| Greer helping Bills defense find its groove |
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| Written by Admin |
| Thursday, 04 October 2007 10:35 |
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ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. (AP) -Jabari Greer couldn't help feeling elated after the Bills practiced Wednesday. Surrounded by his teammates, Greer listened as head coach Dick Jauron announced he had captured AFC defensive player of the week honors. After the hooting and hollering was over, the backup cornerback received congratulations, just as he accepts his role as a third-stringer on a Bills defense struggling with injuries. ``I think it's a blessing,'' Greer said. ``I think it's great to be acknowledged, but one of the most fulfilling things is just being able to go out there and be appreciated by the guys, because these are the guys that we're with everyday.'' ``That was a real good feeling and a real nice thing to be able to end practice on,'' Jauron said. Jauron's good feelings carried into Thursday: injured linebacker Keith Ellison should be able to return Monday when Buffalo hosts undefeated Dallas. Ellison, recovering from a high ankle sprain from the Bills preseason finale, practiced for the second straight day. ``It's been a pleasant surprise,'' Jauron said. Greer earned the award by grabbing first career interception and making five tackles in Buffalo's 17-14 win over the New York Jets on Sunday, a victory that snapped a five-game losing streak going back to last season. Playing in relief of Ashton Youboty, who left in the first quarter with an ankle injury, Greer stepped in to help a Bills defense that allowed a season-low 60 yards rushing. Entering the Jets game, the Bills defense was ranked last in the league, thanks in large part to having six players unavailable because of injury, including three starters who have already been lost for the season. When Youboty went down, Greer, an undrafted free agent signed by Buffalo in 2004, stepped in flawlessly. His interception of a Chad Pennington pass with 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter set up the Bills' second touchdown. ``I just know that this is a volatile league ... things will either go your way or against you,'' Greer said. Things hadn't been going Greer's way early on. After a solid preseason, he was dropped to third on the cornerback depth chart behind starter Jason Webster and Youboty. But after Webster went on injured reserve with a broken forearm in the season opener, and Youboty injured his ankle, it was Greer's time to show what he could do. Youboty did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, so Greer will likely get the start on Monday night against the Cowboys and a prolific offense led by Tony Romo. ``I think with the quarterback that has the release and the patience and intangibles that Tony Romo has, it definitely does present another challenge for corners as far as discipline and as far as sticking to receivers longer than normal,'' Greer said. The Bills' secondary is in for another change against the Cowboys, as strong safety Donte Whitner will play free safety in place of the injured Jim Leonhard (calf). That leaves five-year veteran Bryan Scott, who the Bills signed three weeks ago, to play strong safety, a position he is more suited for. ``Donte's role will change a little bit,'' Jauron said. ``He will be doing some multiple things, and he should be able to help Bryan some.'' |
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