Inside The Bills

Shep not with team

Bills LB Kelvin Sheppard, who returned from a left hamstring injury late this week to practice a couple of times, will not be playing tonight in Buffalo’s preseason opener at Chicago. He did not make the trip with the team.

The move is a precautionary one by the Bills coaching staff in conjunction with the medical staff. Fellow draft classmate, Chris White will line up at ILB with the second unit on defense alongside Arthur Moats.

Sheppard seemed to anticipate that not playing in the preseason opener was a possibility earlier this week.

“You know it is what it is,” Sheppard told Buffalobills.com. ”I hate missing anything. It’s been eating me up on the inside to miss practice. So if I don’t (play against Chicago) I’m not going to let it eat me up too much. I’m just going to make sure I’m ready to go to Denver the next week.”

The reason Moats is now an ILB

It’s been mentioned before, but this time Bills head coach Chan Gailey spelled out exactly why they moved Arthur Moats to inside linebacker for the 2011 season.

“The development we felt of (Danny) Batten and (Antonio) Coleman and we also got Shawne Merriman,” said Gailey. ”And you look at the prototypical outside backers and there are not a lot of six footers out there and we felt like his quickness and speed allowed him to be a better inside backer than outside backer.”

Moats is only 6’0″ tall and most OLBs in a 3-4 scheme are at least 6’3″. Having a taller frame with longer arms generally makes an OLB a better pass rusher in a 3-4 scheme, which is why scouts sometimes weigh height heavily for that position.

Moats making the calls

Bills LB Arthur Moats is manning an inside linebacker position in this camp, which is nothing new. He did the same thing last year as a rookie before going outside for most of the season. Now his move inside could be more permanent.

With Kelvin Sheppard out of the lineup (pulled muscle) fellow rookie Chris White has been manning the ‘mike’ linebacker position next to Moats in the second team defense on the inside. With White so new to the system, Moats is the one making the calls in the huddle.

“I’m in there with the young guy (White) when I’m with the twos I make most of the calls because I’m familiar with the system,” said Moats. ”Technically the ‘mike’ is supposed to be making the calls, but as long as we get the job done that’s all that matters.”

Both White and Sheppard are known as quick studies and should pick things up rather quickly, but the coaches have been brisk with installation and the rookies might find the pace and the volume of material a bit daunting.

Barnett ready to tutor rooks

Nick Barnett is entering his ninth year in the league and much like 10-year vet Andra Davis he’s open to showing the rookies the ropes, especially now that he’s officially signed. That’s huge knowing Buffalo has second-year man Arthur Moats learning the ILB position along with a pair of draft choices in Kelvin Sheppard and Chris White.

“Anything you can provide young guys growing up in this game is experience and giving them wisdom,” Barnett told Buffalobills.com. ”Youth is no excuse, that’s what we’d say over in Green Bay we were a young team there. I think it’s better sometimes to have that young team their eyes are wide open and they’re ready to play, ready to go, so I look forward to getting those guys out there and start hitting people.”

Sounds like the young players will be well schooled. It also sounds like there’s going to be some attitude on the defensive side of the ball this season.

Moats, Batten update

In the morning walk through, Arthur Moats, as Chan Gailey indicated was lining up at inside linebacker with the second unit. Alongside him was a rookie.

Sixth-round pick Chris White lined up next to Moats on the inside. They were flanked by Aaron Maybin and Antonio Coleman. Coleman rotated with Danny Batten who is back at his more natural outside linebacker spot. Late last season Batten was studying up to be an inside linebacker, but after Kelvin Sheppard and White were drafted Batten was moved back outside.

Another ILB candidate

Bills head coach Chan Gailey said that veteran Reggie Torbor will be the one to line up alongside Andra Davis at ILB now that Poz is gone, but there will be another candidate in addition to the draft choices Kelvin Sheppard and Chris White.

“The three young guys (we’ve got) are our two drafted guys, Chris White, (Kelvin) Sheppard and we’re working Moats in there right now,” said Nix. ”I wouldn’t want to take snaps away from them. I think they progress along with our team. We’re pretty young anyway and we’ll kind of move forward. We know they have the ability it’s just a matter of getting them up to speed.”

Moats began his rookie year at inside linebacker in the spring workouts before moving outside come training camp where he had a decent rookie season. Now Moats is back inside and Nix indicated that wouldn’t be changing unless he really struggled.

“We’ll give him some work in there and see how he’s doing,” Nix said. ”If we were to move him, it’d probably be to move him permanently to the outside.”

Players still trickling in

TE Shawn Nelson tweeted earlier in the day that he’d be back in Buffalo on Thursday. Now Arthur Moats has followed suit on his twitter account.

Moats gets major ink

Arthur Moats has jumped all over the popular phrase uttered by Bills fans when mentioning the pass rushing linebacker.

“Don’t cross the Moats” became very popular after Moats’ breakout game against the Vikings last season in Week 13 when he knocked Brett Favre out of the game with a blistering hit from behind. Moats took that phrase a step further getting it emblazoned across his entire back with a giant tattoo. Take a look.

Fan Friday 5-27

Time to get rolling with another edition of Fan Friday with your questions from AskChris@bills.nfl.net.

1 - Chris, as Bills fans I think we are prone to believing that change is always for the better. Can you shed any light on the qualifications of the new scouting department that Buddy has brought in? I know Bills fans were eager to move on from Modrak however was his dismissal so Buddy could bring in an old friend’s son and guy he recruited when coaching in 1972? What are the qualifications of the new hires?  Do they have a track record and any talent they are specifically credited with finding? How do the new hires’ experience match up to Modrak’s? Am I off base by saying that the Buffalo Bills will now only go as far as Buddy Nix’s eye for talent takes us?
 
Steve
- Colorado Bills Backers

CB: I think you’re selling the new hires short. First, Pro Personnel Director Tom Gibbons was with the organization from the time he started in this business in 1992. He worked with Buddy Nix when he was with the organization the first time and then again when both followed John Butler and A.J. Smith to San Diego. Nix has worked with Gibbons for the better part of the last 18 years. He wouldn’t hire him if he didn’t think he could add to the operation. Granted Cook is a guy that has some close history with Nix as his father coached with Buddy at one time. But to his credit Cook has his own self made resume in scouting.

Cook oversaw the pre-draft process for the Kansas City Chiefs for a dozen years, so he’s most definitely qualified for his current assignment with Buffalo. Buddy Nix made it plain. He only hires people he knows first hand. He’s not hiring people off recommendations.

Now comparing the experience of these two men up against Tom Modrak might not be fair since Modrak has been in the game since the late 60’s. But I believe Nix is confident these guys have an eye for talent that will only deepen the pool of quality players on Buffalo’s roster.

2 - Chris:
We have some defensive linemen who should be real run stoppers – Kyle Williams, Torrell Troup, Alex Carringon and Marcell Dareus. Kellen Heard and Mike Jasper both seem to have some huge upside (no pun intended); any chance we’ll see them this year, or will they be more likely relegated to the Practice Squad? It would neat to see us play the Ravens or Browns with Heard and Jasper on the inside, and Williams and Dareus on the outside.
 
Thanks,
Mike Allen, Pittsford

CB: I think Jasper has to come a long way in a short period of time (getting shorter with each day of the lockout) to convince the coaching staff he’s NFL ready as a rookie. Both he and Kellen Heard have a much bigger hill to climb with the depth of the defensive front now with Dareus in the fold and Torell Troup and Alex Carrington now second-year players. Buffalo’s staff is unlikely to keep more than six or seven defensive linemen on the active roster. Last year they kept seven, so if it’s seven that last spot could be between Jasper and Heard.

3 - Chris, 

Can you break down what you presume to be the starters for the defensive backfield? Listening to Buddy, it seems McGee, McKelvin, and Williams will be in competition for starting. In terms of SS how deep on the depth chart is Searcy? Buddy wants to bring back Drayton, how would that affect Reggie Corner and Rogers? How does the coaching staff plan to better defend the TE, in almost every game a linebacker or safety was burned in pass coverage. 

CB: A lot of questions there. Basically if McGee stays healthy and McKelvin is more consistent and no other additions are made or return I anticipate that McGee and McKelvin will be the starters outside. Those are a lot of ifs however. McGee has had trouble staying healthy the past two seasons and McKelvin has not been consistent.

That could open the door for Williams if he has a solid training camp, provided there is one. I don’t believe Williams will do any worse than being the third corner. McGee has been the team’s best run support corner. If staying healthy is still an issue for him they need a good run support corner on the strong side and Williams is the next best option for that.

Corner and Rogers would be corners four and five with other additions likely leading up to the season before final roster cuts are made.

As for Searcy I believe he will push both Bryan Scott and George Wilson for a starting role. He’s bigger than both of them physically and being stouter in the run front is critical for this team. Provided he shows and ability to cover he could be in the mix for that starting SS job, especially if he can muscle up with tight ends.

4 - Why didnt the Bills address o-line or tight end in draft as much in your opinion? And the 7th rounder Mike Jasper the monster d-linemen, will he play some nose tackle or does Williams stay at nose? And finally what happens with Fitz if the Bills miss playoffs again?

George

CB: I think people are expecting a lot from Jasper because of his athleticism and measurables. I’m not here to sell him short, but rather to keep expectations realistic. He’s got a lot to learn with respect to technique having not played nose tackle the past two seasons. He’s got to make the 53-man roster first. Kyle Williams will start at the nose and his backup will be Torell Troup. Jasper has to convince the staff that he deserves one of the last D-line spots.

As for not addressing offensive line, the Bills drafted a tackle in round four, Chris Hairston who is seen as a right tackle prospect. Tight end Nix said was a position they looked at, but that the board did not fall right with the prospects they had an eye on.

I think the staff believes they can work with Scott Chandler, who was picked up late last season, and Shawn Nelson is still an athletic talent they’d like to find out more about.

Fitzpatrick is the starter in 2011. Beyond that is anybody’s guess because he’s entering the last year of his contract, barring an extension.

5 - Chan wanted to upgrade the pass rush and taking Dareus and Kelvin will help the run game. Are there favorites going forward for the starting edge rushers? Without seeing Merriman on the field yet it’s hard to gauge how good he can be again. Kelsay looked better with his hand on the ground. Moats looked the best in pass/run coverage. Maybin still needs work but Torbor might be a good back up option to. Who do you think Chan likes?

Thanks 
Jack S.

CB: I think the whole pass rush hinges on Merriman. I know, that’s a lot of eggs to put in one basket, but if he’s right the Bills could really make a giant leap forward with their defense instead of steady improvement. If he’s on they could have a top 12 defense. But as you said it’s a wait and see type deal.

I believe Moats will only improve in year two, I’m interested to see what Danny Batten has to offer. Torbor I’m anticipating might move inside where he played for most of the two seasons prior to his arrival in Buffalo.

Who Chan likes is really anybody’s guess.

Fan Friday 3-18

Hey Bills fans. I’m taking the day off for my birthday, but here are some answers to your questions from AskChris@bills.nfl.net. Have a good weekend.

1 - Chris,
Can you break down how Bowers, Fairley, or Dareus would fit in the Bills 3-4. Can you explain the difference between a five technique and three technique lineman. Would they have to only play the DE position with Kyle up the middle. What are the future plans in the 3-4 for Troup and Carrington going forward in terms of starting next season.

Sean, NY

CB: Bowers and Fairley would be strictly defensive ends in the 3-4. Some believe Bowers can shift to an OLB role in a 3-4, but I think he’s strong enough at 275 pounds to stand in there at end in a 3-4. Fairley could be a three technique defensive tackle in a 4-3, and knowing Buffalo is going to be multiple with their fronts on defense next year, he has double value.

Dareus is the prospect with the trump card though. He is a fit in either defense because at 319 pounds he could stand in there and play nose tackle in a 3-4, but he’s athletic enough to play end in a 3-4, which is what he did at Alabama. He could also play the one technique or three technique defensive tackle in a 4-3.

The only difference between a three-technique and five-technique is the alignment of the defensive linemen. Now their roles are different in the scheme of the defense, but basically there are numbers assigned to the alignment of a defensive lineman. For example, if they are lined head up on a center they’re in a zero technique.

A one-technique defensive tackle is lined up on the shoulder of the center. This DT is typically the grinder that ties up blocker in a 4-3 front. A three technique DT is lined up on the outside shoulder of the guard and is usually the more athletic penetrating type defensive tackle.

A five-technique is an alignment usually for a DE in a 3-4 on the outside shoulder of the offensive tackle. Their role is to stand and grind with the OT and sometimes TE to hold the point of attack and allow linebackers to run free to make tackles, although they have full license to disengage and make plays themselves. The alignments go all the way up to nine, which is the widest alignment, usually taken by a pass rushing DE or OLB.
2 - Hi Chris, 
I’ve taken some heat for this question already.  But I’d like your take on it.  What are you thoughts on building up the defense and o-line this year and trying to pick Andrew Luck in next years draft?  Now I know he will probably be the #1 pick in the draft but if we package some picks together or some players and picks, we may be able to get him unless we have a horrible season and end up picking #1 overall.  I just think that no one besides ryan mallett would be worth grooming or putting any time into as far as a qb for the future.  Luck has everything your pretty much want in a qb coming out of college and i’d like the bills to have a player at QB  who isn’t so much of a question mark.  Besides Fitz is playing at a high level and we need to invest this season in other areas such as defense and o-line.  As always thank you for your time.
-Showtime.
 
CB : I don’t think your idea is so far-fetched. I’m all for loading up on the defensive side of the ball and if you still have time to address offensive tackle all the better. I don’t mind being aggressive and doing whatever it takes to get up to number one next year for Luck. Just keep in mind it’s anything but a guarantee, knowing first there’s likely to be a host of other NFL clubs looking to make a similar trade deal for Luck, and you’re likely to have a team in that number one spot all too happy to take Luck first off the board, and with no interest in trading out. It’s not something you can bank on.

That’s why I think there’s a good chance they take a QB somewhere in the draft.

3 – Chris,

I’ve been reading a lot about the right tackle position and the teams general need for linebackers.  In those conversations, I never see anything about Ed Wang or Arthur Moats.  Is Wang still that far away from contributing as a right tackle (even as a backup)?  Was his injury the big setback or does he just have a lot more to learn?  I was thinking Moats, Poz, and Merriman would be 3 of the 4 starting linebackers next year – the 4th being a new addition with a big, run-stuffing frame.  Do the Bills see Moats more of a 3rd down rush linebacker?  Do they see issues with his run defense?

Thanks.
Eric in Baltimore

CB: I think in the end Wang will be best suited to play guard. That’s just my opinion. Right now guard is a deep position. They worked him at both guard and tackle last year and I anticipate that will continue. I don’t see him getting on the field as a starter in 2011 however.

Buddy Nix has said he likes some of the young talent they have at OLB, and that includes Moats. He’s got potential, but if Merriman is healthy and the Bills draft a pass rushing LB high (e.g. Von Miller), Moats will not be a starter.

Personally I expect them to address ILB with more picks than OLB, not higher picks, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see two picks used on ILBs.

4 – Hello Chris,
Kiper brings up an interesting observation with his 2.0 mock draft.  Newton to Bills.  Does the possibility of his tremendous upside make him too attractive for the Bills not to pass up?  Even if the Bills take someone like Von Miller that doesn’t mean he pans out either.  (i.e. Maybin)  Newton could be worth the gamble.
Jim (Skaneateles)

CB: It’s the 64 million dollar question Jim. Picking this high doesn’t happen often and it affords you the opportunity to get a franchise quarterback if you believe there is one in the draft. That’s what the Bills have to figure out. Is there a franchise type QB in the draft. If so they have to take him, whoever it is (Newton, Gabbert). If not, then they have to take a player that is considered a sure fire star. The safest picks at the top of the board are Marcell Dareus and Patrick Peterson.

5 - Chris,
Doesnt the Bills releasing Marcus Stroud indicate that they will go for a defensive end with the no. 3 pick in the upcoming NFL draft?

Perhaps Marcell Dareus, if Bowers and Fairley are gone by the time Buffalo picks?

Or will it be LB Von Miller, who I believe Gailey likes?

LeeD

CB: I think it increases the positional need. With the three top flight talents you mentioned I think they feel good about having the chance to take one of them. Whether they feel all three are worthy of the third pick is another question. Von Miller is an option as well, and yes Gailey may like Von Miller, but there are very few head coaches in the NFL, if any, that don’t like him.

Moats goes back to school

Bills LB Arthur Moats skipped his last semester of school at James Madison to physically prepare for the pre-draft process. Now he’s back on campus looking to get the last nine credits he needs for his college degree.

Moats returned to the JMU campus a short time ago and is hitting the books. He’s also back in the gym going through offseason workouts designed by the Bills.

Moats is considering a post-playing career in politics.

Kyle gets another half sack

The NFL has officially made a scoring change from Sunday’s game between the Bills and Dolphins and it benefits DT Kyle Williams.

The NFL has officially credited Williams with a half a sack on Sunday and removed the half sack from Arthur Moats. Williams will now split the sack with Donte Whitner giving Williams a team leading 5.5 sacks on the season. Moats now has 2.5 sacks this year.

Moats up for Rookie of Week

For the second straight week Bills LB Arthur Moats is up for the NFL Pepsi Rookie of the Week after his performance Sunday in the win over the Dolphins.

Moats posted a sack and a half, two quarterback hits and six tackles in Buffalo’s 17-14 win at Miami. You can vote for Moats as often as you like. The league will announce the Rookie of the Week winner on Friday afternoon.

Going up against Moats this week are Tampa Bay RB LeGarrette Blount, Carolina QB Jimmy Clausen, New England TE Aaron Hernandez and KC S Kendrick Lewis. Voting closes on Friday.

Moats most improved

Arthur Moats had a sack and a half on Sunday in the win over Miami as his game continues to evolve and progress. If you ask Chan Gailey, Moats just might be the most improved player on his football team.

“In the last four or five weeks he might’ve made as much progress as anybody on our football team,” said Gailey. “He’s learning to play outside backer. He started as an inside backer in the offseason and training camp and we ended up moving him to outside backer. He is learning to play the position and he’s got a chance a good outside backer before it’s over with.”

With Buffalo’s pass rush in need of a shot in the arm midway through the season, Moats was put back outside and steadily worked his way onto the field. 

“It was more of what we saw in practice than anything,” said Gailey. ”He’s a natural pass rusher. That’s what he did in college. We had to try to fit him where he could produce the best and that was why we ended up moving him outside.”

Gailey said among the most improved players he’d probably have Donald Jones on the list as well.

Moats the 1st in a while

Arthur Moats had 1.5 sacks in Sunday’s win over the Dolphins, giving him 2.5 in the last two weeks. It may not seem like much, but it hasn’t been done by a Bills rookie in a while.

The last Bills rookie to record full sacks in back-to-back games was DT Jeff Wright in 1988, (games 3 and 4).

Hard to believe it’s been 22 seasons.

Vote for Moats

Bills LB Arthur Moats is up for the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week after his Week 14 performance in Buffalo’s win over Cleveland.

Moats had three tackles and a sack that forced a key fumble in the fourth quarter leading to an insurance field goal for the Bills in their 13-6 victory. So be sure to vote for Moats as he’s facing some tough competition in the nominee pool this week with Tampa’s Arrelious Benn, New England’s Rob Gronkowski, San Diego’s Ryan Mathews and Arizona’s John Skelton.

Voting ends on Friday at noon so help get Moats his due.

Moats ok if Favre can’t play

With Brett Favre’s status very much in doubt for Minnesota’s re-scheduled game tonight against the Giants in Detroit, Moats offered the following on his hit that could potentially end the 297-game start streak.

“Honestly if he doesn’t play and I break the streak then great,” said Moats. “If he does play, I’m glad he’s healthy and everything. But either way, that play was last week so I’m over that.” 

With the NFL media providing constant updates on the status of Brett Favre with respect to tonight’s re-scheduled game, ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who corresponded with Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier via text, posted the following on his twitter account.

AdamSchefter Asked for Brett Favre’s status in a text this am, Vikings HC Leslie Frazier responded: “Doubtful but sometimes you never know with him.”

Favre apparently texted reporters Sunday that if the game did go on as scheduled at the Metrodome he would not have played.

More time for Maybin?

With Antonio Coleman out for the season with a knee injury according to head coach Chan Gailey, it means more playing time for others like Aaron Maybin.

Maybin only got a few series worth of snaps Sunday against the Vikings, but that number will almost have to increase moving forward and Gailey indicated as much on Monday.

“Some guys are going to get more opportunities now,” he said. ”A guy like Aaron Maybin is going to get more playing time. Guys are going to get an opportunity that haven’t had an opportunity like that yet. They’re going to get that chance.”

Gailey also said that Arthur Moats, who has already played a good deal of late will have an expanded role.

“He’s played a lot already and he’s going to play a lot more,” said Buffalo’s head coach. ”He has to. Everybody is going to go out and play and show what they can do.”

Torbor out “long time”

The Bills will already be without starting DE Dwan Edwards for the foreseeable future with a severe hamstring injury suffered last week. It looks as though another valuable veteran will also be out for a spell.

Head coach Chan Gailey indicated that LB Reggie Torbor is not expected to play this week or any time soon.

“It’ll be a long time,” Gailey said when referencing both Torbor and Edwards.

Torbor has played an important jack-of-all-trades role lining up at both inside and outside linebacker in the Bills base defense and subpackages.

“It’s a big loss for us,” said Gailey. “There are going to have to be some people that step up and play a lot of snaps for us.”

Bryan Scott and Akin Ayodele are expected to step in for Torbor in nickel and base for his ILB duties. Then Aaron Maybin and two rookies in Antonio Coleman and Arthur Moats could be spelling Torbor on the outside.

LB Moats update

Bills OLB Arthur Moats, who missed Buffalo’s Week 5 game against Jacksonville, might just be ready to return to the lineup Sunday.

Moats practiced on a limited basis both Wednesday and Thursday, but did not miss much work according to head coach Chan Gailey.

“He did a lot yesterday and today,” said Gailey after practice Thursday. “We’re going to list him as limited, but he did almost everything.”

Moats is certainly motivated to get back on the field as he saw his role increase in Week 4 against the Jets before suffering an elbow injury. In addition, playing at Baltimore will be about as close as he gets to his hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia this season, so he’s eager to be on the field come Sunday.