Gearing up for NE - Buffalo

[Box_O_Rocks]

Bills' decision to load up on DBs curious - AFC East - ESPN

Bills' decision to load up on DBs curious

April 27, 2009 9:10 AM

Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- For the record, the Buffalo Bills drafted four defensive backs and zero tackles.
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But heading into the weekend they seemed relatively set in their secondary.

Terrence McGee was back as the starting left cornerback. Last year's 11th overall pick, Leodis McKelvin, should be ready to handle the right cornerback spot. The Bills signed free-agent veteran Drayton Florence in case. Cornerbacks Reggie Corner and Ashton Youboty also are on the roster.

Strong safety Donte Whitner, the eighth overall selection in 2006, returns. Free safeties Ko Simpson and Bryan Scott are back. Scott wants to know what's up because he started four games at free safety and three games at strong safety.

Buffalo ranked 13th in pass defense last year.
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Bills coach **** Jauron claimed the reason the Bills spent so many picks on their secondary was the belief you can never have enough pass coverage in today's NFL.

"It's been that way for a while," said Jauron, a Pro Bowl safety for the Detroit Lions in the 1970s. "The three-receiver sets have been going for a while now.

"As a matter a fact, I can't remember a time where it wasn't said at some point 'You can never have enough corners.' I guess you'd say it about the whole secondary now, but you've certainly seen a lot of three-wideout sets. You've seen four-wideout sets, and you see a lot of empty sets in the National Football League.

"We had traditionally gone to camp with anywhere from 14 to 15 defensive backs on the rosters, usually six inside, eight outside in terms of your corners to safeties. But it can vary. It varies somewhat, depending on the talent of the group."

Ignoring the focus of the article, which is ESPN complaining about Buffalo not chasing after a LT, this seems to highlight Buffalo getting themselves ready to face...New England.

Buffalo drafted:
1a. Aaron Maybin - speed pass rush specialist.
1b. Eric Wood - OL, they needed to improve their run blocking, and running the ball keeps Brady, Moss, and Welker on the bench. Wood also has at least RT potential.
2a. Jairus Byrd - ballhawking DB, slow for an NFL CB, but okay for a FS, 17 career interceptions and 5'10" 207 he'll hold up against the run just fine.
2b. Andy Levitre - OL, LT projected to OG, same as Wood.
4. Shawn Nelson - TE, not known as a blocker, he showed he was willing enough by manhandling Maualuga at the Senior Bowl, good receiver, but don't discount his blocking on Linebackers...like NE's foursome in a 3-4 scheme.
5. Nic Harris - LB, a slow college S who also played LB and CB, he's good in coverage and his change of direction numbers are competitive with the other Safeties in this draft class, he's a good fit at OLB for Buffalo.
6. Cary Harris - CB, another slow college CB, but a reliable tackler and a physical CB.
7. Ellis Lankster - CB, a late bloomer who is reported to be strong against the run with good ball skills.

Improve the run game with smart, tough, nasty OL and a willing receiving TE capable of getting out on LBs and making space.
Improve the pass defense with an edge rush and increased competition amongst the DBs, and throw in a coverage LB to help.

Buffalo isn't happy with the #13 pass defense noted in the article and they weren't happy with their O-line play from last year - neither are what you want if you're playing NE twice a year.

 

[nashvillepatsfan]

I don't care how many DBs they have. Out of that group, who is gonna cover Welker? I think it was proven last year that roughing up Moss, and double covering him can hurt his production, but no one has been able to stop Welker. With the addition of Galloway (if healthy), and Lewis, I think it's 07 all over again. If the opponent plays 7 backs, but has no pass rush, TFB, and Welker will kill them underneath. IMO

 

[efin98]

They improved in one area but are they improved in a more pressing concern- against the run?

They were 22nd against the run last year giving up 1,946 yards with a 4.3 yards per rush average and 18 TDs with an average of 28.4 rushes per game.

If they manage to stop slow down or stop the passing game teams will batter them with the run.

 

[Box_O_Rocks]

They improved in one area but are they improved in a more pressing concern- against the run?

They were 22nd against the run last year giving up 1,946 yards with a 4.3 yards per rush average and 18 TDs with an average of 28.4 rushes per game.

If they manage to stop slow down or stop the passing game teams will batter them with the run.

Dunno, they didn't go heavy on DL or LBs in Free Agency, they must figure they can handle the run game with whom they have. They did sign a couple UDFA who are good fits for what they like, we'll see how it goes.

 

[WelshPat]

"but no one has been able to stop Welker"

Not counting the games when Cassel was still learning, the steelers helds welker to 4 catches for 30 yards. I would say they stopped him pretty good.

Now with brady...its a different story.

 

[ctpatsfan77]

"but no one has been able to stop Welker"

Not counting the games when Cassel was still learning, the steelers helds welker to 4 catches for 30 yards. I would say they stopped him pretty good.

Now with brady...its a different story.

Yeah . . . with a play that will get you fined and possibly even suspended this year.

 

[PATSNUTme]

1a. Aaron Maybin - speed pass rush specialist. Gets my vote for this years bust of the draft
1b. Eric Wood - OL, they needed to improve their run blocking, and running the ball keeps Brady, Moss, and Welker on the bench. Good Pick
2a. Jairus Byrd - ballhawking DB, slow for an NFL CB, but okay for a FS, 17 career interceptions and 5'10" 207 he'll hold up against the run just fine. Excellent Pick
4. Shawn Nelson- good pick
Andy Levitre - OL, LT projected to OG, same as Wood. Good Pick

Still not enough to help them much this year.

 

[diggemsmack]

 

[eom]

I think they're going about this backwards.

the one team that stopped the '07 pats didn't do it because of their secondary.

 

[spacecrime]

"but no one has been able to stop Welker"

Not counting the games when Cassel was still learning, the steelers helds welker to 4 catches for 30 yards. I would say they stopped him pretty good.

So you are suggesting the only way to stop Welker is by launching yourself at his head and knocking him out of the game? That hit has been made illegal, but I guess it would still work if the player can stand the fine. In fact, that would work against any player. Once out of the game, production stops.

But I think it is fair to say that so far, "no one has been able to cover Welker."

 

[Sicilian]

I think they're going about this backwards.

the one team that stopped the '07 pats didn't do it because of their secondary.

Bingo. If Brady has time, even a pro bowl secondary would be picked apart over the course of a game.

 

[Brady-To-Branch]

Some CHFFs on Buffalo...

2008 record: 7-9

The 2008 Bills screamed "mediocrity". They were AVG to below average on all of their quality stats.

Here's some things that stood out to me about them...

- The Bills were one of 4 teams that went winless against teams with winning records. The others: Chiefs, Lions, and Bengals. Not the company you keep.

- The Bills were one of 3 teams (Lions, Rams) to go winless in their division.

It seems that the Pats shouldn't be the only team they're gunning for.