Inside The Bills

Barnett interacting with Bills fans

Free agent LB Nick Barnett, who is visiting with the Bills this weekend, is interacting with Bills fans on twitter as Bills Nation is recruiting him to sign with Buffalo.

Barnett gave them credit for their omnipresence on twitter, but has another question.

Fan Friday 7-22

With everything else up in the air you can still count on Fan Friday. So here’s the latest installment and keep those questions coming at AskChris@bills.nfl.net.

1 - Hi Chris,
I wanted to email you because a lot of mis-information at times permeates the message boards re: the Bills. With Coach Wannstedt on board, there is a contingent of Bills fans that feel he will be the de-facto Defensive Coodinator making Coach Edwards the DC in name only. I feel that Chan wouldn’t do something like that and would either fire coach Edwards or come out and say that Coach Wannstedt is the guy from day one.

Can you shed some light on this?
Thanks,
Rich in Pa
CB: As you know Chan Gailey is a straight shooter. His assistants are loyal to him for a reason because they trust him. Naturally every coach at the highest level of football has an ego of some size. I don’t know this, but it’s my belief that Coach Gailey would not have added Dave Wannstedt to his staff if he did not believe in the professionalism of both Wannstedt and defensive coordinator George Edwards.

I have to believe those two men met at length prior to the hiring of Wannstedt so Gailey could ensure that Wannstedt and Edwards would be able to work together in achieving the same goal, which is a much improved defense without letting job titles get in the way.

Wannstedt is the Assistant Head coach in addition to being the inside linebackers coach. Edwards is the defensive coordinator. It’s as simple as that.

Naturally those on the outside are going to speculate that Wannstedt will wield more power because his coaching history is more familiar to fans having been a head coach for two different NFL clubs.

Gailey, Edwards and Wannstedt do not look at it that way. Their commitment is to improving the performance of the team and getting more wins, not who has the best solutions in the meeting room. Gailey trusts that this can be a collaborative effort to make the defense better, but Edwards will be calling the plays on Sundays.

2 - Hey Chris,
Looking forward to the upcoming season!  2 questions for you:
1)  Not knowing the rules of free agency, it’s hard to know what QB’s will be available.   What are your thoughts on Tarvaris Jackson as a back-up/possible quarterback of the future?
2). Steve Johnson had quite the breakout year last year, and that caught most people off guard.   Do you have any thoughts on who may be this year’s breakout performers?
Thanks
Jim

CB: I think with Jackson having a strong background in the West Coast system that he’ll likely go to a team with that offensive system. Seattle is a likely destination for him since his former quarterbacks coach in Minnesota, Doug Bevell, is running the offense there now.

As for a breakout performer, I don’t know that anyone will have the kind of jump in production that we saw from Johnson last season, but players that I believe are on the rise this year for the Bills are Arthur Moats, David Nelson, Torell Troup and Kraig Urbik.

3 - Hey CB,

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions each week.  My question for you is: have the Bills announced a new color scheme for the end-zones after the new turf is installed?  I personally loved the red end-zones from the 90s.  I’m curious if they will change the color or not. 

Thanks a lot,

- Patrick

Sylvan Beach, NY

CB: For those of you that missed it this week, the end zones are royal blue with white lettering and red lining. Here’s a sample photo of it.

4 - Hey Chris,

First, just wanted to thank you for doing a great job keeping the passionate Buffalo Bills fans constantly updated! I know its way too early to have predictions and start looking at power rankings, but with  the lockout just about over, I started looking at some opinions of some “experts” and none have the Bills even in the top twenty teams.

They often refer to how the Bills only one four games but I don’t think they realize how many games we COULD have won if we could just close a game.

I am very optimistic and have a ton of faith in Gailey and Fitz and truly believe next year we will make a gigantic leap and make the playoffs! Granted were in a very competitive division but I still think we can do it! What are your thoughts for next season?

CB: I’ve withheld judgment on the Bills because in this unusual offseason the roster has yet to take shape. There’s a lot of personnel stuff to be settled in a very short period of time.

The fact remains however, that they do play in a very competitive division. Granted the Jets roster could change dramatically in light of their cap situation and number of marquee free agents, but this uphill climb in the AFC East will be challenging.

In addition the Bills have a very difficult schedule with the NFC East on the slate as well as a much improved AFC West. I’m not trying to dodge you, but I need to see where players like C.J. Spiller, Marcell Dareus, Torell Troup and others are at once they get back in.

Young players that are expected to contribute more in year two or as top flight rookies have been the most affected by this offseason in terms of their development. They can greatly impact the success or lack of success of the club this year.

5 – Hey Chris,

With the whole spring workout schedule lost what changes is Chan Gailey going to have to make in preparing for the season?

Thanks,
Jeff
Webster, NY

CB: In talking to some of Buffalo’s assistant coaches earlier this offseason, they already had put plans in place to simplify the installation of the playbook in training camp. That likely means less volume, fewer plays etc.

I think it’s also possible that play installation could be tied to the framework of preliminary game plans for the first few games of the season. The coaches want to ensure that they can get sound play from their players in the games that count despite the shortened time frame with respect to reps on the field.

So repping those plays that they’re likely to run against the likes of Kansas City, Oakland, New England and Cincinnati in the first month of the season seems advisable. And the coaches have had plenty of time to scout those teams off last year’s film. Granted there will be some changes, but I could see that being a part of what’s different in terms of preparation.

Only one end zone to go

The Bills new turf is almost complete. Just one more end zone to letter and some other detailing and it’ll be good to go. I’ve gotten many requests from fans via email for a closer shot of the end zone lettering. Here’s one courtesy of the Bills media relations department.

Bills new end zone

One new end zone at Ralph Wilson Stadium is complete. Second one underway. Here’s a shot of the completed one.

Keep in mind, it was a cloudy here earlier in the day in Orchard Park so the hue of the blue end zone might not be wholly accurate in this photo. On a sunny day it’s likely to appear more royal blue than it does in this photo.

New turf has new elements

The new turf going in at Ralph Wilson Stadium is going to have some new elements.

Bills CEO Russ Brandon mentioned some of them, which appeared on the Buffalo Bills twitter account.

Old turf coming up

The process of removing the old turf inside Ralph Wilson Stadium has begun.

Here’s a photo of the old stuff being removed.

It will be replaced by a local company (A-Turf) that will be installing a brand of turf called A-Turf Titan a new synthetic grass surface that allows for better foot release.

Parking lot #1 permit update

Hey Bills fans, if you’ve got tickets to any of the remaining home games at the Ralph, you’ll want to read this.

The Bills are offering Parking Lot #1, known for some of the Bills top tailgaters, for fans to buy on a first-come first-serve basis.
Formerly a cash lot, Lot 1 will now be a permit-only lot beginning with the Bills vs. Detroit Lions game on Sunday, November 14, 2010.  No vehicles will be permitted to park in this lot without the proper parking permit.

The parking permit for Lot 1 guarantees fans a parking space regardless of when fans arrive, and costs only $20 per game.  The newly paved lot is conveniently located right off of Big Tree Road (Route 20A) with easy access to Route 219.  The lot offers additional porta-johns, increased security and a fun and safe atmosphere with parking near the Bills Field House and Ralph Wilson Stadium.

Season ticket holders were offered the opportunity to purchase parking passes for Lot 1 and the remaining spaces are now available to the public.

The change to a permit-only lot is an effort to enhance the traffic flow and improve the game day experience for fans.

Interested fans can contact the Bills customer service department at 1-877-BB-TICKS (228-4257) to purchase a permit for any or all of the remaining home games.

Drums Along Waterfront at RWS

The Bills are hosting the nationally renowned 14^th Annual Drums Along the Waterfront competition at Ralph Wilson Stadium this Sunday, Aug. 8 at 5:30 p.m.

Billed as the “Grand Slam of Drum Corps,” The Drums Along the Waterfront is a musical sport featuring the power and precision of the world’s best drum and bugle corps.  The event will include the thirteen-time DCI World Champion Blue Devils, five-time DCA Champion Empire Statesmen, and “The Commandant’s Own,” U.S. Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, plus a special tribute to veterans and service members.

Tickets for the event are only $22 in advance ($25 on the day of the event) for adults and $10 for kids 12 and under. Students, seniors and military may purchase the tickets for $20. Tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster at www.ticketmaster.com, by calling (800) 745-3000.

Bills-Pats sold out but…

The Bills announced Thursday morning just a few hours before the blackout deadline that their game Sunday against the Patriots has sold out. However, there are still tickets available because the Pats have returned some tickets from their assigned allotment.

Fans may purchase tickets by going online at buffalobills.com or ticketmaster.com, by visiting Western New York Ticketmaster outlets or the Ralph Wilson Stadium ticket office, or by calling 1-877-BB-TICKS and 716-649-0015.

There are also premium seats available which do not count toward the sold out status per NFL policy.

At the beginning of the week there were still 2,000 unsold tickets for the game.