Some Buffalo Bills rookies are beginning to emerge

[YardRat]

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20111125/SPORTS03/111250341/Rookies-seem-to-be-maturing-?odyssey=tab|mostpopular|text|SPORTS

ORCHARD PARK — Linebacker (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20111125/SPORTS03/111250341/Rookies-seem-to-be-maturing-?odyssey=tab%7Cmostpopular%7Ctext%7CSPORTS#) Chris Kelsay spent some time Monday afternoon with Bills' (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/sports/bills) defensive coordinator George Edwards trying to find something positive to take from the demoralizing 35-8 defeat to the Dolphins (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20111121/SPORTS03/111210311/Buffalo-Bills-Miami-Dolphins?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CBills), and he believes he succeeded.

"Despite the loss, and it was a bad loss, we had some rookies who grew up in that game," Kelsay said. "At one point there was five rookies on the field with us. I thought you saw good things with Kelvin Sheppard, really good things with (Da'Norris) Searcy, (Marcell) Dareus has been playing regularly as a starter all year long. These guys were stepping up and maturing and they're going to play (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20111125/SPORTS03/111250341/Rookies-seem-to-be-maturing-?odyssey=tab%7Cmostpopular%7Ctext%7CSPORTS#) good football. You never foresee that many injuries, but that's what injuries can do to you and you have have to make the most of your opportunity when you're called on."

[Buddo]

I'm far more optimistic about this rookie class than last years tbh.
I think the last draft was a good one, and will be shown to be increasingly over the years.
Apart from the 3 guys mentioned, we also have Williams and Hairston, who should become part of the team for years to come.
A criticism I've made elsewhere, maybe on another board, is that some of the guys we've drafted, haven't even gone on to become depth, and that hurts alsmost as much as not finding starters, when you are building through the draft.

[YardRat]

Just for the record, the top five picks of 2011 started against the Jets (Dareus-Williams-Sheppard-Searcy-Hairston). A sixth, Rogers, has moved up the depth chart and overtaken McKelvin in the rotation. RB White is still on the roster, LB White was contributing on teams until his injury. Jasper, the only pick yet to see the regular roster, is still on the practice squad.

[RoscoeMagic]

Just for the record, the top five picks of 2011 started against the Jets (Dareus-Williams-Sheppard-Searcy-Hairston). A sixth, Rogers, has moved up the depth chart and overtaken McKelvin in the rotation. RB White is still on the roster, LB White was contributing on teams until his injury. Jasper, the only pick yet to see the regular roster, is still on the practice squad.
We've seen it before. 2006 Whitner started, Simpson started, Ellison started, Terrence Pennington started and people were real high on McCargo and Youboty their rookie years. Not to mention the trifecta who were supposed to lead us to the playoffs one day from the 2007 draft: Lynch, Poz and Edwards. And just a year ago, we were all high on Batten/Moats/Carrington/Troup/Easley/Spiller, and now they're viewed as a poor class. Rookies look a lot better to the fan when they're rookies. Get back to us in 3 years.

[ServoBillieves]

We've seen it before. 2006 Whitner started, Simpson started, Ellison started, Terrence Pennington started and people were real high on McCargo and Youboty their rookie years. Not to mention the trifecta who were supposed to lead us to the playoffs one day from the 2007 draft: Lynch, Poz and Edwards. And just a year ago, we were all high on Batten/Moats/Carrington/Troup/Easley/Spiller, and now they're viewed as a poor class. Rookies look a lot better to the fan when they're rookies. Get back to us in 3 years.

Batten was injured, Easley was injured, Moats had a good year, Carrington is a good rotational DE/OLB, Troup was injured, and Spiller wasn't worth a first but he's in the rotation. This year's class has very much so stepped up to play, but they have plenty of learning to do.

[jamze132]

We've seen it before. 2006 Whitner started, Simpson started, Ellison started, Terrence Pennington started and people were real high on McCargo and Youboty their rookie years. Not to mention the trifecta who were supposed to lead us to the playoffs one day from the 2007 draft: Lynch, Poz and Edwards. And just a year ago, we were all high on Batten/Moats/Carrington/Troup/Easley/Spiller, and now they're viewed as a poor class. Rookies look a lot better to the fan when they're rookies. Get back to us in 3 years.
I see your point, but I have more faith in this class than that one.

[RoscoeMagic]

I see your point, but I have more faith in this class than that one.

I wish I shared your optimism.

The common denominator of course is that all these players have been Buffalo Bills. And we've had a habit of not getting draft picks to play up to their potential they flash early on in their careers.

[RedEyE]

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20111125/SPORTS03/111250341/Rookies-seem-to-be-maturing-?odyssey=tab|mostpopular|text|SPORTS

ORCHARD PARK — Linebacker (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20111125/SPORTS03/111250341/Rookies-seem-to-be-maturing-?odyssey=tab%7Cmostpopular%7Ctext%7CSPORTS#) Chris Kelsay spent some time Monday afternoon with Bills' (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/sports/bills) defensive coordinator George Edwards trying to find something positive to take from the demoralizing 35-8 defeat to the Dolphins (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20111121/SPORTS03/111210311/Buffalo-Bills-Miami-Dolphins?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CBills), and he believes he succeeded.

"Despite the loss, and it was a bad loss, we had some rookies who grew up in that game," Kelsay said. "At one point there was five rookies on the field with us. I thought you saw good things with Kelvin Sheppard, really good things with (Da'Norris) Searcy, (Marcell) Dareus has been playing regularly as a starter all year long. These guys were stepping up and maturing and they're going to play (http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20111125/SPORTS03/111250341/Rookies-seem-to-be-maturing-?odyssey=tab%7Cmostpopular%7Ctext%7CSPORTS#) good football. You never foresee that many injuries, but that's what injuries can do to you and you have have to make the most of your opportunity when you're called on."

Bolded above:

Really? Because it seems to happen to the Bills more often than not. Every year this team's supposed "stars" seem to find the IR. Its sickening.

[DesertFox24]

We've seen it before. 2006 Whitner started, Simpson started, Ellison started, Terrence Pennington started and people were real high on McCargo and Youboty their rookie years. Not to mention the trifecta who were supposed to lead us to the playoffs one day from the 2007 draft: Lynch, Poz and Edwards. And just a year ago, we were all high on Batten/Moats/Carrington/Troup/Easley/Spiller, and now they're viewed as a poor class. Rookies look a lot better to the fan when they're rookies. Get back to us in 3 years.

You are correct that is why we do not judge a draft class till after their third year.

Please keep that in mind with last years as well.

[better days]

We've seen it before. 2006 Whitner started, Simpson started, Ellison started, Terrence Pennington started and people were real high on McCargo and Youboty their rookie years. Not to mention the trifecta who were supposed to lead us to the playoffs one day from the 2007 draft: Lynch, Poz and Edwards. And just a year ago, we were all high on Batten/Moats/Carrington/Troup/Easley/Spiller, and now they're viewed as a poor class. Rookies look a lot better to the fan when they're rookies. Get back to us in 3 years.

I agree lets look at these guys in 3 years. I still think there is hope for Carrington, Spiller, Easley & Troup to see a lot of playing time in the future.

In preseason, before getting injured, Easley looked like he would be the big fast WR the Bills need. Let's hope next year is his year.

[jamze132]

I wish I shared your optimism.

The common denominator of course is that all these players have been Buffalo Bills. And we've had a habit of not getting draft picks to play up to their potential they flash early on in their careers.
Modrak/Jauron or Nix/Gailey.

I'll take the later everyday and twice on Sunday's.