SB Nation User Blog: Brian Galliford

T.O. Day at Buffalo Rumblings

Brian Galliford — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:47:46 -0000

More photos » by Tony Gutierrez - AP

This is a side of T.O. that we rarely hear about - the good guy side. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

I've been holding off on this for too long - but with Fourth of July weekend just around the corner (and yours truly on a lovely vacation), now seems like the best time for some fireworks, does it not?

If there's one player in the NFL that was born to create fireworks, it's Terrell Owens.

So I'm done putting this off. It's been nearly four months since the Buffalo Bills inked their brand-new enigmatic wideout to a one-year deal. We've talked about him incessantly - oh yes; we've beaten the topic of T.O. to a bloody pulp - but we're also going to have to wait another three weeks until we see him on the field in (relatively) important football situations. Until then, let's take a moment on the eve of a holiday weekend to watch T.O. - and feel free to let yourselves get as excited as I did watching these videos. They're after the jump.

OK, welcome to the jungle. First thing's first - T.O. the player. This highlight video is entirely from Owens' three-year stay in Dallas - and as that's the player that the Bills are bringing in, you can expect to see a little of that at Ralph Wilson Stadium next season.

Next up - T.O. the diva. Yeah, we're leaving the bad stuff out of it - this is a celebration. It's pretty hilarious that when a video of the NFL's best touchdown celebrations is put together, the ringleader is, of course, our own Mr. Owens (although a certain Mr. Ochocinco has a good showing as well).

Lastly - T.O. the person. I know, I know - I'm ending this thing on a serious note. But this video is fascinating, and I figured y'all would enjoy it. If it sobers you up, just go watch the highlight video again.

I'm taking tomorrow off from a writing standpoint; hope y'all don't mind. We'll have Fourth of July content here, so feel free to drop by, but we'll save the serious stuff for Sunday morning. Enjoy your holiday weekend, folks!

Drive stats tell no lies: Bills need playmakers

Brian Galliford — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:35:54 -0000

More photos » by David Duprey - AP

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Roughly a month ago, we examined the Buffalo Bills' trip through the AFC East during the 2008 season and pinpointed the not-so-difficult-to-surmise reasons that the Bills managed to win zero of their six most important games. The verdict? Besides the obvious - scoring points and controlling the ground game on each side of the ball, to start - a general lack of big plays was the big reason that the team was not only 0-6 in the division, but 2-8 overall in the final ten games of the season.

It's not as if we needed yet another piece of evidence to further hammer home the "Bills need more playmakers" argument, but when Football Outsiders puts forth such excellent summaries as their drive stats analysis... well, let's just say that it re-opens some old wounds.

If you're not familiar with Football Outsiders, take a moment or two to get to know them. Trust us - it's worth it. If you're a novice, just take a quick glance at the explanation of their drive stats and you'll know enough to be getting on with. What follows will likely be the least surprising article you have or ever will read here; it's also further proof that, on some teams as starved for playmakers as the Bills are, signing a player as divisive as WR Terrell Owens is well worth the risk - despite what the Tom Currans of the world would have you believe.

Offense: turnovers with zero scoring balance
Let's start with Buffalo's offense, which came in at No. 16 in overall drive stat ranking - to call the offense "middle of the pack" would be an understatement in that sense. The offense ranked out well in average drive start (32.42 yard line), a feat that they can thank the special teams and kick returner Leodis McKelvin for. They also did well in punts per drive, with the seventh-lowest total in the league at .339 punts per drive - or one punt roughly every three drives. Normally, one would believe that that low total would be beneficial to Buffalo's offensive attack; in reality, it just means that the Bills were finding different ways to get rid of the ball. After all, their No. 20 ranking in points per drive (1.75) was hardly stellar considering the schedule the team played.

The low point was Buffalo's runner-up status for the league's worst fumbles per drive rate (.082); they weren't great with interceptions, either (No. 21 ranking). The Bills were No. 27 in the NFL in turnovers per drive, turning the ball over roughly once every six drives. That doesn't help you score points, clearly, and more importantly, it puts your team in a bad spot.

Defense: not enough turnovers, little help
We've been screaming for more big plays from Buffalo's defense here for quite some time, and with good reason: we're right. Buffalo was No. 27 in the league in defensive interceptions per drive (.059), and despite a relatively high fumble rate (.059, No. 11), the Bills were a highly pedestrian No. 22 in forced turnovers per drive (.118). Despite all of this, Buffalo's defense was No. 16 overall in drive stats ranking, thanks to solid rankings in touchdowns surrendered per drive and yards surrendered per drive.

Still, we've touched on the lack of offensive help already, and Buffalo's special teams had a helping hand as well. The aforementioned turnover issues offensively clearly didn't help the cause, but the kick and punt coverage units had their hand in the Bills' unspectacular No. 23 ranking in average opponent drive start, which just happened to be the 31-yard line. Given the lack of help, Buffalo's defense actually did well to rank as highly overall as they did - and yet, given the schedule, more turnovers and a higher ranking would have been nice.

Playmakers can bring about the needed change
With a re-tooled offensive line blocking for a still-green (and streaky) quarterback in Trent Edwards, it would be naive to expect the Bills to get much better in the turnover department offensively. Mistakes are going to be made. The only way to counterbalance mistakes is to have quick-strike firepower; in short, you need playmakers to play the role of equalizer. Enter Owens. He's here for that reason as well as a multitude of others - he levels the playing field for the Bills' re-shuffled and still-maturing offense.

Despite the 16 rankings offensively and defensively, the Bills dropped to No. 23 in the NFL in net drive stat ranking (net is essentially offense minus defense in each category, to calculate an overall average drive trend for the team on the season). The Bills were one of ten NFL teams to finish in negative figures in net ranking; of those ten teams, none picked lower than No. 18 overall in this past April's NFL Draft - and the Bears were the exception, not the rule. That ought to tell you something right there.

The bottom line is this: we can harp all we want about line play and quarterback play, because those things are clearly important to fielding a successful football team. But when Bills GM Russ Brandon spoke after the Bills' signing of Owens, he spoke a truth: you need playmakers to win in this league. Teams with playmakers can overcome "basic" football deficiencies such as line play - just ask the Arizona Cardinals. So while you're worrying about Edwards or the re-tooled offensive line, don't forget that dramatic improvements in those areas mean diddly squat if the team can't make the big plays to capitalize on their (hopefully) solid foundation.

Ten Bills to Decide 2009, No. 7: LT Langston Walker

Brian Galliford — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 00:23:20 -0000

View full size photo uploaded June 30, 2009

You probably remember a fateful day in April when the Buffalo Bills traded two-time Pro Bowl left tackle Jason Peters to the Philadelphia Eagles. Peters, a former undrafted free agent that established himself as one of the game's rising stars at his position, cut his teeth with the Bills. He was a big, freakish athlete coming out of Arkansas, and the Bills turned him into a dominant force. No matter how his career ended - and it wasn't pretty, what with 11.5 sacks surrendered in 2008 and two separate contract squabbles - it's never easy to trade a player that you've crafted from NFL infancy.

Now the Bills are turning to veteran Langston Walker to fill the void. Signed prior to the 2007 season from Oakland, Walker has spent most of his career (including both seasons in Buffalo) as a right tackle. He has roughly two games of experience on the left side.

Walker is everything that Peters isn't. He's a good football player, but clearly doesn't possess anywhere near the athletic prowess that Peters does. He's also a much less dynamic personality than Peters, as he handles the media well (and provides some comic relief in the process) and isn't the type to make waves regarding his contract status. He's a pro's pro - solid, unspectacular, and consistent to the point that he's able to mask his deficiencies, which in his case are his size and how it meshes into the athletic demands of his new position.

Clearly, Walker has big shoes to fill. As he is protecting the blind side of QB Trent Edwards - who has missed all or part of seven games due to various injuries in his first two seasons - Walker's importance is obvious. Without Edwards, the Bills' season is likely over, and without solid play from Walker, the chances of getting a full season out of a healthy Edwards are slim to none.

It is important to note, however, that Walker is not "replacing" Peters in the traditional sense. The Bills will not be asking Walker to do the things that Peters did for the Bills' offense and its line. Peters is an unusually gifted athlete; the team showed its confidence in Peters' athletic abilities by leaving him out on an island on virtually every pass play in the playbook.

Walker won't be left on an island nearly as much, because he's just not athletic enough to handle that demand. He is athletic - there's a reason that Walker is regarded as a better pass protector than run blocker, and it's due to his vastly underrated athleticism - but not to the point where he can be left alone to handle the game's best pass rushers. He'll get help early and often. He won't have to go his new job alone.

That's close to a scary proposition considering the youth of the rest of the offensive line. The team will likely start two rookie guards (Eric Wood and Andy Levitre). Center Geoff Hangartner has never been a full-time starter at the NFL level, though he does have a significant amount of playing time - as does right tackle Brad Butler, who has not played tackle since his senior year at Virginia. There will be growing pains as this line gels. The rapidity with which its players assimilate to their new positions hinges first and foremost on how quickly Walker gets comfortable at left tackle; once he and the team are comfortable, the rest should fall into place.

The Bills have bigger problems at the moment than the left tackle position, simply because Walker is a smart, experienced player. There are obvious concerns with this now-permanent move. Even though there are bigger fish to fry in Buffalo, that shouldn't diminish the importance of Walker's role this season.

Ten Bills to Decide 2009, No. 8: DE Aaron Maybin

Brian Galliford — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:15:55 -0000

More photos » by David Duprey - AP

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Earlier this month, we took a look back at the woeful sack production that the Buffalo Bills have put forth over the past two seasons. When that piece aired, many of you astutely pointed out that the Bills' defensive issues extend beyond the ability to tackle opposing quarterbacks; the issues, instead, lie in the team's general inability to apply any sort of consistent pressure to make things happen defensively. The best defenses in the NFL make things happen via pressure, and Buffalo's defense has been woefully inadequate in that department for the past 32 games.

Penn State DE Aaron Maybin was drafted by the Bills for a reason. He's here to fix that problem.

For a rookie carrying as much burden as Maybin is (seriously, how many rookie defensive ends are counted on to revive an entire pass rush for a team with playoff aspirations?), he's in as solid a situation as possible given the team he was drafted to. He won't have to start. The Bills have three solid veterans to surround Maybin with. But that's where the comfort level for Maybin ends. Without an above-average rookie contribution from Maybin, not a whole lot will change for the better on the defensive side of the ball in Buffalo, and the team could very well be staring a full decade of playoff-less football in the face.

Just as a rookie defensive end playing in a 4-3 scheme, Maybin is already facing an uphill battle toward instant impact. Eight players were drafted into similar situations from 2006 through 2008, and their rookie sack totals were less than stellar on most counts. Combined, a group consisting of Mathias Kiwanuka, Jarvis Moss, Tamba Hali, Jamaal Anderson, Gaines Adams, Chris Long, Derrick Harvey and Lawrence Jackson have averaged just 3.5 sacks in year one.

One further point to make about rookie defensive ends - only Adams (6) and Hali (8) had more than four sacks in their first NFL season. Moss represents the low end of the spectrum, with just one rookie-season sack.

Clearly, Maybin's value won't be limited to one statistic next season. Perhaps his least-talked about virtue is what his presence means for the ends already on the roster, particularly Aaron Schobel - he's no longer going it alone. That helps the Bills' pass rush situation just as much as Maybin's potential stat line itself. But that value isn't tangible enough to judge whether or not Maybin will have had a successful rookie season.

It's tough to include a rookie on this list simply because we have very little idea just how good or bad he'll be in 2009. That's doubly true in Maybin's case, as he has just one year of (tremendous) college production under his belt. But it's no secret that the Bills need a productive year from Maybin, particularly in the intangible parts of the game, to make good on their playoff aspirations. He's on this list for that reason. Maybin's got a lot of talent, but if he can give the front four a playmaker and make the rest of his linemates better, that's enough to be getting on with.

Bills owner not eager to add extra regular-season games in Toronto

Brian Galliford — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 11:54:16 -0000

Bills owner not eager to add extra regular-season games in Toronto

Bills owner Ralph Wilson told the AP on Sunday that there are no current plans to expand Buffalo's presence in Toronto beyond one regular season game per season.

Ten Bills to Decide 2009, No. 9: LB Kawika Mitchell

Brian Galliford — Sat, 27 Jun 2009 12:41:02 -0000

Kawika Mitchell (59, left, with ball) will continue to lead the Buffalo Bills' linebacking corps in 2009. (photo source)

View full size photo uploaded June 27, 2009

On Thursday, we began a series in which we examine the ten current Buffalo Bills players poised to have the biggest impact - positive or negative - on the Bills' success in the 2009 season. We started the discussions off with RB Marshawn Lynch. We're switching over to the defensive side of the ball for the ninth player on the list, starting weak-side linebacker Kawika Mitchell.

Mitchell, entering the second year of a five-year deal he signed last off-season, had a quietly productive first season with the Bills. In tying for the team lead in sacks with four - which, we should note, is not a low total for a 4-3 linebacker - Mitchell became the first Bill not named Aaron Schobel to lead the team in sacks since 2000 (Marcellus Wiley). Kawika added 82 tackles, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and three defended passes - and although he developed a reputation as an inconsistent tackler, Mitchell was a steadying presence for a Bills linebacking corps that has undergone a severe makeover over the past two off-seasons.

We know what Mitchell brings to the table from an on-field standpoint. Mitchell's true value, however, lies in his presence in the locker room.

While the Bills were roaring out to a 5-1 start in 2008, Mitchell was one of the team's most productive contributors. He had a key sack in a Week 1 win over Seattle, and followed that up in Week 6 with a fourth quarter interception that sealed a Bills win over San Diego (pictured above). Like the rest of his teammates, Mitchell was not as stellar during the stretch run, when the Bills squandered a division lead in finishing 2-8.

It was Mitchell, however, who expounded upon the team's mindset during the losing streak, claiming mid-season that the Bills needed a "mentality adjustment" if they were going to turn themselves around and re-claim the playoff spot they had relinquished. Mitchell was a lone voice of reason during those chaotic times - and even though he was not any more immune to disappearing from games and throwing together terrible stretches of play than the rest of his teammates, at least Mitchell realized where it all went wrong.

Kawika Mitchell is a champion - literally. He alone of current Bills players has a Super Bowl ring. He's been there. He knows what it takes for a team (and more importantly, an underdog team) to reach the pinnacle of its sport. As a member of perhaps the unlikeliest Super Bowl champions in league history, the 2007 New York Giants, Mitchell brings experience to the table that no other Bill can match. He needs to know it. With young players and somewhat overrated veterans making up the leadership portion of Buffalo's defense, Mitchell needs to take command of this unit.

We know what Mitchell brings to the table when he's on the field. He can make plays. He's not as consistent as you'd like, but he's a smart, tough player that can make plays. That makes up for the mistakes. Mitchell's true importance, however, is what he brings to the table behind the scenes. If Mitchell emerges as the leader of this Bills defense - whether it's in a formal role (such as team captain) or in an informal way - the Bills will be better off for it.

Classic Buffalo Bills: 10/16/89 vs. Rams (via BillCody1960)

Brian Galliford — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 16:27:00 -0000

Classic Buffalo Bills: 10/16/89 vs. Rams (via BillCody1960)

Around the AFC East: Ranking the division's running backs

Brian Galliford — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:32:34 -0000

More photos » by David Duprey - AP

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It's Friday. If you're a veteran in this little corner of the Internet, you know that today is traditionally the day where we interview SB Nation's AFC East bloggers about their respective teams in an effort to better know the Buffalo Bills' biggest rivals.

Forgive me for saying so, but those posts have gotten a bit dreary over the past few weeks. I get it - it's June, and y'all have some difficulty drumming up football-related vitriol for the enemy when the sport is on the backburner for the better part of two months. But that doesn't mean we can't try to spice things up a bit. We'll do that this morning.

We, along with our friends at The Phinsider, Pats Pulpit and Gang Green Nation, have decided that rather than just do the typical question and answer format, we'd ramp up the energy a bit. Today, the four SB Nation AFC East blogs will be talking divisional running backs; more specifically, we're ranking them. There's going to be controversy. There will most definitely be disagreements, and a bit of homerism. So forget that it's June. Let's talk football, and let's do it with a bit of Bills team pride.

My rankings of the AFC East's running backs are after the jump. Be sure to check out the rest of the blogs for their rankings as well. Then leave your thoughts on the rankings in the comments section - no holds barred.

1. New York Jets
Yeah, I know. I'm supposed to be a homer. But I'm trying to be fair, here, and I truly believe that the Jets have the best stable of running backs in the division.

Why? Simple - the Jets have the only home run threat at the position in the entire division. Leon Washington is a completely unique talent at this position in the AFC East. He's not a workhorse, but he's got a dash of Brian Westbrook in him. Add in Thomas Jones - as dependable a veteran as you can find in this league - and a physical, talented rookie in Shonn Greene, and the Jets are simply loaded at this position. They have an excellent mix of veteran and youth, size and speed, and different skill sets. They're the best.

2. Buffalo Bills
I'll put the Bills second ahead of two more excellent groups of running backs. I honestly believe that Marshawn Lynch is the closest thing to a "complete" running back in this division (with Ronnie Brown a very close second). That doesn't exactly set the Bills too far apart from Miami, however; trust me - there's a reason I ranked them ahead of the Fish.

That reason is Fred Jackson. Yeah, I know Ricky Williams is a heck of a football player, and despite his checkered past, he's one Miami player that I respect the hell out of. But Fred Jackson does more for a football team than Ricky Williams does. He does more for an offense. (The fact that the Bills have a far more proven third back - Dominic Rhodes - helps as well.)

3. Miami Dolphins
I love Ronnie Brown in terms of pure football talent. He's big, strong, and fast - and he can pick up yardage in big chunks. The fact that he's capable of running the Wildcat offense only enhances his value. But he has a tendency to get nicked up, and he has never quite reached the level one might expect a former No. 2 overall pick to achieve.

I've mentioned Williams. People forget about Patrick Cobbs, too - he's a very solid receiving threat, and honestly could do with a few more touches. Miami is third on my list, but there's clearly talent here.

4. New England Patriots
The Pats have to finish last at something, right? I'll be the first to admit that the Patriots' spread offense makes having an overly talented stable of running backs a lower priority. But that Pats do have talent here. They go four deep with Laurence Maroney, Fred Taylor, Sammy Morris and the ever-irksome Kevin Faulk. The problem isn't quantity, clearly; it's not quality, either. These are some good football players, and each guy brings something a little different to the table. The problem is that there isn't a workhorse. That's not a problem for the Patriots, but in a ranking like this, it's good enough to put them at the bottom of the list - particularly when the division is so loaded at the position.

Agree? Disagree? Let us know - and if you've got a gripe about anyone else's AFC East running back rankings, we'd love to hear about it here, too.

Terrell Owens Apologizes. via Comedy Central

Brian Galliford — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 16:26:48 -0000

Terrell Owens Apologizes. via Comedy Central

Ten Bills to Decide 2009, No. 10: RB Marshawn Lynch

Brian Galliford — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 11:59:34 -0000

More photos » by David Duprey - AP

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One month from today, folks, the Buffalo Bills will open 2009 training camp at St. John Fisher College in Pittsford, NY. One month. Hang in there. Until that glorious day, however, we'll continue to give you plenty to ponder - not just in relation to the fantastic historical content that the staff has been pumping out recently, but in terms of the Bills team we have yet to watch, the 2009 version.

This is the start of a series in which we will examine the ten most important Bills players heading into the season. The idea is a simple one: single out ten players that will have the most impact in deciding whether or not Buffalo can end their nine-year playoff drought this season. We'll end the exposition here and dive right into the list. First up - RB Marshawn Lynch.

What happens post-suspension?
Lynch, as I'm sure y'all are well aware, has been suspended by the NFL for the first three games of the season due to his gun-related off-season arrest. Marshawn appealed the suspension on May 14, but all indications are that league commissioner Roger Goodell is leaning toward upholding Lynch's suspension. Expect Lynch to miss the first three games of the season; it'll be surprising if that number is reduced.

Despite the suspension - and despite Buffalo's excellent depth at running back, which includes fan favorite Fred Jackson and recently signed veteran Dominic Rhodes - Lynch remains one of Buffalo's most vital offensive cogs.

Don't let the presence of Jackson and the signing of Rhodes delude you; Lynch is still the workhorse in Buffalo. He'll only play 13 games next season if he stays healthy, but he'll still approach 300 touches. Why? He alone among Bills backs has the ability to break a game open based on skill alone.

Any player touching the ball roughly 300 times per season is clearly going to be important to your offense. What increases Lynch's value to the team is his nose for the end zone; the third-year running back has scored 16 touchdowns in his first two seasons. For perspective: no other non-quarterback on Buffalo's roster has more than 8 scores in that same time frame (WR Lee Evans). Marshawn is our finisher.

Still, there is untapped potential with Lynch - and it is essential that the Bills find a way to tap into that unexplored talent, as Lynch is by far the most talented back on the roster, and is the lone home run threat among the group. On an offense starved for playmakers, Lynch has stood alone in his first two seasons as the one player that can be relied upon on a week-to-week basis. He's been our workhorse, but Buffalo needs to find a way to turn him into more than that. He can be a game-breaker. With enviable depth at the position, the Bills have a chance to put Lynch in better situations to make big plays - that's something they need to take advantage of.

It's tough not to put a player as consistent, reliable and talented as Lynch higher up on this list. The truth of the matter is that while Lynch is tremendously important to the team's success, he's just a running back. Teams win games with average running back play all the time. Add in the aforementioned depth, and Lynch's value (and perhaps even his overall touches) decreases. Lynch makes this list, however, because Buffalo's offense - like any good offense - needs a finisher. A closer to get the ball in the paint. That's Lynch's job, and if the shiny new offensive addition(s) pays off, Lynch should do a lot more finishing in 2009.