SB Nation - Jonathan Stupar

Web Rumblings: Buffalo Bills Links, 12/15

MattRichWarren — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:47:31 -0000

3 days ago: Buffalo Bills defensive back Jairus Byrd (31) breaks up a pass intended for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Lance Long in the the fourth quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 13, 2009, in Kansas City, Mo. Long was call for pass interference on the play. The Bills 16-10. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Browse more photos »

Buffalo Bills’ All-Decay Team : Buffalo Sports Daily
"Every franchise has its busts, but few can put together a complete lineup of failures who came with so much promise. These aren’t just any scrubs; they’re guys who, based on what was invested in them, were counted on to make the team respectable at least. " Can't say I agree with Willis McGahee on here.

S Byrd leads NFL and interception-happy Bills - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
John Wawrow of the AP analyzes the Bills' interception totals from the year. [Ed. Note: Check out the caption on the photo above and catch the mistake.]

Evans again forgotten on Bills' offense : Jerry Sullivan : The Buffalo News
"You have to feel a twinge of sympathy for poor Lee Evans. Good guy. Good teammate. Good in the community. Good hands. Great speed. But in his sixth NFL season, the Bills' wide receiver is struggling through the most discouraging season of his career."

Bills replay: Running backs finally run wild : Buffalo Bills : The Buffalo News
In his game tape review, Allen Wilson focuses in on the Bills run blocking and running backs.

Buffalo Bills Replay | democratandchronicle.com | Democrat and Chronicle
"We're trying to say some nice things about the Bills because this might be our last chance. This is probably the last game they're going to win this season." Thanks Sal!

Perfect ending for Colts, Saints would be Super Bowl | Democrat and Chronicle
Buffalo was holding opponents to a 62.5 passer rating before Kansas City's Matt Cassel registered a 35.4 rating in a 16-10 home loss to the Bills. The Bills entered Sunday with a 25th-ranked 70.0 passer rating themselves, and Ryan Fitzpatrick had a 65.8 rating in victory Sunday.

Buffalo Bills NFL News Updates - CBSSports.com Rapid Reports
The Bills are currently leading the league in INTs with 25. The last time Buffalo had that many takeaways through the air was in 1975.

Moorman has shot at elusive number – Inside The Bills
"After Sunday’s masterful performance in which he finished with a net average of 53, Moorman’s net average for the season is now 41.4, good for third in the league."

Monday Morning Quarterback - Peter King - SI.com
King named Brian Moorman his special teams player of the week for punting four times for a 53-yard average and not surrendering a return yard. He forgot to mention the other stuff like getting a bad snap up for Rian Lindell and calling a timeout instead of taking a delay of game penalty.

Run game revs up - BuffaloBills.com
"My hat goes off to Jonathan Stupar because he played every play on offense," said Fred Jackson. "He was on the field (throwing up) at one point. He was a guy that wanted to perform for us and help us get a victory. Jamon coming in as another tight end to help us [when Shawn Nelson went down]. It was about guys just wanting to get a victory."

Scott growing into role at linebacker : The Buffalo News
"He's a big safety and a small linebacker," Fewell said. "Bryan is really stepping up to the plate for us because we need guys to step up to the plate. It's not the role that he envisioned himself to be in at the beginning of the season but it shows how unselfish he is and how unselfish this team is."

What Else Can We Expect? | Democrat and Chronicle | Three-Point Stance
Sal Maiorana lauds defensive ends Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay for playing well and explains why he dislikes Aaron Maybin so much. He also calls for Brian Brohm because Ryan Fitzpatrick "couldn’t start for about 20 Division I college teams."

No passing mark yet for Fitzpatrick | Olean Times Herald
"One question was emphatically answered on Sunday afternoon at Arrowhead Stadium: neither Trent Edwards nor Ryan Fitzpatrick will be the Bills’ quarterback come training camp next July."

Taking out the Trash: Bill of goods - George Winkler - Fantasy Source Blitz - Sporting News
"Perry Fewell says he's sticking with Fitzpatrick, but it doesn't take an Ivy League education for fantasy owners to know the Harvard grad should be punted."

Bills Announce Tickets Available For Last Two Games | WKBW News
The Bills have announced that approximately 2,000 tickets are available for Sunday’s game vs. the New England Patriots and over 5,000 tickets remain for the January 3rd game vs. the Indianapolis Colts.

Countdown Daily Insight Center: NE-BUF - ESPN Video - ESPN
Football Scientist KC Joyner takes you into the IBM Insight Center to tell you the keys to victory.

WGR 550 SportsRadio - Jake Locker Could Have Been #1
"Sam Bradford is a mid-first round talent. I project Colt McCoy as a late first to early second round pick, with the likes of Tim Tebow, Dan LeFevour, Tony Pike and Sean Canfield in a glut just beyond him. Watch out for Arkansas's Ryan Mallet, however. He's a very raw talent and underclassmen, but has the skills to sneak in to the first round if he elects to leave early."

It's my mom's birthday today so happy birthday mom!

Bills place TE Fine on IR, sign Joe Klopfenstein

Brian Galliford — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:16:28 -0000

Perry Fewell may have inherited an "opportunity of a lifetime," as he termed it, when he was named interim head coach of the Buffalo Bills on Tuesday night, but he also inherits a nightmare situation in terms of injuries. That situation got worse on Wednesday morning, as starting tight end Derek Fine was placed on Injured Reserve. His season is now over thanks to a knee injury. The Bills themselves confirmed the news via Twitter.

To fill out their depth chart at tight end, the Bills signed street free agent Joe Klopfenstein, a second-round draft pick of the St. Louis Rams in 2006. Klopfenstein has 33 career receptions in three seasons.

Fine was Buffalo's starting tight end by default after the Bills lost opening-day starter Derek Schouman to a season-ending knee injury. With both Schouman and Fine gone, rookie fourth-round pick Shawn Nelson will likely be the team's full-time starter at tight end, with Jonathan Stupar and Klopfenstein providing depth.

The Bills have now had six players hit the IR list since opening day. Fine joins an ever-expanding list including Schouman, tackle Brad Butler, linebackers Kawika Mitchell and Marcus Buggs, and cornerback Leodis McKelvin.

Notes from the Bills' O-Line: Week 8 vs Texans

Ron From NM — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:55:49 -0000

More photos » by David Duprey - AP

Browse more photos »

Well, it took a while coming, but the Buffalo Bills ran into a team that refused to sink into mediocrity for an entire game. The Houston Texans shot themselves in the foot for the entirety of the first half, but during halftime, someone in their locker room said something to the effect of, "Hey, we're better than this." Sadly, a corresponding comment in Buffalo's locker room went something more like, "Keep on keeping on."

While it is small consolation, the Bills' offensive line actually improved in one key area: killed plays. While the line has been averaging 7.8 killed plays per game, that number dropped to 5 against Houston. Every lineman but one killed a play. You'll no doubt be surprised to learn that the lone exception was one Kirk Chambers.

I knew that Mario Williams had a quiet day, but I was stunned to see that he didn't even show up on the stat sheet. Yeah, weird. I'm guessing that Williams was slipping in a pool of his own drool as he salivated at the thought of going up against Buffalo's below-average tackles. Super Mario did have an impact, even if it didn't make for a line on the stat sheet, it just wasn't as much as could have been foreseen.

Drive 1
Pass 1: Josh Reed 4 yards
Demetrius Bell sealed 91 inside where Andy Levitre was waiting for him. Geoff Hangartner and Eric Wood doubled 95. Marshawn Lynch chipped Willams for Jamon Meredith, though it didn't look like Meredith really needed the help. Derek Fine let 94 move to the inside and kept him from getting back to the outside to chase Ryan Fitzpatrick on the rollout. By the way, I was absolutely delighted to see that Buffalo finally caught on to the fact that everyone else had caught on to the naked bootleg to the right/none-yard pass to the TE. The Texans seemed genuinely surprised when Fitzpatrick rolled to his left and threw the ball to a WR instead. Way to (finally) adjust!

Run 1: Lynch 8 yards through the right C gap
94 knocked Bell backwards and knifed inside to chase the play. He almost had a tackle for loss (TFL). Levitre went to the second level but had no one to block. Hangartner and Wood doubled 91. Hangartner blocked him down the line while Wood peeled and tried in vain to pick up 56 in the second level. Meredith tapped 59 in the second level but didn't lock him up. Fine let Williams rush upfield and kept him out of the play.

Run 2: Lynch 8 yards through the left C gap
Bell pushed 91 inside to seal the edge. Levitre helped with 91 then hit 59 in the second level. He then, possibly against explicit directions to the contrary since no one else did for most of the day, sustained his block until Lynch was past him. Hangartner and Wood doubled 95. While Hangartner moved him to the right, Wood peeled and hit 56. Meredith let Williams go upfield and then stoned him when he tried to chase the play. Fine jumped inside of 94 and rode him around on a circle away from the play.

Run 3: Lynch -1 yard through the right C gap
Bell chucked Williams then hit 59 in the second level but didn't sustain his block. Levitre stood up 91 and then got a two-yard push on him. Hangartner and Wood doubled 95 and drove him three yards to the left. Meredith ignored 94 to go hit 31. 94 killed the play by sending Lynch deeper than he should have had to go. However, Lynch avoided 94 and could have easily picked up the 2 yards needed for a first down by simply plunging straight ahead. Instead, he danced as he tried to spring it for a bigger gain. He's got to understand that getting the first down gives Buffalo three more chances to pick up a big play. In theory. Stop laughing! It could happen. Well, you can't rule it out at any rate... Meanwhile, Fine got under Williams' right shoulder and kept him on the edge of the LOS.

Pass 2: INC bad pass to Reed against a blitz
Bell pushed 99 past Fitzpatrick. Levitre and Hangartner doubled and stuffed 94. 91 spun inside of Wood and got into the pocket. Wood stuck with him and pushed him past Fitzpatrick. Williams got around the corner and hit the QB after the ball was away. Lynch picked up 59 who came in late, but only because Lynch had stayed in to block.

Blitzes: 1
Stacked box: 0
Drive Killer: Lynch's decision to dance instead of crash forward for easily attainable yardage

Drive 2
Pass 3: Terrell Owens 3 yards
Williams got around Bell and got a hand on Fitzpatrick after the throw. Levitre and Hangartner kept 95 on the line of scrimmage (LOS). Wood and Meredith doubled 94 and Lynch picked up 91 when he stunted. Meredith was hurt on the play, bringing Chambers in for the balance of the game. Yes, Buffalo has been snake bit at the tackle position...

Run 4: Lynch no gain through the right C gap
Bell kept Williams on the edge of the LOS. Levitre chucked 95 and was then too slow to catch 56 at the second level. (56 is Brian Cushing, by the way, and he's really fast.) Hangartner helped 95 go to the left and thus out of the play. Wood rode 91 down the line and to the ground. Chambers didn't really block anyone. He tried to help Wood with 91, but Wood was already taking him away from Chambers. Had Chambers instead shot into the second level, he could have picked up 59, which would have gotten Lynch a yard or two. Fine rode 94 to the inside to set the edge.

Pass 4: Steve Johnson 5 yards (on third and 7)
Bell beat Williams to the corner. Williams shoved Bell further upfield to get inside of the pocket, but too late. Levitre and Hangartner doubled 94 initially. Hangartner kept his head moving and saw that Wood needed to release 95, so Hangartner left Levitre and picked up 95. Wood had to release 95 to keep 99 from cutting inside of Chambers. It was an example of excellent communication by the offensive line. Meanwhile, Johnson had to come back from beyond the sticks to catch the misplaced pass by Fitzpatrick. Had Fitzpatrick put the ball where it needed to be (instead of two yards short of the line to gain), Johnson would likely have had first down yardage.

Blitzes: 0
Stacked box: 0
Drive Killer: Fitzpatrick's bad pass

Drive 3
Run 5: Fred Jackson 3 yards through the right C gap
Bell let Williams go upfield and kept inside of him until the play was over. Levitre went to the second level and hit 59, but didn't sustain his block. Hangartner got a little push on 92, but 92 swam past his right shoulder to get inside and chase the play. Wood chucked 91 and then popped Cushing, but didn't sustain his block. Cushing slowed Jackson down. Chambers drove 91 inside and down. Fine pushed 29 all over the field. Jonathan Stupar had a slow motion cut attempt on 94. 94 never went down, but it really slowed him down.

Run 6: Jackson 4 yards through the left B gap
Bell hit 54 and pushed him inside. He didn't sustain his block and 54 was in on the tackle. Levitre hit 54, but didn't sustain that block either. Hangartner jumped to the left of 92 and kept him from chasing the play. Wood pushed 91 to the right, then went upfield and abused 26 deep in the secondary. Chambers doubled 94 with Fine and kept him on the edge of the LOS.

Pass 5: Sack -8 yards against a 5 man blitz
Williams blew past Bell which forced Fitzpatrick to step up and into Cushing. Levitre kept 94 from working his way inside. 94 spun and got free, but too late to make a difference. Hangartner tossed a blitzing 59 to the ground. Wood and Chambers doubled 94. Fine and Stupar doubled 98. Had Bell made his block, Fitzpatrick could have drifted to his right, as there was good protection to that side. Cushing would have had to slow to turn the corner and Fitzpatrick would have had time to get his pass off. Possibly the most galling thing about the play is that the Bills had 7 blockers and still gave up the sack.

Blitzes: 1
Stacked box: 0
Drive Killer: Bell's non-block on Williams.

Drive 4
Run 7: Owens 29 yard reverse for TD through the left C gap
Bell went to the second level and missed the cut on 54, but got enough of him to slow him down. 54 was about 2 steps too late to push Owens out of bounds. Levitre pushed 95 to the right. Hangartner let 95 penetrate to the right and chase the fake. Wood submarined 91 and put him down. Chambers turned 94 away from Owens and kept him there. Fine had no one to block, and Stupar tapped 56. Evans sprang the play when he came back to pick up the defensive back, sealing him off from Owens' run lane.

Blitzes: 0
Stacked box: 0
Drive Killer: N/A

Drive 5
Pass 6: Fine 9 yards
Everyone blocked like it was a run to the right. Fitzpatrick again rolled out to the left, which again caught the defense off guard.

Run 8: Jackson 3 yards through the left C gap
Bell pushed 91 to the inside to set the edge. Levitre went to the second level and stuck to Cushing, who still managed to get in on the tackle. Hangartner stood up 95. Wood helped with 95 and then popped 59, but he didn't sustain his block, instead moving on to hit 54. Chambers turned Williams upfield and kept him from chasing the play. Fine locked up 29 and wrestled him around the secondary. Stupar had a beautiful cut on 94 to open the run lane.

Pass 7: INC against a 5 man blitz
Bell handed 94 to Levitre to pick up a blitzing Cushing. Unfortunately, Levitre was helping Hangartner with 91 and never even looked at 94. 94 decked Fitzpatrick while he was throwing, leading to the INC. Wood stuffed 95 and Chambers stopped Williams at the corner. This was not a display of effective communication. Levitre should have kept his head moving.

Run 9: Jackson 3 yards through the A gap
Bell and Levitre doubled 91. Hangartner and Wood took 95 three yards off the line. Wood then picked up Cushing and battled him in the second level. Chembers got inside 94 and kept him on the edge of the LOS. Stupar hit 59 in the hole, kind of like an effective fullback. (I wish Buffalo had one of those.) Fine stuffed Williams on the edge of the LOS.

Pass 8: Reed 15 yards against a 6 man blitz
Bell stuffed 98. Levitre, Hangartner and Wood easily handled a pair of defensive linemen. Chambers effortlessly beat Williams to the corner. Fine stopped 59 and Jackson picked up a delayed blitz by Cushing.

Run 10: Jackson 4 yards through the left C gap in Wildcat formation
Bell went to the second level and hit Cushing but didn't sustain his block. Levitre kept under 95's left shoulder to slow him down. Hangartner went to the second level and didn't hit anyone, never mind that 59 was right in front of him. Wood got a three-yard drive on 92. Chambers tapped 54 but didn't sustain his block. Fine blocked 93 at the edge of the LOS and slowed him down enough to open the run lane.

Run 11: Jackson 1 yard through the left C gap in Wildcat formation
Bell drove 95 inside to set the edge. Levitre helped with 95 but then wasn't fast enough to catch anyone in the second level. Hangartner worked 92 down the line to the right. Wood turned 54 away from the play in the second level. Chambers kept Williams on the edge of the LOS. Fine didn't really block 93 on the edge of the LOS and then also didn't really block a LB in the second level.

Pass 9: Sack -2 yards against a 6 man blitz
Bell fought Williams to the corner. When Fitzpatrick stepped up in the pocket, Williams shed the block and got in on the tackle. Levitre stopped 94, but 94 was in on the tackle when Fitzpatrick tried to scramble. Hangartner let 59 shoot right past him and then curiously set up to pick up any blitzer. Wood did an okay job on 91. 98 went to the corner and easily beat Chambers back to the inside with a spin move. Jackson did a pretty good job picking up 59, all things considered, though 59 did cause Fitzpatrick to pull the ball down and try to scramble.

Blitzes: 3
Stacked box: 0
Drive Killer: Hangartner's non-block on 59 on third and 5

Drive 6
Pass 10: Lynch -2 yard screen
Bell let 98 push him upfield then jumped outside to seal him away from the screen. Levitre semi-shielded 91 but didn't keep him from disrupting the play. Hangartner ran outside and pushed Cushing past the play. Wood couldn't get inside or under 91, even with Levitre slowing him down. Chambers got inside Williams and kept him sealed away from the play.

Run 12: Lynch 5 yards through the left C gap
Bell went to the second level and tried to keep Cushing away from the run lane. Levitre turned 94 and drove him three yards down the line. Hangartner chucked 91 and hit Cushing in the second level as well. Wood got inside of 91 and kept him away from the play. Chambers stopped 98 on the edge of the LOS. Fine crossed the formation to hit Williams, who still got in on the tackle.

Pass 11: Reed 9 yards
Bell stopped Williams. Levitre helped Hangartner with 94 and then, by staying aware of what was going on around him, helped Bell with Williams. Wood took 91 on an arc away from the QB and stuck with him after 91 tried to throw him off. Chambers kept 98 down after he slipped while trying to turn the corner.

Run 13: Lynch 14 yards through the A gap
Bell went to the second level and hit Cushing, turned him around, and then put him down. Levitre dropped back and blocked Williams like he was in pass protection. He then went to the second level but couldn't find anyone to hit. Hangartner turned 94 to the left to set one wall of the run lane, while Wood turned 91 to the right to set the other wall. Chambers had no one to block and wandered into the second level. Fine pushed 98 upfield and around the corner. The hole was so big that Lynch had plenty of room to juke 59. The hole was so enormous because the Bills caught the Texans in a blitz.

Pass 12: INC tipped pass against a 6 man blitz
Bell stuffed 98. Levitre was crushed by 94, who barely broke stride. Hangartner picked up a blitzing 59 and turned him out to open the throwing lane. Wood picked up 91, but let him get a hand up to tip the pass. Chambers neutralized Williams. Jackson stopped Cushing.

Pass 13: Evans 5 yards
Bell and Levitre doubled 94. Hangartner stopped 91. Wood had no one to block and kept looking from 91 to 90 to pitch in if he was needed. Chambers pushed Williams well past the corner.

Pass 14: INC to Owens in end zone against a 6 man blitz
This certainly appeared to be a called run play to the right, and everyone blocked like it was. Had Fitzpatrick handed the ball off to Lynch, it looked like he had a clear path to the pylon for a TD. Instead, Fitzpatrick threw the ball on a sight read. Unfortunately, he threw the ball two beats too late. If he'd thrown it on time, Owens would have had a TD pass in his (stone) hands.

Blitzes: 1
Stacked box: 0
Drive Killer: Fitzpatrick's poorly timed throw to Owens

Drive 7
Run 14: Lynch 3 yards through the left B gap against an 8 man front
Bell turned 93 out, but he slid back inside to chase the play and get in on the tackle. Levitre drove 91 three yards to open the hole. Hangartner chipped 91 and went to the second level where he tapped 54. 95 went down the line with Wood and was in on the tackle. Wood just couldn't cut him off. Chambers hit 31 at the second level. Fine hit Cushing and kept himout of the play. Stupar crossed the formation to hit Williams.

Pass 15: INC long pass to Owens
Bell did a good job not letting Williams get upfield. Hangartner and Levitre doubled 93. Wood did a good job taking 91 past Fitzpatrick and Jackson helped Chambers with 94.

Pass 16: Lynch 5 yards
Bell beat Williams to the corner and reacted well to his attempt to move back to the inside. Levitre and Hangartner doubled 94. When 91 twisted, Levitre picked him up. Wood helped Hangartner with 94 when 91 twisted away from him. Jackson chipped 98 on the way out to the flat for Chambers. Lynch didn't run his pattern past the sticks. He was tackled immediately and two yards short of the first down.

Blitzes: 0
Stacked box: 1
Drive Killer: Lynch's decision not to run his pattern to the sticks

Drive 8
Run 15: Lynch 4 yards through the left B gap
Bell fell on 29, who was just trying to absorb a blocker. Levitre pulled and cut Cushing in space. Hangartner pulled and inadvertently shielded 91 from the play. Wood hit 95 but lost him in the wash, while Chambers had no one to block. Stupar missed a cut on Cushing and Fine jumped inside of 94 to keep him from chasing the play.

Pass 17: Scramble 3 yards against a 5 man blitz - Lynch called for holding
Bell handled Williams. Levitre danced with 54 who never sold out on the blitz - possibly waiting to cover Lynch if he left the backfield. Hangartner and Wood doubled 95, but Wood kept his head turned towards 91 in case Chambers needed help. Chambers didn't need the help. The holding call was pure BS. 59 blitzed and plowed into Lynch. His momentum caused both players to go down in a heap.

Pass 18: Owens 10 yards
Lynch was assigned to help Chambers, but it really wasn't needed. Levitre gave ground to a bull rush by 95, but 95 lost his balance and fell forward. Hangartner was ready to help with 91 or pick up a blitzer. Wood took 91 upfield and Chambers stuffed 94.

Pass 19: INC Lynch drop against a 6 man blitz
Bell almost put Williams down. Levitre pushed 94 inside and got out for the screen. He then pushed 54 past Lynch. Hangartner was ready to block downfield. Wood let 91 go upfield but stuck with him in order to block him if he chased the play. 98 wound up tripping, so Chambers kept him down. It was the perfect play call, and if Lynch hadn't dropped it, he had all kinds of room in front of him. There were only 5 defenders downfield and Lynch had a couple of linemen in front of him.

Blitzes: 2
Stacked box: 0
Drive Killer: Lynch's drop

Drive 9
Run 16: Jackson 4 yards through the right C gap
Bell locked up 94 on the end of the LOS. Levitre tried to turn 91 away from the play. He didn't succeed, but he kept under his pads and slowed him down considerably. Hangartner pushed 91 and wasn't fast enough to catch the linebackerss. Wood pushed 92 to the inside and away from the play. Chambers missed a block on 54 in the second level. Fine didn't get much of a block on Cushing. Stupar crossed the formation and cut Williams.

Run 17: Jackson 4 yards through the left C gap
Bell sealed 94 inside with Levitre's help. 91 shot inside of Hangartner and should have had a TFL. Wood hit 54 in the second level. 54 threw off his block, but Wood circled back and nailed 54 again. Chambers hit 92 but couldn't stay with him due to the wash. Stupar kept after Cushing and kept him out of the play. Fine hit 59 and stopped him in his tracks.

Run 18: Jackson no gain through the right C gap
Bell tried to cut 54 in the second level and wasn't fast enough. He did slow him down. Levitre cut 94 immediately. Hangartner went to the second level and rode 59 down. Wood got wiped out while blocking 91 by the Hangartner/59 pileup. 91 went down as well, but got up to get in on the tackle. Chambers pulled to lead the play and pushed Cushing out of the way. Fine was chopped down in the wash. Stupar killed the play by being driven 4 yards upfield by 98. That sent Jackson way too deep to get back to the line, and let the secondary react and make the tackle for no gain.

Blitzes: 0
Stacked box: 0
Drive Killer: Stupar

Drive 10
Run 19: Lynch 5 yards through the left C gap
Bell and Levitre pushed 91 three yards to the right and into the wash. Hangartner held his ground against 98. Wood chipped 98 and went to the second level, but had no one to block. Chambers kept Williams on the edge of the line. Perhaps he was just frustrated, but Williams didn't really seem particularly motivated on the play.

Pass 20: INT
94 got past his block, fell, got up and hit Fitzpatrick below the knees. Levitre tried to help with 94, but was shielded from him by Bell. Hangartner kept 91 on an arc away from Fitzpatrick. Wood and Chambers doubled 98, while Wood stayed alert for any blitzers. Jackson and Lynch picked up a stunting 98. T.O. broke off his pattern, so there was no one deep except Texans. However, the drive was actually killed by the refs. There's no excuse in the world for the refs not throwing a roughing the passer flag on the Texans. It was the exact same hit that put Brady out for the year in 2008 and is supposed to be a point of emphasis with officials. Funny how that doesn't seem to apply to Buffalo's quarterbacks.

Blitzes: 0
Stacked box: 0
Drive Killer: ref's non-call of a blatant roughing the passer penalty

Drive 11
Pass 21: Owens 14 yards
Bell pushed 98 past the corner. Levitre stuffed 94. Hangartner and Wood doubled 91, while Hangartner kept looking for blitzers. Chambers beat Williams to the corner.

Pass 22: Owens 8 yards
Bell pushed 98 to the inside to Levitre and picked up a twisting 94 from him. Hangartner and Wood doubled 91. Chambers stuffed 90 at the corner.

Pass 23: Lynch 3 yards
Bell stopped Williams. Williams worked back to the inside and Bell wouldn't have been in position to stop him if the QB had held the ball. Levitre pushed 91 upfield and away from Fitzpatrick. Hangartner had no one to block. Neither did Wood, so he helped Chambers with 94.

Pass 24: Owens 4 yards
Bell and Levitre pushed Williams past the corner. Hangartner had no one to block. Wood handed 91 to Chambers in order to pick up a twisting 94.

Pass 25: Evans 24 yards
Bell and Levitre doubled 94 while Hangartner and Wood tag teamed 91. Chambers took Williams all the way around the corner.

Pass 26: INT off tipped pass
Bell hit 56 and pushed him downfield, where he was in perfect position to tip the pass and make the INT. Levitre had no one to block. Hangartner was driven back to Fitzpatrick by 93's bull rush. Wood picked up a stunting 95 and Chambers easily handled Williams. Fitzpatrick didn't keep track of Cushing and threw the ball without realizing he was in the throwing lane.

Blitzes: 0
Stacked box: 0
Drive Killer: Fitzpatrick's INT

On the third drive of the second half, the crowd really hated the third consecutive running played that was called (Run 18), but I didn't. Buffalo was trying to impose its will on Houston, and the previous 9 non-Wildcat runs had gained at least 3 yards. Buffalo was running the ball reasonably well, and a run on third and 2 against a 7 man front was a high percentage play. It just so happened that Stupar didn't do his job. The only way you can pin that one on Dick Jauron or Alex Van Pelt) would be to blame them for not doing a better job of coaching Stupar during the week... but even that rings hollow as Stupar, by and large, had a pretty good day blocking on run plays.

You can blame Jauron for the fake punt following the Stupar debacle. After all, the Bills were only down by 7. However, the Bills' offense had done nothing (again), and it seemed pretty clear that the defense had been worn down to a nub (again). In this case, blaming Jauron for his preparation during the week seems more reasonable. After all, it's not like the offensive woes are a new phenomenon.

Is anyone else wondering if Buffalo - in ‘win now' mode during the off season - erred by picking Aaron Maybin instead of a guy like Cushing? Cushing looked terrific and super fast. Yeah, I know. If Buffalo had picked him he'd be on IR due to the defensive injury curse that seems to hang over the Bills. Still, the guy has been productive, while Maybin has yet to contribute.

People might point to Buffalo's low rushing output, but consider that Buffalo averaged 5.4 yards per attempt against the Texans. Throw out Owens' reverse, and it's still a respectable 4.1-yard average. 30 runs would have put the Bills on pace for about 150 yards. Unfortunately, the miscues (bad passes, drops, missed blocks) meant that the Bills didn't have those extra 10 downs. I was both surprised and disappointed to see Buffalo essentially abandon running between the tackles for the game. Yes, the way to attack a 4-3 is on the edge, but that doesn't make it alright to abdicate the middle.

Left C	Left B	A	Right B	Right C
9-64	3-11	2-17	0-0	5-10
7.1	3.7	8.5	0.0	2.0

After a disastrous outing in Miami, Chambers bounced back to have a very average game. He did a good job containing Williams (as did Bell), sometimes with assistance and sometimes on his own. This was the Chambers of previous years, the one who was good enough to fill in for starters. Let's hope he's back to stay instead of just visiting, since it seems likely that Buffalo will be calling on him again soon.

Don't get too excited about the high run grade for Levitre or the low run grade for Hangartner. In each case, the small number of run plays magnifies the good/bad plays. Levitre had 4 good run plays against no bad ones, while Hangartner had 3 bad run plays against zero good ones. When I do the mid-season grades write up, you'll see that Levitre isn't that good and Hangartner isn't that bad when viewed over time. (Also, Meredith had only 3 run plays and 3 pass plays and had 1 bad play in each category.)

Player	Run Grade	Pass Grade
Demetrius Bell	75.0	73.5
Andy Levitre	79.2	72.7
Geoff Hangartner	71.8	74.2
Eric Wood	76.1	72.7
Kirk Chambers	75.0	74.1
Jamon Meredith	68.3	68.3

Texans 31, Bills 10: Week 8 Film Session

Brian Galliford — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 13:34:23 -0000

More photos » by Mike Groll - AP

Browse more photos »

Once again, we've entered a realm in which discussing a most recent Buffalo Bills game leads to nausea rather than euphoria. Their 31-10 loss to the Houston Texans was every bit as exasperating to re-watch on tape as it was to take it in live at the stadium, because once again, the Bills had a superior opponent on the ropes for most of the game. Credit Houston for staying patient, but credit them also for realizing that, just like New England and New Orleans before them, the were facing an opponent susceptible to blowing solid performances late in games.

The film has been re-watched, the stomach meds have been ingested, and we've got a few talking points to go over today. Let's get this over with.

The run defense. That old adage that a defense can tire out over the course of a game is completely accurate. Buffalo's run defense isn't just dead last in the league because they generally stink at stopping the run, folks - they're also dead last because the offense can't give them more than a few spare moments per game to get some oxygen on the sidelines.

Case in point: the Bills' run defense was by no means dominant in the first half Sunday, but it was, at least, not awful. Houston was actually out-rushed by Buffalo in the first half (aided, of course, by Terrell Owens' 29-yard touchdown on a reverse). The Texans wound up rushing for 186 yards on the day, but only 67 of those came prior to halftime. If you think some of that didn't have to do with both the sheer amount of time they spent on the field (39:08) and their undermanned depth chart, think again. Considering all of the factors, we couldn't have asked for much more from the run defense, particularly early in the game.

The offensive line. In a more ideal football world than the one we're involved with right now, the "quarterback vs. O-Line debate" - meaning which one is more important to the success of an offense - has always been one that's fascinated me. (I fall on the quarterback side of the argument, by the way.) As bad as Trent Edwards and Ryan Fitzpatrick have been this season, however, it's hard to imagine many quarterbacks being successful behind this offensive line.

I counted five separate times in this game that Fitzpatrick hit the final step of his drop - and one of those was a three-step drop - and was immediately surrounded by Texans defenders. Individually, each Bills lineman - yes, even the revolving door of suck at right tackle - is capable of winning a matchup one-on-one. Houston simply brought pressure straight up the middle and/or stunted, and with Mario Williams commanding attention on the outside, it became too much to handle logistically for these young players. Pockets were collapsing around Fitzpatrick more frequently than the Texans were picking up first downs. We already have a pretty definitive idea that Edwards will re-claim his starting role in Week 10, but given the way the line is playing right now, we're likely to see both of these quarterbacks before season's end.

Get healthy, Shawn Nelson. I'm not saying that the lack of a receiving threat at tight end is the underlying problem behind all of Buffalo's offensive issues - that's obviously not the case - but in watching this offense, the lack of a short-area receiving threat is painfully obvious. (It's made even more painful by the fact that, for whatever reason, the Bills refuse to play Fred Jackson in that role, as they did at the beginning of the season).

Derek Fine is a tough customer and a valuable blocker and special teamer, but he's completely worthless right now as a receiving threat. Same goes for Jonathan Stupar, who has been unable to turn a solid pre-season into anything other than extraordinarily average play on the field in games that count. Meanwhile, Nelson continues to miss games with migraine issues, though Dick Jauron did say Monday that he's expected to practice this week and next, and play in Tennessee. Nelson's only got six catches on the year, but he's a weapon at a position that is, once again, completely non-existent in Buffalo.

Aaron Maybin. I wrote a piece about Maybin last week, so I'll keep this brief. Once again, Maybin had a sack lined up this week, but it was taken away from him by an opportunistic Aaron Schobel. He gets a little better rushing the passer every week, and Perry Fewell is starting to find ways to get him free in games. If Schobel's groin injury lingers, we're likely to see Maybin much more than usual until the veteran returns to full health.

I spent a great deal of my energies watching Maybin in the second half, mostly because the game itself was clearly going to be out of hand soon. Watching Maybin play - from a technical standpoint right down to the way he moves around on the field - he just looks every bit like the 21-year-old he is. He looks uncomfortable in his own skin, like he doesn't have full control of his body yet. The guy busts his butt on every play, and while he makes mistakes, his motor is better than any defenders' on this team. Give him time to mature not only as a football player, but from a body standpoint, too. He's making (extremely) slow, steady progress week to week.

Reggie Corner. I've been meaning to say this for a couple of weeks, but after his performance against Houston, it needs to be said - Corner is the epitome of what's wrong with Buffalo's defense. Corner's a good football player. He's quick, he's active, and he flies all over the field. But boy, is it easy for opponents to find ways to beat this guy. Whether it's mental mistakes or (more frequently) just being overmatched physically, Corner is a player that opponents attack. On the other hand, I'd like to see more of Ashton Youboty - once again, he's giving the Bills solid reps as a reserve DB, and acquitting himself nicely.

Jairus Byrd. There. I said his name. Soak in the happy feelings... and move on.

Bye week problems to fix. Not exactly playing the role of Copernicus here, because these are all fairly obvious, but the top three things that the Bills absolutely have to fix during the bye week if they still fancy themselves playoff contenders are:

Line play. The young guys up front are still working hard, but there are way too many mental errors and physical breakdowns. Not only does the line play need to get better, but Alex Van Pelt needs to figure out a way to finally mask some of their deficiencies.

Sustaining/ending drives. This has been a problem all season, but in particular against Houston. Buffalo's offense has picked up 116 first downs in 8 games, an average of 14.5 per game. Opponents have picked up 161 first downs on Buffalo, an average of 20 per game. The disparity has been especially skewed over the past three weeks, where Buffalo's opponents have a 59-38 advantage in this area.

Getting healthy. This isn't something the team can actively fix, obviously, but if the team can get key players back, it's only going to help. We already discussed Nelson and Edwards. Keith Ellison, Aaron Schobel and Donte Whitner are all "still sore" according to Jauron in yesterday's press conference (via BuffaloBills.com), and are considered day-to-day (or, in this case, week-to-week, probably). Bryan Scott is back and ready to go; he'll practice this week. Jonathan Scott is getting close as well. Jamon Meredith's knee injury was a sprain, and the Bills are looking at it as a week-to-week thing as well. Same goes for the knee injuries for Kyle Williams and Corey McIntyre, who, when they were injured in Week 7 at Carolina, were considered to be 2-3 weeks away from returning.

Obviously, some of those lingering injuries carry more importance than others. But Buffalo was so banged up in Houston that they literally needed to use every available body on the roster just to field a full 45 active players. Getting more depth is critical for this team, and hopefully the bye week will help them accomplish that.

Bills' defense remains banged up heading into Week 8

Brian Galliford — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:12:53 -0000

More photos » by David Duprey - AP

Browse more photos »

The Buffalo Bills have released their Week 8 injury report, and as usual with this team, it's mostly bad news.

Six players have been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Houston Texans. Quarterback Trent Edwards (head), fullback Corey McIntyre (knee), tight end Shawn Nelson (migraines), tackle Jonathan Scott (ankle), defensive tackle Kyle Williams (knee) and safety Donte Whitner (ankle) will not dress. In addition, safety Bryan Scott - who hasn't played in a month with a high ankle sprain, but who did practice on a limited basis all week - is listed as doubtful.

Williams will miss his first start since being drafted by the Bills in the fifth round of the 2006 Draft. Whitner and Scott, the team's opening-day duo at safety, will (probably, in the case of Scott) miss their fourth and fifth straight games, respectively, though Whitner did make a brief appearance in a Week 6 win over the Jets before succumbing to his ankle injury. Spencer Johnson starts for Williams. Jairus Byrd and George Wilson - who have combined for six interceptions over the past two weeks - will continue to get the call at safety.

Defensive end Chris Kelsay (back) and cornerback Terrence McGee (knee) are listed as probable. Both are likely to suit up.

Ryan Fitzpatrick will make his second straight start at quarterback in place of Edwards; he's won his last five starts dating back to the end of the 2008 season, when he was with Cincinnati. Jamon Meredith will make his third straight start at right tackle in place of Jonathan Scott. The Bills will once again enter a game with just two healthy tight ends (Derek Fine and Jonathan Stupar), and they do not have a replacement fullback for McIntyre, who has seen more action than usual in recent weeks as a lead blocker.

Meanwhile, two key Texans starters - receiver Andre Johnson and linebacker Brian Cushing - will start on Sunday.

Notes from the Bills' O-Line: Week 7 at Carolina

Ron From NM — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 13:30:30 -0000

More photos » by Nell Redmond - AP

Browse more photos »

Like the announcers (Steve Tasker is one of my favorite color guys even if he does butcher names on occasion), I spent most of the game absolutely certain that the Carolina Panthers would run all over the Buffalo Bills in the fourth quarter. The time of possession at times favored the Panthers 3-1, and there were times in the games where the Panthers had four times the yardage of Buffalo.

It all spelled doom, but then a funny thing happened: Ryan Fitzpatrick made a pair of clutch throws, including an astounding rocket pass to Evans for a touchdown. Like many of you, I thought Fitzpatrick would lead the team to a 2-5 record, and, like many of you, I suspected the offensive line wouldn't exactly help matters. It turns out that I was only half right: Fitzpatrick was just barely good enough to win, while the line continued to kill plays with frightening regularity.

Before diving into the heavy stuff (which is all after the jump), here's a brief reminder: based purely on grades and ease of mind, Jonathan Scott is absolutely the best man for the right tackle job at this juncture. A review of Jamon Meredith's second performance is after the jump, along with everything Week 7-related that you need to know about Demetrius Bell, Andy Levitre, Geoff Hangartner and Eric Wood.

Drive 1
For reasons that are unclear, the Bills game didn't start up on DirecTV until the end of the first series. Other guys who have DirecTV on Rumblings seemed to be getting the feed, but I do live in the sticks. I gave everyone a mark of decent for Run 1 (Marshawn Lynch, 1 yard), Pass 1 (Terrell Owens drop of a 20ish yard gain), and Pass 2 (Fitzpatrick scramble for 5 yards), as it would be peevish to penalize guys without the facts.

Blitzes: 0
Stacked box: 0
Drive killer: T.O.'s drop

Drive 2
Pass 3: Incomplete to Lee Evans
Derek Fine pushed 96 inside and Bell kept him there. 92 pushed Levitre back, cut inside of him and hit Fitzpatrick as he threw - causing the wounded duck. Hangartner stopped 75, while Wood and Meredith doubled Julius Peppers.

Run 2: Lynch 8 yards through the right B gap
Bell took 96 on a wide circle upfield. Levitre hit 52 at the second level and didn't sustain his block. He did keep him out of the play. Hangartner got no real push on 75, but 75 couldn't chase the play because of a pile up created by Wood and Meredith. They had blown 92 off the line and to the inside and into 75. Peppers got off of Fine's block to get in on the tackle.

Pass 4: Incomplete
Bell stopped 96. Levitre kept 92 away from Fitzpatrick, though 92 spun late and did get around him. Hangartner waited for a blitzer and then helped Wood stuff 95. Meredith beat 90 to the corner and reacted quickly when Peppers tried to jump back to the inside.

Blitzes: 0
Stacked box: 0
Drive killer: Fitzpatrick's pass to no one

Drive 3
Run 3: Lynch no gain through the left B gap
Bell went to the second level and pushed 30 to the outside to open a run lane. Unfortunately, 92 got inside of Levitre's block to make the tackle and kill the play. Oh, and it looked like Levitre was holding. Hangartner blocked 75 down the line and tripped over some random feet. Wood went to the second level but there was no one to block. Peppers sliced inside of Meredith's block to almost get a tackle for loss (TFL). Fine did an okay job on 96.

Run 4: Lynch 7 yard TD through the left C gap
Bell forced 96 inside to seal the edge and drove him 4 yards. Levitre and Hangartner had an initial double team on 75. Levitre kept driving 75 inside and Hangartner picked up a filling 59. Wood drove 92 3 yards down the line and back one more. Meredith popped Peppers hard enough to rock him back on his heels. Fine helped Meredith with Peppers. I'm not sure what happened to the Panthers defense on the play. It looked like they sold out on a run to the right so no one was home when Lynch took it off left tackle.

Blitzes: 0
Stacked box: 0
Drive killed by: N/A

Drive 4
Pass 5: Josh Reed drop
The entire line blocked like it was a run to the right and the quick pass went out to the left. It looked like Fitzpatrick was supposed to hand off but threw it out to Reed when he saw that the coverage was playing off. It was a nice theory...

Pass 6: Incomplete to T.O. (underthrown) against a blitz
Bell took 59 around the corner. Levitre stopped 96. Hangartner and Wood doubled 93. 92 spun away from Meredith and decked Fitzpatrick. Fine picked up 95. Had Fitzpatrick gotten the ball away on time, it was a likely completion, as T.O. had beaten his man. Instead, Fitzpatrick waited a beat too long and got whacked for it.

Pass 7: Evans 6 yards
91 spun inside away from Bell's block to hit Fitzpatrick. Levitre and Hangartner doubled 96. Wood got in 95's way. Peppers got under Meredith's shoulder at the corner and got a hit on Fitzpatrick.

Blitzes: 1
Stacked box: 0
Drive killed by: Fitzpatrick's underthrown ball to T.O.

Drive 5
Run 5: Fred Jackson -2 yards for a safety through the right B gap
96 shot inside of Bell and got in on the tackle. 75 got the safety when he knocked Levitre back and then lurched down the line to hit Jackson. Wood and Hangartner doubled 93. Wood drove 93 3 yards down the line after Hangartner left to pick up Jon Beason. Meredith locked up a linebacker at the second level. Fine was pushed back into the Jackson/75/96 pile by 95. I'm not sure why the handoff took as long as it did. It wasn't a draw and you'd figure the offense would want the ball out of the paint as quickly as possible...

Blitzes: 0
Stacked box: 0
Drive killed by: Levitre's pathetic attempt to block 75

Drive 6
Run 6: Lynch -1 yard through the A gap
Bell danced around 33. Levitre and Hangartner had an initial double team on 75. Levitre got under 75's shoulder and drove him 2 yards. Hangartner tried to peel and pick up 52, but was too slow. Beason got the TFL. Wood pancaked 92, exactly how he had flattened a guy last week though this time he wasn't pelted with a yellow hanky. Meredith and Fine doubled Peppers and kept him out of the play.

Run 7: Lynch no gain through the A gap
Bell kept 96 on the edge of the line of scrimmage (LOS). Levitre took 92 on an arc well upfield. Hangartner got no push at all and Lynch ran right to him and the waiting arms of the defensive tackle. Wood never locked up 90, whose effectively unblocked presence forced Lynch to take it back inside. Meredith went to the second level and whiffed on 59. Fine stumbled and was too late to catch Beason.

Pass 8: T.O. 18 yards
Bell pushed 91 past Fitz after losing the race to the corner. Levitre and Hangartner doubled 94. Wood stopped 96 and Meredith stuffed Peppers with help from Jackson. It was a nice reception, the kind T.O. was brought in to make and all too often seems to drop.

Pass 9: Sack -9 yards
Bell and Levitre let 59 and 96 rush while they got out of the screen. The problem was that they didn't even try to slow them down, even a little. 96 got the sack. Hangartner turned 75 away from the screen. Wood and Meredith doubled 92. Fitzpatrick seems to hold onto the ball a beat too long again, though it's questionable whether he could have gotten it past 96.

Pass 10: Reed 6 yards
Bell and Levitre kept 96 and 75 on the LOS. Hangartner and Wood doubled 92 and put him down. Meredith got help with Peppers and even then Peppers almost got past the block.

Pass 11: Incomplete to Jonathan Stupar
Bell beat 91 to the corner. Levitre and Hangartner doubled 95. Levitre left 95 to pick up 91 when he tried to get inside of Bell. Wood had no one to block. Meredith pushed Peppers around the corner and past Fitzpatrick, who threw the ball behind Stupar. Had the pass been on target, Stupar would have had a first down. If Stupar had dropped it then he would have killed the play, but as it happened the fault was Fitzpatrick's.

Blitzes: 0
Stacked box: 0
Drive killed by: Fitzpatrick's inaccurate pass to Stupar
Halftime

Drive 7
Pass 12: Fitzpatrick scramble 4 yards
Bell danced with 96. Levitre and Hangartner doubled 75. Wood and Meredith doubled 96. When 75 tried to twist away from Hangartner and Levitre, Wood picked him up. Fine did a great job blocking Peppers.

Run 8: Lynch 8 yards through the left B gap
Bell hit 52 at the second level and drove him 5 yards, but he was still in on the tackle. Levitre turned 75 inside to open the run lane. Hangartner helped with 75 and then picked up a linebacker. Wood got good push on 92. Meredith sealed 53 inside of the pile. Fine was rolled up on while ably blocking Peppers and left the game with an injury. Talk about being snake bit at a position!

Pass 13: T.O. drop
Bell really didn't need help from Lynch to stop 92. Levitre and Hangartner doubled 75. Wood and Meredith doubled Peppers. T.O. had first down yardage.

Pass 14: Incomplete long pass to T.O. against a 6 man blitz
Bell was driven back by 92. Levitre pushed the DT down the line and into the pile. Hangartner picked up a blitzing Beason. Wood stopped 95 and threw him onto the pile. Meredith took 59 to the corner. Stupar had a non-block on 96 who hit Fitzpatrick, possibly contributing to the bad bass.

Pass 15: Fitzpatrick scramble for no gain
Bell picked up 91 after he got past Stupar. Levitre stopped 95. When the DT lost his balance and fell Hangartner flopped down on him and laid there. Wood picked up Peppers when he got past Meredith to save the sack. Meredith's poor block on Peppers caused the scramble.

Blitzes: 1
Stacked box: 0
Drive killed by: T.O.'s drop of a pass for first down yardage.

Drive 8
Run 9: Lynch 4 yards through the A gap
Bell went to the second level and tapped 59. Levitre got under 75's shoulder but he was still in on the tackle. Hangartner shoved 92 and then hit Beason at the second level but he was still in on the tackle. Wood kept 96 locked up as they turned in circles. Meredith kept 95 on the edge of the LOS.

Run 10: Jackson 1 yard through the A gap
Bell kept 96 on the edge of the LOS and semi-cut him at the end of the play. 92 got inside of Levitre to make the tackle. Hangartner got a small piece of 59 at the second level. Wood got no push on 75 at all. Meredith hit a linebacker at the second level but he spun away.

Pass 16: Incomplete
Bell stopped 92. Levitre waited for a blitzer and Hangartner stuffed 96. Wood had no one to block. He could have given Meredith a hand as 95 blew past him to hit Fitzpatrick. Jackson and Lynch tag teamed Peppers. It looked like a miscommunication between Fitzpatrick and Evans.

Blitzes: 0
Stacked box: 0
Drive killed by: Fitzpatrick and Evans miscommunication

Drive 9
Run 11: Lynch 5 yards through the left B gap
Bell turned 59 and kept him there, creating the run lane. Levitre had a 3 yard drive on 96. Hangartner blocked 75 down the line and shielded him from the play. Wood got inside of 92 and kept him out of the play. Meredith cut off 53's backside pursuit. Fine was back in the game and jumped inside of 90 then kept him on the edge of the LOS.

Pass 17: T.O. 4 yards against 5 man blitz
Bell and Levitre doubled 96 while Wood and Hangartner doubled 75. Meredith pushed 92 inside and away from the throwing lane.

Run 12: QB sneak 1 yard through the A gap
The line got a general 1 yard push, which is pretty impressive just considering how rotund 75 is.

Run 13: Lynch 2 yards through the A gap
Bell went to the second level and pushed one linebacker into another, causing one to trip. Levitre backed up like he was blocking for a pass. Hangartner stood up 75. Wood turned 93 out to open the run lane but didn't sustain his block. Meredith let 90 go upfield and kept him there. Fine blocked 20 then took a gratuitous shot at 30's knees.

Pass 18: Fitzpatrick scramble for 2 yards
Everyone blocked like it was a run to the left. Meanwhile, 59 was all over Fitzpatrick as he wasn't fooled by the bootleg in the least - just like no one else has been fooled by the bootleg for the past three games. Fitzpatrick's receiver, Corey McIntyre, was blanketed so Fitzpatrick tucked it and ran. AVP NEEDS TO RIP THIS PLAY OUT OF THE PLAYBOOK!

Pass 19: Incomplete overthrow to Evans
91 zipped past Bell to hit Fitzpatrick while he was throwing, leading to the high pass. Levitre and Hangartner doubled 92. Wood and Meredith doubled 95. Lynch and Fine doubled Peppers. Had Bell made his block the Bills had a shot at a first down. Instead we were treated to a graphic which showed that Buffalo had more punts than first downs in the game.

Blitzes: 1
Stacked box: 0
Drive killed by: Bell's non-block on 91

Drive 10
Pass 20: Incomplete (thrown away)
Bell took 96 around the corner. Levitre and Hangartner doubled 85. Wood kept 92 near the LOS. 95 eventually got inside of Meredith but Fitzpatrick had already decided to throw the ball away.

Pass 21: Evans 14 yards against a 6 man blitz
Bell pushed 92 inside and then picked up a blitzing Beason. Levitre stopped 75. Hangartner helped Wood with Peppers until 92, shoved inside by Bell, tried to stunt through the middle. Hangartner then stopped 92. Meredith took 59 to the corner.

Pass 22: Evans 3 yards
The pass was gone so fast there wasn't time for anyone to get out of their stance. It appeared to be another of those quick hitters thrown when a DB was playing well off the LOS.

Pass 23: T.O. 6 yards against a 5 man blitz
Bell stuffed 59 at the corner. Levitre let 96 blow right past him to deck Fitzpatrick. Hangartner stopped 93. Wood did an okay job on 92's bull rush. Meredith picked up a blitzing LB. Jackson, in the backfield to pick up blitzers completely missed 96 after he ran past Levitre.

Run 14: Jackson no gain through the right B gap against an 8 man front
Bell shoved a couple of guys but never really engaged. Levitre turned 92 out and circled him away from the play. Hangartner and Wood doubled 93. Hangartner was too slow to pick up a filling Beason while Wood pushed 93 into the end zone. Meredith cut 90.

Pass 24: Evans 3 yard TD
It looked like another sight adjustment by Fitzpatrick. The ball was gone almost as soon as he had it in his hands so everyone barely had time to get out of their stance. It was, quite simply, an amazing pass by Fitzpatrick. He rocketed it between two defenders, each of whom was turned towards the ball

Blitzes: 2
Stacked box: 1
Drive killed by: no one

Drive 11
Pass 25: Evans 50 yards against an 8 man blitz
Bell stuffed 92's spin move. Levitre put 75 down when he tried to spin. Hangartner picked up a blitzing LB. Wood stuffed Peppers and Meredith took a LB around the corner. McIntyre and Jackson each picked up a blitzing LB. The Panthers sold out on the blitz and got burned badly.

Run 15: Lynch 1 yard through the A gap
Bell got under 92's shoulder. When 92 tried to spin Bell got on his back and stayed there, which isn't blocking in the back since Bell didn't start the block that way. Levitre and Hangartner doubled 75 and drove him 4 yards. Peppers knifed inside of Wood and almost had a TFL. Meredith got away with a hold on 59. Fine did an okay job on 96.

Run 16: Lynch -3 yards through the left B gap
Bell pulled wide and cut 59 in space. Levitre kept under 96's right shoulder. Hangartner went to the second level and slowed 53. Wood got under 75's shoulder and kept him turned. Meredith cut 92. McIntyre helped Levitre instead of picking up a filling Beason. Had McIntyre gotten Beason the run would have been for no gain at the worst. The negative play pretty much doomed the drive.

Pass 26: Lynch 6 yards
Bell beat 91 to the corner. Levitre and Hangartner doubled 95 while Wood and Meredith doubled 90.

Blitzes: 1
Stacked box: 0
Drive killed by: McIntyre's non-block on Beason

Drive 12
Run 17: Jackson 1 yard through the left B gap
Bell kept 96 turned out of the run lane. Levitre tried to turn 92 inside and couldn't. It looked like he held when 92 got around him. Hangartner stood up 75. Wood chucked 75 then hit 43 at the second level. Meredith turned Peppers out and kept him there. Fine hit a guy in the secondary. Lynch acted like a lead blocker. Unfortunately, he specifically emulated Darien Barnes so he didn't actually hit anyone.

Run 18: Jackson 2 yards through the left C gap
Bell and Levitre drove 92 inside and away from the run lane. Bell kept on 92 and Levitre caught 59 in the wash. Hangartner stood up 75 and moved laterally to the right. Wood kept popping Beason but never locked him up. Meredith kept Peppers on the edge of the LOS.

Run 19: T.O. 1 yard reverse through the right C gap
Bell blocked like it was a pass. Levitre turned 96 away from the play. Hangartner turned 92 away from the play and let him go into the backfield after T.O. was past. Wood turned Peppers inside and away from the play. Meredith pushed Peppers and then hit 59. Lynch whiffed on 91 in the backfield. 91 sent the play deeper than it should have gone and cost Owens first down yardage.

Blitzes: 0
Stacked box: 0
Drive killed by: Lynch's non-block on 91.

Drive 13
Run 20: Lynch for -1 yard through the right C gap against an 8 man front
Bell missed a cut on Peppers. Levitre and Hangartner each missed cutting 75. Wood turned 93 inside and away from the play. Meredith went to the second level but didn't really block anyone. Fine took a DB 10 yards downfield and Stupar blocked a DB in the secondary.

Run 21: Lynch 4 yards through the left C gap against an 8 man front
Bell went to the second level but not fast enough to lock up a linebacker. He did slow one down a bit. Levitre jumped inside 93 and shielded him from the play. Hangartner blocked 75 down the line and was eventually tripped up. Wood cut 92 and Meredith had no one to block. Fine kept Peppers from turning to chase the play. Stupar locked up 26 at the second level.

Pass 27: Reed 8 yards against a 5 man blitz
Bell, Levitre and Hangartner easily handled Peppers and 93. Wood was pushed back to Fitzpatrick by 92 but stopped him. Meredith beat 95 to the corner. This was a clutch throw and catch by a pair of much-maligned Bills. It really was the backbreaker.

Run 22: Lynch 4 yards through the left C gap
Bell buried 95 when Lynch cut back. Levitre got 02 turned and drove him into the pile. Hangartner picked up Beason in the wash. Wood got great drive on 93, pushing him all the way to the sideline. Meredith turned 26 into the pile to seal the edge. Fine wrestled Peppers to the ground at the edge of the LOS.

Run 23: Lynch no gain through the A gap against an 8 man front
96 got inside of Bell. Levitre helped with 75 and then got a pice of Beason at the second level. Hangartner got no push on 75 while Wood moved 92 back 2 yards. Meredith kept 90 on the edge of the LOS. Fine crossed the formation to pop 59 hard enough to put him off balance.

Run 24: Lynch 1 yard through the A gap against an 8 man front
Bell went to the second level and popped 26. Levitre turned 92 out and Hangartner turned 75 to the left to open the hole. Wood pitched into 75 as well and Meredith missed the cut on 90. Fine gave 91 a minor shoulder and then went to the second level. Meanwhile 91 chased the play down from behind.

Blitzes: 1
Stacked box: 4
Drive killed by: play calling

Drive 14
3 kneel downs

Blitzes: 0
Stacked box: 0
Drive killed by: end of game

A couple of people on the game thread were unhappy with the play calling at the end of the game. The last drive was clearly managed to kill the clock. I give Dick Jauron credit for milking as much time off as possible and setting up a high percentage field goal. It put the Bills up by 11 with just under 2 minutes to go. Meanwhile, the Panthers had burned all of their time outs. I understand the apprehension of Buffalo fans given the Bills' penchant for improbably blowing wins in the last two minutes, but Jauron played the odds and it worked out. Now if the Panthers had blocked the field goal, tied the game and won it in overtime, then Jauron would be lambasted for his conservative play calling at the end of the game. But that didn't happen. So there.

For the second straight week, the Bills have field position to thank for the win. Even with the drive that started at the Buffalo 4 factored into the mix, the average starting field position was the Buffalo 38. Three of the four scoring drives began in Panthers' territory. (The other was the 50 yard pass to Evans.) The defense - primarily Jairus Byrd - did a tremendous job of setting up the offense in prime field position. While the offense can't seem to move the ball more than about 30 yards, the defense, and to a lesser degree the special teams unit, made sure the offense didn't have to.

The Panthers didn't bring any sort of pressure against the Bills' offense. They loaded the box on 4 of 24 runs and blitzed on 6 of 27 pass plays. If you trudged through my play by play, however, you see that they generated hits on Fitzpatrick with just their front four. They were also able to limit the run game with as few as 6 guys in the box. Yikes. Look for Houston to employ a similar overall defensive strategy. After all, the Texans aren't saddled with Jake Delhomme.

Also, look for the Texans to get a turnover when Buffalo inevitably trots out that god-awful bootleg none-yard pass to the TE play. They've got some defenders who are fast enough to hit Fitzpatrick before he can even turn around to see that his TE is thoroughly covered.

The run yards were few and far between in the Panthers game. As you can see, the Bills really didn't have stellar YPA anywhere along the line and some places were downright abysmal. Keep in mind that the Panthers weren't loading the box until the end of the game. A quick glance at the linemen grades helps explain the ugly run numbers.

Gap	Att-Yds	YPA
Left C	3 - 13	4.3
Left B	6 - 19	3.2
A	10 - 10	1.0
Right B	2 - -2	-1.0
Right C	3 - 4	1.3

No one on the line covered himself with glory in Carolina. Levitre and Hangartner were well below their season averages. To make matters worse, the Bills' linemen killed 5 run plays and 3 pass plays. Those 8 plays (Buffalo averages 7.8 killed plays by linemen per game) - 5 run, 3 pass - amounted to just under 16 percent of the offensive snaps. The killed plays included the safety, which really could have been a momentum changer if the Panthers had a real QB. While the penalties abated - hopefully for good - the killed plays haven't. For the year, the Bills' linemen have 19 killed run plays and 36 killed pass plays. The line can't continue to kill an average of 8 plays per game via mistakes and penalties. Well, actually, it can, I guess, though Buffalo won't win many more games if it continues.

Player	Run Grade	Pass Grade
Demetrius Bell	75.0	73.5
Andy Levitre	72.5	73.5
Geoff Hangartner	72.5	75.0
Eric Wood	75.8	75.0
Jamon Meredith	73.3	72.0

Bills 20, Panthers 9: Week 7 Film Session

Brian Galliford — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 12:39:06 -0000

More photos » by Chuck Burton - AP

Browse more photos »

I could get used to this. I know I shouldn't, but I definitely know, one hundred percent, that I can get used to re-watching Buffalo Bills victories. Buffalo's most recent victory, a 20-9 win over the Carolina Panthers, puts the Bills at 3-4 on the 2009 season - and while they aren't playing anywhere near playoff-caliber football, they're keeping themselves alive despite a pitiful start to the season.

There's a lot to cover in this particular installment of our weekly film session. Let's go.

Ryan Fitzpatrick. It is absolutely terrifying to say this, but get used to watching Fitzpatrick play, folks - there's a very strong chance you'll see him in the lineup for a while. Why? It's pretty simple, really - Fitzpatrick currently gives Buffalo the best chance to win football games. That's not saying a lot - for Trent Edwards or for Fitzpatrick.

Buffalo's offense looks different with Fitzpatrick at the helm - no one can deny that. They're much less prone to mistakes. The best examples there are turnovers (in eight quarters of play, the Bills have turned it over just once with Fitzpatrick at the helm), and far more importantly, sacks (Fitzpatrick has been sacked just twice in two games, whereas Edwards was sacked 19 times in a little over five games). Forget about their skills as a quarterback. If I know Dick Jauron, I'm looking at things like pocket presence, poise and decisiveness right now - because Fitzpatrick has displayed a crystal clear advantage in all three of those departments over the past two weeks, particularly in avoiding a solid Panthers pass rush and making a few really nice throws on Sunday.

Fitzpatrick is what he is. Don't expect him to get better. More efficient, possibly, but not better overall. He's got a bit of swagger, he's solid in the pocket, and he's got a pretty strong arm. He's not terribly accurate - he's only completing 44.7 percent of his passes this season, after all - and he doesn't put a lot of touch on his throws (Bills receivers dealt with a lot of high throws and balls glancing off their hands - Terrell Owens specifically - because Fitzpatrick decided to throw in howitzer mode). It's a mark of how much Edwards has regressed in basic areas that we can truthfully say that Fitzpatrick is our best chance at making the playoffs. It's obviously not ideal, but it is what it is.

The running game. It's pretty easy to get on Fitzpatrick for his bad stats over the past two weeks, but it's also more than fair to say that he's been steering a completely one-dimensional offense. Buffalo, which ran the ball very effectively early in the season - even while piling up defeats - hasn't been able to run the ball effectively at all in the past two weeks. The Bills ran for 53 yards on 29 carries against Carolina, whose run defense was down near the bottom of the league entering the contest. Fred Jackson has 54 yards on 20 carries in the past two weeks. Marshawn Lynch? 101 yards on 36 carries. Oh yeah - he also scored the Bills' first rushing TD on the season in this win.

Defenses aren't doing anything special to stop the run, either. The Bills are seeing more stacked boxes than perhaps they did earlier in the season, but they see their fair share of seven-man fronts, too, thanks to Owens and Lee Evans on the outside. The blocking isn't there, and the running backs haven't played up to their usual standards, either. If Alex Van Pelt can find some rhythm for his running game, Buffalo's offense might finally start clicking - and Fitzpatrick might actually complete more than half of his pass attempts.

Offensive tackles. It is plainly obvious that, aside from quarterback - yes, folks, Buffalo will be looking at quarterbacks next off-season, regardless of what happens this season - the Bills' biggest need offensively is a tackle. Demetrius Bell is OK. He played pretty well against the Panthers, and every week he looks a little more comfortable on the field. There's a chance that he sticks around, particularly if he continues to improve. Right tackle is another story altogether. Jamon Meredith, making his second professional start, was repeatedly viciously abused by Julius Peppers. Obviously, that wasn't unexpected, but half the time it looked like he was just letting Peppers pick him up off the ground to slow down his acceleration. He's got some athleticism, but he's decades away from being worthy of dressing regularly for NFL games. I never thought I'd be pining for the return of Jonathan Scott, but here I am, pining for the return of Jonathan Scott.

Terrell Owens. Part of me just wants to see a guy like Fitzpatrick or Lee Evans rip into this guy. Buffalo does what it can to get him involved early in games, and T.O. just lets the opportunities slip through his hands - literally. Nothing would help the Bills more in games such as the ones they've played over the past two weeks than grabbing an early lead. Owens has had chances to make plays early in ball games - whether to sustain drives or of bigger scale - and those opportunities have been blown. Not only would it be fun to see the bemused expression on Owens' face if Fitzpatrick lit him up on the sidelines (yes, I'm aware it'll never happen), but it might actually provoke Owens to act like he gives a crap on the football field.

John McCargo. I paid close attention to McCargo, who saw his first "extensive" playing time thanks to the knee injury that sidelined Kyle Williams early in this one. My verdict: McCargo is useful, but he's absolutely nothing more than average. He can stack and shed, he can penetrate, and he's tough against the run with a good motor, but he's just "a guy" - he'll never be a game-changer. He's exactly where he belongs - fourth in the rotation. Buffalo could use some additional beef in the middle of their D-Line rotation, and if that comes at the expense of McCargo next off-season, I'm OK with it.

Yet another linebacker shakeup. Most of you probably noticed this during the game or heard about it afterward, but Perry Fewell made yet another change at linebacker. Keith Ellison, who was the strong-side linebacker for the past two seasons, is now playing the weak-side role vacated by Kawika Mitchell. Ashlee Palmer, who got the nod for Mitchell after his season-ending knee injury, is out of the lineup. Chris Draft, a street free agent signing, is the new SAM linebacker. It didn't really help - the Bills still gave up 4.6 yards per rush to a Panthers team that inexplicably allowed Jake Delhomme to air it out 44 times - but Draft at least attacked the line of scrimmage and had a big hand in a key fourth-and-one stop in the second half. Did I mention the Bills need help at linebacker, too?

Jairus Byrd. There isn't really much more to say than what we've said on each of the past two Mondays, but I thought I'd offer this up: Byrd doesn't look like he ran a 4.67-second 40-yard dash in pre-draft workouts. Many questioned his athleticism coming out of college based on this single time, but it's pretty clear that Byrd is a fantastic athlete. He's really the ideal package at free safety - he's got terrific sideline-to-sideline range, he hits with solid leverage, and I don't think I need to tell you he's got great ball skills. I'm not sure he'll ever be a top-notch run defender, but at free safety, he really doesn't need to be. This guy is an absolute pleasure to watch - but wrap up that ball carrier, Jairus. He had an ugly missed tackle on DeAngelo Williams' fourth-quarter touchdown run.

Special Teams. Name a guy who plays special teams for the Bills, and I'll tell you that they had a great day on Sunday. Well, I take that back - name a guy who plays special teams and isn't a returner, and I'll tell you that he had a great day. Buffalo's return units continue to be pretty average, though Fred Jackson is still capable of making plays back there, with the scoot-up-the-sideline routine his go-to return.

The coverage units were back with full force on Sunday. Maybe the Panthers just aren't great on special teams - OK, the Panthers aren't great on special teams - but we saw big hit after big hit from the Bills on Sunday. John Wendling, Corey McIntyre, Ashlee Palmer, Jon Corto, Jonathan Stupar, Ashton Youboty - all of these and many others had big hits either on return men or on blockers. Rarely have I seen Bills special teams units be as physically dominant as they were on Sunday. Special teams will always be underrated by the masses, but the ability of Bobby April's units to physically manhandle the Panthers and flip field position was a huge factor in the Bills pulling out a win on the road.

Handing out first-quarter grades for the Buffalo Bills

Brian Galliford — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 17:15:14 -0000

More photos » by Lynne Sladky - AP

Browse more photos »

The Buffalo Bills have completed the first quarter of their regular season slate this season, and have done so with a 1-3 record. After a promising start to the season with a surprisingly close loss in New England and a semi-convincing home victory over Tampa Bay, Buffalo has dropped two straight abysmal performances to New Orleans and Miami. The Bills are 0-2 in the division, and are the only AFC East team to not yet pick up a win against a divisional foe. They've scored more points than just two other AFC teams - Oakland (1-3) and Cleveland (0-4). Meanwhile, only Kansas City (0-4), Cleveland and Detroit (1-3) have surrendered more points than the Bills.

In short? It's been pretty brutal.

It's not all bad news, though - Buffalo has four more games on its schedule against teams that have yet to win a single game in the first quarter of the season (Week 5 vs Cleveland, Week 7 at Carolina, Week 10 at Tennessee and Week 14 at Kansas City). So unless the Bills continue to play as they have over the past two weeks (or they can't stay healthy once they get healthy again), there's a chance they could climb back into the race. But only a chance.

We've got grades for you for each positional unit through four games. We also highlight two players that have really stood out, and two more that... haven't. It's all after the jump.

Quarterbacks: C- You can't completely discount Trent Edwards' strong start to the season - through two games, he'd thrown four touchdown passes and sported a QB rating of 104.9. But with his O-Line in a constant state of flux and with his own play slipping to a new level of mediocrity (for him), the position has only barely been passable this season - and it's been ridiculously awful in the past two weeks. Good news, though - Ryan Fitzpatrick has shown a great aptitude in relaying play calls from Alex Van Pelt to Edwards. (Yes, that means I'm saying that the calls to bench Edwards are ridiculous.)

Running Backs: A- There is nothing to not like about Fred Jackson's game. He's still the sixth-leading rusher in the league (333 yards at 4.8 yards per carry) despite the fact that Buffalo has abandoned the running game almost completely in the last two weeks. He continues to lead the Bills in receptions and receiving yardage, too. Fred Jackson is our best player right now, and it's not really close. Marshawn Lynch is back and continues to knock off the rust; we'll see if his presence has any long-term effects on the effectiveness of Jackson. Heck, Xavier Omon looked pretty solid taking spot carries for Jackson in Weeks 1-3, too.

Wide Receivers: D Part of their alarming lack of production has to do with the lack of cohesiveness up front as well as the lack of rhythm in the passing game. Terrell Owens, Lee Evans and Josh Reed have combined for 29 catches, 415 yards and 3 TD through four games. That's about equal to the output of Steve Smith - New York's Steve Smith, not Carolina's Steve Smith - who has 34 catches, 411 yards and 4 TD as a make-shift No. 1 receiver for Eli Manning. If that doesn't speak volumes about how putrid the receivers and the passing attack in general have been, I don't know what does. They only get a D because they can't be completely blamed for their issues.

Tight Ends: D+ Derek Schouman proved himself a valuable, underrated underneath option before landing on IR with a knee injury. Derek Fine has been just as prone to drops as the receivers have been, and while Shawn Nelson has flashed ability (he had a TD reception in Week 1, his first NFL appearance), he hasn't yet asserted himself as a threat in Schouman's stead. Jonathan Stupar? He's human, folks - very, very human.

Offensive Tackles: D Unfortunately for Brad Butler, he gets dragged down by his teammates. Butler was performing well, but he, too, is on IR - his season is over. Demetrius Bell flashed loads of potential and dominance, but he also made tons of mistakes - and then he missed Week 4 with a groin injury. His worth, however, was thrown into perspective when Jonathan Scott and Kirk Chambers resorted to the pirouette pass-blocking technique down in Miami. It didn't work for them. Buffalo has given up 16 sacks already this season, and the vast majority of them are the fault of the tackles.

Offensive Guards/Centers: B- Geoff Hangartner has struggled with a nagging back injury and really awful shotgun snaps, but he's still representative of a massive improvement at center from last year's group. Andy Levitre and Eric Wood, the subjects of much pre-season skepticism, have both made their share of mistakes (many more in the case of Wood), but they've also been dominant at times, particularly in the run game. These guys have proven why they were high-round picks, and there is some hope that they'll turn into dominant offensive linemen sooner rather than later. It's not perfect, but here, at least, there is lots of potential.

Defensive Ends: B It's hard to find reasons to be upset with this group right now; much-maligned for the past two seasons, this group is performing well. With very little statistical input from first-round pick Aaron Maybin, the trio of Aaron Schobel, Chris Kelsay and Ryan Denney have amassed 7 sacks already - well beyond the pace they've set in recent seasons. Yes, they're still susceptible to misdirection plays and lapses against the run, but on a long list of problem areas, this unit is unranked. They're playing well.

Defensive Tackles: C+ This group had a strong start to the season, but they've faded in the last two games as the Bills have given up well over 200 yards rushing per game to opponents. Marcus Stroud has two sacks, while Kyle Williams and Spencer Johnson have both flashed the ability to make plays in the backfield. Williams in particular has been unblockable at times. But they're getting gashed right now - which isn't completely their fault, I realize, but does bring their grade down a touch.

Linebackers: F How's your arm, Paul Posluszny? "Poz" has played roughly two quarters' worth of football this season after breaking his arm in the first half against New England, and Buffalo's defense clearly misses him. Kawika Mitchell and Keith Ellison are both serviceable players, but in this defensive scheme, they can't carry the burden they're carrying now - they've been abysmal against the run, and the plays they've made are... well, never mind, they haven't made any plays yet. Marcus Buggs has been overwhelmed trying to fill in for Posluszny, and none of the team's young, talented reserves have proven capable of stepping up. This is the clear weak area of the defense right now.

Cornerbacks: B Terrence McGee continues his unappreciated play; as far as reliable tacklers go, McGee might sit atop a list of two or three names - all of them defensive backs. (Posluszny might have sneaked onto that list were he healthy.) Leodis McKelvin is gone for the season, but before he was lost, he'd been picked on almost mercilessly by the likes of Tom Brady, Byron Leftwich and Drew Brees. Drayton Florence has played well in his place, but we'll see how long that lasts - he was brutal as a starter last season in Jacksonville. Reggie Corner and Ashton Youboty have performed well in sub-package duty, but it's best if they stay in that role - we really can't afford any more injuries here.

Safeties: B+ Take away some big plays they've given up to opposing tight ends, and they might have snuck into A range. I said it earlier this morning, and I'll say it again: Donte Whitner is playing at a Pro Bowl level. I'm curious to see if that continues when he eventually returns from his thumb injury. Bryan Scott continues to be highly competent defending the run, and is as sure a tackler as there is. Jairus Byrd has seen a lot of playing time, and has acquitted himself quite well - he hasn't made any big plays yet, but he hasn't given any up, either. He's shown physicality defending the run, too - but he needs to start taking better angles.

Specialists: B- I knock the grade a bit because of the poor overall performance of Bobby April's coverage units and kick return unit, but overall, the individual specialists - Rian Lindell, Brian Moorman and particularly rookie long-snapper Garrison Sanborn - have been quite good.

Coaching: C- I'll never be the type of guy that lays blame at any one person or group's feet. Football is a team game, and losses are team losses just as wins are team wins. But the coaching has not been good this season. Strong game plans - such as the one employed by Perry Fewell to almost completely shut down Brees and the Saints - have been overshadowed by terrible on-field play, which no matter which way you cut it is partially at the feet of the coaching staff. Hot seat? Yep - every last Bills coach is sitting on one as we speak.

Notes from the Bills' O-Line: Week 3 vs New Orleans

Ron From NM — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 15:30:17 -0000

More photos » by Mike Groll - AP

Browse more photos »

I postulated before the Buffalo Bills' Week 3 matchup with the New Orleans Saints that New Orleans would blitz (and run blitz) like maniacs. After all, the Pats and Bucs had each worried obsessively about Terrell Owens and Lee Evans. In each case, they were eaten alive by underneath passes and runs; Buffalo won one game and should have won both. Unlike the Pats and Bucs, the Saints had the offense to trade touchdowns with Buffalo, so I thought they'd go with a pressure defense. It turned out that I was half right, or half wrong if you want to phrase it pessimistically.

I counted 22 blitzes on 42 passes, but the Saints only loaded the box on 4 of 20 run plays. The Saints dared T.O. and Evans to burn them on repeated blitzes. Buffalo responded by gaining a paltry 99 yards against those 22 blitzes (4.5 yards per blitz). Combined, the Bills had more drops (3), sacks (2), balls thrown away (1), bad passes (1) and offensive penalties (1) than first downs (5) when blitzed. Look for the Dolphins to bring the heat in Week 4, which could be interesting in that the drops, bad passes and penalties are all unforced errors - and therefore correctable.

Drive 1
Run 1: Fred Jackson -1 yard through the A gap
- 91 got inside of Demetrius Bell. Andy Levitre went to the second level and tapped 51. Geoff Hangartner (henceforth referred to as "Hang") and Eric Wood blew 98 off the line. 94 jumped inside of Jonathan Scott and should have had a tackle for loss (TFL). Scott killed the play. Derek Fine never really blocked anyone.

Pass 1: Fine 10 yards against a 5-man blitz
- Bell stopped 91. Levitre and Hang doubled 98. Wood would have picked up a twisting DT if Scott hadn't. Scott, however, should have directed his attention first to the blitzing DB instead of just waiting around for the twisting DT - who Wood would have gotten anyway.

Pass 2: Josh Reed 14 yards against a 5-man blitz
- Scott tried to pick up 55, but 55 was dedicated to breaking off his rush and hitting Jackson to keep him from being Trent Edwards' outlet receiver. Levitre's DT got around him but too late to stop the play. Hang turned 98 and pushed him past Edwards. Wood stopped 94 and Scott did an okay job on 58.

Pass 3: Reed 9 yards against a 5-man blitz
- Everyone blocked like it was a run to the left while Edwards did a bootleg. The Saints were, as predicted in comments made last week, all over Fine in the flat. While it's great that Buffalo has found some plays that work well, the downside is that defenses start to recognize those plays and take them away. It's time to put this particular play on the shelf for a while.

Run 2: Jackson 4 yards through the right B gap
- Bell pushed 58 upfield. Levitre turned 91 out and away from the play. Hang got no push but neither did 98. Wood and Scott had initial double on 94. Wood kept after 94 while Scott peel to pick up 51. Fine locked up 58 on the edge of the line of scrimmage (LOS).

Pass 4: Thrown away against a 5-man blitz
- Bell abused 20 on the LOS. Hang and Levitre doubled 91. Wood danced with 98 before he dropped into coverage on Jackson. Scott and Fine doubled 94.

Pass 5: Owens juggle-drop against a 5-man blitz
- Bell stopped 58. Levitre was pushed back by 91 but not enough to disrupt the play. Hang did an okay job on 98 who twisted to try to go between Wood and Scott. Wood pushed a DT inside and picked up 98. Scott stuffed 55. Owens dropped a first down even though he had multiple chances to secure it before going out of bounds.

Pass 6: Screen to Jackson for 6 yards
- Fine helped Bell contain 91. Levitre, Hang and Wood got blocked on 55 and 98 and then let them go to get in front of the screen. Jackson outran them so he had no blocking. Scott let 94 get upfield but didn't turn to lead the play.

Blitzes: 5
Stacked box: 0
Drive killed by: Owens' drop of a certain first down

Drive 2
Pass 7: Thrown away
- Bell pushed 22 past Edwards. Levitre stuffed 91's spin move. Hang helped Bell with 94 who stuck with 94 instead of passing him off to interior linemen - thus letting the DB force Edwards to throw the ball away. Wood never turned his head to see the rushing DB, though really it isn't the typical assignment for a guard.

Run 3: Jackson 2 yards through the left B gap
- Bell missed the cut on 91 who made the tackle. Levitre chucked a DB then locked up 58 and kept him out of the play. Hang got a 3-yard drive on 98. Wood drove 94 and put him down. Scott chipped 94 then drove 51 five yards. Fine was thrown down while blocking 55 but kept him busy until the play was all but over. Jonathan Stupar followed 93 on a circle around and behind the play.

Pass 8: Reed for 18 yards against a 5-man blitz
- 91 zipped past Bell and almost had a sack. Levitre tried to follow 58 on a stunt and lost him in the mass of humanity. Hang handed 98 to Wood and picked up a twisting 94. Wood blocked 94 until he twisted to Hang. Scott helped with 94 but never turned his head to see blitzing safety. Fine saved the play by throwing a leaping DB, sending him rolling into another DB.

Pass 9: Evans drop against a 5-man blitz
- Bell pushed 58 past the corner. Levitre stopped 69 and Hang stopped 98. Wood kept 94 on an outside arc and Scott beat 55 to the corner.

Pass 10: Jackson for 9 yards against a 5-man blitz (plus 15 yard roughing the passer penalty)
- Bell stopped 58. Levitre was pushed back into Edwards by the DE. Hang turned Hargrove from the passing lane. Wood easily handled a spin move by 94. Scott pushed 55 past Edwards.

Pass 11: Jackson 0-yard catch against a 5-man blitz (Jackson slipped after catching pass)
- Bell and Levitre doubled 69. Bell didn't even look at a blitzing 20. Hang handed 92 to 70. Wood waited for 92 but 92 dropped back when the pass was thrown. Scott handed 97 to Fine and picked up a blitzing 51.

Run 4: Jackson 4 yards through the A gap
- Bell got inside of 69, who managed to get in on the tackle - but only after Jackson was four yards downfield. Levitre put an arm on 69 then stood up 55 at the second level. Hang pushed 92 to the right and opened the run lane. Wood popped 51 at the second level. Scott locked onto the DE and wouldn't allow him a clean release. Fine did a great job on 52 on the edge of the LOS.

Pass 12: Fine drop (may or may not have been a first down depending on run after catch)
- Bell stuffed 91 and kept his arms down. Levitre and Hang tag-teamed 92. Wood waited for a LB to blitz and helped Scott with 94 when the LB stayed in coverage. It looked like Scott's initial good block turned into an uncalled hold.

Fake FG for a 25-yard TD. Bobby April bailed out the offense.

Blitzes: 4
Stacked box: 0
Drive killed by: no one

Drive 3
Run 5: Jackson 4 yards through the right C gap
- Bell pushed 91 down the line and around the pile. Levitre and Hang drove 98 down the LOS. Wood got an 8-yard push on 94. Scott went to the second level and hit 51, who eventually got in on the tackle. Stupar kept 55 out of the play. Fine had a half-hearted block on 58, who made the tackle.

Run 6: Jackson 12 yards through the right C gap
- Bell and Levitre doubled 91 and then Bell peeled and shoved 50 five more yards. Hang stood up 98. Wood chucked 98 and then hit 51 at the second level. 51 slipped his block and was in on the tackle. Scott got under 94's pads when he tried to move inside and wouldn't let him turn back to chase the play. Stupar drove 55 all over the field. Fine kind of ran in circles without blocking anyone.

Run 7: Jackson 6 yards through the left C gap
- Bell went to the second level and popped 50, who was in on the tackle. Levitre turned 91 in circles. Hang didn't follow 98 when he dropped back to chase the play. Wood chucked 98 and missed a filling 51. Scott locked up 94 and rode him down the LOS. Stupar did another solid job on 55 while Fine corralled 58.

Run 8: Xavier Omon 5 yards through the right C gap - Wood called for holding
- Bell got a 2-yard push on 94 with Levitre's help. Hang got a little push but lost his balance and fell, allowing 98 to get in on the tackle. Wood went to the second level and locked up 58 - very clearly without holding him. Scott drove 94 inside and was almost certainly the guy they called the hold on. It really didn't look like a hold, as the defender turned while being blocked, but was the sort of call the refs had promised to make this year. Stupar and Fine shut down 55 and 58 on either end of the line.

Pass 13: Fine 9 yards
- Bell and Levitre stopped 91 while Hang and Wood stopped 92. 94 turned Scott in a circle and got a run on Edwards.

Run 9: Jackson -3 yards through the left B gap against an 8-man front
- Bell and Levitre blew 50 and 51 well into the second level. 91 shot inside of Hang and made the TFL, killing the play. 92 got inside of Wood but not quickly enough to stop the run. Scott missed a cut on 94. Stupar was pushed back into the run lane by 53. Fine missed 41 at the second level.

Blitzes: 0
Stacked boxes: 1
Drive killed by: Hangartner's missed block on 91

Drive 4
Run 10: Jackson 4 yards through the left C gap - Stupar holding
- Bell chucked 91 then peeled and picked up 51 in the second level. Levitre turned 91 from the run lane and drove him 4 yards. Hang popped 98 and when they separated hit him again. Wood went to the second level and locked up 58, refusing to turn him loose to chase the play. Scott got a little push on 94. Stupar literally tackled 55 by the ankle when 55 shed his block. Fine kept a LB on the other side of the formation.

Pass 14: Fine 7 yards
- Bell allowed 91 to get under him and turn the corner. Levitre and Hang doubled 98. Wood pitched into 98 when no blitzers appeared. Scott stuffed 94.

Pass 15: Sack -12 yards
- 91 got around the corner to chase Edwards. Levitre and Hang kept 98 on the LOS. 94 knifed inside of Wood and got the sack. Scott hand fought with 93.

Pass 16: Horrible overthrow
- The line easily handled a 3-man rush

Blitzes: 0
Stacked box: 0
Drive killed by: Wood allowing the sack

Drive 5
Pass 17: Reed 10 yards against a 6-man blitz
- Scott beat 55 to the corner. Levitre pushed 91 away from the pass lane. 98 took himself out of the passing lane but then spun back inside to get to Edwards. Wood dropped back like a tackle but had no one to block. Scott fired into 94 like he was a guard.

Pass 18: Scramble for 11 yards against 5-man blitz
- Bell pushed 58 well past the corner. Levitre did an okay job on 91. Hang pushed 98 to 70 in order to pick up blitzing 55. Wood had 94 and pushed him to Scott to pick up 98. Scott shoved 94 to the ground.

Pass 19: Parrish for 5 yards against a 6-man blitz
- Bell chucked 91 but never looked at the blitzers (41 and 27). Levitre handled 91. Hang took 98 on a wide arc around Edwards. Wood helped Levitre with 91 and Scott beat 94 to the corner.

Pass 20: Intentional grounding (as good as a sack) against a 5-man blitz
- Bell kept 58 on the edge. 91 got around Levitre's outside shoulder leading to an uncalled hold. Hang was doing okay on 98 but then abandoned him to pick up a blitzing 55. 98 promptly tackled Edwards. Wood fell down while helping Scott with 94.

Pass 21: Evans 8 yards
- 91 threatened Bell upfield then came back inside to hit Edwards. Levitre and Hang doubled the DT. Wood had no one to block so he and Scott handled the DE.

Blitzes: 4
Stacked box: 0
Drive killed by: Hang leaving 98 to block a blitzer who Edwards may well have beaten to the outside of the pocket, making the intentional grounding a manageable 3rd-and-5.

Drive 6
Run 11: Jackson 6 yards through the left C gap
- Bell pulled and cut a filling 51. Levitre pulled really wide but wasn't fast enough to get in front of the play. Hang got inside of 98 and kept in from of him, shielding him from the play. Wood missed a cut on 98. 94 knifed inside Scott and chased the play from behind.

Run 12: Jackson 10 yards through the left C gap
- Bell drove 91 inside and then down. Levitre locked up 57 and drove him 7 yards. Hang popped 98 and turned him away from the run lane, then drove him 2 yards for good measure. Wood wouldn't let 94 of the LOS when he tried to chase the play. Scott popped 58 at the second level but 58 shed his block and was in on the tackle.

Pass 22: Thrown away
- The line again blocked like it was a run to the left while Edwards rolled out. The Saints were all over the play. So much for shelving a play that isn't working...

Pass 23: Incomplete long pass to T.O. against a 6-man blitz
- Bell kept 93 from making the turn at the corner. Levitre kept 91 near the LOS and hang took 98 on an outside arc around Edwards. Wood had no one to block and waited for a blitzer in his area. Scott did a good job keeping 94 from cutting inside and then stopped him when he tried to go outside instead. It wasn't a great pass - it seemed to be underthrown - but it also didn't seem that T.O. was overly interested in trying for it either. Give Edwards credit for going for the long pass when he knew T.O. would be open, even if it wasn't a good throw.

Pass 24: Fine -1 yard
- The Saints rushed 3 and the line easily contained it, particularly since Fine chipped 94 for Scott before going out on his useless pattern.

Blitzes: 1
Stacked box: 0
Drive killed by: Edwards' miss on the TO pass

Drive 7
Run 13: Jackson 4 yards thorugh the right C gap
- 91 jumped inside of Bell to chase the play. Levitre locked up 58 at the second level. Hang fell while trying to block a DT. Wood drove 94 3 yards and put him down. Scott chucked 94 then went to the second level and wiped out 51. Stupar helped Bell with 91 and Fine blocked 55 well enough to let Jackson get past.

Pass 25: Evans 11 yards against a 5-man blitz - defense late hit penalty
- Bell's LB fell before reaching the corner. Levitre stuffed 91's spin move. Hang stopped a DT. 94 slipped as soon as he made contact with Wood. Scott helped keep 94 down when 93 stunted away from him.

Pass 26: Evans 9 yards
- Bell never looked at a blitzing DB and really had no one (else) to block. Levitre, Hang and Wood easily stopped a pair of DTs. Scott, unlike Bell, learned from the earlier play in which 2 DTs and 2 DBs rushed and easily stuffed the DB rushing on the right side of the formation.

Run 14: Jackson 5 yards through the right C gap
- Bell drove 51 in a wide arc around the edge of the play after chipping 69. Levitre aggressively pitched into 69 when he tried to spin. Hang and Wood initially doubled 98 and then Wood peeled and pushed 58. 94 obligingly jumped inside of Scott so he drove him to the left side of the formation. Stupar tried to block 93 but wasn't fast enough. Fine did a good job on 55.

Run 15: Jackson -1 yard through the right C gap against an 8-man front
- Bell got under 69's pads and drove him down the LOS. Levitre pitched into 69 then went to the second and missed a block on 58. It looked like he grabbed and tried to hold 58 - uncalled. 98 worked inside of Hang and got in on the tackle. Wood dug 94 off of the LOS and back 2 yards. Scott fell down helping with 94. 55 shed Fine's block and made the TFL. Stupar crossed the formation and missed the block on a LB.

Pass 27: Edwards scramble for 2 yards - ticky tack personal foul on 69
- Bell pushed 69 inside like Bell was a guard. Levitre dropped back like a tackle to pick up a LB at the corner. Hang and Levitre doubled 94. Scott couldn't beat 32 to the corner, though at least he saw him and tried. Omon picked up 32.

Run 16: Jackson 5 yards through the A gap
- Bell chucked 91 then hit 51 at the second level. Levitre drove 91 three yards and put him down. Hang and Wood doubled 98. Hang turned him away from the play while Bell peeled and got enough of 55 to put him down. 69 jumped inside of Scott and almost had a TFL. Stupar kept 55 on the edge of the LOS and Fine neutralized 93.

Run 17: Jackson 2 yards through the left C gap
- Bell turned 91 inside and into the pile. Levitre hit 55 at the second level and drove him 5 yards. Hang got a bit of a push on 92 but 92 slipped his block and was in on the tackle. Wood blew 69 3 yards off the line and put him down. Scott chucked 69 then locked up a LB. Fine kept a LB on the edge of the LOS while Stupar let 58 run upfield and out of the play.

Pass 28: INT against a 5-man blitz
- Bell and Levitre doubled the DE. Hang stuffed a DT and Wood kept 69 from elevating. Scott picked up 58 at the corner. It was just a bad pass that looked like it hit the DB's hands. Once it was up in the air there were 8 or so Saints right there to make the INT.

Blitzes: 2
Stacked box: 1
Drive killed by: Edwards' INT

Drive 8
Pass 29: Thrown away
- The line easily handled the 3-man rush, but the 8 defenders meant there was no one open to throw to.

Run 18: Jackson 6 yards through the right B gap against an 8-man front
- Bell rode 91 across the formation. Levitre couldn't get in front of 92 to block him. Hang went to the second and flattened 51. Wood gave a little ground to 94 then cut him. Scott went to the second level and planted 50. Fine had a half-hearted block on 41, who was in on the tackle. Stupar locked up a LB.

Pass 30: -3 yard sack - Wood called for tripping
- Bell pushed 91 around the corner which would have been fine had Edwards not been stumbling around. 91 got the sack but it wasn't Bell's fault. Levitre put 58 down when Hang handed 58 to him. After handing off 58 Hang helped Scott with 94. Wood cut 92, unfortunately right into Edwards' feet, causing him to stumble and letting 91 sack him. The tripping call was completely bogus.

Blitzes: 0
Stacked box: 1
Drive killed by: Wood allowing the sack

Drive 9
Run 19: Jackson 4 yards through the right B gap against an 8-man front
- Bell missed the cut on 91. Levitre pulled and plowed into the scrum. Hang got an initial stiff arm on 98 and popped him again as 98 reached the point of attack (POA). Wood pulled and nailed a LB at the second level. Scott pulled and took out a LB at the POA. Fine shielded 55 from the play and Stupar did an okay job on 94 at the POA.

Pass 31: Evans 3 yards (Seriously? Gazelles running in between rhinos?)
- Bell beat 55 to the corner. Levitre took a DT to the inside. Hang set to block 98 but 98 dropped into coverage. Wood had no one to block. Scott took on a DE early and slowed him to a crawl.

Pass 32: Overthrow to T.O.
- Bell beat 91 to the corner while the rest of the line stuffed twisting DTs. Fine was left to handle a DE on his own, which he did just fine (pun). T.O. was open but the pass was just a yard or so too long. It was a TD waiting to happen.

Blitzes: 0
Stacked box: 1
Drive killed by: Edwards' inaccurate throw

Drive 10
Pass 33: Reed 12 yard against a 5-man blitz - Wood called for being downfield
- Chambers, in for Bell for the rest of the game, pushed 69 past the corner. Levitre and Hang planted 92. Wood abused a blitzing 20, again pretending to be a tackle. Scott, pretending to be a guard, pushed 94 into 92.

Pass 34: Fine 11 yards
- The line easily stuffed a 3-man rush.

Pass 35: Fine drop against a 5-man blitz
- Chambers hit 41 and pushed him into the DT. Levitre and Hang doubled the DT. Wood had no one to block and Scott beat the DE to the corner.

Pass 36: Reed 8 yards against a 6-man blitz
- Chambers went to the corner with 91, who then beat him back to the inside. Levitre and Hang doubled 98. Wood picked up a blitzing LB and Scott stuffed a LB on the LOS. Needing 2 scores with only 7 or 8 minutes in the game 4th-and-1 seems like a pretty good bet...

Blitzes: 3
Stacked box: 0
Drive killed by: Fine's drop

Drive 11
Pass 37: Owens incomplete out of bounds against a 5-man blitz
- Chambers stuffed 41. Levitre pushed 91 to Hang who stopped him. Wood had no one to block and Scott beat the DE to the corner. It sure looked like Owens could have gotten both feet down instead of just going out of bounds. He can cry all he wants about his ‘consecutive games with a catch' streak (which is complete and total BS since he has missed games due to injury) coming to an end, but this was the second time in the game he had a ball on his hands and didn't make the reception.

Pass 38: Sack -5 yards
- Chambers kept 91 from turning the corner. Levitre had no one to block. Hang was destroyed by 98 for the sack. Wood tried to help with 98 when Hang went down, but wasn't fast enough. Scott kept 98 on the edge.

Pass 39: Sack -8 yards against 6-man blitz
- Chambers stopped 20. Levitre stuffed 91 despite the fact that 91 had, and kept, his hand under Levitre's facemask - uncalled illegal hands to the face. Hang circled 98 around the QB. Wood helped with 98. Scott was beaten around the corner by 94 for the sack.

Pass 40: Jackson 12 yards
- The line easily managed the 3 man rush.

Blitzes: 2
Stacked box: 0
Drive killed by: Owens' drop

Drive 12
Run 20: Jackson for no gain through the right C gap
- 59 slipped Chambers' block and made the tackle. Levitre pressed 92 into 97, who was being stood up by Hang. Wood and Scott sealed 92, 97 and a LB to open the run lane. Fine ignored a run blitzing DB who was in on the tackle.

Pass 41: Reed no gain
- The line easily stopped 3 defensive linemen while Fine and Jackson took on a LB.

Pass 42: Thrown away against a 7-man blitz
- Chambers stopped a LB. Levitre hit 92 who then backed out and stunted. Hang stood up a DT. 20 got inside of Wood who then held him grievously - uncalled. Scott beat 39 to the corner but when Edwards was flushed 39 was in position to chase him.

Grades

Player	Run	Pass
D. Bell	77.1	72.6
K. Chambers	55.0	72.8
A. Levitre	78.0	74.5
G. Hangartner	73.0	74.0
E. Wood	80.0	73.1
J. Scott	73.0	73.1

I wouldn't read too much into Chambers' 55%. He was in for exactly one run play and it was a bad one for him. Of greater concern are the combined 18 bad pass plays the line had. The Saints had the equivalent of 5 sacks, an awful lot for a team not exactly renowned for defensive prowess. Look for defenses to begin to mimic some of the rushes the Saints threw at the Bills, specifically rushing 2 DBs and 2 DLs. Bell never did figure those out.

Run plays by gap
LC	LB	A	RB	RC
5-28	2--1	3-8	3-14	7-29
5.6 ypa	-0.5 ypa	2.7 ypa	4.7 ypa	4.1 ypa

As with Chambers' 55% I wouldn't worry too much about the dismal -0.5 ypa in the left B gap as the team only ran there twice. The yards were there to be had, though it seemed that Buffalo got away from the run game. Quite often it was out of necessity as someone created a negative play. That, in turn, led to bad down and distance combinations in terms of rushing.

On that note, there was a piece Brian wrote yesterday regarding unforced errors, and the Bills made many of them. I was appalled at how many times Edwards was reduced to picking up snaps from the turf during the game. That should be automatic, but apparently isn't with the Bills. I counted 7 bad snaps, or one out of every six passes. When the passing game is predicated on quick reads, it doesn't help that the QB has to spend the first second of the play looking down at his feet.

Drops continue to be a problem, as do errant passes from Edwards. Drops led to several punts, while bad throws cost the team at least 10 points - the INT stopped at least a tying field goal, and Edwards' overthrow of T.O. would have been a go-ahead touchdown. Buffalo can't afford to let those opportunities slip away.

Bills secondary getting healthier in time for Brees

Brian Galliford — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 19:15:09 -0000

More photos » by David Duprey - AP

Browse more photos »

Per BuffaloBills.com, Buffalo Bills cornerback Drayton Florence - who missed the Bills' final three pre-season games, as well as the first two games of the regular season - will be available for his team's Week 3 matchup with the New Orleans Saints.

Starting cornerback Terrence McGee is listed as questionable for a second consecutive week; he was limited in practice last week but played against Tampa Bay, and the same is expected of Buffalo's top corner this week. Also expected to play is fellow starter Leodis McKelvin, who practiced fully on Friday for the first time since injuring his ankle during the Bills' win over Tampa. McKelvin is listed as probable.

C Geoff Hangartner practiced fully for a second straight day and is listed as probable. Also probable is receiver/punt returner Roscoe Parrish (quad). Fellow receiver Josh Reed is questionable after an ankle injury limited his participation in practice both today and yesterday.

The news is not so good for DT John McCargo, who is doubtful with a calf injury. Also doubtful is rookie TE Shawn Nelson, who is nursing a sprained shoulder; if he can't go, Buffalo will play Week 3 with just two active tight ends, Derek Fine and Jonathan Stupar. The Bills' official injury report, however, shows both McCargo and Nelson as probable - which obviously directly contradicts what Chris Brown is reporting.