National Football League

Bills LB Maybin still a 'maybe' as pass-rusher

Published Sep. 30, 2010 7:21 p.m. ET

share

facebookxredditlink

foxsports

Bills linebacker Aaron Maybin won't dispute he hasn't played to anyone's expectations - including his own - two seasons into what was supposed to be a promising career.

One quarterback hit, no sacks or pressures and very limited playing time over 19 career games isn't exactly the type of production the Bills were looking for when they targeted Maybin for his pass-rushing abilities by drafting him 11th overall out of Penn State last year.

''I still have some work to,'' Maybin said this week as the Bills (0-3) prepare to host the AFC East rival New York Jets (2-1) on Sunday. ''I think I'm man enough to admit that I can look myself in the mirror and say that.''

What Maybin refuses to accept is anyone suggesting whether he can be regarded as a disappointment.

''That's as far away from my mind as can be,'' he said. ''All I really care about is wins and losses.''

So far, Maybin's lack of production comes close to equaling the Bills' misfortunes. Coming off a 6-10 season, Buffalo is now off to an 0-3 start and regarded among the worst teams in the NFL.

Maybin is drawing criticism because he's been essentially rendered invisible in Buffalo's new 3-4 defensive scheme, which was supposed to better suit his skills. Maybin has also failed to earn a regular role after the Bills released their top pass-rusher Aaron Schobel during training camp.

''I understand the spotlight and all that stuff. But I'm not here trying to impress one person or anything like that,'' Maybin said. ''Whatever my coaches ask me to do, I'm going to do it to the best of my abilities.''

Coach Chan Gailey is seeking far more from Maybin and his defense after lamenting Buffalo's failure to generate a pass rush in a 38-30 loss at New England on Sunday.

Wary of being picked apart by Tom Brady, the Bills elected to go with mostly a four-man rush while dropping others into coverage. The strategy failed, as Brady went 21 of 27 for 252 yards and three touchdowns while being sacked once (by tackle Kyle Williams) and hit only two other times.

''That's one thing we've got to do a better job of,'' Gailey said. ''It's not just one thing that's creating a lack of a pass rush for us right now. And Aaron's one of the guys that has to continue to improve. He needs to be a pass-rush threat for us.''

Gailey then centered out Maybin for losing his stamina as the game progressed.

That's a disappointment because the game marked Maybin's first opportunity to make a positive impression. After being limited to an average of 14 plays in his first 18 games, Maybin came up short despite getting in nearly 40 plays against the Patriots. He was credited for being in on four tackles, two of them unassisted, and was also flagged for a neutral zone infraction in the fourth quarter on the Patriots final scoring drive, which provided them a 38-23 lead.

It was the second penalty against Maybin this season, which means he has attracted more flags this year than generated sacks in his entire career.

Bills fans have begun to start derisively labeling Maybin as ''Maybe,'' for someone who's been a question mark ever since he was drafted.

Critics wondered whether Maybin, at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, was too small to make an impact in the NFL. There were also concerns raised over whether Maybin did enough to prove himself at the college level to justify being a first-round pick.

Relying mostly on his speed and quick outside move, Maybin led the Big 10 with 12 sacks as a junior in 2008, despite not breaking into the Nittany Lions' starting lineup until the fourth game.

Gailey doesn't consider Maybin's size a detriment and doesn't judge him any differently based on how high he was drafted.

''He's got ability, and we need to try to do the best we can to get the most out of him,'' Gailey said. ''There's other guys that aren't huge that are good pass-rushers. He just needs to keep working.''

Maybin's never lacked confidence. He has enjoyed drawing attention to himself with colorful haircuts - he had the Bills logo and the word ''Mayhem'' shaved into the side of his hair - and for how he sings and dances his way off the practice field.

''I'm not somebody who's going to sit around everyday pouting and whining and complaining and giving excuses. That's not my way,'' Maybin said. ''I'm going to keep bringing my lunch pail to work everyday, working hard and helping to try to turn this thing around.''

share

Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

National Football League