State Of The Buffalo Bills Roster: Linebacker
by Brian Galliford on Jan 25, 2012 11:30 AM EST
in State of the Buffalo Bills Roster
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PrintBuffalo 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, CB, S, ST.
The Buffalo Bills were not much better defensively in 2011 than they'd been in recent seasons, which is why the team has made a switch at defensive coordinator. The positional group at which the team did take some positive steps forward, however, was linebacker.
Because we're still not clear on what defensive scheme the Bills will be running as their base system next season under Dave Wannstedt, we're going to begin breaking down the team's front seven personnel in as basic a way as possible: we'll start with linebackers, then cover pass rushers and defensive linemen. Our look at the team's linebackers is after the jump.
NICK BARNETT
Age: 30 (31 in May 2012)
Contract: UFA in 2014. Will make $6.5M in base salary, $500K in bonuses and $1.5M guaranteed over final two years of deal.
As one of only three true every-down front seven defenders the Bills employ right now (and the only linebacker), Barnett's value to the team is astronomical. A health risk, Barnett managed to stay healthy for 16 games and had a good season, recording 130 tackles, three sacks, three interceptions and a touchdown. He'll return in 2012 as one of the team's most important players as they look to end a league-high playoff drought.
KELVIN SHEPPARD
Age: 24
Contract: UFA in 2015. Entering the second year of a four-year, $3M rookie contract.
Sheppard started the final nine games of his rookie season and emerged as a fairly reliable run defender by year's end. He still has a ways to go to become a complete player, and is very much a coverage liability, even though he cut down on his mental errors as the year progressed. He is already a good run-down linebacker; if he comes something more than that and can play most downs, consider it a bonus for this former third-round pick.
BRYAN SCOTT
Age: 30 (31 in April 2012)
Contract: UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT
Though technically a safety, we're listing Scott in this breakdown because his role is effectively that of a nickel linebacker - he played roughly half of the team's sets as a short-area coverage man in nickel looks, where he lined up next to Barnett (replacing Sheppard). He had a solid season in that role and is still a reliable defender, but with a young safety (Da'Norris Searcy) capable of taking this role over, it's not imperative that the team re-sign Scott.
KIRK MORRISON
Age: 29 (30 in February 2012)
Contract: UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT
A late free agent signing this summer, Morrison was added to the roster as veteran insurance to two, at the time, veteran starters (Barnett and Andra Davis). Sheppard eventually leap-frogged Morrison into the starting lineup, as planned, and Morrison barely played. Still a capable defender, it's likely that Morrison will look for a more prominent role in free agency, though the Bills seem interested in bringing him back.
ANDRA DAVIS
Age: 33 (34 in December 2012)
Contract: UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT
Davis began his second year in Buffalo as a starter, but was quickly phased out of the defense and replaced by Sheppard. At this point in his career, his value to a team lies in his knowledge of defenses and his leadership qualities. It's unlikely the team will bring him back unless he's willing to work on the cheap as a reserve and as a continuing mentor for Sheppard.
CHRIS WHITE
Age: 23
Contract: UFA in 2015. Entering the second year of a four-year, $2.16M rookie contract.
Last year's sixth-round pick out of Mississippi State, White isn't really a factor in defensive discussions, but was having a stellar year as a coverage man on special teams before landing on IR. He'll be back as a core specialist and reserve linebacker in 2012.
REGGIE TORBOR
Age: 31
Contract: UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT
2010's veteran insurance signing at linebacker, Torbor missed the entire 2011 season with an injury. An impending free agent, it's tough to get a read on the team's interest in re-signing him; in the less-likely-than-the-alternative event that he's retained, he'd be nothing more than a little-used reserve and a specialist. Torbor may not even be interested in that role.
SCOTT McKILLOP
Age: 25 (26 in March 2012)
Contract: Under contract for 2012 after signing a reserve/future deal in January.
McKillop, who played collegiately for Wannstedt at Pittsburgh, was signed just in January to get a look next summer. At best, he'll be competition for White's reserve and specialist role. He has a chance to stick in that capacity, perhaps even alongside White.
POSITIONAL OUTLOOK: In Barnett and Sheppard, the Bills have stability, a diversity of skill, and some upside at the top of their linebacker depth chart. From there, things are incredibly hard to discern. There are four veteran unrestricted free agents (Scott, Morrison, Torbor and Davis) and two scrappy youngsters that aren't ready to play (White and McKillop). Scott has a defined role, but may be replaceable, while Morrison has value as a depth player, but doesn't play much otherwise and may be looking for more playing time. The team seems interested in maintaining the veteran depth status quo at the position, and they're always on the lookout for young linebackers, particularly in the later rounds. So...
FREE AGENCY: Scott will be the first player to monitor here; if the team doesn't (or can't) re-sign him, expect Searcy to take his role, and the team's need for veteran linebacker depth will increase. That might make Morrison a more attractive option, should he even be interested in returning. Torbor and Davis are also options, but probably not particularly desirable ones. If all four of those guys depart, look for the Bills to try to find a veteran guy that can back up both Barnett and Sheppard.
2012 NFL DRAFT: In two years, the Bills have used three sixth-round picks on linebackers (albeit two that were supposed to end up being pass rushers). That's a good area of the draft to find depth players and specialists, and if the team wants more of those, that's where Buddy Nix will likely look at them.
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ok so..
If we go towards a 4-3 defense who would the starting 3 linebackers be? I heard barnett would move to the strong side, but then isn’t there a big gaping hole on the other side? Is sheppard even suited to play ilb in a 4-3? I feel we would need someone with a lot more range on the inside…thoughts?
by bizarro bills on Jan 25, 2012 11:49 AM EST via mobile reply actions
That’ll depend on who they sign. It’s tough projecting starters at a position where there’s so much to be decided. One thing I can promise you, however: Barnett won’t play the strong side. He’ll either play inside or the weak side.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
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by Brian Galliford on Jan 25, 2012 12:00 PM EST up reply actions
I do like the idea of Williams and Dareus playing DT in a 4-3, with Barnett behind them. That lines up our strength right down the middle of the field, and forces plays to the outside where we can rely on numbers instead of talent.
Please note that the exact strategy you suggest was employed last year, and worked out rather poorly.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
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by Brian Galliford on Jan 25, 2012 12:05 PM EST up reply actions
We also had a defensive coordinator who was employed, but worked out poorly.
by SiriusRed on Jan 25, 2012 12:19 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Correlation?
1. SF: Patrick Willis and NaVorro Bowman
2. BAL: Ray Lewis
3. MIA: Karlos Dansby/ Burnett
4. HOU: Brian Cushing/ DeMeco Ryans
5. CHI: Brian Urlacher
That’s a very decorated group of inside/ middle linebackers that led the top 5 run defenses in the NFL last year. There’s certainly a major correlation at work here, if not a direct one.
28. BUF: Barnett/ Sheppard: What do you say about them given the outstanding names above? (I don’t know for sure. I’m throwing it out there.) Both players had their moments, but the 28th position holds a lot of weight.
The really sad thing is that most Bills fans would agree that the middle/ inside linebacker position is one of Buffalo’s less pressing areas of concern on the roster. Obviously, the pass rush is a joke and appears to be the real priority (and I agree), the 3 veteran cornerbacks suck, there’s no franchise QB, numbers are needed at WR, a legit LT, etc. The point is, this how bad it is: even a position on the backburner of interest like linebacker is likely amongst the bottom rung of the league right now. The more you explore this roster by individual positions (and I’ve really appreciated this series aside from the sad thoughts), the more you realize that OBD has made no progress overall in two offseasons and it is unacceptable. What a disgrace.
"There's only one C.J. Spiller." -Buddy Nix
The rushing yardage the Bills gave up wasn’t so much the fault of Barnett or Sheppard, but the outside containment. Once Merriman hurt his shoulder, they had nobody capable of sealing the edge. Teams were able to run outside for huge chunks of yardage, and all too often, I saw Barnett making the tackle at the sidelines when a capable OLB should have been the one making the play. Barnett was visible all over the field.
I think we all agree that we need urgent help at OLB, but I don’t see why you are dumping on Barnett or Sheppard.
by SiriusRed on Jan 25, 2012 12:44 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
For as “bad” as some people say Merriman was, I remember seeing quite a few plays where he was being choke held.
"Everyone who has conducted an expedition will know how ready the world is to do the great injustice of heaping the whole praise or blame for its success or failure on the shoulders of the leader alone."
-Polar Explorer Fridtjof Nansen
by NordicBillsfan on Jan 25, 2012 2:07 PM EST up reply actions
I don’t think that a lot of people have called Merriman bad, just that he doesn’t seem to be durable enough to be an every-down player any more. He definitely seems to draw a lot of holding penalties that go uncalled, like at the end of the Raiders game when he was blatantly tackled, allowing Jason Campbell to throw the Hail Mary pass. That would have been a huge injustice if the Bills had lost on that non-call.
by SiriusRed on Jan 25, 2012 2:38 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I thought he simply choked.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 25, 2012 3:05 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
conspicuous in his absense
although BR front page roster lists him as a “LB”, are you categorizing Kelsay as a pass rusher, lineman, both, neither or none of the above?
"a play in which nothing happens, that yet keeps audiences glued to their seats". -Vivian Mercier - a description of Samuel Beckett's "Waiting for Godot"
According to Beckett, Godot was a metaphor for the Buffalo Bills :-)
We do not control the roster on the front page; that’s aggregated from another company. Kelsay will appear in our breakdown of the pass rushers.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
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by Brian Galliford on Jan 25, 2012 12:18 PM EST up reply actions
Willis
Didn’t the Bills have Patrick Willis in their sights before SF stole him from us so we had to settle for what’s-his-name, who is now gone? Not that it matters now, but would’ve been nice.
They did. Well, that’s what we’re all led to believe.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 25, 2012 3:05 PM EST up reply actions
I think you meant
WHITNER WHO IS NOW MISSING PLAYS ON THE VERY SAME DEFENSE.
You are now Watching The Throne.
by tomcs on Jan 25, 2012 10:49 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Shawne Merriman will be in the pass rushers list, for very obvious reasons.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
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by Brian Galliford on Jan 25, 2012 12:18 PM EST up reply actions
Because he doesn’t register many sacks for the Bills? :zing:
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Jan 25, 2012 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
If we are 4-3, You’ve got Barnett at WLB, Sheppard MLB and random dude (Merriman?) at SLB. There have been worse LB corps
They should have plenty of room to run and chase w/ Dareus and Williams in front of them at DT
If we are 3-4 then you have Shep and Barnett in the middle and 2 big holes at OLB. Along with Dareus and Williams playing DE and NT
The obvious choice for our current personnel is 4-3
The obvious choice for our current personnel is 4-3
Yep yep. Now somebody call up Aaron Schobel and see if he wants to come back.
Ron Paul 2012
by BuffaloBlueBlood on Jan 25, 2012 12:27 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I see what he's getting at
Going back to the 4-3 puts Kelsay back in a more natural DE position, and we already have five solid pieces for that puzzle — Kelsay, Dareus, and Williams up front, with Barnett and Sheppard at LB. We would need to add a pass rushing DE (maybe Coples?) and somebody to at least split time with Merriman, particularly on running downs.
If we stay with the 3-4, we have only four solid pieces, with Kelsay’s value diminished. Maybe Carrington will finally step up as the the 3-4 DE, but we would still need to find either two OLBs who can be every-down players or one full-time and one part-time to split reps with Merriman.
by SiriusRed on Jan 25, 2012 12:57 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Nobody other than the opposing AFC East offenses would miss Reggie Torbor or Andra Davis if they were gone. Both of them have been useless. Barnett was a great signing and played even better than Poszluzny. Sheppard looked good, and I’m hoping he will continue to develop. Morrison and Scott add some depth and package substitutions, but that’s about it.
Between Barnett and Sheppard, they appear to have two good starters. More depth is needed (as is the case at almost every position), and they need to get some younger players with possible futures instead of older players who didn’t even have much of a past.
by SiriusRed on Jan 25, 2012 12:29 PM EST via mobile reply actions
just because they didnt do a whole lot on the field doesnt mean they were useless. a strong veteran presence in the locker room can really help a young football team. i think thats what nix and gailey valued when they brought torbor/davis in, i highly doubt OBD thought those guys were gonna be studs on the field
Its fun to think quarterback, but i think the odds of nix taking one in the first are close to 0%.
Sheppard is that guy. There is no value in keeping Torbor or Davis around any more.
by SiriusRed on Jan 25, 2012 12:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
i realize that, but u said that both have been useless. i strongly disagree with that because i appreciate buddy and chans efforts to build a strong locker room by signing guys like davis and torbor back in 2010
Its fun to think quarterback, but i think the odds of nix taking one in the first are close to 0%.
I get that, but I just don’t think either of those guys has been responsible for anybody’s development. Barnett looks like he has helped with Sheppard’s development. There are veterans, and there are leaders. Barnett is a leader. Torbor and Davis are just veterans… old, slow veterans.
by SiriusRed on Jan 25, 2012 1:06 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
How do you know Torbor and Davis weren't leaders?
It seems like anything they would have done would have been in the film room or on the practice field. Maybe they helped with positioning on the field, recognizing plays or other things that might be more instinctual.
I don’t think as fans we could really have an idea how much of an affect any player has on another’s development.
You’re right, I am only a fan. I do not see what goes on in the locker room. However, I saw little development in the linebacker crew last year with Torbor and Davis around, so I attribute the progress made by Sheppard more to Barnett than either of the other two. Barnett is clearly a leader on the field and quite a playmaker. I do not see any tangible evidence of Torbor or Davis mentoring players, and their better days on the field, however few they may have been, are long gone. I would much rather see some younger players tutored by Barnett — even if they don’t work out — than continue to see Torbor and Davis consume roster spots time fighting for a more comfortable position on the bench. Any time either of those two are on the field, they are a liability. Also, since they were brought in specifically because of their experience in a 3-4 defense, they will be irrelevant if the Bills switch back to the 4-3.
by SiriusRed on Jan 25, 2012 2:48 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Disagree
This is Pro level football, why we need to get guys that only strong point is locker room presence? I’d take talent first and foremost and let team chemistry dictate who leads the locker room. Just don’t get this locker room presence importance on a team starving for talent.
The Sum Of A Franchise Is Directly Proportionate To The Talent Of Franchise's QB. Get A QB OBD!
by buffalobacker on Jan 25, 2012 8:41 PM EST up reply actions
I think it’s awesome how Bryan Scott is listed as the 3rd LB. And the sad thing is that Poz wasn’t even missed. This has been a glaring whole since 1999.
by Section312AgainstCanadians on Jan 25, 2012 12:55 PM EST reply actions
i like the 3-4, but the pieces seem better fit for the 4-3. kelsay, williams, dareus and maybe Whitney Mercilus, DE (Illinois) with the 10th pick would look pretty good. they could take Dont’a Hightower, ILB (Alabama) in the second round and that would be a nice start to creating an active defense. okay so Mercilus is a projected RDE so i guess we could bench kelsay and throw gold at Mario Williams to come here. lots of gold L
Mario will command some cash…easier if its over like 7 years..but the sound of merriman williams and barnett is scary.
by Feedjasper on Jan 25, 2012 4:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
how great would it be is merriman heals to even 80% of his probowl self. hey, you never know until you try. i would empty my bank for williams, why not? he is a stud! in a 4-3 would be the closest we have come to Bruce since he left.
by billybuffalo on Jan 25, 2012 4:26 PM EST up reply actions
Front seven
Kelsay, Dareus, Meatball, Mario W.
Merriman, Shep, Barnett
Rotate in Hightower or Upshaw or Brockers and Carrington/Moats/Johnson
I think I would like that. Very much.
by BuffaloRepresent on Jan 25, 2012 6:36 PM EST up reply actions
its pretty clear that linebacker will be addressed. I think its better suited to seek free agency market to find proven talent vs the draft. Id rather draft a stud WR or lineman with the #10 …im not ready to say any linebackers in the draft are capable of an immediate impact..ill hold off til the combine..we need to draft a game changer like dareus and even julio jones with atlanta for example.
by Feedjasper on Jan 25, 2012 4:10 PM EST via mobile reply actions
hey, i agree with you. the only problem is merriman. they say he is staying so you have money tied up in a vet that probably won’t get through the season. rookie pay scale gives you a reasonably priced blue chipper that can play right away(former pro coached). we are use to 6th round rookie linebackers. this kid is good. from a big time program. i just don’t see them getting a top rated free agent unless merriman is gone. would rather they get a top rated FA WR this year. just my opinion. never know how it will shake out.
by billybuffalo on Jan 25, 2012 4:22 PM EST up reply actions
Absolutely…i would cringe if the #10 is used on a linebacker though…sixth rd is ok. Merriman is in his final yr and has said he seeks to make good on buffalos deal to sign him.
by Feedjasper on Jan 25, 2012 4:47 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
We don’t have that much tied up in Merriman. And plenty of cap room still I believe. Buddy said he’d spend to the cap if it makes the team better. Time to prove it.
by BuffaloRepresent on Jan 25, 2012 6:37 PM EST up reply actions
Bryan Scott, while not "imperative" re-sign as Brian says, is a priority FA to me.
HIs ability to provide solid coverage on TE’s isn’t something I want to lose just yet. He will never shut them down, but he forces the passes to be precise with his coverage.
Mike Mayock pointed out during the Senior Bowl practice that NFL teams say you stop an elite TE with pass rush, not coverage. You just aren’t going to find a LB/S that can cover the elite receiving TE’s in the NFL today.
Scott’s two interceptions this year were a perfect example. The receiver was covered well enough that only a perfect throw and catch would work, a mistake resulted in a turn over.
He shouldn’t break the bank and fills a very specific, but large, role pretty well for this team.
"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
Whats sad
is that you look at the that list and it could not be more depressing. Basically at the inside line backer position, after their first two players, they have old, slow, players who are major liability in anything that involves putting on a uniform. Get younger, get athletic. Stop with this veteran leadership crap. I keep reading all these positional year end reviews. And I just can’t help but noticing how low their athletic abilities and their talent level is. Its really revealing.
today's nfl
I’m only a fan but there are advantages to the three four and the four three. Please remember that while people are responding to these written statements that the bills will still be in all fairness a hybrid defense. They don’t own the three four like the giants and they aren’t the ravens or steelers. If they want to run either they still need pressure. mario williams would be a great addition but I will tell you this, our rookies will only get better by playing and training. At this point we have choaches for teaching. They need to perform or show sparks or leave the association. From what I saw from games and lack there of davis, tobor and morrison should be done here. Plus I think 1 ILB and 1 OLB in the draft wit a descent DE from draft or free agency and this defense will be better. Wanstead is like gailey he is much more of a schemer. It would be nice to see some d line stunts, mixed in with some periodic weak and strong side blitzes and maybe a corner blitz once a game if possible. I have never seen such a simplistic defense as the bills have used. No wonder their stats are so bad. Yeah we didn’t have the best personel but we didn’t have creativity either. Let the young ones play and see what they got. Also when you don’t have the personal on the dline and the linebackers spots your going to see presentations like we did. This is a team sport and when the de fails the linebacker should be there just as there are going to be times when linbackers are spread thin and the dline will have to work harder. Go bills
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