ColdBlueNorth

I am not sure if it is scheme, players, or lack of a pass rush, probably all of the above. We are easier to move the ball on when teams are passing. The stats this year may be a bit skewed due to the fact that NE has no rushing game to speak of and probably would have relied on their passing game even if they had the lead in that game. We do give up a lot of underneath plays, but that is the Tampa 2 for you - when run in it's purest form it will allow a team to patiently work the short middle of the field. I don't feel like it is a very aggressive defense - perhaps it could be if we had a stellar pass rush, but as of now our defense is more designed to force the opposing team to slowly work the field until they make a mistake. That defense works right up to the point we play against a veteran QB who knows how to work all the soft spots ala Kurt Warner last year. That was death by a thousand cuts and made our abysmal pass rush painfully obvious. IMHO

Does he just not have the speed or the range? I don't remember George getting burned and do remember him picking off a few passes and breaking up his share. I like Scott because he is a bit bigger against the run, but I do not think that Scott is better in coverage (although that shoe-string interception after that ball bounced off of that TB receiver was a nifty piece of work). I was rooting for George this offseason - he is my Fred Jackson of the defense - undrafted hard worker type. I guess I have missed exactly what you are worried about in George's defensive game. I am not giving you the business, I am straight-up curious - when you aren't taking shots at folks here you actually have some decent insight.

Good stuff... thanks for the post. I noticed one week where he was asked before the NE game if he like the no huddle and in the true interview he said "I don't like it" then laughs and says "no.. its alright" and goes on to say how he has to get in game shape to work in it. The next thing you see is AP articles that say, "Owens does not like Buffalo's no-huddle offense". It's wierd when you actually see the distortion taking place so blatently. TO is a glory hound, loves the spotlight, and that is what gets him jacked up to play, but I have to honestly question some of the media roasting over quotes that I have read about over the years.

Sorry Dog I have to side with Magox on this one. Way to early to write Brandon off. Now if you were arguing that Wilson generally does not hire proven GM's then maybe I would agree, but Donahoe came in with a pedigree and look what he accomplished, other than "regionalizing" the franchise - not a whole heck of a lot of progress.

We have yet to find a linebacker that can match up against the good tight ends we face particularly if we have both safeties over top on the outside receivers . I didn't know that was Whitner that flew in late on that play, but would not be too shocked. We have been getting burnt by that TE seam route for quite some time, but the Bills are not alone. Those routes are exactly what we are all expecting from Nelson down the road.

I forgot that he was voted in as the player rep for the Bills. Oh well, unless one of the other playmakers gets hurt we probably wont see much of George. It's too bad, I like his attitude - the way he tossed that Pittsburg smurf to the turf when the rest of the team looked like they had already rolled over... memories

Tough crowd... trolling again I see. Whitner is a good player. Was he worthy of so high a draft pick... I'm not so sure. Levy also populated our offensive line with guys the coaches went out of their way to jettison this offseason. Levy did find McGee and Yobouty (who looked much better last year). Like any GM he hit some and missed a lot, but he did stabalize things and gave us dead Dick who may have found a pulse this year.

Please don't get them started... Unless you want to go for broke and really rile them up by saying the Maybin hasn't shown anything since preseason. Next thing you know there will be post that claim you want to cut him after two games... human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!

I know I have heard his name on special teams, but I still remember the year he filled in at safety - when they converted him from WR. I thought he played very well. I think that this is his last year with the Bills. He needs to find a team that will give him a shot, and with the Bills still drafting for safety even this year, I don't think they are blowing kisses his way.

Can't argue that point at all, you are absolutely correct sir. Perhaps if it said: ... and other miscellaneous ramblings that are more worthy of noting than Fewel starting a rookie on critical plays when he missed most of training camp. I am a bit biased. You have guys like George Wilson sitting on the side lines who I think would pan out well against some of the more skilled TE's and bigger receivers we face. And if my job were on the line, I would start him over a green rookie any day.

I have not noticed George at safety in the past 2 games, has he taken any snaps with the starters? I always thought that he would get more looks at safety because he is rangy, understands receiver routes really well, is a ball hawk with a knack for creating turnovers, and has looked great when given the opportunity to play. Maybe I have just missed seeing him and he's been out there.

I agree. Donte held a rookie secondary together for quite some time as a rookie himself, has served as captain on the team, played injured much of last year - and yeah, he didn't play well with the shoulder injury but he took one for the team. He's a football player pure and simple. All that being said, I like the way he is being used now as a free safety.

OK I'll bite... what has the game being blacked out in your area have to do with the Bills winning? The rest of your reasons rock We have a lot of talent in the defensive backfield, we may just be the team that is needed to bring Brees and company back to Earth.

I don't know if the Titans are an upset pick - they have been close in some really tough games and Chris Johnson is a stud. I will go with: The Bills The Bungles (may have learned how to win, like the Bills they have to prove it against the NFL elite to be taken seriously) Atlanta comes up big in Belicheat's own house. ... at least these are the ones I am hopeful about because they would knock both NE and the Jests down another notch.

The coaching staff is taking a lot of chances this year, but seriously what do they have to lose? They are kind've in a positiion where they have to throw the dice. Bryd definately looks like a kid who was injured and missed most of the training camp. Hopefully, we will be noticing him for better reasons later this season.

I know Darin, but just about every new post is telling me, "he's a rookie" as if that was my point. I know he's a rookie, I was just suprised to see him out on the field during a close game so soon. I also made about 3-4 more rambling observations that I somehow managed to make invisible to the common reader

The "no child left behind" policy leaves another squalling infant behind on the road. Is it too much to ask folks to read the whole post before responding.

Apparently still having problems with that whole "reading" thing. the rest of my original post goes something like this: "I know we expect a lot from rookies, but times are a-changing. After the euphoria of actually pulling out a win and sealing the deal wore off, I also felt that our offense had a lot of opportunities with a short field that ended in field goals. The score should have been even more lopsided. Against good teams we really can't afford to squander those shots. I do feel like the offense is getting better, still need to use our Tight Ends more in the passing game, but AVP is setting up the offense in a way that plays to Edward's strengths and gradually getting him more comfortable with taking chances. I think that Fairchild had just about ruined that kid, maybe AVP can bring him back from the brink and help him grow into his potential." What is the point of my post?? I could ask the same about any post, but my POINTS were 1) that Bryd is playing like the rookie he is, and I was suprised to see him out there 2) AVP does seem to be tailoring the offense for Edwards, whereas Fairchild just about ruined him. 3) the offense though improving often had a short field but ended up with field goalls 4) We are still being schooled by tight ends - that is where we are giving up passing TD's (that last point was in a reply) For what it worth, which is not a whole hell of a lot for folks that cannot read past the first couple lines.

Atlanta can take them, but you can bet Belicheat has been all over his boys for dropping the Jets game. I think it will be really close.

I'll bump this up for you:) AVP is getting it done.

I like the name 8 and 8 forever... hope its not true though

You have been around for a while Pete, I would have expected more from you. I have been hitting the Wall (not with my head BTW) since Scott moved it from the Rochester D&C. I don't really think that I qualify as an "impatient" fan of the Bills nor would I say that about any fans that suck it up and follow this franchise year after frustrating year. Bruce was an impact player and a rare talent - everyone could see that when he came into the league. Marv made Eric sit way too long behind Reed and others, everyone could see that Eric had the skills. Eric was part of one of the richest drafts in wide receivers 1996. Do folks realize that Owens went #89 in 3rd round of that same draft and he is still an impact WR. Not impressed yet, means not impressed yet - nothing more. The one thing this organization does do well is develop defensive backs and safeties. My comments were geared towards the fact that our secondary, and apparently the rookies playing on it have to step it up if they plan on hanging with NO. Seems like so many seasons of sub-mediocre Bill's football has had taken it's toll on the Wall. If I sound impatient, and I am sure that I am not alone (this board has grown postively sunny since the one win against TB), my apologies. It probably has something to do with not wanting this team to miss the playoffs again, fire the staff, and start the whole freaking process over.

I agree, but for DJ's sake they need him and that backfield to come together quickly. I have mixed feelings about DJ this year. He is a career loser, but I feel like he did make some good personnel decisions. He is generally bad at managing game-time decisions, but players enjoy playing for him. I also wonder how long it would take for a new system to have a positive effect on the "W" column if Ralph fires the man? I thought that we had good pressure on Leftwich from the line and blitzes, and still he was able to complete quite a few deep passes.

Yes Todd, among many other comments I was saying that he was making rookie mistakes.

I think that they might be starting him on obvious passing situations. Donte and Scott are the starting safeties, but Donte does throw his body around a lot and ended up injured last year. They are certainly trying to groom some insurance. I would not be shocked if Bryd ends up having to start for Whitner at some point this year. This organization is not afraid to start new safeties (remember Whitner and the departed millionaire Ko Simpson started as rookies).