Mister Defense

? Hmm, well, not sure which team's young secondary you have been watching, but this is not a young, inexperienced starting secondary, except for Cole Bishop, in his second year. These are the facts: Tre White: 9th year in the NFL Taylor Rapp: 7th year Christan Benford: 4th year Taron Johnson: 8th year So, the only player of the five starters one can say is "inexperienced" is obviously Bishop, right? And I think Bishop is already playing better than Hamlin was last year. So, does the fact that the 'fact' you use to get to your position is naccurate make you reconsider your point? Think about this: what if the Bills' leaders are doing this, saying things, thinking things, that are simply untrue. What would be the result in general, and in this case, as they attempt to fix a poor defense? I think they would make awful decisions if they did things like this, consistently. They would be ignoring the actual problems, and instead focusing on things that are not relevant. And spinning their wheels, or worse, regressing. If you don't know what your actual problems are how can you fix them?

While I agree with you, that this may be likely now, I instead hope that they use the three tight ends they have, all together and in other ways, even more now, and in more creative, dynamic ways as the season progresses And in doing so realize just how helpful it is to have three high quality, maybe 3 starting quality tight ends on the same roster. It is clearly a strength of the team, so Brady needs to keep developing it now. Knox is likely Josh's best friend on the team, so I would think he would be calling for the same things. To improve the offense, and to keep his good friend there with him.

Wow, now, clearly, I realize that this defense kicked some serious kiester last week. I am sure we are all now hoping for a similar defensive performance against the improved, better than the Saints, Patriots on Sunday night? I was completely confident during the Saints game that the Bills were going to win, never a doubt. More of the same this week hopefully, right?

Okay, thanks?! But the NOW in my topic title was just a reference to a similar thread I had started just as the Jets game was beginning a few weeks ago. So after three more games, I wanted to see what posters were thinking--NOW, three weeks, 3 games later. And I definitely do not think it is an "outrageous take"! I in no way intended it be. Not at all, actually. Because if this is the defense going forward, this is likely not the season all involved were hoping for. In fact, I think there is almost no way it can be. So to me the 'outrageous' thing would be to let this fester, and not make the change, with so many signs pointing to the clear problem,. IF that problem persists.. It is the same way I thought when it was quickly so obvious at the start of the season that dorsey was indeed the culprit. And so many said to me then, you don't fire a coach in the middle of the season and hope to be a contender, won't happen, McDermott won't do it... He did it and the offense was born anew---immediately. Obviously I don't see it the same way as you such as the young secondary being one of the major problems and the missing players: --Except for 2nd year player Bishop, it is actually an experienced secondary, and across the board. Rapp, Benford, Johnson, White are the other starters. All very experienced. But, yes, Strong has also gotten some good playing time. --And a few missing players should not rock a defensive unit in this manner, would not, I would say. And especially true for a team that is noted for good depth. More importantly though, I don't accept your premise because this defense looks startlingly similar to last year's in run defense, 3rd down efficiency, 2nd half adjustments, tackling... Hard to believe that the same exact ugly things we saw last year are rearing their same exact ugly heads again this year, and to the same extent, because of missing a few players. But we will see. And actually, I am hoping you are right, and I am wrong about my hypothesis. As that means a smoother season--and I am worried, as I was with dorsey, that McBean may not pull the trigger if they need to. But in no way should McBeane wait 6 weeeks, until almost Thanksgiving, to make a change if all of the evidence keeps revealing the same thing.

Well, I think I said just that in my post, your first sentence.. But, have patience.... Because if this run defense does not improve, soon and dramatically, (and Tre White ever covers a fast wideout again), what you say in your last sentence may be coming soon too. We have seen the beginnings of that in the high completion percentage of QBs. Because if the Bills can't stop the run with their lineman, they will need to change their pass defense too.

I still say, "Let 'em walk" Don't give in and then let the other players think they can 'hold us hostage too' Easily replaceable Dime a dozen Be crazy to play a running back who cannot pass block Davis will do just fine, just as well We should not be running this much anyway, need a passing game to finally fix this awful offense... Trade him for a 3rd round draft pick. Or a 4th if that is all we can get. NEVER pay a running back, ever... Etcetera One day when I have some time I will go back to a Cook thread or so and have some real fun..

????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????? What do you mean?? Am I missing something with this kind of post, and similar posts, that make almost 0 sense? Maybe I had unknowingly fallen asleep for a looooooong time? Can someone help me out here, provide some answers? It seems to imply that Sean McDermott has jettisoned, fired, a slew of defensive coordinators in his NINE YEARS as the Bills' head coach. But isn't Babbich only his second defensive coordinator in those NINE years, after Frasier?? And isn't that on the very low side for coaches with similar nine year tenures? We are mostly adults on here, I assume, so isn't at least a tiny bit of logic, and some base in reality, something that should be guiding all of us?

I think they should be able to do it, as offenses like this usually are just starting to hit their stride in the coming weeks. So the Bills' offense should keep progressing. But the defense right now makes it less likely--I think. If the opposing offenses, even the supposedly weaker ones, continue to have long, productive drives on our defense, it makes it less likely because the Bills will not have the ball enough to do this. They need to stop the run to make this happen. On the other hand, if the Bills need to keep scoring up a storm because the defense continues to flail, then the Bills will likely need to score more points to win their games. And maybe break some of these records you hit on. If someone said, choose between the kinds of offensive records you point to, and a much improved defense, the answer is a no brainer. But, let's do both, please! Complimentary football. Now.

Yes, seriously. I apologize for your confusion. Sorry if that was not clear in the OP and my posts that follow. Thought I was crystal clear in my thoughts, but you never know how some others may read things. Very nice back up to your well thought out points. The quality and extent of those show just how confident you must be in your opinions. See bold above, please. Though it appears to have been in vain, in your case, I tried to give clear, specific and detailed based evidence for my ideas and analysis. But obviously you make an excellent case for your own, see bold above, contrary opinion here. So I will spend today thinking through your high level support and analysis and then maybe your wise words cause me and others to reconsider. Well done. Great to see you continue to now add your own very consistent quality of support and analysis in this forum to this important discussion of a major weakness on our team.

Not sure if that is sarcasm/snarkism, have not heard that phrase before! Let me know! But to me this is the most important issue for the Bills right now as far as big picture issues, things that can derail the team, the season. Really, it has pretty much been the focus of any negative thoughts I have had for my team for weeks. I think this can be a special year. But if my and others' suspicions are correct, it would be much less likely with Babich. I posted because I think the conversation, at least, needs to start. Because if it is Babich, then we have learned recently that things can improve quickly, and dramatically, even during the season, to turn things around. Brady turned a regressing depressing moribund offense, one that did not resemble our dynamic consistent offense, into a great one in ONE week. With all of the other evidence smashing us in the face before (and after) it was then really evident that it was coaching, for anyone who needed convincing. Same players-- but a dramatically better offense immediately and going forward. Kind of a duh there, I think--unless Brady has magical powers. And it was clear to me with dorsey, unless that did happen, the season was lost. Not AS confident it is Babich, for some of the reasons others have posted here, but it needs to be seriously analyzed, closely, at the very least. We will see what we see in the coming weeks and go from there. I am pretty confident McBeane is feeling the same way, but of course have no way to know that. I am planning on setting up a Zoom meeting with them to lay out my concerns and my analysis. I will keep everyone posted on the results.

Well, that is what I was hoping for, to see the same turn around the Eagles had last year on defense, going from one of the worst in the league, to the best and NFL champions. Yeah, it took them a bit to get their footings, hit their stride, but they never looked like this and the fundamental problems we see. I am not basher, like you and yours, and have never been. Kind of like what I have found my whole life, such as when the biggest liars always call everyone else liars etcetera. You seem to have freezers full of pounds of flesh that you have tried to extinguish over the years. What can I have against Babich? The only thing is that he seems to be undermining our defense, running it into the ground which may break the team.

Yes! This. And it seems like that for many things the offenses are doing, even the supposedly so so offenses or bad ones. Hard to imagine we just have a slew of not so bright players, or undedicated players, who just are not internalizing and applying the high level teachings of the coaches during the week and their high level game planning. Rather, it seems clear that the teachers here, the coaches, are really dropping the ball. And in so many aspects of the defense. What you point to in your post is why this defense reminds me so much of dorsey's train wreck of an offense, which became the 'easiest offense in the NFL to defend'. Just like that, because of many different examples of what you refer to here, they have become one of the easiest defenses to move the ball against. And are, so far in 2025, looking worse than last year. And not getting better as this season progresses. All kinds of clear signs. And yeah, they may be erroneous signals, but I I am doubting that. Too many flashing red lights to ignore and too consistent.

Disagree with what you say is the problem because of the considerable consistency of things last year and now this--what you say does not add up, as things keep looking the same, fairly consistently, no matter who is playing. And I do think McDermott cuts bait with or clearly demotes Babich if what I and others have been saying is accurate. As not doing so can then easily undermine the entire season--he won't let one coach do that, no matter their relationship, if he knows it is not working. I hope. But my question to you and others is this: Are there clear ways we may be able to tell during a game if McDermott is calling the defensive plays? I really want to know the answer to this, have for a while. I assume things somehow are different in some ways--play sheets in hand, looking at thembefore each play, his communication level, manner changes...????

I am hypothesizing. After defensive performances like we have seen against the Ravens, and in vital games like the Denver playoff game, and even the KC championship game, where the Bills' secondary was simply too undermanned, missing two of their best starters, It seems clear that McDermott has stepped in and been MUCH more hands on in preparation and game plan leading up to the game. As the defenses, then, and not miraculously, I don't think, look like very very different defenses. I think we may see the same kinds of improvements this week. And all the while, McDermott is seeing the same thing--hypothesizing here again--and likely getting more information each time where the fundamental problem is.

Come on bud, though... You are conflating things here. Okay, you can say they were never a great defense under McDermott, not having a game wrecker blame Beane, fine, but you are comparing those high quality, top of the league in points allowed over a five year span, disciplined, progressing defenses, stingy against the run, usually with excellent game plans, and lack of big plays given up---to THIS defense!? As you conflate the things like you do, it can make one make horrible decisions, saying this is how it has always been. Lotsa concrete evidence to knock that down. Lotsa. For example, imagine doing that in life decisions. One would make one bad, awful and undermining decision after another, because they are not looking at the matter at hand, but just to back up previous held beliefs, twisting things to fit together that clearly do not.

They likely will be much more "buttoned up", hopefully like they were against the jets, a very very different, disciplined, prepared defense. But it will be because McDermott became the defacto DC this week, as I think he did before the jets game and in games like the Denver playoff game.

Absolutely true, just look at how they performed under this staff for most of the time they have been onboard--one of the best defenses in the league, one of the most disciplined, and one that progressed, kept progressing. The posters you reference are basically just referring to the playoff games against KC, that dynasty, that has won 3 Super Bowls, with an historically great QB, one of the best of all time, and the games the Bills lost to them, often with key injuries, such as Benford and Rapp in the Championship Game last year, to define the defenses of McDermott as awful. Nonsensical, so I have not even responded to almost any of those. They have been beating that illogical drum for years and nothing you or I say will stop them. They want to blame McDermott? Go ahead and blame him for hiring Babich, as I did on here for hiring Dorsey. That is very legitimate criticism. McDermott made those bad decisions, and I believe did so because of his conservative nature--played it safe, he thought, by hiring from within, his own coaches, coaches players liked and maybe wanted, rather than getting the best of the best from college or the NFL. He has been much less conservative as a coach, has committed to doing that the last few years, and now I think he will also start to do that when it comes to hiring coaches. He needs to, and I think learned from this mistake. This year though, as it is mid season, he does hire from within again--himself, one of the best defensive coaches in the league, so that is okay.

The problem I see with what you say above, and why I basically wrote the OP, is that this is how they looked last year, undisciplined, out of place, missing tackles--and then, it is the same this year. Where is the progression? There seems to be regression instead. Unacceptable, I think, for McDermottt and Beane. We will see. If there is not progress, and we see the same things over and over, game after game, pretty consistently, over last year, and then in the first 1/4 of this year it looks the same, with the same awful stats, overall, and same look and feel, it does not relate almost at all to a few missed players. It doesn't make sense, add up. Instead, it appears to be how they are being prepared during the week, the game plan, and game call--the coach things. Look at Dorsey-- there were fundamental problems, and things did not improve, looked the same--even in the pre season I was sounding the alarm, as the starters looked wildly unprepared in their first game. That summer, and on here, I began to again hit on that as a huge red flag that this offense was not being led correctly, in fact incompetently--dorsey did not know what he was doing, and seemingly did not work hard in the off season to learn what he needed to know. He made a fool of himself, undermining one of the best offenses in the game more and more with each passing week. And we saw the results then that next season, just as I had predicted. It wasn't rocket science to add up the actual regression of the offense the previous year, what we saw that summer, and then the shocking start of the season when our high powered offense looked like a shell of itself, inept, confused, bewildered--even seen on the face and body language of Allen--and come to the conclusion they were being coached extremely poorly. Yes, some different details and circumstances with the defense last year and this, but it looks like two very similar situations--a team unprepared, where players and the units are not playing close to their potential. This week things will likely look different, as McD is PLANTING himself in the defensive meetings and practices, trusting Brady and Tabor. But this is not sustainable. I think McDermott knows this now, knows what good defense looks like and how to prepare players, sees the fundamental problems I am pointing to here and many more, as he is there up close, daily--and so will soon take the reigns completely.

Simply untrue, and almost completely so. They were one of the best defenses in several, almost all?, of the areas they are awful at now, under both Frazier and McD, though the defense got weaker as key players were gone. One of the best statistical defenses in the NFL for most of McDermott's years as head coach--no gray area. You may have beefs with him, and that is fine, but don't say this untrue thing. As bad, faulty information leads to bad, faulty decisions, and consistently.

yeah, I do agree that is part of it--a much underestimated Saints' team, and even more true for Rattler, who may be their long term answer at QB, finally. The next few weeks will give us and Bills' leaders more info if they are considering a change.

| I agree, this area is better, and think it shows better safety play, a good sign. Not as many big plays. But it was literally the only area I could think of that is better as I thought these things through this week. But really, all the more reason to question Babich on the big picture, on the run defense, the short passes allowed the 3rd down conversions.. as those areas should then be better, with a bit less to worry about down the field. But they are looking awful.

Nope Not true. Just read my OP, for example. I do not expect a dominant d Or even a "very good" defense this year But a good one, a competent one, as that may be enough. This does not look close to that now. THAT, and not the unrealistic expectation of greatness, is what most are calling for--read the OP and thread again and you will see that, overall.

I think that McD this time has a great deal of confidence in Brady to handle the offense without a lot of input . Pretty clear that Brady is a head coach somewhere next year already. And likely ditto for Tabor, as far as his experience and his confidence in him to handle the special teams So I think those facts really facilitate McDermott's ability to step in and take over the defense this year. And yes, your now bold words in your post above--have the words 'very bad coaching' , even 'incompetent coaching', for me running below all of those words, weaknesses. To me, almost no way that would that be the case with a change to a high quality coach.

But the way this defense looks, we should definitely not just be worried about a post season breakdown. Have watched a lot of games this year, and this looks like one of the worst defenses in the NFL now--worse than last year. To me, that fact, and no progression, will mean Babich may be done very soon. But I hope I am wrong, and that he turns it around this week, and going forward, and never looks back. Just not betting on that, based on the evidence.

Yup, I know the stats, but you watched the game like I did, and maybe twice like I did. Until the defense started to make a few timely splash plays, stops, and very late in the game, watching the game, it certainly looked like the barn doors were swinging wide open for the saints. I had no confidence they could stop the pass or run in any sort of consistent manner. Didn't most Bills fans watching think roughly the same thing I did? Definitely not something I wanted to see, in fact, my basic Bills' fan instincts shield me a little from these thoughts--I want a championship. But when those barn doors keep smashing you in the face, it wakes you up.