Mister Defense

? Can you name all those new D coordinators for us, the ones that have taken over 'every year' ? And how each of them did? I am old, so I am not sure who all you are referring to here.

But the Bills' defenses under McD previously were one of the best in the league in many of the most important areas, the same areas they are now awful in--going on two years in a row. Yes, new players, but the consistency in the various aspects of awful defense seem to point to a more fundamental problem. We will see, but if I am right, and it is Babich, I am confident McD takes over soon, even if in a non-public way, but he seems more open than that.

if they had waited to the end of they year with Dorsey, almost no way all of a sudden a lost looking regressing offense got on track to make the Bills a contender again--and it looked like they were about to miss the playoffs. Just losing hope after the last two weeks, and things look so bad in so many areas--to me, a clear sign of very bad coaching, when so many areas fall apart.

Well, after three more games, after I posted an OP asking if Babich was on the hot seat, just before the Jets game, I am definitely moving very quickly now to thinking this dreadful defensive performance we have seen to start the year is now very likely the result of some awful coaching. I want to see where Bills’ fans on here stand now, three weeks later. While I am not 100% convinced that Babich is the fundamental problem as I was completely convinced with dorsey, after almost 1/4 of the season now is in the books the needle is definitely moving rapidly in that direction. 90% maybe? It has been almost a shocking defensive collapse to begin the year. Do people think that this defense looks better than last year's and is improving weekly?: --Do they think it is showing clear progress early in the season, with their weaknesses being fixed, smoothed out? And their strengths becoming more pronounced? --Are there clear signs that most of the very weak aspects of the defense last year are better now--and getting better as this young season progresses? For example, their overall 3rd down efficiency, their run defense, their tackling, the pass rush, the play calling? --Is Babich making solid half time adjustments that improve things overall at the start of the 2nd half? --And most importantly, do players look prepared, disciplined, confident and ready--and are they playing to their potential as individuals and as units? To me the, and almost across the board, the answers are no. And too often, a resounding, hell no. In fact, the defense looks more consistently bad this year than last year, making teams like the dolphins and saints look unstoppable for the majority of those games. The dolphins and saints. At HOME With tens of thousands of loud rabid fans making their life easier. A friend said, well it's because Oliver has not been in there, and Milano, and the suspended guys too. But that seems really off--the Bills in the past, and the other good teams, readily overcome those types of player losses. Maybe they show some more gaps in their defense, but they almost never collapse. And the startling consistency of the weaknesses of this year and last year throw cold water on that, to me. Watching the last two games, against teams that are not world beaters, and both AT HOME, both opposing offenses seemed to get better and better against this defense as the games progressed, not worse. It often seemed like the Bills had no answers, with gaping holes in the secondary, gaping holes against the run, big spacial voids all over the field, all game long, horrible tackling, players looking out of position consistently---and that lost, confused look we too often saw on the faces of offensive players as dorsey 'progressed' in his tenure--and especially in his last year: "What is going on out here? We have no asnwers," sums up those looks. Yes, the Bills are 4-0, but this is not in any way a championship defense--they cannot rely on big splash plays to win games, at the end of games, on defense all year. And not on the road, and not against the top teams. Not consistently. That will not work. All of the team’s hopes for this season, and ours, will be dashed IF this type of defense is allowed to continue. To me, right now, this really looks like a very very poorly coached defense in almost all respects. And if I see this, and if I am right, then McDermott knows it, but in a much more specific, detailed manner just how poorly Babich is leading this defense. And ditto for Brandon Beane--does Beane think with the players he provided that the defense should have these kinds of fundamental flaws in so many areas--again? I would bet the answer is NO. This is why I am convinced that Babich's seat is extremely hot, burning. Why did they look so different against the Jets, prepared, disciplined, tackling well, in position.... I think after awful weeks for the defense, like we saw against the Ravens, or in important games, like the Denver playoff game, McDermott has basically taken over for his young DC. The Bills don't need a great defense to be champions this year, and maybe not even a very good one--just a good one. But, so far, this defense looks fundamentally flawed. Awful even, and a great deal of the time. I think Babich's seat is extraordinarily hot now. A few more games, one?, like we have just seen and McDermott should take over. Our great offense was on a death march under dorsey. Before the season I said he would be gone by Halloween. That season they quiuckly were falling out of the playoff race, and almost there as the season regressed. Don Orlovsky said our offense, with Josh Allen leading it, had become ‘the easiest offense in the NFL to defend’. But McDermott stepped in, and made the kind of dramatic change most thought he would not make. Then, in one week, one, the offense looked like world beaters—again--and were that way for the rest of the season. I think the same thing may very well be needed very soon with Babich. And it could have the same effects. They won’t be a great defense, not there yet, with the young players and changes, but I am convinced the defense will show the same kind of improvement that we saw when Brady took over the offense. Even if you are not on board that Babich is the main problem, isn’t it hard for you to imagine this defense not playing dramatically better with any high quaity defensive coordinator like Schwartz, Spagnuolo—or a McDermott coaching them? To me the answer here is hell yes.

Very funny, a hearty laugh here. With a grreat analogy! Still laughing actually, as I re-read it.

That is a very good point, would love to play $ome poker or any card game with him--IF he is actually serious, and that is not a joke.

The OP is just joking around, right? Having a little fun on game day? Or, that is actually scary stuff. When I am driving and the light turns red, or there is a stop sign, seemingly clear, simple indications to STOP, I am confident that all will do so, usually. But someone who thinks like this, well, they may look at these clear signs and see something very different..

You are kidding, right? Have to be!?? If not, Holy sheep shi*! And would desperately need to take an entry level statistics course--and many basic logic classes.

Bills 38, Saints 13 Hopefully we see the defense progress, especially on 3rd downs and against the runs--and get some pressure on their QB, consistently. And the Bills run wild, today, though, maybe trying to do the opposite of what they have done--setting the rung up by a great passing attack early. Then, run baby run... They will need all of these things, in my estimation, to make a solid run at the #1 seed and the championship, so a perfect opportunity today to make some hay.

Just got online to check ticket prices for NO game. I had decided not to go to this game a few months ago when some friends bought tickets, but now may want to go with them, just get a single ticket. But, yeah, I was shocked by the prices! Thought there would be mega tickets, so lotsa cheap ones--it is New Orleans! No time right now, but scanned over the thread and saw some of the reasoning. Makes sense. Question to all--are there folks selling tickets at the game anymore? Haven't needed that in years, so don't know. And am I likely to get a ticket for 100 or so?

Kimmel's next show will be one of the most watched TV shows in TV history, I think. I cannot wait. A big shock today that he is back. Shows that the people can make a difference still, will embolden them.

I agree that, despite most of the Ravens' game, and some against the squished Thursday, they seem to be a better defense. I don't think the concerns are dumb, but think it is definitely a glass is half empty take, and for some, the last drops in the glass. That seems to contradict what we have seen, and know, overall. And the fact that they had a bunch of players not playing Thursday, who hopefully will be there in December, and young players ascending, learning, I believe there will be a 'consensus' that this defense in much improved by that time. It doesn't have to be a great defense, or even very good, by the end of the year--just good. And consistently improving. I think that will be enough to beat the Chargers, Ravens, Broncos...Eagles, Rams..?

But that was not enough, as that would still mean that there was almost no actual depth on the roster if the pick, or Benford, got hurt. Loved the dominance of defense in the draft, but they needed an earlier 2nd CB, as in the cupboard, behind Benford, it was bare. Strong is a project, likely not for immediate help. The Bills have an excellent team, but this weakness at corner needs to be fixed. Cut White after doing a deep dive into practice squads or free agents and bringing in someone who could at least run down the field with receivers. White cannot do so consistently. That spells disaster for the defense, as on Sunday. Wait , THREE more weeks for Hairston? I thought he was coming backer after this week? Better not let White start again...

Well, of course the Bills have needs now, every team does, even the top ones. And the Bills are well aware of this. But just surprised at what you list as the most needful positions! Not expecting to see those, especially RB and WR, as your first, and even pass rush as your next. I think that is why the very legitimate question in the OP has so many negative reactions. A good topic, but bad choices there! Wouldn't cornerback be #1 for everyone, and with a bullet?? I assume it is for the Bills. We have a starting CB in White who cannot cover NFL receivers in the pass game on a consistent basis. Just like he could not last year with the two teams who cut him. He will lose games for the Bills, as he almost did on Sunday, whether he is a starter or backup. Corner should be #1 on the Bills list of most obvious, glaring needs. I think the pass rush looks a lot better this yea, but a great pass rusher added would be nice, of course. The pass rush, with our new star to be, I think, Walker ended the game with his pass rush, a giant of man coming straight for little concussion prone Tua. Like Tua said after the game, he saw "color" in front of him, before he threw the ball around that color to Bernard. Safety would likely be my second choice. The reason is we are just not sure how good our safeties are still. I think they are a big question mark, though they may both end up having solid years in the end. So, yes they could use some help, but it is the defensive back field that has the most question marks, even when Hairston plays and plays well--as we would then be one injury away from having a CB in White who is no longer an NFL CB, A great player before the two career ending injuries, and one of my favorite players, but done now. Ready to coach. Just watch the Dolphins game again to see the clear consistent evidence.

Yes, and watching his movement, even when not a football move, like his celebration after that great TFL, he does not look like an older player who just last year suffered the kind of injury that usually takes a few years to come back from fully. Pretty surprising to see how good he looks physically already. Could end up being one of the best, overlooked pickups in the off season. Thompson seems to provide much needed depth at the position and more veteran leadership. One of the many players I am looking forward to seeing more of as the season progresses, and he does on this team.

Yeah, loved to see those blocks, from a guy that was not supposed to be good at it originally. And also form the Knox and Dawes. So consistent, and it is the Bills now taking their game to the opponents, with the tights ends vital. It is that physical game that pushed the Bills to the next level once Brady took over, toughened up the offense, and helped create what is now a superb running game, one of the best in the league. Not a coincidence Josh won his MVP in Brady's first full year. Just before the game I was telling someone that not enough is being said about how good our tight ends are now, maybe the best group in the league, with great variety and physicality. Looking forward to how they keep progressing, and help the offense become the best ever maybe.

Agreed.. but running backs are so underpaid, though changing, and they often only get one big contract like this, that to me it was different. One slip on the turf this year, without a new contract he would never get his due. I think that is why his team members did not just support him in the kind of general way team members do in these situations, but were quite specific in what they said. Such as Allen, and when he said those things I knew the contract would get done. Cook's success means Josh has more success. And gets things like MVPS--and championships.

So, not a fan of the contract Cook received, I am assuming? Digging in your heels a little, eh? Yup, or comically trying to justify their absurd, team undermining stance. Or trying to come up with new reasons of why they were right all along.

Yeah, and our shock at any Bills' fan flippantly saying, 'Let 'em walk,' etcetera over the off season is till fresh in all of our heads. That we can easily get a replacement... ...and Some saying they would very happy to get a 3rd round pick!!! (for the running back we chose in the 2nd round, a steal, and who we groomed into an elite back--a 3rd round pick!!!! Want to destroy an NFL team from the bottom up? Do outrageously stupid things like that. ...and that 13, 15 million a year was an outrageous number... I will now say it again on here--by the end of this year the current contract, and even a 15 mil a year one, will look like a tremendous bargain for what (almost-see my bold above) everyone, will consider to be one of the top backs in the league, if not the best back. A vital cog in the best offense in the NFL

Hm... interesting take, gives me a sliver of hope for White... Because he is so fuc*ing slow, his best days can now very easily catch up to him, no matter how far behind him they are. Our only hope--if he ever starts, or even plays much, again. Very surprised if he is on the team by Thanksgiving, as he cannot ever be trusted on the field now. I was going to say, maybe by the goal line, but then i remembered--Nope! He looked like me getting burned by Waddle in the end zone.

Well, yeah, but having one of the slowest, maybe the slowest corners in the league, slower than Douglas even?, a player that almost cost the Bills the game tonight, was the main reason for those cushions it seems. Never again hopefully. The Bills need to check out every practice squad and all former players not playing, leaving no stone un- turned. A great player in his hey day, will likely make a good coach, but he cannot start at corner again in his career. And use him as a backup at your own peril. The Bills need a good backup or two now at corner, even when Hairston returns. Pretty obvious. Like I said as a point in my OP, players like White make it much harder to evaluate this defense than it was with dorsey's offense. TBD still, but I do not think the defense played awful tonight, but the 3rd down conversions and defensive breakdowns are still a concern. And the consistency. But then again, Tre White played...

I had predicted the Bills would win by 15 in a text just before the game. 35-20 When I soon realized Tre White, the former starting caliber cornerback, was today the starting corner, covering Waddle, maybe Hill a little, I sent him a text saying 'reverse that score', though I took it back right after. But said, have said on here since the signing, that Tre White can no longer play corner in the NFL, and is definitely no longer a starting corner. It is very complicated to explain why this is the case: Tre White is very slow now, (runs like my fat as* uncle I sent the text too, and i told him this). While most of the receivers he will play against are very fast. If I can see this, why can't the Bills' coaches? Have to take your chances with Stong or Ingram or bring in someone else now. Tre White cannot be our starting corner, and should only be used on certain running downs. Yup, some good plays, two great ones, a pass break up and run stop, but he cannot consistently be successful as an NFL corner. To me this means he cannot play corner anymore. Why? He will get burned again and again, and again and again, and those few good plays a game, or more, will mean nothing. Time to coach.

Big game for the Bills--is the defense we saw last week, sharp, disciplined, stingy against the run and pass, almost no big plays, and consistent, the defense we will see going forward, consistently? It sure looked like it last week against the jets, and not against the Ravens, one of the best offenses in the league. Now, a team that is in the middle of those two teams offensively, so an important, early bell weather game, to me at least. So, I really want to go to this game, may make a late play to get there. Bills 34, Squished 20

Huh? You are actually trying to make the case that because the Bills did not get the "projected" best players and the ones you wanted, think we need, and instead they got the players they got that even though it includes one of the best running backs, slot receivers and corners in the league, and a quality starting linebacker, that the Bills had "no plan" (and you actually said it not me), that "The year we drafted elam... It was different. Bad draft." How would someone even respond to analysis like this? It is sooo far gone,, bizarre, and off kilter that there is almost nothing to say---just read over his comments, let them sink in.... But i will try to briefly hit some of these 'points'...from his post above: 1. "Got a steal there but it wasn't until round 5 that we projected to actually get someone that was at the time considered a great pick - Shakir." I am literally laughing, and no offense meant, when I read that sentence again. For real. Your analysis that it was a "bad draft" with "no plan" is based on this, one of the most bizarre takes ever. Not good because while the Bills did get three of the best players at their positions, all stars in this league already, and a a quality starting linebacker, it somehow doesn't count. A shocking way to look at this draft, or really, the same can be said for any other area in which this 'logic' is applied. 2. "We needed help at CB and double dipped hedging our bets. I don't think that's effective. Hindsight is 20/20 so judging the results by the fruit on the vine isn't fair." So, let me sum this up: It is "not fair" to judge a draft by the performance of the players picked in that draft, not fair to judge "the results by the fruit on the vine" "Isn't fair." The poster is saying what I point to in #1 above, in an even more direct, bizarre way. I will just repeat his crystal clear ideas--it is not fair to judge a draft by how the players actually play, but on things like how they were projected to play! Laughing again. I cannot believe someone can believe these things. An understatement. 3. See his post above--HUH? Because they did not pick the players you wanted, as YOU had the far superior plan, not the folks who actually had one of the best drafts in the NFL that year, it was a bad draft, no plan. Makes sense--for maybe one person in the world. 4. And as for the last point, well, we could not ask for a better last point to bring these remarkable ideas together sharply. It is is the perfect ending for, well, a remarkable post, analysis of the Bills 2022 draft. And I am not just saying that to be nice: " I never said it was a bad draft. I said it was not planned well.See above. Words matter." His actual words, his post, yesterday at 1026 am: "The year we drafted elam... It was different. Bad draft. The plan sucked." 5. Yup, I agree words do matter. That is why I responded to the original posts and to this beauty. Truly a striking post and analysis, and from beginning to end. Don't judge that draft, or any draft, by "the results", the "fruit on the vine", by the way the players actually perform, as that is "unfair". Instead, the fair way to judge it is by these other criteria that the poster so painstakingly lays out. If any other posters believe this, raise your hand right now, please. The one thing I agree with in your post is that "words matter"

Yes, I agree and did not say Bernard was in the same category as Cook, Shakir, and Benford, and called him a solid starter only, which overall he has been for the Bills, a pleasant surprise. This year hopefully he joins the rest in the higher tier, but his size may prevent that. We will see. But I really do think that they did get those elite playmakers you speak of, and that we all want more of, and in the 22 draft that the other poster rips apart. See bold above.