Inside The Bills

Getting off blocks

Talking to the Bills defenders after all that rushing yardage that was surrendered, the players chalked it up to not being physical enough.

ILB Paul Posluszny saw getting off blocks as a major issue.

“We’re lined up,” he said. ”The coaches are putting us in the right spot. We have to get off a block and make a play, we have to come down a hill, hit a guy, get off a block, get to the ball carrier, tackle better. It’s not a scheme thing at all. We’re lined up in a great defense. We’re ready to stop the run, we’re lined up in the right places, and we’re running the right stuff. It’s us. We have to be more physical, we have to play better. Defensively, we just didn’t play well at all.”

Poz said the Jets predominantly ran just two different run plays for most of the game.

“The stretch play was one that they’d get around us on the edge a little bit,” he said. ”The other one was an inside lead. They would start the ball one way and cut back the other (way). We have to make an adjustment and we did, defensively. It falls back on the players, we have to get off blocks and get to the ball. We know they have a big, strong offensive line and they like to run the ball. We have to own up and say if they’re going to try and come here and run like that, it’s our job, it’s the linebacker’s job, to get off blocks and make plays. That’s why I’m real disappointed in the way I played in particular. You know what’s coming- it’s the New York Jets, they’re going to run the ball. You have to do your job and do it well and make tackles.”

Poz respected Mitchell

Kawika Mitchell was not going to be able to help the Bills on the field in 2010. Once they put him on injured reserve his season for Buffalo was over. Still, seeing him released in an injury settlement and no longer part of the team was tough for Paul Posluszny.

Poz was just a second-year player when Mitchell was signed in free agency by the Bills and he was a very influential player for the young linebacker. Mitchell had a Super Bowl ring (Giants 2007) and instantly garnered respect among those in the linebacking corps.

“He came in and he was a great example for all of the young linebackers,” said Posluszny. ”He’s a great player, a great person. When we found out that was going to be the situation I was disappointed because ever since he got here he’s been a very influential person for me. So to not have him with the team it’s tough.”

Poz understands that Mitchell desperately wants to get back on the field and knowing he can’t do that in Buffalo in 2010 an injury settlement was the only other option.

“If that’s what he wants to do I’m with him all the way,” Posluszny said. ”I know he wants to be on the field all the way. I know he wants to be on the field more than anything. If he’s going to have the ability to do that and heal up fast and get on the field, then that’s the most important thing because I know he loves this game and wants to play.”

Mitchell however, likely has a couple of more months of rehabilitation before he’ll be fit to pass a physical should another NFL club show interest.

Poz: “It felt great”

Bills ILB Paul Posluszny was very encouraged about how his knee felt in practice Wednesday after suffering a minor sprain in Week 1.

“It felt great,” Posluszny said after practice. “I’m really excited about how I feel, how my knee felt, how I moved around. I’ve got to knock the rust off a bit in terms of reading and reaction with some things, but physically the knee felt great.”

When asked what he thought about his chance for Sunday, Poz was extremely optimistic.

“Yeah, absolutely,” he said. “I think there’s a great chance of going (Sunday). As long as I continue to progress and feel good tomorrow and Friday, I should be out there for sure on Sunday.”

Poz to practice

Bills ILB Paul Posluszny will take to the practice field here in about a half hour.

Most players like to see how they feel the following day after really pushing themselves coming off an injury, but Poz is less concerned with how his body feels getting out of bed come Thursday morning.

“How I feel today during practice will be the big test,” said Posluszny. “As long as I can move around and compete with these guys and move smoothly on the field I’ll be fine. I’m not worried about waking up tomorrow and feeling sore. It’s more about my ability to move around.”

We’ll have a post practice update for you later this afternoon, but head coach Chan Gailey is optimistic that Poz will be back in the lineup on Sunday.

Looking good for Poz return

Paul Posluszny has missed the last two games with a minor knee sprain. At this point the odds are good that he’ll return to the lineup on Sunday against the Jets.

“I think so,” said head coach Chan Gailey when asked if Poz would be back for Sunday. ”I think he’ll make it back this week yes.”

Posluszny is also confident he’ll be ready to go.

“I think as long as I can practice well during the week I should be able to play,” said Posluszny. ”Tuesday and Wednesday will be big days just to make sure I’m progressing the way we want, but the plan is to get back out there on Sunday. It feels good right now. I know we still have a couple of days to get even better which is great. Everything feels good and we’re definitely on the right path to get out there on Sunday.”

Practice update

Just two Bills are not practicing here on Wednesday.

Andy Levitre and Paul Posluszny are not participating. Both are working on the side.

Poz update

ILB Paul Posluszny was given a prognosis of 2-3 weeks before he could return from a knee injury. Head coach Chan Gailey provided an update on his LB’s status.

“Poz is not going to make it this week,” said Gailey.

So obviously the Jets game in Week 4 would be the earliest return for Poz.

Moorman questionable

Bills punter Brian Moorman was added to the injury report on Friday.

He’s listed as questionable after being unable to practice on Friday. Head coach Chan Gailey downplayed Moorman’s ailment which is listed as a back.

“Brian had a little issue this morning and missed practice,” said Gailey. “But it shouldn’t be anything.”

It was clear that Gailey did not anticipate it being anything that would keep Moorman from playing on Sunday. If he were unable to go however, it’s presumed that Rian Lindell would assume punting duties.

The news is better for starting C Geoff Hangartner (ankle) and starting LB Reggie Torbor (chest). Both are listed as probable for Sunday. Torbor practiced fully all week.

FS Cary Harris was declared out for Sunday with a hamstring injury as was Paul Posluszny (knee).  Rookie LB Antonio Coleman is probable after practicing all week.

Practice update

Just a couple of players not participating at practice here on Friday.

Paul Posluszny (knee) and S Cary Harris (hamstring) were the only non-participants. We’ll get a post practice update from head coach Chan Gailey in about an hour.

Good news on Poz

Bills GM Buddy Nix provided some good news on Paul Posluszny’s knee injury when addressing the Monday Quarterback Club.

“We dodged a bullet there,” said Nix. “It’s not a season ending injury. He won’t need surgery. It’ll be about two weeks.”

Posluszny was injured early in the third quarter of Sunday’s game.

Injury update

Bills head coach provided a post game update on a pair of player injuries suffered in the game Sunday.

Paul Posluszny left the game with a knee injury early in the second half. But Poz was seen running on the sideline trying to test the knee and looked like he was moving pretty well, but Gailey would not label the injury minor or major so soon after the game. 

“We’re getting further tests,” said Gailey. “We’ll know more (Monday) or the next day. We’ll know exactly where we stand with him. It could be short term, it could be long term to be honest with you.”

Gailey also confirmed that S Cary Harris pulled a hamstring on special teams.

“I don’t know how long that will be as well,” Gailey said. “But that was the only really major thing.”

Poz unhappy with debut

Paul Posluszny was far from satisfied with his performance Thursday night.

Just three weeks removed from minor groin surgery, Poz gave it a go against the Colts seeing his first live action and admitted that personally his performance left something to be desired.

“I definitely found out that I have a long way to go,” he said. ”I wasn’t comfortable with the way I played or the way I felt so it was good to out there and get some experience again, but it also made me realize that I have a lot of work to do before the regular season starts.”

Leading up to the game Poz talked about how he wanted to react quickly to the offense within the new 3-4 scheme. But Poz’s issues with his play dealt more with his endurance and some of his fundamental techniques.

There were a lot of things.  I didn’t tackle well, this was the first live tackling I’ve done since we played Indy last year, and you could tell that I didn’t tackle well.  Conditioning, I need to be able to run to the ball a little better, I wasn’t in game shape and that is something that will come with time.  Those are the two main things.”

With two more preseason games in which to tune up, Poz should be much closer to rounding his game into form for the opener.

Bell, Wood should play Thurs. night

According to head coach Chan Gailey there’s a good chance that the Bills will have starting left tackle Demetrius Bell and starting right guard Eric Wood in the lineup for preseason game number 2 Thursday night.

“That is the plan today, yes,” said Gailey following Monday night’s practice. “I don’t know how many right now, but I think they’ll get in for some snaps.”

Gailey also indicated that Paul Posluszny, Chris Kelsay and Keith Ellison, all of whom missed the first preseason game could also see some brief action.

Poz still limited

Bills LB Paul Posluszny, who made his return to the practice field Monday off minor groin surgery, is still not all the way back just yet.

Poz participated in individual position drills and got a handful of reps in 7-on-7, but no 11-on-11 team work.

“It felt good just to be out there running around with the guys,” Posluszny said. “I didn’t do much, but it felt good just to see some routes develop, react a little bit. See the world through a facemask again. It felt good to be back out there.”

Poz said he was generally pleased with his recall in terms of executing plays at speed, but said he has some work to do. He also says he’s got a ways to go physically, which leaves his chances of participating in the team’s first preseason game Friday night in Washington up in the air.

Poz and Ellison back

Paul Posluszny said it would be 2 weeks before he was back on the practice field, but it looks like it’ll just be a week and a half.

Poz is warming up with his fellow LBs here at practice this morning. He has minor groin surgery 2 weeks before camp opened.

Keith Ellison is also back in action. It’s been a long time coming, but Ellison is also back in pads here Monday morning.

For Ellison its his first practice action since participating sparingly in the spring.

We’ll have further updates after practice.

Where Schobel money could go

For now Aaron Schobel’s contract is still on the books, but once he either retires or is moved via trade, there will be a good chunk of change with which to help the team in terms of personnel.

I believe some of that money will go to some young veterans whose contracts are up after this season. Chief among them is Paul Posluszny. Others include Donte Whitner, Ashton Youboty, George Wilson, Trent Edwards, Brian Brohm and long snapper Garrison Sanborn.

Obviously, the quarterback situation will have to definitively be resolved before determining who might be re-signed long term. By no means am I saying all these guys are going to be re-signed, but those kinds of decisions will have to be made, and the money will be there to pay who they want to pay.

The point is that in rebuilding this roster a good portion of that money from the Schobel contract is likely to go into reinvesting in the young vets whose contracts are up.

Two LBs not participating

Paul Posluszny is not the only LB not participating in the first practice.

Keith Ellison is also a spectator. Ellison missed portions of the spring workouts with an undisclosed injury.

Poz appearance

For those that live in Pennsylvania and want to catch up with Bills LB Paul Posluszny before training camp, here’s your chance.

Poz will be appearing at the NAPA Auto Parts Store at 955 North Center St. in Corry, PA from 1-3 pm on Friday July 23rd. He’ll be signing autographs for fans during his appearance. So stop by, say hi and wish Poz well for the 2010 season if you’re in the area!

Kelsay and Poz visiting kids

Bills veteran Chris Kelsay and Paul Posluszny will be visiting kids in the Childrens’ Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha with a handful of other NFL players on Tuesday (July 6th).

Poz is joining Kelsay as he travels out to the native Nebraskan’s home turf. They will be saying hello to patients and sign autographs for childrens, families and visitors and pose for photos.

Poz trying to add a few

Paul Posluszny looks very fit and maybe even a bit quicker on the field during the first couple of weeks of spring practices. But in no way is Poz any lighter. In fact he’s trying to take his weight in the other direction.

“I’m right around the 240 mark right now,” said Posluszny. “If I could be at 242 that would be better.”

Poz played last year at 238 pounds. In the 3-4 system with less ground to cover having a fellow backer on the inside with him, Posluszny wants to add a little more lean muscle mass.

“It’ s all about being bigger, faster and stronger, so I’d like to gain two or three pounds here,” he said.