Big play Bills
Tags: C.J. Spiller, David Nelson, Fred Jackson, Naaman Roosevelt, Scott Chandler, Stevie Johnson, toxic differential
With the new statistical measure ‘toxic differential’ gaining popularity in determining an NFL team’s success, we thought we’d take a closer look as to just what players were providing the big plays for the Bills this past season.
There are some obvious candidates, but here are the players that turned in all of the 20-plus yard plays in the run and pass game for Buffalo in 2011.
Players with plays of 20 yards or more in 2011
1 . Fred Jackson (18)
2. Stevie Johnson (13)
3. David Nelson (7)
4. Naaman Roosevelt (7)
5. C.J. Spiller (6)
6. Scott Chandler (4)
7. Brad Smith (3)
8. Donald Jones (2)
9. Derek Hagan (2)
10. Kevin Brock (1)
11. Ruvell Martin (1)
It’s not surprising that Jackson had the most 20-plus yard plays on the season. Even though he only appeared in 11 games in 2011 he still seemed to have at least one big play every time out. Perhaps the most impressive though is Naaman Roosevelt, who probably had significantly fewer snaps than Scott Chandler, David Nelson and C.J. Spiller. Yet Roosevelt was tied for third most plays of 20+ yards.
Chandler on Big Pete’s to-do list
Bills new tight ends coach Pete Metzelaars literally hit the ground running on Tuesday. Here’s a look at some of the first few things on his to-do list knowing he hasn’t been back on a day-to-day basis since 1994.
“The first thing is I’m trying to figure out where to go in the building and not get lost and how to get in the building (laughs),” he said. ”Next is to find out how (the coaching staff) calls stuff, what do they call it. Everybody runs the same kind of plays in the league it’s just what is your terminology, what is your verbiage for it.
“So just start learning that kind of stuff and then sit down and start watching film. Watch the guys play, how they play, what are their strengths, what are their weaknesses, what do they do well, what don’t they do well, and let’s correct the things that they don’t do well and improve upon them and lets build upon what they do well.”
Metzelaars is also very interested to get in the ear of prospective free agent Scott Chandler in the hopes of convincing him that he can help him take another step in his career at the tight end position.
“I will try to talk to him or text him or however they communicate these days (laughs), but try to get in touch with all the tight ends that I’m going to be working with,” said Metzelaars. ”Hopefully we can get him back. I know the team would like to have him come back. He had a very good year last year, and try to build upon that. I would like to get some players to break any and all records that I may still be holding around here because we’ll find somebody better than me.”
Chandler next in Top 10 series
Bills TE Scott Chandler is the focus of the latest edition of the Top 10 Performances of 2011.
Join tight ends coach Bob Bicknell in the film room for some of Chandler’s better plays in his two touchdown performance against Kansas City in Week 1.
Chandler won’t need surgery
Tags: Scott Chandler
The MRI results on Scott Chandler’s knee from Monday offered good news for the tight end.
“It’s not going to require surgery,” said head coach Chan Gailey. ”I think he’ll be fine in a few weeks.”
Chandler’s prognosis is similar to that of Demetrius Bell and Kraig Urbik, who also have the same timetables before they’re back to being 100 percent healthy.
Chandler to have MRI
Tags: Scott Chandler
TE Scott Chandler sustained a knee injury and is scheduled to have an MRI today (Monday).
“I’m a little sore so we’ll find out what it is,” said Chandler. “We don’t think it will require surgery so that’s good.”
Chandler, who is a free agent said he’d like to be back next season.
Chandler update
Tags: Scott Chandler
Bills TE Scott Chandler left Sunday’s game in the first half with a knee injury and did not return. Head coach Chan Gailey couldn’t offer much right after the game.
“I don’t know, bad enough to keep him out for this game,” said Gailey. ”I don’t know if it’s an operation or not.”
Chandler will be re-evaluated Monday.
Chan still hopeful for Chandler
Tags: Bills injury update, Chan Gailey, Scott Chandler, Stevie Johnson
Bills TE Scott Chandler is still moving gingerly on his badly sprained ankle suffered two weeks ago in practice, but he got through a second straight day giving head coach Chan Gailey hope that he’ll be able to go come Saturday.
“Chandler was limited, but he looked good,” said Gailey. “I think we’ve got a decent chance to have Scott this week.”
Johnson has insisted he’ll be fine to play on Saturday as well though he too was limited again on Thursday.
Johnny White (concussion) and Ruvell Martin (hamstring) are not looking good for Saturday’s game after missing practice again on Thursday.
White, Martin sitting
Tags: Johnny White, Ruvell Martin, Scott Chandler
Just two non-participants at practice Thursday for the Bills.
RB Johnny White (concussion) and WR Ruvell Martin (hamstring) were not participating.
TE Scott Chandler (ankle) was practicing, but still appears limited. We’ll have the status of all injured players this afternoon when Chan Gailey provides his update post practice.
Chandler, Stevie limited
Tags: Injury update, Scott Chandler, Stevie Johnson
Two of Ryan Fitzpatrick’s main passing targets both practiced Wednesday, but they weren’t full go.
“Scott Chandler and Stevie Johnson were all limited in practice,” said Chan Gailey.
When asked further about Chandler and Johnson’s chances for Saturday’s game, Gailey is hopeful for one and optimistic for the other.
“Scott’s got a decent chance,” said Gailey. ”I’m not ready to give my full endorsement, but he’s got a chance. Stevie looked fine. He’s not there yet, but he’ll get there by Saturday.”
Chandler to practice
Tags: Scott Chandler
Scott Chandler missed the past two games with an ankle injury, but he’s got a good chance to return this week.
Head coach Chan Gailey said Chandler will practice today for the first time since he suffered the injury against the Titans.
Chandler out for Sunday
For the second straight week TE Scott Chandler will not be on the field for the Bills.
Head coach Chan Gailey said he is out for Sunday’s game against the Dolphins. An ankle injury suffered against the Titans in Week 13 has not allowed Chandler to practice since Dec. 3rd. He did not get on the field in any capacity this week, though he was riding a stationary bike on Thursday. Rookie Lee Smith and first-year player Mike Caussin are again expected to pick up the slack at the tight end position.
Gailey pointed to Chandler’s absence in last week’s game at San Diego as one of the reasons their efficiency in the red zone was lacking in the loss to the Chargers.
“Probably the loss of Chandler last week got us as much as anything because of what he’s been able to do in the red zone for us,” said Gailey earlier this week. ”Fred (Jackson) was obviously a big thing for us but offensive line, we’re doing about the same things that we’ve been doing.”
Still no Chandler
Tags: Scott Chandler
Bills TE Scott Chandler is not practicing for a third straight day.
Chandler is dealing with an ankle injury that has already kept him out of last week’s game at San Diego. We’ll have his official status for Sunday’s game later today.
Practice update
Tags: Dave Rayner, practice update, Scott Chandler
The Bills had just two non-participants at practice Thursday.
TE Scott Chandler and K Dave Rayner were not participating during the media viewing portion of practice. We’ll get a full update on the status of both after practice from head coach Chan Gailey.
Chandler update
Tags: Scott Chandler
As stated by head coach Chan Gailey earlier in the day TE Scott Chandler is not practicing.
He is the only non-participant for the Bills. Aaron Williams is back practicing off a knee injury.
CB Williams ready, Chandler not
Bills CB Aaron Williams looks ready to return from a knee injury suffered against the Titans in Week 13. TE Scott Chandler, wh sustained an ankle injury in that same game however, is not.
“Aaron’s going to practice today, Scott is not going to practice today,” said head coach Chan Gailey Wednesday. ”I have a lot of hope for Aaron, I don’t have much hope for Scott making it.”
Williams and Chandler both missed Buffalo’s Week 14 loss at San Diego last Sunday. If Williams is good to go on Sunday, Gailey stopped short of saying he would re-enter the starting lineup at cornerback.
Chandler, Williams updates
Scott Chandler missed his first game of the season Sunday with an ankle injury and Aaron Williams missed his seventh of the year. Head coach Chan Gailey had an update on both players Monday.
“I probably feel better about Aaron Williams than I do about Chandler at this point,” said Gailey with respect to a return to the lineup this Sunday against Miami.
Chandler was seen in the locker room Monday, but still had a noticeable limp. Williams was moving around much more freely in the locker room after film work Monday.
Gailey admitted that they missed Chandler’s presence in the red zone Sunday and may have to try to figure a way around his absence Sunday if he’s unable to return to practice this week.
Chandler a no go for Sunday
Tags: Scott Chandler
Buffalo’s offense has endured its share of losses to injury this season. They’ll be without one more weapon on Sunday.
Tight end Scott Chandler was ruled out of this weekend’s game against San Diego due to an ankle injury.
“Scott is out,” said head coach Chan Gailey after Friday’s practice.
Chandler did not practice all week after suffering the ankle injury in last Sunday’s game against Tennessee. The tight end was looking forward to facing the team that drafted him back in 2007.
No Chandler again
The chances of TE Scott Chandler playing against the team that drafted him this Sunday are getting extremely slim.
Chandler is not practicing for a third straight day and at best would be considered doubtful with his badly sprained ankle.
Aaron Williams is also not practicing and considered a long shot for Sunday.
Chandler unlikely to play
Tags: Chan Gailey, Lee Smith, Mike Caussin, Scott Chandler
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
Tags: Chan Gailey, Lee Smith, Mike Caussin, Scott 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.”
