Inside The Bills

Fan Friday 5-17

Time for the latest edition of your questions from AskChris@bills.nfl.net and on Twitter @ChrisBrownBills.

1 - Chris,

I don’t see how anybody can say that the Bills are good on the offensive line. The loss of Levitre left a gaping hole there. RT is a question mark, since Pears was injured all last year, and Eric Wood seems like he might be injury prone.

CB: I think your concerns about left guard are legitimate, but beyond that Buffalo has capable players for the starting roles and depth behind them. At tackle you have Cordy Glenn on the left and Chris Hairston on the right. Erik Pears is still limited, but when healthy more than capable himself on the right side.

Kraig Urbik is your right guard with Wood in the pivot. Depth-wise you have Zebrie Sanders as a tackle guard option once healthy. Beyond that it is a green group in terms of playing experience, but that’s the case for most of the league.

2 – Chris,

With the new high tempo offense, can we expect Doug Marrone to try to take a lead by choosing to receive this year?

Please say it is so,

Len in NYC

CB: I’ll have to ask him about that to be sure, but most NFL head coaches have found that the research shows if you choose to defer you typically wind up with the last possession of the first half. Obviously by deferring you also get the first possession of the second half. Those back-to-back possessions are seen as valuable in the eyes of many coaches. However, if your defense is substandard it might be wiser to choose to receive first if you win the toss. I’ll see if we can get an answer on coach Marrone’s philosophy on that.

3 – Hi Chris:
Now that the draft is over and we still need some positional fills, who do you  think the Bills will go after in FA to fill those voids (like OL, LB, CB)?

Thanks for delivering!
Mike from Orlando

CB: I think cornerback could prove to be the most pressing need. Buffalo has some interesting young talent at corner among the undrafteds, but there’s already a good deal of youth at the position. I wouldn’t be surprised if they added a veteran to that group at some point.

4 – Dear Chris,

My questions are about Brad Smith, I have heard he has looked good this spring as a WR. Is this his only role now or could he still be a wildcat/#3 game day QB? Will coach Marrone even employ the wildcat? If not could Smith be on the trade block at some point this off season?

Either way I wish him the best the coming season. He’s a real asset as a triple threat and that seems to be something this new staff seems to value.

I hope to hear from you soon on this as I’m sure I’m not the only fan to be wondering about Brads future here. As always GO BILLS!!!
Thanks,

Scott Kane,
Seneca,Pa.

CB: Yes, Brad Smith is strictly a receiver and a return man at this point. Based on coach Marrone’s comment on the Wildcat after the draft, I highly doubt we’ll see it as any respectable part of Buffalo’s offense.

Smith to his credit has performed well in OTA practices. He and T.J. Graham have probably benefited the most from the absence of Stevie Johnson on the practice field.

As for the trade block, I think we’re a bit ahead of the game at this point. There’s a lot of evaluation that needs to be done by this coaching staff.

5 – Hi Chris,

Firstly, thank you for your coverage. As a Bills fan since 1986 living on the other side of the world, I am more than appreciative of all informed coverage.

Two quick questions: have the Bills had talks with Brandon Moore. if not, why not?

Secondly, it is all but impossible to follow college football from here. However, I have watched Keith Pough’s highlights. Admittedly, highlights can be very misleading, but he looked terrific. Why was he not drafted? What chance does he have of making the team?

Thanks,
Jeff Wallace,
Sydney, Australia

CB: Thanks for the kind words. To my knowledge the Bills have not talked to Brandon Moore. Obviously, Bills head coach Doug Marrone knows him extremely well. He was the Jets assistant offensive line coach, who turned him from a defensive lineman to a very successful guard on the offensive side. So there’s a relationship there. At age 33, he’s probably not what the Bills are looking for knowing they want to build this roster from the ground up with players that will be here for the long haul.

However, if they do not like what they feel they are getting from the guard spot you can’t rule out the Bills making a phone call to the veteran.

As for Keith Pough, he’s a bit undersized and did not perform well at the Combine, especially when it came to his 40 time (4.87). He also played at a lower level of college competition at Howard. That doesn’t mean he can’t make an NFL roster, but it discourages NFL clubs from taking a chance on him with a draft choice. Signing him as an undrafted offers less risk. I do know that the Bills are high on him among their undrafted group.

McGee, Pears to each have another surgery

Terrence McGee and Erik Pears were both placed on I-R Tuesday, and they are each looking at another surgical procedure.

That according to head coach Chan Gailey, who confirmed that both need additional surgeries.

“Just not able to get back,” said Gailey on why both were placed on I-R. ”Them not feeling completely well. They both would fight like everything to get on the field and do what they could. Physically it’s just going to be hard for them to be productive players with where they are right now.”

McGee’s current knee problems center around swelling in his knee after activity, but his second surgery is said to be minor in nature. He’s expected to make a full recovery now that the new problem can be effectively addressed. The nature of Pears new procedure is not known.

As for their futures McGee enters the last year of his contract in 2013. Pears has two years remaining on the three-year extension he signed last year.

“I think that all guys reach some point where they ask the question and you ask the question and you sit down and you see can a guy get healthy enough to help your football team,” said Gailey. ”That’s a truism in our business. There does come a time. Whether that’s Terrence’s, time, I don’t know. I mean, let’s let him get completely well, see how he feels and make a decision when the time comes. But that’s not something … we’re not even talking about that right now. I just want him to get well, see where he is as we go into next year.”

Bills could use OL, CB

Buffalo moved some hobbled players to their injured reserve list Tuesday in Terrence McGee and Erik Pears. Now they’ll have to find players to replace them.

The Bills now have two vacant roster spots, but both will presumably be filled by a cornerback and an offensive lineman. With McGee now on I-R it has left Buffalo’s secondary very, very young. The Bills secondary now consists of veteran Leodis McKelvin, second-year men Justin Rogers and Aaron Williams (injured) and rookies Stephone Gilmore and Ron Brooks.

With just four healthy corners, knowing Aaron Williams is out a few weeks, Buffalo will need to add a corner, preferably with some NFL years under his belt. The most obvious choice is Stanford Routt, a veteran cornerback, just cut by the Chiefs.

He was the first free agent visitor of Buffalo’s offseason this past spring, so clearly the Bills had an interest then. Routt has two interceptions in his first seven games with Kansas City this season. He was inactive for the Chiefs game last Thursday night against San Diego. Chiefs head coach Romeo Crennel said their ”relationship was not progressing” as a reason for the release. 

As for offensive linemen Buffalo has some young prospects on their practice squad. OT Andrew Jackson (6’5″ 299), OT/G Reggie Stephens  (6’3″ 320) and G Keith Williams (6’5″ 330). Buffalo has lost Erik Pears and Chad Rinehart to I-R in less than a week leaving them with just C/G David Snow and G/T Sam Young as their only reserves.

Pears update

Last week, Erik Pears was downgraded to out after seeing a specialist for his ailing hip. The team is waiting to see how Pears’ hip responds to some treatment performed by the specialist before they lay out a timetable and allow him to practice.

“They’re telling us from a few days to a couple of weeks is what we’ll need to figure that out and exactly where he is and what he’ll be able to do for the rest of the year basically,” said head coach Chan Gailey.

Gailey said he doesn’t expect Pears to practice this week, but that a definitive prognosis could be determined by week’s end on Pears. So it’s a virtual lock that Chris Hairston will make his second straight start at right tackle Sunday in New England.

Pears downgraded to out

Bills starting RT Erik Pears has been downgraded from doubtful to out for Sunday’s game.

Pears did not travel with the team to Houston due to a hip injury that kept him out of practice all week

Chris Hairston will start at right tackle for tomorrow’s game against the Texans.

Pears not in attendance

A day after seeing a specialist for an ailing hip, RT Erik Pears is not in attendance at practice here on Friday.

Pears is not practicing along with DE Mark Anderson, who is working on the side and OL Chad Rinehart. Both of those players have already been ruled out for Sunday’s game. Pears status will be determined following practice today.

Glenn looking good for Sunday

Bills starting left tackle Cordy Glenn was a limited participant in practice Wednesday, but was a full participant Thursday making it likely that he starts on Sunday for the first time in three games.

“It went very well,” said Gailey following Thursday’s practice. ”He did everything today.”

Glenn was pleased that his ankle responded positively when he woke up Thursday morning after putting it through the paces Wednesday at practice.

“I’m very encouraged by it,” Glenn told Buffalobills.com.

Glenn appears to be returning to the starting lineup just in time knowing Chris Hairston may have to start at right tackle if Erik Pears (hip) is unable to play Sunday.

Pears not practicing

The Bills may have their starting left tackle back this week but their starting right tackle is not practicing today.

Erik Pears, who was limited Wednesday with a hip injury, is not practicing here on Thursday.

Chris Hairston is taking reps in his absence at right tackle.

DE Mark Anderson and G Chad Rinehart are also not practicing.

Attitude of O-line evident

It’s always been there, but it wasn’t until the Chiefs started trying to take some cheap shots on Buffalo’s playmakers that fans saw just what kind of attitude the Bills offensive linemen have when it comes to protecting their own.

“Attitude starts with Coach Gailey and it continues with (offensive line coach) Joe D’Alessandris, but it starts with guys like Eric Wood that is a highly competitive and he’s got the temperament you want in an offensive lineman,” said Bills GM Buddy Nix. ”Erik Pears has quietly got the same kind of stuff and Cordy doesn’t back off. Andy and Urbik those guys will scrap you so that’s exactly what we’re trying to get.”

“It starts with Joe D,” said head coach Chan Gailey. ”I think that’s the kind of guy he is. He’s a no nonsense hit them in the mouth kind of coach. I think we have players that have the same attitude and they take that into a ball game. You’ve got to have that. I’ve said it 100 times, It’s a tough game for tough people and we’ve got some tough guys up front.”

Hairston to still rotate with Pears

Coming off a persistent groin injury in the preseason, starting RT Erik Pears is still working to get his endurance up to play an entire regular season game. That’s why for the second straight week the plan is to rotate Pears with Chris Hairston at right tackle again Sunday against the Chiefs.

“He’s still working back,” said head coach Chan Gailey of Pears. ”We’re still going to probably alternate those guys.”

Terrence McGee is another player that was rotated in with Aaron Williams at left cornerback. Gailey said earlier in the week that McGee’s reps would increase this week after coming out of last week’s game with no problems.

Pears to rotate with Hairston

Bills starting right tackle Erik Pears got all of 10 snaps in the preseason. Though he had a very good week of practice leading up to the opener against the Jets, it’s not expected to be enough to provide him with the endurance necessary to get through 60-70 plays today at MetLife Stadium.

That according to head coach Chan Gailey, who told Buffalobills.com that Pears’ endurance is just not there yet.

“Not there,” he said. ”Plain and simple they need to play more and more and more. But adrenaline will take them pretty good into this ball game. But the guy in particular that we’re not going to ask play the whole ball game is Erik Pears. We’ll try to be smart and limit his reps some.”

When asked if they’ll monitor him and decide when to pull him for a spell, Gailey indicated that they’ll instead have planned times to sit him a series or two here and there.

“I think we’re going to have a plan to shuffle,” said Gailey. ”I think we’ll go ahead and have two series (on), two series (off), two series (on) or something like that for this game.”

Urbik, Pears updates

The right side of Buffalo’s offensive line was still working their way back to full go in practice Thursday. Here’s the update from head coach Chan Gailey.

First, starting RG Kraig Urbik, who did not practice Wednesday due to a tight lower back did practice Thursday on a limited basis.

“He took reps,” said Gailey. ”He didn’t make it every rep in practice, but he took reps and got going again. So I think if there are no setbacks he’ll be good.”

As for RT Erik Pears (groin) he practiced for a second straight day after his pads practice Wednesday and was again a full participant.

“Pears had a good day today again,” said Gailey. ”So that’s all positive.”

So it appears if things continue on their current course, the Bills will have their starting five up front ready to go for the opener Sunday.

Pears fully expected to play Sunday

Bills starting RT Erik Pears has missed most of the preseason with nagging groin problems, but he practiced Monday and is slated to practice in pads today. It’s left head coach Chan Gailey very confident that he’ll have him for Sunday’s season opener.

“I fully expect him to play Sunday,” said Gailey of Pears. ”I think that he’s progressed well. Today we’ll be in pads and we’ll find out even more today. I think as the week goes on he’ll either get stronger or weaker and that will tell us how much he’s going to play.”

Pears, who signed a three-year extension late last season, is a valuable veteran presence on Buffalo’s offensive line. Whether he’s fit enough to go 60-70 plays after missing the last two preseason games is an unknown at this point.

“He’s a really good player,” said Gailey. ”He was very good for us last year, did a lot good things. And you need your good players back. The more you can have experienced players on the field the better you are as a football team as long as they’re good enough and he is.”

Anderson, Pears declared out this week

Bills DE Mark Anderson and RT Erik Pears won’t be making an appearance in the team’s preseason finale.

“Mark is going to sit this week,” said head coach Chan Gailey. “We made the decision he and Erik (Pears) are both going to sit this week.”

Both Anderson and Pears are dealing with groin injuries. The coaching staff doesn’t want to risk aggravating those injuries further and not have a chance to have both players available for the season opener at the Jets.

3 Bills inactive for game

We all knew OT Erik Pears and DE Mark Anderson were not playing with groin injuries. There’s one other player that won’t make it tonight.

RB Johnny White has been battling an ankle injury all through training camp and the preseason. He too is inactive for tonight’s game.

Pears on sideline

Right tackle Erik Pears has been steadily working his way back into team drills the past week. But he’s a spectator at today’s final camp practice.

No word as to whether it’s a rest day or recurrence of the groin strain that kept him out for a week. We’ll get an update after practice.

Fan Friday 8-10

Well preseason game number one is in the books. Just another four days of camp and the team returns to One Bills Drive. Let’s get to your questions from AskChris@bills.nfl.net and @ChrisBrownBills on twitter.

1 - Chris,
I was wondering what kind if influence an improved defense would have on the offensive play calling?  If (IF) this bill’s defense can live up to its billing, will Fitzpatrick need to throw as much?

CB: I asked both Chan Gailey and Ryan Fitzpatrick this very question a while back. Both indicated that when you’re playing with a lead more often there’s less of a need to take risks. Here’s exactly what they had to say about your question.

“You have a football team,” said Gailey. “You don’t have an offense, a defense and special teams. You have a football team and the objective is to win the game. So you’re always adjusting to what the situation in the game is and if we’re in closer ball games and we have leads you do change your thought process and the way you approach the game. And it allows Fitz to alter the way he approaches the game a little bit. We’ve got to continue to work that because we’ve not been in that situation in the last couple of years.”

“I think it allows you to limit the risks you take,” said Fitzpatrick. “I think if you’re in games all the time and not falling behind whether it’s from a poor performance early from the offense or whatever it is, you certainly have to be a smarter and more reserved quarterback. With our offense there are going to be times where we take chances because that’s what makes us good as well. But there’s a balance we have to find there in terms of when we’re taking those chances and when to take the checkdown.”

2 - Hey Chris,

Thanks for your daily articles and updates.  I had a question about offensive tackle based on your latest article.  A lot of scouts seem to believe that both Glenn and Hairston could be great RT’s.  So why is there only competition at LT?  I think Pears played well last year at RT and I’m glad we have him, but I think he still has plenty to prove.  It’s not like he’s an All-Pro, but it seems like he’s just being handed the RT job without having to compete for it.  Why shouldn’t the loser of the LT competition be considered for the starting spot on the right side?  Isn’t it possible that Glenn and Hairston could be the two best OT’s on the team?

 Thanks,
Ed
Denver, CO

CB: It’s my opinion that Erik Pears had a very good season last year from start to finish. He was a much stronger player after spending an offseason in Buffalo’s conditioning program and put on 20 pounds. His play was rewarded with a three-year contract extension.

Right now he’s working back from a groin strain in camp, so Hairston has been forced to line up on the right side. I think part of the reason RT has been Pears job and his job only (before injury) is because he played very consistently last season and is a veteran presence on what is a pretty young line.

I’m not saying at some point the player that finishes second in the LT competition can’t be the team’s starting right tackle, but I think there’s value in continuity as well and keeping Pears at RT knowing he can do the job is viewed as the best idea by the staff moving forward (provided he’s healthy).

3 - Hey Chris,

My question is who are going to be the backups in the secondary? Where do you see Bryan Scott? Do you see much from Searcy? There was a lot of talk about him when the Bills drafted him but hadn’t heard much.

Respectfully,

bigfoot21 here is sunny South Carolina.

CB: Bryan Scott is a linebacker in the nickel packages and that’s really the extent of his role. Da’Norris Searcy as we’ve mentioned several times in our daily Practice Notes reports has been getting time with the starting unit rotating in for both George Wilson and Jairus Byrd. I think the staff wants to try to find a role for him presumably in a subpackage (nickel, dime).

I think sooner rather than later Searcy will be making an impact on Buffalo’s defense. He’s been impressive in the time he’s been with the ones on the practice field. We’ll see what he can do in the preseason.

4 - Hi Chris, thanks for all the information through the years. Living in San Diego, my son and I only see the Bills in enemy territory. I am trying to take him back to Buffalo to show him how a real football crowd is.

My question is does Shawn Powell or John Potter have any realistic chance making this team? Though I like the veterans, these young players look pretty good and it might be time for a change. Again thanks, Art
CB: I think Potter could make the roster as a kickoff specialist and kicker on long field goal attempts 55-yards plus. Chan Gailey has made no secret of his feelings about what kind of a weapon he believes Potter can be if he can prove that he can deliver touchbacks with regularity. He basically told me that if Potter can guarantee the opponent is starting in their own 20-yard line every time then it’s worth using a roster spot.

As for Powell I think he’s got an uphill battle. He has raw talent, but he’s not as consistent or polished as Moorman. In a year where the Bills are gunning for the playoffs you keep the guy you can count on punt in and punt out.

5 - Hi Chris, thank you for taking my question.

Is Vince Young getting the same attention from Coach Lee on his mechanics and decision making as Fitz is? And if so is he seeing any improvement in his game?

I appreciate your insight. Thanks!

- Chris Kenyon (Albany, NY)

CB: Vince Young is being schooled on the same lower body mechanics as Fitz. The same with Thigpen. A quarterbacks coach works with all of his players and David Lee is no different. Young has performed better over the past week of camp with his accuracy. Young’s arm delivery isn’t prototype, but because he’s so tall it’s a throwing motion that can work in the NFL.

Nelson does more; Pears back

Bills WR David Nelson did more at practice Tuesday and RT Erik Pears saw his most extensive work in over a week.

Nelson, who did just individual position drills Monday, factored into some team work Tuesday afternoon.

Meanwhile, Pears, who got a good report from a specialist on his strained groin not only practiced for the first time, but even saw some a few team reps to being the team portions of practice. Seeing him suit up in the game on Thursday night however, might be a bit of a long shot.

Outlook for Pears

Erik Pears is still not back on the practice field getting reps in any capacity, but there was some good news concerning the right tackle’s healthy moving forward.

Out for the past week plus with a groin injury, head coach Chan Gailey said a visit to a specialist by Pears went well.

“I don’t know yet. We’re going to make that decision tomorrow or the next day. If Erik can’t play, which it looks like right now that won’t happen, both of them will play Hairston and Sam will both play.”

“It looks good to be honest with you,” said Gailey. ”He saw the specialist and he gave him some things to work with. It looks like it’s going to pay dividends. He was trying to get out here to practice. I think it looks a lot better than it did three days ago that’s for sure.”

Pears had hernia surgery in the spring, so a groin injury was of some concern to Gailey. But with the current outlook it sounds as if he’ll be back practicing sooner rather than later. However, it would be a surprise if he plays in the team’s first preseason game Thursday night leaving Sam Young and Chris Hairston to likely share the starting right tackle role against Washington.

Pears, Rogers still watching

Erik Pears and Justin Rogers are still on the sidelines.

Pears has been dealing with a groin injury since early in camp and Chan Gailey did express concern knowing Pears had hernia surgery in the spring.

Rogers is trying to recover from a pulled hamstring.