thewildrabbit

What actually has me more concerned is that the Chargers led the NFL in time of possession last season, and just look what they did to the hapless Seahawks. This year they are on track to lead the NFL again in ToP. Time of possession Seahawks 17:45 vs 42:15 Chargers with 75 total plays vs 40. Meanwhile the Chargers had 37 rushes for 101 yards, and a measly 2.7 YPC avg. Yet Phillip Rivers could keep the chains moving, and control the game. The Hawks had 13 rushes for 108 yards, an 8.3 YPR average. You figure it out

Yea, no way Pears graded worse then Williams did last year. I gotta wonder if the coaches are more concerned with pass blocking, and protecting EJ, then they are for run blocking. Cyril Richardson was one of the highest rated run blocking OG's in the draft, and perhaps they currently look at him as a liability as a pass blocker. Thus preferring to maintain a better pass blocking line then run blocking. The thing is with a better run game the team can control the line, and the clock. Thus keeping the defense off the field, and on the bench to be fresh when needed. It would also allow EJ to pick his passes, and not be forced into 3rd and long so often. The team NEEDs to run the ball, move the chains, and be able punch it in the end zone by running it. Right now I'm just wondering which OG is going to be cut by week six this year...Williams or Pears, or both!

and that 3.42 was against the Bears 28th ranked run defense. The bigger point being is if you take away ONE big gainer by Spiller against the Dolphins they only averaged a pathetic 1.90 yards per carry average. Downright freaking unacceptable by any standard when you consider the talent at RB on the Buffalo Bills. Not only were there not any holes...the RB's were being greeted in the backfield on several plays. Like Dixon -1 yards on one carry, or Spiller -4 yards on one carry. Add the fact in the very beginning post in this thread, and statement by ESPN that FedEx had 6 red zone runs that gained 0 yards. Don't get me wrong here as in pass protection the Bills have been very good, as they basically made a top pass rusher (who killed Brady the week earlier) become invisible against a rookie RT. Alas, the run game must improve, or losses will ensue. JMO

I don't get it either. I think this is a pet peeve of a lot of posters here over the years. Imagine what EJ could do with a TE like Antonio Gates in his receiving corps. I can't imagine why the FO has been so reluctant to spend a top round draft pick on a top TE...or even try and draft a decent one in later rounds....and yea, Jordan Cameron in the 4th or Julius Thomas in the 4th. Even as lame as Jauron was at least he tried to trade for Tony Gonzalez. Instead the Bills continue to cherish a waiver wire pickup who is a decent receiver at times who is a liability at times in blocking. Then there is also the issue of also trying to make do with waiver wire pickups or dumpster diving for OG's. The Bills haven't even attempted to draft a first round an OG since(Ruben Brown in 1995) a 9x pro bowler.

I'm not as concerned as much about EJ, and whether or not to go for FG's when the offense stalls in the red zone. For me, what my biggest concern is the line not getting the push needed on running plays so that the QB doesn't need to carry the game by himself. Its all about the running game being good enough to support the QB which allows the offense to not have to depend on the young QB to make plays. Its about balance, and the offense being able to continue to move the chains if the opposing defense shuts down one aspect of the offense. Miami's run defense is currently ranked 13th, and Chicago's is ranked 29th. 33 rushes for 193 yards against Chicago in netting a 5.84 avg is outstanding, - Then take away the 2 big run plays by Jackson (38) & Dixon (47) that amounted to 85 yards, and you have a less desirable 3.48 YPC avg. We know that the Bears defense was really bad last year, and they look to be about that same way this year. Same thing with Miami, 33 rushes for 113 yards is 3.42 YPC avg, then take away the big run by Spiller for 52 yards, and you have a horrid 61 yards on 32 carries which equals 1.90 YPC average. So, lets say the Dolphins are a top run defense. Doesn't it concern anyone but me that the Bills simply can't continuously sustain winning games by getting lucky on a big run now and again. That run game needs to improve, and not just in the red zone. The Bills need to be able to run the ball effectively in any situation. We know the Bills have some of the very best RB's in the league. So, something else needs to drastically improve. JMO.

The only way the Bills would probably contemplate such a move would be if there are injuries to both Williams, Pears. I agree on Incognito. In that Incognito would not just be a big improvement...my take is he would be a great improvement over the current starters, and backups. He graded slightly below Levitre in pass protection, and higher in run blocking. Which is considerably better then any player the Bills currently have on the roster at OG. I gotta wonder what its going to take for the FO to see the problem at OG, and finally fix it. Once they do that short yardage offense should work more effectively.

The Bills are currently sitting alone atop the AFC East, are 2-0. Its great, its brilliant! Sammy Watkins had a breakout day with 8 receptions for 117 yards, and a TD. For the most part the line gave EJ ample time to throw, and the offensive scheme moved the ball well between the 20's. My point being was in 6 runs inside the 20 the Bills had zero yards gives me pause for concern. Plus, one TD in 6 trips in the red zone brought the Bills red zone efficiency 30%, which is 28th in the NFL. This isn't just one game either, as the team has had noted problems running the ball on third and short in previous years. Plus the fact that if you take away Spillers 47 yard run the team only averaged a measly 2 yards a carry. From an earlier thread after the Chicago game. The run game play needs to improve in the red zone, as does the scheme-play calling. Kinda surprising to me the Bills don't target Chandler more often inside the 20, or Mike Williams for that matter.

WGR 550 All 22 break down of how the Bills successfully took Dolphin Pass rusher Cameron Wake out of the game. Its worth a read, good stuff. http://www.wgr550.com/All-22-Review-Bills-Dolphins/19916559 Also, Interesting reads from both ESPN & Pro Football Focus. Lots of fans here posted their disdain for the signing of OG Chris Williams, and I suppose most hoped that Cryil Richardson would be able to become a starter when the season began. You want answers...you want answers? I want the truth! "In six red-zone runs Sunday, Fred Jackson gained zero yards. Re-watching each play, the culprits were breakdowns across the offensive line. The first four runs were out of the shotgun with a zone-read element. However, left guard Chris Williams couldn't hold his block on two of those Jackson runs, and center Eric Wood and right tackle Seantrel Henderson each had problems on separate plays. The result was Dolphins defenders in the backfield and little space for Jackson to run. " http://espn.go.com/blog/buffalo-bills/post/_/id/13307/quick-fix-bills-in-red-zone MORE, Chris Williams, LG and Eric Wood, C: Combined -7.3 Breakdown: Williams and Wood were two of the biggest reasons for the Bills’ struggles on the ground. On numerous occasions they were overpowered and allowed penetration into the backfield. Outside of a 47-yard run by Spiller, the offense averaged just 2 yards per carry. Williams also allowed a hit and a hurry in pass protection. Signature Stat: The Bills gained just three rushing yards before contact on 15 carries running through the three gaps adjacent to Williams and Wood. https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/09/15/refo-dolphins-bills-week-2/ My take is Williams is dragging down Wood, and I doubt he is getting any help on the other side. Bottom line is that although the Bills have done a decent job of giving EJ time to make his throws, and have won the first two games. There are still problems concerning the redzone, and more specifically the OG position. I question how well the current line will hold up against a top defensive unit. The Bills have upcoming games against Houston, Detroit (Suh), New England (V Wilfork), NY Jets. Not properly replacing Levitre is still haunting this team.

A different look at all 22 http://www.wgr550.com/All-22-Review-Bills-Dolphins/19916559 Good stuff about the Bills O line, protections, and how we didn't hear much about Cameron Wake.

To the OP, I agree, and of course its all about the coaches. In player acquisition, player development, player utilization. Schemes, game planning, play calling. If any of those fail, well then, the entire team can fail. And yea, Hackett was all by himself last year with no senior adviser, no QB coach. I kept bringing this up all last year. This year Hackett has seriously improved from his last year 70% up the middle runs that usually went nowhere. The offense still needs to work on short yardage, and red zone plays tho. Still, so far this year a huge difference. From what I saw in that Arizona game on Monday night the best way to beat the Chargers is to constantly bring pressure to Rivers. At the end of that game the Cards brought the heat, and Rivers melted from it. Of course they needed to blitz their entire defense because they lack the dominate pass rush that a team like Buffalo has, as the Bills already possess one of the best sacking D's in the NFL. Since the Chargers starting RB in Ryan Mathews is out with an injury, the Bills will now face ex Colt reject RB Donald Brown as the starter. The Chargers can be beaten!

This is freaking awesome that so many Buffalo Bills are finally getting recognition. I'm really pulling for Tasker, Hull, and hopefully the others get the nod in the future. Tasker 7x pro bowls, and MVP of the pro bowl, and like others have pointed out he literally changed the way the special teams were played. These sports writers forget that special teams is 1/3 of the game, and Tasker helped changed the momentum of many games by himself.

Rivers looked like crap at the end of that Arizona game on Monday night when the Cardinals brought a heavy blitz. Their starting RB Ryan Mathews is out with a sprained MCL, and the Bills will see Danny Woodhead / Donald Brown at RB. Still, Rivers has some great talent as his disposal in WR Keenan Allen, and TE Antonio Gates. They were a playoff team last year, and just beat the defending SB champs Seattle Seahawks at home. This will be a tough test for the Bills.

Done! and IN!

freaking awesome, and looking to be the cornerstone of their defense for a long while. The Raiders are starting a rookie QB so the FO knows they will endure some growing pains this year. I highly doubt they fire the HC.

Well, the 2008 Bills went 5-1 under Jauron, and that was enough to get Skeleator an extension. Plus it had everyone here proclaiming that Trent Edwards was the next Joe Montana. Yeah, you heard right. A severe concussion to Trenty ended all that talk....along with about 4 more concussions that finally did him in. The Bills also started the 2011 season 5-2, and when Eric Wood went out on IR, then so did the season. That was preventable as the Bills had Geoff Hangartner in preseason, and simply cut him. It was a comedy of errors that ensued trying to replace Wood. At one point against the Dolphins the Bills couldn't even get a clean snap from center all game. After week 7 the team was 5-2, and went on a 7 game losing streak for many reasons. Both with Wood out Fitz suffered a severe rib injury that should have benched him, and since Gailey had no QB backup plan... he played thru one of the most painful injuries a football player can have. Stevie also played injured that year. This year is the first time in forever that the Bills have some solid depth on the O line, and better players. They finally have a decent WR corps, and the last two years the team finally spent the first two draft picks on offense. Although they are still lacking a top TE. Plus, the Bills OC has been innovative enough to the point that the offense isn't nearly as predictable as it was last season, and Sammy was a sensation last game. The next few games will show just how good the Bills will be this season, as the next game they play a team that made the playoffs last season in the San Diego Chargers. This match up will show us if that defense is worthy of a top ten ranking, and if the offense can score against a better team then they have faced so far this season. The Chargers just beat last years SB champs in Seattle at San Diego with QB Phillip Rivers picking on the supposed elite CB Richard Sherman. This week we will see ex Bills QB Frank Reich roaming the opposite sideline as the Chargers new OC this year. Then @ Houston, @ Detroit. Then the big game with New England coming to Buffalo. This is young team that has some learning, and growing to do. So lets just worry about the Chargers, and then take it from there. Its crazy fun tho thinking the team might finally be relevant again.

A few years back I wrote a post about how poorly Eli manning looked in his first years, and how much he depended on a strong run game, and O line to support him. When he had those things he would play well, and when his line / run game didn't play well he had difficulty carrying his team. The difference between from 3 seconds to 4 seconds in the pocket can mean all the difference in the world to some QB's. He is learning a new offensive system, and he no longer has those all pros on his O line. Its a team game, and the QB is only has good as his supporting cast allows him to be. To the OP, no thanks. Old QB's usually don't learn new tricks well. The Bills are currently in the process of developing a guy who could be better then Eli. JMO.

All I can say is if Sammy keeps playing like he did yesterday. well then nobody will complain about those two 2015 picks to Cleveland. The biggest thing I saw in the game was the play calling was much better, and different formations worked well. Special team were finally very special. I was concerned about having CJ returning kick offs, as the starting RB won't be able to start in the first offensive play if its a long return. Then there is the big chance he could be injured. It paid off big yesterday, and I just hope CJ can stay healthy while doing those returns. That defense is going to be a top ten unit this year. All this team needs is more confidence, experience from EJ and they could be in the playoffs this year. It really is a great time to be a Buffalo Bills fan.

holy cow, watching saints @ Browns, 8 sec left

Sacked! by Kyle

gotta hand to Crossman, and special teams for this game. huge turnaround from last year

Oh man when things go our way....its just great

again, tallywhacker puts the ball on the money, and its flubbed

For the first time in many years I haven't even changed the channel to watch other games

yea, what was the thinking there...

SAMMY !!