Die Hard Sports Fan

The Buffalo Bills had another big hit on the defensive side of the ball today, so now someone else has to step up and fill the void.

The Bills announced today that corner back Ashton Youboty will be placed on IR, ending his season.  Coming into the year, Youboty was thought to be a training camp cut but he has played extremely well and was a big part to the Bills quick start.  Youboty had been dealing with plantar fasciitis (The plantar fascia is the flat band of tissue (ligament) that connects your heel bone to your toes. It supports the arch of your foot. If you strain your plantar fascia, it gets weak, swollen, and irritated. Then your heel or the bottom of your foot hurts when you stand or walk). He has been bothered by this injury in his foot for the better part of the past month and recently suffered a setback in his attempt to return from the injury. No word on whether surgery will be necessary for his current condition to correct the problem.  With the loss of Youboty, Buffalo has only four corners on their active roster.

The Bills went out and signed a free agent linebacker though to fill Ashton’s vacant roster spot.  Teddy Lehman is now the newest member of the squad.  He played in Detroit earlier in his career under Coach Dick Jauron.  The 5^th year vet has had some injury problems that have derailed his career, which is why he was available.  Lehman was a former second round pick in 2004.  He’s expected to dress for Sunday’s game and will wear jersey number 58 and will provide some depth at the LB position and special teams.       

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The Buffalo Bills injury report is just getting longer and longer as the days go by.  The Bills will be without a bundle of key members of the squad.  For the latest injury news, let’s get the update from WGR550.com:

The Bills will be without DE Aaron Schobel, G Brad Butler and WR Josh Reed for Sunday’s contest against the Jets. All three starters were declared out at Friday’s practice. CB Ashton Youboty practiced fully on Friday, according to Coach Dick Jauron. Youboty is listed as questionable to play.

James Hardy and Roscoe Parrish will combine to replace Reed at wide out. Jason Whittle will start at guard in place of Butler.

Tight end Derek Schoman was working with the wide receivers during Friday’s practice.

This is not good news for a Bills team that really needs a win against division foe, New York Jets.  Youboty being back will give the secondary some much needed depth though.  It will be interesting to see if the backups and role players can step up big time.

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Hello Bills fans.  Im not going to lie.  It feels great to be 5-1.  What a great team victory it was this past Sunday in Orchard Park.  I wanted to talk a little bit about one of the defensive captains and team leaders Donte Whitner.  This past weekend, the Bills used Whitner as a free safety, strong safety and corner.  Whitner has been asked to play so many roles in Perry Fewell’s defense.  Bryan Scott has played strong safety and George Wilson plays free when Whitner is called upon to cover the slot receiver.  With Terrence McGee and Ashton Youboty bothered by injuries, Whitner has taken control of the secondary.  He is playing more of a “hybrid” safety role similar to what he did at Ohio State.  Its amazing that after the Bills selected Whitner 8th overall back in the 2006 draft, many experts called it a reach without realizing what type of player he was.  Whitner has been on the field since his rookie year and is becoming one of the best safeties in the game.  I give credit to Marv Levy because without his eye for talent, the Bills would be without a great leader.  Check out the article on timesunion.com.  Go Bills. 

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It is being reported today that Buffalo Bills cornerback Terrence McGee will be out for Sunday’s game against the San Diego Chargers.

That sprained left knee just hasn’t healed enough.  This is bad news for a Bills defense that might be out with pro bowl DE Aaron Schobel also. 

The only good news for the Bills secondary is that FS Ko Simpson praticed today and is listed as probable.  Also the Chargers #1 WR is listed at doubtful (Chris Chambers). 

Even more bad news came out though as CB Ashton Youboty was limited in pratice and is a 50-50 shot to play.

This means that 1st round pick, Leodis McKelvin will have a big role in the game Sunday.  Let’s see how the rookie does.  Lets go Buffalo!

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Buffalo Bills pro bowl defensive end Aaron Schobel was in a walking boot during practice today.  He didn’t practice earlier in the week and now that he has on a walking boot, the injury could be serious. 

Schobel was injured during the Bills 41-17 loss to the Arizona Cardinals.  He missed almost all of the 4^th quarter of that game. 

Schobel said there is no additional injury and nothing is broken. He is just wearing the boot for support. He said just call him questionable for the Chargers and wouldn’t elaborate.    

CB Terrence McGee, CB Ashton Youboty and FS Ko Simpson are returned to the practice field, but all participated in a limited role. 

 <a href="http://WGR550.com" title="http://WGR550.
" target="_blank">WGR550.com had this to say on the injured players:

“Youboty was favoring his left leg. No new players on the field to replace the traded John McCargo. Dick Jauron said only McGee and Schobel did not participate in practice. Simpson said he’s over 90-percent and he thinks he can play Sunday. McGee had no idea if he is going to be able to practice with the team this week. I can say he didn’t seem all that optimistic.”

QB Trent Edwards was also practicing again and looks like he will be good to go come Sunday against the San Diego Chargers.  Slot man Roscoe Parrish was also full go, and it looks like he will be ready also.

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Today was suppose to be a breakdown of the matchup between the Buffalo Bills DB’s and the Arizona Cardinals passing game, but breaking news came out about two players that will force this breakdown to be pushed back a day or two.

For starters, Cardinal’s WR Anquan Boldin has not been ruled out for the Week 5 matchup between the two teams.  Boldin suffered a devasting hit in the final minute of the Cardinals, Jets game.  He was taken off the field by a stretcher.  Rotoworld.com is reports that Boldin has about a 50-50 chance to play though.  Here is what they had to say:

Anquan Boldin (head) didn’t practice Wednesday, but the Cardinals aren’t ruling him out for Week 5 against the Bills.  Coach Ken Whisenhunt says Boldin needs to be cleared medically before any determination on his playing status is made. Boldin says his only injury is a “fracture near his sinus.” His chances of facing Buffalo seem 50-50 at best. 

So with seemingly good news coming out of Cards Camp, what did the Bills get?  Well it wasn’t great news coming out of Bills camp, but hey at least their starting CB Terrence McGee was not ruled out.  McGee was hurt in the win against the St. Louis Rams.  Here is what the Canadian Press is reporting (it is the most recent story published on McGee):

Cornerback Terrence McGee, who wore a brace on his left knee and walked with a noticeable limp, was one of three Buffalo Bills defensive starters to miss practice Wednesday as the team prepared to play at Arizona this weekend.

Coach Dick Jauron wouldn’t rule McGee out, saying he will continue to have his sprained knee tested through the end of the week. McGee said the knee was still sore, but had improved since Monday, when he had difficulty walking.

“I haven’t given up hope yet,” McGee said. “I’m really not too sure. I’m just trying to see from day to day.”

Don’t be alarmed too much Bills fans.  The other two defensive starters missing pratice today were DT Marcus Stroud (left shoulder) and DE Aaron Schobel (foot). They were both hurt in the last game, but both finished the game.  Both are also expected back at pratice tomorrow. 

If McGee can not go, Nickel corner Ashton Youboty and 1st round pick Leodis McKelvin would be the two guys getting the playing time.  Both have played pretty well so far this season.

Needless to say the breakdown between these two teams will take place later in the week when the injury report comes out.  My question to those of you out there is, “Who is more important to their team if they are unable to play and why?”.  Please leave the answer is a comment or send the response to buffbillsfan517@yahoo.com.  I will address the best/most interesting answers in the breakdown that comes later in the week. 

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Hello Bills fans.  What a game yesterday.  The Bills started off with an impressive drive and finished the game with one to get their second victory.  I just wanted to talk about the play of cornerback Ashton Youboty.  During the preseason, many felt that Youboty was either going to get traded or released after the Bills signed a cornerback in free agency and drafted one in the first round.  Youboty had a great preseason and showed the coaches that he could be the full-time nickel back.  He beat out veteran Will James and rookie Leodis McKelvin by his tenacious tackling and great ball skills.  Youboty is one of the reasons we won yesterday.  He had a great sack on Garrad in the first quarter.  It was a corner blitz that the Jaguars didnt recognize.  Youboty also had a great open field tackle on Garrad that prevented a first down.  He also made a great play on a Jacksonville receiver to prevent another first down.  It really shows that he could be a great player in this league.  Youboty was a high draft pick but never really developed his first two seasons.  He dealt with the passing of his mother during his first training camp and never really settled in.  He is now showing signs of his ability and will continue to make the Bills secondary one to fear.  With Terrence McGee, Jabari Greer, Donte Whitner, Ko Simpson and Ashton Youboty, the Bills have one of the best secondaries in the game.  Congrats to Youboty.  Lets Go Bills. 

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1st Quarter

A hot day in Jacksonville and that is how the Bills started.  They got the ball to start the game and on their first drive the offense was clicking.  First down after first down for the Bills on mostly short passes and runs.  They held onto the ball for 7 minutes and they eventually punched it into the end zone on an 11-yard TD run by Marshawn Lynch.  The extra point by Rian Lindell was good and the Bills jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead.

While the Bills looked strong, the Jaguars offense looked shaky coming out of the gate.  After two runs, the Jags had to face a 3^rd and 7 from their own 28.  Aston Youboty came on a corner blitz and sacked QB David Garrard for a loss of 10.  3 and out for the Jags on their first series.

The Bills then went 3 and out (on 1^st down there was a holding call on Buffalo) on their next series.

With 3:08 left in the 1^st quarter, Jacksonville started to drive down the field.  They got to the Buffalo 16 before time ran out.

End of the 1^st, Buffalo leads 7-0.

2nd Quarter

The Jags started off the quarter right where they ended in the 1^st at the Bills 16.  A short pass, run and incomplete pass followed so Jacksonville had to settle for a 28 yard field goal by kicker Josh Scobee.  Jaguars still down, 7-3.

The Bills then went on another long drive, that tired out Jacksonville’s defense.  The standout play of this drive was a 33 yard catch and run by QB Trent Edwards to RB Fred Jackson on 3^rd and 1.  The drive would stall out at the end, so the Bills settled for a 21-yard FG by Lindell.  Bills add to their lead, it’s now 10-3. 

The rest of the quarter was run a few plays then punt until Garrard started to lead his team down the field on a 2 minute drill.  With 14 seconds left, instead of just taking the chip shot field goal, Jacksonville was going for the touchdown to tie the game.  Garrard dropped back and threw what was suppose to be a fade pattern to WR Mike Walker.  The problem with the throw was that the ball was throw on a line to the front of the endzone instead of a high ball to the back corner.  Bills CB Terrence McGee read the play perfectly and picked it off to end the threat.

Bills would knell the ball and let the clock run out.  They would go into the tunnel at halftime with a 10-3 lead.

3rd Quarter

Jacksonville got the ball to start the 2^nd half and their drive looked very similar to the Bills 1^st drive of the game.  A good mix of run and pass led to a Maurice Jones-Drew 2 yard touchdown run.  Jags tie the game up at 10 after the extra point is knocked through. 

The Jags then pulled a quick one on the Bills.  On the following kickoff they kicked an outside kick that they recovered.  They then took advantage of the good field postion and went on another drive.  It eventually stalled out though so after 6 plays and a little more than 3 minutes off the clock, Scobee put another field goal right through the uprights, this time from 50 yards out.  Jags now have their first lead of the game, 13-3.

Similar to the end of the 1^st, the end of the 3^rd ended with another Jags drive.   The quarter ended with the Jaguars threatening again at the Bills 25, this time with a 13-10 lead

4th Quarter

Again, Jacksonville could not get it into the end zone.  The drive ended with another FG by Scobee from 39 yards.  Jags add some more to their lead, 16-10.

The Bills showed that they were still calm and in control of this game.  They didn’t try to force it down the field.  After the Jags latest field goal they go 7 plays and then punt.

This was the drive that Jacksonville could put the game away with.  Instead they give it right back to the Bills after running just 4 plays, and a little more than 2 minutes off the clock.

Bills get the ball back and drive it down the field.  It was set up by a great punt return by Roscoe Parrish.  The game changing play of this drive and possibly the entire game was on 3^rd and 6 from Jacksonville’s 44 yard line.  Edwards dropped back, stepped up in the pocket to avoid the rush and fired a rocket to Lee Evans for a 37 yard game.  On the very next play the Bills come out in trips, 3 WRs to the right side of the field.  Second round pick James Hardy ran a route to the corner of the end zone.  Edwards rolled out and threw the ball high in the air to where only Hardy could get to it.  He got both feet in for a Bills touchdown.  After the extra point the Bills now lead again, 17-16. 

Jacksonville could do nothing on their next drive.  Two incompletions by Garrard and then DT Kyle Williams broke through the O-line and sacked Garrard for a loss of 10 yards.

The Bills ran close to 3 minutes off the clock, and Lindell put a 45 yard field goal dead center.  Bills now lead 20-16, forcing the Jags to go for the end zone.

The Jags gave it their all but with only 29 seconds left and over 70 yards to go it was highly unlikely.  Garrard did complete a pass to WR Matt Jones but then he latteraled it forwards which ran 10 seconds off the clock and ended the game. 

Bills win 20-16.

The NFL.com Gamecenter: Post Game is attached.

BILLS Wrap Up

Trent Edwards finished the day 20 for 25 with 239 yards and a TD (no INTs)

Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson went for a combined 76 yards on the ground.  Lynch went for 59 and 1 TD on 19 carries while Jackson got 17 yards on 6 attempts.

Lee Evans had another strong game with 4 catches and 77 yards.  Josh Reed also caught 4 balls for 36 yards.  James Hardy caught his first NFL TD on a 7 yard catch.  He also had one other reception in this one, for a total of 12 yards.  RB Fred Jackson led the day for receiving though with 7 catches for 83 yards.  Lynch had one catch for 8 yards.

Kicker Rian Lindell went 2 for 2 today on field goal attempts.

Terrence McGee had another INT for the Bills today, his 2^nd of the year.  He also led the team with 7 tackles.

LB Paul Poz and S Donte Whitner each had 6 tackles.

Williams and Youboty had 1 sack apiece. 

This is the first time the Bills are 2-0 since 2003.

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The season is starting in just under 5 games with the Buffalo Bills home opener just around the corner.  The game is of course on Sunday, September 7^th when the Bills take on the Seattle Seahawks at the Ralph at 1:00 PM (Eastern Time).

So what am I going to do for you guys out there reading this?  Get you pumped for the regular season opener!  From now until Sunday I will be covering the Bills as a team and their chances of making the playoffs.  First, I will cover the Buffalo Bills defense.  I will list the depth chart of the position in my breakdown of the D position by position and give them an overall grade along with some commentary of the team. 

DE

1. Aaron Schobel

2. Chris Kelsey

3. Ryan Denney

4. Chris Ellis

5. Copeland Bryan

The Bills have a very solid group of defensive ends on the roster this year.  That means they will have a good duo out there on any play seeing as the Bills like to rotate in the freshest players on the D-line…  Schobel has made the pro bowl two years in a row but he is trying to improve his sack total for this year after only 6.5 sacks last year, the lowest in his career since his rookie season back in 2001…  Kelsey is trying to return to top form after he battled nagging injuries all last season.  He underwent off-season surgery on his torn tendon in his ankle…  Denney is also trying to return to top form after he had to undergo foot surgery.  He was only able to play in 7 games last year due to the injury… Chris Ellis is the rookie DE from Virginia Tech.  He was selected by the Bills in the 3^rd round.  Ellis could be used as a situational pass rusher and is also good against the run.  Fast fact, the last DE selected by the Bills from VT, Bruce Smith…  Bryan appeared in only 2 games last season and was later put on the IR in December.  Before joining the Bills last season, Bryan was on the Bear practice squad…     

GRADE: B

DT

1. Marcus Stroud

2. Kyle Williams

3. John McCargo

4. Spencer Johnson

            The Bills are hoping that a healthy Stroud can return to his former pro bowl form.  The 6’ 6’’, 306 lb. tackle was brought in to help improve the Bills D against the run which finished near the bottom of the league last season.  Stroud will also get some double team attention at the line giving the DEs and LBs some room to run and make plays…  The 25 yard old Williams just signed a contract extension this off-season for 3 more years in Buffalo…  McCargo, the former 1^st round pick (26^th overall) in the 2006 draft was fined this spring for being overweight.  He reported to camp in shape and looks to build into a starting DT…  Johnson came over in the off-season as a free agent from he Vikings.  He didn’t put up huge numbers because he played behind the monstrous Williamses in Minnesota…

GRADE: B- (Grade will improve after we see how Stroud plays)

MIDDLE LB

1. Paul Posluszny

2. John DiGiorgio

            Poz is BACK!  After fracturing his forearm in the Bills Week 3 game last year he is back at 100%.  The guy just has a nose for the ball and is a great tackler.  Through the first 3 games last year, he led the Bills with 26 tackles (remember he didn’t even finish the 3^rd game)… DiGiorgio had a very good year last year filling in for the injuried Posluzny.  He had 113 tackles last season to go along with 2 sacks and 1 INT.  Provides great depth at the MLB position…

GRADE: B+

WEAK-SIDE LB

1. Kawika Mitchell

2. Jon Corto

            Mitchell was an early free agent signing for the Bills.  The Superbowl Champion is highly underrated.  He had 86 tackles, 4 sacks and 1 INT to go along with 2 forced fumbles.  Something to remember, his last game in Buffalo on December 23^rd of last season, he had 2 sacks, forced a fumble, and returned an INT for a touchdown… Corto is the Orchard Park native now on his hometown Bills squad.  He was on the Bills practice squad last season…

GRADE: B

STRONG-SIDE LB

1. Angelo Crowell

2. Keith Ellison

            The 27 year old Crowell is entering his contract year with the Bills.  This is the last season of the 3 year deal he signed in 2005.  He too is another Bills LB that is highly underrated.  He had 126 tackles last season that led the team…  Ellison also played significant time last season.  He had 39 tackles, 1 sack, and 1 INT in 12 games last season…

GRADE: B+

CB

1. Terrence McGee

2. Jabari Greer

3. Ashton Youboty

4. Leodis McKelvin

5. Reggie Corner

            McGee was the clear choice for the #1 corner spot.  McGee has 78 tackles and 4 INTs last season in 15 games… Greer looked to be the odd man out with the Bills after they selected a bundle of corners in the draft.  He has played hard though and the Bills coaching staff is impressed.  He earned the #2 spot for at least the first half of the season…  Youboty was another guy that was as good as gone before the preseason but he played hard and had two very good games.  He won the nickel corner spot because of his great progress… McKelvin was the #11 pick in this years draft.  He has looked so-so in the preseason.  He has either made a good play or has completely messed it up.  It will be interesting to see whether he plays a lot at all this year.  A candidate to play in the dime and quarter packages for the Bills (which they don’t run very much at all)… Corner was a ball hawk in college and had a sharp preseason.  The rookie has even be rumored to be ahead of McKelvin on the depth chart…

GRADE: C+

FS

1. Ko Simpson

2. George Wilson

            Simpson is looking to rebound after he was injured in the Bills 1^st game last season against the Denver Broncos and then placed on the IR for the year.  The 4^th round draft pick from the 2006 draft is looking to have a breakout year and also continue the chemistry with SS Donte Whitner after the two started their entire rookie seasons together…  Wilson played in 12 games last season after Simpson and former Bills safety Brain Leonard went down, before of course he went down to injury also.  It occurred before the last week of the season.  He ended the year with 37 tackles and 2 picks…     

GRADE: C

SS

1. Donte Whitner

2. Bryan Scott

3. John Welding

            Whitner guaranteed that the Bills will make the playoffs this season.  He has been an unofficial team captain since he was drafted.  He shows great leadership and also builts team chemistry by having the team over for film watching and he even took McKelvin under his wing during the off-season  Hard qualities to find from a 23 year old entering his third season of NFL play…  Scott returns for another stint in Buffalo after he played in 15 games last season, most in a special teams role… Same goes for Welding.  Will play in the special teams role…

GRADE: B

Overall the Bills defense has a good mix of playmakers and role players.  Due to all of the injuries last season, the Bills now have good depth at almost all of their positions.  They are a young D that flys to the football.  Look for team to improve as an entire unit this year.

Here is the rundown on what I will be covering the rest of the week:

Weds: Bills Offense

Thurs: Bills Special Teams

Fri: Breakdown of the Bills Schedule and Chances of Making the Playoffs

Sat: Game Preview with my Picks of all of the Winners in Week 1

Sun: Game recap with Commentary 

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Hello Bills fans.  As the roster was trimmed to 53 players, there were a few suprises that made the team.  The first was converted safety to linebacker Jon Corto.  I thought linebacker Blake Costanzo would make it over Corto because he was a great special teams player.  The coaches must feel they can develop Corto and help him make the transition just like they did for Coy Wire.  Corto did look good in the preseason games and was around the ball constantly.  Corto needs to add a little size but will be mostly used on the special teams units.  A suprise cut was cornerback Will James.  I thought James would add experience to our secondary and win the nickel position battle.  Ashton Youboty had a tremendous preseason with a couple of interceptions and was named the starting nickel back by the Bills today.  The team decided to go with rookie cornerback Reggie Corner instead of James as a backup.  Another suprise to me was that the team only kept three tight ends.  Robert Royal is the starter but second year man Derek Schouman and rookie Derek Fine are injured.  Schouman is scheduled to be ready for opening day but Fine will be out for a while due to thumb surgery he had last week.  Lets hope Royal and Schouman can stay healthy and we dont have to worry about finding a tight end mid-season.  Check out the complete 2008 roster on buffalobills.com.  Go Bills. 

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