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A number of players stuck out in their performances, culminating with what many have rightly called a total team victory.
So who stood out, who had a day to forget? First we'll go through the offensive and defensive linemen that played for the Bills in their 24-14 win.
Offensive Line:
Kraig Urbik
Time on Field: 100% snaps played; 70 total
Plus/Minus: +3Observations: It was the most impressive performance for Kraig Urbik through the first three games of the season. Urbik was the key to C.J. Spiller being able to bust out the screen play for a touchdown, blocking D'Qwell Jackson the whole way down and then eventually in to T.J. Ward, giving Spiller the sideline for the score. He did well at walling off his defenders, especially on a pivotal 2nd-and-11 play that sprung Tashard Choice for 10 yards. Urbik's ability to get out from the blocks and move was his best attribute on Sunday.
Grade: A-
Season GPA: 3.25
Eric Wood
Time on Field: 100% snaps played; 70 total
Plus/Minus: +3
Observations: Eric Wood looks to be all the way back, playing in 177 of 183 total snaps through three games thus far. Against the Browns, Wood showed the nastiness and tenacity that made him a highly regarded prospect coming out of Louisville. He really understands the leverage game, and when he sees an opponent in a weakened position, Wood will plant him in to the ground. Ahtyba Rubin, Billy Winn and Ishmaa'ily Kitchen all fell prey to that style of Wood's play. It was a very good performance for the Bills' starting center.
Grade: B+
Season GPA: 3.04
Cordy Glenn
Time on Field: 100% snaps played; 70 total
Plus/Minus: +2
Observations: It's been quite a nice start for the Bills second-round pick. Cordy Glenn has stepped right in to the left tackle position and has shown the ability to stick with whoever his assignment may be. Drawing a combination of Frostee Rucker and Juqua Parker against the Browns, Glenn stood up to the challenge most of the time. Like the best left tackles in the game do it, Glenn shows the ability to let the defender make their initial move and then counter it to thwart any thoughts of second and third moves to get to the quarterback. Against Cleveland, Glenn also showed he can finish his blocks in the run game. He's going to have to watch the penalties, however. For the third straight game, he's been called for one (false start early in the game). He also could have been called for a hold on a run play that was blown up by Emmanuel Stephens in the second half.
Grade: B
Season GPA: 3.07
Andy Levitre
Time on Field: 100% snaps played; 70 total
Plus/Minus: +1
Observations: Still the best offensive lineman through the first three games of the season, Andy Levitre had his worst performance thus far. However, he was so good in the first two games that his above average day against the Browns. While executing the pull from the left guard spot successfully at times, he's also shown that he's sometimes slow to get to the spot and the defender makes the play. Levitre shows a nice physicality and hand combat when defenders pause for a half second after the snap and then attack in that capacity.
Grade: B
Season GPA: 3.31
Erik Pears
Time on Field: 75.7% snaps played; 53 total
Plus/Minus: -3
Observations: Despite the offensive line having a very good afternoon as a unit, Pears was the weak link the most often. He was successful on a play early in the contest against the young and talented defensive end Jabaal Sheard, but struggled with the second-year player's speed the rest of the way. Perhaps he's just a tad too slow against quicker ends, or maybe his groin is still bothering him a bit. Whatever the case, Pears hasn't regained the form that he had in 2011 just yet.
Grade: C+
Season GPA: 2.63
Chris Hairston
Time on Field: 24.3% snaps played; 17 total
Plus/Minus: -3
Observations: Chris Hairston really flashed against the Chiefs with his block that made a long C.J. Spiller run possible, but I've really failed to see much else from him in 2012. Jabaal Sheard also gave Hairston fits for what little time he was in the game. He doesn't play with a natural bend and sometimes gets caught lunging at the defender. If he had been better this season, he probably could have challenged Pears for the starting job. At this point, Hairston just hasn't been cutting it as his reps are diminishing by the week.
Grade: C
Season GPA: 2.33
Defensive Line
Mario Williams
Time on Field: 85% snaps played; 51 total
Stats: 4 tackles (2 solo), 1.5 sacks, TFL
Plus/Minus: +1
Observations: The Bills' prized possession of free agency is finally on the board with his first sack as a member of the organization. Going in to a matchup against rookie Mitchell Schwartz, Williams was thought to be able to get the better of the young player making only his third start. He did just that, utilizing a bull rush to power past the rookie and collect his first sack. His most effective move has been a power game and bull rushes to get some pressure on the pocket. He captured another half of a sack, allowed Mark Anderson to bring down Brandon Weeden and had some nice run stuffs with the power game. There are some times he'll play off balance or someone will get the better of him in the running game. However, Williams is trending up for Buffalo just in time for their biggest game of the season.
Grade: B+
Season GPA: 2.63
Mark Anderson
Time on Field: 76.7% snaps played; 46 total
Stats: 2 tackles (both solo), 1 sack, TFL
Plus/Minus: +4
Observations: Coming in to the season, Mark Anderson was known more for his pass-rushing prowess than anything. But really, his ability to help in run support and to set the edge is really making him a solid player for the Bills through the first three games. He won't be perfect every time with it, but he's really shown a nice knack for it. Of course, Anderson picked up a sack on a speed rush that he took wide against the All-Pro Joe Thomas. He beat him clean, and a little help from Mario Williams helped Anderson get credit for the quarterback takedown.
Grade: B+
Season GPA: 3.18
Kyle Williams
Time on Field: 68.3% snaps played; 41 total
Stats: 3 tackles (2 solo), 1 sack, 2 TFL
Plus/Minus: +3
Observations: Kyle Williams wasn't just good at the start of the game, he was dominant. On one three-and-out defensive series, Williams had a sack, a tackle for loss and helped out on the tackle near the sidelines on third down. Another week, and another outing that proved Williams was the quickest man off the snap consistently. The picture below indicates just how far ahead he is at times. However, he will get bitten by it, and it happened against Cleveland. An encroachment penalty along with a neutral zone infraction gave the Browns 10 free yards. However, if he keeps his current production up it's not likely that the coaching staff will be too mad at him for it.
Grade: B+
Season GPA: 3.57
Marcell Dareus
Time on Field: 66.7% snaps played; 40 total
Stats: 1 tackle, 0.5 sacks
Plus/Minus: +5
Observations: How does a player with only one tackle and half of a sack manage to get the best grade of the game thus far? Go back and look at the game and you'll see Marcell Dareus never giving up on a play and forcing players to go where he wanted them to. The second-year player showed great recognition on a screen play early in the game and helped keep it to a minimal gain. He's able to stick with a play, avoid blockers in space and get to the ball carrier. He can also bounce of blocks and fill a gap in the run game. Dareus had a very nice outing for the Bills to say the least.
Grade: A-
Season GPA: 3.06
Chris Kelsay
Time on Field: 38.3% snaps played; 23 total
Stats: None
Plus/Minus: +3
Observations: Chris Kelsay didn't hit the stat sheet for the Bills, but his body control and strength was able to put teammates in position to make plays on the defensive side of the ball. On a called blitz, Kelsay got his man moving right which cleared the way for Kelvin Sheppard to have a free pass at Brandon Weeden. It's the little things that Kelsay does well.
Grade: B
Season GPA: 2.61
Spencer Johnson
Time on Field: 35% snaps played; 21 total
Stats: None
Plus/Minus: +1
Observations: It wasn't a great start for Spencer Johnson. He was panicked out of his spot early in the game and also got turned around and pushed back four yards on a 3rd-and-1 play. However, as the game continued Johnson got stronger when the Browns dropped back to pass. He was able to get good pressure on Brandon Weeden up the middle to hurry a throw, and also batted down two passes at the line of scrimmage.
Grade: B
Season GPA: 2.62
Alex Carrington
Time on Field: 35% snaps played; 21 total
Stats: None
Plus/Minus: +2
Observations: The guards for the Cleveland Browns aren't exactly world-beaters, but Carrington did a nice job when asked to spell either Kyle Williams or Marcell Dareus. He strong-armed his way through Shawn Lauvao on one play and ripped past Jason Pinkston on another.
Grade: B
Season GPA: 2.92
- Those that did not appear in the game on offense or defense were not graded.
- For obvious reasons, this is a report that highlights my findings and opinions from the individual games.
- The GPA's attached at the bottom are an overall grade of how I felt that player performed, basing it all on the play-by-play film review done throughout the week. B- is considered average on my scale, not C.
- Plus/minus scores and GPAs will be tracked as the season goes along. An individual game's GPA will be weighted with how many snaps that player has on the field in the contest when figuring out a season long average.
Twitter: @JoeBuscaglia