National Football League

Bills take hands-off approach to S Byrd's success

Published Nov. 12, 2009 11:52 p.m. ET

foxsports

Bills defensive coordinator Perry Fewell would love to take coaching credit for the successful start to rookie safety Jairus Byrd's interception-happy career. It won't happen: Fewell is the first to acknowledge he's not had anything to do with it. "I try not to tell him too much because I might screw him up," Fewell said with a laugh. "That's the best coaching I can give." The hands-off approach appears to be working for a player with such a hands-on ability to manufacture turnovers. Though eight games, and only five starts, Byrd has seven interceptions, tied with Saints veteran Darren Sharper for the tops in the NFL. The second-round draft pick out of Oregon is also on a four-game interception streak as the Bills (3-5) come off their bye to play at Tennessee (2-6) on Sunday. Fewell credits Byrd for having an innate ability for being in the right place in becoming the first NFL player since San Francisco's Dave Baker in 1960 to have at least two interceptions in three straight games. "You definitely can't teach that," Fewell said, noting Byrd first showed his proclivity for picking off passes in practice. "What a big boost in our arm he's been. He's just roaming the middle of the field, daring people to throw the ball." Fewell compares Byrd to that of a center fielder in baseball because of the player's ability to track the ball on the run. That's a fitting description for Byrd who, coming out of high school, toyed with the possibility of pursuing a career in baseball over football. Byrd traveled to Tennessee to take part in a pre-draft baseball camp at the invitation of the St. Louis Cardinals, before electing to attend college and play football. "I was really a raw, raw talent in their eyes," recalled Byrd, who played shortstop and noted baseball likely helped his hand-eye coordination. The Bills agree. "The ball's certainly bigger in our game," coach Dick Jauron said. "But he's got unusual hand-eye coordination. Very unusual. Hopefully it continues, but he catches almost everything that's near him." Byrd's shown an ability to intercept tipped passes, overthrown passes, and even get to balls when he's been caught out of position. His first of two interceptions in a 20-9 win at Carolina on Oct. 25 came when Byrd missed an assignment, leaving Gary Barnidge open deep over the middle. And yet Byrd recovered in time to get to the ball that sailed over the tight end's head. As for tipped passes, Byrd's certainly got a handle on those. It happened against Carolina, when Jake Delhomme's pass deflected off Steve Smith's outstretched hand and to Byrd. Same thing in a 16-13 overtime win against the Jets on Oct. 18, when Byrd was in a perfect spot to catch the ball that deflected off the hands of receiver Braylon Edwards. And then there was the pass that went in and out of Houston receiver Andre Johnson's hands and caromed directly to Byrd in a 31-10 loss to the Texans two weeks ago. "Being in the right place at the right time," Byrd said, noting he picks up on opponents' tendencies while watching game film. "Depending on where they throw it, you know what vicinity the ball should go in, and where to be." Byrd is well-schooled in studying film. He's the son of former Chargers defensive back Gill Byrd, who had 42 interceptions during a 10-year NFL career, and is now a defensive assistant with the Bears. Bills safety Donte Whitner is impressed, noting how Byrd made the switch to safety after playing cornerback in college, and then missed most of training camp after having surgery to repair a sports hernia. "And once he really, really, really understands what's going on, and how offenses are trying to attack, he'll be even better," Whitner said. Byrd has aggravated his sports hernia, but is confident he can continue playing after receiving treatment last week, noting, "It's as good as it can get at this point." As for continuing his streak: "I don't see why not?" Byrd said.