Nihilarian

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.

Man, this sums it up so well, and I just don't get why other fans can't see this after so many games of this garbage. All they need do is watch the D line. Last years defense would have been even better with this years run first offense that would keep the defense fresher, and off the field. Meanwhile it would allow the offense more chances to stay on the field, and score even more points. 10th in the NFL in points this year. What a waste of an entire year that could have been so much better then struggling to stay in the race when they could be leading it. Last years defense only allowed 289 points all season, and this years has already allowed 278 with four games to go.

I agree with this! Read thru this thread, and some don't see it.

I agree with a lot of this, and to mention that when the Bills are able to run more then they throw it they have won every game. So its very important to get the run game working, and not get to far behind in the score. This years WR corps was supposed to be one of the strongest areas on the team, and now the Bills basically have Watkins, Woods, and Hogan. Robert Woods is not playing anywhere near what you would expect from a #2 draft pick, and a 3rd year receiver. Look at what those #2's in Green Bay have been able to do. Dunno what his problem is, but I hope he can step up his play. You would think that the Bills would involve Clay more, and perhaps they use him more as a blocker. That said with Tyrod Taylor playing so well I'd hope the Bills draft a WR in either the first, second round this year.

I'm really kind of amazed more fans don't get this, and keep defending Ryan's scheme this year. Even last week when Ryan sent the kitchen sink in an overload blitz it got to Hoyer, and it disrupted the play. The problem was he just didn't run that play often enough. So Yea, it really is up to Ryan IMO.

You seem to forget that EJ played really well in the first two games last year when the Bills ran more then they threw the ball. That same formula is working for Tyrod Taylor this year, and when the Bills have forced the QB to carry the game by throwing more then they run it they have lost every game no matter who the QB is...or does the hate for EJ cloud the mind? On another note there is no question that the right side of the O line is much worse off with either Henderson or Kouandjio in there at RT. So much so that a guy off the waiver wire looked so much better against the #7 defense, and Urbik is better then Miller. Then he is not someone I'd want at RG all year either. Carpenter is having a tough year, but I'm not ready to give up on him. There is talk of not re signing Whaley if the team doesn't make the playoffs. Does Rex have someone else in mind to be the new GM to cater to his needs? I know that Rex wanted Tyrod Taylor who has been brilliant at times, and he also vouched for Richie Incognito who also has been a major improvement at LG. The simple fact in my mind is this years run first offense with McCoy, and last years defense and this team is 9-3 or better while contending for the division title.

Funny how two of those games you mention were against the 2014 NY Jets 2x, and were coached by the same HC / DC that is screwing up this years defense. Late and confused is exactly how that Jets team look last year!! So, who takes the fall, or blame for this years defense if not the guy who adamantly refuses to change his scheme that hasn't been generating pressure on the QB for most of the season! 30th in QB pressures! Look! Going from 1st to 30th in sacks isn't just bad, its unbelievable bad! You also seem to forget that the Bills were #2 in the NFL in sacks in 2013 too, and actually had more sacks that year then last year. Last years 2014 defense was all world in being #4 in total defense. They were also #3 against the pass, (It is a passing league right?) and this years team with the probable DRotY in Ron Darby at CB the Bills are 23rd. Again, a huge drop off. Some of us were expecting greatness from this years defense, and not excuses!! This +1000 It is ridiculous! You want to see the epitome of ridiculous just go back and watch that first Patriot game this year where Ryan had his secondary playing ten yards off the line, and rushed only four. Then at times rushing only three while dropping his elite pass rushers into pass coverage. Brady scorched the Bills D for a franchise record 466 passing yards allowed. Even Rex admitted after the game it was the wrong game plan against Brady. He has been saying all year he knows he has a problem with the defense, and yet it doesn't get fixed. One game this year the defense looked like its old self from last year, and that was in the second game against NE where Brady was under pressure 20 of his 40 drop backs. So we know he can effectively blitz to win, and yet chooses not to.

It was kinda crazy how much time Tyrod Taylor had to throw on some of his drops with JJ Watt on the other side. I suspect the Texans were far more worried about McCoy beating them, and he had over 100 yards rushing. Shady has enough shake to open up his own smoothie king! This was going up against a Texan defense that had held the past four opponents to 250 yards of offense, and the Bills put up 390 yards. +++Mills for a guy right off the waiver wire, and he was far better then either Henderson or Kouandjio has been. Meanwhile Urbik is the weak link, and i fear he won't get any better as the season goes on

wow, way to completely disregard the #4 team in total defense, and #1 team in sacks in the NFL last year who also shut down greats like Aaron Rodgers, and Peyton Manning in respective weeks... That Oakland game was lost because of a 3rd and 22 in which Carr threw a 51 yard strike, and followed it up with a TD to win. The Bills might have been taking a 2-12 team far to lightly while looking at the next game against the Patriots. In which they shut down Brady who went 8 of 16 for 80 yards, and was pulled in the second half so he wouldn't get injured for the playoffs. There is no excuse in this world for going from #1 in sacks 2014, #2 in sacks 2013, and to now going 30th in sacks, sack percentage, and defensive hurries. Games were lost this year because of the lack of pressure on opposing QB's, and the Bills defense that couldn't stop opposing QB's in the second half of games this year. It would, no question about it. Having Mario, and Hughes lineup outside the OT causes all sorts of blocking problems for the opposing offense, and is a big reason why the Bills had so many sacks. Bills fans will always blindly defend the current coaches no matter how inept they are, and going from 4th overall to 20th is an enormous drop off. Last years defense was a playoff caliber defense, and this years is Dave Wannstedt, George Edwards frustratingly bad with a defense loaded with talent!

Taylor was also put in those situations, and also lost. Personally IDGAF if EJ stays or goes. For the team I know that the first round pick on EJ might not have been wasted if he can sit, watch, and learn like Taylor did with the Ravens. My point was that those first two years with Buffalo were wasted in terms of his development because of the offensive coaching ineptitude by Buddy Hackett, and Maroon.

I think the Bills defense is playing well at times despite the lack of being able to get pressure on the QB because of a some players having really good games. Rambo has been brilliant in some games with his hands in 3 turnovers in one game. Ron Darby should be defensive rookie of the year for his play this season. Gilmore was having a very solid year before the injury. Now think about how bad this years team is in getting pressure on the QB, (30th in sacks), and yet the Bills secondary has still been playing lights out at times. Just think what this years defense would look like with more pressure on the QB!!

When I think about the absolute clowns that EJ had as his coaches his first two years I can only think he was being developed by people who had no business running an NFL offense. Remember no QB coach his first year in the league. Now see how Greg Roman is game planning, calling plays for Tyrod Taylor in having him manage the game rather then force him to carry it with 40+ passes a game. I can't help but think that they might be some hope for EJ in all this. Think back to the games EJ played in this year. Cincy 23 rushes vs 42 passes. Jacksonville 28 rushes vs 42 passing attempts with no Sammy! If the Bills defense could have stopped Bortles from driving 80 yards for the last score the Bills win that game. Now look at Tyrod the games since the Jags game. Houston 36 rushes vs 21 attempts passing attempts, W. -KC 28 rushes vs 38 passing attempts, L.-Patriots 30 rushes vs 36 passing attempts, L. -Jets 33 rushes vs 27 passing attempts, W- Miami 36 rushes vs 12 passing attempts. Then the earlier games going backwards. Tenn 28 vs 18, W. Giants 28-42, L. Miami 34-29, W. NE 27 vs 30, L. Indy 36 vs 19, W Clearly with a healthy McCoy, and run game working the Bills are far more productive on offense. When the Bills run more then they pass they have won every game. I also think this years offense with last years defense this years team would be 9-3.

I think so too, and just hope ownership sees it that way. Whaley still has a lot of warts, and could do a better job. but then he hasn't been a GM for 7 years or been in the NFL 19 years either.

The reason why the defense looked so good against the Patriots is because Ryan called more blitzes more often, and managed to get hurries on Tom Brady to the tune of 20 of his 40 drop backs! 50%! He hasn't blitzed that often against any other team all year. That, and the Patriots were missing key offensive weapons in RB Deion Lewis & WR Julian Edleman big time. The defense in being bad this season has nothing to do with the players still learning Rex Ryans scheme! What defense on earth is so complicated that veteran players can't grasp it or understand it by week thirteen? The very simple truth is Ryan is asking them to do things that doesn't fit what they do best. He has been running a passive cover, gap control scheme which a big departure from what he ran with the Jets! Plus, he isn't rotating the defensive line players as much as Schwartz did last year in keeping them fresh in the fourth quarter. Then he isn't blitzing nearly as much as he has done in the past with his jet teams, nor as much as Pettine or Schwartz did the last two years. Sacks go hand in hand with defensive hits, hurries, and pressure on the QB. This years scheme is currently 27th in hurries, 29th in sacks, 30th in sacks percentage. Ryan has three all pro D linemen from last year plus Jerry Hughes, and he is positioning them differently then Schwartz did, and utilizing them differently. The Bills are currently 20th in total defense, and 23rd against the pass. The current defense could be just as effective as it was last year in getting pressure on the QB should Ryan ever get his head out of his backside, and start utilizing his players like he did in the past. And guys, the offense is far better because of better play on the line by LG Richie Incognito, and Shady McCoy is a freaking beast who has enough shake to open his own smoothie king! The Bills are game planning better, and running the ball more to help the young QB manage the game rather then force him to carry it with 40+ passes like Hackett used to do. Tyrod Taylor in the way he is being used is a huge upgrade at QB, and the offense is currently 10th in scoring in the NFL.

Gee, that looks so eerily familiar, and I hope Rex learns from Rob's failure in NO. But alas, after further review there is more to this story then just Rob Ryan failing at his job. The bigger problem was the player turnover, and not properly replacing the veterans they lost on defense. Then the head coach had to get involved in setting up the game plans, and even calling some the plays. The real issue was hiring former Saints DC Dennis Allen who had worked with Sean Payton previously in NO. Sean Payton basically hamstrung Rob Ryan in the scheme, and with the play calls, and then made him the scapegoat. Kinda why the defense still stinks or is perhaps even worse now without Ryan. It looks like Rob Ryan was given complete control of the defense in 2013, and when it went #4 in points & yards against, and even #4 in sacks in 2013 in his first year in NO. Then the defense faltered in 2014, and the HC got imvolved. Who really knows if Rob Ryan had any say at all in player acquisition for the defense, and the team had a fairly large turnover on the defense between 2013, and 2014. Who on the team deceided to spend 54 million on Jairus Byrd? Then screwed up in the draft with the 2nd round pick on a CB who stunk. I kinda hope the team does hire Rob Ryan, and gives his brother a swift kick in the ass to blitz more in Buffalo

Good choices. I have my list. LeSean McCoy Tyrod Taylor Jerry Hughes Sammy Watkins Richie Incognito Seantrel Henderson Cyrus Kouandjio IK Enemkpali Boobie Dixion Duke Williams What does it say about the RT position when a guy off the waiver wire is better then the starter, and backup. RG Kraig Urbik is playing better then Miller did when he was in there, but dunno how long he can stay at a decent level. Also on honorary mention is Marquise Goodwin who stinks when he is healthy...which is almost never.

Taylor played just about a perfect game this week, and fans really shouldn't ask for more from a guy who has only started only 10 games so far. His line gave him a lot of time on certain plays, and mostly JJ Watt was a non factor in rushing the passer. That could be because the Texans were more concerned about stopping McCoy who rushed 21 times for 112 yards. Now think about how Taylor would look like on last years team with Hackett calling 40+ pass plays a game behind one of the worst lines in the league, and with mostly no rushing game. My point being is it looks like Greg Roman is doing an outstanding job in developing this young QB so far, and this is the type of run first offense with McCoy at RB that is perfect to develop him in.

All I want to mention is that Rex Ryan used to live by the Blitz, and his past defenses were almost constantly blitzing as even he stated the worst he has even been in sacks was 11th. This years Bills are 29th in sacks. In the last game against the Patriots in week 11 Tom Brady was under tremendous pressure all game long, and that was to the tune of 20 of his 40 drop backs. Rex Ryan hadn't run that same scheme all year up until that game, and he hasn't run it again since. Currently the Bills defense is 23rd against the pass, and 15th against the run, so I'd have to say if they are struggling somewhere its against the pass. Considering the gap control defensive scheme the Bills are running this year it is a bit disconcerting the Bills are not doing better against the run. Still this is Rex Ryan's 2015 craptastic defense. A lesson on how to neuter three all pro's on the D line.

The Bills line gave Tyrod the time to throw, and contained JJ Watt as well. The offense showed up big time in this game, and put up 390 yards of offense against a defense that had allowed only 250 yards the last 4 games. The Bills might have finally found the franchise QB of the future if he keeps playing like this! Great game for Taylor, and the offense!

It is the scheme the players are being asked to run, and what is so frustrating for me is when this team does bring the kitchen sink in a heavy blitz they usually get to the QB very quickly. They just don't run it more then a handful of plays a game, and instead play a soft cover gap control defense. Marcel Dareus has been saying he was being used incorrectly since the pre season games, and the other players just keep quiet while doing their jobs while knowing its the wrong scheme for the players on the roster. To add to this the defense was maddeningly ineffective at times, and if not for the offense in getting 390 yards against a defense that had only given up 250 yards the last four games this game would have been lost. Tyrod Taylor had a perfect game 3 TD's passing, one TD running, and looks to be the franchise QB of the future at this point. McCoy earning every penny of his 6 mill per with outstanding play every game now, and Eagle fans must be so pissed he is a Bill.

The 8th seed again, and now face a Washington team at home leading their division at 5-6! The next game @ Philly who just pounded the Patriots are still in it at 5-7 Then they play Dallas at Buffalo, and believe it or not Dallas is still in it at 3-8 as the 16th seed Finally the NY Jets at Buffalo, and the Jets are currently the 6th seed at 6-5

You asked, I answered in what winning coach was there to hire, and now you say he wouldn't have taken the job in Buffalo. You or I don't know that, and in my opinion in that Fox has a defensive background he might have loved to coach this Buffalo Bills front four. Speaking of Brady / Belichick I think that Rex Ryan isn't the guy that will dethrone the Patriots from atop the division any time in the near future no matter who he has on defense. This. We expected greatness on defense this year, and some of the players are giving that at times Darby, Gilmore, Rambo have all been playing so well despite the lack of pass rush leads me to think these men might have made to the pro bowl this year if Schwartz was still the DC. Sal Maiorana is certainly entitled to his opinion on keeping Rex Ryan for more years. I happen to disagree simply because I've seen enough ineptitude over the years to realize this is just another example of the team spinning its wheels while wasting more precious years that the team can never get back. Haven't we all have seen enough of that? Ryan is a supposed defensive guru, and that part of the team is clearly under performing. So the new owners keep him and allow him to retool the defense like he wants. Then only to see the team keep failing is so many areas like they are this year. Penalties-poor special teams coverage units-poor game management- poor reg flag management on the road- undisciplined teams. The Bills with this win moved back into 8th place, and it was mostly because of the offense playing well. The Buffalo Bills offense managed 390 yards against a defense that had given up an average of only 250 yards the last four games.