Carrington optimistic about ‘D’
Tags: 4-3 defense, Alex Carrington, Dave Wannstedt
Bills DL Alex Carrington is looking forward to the defensive switch they’re making for the 2012 season.
Carrington, who played DE in a 4-3 at Arkansas State, had 21.5 sacks in his college career. He spoke to defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt recently, but didn’t get too many specifics on where he’ll be lining up.
“Not too in depth. I’ll still be on the line of course, but he didn’t go into detail about it,” Carrington told Buffalobills.com. “I talked to him a little bit about the defense and the kind of things they would entail. I’m optimistic about it and I’m ready to start the offseason and get into the swing of the new defense.”
One thing that Carrington is sure of is how aggressive they’re going to be off the edge.
“We’ll be able to play a lot faster,” he said. ”They’re going to cut us loose up front a little bit more. I’m anxious to see how this thing plays out.”
Fan Friday 2-17
Tags: 4-3 defense, Bob Bicknell, Chan Gailey, Curtis Modkins, Dave Wannstedt, Fan Friday, Kirk Morrison, Shawne Merriman, Top 10 Performances of 2011
Less than a week before the NFL Combine. Make sure you keep your laptop locked on Buffalobills.com for wall-to-wall coverage from Indy beginning on Thursday morning. Now to your questions from AskChris@bills.nfl.net.
1 - Hey Chris,
My question is in regard to Kirk Morrison. I thought he was an above average to good NFL linebacker in Oakland, then what happened? That was only 2 years ago, he’s not even 30, and now he can’t sniff the field? And if it was the Bills system more than his level of play, why has he not been talked about at all as an option in the new 4-3 defense that is expected to be installed more often next season? I believe his contract is up, but I haven’t heard or read his name once.
Thanks again,
Dan
Fredonia, NY
CB: Morrison had a tough time getting on the field for a couple of reasons. First, he was signed days before the season opener so he had some catch up work to do. By the time he was fully adjusted to the scheme Kelvin Sheppard had begun to emerge and locked down the ILB spot alongside veteran Nick Barnett.
What’s going to be interesting is with the defense switching to the 4-3 I think he’s going to be a consideration for the strong side linebacker position. Talking to Coach Wannstedt he did express a desire to get Morrison re-signed. I think he’s capable of backing up Sheppard in the middle while also competing for a starting role at SLB.
2 - Hi Chris,
You do a good job covering the Bills. I do want to ask why the management wants to change from a 3-4 back to a 4-3 when they have spent two seasons drafting the personal for the 3-4? I do not see this as a step forward, but rather a waste of the investment in players they have taken the last two years. Shawne Merriman did not work out, but could be an answer to the pass rush problem.
As a coach I had to change my defense year to year because my players were not always suited to what I did the year before the current season. I made changes in how I played a defense to suit the players I had and schemed to make them more effective.
The Bills right now have players that could play both even and odd front looks effectively given the chance to develop and having all the players able to play. Maybe a more aggressive defense with
good technique containing the outside ( setting the edge ) and new wrinkles, which should come with our new defensive coordinator, will make it all work without a mid rebuilding change of plan.
A suffering fan in Arizona,
Max F. Stolzenberg, Jr.
CB: I think to characterize the defensive change as a prompt to rebuild is misguided quite frankly. The Bills played with four down linemen a good deal of the time, but I’ll let Dave Wannstedt explain.
“We played last year about 65-percent of our snaps in nickel personnel, where we actually had four down (linemen) in the game with their hand in the ground. No matter if we had five defensive backs or six defensive backs it didn’t matter,” said Wannstedt. “The point was, if you looked at us, we were doing a lot of things that there’s carry-over within the 4-3 scheme.”
I think there are a lot of players that offer scheme versatility on Buffalo’s defense. Chief among them are Marcell Dareus, Kyle Williams, Shawne Merriman and Chris Kelsay. Williams and Kelsay have already played most of their careers in the 4-3 with the Bills. Merriman has never played in the 4-3 in the NFL, but might benefit from dropping into coverage less as a true rush end and is underrated as a run defender.
Torell Troup played defensive tackle in a 4-3 in college and Alex Carrington played defensive end in a 4-3 at the collegiate level. Spencer Johnson was signed in free agency by this team when they were still playing a 4-3 front under the previous coaching regime.
Sheppard played MLB in a 4-3 at LSU and Nick Barnett is more than capable of playing weakside LB in a 4-3. So I don’t really see a rebuilding plan here. I think most of the pieces are scheme versatile enough to hit the ground running with this scheme.
3 - Hey Chris,
I have a few questions about the 4-3 defense we may run under Wannstedt. If your remember that last time we were a full 4-3/cover 2 defense Byrd had 9 interceptions, now I was wondering how a 4-3 defense differs from a 3-4 as far as secondary scheme goes because in 09 it seemed like we had way more interceptions then in ’10 and ’11. Also i assume that we will target a nice pass rush DE in the draft and that Kelsay will move back to DE also but who will be the DT I also assume that it will be Dareus and Williams with Johnson and Troup that 3rd and 4th but where would guys like Carrington go?
Thanks Chris,
Josh Hubert, Syracuse NY
CB: I think most of your assumptions are right, although Dwan Edwards might be the other defensive tackle alongside Troup in the rotation. I think a guy like Carrington has to prove he can put pressure on the passer at the end position. He did that at Arkansas State as an end in a 4-3 front (21.5 sacks). As far as the secondary is concerned not a whole lot changes going from a 3-4 to a 4-3. The coverages are largely the same, though the means by which they disguise some looks might be different.
I don’t know that you can tie Byrd’s success as a rookie to the scheme. Personally I think Byrd’s best season was 2011. I felt his all-around game was as good as I’ve seen it. He’s not just a takeaway guy, he’s shown he can be more than that.
4 - Hey Chris,
I remember you mentioning that one of the best things the current Bills management has done is to build the front lines. I was just wondering if the Bills found that the best player available in the first round was a DT like Devon Still from PSU, would they consider drafting him and moving Dareus to DE like Haloti Ngata has done at times for the Ravens? Do you think they would draft the DT to continue getting depth at DT? Or would they go to the next best player not at DT?
-Chris
CB: The way the Bills operate is they take the best player on the board when they’re on the clock. If there are a couple of players of comparable value and one is at a position of need then they’ll take the player at the position of need.
Devon Still by the way is trumped at the DT position by some underclassmen. Most scouts I’ve spoken with maintain that Michael Brockers from LSU, Jerel Worthy from Michigan State and Dontari Poe from Memphis are all superior to Still.
5 - Chris:
I always enjoy your interviews and film breakdown with the coaches in your top 10 series. I was wondering if you see a time where Coach Gailey will turn over the play calling to Offensive Coordinator Curtis Modkins, and exactly how much is Coach Modkins involved with the game planning and game day decisions? What are your thoughts on Coach Bicknell being on the radar for other teams as Offensive Coordinator and eventually getting interviews for Head Coaching Positions? I believe he may be on many teams short list soon.
Thanks
Joe
Blasdell
CB: Thanks for the kind words on our Top 10 Performances of 2011 Series. We enjoyed bringing it to you and for the dedicated fan it’s a great way to get some film room insight from Buffalo’s coaching staff. Our last installment of the series will run this Tuesday.
As for play calling duties Chan Gailey when he was hired did say he would eventually hand off those responsibilities to Curtis Modkins, but I don’t think he’s there yet. I think once Gailey feels as though his offense is a smooth running machine week in and week out, only then might he turn over the reins.
With respect to coach Bicknell, it would not shock me if he started drawing interest around the league for OC positions. Knowing he was a successful offensive coordinator in NFL Europe it would not surprise me at all.
Where does Moats fit?
Tags: Arthur Moats, Chris White, Dave Wannstedt, Kirk Morrison
Bills defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt provided some details as to where some of his players will fit into his new 4-3 scheme. Kelvin Sheppard will be his MLB and Nick Barnett is going to be on the weak side. So who are the candidates for the strong side. One of them appears to be Arthur Moats.
At 6’0″ 252 pounds, one might think he could serve as a backup to Sheppard in the middle, but that’s not where Moats expects to line up initially come May OTAs.
“We briefly talked and mainly he told me what position I’d be looking towards. It’ll be more on the outside,” said Moats. ”When I talked to him it was more in the direction of strong side linebacker. It’s pretty similar to what we were doing (last year) just out of a different alignment. Overall it’s a new experience for me and I’ll be taking it on head first.”
Moats will likely be one of a few candidates for that starting SLB role in Wannstedt’s defense. GM Buddy Nix mentioned the need to add another linebacker either in free agency or the draft. Where Chris White will line up is still a mystery at this point, and Kirk Morrison is a free agent.
Moats, who was participating in a Play 60 community event in Buffalo Thursday said they also talked about what he was doing last year in training camp lining up at inside linebacker and how those things played out. Moats flip-flopped back and forth throughout the season last year between inside and outside linebacker. He anticipates with the system being new that they’ll leave him on the strong side.
“I just look at it as a new challenge and it’s inspiring that they would consider me for the job,” he said. ”They feel I’m athletic enough and smart enough to handle it.”
All about winning one-on-ones
In going over what he needs for his defense, Bills DC Dave Wannstedt talked about pass rushers. Knowing the NFL is all about matchups he wants guys that can win the one-on-ones up front.
“If you look at the teams that have had the most success with pressure schemes they’ve been the ones who have won the one-on-one battles,” he said. ”It doesn’t make any difference if it’s the Giants or the Steelers in a 3-4 scheme. [James] Harrison gets one-on-one because they fire someone inside and he has to win that one-on-one battle against the tackle. That’s kind of how I’m looking at it more from a standpoint of we need guys who when they aren’t being double teamed and they aren’t being chipped we win those one-on-one battles.
“Whether it’s man or it’s zone, that’s really what it comes down to. You’re just trying to get guys isolated and you might try to get a Nick Barnett isolated on an offensive lineman or back that you feel athletically we have an advantage. Now that all works good on the board when you draw that up, but once the ball snaps now Nick is going to be one-on-one with that guy and he has to win that battle. So I kind of look at that across the board, if we can get Kyle and Dareus singled up inside we feel pretty excited that those guys are going to win those one-on-one battles.”
Wannstedt is taking a wait and see approach on Shawne Merriman possibly being that guy, so adding a pass rushing defensive end that can win the one-on-ones is obviously on the team’s shopping list.
Kyle update
Bills defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt, who spoke to the WNY media Thursday, was asked about DT Kyle Williams and how his rehab is coming along after Achilles surgery late last season. Here’s his update.
“Kyle was in town last week and he came back just for his checkups and everything is right on schedule,” said Wannstedt. ”There has not been a setback in any form or fashion. When he’s going to be cleared to do something and how much, I don’t know, but we’re looking forward to him having a great year, we really are.”
Wannstedt high on Shep at MLB
While Bills defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt was clear in saying they need to add pass rush talent at the end position and make sure they have three fast linebackers in their new 4-3 scheme, he’s more than fine with the guy he’s got penciled in at MLB in Kelvin Sheppard.
“I’ve got all the confidence in the world with Shep being the middle linebacker,” said Wannstedt. ”To me he’s about what you’re looking for in a 4-3 middle linebacker. He did a great job (last year). He really, I thought, got better and better as the year went on. He became more confident and quicker and now he’s got to play in the box and doesn’t need to play on the edge as much. I think it’s going to fit his skills to a ‘T’. I think he’s going to be a very, very productive player for us.”
Sheppard played MLB in a 4-3 at LSU in college, so he should feel right at home in the middle of Buffalo’s defense this fall.
Routt knows Wannstedt’s resume
Tags: Dave Wannstedt, NFL free agency, Stanford Routt
Bills free agent visitor Stanford Routt is very familiar with Bills new defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt. Growing up in Austin, Texas he still remembers his defensive coordinator in Big ‘D’. Whether it’s enough to lure Routt to Buffalo remains to be seen.
“I remember Dave all the way when he was back with the Cowboys and the Bears,” said Routt. ”It was a pleasure meeting him. Obviously he’s a great guy and a great football mind and he can definitely bring a lot of things to a corner(‘s game).”
Routt was asked to describe his strengths and responded with the following.
“I can cover,” he said. ”Obviously I can run and I can come up and make plays in any facet of the game.”
Being a free agent when the rest of the cornerback crop is not is to his advantage. He doesn’t have to worry as much about doors closing on him knowing other free agents aren’t out there scooping up potential jobs that he could have. So it sounds as though his final decision on his new NFL destination might be a while.
“It’s definitely been a bit different,” he said. “This is the first time ever being a free agent, but I’m enjoying it and I know that I’ll find a home eventually.”
Our updated story on Routt’s visit is at the home page of Buffalobills.com right now.
Marcell eager to get 4-3 ‘D’ going
Marcell Dareus played in a 3-4 in college at Alabama, but is nonetheless excited about playing nose tackle in Buffalo’s new 4-3 scheme under new defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt.
Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio at the Super Bowl in Indy, Dareus talked about the team’s new 4-3 front.
“I can’t wait to get back and get a feel for coach with the 4-3 scheme and see what they want me to run and what we’ll be doing,” he said.
Dareus believes the transition to Wannstedt as DC will be a smooth one since the veteran coach was on the staff last season.
“It’ll help because he knows our personnel and he knows what guys can do so he can piece us together the way he wants to,” said Dareus. ”I think we’ll be okay.”
Wannstedt’s defense keeps it simple
Bills defensive coordinator Dave Wannstedt, who is transitioning his unit to a base 4-3 front, has had success on the defensive side of the ball throughout his career because he’s kept things simple and let the talent on his side of the ball just play. It’s an approach that Bills GM Buddy Nix, a former coach whose experience was rooted in defense, subscribes to as well.
“To me having coached defense for years and that doesn’t mean I know everything about it, but if you can keep things simple and keep it basic where guys play hard it leads to more consistency,” said Nix. ”If you’re having to think and play defense you’re usually a step late. I think some of that will help us (under Wannstedt). We had too many missed assignments, and I’m not blaming anybody. We also didn’t have good enough players at some positions.”
Nix is right, to have a simple scheme work well you need quality talent. The success of Tony Dungy’s simple but successful ‘Tampa 2′ scheme was having players like Warren Sapp, Ronde Barber and Derrick Brooks and later in Indy it was Dwight Freeney, David Thornton and Bob Sanders. So the Bills still need to boost the level of talent on the defensive side of the ball with a pass rusher high on the list, but this new direction is a welcome one on the part of the players and the front office.
Fan Friday 1-27
Tags: Buddy Nix, Courtney Upshaw, Dave Wannstedt, Dwayne Bowe, Fan Friday, Mario Williams, NFL free agency, Quinton Coples, Reggie McKenzie, Vincent Jackson
Another set of questions from AskChris@bills.nfl.net to answer as the draft and free agency become more and more the focus with each passing week. Let’s get started.
1 - Hey Chris,
I have heard several rumors that Dwayne Bowe would like to be reunited with Chan Gailey. Any thoughts on Buffalo being so far under the cap trying to sign Bowe and/ or Stevie or even going defense and making a run a pass rusher that we desperately need like Mario Williams
Regards,
D. Fischer
Rochester, NY
CB: Just rumor at this point. It’s only natural to see Bowe or San Diego’s Vincent Jackson linked to the Bills as potential free agent targets. NFL personnel men just like anyone else in any other line of work prefer to go with what they know, and Chan Gailey knows Bowe from being his offensive coordinator in Kansas City. Similarly Buddy Nix knows Vincent Jackson from his time in San Diego’s front office.
All that being said both of those players fit the description that Nix gave at his season wrap-up press conference. Both are the kind of receivers that are “open even when they’re not open.” They’re both big wideouts and their timed speed is almost identical (Jackson-4.51 to Bowe-4.52), which ironically is right where Eric Moulds timed out during his career.
Would I be shocked if Buffalo made a play on one of them in free agency? No.
I would be shocked however, if both of them made it to free agency. The absence of both players in their respective offenses would be crippling to their quarterbacks. As much as GMs A.J. Smith and Scott Pioli may not want to get into the stratosphere with respect to a long term contract for their top receiver, the way the league is headed they’ll need to bite the bullet.
It’s a passing league, and if your offense lacks a go-to guy you’re sunk.
As for Mario Williams, he’ll probably be available after the production that Connor Barwin and Brooks Reed provided Houston in the absence of Williams after his season-ending pectoral muscle tear. The two combined for 17.5 sacks.
Williams injury history the past two seasons is a bit of a concern so investing heavily could give some teams pause, but it’s not likely. It’s hard to argue with his ability and with the likelihood of the Bills moving to a 4-3, I think he’s a better fit for that system than Houston’s 3-4. I just see a bidding war for Williams and that’s something the Bills typically aren’t a part of.
I think the Bills may add a free agent veteran pass rusher, but I don’t see it being Williams. The highest ticket pass rusher I could see the Bills possibly, and I stress possibly, pursuing is someone more like Cliff Avril if he somehow makes it to the market. In the end, I think the Bills address their pass rush in the draft, and early.
2 – Hey Chris,
This new GM for the Raiders, Reggie McKenzie, I only know one “football” Reggie McKenzie—the Bills O-lineman from the 1970’s. Is this the same guy???
Thanks!
Matthew S. Kerr
Dayton, OH
CB: No, it’s not former Buffalo offensive lineman Reggie McKenzie. He was a former 10th round pick out of Tennessee by the Raiders and played for seven seasons in the NFL as a linebacker. He played for the Raiders (85-88), Cardinals (89-90) and 49ers (92).
3 - Chris,
You have had two years now to watch Buddy Nix and his approach to the draft. While it is always a fluid process during the actual draft because you never know who the teams ahead of you are going to select, do you have a sense that the 1st round selection this year will be a “pass rusher” as opposed to say an offensive tackle or wide receiver?
And do you see Buddy’s first “pass rusher” pick to be a defensive end vs an outsider linebacker?
Bills’ fans all seem to have their favorite pick whether it is Nick Perry, Whitney Mercilus, Melvin Ingram, etc. Do you have a player you like as a defensive end “pass rusher” for the Bills?
Thanks for all you do Chris. Hope you are enjoying the ‘off-season’.
Tim N.
CB: If the right pass rusher is there at 10 the Bills will draft a pass rusher, provided they do not land a high ticket one in free agency beforehand. If the pass rusher is taken 10th overall it will be one that can play defensive end in a 4-3 in my opinion.
I prefer Courtney Upshaw at 10 myself. I do like Ingram, but I’m not certain he can be a 4-3 defensive end and that uncertainty, if the Bills brass shares it, doesn’t make him a proper value at 10. Mercilus is a one-year wonder so there’s a boom or bust risk there that I don’t see the Bills taking at 10. Perry is a 4-3 defensive end, but I think he has to have a really good workout at the NFL Combine to have a chance to move past Upshaw on the board.
Coples is clearly the best of the bunch in terms of pure talent, but he’ll go no later than 7.
4 – Hi Chris,
With Wannstedt now running the defense, I wanted to ask about the front seven situation. Assuming the Bills decide to predominantly go with a 4-man front, as most people think they’ll do, I was wondering about what that would mean for our linebacking corps. Do you think we’d have to add a couple of typical 4-3 linebackers to adjust to that system (namely on the strong and weak side)? Do you think we have enough linebackers presently on the roster that could easily fit those new roles? Or would they prefer to go with just 2 linebackers and play nickel most of the time?
Thanks Chris,
Paul
Toronto
CB: I’m anticipating that they’ll add a 4-3 SLB in free agency to start on that side. I think it’s hard to say what Wannstedt’s preferences would be with respect to guys like Sheppard and Barnett in terms of who mans the MLB spot. I’m going to go out on a limb and say Barnett, because of his athleticism and cover ability, is the best fit for the weak side LB position, which should put Sheppard in the middle. Moats, Batten and Chris White will battle for reserve roles in all likelihood. Shep and Barnett would also be the nickel backers as I see it, unless Bryan Scott is re-signed to serve in one of those roles as he did last season.
5- Chris:
With your background and knowledge as a former Bills Beat Reporter for radio and now working as Lead Journalist for Buffalobills.Com, what can you tell the fans to help us stay optimistic that the 2012-2013 Bills will actually challenge for a playoff spot next year? What is the organization (top to bottom) doing differently from past Bills Administrations that indicate the team is actually going in the right direction, because with each passing year of losing records and missed playoffs it becomes more and more difficult to accept what we are told by Bills Management.
Thanks
Joe, Blasdell
CB: If I had to pick one specific thing that the Bills current management is doing differently than they have in the past it’s investing in the lines. Previous front offices either did not invest in the lines enough or missed badly on their investments (e.g. Mike Williams, Derrick Dockery, etc.) with the exception of Eric Wood and Andy Levitre in 2009 draft.
The investments made under Buddy Nix have been good ones and most of them haven’t broken the bank (e.g. Dwan Edwards, Kraig Urbik, Erik Pears, Chad Rinehart). And how refreshing was it to see them draft Marcell Dareus third overall last season?
I think the Bills stand a good chance of investing in the defensive line again this year in the form of a pass rushing defensive end. So although the wins have not been there to this point I think we can all agree that the lines on both sides of the ball are noticeably better.
Not ideal yet, but significantly better and likely to see more improvements this offseason (offensive tackle, defensive end). It’s that approach that encourages me that the winning is on its way because it all starts up front.
Kelsay on 3-4 vs. 4-3
Bills veteran Chris Kelsay appeared on Sirius NFL Radio Wednesday afternoon and was asked what he’s expecting with respect to Buffalo’s defensive front moving forward with Dave Wannstedt now the team’s defensive coordinator. Here were his thoughts.
“The 4-3, that’s what Dave is known for, but if you go back and look over the course of the last two seasons when we installed the 3-4 as our base defense, 40 to 45 percent of the snaps we were in the four-man front in our nickel package,” said Kelsay. ”You look at the guys especially up front who we have, a healthy Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus, you put a four-man front out there with those two guys next to each other that’s a pretty good duo.
“Myself personally I’m more comfortable in a 4-3, that’s what I played for seven years and at the beginning of my career as well as college and high school. That’s where I’d feel like I’d be the most productive. I had fun in the 3-4, but with being limited based on personnel and all the injuries that piled up at the end of the season we played a little more four-man front. We’ll wait and see what happens. Everyone is playing a lot of hybrid right now, and I’m sure we’ll incorporate a lot of that too, but I’ll know a little bit more as time goes on.”
Wannstedt to be in booth Sunday
After having Assistant head coach/Inside Linebackers coach Dave Wannstedt both on the sidelines during the preseason and up in the coaches’ booth, head coach Chan Gailey has figured out where the veteran assistant can help him the most on game day.
“It worked out toward the end of preseason to have him upstairs,” Gailey told Buffalobills.com. ”That seemed to work out good. He sees a lot up there. He even will send notes to the offensive side about some things. It’s been good to have him up there.”
Kyle on the radio
Tags: Dave Wannstedt, Kyle Williams, Player radio appearances
Bills Pro Bowl DT Kyle Williams is going to be on the radio today as well as Assistant Head coach Dave Wannstedt. Here’s where you can find them.
Kyle Williams – Jim Rome Show at 12:35 pm
Dave Wannstedt – Dan McNeil Show; 670 Score (Chicago) at 1 pm
Merriman waiting on preseason
Tags: 2011 Bills Training Camp, Dave Wannstedt, Shawne Merriman
Bills LB Shawne Merriman’s play has been encouraging through the first few days of camp. But even he himself is not ready to say he’s returned to being the caliber of player he was when he was a perennial Pro Bowl pass rusher.
“I’ve been working. I’m not going to say I’m back, back yet because we still have a lot of time before we really have to slap on the pads and go against another team,” Merriman said. ”But everyday I’m feeling a little bit better, and that’s all that’s important.”
Bills assistant head coach Dave Wannstedt said the staff is going to be smart about not overworking him so he’s primed for the season. Sounds like he wants to show that he’s back and turn the lights out on a QB in the preseason rather than say he’s back.
Fan Friday 7-22
Tags: 2011 season, Chan Gailey, Dave Wannstedt, Fan Friday, George Edwards, New Turf, Ralph Wilson Stadium, Tarvaris Jackson
With everything else up in the air you can still count on Fan Friday. So here’s the latest installment and keep those questions coming at AskChris@bills.nfl.net.
1 - Hi Chris,
I wanted to email you because a lot of mis-information at times permeates the message boards re: the Bills. With Coach Wannstedt on board, there is a contingent of Bills fans that feel he will be the de-facto Defensive Coodinator making Coach Edwards the DC in name only. I feel that Chan wouldn’t do something like that and would either fire coach Edwards or come out and say that Coach Wannstedt is the guy from day one.
Can you shed some light on this?
Thanks,
Rich in Pa
CB: As you know Chan Gailey is a straight shooter. His assistants are loyal to him for a reason because they trust him. Naturally every coach at the highest level of football has an ego of some size. I don’t know this, but it’s my belief that Coach Gailey would not have added Dave Wannstedt to his staff if he did not believe in the professionalism of both Wannstedt and defensive coordinator George Edwards.
I have to believe those two men met at length prior to the hiring of Wannstedt so Gailey could ensure that Wannstedt and Edwards would be able to work together in achieving the same goal, which is a much improved defense without letting job titles get in the way.
Wannstedt is the Assistant Head coach in addition to being the inside linebackers coach. Edwards is the defensive coordinator. It’s as simple as that.
Naturally those on the outside are going to speculate that Wannstedt will wield more power because his coaching history is more familiar to fans having been a head coach for two different NFL clubs.
Gailey, Edwards and Wannstedt do not look at it that way. Their commitment is to improving the performance of the team and getting more wins, not who has the best solutions in the meeting room. Gailey trusts that this can be a collaborative effort to make the defense better, but Edwards will be calling the plays on Sundays.
2 - Hey Chris,
Looking forward to the upcoming season! 2 questions for you:
1) Not knowing the rules of free agency, it’s hard to know what QB’s will be available. What are your thoughts on Tarvaris Jackson as a back-up/possible quarterback of the future?
2). Steve Johnson had quite the breakout year last year, and that caught most people off guard. Do you have any thoughts on who may be this year’s breakout performers?
Thanks
Jim
CB: I think with Jackson having a strong background in the West Coast system that he’ll likely go to a team with that offensive system. Seattle is a likely destination for him since his former quarterbacks coach in Minnesota, Doug Bevell, is running the offense there now.
As for a breakout performer, I don’t know that anyone will have the kind of jump in production that we saw from Johnson last season, but players that I believe are on the rise this year for the Bills are Arthur Moats, David Nelson, Torell Troup and Kraig Urbik.
3 - Hey CB,
Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions each week. My question for you is: have the Bills announced a new color scheme for the end-zones after the new turf is installed? I personally loved the red end-zones from the 90s. I’m curious if they will change the color or not.
Thanks a lot,
- Patrick
Sylvan Beach, NY
CB: For those of you that missed it this week, the end zones are royal blue with white lettering and red lining. Here’s a sample photo of it.
4 - Hey Chris,
First, just wanted to thank you for doing a great job keeping the passionate Buffalo Bills fans constantly updated! I know its way too early to have predictions and start looking at power rankings, but with the lockout just about over, I started looking at some opinions of some “experts” and none have the Bills even in the top twenty teams.
They often refer to how the Bills only one four games but I don’t think they realize how many games we COULD have won if we could just close a game.
I am very optimistic and have a ton of faith in Gailey and Fitz and truly believe next year we will make a gigantic leap and make the playoffs! Granted were in a very competitive division but I still think we can do it! What are your thoughts for next season?
CB: I’ve withheld judgment on the Bills because in this unusual offseason the roster has yet to take shape. There’s a lot of personnel stuff to be settled in a very short period of time.
The fact remains however, that they do play in a very competitive division. Granted the Jets roster could change dramatically in light of their cap situation and number of marquee free agents, but this uphill climb in the AFC East will be challenging.
In addition the Bills have a very difficult schedule with the NFC East on the slate as well as a much improved AFC West. I’m not trying to dodge you, but I need to see where players like C.J. Spiller, Marcell Dareus, Torell Troup and others are at once they get back in.
Young players that are expected to contribute more in year two or as top flight rookies have been the most affected by this offseason in terms of their development. They can greatly impact the success or lack of success of the club this year.
5 – Hey Chris,
With the whole spring workout schedule lost what changes is Chan Gailey going to have to make in preparing for the season?
Thanks,
Jeff
Webster, NY
CB: In talking to some of Buffalo’s assistant coaches earlier this offseason, they already had put plans in place to simplify the installation of the playbook in training camp. That likely means less volume, fewer plays etc.
I think it’s also possible that play installation could be tied to the framework of preliminary game plans for the first few games of the season. The coaches want to ensure that they can get sound play from their players in the games that count despite the shortened time frame with respect to reps on the field.
So repping those plays that they’re likely to run against the likes of Kansas City, Oakland, New England and Cincinnati in the first month of the season seems advisable. And the coaches have had plenty of time to scout those teams off last year’s film. Granted there will be some changes, but I could see that being a part of what’s different in terms of preparation.
Gailey’s right hand man
Bills Assistant head coach Dave Wannstedt is going to have a pretty large role here at the NFL combine this week.
Head coach Chan Gailey shed some light on Wannstedt’s Assistant head coach role in addition to his inside linebacker duties. It sounds as if Wannstedt and Gailey will be side by side through almost any and all prospect reviews here this week.
“Really he helps in the overall evaluation,” Gailey told Buffalobills.com. ”He’s going to sit in on almost all the evaluation meetings while we’re at the combine here. Offense, defense. He’s going to be in almost all of those. He’s a guy that I can bounce things off of. He’s got a ton of experience. He can help me think of things I might not think of. Two brains are better than one most of the time. So I think that if we can continue to bounce things off each other hopefully we’ll be better. I know what a great person he is and how smart he is. He’ll have input in a lot of areas.”
With Wannstedt spending the last six years as a college head coach he’s seen as a valuable resource by Gailey and provide some inside knowledge on dozens of prospects here at the combine. Stay close to Buffalobills.com as we’ll have our exclusive one-on-one interview with Chan Gailey from the combine later today in the media center.
Wannstedt: transition easy
Bills Assistant Head and Inside Linebackers coach Dave Wannstedt in a one-on-one interview with Buffalobills.com addresses several topics now that he’s a member of Chan Gailey’s staff including his transition, which he labeled “easy.”
“I do feel settled,” he said. ”Even though it’s only been about a week and a half two weeks, everybody has been fantastic from the standpoint of being very gracious as far as getting me oriented to the job and the community. I’ve gotten out a few places and went to a Super Bowl party already. It’s been an easy transition.”
Wannstedt said he believes wholeheartedly in what Chan Gailey wants to get accomplished with this team and is “all in” no matter what he’s called upon to do in his new role.
Wannstedt a pre-draft asset
Bills Assistant Head and Inside LBs coach Dave Wannstedt may not be at the Senior Bowl this week with his new coaching staff, but he’s still going to be a valuable asset to the team’s pre-draft process.
Having been the head coach at the University of Pittsburgh the past six years, Wannstedt has been immersed in the college game on a day-to-day basis and been around several of the top collegiate prospects in this year’s draft class. Most NFL scouts like to talk to members of college coaching staffs about their players to get a better handle on a player’s character, work ethic and background. Wannstedt is such a resource.
“I’m very confident that I’ll be able to help in any way they want me to and not just with the Big East conference (players),” Wannstedt told Buffalobills.com. ”My Pitt team played teams like Notre Dame and Utah. We played Kentucky in the bowl game. And when you play one team… if you’re playing Kentucky you’re spending a week watching Southeast Conference tape. So the familiarity with a lot of the college players in addition to Big East players will hopefully allow me to help answer some questions if they do come up.”
Pitt has some top flight talent entering this year’s draft pool including WR Jonathan Baldwin, OL Jason Pinkston and Big East Defensive Player of the Year DE Jaball Sheard. All three are forecast as second round picks. But even the players that Wannstedt recruited and did not land are players he has come to know well.
“Even if they didn’t come to your school, most of the kids at Penn State or Notre Dame or Ohio State, I was in their homes and we had a chance to recruit them,” he said. ”You might not end up signing them to your school, but you go through their whole process up to that point and get to know them pretty well.”
Wannstedt not at Sr. Bowl
Tags: Dave Wannstedt
Though he’s now a member of Chan Gailey’s coaching staff, new Assistant Head and Inside Linebackers coach Dave Wannstedt is not going to be at the Senior Bowl this week.
Wannstedt told Buffalobills.com that he will be getting settled in at his office at One Bills Drive this week while his colleagues coach up the South team in preparation for Saturday’s Senior Bowl.
“I’m going to be in the office this week myself and get settled with the whole change over and transition and get some things in around the office that I need to get done,” Wannstedt said.
The Bills newest assistant coach will be pouring over Bills game tape from the 2010 season in an effort to get caught up on the defensive system, the team’s personnel, as well as Buffalo’s opponents particularly the schemes of their AFC East rivals.
As for what goes on this week at the Senior Bowl, Wannstedt knows he’ll have some of the best tape at his disposal with Buffalo’s staff coaching the South Team.
“I’ll get caught up with all the Senior Bowl tape,” he said. ”Nowadays the Senior Bowl has changed so much. Everything from the minute they get off the buses is taped so I’ll definitely have a chance to get caught up on that. It won’t be a problem.”
