Inside The Bills

Nix: There’ll be 2 or 3 big time QBs in draft

Bills GM Buddy Nix obviously isn’t going to tip his hand as to when the Bills may draft a quarterback, but he wasn’t shy in disclosing to Bills play-by-play man on the John Murphy Show that he thinks there are a few prospects in this draft class that are likely to turn into outstanding signal callers.

“I’ve said this before when everybody was beating this class up and they still are somewhat. I think there are two or three guys in this class that’ll be big time quarterbacks in this league and very successful guys,” said Nix. ”Now all of them have deficiencies just like we all do. But all these guys can do something good.”

Nix went on to say that there are even more quarterbacks in the class that can improve your team.

“There are about six or seven that do enough good things to win for you. If you don’t go and make them try to fit a system that they can’t do then they have a chance to be successful,” said Nix.

When asked by Murphy if he thinks the Bills will be in position to get one or two of the top flight quarterback prospects he spoke of, Nix said the following.

“Now I said two now, but don’t hold me to that because there might be four,” said Nix. ”Hopefully we’ll have a shot at one at some point in the draft. That doesn’t mean that we’re going to take a quarterback in the first round, but it doesn’t mean we’re not either.”

Nix will be commenting further on the team’s draft plans this afternoon at the Bills draft luncheon. Buffalobills.com will have full coverage.

Nix: Our draft priorities haven’t changed

Bills GM Buddy Nix has been pretty clear about the team’s draft priorities in terms of positions that need to be addressed. With the draft less than two weeks away and the initial wave of free agency in the rearview mirror, Nix was asked on the John Murphy Show if the Bills draft priorities have changed in light of the free agent additions.

Nix indicated that their priorities are largely unchanged, but did seem to indicate that they feel a bit more comfortable at some positions following some of their free agent signees.

“They’re about the same,” said Nix. ”We have added a quarterback so there’s some stability there. Then we’ve added two linebackers which lessens that value here in the draft. What we’ll do is like we always do, we’ll try to take the best player. We’re not going to reach, even for need. We’ll take those guys if there are two or three positions with the same grade then we’ll take the need position.”

Nix along with Bills Assistant GM Doug Whaley, Director of College Scouting Chuck Cook and Pro Personnel Director Tom Gibbons will be commenting further on Buffalo’s draft plans at today’s draft luncheon. Buffalobills.com will have full coverage through the course of the afternoon.

Main purpose of pre-draft visits

The Bills conducted 30 pre-draft visits at One Bills Drive with prospects from this year’s draft class and did so over the span of just 10 days. The scouting department already knew an awful lot about all of the prospects that walked through the doors of Buffalo’s team facility in early April, but there’s one main thing they’re trying to get a gauge on with each of the prospects when they come on a pre-draft visit.

Bills GM Buddy Nix, who joined Bills play-by-play man John Murphy on the John Murphy show last night and explained the main purpose of bringing in players on pre-draft visits.

“You’ll usually bring a guy in and go through all the mental stuff where you get him discussing scheme and see how much he can retain, how quick he can retain it and sometimes that makes a difference (in their draft grade),” said Nix. ’In this business you don’t have much time to get it done and while guys get cut sometimes for physical deficiencies, sometimes they get cut because they can’t get it mentally. And that’s the big thing we’re trying to find out.”

Scouting dept. reviewing prospects

Bills GM Buddy Nix and his college scouting staff have been through a few times already, but since Sunday they’ve begun the process of reviewing all the viable prospects in this year’s draft pool one player at a time.

Nix joined Bills play-by-play man John Murphy on the John Murphy Show last night and confirmed that the process is underway.

“We meet every day it started Sunday at 7 in the morning and we go all day every day,” said Nix. ”We’ve done what we’re doing about three times. That’s read every guy, everybody that’s seen him. We’ve got the head coach in there, the coordinator and position coach. If they’ve looked at these guys they give an opinion. We do it three or four times to make sure we have the board right.”

Nix said they go right through to the prospects that are expected to be college free agents.

“We assign a grade and go around and get everybody’s grade and then we come up with a grade for us and place him on the board and that’s where he’ll be for the draft,” he said. “We’ll finish up about Wednesday with special teamers last before the draft on Thursday. Two or three of us will meet Thursday to make sure we have the right plan going into the draft.”

Kolb: It was the worst pain I’ve ever felt

Bills QB Kevin Kolb was last seen by Bills fans last season in Week 5 when he was under an enormous amount of pressure from Buffalo’s defensive front in Arizona. It would also prove to be his last start for the Cardinals as the five sacks and numerous other hits he endured before finally exiting the game in the fourth quarter led to four separated ribs and a sprained shoulder.

I asked Kolb about his physical state after that game in an interview on the John Murphy Show this evening because I saw him being wheeled out of the bowels of University of Phoenix Stadium after the game to the hospital. His ribs were so bad he couldn’t lay down on the stretcher.

“Needless to say it was the most pain I ever felt 10-fold,” Kolb said. “I was talking to some of the guys here that were on the field when it happened and I think everybody was in shock. It took me three days to get my arms down after that happened. The way my ribs were laying in there it was excruciating pain no matter what they gave me and hopefully I never have to relive that again, but it’s kind of ironic that I’m sitting here with the guy who did it and playing with the team it happened against.”

Kolb said facing the Bills defense was enough to put a check mark in the box for good defense on his list when deciding if the Bills were the right fit for him.

“When we watched them on tape last year they had come off two games back to back where they had given up a lot of yards so we knew they would come in with a chip on their shoulder, and the way they were flying around when they came in was something to watch,” said Kolb. “I did take that into account.”

What had Graham sold on Glennon

Bills WR T.J. Graham decided he wanted to go to college wherever Mike Glennon was headed after the two became fast friends at various summer football camps throughout high school. In a recent appearance on the John Murphy Show, Graham relayed a story about what completely had him sold on Glennon as his quarterback.

“Mike Glennon is the reason I went to N.C. State,” said Graham. ”I knew him from 2007 and camps and stuff and I remember telling him I was going wherever he was going. That relationship started because of an overthrown ball.

“In high school I had a problem where nobody could throw me the ball. My junior year in high school I actually played quarterback because no one could throw the ball deep enough to get the ball to me. So what was the point of me being out there? So I decided to throw the ball to them.

“Coming into one camp I was running a route and my coach said, ‘Run a post route.’ And I’m thinking I’m going to run the route as fast as I can. I want to show off. So I ran as fast as I could and Mike overthrew me and I stopped as soon as the ball hit the ground. I looked back at him with wide eyes and an open mouth and I think it was love at first sight after that. He’s got a big arm and being a speed guy you love to see that. It’s something you salivate for.”

Glennon has been forecast as a late first or early second-round pick.

NFL Network schedule of Senior Bowl practices

Here’s the rundown of the broadcast times of the Senior Bowl practices on NFL Network this week. We remind you that Bills play-by-play man John Murphy is in Mobile this week and will file daily reports from the Senior Bowl in Bills Roundup. He’ll also be broadcasting the John Murphy show live from Mobile this week from 7-9 pm on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Monday, January 21
4:00 PM – 2012 Senior Bowl: Day 1 North Practice
10:30 PM – Senior Bowl Day 1 Recap 

Tuesday, January 22
2:00 PM – 2012 Senior Bowl: Day 2 Practice – North team
3:00 PM – 2012 Senior Bowl: Day 2 Practice – South team – Live
10:30 PM – Senior Bowl Day 2 Recap 

Wednesday, January 23
2:00 PM – 2012 Senior Bowl: Day 3 Practice – North team
3:00 PM – 2012 Senior Bowl: Day 3 Practice – South team – Live
10:30 PM – Senior Bowl Day 3 Recap

Thursday, January 24
2:00 PM – 2012 Senior Bowl: Day 4 Practice – North team and South Practice
10:30 PM – Senior Bowl Day 4 Recap 

Saturday, January 26
4:00 PM – 2012 Senior Bowl – LIVE from Ladd-Peebles Stadium, Mobile, AL

Fan Friday 1-18

Hey Bills fans, sorry for the delay. We had a publishing failure for Fan Friday. Here is the latest edition of your questions straight from AskChris@bills.nfl.net and Twitter @ChrisBrownBills. Let’s get to them.

1 - Hi Chris,
Just wondering if you could address the Pro Bowl alternates rules and procedure. I know many players end up “making” the Pro Bowl as injured players bow out, but is there also a roster spot that the head coach gets to fill with whomever he chooses? (If so, wouldn’t you choose Byrd or Spiller with that? I would!)

Thanks,
Go Bills!
Greg Campbell

CB: To my knowledge alternates are selected based on who got the next most votes from players and coaches. So team coaches do not get to choose. For example, Calvin Johnson pulled out of the Pro Bowl and replacing him was 1st alternate Vincent Jackson. Jackson was next up because he got the next most votes.

FYI C.J. Spiller confirmed he’s a 1st alternate for the AFC on the John Murphy Show last week.
2 – Chris,

What are the early scouting reports saying about Tyler Wilson and E.J.Manuel? I think the Bills need an accurate quarterback above all else and these two might fit that mold. They may not have the biggest ceilings, but I like what I saw from them this season. Can they fit in any scheme?

Thanks,
Josh

CB: I think it’s safe to say that Wilson has the arm strength to fit in any scheme, and he has shown the ability to make good decisions on the fly in terms of manipulating the pocket to buy time, throwing a receiver open, etc. But only the guys that scout these QBs for a living know for sure.

With respect to Manuel there is no debating his physical tools, but his decision making is what pops up as a criticism among NFL scouts. Against the better defenses he faced Manuel struggled with his decision making.

Fortunately for Manuel he’ll be able to go against some of the best college competition next week at the Senior Bowl along with Wilson and you can draw your own conclusions.

3 – Chris, 

Thanks for all the latest info, I look forward to fan Friday every week.  My question has to do with our upcoming pick in the NFL draft. 

Have you had any indication that we are seriously considering Mike Glennon with the first round pick?  This guy is the real deal!  I might be jumping the gun a bit, but this guy looks like he has Tom Brady/Aaron Rodgers type potential.  Most draft scouts have him rated as a 2-3 round pick… But I really doubt any die hard bills fan will regret “reaching” and taking a chance on a potential franchise QB.  The time is now!

He doesn’t have Geno Smith type stats; however, he rarely got to experience much time in the pocket and when he did, the receivers would drop a large amount of catchable passes.  Even when they were perfect throws.

I’m hoping the Bills have been scouting this guy since last year and that is one of the reasons buddy was so comfortable taking TJ Graham so high in last year’s draft.

I’ve heard all the buddy nix interviews and he has expressed interest in getting a QB if he is there… I want to know what you think they will do? As you can tell, I’m pumped about this offseason.  Unfortunately, the offseason has been the best part of being a Bills fan for a long time.

Thanks again and keep up the great work.

Bills fan in Dallas TX,
-Bill O

CB: First of all if you think that Buddy Nix or any member of his personnel staff reveals their true leanings with respect to prospects in the draft you’re crazy. It’s full lockdown mode with the personnel department this time of year and you can understand why.

Glennon is highly touted in what is considered a down year for quarterbacks. He’s got a great arm and yes you’re right his offensive line was not great. Mobility is an issue, but he’s got experience in a pro system. Buddy Nix at the end of the season on his radio show didn’t deny he was a guy they’ve looked at.

Truthfully though they’ve looked at all the quarterback prospects that are worth their salt. So read into it what you want. The bottom line is Nix has said they’d like to draft a future franchise QB. The question is will the draft fall or the Bills make a move to ensure that happens?

4 –  Hey Chris,

I know it’s early I’m looking at the top end of the draft I’m not liking the quarterbacks or the idea of drafting another defensive lineman, would they draft another tackle and maybe put Cordy Glenn on the right side or is there a wide receiver worth taking?

I’m assuming Jarvis Jones won’t be around at 8 do you think Manti Te’o would be a good fit with the Bills? I know free agency will influence what direction they go in the draft, Buddy mentioned possibly a quarterback in free agency I looked at the list and unless Mike Vick is added to it I’m not convinced there is anybody available that is any better than Fitzpatrick I’m kind of hoping they either trade for someone or stay the course, what do you think of the quarterback situation and the top of the draft? Thanks for all you do!

Alexander Albanese
Toronto

CB: There have been a couple of wide receivers that are viewed as first round picks, but not true top 10 selections. I don’t see Buddy Nix as the type that would take a receiver that high.

Tennesee’s Cordarelle Patterson is an intriguing physical specimen, but there’s not much of a college track record there with just one year of FBS competition. I’d much prefer a guy with more of a resume of production like Baylor’s Terrance Williams or Cal’s Keenan Allen. All three though should come off the board in round one or early second round.

You’re probably right on Jarvis Jones. Most see him as a top 5, but his spinal stenosis might concern some and he could slip.

Te’o is a LB that has been projected to the Bills in mock drafts (see: Mel Kiper), but I want to see how he tests at the Combine in the drills. The whole Notre Dame defense played poorly in the National Championship game, but I’d imagine that Te’o’s performance might necessitate a good showing at the Combine to re-assure scouts. Still, he’s widely seen as a mid-first rounder at worst.

I think Alex Smith will be there in light of his contract situation, knowing his $7.5M salary is guaranteed if he’s still on the 49ers roster April 1^st. I don’t know at this time whether the Bills see him as a viable option, mainly because they can’t comment on players still under contract with other clubs.

Nix has said they would like to draft one and get one in free agency, so there’s a good chance they add more than one.

The draft prospects aren’t top flight, elite talents like the ones that were in the draft pool last season, arguably the best QB draft since 1983. But guys like Geno Smith, Mike Glennon and Ryan Nassib could sneak into the first round knowing the premium placed on the position, provided a team needing a QB (KC, AZ, Buf) decides to make the move back into the first.

5 – Hi Chris, just wondering what you thought of the Buffalo Bills decision to hire Doug Marrone as their new head coach. Based on his record (25-25) at Syracuse, it seems to me that he may not do well in the pros. I saw that he does have some NFL coaching experience, but mainly as an offensive coordinator. What are your thoughts? I’m worried about him bringing his coaching staff from Syracuse as well. Now, if his understudies have little pro coaching experience, this could be a painful rebuilding process, one that may take years. I believe the Buffalo Bills do have talent right now, but will Marrone be able to coax wins out of this squad? Your thoughts,

Tony, Ormond Beach, Fl

CB: I think if you used Marrone’s record at Syracuse as a barometer to measure his future success in the NFL you’re making a big mistake. Syracuse was a wayward program when Marrone took over. They won just 10 games in the previous four years before Marrone took over. He won 12 in his first two seasons including an 8-5 campaign in 2010.

Marrone made very solid choices for his coordinators. Hopefully you saw our story on the website about their expertise. His understudies from Syracuse largely include assistants that have either coached or played in the NFL.

I think Marrone will quickly establish a rapport with the players and get more out of the talent that exists on this roster. There won’t be any rebuilding. This is a regrouping effort, and Marrone I think could prove to be one of the better hires for head coach for this franchise in quite some time.

TE Chandler having surgery Thurs.

Bills TE Scott Chandler is having ACL surgery today coming off the Week 16 knee injury he sustained against the Dolphins. He appeared on the John Murphy Show Tuesday evening to discuss his upcoming procedure.

“I’m doing well right now,” Chandler told Murphy. ”I’ve got surgery scheduled for Thursday so I won’t be going along so well after that. But I’m anxious to get it done and get back on the road to recovery and be ready to go next year.”

Chandler said there isn’t anything complicated about his surgery.

“It’s a pretty straightforward ACL from what I understand,” he said. ”You trust that those guys know what they’re doing and I’m going to do everything I can to be ready as soon as I can. The onus is on the guy doing the recovery so I’ll be working hard at it and hopefully be back out there.”

The full interview begins at the 20 minute mark of the audio archive of the show (above).

Wednesday’s John Murphy Show

The AFC/NFL Pro Bowl squads will be announced tonight at 7pm on the NFL Network.  And we’ll see if the Bills put any of their stars into the annual showcase game.  Last year, the Bills were shut out of the big game in Hawaii.

Tonight on The John Murphy Show, we’ll have updates on the Pro Bowl announcement.  Seven-time Pro Bowl selection Steve Tasker joins us at 720pm to talk about his experience in the game, and the disappointing Bills season so far.

AT 8pm, five time Pro Bowl RB Thurman Thomas joins us live on the line to talk about the Bills.  We’ll also ask Thurman to elaborate on his mysterious tweet from last Sunday, when he said on twitter “Can’t share the news I just got, but it is ON LIKE A …. And yes, it involves the Bills ..”  May want to tune in for that.

At 8:20pm, Albert Breer of the NFL Network and NFL.com joins us to talk about the Pro Bowl in the future.  He’s got some ideas on improving the quality of the game.

As usual, we”ll take your phone calls on the Bills and the NFL.

The John Murphy Show airs weeknights from 7pm-9pm on the flagship station of the Bills, WGR Sports Radio 550.

Dareus on defensive improvement

Bills DT Marcell Dareus has been a big part of the team’s upturn on defense the last few weeks.  And in an appearance on The John Murphy Show, Dareus said the improvement began four weeks ago in the loss at Houston.

“After the Houston, game we were all on the same page,” Dareus said on the radio show.  “We’re just like, ‘even though our team is not where we want it to be right now, we can still take those shots.’  We can still be that defense we want to be.  That’s what we’ve been trying to do, nonstop—get after it.”

Dareus is coming off one of the best performances of the year, in  Buffalo’s loss at Indianapolis.  He had five tackles, one sack, one quarterback hit, and a stop behind the line of scrimmage.  For the season, the former first round draft pick has three and a half sacks.

And with five games remaining, Dareus is not ready to throw in the towel.  He insists on giving his best effort for the rest of the season, mostly because of the Buffalo fans.

“The fans in Buffalo cheer for us regardless,” he said.  “It doesn’t matter what’s going on with win or lose, the Bills fans are great fans.  I’m playing for them.  They come and mention me all the time on Twitter, Facebook, to see how I’m doing, see how the team’s doing.  They’re really concerned about us.  I really adore them, I love them a lot.  I feel like I’m playing for them.  They want this for us.”

The John Murphy Show airs weeknights from 7-9pm on the flagship station of the Buffalo Bills, WGR Sports Radio 550.

Kelso on Texans running attack

He’s had a long look at the Houston Texans video.  And former Bills safety Mark Kelso knows what the Bills are up against, when they go up against Houston’s top flight running attack Sunday.

Kelso is the color analyst on the Bills radio network.  And during his regular Friday night appearance on The John Murphy Show, he was effusive in his praise of the simplicity and effectiveness of the Texans running game, featuring Arian Foster.

“Brutal efficiency personified—running the ball down people’s throats over and over again, without any answer,” Kelso said to describe Houston’s run game.  He says he came across that description when someone was linking the Texans running attack to the one run by the old Denver Broncos, when Houston’s Head Coach Gary Kubiak played and coached in the Mile High City.

“That’s what they do offensively. It’s efficient,” Kelso told John Murphy.  “Their offensive line is big, even in today’s NFL.  All their offensive linemen are big, with the exception of the center Myers.”

“What they do, is they run a stretch play or a slash play, and the running back Arian Foster is going to take the ball and run wide until he sees an opening, and then he’s going to plant his foot and accelerate.”

The Texans have the sixth ranked rushing attack in the NFL going into this week. And Foster’s 659 yards on the ground puts him fifth in the league in rushing, with nine touchdowns on the ground.

Friday’s John Murphy Show

A jam packed lineup tonight on The John Murphy show.

We start at 7pm with a recap of the news of the day, then Bills GM Buddy Nix joins us to talk about quarterbacks.  He’s repeating his long-held assertion that the team needs to draft and develop a young quarterback.

At 7:20pm, we’re back with Mark Kelso, the former Bills Safety who’s now the color man on the Bills Radio Network.  “Coach” Kelso has completed his film study for the week, and he’s ready to break down Sunday’s matchup between the Bills and the Houston Texans.

Longtime Houston sportswriter John McClain is our guest at 8pm.  He’s covered pro football in Houston for more than 30-years, and he’ll give us the update on the Texans as the Bills get ready to head to Houston tomorrow.

And at 8:20pm, it’s our regular fantasy football preview with Sal Capaccio of WGR Radio.

The John Murphy Show airs weeknights from 7pm-9pm on the flagship station of the Bills, WGR Sports Radio 550.

Wannstedt: Blitzing is not the answer

They’ve spent the last week and a half looking for answers in the Buffalo Bills meeting rooms, in the film rooms, and on the practice field.

The Bills are determined to fix what’s wrong with the 31st ranked defense in the NFL, and determined to get it right before Sunday’s game in  Houston.

Defensive Coordinator Dave Wannstedt was a guest on The John Murphy Show Thursday night, and he talked about the Bills defensive struggle through the first seven games.   Wannstedt says his biggest hurdle is to get his players to be more consistent.

“The biggest thing we gotta do is we gotta be consistent at what we do,” Wannstedt said on the radio show.  “Whether it be third downs, or stopping the run   or rushing the passer—we have no consistency right now.  It’s one game up, one down.”

Some have wondered whether the Bills should be blitzing more to generate more pressure on opponent passers.  But Wannstedt says that’s not  always a great idea.

“Everybody talks about blitzing more. Well, you can blitz more.  In our thinking, you’ve got two rookie corners and every time you blitz, you’re leaving those corners alone. ”

“You can blitz the bad ones, you cover the good ones—that’s the way it is on defense,” Wannstedt continued.  “

” At the end of the day, our bread and butter is our front four, and we’re gonna live and die with those guys.  And when they’re clicking and they’re cranking and they’re making plays, it makes up for a lot of problems, coverage wise, run-wise, everything.”

The John Murphy Show airs weeknights from 7-9pm on the flagship station of the Buffalo Bills, WGR Sports Radio 550.

Monday QB club event next week

The Monday QB Club is hosting an event for their members this Monday night at the Bills Healthy Zone Fieldhouse.

Starting at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 1st the Monday QB Club will celebrate the season as members and guests will sample local wines courtesy of the Niagara Wine Trail Wineries. They’ll witness a live broadcast of the John Murphy Show, with special guest Howard Simon serving as emcee. Surprise guests from the Bills will be on hand to answer your questions. There will be raffles and other special guests as well. Sponsored by Fichte, Endl & Elmer Eyecare.

A limited number of tickets are available for this event for those interested in becoming new members. Tickets can be purchased at the club’s website.

Broadcast Hall of Famer-and real fan

VH-1 President Tom Calderone

We had a chance on last night’s John Murphy Show to talk with super Bills fan Tom Calderone.  He’s a Buffalo State graduate (class of 1986) and currently the President of VH-1 Network in New York.  He’s also one of the most dedicated and devoted Buffalo Bills fans around.

Despite living in New York City, Calderone is a Bills season ticket holder.  He told us he regularly attends about six or seven home games every season.  And he was in the stands last Saturday night, for the Bills preseason game against the Steelers.  Calderone especially liked how the crowd in Ralph Wilson Stadium seemed to rattle Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger in the second quarter.

“When Roethlisberger was totally rattled, it brought a smile to my face,” Calderone said on the radio show.  “I remember how loud the stadium was at that time, we were totally getting under his skin.  The atmosphere is always good, but I did like the fact that the twelfth man was alive.  It was rocking in our section, you could just tell, we got under his skin.”

Calderone has high hopes for the upcoming season, but he is worried about preseason expectations being too high for his favorite team.

“The hype.  It happened after  5-and-2 last year,” he says.  “The hype always concerns me.   I also wonder-does it affect the team’s head sometimes?  I hope they just lay low and take a deep breath, get into the season and just get going.”

Calderone says he’ll be back in Buffalo for the home opener against Kansas City on September 16th.  He’ll also be in town to be inducted into the Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame four days later.

The John Murphy Showis broadcast Monday through Friday from 7pm-9pm on the flagship station of the Bills, WGR Sports Radio 550.

Friday night John Murphy Show

We’re looking forward to previewing the Bills-Steelers game tonight on The John Murphy Show.  In particular, we want to hear what the fans think about this game, what do they need to see from the Bills in preseason game #3, and which players are they looking at in particular.

At 7:20pm, TE Scott Chandler joins us to talk about his role in the Buffalo offense, and his on-field chemistry with QB Ryan Fitzpatrick.

At 8pm, columnist Joe Starkey of the Pittsburgh Tribune Review will be our guest.  He’s a Western New York native who covers the Steelers for the paper in Pittsburgh.

And at 820pm, Bills RB C.J. Spiller joins us in studio to talk about how he and Fred Jackson can co-exist in the Buffalo offensive backfield.

The John Murphy Show runs from 7pm-9pm tonight on the flagship station of the Bills–WGR Sports Radio 550.

Another Buffalo connection to the Eagles

I had a chance to talk today with Buffalo native Greg Gabriel, a longtime NFL personnel exec.  He’s back in the league as of the last few months, as a college scout with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Gabriel joins former Bills GM Tom Donahoe as a scout for Philadelphia.   He spent nine years with the Chicago Bears as their Director of College Scouting, and was out of the league for a couple of years.

During his hiatus from NFL work, Gabriel was a founder of the popular website The National Football Post where also wrote an informative regular column on football scouting.

He was a standout player for the semipro Twin City Geminis in the late 1970s, and got his start in scouting with the Bills, when Norm Pollom hired him in the early 1980s to grade film.  His greatest success in the NFL came during a 16-year stint with the New York Giants.

He’s a scout through and through.  Gabriel told me that he was in Buffalo over the weekend for a family function, but he found time to attend UB’s preseason football practice.  He wanted to get a look at Bulls DE Steve Means, who’s considered a bona fide NFL prospect.

Bills on the radio

There’s a long list of radio appearances by Bills players and execs this afternoon and evening. Check out where you can find them on the radio dial.

Schopp and Bulldog (WGR Sportsradio 550)
Fred Jackson – after practice
Ryan Fitzpatrick – after practice

Sirius NFL Radio – Movin’ the Chains w/ Pat Kirwan and Tim Ryan (3-7 PM)
Scheduled to appear
Chan Gailey, Buddy Nix, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Stevie Johnson, David Nelson, Scott Chandler, T.J. Graham, Eric Wood, Mario Williams, Kyle Williams and more…

The John Murphy Show (listen online)
Jim Kelly – 7:00 PM
Kelvin Sheppard – 7:20 PM
Don Banks – 8:00 PM

Murph’s lineup tonight

Here’s a rundown of the guests scheduled to appear on tonight’s edition of the John Murphy Show on WGR Sportsradio 550.

Bills Hall of Famer Jim Kelly– 7:00 PM

Bills DT Kyle Williams – 8:00 PM

Director of Hall of Fame Communication Joe Horrigan – 8:40 PM

Horrigan is expected to talk about the upcoming dedication of the Ralph Wilson Jr. Pro Football Research and Preservation Center this weekend. Remember if you’re outside the listening area, you can always listen online.