Stevie Invades ESPN

Bills wide receiver Steve Johnson took his talents to Bristol, Connecticut, on Wednesday, appearing on ESPN's NFL Live as well as participating in a SportsNation chat with fans. Here is a link to the chat transcript:

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/chat/_/id/39162/bills-stevie-johnson

Johnson touches on just about everything a Bills fan might want to hear. From teammates like Ryan Fitzpatrick and Kyle Williams to his social media tactics and opinions of specific aspects of the NFL, Johnson leaves no stone unturned. I think that's what Bills fans like about him so much. Not only does he demonstrate a deep loyalty to the Bills and the city of Buffalo, he tells it like it is and isn't shy to voice his thoughts.

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VY in Buffalo?

NFL.com's Bucky Brooks recently posted an article regarding the potential fits for Titans quarterback Vince Young. Although he is still under contract, the Titans have stated that they will release or trade the six-year veteran once the lockout concludes. Undoubtedly, someone will take a flyer on the 28-year old quarterback, despite the fact that his career has been marred by off-the-field incidents, poor attitude, and lack of confidence. However, Young is also a winner. Brooks notes that his career record as a starter is 30-17, and the Titans are a mere 15-18 without him. He is actually coming off of one of the best seasons in his career, completing just under 60% of his passes, with ten touchdowns versus three picks.

Brooks lists the Bills as one of five potential fits for Young, the others being Miami, Oakland, Philadelphia, and Green Bay. Here's what Brooks had to say about a possible Bills/Young pairing:

Chan Gailey's previous success with Kordell Stewart and Tyler Thigpen would make the addition of Young an intriguing scenario. Gailey loves to build his system around the talents of his triggerman, so Young might find comfort working within the Bills' wide-open scheme. AlthoughRyan Fitzpatrick has been productive as the team's starter over the past two seasons, the chance to add another explosive option could help the team compete in the tough AFC East.

I'm not sure if head coach Chan Gailey would be interested in a player, especially a quarterback, who has had some issues mentally, regardless of his athleticism. Nonetheless, it must be noted that Ryan Fitzpatrick's contract expires after the 2011 season, leaving the Bills in the market for a quarterback yet again. Bringing in Young might give him a year to get accustomed to the offense, however, being the competitor that he is, I can foresee Young voicing his pleas to start by mid-season. At the end of the day, although I do believe that Gailey could have some success with VY, I don't think the Bills will be in the leading mix for him.

Check out Brooks' article here:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8205a1a4/article/young-must-be-willing-to-reinvent-himself-to-find-new-home

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Spiller/McKelvin Swap Numbers

Stop! Before you go and order your new-look CJ Spiller or Leodis McKelvin jersey, be sure to take note of the number change. Spiller presumably asked McKelvin about switching numbers and he evidently has agreed, as CJ will now wear #28 and Leodis will put on the #21.

Spiller wore #28 at Clemson, so it's understandable that he'd want to wear it once again. Coming off what some fans certainly perceive as a disappointing rookie season, Spiller appears to be striving to make changes in all aspects of his game, including putting his old college number over his shoulders every Sunday. Hopefully he also brings some of the electricity he had on the field for the Tigers to Ralph Wilson Stadium this fall.

McKelvin wore #34 at Troy, a number no Buffalo Bill has worn since Thurman Thomas retired. Although it is not officially retired by the Bills, I'd say that not wearing 34 is an unwritten rule. Similarly, #32 (OJ Simpson) and #78 (Bruce Smith) haven't been worn by any Bills since their departure from the team.

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Bills Unveil New Jerseys!

For the first time since Drew Bledsoe arrived on the scene in 2002, the Buffalo Bills have a new weekly uniform. Check out the video of the unveiling right here:

http://www.buffalobills.com/media-center/videos/New-Bills-Uniforms-Unveiled/ed29e252-efa5-48ad-ae18-e388b9815138

These new uniforms will at least ensure that the Bills, regardless of whether they are winning or losing, will look good doing it. Jerseys are on sale now at: www.shopthebills.com. There, you'll find jerseys from a wide array of players, from rookie Marcell Dareus and defensive tackle Kyle Williams, to quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and wide receiver Steve Johnson. Currently, they are listed at $85 each.

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Florence to Give Away New Jerseys?

It appears as though Bills cornerback Drayton Florence will be giving away some new Bills jerseys, with his name and number on them, of course. Earlier in the year, Florence stated that once he got to 7,000 followers on Twitter, he would give away 29 jerseys with his name and number (also 29) on the back. It's been almost perfectly timed with the Bills uniform unveiling tonight, as Florence currently sits at 6,997 followers. Some Bills fans might be skeptical because Florence is a pending free agent and might not even return to the team. However, he must have some sort of inside information if he intends to give these jerseys away, right? Let's hope so.

Keep an eye on Florence's Twitter at the link below, and be sure to follow him if you don't already!

Follow Drayton at: DraytonFlorence

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Safety Rankings: Byrd 16th, Whitner Isn't Top 30

NFL.com senior analyst Pat Kirwan recently posted his ranking of the top safeties across the league, placing five in each "tier" of talent. No Buffalo Bill appeared until the fourth tier, where you'll find Jairus Byrd, ranked 16th overall, stating that he "Had nine interceptions two years ago as a rookie, but only one in 2010. Byrd doubled his total tackles in 2010 (89) and forced three fumbles. Kirwan also notes with a '^' that Byrd is on the rise and has room for growth.

I immediately question the legitimacy of this list when I see Louis Delmas of the Lions at number two, ahead of the likes of Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed. Nothing against Delmas, as he has shown he will be a terrific safety in the NFL, but he has yet to earn what Reed and Polamalu have. You'll find the most underrated players in tier five, where OJ Atogwe, Malcolm Jenkins, and former Bill Jim Leonhard are ranked. I personally believe that putting the three of them outside the top 20 is a farce. Additionally, there are also two players in the top six coming off of their rookie seasons, those being Earl Thomas at five and Eric Berry at six. I think it's a little early to call them top six in the NFL, but it is an opinion column.

What's even more intriguing for Bills fans is that you won't find Donte Whitner on the list of the top 30. You'll see him in the 'Keep An Eye On' section at the bottom of the article, which you can view here:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000d5d8206ee75/article/young-faces-join-reed-polamalu-among-nfls-best-safeties?module=HP_cp2

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Bills Unveil New Digs Tonight

Tonight, the Bills will officially unveil their new uniforms for the 2011 season in a special launch event presented by Reebok. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. from Ralph Wilson Stadium, running until 10:30. The uniform unveiling begins at 7:15, followed by a 2010 highlight video and then a special screening of 'The Blind Side' at 8:20. Those scheduled to appear include Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly, special teams ace Steve Tasker, Wall of Fame cornerback Booker Edgerson, AFL Champion wide receiver Charley Ferguson, the Buffalo Jills, Billy Buffalo, as well as United States military personnel.

Tickets are required for the event, however, they are complimentary and are available at select Verizon Wireless locations in Buffalo and Rochester, as well as all Erie County M&T Bank branches. If that's not an option for you, they're also available at the Bills ticket office and on ticketmaster.com.

There has been much speculation about how the Bills new uniforms will look. In a statement released by the Bills, they have said that "the new uniforms will incorporate the Bills storied history while keeping the team's signature charging buffalo." One of the most common "leaks" out there is the Nike concept uniform, however, that has been proven to be fake. Above is what I believe is the best prediction for the new digs.

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Johnson vs. Bengals

Continuing the Top 10 performances of 2010 trend on buffalobills.com, Bills lead journalist Chris Brown sat down with wide receivers coach Stan Hixon to analyze Steve Johnson's eight catch, 137 yard, three touchdown performance in a 49-31 come-from-behind win over the Bengals. Take a look at the video right here:

http://www.buffalobills.com/media-center/videos/Top-10-Performances-Steve-Johnson-vs-Cincinnati/d659f312-0797-4db1-be72-2cc43e2a074a#cltop

It's interesting to see the coach's breakdown of a player's performance. Johnson definitely shows some shiftiness in the open field and although he doesn't have breakaway speed, he's fast enough to pick up significant yards after the catch. I don't think you saw a one-year wonder in Johnson last year. He fits head coach Chan Gailey's offensive scheme perfectly, and he showed that last year. With Johnson making a name for himself across the league, it'll be interesting to see how Gailey works Lee Evans back into the mix. The Bills head coach mentioned that he'd like to get the veteran receiver more involved this season.

I'm sure that Brown would've love to have Johnson as a part of the interview, as well, to see how he broke down each play. However, since Brown is on one side of the lockout and Johnson is on the other, the two are not allowed contact with one another.

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PFT's Florio Talks Bills

This morning on WGR 550's The Howard Simon Show, Profootballtalk.com's Mike Florio provided football fans an update on the NFL's current labor situation. Additionally, he provided his Bills fans with some input on the team's future. Check out the entire interview right here (audio at the bottom of the linked page):

http://wgr550.com/PFT-s-Mike-Florio-Talks-Bills-Future/10177424

Florio mentions that the new CBA (which he predicted will be agreed to by June 30) will not be the best situation for the Bills because of the new rules. He says that a 95% spending principle (which he explains) will force teams to reconfigure and relocate into more financially stable markets. He also notes that if current owner Ralph Wilson maintains his position to not sell the team before his death, the likelihood of the Bills staying in Buffalo becomes a murky situation. However, he does add that the "political heavyweights" in Buffalo will make it a tough task to pry the Bills out of the city.

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Bills' Rookie Looking For Playbook

The Bills' first pick on day two of the NFL Draft, cornerback Aaron Williams out of Texas, recently went to the veterans of the secondary in search of a playbook. Williams posted this on Twitter:

ajwilliams04
@DonteWhitner @jairusbyrd man help a brotha out I need a playbook ASAP

The NFL lockout was re-instated the day Williams was drafted, so he was unfortunately unable to retrieve a playbook from the Bills coaching staff. The only player eligible to receive a playbook from the coaches was first round pick Marcell Dareus, however, he did not do so. Nonetheless, it is encouraging to see that the young defensive back is eager to learn the intricacies of the defense. Although it's interesting to see the response of pending free agent Donte Whitner, who said he didn't have it, because Williams could be in line to take his job.

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NFL.com's Wyche Compliments Bills

Steve Wyche, of NFL.com, recently participated in a live chat with football fans and was asked the following question by a follower named Brett:

What is your take on the Bills outlook this season? I have them in the bottom 10 in the league record wise but expect to see improvement in the run defense.

Wyche responded with:

Brett, I'm serious when I say this. I think they're going to be very competitive and be much more of a threat than would seem right now. I like the Bills. Got to tighten up the offensive line but I think they've got something working there.

Bills fans are often critical of the media's perception of the team. While I do believe that the Bills are (for the right reasons) looked over in most talks regarding the AFC East, I wouldn't say that the national media 'hates' them. Of course a team with only one winning season in the last eleven is going to be overlooked. You can't just sign a high profile player like a Terrell Owens of sorts and expect national love. There has to be a successful product on the field. Winning fixes everything.

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Bills' Jasper Arm-wrestles Radio Host

A few days ago, soon to be Buffalo Bill Michael Jasper was challenged to an arm-wrestling match by Weevil Kneivel, a radio host for 100.9's The Farm and self-proclaimed superhero of Carroll County in Huntingdon, TN. It did not fare well for Kneivel, as Jasper disposes of the old-timer, despite his attempt to bring Jasper down with two hands. Take a look at the video...

The Bills drafted Jasper in the 7th round of April's NFL Draft. The 6'4, 375-pound Jasper might figure to be a big run-stuffer in the middle of the defensive line for the Bills. However, I personally believe that Bills fans are getting a little over-excited about the big man out of Bethel College. He was a 7th round selection for a reason, and probably wouldn't have been drafted if not for the Bills taking a flyer on him because of the current rules against signing undrafted free agents. I'm very intrigued to see what the guy can do, yet I would refer to my stance on Jasper as more of cautious optimism.

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Spiller's Off-Season Training

Buffalo Bills running back CJ Spiller didn't have as exciting of a rookie season as some fans had hoped he would. Head coach Chan Gailey wasn't shy to admit that it was Spiller's troubles with blocking and picking up blitzes that kept him off the field. Well, it appears that CJ is making a valiant effort to improve his balance and overall strength in order to prevent oncoming linebackers and defensive lineman from getting to the quarterback. The video below shows Spiller's current off-season training program, which consists of mixed martial arts activities. Some fans might wonder how this applies to football. As I said before, this training will help Spiller's strength, being that he is somewhat undersized, as well as improve his balance, endurance and mental focus. It's good to see that even amidst this lockout nonsense, some Bills are still preparing for the hardships of the NFL season.

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Wood vs. Suh

Buffalo Bills lead journalist Chris Brown recently sat down with offensive line coach Joe D'Alessandris to break down the performance of guard Eric Wood against the number two overall pick in last year's draft, Ndamukong Suh of the Detroit Lions. Bills fans might find this interesting because it breaks down a battle in the trenches that isn't often seen throughout the course of the game. As you'll see, Wood does an excellent job picking up the defensive rookie of the year and 2010 Pro Bowler. He is the type of player this offensive line can build around for years to come.

The link to the video is right here:

http://www.buffalobills.com/media-center/videos/Top-10-Performances-Eric-Wood-vs-Detroit/8d452f9b-304e-40d0-bab4-7590572c8ed7

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Bills' Whitner Rated 7th Best Free Agent Safety

The USA Today's Nate Davis recently rated the top ten potential free agent safeties that will hit the market once the lockout is resolved. Coming off a 140 tackle season, the Bills' Donte Whitner rated seventh on Davis' list, behind the likes of the 49ers' Dashon Goldson, the Saints' Roman Harper, the Raiders' Michael Huff, the Chargers' Eric Weddle, the Eagles' Quentin Mikell, and the Bears' Danieal Manning.

Davis goes on to comment that Whitner has not lived up to the potential of the 8th overall pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, suggesting that "big plays aren't his forte." Most Bills fans would probably agree that they expect more big plays out of Whitner. While he is almost a surefire tackler, Whitner rarely comes up with big interceptions or sacks. GM Buddy Nix suggested earlier in the off-season that he believes Whitner doesn't want to be in Buffalo, and while I don't believe that to be entirely true, I certainly wouldn't overpay for his services. Someone else probably will, and they'll have an overpaid safety with coverage problems for five or six years.

For Davis' entire article, check out this link:

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/thehuddle/post/2011/06/who-are-the-best-safeties-about-to-hit-nfls-free-agent-market/1

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