Inside The Bills

TE Caussin retained by Bills

Bills TE Mike Caussin didn’t play a down for the team last year as he was slow to recover from a torn ACL at the end of the previous season, but his contract has been tolled by the club meaning he’ll be back on the roster for 2013.

Caussin spent the 2012 season on Reserve PUP so the final year of his contract was effectively put on hold or “tolled.” He was to be an exclusive rights free agent this offseason, but because the final year of his contract was never exercised with him on Reserve PUP, the Bills simply had to agree to toll the contract thereby re-enacting the final year of his deal in 2013.

In essence Reserve/PUP put his contract on hold for a year. So now Caussin will enter the final year of his current deal in 2013 and if he makes the team and gets credit for an accrued season he’ll be a restricted free agent at this time next year.

Time runs out on TE Caussin

Bills TE Mike Caussin had been on Reserve PUP since training camp, but had been practicing with the team the past three weeks. Unfortunately he just couldn’t get back to 100 percent in the allotted time and now will be placed on season-ending injured reserve.

That according to head coach Chan Gailey.

“He practiced for three weeks and he never got appreciably better,” said Gailey. ”He told me in his own words that he was 75-80 percent and that’s not good enough. We weren’t going to release him so we’re just going to put him on I-R.”

Buffalo’s head coach was disappointed for the young pass catching tight end.

“He played for us last year and had showed a little promise,” Gailey said. ”It’s a shame all that happened for him the way it did. Hopefully he’ll get better and be able to play again.”

Under the Reserve PUP rules a player can begin practicing with the team again any time from the end of Week 6 to the end of Week 9. Once they start practicing it begins a 21-day period in which the player can practice without counting toward a roster spot. After the 21-day period though the team has to decide whether to add them to the active roster or place them on season-ending I-R. In this case I-R was the choice.

Caussin was coming off a season-ending ACL tear late last season.

Caussin practicing

As we reported on the home page of Buffalobills.com Monday morning, Reserve PUP TE Mike Caussin is practicing with his teammates for the first time this season.

Caussin now starts a 21-day period where the team can decided whether to add him to the active roster, put him on their practice squad or season-ending injured reserve.

TE Caussin changes number

Bills TE Mike Caussin, who has been on the reserved PUP list since training camp, is expected to practice with the team for the first time today. He’s also changed his jersey number.

Caussin will now wear jersey number 80. He was last number 83.

TE Caussin update

Here’s an update on TE Mike Caussin’s situation concerning his PUP list status.

Caussin was placed on Active PUP by the Bills, meaning that he can come off that list and begin practicing as soon as he can pass a team physical. If he was put on Reserve PUP to start the season he would not be eligible to begin practicing with the team until Week 6 at the earliest.

Caussin tore his ACL late last season, so we’ll have to wait and see how quickly the pass-catching tight end can get back into the practice setting.  The team still has the ability to move him from Active to Reserve PUP before the start of the regular season if he doesn’t progress enough to pass a physical.

TE Caussin to go on PUP

As expected Bills TE Mike Caussin will be going on the physically unable to perform list to start training camp.

That according to Bills GM Buddy Nix, though he did not indicate whether it would be active PUP or reserve PUP.

“Caussin will start the year on PUP, and we’ve known that all along and that was our mindset,” said Nix. ”We think it’ll be a big plus in six to nine weeks if we need an H-back or another tight end then we’ve got one right there. That part will be a plus.”

Based on Nix’s comment it sounds as if Caussin, who tore his ACL late last season, would be on Reserve PUP. That means Caussin cannot practice until between Weeks 6 and 9 of the regular season. At that time if the club deems him fit to practice he can begin practicing for a period of three weeks before the team decides whether to put him on the active roster or injured reserve effectively ending his season.

If he’s on active PUP, then he can begin participating in training camp as soon as his surgically repaired knee passes a physical. Caussin did not participate in any of the spring practices.

Injury updates

Even though the win over the Broncos was a resounding one for Buffalo it did not come without a price.

Buffalo lost OL Kraig Urbik, TE Mike Caussin and LT Demetrius Bell to injuries. Head coach Chan Gailey provided updates.

“Bell doesn’t look good,” said Gailey. ”Urbik doesn’t look good. Caussin doesn’t look good. All of those were knees or ankles.”

Gailey said that Kamar Aiken, who suffered a shoulder injury, did return to the game and believes he should be okay. All four players will be re-evaluated on Monday.

Chandler unlikely to play

Bills TE Scott Chandler might miss his first game of the season this week.

Chandler did not practice for a second straight day along with CB Aaron Williams.

“Scott didn’t practice,” said head coach Chan Gailey. “Aaron probably has a better chance than Scott right now.”

If Chandler can’t go the offensive staff is expected to make use of both Lee Smith and Mike Caussin to spell Chandler.

“What you would do is you would use Lee (Smith) and Mike Caussin to do some of the things that you would do with Scott,” said Gailey. ”Lee is more of a blocker and Mike is more of a pass catcher so you would try to keep that combination doing what they do best. I know that can’t always take place. Mike has got to block some and Lee has got to go out some we know that, but you try to be smart about how you do that.”

No practice for Chandler

Bills head coach Chan Gailey confirmed that TE Scott Chandler will not practice with the team here today (Wednesday).

“He will not practice today,” said Gailey. ”He’s going to try to continue to get treatment and maybe be on the field for a little bit (Thursday). It was a lot more encouraging than it was two days ago.”

Chandler, who suffered an ankle injury last Sunday, is undoubtedly eager to play this week against the team that drafted him in the Chargers back in 2007. If he can’t go rookies Lee Smith and Mike Caussin would team up to spell Chandler in the lineup.

“What you would do is you would use Lee (Smith) and Mike Caussin to do some of the things that you would do with Scott,” said Gailey. ”Lee is more of a blocker and Mike is more of a pass catcher so you would try to keep that combination doing what they do best. I know that can’t always take place. Mike has got to block some and Lee has got to go out some we know that, but you try to be smart about how you do that.”

Fan Friday 9-2

I can smell the season opener!  Can’t wait for the Bills to try to exact some revenge on the Chiefs after that horrible overtime game last year. Final cuts are coming on Saturday. Let’s get to your questions from AskChris@bills.nfl.net.

1 - I was wondering how you see the defensive rotation going forward.  I think both Dareus and Kyle Williams are going to get heavy exposure, but who will be manning the other side? Will that spot still be open comeptition? Where do you see Alex Carington fitting in, and do the coaches think he is ready for a more full-time role?

Thanks again,
Ryan V, Rochester
CB: Carrington will have a bigger role this year, but it will be as more of a pass rushing linebacker in their nickel package, where he’s made some plays this preseason. He will also factor in on some subpackage duty at his more traditional defensive end role.

As far as that starting DE position on the right side, it’s Dwan Edwards’ spot to lose and fellow veteran Spencer Johnson has been pushing him with a strong preseason in his own right. I think Edwards and Johnson both did well this summer and it’ll be up to the coaches to decide who they feel should be the starter.

2 - Chris,
How are we in terms of offensive line depth? I’ve read that after the starters it’s a bit thin & even at least one of our tackles might be average at best. What’s your take?
John H.

CB: I can tell you that even Chan Gailey has said they have no depth, and that they need to develop it in the youth they have on their roster. I think the odds on favorite to be Buffalo’s swing tackle is fourth-round pick Chris Hairston.

He played both left and right tackle in the last preseason game against Jacksonville and did okay for his first game action, having missed the first two preseason games. He’s still got some work to do with his technique, but he’s got experience at left tackle having played there a couple of years in college and is a smart, heady player. The coaching staff clearly likes his potential, so it’ll be down to guys like him, Ed Wang and Cordaro Howard to represent the tackle depth on this roster.

3 - Assuming Byrd is starting at one safety spot, who is the front runner for the other spot? George Wilson? Also, what was the main reason the Bills did not re-sign Whitner? It seems that Searcy is a similar player to Whitner, does that explain his drafting and the letting go of Whit?

Seems as if Naaman is playing well in camp so far, does he have any chance of sneaking into a top 4 receiver spot? 

Thanks,
Dave
Buffalo, NY

CB: Lot of questions there. Yes, George Wilson is the starting SS and I don’t see that changing between now and the opener at KC. With Whitner it was a case of him asking for the moon in terms of money and secondly burning some bridges here with the organization. Cleaning out everything from his locker right after exit meetings did not go over well. He wasn’t even on hand for reporters for locker clean out day. I think the Bills already made their decision on him, which in part likely prompted the drafting of Da’Norris Searcy. Searcy however, is a much stouter player than Whitner as he goes about 223 pounds. Whitner was 206.

Roosevelt did have a solid camp before his ankle injury in the Denver game. I’m pretty confident he makes the roster.

4 – Hey Chris,

I am curious about Brad Smith and where he is lining up when he’s not at QB. Is he going to push for the 3rd or 4th Reciever role? or is he mainly a kick returner/ wildcat QB? 

Frank from Jupiter, Florida

CB: I don’t believe that Brad Smith will be full time in any one position. I think he’ll be a slash role player just like Kordell Stewart was. He’ll line up at QB in short yardage situations and Wildcat formations and he’ll split out at WR on occasion and also take part in kickoffs, though this new kickoff rule might render that moot with all the touchbacks we’ve seen. Where do I see him lining up the most? At QB this season.

5 - Chris, 

Thanks for the updates in camp. Who do you think will make the roster of the TE’s in camp? Chandler seems to be the favorite and has caught a lot of balls with the 1st team. Nelson is hurt again. The player that has looked good is Mike Caussin. He seems to maybe be a downfield TE. How many TE’s will make the roster? Will they keep a practice squad player or maybe have 4 TE on the roster. 

Thanks 
Sophie

CB: Glad you enjoyed our camp coverage. I see the Bills keeping three tight ends. Scott Chandler and veteran David Martin I think are safe bets, but after that it’s the coach’s call in terms of who they like better. Shawn Nelson’s injury hasn’t helped him and yes, Mike Caussin has performed well. Rookie Zack Pianalto has also turned in some nice play at times. Caussin and Pianalto are both practice squad eligible, but I think it’s going to be very close for that third spot.

Shawn Nelson still not ready

TE Shawn Nelson has been a spectator for most of the week after sustaining an injury Monday at the tail end of a run play, and head coach Chan Gailey doesn’t expect him back before mid-week at best.

“He pulled a muscle and he’s probably going to be a couple or three more days at least,” said Gailey.

Nelson will have missed a week of camp by the time he comes back, possibly more, and Scott Chandler and Mike Caussin are turning in plays in the passing game each day. With veteran David Martin also in the fold, Nelson is going to have some ground to make up when he returns.

Chandler ready to learn quick

Having bounced from team to team the past couple of seasons, Bills TE Scott Chandler sees the last five weeks of the 2010 regular season with the Bills as a lot of time to make an impression.

Chandler has been promoted to active rosters from practice squads before and has been asked to get things down pat quickly.

“I got to Dallas and my second week active they wanted me to play fullback,” Chandler told Buffalobills.com. ”I kind of learned that a little bit. It’s kind of the nature of the business. If you’re not one of the star guys you have to be able to pick stuff up quick.”

Chandler (6’7″ 272) is seen as a good receiver that runs crisp routes and can be a weapon down the seam in the passing game. He’s also a capable wall off type blocker. And he didn’t mind seeing Buffalo claim him, knowing the guy responsible for drafting him in 2007 was running the show for the Bills.

“When I heard Buffalo claimed me I remember that right away saying to myself, ‘Hey Buddy is the GM there,’” said Chandler. ”He knows what I can do so it was good to get to talk to him. He just told me to be ready to go and learn as much as I can as quick as I can.”

As he looks to make a good impression on the offensive staff and Chan Gailey, it’s clear that the coaches are interested in seeing what both he and fellow TE Mike Caussin can offer.

“You try to evaluate anybody that you think might eventually be able to help your football team,” said Gailey. ”That’s one thing Buddy and I are on the same page about. We brought in two tight ends and we’ve got five on the roster now, and to some people that might not make a lot of sense. But if those are the best people available out there, go take a chance and look at those guys and evaluate them.

“Even if you watch them for three or four weeks in practice you’ll get a better feel for them than if you evaluate them on tape from somewhere else. These are guys that we think have a chance to help us, maybe not as much short term as long term, but we have an opportunity to evaluate them ourselves, and not based on what somebody else does with them.”