Now that the dust of the 2011 Draft has settled, it’s time to analyze the current state of Buffalo’s roster. We’ll be taking a look at one position at a time. Today: DL.
The Bills’ defensive line took its share of criticism last season – finishing last in the league in rush defense will have that effect. Buffalo brings back largely the same group in 2011 with two major changes – Marcus Stroud is out, and #3 overall draft pick Marcell Dareus is in. Will that change alone give the Bills improved production from the line? Will some other young players be able to step up? Will Kyle Williams be able to keep up his incredible level of play?
I was going to break this up into two articles: defensive ends and defensive tackles, but since Buffalo will most likely continue to use a hybrid 3-4/4-3 defense this season, some guys will be moving from tackle to end and back quite a bit. This will just be easier.
Buffalo Bills Post-Draft Roster Analysis: Defensive Line – continue reading…
When you say the Buffalo Bills are currently hamstrung with injuries it’s no exaggeration. Literally, hamstring injuries Spencer Johnson and Kyle Williams may force the Bills to alter their defensive personnel when they face the Bengals Sunday afternoon in Cincinnati.
Johnson has already been ruled out for Sunday by Bills head coach Chan Gailey. In his place will be third-round rookie draft pick Alex Carrington. Johnson has been a valuable asset in defensive coordinator George Edwards’ rotation, compiling 32 tackles to go with a sack and a forced fumble. Meanwhile, Carrington will be dressing for just the third time this season. While no Bills fan is happy about Johnson being injured, getting to see what Carrington can do on the field will be a welcomed site.
Carrington, or as my WECK 1230 radio host friend Brad Riter likes to call him, “NOT Colt McCoy”, has registered just one tackle while seeing precious little playing time.
Hamstrung Bills May Turn To Carrington, McCargo – continue reading…
Since the Buffalo Bills are unlikely anytime soon to head out in free agency and ink impact players that can instantly turn a team’s fortunes around like Julius Peppers or Karlos Dansby, the lone road to redemption goes down the annual April draft. With the Dick Jauron regime terminated and Buddy Nix taking control of his first draft, hope if not flat-out optimism overflowed the minds of Bills fans ubiquitously.
Despite a glaringly visible need at quarterback or left tackle early in the draft, Nix jerked more than just a few heads when he selected C.J. Spiller. Even with Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch already in tow, in an area most perceived as one of the lone team strengths, Nix couldn’t fight back the enticement of selecting a pure home run hitter. There were more immediate head scratching moments, most notably not taking an offensive tackle until the fifth round or a quarterback until the seventh.
Bills’ Class of 2010 Off to Slow Start – continue reading…
Some news & notes regarding the Buffalo Bills from a fairly busy Wednesday.
♦ Many people anticipated the Buffalo Bills would make an attempt to trade for suspended San Diego wide receiver Vincent Jackson, but I’m told that the Bills made no such inquiry. I’m also told the team doesn’t have an interest in trading for Philadelphia quarterback Kevin Kolb either.
♦ Marshawn Lynch started and carried the ball 17 times against the Packers last Sunday, prompting heavy speculation that he was being auditioned for other teams as trade bait. I spoke to an offensive player wishing to remain anonymous on Wednesday, and he told me in no uncertain terms that Lynch isn’t going anywhere. “He started and got the bulk of the carries because coach (Chan Gailey) thought he’d give us the best chance to move the ball,” the player said. “Marshawn isn’t going anywhere and he’ll continue to be an important part of the team as we try collectively to all get better.”
♦ Despite questions surfacing on why the Bills used a third round draft pick on a player (Alex Carrington) who has yet to suit up for a game, it appears Gailey isn’t in any rush to get him on the field and is leaving it up to defensive coordinator George Edwards to determine when he’ll be ready.
Buffalo Bills News & Notes – continue reading…
The Buffalo Bills moved closer to having all their rookie draft picks under contract to start training camp Monday after the club announced that third-round draft pick Alex Carrington has agreed to a contract.
Aaron Wilson at the National Football Post is reporting that the deal is for four years, and includes base salaries of $320K, $405K, $490K and $575K, with bonuses and escalators that increase the deal based on playing time and performance.
“It’s quite a bit of relief,” Carrington told the Buffalo News Monday. “I wasn’t too worried about the deal getting done. I knew that my agent, Roosevelt Barnes, would do a good a good job. I’m ready to get to hitting now. I’m ready to get the pads on.”
Bills Sign Third Round Pick Carrington – continue reading…
The Buffalo Bills continued their defensive line overall in the third round of the NFL draft by selecting Arkansas State defensive end Alex Carrington.
He was the 2008 Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year.
The 6-foot-5, 285 pounder recorded nine sacks and 14.5 tackles for losses last year and was a four-year starter. His biggest strength is said to be in stopping the run though he’s demonstrated an ability to get after the quarterback.
In taking Carrington the Bills passed over a new notable players, including quarterback Colt McCoy, offensive tackle Bruce Campbell and defensive end Everson Griffen.
Carrington could see time as a rookie in a rotation with defensive ends Marcus Stroud, Dwan Edwards and Spencer Johnson. Kyle Williams could also play some defensive end.
This is the Bills last scheduled pick of the night. Barring a trade they’ll next be on the clock with the ninth (107th overall) of the fourth round when the draft resumes on Saturday afternoon.
