In a group of small receivers, Aiken stands out

By Connor Byrne  |   Monday, May 22, 2006  |  Comments( 4 )

Buffalo Bills
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These days, nobody would accuse the Buffalo Bills' receivers of being too tall to play the position. Nope, no Harold Carmichaels in this group. Instead, the Bills' current top five is solidified by Lee Evans (5-10, 197 pounds), Peerless Price (5-11, 190), Andre' Davis (6-1, 194), Josh Reed (5-10, 208) and Roscoe Parrish (5-9, 168).

The Bills' management and coaching staff believes this miniature corps of wideouts can get the job done, but if not, it's always nice to have at least one big receiver around.

In this case the Buffalo Bills' large target is veteran Sam Aiken, who isn't exactly a household NFL name.

In his three-year career, the 6-2, 204-pound Aiken, a former fourth-rounder from North Carolina, hasn't netted much playing time. Aiken has appeared in just 37 games and caught only 18 passes. Although his production hasn't exactly been impressive, don't blame it all on Aiken. He struggled mightily with dropping passes in his rookie year, which was his fault. Since, however, he hasn't really had a fair opportunity to make an impact on the Bills' offense. In fact, he's been used more on special teams recently, where he has excelled.

This offseason the Bills lost their best physical wideout, Eric Moulds. Thus, they'll find themselves in need of someone with the ability to outmuscle opposing cornerbacks in certain situations next season.

Because the Bills' current stable of wideouts isn't exactly adept at having their way with defensive backs, Aiken probably will need to make some sort of an impact. He isn't going to catch a lot of passes, but he'll have the opportunity to make some big receptions in key situations. For example, Aiken might become a big-time contributor on third downs, where Reed was essentially the only member of the Bills' roster able to make third and short catches in traffic last year.

The Bills' passing attack, orchestrated by new offensive coordinator Steve Fairchild, will more than likely be one bent on stretching the field and exploiting the slowness in certain secondaries next season. Evans, Price, Davis and Parrish all possess lightning quick, 4.3 or 4.4 forty-yard dash rapidity. Meanwhile, Reed, the slot man, is more of the 4.5 or 4.6 type who can make catches, despite pressure from nickel cornerbacks.

A key factor in Aiken's favor in 2006 could be poor play from the Bills' offensive line. Although the line isn't nearly as bad as many say it is, it still can lack consistency from time to time.

If quarterback J.P. Losman, Kelly Holcomb or Craig Nall is under the gun from a great defensive pass-rush next season, they won't have the ability to look deep downfield for the speedy targets. Instead, Aiken could find himself making plenty of short-yardage, chain moving catches that translate into quick first downs. That may not sound like the most exciting offense fans have ever heard of, but if the line can't block, it could be at least somewhat effective.

On a Bills unit packed with a host of no-name players, the relatively unknown Aiken has a chance to be a key contributor. Don't look for his numbers to approach the departed Moulds' at all, but important catches could contribute to wins. For a Bills team looking to become more like their division rival, the New England Patriots, wins are the paramount issue.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com

Get more insights on the Bills' receivers at Realfootball365.com
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