Inside The Bills

DT to Bills in latest mock

NFL.com’s Pat Kirwan recently posted his latest mock draft and for once someone doesn’t have the Bills taking a QB or OT.

Kirwan predicts that the Bills will take Tennessee defensive tackle Dan Williams. It should be noted that Kirwan has offensive tackles, Okung, Bulaga and Davis all coming off the board before the Bills are on the clock, which could lead to a pick like this.

Williams at 6’2″ 327, he’s thickly built making him a fit as a nose tackle in Buffalo’s new 3-4 system. His run defending ability is his best asset, which has to be music to the ears of Buffalo’s defensive staff. He’s built low to the ground so he’s hard to move off the line.

He hasn’t been seen this high in the draft in too many mocks, but I have seen him as high as 12. The convincing Williams needs to do is that he was not a one-year wonder. He was considered a mid-round pick until his big senior season under Monte Kiffin. His pro day is set for March 17th.

Report: Bills GM watches Okung

Among those in attendance at the Oklahoma State pro day where top flight OT Russell Okung performed was none other than Bills GM Buddy Nix.

That according to the Associated Press. Nix reportedly spoke briefly with Okung at the conclusion of his workout, which included a vertical leap of 32 1/2 inches and a broad jump of 8’9″.

Nix said he was the kind of personnel man that believed in getting out on the road and “smelling the breath” of NFL prospects instead of just watching tape, and he’s obviously doing that.

Okung suffered a minor groin injury at the combine and could not finish his workout, so he made sure to do so at the Oklahoma State pro day.

“I think I’m a person that’s willing to accept the pressure that’s going to be put on me,” Okung said. “That’s become kind of natural. You’ve got a big old target on your back so you definitely have to welcome all the pressure.”

Another underrated prospect that again performed well was Cowboys QB Zac Robinson. He’s considered a mid-round prospect.

Report: DT to visit Bills

A free agent defensive tackle will reportedly be visiting the Bills on Thursday.

NFL.com is reporting that Minnesota free agent defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy will be at One Bills Drive Thursday.

The 30-year old appeared in 13 games for the Vikings last season as a rotational player behind Kevin Williams and Pat Williams. At 6’5″ 320, Kennedy is likely considered a nose tackle candidate for the team’s new 3-4 defense. Stay tuned for official updates Thursday on Buffalobills.com.

OL Smith signs with Texans

Free agent offensive linemen Wade Smith visited three teams in the span of five days, including Buffalo, but Smith has decided on the team that’s closest to home.

Smith signed with the Texans late Wednesday. That according to the Associated Press, which reported it to be a four-year deal with $5.25M guaranteed and paying out $3M in year one of the contract.

Smith is a Dallas native, and likely played a factor in his decision to sign with Houston. The free agent guard/center also visited with Arizona.

LB McClain’s pro day 40 time

Alabama ILB prospect Rolando McClain has posted his 40 time at the Alabama pro day.

According to MovetheSticks.com McClain ran a 4.74, which is what scouts and NFL talent evaluators expected. On his second attempt he ran a 4.71.

At 254 pounds his time is in the acceptable range for his position, especially at his size. He’s so instinctive that he often gets to the point or finds the ball just as quickly as a LB of greater speed because his diagnosis skills are so solid. His tape shows he’s a playmaker and in the end that’s all scouts care about.

FA DT Shaun Smith signs in KC

Free agent defensive tackles are in high demand, as another signed in Kansas City today (Wed.).

According to a Kansas City television report it’s a one-year deal for Smith, who played for Chiefs defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel when he was the head coach in Cleveland.

At this point Smith has agreed to terms, but is expected to sign soon.

NT Cody loses more weight

According to nose tackle Terrence Cody’s agent, he has lost some more weight.

Cody, who played his last season of college ball at about 373 was down to 354 at the NFL Combine late last month.

At Alabama’s pro day today (Wednesday) he weighed in at 348, dropping another six pounds, for what it’s worth. He also did 32 reps on the bench press.

It’s important for Cody to improve his stamina if he wants to improve his draft stock. Often times he didn’t last much more than 25 plays per game in college. If he’s viewed solely as a two down player it will affect where he goes on draft day.

Cody is seen as a 2nd or 3rd round pick.

Report: Skelton to visit with Bills

Now is the time of year when NFL teams host draft prospects for visits at their facilities. According to a TFY Draft Insider report, Fordham QB John Skelton will be paying the Bills a pre-draft visit.

Skelton had his pro day on Tuesday and did well. Bills QBs coach George Cortez was reportedly in attendance. TFY Draft Insider is reporting that Skelton will visit with Buffalo on Sunday.

NFL teams only have 60 personal interviews that they can conduct at the combine, so pre-draft visits are another way for teams to cover all the bases on prospects that they need to get to know better.

The Vikings and Redskins are also reportedly showing a lot of interest in Skelton.

Report: Bills at QB Skelton pro day

According to NFL.com, the Bills were among the many teams on hand at Fordham’s pro day where QB prospect John Skelton performed.

The workout, which took place on Tuesday was reportedly attended by Bills QBs coach George Cortez. Skelton is a Texas native with a pro body (6’5″ 241) and an arm to match. Whether he can make the step up in competition is the big question.

Cortez is also a Texas native, not that it means anything, but it always helps to have an icebreaker in conversation.

Skelton is seen as a mid-round prospect. All indications were that Skelton threw the ball well and looked much better at his pro day than he did during the practice week at the East-West Shrine game in January.

QB Wonderlic scores

A few of the QB prospects scores on the Wonderlic test from the combine have leaked out.

Per Edgar Thompson of Scout.com, Oklahoma’s Sam Bradford did the best among the more notable signal callers.

Bradford scored a 36 out of 50.
Colt McCoy had a 25
Jimmy Clausen had a 23
Tim Tebow had a 22

None of those scores are considered to be in a range that would raise a red flag among NFL clubs.

Report: Brady Quinn available

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that Derek Anderson isn’t the only Browns QB now available to other NFL clubs.

Brady Quinn doesn’t appear like he’s going to be released, but the Browns have reportedly talked to some teams about offering him in a trade.

Adam_Schefter QB Derek Anderson out of Cleveland, and he might not be alone. Browns have discussed dealing QB Brady Quinn with other teams.

No word on the names of those other teams, but you’ve got to believe that the Browns contacted every NFL club that they believe could be looking to add to their quarterback contingent.

Report: No Vick for Buffalo

According to ESPN’s Sal Paolantonio, Eagles QB Michael Vick will not be coming to Buffalo, or St. Louis for that matter.

Appearing on 97.5 FM in Philadelphia, Paolantonio said the well has run dry on interest in Vick.

“St. Louis dried up,” said Paolantonio. “Buffalo, dried up.”

Of course trade inquiries keep pouring in to the Eagles concerning their other two quarterbacks, Kevin Kolb and Donovan McNabb. Seattle apparently is hot after McNabb as team President Pete Carroll wants to win right away in year one.

Though the Eagles are not entertaining any offers right now, Paolantonio said he’s convinced that McNabb will be traded this offseason.

Blind Side actor to take in Bills game?

In my conversation with lead actor Quinton Aaron from ‘The Blind Side,’ who trained with Bills strength and conditioning coordinator Eric Ciano, I asked him if he planned to get up to Buffalo for a Bills game this fall.

Though Aaron’s schedule is jam packed, he did express interest.

“I’d love to come up there for a game. When I get back in shape, I’ll maybe suit up if they need an extra player. I pretty much have the left tackle position down,” Aaron said chuckling.

Aaron played just one year of high school football and admits he wasn’t very good.

“Coach Ciano made me a better athlete than I ever was in high school,” he said.

Aaron is staying in L.A. temporarily through TV pilot season in the hopes of landing a regular TV role.

“Then I’ll be going overseas for a little bit,” Aaron said. ”I’ll get back in touch with coach when I get back to the east coast from my overseas trip.”

I also asked coach Ciano with his success in getting Aaron down to a more acceptable weight in a short period of time, if he expects to get calls from other movie producers to get actors properly fit for specific roles. While Ciano believes that could happen he’s doubtful he’ll have the time needed to help in his new role with the Bills.

“Maybe,” said Ciano of Hollywood calling again for a similar assignment. ”Luckily with Quinton and the way it worked out, I had time then to help him. It was during spring ball and summer after all the spring sports were done. Normally I wouldn’t have had time like that. It just happened to fit in my time frame.”

Corner’s tackle figures solid

Bills CB Reggie Corner, doesn’t get much recognition for his play around the league. Most nickel corners don’t unless they lead the league in INTs. But Corner, who put together a good season in 2009 excelled in one particular area.

The good folks at ProFootballFocus are crunching numbers all the time and one of their latest figures measured tackling inefficiency amongst cornerbacks.

And while big names like Lito Sheppard, Antonio Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha were on the list of the most inefficient run support corners in the league last year, Corner had one of the lowest tackle inefficiency ratings in football.

Corner tied for ninth in the league last year among corners with Denver’s Champ Bailey with a 7.14 rating. Corner had just four missed tackles out of 52. Bailey had five out of 65. Here’s the list of the 10 best corners in terms of tackling efficiency in 2009.

1. Al Harris – Green Bay - 31 tk – 1 missed – 3.13 rating
2. Leon Hall – Cincinnati - 51 tk – 2 missed – 3.39 rating
3. Brandon Carr – KC – 55 tk - 2 missed – 3.51 rating
4. Jacques Reeves – Houston – 27 tk – 1 missed – 3.57 rating
5. Bryant McFadden – Arizona – 67 tk – 3 missed – 4.29 rating
6. Richard Marshall – Carolina – 69 tk – 4 missed – 5.48 rating
7. Kelvin Hayden – Indy – 44 tk – 3 missed – 6.38 rating
8. Charles Tillman – Chicago – 68 tk – 5 missed – 6.85 rating
9T. Champ Bailey – Denver – 65 tk – 5 missed – 7.14 rating
9T. Reggie Corner – Buffalo – 52 tk – 4 missed – 7.14 rating

Here’s more info on the tackle inefficiency rating.

RB Kevin Jones a free agent

RB Kevin Jones is available for hire.

Cut by the Bears late Tuesday, on the heels of the free agent signing of RB Chester Taylor, Jones is free to shop his services. Jones was a free agent visitor of the Bills last offseason before they ultimately signed Dominic Rhodes.

It’s unclear if the Bills would be interested with a new front office regime in place.

Jones’ injury history only got longer last season when he suffered torn ligaments in his ankle, though he is reportedly medically cleared at this point. NFL teams that are interested are going to have their doctors examine him with a fine tooth comb.

Another NT off the market

Nose tackles are always in high demand with so many 3-4 teams in the NFL. Even one widely considered on the downside of his career was signed less than a week into the free agent period.

Denver has reportedly signed San Diego free agent NT Jamal Williams to a three-year contract. That according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who says it’s worth $16M with $7M guaranteed.

Williams is the second big addition for the Broncos defensive line in free agency today. Earlier in the day they signed 3-4 DE Jarvis Green, a Patriots free agent. They also signed former Bills DL Justin Bannan, who was a free agent of the Ravens a couple of days ago.

Even NT Jason Ferguson, who is facing an 8 game suspension re-signed with Miami.

Schobel still undecided

Bills DE Aaron Schobel is still undecided on whether to retire or return for the 2010 season.

The Bills pass rusher tells the Associated Press that he’s still recovering from offseason elbow surgery, performed three weeks ago.

The club appears willing to wait on Schobel to make a final decision.

“The ball is in his court,” GM Buddy Nix told Buffalobills.com last month. “If he wants to play, we certainly want him back. If he wants to retire, we wish him the best.”

RB Jones out of AFC East

A nemesis to Buffalo’s run defense is out of the AFC East.

Free agent RB Thomas Jones has reportedly signed with the Kansas City Chiefs. That according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who is reporting it to be a two-year deal worth $5 million.

Jones ran for 319 yards on 45 carries last year (7.1 avg.) against the Bills, including a 71-yard touchdown run.

Of course the Bills will play the Chiefs this fall as they are among Buffalo’s opponents for 2010. That game will be in KC.

OL Smith in AZ tonight

Apparently free agent OL Wade Smith does not arrive in Arizona for a free agent visit until Tuesday evening.

Smith, who has visited the Bills and the Texans, will not begin his visit with the Cardinals until late Tuesday. That according to AZCardinals.com reporter Darren Urban. That means the free agent visit with the Cards won’t get underway until tonight at the earliest and likely stretch into Wednesday.

Cards interested in Anderson?

Speculation is already underway that the Arizona Cardinals will be interested in former Browns QB Derek Anderson.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter is reporting that the Cardinals will be interested.

Adam_Schefter: Look for the Arizona Cardinals to be one of the major players to bid for, and eventually land, former Browns QB Derek Anderson.

Anderson was cut by the Browns earlier today (Tuesday), a day after acquiring QB Seneca Wallace from Seattle.