Buffalo Bills Seeking "Smaller" Linebackers, Says Andra Davis

by MattRichWarren on Feb 15, 2012 11:30 AM EST in Buffalo Bills News

Andra Davis hardly played for the Buffalo Bills after losing his spot to rookie Kelvin Sheppard during the 2011 season. He recently spoke with ESPN's Josina Anderson, who tweeted the aging linebacker's comments on his playing future over the weekend - and they included a snippet of what direction the Bills might be heading at the linebacker spot. Davis will be an unrestricted free agent this March, and is not expecting to return.

"I definitely don't plan on retiring, at least not by choice," said the 33-year-old. "I was questioning whether or not to play anymore after I hardly played after Week 6. But the good news is I feel more rested now, and I feel like I still have a lot to offer. In my exit interview they told me they appreciated the way I handled things and that their options are still open, but I think they like smaller linebackers now."

That last seven words are the most interesting part of the quote but hardly surprising.

In the 3-4 defense, Davis was asked to take on and shed blockers as the "Mike" inside linebacker, and needed to be big and physical to do that. In the 4-3, the defensive tackles occupy blockers more frequently, leaving the linebackers to sift through the mess and make the tackle. (Obviously this isn't on every play, and players like Kyle Williams excel by shooting the gaps, not taking on blockers.) In this case, "smaller" could also be a replacement word for "quicker," which is something Davis has not been since joining the Bills.

While we knew the Bills were moving to a 4-3 base defensive alignment, the idea of moving from bigger and more physical linebackers to quicker ones is one that GM Buddy Nix and head coach Chan Gailey haven't mentioned specifically in post-game interviews. Since transitioning to the 3-4, Buffalo has still struggled against the run despite getting bigger at the linebacker position.

This is also fairly important to take into account when discussing the future of free agent Bryan Scott, who frequently lined up at linebacker in the team's nickel formation. Out of place in a base 3-4, Scott could once again find himself playing the role of 4-3 outside linebacker, a position he held under Dick Jauron for a time, in Buffalo's plans for 2012 should he be re-signed.

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not surprising. they saw how great it was having someone like nick barnett on the field and thought “yeah, maybe we could use one or two more of those guys”.
buddy nix’s biggest priority so far as buffalo bills GM has been getting bigger in the middle of the front 7. now its time for his priority to shift to getting faster on the edges of the front 7.

Its fun to think quarterback, but i think the odds of nix taking one in the first are close to 0%.

by boomsauce on Feb 15, 2012 11:37 AM EST reply actions

Anyone seen Family Guy’s rendition of Empire? This is like the part with Yoda.

We’re going to run a 34. O.k we’re not going to run a 34.
We’re going to get bigger. O.k. we’re not going to get bigger.

I love this plan! I'm excited to be a part of it! LET'S DO IT! - Venkman

by J2 on Feb 15, 2012 11:40 AM EST reply actions 5 recs

Acknowledge and learn from mistakes, you must.

by BuffaloBlueBlood on Feb 15, 2012 11:44 AM EST via mobile up reply actions 3 recs

hahhaaha

outstanding.

"He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy."

~Socrates

by ThaRealTruth on Feb 15, 2012 4:13 PM EST up reply actions

Something, something, something...Dark Side.

"Fred Jackson has the power to run over linebackers and the agility to dance on their pancaked corpses." ...Munchausen

by brownbag11 on Feb 15, 2012 12:43 PM EST up reply actions

J2

I don’t put much stock into in unless Buddy or Chan say it. He could be presuming that or he could have been told that. We don’t know.

by AP22 on Feb 15, 2012 1:15 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t put much stock into in unless Buddy or Chan say it.

I think you should. Buddy and Chan don’t talk all that often. We get our info from players or sources.

Buddy isn’t going to hold a press conference saying we’re getting smaller at the LB position. If you want to wait for him to say that then fine but this is a blog and we speculate. We speculate even more when players comment on things.

I love this plan! I'm excited to be a part of it! LET'S DO IT! - Venkman

by J2 on Feb 15, 2012 1:51 PM EST up reply actions

…In my exit interview they told me they appreciated the way I handled things and that their options are still open, but I think they like smaller linebackers now.

If you want to wait for him to say that then fine but this is a blog and we speculate. We speculate even more when players comment on things.

Your response and some other responses on here made me believe that some people weren’t taking it as speculation. It is just speculation and that was my point.

by AP22 on Feb 15, 2012 2:07 PM EST up reply actions

I think one could use deductive reasoning skills here though and come up with their own conclusion. That conclusion maybe wrong but who wants to be right all the time? That’s boring!

I love this plan! I'm excited to be a part of it! LET'S DO IT! - Venkman

by J2 on Feb 15, 2012 2:58 PM EST up reply actions

no to mention that

common sense goes a long way. Rarely do I take any GM’s comments at face value. Two words: Smoke Screen. OBVIOUSLY we have been fairly transparent, but when your deficiencies are so obvious, it is difficult to mask them.

"He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy."

~Socrates

by ThaRealTruth on Feb 15, 2012 4:14 PM EST up reply actions

well the 4-3 OLB

is generally 6’2" or so and around 240lbs. Can’t be much quicker needs to be quick.

With the 10th Pick in the 2012 NFL Draft the Buffalo Bills select Dont'a Hightower LB Alabama.

by tomcs on Feb 15, 2012 4:39 PM EST up reply actions

Question Brian

Does lighter and quicker stand for our strong side LB?

by Winnie33 on Feb 15, 2012 12:49 PM EST reply actions

This article means the following to me: one aging free agent linebacker that isn’t expected back with the team sees the team transitioning to a new defense and thinks that might mean they’re looking for a slightly different type of athlete at linebacker.

Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
Follow @BrianGalliford

by Brian Galliford on Feb 15, 2012 1:26 PM EST up reply actions 6 recs

Lol, this ^

"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 Feb 15, 2012 1:38 PM EST up reply actions

yup

recd.

"He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy."

~Socrates

by ThaRealTruth on Feb 15, 2012 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

I think quicker not smaller

I woukdnt be surprised to see batten as the SAM on running downs

With the first pick in the 2012 draft the Indianapolis Colts select Robert Griffen III

by Gpluehri on Feb 15, 2012 12:51 PM EST via mobile reply actions

Bigger or smaller

Just continue to take the best dam “football” players available and swarm to the football!!

Football is like life - it requires perseverance, self-denial, hard work, sacrifice, dedication and respect for authority.

Vince Lombardi

by Goose22 on Feb 15, 2012 12:51 PM EST reply actions

Basically!

by monk43085 on Feb 15, 2012 3:34 PM EST up reply actions

I wish they would use the word 'Quicker' rather than 'Smaller'

Ideally you would want guys who are both quick and big.

I’m sure they do not have a meeting and say “We need to get smaller at linebacker.”

by rat on Feb 15, 2012 12:56 PM EST reply actions

Well Davis can see it a bunch of different ways.

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by MattRichWarren on Feb 15, 2012 3:01 PM EST up reply actions

If the LB’s won’t be expected to take on OL as much (4-3), then they can be smaller and faster… if they have to take on OL (3-4, ILB’s) then they have to be bigger

by jonramz on Feb 15, 2012 1:04 PM EST reply actions

Haha

First they wanted to get bigger, now they potentially want to get smaller at LB. Haha! I feel like Buddy Nix is Elmer Fudd trying to find Bugs Bunny.

~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 Feb 15, 2012 1:14 PM EST via mobile reply actions 2 recs

I think....

Quicker and more athletic is more accurate, but I don’t blame andra for saying smaller.

Kelvin Shepperd has a bigger frame than Davis and they want Shepperd……

They also want Merriman! Who is huge too! Come on Merriman! Comeback and we will call you Merriman the miraculous…..and call Buddy a genius!

Go Bills!

PodunkO - The great post ender!

by podunkowego on Feb 15, 2012 1:21 PM EST up reply actions

i mean, their base scheme did just switch from 3-4 to 4-3 right? at least in principle? save the 3-4 will spot, linebackers in the 4-3 are inherently smaller/faster than in a 30 front. or am i wrong about that?

Its fun to think quarterback, but i think the odds of nix taking one in the first are close to 0%.

by boomsauce on Feb 15, 2012 1:23 PM EST up reply actions

I believe, as Matt mentioned in the article, that Andra meant quicker.

He came off the field because he was too slow now, not too big.

Something tells me Andra isn’t the best orator and probably didn’t convey his thoughts the best way possible.

On a side note; does anyone else cringe when they see Nick Barnett on Total Access? Talk about getting tongue tied, yikes.

"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 Feb 15, 2012 1:43 PM EST up reply actions

but

Its duck season! :)

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

by buffalobacker on Feb 15, 2012 8:50 PM EST up reply actions

Scott....

Played quite a bit in the nickel last year and played well imho. He could do that again.
I could see the Bills doing that.
I could also see the Bills give that job to Danorriss Searcy. He looked good to me last year, is cheaper, is no longer a rookie, and may have a higher ceiling.
We would also, perhaps, have Searcy’s back up in Joshua Nesbitt.

Go Bills!

PodunkO - The great post ender!

by podunkowego on Feb 15, 2012 1:14 PM EST reply actions

Wannstedt.....

I am going to throw up if he has Kyle and Dareus take up blockers most of the time…..

PodunkO - The great post ender!

by podunkowego on Feb 15, 2012 1:15 PM EST reply actions

I recall Nix saying they’d “give a look” at Batten and Moats (who he described as tweeners) at linebacker in his comments after announcing the switch to a base 4-3. I don’t buy either as realistic possibilities there and this blurb only deepens my suspicion that neither will have a role on this team in 2012…The 2010 draft class continues to be a huge body blow to any attempt to bring this roster back to life.

"There's only one C.J. Spiller." -Buddy Nix

by Port Royal on Feb 15, 2012 1:53 PM EST reply actions

Does this mean

they want Poz, Ellison and Maybin back?

Kelsay, Johnson and Carrington, recall that switch to OLB, well never mind. And Schobel? Forget what we said about converting to OLB.

by Rick A on Feb 15, 2012 2:23 PM EST reply actions

poz was slow

Ellison was bad

Maybin did not want to be here

"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-

by billsoferie on Feb 15, 2012 2:46 PM EST up reply actions

You could also probably subsitute "younger" for "smaller"

and it would make just as much sense.

It’s a young mans game Mr Davis.

The score dictated they pass

by norcaliangelsfan on Feb 15, 2012 2:26 PM EST reply actions

That's a good way to put it also.

I was subsituting “quicker” for “smaler” but yours works just as well.

I don’t blame Andra for not wanting to describe himself as “old” or “slow” though lol.

"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 Feb 15, 2012 4:37 PM EST up reply actions

Im not going to read too much into this

a 43 requires faster LB’s not necessarily smaller, Davis is just old and slow and did not get to play, so i sense a little resentment in the smaller statement.

"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-

by billsoferie on Feb 15, 2012 2:43 PM EST reply actions

I don’t think he is bitter about it. I don’t think a bitter player would have helped Sheppard as much as he did. I think he is guessing that is what the Bills are doing.

by AP22 on Feb 15, 2012 2:48 PM EST up reply actions

How do you know he helped Sheppard?

either way i dont think that would have anything to do with what he said or how he feels

"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-

by billsoferie on Feb 15, 2012 11:49 PM EST up reply actions

How do you know he helped Sheppard?

Because Sheppard said that he did. Where have you been? And I definitely think that it shows that he wasn’t bitter when he was here. He was a mentor. I think that it is wrong to throw him under the bus once we think he isn’t going to be here.

by AP22 on Feb 16, 2012 1:55 AM EST up reply actions

yeah, i remember this too

i just wasn’t going to respond FOR you. But i see it the same way. just because we are going to need more speed out of our LBs… doesn’t mean really anything more than that. Davis isn’t necessarily a fit anymore, and he was “George Edwards’ Guy” anyway. (along with Torbor who is likely (or already) gone too)

"He is a man of courage who does not run away, but remains at his post and fights against the enemy."

~Socrates

by ThaRealTruth on Feb 16, 2012 2:00 AM EST up reply actions

Um…..little harsh of a response. I follow the Bills pretty closely, and I don’t recall him saying that, but billsoferie can probably be excused for not remembering every thing that every Bills player ever said.

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

by bluecollarbuffalo on Feb 16, 2012 8:08 AM EST up reply actions

I was angry. I wasn’t trying to get short with him. I was ticked off because it seemed like people were just throwing him under the bus now that he probably won’t be back with the team. That is just wrong in my opinion. The guy was a team player and helped Sheppard. It was reported in training camp, after training camp, just recently when the season ended Sheppard said it again. Yeah, I was a bit taken aback that he didn’t know. Sorry billsoferie. I apologize for getting short with you.

by AP22 on Feb 16, 2012 11:38 AM EST up reply actions

thanks

felt the same way

"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-

by billsoferie on Feb 16, 2012 11:49 AM EST up reply actions

thats fine and im glad

but i dont think im throwing him under the bus for thinking that saying smaller is a little rash and may have had a little resentment in it. That does not mean that he is a bad guy or that he gave up on our team. I like the guy, but coming out and saying we are trying to get smaller is a litte weird and out of line.

"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-

by billsoferie on Feb 16, 2012 11:51 AM EST up reply actions

I disagree with you on him being resentful about it. I think he was asked a question and he gave an honest assessment of what he thought the Bills were looking for.

by AP22 on Feb 16, 2012 1:57 PM EST up reply actions

thats a possibility

but no one really wants to get smaller, they want to get faster, there is no benifit of being small at the linebacker position. it just so happent that usually the faster guys are a little smaller. He could have said faster, and chose not to.

"The Buffalo Bills have just exploded all over the Cincinnati Bangles"
-Steve Tasker-

by billsoferie on Feb 16, 2012 10:36 PM EST up reply actions

How do you know he helped Sheppard?

One link: http://www.buffalobills.com/news/article-1/Draft-class-is-complete-as-Sheppard-signs/c35ba9bf-e9ae-4caa-a28b-00174c0d7cc5

When the job is finished no one remembers how long it took, just how well it was performed.

by Buffalo for Eternity on Feb 16, 2012 2:31 AM EST up reply actions

This is a silly quote

He is gone, isnt very good and now we’re looking for BETTER not smaller LBs…

Frankly I don’t think anyone would want smaller… maybe faster, but that doesnt always mean slower… just happens to sometimes

I'm waitin'..... @killascript on twitter

by killascript on Feb 15, 2012 3:12 PM EST reply actions

i read it as

they don’t want “fat/big” and slow LB’s… which is fine for what andra was.. a run stuffing Mike LB.

by Acera on Feb 15, 2012 5:04 PM EST reply actions

I read smaller to mean

they want faster linebackers than Andra Davis.

Wouldn’t be surprised to see him end up in indy.

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 Feb 15, 2012 6:26 PM EST reply actions

By "smaller" he really meant "faster"

nice spin Andra

"I don't agree with a damn thing you say, but I would die for your right to say it."

"If I had to do it all over again, I'd do it all over again."

by ForeignArrow on Feb 16, 2012 3:24 PM EST reply actions

Don't forget

He IS fighting for a job. If he admits faster, that could change a team who is on the fence about him. He’s still a classy vet. He could be used somewhere, perhaps not at the beginning of the year, but, somewhere down the line once injuries creep up.

I'd rather go out in a blaze of glory, then slowly fade away in the antiquities of time.

by suteck on Feb 16, 2012 3:25 PM EST up reply actions