SB Nation User Blog: jri111

"It's been a hell of a ride," said Berman of his bond with the Bills. "It started back in the...

jri111 — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:13:31 -0000

"It's been a hell of a ride," said Berman of his bond with the Bills. "It started back in the summer of '88. I was traveling from training camp to training camp, and when I showed up at Fredonia, I had this real good feeling about the team. The Bills had gone 7-8 the year before, and I just sensed that things were in place for them to take off. On SportsCenter, I started building them up, and they made me look good every week.

"I think the special relationship I've had with the Bills was due in part to my closeness in age to many of the players from their Super Bowl run. I was 33 at the time, and most of the key players on the Bills were in their mid-to-late twenties. It's like we grew up together."

Good read from Scott Pitoniak's blog about Chris Berman and the bond he has formed with the Buffalo Bills. Check out: The Bills Biggest Backer

Packers, Bills among teams set to shock

jri111 — Wed, 13 May 2009 19:08:22 -0000

Packers, Bills among teams set to shock

7. Buffalo Bills: This one might be a surprise because I'm going against the formula. The Bills' .570 schedule is the sixth-hardest in the league. Whether they've played hard schedules or easy schedules, the Bills have finished 7-9 for three straight seasons. Their break is "non-common" non-division games against the Bengals and Kansas City Chiefs, which are winnable. Plus, Terrell Owens should add scoring punch to their offense. He usually takes an offense to an average of 24.0 ppg or better because of his ability to catch touchdown passes. The Bills averaged 21.0 ppg last year. A two-point improvement could put them at 9-7.

Remembering Jack Kemp

jri111 — Sun, 03 May 2009 16:46:07 -0000

Remembering Jack Kemp

Aaron Maybin working out pre-draft

jri111 — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:51:42 -0000

Aaron Maybin working out pre-draft

Aaron Maybin's Pro Day at Penn State

jri111 — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:48:31 -0000

Aaron Maybin's Pro Day at Penn State

Poz and Maybin talk pre-draft... The two former Nittany Lions have been reunited in Buffalo.

jri111 — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:44:05 -0000

Poz and Maybin talk pre-draft... The two former Nittany Lions have been reunited in Buffalo.

More help at DE needed? Tamba Hali the answer?

jri111 — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 17:58:48 -0000

The addition of Aaron Maybin was a much needed jolt to Buffalo's pass-rush woes; however, taking the 21-year old stand-out from Penn State did not magically eliminate all of Buffalo's problems at the defensive end position. Although Maybin will undoubtedly play a large role in Buffalo's defense right from the get-go, it remains likely that Chris Kelsey will be Buffalo's opening day starter in 2009. Opposite Kelsey will be 31-year old, Aaron Schobel. Schobel is coming off an injury induced 2008 season and some question whether his best years are behind him. The Bills do have Chris Ellis, but last year's third round hasn't shown any indication that he would be an upgrade over Schobel or Kelsey anytime in the near future. So are the Bills really content with what they have? If not, are there opportunities still out there?

One opportunity may be Kansas City Chief, Tamba Hali. The Chiefs are continuing their switch to a 3-4 defense (although they will play some 4-3 as well) and during the transition, Tamba Hali may be an odd man out. Hali, a prototypical 4-3 end, is currently trying to make the switch to outside linebacker in the 3-4 during the Chiefs off-season workouts; however there is no guarantee that the switch will be successful. If it becomes apparent to the Chiefs in the next month or two that Hali does not have the athleticism to make the transition, can he be available via trade? Would Buffalo be interested? They should be.

Hali is only 25 years old. He's 6-3, 275 pounds and has had success getting to the quarterback in his young career. The 3-year pro, registered 8 sacks in his first two season, but struggled some in 2008, only able to take down the quarterback twice all season. Some attributed Hali's drop off in production to the departure of Jared Allen after the 2007 season, but the former first round pick still has a lot of potential. He is also relatively cheap, having two years remaining on his rookie contract ($940,000 in 2009; $1.31 million in 2010).

So what would it take to get Hali? Considering the lack of value he offers Kansas City, I would not imagine that the Chiefs would be in position to ask for the house. Roscoe for Hali straight-up? A mid-round pick in 2010? A third-round pick in 2010 (although I think that's a bit much)? Adding Hali would also allow Buffalo to finally remove Chris Kelsey and his $3 million from the roster. Going under that assumption that Hali is a better talent than Kelsey (which I think is undoubtedly true), his addition would be a net gain for Buffalo - both on the field and financially.

Thoughts?

Bills to Chase DeShaun Foster?

jri111 — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 15:58:45 -0000

Bills to Chase DeShaun Foster?

From John Clayton's blog:

Foster on Bills' radar? Now that Lynch is out for three games, the Bills might have to revisit the idea of signing 49ers running back DeShaun Foster. The Bills looked at him last month but didn't sign him. Fred Jackson is good enough to be the starter for the first three games, but the team needs a dependable backup to get them through September. The other option might be finding a back in the first three rounds of the draft.

Thinking outside the box, re: Jason Peters

jri111 — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:22:55 -0000

Julius Peppes (www.brettfarrey.com)

With Tim Graham's most recent blog post highlighting the quandary Buffalo finds itself in, I thought it would be a good idea to throw out ideas that could help the Bills salvage this situation. I want to make this clear: I am not advocating for these certain things to happen, nor am I saying that they are likely. Approach this more as a "think tank." Somewhere to throw out and discuss creative ways to get Buffalo out of this mess.

1. Creative Idea Number 1: A three-way trade involving Julius Peppers

It appears that one of the biggest sticking points with respect to trading Peters to another team is that most other teams are skeptical about dealing multiple high picks to Buffalo for a player they know wants to be the highest paid left tackle in football and has questionable motivation/desire. So, in attempting to solve this problem, why not try to lessen the other team's burden:

Proposal A: A three-way trade, involving Jason Peters, Julius Peppers and a third team. Peppers would go to Buffalo, Peters to Team X and a first round pick to Carolina. Buffalo could also swap thirds with Carolina to sweeten the pot (75th for 93rd, under 100 point difference).

Why Buffalo would do it:

- They'd get a Pro-Bowl caliber DE and the defensive play-maker they desire
- They would keep the #11 pick so that they can use it on Peters replacement.
- They would still have their second and third round picks for other needs (e.g. LB and TE)

Why Carolina would do it:

- They would not have to keep Peppers on the books in '09 for $16.5 million, the cost of his one-year tender.
- They would get a first round pick, something they are currently lacking (Carolina's first pick doesn't come until late in the second round - the 59th overall pick)
- In addition to getting a first round pick, they would get to move up in the third, helping get a deal done that might not otherwise work (i.e. Carolina may be unwilling to move Peppers for only a first round pick, but add into a swap to move up and it may be enough to get it done).

Why the other team would do it:

- They'd get a Pro Bowl left tackle for a first round pick
- They wouldn't have to give up multiple picks

2. Creative Idea Number 2: Making one final revocable offer

Buffalo puts a new "offer" on the table sometime within the next week with the understanding that (a) this is the final offer of the off-season - there will be no other offer from the club until at least the conclusion of the '09-'10 season; (b) that the offer has an expiration date, 48 hours before the start of the draft; (c) that if Peters refuses the offer and Buffalo can not get the right trade, he will be playing (or sitting out - his choice) the 2009 season under his current deal.

This would do a few things for the club:

- It gives Peters one last chance to pull his head out of his a*s (however, unlikely)
- It gives Peters clear options and a deadline to make a decision
- It gives Buffalo one last opportunity to get a deal done
- It gives Buffalo a "plan" and an outline to execute it. They will know, one way or another, but the time the offer expires whether they are drafting a LT in this year's draft.

3. Creative Idea Number 3: See here

That's all I have right now. What do you all think? Anybody have any other ideas about out to change this situation for the better? Holes/validity in the proposals above? Lets here it Buffalo fans, help your team figure out a way to deal with Jason Peters. Think outside the box!

Rumblings Scouting Report: USC LB Brian Cushing

jri111 — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 21:28:31 -0000

USC outside linebacker Brian Cushing, No. 10 (LA Times)

As the 2009 NFL Draft approaches, the editorial staff at Buffalo Rumblings will begin profiling draft prospects that may end up being potential targets of the Buffalo Bills. jri111 drew the assignment of profiling the top linebackers in this year's class. In the spotlight today: USC's Brian Cushing.

Aside from defensive end, one of the Buffalo Bills' biggest needs identified by the Rumblings community is the linebacker position. We started our examination of the position by profiling Wake Forest's Aaron Curry and continued our discussion with USC's Clay Matthews. Today, we look at another USC linebacker: Brian Cushing.

Along with his USC teammate Matthews, Cushing has recently been at the center of speculation regarding mandatory steroid testing at the Combine. It had been rumored that the USC linebacker tested positive for steroids. That prompted his former coach, Pete Carroll, to deny such allegations. After the rumor started to spread, the league issued a statement indicating that none of the tests have yet to be made available to NFL teams. With that in mind, we will take the same approach with Cushing as we did with Matthews: he's "clean" until proven otherwise.

To help analyze Cushing's game we bring back Paragon SC of Conquest Chronicles, who was gracious enough to give us the lowdown on all three USC linebackers. (And yeah... Rey Maualuga's report is coming.)

Brian Cushing - Linebacker, USC
6'3", 243 lbs, 4.74-second 40-yard dash
Senior
2008: 73 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 INT

Strengths: Ideal combination of size and athleticism. Excellent strength. Adequate speed. Long arms. Versatile, has played defensive end, strong-side and middle linebacker. Physical, tough and intense. Big hitter who looks to intimidate with his physicality. Good tackler. Great Instincts. Attacks blocks aggressively. Good straight-line speed. Good flexibility to turn and run with tight ends and backs in coverage. Reads the quarterback well and can break on the ball. Decent pass rusher. Started since his freshman season (although only played in 12 games entering his senior year due to injuries).

Weaknesses: Severe durability issues. Missed five games in 2005 due to a shoulder separation, three games in 2007 because of a high ankle sprain, and underwent surgery after the 2006 and 2007 spring practices (shoulder and knee, respectfully). Can rely on his athletic ability rather than his upper body strength to shed blocks. Does not play up to his workout numbers. Some suspect that he is a "workout warrior," who doesn't live up to his measurables. Overrated as a pass rusher, even though he has experience at end. Needs to develop more pass rush moves - relies too much on speed and athleticism. Overaggressive at times.

Things to Know: Signed with USC as a potential strong safety candidate.

What did Paragon SC have to say about Brian Cushing?

BR: What are his strengths?

Paragon SC: He is fast with great instincts... Cushing is an aggressive, intense player that does a great job of bringing his body through the ball carrier on tackles and has an intimidation factor. Cushing identifies the play quickly and is not easily fooled by misdirection plays… he stays at home. He can get penetration even when going up against a tight end. He is a full speed, downhill player who can change direction quickly while also being able to go sideline to sideline with the uncanny ability to open field tackles for his size.

BR: What are his weaknesses?

Paragon SC: There have been times when he has taken himself out the play (due to aggressiveness). He is seen to do well in avoiding blocks and his aggressiveness comes out when taking on blockers, but he does need to work on shedding blockers. He can drop back into coverage fairly effectively but he can get caught short in certain coverage schemes. He has had some injury issues as he missed half the 2005 season with a shoulder injury. Missed most of 2007 with an ankle injury.

BR: Does he project better as a 4-3 OLB or a 3-4 OLB?

Paragon SC: Brian Cushing plays the SLB position, but he is able to play MLB... He has also played the "elephant" position at SC, where he is lined up as a defensive end. He can play inside or outside in either a 4-3 or 3-4 defensive scheme.

Much more after the break...

By the Numbers
40-yard Dash: 4.74 (seventh best)
10-yard split: 1.53
20-yard split: 2.62
Bench Press: 30 reps (best among LBs)
Vertical jump: 35.0" (seventh best)
Broad jump: 10'0"(sixth best)
3-cone: 6.84 (best among LBs)
20-yard shuttle: 4.22 (fourth best)
60-yard shuttle: N/A

NFL Comparison?
New Era Scouting's take:

Could be as good as: Julian Peterson, Settle

Worst case scenario: Antwan Peek, Cleveland

Reviewing the Tape

Brian Cushing, Rey Maualuga and Clay Matthews at USC Pro Day - 4.1.2009

Highlights via thebutkusaward:

More highlights thanks to Draft Party:

Senior bowl interview via Jmirgs:

Combine Preparation via Jmirgs:

Also, a lot of cool workout/combine preparation videos thanks to joedefranco. Check them out!

Does he "fit the Bill?"
If you were only looking at size, strength and speed, he absolutely fits the Bills' need as a SLB in their 4-3. Personally though, I think there are just too many question marks to consider him at the No. 11 overall pick. For every outstanding positive, there is a major question mark to go along with it. He's strong, athletic and plays fast, but he has very pedestrian statistics or game changing plays. He's aggressive and plays hard, but he's not known as a leader. He started as a freshman, but injuries have caused him to miss a good portion of his college career. He's versatile, but is that because he doesn't have a true position?

Other Scouting Reports and Rankings

NFL.com
Draft Countdown
New Era Scouting
CDS Draft
NFLDraftScout
Walter Football

Again, many thanks to Paragon SC of Conquest Chronicles for providing his insight on Brian Cushing!