Mister Defense

What are you talking about? They clearly had a plan, to bolster the D tackle, D end, and cornerback positions, first and foremost, and then some more. Those were the glaring weaknesses last year that prevented the Bills from taking the next step. I loved that focus, although I really wanted them to get another cornerback earlier than they did so, as there was no quality depth at the position, beyond the need for a starting CB. To say they had no plan makes no sense, so can you elaborate? You mean a plan you liked? Offensive weapons early, instead?

well, yeah, but last year things were not good on the defense, like I said, and though we saw spurts of excellence, there was not a consistent progression in defensive quality last year. I assume a huge majority of Bills' fans had the same kinds of concerns I did. And many likely the same concerns about Babbich. But the game outcome was almost exactly what I was hoping for when I posted this. Almost a perfect game defensively. A good sign, even if the Jets have a weak offense this year, again.

yeah, I agree, as last week was the first time I had ever seen Fields like an actual starting caliber NFL quarterback in his career, though I had not seen a slew of his games. But even so, yesterday the defense looked disciplined and sharp, big changes from last week. We need to see more of course, but no high end offenses coming up soon to evaluate.

Yup, I do give my constructive criticism at times, like this! (Just check out my comments in the prediction thread before the Ravens’ game.) Here, I assumed many had some of the same concerns that I do. And yeah, those two extremes probably don’t define either of our views—eternally optimistic or pessimistic! I knew I could not watch the game in real time yesterday, hence was able to post that OP close to kick off. Was able to watch the game late yesterday. That is also why I did not respond to anything in this thread until now--had not watched the game, did not know the score, all phone notifications off until I did so. The defense we saw yesterday had ALL of the qualities I, and probably most on here, wanted to see, and had been concerned about in the OP: --Yesterday, the defense was sharp and disciplined and detail oriented, in all areas, consistently, the big picture things and in the details, player performance --Looks like there were excellent fundamentals and they were likely the hallmark of their success--the assignments, the tackling, and teamwork etcetera, al looked top notch. A great relief. --This time, the defensive line and linebackers played lights out, stopping the run, stopping the pass, pressuring the QBs, showing what they are capable of consistently yesterday. And like you said, BOSA! If BOSA is the guy we have seen the last few weeks, and yesterday he took the next step, this defense is much better with that improvement in itself. --Almost no big plays given up and great work on 3rd downs. Yes! -And looks like an excellent game plan, and consistently, throughout the game. I never said I was there yet, as far as Babbich being the problem, but leaning in that direction. More than anything yesterday I wanted to see the defense look, well, the way it looked yesterday! I am not discounting Babbich in this performance, but it seems after dismal performances like against the Ravens, the defense usually plays much better. Same was true even at the end of the Ravens’ game--they finally looked like the defense I describe above, that we saw yesterday. Do you and others think McD becomes extremely hands on in these situations , after very poor defensive performances? That he is much more directive with Babbich and the defense after big defensive breakdowns in game? The defense sometimes looks like a different animal in these cases, as they did yesterday. Not off my hot seat yet, and I am sure Babbich is concerned about my views, very likely read them just as the game started yesterday, motivating him to do better. But a great game yesterday. Now, will we keep seeing that discipline and competence, even against the top offenses?

Yeah, but like with Dorsey, it may be more than that--Dorsey did not have them prepared to play, hence those dismal starts, game after game. McD blasted (many) key areas of the defense in his press conference--it sure sounded like he was talking about the coaching more than anything else. But I agree that Babbich may have a longer leash. That is why I posted this today, though I had planned to do it yesterday. If it is clearly a Babbich problem, he may not to just go.

Yup! Slept in. But it is the main question I had for today's game. And I am thinking others may be on the same page.

Hey, not for five minutes!

The defense was poor last year. But worse, overall they did not seem to improve last year, just tread water, not being able to stop the run, 3rd down conversions, long plays... The sharpness and discipline that had been hallmarks of McD's defenses previously were missing too often. It was tough to determine how much of that was related to the player turnover and/or the Bills clearly being undermanned in the secondary and D-Line. And how much fell on game preparation and play calling--the coaching. With Dorsey, it was easier to find the culprit, as the offense had not undergone those kinds of changes. And then we all saw it get worse and worse under him in his first year, not better and better. Before the next season started I said Dorsey was the biggest concern for the Bills that year. Then, early and often we saw the offense look unprepared, confused even, as if they did not know what they were doing and why things were not working. The players looked dazed and dumbfounded, even our fearless leader. Like Dan O said, about our previously special offense, loaded with talent: it was the easiest offense to defend in the entire league. Thankfully McD did not do the conservative thing, and wait to the end of the season, but cut bait before the season was lost. The defense looks sort of ike that now--both unprepared and poor play calling, a lethal combination. Players seem lost and confused, and the defense doesn't seem to improve on the weaknesses in a consistent manner. And even supposedly high level players, including our linebackers and lineman, are getting wiped out. We have 3 number one picks starting on the defensive line now. I am not completely there yet, but do people think as I am thinking, leaning in the direction that the fundamental problem with the defense is it is poorly coached? The secondary has significant question marks and weaknesses, so it is still hard to evaluate the defense, but are there signs to you that it is more about Babbich than anything else now? To me, we should get considerably more answers to this question today and in the next few weeks. Hope the defense progresses today and going forward, but if so many things continue to look poor on defense Babbich may be in over his head.

Bills 35, Jets 30 and Babbich's seat starts to get pretty hot Defense needs to start looking like it is prepared, disciplined and that the right plays are being called at the right times

Wow, one of the all time most ridiculous, ignorant, sour grapes comments in the 25+ years I have been on this forum--see bold above!!! Anyone that thinks that, well, there are no words that define how off that is--shockingly so.. I had to re-read it several times to see if I was reading it incorrectly. Nope--that's what it says! If by eat his lunch, he means Coleman would definitely have 100++, maybe 200+yards, and 2-3 TDs, then I would agree with that statement completely. Yikes. Scary stuff, like they have not watched football in years and years.. Can only imagine how this poster must have bashed Coleman to now say something like that. Someone with more time than I have now needs to do a deep dive and post the results! If I was a betting man, which I am, I would bet substantial resources they have been destroying Coleman, and likely since the moment he arrived. And instead of admitting how completely wrong they were, they are just digging in their heels--to quicksand.

Great Likely doing what you say here, in bold, because he trashed Coleman here or elsewhere on the board? That is usually the case with bashers, they just keep going down another dark ultra negative avenue once their original bashing falls apart. And then again, and again and again... as if the reality of the situation never happened. Just like this one you rip apart so well..

Nice call here, a seminal post now on TBD, one that will likely keep looking more and more humorous as the months, and years, roll by.. Before the draft the Bills were clear--no small players like that now, no more, as we needed a big, physical X receiver who could go and get it, and have his way with smaller DBs. Looks like a great call by McBeane, on both fronts, passing on the small, now often injured Worthy, and nailing it with the big, physical, smart X receiver in Coleman who has a championship work ethic and attitude. Things can change of course, but that is where things stand right now. And not coincidences that Worthy is not available, again and again, and that Coleman looks like the player they wanted, that Josh wanted.

love me some Tre White, a seminal player for this era of the Bills, the first draft pick and defensive star under McDermott. But he has not looked like a starting cornerback since before his second injury, the achilles, and even then was clearly diminished by the first major injury, the ACL Consistency is key at that position and not allowing the big play. I have no confidence White can do either of those things consistently any more. If true, and starting, that would likely mean he would be easy pickings for a slew of the high level quarterbacks they play this year. No thanks, not worth the risk--if what we have seen of White the last few years is what we will get. And that inconsistency was a hallmark of his play this off season--sometimes good, solid, but too many break downs. Not a starting corner if what we saw is what he is now. So, Strong, and hope he gets better each week until Hairston comes back. In the end, if Strong can hold down the fort, they would then have a reliable back up too for the rest of the season. As Tre White transitions into a coach on the team he loves and who loves him back.

Hah! Very nice! Thanks!

So now, get the best cornerback you can get, even if it is in a trade, and ditto for a safety. Leave no stone unturned-- all rosters, all practice squads, CFL, prison yards..

The BOHLD defense? Babbich out of his league defense

Bad for the league, but great for the real teams like Buffalo and others who decide not to give into the awful movement to a game that we will no longer recognize. Teams like the Bills and the others who make the wise decision to play football the way it was meant to be played--outside and on grass as well--will likely be the dominant teams in the next few decades. Teams like the Bills, Chiefs, the Packers (can you imagine the Packers' home as a dome!?), will just take over the league.

Thanks! Did they even mention that great, very timely hit on the TV broadcast?? Like I said in the thread on the broadcasters, they really dropped the ball in saying which players on defense made plays. But I may have just missed this one in the great moment that it was. It is a ferocious hit, looks like a grown man throwing a (very bad) little kid threw the air and onto the ground. Very timely.

Great., Thanks--never been on that part of that site. Did not know about it. And great to see that Bosa is already playing as a full time, full fledged starter. Not just here to pressure the passer. Hope this continues. Guy was so happy for the win yesterday, ecstatic to be part of this team.

Thanks. Wow, 280 pounds! I have not seen a huge amount of him, but would never have guessed that, not even close. He will get better and better as he plays in this defense, it seems. He got better as the game progressed. Hope he plays a lot of snaps this year, will be a very good thing for this defense.

Alexander will soon make a good broadcaster I think. One of the best, just a few years ago--and we know how good he was because our little boy Diggs could not stomach him. Once he signed that huge contract, I think in 22, which made him the highest payed CB?, it seemed he pretty quickly became complacent. When you have tens of millions in the bank, and more to come, easy to see how someone may soon decide to hang it up. You have to be highly motivated to play in the NFL. He seems destined for something else, soon.

Thought this would be easy to find, but not so How many snaps did Bosa play against the Ravens? it seemed he was much more than a pass rusher, that he played most downs. But the announcers were so bad at talking about most of the players and stats, I have no idea if that is true. And if could tell me how to best find this kind of info quickly let me know, please!

Like in the preseason I found it extremely frustrating that Tirico seldom seemed to mention the Bills' defenders' names who were in on the stop or giving up a big play, though he definitely did the latter more consistently. I had my roster online so I could rewind, check who made the play or who did not, to find this very important info. But tough to do, often tough to see numbers and it also interrupts the flow of the game. It seems like a seminal part of the play by play and also the color commentator's jobs--let us know the names of the players involved! Seems to have really regressed into this over the last few years, when previously letting us know the players involved had been an obvious thing, completely expected. A 'duh', that is one of our main duties. Surprised, and disappointed, to see even experiences broadcasters, like Tirico and Collisnworth, drop the ball like that now too.

One of the best things about victories is we then see the haters, those who bash almost all the Bills' leadership does, not know what to do with themselves. As they come out from the cracks and crevices under the sink to throw water on the victory, no matter how they have to do it: 'Oh yeah, your Bills are so good, huh? What about this....?" They don't know how to react to wins, big wins like last night's especially, so they just comically flail at something, hoping that gets the other haters flailing along with them. It gives them a sense of confidence that it is still okay to bash away, no matter the situation. Like I said in a previous thread today, it is completely expected, like clockwork. Simple and obvious. When one sees an OP like this, and are not sure what to make of it on a day like this especially? Just check the poster's history quickly and you will likely see what I just saw. Try to find almost any of this poster's posts that are not super negative, super sarcastic--with our team always the target.

Yes, it was Allen's main goal this summer, his main area to improve-- pre snap reads Maybe Tom Brady and Josh have spoken about this, as it is hallmark of Brady's success. He was never fast, never had the best arm, but it was his brain, his commitment to understanding exactly what is going on at all times, no matter the situation, that made him what he is. And Josh is very smart too. If he is committed to this going forward then his greatness will continue to develop. He will clearly keep on doing what Dan O and you are saying, keep getting better and better at this vital aspect of being an NFL quarterback. And I notice that he is being more vocal, more detailed and specific to the players on his team as well. That is a huge part of this--this skill makes the entire offense better, enables all to rise to their potential, as their leader knows so much.