dave mcbride Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Four O-linemen, 2 linebackers, one defensive lineman, one TE, one WR, one QB, and one RB. Plus a safety and 3 CBs (Florence and a couple of late round CBs who I suspect are projected as special teamers). That's what the Bills have acquired since the end of the season. Lots of o-line, not so much d-line. They had a lot of d-line already (Stroud, Johnson, Williams, Denney, Ellis, Kelsay, Schoebel, and Jason Jefferson), and the addition of Maybin gives them 9. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cheeseburger_in_paradise Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Four O-linemen, 2 linebackers, one defensive lineman, one TE, one WR, one QB, and one WR. Plus a safety and 3 CBs (Florence and a couple of late round CBs who I suspect are projected as special teamers). That's what the Bills have acquired since the end of the season. Lots of o-line, not so much d-line. They had a lot of d-line already (Stroud, Johnson, Williams, Denney, Ellis, Kelsay, Schoebel, and Jason Jefferson), and the addition of Maybin gives them 9. T \ The guys on ESPN seem to think the Bills did very well in the draft. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphadawg7 Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Its because they did Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OrangeJuiceSimpson Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Great Post. This offseason was very complete. Hopefully it was more quality than quantity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 You forgot an RB but said WR twice. I also thought we REALLY needed a serious OT, DT and LB. But we probably had too many holes to fill in one year. The new projected starters are Hangartner (upgrade), Owens (upgrade), Nelson (probable upgrade), Wood (upgrade) and Levitre (downgrade, since he is actually replacing Peters). Maybin will be half a starter but that is an upgrade. Byrd could be a new starter, too. Leodis was already starting for Greer and i think will be better this year on the way to being a star. Getting back Schobel will likely help, and maybe help a lot. It's almost like getting a new starter. Also, Reed and Parrish at #2 and #3 are very mediocre at best. But Reed and Parrish at #3 and #4 opposite TO and Evans could be very valuable (especially with Hardy and Johnson in the mix at #3 and #4) We didn't address the starter needed at DT for Williams or LB for Ellison (or FB but that doesn't count). We got tougher and nastier, which is good. We also got a little better attitude overall. A trade for an OT or DT would make this a very good off season. Right now it's pretty damn good overall, especially because of TO. If the new revamped OL meshes earlier than it should, that will be a huge help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphadawg7 Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 You forgot an RB but said WR twice. I also thought we REALLY needed a serious OT, DT and LB. But we probably had too many holes to fill in one year. The new projected starters are Hangartner (upgrade), Owens (upgrade), Nelson (probable upgrade), Wood (upgrade) and Levitre (downgrade, since he is actually replacing Peters). Maybin will be half a starter but that is an upgrade. Byrd could be a new starter, too. Leodis was already starting for Greer and i think will be better this year on the way to being a star. Getting back Schobel will likely help, and maybe help a lot. It's almost like getting a new starter. Also, Reed and Parrish at #2 and #3 are very mediocre at best. But Reed and Parrish at #3 and #4 opposite TO and Evans could be very valuable (especially with Hardy and Johnson in the mix at #3 and #4) We didn't address the starter needed at DT for Williams or LB for Ellison (or FB but that doesn't count). We got tougher and nastier, which is good. We also got a little better attitude overall. A trade for an OT or DT would make this a very good off season. Right now it's pretty damn good overall, especially because of TO. If the new revamped OL meshes earlier than it should, that will be a huge help. We did address Ellison...thats what we drafted N. Harris for... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 We did address Ellison...thats what we drafted N. Harris for... I think he has some potential but he is not penciled in as a starter. The more i see of him I like but I wouldnt call that addressing Ellison. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 I think he has some potential but he is not penciled in as a starter. The more i see of him I like but I wouldnt call that addressing Ellison. I think/hope they pick up a FA OLB. This is the one need area that really wasn't addressed properly, IMO. I don't think they get another OT, but an experienced vet would be a nice addition. Despite the giant hole left by the Peters trade, I think the OL has the potential to be better this year, due to the strengthening of the interior. Similarly, I don't expect a DT addition, but would love one. I still expect improvement from the D-line this season, even if they stand pat with what they have now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alphadawg7 Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 I think he has some potential but he is not penciled in as a starter. The more i see of him I like but I wouldnt call that addressing Ellison. Granted he is no lock, but thats what he was drafted for, to play LB...so I wasnt saying he will be the guy for sure (although I do think he will at some point), just meant they felt he was the best LB prospect available when they took him, and I agree... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
___JT___ Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 After viewing the press conference today, coach said that Butler has played some right tackle . So with that, I think our O line is going to look like this: LT:WALKER LG: WOOD C:HANGARTNER RG: LEVITIRE RT: BUTLER. I think its funny hearing the "experts' say we had a bad/poor draft because we did not get a tackle. Like we forgot about it or something. This one is good also : "why a corner ? " Jairus Bryd will play safety. Or the Bills didnt draft a tackle, um Levitire was a starting left tackle for the Ducks. He just projects to play guard by the so called experts . Coach said he could play there and wouldn't rule it out . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billsguy Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 The new projected starters are Hangartner (upgrade), Owens (upgrade), Nelson (probable upgrade), Wood (upgrade) and Levitre (downgrade, since he is actually replacing Peters). Maybin will be half a starter but that is an upgrade. Byrd could be a new starter, too. A new offensive line is hard to assemble in one year. This is not a playoff team. Your upgrades are wishful thinking. They may turn out to be correct, but right now all you have is a gigantic question mark. Even the elite offensive lineman draftees have difficulties the first year or two and the Bills selected non-elite players. It is a huge leap of faith to assume the OL will be better than last year. As such, the growing pains will likely lead to a quick dose of reality when the regular season starts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deep2evans Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 A new offensive line is hard to assemble in one year. This is not a playoff team. Your upgrades are wishful thinking. They may turn out to be correct, but right now all you have is a gigantic question mark. Even the elite offensive lineman draftees have difficulties the first year or two and the Bills selected non-elite players. It is a huge leap of faith to assume the OL will be better than last year. As such, the growing pains will likely lead to a quick dose of reality when the regular season starts. non-elite players? define that. i'd say top 2 at your position is elite. wood and levitre were exactly that - centers and guards don't go early round 1, tackles do. it sounds like you're a miserable !@#$ and want everyone to be as miserable as you. you jump from "it's hard to assemble on o-line in 1 year" to "this is not a playoff team" all in one thought. i bet you're awesome to watch the game with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flomoe Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Wouldn't Alvin Bowen be possibly penciled in for Ellison, now that he's back from the knee injury? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LabattBlue Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Four O-linemen, 2 linebackers, one defensive lineman, one TE, one WR, one QB, and one WR. Plus a safety and 3 CBs (Florence and a couple of late round CBs who I suspect are projected as special teamers). That's what the Bills have acquired since the end of the season. Lots of o-line, not so much d-line. They had a lot of d-line already (Stroud, Johnson, Williams, Denney, Ellis, Kelsay, Schoebel, and Jason Jefferson), and the addition of Maybin gives them 9. T Jefferson played with Atlanta in 2008. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave mcbride Posted April 27, 2009 Author Share Posted April 27, 2009 You forgot an RB but said WR twice. I also thought we REALLY needed a serious OT, DT and LB. But we probably had too many holes to fill in one year. The new projected starters are Hangartner (upgrade), Owens (upgrade), Nelson (probable upgrade), Wood (upgrade) and Levitre (downgrade, since he is actually replacing Peters). Maybin will be half a starter but that is an upgrade. Byrd could be a new starter, too. Leodis was already starting for Greer and i think will be better this year on the way to being a star. Getting back Schobel will likely help, and maybe help a lot. It's almost like getting a new starter. Also, Reed and Parrish at #2 and #3 are very mediocre at best. But Reed and Parrish at #3 and #4 opposite TO and Evans could be very valuable (especially with Hardy and Johnson in the mix at #3 and #4) We didn't address the starter needed at DT for Williams or LB for Ellison (or FB but that doesn't count). We got tougher and nastier, which is good. We also got a little better attitude overall. A trade for an OT or DT would make this a very good off season. Right now it's pretty damn good overall, especially because of TO. If the new revamped OL meshes earlier than it should, that will be a huge help. Yep, it was late. Fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave mcbride Posted April 27, 2009 Author Share Posted April 27, 2009 Jefferson played with Atlanta in 2008. Damn; mistakes galore in my initial post! Who was the Bills 4th DT again last year? I also forgot about Copeland Bryan and Corey Mace. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 You forgot an RB but said WR twice. I also thought we REALLY needed a serious OT, DT and LB. But we probably had too many holes to fill in one year. The new projected starters are Hangartner (upgrade), Owens (upgrade), Nelson (probable upgrade), Wood (upgrade) and Levitre (downgrade, since he is actually replacing Peters). Maybin will be half a starter but that is an upgrade. Byrd could be a new starter, too. Leodis was already starting for Greer and i think will be better this year on the way to being a star. Getting back Schobel will likely help, and maybe help a lot. It's almost like getting a new starter. Also, Reed and Parrish at #2 and #3 are very mediocre at best. But Reed and Parrish at #3 and #4 opposite TO and Evans could be very valuable (especially with Hardy and Johnson in the mix at #3 and #4) We didn't address the starter needed at DT for Williams or LB for Ellison (or FB but that doesn't count). We got tougher and nastier, which is good. We also got a little better attitude overall. A trade for an OT or DT would make this a very good off season. Right now it's pretty damn good overall, especially because of TO. If the new revamped OL meshes earlier than it should, that will be a huge help. Good analysis. Especially about Reed, Parrish. The next big thing is our coordinators. Does Schonert still call for shotgun/empty backfield on 2nd/3rd and short or actually make the defense play both the run and pass. Does Fewell try something different besides rushing the same 4 guys every down and keep our secondary in soft zone coverage? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 A new offensive line is hard to assemble in one year. This is not a playoff team. Your upgrades are wishful thinking. They may turn out to be correct, but right now all you have is a gigantic question mark. Even the elite offensive lineman draftees have difficulties the first year or two and the Bills selected non-elite players. It is a huge leap of faith to assume the OL will be better than last year. As such, the growing pains will likely lead to a quick dose of reality when the regular season starts. We have zero idea of how good this new line is. If the projections are correct, we are having five new players counting their position changes. They may or may not become a good unit. They may take the entire season to gel, never gel at all, or do it surprisingly quickly. The rookies may take a long time to get the feel of the NFL and maybe relatively quickly. The talent at WR and RB may offset the newness of the line. We just don't know but it's a huge question mark and could very well ruin the season. But, for example, Wood seems very smart, and he's a guy I could see playing well right away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LynchMob23 Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 One thing I can see with the addition of Maybin: we may use the creep on third down as a way to scheme him as the open rusher to the Qb. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conch Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 After viewing the press conference today, coach said that Butler has played some right tackle . So with that, I think our O line is going to look like this: LT:WALKER LG: WOOD C:HANGARTNER RG: LEVITIRE RT: BUTLER. I think its funny hearing the "experts' say we had a bad/poor draft because we did not get a tackle. Like we forgot about it or something. This one is good also : "why a corner ? " Jairus Bryd will play safety. Or the Bills didnt draft a tackle, um Levitire was a starting left tackle for the Ducks. He just projects to play guard by the so called experts . Coach said he could play there and wouldn't rule it out . Walker is a right tackle playing left tackle. Wood is a rookie center playing guard. Hangartner is a center playing center. Levitire is a rookie tackle playing guard. Butler is a guard playing tackle. Sounds like a pig and a poke. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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