What will it take for certain players to "breakout"

[buffalohotwings]

What will it take for each of the following to EXCEED expectations, and therefore have a "breakout" year?

 

**I didnt list some players like Stevie Johnson, Byrd, KW, and Fitzpatrick bc I think they already had theirs. There are others (Poz, Dwan Edwards, etc) that are not included because I think they have limited upside and are not likely to breakout**

 

Here is JMHO on what I think each player would need to do to EXCEED expectations:

 

Torrell Troup-be our second best defensive lineman behind Kyle Williams, be true NT we drafted him to be, disruptive player commanding two blockers

Alex Carrington-be better than Dwan Edwards and get 3-5 sacks and 4-7 tackles for loss

Marcell Dareus-pro bowl (I would be more than happy with less that this, but I think for a #3 pick to breakout he needs to make the probowl, see Suh last year)

Danny Batten-full time starter, be as disruptive as Moats was at times last season

CJ Spiller-1500 YARDS FROM SCRIMMAGE

Marcus Easley-800 yds 3 TDs

Shawn Nelson-550 yds 4TDs

Aaron Williams-be our BEST corner by year's end, 3 pics, great tackling

Arthur Moats-be best linebacker, 6 sacks, lots of pressure on QB

Kelvin Sheppard-become captain of LBs, be better than Poz, and as disruptive as Moats was last year

Chris Hairston-become starting RT for this year and foreseeable future

Demeterius Bell-become franchise left tackle

Da'Norris Searcy-win starting jobs and make 2 picks

Ed Wang-win a starting job

David Nelson-800 yds, 6 TDs, push #2 receiver and be clearly better than Parrish/Easley

Donald Jones-600 yds, 4 TDs, become 3rd WR

Aaron Maybin-consistently work into rotation, dress every game, record 4 sacks

Roscoe Parrish-900 yds receiving, 5 TDs

Michael Jasper-become part of rotation by years end

Kraig Urbik-wins guard spot and makes it strength on team

Chad Rinehart-wins guard spot and makes it strength on team

Merriman-returns to form from 3-4 years ago, 7 sacks, makes teams gameplan for him

McKelvin-becomes best CB with 5 picks

 

What do you think each player needs to do to have a breakout year and exceed expectations?

What do you think of my criteria for exceeding expectations for each player?

Finally, which 5 do you think have the best chance of doing this?

 

Mine:

Kelvin Sheppard-I think he will be as disruptive as Moats last year and be our new captain on defense

Aaron Williams-I think hell be our best CB by years end and get 3 picks

Alex Carrington-better than Dwan, makes plays and gets sacks and some tackles for loss

David Nelson-pushes underachieving Stevie Johnson and gets 800 yds and 6 TDs, while Stevie gets 850 and 5

Da'Norris Searcy-wins starting jobs, Donte who?

 

Players cut from list?

Ed Wang-disappoints and doesnt really show anything, another T picked up in FA, whenever that starts

Aaron Maybin-they decide to cut him loose

 

Thoughts? Feedback appreciated!!

Edited May 17, 2011 by buffalohotwings

[AReed Deep For 7]

What will it take for each of the following to EXCEED expectations, and therefore have a "breakout" year?

 

**I didnt list some players like Stevie Johnson, Byrd, KW, and Fitzpatrick bc I think they already had theirs. There are others (Poz, Dwan Edwards, etc) that are not included because I think they have limited upside and are not likely to breakout**

 

Here is JMHO on what I think each player would need to do to EXCEED expectations:

 

Torrell Troup-be our second best defensive lineman behind Kyle Williams, be true NT we drafted him to be, disruptive player commanding two blockers

Alex Carrington-be better than Dwan Edwards and get 3-5 sacks and 4-7 tackles for loss

Marcell Dareus-pro bowl (I would be more than happy with less that this, but I think for a #3 pick to breakout he needs to make the probowl, see Suh last year)

Danny Batten-full time starter, be as disruptive as Moats was at times last season

CJ Spiller-1500 YARDS FROM SCRIMMAGE

Marcus Easley-800 yds 3 TDs

Shawn Nelson-550 yds 4TDs

Aaron Williams-be our BEST corner by year's end, 3 pics, great tackling

Arthur Moats-be best linebacker, 6 sacks, lots of pressure on QB

Kelvin Sheppard-become captain of LBs, be better than Poz, and as disruptive as Moats was last year

Chris Hairston-become starting RT for this year and foreseeable future

Demeterius Bell-become franchise left tackle

Da'Norris Searcy-win starting jobs and make 2 picks

Ed Wang-win a starting job

David Nelson-800 yds, 6 TDs, push #2 receiver and be clearly better than Parrish/Easley

Donald Jones-600 yds, 4 TDs, become 3rd WR

Aaron Maybin-consistently work into rotation, dress every game, record 4 sacks

Roscoe Parrish-900 yds receiving, 5 TDs

Michael Jasper-become part of rotation by years end

Kraig Urbik-wins guard spot and makes it strength on team

Chad Rinehart-wins guard spot and makes it strength on team

Merriman-returns to form from 3-4 years ago, 7 sacks, makes teams gameplan for him

McKelvin-becomes best CB with 5 picks

 

What do you think each player needs to do to have a breakout year and exceed expectations?

What do you think of my criteria for exceeding expectations for each player?

Finally, which 5 do you think have the best chance of doing this?

 

Mine:

Kelvin Sheppard-I think he will be as disruptive as Moats last year and be our new captain on defense

Aaron Williams-I think hell be our best CB by years end and get 3 picks

Alex Carrington-better than Dwan, makes plays and gets sacks and some tackles for loss

David Nelson-pushes underachieving Stevie Johnson and gets 800 yds and 6 TDs, while Stevie gets 850 and 5

Da'Norris Searcy-wins starting jobs, Donte who?

 

Players cut from list?

Ed Wang-disappoints and doesnt really show anything, another T picked up in FA, whenever that starts

Aaron Maybin-they decide to cut him loose

 

Thoughts? Feedback appreciated!!

 

Very well thought out post. I would have to agree with everything. I think these would be great goals for all these players as individuals, knowing that these are a reachable (although not easy) goals.

GO BILLS!

[Astrobot]

Great fun! Cool post, and reasonable goals for each. I'll raise two:

 

Carrington could very well benefit from Dareus occupying double-teams, and he's a big man. 5 sacks.

 

Troup will benefit from the extra yr. of beefing up. Clog middle for LB's, raise run D to 20th in the league.

[yungmack]

What will it take for each of the following to EXCEED expectations, and therefore have a "breakout" year?

 

**I didnt list some players like Stevie Johnson, Byrd, KW, and Fitzpatrick bc I think they already had theirs. There are others (Poz, Dwan Edwards, etc) that are not included because I think they have limited upside and are not likely to breakout**

 

Here is JMHO on what I think each player would need to do to EXCEED expectations:

 

Torrell Troup-be our second best defensive lineman behind Kyle Williams, be true NT we drafted him to be, disruptive player commanding two blockers

Alex Carrington-be better than Dwan Edwards and get 3-5 sacks and 4-7 tackles for loss

Marcell Dareus-pro bowl (I would be more than happy with less that this, but I think for a #3 pick to breakout he needs to make the probowl, see Suh last year)

Danny Batten-full time starter, be as disruptive as Moats was at times last season

CJ Spiller-1500 YARDS FROM SCRIMMAGE

Marcus Easley-800 yds 3 TDs

Shawn Nelson-550 yds 4TDs

Aaron Williams-be our BEST corner by year's end, 3 pics, great tackling

Arthur Moats-be best linebacker, 6 sacks, lots of pressure on QB

Kelvin Sheppard-become captain of LBs, be better than Poz, and as disruptive as Moats was last year

Chris Hairston-become starting RT for this year and foreseeable future

Demeterius Bell-become franchise left tackle

Da'Norris Searcy-win starting jobs and make 2 picks

Ed Wang-win a starting job

David Nelson-800 yds, 6 TDs, push #2 receiver and be clearly better than Parrish/Easley

Donald Jones-600 yds, 4 TDs, become 3rd WR

Aaron Maybin-consistently work into rotation, dress every game, record 4 sacks

Roscoe Parrish-900 yds receiving, 5 TDs

Michael Jasper-become part of rotation by years end

Kraig Urbik-wins guard spot and makes it strength on team

Chad Rinehart-wins guard spot and makes it strength on team

Merriman-returns to form from 3-4 years ago, 7 sacks, makes teams gameplan for him

McKelvin-becomes best CB with 5 picks

 

What do you think each player needs to do to have a breakout year and exceed expectations?

What do you think of my criteria for exceeding expectations for each player?

Finally, which 5 do you think have the best chance of doing this?

 

Mine:

Kelvin Sheppard-I think he will be as disruptive as Moats last year and be our new captain on defense

Aaron Williams-I think hell be our best CB by years end and get 3 picks

Alex Carrington-better than Dwan, makes plays and gets sacks and some tackles for loss

David Nelson-pushes underachieving Stevie Johnson and gets 800 yds and 6 TDs, while Stevie gets 850 and 5

Da'Norris Searcy-wins starting jobs, Donte who?

 

Players cut from list?

Ed Wang-disappoints and doesnt really show anything, another T picked up in FA, whenever that starts

Aaron Maybin-they decide to cut him loose

 

Thoughts? Feedback appreciated!!

I like it. If your predictions come to pass, the Bills will have one hell of a year. And I think that is highly possible

 

But why pick on Ed Wang?

[buffalohotwings]

I like it. If your predictions come to pass, the Bills will have one hell of a year. And I think that is highly possible

 

But why pick on Ed Wang?

 

I just havent really heard the coaches/nix say anything positive about him. Hope I'm wrong tho.

[transient]

What will it take for certain players to "breakout"

 

 

A season!!!

[ICanSleepWhenI'mDead]

Seems like reasonable goals for the most part - - a few minor things I'd quibble about:

 

1. I think Sheppard could turn out to be pretty good, and could be a defensive captain someday, but not this year. Not sure when defensive captains are picked, but if it's a one-time vote before the regiular season even starts, it's hard to see him being a captain this year.

 

2. Carrington seemed to be coming on pretty strong late last year - - I'd set his goals higher. If they keep Kyle Williams at NT as reported to be the plan, Carrington could see a lot more playing time this year. He supposedly has natural pass rush ability but was weaker against the run. With a full year of pro strength and conditioning, he ought to be stouter against the run, while hopefully the overall defense, unlike last year, can afford to bring in more pass rush ability even if it does weaken the run D a little bit. We couldn't afford that last season. And he might have more upside thsn Edwards.

 

3. Roscoe Parrish incurred a season-ending injury in the 8th game. If you pro-rate his 8 game stats to a full season, he was already playing at the level of 66 catches for 800 yards and 4 TDs.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8469

 

I suppose you could say it would be a breakout year for him to just perform at the same level while staying healthy for a full season - -but I would set his goals higher than 900 yards with 5 TDs.

 

Just my 2 cents.

[buffalohotwings]

Seems like reasonable goals for the most part - - a few minor things I'd quibble about:

 

1. I think Sheppard could turn out to be pretty good, and could be a defensive captain someday, but not this year. Not sure when defensive captains are picked, but if it's a one-time vote before the regiular season even starts, it's hard to see him being a captain this year.

 

2. Carrington seemed to be coming on pretty strong late last year - - I'd set his goals higher. If they keep Kyle Williams at NT as reported to be the plan, Carrington could see a lot more playing time this year. He supposedly has natural pass rush ability but was weaker against the run. With a full year of pro strength and conditioning, he ought to be stouter against the run, while hopefully the overall defense, unlike last year, can afford to bring in more pass rush ability even if it does weaken the run D a little bit. We couldn't afford that last season. And he might have more upside thsn Edwards.

 

3. Roscoe Parrish incurred a season-ending injury in the 8th game. If you pro-rate his 8 game stats to a full season, he was already playing at the level of 66 catches for 800 yards and 4 TDs.

 

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/players/profile?playerId=8469

 

I suppose you could say it would be a breakout year for him to just perform at the same level while staying healthy for a full season - -but I would set his goals higher than 900 yards with 5 TDs.

 

Just my 2 cents.

 

ICANSLEEPWHENIMDEAD: Great feedback!! I didnt realize Parrish would have achieved those numbers last year on a prorated basis. And I see your point with Kelvin, for sure.

 

THANKS

 

Go Bills

[Pilsner]

So many to choose from. I have optimism in Stevie, Troup, Carrington, Spiller, David Nelson and Moats. And of course our Fitzy to some degree. Batten, if he does well I would not really consider a breakout cause he didn't really play last year. Honestly we have so many young guys with promise, if half of them break out it will be a huge plus. IMO most of them should and will.

 

Shawn Nelson, I'm iffy about him.

 

I cannot expect a rookie to have a breakout season because they have no first season to compare a breakout season to. All we can hope for of our rookies is to have a great season and then surpass that in their 2nd year (breakout season) hopefully.

[JinWPB]

Looks good; if all the receivers meet their goals and Stevie and Lee have average years, looks like Fitz will have a breakout 7000 yards passing......

[playman]

that makes for a lot of starting o-linemen. with wood and levitre ensured of a spot, and then bell-hairston-wang-ubrik and rhinehart starting we will play a lot of goalline-sets

[Defend Greece]

I think troup needs to prove he can be a starting nt allowing kyle to move outside.

 

Jasper needs to make team.

 

Also the entire front seven needs to learn to keep contain,

I watched every snap last year and kelsay was biggting on every counter and every draw. He singal handedly gave up hundreds of rushing yards, so if he and the rest of the guys upfront stick with their assignments we might get some third and longs and then the sacks everybody wants will come.

 

I would like to see roosevelt push parrish or evans off the roster. I like both of them but rosey is homegrown and plays hard.

[CarolinaBill]

Someone explain how stevie johnson, a 7th rd pick, who had very little expectations coming in, yet broke out for a great season, and led the team in virtually every recieving category is underacheiving. It's well known that wr's on avg take 2 yrs to adjust, usually "getting it" by yr 3. Stevie, given his draft position, wasnt even a lock to make it past yr 2, yet moved his way into the lineup and emerged as a viable top 2 option for us. So again, how exactly has he underacheived?

 

PS: save the drops argument, I want a new reason

[John from Riverside]

One player I really am rooting for to be better in his 2nd year is Ed Wang

 

While not talked about as much as other things....this team BADLY needs a swing tackle...someone who can come in....and back up both tackle spots at a moments notice and the offense not miss a beat.

 

We need to spread the field out a bit furhter so we can put Lee Evans to work this next year and for that to happen OT's need to hold their blocks a 2 potato count longer then they are

[metzelaars_lives]

Great post. I really think David Nelson will be a good #2 receiver in the NFL for a long time barring injury. On the entire list, I'm inclined to say I have more confidence in him than anyone. I also think Sheppard finds himself in the best position of anyone. He will be the favorite to start at ILB as a rookie. That is a position where you can rack up tackles and take your time to develop even if you haven't caught up to the speed of the game. As opposed to a pass rushing specialist where if you're not getting sacks, people are wondering what your problem is. I look at the glory years of the Bills- watch a Bills classic from 1990 on youtube- virtually everybody making plays was drafted by the Bills. Nix and Gailey have a plan and they're sticking to it. If 1/2 to 2/3 of these guys develop nicely, we're on to something here. It's definitely an exciting time to be a Bills fan.

 

Also, I think Wang will be able to open up big, juicy gaps for the running backs to enter come this September.

Edited May 18, 2011 by metzelaars_lives

[buffalohotwings]

Someone explain how stevie johnson, a 7th rd pick, who had very little expectations coming in, yet broke out for a great season, and led the team in virtually every recieving category is underacheiving. It's well known that wr's on avg take 2 yrs to adjust, usually "getting it" by yr 3. Stevie, given his draft position, wasnt even a lock to make it past yr 2, yet moved his way into the lineup and emerged as a viable top 2 option for us. So again, how exactly has he underacheived?

 

PS: save the drops argument, I want a new reason

 

I dont think he underachieved last year, in fact he had a "breakout" season. IMHO, I think next year the bar will be set really high this year, and with added attention from the secondary and suspect mental toughness, I think his numbers will be slightly lower, thus "underachieving." I hope I'm wrong, I certainly have been before!

[San Jose Bills Fan]

Right after the Bills drafted him, I watched some video of Ed Wang at Virginia Tech which is, oddly enough, the school that produced Cheatriots 1992 first round bust, Eugene Chung, the first Korean-American O-linemen in NFL history… later dubbed "The Turnstyle".

 

But I digress.

 

The one thing I noticed about Wang is that he had a talent for placing himself right in the area which would cause him to be the biggest obstruction. He had a good sense of space and how to occupy it… took good angles and knew where to make his stand.

 

That said, I thought he had average functional strength and average movement skills and while he seemed to anchor well, he obviously lacked a mean streak.

 

There's a reason he was drafted in the 5th round. Most 5th rounders don't make it in the NFL.

 

I think it's more likely that Eric Pears or Chris Hairston end up being the swing tackle… whichever one loses the battle for the right tackle position.

[qdawg in philly]

Well playing Wang at the position he was drafted for might have helped!

Excellent post and I agree with all them. I just hope the coaches play their part in developing and continuing developement of our players.

[ganesh]

One player I really am rooting for to be better in his 2nd year is Ed Wang

 

While not talked about as much as other things....this team BADLY needs a swing tackle...someone who can come in....and back up both tackle spots at a moments notice and the offense not miss a beat.

 

We need to spread the field out a bit furhter so we can put Lee Evans to work this next year and for that to happen OT's need to hold their blocks a 2 potato count longer then they are

Why worry about a backup when you need a starting RT and there is a huge question mark on Bells ability to play consistently well manning the left side.

 

I dont think he underachieved last year, in fact he had a "breakout" season. IMHO, I think next year the bar will be set really high this year, and with added attention from the secondary and suspect mental toughness, I think his numbers will be slightly lower, thus "underachieving." I hope I'm wrong, I certainly have been before!

 

This will also be a contract year for Johnson. I believe he is going to work his tail off, so unlikely to underachieve or lack focus.

[thewildrabbit]

What will it take for certain players to "breakout"

 

 

A season!!!

A new coaching staff....