Nihilarian

This! What Ryan managed to do with a top 5 defense that was #1 in sacks in the NFL last year, and is now 30th is indeed criminal. Why he isn't blitzing as much as he has with past defensive units is the key question here! Is he trying to get Doug Whaley fired so he has more power over personnel? Hey, he figures the Pegula's are stupid enough to keep paying the last head coach so is he trying to get himself fired because he wants to pull a Doug Marrone, and still get paid while working another job so he can collect two paychecks? Or even worse is this all a facade, and he hates the Buffalo Bills as much as he does the Patriots because of his six years with the Jets? I honestly don't know that answer, and all I do know if he took a playoff caliber defense from last year and castrated it with his crappy scheme, and non blitzing. The front four defensive linemen are suddenly playing like average bums rather then the 1/4 billion dollar players the team invested into them, and its all because of a gap control scheme vs rushing the passer. On paper this was a playoff caliber team that every Bills fan out there thought the team was finally going to the playoffs this year! Hence this team sold more season tickets this year then they have in the past. The one area that let the team down the most was the defense! Then special teams have been bad! The penalties have been killing this team more games then not this last game 15 penalties for 101 yards, and the Eagles had 5. Poor game management, red flag management at times The coaching stinks, the Jets with Todd Bowles is better at 8-5! The Raiders with Jack Del Rio who took a 3-13 team from last year, and already has them at 6-7. Those Raiders just beat the Broncos in Denver! This was an above average team with 3 of 4 pro bowlers on the D line, and a defense loaded with top talent. #2 pick Ron Darby the probable DRotY! The offense greatly upgraded with Richie Incognito at LG. Charles Clay at TE a top player. RB LeSean McCoy for 6 mill per, and Tyrod Taylor who is having a good season. Ryan has no excuse, and if the Bills don't finish 9-7 then he should be fired! JMO

I'm really kind of surprised there is no thread started about how poorly the offensive line played in Philly. 15 penalties for 101 yards, and 7 of those came against the offensive line for 52 yards RG John Miller who had a holding call declined, and was held accountable for two penalties. RT Jordan Mills had two penalties LG Richie Incognito had two penalties C Eric Wood had one penalty. The line play was really bad at the end of the game when the Eagles had the Bills pinned deep, and knew they would be forced to throw the ball.

For some unknown reason there are quite a few Bills fans that just don't get the disparity between going from #1 in the NFL in QB sacks, hits, hurries to 30th, and almost last in QB sacks, hits, hurries. Those sacks are so very important because they take a toll on the QB by giving him nervous feet, and then he will hurry his throws. The opposing offensive lines will draw constant penalties while attempting to stop the pass rushers, sound familiar? Fans want to blame the players but three all pro's on that D line didn't just suddenly fall off the earth. They are playing in a defensive scheme that simply doesn't fit their respective talents. Might as well be asking LeSean McCoy to play TE, and he could probably do it too. The difference is he just isn't suited to play that position, and the Bills quicker, penetrating DT's aren't space eating, gap control 340 pounders either. Schwartz proved that lining up Mario, and Hughes on the outside of the OT is a far more effective way to enable those DE's to get to the passer quicker. Then the defense still needs to blitz by sending more defensive players after the QB then they have blocking. Rex Ryan simply isn't blitzing this year like he has in past years. You give any bum of a QB all day to throw, and he will burn you. Remember back in 2010 when Buddy Nix was crying that the Bills didn't have any pass rush at all, and that opposing rookie QB's had all day to throw. Then pencil in a 100 million dollar DE onto the team who had 14.5 sacks last year now only has 4.0 after 13 games. Pencil in DT Marcell Dareus in at #3 overall in the 2011 NFL draft who had 10 sacks last year, and now only has 2 sacks Well, this team has put 1/4 billion dollars into their front four to rush the passer, and now this new HC would rather see them drop into pass coverage or sit in gap control. Wanna know what really gets me? Even as bad as Dave Wannstedt was running the Bills defense in 2012, and he finished 22nd overall in total defense. His defense was still #18 in sacks with 36. Hell, even flip flopping 3-4 / 4-3 Bills DC George Edwards finished the 2011 season 27th with 29 sacks. The 2015 Buffalo Bills are currently 30th in the NFL with a measly 19 sacks after 13 games.

Tyrod Taylor only has 10 NFL starts under his best so can everyone stop thinking this guy is going to carry the team on his shoulders like Orton did last year! Tyrod really is a perfect "game manager" fit for this type of run first offense, and he doesn't throw many INT's, with 20 TD's & 4 INT's. There are just so many holes on the team, and yes a big red zone target is one. That true #2 WR is such a big factor when you don't have one and opposing teams can roll all the coverage to the #1. Losing TE Charles Clay to injury was a big factor in this game because the had nobody to replace him with. I don't know about the rest of you but to me that offensive line was exposed as bad against that Eagles front four. Glenn is a FA, Incognito is a FA. the best RT the team has was a waiver wire guy just off the street. The RG Miller is a very good run blocker, and a liability in pass blocking. The Bills would have been better off having Urbik in there at the end, and he isn't an asset in the run game. Wanna talk let down then lets talk about the #4 defense falling into #20, and the #1 sacking team falling so very far to 30th. If Tyrod Taylor had as little pressure on him this season as the opposing QB's have had this team would win more games. If the Bills were fielding a top 5 defense this year they probably would have won at least three more games. I agree with the OP that Taylor is not the primary concern right now, as he still needs more time to develop. Just look at Blake Bortles, and Derek Carr this year to see how much a rookie QB can improve in the second year.

Funny thing about that as an old guy from yesteryear recommended Todd Bowles to the NY Jets, and they are now 8-5. Anyway, they could hire someone like the Packers GM Ted Thompson and promote him to team president of football operations. This would give him the final say over everything on the football side, and If he wants to keep Ryan or Whaley it would be up to him. This move would take the owners, and Russ Brandon out of the football side of decisions.

Taylor is the man in Buffalo for now, and has great command in the huddle. Rarely makes throws INT's, and should get better with more experience. Its tough for fans to fathom but this kid only has 11 starts under his belt, and they expect him to instantly be all world. Anyone watching this game has to have seen how poorly this offensive line pass blocked when it mattered most. Miller at RG stinks, and Urbik is the better pass blocker. At times the offense telegraphed exactly what play they would run with Felton in the backfield. Incognito is a FA- Glenn is a FA- Miller stinks at RG-Henderson stinks at RT-Kounandjio stinks at RT. The Bills need a true #2 WR, and Woods doesn't always show up. This team has bigger issues then a QB right now.

Rex Ryan inherited a defense with Revis and other good defensive players, and with his scheme turned them into the #1 defense in the league. That Jets team also already had three all pro players on their O line so they ran the ball to become the #1 rushing team in the NFL. That first year in NY Ryan ran the ball 607 times, and passed it only 393 times. Thus allowing Sanchez a minimal amount of chances to make mistakes, and to turn the ball over. This made him a game manager with not so much pressure to win the games all on his shoulders. Then as time went on in NY he forgot what got him to those AFC championship games, and wanted to pass more then run. Then in time his teams regressed rather then got better. I can only think that this season Ryan inherited a defense #4 in total defense, and #1 in sacks then castrated it with his scheme because the current all pro players don't fit it. 30th in sacks, really? This years team got so much worse in penalties, got so much worse on special teams with the same coach, and players. Bad game management, red flag management on the road. I've seen enough of coaching bums over the years to realize that Ryan may still be a decent defensive coordinator if given players that fit his scheme. He stinks as a head coach, and always will no matter how many years these new owners give him. P.S. Tyrod Taylor should be the starting QB next year no question.

The man has had 13 games now to look at his scheme and make changes. So at 6-7 it ain't happening this year. We all saw what he was like in NY last year at 4-12, and he cried publicly that the GM there was out to get him, and his QB turned the ball over to often. So he came into Buffalo and castrated a top defense because the current defensive players don't fit his scheme. Leading the NFL in penalties is just what a bully would do. I only hope the fans that have been out of the playoffs for 15 years, and just faced another wasted season aren't forced to endure another losing season. We deserve better!

Tyrod Taylor is basically still a rookie with only 11 NFL starts under his belt, and given some more time to develop he could be that franchise guy. Rex Ryan and his defense let this team down for another game. Anyone else notice the ferocity of the Eagles D line players in their pass rush scheme? Which is exactly what the Buffalo Bills looked like with last years defense in leading the league in sacks. Those sacks, hits, hurries all add up and take a toll on the opposing QB. Plus they force the opposing offensive line to get holding call just like what happened with Buffalo today. 15 penalties for 101 yards is downright ridiculous. I also hope Ryan is gone after this season ends, and he takes his current bad defensive scheme with him.

Penalties are way worse. this last game 15 penalties for 101 yards Defense is way worse. 30th in sacks from #1 in the league. #4 in total defense to 20th Offense, and can run the ball because of a great RB. The rookie QB is exciting but limited in what he can do. A major flaw was shown to today in the offensives line inability to pass block against a strong pass rush. The line has improved but what does it say about a RT off the street playing better the the starter, and backup! Special teams has regressed. NY Jets 8-5, Buffalo Bills 6-7

This! Jets 8-5 Bills 6-7 and its the defense, and penalties killing this team. 15 for 101 yards!! Anyone else notice how the Eagles D linemen were so difficult to block? That is how the Bills D linemen looked last year!

and that is all about team discipline, that is all Rex! 15 penalties for 101 yards vs 5 for 55 for the Eagles, I mean WTF its all on the coaches!

In 2010 the Bills didn't have any pass rushers worth a damn, and now they have 3 all pros in Mario Williams, Kyle Williams, and Marcel Dareus. Plus Jerry Hughes who is a monster in some games. Time to jettison those lousy all pro players, and retool the defense because this HC & DC can't get the most out of them...shades of Dave Wannstedt

game over

wow, 9 offensive penalties...so far

Miller stinks, put Urbik back in there

McLovin an INT!!

That turnover might cost them big

While Rex Ryan is a very likable guy, and I so want to root for him to win as the Bills HC. I really dislike what he has done with this years defense, and have to wonder how long it will take him to build that elite defense of his. I suspect another four years.

I disagree because for whatever reason Ryan simply isn't blitzing as much this year as he has in the past. The 2014 NY Jets were #7 in sacks, QB pressures, and DT Sheldon Richardson lead those Jets with 8 sacks, Plus, this year Ryan's scheme is different, and Rex is asking his DT's to cover gap control, and be space eaters vs rushing the QB. Kinda why Marcel Dareus has been complaining about how he has been used in Ryan's system this year since training camp. There is a real reason the 2015 Bills are near last in QB sacks, pressures, hit hurries, and not solely because of the players. Its more of the scheme they are being asked to run, and the lack of D line rotation. With the players it certainly was far easier for Mario Williams to line up outside the OT to get a direct line to the QB vs having to constantly deal with the OT, and whoever is helping chip. #1 in the NFL in sacks 2014, #2 in the NFL in sacks 2013, and now 30th in 2015...wtf! Ryan blitzed 50% of the time against the Patriots in their second game in NE, and it was so effective that Tom Brady was screaming at his offensive line. In that game Brady was pressured more (20 of 40 drop backs) then he has been the last seven years, and Mario, Kyle Williams, and Arron Williams were all absent from injuries. Not only that but the Bills D held the Patriots high scoring offense to a season low 20 points. This just shows that when Ryan wants to blitz he can easily do so, and be very successful at it. Why he isn't blitzing more is something that someone will need to ask him.

That makes a lot of sense to me. Should the team get behind in points, and need to throw more then put Urbik back in there. Last week Mills looked to be head, and shoulders above anything I've seen from Henderson or Kounandjio. Hope he stays healthy.

Rex Wanted Tyrod Taylor, and should get the bulk of the credit for that move. He also wanted, and vouched for Richie Incognito which was another vast improvement for that O line. Whaley could have / should have signed him last year when the team was grading as the worst in the league. So this looks like its all on Rex Ryan. Then there is Percy Harvin which started to look like another excellent move as the team is still devoid of a strong #2 WR, and Harvin filled that role until his season ending injury. While Rex made some great off season moves, but then so did Whaley in trading away Kiko for Shady, and Eagle fans are still crying about the loss of their beloved RB. The one huge failure of the entire FO / coaching staff was to not to retain Jim Schwartz or duplicate his wide nine defense. Because the defensive scheme the team has been utilizing most of this year is so bad its going back to the Dave Wannstedt / George Edwards years of bad. So Rex Ryan has his warts too, and I can see these new owners perhaps already wanting to make a change at HC without needing to retool the entire defense to fit Ryan's scheme. Bringing back Schwartz might be on their minds. As for Whaley I can see the new owners wanting to make a change should the team not make the playoffs this year. From an outsiders view all I hear from my friends who like other teams is the trade up for Watkins in giving up 3 draft picks, and two first rounders for a WR who isn't the best WR in that draft. Particularly since the team didn't already have that franchise QB. Losing that 2015 first round pick set the team back, and that is a huge blunder! Every stinking time ODB makes a big play or has a big day I get my nose rubbed in it. While a i tend to agree that while Watkins is very good, I also tend to agree with them that he just isn't the game changer that Beckham is all game / season long. Beckham is already at super star status while #4 in receiving yards this year, and Watkins is #40. Just sayin that I can see others view points! Its all going to depend on how this season ends. Four games to go, and every game a playoff or bust scenario.

Having an "elite" franchise QB is the one true "must have" position on a team! You can mostly get by with average players at almost every other position save the QB, as he touches the ball every offensive play. A few teams have won the SB with journeymen QB's who had a great season. But more often then not a great QB has led his team to the SB and won it. Like others have stated it starts with having a complete team with no holes, good GM, coaches, players, schemes, game plans. Another big factor is keeping the injuries to a minimum or having a great amount of depth on the roster.

You are one of the few that just don't see whats happening on the field or would rather dig up multiple excuses for a bad scheme! Its not the players because when Ryan wants to blitz this year they are usually successful in getting pressure on the QB. The main problem is he isn't blitzing very often, and prefers gap control for his DT's, period! Even the last game against the Patriots when Ryan brought pressure on 50% of the defensive plays without Mario Williams, Kyle Williams, Aaron Williams the Bills defense was able to get tremendous pressure on Tom Brady all game long, and so much so he was screaming at his O line. The Bills brought pressure on 20 of 40 snaps. The Bills lost that game because the offense couldn't score more then 13 points. You do realize that in that game the Buffalo Bills managed to hold the number one scoring offense at that time to just 20 points, and that point total is still the lowest the Patriots have scored all year. I have no idea why you keep defending this HC, and his current defensive scheme. I'm just glad that the majority of the fans see things differently then you do. I've argued with you enough times over the current defensive struggles, and have come to the conclusion that some fans will just blindly defend their team no matter what. I'm sure Jauron, Gailey, and Marrone had their supporters too. I won't be responding to any more dneveu posts, so will forever have the floor.