State Of The Buffalo Bills Roster: Safety

by Brian Galliford on Jan 20, 2012 10:01 AM EST in State of the Buffalo Bills Roster

Buffalo Rumblings is in the process of breaking down the Buffalo Bills' roster position by position. Installments you may have missed: QB, RB, WR, TE, OT, G/C, ST.

It's tough to trundle through an analysis of the Buffalo Bills' defense at the moment, because we're still not precisely sure what system new coordinator Dave Wannstedt plans on implementing this season. Therefore, we're starting at the back end of the defense and moving forward, allowing more time for some sort of game plan to be made public. (No, we're not counting on it happening, but we can dream, right?)

Let's start at safety, shall we? After the jump, we'll look at the team's five players at the position - and before anyone asks, we're including Bryan Scott in our review of the inside linebackers, because let's face it, that's the position he plays.

JAIRUS BYRD
Age: 25 (26 in October 2012)
Contract: UFA in 2013. Will make $565K in base salary in final year of rookie deal.

After a statistically impressive rookie season, expectations were quickly tempered for Byrd. Astute observers noted that he was poor against the run as a rookie. Byrd was a better player in his second season despite recording eight fewer interceptions. In 2011, he began to show signs that he's primed to become one of the best free safeties in the league. He is not only much-improved against the run and as a tackler, but is now downright excellent in both areas. He still makes a lot of plays, including three interceptions, three forced fumbles and a touchdown. This is a very good safety, and as he enters a contract year, he's on the verge of becoming a true building block for this defense.

GEORGE WILSON
Age: 30 (31 in March 2012)
Contract: UFA in 2014. Will make $3.73M in base salary over final two years of current deal.

Wilson was on track for a career year before a neck injury derailed his season. Much like the Bills as a whole, Wilson was excellent for half a season, then faded as the year wore on (starting with the injury). When he was on his game, he was making big plays against the pass and providing terrific run support. Like Byrd, he is somewhat range-limited in coverage, but makes up for it with good instincts and awareness. He's on the wrong side of 30, but he's got a few good years left in him, and he complements Byrd well.

DA'NORRIS SEARCY
Age: 23 (24 in November 2012)
Contract: UFA in 2015. Entering year two of a four-year rookie deal.

Easily the Bills' biggest safety, Searcy was predictably mistake-prone when pressed into action as a rookie. He did, however, show well as a tackler, and with experience, his coverage abilities should improve. At some point, he'll be the starting strong safety - and could be on the field well before that in Scott's role if the veteran isn't re-signed.

JOSHUA NESBITT
Age: 23 (24 in April 2012)
Contract: Undisclosed. Signed off of the practice squad in November.

The former Georgia Tech quarterback ran the Wildcat offense for one pre-season game, was promptly moved to safety, spent most of the year on the practice squad, and then was signed to the active roster, playing only in a special teams role. More athlete than safety, Nesbitt will get another look next summer.

JON CORTO
Age: 27 (28 in September 2012)
Contract: UFA in 2013. Signed a two-year contract in February 2011.

The Orchard Park native was signed to a two-year contract last February - before the beginning of the lockout - but couldn't play in the first year after landing on IR. Purely a special teams player, Corto will perpetually have an uphill climb to make the roster. It's remarkable he's still around after all these years, and a testament to how highly the team thinks of him.

POSITIONAL OUTLOOK: Byrd headlines a strong group of 2013 unrestricted free agents for the Bills, and aside from Fred Jackson may end up being the team's top priority in getting a deal done once this year's crop of free agents is handled. Ideally, he'll be the free safety for a long time. With Wilson and Searcy, the team has a game plan at strong safety. The real issue here is depth; the team could really use one more body as a fourth safety, considering they're playing one more than half of the snaps at a different position.

FREE AGENCY: None of the players listed here will be affected, but keep an eye on Scott's situation. If he isn't retained, Searcy could take his role in the nickel defense, and then the team would be even wiser to find depth at this position.

2012 NFL DRAFT: The Bills have solid size at this position, with the notable exception being Byrd, who is not an overly fast athlete. Nor are any of the Bills' big safeties. Speed is a problem at this position, so if the Bills use a draft pick on a developmental prospect - a distinct possibility for depth purposes - it wouldn't hurt to find a guy that has a little bit more range.

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Comments

So that’s why Nesbitt seemed familiar.

"Go check on the ribs!"

by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 20, 2012 10:18 AM EST reply actions

I think that with Searcy learning under a professional like Wilson, we will have a very strong backfield for years to come if we can keep everything in tact.

by JDSym on Jan 20, 2012 10:33 AM EST reply actions 1 recs

It’s a solid position, with Byrd and Wilson starting. Byrd, I think, will be retained long term, and can backstop the defense for a while. Searcy will be interesting going forward, and I think we can afford to stand pat here, or at least, only bring in developmental prospects.

A question: will we put out more 3-safety looks to counter the TEs that will be thrown at us? A 3-3-5 nickel with three safeties on the field seems like a formation that can at least start to counter Gronk/Hernandez

by silvermike on Jan 20, 2012 10:34 AM EST reply actions

Sounds good in theory.

But still throw out a 3rd safety, Searcy, Scott, Unknown? … its still going to be tough to cover Gronk or Hernandez with them. Speed and size are not on our side with a Safety on them. And Gronk might just be the most uncoverable player ever.

I hate that I love Buffalo.

by bflo on Jan 20, 2012 10:56 AM EST up reply actions

A decent group

All season long, Byrd was one of the most reliable players on defense. Wilson is a defensive field general, and you could sense how much he was missed when he was out. Searcy looked okay for a rookie. Hopefully, he will take over for Wilson in a year or two.

by SiriusRed on Jan 20, 2012 10:43 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I thought Byrd was Buffalo’s best & most consistent player all year. He gets the Team MVP in my book. The future is so bright for Byrd. Hopefully Buffalo does the right thing & lock him up.

by Michael_Necci on Jan 20, 2012 10:44 AM EST reply actions

Yeah he played awesome this year.

I thought he was the DMVP for sure. His tackling, which was the one thing people were worried about with him, has improved so much that I might even say hes our best tackler. He has done all types of tackles. Hes in the backfield on screens and pitches, hes made big hits, hes made open field tackles, the one on Shady McCoy was the most impressive… no one tackles him in the open field.

I hate that I love Buffalo.

by bflo on Jan 20, 2012 10:57 AM EST up reply actions

Byrd > Whitner

He makes big plays.
He covers better.
He can lay the wood.
He knows how to properly tackle by hitting with his shoulder pad, wrapping up, and driving through the offensive player.

Whitner leads with his helmet, gets burned, and misses.
He may even end his own career due to injury (head, neck, back) with his style of play.

"My new cat just farted on my lap. Smells like Bills football." BG.

by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Jan 20, 2012 6:52 PM EST up reply actions

Wilson is fine, but if we didn’t love his backstory and attitude I think we would take more issue with some of his bad games. When he is in position he looks solid, but as the year wore on his limitations became much more evident. His change of direction and speed seem downright bad at times. But at least he seems to know where he is supposed to be most of the time. Which seems to be more than half the battle, hence he has worked out pretty well. He was awesome against Philly and downright bad late in the season.

In an effort to enrage :-), to me he is the Kelsay of the safety core, solid, high-effort, high-character, smart, but upgradeable and at the end of the day limited in what they can do from the position. Of course, Kelsay gets ripped to shreds and Wilson doesn’t, but thats got something to do with people expect more from Kelsay — maybe his draft status did that to him. Whereas Wilson seems free as a converted wideout.

I have low expectations. But high hopes.

by greysquirrel on Jan 20, 2012 10:56 AM EST reply actions

Wilson, as you mentioned, was converted from wide receiver. He is obviously smart, reads plays well, and gets good position despite not having the greatest speed. He is adequate at his position, albeit not spectacular.

Kelsay is doing his best to be a team player and do what the teams asks of him, but he is just not a good fit for 3-4 OLB. He needs to be up on the line with a hand on the ground to be effective. Otherwise, he is just too slow to be useful. But even as a 4-3 DE, he is barely adequate. He is not effective as a pass rusher, and that’s why we urgently need upgrades at OLB.

Don’t even get me started about Spencer Johnson playing OLB…

by SiriusRed on Jan 20, 2012 11:19 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Kelsay is so frequently takes with OLB responsibilities I don’t think this is really relevant. He is solid as a 4-3 end, that is all. But he took flak for being that when that was all he did. As I said, both to me are upgradeable, but neither is “bad”.

I have low expectations. But high hopes.

by greysquirrel on Jan 20, 2012 11:21 AM EST up reply actions

I think I understand what you're saying

With the Bills frequently playing their “hybrid” scheme, Kelsay was used more as a 4-3 DE than a 3-4 OLB. He has adequate strength and is capable against the run. However, he has very few pass rush moves, and he will never, under any circumstances, get double-digit sacks in one season. Anybody asking him to drop into pass coverage should immediately have their head examined.

So why do we complain more about Kelsay? Probably because of the lack of sacks. We can quantify what we want from our outside guy, regardless of scheme, and that’s a double-digit sack total. We shouldn’t have defensive tackles leading the team in sacks (which we have for the past two years). How do you quantify safety play? We can count if a player is getting interceptions, but smart teams will avoid throwing in the direction of a ball hawk. Comparing Wilson against the rest of the safeties in the league is difficult because we don’t have a numerical target in mind.

by SiriusRed on Jan 20, 2012 11:46 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

You have a point grey, but I think the fact that The Senator made a couple of big plays in key moments keeps heat off of him too.

Otherwise, you’re comparision to Kelsay is pretty spot on. Both players are ones that we should look for upgrades at, but they are not major liabilities either.

I’d like to see one more SS drated and hope that he or Searcy can unseat Wilson in ’13.

"I got no problem with 7-9 coming off of 4-12 as long as I don't buy a couch there, you got to keep moving" - Mike Schoop

by lonestar_ak on Jan 20, 2012 3:11 PM EST up reply actions

All the more reason to resign Scott

It should not be that expensive to keep Scott at this point, and it would mean one less position that the team would have to fill in the offseason. He already knows the defense well and is highly versatile. He’s the best guy we have at covering TE’s, although given the beasts who are currently playing that position in the NFL (i.e., Gronko) it should not be held against him that he doesn’t always succeed, given the fact that no one else we could reasonably expect to get would be likely to do better.

As for speed, developing Nesbitt might be the best way to supply that in the long run.

by Macktruck on Jan 20, 2012 12:40 PM EST reply actions

But,but

As for speed, developing Nesbitt might be the best way to supply that in the long run.

Thats our QB of the future lol

flayed ones stealth mode

"Fleshling! Do not shoot! For I am one of you fleshy things. It is I. Your Uncle Stan. Can't you tell by the long strips of fleshy substances covered in bodily fluids? Trust me! I have fleeeeeeeeesh."

by mob16151 on Jan 20, 2012 1:47 PM EST up reply actions

SHhhh!!

We did just sign the QB coach who ‘made’ the wildcat!

by polar2292 on Jan 20, 2012 2:46 PM EST up reply actions

Mack,

I think you nailed it with Nesbitt. He has size and speed. I believ the Bills see him as a low risk, very high reward type of player. If he can be a ST ace and develop his DB skills the bills will have a great athlete in the defensive backfield.

by WhatGoesAround on Jan 20, 2012 7:43 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Jairus Byrd

is my favorite Bill. Love the way he plays the game love his attitude. That is all.

This even grates my passive cheese - LeClaire Bill

by poz on Jan 20, 2012 1:33 PM EST reply actions

Athletes

The safety position has to continue to evolve on this team into more of an athletic one. I like Wilson and Scott is ok against the run, but neither is all that athletic in terms of leaping and running ability. Byrd actually has talent running and recognizing plays. More TE’s and more 4-5 receiving sets make this a big priority in the off season. Have to figure out how to cover those seam passes.

by J09 on Jan 20, 2012 2:16 PM EST reply actions

I’d like to know if they are seriously considering Nesbitt as a safety? I thought they were just stashing him on the D due to the short off season? I saw him play in quite a few games in college and I liked his play as QB.

"A deaf person can hear better than a ignorant person."- Unknown Comedian

by blknites on Jan 20, 2012 3:24 PM EST reply actions

He couldn’t be any worse than Thigpen.

by SiriusRed on Jan 20, 2012 4:58 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Agreed

I’d just like to see him get a real shot, at least as a backup or try to learn the wildcat (since Gailey wants to stick with it). The guy’s got talent.

"A deaf person can hear better than a ignorant person."- Unknown Comedian

by blknites on Jan 20, 2012 6:59 PM EST up reply actions

Don't be so sure

Thigpen is 10 times the QB that Nesbitt ever was. I get that Thigen was bad this year, but you’re comparing him to a putrid college QB in Nesbitt who just can’t throw – plain and simple.

It's close to Midnight, somethings lurking in the backfield. Under the Bright Lights he cuts so fast it almost stops your heart. You start to scream, but he's in the End Zone before you make it. You're Paralysed.

Cause it's CJ Spiller - all Frickin Night, and no-ones gonna save you from the Beast that just struck ya. You know it's CJ Spiller ! You're fighting for your life against the Spiller Thriller tonight !

by Will G on Jan 21, 2012 4:37 AM EST up reply actions

Nesbitt was horrible in so many of his college games

I don’t just mean bad, I really mean down right Horrid !! He was an option QB who couldn’t hit the side of a barn when asked to throw. There is no way on this earth that he could ever be a QB in the NFL. Certainly not one who passes anyway.

by Will G on Jan 21, 2012 4:36 AM EST up reply actions