Rookies Posluszny, Butler named starters for Bills - The Orange Mane

Bronx33 · 09-06-2007, 08:09 PM

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Dick Jauron has no concerns that the Bills just got younger after announcing Sunday that rookie linebacker Paul Posluszny and second-year guard Brad Butler will start the regular season.

A bigger concern for the Bills coach is the sudden lack of experienced depth the team has at defensive end a week before Buffalo hosts Denver to open the season.

"We're looking at all the options," Jauron said, noting the team hasn't ruled out signing a free agent this week. "We really got unlucky there unfortunately."
Buffalo Bills

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* Official team site: BuffaloBills.com

The Bills are back to Square 1 in their search for defensive end depth after Al Wallace was placed on the reserve-injured list Saturday because of a shoulder injury he sustained in Buffalo's preseason finale at Detroit last week.

Wallace, a seven-year veteran, had only signed a week earlier and was being counted upon to be the team's primary backup to starters Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay.

Buffalo's ranks were already depleted with Ryan Denney out indefinitely with a broken left foot, and with Anthony Hargrove suspended by the NFL for the first four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy.

Barring the Bills signing someone this week, Eric Powell becomes the team's lone backup, the player having yet to appear in an NFL game four years since completing his college career at Florida State.

Jauron said the Bills will consider using different formations or shifting a defensive tackle to play on the end when necessary.

The Bills are already young to begin with, having seven starters with less than two years of NFL experience.

Jauron's decision to name Posluszny his starting middle linebacker didn't come as a surprise after the second-round draft pick out of Penn State capped a solid preseason. Posluszny finished second on the team with 18 tackles and added a sack in four preseason games.

A two-time college defensive player of the year, Posluszny takes over the play-calling duties for a revamped unit that lost linebackers London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes and cornerback Nate Clements this offseason.

Butler's emergence at right guard, however, was unexpected after he missed most of training camp and all but one preseason game with a hamstring injury. The second of Buffalo's two fifth-round picks, Butler appeared in only two games last season and beat out nine-year veteran Jason Whittle and third-year player Duke Preston for the job.

"We just think he gives us our best chance in there," Jauron said. "It's not going to be easy. It's never easy to play in this league. But I have confidence he'll get it done."

Butler's addition completes revamped offensive line, featuring only two returning starters, left tackle Jason Peters and center Melvin Fowler. The unit is rounded out by left guard Derrick Dockery and right tackle Langston Walker, Buffalo's two high-priced free-agent additions this offseason.

"If they told me tomorrow that I was going to move to defensive tackle then that's what I would do," Butler said. "I just want to go out there and help my team out as much as possible."

Jauron, speaking for the first time since the Bills made their final cuts on Saturday, also explained the decision to go with only two quarterbacks -- starter J.P. Losman and rookie third-round pick Trent Edwards -- after the team released veteran backup Craig Nall.

The coach credited Edwards for playing up to his potential so far, the quarterback coming off a strong preseason in which he went 46-of-61 for 332 yards passing and a touchdown in four games.

"I think he's earned our respect," Jauron said. "And he's earned our belief that he will execute at a high level and help us win football games if he has to."

Jauron said the team is considering adding a third quarterback, but only to its practice squad.

Hogan11 · 09-06-2007, 08:23 PM

Posluszny is gonna be something special, no doubt about that...wish we had him.

gr8slayer · 09-06-2007, 08:24 PM

Yeah, the Posluszny start I love but I don't get Butler. He hasn't even started a game for us yet and all the sudden he's the starter.

SoDak Bronco · 09-07-2007, 12:05 AM

I hear the bills are looking to play Freddie Jackson quite a bit. he is listed as the 3rd string RB, but he has had a great preseason. Not that I'm worried, but it should be something to look for. Hopefully Bates and the boys can step up the defense, or else it may be a lonnnnnnnnnng season.

alkemical · 09-07-2007, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hogan11

Posluszny is gonna be something special, no doubt about that...wish we had him.

i'm not a big PSU fan - but this kid i thought the pats were going to pick up to be that "it" guy in the middle of Billy Belicheck's D - the bills got him instead.

Atlas · 09-07-2007, 02:55 AM

The Broncos are going to run all over this team

cutthemdown · 09-07-2007, 03:09 AM

I'm ready to try and feel optimistic even though I didn't like some of what I saw in preseason. I think Atlas is right we can run on this team. The Broncos can go 2 TE with Graham and Alexander and run at the small Bills front 7. With our big TE mauling the Bills Strength, which is Dend, our oline should be able to get the Dtackles moving side to side. If we can get them going sideways that's when our running game can really find some lanes to cut back into. Broncos going to run for 150 yrds on Sunday minimum.

maher_tyler · 09-07-2007, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

I'm ready to try and feel optimistic even though I didn't like some of what I saw in preseason. I think Atlas is right we can run on this team. The Broncos can go 2 TE with Graham and Alexander and run at the small Bills front 7. With our big TE mauling the Bills Strength, which is Dend, our oline should be able to get the Dtackles moving side to side. If we can get them going sideways that's when our running game can really find some lanes to cut back into. Broncos going to run for 150 yrds on Sunday minimum.

thats what i'm saying...henry alone

Hogan11 · 09-07-2007, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by claviculasolomonis

i'm not a big PSU fan - but this kid i thought the pats were going to pick up to be that "it" guy in the middle of Billy Belicheck's D - the bills got him instead.

He'd look pretty good in a Broncos jersey. If that was the case, people would forget about the loss of Al Wilson pretty quickly IMHO.

The Bills got a good one with that kid.

Smiling Assassin27 · 09-07-2007, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hogan11

Posluszny is gonna be something special, no doubt about that...wish we had him.

Then again, he could be the next Katzenmoyer. He's no AJ Hawk.

09-06-2007, 08:09 PM	#1
Bronx33 lets go partner Rumpson Rocks Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Lakewood,Colo Posts: 41,221 Adopt-a-Bronco: Woodyard	Rookies Posluszny, Butler named starters for Bills ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. -- Dick Jauron has no concerns that the Bills just got younger after announcing Sunday that rookie linebacker Paul Posluszny and second-year guard Brad Butler will start the regular season. A bigger concern for the Bills coach is the sudden lack of experienced depth the team has at defensive end a week before Buffalo hosts Denver to open the season. "We're looking at all the options," Jauron said, noting the team hasn't ruled out signing a free agent this week. "We really got unlucky there unfortunately." Buffalo Bills * Complete coverage: Video \| Schedule \| Stats * Roster \| Depth chart \| Transactions * Official team site: BuffaloBills.com The Bills are back to Square 1 in their search for defensive end depth after Al Wallace was placed on the reserve-injured list Saturday because of a shoulder injury he sustained in Buffalo's preseason finale at Detroit last week. Wallace, a seven-year veteran, had only signed a week earlier and was being counted upon to be the team's primary backup to starters Aaron Schobel and Chris Kelsay. Buffalo's ranks were already depleted with Ryan Denney out indefinitely with a broken left foot, and with Anthony Hargrove suspended by the NFL for the first four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Barring the Bills signing someone this week, Eric Powell becomes the team's lone backup, the player having yet to appear in an NFL game four years since completing his college career at Florida State. Jauron said the Bills will consider using different formations or shifting a defensive tackle to play on the end when necessary. The Bills are already young to begin with, having seven starters with less than two years of NFL experience. Jauron's decision to name Posluszny his starting middle linebacker didn't come as a surprise after the second-round draft pick out of Penn State capped a solid preseason. Posluszny finished second on the team with 18 tackles and added a sack in four preseason games. A two-time college defensive player of the year, Posluszny takes over the play-calling duties for a revamped unit that lost linebackers London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes and cornerback Nate Clements this offseason. Butler's emergence at right guard, however, was unexpected after he missed most of training camp and all but one preseason game with a hamstring injury. The second of Buffalo's two fifth-round picks, Butler appeared in only two games last season and beat out nine-year veteran Jason Whittle and third-year player Duke Preston for the job. "We just think he gives us our best chance in there," Jauron said. "It's not going to be easy. It's never easy to play in this league. But I have confidence he'll get it done." Butler's addition completes revamped offensive line, featuring only two returning starters, left tackle Jason Peters and center Melvin Fowler. The unit is rounded out by left guard Derrick Dockery and right tackle Langston Walker, Buffalo's two high-priced free-agent additions this offseason. "If they told me tomorrow that I was going to move to defensive tackle then that's what I would do," Butler said. "I just want to go out there and help my team out as much as possible." Jauron, speaking for the first time since the Bills made their final cuts on Saturday, also explained the decision to go with only two quarterbacks -- starter J.P. Losman and rookie third-round pick Trent Edwards -- after the team released veteran backup Craig Nall. The coach credited Edwards for playing up to his potential so far, the quarterback coming off a strong preseason in which he went 46-of-61 for 332 yards passing and a touchdown in four games. "I think he's earned our respect," Jauron said. "And he's earned our belief that he will execute at a high level and help us win football games if he has to." Jauron said the team is considering adding a third quarterback, but only to its practice squad.

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09-06-2007, 08:23 PM	#2
Hogan11 Rock-N-Roll Historian Let's take these SOB's out!!!!!! Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: W.NY.B.C. Posts: 21,300 Adopt-a-Bronco: Floyd Little	Posluszny is gonna be something special, no doubt about that...wish we had him.

09-06-2007, 08:24 PM	#3
gr8slayer Just Drafted Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 26	Yeah, the Posluszny start I love but I don't get Butler. He hasn't even started a game for us yet and all the sudden he's the starter.

09-07-2007, 12:05 AM	#4
SoDak Bronco Lace em' up and lets go!! Von Miller aka QB Killa Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: South Dakota Posts: 4,133 Adopt-a-Bronco: Robert Ayers	I hear the bills are looking to play Freddie Jackson quite a bit. he is listed as the 3rd string RB, but he has had a great preseason. Not that I'm worried, but it should be something to look for. Hopefully Bates and the boys can step up the defense, or else it may be a lonnnnnnnnnng season.

09-07-2007, 02:55 AM	#6
Atlas Draft Defense Early&Often Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 18,526	The Broncos are going to run all over this team

09-07-2007, 03:09 AM	#7
cutthemdown A verbis ad verbera Zimm to HOF Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Long Beach Posts: 32,878	I'm ready to try and feel optimistic even though I didn't like some of what I saw in preseason. I think Atlas is right we can run on this team. The Broncos can go 2 TE with Graham and Alexander and run at the small Bills front 7. With our big TE mauling the Bills Strength, which is Dend, our oline should be able to get the Dtackles moving side to side. If we can get them going sideways that's when our running game can really find some lanes to cut back into. Broncos going to run for 150 yrds on Sunday minimum.