Nihilarian

Me either! During that Patriots game I watched Jerry Hughes drop back into pass coverage on TE Rob Gronkowski, and saw him break up a pass 30 yards downfield. I watched Kyle Williams dropping ten yards backwards in a pass cover zone. I dunno maybe its just me, but when I see a DE 30 yards downfield defending the pass I ask myself how gassed is this man going to be on the next play trying to rush the passer? How much does it take away from a 300lb DT to cover a 30 yard area in pass coverage, and perhaps need to chase down a TE or RB on a play. Instead of the 6 yard area he would normally cover? In any event the Bills are simply not rotating the D line players as much this year as they did last year under Schwartz. This alone makes a huge difference in the 4th quarter, and especially so if the defense has been on the field a lot of the game. I have two theory's on that Patriots game: Either the fix was in by the NFL, by Tom & Giselle's millions / Robert Kraft's millions! To see Brady become the greatest of all time in NFL history this year! Or perhaps Ryan is attempting to emulate the Seahawks defense in his own crazy way! Their "4-3 over" defense, and mixing it up all over to a Jets 4-3 under. Mostly just have the two DE's rush the QB, and their DT's are not a gap penetrators like Kyke Williams / Marcell Dareus are, and instead have them playing more gap control, and taking on two gaps while playing the run. That Seahawk defense is setup at times so that the linebackers can run around and make plays while not allowing the front four to just rush the passer. This might explain why the players are saying its overly complex, and are having a difficult time executing it. Mostly because that Seahawk defense is overly complex, and the Buffalo Bills just don't have the personnel to run that defense. Particularly at the safety, LB positions. I'm not a defensive guy, and its just a thought.

My point was that Marrone was a very bad hire as HC with an offensive background, and somehow the new owners didn't see it at all. Schwartz was the good hire. Saying that, I highly doubt these new owners will ever figure out whats wrong with their Ryan hire. They will probably buy into Ryan's claim of the current players aren't smart enough to understand his so very complicated defense(which is complete bullcrap), and the injuries. The injuries are mostly on the offensive side with the skill players, and one safety, one DT shouldn't lead to the downfall of a defense. Like you I wasn't a big fan of the Rex Ryan hire mostly because I relished how lost he looked on the sideline last year getting smoked 43-23 by the Bills, and then Ryan boasting his team will play 1000% better in the next game only to be humiliated 38-3 by Buffalo. I just don't get how compelling it was for these new owners to hire a 4-12 HC, and a guy who was good only in his first two years out of six. As far as the Bills secondary goes both Gilmore, and Darby have been more then good enough in coverage, IMO. The biggest reason for being 17th currently in pass defense is that they are up from 30th after that historically bad Patriots game in which Ryan had his DB's playing ten yards off the line in soft pass coverage. Since then to be honest I think the secondary has been outstanding given the lack of pass rush this year. The less pressure you get on the QB the longer the DB's need to stay in coverage. Think about that for a minute...this year the Bills are currently 30th in sacks, and 29th in QB hurries. Just to give those numbers context last season the Bills were #1 in sacks with 54 sacks all year 2014, and #2 in sacks with 57 sacks in 2013. This year after 7 games they have only 11 sacks. To me Its all about the lack of pressure on the opposing QB this year so far. Buffalo Bills sack masters this year, Corey Graham 1.0 Nigel Bradham 1.0 Nickell Roby 1.0 Marcell Dareus 1.0 Jerry Hughes 1.0 Duke Williams 1.0 Kyle Willams 1.0 Stefan Charles 1.0 Mario Williams 3.0 But yes, in the end should the Bills finish worse then 7-9, and continue to fail to comprehend how best to utilize the defensive players on the roster. I would be for a new HC hire mostly because I don't want to see more wasted years in rebuilding a new defense with new players because the current man can't figure out how to best use the players already here.

I think PFF grades come from grading individual players vs Outsiders who grade the entire line. Stats aren't always what they appear to be, and don't always tell the whole story. Kinda hard to fathom that a line with two players that can grade as poorly as starters Miller -10, Henderson can be ranked #9 overall. Like #BADOL posted above that a running QB can make things look so much better then they actually are in both pass protection, and rushing stats.

The Buffalo Bills did just that with Saint Doug, and the offense was downright bad 2013-2014 finishing in the bottom third both years. A supposed O line guru and the line stunk. Bad choice for an OC with 2 rookie QB's along with a guy who started exactly on NFL game. Hackett made both CJ Spiller, and the fans throw up. Funny thing is St Doug walked away or otherwise we would get another year of an inept offense. So I kinda doubt ownership can actually see the problems with Rex Ryan, and a lot are on defense, special teams, penalties. My thoughts on the difference between Wade Phillips 3-4 heavy blitz attack with their outside LBers Ware, Von Miller vs Jim Schwartz's wide 9 defense is that both defenses have the pass rushers spread out passed the OT on both sides, and thus have an easier path to the QB if they don't have to contend with that offensive tackle. Hughes, and Mario should be getting after the QB 99.9% of the time because its what they do best. Is that difficult to understand? Looking at Rex Ryan this year for Buffalo he has done a lot of good things that I doubt Whaley would have done. Bringing in QB Tyrod Taylor was a very smart move. Bringing in OG Richie Incognito, and giving him another chance to prove himself was another very smart move. Rex went after OG La"ell Collins, and just didn't get him. The WR Percy Harvin move didn't work out due to injuries, but it started to look like a great move at first. Rex Ryan's failings this year are mostly on defense with lack of QB pressures, and I happen to think its because of his choice in DC in Dennis Thurman. This because his defense just doesn't look the same as it did under Mike Pettine. Rex needs to be just the HC, and hire a better DC in one that can get the most out of those front four pass rushers. Fire the special teams coach, and hire one that knows what he is doing. Make certain his teams cut down on the penalties. JMHO

I remember that, and it really is a damn shame the Bills couldn't reel him into Buffalo. Man, he would have made such a huge difference to the right side of the line this year. Crazy to think that the Cowboys with all that talent on their offensive line are 2-5 because the starting QB, and #1 WR are out injured. Brandon Weeden as the backup QB, really? Anyway, I gotta wonder if the Cowboys HC will survive this season.

I think Caldwell's done in Detroit after this year, if not before the season ends. I thought Mayhew did a decent job building that team, and not so much in keeping those D line players.

I agree, as I think Kujo played better. But then a lot of his look came from that bad Jags team. We will see.

Like others have said take the PFF grade with a grain of salt because that high grade is mostly for the left side of the line.If you clicked the link it read that rookie John Miller is currently grading at a negative 10.6 which is damn bad. Urbik has looked worse in some games this year, and Seantrel Henderson is easily grading as bad as Miller. I tend to sorta agree with FOOTBALL OUTSIDERS on this one 28th in run blocking, 28th in pass blocking having allowed 20 sacks. This years team still sinks at run blocking. McCoy ypc avg is 3-9, and Dixons is 1.2 ypc, Cierre Wood 1.5 ypc, Dan Herron is 3.4 ypc. Tyrod is 6.0 ypc, and Williams is 5.4, and as for Karlos high avg that can be explained in two games where he broke long runs, and finished with 9.7 ypc in both. Then look at the other two games at 3.5, and 2.22 ypc. According to the NFL the Bills are the 9th worst in sacks allowed, and 18th worst in hits allowed.Those stats got a whole lot better after playing the Jaguars too. The line pass blocked very well for EJ a lot in that Jags game, and Urbik along with Kouandjio actually played pretty well. I'm sorta hoping those two keep starting Kujo, Urbik. One last thing to not forget is that the teams rushing stats look so good because of Tyrod Taylor doing so much scrambling out of the pocket. In one game he was the leading rusher.

Same thing happened with Ryan in NY, and cried about not having the players needed to run his defense. So, in order to Run Ryan's scheme the Bills will need to dump all four all pro D linemen, and draft or bring in top free agent LBers to run his scheme. Many threads open about the defense. Below taken from a different thread. Click the link, and read the article please!

Yea well, its helps to have Von Miller, and DeMarcus Ware at OLBer too. Phillips always had great defensive game plans during the regular season and once the playoffs hit not so much.

For the life of me I can't figure out why you continue to want to defend a defense that isn't even coming close to utilizing its players like it should. This year the Bills are 29th in sacks, and 27 in sack percentage when this team basically lead the league the last two years. Its been like this in just about every game this year, and a big reason as to why the stats for sacks, hits, pressures for the Bills defense is so bad this year. Conversely, Denver leads the NFL in sacks, hits pressures and a big why their defense is currently ranked #1. "As far as Dareus is concerned, simpler is better. He has felt that since training camp, when he complained publicly about not seeing eye-to-eye with how he was being coached." "Ryan employs a base 3-4 defense. Hughes and Mario Williams, who led the Bills with 14.5 sacks last season, are not positioned anywhere near as wide as they were by Schwartz. There isn’t as much of an attack-up-the-field philosophy with the linemen. It’s more about doing things that allow linebackers to be a greater part of the play-making than before." "In another significant change, Kyle Williams often finds himself lining up outside, in a standing position, rather than inside and in a three-point stance as he was last year. He also will move laterally, in an effort to draw blockers from other defenders." http://bills.buffalonews.com/2015/10/07/bills-d-line-experiencing-disconnect-with-scheme/ I mean WTF! What complete horsecrap this coaching staff is doing with the Bills front four this year. This is why these men are complaining publicly about what they are being asked to do this year.

Both the Dolphins, Jets games look winnable, and those W's put the Bills at 5-4. Mia @Jets @ NE @KC Hou @Phil @Wash Dal Jets

It is after all Fitz's non throwing thumb that is hurt, but at this point I think he will be backing up Geno. Both are listed as questionable. Losing to Oakland on the road showed some holes in that top Jets defense. 451 yards given up to the Raiders

22-21 Bills

Those four players have been complaining publicly about how they are being utilized under Rex Ryan, (or should I say miss used) and Dareus has been vocal about it since training camp. Those are four pro bowlers we are taking about and each one of them has a tremendous fire in them to be great. You have to know something is seriously wrong when the players themselves are criticizing the scheme.

Its not just all about the sack numbers either because if the Bills were getting pressures, and hits on the opposing QB then sack numbers aren't that big a deal. But they aren't, and there is a direct correlation between sacks, hits, pressures. It is a passing league, and it is all about getting pressure on the QB. Going from #1 in 2014, and #2 in 2013 in sacks, and sack percentage just shows that Rex Ryan's defensive scheme isn't even close to what Schwartz was able to do despite being statistically good in total defense. and man, the very last thing I want to hear or see is this HC crying because he needs different players like he did with the Jets.

The Bills are currently ranked 11th on total defense, 17th in passing, 4th in rushing. Those stats have little meaning if you can't stop the opposing QB in crunch time!!!!!!!!! Fans complain about EJ but the Bills had the lead with 5 min to go, and couldn't stop Blake Bortles when it counted most. "There was improvement, too. The Bills couldn't stop the Jaguars when it mattered most late, but a unit put in difficult situations all game long did get an interception returned for a touchdown, hurried Blake Bortles and had four other three-and-out's." Seriously, who gives a crap about the rushing stats or gap control when you can't get pressure on the QB when it does matter most! The Buffalo Bills are currently 30th in sacks with just 11 sacks! With a abysmal 3.7 sack percentage! No matter how you shape it, slice it or cut it up. This years defense is the biggest letdown of the team so far this year in my view.

Pep says Hi.

Its not just Bills fans! After week four of last year when the Chiefs demolished the Patriots 41-14, and being 2-2 every Patriot fan out there was crying in their beers about the dynasty being over, and that Tom Brady should be benched. Rex Ryan has earned some wrath after losing to the 1-5 Jaguars, and with 5 min left to go in the game his craptastic defensive scheme let a young QB win by driving 84 yards for a TD. After the Bills being #1 last year, and #2 the year before the Bills are 29th in sack percentage this year... meaning the QB has all day to throw! Then there is the Bills as the league leader in penalties! Any other Org would fire Whaley just for trading two first rounders for a fragile WR the team uses as a decoy. Meanwhile Odell Beckham Jr is stepping into superstar status, and this years team could have really used that 2015 first round pick. Not to mention 6 mill per for a WR with long history of being injured among other things. At this point anything can happen, and a lot will depend on how the rest of the season goes. If it goes really badly I suspect that nobody on the coaching staff or in the FO is safe.

I kinda doubt it only because the owner is such a jackass. I'd be willing to be that he wants a more high profile man in Indy now, and probably a new GM to boot. The OC was the scapegoat this week, but the GM takes the blame for the bad O line, the Trent Richardson decision, and trading away Jerry Hughes. I think Irsay will wait until the season is over. http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nfl/colts/2015/10/31/indianapolis-colts-general-manager-nfl-draft-ryan-grigson/74956570/ My My money is on Cauldwell next with the asst HC taking over should the losing continue. 1-7 , and they are a bad, bad team. Dunno how Caldwell managed to screw that team up so fast.

I listened to her talking about the hire, and she stated she didn't ask any football questions. When asked what role did she play in the interview process, and she said we want someone who wants to be in Buffalo, and that's where most of her questions were probing. She also stated she didn't know very much about his past jobs, and football history. She only inquired about his family status, and his family background, history. I didn't hear her say "she' hired Rex Ryan at any point. So i firmly believe it was Terry Pegula who hired Ryan with Kim, Russ, and Doug's approval. He came in and we were pleasantly surprised at how down to earth he really was in person, his love of the game, and what he said he really wanted to do with life and where he wanted to help us being part of the team. That really resounded very well with Terry and I. I concur!

Have anything to back this up because I don't buy it at all, a link perhaps? Or is this just pure speculation? Its my impression that from what I read that Russ Brandon told the Pegula's that they would know who to hire as HC after they spoke with all the candidates. Then afaik Kim Pegula was supposed to be president of the team, and be heavily involved in the marketing side, and not the football operations side. From what I can gather it was Brandon who suggested Ryan because of his defensive background, and the decision was made by Terry with Kim, Brandon, and Whaley in the room. To the OP, how on earth do we know what Whaley does and doesn't do on any given day? Perhaps he has been on the phone to Cleveland to find the asking price of Mack & Thomas. From what I've read is that Denver already offered Cleveland their 2016 first round pick, and the Browns countered by asking for a player too. Denver said no at that point. I agree the the offensive line is a big failing this year, and another failure is the WR corps that has been plagued by three injured players.

No matter how badly Luck plays this season I doubt the owner will ever let him go! The head coach will change multiple times before Luck leaves Indy. OH, and BTW the Colts are STILL in first place in the AFC South at 3-5

Every year Cowher, and Gruden get asked if they will interview for a head coaching job, and every year they decline. Cowher has stated that he still has the passion to be a head coach in the NFL again, and should the right opportunity present itself I think he would take it. Same thing with Gruden. Cowher has said he wouldn't take a job that didn't already have an established franchise QB. I presume mostly because of all the years he spent in Pittsburgh without one. The Colts might just be that team this off season, or the Cowboys. Seriously, don't be surprised if Pagano / Garrett keep losing that fiery owners like Jerry Jones, Jim Irsay will make him an offer he can't refuse. On another note, I can recall that Cowher did interview with Buffalo back in 2010 when the team let it be known that they would pay ten million per for the right HC. Ralph Wilson took that info from the interview, and hired the man Cowher stated he would hire as his OC in Chan Gailey.

Welp, now the Lions are 1-7 at the bye week, and their schedule doesn't get easier. Gee, the Detroit Lions went 11-5 last year and were in the playoffs. Will it be Gunther Cunningham taking over during the bye week or will Martha wait until the end of the season?