Inside The Bills

Schonert on offensive game management

Bills offensive coordinator Turk Schonert addressed the offensive game management subject, which came up Thursday at the combine with head coach Dick Jauron. With respect to burning timeouts Schonert was pretty straightforward with some of what led to barely getting plays off at times and burning timeouts.

“It happens to everybody,” said Schonert. “New England wasted a timeout against us, but does anyone say anything about it? No, because they won the game. In the playoffs you saw teams burning timeouts. It happens. As long as it doesn’t happen all the time or five times a game. Through the course of the season and the plays, and where spots are. You’re getting a spotter telling you it’s 3rd-and-2 and now it’s really 3rd-and-1 and we’re closer than we thought or further than we thought and a change has to be made. Then we had instances where I called for Marshawn and Fred to be in at the same time, and then I’m told that Marshawn is not in the game and we can’t. So now a change has to be made. So there are things that go on in the season that force you to get a play in a little late so you just go and try to get it off and if you have to burn a timeout, you burn a timeout.”

“First half timeouts to me are overrated. If you have to burn a timeout you burn a timeout. Second half you want to try to keep  those for the end of the game obviously. But I learned from Bill Walsh. He said first half timeouts are overrated so if you have to use one don’t make a big deal out of it. If you don’t score at the end of the first half, you don’t score, you go in the locker room and regroup and come out with a whole half to go. If you have to do a two minute without timeouts in the first half you do it and make the best of it. The second half is a different story.”

While it is true that the Bills aren’t the only team that burned timeouts last season, there were more instances than Buffalo would have liked. Even Jauron acknowledged Thursday that they have to be more efficient.

Maclin looking to burn up the track

Missouri WR Jeremy Maclin, who is expected to be a top 10 pick, is looking to run a blazing 40 time when the receivers work out on Sunday.

“I’m hoping to run a personal best,” said Maclin. “My best time ever is a 4.31. I have a goal to run a 4.29.”

Maclin offers more than blazing speed. He’s a receiver, a returner and a runner if necessary. He offers a lot more than some of the other fast receivers like a Darius Heyward-Bey. I respect Crabtree’s game a lot, but I really like Maclin’s versatility.

A veteran QB

With J.P. Losman expected to go elsewhere in free agency this offseason and Gibran Hamdan a restricted free agent, Buffalo will have to find a capable backup QB to Trent Edwards.

Offensive coordinator Turk Schonert wouldn’t be opposed to seeing an experienced backup on the roster.

“I think it’d be good to have a veteran behind Trent that knows his role and can help Trent in the room,” said Schonert. “Now who that guy is, I don’t know.”

The free agent market is pretty thin at QB so whether they can fill that backup spot with an experienced guy that knows his place might be tougher than you think. Honestly there aren’t a lot of attractive names, but when you’re talking backup quarterback you can’t be too picky.

Mayock has DE Ayers in his top 20

Tennessee DE Robert Ayers has been known as a fast riser since his Senior Bowl performance and color NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock impressed.

“He’s the fastest riser in the draft I believe,” said Mayock. “I watched him at the Senior Bowl and his explosion and quickness just blew me away.”

Mayock thought Ayers best game was against Alabama.

“He handled Andre Smith and they even kicked him inside to play some three technique,” said Mayock. “I think he’s the perfect 4-3 end. I’ve got him in my top 20 now.”

Ayers was considered a high second round pick, but might move into the lower third of the first round. If the Bills don’t see a good value at 11, trading back and scooping up Ayers somewhere between 17 and 20 might prove to be a good move.

Mayock talking at combine

NFL Network draft analyst is currently giving his take on some of the prospects in this class. Naturally a lot of the questions are gravitating toward the QBs, RBs and WRs, which are the position groups that will be made available to the media today.

He just revealed that Knowshon Moreno is his top back.

C Mack has spoken with Bills

It doesn’t sound like anything in major depth, but Cal C Alex Mack confirmed that he spoke informally with the Bills among other teams.

“The Bills was one of those ‘Get to know you’ sessions,” said Mack. ”I talked to them about the players who are already on the Bills. I know they have Langston (Walker) and Marshawn Lynch. There is a history of Cal people playing there.”

Mack would be a good fit for the Bills in the pivot where three of their veteran interior players are all free agents in Jason Whittle, Duke Preston and Melvin Fowler. And Mack, does a decent job of anchoring down against bigger defensive tackles, an important quality to have if you’re going to play in the AFC East.

Carolina deal with Gross raises market value of Peters

With Carolina reaching a six-year deal with Pro Bowl OT Jordan Gross worth almost $60M and paying over $30M in the first three years according to NFL Network’s Adam Schefter, it hasn’t made it any easier for the Bills to reach a new agreement with Jason Peters.

Peters, much like Gross is a Pro Bowl player and would likely want comparable money.

Here’s where it gets scary though. Gross in 2009 signed a deal that is quadruple the value of the deal Peters signed in 2006, and it’s only one year longer in length. Increasing the market value four fold in three years is nuts.

Unfortunately that’s what the market now pays for Pro Bowl tackles. Peters was obviously unhappy with the situation last year. I can’t see him feeling better in the wake of this contract. Not that he has any options with two more years left on his deal, but this now has to be an even tougher pill to swallow.

Florida TE Ingram to work out

After missing all of Florida’s 2008 National Championship season due to an ACL injury last August TE Cornelius Ingram is eager to prove he’s healthy. When I asked him how he can use this workout forum to prove he’s back, he had a quick quip.

“Pass all the physicals,” said Ingram. “I went through a lot of them already. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, but I know my knee is healthy. And this weekend I have to run well and work out pretty decent to show them that I’m back to 100 percent and that’s what I plan on doing.”

Ingram said he will work out, but didn’t confirm that he would do everything on Saturday when tight ends are up.

“I feel great, I’ve been cleared and I’m pretty much thinking about doing everything here at the combine,” said Ingram.

If Ingram can post a good 40-time that’s close to his times which are usually in the mid to high 4.6s he’ll solidify himself as a 3rd round pick. Ironically some scouts compare his athletic ability to that of former Bills TE Kevin Everett.

So. Carolina TE Cook hoping to run in 4.4s as well

The gauntlet has been laid down by the tight ends here at the Combine. First OSU TE Brandon Pettigrew says he’s going to run 4.4 (though he laughed for a moment when he said it). And now South Carolina TE Jared Cook said the same though he didn’t exactly promise it.

“I’m not sure yet,” said Cook. ”Hopefully I can get in the 4.4s.”

Cook is a former wide receiver, but according to him was considered too slow for Ole Miss who did not offer him a scholarship. According to NFL Draft Scout Cook reportedly ran a 4.37 as recently as 2007. He’s been clocked this year on the low end at 4.46.

If he runs a 4.37 it will raise eyebrows and his stock, though he’s still got work to do as a blocker having only been a tight end for one full year. Cook is currently viewed as a low 2nd or early 3rd round pick.

Hardy to be ready early in training camp?

Among the more interesting things Bills head coach Dick Jauron mentioned here at the Combine was his assessment of James Hardy’s rehab.

Hardy who was off crutches just three weeks after surgery as opposed to normal recoveries of 8-10 weeks is ahead of schedule.

Jauron didn’t want to go so far as to say Hardy is ahead of schedule, but right now the timetable is very promising for early August.

“James is doing very, very well in his rehab,” said Jauron. ”He’s a very dedicated guy and in Buffalo. I see him almost every morning down there in our training room. I wouldn’t predict that he’s ahead of schedule, but right now we’re looking for him some time early in our training camp for him to be ready to go. So we’re pretty optimistic about him.”

Feeling confident that Hardy could return early in camp could reduce the need for a veteran wideout or other receiving option in free agency.

UVA OT pegs Michael Johnson on best DEs he faced

Virginia OT Eugene Monroe gave up all of 2 sacks last season. One of those came against Georgia Tech, which is when I asked him for some of the best defensive ends he’s faced he was quick to mention Georgia Tech DE Michael Johnson.

“Michael Johnson and Derrick Morgan both from Georgia Tech,” said Monroe. “They were good pass rushers. Sapp from Clemson. He was an athlete. I had fun playing against him. But Johnson’s explosion, his first step was second to none. He’s just an athlete, a natural athlete.”

Johnson is forecast to be a second-round pick, but with freakish physical abilities he could change some minds here at the Combine later this week.

TE Pettigrew hoping to run 4.4

Oklahoma State TE Brandon Pettigrew just finished his media interview and it’s hard not to be impressed with the guy that’s widely considered the most complete tight end prospect in the draft.

Checking in at 6’5 3/4″ and 267 he looks lean, and despite the reports that he can’t push the seam and stretch the field, one has to consider that he wasn’t asked to do that a whole lot at Oklahoma State. He feels he’s capable and he intends to prove it as he set a goal in the 40 of running a 4.4.

“I’ve set my mind to it, now I’ve got to go out and do it,” he said.

I don’t know about 4.4. That’s crazy fast for a guy that big. But if he runs in the mid 4.5s he’s probably a lock for the top half of the first round.

TE Chase Coffman won’t be working out

It’s no surprise, but Missouri TE Chase Coffman won’t be working out here at the Combine. He’s just six weeks removed from surgery for a Jones fracture of his fifth metatarsal.

He’s an intriguing mismatch at the TE position and a great pass catcher, but with two of his four collegiate seasons compromised by injury there will be some concern that he’s too big a risk for being injury prone.

Coffman is rated by most scouting services as a second round pick.

He plans to work out fully at the Missouri pro day. The Tigers are actually having two pro days on March 5th and March 19th. Wouldn’t be surprised if he waits until the 19th to do anything because it’ll give him a month or so to get ready.

OT Jason Smith is a specimen

Baylor OT Jason Smith, one of the top four tackles in the draft is a lean 309 pounds. If there’s more than 8 percent body fat I’d be shocked. The only thing I did notice is for a tackle he appears to have small hands.

That’s not the case for Virginia OT Eugene Monroe. The guy has got meat hooks at the ends of his arms.

Cal C Alex Mack looks to be strong through his lower body, which will be important in the NFL when it comes to anchoring down against the bigger DTs in the league, which seem to exist on every team in the AFC East.

More to come in subsequent blogs, the players are coming in here fast and furious for media interviews.

Impressed with Jauron’s comments

Got to say I was impressed with a lot of what coach Jauron had to say here at the Combine in Indy.

While I wasn’t surprised that he took fault for some of the team’s shortcomings this past season, I liked that he and his staff are already in the process of addressing some of those issues mentioned by Mr. Wilson and fans.

What was more impressive was his acknowledgement of the fan frustration about how the season unfolded. It’s clear that he feels just as disappointed as the fans do about 2008 and there’s a determination there to make things right that I haven’t seen in him before.

I know wins will ultimately be what convinces those in the fan base, but it’s clear he respects the fans’ passion for the team and their frustration.

OT Andre Smith undecided about working out

Alabama OT Andre Smith just finished up his Combine interview with the media and at this point said he’s undecided about whether or not he’s going to work out here tomorrow.

“I’ll just talk to my agent and we’ll go from there,” said Smith.

Smith said he’ll talk to his agent tonight to decide if he’ll work out. As for the reason why he said it’s a matter of peak performance.

“I just want to get my numbers lower than what they actually are,” said Smith. “I was pretty consistent in certain areas and not as consistent in other areas. I want to give the best performance that I possibly can.”

Smith’s pro day is March 11th and he said he will do everything there for sure.

Colts Hayden signing means big $$ for Greer

With the Colts re-signing impending free agent CB Kelvin Hayden to a deal that averages more than $8M per season, things are looking awfully good for Bills free agent to be Jabari Greer.

NFL Network’s Adam Schefter is reporting it to be a 5-year deal worth $43.5M with a huge $22.5M guaranteed. Prior to the offseason the Giants signed CB Corey Webster to a similar deal (5-$43.5M-$20M guaranteed).

Just looking at the career stats of all three players they’re comparable. Hayden (27 starts, 6 INTs), Greer (26 starts, 4 INTs), Webster (31 starts, 5 INTs).

Much like I indicated after the Webster signing in December, Greer could very well be looking at close to $8M per season.

TE Scaife could be franchised

The Tennessee Titans appeared poised to put the franchise tag on TE Bo Scaife effectively taking him off the free agent market.

NFL Network’s Adam Schefter is reporting that it’s likely to happen.

That would effectively take one of the better tight end options off the market. Scaife has developed into a viable commodity at the TE position.

Whether the Bills choose to address their tight end position in free agency or the draft remains to be seen, but it looks like there will be one fewer option.

Heading out to Combine

Just wanted to remind everybody that our NFL combine coverage will begin from Indy starting Thursday. So be sure to check out Buffalobills.com, the rest of the week including Saturday and Sunday for our coverage on the home page, Bills video for daily Roundup reports and of course here on the blog.

Catch up with you from Lucas Oil Stadium tomorrow morning.

No combine workout for C Mack

According to NFL Network’s Adam Schefter, Cal center Alex Mack will not be working out at the NFL Combine due to an ankle injury suffered Monday.

“While preparing for the combine on Monday with my trainer, I suffered a sprained ankle,” Mack told Schefter. “The injury isn’t serious, but unfortunately, it is going to keep me from working out this week in Indianapolis. No one is more disappointed than me, as I have been working tirelessly to further prove myself as a first-round pick. However, I don’t want to perform at anything less than 100 percent.”

Mack will be doing the interviews with teams at the combine, just skipping the physical stuff.

Mack is forecast to be a late first or early second round pick. Cal’s pro day is March 18th when Mack is expected to work out for scouts.