking about us playing both Morrison and A Davis. But I think our standard D is supposed to add Dwan Edwards and Davis (or maybe Morrison by now).
But after the KC game I wonder how much we will play 3 big men at once? Carrington looked too way too slow to play Merrian"s spot; so much so I believe that is why Merriman came back in that quickly, we let some runs by right away…..
I was also surprised that, (at least I don’t think) Dareus or Williams came out with the game still in question. I thought there would be more rotation.
Scott has played that role under jauron quite a bit, what’s new is his stats (3 tks. For loss too) and that we won big. Probably better players around him, he"s in better shape, he gets it more maybe or just a good game.
That was a very small defense we played, – all game I think!
It is very interesting stuff…

Go Bills!

Bring on the Aiders!

PodunkO - The great post ender!

by podunkowego on Sep 14, 2011 10:45 PM EDT reply actions