WhitewalkerInPhilly

Good point Max, I probably should have phrased that a bit better. Referring to the pure, unadulterated K-Gun, it is fair to point out that people did spent a lot of time figuring out how to beat it. There's a great write up here which I think is currently buried in some threads: http://www.buffalowins.com/buffalo-bills/articles/the-k-gun-offense-beyond-no-huddle.html The basic upshot is that the K-Gun did/does have weaknesses. There is a heavy imperative for a WR to be able to alter his own route depending on what he sees at the line, and requires a QB who can diagnose that. As a result, running the zone blitz can be an effective tool to stop it, since it changes what recievers think will be open coverage when they line up on the line of scrimmage. The said, there has been a legacy. Sean Payton used a lot of the same concepts when building the "Gulf Coast" offense, which Marrone was the OC for. There's a great article here: http://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/2011/5/28/2195619/gulf-coast-offense-setting-trends Basically, you use plenty of "role recievers" instead of one or two huge stars, stretching the field vertically, and having both a RB and TE who both need bracket coverage. Throw in the read option, and short screens to Spiller, and we might have a really special offense. Note that I say *might*. EJ has shown good signs, but we're still a long way away. Nice to hear!

A couple of really nice articles. It is really nice to confirm that EJ functioned really well when he had to call his own plays. K-Gun anyone? *is immediately told to shut up* But seriously, I think we all know the old K-Gun wouldn't work again, but I would be delighted if we could update that here.

Well, that competition is over...

Offense: Potential Defense: Pressure ST: Predatory Number of the day: Joint

Figures that they could acknowledge that EJ did his own playcalling on the line to engineer a 2 minute drill that I couldn't have scripted better before finished with a QBR of 100+ and they can go "eh, still not worth it"

Well, I talked myself into getting NFL rewind, only to be reminded as to how depressing last season was. So instead, I want to take a look at how some of the other rookie QB's played coming out. I'm starting with Russel Wilson, partly because we heard so many howls of "We could have had him!", and partly because he's a very mobile QB who was reportedly slowly brought along until he became something special. I would like to remind people that while RG3 and Luck found almost immediate success, it was Wilson and the Seahawks who battled through the Wild Card round. I started, perhaps fittingly, with Week 1 against the Cardinals. Thoughts Dear God, the Cardinal's O-line was just as bad as everyone said it was. It's interesting, seeing RW play Week One, knowing how good he gets by January. In the first half, there are a lot of throws that are behind the reciever where his timing seems off. There are a lot of choices to throw the ball into the backfield which either lead to losses or (in one case) an incomplete backwards pass and fumble. RW really starts to settle into a groove near the end of the 1st half. Seattle uses HEAVY doses of Marshawn Lynch, even though he doesn't break off any real beauties. The greatest success RW seems to have is with short and intermediate throws over the middle. I don't remember any long completions, and attempts to sail it don't go well. With the game on the line in the final minutes, Wilson chokes. It can't be argued that he doesn't get a bite at the apple either, as there are two defensive pass interference calls on 3rd down in the red zone which give him a new set of downs. RW tends to lock onto a receiver and tries to force it into coverage, not matter how well their man is guarded (admittedly, the Cards had good coverage) and Wilson just can't get it done. What does this mean for the Bills? Locks onto a target? Throws slightly mistimed? Sticking with short passes over the middle to build a drive? Does this sound familiar to anyone else? To me, it sounds like every complaint I've heard about EJ's bad side. Remembering that the next time these teams meet, the 'Hawks blow out the Cards 58-0, this should be a decent study in patience. Are there any other games people would like me to post on?

Yeah, his stature makes him better for covering speedy slot receivers. Him being put outside was a desperation move after McKelvin and Rodgers were injured. May god have mercy on our souls for those being better options...

Whew, just got back home, so I wanted to join in. so here are a few thoughts: EJ did look a bit sketchy early. That said, it seemed like there was a clear plan to run the ball down the Colts throat to begin, and there was an immediate immense dropoff when they first pulled Spiller. Spiller looked incredible. I know they pulled him early, but his first two runs gave essential breathing room. The defense looked...decent. They were beat a lot of times, and coverage certainly needs work, but pressure up front looked beautiful, and Mario looked like a force of nature coming around that blindside. What the hell refs? What was the taunt? Seriously? D'Rick span the ball on the ground and we saw nothing, so I have to assume Brooks teabagged someone. Go back to ignoring facemask penalties! Ladies and Gentleman, I give you Special Teams rookie of the Year, Marquise Goodwin. Seriously, there is no reason NOT to put him there. McKelvin is desperately needed as CB depth and Goodwin is an absolute beast on returns. EJ picked things up near the end, even throwing to the second stringers. I don't think I could script a better 2 minute drill, especially with the Bills getting the ball back after halftime. In game conditions, the opposing D will be extremely worn if we pull this out. I have to assume so too. EJ had plenty of time, and we didn't see any Read Option of long balls, both of which were seen at practice.I'm assuming those are being reserved for Week 1 so Belicheat doesn't have time to look them over.

Yeah, have you seen the new uniform they want him wearing?

You mean, the Bills get games that are the only ones playing at the time, so there is no getting blacked out for people out of town? And they get to test their starters against two playoff teams, in a scenario that they can work out the kinks in their offense before the season begins? Perish the thought.

Is it me, or have their particularly stupid questions being asked this offseason? "Do you know how Mario's foot is?" "Did he have permission to leave?" "Would you rather have Byrd be here, rather than not being here?" "Have you learned anything new about Mario's foot since I last asked?" "Have you hit F5 to update?" "No, I don't have a legitimate journalist whose credentials I stole ground up and in the freezer, why do you ask?" Yeesh. But I am excited to see how things shake out, especially with EJ against a defense that isn't our own. Have we simply been extremely rigorous and EJ is better for it, or does he still have a long way to go before facing the Patriot's defense?

With all the hype of the Dolphins, I can't help but be reminded about the hype about the Bills last year and the hype about the Eagles in 2011. With us, signing Mario Williams was going to solve everything, and with Fitz recovered from his rib injury, he was supposed to be all ready for action. Of course, Wanny called the most boring defense ever and Chan could never figure out that when you have a RB that can average 6 yards a carry, you should run the ball more. With all the hype about the big money the Phins spent on free agency, I have to wonder if anyone thought about whether the chemistry would be there? It's a little early to say about Tannehill (much like it's too early to say about EJ) but I really wonder if I would trade our WR corps for theirs, especially considering how Graham and Goodwin have looked.

Well, I guessed wrong. Of course, that was before Kolb had missed multiple practices and EJ was thrown to the wolves on defense. Wow...I forgot how big a troll you can be.

Oh, so many good answers: "Because knowing our luck, it's running Windows Vista" "The Robot Apocalypse has to happen somehow" "If it was apple, we'd wind up losing two copies of the playbook in some bar" "Windows 8 is better for touch screens...we ought to call a few" "Siri, what play should we run next?" "I'm sorry, I can't answer that."

He really is a Will, which puts him behind Dowtin and Bradgam on the chart. Still, if we're low on safeties, I wouldn't be surprised to see him back there, especially if we're playing more exotic variations of the nickel.

Annnd now I'm imagining a cyborg Marrone "Run Analytics.exe!"

I think Kolb starts, and they sic EJ on the second team defense on the Colts to see how he does against another squad. EJ probably gets started for the second, and the winner likely placed to start game 3.

Gator Bowl, Chik-Fil-A Bowl, Champs Sports Bowl, Orange Bowl and Senior Bowl.

I hope you're right, because 1) EJ has a track record of coming up big for games (5-0 for bowl games if I remember) and 2) That means that we have an aggressive and talented defense every week, which I SO WANT TO SEE!

Thanks again Astro! Was EJ as bad as it seemed in scrimmage? I know I heard stories of him having the 2nd team Oline to back himself up against the 1st team D, but it's fair to admit where he's struggling. We knew there would be some moments, and that we have over a month for him to improve enough for week one...if he plays. For those who were there, I know there are depth problems in places, but how does our 1st team D look, even without Byrd, and the Williams? I'm hoping to too. I know EJ hates the title of "running QB" and I don't want him doing it every play, but (at least to start) I'm ok with the 1, 2, 3 (Spiller or Jackson), RUN! being his thought process. We can go up tempo with the run game all the same, so I don't have any problems throwing those plays in.

Indeed. Come on, we didn't really think that a rookie QB was going to go through a season without rough patches, did we? Even Luck, RGIII and Wilson had their moments, and having EJ slowly increase his comfort level while Pettine throws the house at him sounds like we're on track for a progression for Week 1.

Thanks, we appreciate it mrags.

Thoughts on the depth chart: Rodgers looks rather low, behind Hogan, Brad Smith and Easley. We've been hearing about his physical gifts, but I did hear about some mental mistakes, so I think there's a chance Marrone cuts him or puts him on practice squad. Do my eyes deceive me, or do they have the defense in a 4-3 setup? I know that this is only a guide, but we've been expecting a 3-4 so much it seems a little jarring. I love seeing Carrington on the edge as a DE. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets moved inside a lot when they move to 4-3 and it looks like his athleticism and time at multiple positions may actually help him. We look absolutely stacked on the DE line, and I'm liking the look of our front 7 a lot better than last year. Hoepfully they can take some pressure off the DB's. Aaron Williams is penciled in as Strong Safety instead of Free Safety. It should make for an interesting combo if/when Byrd comes back with him still there.

Thanks Zac, it can be infuriating living too far away to make practices and trying to piece apart how things are going from tweets. I think we all knew EJ was going to have some bad days, but it's nice to hear that he's having them when Pettine is throwing the more complex stuff at him. Remembering how he responded to problems in the first practice, here's hoping that he bounces back tomorrow.

I had to laugh at that one. I know that I should be asking to see progress before I start hanging out congratulations, but it's still refreshing to hear a strong voice...and I kind of have to say, I appreciate the Marrone attitude that we've seen so far. He is as blunt as a sledgehammer being slammed into the knee of someone who owes the mob money and seems to loath bull****.