MadBuffaloDisease Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 According to Paul Hamilton at WGR550.com: Crowell has taken ALL his training camp snaps where he played last season, on the weak side. Mario Haggan has been taking Takeo Spikes place on the STRONG side. London Fletcher confirmed this morning what we've been seeing in the first two days of camp. Crowell will stay at weak side linebacker while Spikes will move to the strong side when he's healthy. Spikes did play some strong side backer in Cincinnati. http://www.wgr550.com/bills/fullstory.php?id=1760 Interesting that they'd move Spikes after his injury to a position he's less familiar with in the pros. And it's interesting that even buffalobills.com didn't get this correct on their interactive depth chart. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zac Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 Uh, wow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jahbonas Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 According to Paul Hamilton at WGR550.com: http://www.wgr550.com/bills/fullstory.php?id=1760 Interesting that they'd move Spikes after his injury to a position he's less familiar with in the pros. And it's interesting that even buffalobills.com didn't get this correct on their interactive depth chart. 731501[/snapback] If its true it could make a lot of sense...Spikes is the bigger more phyisical of the 2 and after his injury may be a step slower than before....let the quicker/lighter LB Crowell play the weakside LB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
generaLee83 Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 According to Paul Hamilton at WGR550.com: http://www.wgr550.com/bills/fullstory.php?id=1760 Interesting that they'd move Spikes after his injury to a position he's less familiar with in the pros. And it's interesting that even buffalobills.com didn't get this correct on their interactive depth chart. 731501[/snapback] I don't get it, V-coach and BB.com reported yesterday that Crowell was penciled in as starter over Posey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikie2times Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 According to Paul Hamilton at WGR550.com: http://www.wgr550.com/bills/fullstory.php?id=1760 Interesting that they'd move Spikes after his injury to a position he's less familiar with in the pros. And it's interesting that even buffalobills.com didn't get this correct on their interactive depth chart. 731501[/snapback] I'll admit this is surprising but I can understand the logic. Crowell has a bright future, and is healthy, why force him to play out of position for a player with so many question marks. Even if it is Takeo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 Then why did Jauron talk about Crowell taking over for Posey but that Posey still had a chance to beat him out? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 Sounds like strong side and weak side are pretty much the same in the new scheme. From Buff News: In last year's 4-3 defense, the strong-side 'backer lined up close to the line of scrimmage, over the tight end. Posey, at 6-foot-4 and 249 pounds, is more suited to taking on a blocker at the line. This year the strong-side backer, like the weak-side, is off the line. Both outside 'backers are supposed to pursue to the ball as fast as possible. Crowell is 6-1 and 235. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadBuffaloDisease Posted July 30, 2006 Author Share Posted July 30, 2006 Same in terms of where they line-up, but on different sides of the field. But Spikes from what I read in my old Lindy's played at least 2000 at strong-side LB and played at a Pro Bowl level. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 Sounds like strong side and weak side are pretty much the same in the new scheme. From Buff News: In last year's 4-3 defense, the strong-side 'backer lined up close to the line of scrimmage, over the tight end. Posey, at 6-foot-4 and 249 pounds, is more suited to taking on a blocker at the line. This year the strong-side backer, like the weak-side, is off the line. Both outside 'backers are supposed to pursue to the ball as fast as possible. Crowell is 6-1 and 235. 731595[/snapback] Just because they line up the same, and their basic duties are the same (run to the ball) and their abilities need to be the same (speed and pursuit a little more important than size and strength), that does not automatically mean the positions are the same. The strong side still has to fight off the TE a lot more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanker Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 Just because they line up the same, and their basic duties are the same (run to the ball) and their abilities need to be the same (speed and pursuit a little more important than size and strength), that does not automatically mean the positions are the same. The strong side still has to fight off the TE a lot more. 731627[/snapback] He'll certainly have a chance to test his new heel early and often. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBilliever Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 Who better to crush TE's inside the 5 yard blocking zone than TKO? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dreadlox Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 If its true it could make a lot of sense...Spikes is the bigger more phyisical of the 2 and after his injury may be a step slower than before....let the quicker/lighter LB Crowell play the weakside LB that's exactly what i thought or maybe just hoped when i read this news. hopefully it will pay dividends. crowell showed us last year that he could get into the backfield on the weakside. hopefully he can produce even more this season. it will be interesting to see how takeo comes back and now i guess how he responds to a new position. also, i'd like to hear opinions from the board on posey. is he done as a bill or is it possible he could get time as DE/pass rushing specialist? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 Just because they line up the same, and their basic duties are the same (run to the ball) and their abilities need to be the same (speed and pursuit a little more important than size and strength), that does not automatically mean the positions are the same. The strong side still has to fight off the TE a lot more. 731627[/snapback] But it sounds like less of a learning curve in switching sides under this scheme. I can't see Spikes struggling to adjust to the other side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadBuffaloDisease Posted July 30, 2006 Author Share Posted July 30, 2006 But it sounds like less of a learning curve in switching sides under this scheme. I can't see Spikes struggling to adjust to the other side. The fact that he played SLB in the past and played it well gives me comfort. Likely he'll struggle more with the injury that the position switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuckincincy Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 With the B'gals, Spikes (as well as fellow 1st rounder Brian Simmons) moved around because of other lb's injuries or defections. BTW, here's some words from Lewis regarding Odell Thurman: Cloud follows Bengals to camp Linebacker Thurman a no-show, could miss season, Lewis says BY MARK CURNUTTE | ENQUIRER STAFF WRITER 7/30/06 "GEORGETOWN, Ky. - On the first day of training camp, when Marvin Lewis wanted a fresh start to put a difficult offseason behind him, the Bengals coach said middle linebacker Odell Thurman might not play at all this year. Thurman was suspended for four games by the NFL for violating its substance-abuse policy a second time. Ninth-year veteran Brian Simmons will play middle linebacker. "We'll have someone play there for the season, so we won't worry about a guy that's not here or who's not a part of our football team right now," Lewis said of Thurman. Pressed whether Thurman would show up and participate in training camp practice, which is allowed by the NFL despite the suspension, Lewis then said of the team's leading tackler in 2005: "We don't have to worry about that right now. It's a nebulous question. He's a non-factor." One more question as to Thurman's whereabouts - he was in Georgia tending to family business - brought this response from Lewis: "If you want to be in charge of him, you're welcome." Maybe they'll trade 'em... http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/art.../607300391/1066 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 I still think Paul Hamilton made the mistake, rather than them switching all the LB positions. It seems to me that Jauron said Crowell is replacing Posey as the SLB and that Haggin is playing thw WLB until Spikes comes back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadBuffaloDisease Posted July 30, 2006 Author Share Posted July 30, 2006 (edited) I still think Paul Hamilton made the mistake, rather than them switching all the LB positions. It seems to me that Jauron said Crowell is replacing Posey as the SLB and that Haggin is playing thw WLB until Spikes comes back. Nope. The guys at buffalobills.com's updated the interactive depth chart and it now has Crowell and Posey (and Stamer) at WLB and Spikes and Haggan (and Hunter and Ellison) at SLB. Yesterday it was reversed. Looks like WGR actually got it right! http://www.buffalobills.com/depth_chart/index.html Edited July 30, 2006 by MadBuffaloDisease Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 Nope. Buffalobills.com's interactive depth chart now has Crowell and Posey (and Stamer) at WLB and Spikes and Haggan (and Hunter and Ellison) at SLB. Yesterday it was reversed. Looks like WGR actually got it right! http://www.buffalobills.com/depth_chart/index.html 731713[/snapback] Wow. Ties an all-time record of once in a row. Although I just read this morning Fewell said we're going to switch sides (meaning play both positions) and see how it goes with Crowell. "That's a big asset," Fewell said. "We're going to flop him both ways (strong and weak side) after the first week and see mentally how he progresses. If he can continue to play fast mentally, I think that will be the key." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadBuffaloDisease Posted July 30, 2006 Author Share Posted July 30, 2006 Plus this from Chris Brown: Point of clarification: There has been some conflicting answers from Buffalo's linebackers when it comes to who is playing strong side and weak side linebacker. In this defensive scheme the difference isn't all that great, but the strong side backer does still line up on the tight end side. Takeo Spikes who appeared to me to be lining up on the strong side, told me he was still the weak side backer. But Angelo Crowell whether Spikes is in there or not has remained on the weak side. Going by what I see out there I believe that Crowell is going to be left at the weak side linebacker (where he played last season) and Spikes will play on the strong side, provided he can return from his injury. So in actuality he's not taking Jeff Posey's spot. Spikes is taking it. What made it so confusing was the fact that Posey for the most part has been Crowell's backup, but he's playing on the weak side too. So to review, at least as I see it, Crowell is the starting weak side LB and Spikes (if healthy) will be the starting strong side backer. Posey is Crowell's backup and Mario Haggan is Spikes backup. I will work further to confirm this, but I'm pretty confident I've got it down now. I wonder if Spikes knows about this? http://buffalobills.com/blog/?blogger_id=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted July 30, 2006 Share Posted July 30, 2006 Plus this from Chris Brown: I wonder if Spikes knows about this? http://buffalobills.com/blog/?blogger_id=1 731718[/snapback] Again, look at the quote above from Fewell. They are trying Crowell at both sides and will just decide where he plays best. I would assume they are less worried about Spikes playing the strong side, where he has played, than Crowell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MadBuffaloDisease Posted July 30, 2006 Author Share Posted July 30, 2006 Again, look at the quote above from Fewell. They are trying Crowell at both sides and will just decide where he plays best. I would assume they are less worried about Spikes playing the strong side, where he has played, than Crowell. Yeah, I think I got it after you posted what Fewell said. I think the Bills want to see if Crowell can play the SLB spot because they want him there so as to be able to cover the TE. And as you said, since Spikes has played SLB in the past, if Crowell CAN'T play SLB, he'll probably play WLB with Spikes moving to SLB. But the most ideal situation is Spikes at WLB and Crowell at SLB. I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts