mjt328
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Posts posted by mjt328
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The problem is not running the ball.
The problem is that we can't complete a downfield pass to save our lives.
This offense is DESIGNED for Fitzpatrick to make quick decisions on short routes. We haven't been FORCED into it by the blitz.
What has changed is that teams are jamming our receivers and crowding the line of scrimmage - taking away the run, short slants and screens.
The way to combat this is to make some big passes downfield and force the defense to back up. Chan and Fitz KNOW this already, and it's clear by the playcalling that they are trying to make more big pass plays. Unfortunately:
1. Our receivers can't beat 1-on-1 coverage downfield
2. Fitzpatrick is inaccurate on long throws
3. Our offensive line can't hold the pass rush long enough for deep throws to develop
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Ralph wants to have a winning team. Unfortunately, there are a few things that he wants more:
1. He wants the team to be as profitable as possible, so that he can pass a large inheritance down to his family when he dies. That's why a guy in his 90's is acting without a sense of urgency in making the team a winner.
2. He wants to remain in complete control of the business he started 50 years ago. This is why he refuses to step back and allow a football guy run the team without interference.
Ralph is also a very proud man that cares very deeply about his legacy as an AFL founder and an NFL owner. He wants to be THE GUY who kept a team in Buffalo for 50 years, despite the odds. There is no way he could ever turn over or sell the team during his lifetime, because if the team won without him, it would taint that legacy.
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The Bills don't have the talent to significantly change what they are doing on offense.
If defenses are keying on the run and trying to stop the short passing game - then you try to beat them downfield.
Buffalo has TRIED to do this.
The receivers aren't getting open. Fitzpatrick can't hit them. The offensive line can't block long enough.
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When a defense jams receivers at the line of scrimmage and plays bump-and-run, they are usually leaving themselves open for big plays down the field.
The problem is:
1. None of our receivers are fast enough to consistently cause separation down the field
2. Our offensive line isn't good enough to hold blocks for that extra 1-2 seconds
3. Our quarterback is extremely inaccurate on downfield passes
The offense we have been running for 9 games is DESIGNED to mask all these weak points. Now that teams have figured us out, there really isn't much we can do about it - other than add more talent to the team. Defenses are basically DARING us to beat them 1-on-1 downfield and we CAN'T DO IT.
This is why I can't blame Chan for the recent offensive downturn. He has the choice to either:
a) Run an offense that goes completely against the strengths of his players
b) Keep trying what worked for the first 7 games, despite the fact that defenses now know how to counter it
If I was the offensive coordinator, I would probably try to run more play-action (like someone else already suggested) with a quarterback roll-out. This might help a little bit with our protection and getting receivers open. But if Fitzpatrick can't be better at long passes, the results are going to be the same.
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I've paid extra attention to the offensive line this preseason. Based on what I've seen so far, I think Demetrius Bell has been BY FAR our worst starting lineman during those 5 or so quarters.
Everyone has struggled at times. That includes Eric Wood and Andy Levitre.
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A couple recent examples:
> Peyton Hillis: He was part of the Brady Quinn trade, so he wasn't cut. But the Broncos had him relegated to 3rd-4th string on the depth chart. After his season last year, he is on the Madden cover.
> Cedric Benson: As someone already stated...
> Brandon Lloyd: Was a bust for a couple teams actually, before having a Pro Bowl season last year.
> James Harrison: Was actually cut by the Steelers, signed and cut by the Ravens, then became one of the top defensive players in football.
Not too many players that I could think of.
I think the moral of the story is... either somebody can play football, or they can't. Changing teams isn't usually going to make a huge difference.
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Since the NFL started the 16-game season in 1978, only one team has ever gone 0-16, the Detroit Lions in 2008. Would like someone here who actually paid attention in Statistics class to figure the odds of a perfect losing season.
Given that the Bills:
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- Won four last season, and lost many games by less than a TD, including about three OTs, including against several playoff teams...
- Drastically improved its run defense...
- Did nothing worse than last season with the O line, which was less than average but did not lead to doom...
Not to mention the fact that Fitz can only get better, I'd say the odds are not in your corner, jumbalaya.
My money is on:
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- 7-9 with no O-line upgrade.
- 9-7 with one.
Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work that way. You can't just assume that because we "lost close games" that this year they will somehow fall in our favor.
As someone else said... You don't LEARN to win close games. You get better, so that you have the talent to TURN IT ON in the fourth quarter, during close games. We always lost close ones to playoff teams because they often underestimated us early. But by the end of the game, they had the talent to pull it out.
To your other points:
> The Bills did upgrade the pass rush and run defense. That should help us out a lot. But that also means that teams will have to start testing our secondary, which might not be as good as we think (ask Kyle Orton and Brady Quinn).
> Fitzpatrick can definitely do worse. He doesn't have Lee Evans to help stretch the field. He won't take other teams by surprise anymore. And if the offensive line gets him hurt, we could be scary bad.
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A year ago, the "experts" said that Tim Tebow was a long-term project that would take YEARS to even get on the field. They said he had to completely re-tool his throwing motion.
But he learned enough to end up starting the last three games of the season during his rookie year. In those three games, he had 8 touchdowns and 4 turnovers.
The Broncos averaged 25 points a game during that stretch, including those against two of the top passing defenses in the league - San Diego and Oakland.
Not bad for a guy that people doubted would ever be good enough to actually PLAY under center his first year.
Now was this a spectacular performance. No.
But it proved that Tebow was making significant progress during his rookie season. More progress than other first rounders like Jamarcus Russell, Brady Quinn, Matt Leinart, Aaron Rodgers, JP Losman, Jason Campbell, Alex Smith did in their first seasons. A lot more progress than his critics are willing to admit.
If Tebow did this for the Bills, he would be the talk of the town.
It's no surprise that Kyle Orton give the Broncos the best chance to win now, and of course, the players are going to support the guy who gives them the best chance to win now. Orton had a really good season last year, but fans know that he has likely hit his ceiling. They want to see what Tebow can do.
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Last March, Bills GM Buddy Nix joked with reporters about his inactivity on the free agent market, while the front offices from other teams stayed up well past midnight to work big money deals with agents.
"They asked me if I was going to be there," said Nix. "Hell no, I ain't going to be there. I'm going to bed."
Of course, what Nix meant was that he believes in rebuilding a franchise through the draft, and not through free agency. But to frustrated sports fans that already question their team's commitment to winning, it was a certainly poor attempt at humor.
Now don't get me wrong. I like that Nix apparently has a plan and that he's willing to stick with it. He says he wants to build the team with young draftees and isn't willing to overspend on the big name free agents.But still, it's hard not to look at this front office without sensing an attitude of apathy and laziness. Quite simply - nobody seems to be in a hurry for the Bills to get better.
Other teams (see New England, Philadelphia, Green Bay) are experts at managing every cent of the salary cap, stockpiling draft picks, getting maximum value on every single trade, aggressively pursuing the top free agents and exhausting all possibilities for improving their rosters. It's a "win at all costs" mentality.
The Bills are constantly caught in the "wait for next year" mentality - refusing to re-sign players for their market value (Paul Posluszny), relying on sub-par talent at key positions (Ryan Fitzpatrick, Demetrius Bell) and hoping for big contributions from unproven youngsters (Torrell Troup, Arthur Moats).
Full Article: http://buffalobillsstampede.blogspot.com/2011/08/front-office-lacks-urgency.html
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I've also spent a lot of time examining possibilities for the 2012 draft class (the Bills have to be in the market for one next year, right?). But I don't think the Bengals are the team we should worry about getting ahead of us. Especially since they snatched up Andy Dalton this year.
Personally, I think the Redskins have the worst lineup in the NFL... and it's not even close. And since they are currently debating between John Beck and Rex Grossman at the quarterback position, they will be in desperate need of a quarterback.
Another team to worry about is Seattle. They made the playoffs last year with a losing record and weren't even as good as the 7-9 mark indicates. This year, they will be counting on Tarvaris Jackson. I'm sure they will be in the market for a quarterback next year.
Miami and Oakland are also entering 2011 with very poor quarterback situations. And I could see the Bills ending with a better record than either of them.
Other distinct possibilities are Cleveland and Denver. Colt McCoy will get the chance to prove he's capable of handling the starting job, but if he stumbles, the Browns might be willing to move on. The Broncos drafted Tim Tebow in the first round last year, but then cleared out the front office. I think he will get a chance to show his stuff this year. But the team's new management is not tied to him.
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Fixed for you. Our LBs are still average at best. If Merriman can return to his former self, then we're improved. But I highly doubt that's going to happen. HIGHLY doubtful. And Moats better start in front of Kelsay. The only time Kelsay should be allowed on the field is at DE when we go 43
You're DELUSIONAL. Haynesworth and Wilfork? Haynesworth "SUCKED" with the Redskins because he was miserable, was umotivated and wasn't trying. You think that'll happen with Belichick? Nuh uh. And Ochocinco? Sure, he's been average the last couple years. That's what happens when you have an average QB and a below average team. Just wait til he steps on the field with Welker, Branch and Brady.
You can knock their offseason moves all u want, but theres a reason why they're ALWAYS the team to beat. I give respect where respect's due.
If almost ANY other team traded for Albert Haynesworth and Chad Ochocinco, analysts would be calling them "desperation moves." All we would hear about is how these guys are cancer and a distraction to their teams, unmotivated, unpredictable...and a total wastes of roster space. New England makes the move and it's brilliant.
Same thing happens every draft. The Patriots stockpile late draft picks and they are considered geniuses. Nobody points out that New England has blown the VAST majority of those draft picks. After 10 years of pulling this crap, New England's impact players on offense are still Tom Brady and Tom Brady. Take Wilfork off that defense, and they are below average.
When those top guys retire - Belichek or not - this team is going to bottom out.
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Warren Sapp knows a thing or two about playing on the defensive line, so he might have a point. Regardless of what Dareus is capable of playing or even what he played at Alabama, Dareus might indeed project better as a 3-technique tackle.
But one point. Nobody knows for sure what system the Bills are planning to run this year.
1. They started with the 3-4 last year, but finished running mostly 4-3.
2. George Edwards (a 3-4 guy) is still the defensive coordinator. But they also brought in Dave Wannstedt (a 4-3 guy) as the assistant coach.
3. Last year's free agent/draft was focused on bringing in 3-4 guys...Torrell Troupe, Alex Carrington, Arthur Moats, Dwan Edwards, Andre Davis, Shawn Merriman. But they also re-signed Chris Kelsay, who should be a 4-3 end. This year's draft was a mix.
On top of that...most people would agree that Kyle Williams isn't best suited as a nosetackle. A lot of people thought he should have been on the trading block at the beginning of last season. But he turned in the BEST season of his career in 2010. So if Dareus is as talented as people say, he should do just fine.
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Does anybody realize that EVERY quarterback on our roster was drafted in the seventh round?
Ryan Fitzpatrick, Tyler Thigpen, Levi Brown
I like the Thigpen signing, but it really shows how the Bills are satisfied to go dumpster diving for the NFL's most important position.
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The good NFL franchises always seem to find the bargains on underrated talent. Meanwhile, bad teams waste valuable resources on players that will never live up to their ridiculous hype.
Word this week out of Seattle is that the Seahawks are prepared to offer a first and third round pick to obtain quarterback Kevin Kolb from Philadelphia. This is the same Seahawks team that once traded a first rounder for Deion Branch and a third rounder for Charlie Whitehurst.
In fact, the growing publicity around Kolb is eerily similar to a guy named Rob Johnson, who suckered the Bills just over a ten years ago.Originally a fourth round pick, Johnson sat the bench for two full seasons before one strong start in 1997 caught the eyes of teams around the league. Buffalo packaged a first and fourth round pick (along with a $25 million contract) for Johnson, who started a decade-long run of pathetic signal callers.
Full article: http://buffalobillsstampede.blogspot.com/
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Quarterback controversies are nothing new at One Bills Drive. Since Jim Kelly hung up his cleats, fans have debated Flutie vs. Johnson, Bledsoe vs. Losman, Losman vs. Edwards, and so on.
Going into 2011, there is no doubt who will be starting under center. But that doesn't mean the season is going to be free of a quarterback controversy. Quite the opposite. Eyes will be glued on Ryan Fitzpatrick's every movement on the field, as fans and the media hope to answer the question on everyone's minds: Is he the Bills long-term answer?
Full article at http://buffalobillsstampede.blogspot.com/2011/06/do-or-die-season-for-fitzpatrick.html
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Historically, the Bills have been a revolving door at cornerback.
Talents like Nate Odomes, Jeff Burris, Thomas Smith, Antoine Winfield and Nate Clements have come and gone over the years - only to be replaced by younger defensive backs with lower price tags and less starting experience. Only time will tell if Drayton Florence can be added to that list.
After a disastrous season in Jacksonville, few expected Florence to be a big contributor for the Bills when he signed as a free agent in 2009. He still isn't a Pro-Bowl caliber player, but Florence has managed to start 29 of Buffalo's last 32 games at cornerback - and done a decent job at it. Some would argue that he's been the Bills best defensive back since joining the team.
Exceeding expectations has a price tag, though. And the Bills will probably have to shell out a decent contract to retain his future services.
Full Article
http://buffalobillsstampede.blogspot.com/2011/06/should-bills-re-sign-drayton-florence.html
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Quit moving teams.
LA has failed with 2 franchises in the past. Toronto can't fill the stadium for ONE game a year.
If these cities absolutely HAVE to get an NFL team - expand.
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Follow up to Poz post.
Full article:
http://buffalobillsstampede.blogspot.com/2011/06/should-bills-re-sign-donte-whitner.html
We all know the team should have drafted Pro-Bowl tackle Haloti Ngata instead. We all know Whitner lacks the talent of top NFL safeties like Ed Reed and Troy Polamalu. But that doesn't mean Whitner can't be a contributor.Like every player, Whitner has strengths and he has weaknesses.It's hard to ignore a player that racks up 140 tackles in a season, which Whitner did in 2010 thanks in part to the team's switch to a 3-4 defensive scheme. But as solid as he's been against the run, Whitner has struggled just as badly in coverage. His Week 7 performance last year against Todd Heap was as awful as they come.
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Living in St. Louis, Sunday Ticket is the only way I have to watch the Bills every year.
I just can't watch the Rams every week...but the prices are getting way out of line. I might have to become a big fan of Sam Bradford.
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Full Article:
http://buffalobillsstampede.blogspot.com/2011/06/should-bills-re-sign-paul-posluszny.html
"Poz" is certainly a player that splits the opinions of people who watch the Bills every weekend.Some believe he's a consistently good player that always seems to be near the ball, racking up tons of tackles despite a weak cast around him. Others say he's a liability, playing a primary position (inside linebacker) on one of the worst running defenses in the league.
Both the Bills front office and Poz have expressed interest in re-signing. But as usual, a major factor will be money. Posluszny's rookie contract made him a total of $4.75 million in four years, combined. On the open market, he's expected to command closer to $5 million per year. -
Wide receiver is one of the only positions I think we are good on, along with running back and defensive back. So I disagree completely.
We have a solid veteran quarterback, but we still need someone elite to become a regular Super Bowl contender. That's a huge puzzle piece still missing.
We are solid on the interior of our offensive line, but extremely weak at both tackle positions. Another large puzzle piece.
Our tight ends could definitely use a major upgrade. There's another one, although it depends on the offense Gailey settles on.
Dareus makes the defensive line a lot better, but we could use some better players at the end positions. There's another puzzle piece or two.
Linebacker was possibly our weakest spot last year. IF Merriman regains old form, IF Poz is re-signed, IF Sheppard becomes a solid starter, then we are a little closer. But we likely need a few more contributors.
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How many fans would you turn off in the process?
I, for one, would never watch professional football again.
To answer your question: We both decide how much he gets paid to mow my lawn.
I can offer him $10 to do it. He can accept that or ask for more. That is his decision.
If I refuse to pay him what he's worth, I take the risk of having someone else do a crappy job. That's my decision.
There is always give and take.
The NFL is not just popular because football is a cool sport. If that was true, the NFL wouldn't have any advantage over the CFL, USFL, Arena League, XFL, whatever...
One of the reason it's popular is because of the TALENT.
We pay to watch Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Aaron Rogers throw the ball. Not some bum off the street that can't hit the broadside of a barn.
We pay to watch Adrien Peterson, Chris Johnson run the ball. Not some guy with half the speed and no moves.
Maybe the players are selfish, greedy and don't appreciate what they have. I'm sure quite a few are.
But the reason they get paid so much money is because WE are willing to fork out that kind of money to be entertained. It's called supply and demand.
Fans need to stop being jealous of what the players have. Having millions of dollars and fame isn't everything. Instead, we need to start appreciating that football players are around to entertain us.
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Why is it that a young Bills quarterback (JP Losman, Trent Edwards) can play terrible for 2-3 years, win hardly any games.... and so many Bills fans claim "we just haven't given them enough time." They get all the excuses in the world. Bad coaching, weak play calling, poor offensive line, no weapons, etc.
But when another team has a young quarterback like Sanchez, who is still having growing pains... Bills fans talk about how bad the guy is?
Sanchez has more talent than any Bills quarterback since Drew Bledsoe. He's won more games than any Bills quarterback since Doug Flutie.
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DeSmith and Godell are meeting with some owners and players present. Why is it being called secret? It just sounds like a meeting. Maybe Private but definitely not "secret."
Exactly. If it was a secret, why did they tell the media about it?
The Official "I Still BILLIEVE THREAD"
in The Stadium Wall Archives
Posted
I agree.
9-7 isn't going to cut it. We need to finish at least 10-6.
That means finishing 5-2 against: Miami, Jets, Tennessee, San Diego, Miami, Denver and New England