Should the Bills Claim Shawne Merriman On Waivers? – Buffalo Rumblings (Brian Galliford)
“While I don’t believe it’s any more likely that the Bills place a waiver claim on former Chargers outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, it’s at least worth discussing simply because of Merriman’s direct link to Bills GM Buddy Nix. Merriman – who has just four sacks in the past three seasons after starting his career with 39.5 sacks in his first three seasons – was San Diego’s first-round pick in 2005, when Nix was still with the Chargers as their Assistant GM.
Merriman is 26 years old, has had one fairly major incident off the field, and is only under contract through the end of the 2010 season; he’s due $1.73 million for the remainder of this year. He also missed the 2008 season after PCL and LCL surgery, was hampered last season by a foot injury, and is only just recovered from a calf injury this season.
My Take – I voted “Yes” in the poll, simply because Merriman could make an impact on future Bills’ teams, and although it seems like he’s been around forever, he’s only 26. I agree with the masses that he’s not the dynamic disruptor and pass rusher that he was in, say, 2007, but he’s an upgrade over the Bills current outside linebackers. The Bills basically have no pass rush, especially from the outside, and while Merriman obviously couldn’t turn the Bills into contenders this year, if they signed him to a 2-3 year deal, that’s one less hole to fill in next year’s free agency period and draft. Do I think it will happen? Probably, and unfortunately not.
“(Leo) – The Bills face the Chicago Bears at Toronto’s Rogers Centre and I’m sensing a gut feeling among fans that this is the week Buffalo finally breaks into the win column. It’s probably that law-of-averages thing, so after consecutive losses in overtime, the Bills are due to get lucky, right?
(Sal) – I’m feeling it in my ample gut as well. I have said all along that I won’t pick the Bills in any game this season until they actually prove they can win one, so on principle I’ll pick the Bears. But I do think this might finally be the week Chan Gailey gets a game ball from his players.
My Take – Being the Bills optimism that I am (don’t ask me why) I can certainly envision Buffalo finally getting into the win column this week. The Bears have trouble protecting Jay Cutler and I think the return of Terrence McGee will allow the Bills to blitz more frequently. The Bears offense is ranked 29th in total yards and while they boast a rather stout run defense, they are an average team against the pass.
No Excuse for Jairus Byrd’s Statistical Slip – Buffalo News (Jay Skurski)
“It just comes down to me making plays,” the Buffalo Bills free safety said. “I just haven’t gotten interceptions. I haven’t been able to do what I know I need to do out there.”
The drop in production has been steep. Byrd tied for the NFL lead last season with nine interceptions. He set a team record with a five-game interception streak, during which he became the first player in 50 years to have two interceptions in three straight games.
The Bills finished last season with 28 interceptions. So far in 2010, they’ve got just one, from linebacker Andra Davis in Week Five against Jacksonville.
While Byrd shouldered the blame for not playing up to his expectations, Bills coach Chan Gailey said the problem actually starts up front.
“When you don’t get as much pressure on the passer, they haven’t had to throw it as much. All of that plays into it,” Gailey said. “If they’ve got the lead, they’re not throwing it. That’s when you get a lot of your opportunities to get interceptions, whether it’s safety or any position. Right now, we’re playing even or behind, so the other team is able to run it.”
My Take – I was the biggest Jairus Byrd supporter in ’09, so you can imagine how I’m feeling this year. It’s like the Bills can only excite us with one facet of their game. Last season it was the interception, this year the offense. Last year Byrd was the beneficiary of a lot of overthrown passes as outlined in the article, but he also was making a quicker move on the deep ball than he has through seven games in 2010. I totally agree with Chan Gailey’s points as well. The Bills have been playing behind far too often, and there has been no semblence of a pass rush.
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