Question: Keith Ellison seems to get a lot of tackles. Where did he rank last year and

how much was he on the field last year? — Boris Lundgren, Chicago, Ill.

Answer: Ellison doesn't get enough credit for his productivity. He had 82 tackles

last year, which ranked fifth on the team, even though he came off the field on all passing

situations. He estimates he played about 65 percent of the plays last season. Paul Posluszny

had 129 and Kawika Mitchell 91. So you're right, he made more stops than you would expect.

This year he ranks first on the team with 32, and he has been on the field in all situations

since Poz went out. Most teams tend to run to the offensive right (his side) a little bit

more.

"He's a player that maximizes his ability by understanding what we're doing with the

scheme," said linebackers coach Matt Sheldon. "He's a good opportunistic player who gets

himself in the right place at the right time. And he's made improvement."

Q: Is Aaron Maybin big enough to play defensive end? — Bud Ruggiero, Tonawanda

A: Maybin is 250 pounds. That's big enough. Colts General Manager Bill Polian told

me before the draft unequivocally that Maybin could play defensive end in his defense, which

is the same scheme the Bills use. Aaron Schobel is 245. Colts Pro Bowler Robert Mathis plays

at 245. Obviously Maybin is going to have to work on developing inside moves to complement his

outside speed rush. He did get one pressure on an inside move last week, on a third-and-6 play

by the Saints that was completed for a 5-yard gain.

The reality is fans have to be patient with young defensive ends. There were 10 defensive

ends drafted in the first round in 2007 and 2008. Here are their sack totals their rookie

seasons: Gaines Adams 6, Chris Long 4, Derrick Harvey 3, Anthony Spencer 3, Adam

Carriker 2, Lawrence Jackson 2, Jarvis Moss 1, Phillip Merling 1, Vernon Gholston 0, Jamaal

Anderson 0.

Q: Dick Jauron did not go for it on fourth-and-1 on his 29 versus the Saints. What are

the odds of making it on fourth-and-1? — Joe Carson, Toronto

A: According to a study on advancednflstats.com, the success rate in the league from 2000 to 2008 was a little over 70

percent. In Dick Jauron's tenure the last three-plus years, the Bills have converted 11 of 16

fourth-and-1 plays. That's 69 percent success. Bills opponents have converted 13 of 21 tries

(62 percent). In general, NFL coaches should go for it on fourth down more than they do.

Q: Did Terrell Owens run a bad route on the interception versus the Saints? — Greg

Thompson, New York.

A: No. He does need to get inside position on that slant. If you watch the replay,

he tried to get inside the defender, but cornerback Jabari Greer was playing the inside all

the way. I don't see any way Owens could have gotten inside of Greer on the play.

Bills beat reporter Mark Gaughan answers your football questions every Friday in print

and in an 11 a.m. online chat. Send your e-mails to the address below or mail to Question

Mark, The Buffalo News Sports Department, One News Plaza, P.O. Box 100, Buffalo, NY 14240.

Please include name and hometown.