Nihilarian

If I'm not mistaken it was the CEO who prodded the new owner to hire the head coach he wanted, and told him he would know who to hire after he spoke with him. Clearly the wrong move for a first time NFL owner, hockey man to pick an NFL HC. (Perhaps it was the fact that Terry Pegula had talked with Bill Polian, and had a plan in place for him to be the football czar. That might have made made him nervous. That plan for Polian all fell apart once Doug Marrone quit though) I can see why Terry Pegula was so enamored with the boisterous, charismatic Rex Ryan. Heck, even the Jets owner Woody Johnson hated to fire the man, and even most of the Jets fans still loved the guy even after four losing seasons. This when Eric Mangini was fired after a 9-7 season. Anyway, the Bills still should still hire that NFL experienced football czar, and allow him to run the football operations side of things. JMO On another note Rex Ryan has done a decent job of bringing in talent Tyrod Taylor, Richie Incognito, Percy Harvin to improve the offensive talent. While hiring a decent offensive coordinator in Greg Roman. Ryan's fault so far is his choice for DC, as Donnie Henderson stinks. Sort of mind boggling I know. Whaley's fault is not building the offensive line to be able to run Greg Romans power run scheme, and a lot of his choices for skill players look like they are made of glass. Save TE Charles Clay so far.

C'mon guys, we all expected greatness out of this years defense!! Mostly because that notable defensive guru became the head coach and installed his defense from his days in Baltimore, and NY Jets. The man has a pedigree for building great defenses, and even he stated that this is the best talent he has ever had on a defense. The Bills defense this season was supposed to be the best area of the team, and I don't know about the rest of you but I expected this years defense to finally dominate, and shut down Tom Brady! To beat down a 5-0 Bengal QB that has shown he can be rattled!! Instead we see a very mediocre Bills defense that only allowed ONE pressure on Andy Dalton all darn day. Sorry guys I expected more!! I expected greatness of the 85 Bears defense!! I expected the greatness of the 76 Steelers with that dominate D line who had Mean Joe Green. We have that in Super Mario! we have that in unblockable manster Marcell Dareus! We have that in wild-man Jerry Hughes! This defense has four pro bowl players on it, and they all earned that status from being great at rushing the passer!! Wanna run a Dick LeBeau zone blitz, and ask the D linemen to drop into pass coverage? Then have Doug Whaley trade away the current front four D linemen for four all pro linebackers, and then it won't matter when you drop an average D linemen into pass coverage!! Lets face some facts here! Not only is everybody disappointed that this years defense isn't great. Many of us are heartbroken that the supposed defensive guru somehow managed to castrate the strongest area of the defense! This years Buffalo Bills defense is not only not great, they are not that very good even with some of the best talent in the NFL. I'd even go as far to say that this years defense is Dave Wannstedt / George Edwards bad. Here is hoping that Rex Ryan can fix this his errors!

"I'm going to let you in on a little secret. That team Rex Ryan is always touting and raving about, the one that bullies people on the ground and assaults opposing quarterbacks and batters opponents into submission? It exists. Only not in Buffalo. It's all happening in New York, with the Jets, the very team Ryan left. And worse yet for Rex, the team he has in Buffalo looks increasingly more like the mess of an outfit he ended his Jets career with a year ago." http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/writer/jason-la-canfora/25345471/rex-ryans-bills-keep-talking----and-losing----while-jets-play-speaks-for-itself Sadly, the 4-1 NY Jets have the #1 defense in the NFL, and the 3-3 Bills are 20th in total defense. 24th in sacks with only 9

The Bills have dropped Kyle Williams into pass coverage too, and he got a good grade for doing it. Rex Ryan had Jerry Hughes covering Rob Gronkowski, and he did pretty good also. When these guys drop into pass coverage the Bills then sometimes only rush three Bills players. You would think that after the Bills D getting burned by Tom Brady for 466 passing yards in week two(Which set a franchise worst record) they would have changed up the defense. Instead the coaches blame the players by stated they are to slow to adapt to this "complex" defense! What a bunch of crap!! Those are four pro bowlers on the Bills D line. Last night a team with inferior defensive talent in the Eagles had their D linemen spaced in a wide style which allowed the players to get to Eli Manning quickly. Just like Jim Schartz's wide nine used to do. Manning looked confused most of the game going 24 of 38 for 189 1 TD, 2 INT's and one was a pick six. Rex Ryan was given the keys to last years #4 defense in the NFL, and #1 in sacks, and drove it into a muddy ravine.

That is strange! Whats funny about it is some Bills fans are blaming EJ for throw, and whats more is that EJ threw it specifically so Sammy would hurt his ankle Anyway, Thurman Thomas stated he played on two sprained ankles his entire career. He would have the trainer tape them up and go out and play. Plus, he played his entire NFL career with a torn ACL that was never properly repaired

Whaley has his warts for sure, and I agree that trading up for a WR when the team didn't already have a franchise QB was blatantly stupid, and would have cost him his job with any other NFL team. A big problem with the current team is the lack of quality play from the right side of the offensive line. Even if Whaley would have obtained the O line players like he originally planned with guys like Jarhi Evans, Bryan Bulaga, and even those two wouldn't be enough without Incognito. The offensive line remains a huge concern particularly since LT Glenn in his last year. While Ryan is credited with bringing in QB Tyrod Taylor, WR Percy Harvin, and OG Richie Incognito, and those three are a big reason why the offense improved. His defense has taken a huge step backwards from what Schwartz built in Buffalo. I gotta wonder if Hughes, Dareus knew then what they know now, if they would have signed to stay in Buffalo. The Pegula's need to take a long hard look at this coaching staff, and perhaps the GM too if this staff can't fix the many problems that plague this team this year. Injuries aside, and happen to every team.

Both QB's have their positives, and negatives about them. Tyrod needs to find a way to complete more passes in the first half of games. The team needs to get their skill players healthy, and both QB's will have a better chance to win games Thank you for the common sense. The defense is far more of a concern to me with currently being 19th equals about as good as George Edwards / Dave Wannstedt. the Bills are 24th is sacks with only 9. Rex Ryan took the keys to a Ferrari of a defense, and turned it into a dump truck. #1 in sacks last year to #24 this year.

All we can do is hope that Rex can fix the defensive scheme, and cut down on the penalties more. Then there is the special teams that looks so much worse then last year with the same coach. The season is far from over but it will be a whole lot less painful if the coaches get their heads out of their arses, and can fix this mess.

I gotta wonder if Jerry Hughes knew beforehand that he would be used to drop into pass coverage so much this year, and the team would be so toothless in the sack dept because of the D linemen dropping into pass coverage. Would have he resigned with Buffalo or happily said goodbye? All the D linemen are not happy with this new scheme. Dareus has been complaining since TC, and then Hughes. Now Mario has stated they are all unhappy with this new defensive scheme.

Teams are taking concussion protocol much more seriously then they have in past seasons. Luke Kuechly was concussed in week one and wasn't OKed to return until this week. You can read about it here, http://www.sportingnews.com/nfl-news/4658107-luke-kuechly-concussion-protocol-details-cleared-panthers-seahawks

The Glass is waiting to see if he will shatter once he steps on the field again, and his brother the crystal might be out too. Hope the Bills packed some bubble wrap for the flights.

Preaching to the choir on this as I agree with the OP. I gotta wonder why its taken 6 games for Rex to wake the eff up. I mean i was astonished the defense was so bad after week 2, and getting beat down by the Patriots. 466 yards passing, and nobody on the coaching staff took notice, really? Man, I can only hope that the GM, owner don't buy into the crap that the defense needs a bunch of new players to make it work. This ship is foundering, and if this captain can't fix it then find someone who can.

This! All we fans can do is hope that after the bye week the Bills coaching staff makes some adjustments to the defense, and special teams. The players get healthy, and start playing smarter. if things don't change with the current coaching staff then the owner needs to hire someone smarter then himself to hire the next head coach.

But maybe Kromer will coach him up now that he is back.

I agree. Yea, Tyrod Taylor has been just magical in the first half against NE 38 yards passing, against the NY Giants in the first half 36 yards passing, against the Titans 28 first half yards passing. It wasn't EJ that allowed 34 points by the Bengals, and he didn't accrue all the penalties on the defense, special teams and offense. 8 penalties for 93 yards in all. EJ was doing OK until Watkins left the game just before the half with 129 yards passing, and the score 17-13. It could be possible that the Bengals were easily able to cover Clay, Woods, and Hogan with Goodwin, Harvin, and Watkins gone. Lets also not forget the crappy field position that the Bills had to endure all game long. Special teams have been on the short bus all year so far. After the first half the Bengals were able to put together 90 yard, and 78 yard drives that put a stake in the Bills defense.

Some excellent points here considering the state of the current defense. Not to mention all the penalties this team has accrued this season so far in every aspect of the team is undisciplined. Offense, defense, and special teams. The QB, and injuries aside this years team would be so much better with last years defense, and fewer penalties. That's all on the coaching!! The Pegula's need to kick some arse before the season is lost! (at the bye) If this same defensive scheme continues along with the penalties then the owners need to look for a better head coach. Perhaps offer Schwartz the HC job. JMO

I think it comes from a team that used to have a defense that would terrify opposing QB's, and lead the league in sacks. To suddenly become this pseudo coverage defense that can't even get a pressure on the QB. The awakening should have been in week two when Tom Brady set a franchise record for the most passing yards by a QB against a Bills team in the 55 year history of the franchise! If that were all there was then fans would somehow get over it. But that's not it.... The Bills lead the league in penalties! They have a big mouth head coach who enjoys giving other team bulletin board material by talking smack about how the Bills will be a bully to each team they play. Other NFL fans are laughing. "we are going to build a bully" The fans and players bought into that junk and now are paying the price. Then there are the injuries to just about every star player on offense with 7 of 11 starters questionable. Its like the gods of football doesn't like big mouths or bullies!

Its ALL about the current defensive coaches asking the superstar defensive linemen who are renowned for rushing the passer to drop into pass coverage, or cover a gap when they should be pinning their ears back and just rushing the passer. In actuality Jerry Hughes did an adequate job in covering TE Rob Gronkowski in pass coverage, and even got a positive grade for it. So did Kyle Williams when asked to drop into pass coverage. These men will do anything asked of them and do it well. There is a huge disconnect between what this defensive staff is asking the defensive line players to do, and what Schwartz, Pettine asked them to do. Now tell me, which defensive scheme actually works? Great coaches don't force players to fit their scheme! Great coaches find out what the players do best and build a scheme to get them in the best position to make plays. The Buffalo Bills have spent more draft picks, and money on building a top defense and the only man that actually accomplished this was Jim Schwartz! 2 yr DC George Edwards was a bad DC 28th-30th in pts allowed, 25th-26th in yards allowed. 27th in sacks with 27, 29 1 yr DC Dave Wannstedt was a bad DC- 26th in pts allowed, 22nd in yards allowed. 18th in sacks with 36. 1 yr DC Mike Pettine was an upgrade DC- 20th in pts allowed, 10th in yards. #2 in the NFL in sacks with 57 1 yr DC Jim Schwartz was a masterclass at DC #4 in pts allowed, #4 in yards allowed. #1 in the NFL in sacks with 54. after 6 games Dennis Thurman +++++ #16 in pts allowed, #17 in yards allowed. #24th in sacks with 9. This years team is almost a joke on defense. Only one pressure, and no sacks on Andy Dalton all game. Then Dalton 243 passing yards with 3 TD's tells me this years defensive coverage scheme stinks. For a Buffalo Bills defense that used to terrify every NFL QB. All they need do now is just get the ball out quick and its a W in the win column. The ONLY thing this years Buffalo Bills team does well is get penalties! Other fans around the league are smiling to themselves to see Rex Ryan's bullies get smacked down game after game.

“What people don’t understand is you’re not running the same defense that we ran last year,” Hughes said. “This isn’t the 4-3, four down linemen, go after the quarterback. This is a 3-4 defense. We know what the 3-4 defense entails because we’ve had it before,” in 2013 when Ryan coaching disciple Mike Pettine was Buffalo’s defensive coordinator. “I just think it’s going to take guys some time to get used to making those calls and get that mindset to 4-3. Last year’s gone.” http://bills.buffalonews.com/2015/10/18/rush-to-judgment-d-linemen-pin-loss-on-3-4-scheme/ This also isn't Mike Pettine's version of a 3-4 either because that defense was always creating pressure on the QB, and was the #2 team in the league in sacks! Kinda sad that the one area of the team that everyone thought would get better suddenly got worse with the very same players. This years defensive scheme stinks!! Somewhere Dave Wannstedt is smirking!

That's the thing, as he hasn't coached this scheme forever!! When Mike Pettine was his DC he ran a 3-4 style too, only he used a lot of overload blitzing, meaning he usually sent more guys after the QB then the offense had blocking. New DC Dennis Thurman is using more of a zone blitz scheme like the Steelers used to use. That zone blitz works best when you have great linebackers, and it doesn't matter if you send an average D linemen into pass coverage. With the current players the Bills have is four all pros on the D line, and they are not being used to the best of their ability. Might as well ask a RB to play TE, and see how that works.

I'd have to think there will be some talking about the team between the GM, owner, coaches, and its schemes during the bye week. I'd be really surprised if the defense keeps running this crappy coverage stuff. If the special teams keeps looking this bad I think Crossman is a goner. We will find out after this season how much tolerance this new owner has for building a bully.

One thing I noticed that when the team had Javon Kearse, and then later on Kyle Vanden Bosch, Albert Haynsworth the defense did so much better. I can only imagine had he stayed in Buffalo this year that his defense would have gotten even better. My take with his problem in Detroit was that he was overly loyal to his assistant coaches. Lets not forget that he inherited a really, really bad 0-16 team. then went 2-14, 6-10, then 10-6 in three years. Should have dumped those assistants when the team went south, and in particular his DC.

I disagree, as its really not more complicated then most defenses and that saying its complicated is just an excuse Ryan used when he was asked about it. He isn't doing anything new that has never been run before or that the players can't grasp. Its that they are being asked to do things that don't come close to what they do best. This defense is like a zone blitz that asks the D linemen to cover certain gaps, drop into coverage and for the most part asking them to not rush the passer. Going all out after the QB is what those front four do best, and its what has allowed them to make 28% of the teams payroll on just those front four. Its not their fault either because Marcel Dareus has been complaining about the way Ryan has been using the front four all year, and now Mario. Kinda why last years defense was the #1 sacking team in the league, and this year they are 20th, and 27th in sack percentage. Kinda ironical that this years slogan is "feel the rush" What rush? The rush of passes zinging to the receivers hands while making the front four look bad? The Bills defense only managed one pressure on Dalton all day, and no sacks.

The current defensive scheme is not that complicated! Its that these stupid Bills coaches are asking those great pass rushing D linemen to drop into pass coverage far to often. What do you think is the smarter thing to do with Mario Williams? If this Bills DC would just ask his front four to rush like you suggest with the Schwartz like attack, and rotate those linemen more so they are fresher in the fourth quarter then things would start looking like they did last year! I want sacks!

The Buffalo Bills have arguably the very best front four in the NFL, and those four were the very best in sacks last season. They were #2 in sacks in 2013 under Ryan's protege with the Jets in Mike Pettine. To put in perspective how bad the Bills DC is miss utilizing those highly paid D linemen. Last season they were #1 in sack percentage, and sacks. This year they are 27th out of 32 in sack percentage, and 20th in sacks. Dropping Hughes, Kyle Williams, Mario Williams into pass coverage is simply idiotic when they are so darn good at rushing the passer. This team is not designed to run zone blitzes like the Pittsburgh Steelers were as they had great linebackers, and average D linemen. So when those D linemen dropped into pass coverage it wasn't a big deal, and they weren't especially good at getting to the QB anyway.