billsfan1959

IMO, David Harris is as much of a liability in coverage as Spikes, and not as good as Spikes in the run game - and Ryan managed to find a way to use him in his schemes

49 years of memories since I first began following the Bills...and counting. Thank you Mr. Wilson and rest in peace.

IMO, between Ryan, Whaley, and the scouting staff, they will be able to spot legitimate defensive talent (primarily LB) later in the draft. So, I would take the best player among Offensive linemen or tight ends. Dependent upon any further free agent signings, of course

This is exactly how Rex will utilize him

I think you are 100% right. He knows what Roman can do. Alex Smith put up far better numbers under Roman than he did in any of his previous five seasons. Colin Kaepernick, who is more athletic than EJ Manuel, but has as many, or more, limitations as a pocket passer, also put up good numbers under Roman. Even with people referring to 2014 as a "down year" for Kaepernick, he still completed 60% of his passes for 3369 yards, 19 TDs, and 10 INTs (while also being hindered by the fourth most dropped passes in the NFL). From 2011-2014, QBs under Roman completed almost 62% of their passes for 13,261 YDS, 80 TDs, and 31 INTs (3300 YDS, 20 TDs, and 8 INTs per year). IMO, Crabtree knows, if Roman is successful, skill players will be able to make plays - regardless of which QB that emerges as the starter

It is interesting he specified Kyle Orton and when he took over in week five as the point in which he became indifferent to putting in extra time. Williams was always a wild card, so, nothing would surprise me. However, like YoloinOhio, I think there is probably more to the story...

For me, it is not just the skill players that will make this offense difficult to defend. It will be more about Roman's ability to confuse the defense in regard to what they key on. What I love about Rex Ryan is his ability to utilize aspects from virtually every type of defense to create confusion, disguise coverages, and create mismatches. I think he chose Roman because he brings exactly the same philosophy to the offensive side of the ball. Roman incorporates aspects of a number of different blocking schemes in a complex playbook, and any given package might have 2, 3, or four different blocking concepts. What is interesting to me, is that his success is not tied to a specific type of QB. He can run different blocking concepts within any given personnel package that suits a QB like Alex Smith, or incorporates the mobile skills of a QB like Colin Kaepernick. So, what it comes down to, IMO, is better and more consistent O-line play. That is where Roman and Kromer do their best work. It is what will allow Roman to be creative with his personnel packages. Hopefully they work their magic here

Given the history and quality of Marrone's judgement and decision making....maybe we should consider it an endorsement...

Wisniewski played LG all but two games in 2011 and has played C since. I would still prefer Blalock, but would definitely be happy with either

If my memory serves me correctly, wasn't Miami anointed the team to dethrone New England after their spending spree in free agency two years ago when they signed all those players they have now cut or traded? Games are won on the field and nobody knows how the season will play out in 2015.... Also, I could care less what La Canfora has to say about how any team is going to fare - especially in March

True. It is now up to Roman to utilize this talent while maximizing the strengths and minimizing the weaknesses of whatever QB emerges as the starter. I have faith he will do that.

I love optimism...you just never know

Add in PFF: SF: 10th overall, 22nd passing, and 12th rushing Buf: 29th overall, 28th passing, and 29th rushing Even with all the discord swirling around that team, IMHO, the 49er offense was far better, in fundamental ways, than the Bills' offense Although, I am not sure why this conversation is in a Tyrod Taylor thread

Agreed 100%. While we hear from coaches all the time that they will design plays that maximize player strengths and minimize weaknesses, it is another thing to actually see it manifest on the field. I am a big Roman fan and have been for awhile. He truly does have an innovative mind when it comes to offensive play design. Add Kromer to the mix and I think we will see improved fundamental play among the offensive line - as well as a much better understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of all offensive players, upon which game plans are designed. More excited than I have been in a long, long time....

Agreed. I typically quote them because it is the quickest and easiest way for me to grab stats for individual players and comparisons between individual players. It still provides some assessment among players within the same metrics

PFF grades (overall) for the last three years: 2012 2013 2014 RT 3.3 (Hairston) -8.4 (Pears) -29.9 (Henderson) -8.6 (Pears) RG 8.6 (Urbick) 9.3 (Urbik) -25 (Pears) C 1.9 (Wood) -1.6 (Wood) -5.5 (Wood LG 18.9 (Levitre) -11.4 (Legursky) -9.1 (Urbik) -29.7 (Brown) -6.9 (Williams) -13.7 (Richardson) LT 3.8 (Glenn) 19.6 (Glenn) 6.5 (Glenn)

Is this a comparison between Rivers and Orton? (1) I wouldn't call Rivers a "journeyman" and (2) no comparison....

Don't sell Gragg short. He is the type of TE that works well in Roman's style of offense. He was only targeted 9 times last year. However, he played over 200 snaps. There were 75 TEs that played 200 or more snaps last year. Out of those, Gragg graded out 21st overall and 29th in run blocking. With an offensive coaching staff that knows how to use him properly, I think Gragg will be a more than adequate back up. Marquise Grey is a pretty versatile athlete as well. He split time between QB and WR in college and is still learning the TE Position. Don't forget, both guys are going into their third years - still young, but, at that point where talent coupled with good coaching could produce some pretty good play.

I had posted this in another thread: According to PFF metrics, Clay ranked 14th overall among tight ends, 9th in pass receiving, and 11th in run blocking. For reference, Julius Thomas was 13th, 10th, and 33rd respectively and Scott Chandler was 47th, 63rd, and 40th respectively

There is little doubt that very few offensive players progressed under Marrone. We all witnessed it and whatever metrics you choose to consult bear it out. I loved Rex as a HC hire; however, I will say that I was more excited about getting Roman and Kromer. I truly believe Roman is one of the most innovative OCs out there - and Kromer is one of the best Oline coaches. I do believe the offensive line talent is not as bad as they played last year. I think they are going to add more talent this year (and should); but, I am very interested in how the current linemen, in particular last year's draft class, respond to the new offensive coaching, philosophies, and schemes.

Smart move. He actually graded out fairly well according to PFF metrics - until Marrone moved him to left guard..... Year Right Guard Left Guard All Guards 2011 11th 20th 2012 13th 25th 2013 11th 20th 2014 31st 53rd

I always liked Stevie and truly wish him the very best. It would have been tough watching him do well on the Pats.

I am clearly one of those that believes we have not seen enough from Manuel to know if he will be a quality starter in the NFL. I would also agree with you that two years is often enough time to get a pretty clear picture of the trajectory of any given QB's career path. For me, those are not contradictory statements. Had Manuel been able to go through two full training camps, played two full pre-seasons, and played two full regular seasons, and looked the way he did the last two games he played, I would probably feel much the way you do. However, I think there is a huge difference in the developmental curve for players who get consistent game day experience and those that do not. For me, I really do not know how much the lack of continuity (missing time to injuries) affected his development the first year, and he only played the first four games of his second year. I also was not a big fan of the offensive coaching staff he played under. These are not EXCUSES for Manuel's play. I get so tired of hearing that response. I am simply saying I do not know what, if any, effect, those things had on his development. I really do not know. You will not find any post I have ever written that says anything more than that. I saw a lot of troubling things in Manuel's play; however, I saw some good things too. Enough, to want to give him a chance to be evaluated by Greg Roman, an offensive coach whom I have immense respect for. While I would like to see what Manuel would do in one full season under Roman, If Roman does not believe Manuel is the guy after training camp and pre-season this year, then that is good enough for me. I understand that the things I mentioned above do not weigh as heavily in your opinion of Manuel as they do for me. That is fine. It is like jurors looking at evidence in a trial: Each juror has the right to give any particular piece of evidence as little or as much weight as they feel is appropriate. I can respect your opinion and I am not trying to change it. You may be absolutely right. But, then again, you might not be. At least you acknowledge that. There are some on this board who tend to crusade and ridicule as opposed to engaging in legitimate debate. At this point, barring some sort of unforseen circumstances, Manuel is going to be competing for the starting position. IMHO, threads like this serve no useful purpose. We are not going to trade Manuel for Tannehill or any other legitimate starter. Most of us are not going to change our opinions either - at least at this point. Only time will tell. I hope Manuel improves dramatically under Roman. That would be the best possible scenario given the present situation at QB. If he does not, I will be more than happy to agree with you. Until the end of training camp...

Schaub played for 7 years in Houston (2007-2013) . He completed almost 65% of his passes, almost 8 Y/A, 124 TDs, 78 INTs, 4.1 TD%, 2.6 INT%, and a QB rating of 90.9. During those years, PFF graded him out at 9th, 14th, 7th, 7th, 10th, 12th, and 38th respectively. I don't care what kind of system he played in, he was a decent QB. We would take a QB with those numbers any day. He definitely took a nose dive in 2013. He started only 8 games, throwing 10 TDs and 14 INTs - and his QB rating dropped from 6 years of +90 to 73. I am not sure what happened. The team also spiraled downward that season, going from 12-4 to 4-12. Something tells me there were more issues than just Schaub. He also didn't look good in Oakland when he did play last year. I have no idea if it was arm strength, confidence, the team around him, or what - but, he didn't play well the last two years.

FWIW, PFF had Clay graded 11th among tight ends in run blocking. Chandler was rated 40th