Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Merriman tweets after surgery

shawnemerriman: Surgery went extremely well so you guys prayers were answered #thankyou

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Bills place Merriman on IR

In a press release issued by the team, General Manager Buddy Nix released the following statement:

“Shawne has worked extremely hard, but unfortunately, his Achilles flared back up and it doesn’t appear that he will be able to return to the field anytime soon,” said Nix. “So we felt it was in the best interest of our team and for Shawne to put him on IR.”

Merriman issued the following statement on his website:

"Due to the fact that I have recently been experiencing excessive aggravation in my Achilles tendon, which is a limitation that I have been dealing with for well over two years now, I sought the opinions of multiple medical specialists. After much consideration and unanimous professional recommendations stating that my Achilles is in danger of rupturing, I have been advised that it would be in my best interest to undergo surgery as soon as possible in order to prevent a major injury. I would like to thank all of my fans for their continued support on my road to a full recovery and am looking forward to getting back on the field."

MY TAKE: My first thought when the Bills ruled him out of the Giants game was, they're just going to err on the side of caution and rest him going into the bye week and he'll come back looking like he did during preseason. Shawne even said the injury was minor. Wishful thinking.

Before I get into what this means let me just say that there is no denying how good Merriman looked during his limited reps in the preseason. He was explosive. He looked like he had his burst back. He was killing quarterbacks and making his D line look good. There was a good reason to be genuinely excited about what he could do if he was healthy. You can't deny that. I'll also add that the guy we saw in preseason was not the same guy we saw in the regular season. At first, I thought it was his shoulder injury that he sustained during week one against the Chiefs that was holding him back. After watching him a bit closer, the shoulder didn't seem to be so much the problem but rather the Achilles. He didn't have any explosiveness. No burst. That said, I believe his Achilles flared up somewhere between the Bears preseason game and week 1 of the regular season. There's no other way of explaining how good he looked at one point and then like he did the past few games.

Despite the lack of productivity, I do believe Merriman provided some leadership. He was often seen leading the pregame huddle with the team. I also feel that Merriman was pretty good against the run and teams had to account for him. But many will be quick to point out the obvious - he wasn't making the difference fans had expected - only one sack and it was on a QB scramble.

Not sure what this means moving forward with Merriman and the Bills. He's under contract with the team for one more year. He's also already guaranteed money for next year which leads me to believe the Bills will bring him back for another year if he's healthy enough.

What I do know is that this means that Arthur Moats will finally be at OLB full time, where he should have been since day one. Moats has to step up because the Bills are very thin at the OLB position with the only healthy guys being Moats, Danny Batten and Chris Kelsay. The Bills claimed Antonio Coleman off the Giants practice squad. Coleman was cut by the Bills after the preseason. I thought Coleman had a really good preseason and deserved a spot on the roster but the Bills decided to go with Robert Eddins instead. Coleman should be familiar enough with the defense to step right in if needed.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Fitz close to contract extension

Chris Mortenson of ESPN said the following on ESPN32 today:

"You always like to hear something happen for the good guys, the guys who have never had a big paycheck. Right now Ryan Fitzpatrick is on his bye week, I think when he comes back next week he will see tremendous progress between the Bills on a contract, and that contract won't pay him what those elite quarterbacks make, but there's a 2nd tier of QBs averaging between 9 and 12 million dollars per year, and if they can nail down a last few things I think Ryan Fitzpatrick signs a new contract next week and gets that deal somewhere between 9 and 12 million per year." (Thanks to Carey Bender, who posted this on TwoBillsDrive)

MY TAKE: If Kyle Orton can make 9 million a year, I'm totally fine with Fitzpatrick making 10 to 11 million a year even if it sounds like a scary number. Starting Quarterbacks make a lot of money - there's no way around it (unless you keep drafting guys that keep failing). Some will point to the Dick Jauron contract extension and cite it as an example of why you should wait to sign the guy later in the year. This is a much different scenario. Fitzpatrick really hasn't had an awful game yet. Even though I thought he was the reason we lost that Giants game, he only threw 2 really bad balls. I've also noticed that he's cooled off a bit since his first 3 starts but to expect that production every single game is a bit ridiculous.

The other important thing to note is how much of a bonus he gets up front because that'll be the only guaranteed money he gets. If he suddenly falls flat on his face next year, the Bills could cut him and only lose out on the bonus (which will probably be substantial). That's worst case scenario thinking.

I noted that the offense hasn't been the same since week 3 but we've also sustained some injuries to key positions (LT, WR). When the offense was close to completely healthy, Fitz was unstoppable. I really look forward to seeing how the offense performs against the Redskins. The bye week should give this team some much needed rest and the coaching staff some extra time to prep. I trust that Gailey will find some holes to expose against the 'Skins.

I'd like the Bills to get going on the Stevie Johnson contract talks. It would be really nice to see Fitz, Stevie and Fred Jackson back next year (Jackson still has 1 year left on his current deal so regardless of what happens, he'll be here next year). Fitz and Stevie have a really good thing going and I'm seeing the emergence of Stevie as a true #1 receiver. His routes just keep getting better and better. Lock him up - establish the core of the offense for many years to come. Then you can focus on what you're going to do with Fred Jackson (just pay the man!) and guys like Demetrius Bell.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Bills/Jets sold out, Sheppard, Hairston injured, Merriman update, Williams and more

The Bills announced that the Bills/Jets game (11/6) is officially sold out which means we get to see the next 5 Bills games on TV. The next game at the Ralph after that Jets game is against Tennessee which should sell out (if Titans can remain in the picture, same can be said for Bills as well).

Kelvin Sheppard will start at ILB for the first time against the Redskins (following the bye week). Sheppard has looked good in a limited role. Andra Davis, who has clearly lost a step, has been mentoring Sheppard since the start of camp. Nick Barnett has also given Sheppard some tips. The Bills have been slowly but surely easing him into the position.

Chris Hairston suffered an ankle injury in the second half of the Giants game. It's believed he will be out 2-4 weeks which is actually good news for the team because a serious injury could have really put the Bills in a tough spot as far as offensive lineman go. Demetrius Bell's injury is getting better and he should be ready by the time they play the Redskins. I'll repeat myself once again - this bye is coming at a great time for the Bills. Guys who are dinged up are finally getting a chance to rest and guys who have been hurt should be close to coming back by the time they have to play again. Hairston got some great experience while Bell was hurt. He looked pretty good in relief.

Shawne Merriman is telling the team and fans that he will be ready to return after the bye week. Gailey seems a bit skeptical and is waiting for an update from the medical staff. Say what you want about him but Merriman does provide stability at the position and plays the run really well. Same can be said for Kelsay. If only he didn't injure his shoulder in the first game, we might have seen some of that explosion that we saw in the preseason. Who knows, maybe the Bills get lucky and he miraculously feels better after the bye and we DO see that playmaker. Given his recent injury history, I wouldn't bet on it.

Speaking of Chris Kelsay, it's looking like his calf injury will be close to healed up for the 'Skins game. Still can't believe we were missing Merriman, Williams and Kelsay on the defensive line against the Giants and it was still a close game.

Gailey said there was no new update on Kyle Williams and they will put his foot through more tests to determine the severity of the injury. His foot has been bothering him since camp. This could explain why he hasn't been as dominant as he was last year. That said, he STILL has been effective when he was in there. Of all the guys injured, this is the guy the Bills need to get better.

Big props to Kraig Urbik who played a good game this past Sunday. He looked like he was going to be the weak link of the line during training camp but before his injury and since he has returned from that injury, he has been solid. I saw him push guys down the field several times against the Giants. Our interior line looks to be in good shape.

McGee solid in return

Terrence McGee got plenty of time at CB for the first time all year since he hurt his hamstring early in the opener against the Chiefs. McGee didn't disappoint. He had some outstanding, hard hitting tackles early in the game resembling a former, undersized cornerback we're all familiar with, Antoine Winfield.

Getting McGee back is huge for the secondary that has struggled mightily the past several weeks. Aaron Williams should be back in 3 weeks or so which will give this secondary another small boost.

I'm personally looking forward to seeing a 100% McGee in the final 10 games of the season - that's if he can avoid injury. We haven't seen much of him in the past few years because of injury but when he's healthy, he's a damn good cornerback. He is in the last year of his deal with the Bills.

The Blame Game

I put the loss of the Bengals game on the Defense. This loss falls on Ryan Fitzpatrick who threw 2 critical interceptions at the wrong time.

Stevie Johnson beat his man, Webster, twice on very similar routes and Fitzpatrick under-threw Johnson both times. That doesn't change my opinion on Fitzpatrick. Every QB is going to have a tough game. Fitzpatrick hasn't looked like himself the past 3 weeks but I suspect the bye week is coming at the perfect time for him (along with the rest of the team and their injuries) and will give him plenty of time to look over film and self evaluate.

Bills lose close one against the G Men

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Ahmad Bradshaw ran for 104 yards and a career-best three touchdowns and Lawrence Tynes kicked a go-ahead, 23-yard field goal with 1:32 remaining to give the New York Giants a 27-24 victory over the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.

Bradshaw scored on three one-yard runs and had a 30-yard run to help set up Tynes' winner as the Giants (4-2) rebounded from a bad loss to Seattle last weekend by limiting the high-scoring Bills (4-2) to seven second-half points.

Ryan Fitzpatrick (21 of 30 for 244 yards) threw touchdown passes of 60 yards to Naaman Roosevelt and nine yards to Stevie Johnson, but his final attempt was batted down by Jason Pierre-Paul on a fourth-and-5 from the Bills' 25 to preserve the win.

Fitzpatrick also was intercepted twice by Corey Webster, with the last starting the possession that led to the winning kick.

Bills Inactives vs. Giants

Donald Jones
Aaron Williams
Terrence Wheatley
Shawne Merriman
Demetrius Bell
Chris Kelsay
Kyle Williams

Just look at some of those names. Bills missing several critical starters..

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Bills need to avoid injury and why I'd rest some guys this week

Donald Jones injured his ankle in the game against the Eagles and is out 4-6 weeks. Kyle Williams also has an ongoing ankle injury that has bothered him since camp. Demetrius Bell is out with a shoulder injury. Nick Barnett re-aggravated an ankle injury this week. And now Shawne Merriman has been ruled out of the game against the Giants.

The bye week couldn't be coming at a better time.

But first, the Bills have to go to New Jersey and take care of business against an inconsistent Giants team.

In the most obvious statement of the year, the Bills need to avoid injury! Moreso than other teams because as I've said all year long, their depth isn't good enough. They aren't deep enough. I have faith Buddy Nix will address that in the coming years but this year #2 for him where he basically reset the roster.

This is the week where you have to rely on the depth you do have. It's time for Torell Troup to step in for Kyle Williams. Yes, I'd rest Kyle Williams because you'd give his ankle 2 weeks time to get ready for the stretch run (or the playoff push, whatever you want to call it). As scary as it sounds, it's time to count on guys like Kellen Heard and Torell Troup. Troup has been dinged up all year with back issues. It looks like he's close to ready. It's time for him to prove his second round draft status.

Terrence McGee looks like he'll be playing some nickel this week. They don't want to rush him into full CB coverage after his hamstring injury.

The Giants are also dinged up and have several big name guys out (Tuck, Jacobs, Snee). This is the time you rest some of your big name guys and test your depth. It might come down to Eli vs. Fitz.

The best case scenario is after the bye, you'd have a much healthier group of guys for the game against the 'Skins in Toronto. The worst case scenario is chancing it and risking season long injuries to your big players. I fully support the idea of the Bills to err on the side of caution in this game. You can't rest everybody, of course, but you can rest the guys you'll need for the long haul.

Merriman doubtful for game against Giants

While most of us assumed it, it was finally revealed that Shawne Merriman had been dealing with a nagging shoulder injury (from the Chiefs game) that forced him to practice here and there but his injury situation worsened with the news of his old Achilles injury creeping up on him. He's unlikely to play against the Giants this Sunday.

"(It) just flared up," said Merriman. "It’s one of those things we kinda knew before the season that it was going to happen at some point in time. Just have to to kind of take control of it and find out where to go from here. I’m not 100 percent (sure) what’s going to happen just yet. We haven’t talked about it. Nothing serious fortunately, just something I have to maintain and take care of."

“All along it had been his shoulder and all of a sudden that thing started acting up yesterday," said Gailey. "He’s doubtful. I don’t know if he’s going to make it or not.”

MY TAKE: The way I see it, the Bills should rest Merriman Sunday and give him 2 weeks+ to get better. Merriman himself confirmed it isn't an injury that's serious enough to put him on IR or even keep him out long. Rest him against the Giants and then you have a bye week to give him another week of rest. Moats played a good game last week and filling in for Merriman won't be much of a drop off at all.

You could tell Merriman wasn't the guy we saw in preseason and it's obvious that shoulder problem has held him back in terms of explosiveness. Best case scenario for Bills fans is if Merriman's shoulder & Achilles miraculously heal by the time we have to play the Redskins.

Jackson carries Bills past struggling Eagles

Jackson carries Bills past struggling Eagles

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Fred Jackson had 196 yards from scrimmage and linebacker Nick Barnett had two of Buffalo's four interceptions in leading the Bills to a 31-24 win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

After scoring on a 31-yard interception return in the second quarter, Barnett sealed the victory by grabbing Michael Vick's tipped pass intended for Jason Avant with 1:49 remaining at the Bills 26.

Jackson scored on a 5-yard run and finished with 111 yards rushing in helping the Bills (4-1) match their best start since 2008.

Vick went 26 of 40 for 315 yards passing and two touchdowns, but was undone by a career-worst four interceptions. He added 90 yards rushing to pass Randall Cunningham for most career rushing yards by an NFL quarterback.

The Eagles (1-4) have lost four straight and are off to their worst start since 1999, coach Andy
Reid's first season.

by The Associated Press

Bills Inactives list v. Eagles

T Demetrius Bell
G Colin Brown
LB Chris Kelsay
NT Torell Troup
CB Terrence Wheatley
LB Chris White
CB Aaron Williams

Bengals shock Bills on Nugent's field goal

Bengals shock Bills on Nugent's field goal

CINCINNATI -- Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton shook off a horrid first half and led his first comeback victory Sunday, culminating in Mike Nugent's 43-yard field goal as time ran out for a 23-20 win over the previously unbeaten Buffalo Bills.

The Bills (3-1) came in as the AFC's last perfect team after pulling off historic comebacks. This time, they couldn't hold a lead.

Dalton threw a touchdown pass and ran 3 yards on a draw play, tying it with 4:09 to go. He scrambled for a first down on the winning drive - a replay overturn gave him the needed ground -- and Nugent ended it with his third field goal in front of the smallest crowd of Paul Brown Stadium's history.

The Bengals (2-2) overcame a 17-3 halftime deficit to end a 10-game losing streak against Buffalo.

by The Associated Press

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Bills Inactives list vs. Bengals

CB Aaron Williams
CB Terrence McGee
CB Terrence Wheatley
LB Chris White
G Kraig Urbik
RT Sam Young
DT Kellen Heard

TE Lee Smith, CB Justin Rogers and NT Torell Troup are active for the first time this year.

Bills shock the world and finally beat the Pats

Bills stay unbeaten, stun Pats with furious rally

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Hold on to your seats, the Buffalo Bills are showing they're for real.

Rian Lindell hit a 28-yard field goal as time expired to cap a stunning comeback for a 34-31 victory over the New England Patriots on Sunday. The win snapped Buffalo's 15-game losing streak against the Patriots that dated to 2003, and sparked a wild celebration in which stadium officials guarded the goal posts to ensure fans didn't bring them down.

The Bills (3-0) won courtesy of yet another Ryan Fitzpatrick-led rally, overcoming a 21-0 second-quarter deficit. It was reminiscent to what the Bills did in a 38-35 win over Oakland a week earlier, when they scored touchdowns on their final five possession to overcome a 21-3 deficit.

This time, they did it against their longtime AFC East nemesis.

Tom Brady went 30 of 45 for 386 yards and four scores for New England (2-1). Despite setting a league record for most yards passing over a three-game stretch, Brady matched a career worst with four interceptions.

That included Drayton Florence's 27-yard interception return for a touchdown with 10:22 left that came 14 seconds after Buffalo's Fred Jackson tied the game at 24 with a one-yard plunge.

by The Associated Press

Incredible game. Bills fans won't forget this one for a LONG time.