YardRat
08-05-2012, 09:43 AM
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/story/19730891/bills-camp-report-optimism-brewing-in-buffalo-and-for-good-reason
Team Objectives
• More sacks. They had 29 last season, which wasn't very good. But they had 10 in one game, which means ... uh-huh, they had 19 in the 15 games that were left, and that stinks. Now you know why the Bills put the full-court press on Williams and Anderson. With their additions, Buffalo figures to do something it hasn't since 2006 -- namely, average more than two sacks per contest. But it's not just Williams and Anderson. Shawne Merriman (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/416752/shawne-merriman), who once had 17 sacks in San Diego, says he's over a lingering Achilles that handicapped him in recent years, and he figures to be used as a designated pass rusher off the edge for 15-20 snaps a game. "I think it could be good for him," said Gailey, "and I think it could be really great for us. Because he's a force when he's healthy."
• Keep Fred Jackson healthy. The star back was on pace to run for nearly 1,600 yards a year ago and was second in the league in yards from scrimmage when he bowed out with a broken leg. The Bills were 5-5 then. They finished 6-10. Do the math. They won exactly one game without Jackson. But he's back, he's healthy and he's headed for some split shifts with C.J. Spiller, who excelled in Jackson's absence a year ago. Coaches believe Spiller gained confidence from the experience and plan to use him with and without Jackson in the backfield. The feeling is that Spiller not only helps the club; he can help the 31-year-old Jackson, too, but reducing his carries and the hits he absorbs. "Either one of them wouldn't admit they want to give up snaps," said Nix, "but it will make them last longer."
• Reduce Ryan Fitzpatrick's mistakes. He led the league in interceptions with 23, but look a little more closely: He committed 17 of them in the last 10 games, including four in the season finale. Some of that has to do with where the Bills positioned themselves early, and, usually, it was behind their opponent ... and sometimes way behind. So Fitzpatrick did what any quarterback would and threw ... and threw ... and threw. "He was in a bad situation," said Nix, "but we're going to make it better for him." With the Bills' defensive improvements, the hope is that sacks go up, yards go down, turnovers go up and short fields translate to more Buffalo points and fewer Fitzpatrick gaffes. "It's a huge domino effect," Gailey said. "When one area of your team can get significantly better it impacts the rest of your football team. There's not nearly as much pressure."
Team Objectives
• More sacks. They had 29 last season, which wasn't very good. But they had 10 in one game, which means ... uh-huh, they had 19 in the 15 games that were left, and that stinks. Now you know why the Bills put the full-court press on Williams and Anderson. With their additions, Buffalo figures to do something it hasn't since 2006 -- namely, average more than two sacks per contest. But it's not just Williams and Anderson. Shawne Merriman (http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/416752/shawne-merriman), who once had 17 sacks in San Diego, says he's over a lingering Achilles that handicapped him in recent years, and he figures to be used as a designated pass rusher off the edge for 15-20 snaps a game. "I think it could be good for him," said Gailey, "and I think it could be really great for us. Because he's a force when he's healthy."
• Keep Fred Jackson healthy. The star back was on pace to run for nearly 1,600 yards a year ago and was second in the league in yards from scrimmage when he bowed out with a broken leg. The Bills were 5-5 then. They finished 6-10. Do the math. They won exactly one game without Jackson. But he's back, he's healthy and he's headed for some split shifts with C.J. Spiller, who excelled in Jackson's absence a year ago. Coaches believe Spiller gained confidence from the experience and plan to use him with and without Jackson in the backfield. The feeling is that Spiller not only helps the club; he can help the 31-year-old Jackson, too, but reducing his carries and the hits he absorbs. "Either one of them wouldn't admit they want to give up snaps," said Nix, "but it will make them last longer."
• Reduce Ryan Fitzpatrick's mistakes. He led the league in interceptions with 23, but look a little more closely: He committed 17 of them in the last 10 games, including four in the season finale. Some of that has to do with where the Bills positioned themselves early, and, usually, it was behind their opponent ... and sometimes way behind. So Fitzpatrick did what any quarterback would and threw ... and threw ... and threw. "He was in a bad situation," said Nix, "but we're going to make it better for him." With the Bills' defensive improvements, the hope is that sacks go up, yards go down, turnovers go up and short fields translate to more Buffalo points and fewer Fitzpatrick gaffes. "It's a huge domino effect," Gailey said. "When one area of your team can get significantly better it impacts the rest of your football team. There's not nearly as much pressure."