Buffalo Bills Starting Line-up
By Dennis Amo
Jun 11, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback EJ Manuel (3) passes the ball during mini-camp at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Pro Football Focus came out with what they think the Buffalo Bills will have as their starting line-up come the start of the season. They did not really take any major leaps on their analysis of where the Bills will be come early September. In fact, after looking at it they really played it safe.
We will start with the Offense and make our own selections and compare to PFF. PFF said that the Bills would be in a 3 WR set and this would be their key package. I can agree with that. They have Kolb and Spiller in the backfield. I agree with 50% of that. I believe that E.J. Manuel will be accompanying Spiller in the backfield at the start of the season.
May 10, 2013; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills wide receiver Robert Woods (10) speaks with the media following rookie minicamp at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports
Looking at the WR, I agree with who PFF put their starters on the field, I am not completely sure I agree with where they put them. Johnson, Woods, and Graham are the three. They have Woods and Graham on the outside with Johnson in the slot. I would move either Woods or Graham to the slot and move Johnson outside. I believe that Graham or Woods have equal ability to play the slot at this point.
On the line, starting from LT to TE, PFF put Cordy Glenn, Legursky, Wood, Urbik, Hairston, and Chandler. With limited knowledge and view on some of the o-line and most of them being on the younger side with limited experience, this is a safe play and I would agree with them as to the starting line.
Moving onto the defense. PFF has the Bills playing a nickel as their key defense for most the year. I don’t agree with this. I believe that at this point the Bills are the weakest at the CB spot. A 4-3 defense is going to be their bread and butter package at the start of the season.
Sep 29, 2012; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defense end Izaan Cross (40) tackles Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders quarterback Logan Kilgore (10) during the second quarter at Bobby Dodd Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports
PFF put Mario Williams, Kyle Williams, Marcel Dareus, and Mark Anderson as the starting line-up. I agree with three of the four. Mark Anderson is the only one that I am on the fence with. Alan Branch and the rookie, Izaan Cross, I think might be competing for the job. I believe that Cross will be a standout in camp and will start him over Anderson here.
At LB, PFF put Kiko Alonso and Nigel Bradham as the two that would start. I like Alonso starting, but am not sure about Bradham. Manny Lawson will be one of the OLBs as well Alonso. Jerry Hughes will make an impact with his new team and take the MLB spot to go with the 4-3 defense they will play.
Dec 30, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Braylon Edwards (17) and Buffalo Bills cornerback Aaron Williams (23) go up for a pass during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Jets 28-9. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports
Finishing out the Defense and starting line-ups, the CBs and Safeties. PFF is playing them in a nickel and has McKelvin, Rogers, and Gilmore as the starting CBs. I am removing 1 CB and I believe that McKelvin is the best at this point to take the #2 spot opposite Gilmore. At safety, PFF is playing Byrd and Searcy. Really?! Byrd yes, if he signs. Look for Aaron Williams to take the other Safety spot. If Byrd is not signed then it will be Williams and Searcy at Safety.
Where do you stand with your line-ups?