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State of the Roster: Bills Middle Linebackers

Poz returns full throttle in '08 (BuffaloBills.com)

Offense has been the main focus of the past couple of days regarding the Bills; we'll be talking much more about the offense next week, but today, we're going to shift our attention back to the defense. In continuing with our positional reviews, we're ultimately working toward building a needs list on both sides of the ball, with community consensus the (unlikely?) goal. That will help us as we break down all of the available players this off-season; it will also help yours truly as I prepare for the second annual SB Nation NFL Mock Draft this off-season.

I digress. Here's a breakdown of Buffalo's inside linebacker situation (and in case you missed it, here's our discussions on the ends and tackles):

Paul Posluszny
None of Buffalo's 17 injuries was more detrimental than the season-ending loss of rookie Paul Posluszny after just the first 10 quarters of his NFL career. Posluszny is now forced to take the John McCargo route to year two of his career: he needs to become a bigger force in Buffalo's defense, all the while doing so without having much playing experience. In his two and a half games, Posluszny racked up 25 tackles; had he continued that pace for a healthy 16 games, he would have finished the season with 160 (34 more than team leader Angelo Crowell). He's got the skills for this defense and the backing of the fan base; he's also got a lot of pressure on his shoulders heading into '08.

Will Improve in '08 if - he can prove he learned a lot while on the sidelines recuperating :: he can remain healthy for the full year :: he improves his aggressiveness, especially in pass coverage

John DiGiorgio
DiGiorgio (or "Digi", as he's fondly referred to) was one of the Bills' pleasant defensive surprises this season. The second-year man out of Saginaw Valley State took over for Posluszny and finished second on the team with 112 stops, accumulating two sacks, an interception and two fumble recoveries along the way. DiGiorgio is far from an ideal physical specimen on the inside, and is often engulfed by blockers against the run. He has shown, however, an ability to penetrate on occasion, and makes up for some of his shortcomings with solid speed, aggressiveness and hustle. He probably shouldn't be a full-time starter on an NFL defense, but he's certainly carved out a niche as Buffalo's top reserve linebacker (he has the athletic ability to play all three positions) and a terrific special teams player as well.

Will Improve in '08 if - he can prove he's versatile enough to play outside :: he doesn't have to start :: healed injuries allow him to return to the kick coverage units

Blake Costanzo
Added to the practice squad - and later the active roster - late in the season due to injuries. Saw some action on special teams, and showed that he's a hard hitter in the process. If he's a Bill next season, it'll be as a deep reserve or practice squad player; it's unlikely he'll crack the active roster next year, however.

Off-Season Outlook
Whether or not the Bills address this position in the off-season depends a lot on what happens at outside linebacker, and even more so with DiGiorgio. The Bills have two key free agents in their reserves outside (Mario Haggan and Josh Stamer), and Keith Ellison's spot may be upgraded as well (yes, we'll discuss that group late this afternoon). If that happens, DiGiorgio may be one player the coaching staff targets to move outside - and as a result, the Bills may look to bring in a veteran, heady backup to support Posluszny and play special teams. If the staff keeps DiGiorgio on the inside, this position is set - potentially for a long time.

Possible Additions: veteran backup for Posluszny
Possible Subtractions: Costanzo

0 recs | Comment 8 comments

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Posluszny
Brian, did the Bills blow it by sidelining Poz for the entire year?  The talk has been that he would have been able to come back and play around week 10.  I realize, with the injuries mounting, the Bills felt it was prudent, but at an 0-3 start, I am surprised they could have made that decision, when Poz looked so, so good.  Ironically, not only could he have received valuable experience, but would have been invaluable to the team in the snow/cold games against Cleveland, NY and Philly (as a Penn State player) at proabably the most important position in that type of weather (going against the heavy runs).

by labill on Jan 18, 2008 11:50 AM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Poz
Not sure he would have made that much of a difference in those games. It was the offense that lost those 3 games not the D. He would have helped, no doubt, and maybe the Giants wouldn't have run for 873 yards, or whatever it was. I think we still lose those games, even with him in there and 100%.
Who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Jan 18, 2008 12:22 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I don't
think the Bills made the wrong decision here. Would it have been nice to see Poz return, if at all possible, this season? Absolutely. But their hands were pretty much tied after they lost double digit players in the first three weeks. And Poz's development is only hurt from an experience standpoint - you know he spent his off months studying up that Cover-2 scheme. He'll be fine.
Create a free account to join in the discussion, Bills fans!

by Brian Galliford on Jan 18, 2008 12:38 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

no way
from what i have heard he was still rehabbing his arm at the close of the season. considering the injury, he would've lost all muscle mass in the arm and would've been a serious injury concern if he had come back for a game or two. regardless, as i said, from what has been said he was still rehabbing going into the offseason.

by jmorris0823 on Jan 18, 2008 12:05 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

MLB position
My ultimate feeling on the MLB position is: let the status quo be.

When the Bills drafted Poz last April I was hoping - and expecting - them to use him at WLB.  He played the weak side his entire career in college, with the exception of his senior season, and his most productive season in college came in 2005, when he was on the weak side.  That said, he is now two years removed from the position and the best thing for his development is probably to leave him there.

The same can be said about Digi.  Although the bills could toy with the idea of moving him to WLB to compete with Ellison, I think he is best served as a top reserve in the middle and a special team ace.

With that in mind, and with Crowell holding down the strong side (with wire as a serviceable backup there at the very least) the only real hole is at WLB.  And like I view most positions on this Bills team (like DT, CB, WR, TE), they are one solid starter away from going from a average/moderately good unit, to a great unit with excellent depth.  Find a starter for WLB, whether it be via draft or free agency and then you can use Ellison for his strengths - as a top reserve LB who can be used in third down/passing situations.  With only one addition, all of a sudden the LB unit has the makings of being very good, if not great.

SLB:
Crowell
Wire

MLB:
Poz
Digi

WLB:
FA/draftee (rivers or Connor preferably)
Ellison

With Wire, Digi, and Ellison as your top back-ups, this team has some excellent depth at LB's, and perhaps most importantly: reserves with starting/playing experience.  

John I.

by jri111 on Jan 18, 2008 1:17 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I agree with everything you said but one
I think Wire is a little small for the strong side. He also lacks some experience there. We are already keeping Haggan, and Stamer, for their special teams play, so I think the addition of a pure linebacker is needed. I would like to see somebody brought in to be Crowell's back-up instead of Wire. Or let Stamer walk, keep Wire, and bring in somebody else.
Who would have thought I'd miss Pete Metzelaars?

by sireric on Jan 18, 2008 1:32 PM EST to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I like the big picture for these articles
I really like the long term plan for these articles.

by Kumario! on Jan 18, 2008 1:53 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Any FAs of interest?
I think there are a few decent guys out there.

by krytime on Jan 18, 2008 6:35 PM EST reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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