Inside The Bills

Safety update: A. Williams adapting

Bills cornerback turned safety Aaron Williams is getting plenty of work at his new position in Buffalo’s defense. Now lining up at safety after playing his first two NFL seasons at cornerback for the Bills, Williams is faring well in the eyes of his defensive coordinator.

“He’s doing a nice job, and that’s a difficult thing,” said defensive coordinator Mike Pettine of Williams. ”You could make the argument, he’s a DB and he’s staying at DB. But the safety world is very different from the corner world. He’s very intelligent. He’s soaking it all in. Every day is a challenge for him as far as new concepts in the play book. I think he’s done a real nice job buying in and really getting quickly to the graduate level details of it.”

Fan Friday 4-19

Alright Bills fans this is the last Fan Friday before the NFL draft. The “hay is in the barn” as the scouts say, just got to wait and see how the board falls next week. Be sure to check out my 8^th annual mock draft next Wednesday. It’ll be entertaining. Here now are your latest questions from AskChris@bills.nfl.net and on Twitter @ChrisBrownBills.

1 - dcap22803 Apr 17, 11:27am

@ChrisBrownBills Would #bills be willing to trade down with #falcons and take Nassib at 30

CB: It’s my contention that the Bills would be very interested in trading down. As I covered in my story this week, after asking GM Buddy Nix about trading down, there could be some players for the eighth overall pick if prospects like Oklahoma OT Lane Johnson or West Virginia WR Tavon Austin are both still on the board.

I don’t get the sense that they like the value there at eight for positions they’d like to address early (QB, WR) so I believe if they can move back to an area where they like the value better (late teens or 20’s) and add a draft choice they would do it.

2 – JackJablonski Apr 16, 1:04pm

@ChrisBrownBills Williams to Safety. Does this open up the possibility of CB at pick 8? Dee Milliner, if he falls, or Xavier Rhodes??

CB: I think with Aaron Williams moving to safety it raises the level of importance for addressing cornerback in the draft. Outside of Stephon Gilmore the Bills lack size at corner, so a tough, physical corner is needed out there. If Milliner falls to eight I wouldn’t rule out him being a consideration. At the same time I believe moving back and adding another draft choice could trump it.

But with Williams moving to safety I believe it has made adding a cornerback a necessity at some point in this draft.

3 – Chris,
With our needs at SS, ILB, OLB, WR and QB most likely to be addressed thru the draft, I find it really strange that there has been very little noise about bringing in some quality free agent guards for visits.  It seems like a glaring hole (let’s not forget Rinehart is gone as well).  Have you heard anything on Mr. Nix’s plans for this position?  I would like to see our RBs continue to run hard and whoever are QB may end up being it would be nice for him to be in one piece after a few games.

Go Bills!
Kirk

CB: I’ll give you Mr. Nix’s exact thoughts about the team’s status at the guard spot. Here is a direct quote from the draft luncheon when he was asked if losing Andy Levitre and Chad Rinehart in free agency had altered their approach in the draft at all?

“Not at all,” said Nix. “Not at all, now having said that I know people have said we’re taking one of those top two guards. Our roster in house is better than I think we get credit for especially offensive line. We’re pretty deep there. We’ve got six guards and we think a couple of them can play. Now having said all that before you write that we’re not going to take a guard at number eight, it’s hard to pass up two players like the old boy at Alabama (Chance Warmack) and the kid at North Carolina (Jonathan Cooper). Both of those are great players so you have to give that a lot of thought when they come up.”

When asked as a follow up if he had enough confidence in the six guards on the roster to the point where if they did not draft a guard would he be fine, he said he would be.

To be clear the players they believe offer them ability at guard are starter Kraig Urbik and Colin Brown and Sam Young. Brown and Young rotated in with the starting unit at left guard. If there are no other additions at the position those two are likely to battle it out for the starting role.

Zebrie Sanders, who Doug Marrone views as a tackle first and guard second, could potentially be a part of that competition down the road when he’s healthy.

4 –  Chris,
So I’ve been hearing that Tyler Bray has some of the best upside in the QB class I was wondering what you thought of him and if you think he’s worthy of our second pick. Also if you think that going after Patterson in the first round, Bray in the 2nd or 3rd to have some instantaneous chemistry on offense would be a good idea. Or do you see a prospect at QB worth it at eight and maybe go after the other Tennessee kid, Hunter in the second? I’d live to get some feedback on these thoughts.

Thanks, Will
GO BILLS!!

CB: There’s no debating that Bray can throw the heck out of the ball. He is the only junior eligible in this QB class and is a bit unpolished. I’m a bit concerned about his capability of coming in and being a leader for your football team. He has the physical skills, but there are maturity issues that NFL clubs have been busy investigating.

I respect your thought of instantaneous chemistry, but it would be anything but instantaneous. Patterson is very green and might not be a big time contributor until his third NFL season. Likewise Bray is also not NFL ready right now. So while those two might have chemistry, I’m not sure you’d see it right away on an NFL field against NFL competition.

I do subscribe to your latter suggestion. In fact that’s what I believe will happen in this draft. I believe Buffalo goes quarterback in the first and receiver in the second. Now they may trade back in round one before taking the QB, but I believe there’s a good chance they do that and Hunter is a viable value in round two.

I’m also a fan of E.J. Manuel despite the naysayers.

5 – Chris,

With the Bills being deficient last year at WR (and getting rid of what little depth that they have by releasing Nelson and Jones) on top of not signing ANY free agent WRs this offseason, doesn’t it seem like there’s a VERY good chance they draft Cordarrelle Patterson with their 8^th pick? I’m not even saying I want that, but what choice do they have? That position is looking thinner and thinner this offseason. This is assuming they can’t get their franchise QB in the first round…

-Nate
PS- Go Bills

CB: I think your point is well taken. The Bills need to add an instant contributor at receiver. I believe this will happen in round two. There’s good value between rounds two and four where you can get a player that can help you sooner rather than later. The value at WR is not good in round one until the very end.

It wouldn’t surprise me if the Bills took two receivers in the draft despite the fact that they have just six picks.

A. Williams steps closer to full workload

CB Aaron Williams returned to action last week against Seattle for the first time since suffering knee injury in Week 9. He played 36 snaps, but the coaching staff is still hesitant to play him for 50 or 60 snaps on defense after just one game back.

“No, I don’t think he would go do that,” said head coach Chan Gailey of Williams’ workload. ”He might have to (play that much) out of necessity, but we would rather not.”

With Leodis McKelvin now on injured reserve, Buffalo has just Stephon Gilmore, Justin Rogers and Williams as the only cornerbacks left from the beginning of the season still on the roster and healthy. Ron Brooks came aboard midseason with Crezdon Butler and T.J. Heath called up from the practice squad not long after.

Anderson, A. Williams back Sunday?

While Fred Jackson’s season is over with a knee injury, Buffalo might be getting two players that have been out a while back this week.

That according to Bills head coach Chan Gailey.

“We’ve got some guys coming back,” said Gailey. ”Mark (Anderson) is going to do some stuff tomorrow, maybe we can get him back. We get Aaron (Williams) back it looks like this week. We’re getting some guys back. We’re still hopefully we’ll get Eric (Wood) back, not this week, but maybe for the last two if we get fortunate.”

Anderson is presumably going to push his knee hard Tuesday with the athletic training and strength and conditioning staff to see how it responds. How that goes will likely determine whether he’s cleared to practice come Wednesday. He’s been out since Week 5 with a torn lateral meniscus that required a pair of surgical procedures.

Williams meanwhile has been practicing the last couple of weeks, but has been limited. He’s been out with a knee injury since Week 9.

A. Williams still not there yet

Aaron Williams has been practicing with the team for the past two weeks as he tries to return from a knee injury in Week 9, but he’s yet to participate fully in a practice. That’s why he’s again listed as questionable for this Sunday’s game.

“He did better,” said head coach Chan Gailey when asked how Williams week of practice went. ”It’ll be close on him (for Sunday). I don’t know if he’ll make it or not. I want him really close to 100 (percent). I don’t know if we’re quite there yet.”

Knowing Williams has been off the game field for four games, jumping right back in is difficult especially at cornerback. In all likelihood he’ll miss his fifth straight game on Sunday.

With Williams not expected to be in the lineup, here is what the cornerback depth chart would look like for Sunday.

Stephon Gilmore
Leodis McKelvin
Justin Rogers
Ron Brooks
Crezdon Butler
T.J. Heath

Health of CB position improving

After adding another cornerback to the active roster from their practice squad Wednesday for insurance, the collective health of Buffalo’s cover men is improving.

Though both were limited in practice Thursday, head coach Chan Gailey saw progress made by Aaron Williams and was very optimistic about Leodis McKelvin returning to the lineup on Sunday against the Rams.

“Leodis was really a non-issue,” said Gailey. ”I think he is getting really close to being full speed. Aaron did better. I don’t think he’s 100 percent, but he’s getting a lot better.”

Williams has been out since suffering a knee injury in Week 9 at Houston. McKelvin exited last week’s game early due to back spasms.

If McKelvin is good to go, it would give Buffalo six healthy cornerbacks (Gilmore, McKelvin, Rogers, Brooks, Butler, Heath) for the Rams game.

A. Williams to practice

Bills CB Aaron Williams, who has been out since Week 9 with a knee injury, will practice Wednesday.

That according to head coach Chan Gailey.

“He’s going to try to do some things today,” Gailey said. ”He’s going to be out there for the majority of practice and we’ll see how far he can go.”

Williams has been practicing with the team for each of the past two weeks, but is not yet 100 percent. Whether he can get there sounds uncertain, and may be why the Bills chose to add another cornerback to the roster in practice squad CB T.J. Heath.

A. Williams closer to a return

Aaron Williams has been out since Week 9 with a knee injury. He returned to the practice setting this past week, but was still not healthy enough to dress for the Jacksonville game. Head coach Chan Gailey is hoping they can get Williams close to 100 percent this week.

“I’m going to say he was in that 75 percent range,” said Gailey when asked where Williams was health-wise for this past Sunday’s game. ”Not quite there, but fairly close. Hopefully we can get him a lot closer to 100 this week before we put him out there.”

It sonds as if the Bills are trying to get Williams healthy enough where he can serve as an emergency option this week against the Rams, should the need arise.

“That’s a tough position to play if you’re not really close to 100 percent,” said Gailey.

CB injuries to push ‘green’ players on field

With Justin Rogers and Aaron Williams still fighting injuries it could push younger cornerbacks onto the field Sunday against the Jaguars.

Both Rogers and Williams are questionable. Rogers sustained a foot injury in practice this week and Williams is trying to return from a knee injury in Week 9. Buffalo may have to turn to less experienced players like Ron Brooks and Crezdon Butler this Sunday against Jacksonville.

“You hope that these guys understand the urgency of preparing to play because these young guys are going to have to play,” Chan Gailey told Buffalobills.com. ”And it’s not easy to play against good players like we’re going to face this week and the rest of the season. They’re going to have to grow up in a hurry. This group is very green.

“I don’t think I’d put Stephon (Gilmore) in that group, but I think you’ve got Brooks and Crezdon Butler and those guys that haven’t played much at all. They’re going to have to step up if they play in the ball game.”

Rogers limited, A. Williams does more

Bills CB Justin Rogers was limited in practice Thursday, while fellow CB Aaron Williams continued to make progress. Head coach Chan Gailey provided the details.

“Justin Rogers tweaked his foot yesterday and was limited in practice today,” said Gailey. “Aaron came out and did a lot more today. He’s a possibility. It’s an outside possibility, but it’s a possibility.”

Williams is trying to return from a knee injury that’s kept him out since Week 9, and with Rogers nicked the need for Williams to return to the lineup could be greater. Friday’s practice is likely to determine a lot on the availability of both cornerbacks.

A. Williams practicing

For the first time since Week 9 Aaron Williams is practicing.

Williams is trying to return from a knee injury. We’ll update his level of participation post practice.

Aaron Williams to practice this week

He’s not a lock to be available on Sunday, but Aaron Williams will get back on the practice field this week.

That according to head coach Chan Gailey.

“Aaron is going to get a chance to practice,” said Gailey. ”Mark (Anderson) has not come along quite as quickly as we had hoped. Aaron is going to be able to get on the field this week.”

Williams has been out since Week 9 with a knee injury suffered against the Texans.

Leodis back in mix at nickel?

Bills head coach Chan Gailey gave an honest assessment of the play they’ve been getting at nickel corner of late and didn’t rule out making a change there this week.

Second-year CB Justin Rogers has been manning the nickel spot for most of the season after taking the job from Leodis McKelvin early in the year.

“You know, he’s been up and down,” said Gailey. ”He played with a lot of confidence early in the season and then as of late he hasn’t played with as much confidence. You can see it in his play. He’s still got, I think, the ability to do some things. I feel like sometimes his confidence wavers and that gets him in trouble. He needs to play with a great deal of confidence. I think that he can be a decent player, but he’s got to go out and do it every down.”

Rogers had a tough time with Reggie Wayne, who the Colts not use primarily as a slot receiver.

When asked if a change at that spot would be considered, Gailey brought up McKelvin’s name first.

“I think our first choice would be to move Leodis in there,” said Gailey. ”Leodis played it in the spring and played it in preseason and showed some good things in there.”

Gailey cautioned that such a move for Sunday’s game against the Jaguars is a maybe at best. Buffalo is facing a Jacksonville team whose best receiving threats are outside in Cecil Shorts and Justin Blackmon, but do not offer a whole lot out of the slot. So for another week McKelvin could very well remain outside with Aaron Williams unlikely to return to the lineup.

Aaron, Anderson not looking good for Sunday

Bills CB Aaron Williams and DE Mark Anderson are laboring to return from knee injuries. It was thought that both had a good chance to be back by this point in the season, but it just hasn’t happened.

“It’ll be touch and go,” said head coach Chan Gailey of the chances of Anderson and Williams returning to the lineup this Sunday. ”They’re going to do a little bit of work during the week. But I’d say it’s less of a chance than more of a chance right now for those two.”

Anderson already had one setback, which prompted a second surgical procedure on his knee. He’s been out since Week 5. Williams meanwhile has been out since the Week 9 game at Houston. Gailey said neither has suffered a setback of late.

“It hasn’t been a setback, but it just hasn’t moved forward as fast as we had hoped it would,” he said.

Anderson, A. Williams out for Sunday

Two Bills are out for Sunday’s game.

DE Mark Anderson and CB Aaron Williams are out with both still recovering from knee injuries.

Neither one practiced at all this week.

Friday practice update

Just two Bills players not practicing here on Friday.

Aaron Williams and Mark Anderson are not practicing. Neither have practiced all week and are not expected to play Sunday in Indy.

We’ll have a full status report on all injured players after practice.

A. Williams, Anderson sounding like long shots

Aaron Williams and Mark Anderson are both working to get back from knee injuries, but head coach Chan Gailey didn’t sound too optimistic that either would be ready for Sunday’s game.

“He’s still working,” said Gailey of Williams. ”I doubt he makes it this week, but he’s still working. We haven’t ruled he or Mark (Anderson) out this week, but they’ll have a hard time.”

Anderson has been out since Week 5. Williams has been out since Week 9.

A. Williams, Spencer not in attendance

Three Bills players were not in attendance at Monday’s practice during the media viewing portion.

Aaron Williams, Mark Anderson and Spencer Johnson were not on hand. Williams has been out with a knee injury. Johnson has an ankle problem, but played last week.

Anderson is still out with a knee injury.

McKelvin to hold onto LCB job?

Aaron Williams is 50-50 to return to the lineup this week, but when he does return he may not take back the starting LCB job.

Leodis McKelvin has filled in for Williams and according to Chan Gailey has done quite well.

“He has done a really good job. He has had a couple issues with penalties here or there, but for the most part he has really been on top of his game out there at corner,” said Gailey. “It has been fun to watch to be honest with you. He has done a good job. He is athletic as we all know. We all have seen. He is such a big part of our return game and we will see where this thing goes. When Aaron gets back, I do not know exactly what is going to happen.”

Anderson, A. Williams 50-50 for Indy

Bills DE Mark Anderson and CB Aaron Williams, who are both out with knee injuries, have a chance to be back for the Week 12 game at Indianapolis.

That according to head coach Chan Gailey.

“They said they have not ruled them out for this week. I think we are more on the 50 percent than we are the 70 percent probably play,” said Gailey. “I think we are still at the 50 percent mark that they might play this week.”