Certain Bills’ stocks rising, falling

By Connor Byrne  |   Tuesday, August 14, 2007  |  Comments( 27 )

Buffalo Bills
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For the most part, the Buffalo Bills' preseason opener last Friday night in New Orleans was what one would expect from a team making its debut for the year. There was a lot of sloppy play from the Bills, for sure, but some players did stand out and make viewers take notice.

In stock market fashion, let's take a look at which names on Buffalo's roster are rising and falling after one exhibition game.

Bull market:

Langston Walker, offensive tackle: At this point, it's almost a given that Walker, a 6-foot-8, 366-pound behemoth, will start the year at right tackle. Buffalo signed Walker, a former Oakland Raider, to a five-year, $25 million contract during the offseason to bolster its run blocking. Last season, the sixth-year man surrendered an epically bad 10.75 sacks on a terrible offensive line. In New Orleans, though, Walker played quite well. Not only did he block a field goal in the first quarter, but he held his own against Saints defenders and kept the QBs protected. If his solid pass blocking continues, his signing will look like a brilliant one by the Bills, who were criticized heavily for adding Walker.

Fred Jackson, running back: The Bills' RBs weren't very impressive against the Saints. Rookie first-round pick Marshawn Lynch was given just two carries for 3 yards, and Anthony Thomas, Shaud Williams and fourth-rounder Dwayne Wright combined for a meager 41 yards on 14 attempts. Jackson, however, a former star at Division III Coe College and the 2005 United Indoor Football League MVP, scampered for 51 yards on only eight carries and easily had the most impressive run of the night, a 17-yard touchdown gallop in the third quarter. On the play, the 26-year-old bounced off a Saints defender, found the end zone and brought back memories of all-time greats like Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders in the process. If Jackson continues raising eyebrows, there's no way the Bills can justify releasing him at the end of training camp and the preseason.

Roscoe Parrish, wide receiver: Entering his third season, it's starting to look more and more as if Parrish is ready to break out. The 5-9, 170-pound speed demon has only 38 catches in two pro years, but the 2005 second-round pick possesses the explosiveness that teams look for in a starting receiver. Parrish, who's played very well in camp, burned the Saints' defensive backfield for 43 yards on three catches in limited time on the field. Despite his lack of size, don't be shocked if the 25-year-old ends up starting the season as the Bills' No. 2 wideout opposite Lee Evans. Parrish's teammate Josh Reed, also a wideout, was impressive Friday, but he's more suited for the slot role.

Paul Posluszny, middle linebacker: After his nine-tackle, one-sack performance in the Big Easy, Posluszny's legend in Buffalo grew even more. The 22-year-old, a former Penn State star and 2006 winner of college football's highest defensive honor, the Bednarik Award, was just short of phenomenal against New Orleans. Playing with the second- and third-team defenses, he was constantly around the football and made plenty of tackles inside 5 yards, which veteran predecessor London Fletcher couldn't do. Posluszny, a second-round pick in April, does need to work on his pass coverage, but he'll progress in that department as the summer advances further.

Jabari Greer, cornerback: The 5-11, 175-pound Greer, a fourth-year man and ex-undrafted free agent from the University of Tennessee, intercepted two Tyler Palko passes en route to opening plenty of eyes among Bills followers. His first pick came as a result of simply wanting it more than enemy receiver Terrance Copper, whom Greer out-hustled and came up with the ball in his own end zone, killing a New Orleans drive that would have led to at least three points. Greer's second INT came on a very athletic play in which he out-jumped his man. If Greer's performance keeps up, there's a good chance he'll at least knock on the door of a starting job in the Bills' undecided defensive backfield.

Bear market:

Melvin Fowler, center: On his best day, the 6-3, 310-pound Fowler is an average center. He started 16 games for the Bills last year and was, to be somewhat generous, mediocre. Against New Orleans, he was the Bills' worst starting O-lineman. The team obviously agrees, as it lined up Duke Preston at center for first-team reps last night and Jason Whittle at Preston's usual spot, right guard.

Shaud Williams, RB: How much longer will it be until the Bills realize the 5-7, 193-pound Williams simply isn't cut out to be a productive pro runner? The three-year veteran, who's shown next to nothing as a ballcarrier in the pros but has been solid on special teams, was handed the ball five times in New Orleans and gained only 14 yards. Buffalo should focus on Williams' special teams career; he'll never make it as a running back.

John DiGiorgio, MLB: Diorgio, a second-year man from Saginaw Valley State, has been impressive at linebacker for the Bills this summer, taking most of the first-team defensive reps, and even got the chance to start over the aforementioned Posluszny against the Saints. However, he didn't take advantage of it. DiGiorgio made four tackles, most of which came down the field, and looked poor against the run. It won't be long until Posluszny takes his job.

Jason Webster, CB: Penciled in as a starting corner for the Bills, the eighth-year man is going to have to be a lot better than he was Friday night. Webster, whom the Bills signed back in May after he was released by the Falcons, was embarrassed throughout the first quarter by Saints receivers, mainly the speedy Devery Henderson, and even gave up a long reception to running back Reggie Bush. The 28-year-old was good in camp and being thought of as the Bills' best CB before the team's exhibition opener, but those beliefs are now shaky. Webster will need to pick it up quickly, or he won't be long for a starting job.

Jim Leonhard, strong safety: The third-year man got the chance to start for the injured Donte Whitner but fared rather poorly in both run and pass coverage. Like his fellow DB Webster, Leonhard must improve quickly. Buffalo actually cut him last year during the preseason but brought him back, and the coaching staff likely won't hesitate to release the 24-year-old for good in a few weeks. To his credit, he did pick off a pass during last night's practice, which is a positive sign.

E-mail: cbyrne@realfootball365.com

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CommentsComments: 27  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
Mike In Orlando Florida		06:29 AM
08/14/2007
Fred Jackson has had one good game against second and third stringers in pre-season. I think you're being a bit foolish in your...
No.2
tumaro02		07:49 AM
08/14/2007
Connor, you are right on your assessments here. I was very disappointed in the players listed in the bear market especially...
No.3
Nate		08:33 AM
08/14/2007
I have to agree with pretty much everything you've written Connor. I do think Josh Reed will beat out Parrish for the #2 receiver...
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