ChanOverChin Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 The Bills already have quite a few ex-Steelers on the current roster, including Whaley in the front office. The question is, "Will Whaley be looking to steal even more players with Steeler ties"?? Link: http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2013/5/21/4351218/buffalo-bills-ties-to-steelers-doug-whaley-kraig-urbik. Kraig Urbik, guard (Round 3, 2009): Urbik was waived after just one season in Pittsburgh, and the Bills quickly scooped him up. He has been a full-time starter since the 2011 season began, and has performed well enough to earn a four-year contract extension as of last December. He may now be Buffalo's best offensive lineman. Frank Summers, fullback (Round 5, 2009): The Bills were in need of a fullback this spring, and signed Summers to the 90-man roster after a tryout before the 2013 NFL Draft. Pittsburgh took the 5'9", 241-pound bowling ball of a player with a fifth-round pick, but he only appeared in two games for them. Chris Scott, guard (Round 5, 2010): A legitimate contender for the team's starting left guard position, Scott was a tackle in college that spent parts of three years with the Steelers before eventually landing in Buffalo last fall. It would be very interesting, indeed, if both Bills starting guards end up being Steelers cast-offs. Crezdon Butler, cornerback (Round 5, 2010): Butler was taken 13 picks after Scott, but only spent a year there before getting waived. He landed in Arizona with his former position coach, Ray Horton, but an ankle injury landed him on IR and he was waived before 2012. Now he's in Buffalo, where he could conceivably win a nickel or dime back role. Keith Williams, guard (Round 6, 2011): The third former Steelers offensive lineman on the list, Williams was let go by Pittsburgh during his rookie season and has been in Buffalo ever since. A practice squad player for the last two years, Williams is a darkhorse candidate for a roster spot this summer. Corbin Bryant, defensive lineman (undrafted, 2011): Bryant, a former undrafted free agent out of Northwestern, spent parts of his first two seasons on Pittsburgh's practice squad before landing there with Buffalo last season. He'll benefit from a move to a defense with more 3-4 looks under Mike Pettine. Other notables Tyrone Wheatley, running backs coach: Wheatley, a former pro running back and Michigan Star that followed Doug Marrone to the Bills from a coaching gig at Syracuse, got his start in coaching as a minority coaching fellow with the Steelers in 2008. Greg Lloyd, inside linebacker: Added to the roster as a deep reserve and specialist last season, Lloyd is the son of the former Steelers great by the same name, who recorded 54.5 sacks, made five Pro Bowl appearances and was selected to three All-Pro teams in his decade-long career in Pittsburgh. Buffalo's Lloyd is a former seventh-round draft pick in Philadelphia. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSaint Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 being a few years removed from the roster, odds are you dont see many more players with direct ties to him - heck, half those guys were steelers after whaley left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Off the subject, but I found in funny that when the Bills oline staff went to Pittsburgh, they would sign all our old medicore oline talent --like Jonathon Scott and Jamon Meredith. Scott ended up getting serious playing time due to injury, and made a number of memorable blunders for the Steelers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChanOverChin Posted May 21, 2013 Author Share Posted May 21, 2013 Often times when someone comes from a certain organization they are greatly influenced by the thinking of that organization. They also get know the players and because of the knowledge of those players and/or the relationship with those players they are prone to bring some of those players with them to the new organization because they know what they're getting vs signing a vet FA off the street that they only get to know for a day or two. To me, it will be interesting to see if Whaley prefers to bring in any current Steelers that could fill a need with the Bills based upon his prior knowledge/relationship with those players. the same may hold true for players that Pettine and Marrone and Hackett have worked with previously. Pettine, for instance, may have an interest in ILB Bart Scott or DE/OLB Calvin Pace or OG Brandon Moore, all former Jets.................if the price is right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanker Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Whaley I'm sure has a certain comfort level with the Steelers organization and he knows better than most how they evaluate talent and how they evaluate when to cut ties with one of their players and why. That could prove beneficial for The Bills. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
San Jose Bills Fan Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Interesting that Pettine has not brought in any of his own players yet and that Marrone didn't bring in any former Syracuse players. So far there's not too much to suggest that nepotism/patronage has superseded more important considerations. That's a good thing. Especially if you're a Buffalonian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris heff Posted May 21, 2013 Share Posted May 21, 2013 Interesting that Pettine has not brought in any of his own players yet and that Marrone didn't bring in any former Syracuse players. So far there's not too much to suggest that nepotism/patronage has superseded more important considerations. That's a good thing. Especially if you're a Buffalonian. UDFA Zack Chibane, guard is from Syracuse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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