FanHouse Coy Wire

With the draft approaching, we ignore projections and identify the dream scenario for each team in a series we call The Perfect Draft.

Last year the Falcons proved what an excellent draft and a couple of free agent signings can do to a previously awful team. First-round picks Matt Ryan and Sam Baker and second-round pick Curtis Lofton all became immediate starters while free agent signee Michael Turner turned into the team's best back since Jamal Anderson was in his prime.

There's less riding on this year's draft than last year's, but Atlanta needs to add depth to what's still a pretty thin roster. There is not nearly as much need for immediate starters this year, but there are still a lot of positions where the Falcons could use a talent upgrade.

With only one of their top four linebackers expected to play under his current contract in 2009, the Falcons have a lot of work to do this offseason. Apparently they are very close to getting one of their free agent linebackers back before he ever hits free agency.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that the Falcons are near a deal with Coy Wire, the linebacker who came into the 2008 season as a backup but ended up earning a starting job by beating out Michael Boley.

The Buffalo Bills signed two fee agents today, and met with third in an attempt to fill some of gaping holes caused by a variety of injuries.

The first addition was four-year veteran safety Bryan Scott, who was released by the Tennessee Titans earlier this year. He will take Ko Simpson's roster spot, but play a reserve role behind Jim Leonhard, who has now assumed the starting job.

Buffalo also signed defensive end Copeland Bryan off of the Chicago Bears practice squad, where he spent the last two offseasons. Like Scott, Bryan will join the Bills in a reserve capacity.

Finally, the team also worked out former New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Nick Greisen. If signed, Greisen would probably come right in and start for Buffalo, who are now without Keith Ellison and Coy Wire for the foreseeable future.

The Bills lost a lot more than just the game this afternoon against Denver. And while the last-second field by Broncos kicker Jason Elam was heartbreaking, Buffalo has to be far more concerned with the various injuries suffered throughout the game.

Perhaps the most disconcerting was the injury sustained by tight end Kevin Everett, who was taken out in an ambulance after a helmet-to-helmet hit in the third quarter. He appeared to lose consciousness before hitting the ground, and it is not yet known if it has been regained.

In addition to Everett, safety Ko Simpson suffered a broken ankle, cornerback Jason Webster suffered a broke forearm and Coy Wire sprained his knee. And while they all appear to be serious, they pale in comparison to Everett's injury, which may end up being career, or even life threatening.

Denver Broncos:

Out - Guard Ben Hamilton (concussion) and tackle Ryan Harris (back).

Questionable - Tight end Stephen Alexander (calf), defensive end Tim Crowder (ankle) and cornerback Karl Paymah.

Going into week one, the injury news is relatively positive for Denver. As you can see by the report, they will not be missing any starters today, and that should bode well for the Broncos, both offensively and defensively.

Buffalo Bills:

Out - Defensive end Ryan Denney (foot) and linebacker Keith Ellison (ankle).

The injury to second-year linebacker Keith Ellison could prove to be damaging for Buffalo's young defense. He will be replaced by Coy Wire, a converted safety will very little experience at linebacker. And don't look the other way on the Denney injury either. The back-up defensive end has been very productive for Buffalo in the past, and losing his production will most certainly be felt.

The Buffalo Bills got some bad injury news today. Second-year linebacker Keith Ellison is out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain -- an injury that could take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks to heal depending on the severity.

"Keith has the dreaded high ankle," said Coach Dick Jauron. "So it's not good for us. It's going to be a while. How long I don't know. I don't know how anybody predicts those."

The injury occurred on the first play of the second quarter versus the Detroit Lions when Ellison's ankle got caught in the turf while taking on a block. He was later taken to the locker room,
diagnosed and put in an immobilizing boot.

Coy Wire, a sixth-year converted safety, will replace him in the season opener against the Denver Broncos.

"Coy is very intelligent," said Ellison. "I think he'll do a good job playing (weak side). He just has to get back into playing this week because he's spent much of the preseason on the strong side. He'll be fine. He'll be ready to go on Sunday."

With this latest injury, it decreases the number of healthy Bills linebackers to six.