Of 2011 and 2012

[ChanOverChin]

I was finally able to get my hands on the 2011 53 man roster. Please see listed below. This will give us a chance to see very clearly the changes/improvements that have been made, especially at key positions.

 

2011Bills Roster:

Pos.STARTERBackupReserveWR19 - DONALD JONES86 - David NelsonLT77 - DEMETRIUS BELL75 - Chris HairstonLG67 - ANDY LEVITREC70 - ERIC WOOD74 - Colin BrownRG60 - KRAIG URBIK76 - Chad RinehartRT79 - ERIK PEARS71 - Sam YoungTE84 - SCOTT CHANDLER80 - David Martin85 - Lee SmithWR13 - STEVIE JOHNSON11 - Roscoe Parrish81 - Marcus EasleyQB14 - RYAN FITZPATRICK4 - Tyler Thigpen16 - Brad SmithRB22 - FRED JACKSON28 - C.J. Spiller20 - Johnny WhiteFB86 - COREY MCINTYREDE99 - MARCELL DAREUS72 - Kellen HeardNT95 - KYLE WILLIAMS96 - Torell TroupDE98 - DWAN EDWARDS92 - Alex CarringtonSLB90 - CHRIS KELSAY91 - Spencer JohnsonMLB54 - ANDRA DAVIS58 - Kirk Morrison55 - Kelvin SheppardWLB50 - NICK BARNETT52 - Arthur Moats51 - Chris WhiteJLB56 - SHAWNE MERRIMAN57 - Danny Batten48 - Robert EddinsLCB24 - TERRENCE McGEE21 - Leodis McKelvin26 - Justin RogersSS37 - GEORGE WILSON43 - Bryan Scott25 - Da'Norris SearcyFS31 - JAIRUS BYRDRCB29 - DRAYTON FLORENCE23 - Aaron WilliamsK9 - RIAN LINDELLP8 - BRIAN MOORMANLS65 - GARRISON SANBORN

My Projected 2012 Bills Roster:

Pos.STARTERBackupReserveWR19 - DONALD JONES80 - Derek Hagan16 - Brad SmithLT77 - CORDY GLENN75 - Chris HairstonLG67 - ANDY LEVITRE76 - Chad RinehartC70 - ERIC WOOD74 - Colin BrownRG60 - KRAIG URBIK76 - Chad RinehartRT79 - ERIK PEARS66 - Zebrie SandersTE84 - SCOTT CHANDLER85 - Lee Smith42 - Dorin DickersonWR13 - STEVIE JOHNSON81 - Marcus EasleyWR86 - DAVID NELSON11 - TJ GrahamRB22 - FRED JACKSON28 - C.J. Spiller30 - Tashard ChoiceQB14 - RYAN FITZPATRICK10 - Vince Young16 - Brad SmithDE93 - MARK ANDERSON56 - Shawne Merriman52 - Arthur MoatsDT95 - KYLE WILLIAMS98 - Dwan Edwards96 - Torell TroupDT99 - MARCEL DAREUS91 - Spencer Johnson92 - Alex CarringtonDE94 - MARIO WILLIAMS90 - Chris KelsaySLB58 - KIRK MORRISON53 - Nigel Bradham43 - Bryan ScottWLB50 - NICK BARNETT52 - Arthur MoatsMLB55 - KELVIN SHEPPARD58 - Kirk Morrison45 - Tank CarderLCB23 - AARON WILLIAMS24 - Terence McGee26 - Justin RogersSS37 - GEORGE WILSON43 - Bryan ScottFS31 - JAIRUS BYRD25 - Da'Norris SearcyRCB27 - STEPHON GILMORE21 - Leodis McKelvin33 - Ron BrooksK9 - RIAN LINDELLP8 - BRIAN MOORMANLS65 - GARRISON SANBORN

2011 vs 2012 Comparison:

 

Comparing the starting lineups from 2011 vs 2012 shows that on offense we have exchanged Glenn for Bell at LT and that's pretty much it because WR Nelson started last year as much as McIntyre did. The difference is that we have much more depth and experience this year. Fitz knows Gailey's system better, Jackson and Spiller are ready to become very productive players, Young gives us a much better option at backup QB, and there is far more potential at WR with guys like Easley, Graham, Hagan, and Smith ready to contribute. D. Dickerson could be a nice suprise as an H-back. Choice gives us an experienced third RB where we've always had a rookie/nobody, and Hairston, Sanders, Rinehart, Brown give us nice depth on the O-line. Heck, with the addition of QB Coach M. Lee the Bills may find a way to get the most out of the tremendous athletic ability/versatility that both B. Smith and V. Young possess.

 

Comparing the starting lineups from 2011 vs 2012 shows that on defense we project SIX new starters, including M. Williams, M. Anderson, K. Morrison, K. Sheppard, S. Gilmore, and A. Williams. Not to mention that solid leaders like K. Williams and G. Wilson were both out for most of last year. That's like adding EIGHT new quality starters to the defensive starting lineup to go with three pretty talented players in Dareus, Barnett, and Byrd. Expect Dareus to really blossom and be an even better player than he was last year with so many talented players around him and with K. Williams playing next to him to help guide him. It gets even better because the Bills have improved their depth at DL and LB as well. The D-line is especially strong and very deep. Guys like Merriman and Kelsay will help to keep the pressure on the opposing QB. Edwards and Johnson are solid, veteran DTs. Carrington and Troup are both young and talented DLs who are also ready to contribute. Sheppard and Morrison will get to show what they can do as 4-3 LBs. Bradham, Moats, and Carder are all very inexperienced so this could be a weakness. McKillop might surpise and make the final roster instead of one of them. Scott will play cover LB in obvious passing situations since he has shown that he can cover opposing TEs quite well. In the secondary, Gilmore could be the shutdown corner that every tema needs to cover the opposing team's best WR. A. Williams showed some big play ability last year before getting injured. McGee is back. McKelvin looks to be improved covering the slot. Rogers and Brooks are very fast and ready to contribute on ST.

 

Comparing the starting lineups from 2011 vs 2012 shows that on ST we will virtually be the same when it comes to the K/P/LS. Powell could unseat Moorman, but I'm sticking with Moorman for now. Potter could help the team out eventually, but I expect him to be on the PS at least initially. Our coverage units and return units could be improved with the additions of Graham, Bradham, Carder, and Brooks.

 

Overall, this team has greatly improved on defense and has added quality depth everywhere. One possible weakness is the group that is backing up the three projected starting LBs. Getting Fitz to play better and more consistently will be an important factor. Utilizing the Wildcat with the athletes that we've added on offense could help us to move the chains more often and put more points on the board. How well we match up with New England's offense (our defense vs their offense) may be the key to finally surpassing them.

[IslandBillsFan]

Great assessment. All the new starters have me pumped up for mega improvement. However, their is a little voice I hear which says all these new players playing together might take a little time to gel.

[ChanOverChin]

I agree. That's what we're up against. It may take awhile for the new players to learn each other's tendencies.

 

But really, it's amazing how quickly Nix has been able to improve the overall depth of the team. In year's past, once we lost a few starters our season would take a huge nose dive. Hopefully, this year, if guys get injured it's only for a few games and not the entire season. We do have a lot more capable players behind our starters. in some cases, we will have former starters behind this year's starters. You know that's pretty good depth when that's the case.

 

I'm sorry the way that the rosters turned out above. I had them shown in nice columns with the starters all in caps along the left side column, but it didn't print that way unfortunately.