Inside The Bills

Plans with Poz and Florence

Bills GM Buddy Nix shared the club’s plan with respect to two of their top free agents in Drayton Florence and Paul Posluszny.

“We’d like to try to sign them both. We hope they want to be here,” said Nix. ”They’ll have other offers I’m sure, but our goal is to keep both of those guys.”

With Poz specifically, Nix said the following.

“He’s a leader for us. He’s a tough guy. He’s smart. We want him back. He’s a good locker room guy and a good player.”

Free agents to keep eye on

In addition to Buffalo’s own key free agents like Paul Posluszny and Drayton Florence, here are some other free agent players to keep an eye on as a very wild veteran free agent period gets underway.

Positions Buffalo is expected to be targeting in free agency include cornerback, inside linebacker and quarterback. Bills GM Buddy Nix has said that big ticket free agents are not the way he likes to build a football team. He prefers dependable free agents of high character. With that in mind here are some names that could make sense for the Bills.

QB
Tyler Thigpen – Miami – played for Chan Gailey in Kansas City in 2008.
Billy Volek – San Diego – signed by Buddy Nix as Pro Personnel Director in San Diego in 2006.
Marc Bulger – Baltimore – committed to being a backup, so he would know his role in Buffalo.

ILB
Kevin Burnett – San Diego – 28-years old, started 16 games last season and had 95 tackles, 6 sacks, 2 INTs, 2 FF, 1 TD

CB
Richard Marshall – Carolina – 26-years old, back-to-back 88 tackles seasons, full time starter last two seasons in which he had combined 7 INTs.
Paul Oliver – San Diego – a 27-year old reserve corner that’s a four-year vet and would represent good depth in challenging for a subpackage role. Started eight games last year.

OLB
Buffalo appears pretty set at OLB with seven players under contract already, but if they want to add another vet Cleveland free agent Matt Roth is a possibility knowing he played under George Edwards in Miami. He started all 16 games last year for the Browns in a 3-4 system making 86 tackles with 3.5 sacks, and probably wouldn’t break the bank. 

Bills free agent list

Here is the list of Bills free agents including unrestricted and restricted.

Unrestricted free agents
ILB Akin Ayodele
OLB Keith Ellison              
CB Drayton Florence
DL John McCargo
ILB Paul Posluszny
SS Donte Whitner
CB Ashton Youboty

Restricted free agents
QB Brian Brohm                not tendered
TE Scott Chandler            tendered
RB Quinton Ganther       not tendered

Exclusive rights free agents
LS Garrison Sanborn       tendered
TE Jonathan Stupar         not tendered

Restricted free agent TE Scott Chandler was tendered a qualifying offer by the Bills as was exclusive rights free agent LS Garrison Sanborn prior to the lockout.

Nix on projected starting CBs

Bills GM Buddy Nix gave an assessment of the projected starting cornerbacks for the 2011 season.

With Drayton Florence a free agent the jobs fall to Terrence McGee and Leodis McKelvin. Here was Nix’s assessment of them as starters for 2011.

“I think Leodis had a good year, not a great year,” said Nix. ”Leodis has missed a lot of time and the upside is really good on him. Terrence is hitting that magic number and is going to have to keep himself in great shape to play a lot longer.”

With McGee Nix is referring to age 30, which McGee will turn in October. The veteran corner has been on the injured list more than he’d like the past couple of seasons and sounds like he’s on notice to stay healthy. Unfortunately players don’t get to choose to stay healthy in the NFL. It’s part of the game. But as one NFL coach once told me, “Having a long career in the NFL is all about being available on Sunday.”

Here’s hoping McGee’s injury problems are behind him.

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.

Florence teams w/Twitchange

Drayton Florence has teamed up with Twitchange to help support U.S. service men and women.

TwitChange, an online organizing and fundraising service to raise money for Operation Once in a Lifetime, a charity that offers free financial and morale support to U.S service members, their families and veterans regardless of rank, deployment, physical condition or branch of service.

From today through Feb. 5, fans can bid on Twitter-inspired auctions featuring their favorite celebrities and athletes including @draytonflorence. Here are some of his auction items.

When a fan wins an auction, that celebrity will follow, re-tweet or mention the fan from his or her Twitter account. Other participating NFL players besides Florence include auction spokesperson Troy Polamalu, Kurt Warner, Clay Matthews, Kawika Mitchell, Michael Oher and Reggie Bush.

Florence thanks Bills fans

Drayton Florence is set to become an unrestricted free agent this offseason. He said he’s open to returning to the Bills, but before anything happens regarding his future he made sure to thank Bills fans.

DraytonFlorence I just want to thank all the fans( loyal fans) for supporting us even thou our post season hopes were shot after week 6 -if I’m in buff next year I will see yal again @section205 it was a blast

When asked if he’d entertain offers from other NFL clubs if it came to that, Florence said the following earlier this week.

“When that time comes I’m sure I will,” said Florence. ”I don’t know any smart businessman that would close off any possible opportunities. I will be doing that. If Buffalo wants me back I’ll certainly be open to that, but like I said right now we’re just uncertain of how this thing is going to play out.”

Florence and Levitre back

Drayton Florence (fibula) and Andy Levitre (knee) apparently just needed an extra day of rest coming off of last week’s game.

Both were back practicing fully on Thursday with their teammates after sitting out Wednesday. Levitre said Wednesday he expected to practice Thursday.

Both players are expected to start on Sunday.

Florence makes it plain

Although Drayton Florence had a stellar performance Sunday, he was naturally disappointed with the outcome of the game. He also didn’t see the Bills outing against the Vikings as a step back for one simple reason.

“We’ve only won two games so we haven’t been making much progress,” he said. ”You’re judged on wins and losses, not close games and moral victories. So not winning just adds on to the frustration that’s going on through the whole season.”

Outside observers believe the team has made progress in certain areas of their game, and statistically they have, but the Bills are only concerned about the stats in the won-loss columns.

Live chat with Drayton

After last week’s live chat with Drayton Florence had to be canceled, the Bills cornerback is back this week to host a live chat so get those questions ready for Flo.

Florence’s live chat begins at noon today (Thurs.) and questions can be submitted here.

Fitz wins ‘Never Say Never’

Ryan Fitzpatrick and company have won the NFL’s Never Say Never moment of the week for their dramatic comeback win over the Bengals in Week 11.

Fitzpatrick and an opportunistic Bills defense orchestrated the largest comeback in 13 years and it won as the best moment or play of the week that represents determination and perseverance. 

Trailing by 17 points at halftime Fitzpatrick threw three second-half touchdowns to WR Stevie Johnson, and the defense posted three takeaways and a fumble return for a touchdown by Drayton Florence, leading Buffalo to 35 unanswered points and a 49-31 win over the Cincinnati Bengals for its biggest comeback win since 1997.

After the regular season, fans will have a chance to determine the NEVER SAY NEVER MOMENT OF THE YEAR, from among the 17 weekly winners.  Fans can vote for the winner on NFL.com/gmc throughout the month of January.

Drayton chat postponed

Just a heads up to all the Bills fans planning to join the live chat with Bills CB Drayton Florence at 1 pm today (Friday). It has been postponed.

The chat will be held at its regular scheduled time of 12 noon on Thursday, December 2nd.

Live chat with Drayton

At 1 pm today (Friday) there will be a live online chat with Drayton Florence, so make sure to submit your questions and watch later to see if the AFC Defensive Player of the Week answers yours.

Florence is arguably coming off his best game in a Bills uniform with a fumble return for a touchdown and an interception in the Bills come from behind win over Cincinnati last Sunday.

Bills fans want 3 straight

Two straight wins has buoyed the confidence of this upstart Bills team and their fans are telling them to make it three straight wins. The Bills are hoping they can have a loud home crowd behind them this weekend knowing it helped make a difference in their first win two weeks ago.

AFC Defensive Player of the Week Drayton Florence is the most recent player to make an appeal to the Bills faithful after a fan tweeted him telling he and his teammates to make it a three-game winning streak Sunday.

DraytonFlorence “@ckaras23: @DraytonFlorence Lets go make it 3 in a row, #billsnation”< we need everyone to be loud at the Ralph extra loud this week >

Florence giving back

While Drayton Florence was busy taking away from the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday in the form of an interception and fumble return for a TD, he’ll be giving back here on Monday as the Drayton Florence Foundation will be donating 110 Thanksgiving dinner baskets to families in his native Ocala, Florida.

Courtesy of Florence’s foundation, 110 students in the local Take Stock in Children program will be receiving Thanksgiving dinner baskets for their families at a Day of Thanksgiving event.
 
While Florence will be at work at One Bills Drive Monday, representatives from the Drayton Florence Foundation will be on hand at the Ed Croskey Recreation Center in Ocala beginning at 6 p.m. to present the baskets. 
 
The event serves as the official celebration of Take Stock In Children Awareness month, and includes an official proclamation to be presented by Marion County Commissioner Stan McClain. Take Stock In Children is a premier statewide mentoring program for at-risk, low-income students.

For more information you can go to Florence’s website.

Flo thinks Bengals folded

Bills CB Drayton Florence, who had a pair of takeaways Sunday including a 27-yard fumble return for a touchdown, believes the Bengals threw in the towel after an early fourth quarter barrage from Ryan Fitzpatrick and Stevie Johnson.

“I’ve got to give my hat off to the rest of the team that showed up,” said Florence. ”We could’ve easily folded our tent and got out of here with an ‘L’. To see those guys on the other side it looked like they folded their tents on us and we took advantage of it.”

If the Bengals weren’t waving the white flag after Johnson’s third touchdown, which put the Bills up by 11, they certainly appeared to be when the effort to corral Fred Jackson on his 30-yard TD run with two minutes left in the game was half-hearted at best.

“We know we gave them some points early and it wasn’t anything they were doing, it was what we weren’t doing,” said Florence of the Bills’ difficult first half. ”This season has been a rough season, but we’ve been in this situation plenty of times before. We were in overtime for two games and coming down to the last play so we’ve been in this situation and I think it’s going to help us in the future, knowing how to battle adversity and coming out with a ‘W’.”

There’s little doubt that this was a character building victory, the kind that fortifies a team’s unity all the more and provides added confidence to a team that didn’t have a whole lot of it in the first quarter of the season.

Weather won’t be factor

Cincinnati in late November is unseasonably mild here at Paul Brown Stadium.

Forecast is for highs in low 60′s, wind is negligible and mostly sunny skies. The mild temps even have the players fired up. Just check out Drayton Florence’s latest tweet.

DraytonFlorence Perfect weather great day for a win pick six and #28LiLLeo takin a punt to the house.

Florence helping school kids

Bills CB Drayton Florence is helping kids get ready for heading back to school next week.

Florence has partnered with Best Buy to give away 450 bags to local youth to help kids get back into the school spirit.

Florence will be at the Walden Galleria Best Buy in Cheektowaga on Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 7:00 pm to give away drawstring bags, complete with back to school supplies donated courtesy of Comfort Suites Downtown.

Along with Bills teammates Andra Davis, Spencer Johnson and Marcus Stroud, Florence will be available for one hour to meet and greet, sign autographs and be available for photos with fans of all ages.

In addition, as part of his on‐going commitment, Florence will donate $1 to the Drayton Florence Foundation ‐ with all of the proceeds staying local for Buffalo area community programs ‐ for each person who becomes a fan of the Foundation Facebook page between Thursday, Sept. 2nd and Saturday, Sept. 4th.

To become a fan, visit the Facebook fan page at www.facebook.com/draytonflorence29.

Florence to provide tix to Bills games

Bills CB Drayton Florence has a personal connection to the men and women that serve in the U-S military, and it’s part of the reason he’s taken the initiative to team up with the Wounded Warriors Project.

Florence announced this past week that he’ll be donating 10 tickets at each Buffalo Bills home game to the Wounded Warrior Project, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors.

The tickets will be distributed to local heroes, their spouses and children in Buffalo and the surrounding areas.

Florence has made it a priority to show his appreciation for America’s serving men and women. His father, Drayton, Sr., served 22 years and retired as a Senior Non‐Commissioned Officer, while his sister, Lakisha, is a 1st Lieutenant currently serving in the Army and just completed a tour in Iraq.

Florence has enlisted the support of Bills linebacker and teammate Andra Davis who will be matching Florence’s ticket donation to Wounded Warrior Project. All together, 20 tickets per Bills home game will be donated to the very worthy recipients and their families.

“Our armed service personnel make sacrifices each day greater than most of us can imagine. They put their lives on the line to protect the freedoms we often take for granted,” Florence said. “Providing these tickets is the very least I can do to help those who have sacrificed so much. I hope this small gesture helps our soldiers and their families heal physically and emotionally when they return.”

Florence sets high standard

Buffalo’s secondary is the veteran unit upon which many outside observers see the success of the defense riding. Not surprisingly, one member of that unit is setting some pretty demanding goals.

CB Drayton Florence, upon being asked by a fan on his twitter account, what his individual goals were for the season, laid them out plainly.

draytonflorence 8 picks, no tds, 1 force turnover per game

To clarify, Florence expects to get 8 INTs, allow no touchdowns to the opposing players he’s assigned to cover all season and to force one turnover per game.

Got to admire setting the bar high, and I’m pretty confident he’s not alone on the back end of Buffalo’s defense.