HOUSE
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I have to go with Chris Browns conclusion...
There are valuable contributors throughout Buffalo’s defensive unit, but replacing Sheppard or Wilson might prove to be the most difficult. Knowing Wilson’s replacement would most likely be a young player and not a veteran as in the case of Sheppard, Wilson is probably the defensive unit’s most indispensable player.
Its just my opinion but Mark Anderson is very under rated for making the big play when you least expect it, NEVER gives up. Great Video too
This is just my cheap plug for Mark Anderson.
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Chris Brown Lead Journalist
Crucial, vital, essential, necessary are just a few of the words that describe indispensable. Buffalo’s defense has made some critical additions that should raise the level of play on that side of the ball. Their depth is also appreciably better in some areas, but injuries have compromised promising Bills’ seasons before. And as hard as GM Buddy Nix has tried to make his roster complete there are still a few areas where if a starter goes down it will be hard to maintain the same level of play. Here are the candidates on defense that the Bills can least afford to lose.
Kelvin Sheppard
He might just be a second-year player, but there isn’t as good a fit at middle linebacker on the roster right now as Sheppard.
I’m pretty comfortable with the system because it’s the same system I ran in college where I had a lot of success,” Sheppard told Buffalobills.com.
Sheppard is expected to take a giant step forward in his second NFL season. He was the emotional leader of the LSU defense where he was the team’s leading tackler for three straight seasons.
“This is our year and I plan on bringing my game and my intensity to the locker room and to the field,” he said.
Should Sheppard succumb to injury at some point during the season it’s believed the either veteran Kirk Morrison or Nick Barnett would shift inside to the middle backer position and run the defense. But the Bills would be subtracting from another position to fill the middle linebacker role, which is far from an ideal situation at a position where proven depth is still lacking.
Kyle Williams
Bills fans saw just what life was like without the penetrating interior lineman. Williams was not only a playmaker, but dependable and consistent with his run fits.
The fact that Williams looks more than ready to return to the fold is very good news coming off Achilles surgery. He participated in the OTAs and minicamp practices, though his reps in the team setting were minimal. Williams should be full go for training camp.
Should the unfortunate happen and Williams misses more time this season, Buffalo appears a bit more equipped to fill the hole. With veteran Dwan Edwards moving to defensive tackle in the Bills new 4-3 scheme, there is a starting caliber option right behind Williams and Marcell Dareus on the roster.
If Torell Troup successfully returns from offseason back surgery it’ll only add to the depth of talent behind Williams. That should be sufficient to help to sustain Buffalo’s run front.
Mario Williams
Just about anyone on Buffalo’s roster would tell you that there is no replacing Mario Williams. He's clearly the most talented defensive player, but last season Houston was able to finish as the second best defense in football despite not having Williams for the final 11 games of the regular season and the playoffs. The reason why is they had talented depth behind him on the roster.
Arguably the Bills do as well. Mark Anderson and Shawne Merriman are both more than capable of picking up the pass rushing slack, should Williams miss time due to injury. Merriman appears poised to finally make a full return to form and Anderson is quietly productive in his own right.
That’s why Williams believes competing with one another every day in the practice setting will have all of them ready to take on added responsibility if it comes to that.
“We know we all have each other’s backs and that’s the most important thing, but you’re not going to get any better without competition,” Williams told Buffalobills.com. “That’s why you should always thrive off of competition and thrive off the opportunity to get better amongst your peers. Anytime we can get out here and can mix it up amongst each other and get better its welcome.”
So although Williams is a unique talent, Buffalo’s pass rush would not be devoid of capable talent elsewhere on the roster.
George Wilson
The starting strong safety is the defense’s compass. Whatever Wilson points out pre-snap to his teammates they listen. Kelvin Sheppard knows the defense and will capably call out checks and pre-snap changes, but he doesn’t have the offensive background that Wilson has as a former receiver. It allows Wilson to accurately predict what’s coming before anyone else.
That kind of value is hard to duplicate. Add in the fact that he’s finished second in tackles two of the last three seasons and has been first or second on the squad in interceptions each of the last three seasons and the production isn’t easy to replicate either.
Were the Bills forced to spell him in the lineup it would likely be Da’Norris Searcy, a promising but green player or Bryan Scott, though that would compromise his hybrid nickel linebacker role.
Conclusion
There are valuable contributors throughout Buffalo’s defensive unit, but replacing Sheppard or Wilson might prove to be the most difficult. Knowing Wilson’s replacement would most likely be a young player and not a veteran as in the case of Sheppard, Wilson is probably the defensive unit’s most indispensable player.
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Hey, I was three years out of high school then. Into and out of Kallage at that point.
Does were da days!
Geeez, if this keeps up I might be the kid on the board....
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No doubt the hurry-up, no-huddle puts pressure on the defense and prevents them from getting their sub packages on the field. Against NE we'll be starting in a sub package anyway. If Brady wants to get away from his base offense, they'll have to substitute as well. If Merriman is healthy and back to 100%, he'll be a starter and he'll be on the field on first downs. While that's way too much to ask until we all know for sure, I can't see a healthy Merriman sitting behind anyone. Nor can I see Wanny making a specialist out of a guy who's too good NOT to play every down.
GO BILLS!!!
You make some great points. I believe a healthy Shawne Merrimen is almost as good as Mario Williams,maybe equal
2 of the biggest studs in the NFL on one defense & lets not forget about Marcel Dareus and Kyle Williams. All of these guys can be ALL-PRO
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I can't imagine Buffalo's defense with a healthy Shawn Merrimen. This could be the Top NFL Defense of 2012.
Pretty exciting stuff
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Haha.. that's great..
I hate posting that stuff but the link was BIG in KC one year ago.
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Well you can tell looking at your own clip that there are too many letters for Simpson on #36's jersey, and again, surely he was not going to be on the punt team. #36 was probably Preston Ridlehuber in 1969.
This link shows McDermott wore 32 in 1968 before OJ and OJ wore 32 in 1969.
http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/uniform.cgi?number=32&team=buf
The only thing I am not positive of is when OJ got 32 from McDermott. OJ was definitely 36 in preseason but I am pretty sure that he was 32 his entire rookie season, and if not, it was only the first couple games. Another link I found said McDermott carried the ball for Atlanta in 1969 but never for the Bills, which again leads me to believe he was cut before the regular season started. I know OJ was on the cover of SI wearing 36 but that was for a preseason game..
This link also says it was only "a few preseason games" that OJ wore 36.
I stand corrected and I thank you, I did this all from memory. Thanks again.
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That wasn't OJ wearing 36, and he wasn't on the punt team, there were too many letters for Simpson. It could easily have been Cappadonna though. I believe OJ was 32 by the time the season started in his rookie year. Gary McDermott was the guy who wore 32 and I think he was cut before the season started and OJ was given the number.
I could be wrong but I believe OJ Simpson wore number 36 for his entire rookie season
If I am wrong,sorry.
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My Dad's employer had tickets, and we got them this very day.(I was still in school) I remember the Edgerson touchdown like it was yesterday. The visibility was so bad, at times we could not see any players on the field. Worst conditions I ever saw at a Bills game. I was stunned when I got home and looked at the TV replays. The TV pictures were much better than the on field visibility, credit the electronic "snow" filters that also removed the image of the real "snow" Hence, those of you that saw the U tube view using the link really cannot appreciate how bad the visibility was that day. Yep, a real Bills memory at the old Rockpile. And, I admit it, I also am near older than dirt.
I have been looking for this highlight film for 20 years. Really.
I remember it like yesterday. Couldn't see much but I do remember the game well.
Took the University bus to UB then had to walk a mile home in deep snow.
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My crowd was lucky -- we were all yelling to each other to watch Edgerson when he came in on the blitz because we'd already missed plays when we couldn't see through the snow. So we all saw it.
This whole thread is taking me back to some great memories, especially of people who aren't here anymore (like my two uncles who got the game tickets at work somehow). Thanks to everyone for your stories.
I agree, Some real time fans are no longer with us but I have great memories of the Rockpile.
I was 15 then. The first game I went to was the Jets game in 68. I think I watched the highlights of the Cincy game at my Grandfather's house in Blasdell. No clear memory of it but I watched most away games with him.
Your post brought back so many memories of him. He loved the Bills and it rubbed off on me.
My father said I was stupid for wasting money on "Those s***ty Bills" but he only said that AFTER I bought season tickets,(lol)
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More posts like these please people, this is classic stuff.
I remember the Rockpile well. I lived like 6 blocks away when I was young . Even when we didn't go to the games we used to sit outside with the radio and listen for the crowd reactions outside. It was awesome.
My first Bills Game was in 72 vs. the Steelers.
Pittsburg had Franco Harris,Terry Bradshaw. Franco I think scored 3 times.
O.J had a 94 yd TD and had over 180 on the day. Bobby Chandler had a nice game I think he scored twice.
We lost 38-21 but it was a fun game to watch. It's funny my Mom took me because she wanted to see OJ play.
One other thing about the Rockpile, that grass was thick almost like what Notre Dame plays on now. And it was super green early in the season.
I loved watching the games I dont remember or was too young to see on Youtube.
I love writing about the Rockpile but I am afraid some people might find it boring. I am new to the board but I will try to slip in a thread now and then.
Hell, your response could be a thread.....go for it!
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I was born in 69 but I bet my Dad remembers it. LOL!!
Wow, born in 69, Your almost old.
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This was my first Bills game. We had seats close to field level, and Haven Moses' t.d. catch was right in front of us. I was so excited I spilled the popcorn of the guy next to us. I thought he was going to punch me, or punch my dad. My next game was up in the new section along Dodge St. Some guys had a case of beer up there, and one of them whom they called "Old Sam" took a tumble down the concrete steps. I still remember the thud of his head hitting the step. Anyone remember the vendor whose trademark, when it was freezing out there, was "Get your ice cold hot warm Genesee Beer here!"?
BOY ARE WE OLD !!
Yes, I remember that game very well.
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Meet you at Main and Dewey for a couple Ernie Warlick burgers and a shake.
GO BILLS!!!
Didn't he do sports on WKBW TV in the 70's?
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My favorite personal Bills moment was seeing OJ go over 2000 at Shea in the snow.
Yep.....sorry, black & white version
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Great place, been there a few times, found their website & it's registered with the Buffalo Bills as an official backers club.
There were over 200 Buffalo Bills fans the last time I went there....crazy
The place is much bigger then it looks in the pictures, the front is just a Tiki bar
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J.P. will be a Super Star...MAYBE
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Your avatar is a keeper, when you die, Will it to me (lol)
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Tom Day was my music teacher when I was like 6 (he taught drums, if I remember right) and I was scared crapless of him! He was a very big dude to a 6 year old.
Tom Day was also a Security guard at Chevy Buffalo. Nice Avatar by the way. Never saw that picture before.
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I got yer 'geezer', whippersnapper! And Im sure I'll find it -in a minute or so...
Welcome to the board, HOUSE!
Thanks for the welcome.
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Too many to list.....really
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I was 16!
Wow, Another Rockpile guy, I love it.
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I'm pleasantly surprised that there seems like there's still a lot of us.
Someday we'll go the way of the WW II veterans… hopefully the kids will keep some of our memories alive.
More than that, hopefully there'll be lots more great Bills moments to re-live in our future.
I used to travel to away games ALMOST every week back in the 70's
I booked most from Booker Endgerson's Travel Agency. Is he still in Business?
Man did we get in trouble on those road game....lol I have some stories but nothing I can post on this board.
Attending training camp
in The Stadium Wall Archives
Posted
I have been to many. Its very hard to judge the over all team but there are some great battles