Bills report: Strategy and personnel

16. Nov, 2010 0 Comments

inside slant · Strategy and personnel · Notes, quotes

Due to suffering a torn labrum in the season opener against Miami, free-agent middle linebacker Andra Davis wasn’t able to have the kind of impact the Bills hoped for. the team ranks 32nd against the run. But Davis, who went on season-ending injured reserve this week after his shoulder just became too painful to play with, will be missed. He was well-versed in the 3-4 scheme Buffalo has been trying to get established in fits and starts and he played hard.

Picking up the slack the final half of the season will be two other veterans, Akin Ayodele and Reggie Torbor. each has experience and plays a rugged style but they have limitations.

"Akin’s a big, strong guy that has played well for us between the tackles. He’s really done a good job," coach Chan Gailey said. "He’s like most of those big inside linebackers; you don’t like to get them matched up one-on-one in the open field, but understanding the defense and playing physical, downhill football — he’s done a good job. To me, he has improved from the first week we got him until now."

"He’s giving us a little bit of a bump there, when he’s been able to go inside and play," Gailey said. "we feel like we’ve been able to shore that spot up pretty well."

And when you’re last against the run, you can only go up.

–OLB Shawne Merriman, claimed off waivers last week, was ruled out of Sunday’s game with an Achilles injury. Merriman was injured 10 minutes into his first practice with the Bills on Wednesday. Coach Chan Gailey called Merriman’s injury a "strained" Achilles. He said it’s not a long-term deal but could not predict when Merriman would see his first game action. It’s the same Achilles the three-time Pro Bowler injured in the preseason with San Diego.

–WR Lee Evans, nursing an ankle injury, returned to practice and is expected to be fine for Sunday’s game against Detroit.

–RB C.J. Spiller will add punt-return chores this week. the first-round pick already returns kickoffs and will take over Roscoe Parrish’s punt return role. Parrish was placed on injured reserve with a broken wrist.

–WR David Nelson, a rookie free agent from the University of Florida, will have his role increase now that Roscoe Parrish is out for the year with a broken wrist. Nelson has 17 catches for 189 yards to date and will play the No. 3 slot role for a Bills offense that has risen to 23rd in passing.

–RT Cordaro Howard did not practice Thursday or Friday with a shoulder injury and is listed as doubtful for Sunday’s game.

–LB Chris Kelsay, who rested on Wednesday with a sore knee, practiced fully on Thursday. He’ll be fine for Sunday’s game.

GAME PLAN the Bills return home for the first time since Oct. 10 and should be feeling energized despite their 0-8 record. the Lions (2-6) will be motivated to keep the Bills winless and on course to match their 0-16 record set two years ago. Detroit, whose roster is stocked with high picks, threw a scare into the Jets last week before losing 23-20 in overtime but will be without starting QB Matt Stafford (shoulder). Buffalo’s game plan should be simple: Harass backup Shaun Hill, who should be rusty coming off a broken forearm, into mistakes.

Offensively, line play must be solid. the Lions, led by prized rookie DT Ndamukong Suh, have collected 24 sacks already, 15.5 by their defensive line. the Bills need a collective team effort to pick up the slack for the loss of WR/PR Roscoe Parrish (broken wrist), one of their few sparkplugs.

MATCHUPS TO WATCH Bills secondary, which has yet to intercept a pass, vs. Lions backup QB Shaun Hill, who has nine TDs and seven interceptions in five starts this season.

Bills NT Kyle Williams, who is enjoying a Pro Bowl season, vs. Lions C Dominic Raiola, a 10-year veteran who anchors the team’s line.

Bills MBL Paul Posluszny vs. Lions rookie RB Jahvid best, who has combined for 701 all-purpose yards and five scores.

Bills OL, which has done well in pass protection, vs. Lions DL, which has recorded 15.5 sacks, led by rookie DT Ndamukong Suh, who has 6.5 sacks.

Bills WR Lee Evans vs. Lions DB Chris Houston, who has five interceptions.

INJURY IMPACT Roscoe Parrish’s season-ending wrist injury will provide more touches for rookie first-round pick C.J. Spiller, both as a receiver and punt returner. Spiller, who has had limited opportunities running the ball, could see some playing time out of the slot as a receiver. He will also assume Parrish’s punt return chores. He already returns kickoffs.

Bills report: Strategy and personnel