Bills757

Getting back to the original premise of the thread, I'm not so sure the passing game can take a giant leap forward but I do expect it to be better for a few simple reasons. Assuming Shady, Sammy and the rest of the WR corps can stay decently healthy, the play calling and the scheme should put Taylor in a much better position to succeed. From what I understand, it will put more pressure on defending the QB run while giving Taylor less areas to scan the field. Add in the fact Taylor has more experience, I think he'll be given the green light from the coaching staff to be more concerned with making plays through the air versus concentrating solely on protecting the football. Turnovers are part of the game and taking risks are necessary at times in order to get bigger rewards. In Taylor's first two years, I think he was told, under no uncertain terms, to protect the football, period. Our defense will handle the opponent's offense....we just need you to manage the offense and not turn the ball over. Obviously that approach didn't pan out. I think Dennison is going to challenge Taylor to actually be more aggressive (at least I'm hoping this is the case). I'm a big Taylor fan; however, I do not think he can elevate himself to the upper echelon of QB's in the league (notice I didn't say elite) at this point by simply managing the offense and not turning the ball over. This is the year he needs to step it up and make plays with his arm when necessary. Again, I'm keeping my fingers crossed Sammy can stay healthy because without him, it'll be tough.

And I'd like to see our big boy STARTING WR's on the field during these crucial 3rd downs. It's been proven Taylor is a better QB with his starters in the game. As far as feeling confident in the offense, I'm with you but I'd like to think McD won't let his defense wilt under pressure either....a la the Miami game at home. That was disgraceful but not surprising considering we had Rex and Rob running the show. The Pegula's HAD to be drunk, high or both when they hired that guy. Still hard to believe.

Raw deal? Really? He was "over signed"......that's what went wrong with EJ. He was 3rd to 4th round talent that somehow got drafted in the first round by a guy who no longer has a job in Buffalo. The expectations heaped on a first rounder are far different than that of a 4th rounder for sure. EJ never really had it at FSU. He had tons of talent around him (unlike Taylor) but he didn't have great success there. Not sure Whaley looked past EJ's height and weight....stunned how the Bills wasted that pick. EJ didn't make the team around him better like Taylor did in college. EJ's smarter than TT? Maybe if we're talking about taking a class (and that's even doubtful). It's about having the ability to make good decisions in a split second. You can be the smartest QB around at understanding the offense but when it comes down to execution, if you can't make the plays, you look like the dumbest guy on the field. And think what you want but your dreaming about the Bills going .500 with EJ at the helm over the past two years. The Jags game in London should've been proof enough. Nice dude but not an NFL starter, at least at this point.

For the simple reason that McD's the polar opposite of Rex. That right there is worth a couple of wins. Getting rid of both Ryans may even eek out another win.

This is catering to your personnel....putting them in the best position to succeed.....a concept that was foreign to Rex.

Part of the issue around these parts is the fact the Bills haven't made the playoffs in years. People are restless and impatient.....they want to win now and putting together the pieces doesn't mean squat. Some on this board keep clamoring for OBD to "draft a franchise QB"....as if they grow on friggin trees. Quite a few of the franchise QB's of today weren't all that when they first started. It's just hard for some to comprehend this fact because of how good said QB's are today. The last two years have been nothing more than being in limbo IMO because I never thought Rex could do any better than what he did. He handicapped this team and this franchise with what amounted to smoke, mirrors and a lot of hot air. I have no idea what the Pegula's were smokin' when they hired him but it had to laced with idiot. By hiring McDermott, the Pegulas went from financing a clown show to investing in a real business. And while the jury's still out on McD and Beane, from what I've seen thus far, they mean business. With Dennison on staff and much improved discipline I expect to see this year, I'm way more hopeful in '17 versus either '15 or '16.

Shore up RT, get Taylor some solid, HEALTHY WR's and I think you'll see a guy who will be put in the best position to succeed under Dennison. For those who think his contract is gonna play any part in his on-field performance, you're either drunk or comatose.....Carucci may be both but I suspect he's just trying to stir the pot and get clicks. Taylor will play hard no matter the situation because that's what he does. He understands the business side of things and I feel confident he knows he still has a lot to prove to be considered the long term answer at QB. Taylor is the consummate professional and conducts himself the same way off the field. Before I'm told that I think Taylor's the greatest QB to play the game and he has no flaws, let me be clear......this is Taylor's year to make his case one way or the other. With the clown out and McD & Dennison in, it's his make it or break it time. We'll see what happens.

This thread is for grown ups....now run along.

If the Bills had a pocket passer, he'd be on injured reserve. Like I said, all it takes is for one Olineman to miss a block and all hell breaks loose. The statue at RT last year was worse than bad. It's funny. So many on this board complain and complain about Taylor hanging onto the ball unnecessarily (which I'm sure he has done over the past two years) but NONE of these people are willing to acknowledge the fact he's turned chicken **** into chicken soup so many other times....times when a traditional pocket passer would've been planted into the turf, Taylor side stepped and picked up big yardage or hit a receiver crossing over the middle. That's the thing for me, for the haters all they can say is he sucks.....for most of the open-minded semi-supportive Taylor fans, they acknowledge Taylor has flaws but also what he does well. For me, this is the year for Taylor to make the step he needs to make in order to be considered a long term answer. With Dennison in the fold, McDermott at the helm and two years of starting experience, it's sink or swim time for TT (barring tons of injuries).

Add in the fact the Bills had a clown running the show the last two years........that right there handicapped the team big time. He was no match for any competent NFL HC. It only made matters worse when he hired his brother. Now I know where the term "oh brother" came from. Taylor has his faults, no question about it. But it seems some people on this board want his running ability with Tom Brady/Aaron Rodgers-esque experience and saavy. It just doesn't happen that way. I feel like this is the first year where the team (and Taylor) have a chance to flourish. Common sense would tell you it's gonna take a few years to make any marked improvement. But IMO, with a disciplined HC, an OC who knows how to use his weapons and a defensive minded HC, I think the Bills will be in a much better position to succeed....something that wasn't the case over the past two years.

On the flip side, when a defender blows through, instead of getting hammered, Taylor scrambles, extends the play and tries to make something happen. Remember, all it takes is for one defender to beat his man and that can disrupt the entire play.

No question the offense has its warts but Rex's formula for winning included a bully of a defense and an offense that was able to score points and limit turnovers. If Rex's D's in '15 and '16 been more like the Bills defense of 2014, there's no doubt they would've won 10 or 11 games each of those two years. So, from the perspective of how Rex planned to be successful, the defense underachieved far more than the offense.

The only thing that I felt Rex was proven at doing was running his mouth. He was tops in the league at all bark, no bite. I just didn't see how someone would entrust their franchise to a guy like Rex. What has he accomplished that would make someone believe he's worthy of coaching their NFL team? I just don't see it. The biggest reason he's had the opportunities is because he's Buddy Ryan's son, period.

So much talk about "fixing the offense" and so on.....how about we do something REALLY crazy......maybe fix the defense.....you know, the unit that was suppose to be the bully, shut opponents down so the offense could limit turnovers, manage their side and win ball games. Didn't the Bills finish top 10 in scoring offense? Weren't they third best in the league (offensively) in the turnover department?

Or in Miami's case, with only a minute or so in the game, just give it to your RB and watch him rumble 60 yards to set up the go ahead score. To a certain extent I agree with you but notice that 75% of those teams had less 30+ point defensive efforts than the Bills. And two of the three teams that had more than the Bills had Matt Ryan and Aaron Rodgers under center.

Did you know that the playoff QB's from last year were a combined 5-23 when their respective defenses gave up 30 points or more? The Bills gave up 30 or more points six times last year. If only the defense last year was a "stop gap".....

I've said this on the other board and I'll say it here (and it's been said by quite a few so pardon the redundancy)..... * Taylor is the best option right now. * Taylor has not carried the team like you would want a franchise QB to do (which is why he can't be considered a franchise QB at this point) * His skill set has had a positive effect on the run game (which many deny but I'm sticking to basic football logic for this bullet point) * He throws as nice a deep ball as anyone in the league * Taylor's skill set is better suited with Dennison's style of offense * Taylor has had issues with anticipation throws.....due in part to not having starting WR's available.....also, not wanting to turn the ball over, he opts for the conservative approach * Taylor checks down a bit more than I would like It's funny how some people can't look at Taylor objectively....."he sucks" "he'll never be a franchise QB" "he can't throw over the middle" etc....... JM2009 pretty much hit the nail on the head....Taylor hasn't been THE problem. Has his play been limited? Yes. But if you paired his efforts with the 2014 Bills defense, they'd have made the playoffs without question. IMO, McDermott and his coaches will put the players in a better position to be successful. That's one thing Rex struggled mightily to do. Sticking with the circus terminology, the clown show is over....now it's time to move on to the lion tamers and the high wire act where concentration and hard work are critical to their success.