Skip navigation
Favorites
Sign up to follow your favorites on all your devices.
Sign up

Jairus Byrd struggling to follow up big rookie year

Marcedes Lewis, Jairus Byrd

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Marcedes Lewis (89) scores a touchdown in front of Buffalo Bills defender Jairus Byrd (31) during the second half of an NFL football game in Orchard Park, N.Y., Sunday, Oct. 10, 2010. The Jaguars won, 36-26. (AP Photo/Mike Groll)

AP

A year ago, Bills safety Jairus Byrd nearly won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award and he made the Pro Bowl. On Sunday, he was benched for former wide receiver George Wilson.

Wilson recorded the first interception for a Bills defensive back all season and played over Byrd throughout the second half of Buffalo’s comeback win. Bills coach Chan Gailey said the change wasn’t permanent.

“I don’t think we would go that far,” Gailey said via the Buffalo News.

Byrd had nine picks a year ago, but a lot of times interceptions can be largely based on luck and overrated as a measure to determine effectiveness. Byrd just hasn’t been as effective or lucky following the groin surgery that ended his rookie year.