The Sports Xchange
NFL Team Report – Buffalo Bills – INSIDE SLANT
Although general manager Doug Whaley tried to sound convincing, deep down he knows that the 2014 season is a big one for the Buffalo Bills. “In the NFL, every year is a big year,” said Whaley. “Everyone is expecting some big things from us and we’re expecting big things.”
He’s right; every year is a big year for every team, but when you haven’t made the playoffs in 14 years, when you made a bold draft-day trade to move up to pick a potential superstar playmaker, and your franchise is about to be sold to a new owner, this is a little bigger of a year for the Bills than any other year. This team needs to win, and it needs to make the postseason. If it doesn’t, the new owner – who should be in charge at some point this season – could very well overhaul the organization, and in that scenario, nobody’s job is safe.
“Being where we’ve been as an organization on the field is unacceptable,” said team president and CEO Russ Brandon. “It is certainly unacceptable to me. It’s all about winning. There is nothing else, absolutely nothing else that matters. We’ve made changes and we’re not going to sit on our hands and not let any sand get under our shoes when it comes to trying to put a winning product on the field. That’s what we’re all about.”
Coming out of minicamp, the Bills feel very good about where they are on defense. A strong and productive defensive line returns intact led by three Pro Bowlers, Mario Williams, Kyle Williams and Marcell Dareus; the linebacking unit has been upgraded with the additions of Brandon Spikes and Keith Rivers; and the secondary only has to deal with the free-agent departure of free safety Jairus Byrd. After improving in every key category in 2013, this unit should keep the Bills in every game they play.
On offense, things are a little more worrisome, but only because quarterback EJ Manuel remains somewhat of a mystery. The Bills drafted wide receiver Sammy Watkins No. 4 overall, at the cost of next year’s first-round draft slot, and he joins a group that includes Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin, and veteran newcomer Mike Williams. The running backs are excellent and versatile with home-run hitter C.J. Spiller, the always productive and savvy Fred Jackson, and two solid additions in Bryce Brown and Anthony Dixon. Scott Chandler is a reliable, if not spectacular, tight end, and the line should be bolstered by the additions of free-agent left guard Chris Williams and rookie second-round pick Cyrus Kouandjio.
So it comes down to Manuel, and whether he can prove that he is the quarterback of the future.
“I’m optimistic,” said Whaley. “I’m eager to see him get out and perform for 16 games, because you started to see the growth in that Cleveland game (in Week 5 last year) and then he got hurt. I think this year is going to be a big leap for him, and for us.”
During much of the OTAs and minicamp, Manuel seemed to struggle, but that’s because the Bills emptied the playbook for installation, and things weren’t always smooth. Once training camp starts, and the Bills begin to pare down what they believe will work best, Manuel should look better.
“He’s put in a lot of work, and he has a much, much better understanding and it’s exciting,” said head coach Doug Marrone. “What you hope to see at training camp and the installation goes in, you hope to see it better the next time around.”
If Manuel comes through, this Buffalo team has enough to make it to the playoffs, as this is the deepest roster the Bills have brought to training camp in perhaps a decade.
“We’re confident as a football team, and I’m extremely confident in the roster we have, so now it comes down to execution,” said center Eric Wood. “We have a solid group from top to bottom, with some depth to withstand a full season which is crucial in this league. I’m excited about our roster.”
CAMP CALENDAR
Players report: July 18
First practice: July 20
Aug. 13-14: Joint practices at Steelers camp
–The Bills confirmed linebacker Koko Alonso suffered a torn ACL in his left knee while working out in Oregon and he is expected to miss the entire 2014 season.
Alonso, the runner-up for NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2013, was already recovering from offseason hip surgery before he hurt his knee. He will be scheduled for surgery after the swelling subsides.
“He will be scheduled for surgery in the near future and begin a rehabilitation program at the appropriate time. We feel badly for Kiko because he has worked very hard this offseason in preparation for the upcoming season, but we look forward to his return with his style of play that made him one of the league’s outstanding rookies in 2013,” Bills general manager Doug Whaley said in a statement.
The loss of Alonso throws a big wrench into the Bills’ plans for their linebacker corps.
In organized team activities last month, the Bills revealed their intention to move Alonso to weak-side linebacker in new defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s 4-3 system. Last year, Alonso played every defensive snap, 1,145, at middle linebacker.
He did not fully participate in OTA workouts due to his hip rehab.
The Bills did sign veteran linebackers Keith Rivers and Brandon Spikes during free agency, and had planned to play Rivers on the strong side and Spikes in the middle. The unit is now in flux with the big hole created by Alonso’s injury.
Rivers could move to the weak side with the Bills sliding rookie third-rounder Preston Brown from the middle to the strong side. Another option is Manny Lawson, who started 15 games on the strong side last season, but the role is different under Schwartz and he was expected to play primarily at end this season.
The team could also keep the oft-injured Rivers on the strong side and gamble that Nigel Bradham can improve his run defense under Schwartz and handle the weak-side job.
In 2013, Alonso led the Bills with 159 tackles, which ranked third in the NFL. He made the league’s all-rookie team and finished behind only New York Jets defensive end Sheldon Richardson in voting for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Alonso, 23, was a second-round pick (46th overall) out of Oregon in 2013. The 6-foot-3, 238-pounder compiled two sacks, four interceptions, one forced fumble and four passes defensed as a rookie.
The highlight of Alonso’s season might have been a 22-tackle performance in the Bills’ 27-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 13.
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NFL Team Report – Buffalo Bills – NOTES, QUOTES
–One area the Bills need to improve on this season is extending drives on offense. They ranked 29th in the NFL last year in third-down conversion percentage at 34 percent, and their 5.52 plays per drive ranked 22nd, fueled in large part by their propensity to go three-and-out 25.6 percent of the time, 26th in the league. Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett knows the issue, and he’s eager to find solutions.
“If you look at us last year, that right there is going to extend so many more drives,” he said of improving on third down. “We have to continue to be better at that, and it’s something I’ve really challenged the guys with. Third-down and red-zone situations, that’s what we need to work on and that’s what’s going to get us more plays.”
One of the keys to improvement is for the Bills to be more efficient through the air. Their 546 rushing attempts were the most in the NFL last season, and there were times when the ground game was the only thing working. When the Bills were forced to throw, not a lot good happened.
“We’ve got to fix that,” said running back C.J. Spiller. “In order for us to be the offense that we want to be, we have to stay on the field. If we want our defense to be dominant, like we know they’re capable of being, we have to be able to take some of the pressure off those guys by not putting them out there series after series.”
–One of the Bills’ most pleasant surprises in 2013 was defensive end Jerry Hughes. The former first-round pick of the Colts was a non-entity in Indianapolis, and the Bills were able to swap a former third-round pick, Kelvin Sheppard, to acquire Hughes. Hughes came through with 10 sacks last year, five more than he had in three seasons at Indy combined. This year, Hughes is in line to start in the Bills’ 4-3 base defense coordinated by Jim Schwartz.
“He’s brought in his 4-3 scheme, but as far as what I’m doing it’s pretty much the same thing I did last year,” Hughes said. “My hand is on the ground and I’m coming off the edge trying to create pressure to get to the quarterback.”
Schwartz tempered his enthusiasm about Hughes at the end of minicamp because, after all, the players are still in shorts, but in watching tape of Hughes from last season, Schwartz knows he’s a critical player up front.
“He can change the game with a pass rush,” Schwartz said. “That’s a big thing in this game, and those guys are very valuable.”
–Team strength: Defensive line.
The Bills have three Pro Bowl players up front — tackles Marcell Dareus and Kyle Williams, and end Mario Williams, plus end Jerry Hughes. While setting a team record with 57 sacks in 2013, those four players combined for 41 sacks, including a team-high 13 by Mario Williams.
The Bills can also bring in players such as veterans Alan Branch and Manny Lawson, and they also like young players Stefan Charles and Corbin Bryant, both of whom saw playing time at the end of last season. Under new coordinator Jim Schwartz, the Bills might not blitz as much as they did when Mike Pettine was scheming the defense, but if the front four can continue to generate pressure without help, Schwartz won’t have to send linebackers or safeties.
–Breakout player: Wide receiver Marquise Goodwin.
Goodwin flashed some excitement last season as a deep threat as he caught three touchdown passes on deep balls, using his dynamic speed to get behind the defense. Injuries slowed him at several points during the year, though, and he finished with just 17 catches for 283 yards.
With a year in the system, Goodwin could become a key player in the passing game. Defenses will be concerned with rookie receiver Sammy Watkins, and receiver Robert Woods deserves attention on underneath routes, so Goodwin could find himself in some favorable matchups on the outside. To succeed, he needs to stay healthy, and be more consistent as a pass-catcher.
–Fantasy football reality check: Wide receiver Robert Woods.
Woods came into the NFL at the same time as quarterback EJ Manuel last year, a pair of high-round draft picks, and the two hit it off immediately. Even with veteran Stevie Johnson on the roster, Manuel seemed more comfortable with Woods, especially early in the season, as Woods just always seemed to be an outlet target for Manuel.
This year, the bond has grown and they played a lot of pitch and catch in OTAs and minicamp. Woods caught 40 passes for 597 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie, and those numbers should jump dramatically. Woods is a player who runs precise routes and could become an effective go-to target in the red zone.
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NFL Team Report – Buffalo Bills – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
QUARTERBACKS: Starter – EJ Manuel. Backups – Thad Lewis, Jeff Tuel, Dennis Dixon.
This is a big year for the 2013 first-round pick, Manuel. After a frustrating rookie season when he couldn’t stay healthy and missed six full games, Manuel’s grade was an incomplete, and no one can say with any certainty that he’s this team’s future. The Bills have to hope that a full offseason with the coaches, and learning the playbook, will offset some of the lost playing time. Manuel is confident that will be the case, but he still has to go out there and prove it. If he goes down, the Bills are not good in the backup positions. Lewis is serviceable, but he’s not taking this team to the playoffs, and Tuel and Dixon are non-entities.
RUNNING BACKS: Starters – C.J. Spiller, FB Frank Summers. Backups – Fred Jackson, Bryce Brown, Anthony Dixon, Ronnie Wingo, FB Evan Rodriquez.
This is one of Buffalo’s deepest positions as both Spiller and Jackson are starter worthy, and Brown and Dixon will be nice additions, especially if injuries strike, which has been the case with both Spiller and Jackson the last few years. Both Spiller and Jackson are in contract years, and you would think that’s even more incentive for them to have big seasons. The question for offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett will be how to get these guys enough touches, and that will be a challenge. At fullback, Summers and Rodriquez will battle, and it’s anybody’s guess who will emerge, but Summers has more experience and he’s very good on special teams.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters – Sammy Watkins, Mike Williams. Backups – Robert Woods, Marquise Goodwin, Marcus Easley, T.J. Graham, Kevin Elliott, Chris Hogan, Ramses Barden, Caleb Holley, Cordell Roberson, Chris Summers.
Watkins is expected to be the go-to guy from day one, but wide receiver is a difficult position for rookies to make a huge impact; there’s a lot more to it than just running routes and catching the ball. And for as dynamic a player as Watkins is, he ran very simple spread offense routes in college – quick screens and go routes, primarily – and he will have to learn how to run the entire route tree, understand coverages, and know when he’s the hot receiver in blitz situations. He should be fine, but it won’t always be smooth. Williams has talent and you can expect similar production from him that the Bills got from departed Stevie Johnson. Woods and Goodwin will get plenty of time, but guys like Easley and Hogan will make the team more for their special teams work. As for Graham, he might be on the chopping block unless he has a great camp and preseason.
TIGHT ENDS: Starter – Scott Chandler. Backups – Tony Moeaki, Lee Smith, Mike Caussin, Chris Gragg.
Chandler is a solid veteran who does a pretty good job in the passing game, but he’s never going to be a true playmaker that can make a big difference. He can get downfield and make catches, but there’s not much run-after-catch to his game. He led the team in catches and receiving yards last season. Moeaki is the wild card. When he was healthy in Kansas City, he was the kind of receiving tight end the Bills need, but he has to prove he can still do that. Smith is strictly a blocker, and Gragg might be the downfield threat the team needs, but he’s still too raw and probably isn’t ready for major playing time.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Cordy Glenn, LG Chris Williams, C Eric Wood, RG Kraig Urbik, RT Erik Pears. Backups – G Doug Legursky, T Cyrus Koundjio, OL Antoine McClain, T Chris Hairston, G J.J. ‘Unga, G Mark Asper, G Cyril Richardson, T Seantrel Henderson, OL Edawn Coughman, C Macky MacPherson.
The emphasis for the Bills up front was to get big, athletic men, and that’s what they did in the draft by choosing Kouandjio, Richardson and Henderson. Taking all 15 men into account, they now have the heaviest line in the NFL. Williams was a free-agent signing, but he really hasn’t distinguished himself in the NFL. Glenn and Wood are excellent, and Urbik is a grunt who quietly gets the job done. The big battle will be at right tackle where Kouandjio was drafted to replace Pears. However, he still has to beat out the veteran. The battle for backup spots will be hot, and it’s tough to tell who will emerge, but if Henderson can impress, the Bills – based on his potential – might have to keep him. There’s a chance Pears will get cut, so that would open up a backup tackle spot.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — DE Mario Williams, DT Marcell Dareus, DT Kyle Williams, DE Jerry Hughes. Backups — E Manny Lawson, T Alan Branch, E Jarius Wynn, T Corbin Bryant, T Stefan Charles, L Damien Jackson, DL Bryan Johnson, DL Colby Way, DL Ikponmwosa Igbinosun.
The Bills set a team record with 57 sacks in 2013, and Dareus, Hughes, Mario Williams and Kyle Williams combined for 41. They were helped by former defensive coordinator Mike Pettine’s aggressive blitz packages, which opened some pass-rush lanes, and coordinator Jim Schwartz certainly won’t back off. Dareus needs to get his act together off the field, and if he does, he can be great. Hughes must prove last year’s 10-sack emergence wasn’t a one-season blip. The switch to a base 4-3 affects Lawson and Branch, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if Lawson is released because he’s more of a hybrid LB/DL. Branch’s versatility up front should create a place for him. Charles impressed the coaches late last season, and Wynn joined the team as a free agent and he could stick.
LINEBACKERS: Starters — MLB Brandon Spikes, WLB Kiko Alonso, SLB Keith Rivers. Backups — WLB Nigel Bradham, MLB Preston Brown, LB Jimmy Gaines, LB Randell Johnson, LB Darrin Kitchins, SLB Ty Powell, LB Jacquies Smith, LB Nathan Williams.
The Bills have done a complete makeover here, bringing in Spikes to man the middle, and Rivers to play on the strong side. Also, Alonso has been moved out of the middle and out to the weak-side spot where his speed and athleticism should be enhanced without having to deal with so much traffic in the middle of the field. Spikes is the mean-spirited leader the Bills need, and playing on a one-year contract, he’s primed to have a big season. Rivers has been an average NFL player, and he’ll have to fight to win a starting job. Among the backups, the best bets to make the team are probably Brown, Bradham and Powell, but all would be a dropoff if any of the starters get hurt. There’s also the possibility of using Lawson at linebacker.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Stephon Gilmore, RCB Leodis McKelvin, FS Aaron Williams, SS Da’Norris Searcy. Backups — CB Ron Brooks, CB Nickell Robey, CB Deon Broomfield, CB Mario Butler, CB Michael Carter, CB Ross Cockrell, CB-FS Corey Graham, CB Darius Robinson, CB Brandon Smith, FS Duke Williams, SS Jonathan Meeks, S Derek Brim, S Kenny Ladler, S Jajuan Harley.
Gilmore was hampered by injuries in 2013 and the 2012 first-round pick is looking to bounce back and play the way the Bills know he can play. He can certainly be the lockdown cornerback on this team. McKelvin enjoyed a fine 2013 season after re-signing as a free agent to stay here, and has solidified his position as a starter. Graham was acquired in free agency, and he can play nickel corner or safety, while Robey was the breakthrough player last year as the nickel corner because he was so adept at being around the ball. Brooks has hung on in Buffalo for a couple years, but he might need a strong camp to survive, now that the Bills drafted Cockrell. Free agent Jairus Byrd will be missed at free safety, but Aaron Williams will slide into his spot, and after a nice first year playing safety, he has to continue to ascend because the Bills really need him to be the leader back there. Searcy will get the first chance to win the strong safety job as he played in all 16 games last year with seven starts. Graham could compete at either spot, but he’s seen more as a sub-package player covering the slot, while Meeks, Ladler and Duke Williams figure to battle for one, maybe two, backup safety spots, depending on the roster numbers elsewhere.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Dan Carpenter, P Brian Moorman, LS Garrison Sanborn, PR Leodis McKelvin, KOR Marquise Goodwin, K Dustin Hopkins, P Jake Dombrowski.
Carpenter was re-signed after having one of the best seasons a Bills kicker has ever had. Hopkins’ only shot to make the team is as a kickoff specialist, and there’s a question about how much leg strength he lost due to his serious groin injury last year. Moorman will have a tough battle on his hands with Dombrowski for the punting job. Sanborn should be a lock as long snapper, and given that he will probably lose some offensive snaps, Goodwin figures to be the primary kickoff returner. McKelvin has handled punts the past few years, and unless someone impresses, he’ll probably be back deep again.
PERSONNEL TRACKER
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered offers)
–FS Jim Leonhard (not tendered as UFA).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
DRAFT CHOICES SIGNED
–WR Sammy Watkins (1/4): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
–T Cyrus Kouandjio (2/44): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
–LB Preston Brown (3/73): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
–CB Ross Cockrell (4/109): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
–G Cyril Richardson (5/153): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
–LB Randell Johnson (7/221): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
–T Seantrel Henderson (7/237): 4 yrs, terms unknown.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
–K Dan Carpenter: UFA; 4 yrs, terms unknown.
–TE Mike Caussin: Potential RFA; terms unknown.
–TE Scott Chandler; UFA; terms unknown.
–WR Chris Hogan: ERFA; $495,000/1 yr.
–OL Antoine McClain: ERFA; $495,000/1 yr.
–P Brian Moorman: Potential UFA; $955,000/1 yr.
–FB Frank Summers: ERFA; $570,000/1 yr.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
–WR Ramses Barden: FA; $1.475M/2 yrs.
–RB Bryce Brown (trade Eagles).
–RB Anthony Dixon: UFA 49ers; $3.5M/3 yrs, $750,000 SB.
–QB Dennis Dixon: FA; $1.475M/2 yrs.
–CB Corey Graham: UFA Ravens; $16M/4 yrs.
–LB Keith Rivers: UFA Giants; $4.05M/2 yrs, $1M SB.
–LB Brandon Spikes: UFA Patriots; $3M/1 yr, $900,000 SB.
–G Chris Williams: UFA Rams; $13.5M/4 yrs, $5.5M guaranteed.
–WR Mike Williams (trade Buccaneers).
–DE Jarius Wynn: UFA Cowboys; 1 yr, terms unknown.
PLAYERS LOST
–S Jairus Byrd: UFA Saints; $54M/6 yrs, $11M SB/$27.9M guaranteed.
–DE Alex Carrington: UFA Rams; 1 yr, terms unknown.
–WR Stevie Johnson (traded 49ers).
–QB Kevin Kolb (released/failed physical).
–LB Arthur Moats: UFA Steelers; $795,000/1 yr, $65,000 SB.
–T Thomas Welch: Not tendered as RFA/Saints; terms unknown.
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