Die Hard Sports Fan

Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson will have a new leading blocker after the Buffalo Bills released fullback Darian Barnes last evening. To fill his place, Corey McIntyre was signed to the roster. It looks like the Bills are only going to use the fullback position as a blocker only. In 3 games, Barnes only had 2 catches for 34 yards and had zero carries (he also fumbled once).

Barnes was injured in the Week 3 win against the Raiders and did practice throughout the week. He was inactive for the game on Sunday though. I believe the release came due to the injury to his ankle. It was probably more serious than originally though.

McIntyre is bigger than Barnes at 6 feet, and 258 lbs. The 29 year old has been in the league for 4 years playing for the Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. He was the special team captain last season with Atlanta and will most likely play special teams with the Bills to go along with his fullback role. Like I stated above, the full back will be used to block only. In his entire career (33 games), McIntyre has no rushing attempts.

In other Bills news, starting CB Terrence McGee will be out of Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals due to a sprained left knee. I will breakdown that news more later in the week as one of the keys to the game.

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Buffalo Bills fullback Darian Barnes was back at the practice field today, running with the 1st team offense.  Barnes has returned after not being able to practice this week, except for some running yesterday on the side.  The big 6′ 2”, 240 lb. fullback underwent an MRI on his right foot Monday.  Barnes is the lead blocker for running backs Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson. 

He has not been used at all in the running game other than blocking through the first 3 games.  Barnes did catch 2 passes last week against the Raiders that went for 34 yards.  He also fumbled the ball once.

The injury occured during last Sundays game when Barnes fell akwardly on his last reception that went for 9 yards.  That is the play he also fumbled the ball.  He stayed in the game for a few more plays before limping off the field, unable to continue. 

On Sunday, he was wearing a protective boot and on crutches.  Yesterday the boot and crutches were both gone.  

Barnes has been overlooked in his blocking role.  The Bills finally went back to the full back system after they used a “H-back” last season.  The H-Back is a mix between a tight end and a full back.  Need less to say, the players in the role of H-back were rarely used last season.  Barnes will be a big reason the running game gets back on track.  Look for a big game on the ground on Sunday against the 0-3 St. Louis Rams, who have let up over 184 rushing yards on the ground so far this season.    

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We are now just a mere 3 days away and counting until the Bills home opener on Sunday afternoon at the Ralph!  As a Bills fan I am PUMPED!!  Finally we get to see the team back in action and see what they can do against some pretty good competition in the Seattle Seahawks.

I broke down the Bills defense a couple days ago so today is time to show a little love to the O!

QB

1.  Trent Edwards

2. J.P. Losman

3. Gibran Hamdan

…The biggest question mark with this group is can they perform?  They all combined for 12 touchdown passes last season which was good for 29^th in the league.  Their combined passing yards of 2,634 was 30^th in the league.  In comparison to how bad this group was take a look at former Bills QB Todd Collins.  Last season the 35 year old (now 36) threw for 888 yards and 5 touchdowns in 4 games!…  Edwards worked hard in the off-season and added much needed muscle to his frame.  It will help him be more durably and keep him in the lineup.  It won’t hurt for his deep balls either.  When drafted he was suppose to be a leader.  The 2^nd year signal caller was voted team captain this season…  Losman is entering his last season as a Buffalo Bill.  His contract is up and he will take his services elsewhere.  A very gifted QB but was never very consistent…  Hamdan is back for another season.  He was on the practice squad last season before being signed to the club due to Edwards last season injury…

GRADE: C

RB

1. Marshawn Lynch

2. Fred Jackson

3. Xavier Omon

…Beast MODE is back!  After leading AFC rookies last season in most of the rushing categories, Lynch is looking to build on the numbers he had last season.  He is already one of the top 10 backs in the league…  Action Jackson is now in his second season of backing up Lynch.  Look for an article on him to come later in the year.  Not many people realize what he has gone through to make it to the league…  Omon, the rookie draft pick beat out Dwayne Wright during the preseason for the final RB spot.  Won’t see much time with the two guys he has in front of him…

GRADE: A-

FB

1. Darian Barnes

…Barnes is a 7 year vet and his big body should pave the way for a great season for Lynch.  The 6′ 2″, 240lb FB loves hitting people.  Look for him to clear the way for a great season running the ball.  Will do much better than those stupid H-backs in the past…

GRADE: C+

WR

1. Lee Evans

2. James Hardy

3. Josh Reed

4. Roscoe Parrish

5. Steve Johnson

6. Justin Jenkins

…Evans continues to be a huge deep threat and is by far the best WR for the Bills.  He worked with Edwards during the off-season so we will have to wait and see if that will pay off.  Evans put up some of the worst numbers of his career last year…  Hardy is the 2^nd round pick from Indiana.  The big target should get some opportunities in the red zone…  Reed is a great possession receiver on the Bills team.  He has reallu improved his catching ability since joining the Bills…  Parrish is the speed man who the Bills want to get the ball to.  His speed can change games.  A 5 yard slant could turn into a touchdown…  Johnson is the rookie wideout from Kentucky.  He was selected in the 7^th round.  He stood out during training camp and the preseason to win a roster spot…  Jenkins was kept for his special teams ability…

GRADE: B+

TE

1. Robert Royal

2. Derek Schouman

3. Derek Fine

…Royal caught 3 touchdown passes last season, and 2 came in one game.  He has had a good preseason though so let’s see if they try to get him more involved in the gameplan…  Schouman has 3 receptions in his career and is currently coming back from injury…  Fine the rookie from Kansas looks to get more reps at special teams this year than tight end.  When he gets healthy look for him to be an impact player on special teams which he was very good in at college…

GRADE: C

LT

1.  Jason Peters (HOLD OUT)

2. Langston Walker

3. Kirk Chambers

4. Matt Murphy

5. Demetrius Bell

…Peters is a bum.  Report to your team.  You’re not only hurting yourself but your teammates also…  Walker switched over from the right side of the line with the absence of Peters.  At 6′8″, 366 lb. he defiantly has the size to do it.  He will need to step up big time though.  Let’s be honest he is no Jason Peters… Chambers is starting at RT after Walker switched over… Murphy is a 7 year vet who is undersized for the LT position.  He should be on special teams duty all year…  Three years ago, Bell wasn’t even playing football.  He was playing basketball.  In college he started 22 games in a row at LT.  He has the size but needs to work on fundaments.  Has raw talent just needs to be groomed.  He was selected in the 7^th round, Pick 219^th overall…

GRADE: C

LG

1. Derrick Dockery

2. Jason Whittle

…Dockery stands at 6′6″ and 330 lbs.  He has to step up his play with Peters gone for the foreseeable future.  This is his 2^nd year with the Bills…  Whittle is a 10 year vet with a lot of experience.  Will help provide depth on the OL…

GRADE: C+

C

1. Melvin Fowler

2. Duke Preston

…Fowler has started all 16 games at center for the past two seasons for the Bills…  Most of Preston’s playing time last year came from special teams…

GRADE: C+

RG

1. Brad Butler

2. Duke Preston

…Butler is a 3 year player that has a huge body.  The 6′ 7″, 315 lb. guard started all 16 games last season…  In case you needed another fact on “Duke”, his real name is Raymond Newton Preston III…

GRADE: C

RT

1. Langston Walker (moved to LT while Peters holds out)

2. Kirk Chambers

…The former 6^th round pick is given the starting role by default.  He has only one start in his NFL career.  It was at left tackle against the Eagles in last year’s season finale.  The outcome?  No sacks allowed and helped Lynch gain 105 yards on the ground…

GRADE: D

Overall the Bills need to be able to run the ball and whatever QB is in needs to play consistent.  Edwards gets the ball out quick and not saying that Peters being gone will hurt the running game but Peters is a much better pass blocker than run blocker.  A true FB will also help out Lynch on the ground game.  The offense also needs to get the ball to the playmakers.  Lynch, Evans and Parrish should all be in the game plan every week to get a lot of touches.  Royal at TE also needs to be more of a receving threat.  He is a good blocker though so that will help out the line too.  The Bills O won’t do much this year numbers wise but if they can hang on to the football and control the clock it should be enough to get by on.    

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Hello Bills fans.  Today the team announced that it has come to terms with seventh round draft pick  offensive tackle Demetrius Bell.  Bell is a developmental prospect said to have great hands and feet to play tackle in the NFL.  Bell is currently the fourth tackle on the roster.  The Bills will be able to bring him along slowly and have him learn from Jason Peters and Langston Walker.  The team also announced today that they have released fullback Mike Viti from Army.  Viti was third on the depth chart at fullback.  I really wanted him to make the team because I watched him play in college.  He was a great blocker and leader for Army Football.  It looks like the fullback job is between veterans Jonathan Evans and Darian Barnes.  I think Barnes has the edge to win the job due to more experience.  Check out the article on buffalobills.com.  Go Bills. 

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