Tag: Corey Thompson

Bills place Patrick DiMarco on IR, cut two others

Buffalo Bills have cut fullback Patrick DiMarco and released two players from their roster, Vosean Joseph, Corey Thompson. Tommey Sweeney on

The Buffalo Bills have placed fullback Patrick DiMarco on the injured reserve list, ending his season. The team announced the move on Friday. DiMarco had a neck injury.

Because DiMarco was added to the team’s IR list prior to the start of the regular season, the fullback’s season is over. DiMarco was a early signing by the team under head coach Sean McDermott in 2017. His on-field production was low, however, DiMarco was coveted as a team leader by the coach. Without him, undrafted rookie free agent Reggie Gilliam, listed as both a fullback and tight end by the team at times this offseason, could have a strong look at the roster now.

DiMarco was entering the final year of his contract.

In addition to DiMarco, two linebackers went out the door as well, Vosean Joseph and Corey Thompson. Both players were released by the Bills as the team begins to trim their roster down to 53 players ahead of the NFL deadline to do so on Saturday by 4 p.m.

Releasing Thompson and Joseph bodes well for both Andre Smith and Tyrel Dodson. Smith, mostly a special teamer in his two-year career, was traded for earlier this week. Dodson was a UDFA of the Bills prior to 2019, but had off-field issues and never suited up for the team.

In a move in the opposite direction, the Bills have sent another player’s status toward making the final roster. Tight end Tommy Sweeney, who’s missed the entirety of the team’s training camp, was activated from the physically unable to preform list (PUP). Sweeney had a foot injury throughout training camp.

Sweeney likely joins Dawson Knox and Tyler Kroft as the team’s 2020 tight ends. But there’s also Lee Smith to consider. Like DiMarco, Smith was coveted as a leader, but his focal point in Buffalo was as a blocking tight end and had little playmaking upside.

Stay tuned to Bills Wire throughout the weekend as the Bills continue their roster movement.

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Could AJ Klein be hinting at group effort to replace Lorenzo Alexander?

AJ Klein hints at how the Buffalo Bills will replace Lorenzo Alexander in lineup.

The Buffalo Bills lost a lot when linebacker Lorenzo Alexander decided to retire following the 2019 season.

Alexander was the team’s third linebacker on paper behind Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano. But because of the nature of the beast, Alexander was a heck of a lot more than that for the Bills.

Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott runs a scheme which calls for plenty of nickel base, meaning two linebackers on the field. Those two players see just about every defensive snap for the Bills game in, and game out. Alexander didn’t do that, rather, he played as a third linebacker… defensive end, interior pass rusher, and even in a pass coverage role.

How do you fill those shoes? We don’t know that answer just yet and won’t until we see games without Alexander, but it doesn’t sound like AJ Klein is going to be doing all of that by himself. A former Panthers defender who played in McDermott’s scheme in Carolina, Klein signed with the Bills earlier this offseason. W

ith Edmunds and Milano still and town and his position listed as a linebacker… yes, Klein will help play the role Alexander has in years past. But when chatting via video conference on Wednesday from Bills training camp, Klein said he is not going to try to be Alexander at all.

“I don’t even try,” Klein said when asked about filling Alexander’s shoes. “I’m myself, I’ve met Lorenzo from NFLPA meetings in years past. I know the type of guy he is, I know he’s come to talk to us, he’s been at a few of our linebacker meetings over the offseason. I know he’s a tremendous player, a tremendous man… so I don’t feel any kind of pressure to fill any kind of hole or void or anything because I know who I am, who I am as a player, who I am as a person. I hope that I just fit in with the group how I fit in, I’m not trying to fill his shoes.”

That’s not to say Klein isn’t excited about joining a McDermott defense again, though.

“We know how successful [McDermott’s scheme] can be and I’ve been part of that success in Carolina. It’s a system that once you learn it, it allows you to play fast, free, and it’s… I think it allows great communication from the back seven, to the D-line, to the linebackers, it allows everybody to play fast, together. And it works, It’s tried and tested. It works,” Klein said.

Reading between the lines, expect the Bills to throw a few different faces on the field with the likes of Edmunds and Milano throughout the 2020 season to “fill” Alexander’s various roles. Along with Klein, there’s the versatile Corey Thompson and Vosean Joseph, who missed his entire rookie season in 2019. All three can help on special teams too, just like… you guess it, Zo.

But along with Alexander’s spot on the field schematically, expect the Bills to also move in a group effort in finding a new source of defensive leadership. Klein’s entering his eighth season, so he’s part of that. Now we’ll circle back to Edmunds and Milano to step up here as well. Teammates and coaches have already referenced how those two have already shown a willingness to take leadership roles this offsesaon.

“The first guy that comes to mind is just seeing Tremaine’s development in this offseason,” defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier said earlier this offseason. “This virtual offseason. Just the way he has been kind of bringing players together and talking with them, calling them, reaching out to them, going past his own position, the linebacker position.”

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Buffalo Bills training camp preview: Linebacker

Buffalo Bills 2020 training camp preview of linebackers.

The Buffalo Bills are putting the final touches on their preparations for training camp in 2020, one that’s not going to be like any other.

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, everyone from fans to the organization knows things aren’t going to be the same during 2020’s camp. Safety precautions between players and owners are still being discussed and worked out.

Still, the end goal for training camp is the same as usual. The Bills need to trim their roster down and find the best bunch of guys to send into battle together on game day.

Bills Wire will go group-by-group, breaking down each position ahead of camp’s expected start on July 28. This round is the linebacker position:

Bills linebacker Tremaine Edmunds. (AP Photo/Roger Steinman)

Players (age)

  • Mike Bell (22: Rookie)
  • Tyrel Dodson (22: 2nd season)
  • Tremaine Edmunds (22: 3rd season)
  • Vosean Joseph (22: 2nd season)
  • AJ Klein (28: 8th season)
  • Tyler Matakevich (27: 5th season)
  • Matt Milano (25: 4th season)
  • Del’Shawn Phillips (23: 2nd season)
  • Corey Thompson (26: 3rd season)

2019 recap

Traditionally a unit where you’re used to seeing three or four starters, the Bills’ linebacker position really only has two. Buffalo head coach Sean McDermott often plays a nickel defense with Tremaine Edmunds and Matt Milano featured on the field. And that’s pretty much been the status quo for the Bills over the past two season. Edmunds has developed into one of the NFL’s best young middle linebackers, while Milano’s turned into your prototypical, modern-day smaller linebacker that can make plays.

But even with the base two linebackers the Bills play, Lorenzo Alexander also had his important role the past few seasons which we’ll get into. Behind the starting group, the No.1 fill-ins have been Corey Thompson and Julian Stanford in recent seasons, both of which have also played special teams. However, in an effort to bolster that unit, Stanford was replaced heading into 2020.

Now here’s a rundown of storylines to follow in this position group:

How is Lorenzo replaced?

Despite potentially hinting at a return to the field, the Bills can’t bank on Alexander being in the fold when the 2020 season gets underway, so they’re going to have to replace his important role on the field. In regard that, Alexander, like in his complete career, did just about everything for the Bills. He defended passes in coverage, got after the quarterback, and all while lining up as a stand-up linebacker and sometimes with his hand in the dirt. Alexander was legitimately all over the field for the Bills and it’s hard to find one guy who can do that again.

Moving forward, enter… well, a few guys. Buffalo signed AJ Klein this offseason, who previously has experience in McDermott’s defense in Carolina. But he’s not exactly known as a pass rusher or do-it-all type of guy. Perhaps there’s a spot where Vosean Joseph comes into the fold, too. Joseph missed his entire rookie season in 2019 due to injury, but as a bit more athletic guy, he could find himself on the field. Don’t overlook Corey Thompson, either. He’s backed up for both Edmunds and Milano over the past two years, so his versatility could help him take some of Zo’s snaps as well. Guys like Tyler Matakevich, Tyrel Dodson and Mike Bell have better looks making the roster on special teams. The Bills will figure all this out in training camp.

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6 Bills most likely to receive contract extensions

Six players on the Buffalo Bills most-likely to receive contract extensions from the team.

Buffalo Bills general manager Brandon Beane has a job that’s almost never done.

Beane and his front office staff have to fill out a massive roster prior to training camp, scout draft prospects, and of course, work the salary cap.

In doing so, Beane has always stated he wants to lockup his own guys first and foremost. Whether that’s big piece or role players, there’s plenty of guys on the Bills that are entering contract years who could already be under consideration for another deal.

Here are six Bills players that are most-likely to receiver extensions from the Bills after the 2020 season:

Buffalo Bills strong safety Dean Marlowe. (AP Photo/Mike McCarn)

S Dean Marlowe

Age: 27

In Dean Marlowe, the Bills have a guy willing to chip in on special teams and a quality depth-safety option. Buffalo recently re-signed Marlowe to a one-year deal, and inked fellow safety Jordan Poyer to an extension. That puts Poyer and Micah Hyde in a position to remain the Bills’ starting safety tandem for the foreseeable future.

So with that in mind, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it approach here. Marlowe had 11 tackles and one pass defended last year. The 27-year-old played in 108 snaps on defense, making two starts, in a depth role in 2019. He played in 22 percent of Buffalo’s special teams snaps as well. Marlowe has plenty of experience filling in for both Hyde and Poyer as Buffalo’s No. 3 option at safety, so barring any setbacks in 2020, another short-term extension once again could be a smart deal for the Bills.

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Bills snap counts: Depth chart breakdown vs. Patriots

Buffalo Bills snap count depth chart from Week 16 loss to the New England Patriots.

The Bills put a strong foot forward against the New England Patriots in Week 16, but fell 24-17.

In this one, the Pats took their 11th straight AFC title. The Bills saw their chance for an upset fall short, but it’s still been a fun ride to this point.

Who did and didn’t play a big role vs. the Patriots?

Here’s a full depth chart breakdown via snap counts for the Bills against the Patriots in Week 16:

Buffalo Bills running back Devin Singletary. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Offense

Notes:

  • For the fifth-straight game, rookie Cody Ford played in every snap. Ty Nsekhe (ankle) was still injured and missed the game.
  • After not playing in a single snap on offense in Week 15, WR Robert Foster saw eight snaps vs. the Patriots.
  • After playing in 48 percent of snaps last week, TE Lee Smith only saw two snaps vs. the Patriots.
  • RB Frank Gore also only played two snaps and for the first time in his 15-year career, Gore did not get a carry in a game.
  • C Mitch Morse played in 89 percent of snaps after leaving the game with an ankle injury.
  • From Week 11 to 14, TE Dawson Knox played in 72-plus percent of snaps each week, which dipped to only 48 percent vs. the Steelers in Week 15. Against the Patriots, he jumped back to 74 percent.
  • WRs Andre Roberts and Isaiah McKenzie saw 24 percent and 57 percent of snaps, respectively. From Week 12 to 14, Roberts played in 5, 2, and 0 percent of snaps, respectively. Over the past two games, Roberts has played in 26 percent and 24 percent.
  • Without Gore, RB Devin Singletary saw a whopping 96 percent of snaps. His previous career-high was 82 percent.
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Bills snap counts: Depth chart breakdown vs. Steelers

Buffalo Bills Week 15 snap counts against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In front of a lot of eyes, the Buffalo Bills clinched a playoff berth with a 17-10 win on Sunday Night Football.

It was a defensive showcase for most of it, but when needed in crunch time, the Bills offense ended up with more numbers on the scoreboard than the Steelers when it was all said and done.

Who took charge in both the good and bad of the game? Here’s a full depth chart breakdown via snap counts for the Bills against the Steelers in Week 15:

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen. (AP Photo/Don Wright)

Offense

Notes:

  • Only Jon Feliciano, who briefly went down with injury, did not play in 100 percent of snaps along the Bills’ offensive line.
  • For the fourth-straight game, rookie Cody Ford played in every snap. Ty Nsekhe (ankle) was still injured and missed the game.
  • WR Robert Foster did not play a snap on offense. In Week 14 against the Ravens, he saw 25 percent of snaps on offense. The Bills used less 11 personnel, likely to help with blockers, as Isaiah McKenzie only played 46 percent of snaps after seeing 72 percent last week.
  • Over the past three games, respectively, WR Cole Beasley played in 99%, 89% and 81% of snaps. Against the Steelers, he only saw 69 percent of snaps.
  • OL Spencer Long filled in for Feliciano and played seven snaps in the game.
  • TEs Dawson Knox and Lee Smith both played in 48 percent of snaps, likely to help with blocking. Knox was playing in more than 72 percent of snaps over the past four-straight games prior to facing the Steelers.
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