Monthly Archives: May 2010
Poz’s playmaking right up there
On Monday we showed how AdvancedNFLStats determined playmaking ability through new statistical models that measure WPA or positive win probability added and EPA or positive expected points added. Aaron Schobel and Kyle Williams were both among the best at their respective positions for the 2009 regular season. Buffalo’s middle and soon to be inside linebacker [...]
How Brown believes offense translates
When a quarterback tries to get himself acclimated to a new offensive system, he sometimes tries to lean his previous offense to help with translation in the early going. Bills seventh-round pick Levi Brown is just trying to absorb the new system on its own, knowing it’s different schematically from what he did in college. [...]
Re-vote results expected at 1 pm
The results of the Associated Press’ unprecedented re-vote for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year are expected to be announced early this afternoon. That according to Houston Texans beat writer John McClain, who has an AP vote, posted as much on his twitter account this morning. McClain_on_NFL We should find out bout AP revote sometime [...]
Wang on NPR
Bills fifth-round pick Ed Wang (pronounced Wong) is drawing widespread interest being the first NFL player that’s a direct descendant of Chinese parents. It goes beyond the sports world, which is why National Public Radio requested an interview. Here’s Wang’s interview with NPR as well as the transcript in case the radio interview does not [...]
The word on Simpson
An NFL personnel man outside the Bills organization gave me an unbiased opinion on Chad Simpson as a player. When asked what two things stand out about Simpson he told me that he has excellent speed and is extremely tough. Hearing that assessment from someone in the know is encouraging. Strong competition has been added to [...]
Competition steep at returner
Bills GM Buddy Nix said from the get go that competition makes everybody better. If that’s true the Bills are going to have a whale of a kick returner. Bills top pick C.J. Spiller already ratcheted up the competition level at kick returner when he was taken ninth overall. Adding him in with Leodis McKelvin [...]
Favorite had a tough go
The Bills first of two roster moves coming out of their rookie minicamp was to waive DL Marlon Favorite. Viewed as a possible nose tackle candidate, Favorite was kicked out to right defensive end in the minicamp. Favorite at 6’1″ and 317 is too squatty to play end in a 3-4 and is not a [...]
QB Brown studying up
Bills rookie QB Levi Brown, who has climbed depth charts before, is hard at work at home in Tennessee. Per his latest twitter post, the Bills seventh-round pick is looking to absorb his head coach’s offensive plays. LeviBrown12 Sittin in the hammock at home over the pond studying these plays For a rookie camp where [...]
Report: Eckel works out
The National Football Post is reporting that free agent FB Kyle Eckel worked out for the Bills on Tuesday. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Patriots in 2005, he’s also spent time with Miami and Philadelphia. Eckel, 28, played last season in New Orleans. He has two touchdowns in his career, one [...]
SI.com’s Banks to vote for Cushing again
SI.com columnist Don Banks believes a re-vote for Defensive Rookie of the Year is wrong and is voting for Cushing again. Banks makes a fair point in saying that the league’s appeal process for players is flawed because if he was caught in September his appeal should not have lasted through the end of the [...]
Deadline Wed. for Def. ROY re-vote
The deadline for sports writers with a vote for the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year re-vote is coming up fast. After the decision was made Monday to re-vote for Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press in the wake of Houston LB Brian Cushing’s admission that he did test positive for a [...]
DT Williams tops as playmaker
Looks like Aaron Schobel isn’t the only Bills player with league best playmaking ability at his position. On Monday we showed how AdvancedNFLStats determined playmaking ability through new statistical models that measure WPA or positive win probability added and EPA or positive expected points added. “+WPA” and “+EPA” add up the value of every sack, interception, [...]
Spiller on the air
Bills top pick C.J. Spiller will be on the local Buffalo airwaves Tuesday morning. Spiller will appear on Morning Bull on 103.3 The Edge @ 8:30 AM. You can also listen online at www.wedg.com
Re-vote for Def. ROY
The Associated Press has decided to re-vote for Defensive Rookie of the Year for the 2009 season. After winner Brian Cushing tested positive for a banned substance and was subsequently suspended four games by the NFL last week, the AP decided to re-vote. Cushing is still a candidate. Bills FS Jairus Byrd finished second in [...]
Lynch, Jackson both rank well
The league’s rushing leader usually gets all the pub and to a certain extent that’s understandable. But what about the guys that get the truly tough yards? You know, the ones after initial contact. Well ProFootballFocus has crunched the numbers and not surprisingly, the Bills backs fared well. Marshawn Lynch ranked tied for third on [...]
Cushing to be stripped of award?
SI.com’s Peter King has apparently been in touch with the head office at the Associated Press sports department and there’s discussion that Houston LB Brian Cushing could be stripped of his Defensive Rookie of the Year award. If that happens, presumably Jairus Byrd would be awarded Defensive Rookie of the Year, since he finished second [...]
King lobbies for Byrd
With 2009 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Brian Cushing earning a four-game suspension by the league for the 2010 season after testing positive for banned substances, SI.com’s Peter King is lobbying for Cushing to be stripped of the award. Bills FS Jairus Byrd finished second in the voting to Cushing, and King believes Byrd [...]
Schobel tops in playmaking
Bills DE Aaron Schobel still hasn’t decided whether he’s going to continue his playing career in 2010, but he might be interested to know that AdvancedNFLStats has found among defensive ends he had the best playmaking ability in 2009. AdvancedNFLStats creates new models that go beyond just sacks and tackles or other commonly used figures [...]
Coach Gailey on NFL Network
Bills head coach Chan Gailey will be a featured subject Monday on NFL Network. Gailey will appear on the network’s Coaching Spotlight series, which takes a closer look at the head coaches in the league. On the heels of the Bills rookie minicamp it should be interesting to see what he has to say. The [...]
What Gailey noticed most
Bills head coach Chan Gailey had a lot to observe and evaluate through the course of his team’s rookie minicamp. Over those five practices, there’s one all encompassing conclusion he came to. “There’s a little bit more speed on the field than I thought,” Gailey told Buffalobills.com. ”I think we’re a little faster and quicker than [...]
