mike oxhurtz
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Posts posted by mike oxhurtz
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Don't think you can base what this year's guys will do based off the production of last years players. All you have to do to discount it is go back to 2009 where Wood, Levitre, and Byrd were all day 1 starters and good players. Byrd was even elected to the Pro Bowl as a Rookie.
I think what the article is getting at is normally fans could expect the draftees to have an impact, have little or no impact, get hurt or land on IR, land on the practice squad or get cut. If the OTA's & camps start on time, that's what we can expect to see, but if not, then most of the draftees will be so far behind the learing curve, that they will have little or no impact. The only one I could see having an impact in that scenario is Dareus.
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In 2009, I gave Evans a pass due to the instability at coaching that year. But, Fitz showed last year he is willing to throw the ball to anyone on the team (veteran or UDFA). There was no excuse for Evans' pathetic numbers last year. Parrish was an afterthought with Jauron and look how well he performed under Gailey, he outplayed Evans until he landed on IR.
Back to the topic, I like D. Nelson and I look forward to seeing him as a starter this year. He is the redzone threat that Jauron was hoping to get w/Hardy. I just hope Nelson packs on more muscle, so he won't be injury prone (looks skinny, IMO). I was glad to see the chemistry between him & Fitz last year.
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The last time the team had relatively competant QB play for an entire season (Losman in 2006), Evans had 82 catches for 1,292 yards and 8 TDs.
Perhaps given similar QB play for a 16-game season, you'd see the same thing from him.
Now, if Fitz puts together a nice 16-game season (rather than 4 or 5 good games out of 13) and you don't see production from Evans, I'll agree with you.
Here's the info from the Buffalo Rumblings article on Evans: "According to Allen Wilson of The Buffalo News, Gailey came right out and said that Evans needs to become more consistent as a route-runner. That's rather harsh commentary for a receiver entering his eighth professional season. Gailey is also concerned about broadening Evans' horizons within his offense.
"He's been more of a deep threat," Gailey said Tuesday. "I've got to get him to do a better job of becoming an underneath threat. I've got to do a better job of that."
Evans finished the 2010 season on IR - his first NFL injury - and with just 37 catches (a career low), 578 yards (a career low) and four touchdowns (the second-lowest total of his career). Aside from one game in Baltimore (6-105-3), Evans was an also-ran in Buffalo's offense, while unproven teammate Stevie Johnson put up Pro Bowl-worthy numbers (82-1,073-10)."
http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2011/3/23/2067266/lee-evans-chan-gailey-buffalo-bills
I don't know if Evans packed it in after signing his fat contract extension, is mad that his boy Losman is no longer on the team or lost motivation since the Bills have sucked since he's been on the team, but somethings up with the guy. Evans used to make great, athletic plays (such as tipped-toed catches in the endzone), but over the last two years, we've seen him drop numerous passes and not look like the same player he once was.
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Good post. But I think Parrish stays, just as long as he remains healthy. Parrish had his best season under Gailey last year and was more productive than Evans (until he got hurt). I agree about Evans. Evans gets this season (if there is one) to show Gailey & Co that he can improve on his route running (which Gailey publicly criticized him for) and to show that he can be more productive. If not, Evans will either be traded or cut loose. For those that disagree with this, look at the rookie WR's last year, they busted their butts off and had more of an impact on the team than Evans did. Evans has been in the league for 8 years now, he should know how to run routes, there's no excuse you can use for Evans' poor route running.
Oh, but wait now Jerry, Evans hasn't been playing with Manning, Brady or Brees, he needs one of those QB's to succeed again! Evans hasn't had a O-line that could block long enough to give the QB 5 minutes in the pocket. Evans hasn't had the best offensive coordinators in the league to help him out with his route running, so it's the coordinators fault, not Evans.
Don't the Bills coaches know that Evans doesn't need to run a route, all Evans needs to do is run straight and deep, and all the QB has to do is throw him the ball. I just don't know how the Bills offensive coordinators and QB's haven't figured that one out already?
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Saw this in the comment section, appears the author did forget about LCB position.
"Sorry I forgot about McKelvin and R. Corner. At the moment McKelvin appears to be the starter, but Buddy Nix is hoping to be able to resign Drayton Florence. If Florence is resigned, then he would be the starter on that side of the backfield followed by McKelvin & Corner. McKelvin has shown flashes that he could be the dominating CB that the Bills were hoping for, while other times he looks very average and gets beat in coverage. Can McKelvin finally start playing at a high level consistently this season (which is expected of him being a former 1st round draft pick?)"
I hope Florence is resigned. He's not the best in the league, but he was the Bills best playmaker in the backfield last season. Looks like Whitner is gone. While everybody has been down on him, because Levy & Jauron royally screwed up taking him over Ngata, I wish Whitner was still with the team. Granted, he wasn't worth the #8 pick, but he was huge in defending the run and was a hard hitter. Whitner had to come up and make a lot of tackles in the run game, because the Bills run D has sucked since Pat Williams was not resigned. Maybe if the run D wasn't so horrible, maybe we could have seen how much more effective Whitner could have been. Granted, nobody likes his offseason attitude and antics, so I wish him the best of luck. If Aaron Williams proves to be better than Whitner, then Nix & Co did a great job with replacing Whitner.
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http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2011/5/2/2149703/current-bills-roster-for-the-2011-season
"John McCargo (DE), Keith Ellison (ILB) and Ashton Youboty (CB) are also in a similar situation with Poz & Whitner, but were not given restricted offers. So it looks like McCargo, Youboty and Ellison have played their last games in a Bills uniform. McCargo never lived up to his 1st round draft status, while Ellison and Youboty proved to be as fragile as a carton of eggs. Both Ellison and Youboty could never stay healthy enough to be major contributors on the Bills defense."
That is so true!!
Good article, it breaks down every position and who's battling who to be the starter.
No kidding about Youboty & Ellison.
"WR: L. Evans, D. Nelson, D. Jones, F. Huggins and P. Hubbard
Lee Evans is given another year to perform better and improve on his route running. If Evans doesn’t make significant improvements by the end of the season, this will be his last year in a Bills uniform."
Evans needs to show something this year. Cooter called him out on his route running, so Evans needs to not only perform better, but more consistently.
"JLB: S. Merriman, A. Moats, A. Maybin (D. Batten)
The Bills are expecting Shawne Merriman to be healthy and be back to his pro-bowl form from when he was on the San Diego Chargers. But after three unproductive, injury laden seasons, can Merriman finally put together a solid season for the Bills? If so, then that’s huge for the Bills pass rush, if not, then expect to see Arthur “Don’t cross the” Moats getting the start at JLB. With the addition of Dareus, plus having Kyle Williams up front, Aaron Maybin could possibly benefit from this. If players on the offense are double-teaming Dareus and Williams, this could give Maybin a clear shot at the QB. With Maybin’s speed, he should be able to close in on the opposing QB very quickly. But, this is likely Maybin’s last season with the Bills if he does not improve as the team has expressed their frustrations publicly about Maybin. Let’s see what Dave Wannstedt can do with Maybin this year."
While I think the Bills are taking a big gamble on Merriman, considering his health, the author is right if Merriman can even come close to his level play at SD. While I've been down on Maybin, I do hope that Wanny can get some production out of him. I hope Maybin doesn't turn out to be another McCargo.
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Dareus can also play multiple positions. With those two moving around, it will definitely be a fun thing to watch. Offensive linemen will suddenly have to decide who gets double teamed and when. Linebackers will suddenly have open access to holes because offensive linemen will be tied up at the line of scrimmage. God forbid that Kyle Williams or Marcel Darius are left in one on one situations. We got very lucky with this pick. Hope we get some linebackers now.
+1
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If the Bills can grab OT Gabe Carimi and another defensive player with those two picks from the Pats, then I would have no problem if Boss Hogg (Nix) made the trade.
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Just to counter-spin this thread in a positive direction, what if it's not Ponder they're after, but Gabe Carimi? My dream scenario (other than a trade down from #3, which Nix seems allergic to) would be Dareus and Miller going 1-2, and the Bills shocking the world and their fans by taking the most disruptive, unblockable defensive player in the country at #3 - Nick Fairley, and then trading back into the bottom of Rd 1 to take the draft's most NFL-ready tackle, Gabe Carimi. Boom - two biggest needs on the team addressed with the two best players (IMO) at their positions.
(I know, it's a pipe dream. The smart money says we'll get an undersized linebacker and a backup QB.)
That would be great if the Bills could draft Carimi. Maybe this stuff about trading back up for a QB is just a smokescreen.
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The Biggest problem with The Bills? In 50 years, they have sucked for 40+ years..
Thats a prettty big problem
Go Bills!
Actually, you are very close. In the Bills 50 year history, they've made the playoffs 17 times. 1 time in the 70's, (if I'm not mistaken) 2 times in the 80's and zero times in the 2000's.
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Free agent? I've HEARD of him. Sign him! Git er done Buddy!
Oh wait a minute
Yeah, that sounds like a good idea. While we're at it, let's bring back James Hardy and Larry Triplett!!
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Ralph did say during the year that it will take about three years for the Bills to turn around, and he doesn't expect to be around for it. So, does this mean there is a transition plan in place? Does Ralph make his niece the new owner of the Bills (or someone else)?
IMO, once Ralph is no longer the owner of the Bills, it's possible more good/quality FA's will want to come here. Right now, it's hard to attract anybody good given Ralph's reputation.
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Mallet is a Wigga? Does he look like this:
youtube.com/watch?v=vHQjvNKab9g
ROFLMAO!!! That video makes Eninem & Fred Durst look so silly!! I don't know much about Mallet, but that video was funny as hell, thanks for posting it!!!
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And the one year TO was here, he totally outshined Lee.....
Bottom line is, Lee is not a #1 receiver, and I applaud Chan for speaking up...
I completely agree, I've been saying this about Evans all along, but there are those on here that flip out when you bash Evans and give every excuse in the world for the guy. Now that the head coach is calling him out, that's all the proof in the world.
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Uh, they were both charged. What do you think this story is about? But great idea to start having johns card prostitutes.
What do OJ and Robert Blake have to do with anything? Was someone killed in this story? Stop with this asinine comparison.
You have sex with an underage prostitute and see if you get probation.
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First of all, LT is broke broke broke. Second, johns don't go to jail on their first bust.
This "buy your way out of jail" stuff is endlessly repeated.
L.T.'s broke? He was broke enough to get a prostitute...then hire an attorney. Plus he gets retirement money from the NFL.
So, you're saying O.J. and Robert Blake didn't buy their ways out of their murder trials? So any John/Jane would have received the same sentence as those two?
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I agree, he got off way too easy. L.T. has the money, if he really needed to get laid that bad, fly out to Nevada to the Mustang Ranch and do it legally and not with an illegal teenage prostitute. Another dumb ass football player doing something completely stupid. "Numba 72....AH **** 27!!"
youtube.com/watch?v=BerJdS2VJhA
Just goes to show you, if you got the money, you can by your way out of jail (O.J. & Robert Blake were able to do that).
I remember Bob Nelson's football routine, that was funny as hell! Thanks for posting it!
He is? Since when?
Although LT is a dirtbag, I can't see putting him in prison for this. There was a pimp involved who is the person that should be doing the long term in prison.
Both LT & the pimp are at fault and should both be charged. LT shouldn't have looked for an illegal prostitute. Second, the girl was under age, L.T. didn't even bother to think "This girl looks way too young"?, he should have said "hell no", but he was too stupid/horny and went through with it anyways. He's a dumb ass and got off easy!
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Here are two good recent articles about the Sabres. Seems like with the sale of the team taking place, a lot of stuff is starting surface: http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/sabres-nhl/article330374.ece
http://www.buffalonews.com/sports/columns/bucky-gleason/article330388.ece
"It was Regier, I'm told, who in the days after Chris Drury left town after the Sabres reneged on a verbal agreement, and Daniel Briere was kicked to the curb even though he wasn't asking for a raise, worried most about people viewing him as a dishonest man."
It baffles me that Sabres fans boo Drury & Briere whenever they come back to play at the HSBC arena, especially when they wanted to stay in Buffalo and were shown the door by Regier & Co.
I don't blame Ruff for turning down a contract extension this past year when Sabres management keeps letting good quality players go and expects him to work miracles by recycling new players.
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Knock, knock, knock....
"Hello"
Donte Whitner: "Do you post as Bilznut69 on twobillsdrive.com?"
"yes"
DW: Did you say "Donte Whitner sucks so bad that he couldn't cover Betty White or the rest of the Golden Girls?!"
"Yeah...why?"
LMAO..."That's not what your girlfriend said!"
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Here’s the thing with Whitner, Whitner’s main focus was laying in a hard hit first. Rarely did anyone see Whitner try to defend the pass, go for the INT or even try to wrap up the person he was trying to tackle. He always lead with his shoulder and relied on that initial smack to do the job.
Still can't believe he would challenge this guy to a boxing match...who does he think he is Jay & Silent Bob? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jjAajDJfdWA&feature=fvst (fast forward to 1:04)
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Nix was right when he said (something along these lines) when you're picking at #3, that means you need help everywhere because you're not a good team. While I hope Nix picks an impact player on the defensive front 7 (and hopes he doesn't pick a CB), the Bills only have 1 dominant player on the team, and that's Kyle Williams, the Bills need all the help they can get. If you look at the Bills top draft picks up from the start of the Donahoe era up until 2009, does anyone consider any of those players (that are left) dominant? (Don't say Evans, because he hasn't been dominant since Losman left). The way Nix is building the Bills (through the draft) is going to take some time, expect another 2-3 years before the team gets good again.
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3. Could switching Aaron Maybin from DE to OLB make him more effective?
Does a former Drill Instructor make a terrible therapist? “You know what makes me sad……..(Enter Aaron Maybin’s name here).
That's awesome, yet so true!! -
How did the Bills do on defense in 2010…we all know how they did. It seemed like they took two steps backward and not even a step forward. The season started out with the team switching from the 4-3/Tampa 2 to the 3-4 defense. Most times with switching defenses is that it takes time for the players to adjust to the new system, plus you need to have the right players for that system. It was painfully obvious that the Bills did not have the right players to run a full-time 3-4 defense, which is why they switched back to a 4-3 defense during the season and ran variations of the 4-3 and 3-4. Only in a couple of games this year, did the Bills players look like they were finally getting a grasp of George Edwards’ system (The Detroit & the 2nd Miami game), but that all changed when the Bills got manhandled by the Pats & Jets in the last two games of the year. Let’s take a look at some of the questions the Bills had going into the season:
1. Would the defense improve or do worse switching to the 3-4?
The Bills did worse in every statistical category from 2009 to 2010.
In 2009, the Bills defense ranked 19th overall with 340.6 YPG, Pass defense: ranked 2nd at 184.2 YPG and Rush defense: ranked 30th at 156.3 YPG.
In 2010, the defense ranked 24th at 361.6 YPG, Pass defense: ranked 3rd at 192.0 YPG and Rush defense: 9,999,999th (seriously, 32nd) at 169.9 YPG
2. How would Kyle Williams perform switching from DT to NT?
Kyle performed much better than expected and looks to be Buffalo’s best player on the field.
In 2009, Williams had 66 Tackles, 4.0 Sacks and 1 Forced Fumble.
In 2010, Williams had 77 T, 5.5 Sacks and 1 Pass Defended.
3. Could switching Aaron Maybin from DE to OLB make him more effective?
Does a former Drill Instructor make a terrible therapist? “You know what makes me sad……..(Enter Aaron Maybin’s name here). Maybin is on very thin ice with Chan Gailey, as Gailey stated: "Right now, he’s on the outside looking in," Gailey told reporters. "That’s where he is. And if he improves, he’ll improve his status. But if he doesn’t improve his status, he won’t find playing time on this football team." It looks like Maybin will get another offseason to show improvement. If Maybin fails to improve, he’s likely to be a preseason cut.
4. How would Dwan Edwards back & neck hold up?
His neck & back held up fine, but too bad his hamstring didn’t. Edwards was effective in his first year with the Bills as he had: 57 T, 1.0 Sacks, 1 FF, 1 INT in 11 games with the Bills.
5. How would Andra Davis perform?
Davis played six games for the Bills (started in four) before being placed on season ending IR. Davis injured his shoulder in the season opener against the Dolphins and never fully recovered. In Davis six games played, he had 41 T, 1 pass defended, 1 INT, 1 FF. Davis along with many other Bills LB’s ended up on IR.
6. How would Marcus Stroud perform switching from DT to DE?
Stroud had a very quiet year and his numbers dropped in almost every category.
In 2009, Stroud had: 56 T, 2.0 Sacks, 8 Passes Defended.
In 2010, Stroud had: 49T, 3.0 Sacks, 2 PD, 1 FF.
Are Stroud’s days numbered in Buffalo? Only time will tell, we should know that answer by the end of the NFL draft in April.
7. With switching to the 3-4, and with the secondary playing more man-to-man coverage, would they become a more play making unit?
No, between teams focusing more on running the ball on the Bills D (due to it being almost non-existent) and the Bills pass rush being about the same as the run D, the secondary did not get its first INT until week 11 when the Bills played the Bengals.
In 2009, the Bills had 28 INT’s for 335 yds and 2TD’s (ranked 2nd in the NFL).
In 2010, the Bills had 11 INT’s for 210 yds and 2TD’s (ranked 28th in the NFL).
8. How would the pass rush do without Aaron Schobel?
Worse, it seemed like until the Bills switched back to a more 4-3 front mid-way through the season (and the last two games), the opposing QB’s had all day long in the pocket.
In 2009, the Bills were ranked 18th in Sacks with 32.
In 2010, the Bills ranked 27th in Sacks with 27.
9. How would Kelsay perform switching from DE to OLB?
Once Kelsay lined up with his hand on the ground in his original role as a DE, he started to show some life. As an OLB, Kelsay was getting schooled all day long by the opposing team’s TE’s and was getting a constant beating in the run game. Still, fans are absolutely baffled that Kelsay received a contract extension mid-way through the year.
10. Could Jairus Byrd repeat his success from 2009?
No. In 2009, Byrd had 45 T, 0 Sacks, 11 PD, 9 INT’s, 0 TD’s and 0 FF’s
In 2010, Byrd had 89 T, 1 Sack, 2 PD, 1 INT, 1 TF and 3 FF’s.
While Byrd’s Passes Defended and INT’s went down, his Tackles and his run defense improved significantly. If the Bills can generate a pass rush, expect Byrd’s pass defense numbers to increase again.
11. How would the rookies do on defense?
Torell Troup had a quiet year, but considering how well Kyle Williams played, Torrell’s play is nothing to be disappointed about. Troup played in 15 games, but started in 2, racking up 23 Tackles and 2 PD.
Alex Carrington, like Troup, he had a quite year, but did manage to do something Aaron Maybin has yet to do, record a sack. In 9 games played (zero started), Carrington had 8 T, 1 Sack & 1 PD.
Arthur “Don’t Cross the” Moats had the most impact out of all the defensive rookies. This year, Moats started out at ILB, but was switched mid-year to OLB due to his ability to get pressure on the QB. Moats played in 15 games, started in 4, had 33 T, 2.5 Sacks, 1 PD and 1 FF. Moats will always be remembered as the guy that ended the Iron Man streak of Brett Favre, as he knocked Favre out of the Vikings game after the 3rd snap of the game.
Like the Jauron/Fewell Tampa 2 defense, the Edwards hybrid 3-4/4-3 defense lacked a consistent pass rush and run stopping capabilities. If the Bills want to win games and compete with the best in the league (more importantly the Patriots) then the Bills will need to get much better at stopping the run and developing a consistent pass rush. If not, then teams will be able to a Hulk Hogan: “Run Wild on YOU!” all year long as evident by the Bills letting teams run for over 200 yards eight times on them this year. If the Bills can’t get multiple players to get consistent pressure on the opposing QB, especially since they play the best QB in the league twice a year, we can expect the Bills to continue to lose twice a year to Brady & the Pats. The defensive front 7 needs a serious overhaul and by the way it looks, the secondary will be depleted as well with Whitner basically gone, and with Florence & Wilson’s contracts expiring. On top with all the holes on offense, don’t expect all the holes on this team to be filled in one offseason. The only positive note I can add for the defense this year, is that they didn’t burn out and let leads slip away from them like during the Jauron era. Maybe the new strength & conditioning program added some value to the team after all. Anyway you look at it, Buddy Nix and Chan Gailey have a lot of work to do in the offseason.
Nice write up & great research!
I knew there were going to be some growing pains with switching from the 4-3 to the 3-4, but I never expected it to be as bad as it was. I think you nailed everything right on the head. The Bills need bigger and better LB's. I like what Moats showed this year and hopes he continues to improve his game. If Merriman comes back healthy and can stay healthy (that a big "IF") then those two along with Kyle Williams gives the Bills a decent pass rush. Like you, I want to see the Bills add more good, quality pass rushers. -
http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2011/1/4/1915281/how-did-the-bills-offense-do-in-2010
It's a good write up as the author answered many questions Bills fans had going into the season. I agree with the article that the right side of the O-line & the TE position needs major improvement in order to be an effective offense. I also like that he pointed out Evans' drop in production since his contract extension.
How would Demetrius Bell and Eric Wood perform this year after suffering season ending injuries?
Eric Wood had his best statistical performance as a Bill this year and looks to take over as the Bills permanent Center. In run protection, Wood had: 73 Good, 209 Decent, 23 Bad, 4 Killed plays for an overall grade of 78.4%, which was 2nd behind Andy Levitre at 78.7%. Pass blocking, Wood had: 17 Good, 431 Decent, 24 Bad, 6.5 Killed, 1 Sack pass plays and an overall grade of 74.7% which is the highest grade on the O-line.
Bell on the other hand struggled compared to the other O-linemen, but did manage to play all 16 games for the Bills. Bell’s run blocking stats were: 33 Good, 295 Decent, 25 Bad, 6 Killed with an overall grade of 75.5%, which was 2nd lowest from the O-linemen that finished the year. Pass protection: 7 Good, 514 Decent, 45 Bad, 17.5 Killed, 8.5 Sacks and 43 in which he got help on, giving him an overall rating of 73.7%
Here’s what’s Gailey had to say about Bell’s play this season: "I thought Demetrius (Bell) had an OK year. I didn’t think he had a great year. And I know the injury, he couldn’t practice Wednesdays at all the whole year, and again I’m not trying to make excuses for anybody but I’m just stating facts, he didn’t practice on Wednesdays. I think a year of strength and core development I think will help him tremendously. He missed all of that last year because of the shoulder, he got no upper body work, he got no lower body work and he gutted out the season. He and Eric (Wood) gutted out the season for us and you’ve got to like that about a guy that will do that. But I think his upside is tremendous.” Looks like Bell will get another year to show if he can improve and become a good LT in the league.
I agree with this 100%, Wood rebounded better than anyone expected after his horrific leg injury. I'm glad Wood had a chance to show what he can do at Center and looks like he will be back at his original position (from college). I like that Bell was able to play all 16 games and hopefully he can fully heal up his injuries and build up some lower & upper body strength.
What the Bills can expect from the 2011 draft class?
in The Stadium Wall Archives
Posted
If there's no new agreement until August or September, then at some point in the season, I could see Williams and Shepherd coming in and getting snaps, but it will be much harder for the rest of the group. Last year, the Bills had 4 UDFA's come in and have an impact (or a role on the team). If there's no agreement in place until later on in the year, I don't see that happening again.