Inside The Bills

Bills scouts are in

The Bills college scouting department has descended on One Bills Drive this week as their draft board preparations are now underway.

Under the direction of GM Buddy Nix and Vice President of College Scouting Tom Modrak, Buffalo’s scouting department is putting together their initial draft board.

“It typically takes about two weeks,” Modrak told Buffalobills.com.

That will take them right up until the NFL Combine in Indianapolis where they will obviously be able to gather a lot more info on the junior eligibles and tie up any other loose ends that may be out there. Then the final tweaks and changes will be made to the board later on in March and April.

PFF rates Bills players

Pro Football Focus, which does a lot of film review and number crunching released it’s ‘Changing of the Guard’ review for the AFC East teams.

In it they pick out three players from each of the teams in the division. One player that’s on the rise. One that they feel slipped and a third that they feel should get more playing time based on their independent film study of the 16 games from 2010.

Here were their findings for the Bills, though we don’t agree with all of their assessments.

Moving On Up: QB Ryan Fitzpatrick (+10.4 to +18.5)

Fitzpatrick took some time to get going, but had the kind of stretch of play from Week 11 to Week 15 that made you think he could do a job for the Bills going forward. He’ll always have the odd bad game because he walks a fine line between making a good throw or a bad decision, but he gave Buffalo more of an opportunity to win than you figured he would. He’s probably not the future, but he might be the near-future.

Had a Bad Year: LB Paul Posluszny (+16.6 to -2.7)

Our top-rated Bills defender in 2009 didn’t find life easy as the Bills defense struggled to find a schematic identity. He actually made more tackles and missed fewer in 2010, but he was too easily handled in the run game and looked a little out of place in coverage.

Give This Guy More Snaps: DE Alex Carrington (+1.6 in 214 snaps)

The rookie defensive end only got on the field for nine games, but in that time he did enough to suggest he could contribute (and upgrade) the Bills defensive line rotation. In Week 12 against Pittsburgh, where he saw his most extensive action, he picked up a sack and quarterback pressure while constantly getting inside Jonathan Scott to disrupt the Steeler running game. For the rest of the season his time was limited, but he graded positively when being used as a more conventional 4-3 end.

Stevie’s designed hat

Don’t know if Bills fans caught this, but Stevie Johnson unveiled a hat he designed on his twitter account.

Johnson designed the hat with the New Era folks here in Buffalo as part of the company’s 90th anniversary collection.  Former teammate Terrell Owens apparently contacted New Era about making caps for him after he saw Stevie’s tweet and twitpic of his finished cap design with paint makers. 

They only produced four of Stevie’s hats, but here’s the photo (below). For those that can’t read the hat, it says Misunderstood backwards with a letter or two missing on purpose.

Fred approves of new unis

Bills RB Fred Jackson has had a sneak peek of the new Bills uniforms for 2011 and gives them a thumbs up.

Here were some of his recent comments on his twitter account after the team announced that there would be new uniforms in 2011.

Fred22Jackson Already peeped new uni’s! Pretty sure everybody will like em!! I was sworn to secrecy not to reveal any details! Haha!
I’ll jus say this!! I can’t wait to wear em!!

New uniforms for 2011!!

Hey Bills fans, good news. The current road uniforms, that are anything but popular, are going to be replaced for the 2011 season along with a new home uniform!

All I can say is you should feel confident that the new uniforms are an improvement over the current unis. Enjoy speculating on the new look!

Newton “media day” this week

Appearing on NFL Network over the weekend, Auburn QB Cam Newton confirmed that he will have a media only pro day this Thursday (Feb. 10).

Having a media only day is unique enough in itself and holding any kind of physical workout prior to the NFL Combine is just as unusual. Most prospects have pro days in March or April for NFL talent evaluators after the NFL Combine has concluded, but Newton is apparently breaking the mold in more ways than one based on what he said in his NFL Network interview over the weekend.

“We just wanted to have a day to show what is my progression up until this point,” said Newton. ”I understand that the media has a job to do, and I have a job to do as well. During this whole process, ever since I’ve been in San Diego, everybody’s had a question mark on, ‘What is Cam Newton doing?’ So from everybody on my end, we feel like this is the best opportunity to show what I have progressed into and what I’m trying to accomplish.”

Newton has been training at a small complex in San Diego with so-called QB guru George Whitfield who worked with Ben Roethlisberger when he was serving his four game suspension this past season. He’s still unsure as to whether he’ll participate in all the drills at the NFL Combine later this month in Indianapolis. The Heisman Trophy winner said the following concerning his plans.

“Not saying that I’m not. Not saying that I’m going to,” said Newton. ”It’s just something that I have to evaluate with and talk to my so-called team — I call them Team Newton — and we’re just going to talk and see what’s (in my) best interest.”

Presumably if Newton chooses not to work out at the Combine, he’ll hold a pro day for scouts and NFL talent evaluators at some time in March or April or at Auburn’s pro day in March.

Latest mock has DE to Bills

The mock drafts are coming fast and furious now that the Super Bowl is in the rearview mirror. The latest has the top pass rusher on the board going to Buffalo.

KFFL.com’s most recent mock has Buffalo taking Clemson’s Da’Quan Bowers third overall. As talented as Bowers is some NFL scouts thinks his ideal fit is as an end in a 4-3. Still there are others that believe at 6’4″ 275 pounds and blessed with elite upper body strength that Bowers could handle a five-technique role at end in a 3-4.

Bruce Smith did it at about the same weight early in his career once he shed the baby fat he carried as a 300-pound rookie. I’m not saying Bowers is Smith, but watching Bowers on tape there is one part of his game that reminds me of Bruce. Smith had a unique way of contorting his upper torso to engage the offensive tackle, while simultaneously running upfield. His legs would be north-south, but his torso east-west as he would hand fight with the tackle all without losing any speed.

There are flashes of that ability in Bowers. Again not saying Bowers is Bruce, just saying you see some similar pass rushing characteristics at times.

Bills GM Buddy Nix confirmed their defense will be a 3-4 again in 2011, so playing end right away in that scheme could be challenge for Bowers, who to his credit does well against the run for a player known as a pass rusher.

Bowers is certainly worthy of the third overall pick, and what could make him more appealing than Auburn’s Nick Fairley is there is a greater body of work with two full seasons of top flight production.

The KFFL mock had Auburn’s Nick Fairley off the board first to Carolina followed by LSU’s Patrick Peterson to Denver.

CB to Bills in mock draft

The latest mock draft from Pro Football Weekly has a cornerback going to the Bills with the third overall pick and does not have Nick Fairley off the board until pick #6.

PFW has Buffalo taking LSU CB Patrick Peterson third overall after Carolina takes Clemson DE Da’Quan Bowers and Denver takes Alabama DL Marcel Dareus. They don’t have Auburn DL Nick Fairley come off the board until pick #6 to the Browns.

I suppose there could be some concern on the part of scouts that Fairley came out of nowhere this year for the Tigers as a JUCO transfer and is a player that’s been dominant for just one season. So I guess it’s possible he could slide out of the top 5, but I just don’t see it. Fairley dominated in the most talented conference in college football and had some of his best games against the best that conference has to offer in competition in games against LSU and Alabama.

In my mind the kid is just scratching the surface of what he’s capable of, which is a scary thought.

Fairley prepping for Combine

Auburn DT Nick Fairley, widely considered the most likely prospect to go number one overall to Carolina, made the rounds during Super Bowl week in Dallas, but was back training for the Combine before Super Bowl weekend arrived.

Fairley appeared on the Shredd and Ragan show on 103.3 the Edge while they were on Radio Row in Dallas and was asked if he’s had thoughts about possibly landing in Buffalo knowing they have the third overall pick. (interview starts at 9:30 mark).

“I’ve thought about going to a lot of places,” Fairley said. ”I’m just getting ready for the Combine and working on my technique, hands and footwork and get the mental side ready too.”

Ironically, Fairley is going to be answering questions tonight (Monday) from 6:30 pm to 7 from Carolina Panther fans on his twitter account, which should be an indication as to where his agent sees him coming off the draft board in late April.

Broncos to trade out at #2?

The Denver Broncos currently have the second overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft, but after John Elway’s comments to the NFL Network on Super Bowl weekend there’s some thought that Pat Bowlen’s club may try to move out of the number two slot.

According to the Denver Post, Broncos Team President John Elway said the following with respect to their plans with the second overall pick when he appeared on NFL Network over the weekend.

“We’re in the process of setting that board up,” Elway said. ”The board is set, but as far as where we’re going to go with it, we don’t really know until we find out what’s going to go on the collective bargaining agreement, because obviously that second pick is an expensive pick if it stays as it is…. we’re hoping that the collective bargaining agreement comes together quickly, and then once that comes together we can kind of figure out our philosophy going into this draft.”

With three picks in the top 46, most believe Elway’s statement is an indication that if a new CBA is not reached prior to the draft that the Broncos will make every effort to trade down to avoid the possibility of handing out a huge signing bonus or guaranteed money of major proportions to the second overall choice as has been the case in prior drafts.

Lions second overall pick Ndamukong Suh last year got $40M guaranteed on a $68M deal.

Of course trading out of that spot could be easier said than done, knowing there are a lot of other clubs that hold the fear of the unknown with respect to a rookie wage scale, which prior to a new CBA being reached is completely up in the air.

Obviously the way this impacts the Bills is another NFL club with a completely different set of needs could leapfrog them at 3 and change the landscape at the top of the draft board very quickly.

If the Broncos do remain in the two hole, Elway gave a strong indication as to which side of the ball they’ll address, though it’s no secret.

“We have a lot of holes,” he said. “We were 32nd in defense last year. So obviously that is very much a concern.”

Gailey eased Roscoe’s nerves

With Roscoe Parrish heading into the final weeks of rehabilitating his dislocated wrist, it’s hard for him to believe how uncertain he was about his future in Buffalo under the new coaching staff that was on it’s way in.

Sure Parrish was glad to get a fresh start in light of how his 2009 season went under the previous coaching regime, but there were no guarantees about the new staff under Gailey either.

“Last offseason my agent told me it was a very uncertain offseason being with new coaches,” said Parrish. ”Being that I didn’t really have a lot of film from the ’09 season I didn’t know how it was going to play out.”

Two weeks after Gailey was named head coach he called Parrish and not only assured him he was wanted, but supremely motivated him as well.

“Chan called me and told me to get ready to play and that was the best news I got in the offseason,” said Parrish. ”That just made me work even harder. Just pushed me more.”

Reed denied again

The 2011 Pro Football Hall of Fame class was announced Saturday evening and unfortunately Bills all-time leading receiver Andre Reed was not selected for induction.

Reed was in direct competition with fellow receivers Cris Carter and Tim Brown, but none of the 3 receivers were chosen by the Selection Committee. He did make it through the first reduction from 15 down to 10 candidates as he did last year, but that’s as far as he got as he was eliminated in the final reduction. 

Ed Sabol, founder of NFL Films was selected as a contributor much like Bills owner Ralph Wilson was in 2009.

Among the modern era candidates that will be inducted was Shannon Sharpe, who until Tony Gonzalez passed him was the all-time receiving tight end in NFL history. Marshall Faulk, Richard Dent, Deion Sanders were the other modern era candidates that were selected for induction. Here’s the whole list of inductees for 2011.

Fan Friday 2-4

Hall of Fame selection weekend. Best of luck to Andre Reed. Now to your questions from AskChris@bills.nfl.net.

1 – Chris,
it seems that going to an 18-game schedule is a foregone conclusion, unfortunately. But I haven’t seen anywhere where those two extra games will come from.

In the Bills’ case, would it be two extra games against NFC teams, or two non-divisional AFC opponents? I’m assuming we wouldn’t play a third game against two divisional rivals, but I guess I shouldn’t rule that out. Has the NFL announced how it would work?
 
Thanks, and Go Bills!
Tom in Austin
 
CB: I don’t know if I’d call an 18-game regular season schedule a lock, despite what Bill Polian has gone on record saying regarding it being a “done deal.” To my knowledge determining the two extra opponents for each of the 32 teams would also prove to be no easy task for a couple of reasons. Two added games would obviously not be enough to play your division opponents a third time through.

My guess is they’d take a similar approach to what they do now with the last two games in which you play the teams in the two intra-conference divisions that you don’t face in the rotational schedule format that finished in the same place as you did the previous season.

So much like the Bills will face the last place finishers in the AFC South (Tennessee) and AFC North (Cincinnati), I would think the league would have teams square off against interconference division teams that also finished in the same place in their division.

For example, for Buffalo they play the NFC East next season, so to add two more regular season games my guess is they would add a pair of NFC opponents from two of the other three NFC divisions that also finished in last place in 2010 (Arizona, Carolina, Minnesota).
Even by adding two more interconference opponents, 12 of their 18 games would still be against the AFC (two-thirds).  

I have read that if the 18-game schedule goes through in a new CBA that it would not take effect until the 2012 season.

2 - Hi Chris,
My question is why do you think the Bills had such a hard time rushing this season? I know Fred did pretty good for not starting the season, but there were a lot of games that the average up the middle runs went for one or two yards. Fred had a monster season the year before and the line hadn’t changed that dramatically. Ironically their pass protection improved greatly, but I was under the impression run blocking was easier and more enjoyable for an offensive line.
 
Dan
Western MA

CB: Believe it or not the Bills rushing offense was not that bad up the middle as they averaged just over four yards per carry on 153 rushes (4.03 yards). As a team their average yards per carry ranked a respectable 13th in the league (4.3).

Blocking on the edges is where things proved difficult, though the averages wouldn’t suggest it. Part of that problem was due to Demetrius Bell’s compromised state of readiness for the season coming off of major offseason knee surgery. He also told me personally that one area of his game that needs the most improvement is his run blocking. Also the state of flux at right tackle throughout the season with a handful of players starting there in 2010.

The main reason the pass protection was better was due mainly to Fitzpatrick’s ability to get the ball out quickly or adjust the protection to fit the blitz or rush scheme coming at him. Chan Gailey’s play calling also helped. You likely saw the difference when Fitz was not in the lineup in the season finale.
3 – Chris,
I have a couple predictions for the Bills offseason moves.   I see them letting Donte Whitner and Drayton Florence go if reasonable deals can’t get done.  For that reason, I see Patrick Peterson being our pick at #3.  I hope Buffalo goes after front 7 help, buy if Fairley is off the board, I think Peterson is the next best talent.  (also, Buffalo has history of neglecting front seven help with their top pick)

I also felt the Bills were strong contenders to draft Tim Tebow last year.  Now that Denver has had changes in the front office and their coaching staff, how likely do u see Tebow being traded to Buffalo?? 

I get the impression Brohm/Brown aren’t the long term fix.   It makes sense to me (assuming Elway and Fox aren’t sold on Tebow).  Any thoughts?

Thanks
Jim Eimer

CB:  If Whitner and Florence are not in the fold come draft weekend, I think Peterson is a distinct possibility. With Terrence McGee 30-years old and Leodis McKelvin still trying to find consistency with his game and Ashton Youboty also a free agent it’s not unrealistic to see that happen. I do believe that Denver with the 2nd pick is also going to take a long look at Peterson themselves with Champ Bailey not expected back in 2011.

Even though there is talk straight from Team President John Elway that Kyle Orton could still start next year at QB  for the Broncos, I do not see Denver moving Tim Tebow, so to me he’s not an option. 

GM Buddy Nix mentioned at the Senior Bowl that they do intend to add a quarterback, but I’m not certain it will be in the draft. If there is some kind of free agent period prior to the draft because a new labor agreement is in place, then I think Miami free agent Tyler Thigpen is a possibility knowing his history with Chan Gailey in Kansas City.

I believe the Bills would prefer to go with a signal caller with some NFL experience rather than another young player knowing they already have that in Levi Brown.

4 - Chris,

1.   I heard that the Ravens DL Haloti Ngata, who was the guy the Bills should have picked when Levy took Donte Whitner in the 1st round, that he is a free agent this year. Do you think that the Bills could sign him? If so, that and if Buffalo could draft Nick Fairley this year, and with a healthy Lights Out Merriman playing LB, would improve the Bills defense 100%. They would get well in a hurry.
2.  If the Bills cant pick Fairley or Bowers with the 3rd pick in this years draft, what do you think they should do? Draft A J Green? Trade down and try to get extra picks? Or draft the best QB or offensive lineman available?
3.  C J Spiller was a disappointment this year. Both as a runner and as a kick returner. Made too many fair catches. It looks like the Bills made the wrong pick in the 1st round once again. Do you think Spiller could be a wide receiver? He seems to have good hands and speed.

regards
LeeD

CB: Ngata is expected to be given the franchise tag by the Ravens between Feb. 10th and the 24th when it can be used, so he won’t be available, unless the NFLPA’s argument that the tags can’t be used are upheld. Even if they can’t use the tags we’ve heard Buddy Nix say that going after high-priced free agents in not part of their plan to build this team back into a contender.

I’m not anticipating Nick Fairley to be available either. I think he’ll go first or second to Carolina or Denver. If he is there at three I’d take him in a second.

I’m not crazy about Bowers for Buffalo’s defense, but if he and Fairley are both gone, I’d entertain Patrick Peterson as a pick. There’s talk he could be the next Charles Woodson and Woodson went fourth overall. I’d also be inclined to take DL Marcel Dareus there too. There are no offensive linemen worthy of the number three pick and in my opinion I don’t believe there’s a QB worthy either.

As for C.J. I think you’re giving up on him way too early. Take a look at Jamaal Charles’ numbers his first NFL season. They’re very similar to C.J.’s and they have a similar skill set. Charles was second in the league in rushing this season, his third in the NFL. I think in due time Spiller will be the impact player the Bills believe he can be.

5 - Chris,
With the number of guard possibilities that we now have, has there been any thought to trying Andy Levitre at RT. He played some tackle in college.
 
Mark
Ashburn, Va

CB: While I don’t dismiss Andy’s ability to kick out to tackle in a pinch, I believe the Bills feel they have at least a short term solution at right tackle in Erik Pears, who was signed late in the season. Pears is a former two-year starter for the Denver Broncos and showed well in the time he got down the stretch in 2010. In my mind he’s the odds on favorite to start at right tackle in 2011, not only because of his steady play, but because he adds a valuable veteran presence to the line.

Bills on snow in Dallas

The headlines for Super Bowl XLV this week have largely been about the weather with snow gripping the Dallas-Fort Worth region this week along with unseasonably cold temperatures. Apparently that snow is continuing even on Friday when it was not forecast and Bills players in Big ‘D’ are commenting about it.

Here are some twitter posts from Donald Jones and George Wilson.

Dajones19 Yo its been snowing down here since last night. This is crazy

GWilson37 Snowing in Dallas like it’s Buffalo!

Of course Roscoe Parrish is enjoying the weather in his native Miami and rubbing it in for his teammates in Dallas.

scoe11 Friday in Miami… Niceeeee

Denver leaning CB at #2?

There’s little question that the Denver Broncos need a ton of help for their defense, which ranked last in the league in 2010. What is up for debate is the direction they choose to take with the second overall pick. There’s a prevailing thought outside the Broncos organization that LSU CB Patrick Peterson would be the pick.

That’s because Champ Bailey is not expected back per the Denver Post. Not only is he a free agent and set to turn 33 in June, but apparently there was a deal in principle for an extension and it was pulled off the table by the Broncos. Add in the fact that he stated that he will go to where he feels he has the best chance to win a Super Bowl and Denver becomes less and less likely.

With Elvis Dumervil, a premier pass rusher who missed the 2010 season with a torn pectoral muscle, expected back, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Denver pass on a big man in favor of a corner that’s been described as the next Charles Woodson. April however, is a long way off.

Denver’s decisionmaking obviously has a great impact on the direction the Bills take with the third overall pick.

Merriman arm wrestling

Bills LB Shawne Merriman has been doing an awful lot of offseason training since the season ended. He’s also gone a bit unconventional as he participated in an arm wrestling contest at an Ultimate Arm Wrestling League event in Los Angeles recently.

Here’s his one-on-one matchup with Bruce Way, the pro that appeared in the Sylvester Stallone movie Over the Top.

For a guy that doesn’t know much about arm wrestling technique he did quite well.

I-R frustrating for Batten

Rookie LB Danny Batten never made it out of training camp last summer as a severely separated shoulder led to surgery and injured reserve. He recently reflected on his frustrating rookie season as a spectator.

Speaking with the Sioux Falls Argus Leader while back at his college campus, Batten expressed how tough it was to watch his draft classmates “make names for themselves” and get their feet wet in the NFL.

The last time I spoke with Batten toward the end of the 2010 season he told me he had been moved to inside linebacker where it’s anticipated he’ll line up in 2011. Seeing it mentioned that he has a new position coach to get used to in Dave Wannstedt indicates that’s still the plan heading into next season. Wannstedt is in charge of inside linebackers with Bob Sanders handling the outside backers.

George on what’s at stake

Obviously there is a lot at stake for any team in the Super Bowl, but when there are two historic franchises in the big game, the game can take on an added dimension. That’s how Bills safety George Wilson sees it anyway as he broke down the Super Bowl matchup for Buffalobills.com between Green Bay and Pittsburgh with teammate Geoff Hangartner. Wilson also had an interesting look at what the outcome of the game would mean for Pittsburgh as a franchise and for Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers.

The Steelers are playing to add another dimension to their legacy as a franchise,” Wilson said. ”This past decade everyone has talked about the Patriots and the success that they had with the three Super Bowls they won, but now if the Steelers win they’ll have an equal number of championships in that same amount of time. So there will be that discussion of where the Steelers of this decade rank against some of the other successful franchises. So they’re playing for a legacy in a sense.

“Rodgers has a bit of a what Steve Young was going through when he won his first Super Bowl, trying to get that monkey off his back, trying to put Joe Montana in his rearview mirror for Steve. And Aaron is trying put Brett Favre in his rearview mirror so they can start a new Packers legacy. So they have a lot to play for, there are a lot of storylines on their side too.”

George believes the Steelers will win the game.

Combine invite list is out

The NFL Combine player invite list has been announced.

Here’s the list of players invited to the week long February pre-draft event which includes a myriad of physical and mental testing and interviews with NFL clubs.

Auburn QB Cam Newton and Missouri QB Blaine Gabbert are among the junior eligibles that were invited. There’s also one local college product that was invited to the Combine, University at Buffalo CB Josh Thomas. The 5’10″ 196-pound cornerback runs in the high 4.4s and is forecast by draft services to be a late round pick.

Buffalobills.com will provide coverage of the 2011 NFL Combine from Indianapolis for the sixth straight year later this month.

Stevie’s Super Bowl pick

In an appearance on ESPN2′s First Take, Bills WR Stevie Johnson was asked which team he’s picking to win Super Bowl XLV.

“I’m going with the Packers,” said Johnson. “I’m going with my guy Desmond Bishop, and I’m going to ride with the Green Bay Packers.”

Bishop, a linebacker for Green Bay, is from the same hometown as Bishop, Fairfield, California which is just outside of San Francisco.