ESPN stat guru assesses Stevie
ESPN resident statistical guru KC Joyner recently put together an analysis of the top seven free agent wide receivers using some of his unique receiver metrics to ascertain which receivers offer the best free agent value. On that list was Bills free agent wideout Stevie Johnson.
Joyner used some unique metrics in addition to the familiar yards per attempt. They were vertical yards per attempt (VYPA), which measures productivity on aerials thrown 11 or more yards downfield; and stretch vertical yards per attempt (SVYPA), which measures productivity on aerials thrown 20 or more yards.
Stevie was admittedly at a disadvantage for yards per attempt knowing how quickly the ball comes out in Chan Gailey’s offense, so not surprisingly he had the lowest yards per attempt. In any event Johnson’s yards per attempt were 8.0, his vertical yards per attempt were 11.6 and his stretch vertical yards per attempt were 14.8. Those figures among the top 7 wideouts profiled ranked 7th, 5th and 3rd.
Here was Joyner’s assessment of Johnson and his value.
Steve Johnson
Pros: Johnson posted quality VYPA and SVYPA totals last year despite being maybe the only good pass catcher on the Bills’ roster. He is the second-youngest player in this comparison and his height/weight combination fares well against the group.
Bottom line: Johnson wants to be paid like a true No. 1 wideout but there are too many facets of his game that say he has a production ceiling that doesn’t justify that type of expenditure.
Will Bowe make it to free agency?
Tags: Bob Bicknell, Chan Gailey, Dwayne Bowe, Stevie Johnson
We’ve been trying to keep a running tab on the likelihood of some of the bigger receiver names in free agency this offseason and gauge whether they will make it to the free agent market in mid-March or be re-signed or tagged. We’ve seen things flip flop back and forth on Vincent Jackson. New Orleans is so focused on the new contract for Drew Brees that Marques Colston hasn’t been addressed, and Reggie Wayne is definitely not going to be in Indy next season. But what about a big time receiver that has good familiarity with Bills head coach Chan Gailey and is only 27?
Kansas City’s Dwayne Bowe is a huge target and touchdown maker and at age 27 would be very attractive to a lot of teams. But he’s worked with Chan Gailey before as Buffalo’s head coach was his offensive coordinator in 2008, a season that still stands as his best in terms of receptions (86), 2nd best in touchdowns (7) and third best in yardage (1,022). He could walk in the door at One Bills Drive and know what to expect in the offense and perhaps even have a head start on the terminology.
Bowe also knows Buffalo’s receivers coach Bob Bicknell, who just moved from Bills tight ends coach to receivers coach after the 2011 season. Bicknell was Asst. offensive line coach, offensive line coach and tight ends coach with the Chiefs over Bowe’s first three seasons in Kansas City.
What’s more SI.com’s Peter King believes there’s a chance Bowe makes it to free agency. When asked on his twitter account by a follower if the Chiefs are likely to re-sign free agent Dwayne Bowe and CB Brandon Carr, King responded as follows.
Peter King RT @KCKID913: Do you think the Chiefs sign both Dwayne Bowe and Brandon Carr? … No. Carr more likely.
Knowing the new head coach in Kansas City is defensive-minded in Romeo Crennel, it’s not unrealistic to think that Bowe might consider other options. Buffalo GM Buddy Nix has stated they wanted another “big time receiver” in addition to Stevie Johnson, whom the Bills need to re-sign. Reports have indicated that negotiations with Johnson have been ongoing with more talks to take place in Indianapolis at the NFL Combine.
Report: Stevie contract talks at Combine
According to the Buffalo News contract talks between the Bills and Stevie Johnson’s representatives will continue at the NFL Combine next week.
Per the report, contract proposals have been exchanged between the two sides over the past week or so. Johnson is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent March 13th, but has stated all along that he’d like to re-sign with the Bills.
Stay close to Buffalobills.com next week for wall to wall coverage of the NFL Combine and Bills related news like this.
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.
Searcy chops dreds
Knowing football players can be tough to recognize with all the time they spend in helmets, it might not be a big deal, but Bills safety Da’Norris Searcy has changed his look (haircut).
Searcy chopped off all of his dreadlocks that he had during the 2011 season. Here’s his twitter avatar as proof.
One note, the last Bills players to completely shed their dreadlocks was Stevie Johnson and Donald Jones and that turned out pretty well. We’ll hope for similar results for Searcy.
Stevie still has Bills at top of list
The Buffalo Bills still have more than a month to negotiate a new deal with top receiver Stevie Johnson, but he’s not going to be blind to the free agent process.
Appearing on the Jim Rome show at radio row at the Super Bowl Friday in Indianapolis Johnson said Buffalo is still where he wants to be, but should he make it to the free agent market come March 13th he would listen to willing suitors.
“I’m going to have all my options open,” said Johnson in such a situation. ”This is my first time ever being in a situation like this. I’ve heard from other players that have been in this situation and there are different ways of going about it. But at the end of the day I’m going to keep my options open with anybody. I still have nothing but love for Buffalo and I’m hoping we can connect on something.”
When asked by Rome if he thinks he’ll get a deal done with the Bills Johnson wasn’t sure.
“I don’t know yes and no,” he said. ”I can’t speak to it. I’m hoping they will, but I don’t know. I would think it would’ve already been done so that’s what kind of gets me.”
WR Wayne to hit free agent market
Tags: NFL free agency, Reggie Wayner, Stevie Johnson
Colts veteran WR Reggie Wayne is expected to hit the free agent market come March 13th.
That according to the Terre-Haute Tribune Star, who spoke with Colts owner Jim Irsay. Irsay was quoted as saying that their free agent priorities in terms of re-signing their own were with DE Robert Mathis and WR Pierre Garcon. Garcon is eight years younger than the 33-year old Wayne and is clearly seen as a bridge to the future with Irsay admitting the club is in a rebuilding mode.
Wayne was never a speed receiver and at 33 runs a 4.6 40. Buffalo is looking for speed outside to pair with Stevie Johnson provided a new deal can be struck with their top wideout as he’s also a free agent.
Mathis is 30-years old, but Irsay sounded determined to keep the bookend pass rushers (Mathis and Freeney) together.
Stevie rolling with the Giants
Brad Smith took the time to break down the Super Bowl XLVI matchup on Buffalobills.com, but was reluctant to pick a winner. Stevie Johnson on the other hand is going with the NFC.
“Honestly both teams are good,” Johnson told 1140 The Fan in Sacramento. ”Both defenses are good to me. As a choice I’m going to go with the Giants. It’s tough because I grew up a 49ers fan and it was hard seeing them beat the Niners. Just seeing the grind that they had to get to where they are now in the Super Bowl. They barely got into the playoffs and throughout the playoffs they were fighting and getting to the Super Bowl is big so I respect their grind. The Patriots grind also, but it seems like it’s different when you’ve got Tom Brady back there throwing the ball around. I think it’s going to be a great game, but I’m riding with the New York Giants.”
Stevie next in Top 10 Performances
Don’t miss the latest installment of the Top 10 Performances of 2011.
This newest edition features Stevie Johnson’s Week 12 performance against Darrelle Revis and the New York Jets. Witness Johnson making the only touchdown catch against Revis in 2011, one of eight, as offensive coordinator Curtis Modkins helps us break down why Johnson was so successful against one of the best corners in the game.
Stevie wants to be elite
Tags: Stevie Johnson
Bills WR Stevie Johnson wanted to make a name for himself in the NFL. After four season, and only two in which he has played extensively he has accomplished that with Buffalo. Now he wants to take it a step further.
In an interview with 1140 The Fan Sportsradio in Sacramento late last week, Johnson was asked how good he believes he can get after posting a pair of 1,000-yard receiving seasons along with 17 touchdowns.
“I believe I can be considered with this young generation of receivers… my name can be mentioned,” Johnson said. ”That’s as far as I can go because I don’t have any playoff games under my belt. I don’t have any winning seasons under my belt or any individual accolades like Pro Bowls or first team or things like that. So I can’t say too much. I feel like I’ve been trying to get my name out there and now it’s time to show that I can be in this generation considered one of the best in this young talented generation of receivers. That’s my goal to be one of those top guys.”
It’s about mental toughness
Stevie Johnson appeared on a Sacramento radio station late last week and espoused on several things concerning his career, the 2011 season and the Bills. When asked what led to their seven-game slide out of playoff contention last fall, Johnson couldn’t nail down on thing specifically, but believes there is one area where the team has to absolutely improve as a group.
“I can’t really put my finger on it,” Johnson told 1140 The FAN Sportsradio in Sacramento. ”It’s not from injury or any changes in game plan or what the defense had done. It’s one of those things that happened in a season. Guys were still working hard. We still had guys showing up after practice after three losses and we felt we could still make the playoffs. It’s something that happens and we have to build up some more mental toughness and get over those bad stretches. The good teams they get over it fast. After one loss or two losses they’re already over it, bouncing back and getting those ‘W’s’. So it’s just mental toughness I guess. That’s what we have to work on.”
Johnson believes the collective mental toughness of the Bills just wasn’t strong enough last season and was part of what allowed the losing streak to stretch so long.
Stevie to put end to TD displays
Tags: Stevie Johnson
Bills WR Stevie Johnson, who is set to become an unrestricted free agent come mid-March without a new contract agreement with Buffalo, appeared on a Sacramento radio station late last week and said he will not be doing touchdown celebrations moving forward.
Appearing on 1140 SportsRadio the FAN in Sacramento, Johnson said the TD displays are behind him now.
“Honestly there are things that I will change and things that will stay the same,” said Johnson. ”My fight and the way I go about the game that’s going to stay the same. When I put those pads on and I get on the field I want to win and try to dominate. As far as the extra antics, with over-celebrating I feel like I did that to try to get on in the league and make a name for myself and let people know about Stevie Johnson.
“I feel like I have the attention now so now it’s time to take the next step. That’s trying to be a Pro Bowl receiver and trying to get a team to the playoffs. I’ve been playing this game just to try to make my name relevant coming from being a seventh-round pick, working from scout team to being a starting receiver. Now I feel I’ve got that spot as number one, number two receiver and now I’m trying to take that next step in going to an elite receiver.”
Johnson took it a step further indicating that he’s got to become a mature leader at the receiver position and for the team as a whole moving forward.
“When I came in we had Lee Evans, Josh Reed, Justin Jenkins, we had more veteran guys,” he said. ”Now things are changing and now I’m the veteran receiver among the first-year and second-year guys and my whole mentality has to change. That’s something I’m going to be working on this upcoming season. My receivers coach was already instilling that in me knowing I’m going to be the veteran receiver and I have to take charge of the receivers and be more vocal with the entire team. I’m ready to work on that in terms of being an overall leader for the team and for my receivers. Just the mental part. The physical aspect is going to be the same where it’s going to be competition and I want to win.”
Fan Friday 1-20
Tags: 2012 NFL draft, Brad Smith, Buddy Nix, NFL free agency, Stevie Johnson
Fan Friday 1-20
Time for your questions from AskChris@bills.nfl.net. Not surprisingly the draft questions are increasing in number. Let’s get to it.
1 - Chris,
It seems as though everyone has a different idea of what the Bills biggest needs to address in the upcoming draft are. It seems like they are all over the board. I have bought into the theory that Fitz is the future, he just needs healthy O-linemen and receivers which I believe can be addressed in later rounds of the draft. I also believe that our corners are very good but being left to cover for way too long without having an imposing pass rush. Dareus was a great add but one man can’t do it all. What do you think the chances are of the Bills getting Quinton Couples in the 1st & Brandon Jenkins in the 2nd is, and do you think that those adds would fix/help the defensive issues?
CB: First, I did not see Jenkins on the list of underclassmen that declared for the draft this year, so to my knowledge he’s not even an option. As for Coples, with the Bills likely to play more of a 4-3 front under Dave Wannstedt, I think Coples would be a good fit for Buffalo’s defense. Watching some of his tape it doesn’t look like he’s very explosive, but he’s somehow around the quarterback a lot. He’s not a guy that closes space quickly, but once he gets a hand on a passer they rarely escape. Most draftniks see him as top 10 worthy. Whether the Bills do remains to be seen.
2 - Hi Chris,
Assuming that Steve Johnson is not retained, and the Bills have to search for a replacement, I have a list of free agent wide receivers that I think the Bills may consider. Just a few names: 1. Marques Colston, 2. Dwayne Bowe, 3. Vincent Jackson, 4. Pierre Garcon, 5. Eddie Royal, 6. Robert Meachem. There is a huge list that I have, but these are just a few names. Are the Bills going to delve into the draft for a replacement? It seems that they would want a veteran receiver that could step right in. They should draft another vertical threat wide receiver too, but first things first. If Buddy Nix is all about improving this football team, then shouldn’t they be more proactive instead of reactive. What are your thoughts? Looking forward to your answer.
Tony, Daytona Beach, Fl
CB: I think that’s an awfully big assumption you’re making on Johnson. I’m optimistic that the two sides will reach a deal. I also believe there’s a chance that the Bills additionally consider another proven playmaker at wideout. I’m not certain it would be one of the names you’ve listed, but Bowe and Jackson have ties to the Bills with Gailey having coached on the Chiefs staff when Bowe was there along with a couple of his assistants and Jackson obviously has familiarity with Buddy Nix.
Remember the Bills do not often get into bidding wars for free agents and most of the players you’ve listed will be in demand. But Nix has said they want to add another big receiver. Bowe and Jackson would be my top choices. We’ll have to see if the Bills feel the same way.
3 - Hi Chris,
It doesn’t matter to me if you wanna put this on the fan-friday, or if you just reply back to my e-mail, I just want an answer please. With that said, I believe our #1 pick without a doubt at #10, has to be a big physical wide reciever.
I understand we have good depth, and a great receiver in Stevie Johnson…but even Stevie isn’t a big physical receiver. I watched every game this season, and I don’t know how many times we tried to throw it over the top, and it just didn’t work…very few times. I understand that Donald Jones was suppose to be the speedy guy…but he’s still not a big physical guy, none of them are…
We need someone like a megatron, or an Andre Johnson., and I believe that would put our receiving rotation, and depth over the top. I know Blackmon from OSU would be perfect, but I understand he will probably be selected by the time we get to the 10th pick….What about Floyd from notre dame, or the receiver from Baylor?
And I’m sure there are a few more. I also understand Easley should be back and healthy, and I’m looking forward to him. Our guys are still smaller, I know we have speed, but we need big bodies for fitz to just throw it up, and spread the field for those quick guys…It’s so obvious that we need that more than anything. I got so sick of watching them run and throw slants and crosses, too easy for defenses.
Almost every throw in the last game against the patriots looked like a crossing pattern. I think we have enough talent at every other position that, we should use our first pick on that reciever, and go from there, if not….I’ll be pretty disgusted.
I hope you take the time to read this, and understand what I’m saying. Thank you, and have a nice day.
Dustin, Indiana.
CB: I’m of the opinion that receiver will be addressed in free agency. Like I said in the above response the Bills sound like they want another proven option at wideout to pair with Johnson outside. Drafting a receiver offers no proven solution though Blackmon looks to be the type that can contribute early. My inclination is receiver will be addressed in free agency with someone that’s proven themselves. So with that in mind addressing receiver early in the draft is unlikely as I see it.
4 - Hi Chris;
Do the Bills have a Draft Philosophy,ie: Need or best available?
One could argue, whichever they followed in the past,do the opposite! Seriously though, our major needs seem to be LB, DE,OT, and WR. Who can really say ??? is the top ten player in the draft. We have bypassed many good players over the past 10 years, because they weren’t worthy of a top 10 or 15 pick. With the new collective bargaining agreement, you don’t mortgage the future if you error. Could we identify 4 or 5 players who meet our needs, and take one, when our turn comes?
I put my vote in for Blackmon from OK State for WR., and Hunt #92 from SMU for DE, at 6″8″” and 295, what an upside! I haven’t seen anyone to date for OT or LB.
I’ll be watching next year to see if we bypass them, what impact they make for their teams. Isn’t following the draft great? I’m glad I don’t get paid to choose the right players!
CB: Buddy Nix has stated that their draft approach is you take the best player on the board. The only exception is if there are two players that are pretty close in overall grade and one is at a position of need they would take the player at the position of need.
As I’ve stated above, this offseason free agency will come before the draft not after (as was the case last year with the lockout). I think it’ll be a lot clearer come early April what Buffalo’s primary needs are entering the draft because they’ll likely have addressed some positional needs in free agency.
5 - Hey Chris!
I was wondering about a statement that Buddy Nix recently said concerning drafting a Quarter back if there is one worth drafting. Does the coaching staff not see potential in developing Brad Smith into a #2 QB? It would be great if Coach Gailey can add an extra wrinkle in the wild cat where Brad throws the football. I believe he only did it once this season in the chiefs game. Is he not capable of throwing an accurate football? If we can make some plays in such a system, then that would make more defenses game plan for more. There is only so much you can do in a week and such a wrinkle can add to the teams success by making opposing defenses incapable of narrowing down strategies. Why waist a draft pick on a QB if Brad Smith has the potential? Is it always the case that Buddy will draft the best available player or we he make an exception and draft to need? Sorry for all of the questions but Bills fans want to know, even the one’s from California.
Best,
Stephen A. Naetzker
CB: I’m going to leave this one to Buddy Nix, who stated the following concerning Brad Smith’s future here with the Bills as far as his role is concerned.
“I think it’s exactly what we thought when we brought him in here. Brad can be a difference-maker if you use him in the right way. I think his versatility is the biggest thing about him and what makes him the most important. We were going along there and running the Wildcat with him and had that in and if you’d look, when our third-down efficiency dropped off was when we had to move him to wideout full-time. So it made it a lot harder. He’s good at that. He can do that, he can be your fifth or sixth wideout, he can be a good special teams player. I’m glad we’ve got him, great guy to have.”
Grass isn’t always greener for WRs
Tags: Laurent Robinson, NFL free agency, Stevie Johnson
We all know Stevie Johnson has expressed his desire to stay in Buffalo knowing a new deal must be struck between his camp and the Bills to return next season. Looking back at the recent history of wide receivers that have signed with the highest bidder instead of returning to a good on the field situation where they already were, one might be all the more inclined to re-sign with their current club.
ESPNDallas.com’s Todd Archer put together a nice rundown of wideouts that signed big money deals elsewhere after having success with their original clubs and never matched their previous production. Even former Buffalo wideout Peerless Price is listed. Here’s Archer’s rundown.
“Back in 1995, Alvin Harper was in a great position as the Cowboys’ No. 2 receiver opposite Michael Irvin but left to become the No. 1 receiver in Tampa Bay with a four-year, $10.6 million contract, which at the time was a large deal, and it never panned out. It never panned out for Peerless Price in Atlanta (seven years, $37.5 million) after he caught 94 passes for 1,252 yards from Drew Bledsoe. It didn’t work out for David Givens in Tennessee (five years, $24 million) in part because of injury. It didn’t work out for T.J. Houshmandzadeh in Seattle (five years, $40 million). A pair of trades didn’t work for Javon Walker (from Green Bay to Denver and a five-year, $40 million contract) or Deion Branch (from New England to Seattle and a six-year, $39 million deal). Branch was traded back to New England and it’s working out just fine once again because he fits with Tom Brady.”
Archer put this list together because Laurent Robinson, who said he would like to re-sign with the Cowboys, might also be lured away by another club with big money, but this list is something for Stevie Johnson to consider as well.
And in all fairness to Johnson, he himself has stated that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side so he at least appears to know the potential pitfalls that exist when one signs with another club.
Fan Friday 1-13
Tags: 2012 NFL draft, Fan Friday, injured reserve, NFL free agency, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Stevie Johnson
Time for your weekly questions from AskChris@bills.nfl.net. Enjoy the holiday weekend Bills fans!
1 - Hi Chris,
Thanks so much for keeping us continuously updated. I have a question regarding Fitz: I still think he can be a top 10 QB — he reads things quickly, unlike some of our past QBs who perhaps had better physical attributes. But he has to be more consistent and cut down on the turnovers. To me, a top QB knows when to throw the ball away and go on to the next play, especially on 1st or 2nd down. I don’t recall EVER seeing Fitz do this. Do you know whether it is something that has been brought up to him, or whether they work on it in practice?
Thanks, Ray P.
CB: You’re right Fitz rarely throws the ball away, but in the words of Chan Gailey it’s a fine line that you walk with your quarterback. You want him to be aggressive, but you also want him to understand when to pick his spots. I think later in the season when Fitzpatrick’s interceptions became more numerous he was trying to compensate for the loss of talent around him. It’s my contention that he felt he had to try and make more plays. That led to him taking more chances in the passing game than he had earlier in the season. Eventually it’s going to come back to bite you. Like Buddy Nix and Gailey have both said, if they surround him with a deeper talent base and build a better defense on the other side of the ball, it will help to take the playmaking burden off of Fitz, thereby making him a more efficient and less turnover prone QB.
2 - Hey Chris,
Just one question. With the season now coming to an end for Buffalo I believe one of the topics on most Bills fans minds is our free agents and none seem more important than Stevie Johnson. Do you see any scenario where Stevie doesn’t get re-signed? He seems very adamant about staying here and it would seem crazy for the Bills to let him go.
Thanks again for all the good work! GO BILLS!
Korey
Ashville, NY
CB: Thanks for the kind words. I think the Bills recognize their quarterback is a better player with Johnson on the roster and I think Johnson realizes he’s a bona fide number one receiver here, which might not be the case in several other places. I’m going to remain optimistic that a deal get done especially in the wake of Buddy Nix’s comments this week that the end zone issues are behind them.
3 - Hi Chris,
Many thanks for keeping Bills fans informed over the course of the season. Your insight into many of the happenings often clears up things for those of us on the outside. Look forward to receiving your continued reports as this season comes to an end and we move into 2012. With that in mind what do you see the Bills going for in the early draft rounds? I expect them to continue to build on the defense as well as continue to get “bigger” in the draft. Also any free agents you feel they may go after?
Again many thanks.
Bryon B.
Plattsburgh, NY
CB: Glad you appreciate our coverage of the team on Buffalobills.com. Early rounds I see the Bills addressing their pass rush in the form of a defensive end because I’m of the belief that the defensive scheme will lean more heavily toward the 4-3. I see offensive tackle getting addressed early along with outside linebacker and cornerback.
4 - Chris,
Thank you for keeping us “Texas” folks updated on our Bills! Do you think that with the early season success, that free agents are more apt to sign with Buffalo? Will Buffalo have to continue the trend and pay above market value? It seemed that several of the newer veterans did some politicking to get other free agents to think about signing with the Bills. Your thoughts on this?
Seeing hope for 2012.
Kevin S. in Keller, Texas
CB: I could see the early season success being used as a selling point on behalf of the club. Chan Gailey tells it like it is to prospective free agents when they come and visit. He doesn’t sugar coat things. Players appreciate straight talk instead of ‘pie in the sky’ propaganda. Though the final record did not show it I think the Bills can convince some free agents that this team is on the upswing.
You’re right that Shawne Merriman did successfully recruit Nick Barnett and Kirk Morrison. Hopefully there will be others.
I think the Bills still view free agency as a process by which they can supplement their roster to fill holes. It’s not seen as the primary means of building a team. Knowing that’s the case I anticipate the Bills may make one notable impact signing along with a couple of tier 2 free agent type acquisitions. Buffalo’s front office typically does not like to get into bidding wars with other NFL clubs to sign players. They target specific players, contact them early in the process and hope to get a deal consummated as quickly as possible before other suitors come calling.
5 - Chris:
What are the advantages and disadvantages of putting players on Injured Reserve especially late in the year? I am curious as to why the Bills didn’t put certain players on IR late in the year when they knew the player/players were unable to play the rest of the year?
Thanks!
Joe Badaszewski
Blasdell
CB: You’re right that Kraig Urbik and Demetrius Bell, who both suffered knee injuries (torn meniscus), remained on the active roster for the final week of the season. With one game to play however, the need to subtract three players from the active roster and place them all on injured reserve to put it simply was unnecessary. Buffalo I-R’d TE Mike Caussin who had an even more serious knee injury and promoted OL Mike Jasper from the practice squad.
The Bills had a starting O-line at New England in Week 17 of Hairston, Levitre, Brown, Rinehart and Pears with Sam Young and Jasper on the bench. You usually only dress seven linemen for a game at the most anyway, so there was no need to I-R them with one game left in the season.
Chan feels it can work w/Stevie
Tags: Bills Radio Network, Chan Gailey, Stevie Johnson
In the wake of Bills GM Buddy Nix saying that the end zone displays that got Stevie Johnson in hot water are behind them, Bills head coach Chan Gailey echoed similar sentiments in an appearance on Bills flagship station WGR Sportsradio 550 earlier this week.
Gailey was asked if in fact Stevie re-signs does he feel like he can trust the free-spirited receiver.
“Yes, I am confident we can make that work,” Gailey told the Howard Simon show. ”It’s not me, it’s we. It’s he and I and everybody that’s involved in this thing. It falls on my shoulders I understand that. But if we don’t solve problems with the ‘we’ identity we’re going to make a mistake. Everybody has got some action in this and a sense of responsibility in this.
“If I thought Stevie was a bad person then we probably wouldn’t even be having this conversation. But I know he’s not. I know he’s a good person deep down. I don’t think he wants to hurt the team. I don’t think that at all. I don’t see that being a big issue going forward.”
Gailey then expressed his greatest concern, which would be losing Johnson in free agency.
“The worst thing is you might lose a good player,” he said. ”That’s the worst thing. You don’t want to lose a good football player, so hopefully we can work it out.”
The entire interview can be heard at the WGR550 site.
Talks have re-opened with Stevie
Tags: Stevie Johnson
Bills GM Buddy Nix in his Monday press conference said dialogue with Stevie Johnson on a new contract has re-opened.
“There were proposals made during the season,” said Nix. ”The last one we made their stance was we’d like Stevie to concentrate on the season and finish out the year and start the talks at the end of the year. There has been dialogue since the season was over and it will continue.”
Fred latest to back Stevie return
Tags: Bills Radio Network, Fred Jackson, Stevie Johnson
Appearing on the Bills new flagship station WGR Sportsradio 550 Thursday morning, Fred Jackson was the latest Bills player to appeal for the return of Stevie Johnson in 2012.
“I think everybody on our offense wants Stevie back,” Johnson told the WGR Morning Show. “He was a great playmaker for us. He was one of the weapons that we counted on week in and week out. I know Fitz would definitely like to have him back. I would like to have him back. He was Fitz’s favorite target. We would like to have him back and that’s the plan to hopefully get him back. Those guys in the front office make all those decisions. I know he wants to be back, but it is a business. I’m sure he’ll see what happens, but he’s a huge part of this offense. He makes me better as a player and he makes Fitz better as a player and he’s a great weapon for us.”
He hasn’t had the opportunity to do so, but Jackson said if he had the chance to voice his opinion on Johnson’s importance to the team he would make them known.
“It’s something that I haven’t done,” he said. ”If I had the opportunity to give my opinion, I definitely would. He’s a tremendous player for us and I would go to bat for him. I don’t think there’s one person on this team that wouldn’t go to bat for him.”
With respect to Johnson’s touchdown displays that got him in hot water Jackson insists that Johnson is a hard worker and a very coachable player.
“He’s a tremendous teammate,” said Jackson. “The touchdown celebrations do put him in the spotlight, but that’s something that can always be fixed. I’m sure they’ll be a real deep discussion with Coach Gailey if he comes back about it. He’s always been a very coachable player so I don’t think that will affect him too much at all. I think he’ll take what tutelage Chan gives him on that and I don’t think it will be a major problem for him at all.”
Jackson told reporters earlier in the week that he had spoken to Stevie about his display that got him benched in the season finale, but said if Coach Gailey put it on Jackson and the other offensive leaders to ensure that Johnson stayed in line, he’d be willing to handle that responsibility.
“It’s definitely something I’d have a conversation with him about,” Jackson said. ”This is a game and we’ve got to have fun while we’re playing, but we can’t hurt ourselves as a team with penalties like that. He always comes to me when he has something on his mind. I always talk to him. He’s like a little brother. So I’ll tell him, ‘Hey have fun, but at the same time realize that you can’t do things that’s going to hurt us as a team.”
Jackson said nothing has begun on renegotitating his contract with the club, but he did say he started his NFL career in Buffalo and wants to finish it here. It’s anticipated that Jackson and the club will be able to come together on a new agreement sooner rather than later. For the entire interview you can go to WGR550.com.
Gailey to ask league about TD displays
In the wake of Stevie Johnson’s flagged TD display in the season finale at New England, Bills head coach Chan Gailey said he wasn’t in a position to argue the gray area of the rule at the time and had to enact discipline against his top receiver and bench him. But now with the season over, Gailey intends to get in touch with the league on the inconsistency of the celebration rule.
“I did not (ask the league),” said Gailey. ”I will ask, but I have not asked yet.”
Johnson said he thought revealing his undershirt message of Happy New Year would not draw a flag last Sunday since he was not flagged for revealing his Why So Serious? message in the win over Cincinnati last season.
