The Big Cat

So contrary to what all the players have said, he's given up on the team? Their field general has just decided to quit?

So which do you think is more likely: the coaches telling him to turtle it? Or a 10 year vet who was threatening to retire less than four months ago getting pretty !@#$ing sick and tired of the clobberings? I think one explanation is much, MUCH more plausible.

I'm actually quite curious to hear him explain the blocking schemes. Damn.

Well, Chan's 2011 team and its vaunted offense dropped seven in a row. They started out white hot then regressed BIG TIME. According to many here, the coaches, and only the coaches, are to blame for that. But you're right, they lacked talent, which is what I've been saying up and down this board about every team since 2006. So what happened in 2011? They started out 5-2, teams picked up on our limitations and forced us to do things we couldn't. It's exactly what happened to the 2014 Kyle Orton. There's one consistency here: talent.

I think we all remember Chan with misplaced fondness and then oversell the talent we have on offense to make that point. That said, I wouldn't kick him out of an OC role in Buffalo, that's for sure. But food for thought, here is a side by side, Chan's best year (2011)/This year: PPG: 23.3 (14th)/21.5 (19th) --keep in mind that our PPG has been pretty steady, whereas the 2011 Bills had a PPG in the last 8 games of 18.75 YPP: 5.7/5.0 Chan Gailey's offense benefited from coming on the heels of some SERIOUSLY poor units, the likes of which make even this year's look like the Greatest Show on Turf. But we've definitely leveled off since then. As I said, I think the perceived regression is oversold.

Yep. I'll even go a step further and say we can find a rookie to do his job.

Well, for starters, going into next season with Marrone, Schwartz, Hackett and Crossman would only be the fifth time this century that this organization has achieved that kind of continuity.

Sure, just not in that order. We could also use an upgrade at DE, LB, S and CB. Doesn't mean we'll prioritize them.

I think the benefits of continuity outweigh the so-called simplicity of finding a new OC--which I also don't believe is as easy as you're suggesting.

These were my thoughts exactly. Uh oh. The sooner you guys come around, the happier we'll all be.

Hahaha, and then you become envious of our Canadian friends.

Do you not recall what defenses did to stifle Fitz/Gailey? They let receivers run free in single coverage down the sideline and took away all the underneath stuff. Guess what Fitz simply could not do.

Enough with this wild and wacky thing that everyone associated with the league has and continues to echo. He could never throw them in the first place!

I'm not going to bother with you.

Yes, sir. They can easily identify throws he can't make and let him try and beat them that way all day. If they know he's not likely to...jesus, nevermind.

And from a defense's standpoint, it would have prepared them for virtually zero re: the BILL'S offense. I'll step back a little bit and say they probably did watch him throw for other teams, but I highly doubt that prepared them for much more than timing a pitcher from the batter's box. Plus, another layer to the "no tape" is the scaled-back and different offense he probably ran compared to EJ in the first four weeks.

I will take continuity and new talent over coaching changes...any day.

Also, you guys are !@#$ing out of your minds if you think the Lions prepped for Orton by firing up 2010 Denver film.

Um, yes it does. When defenses know what he WANTS to do and forces him to do something else...as they have been doing... He's not multi-dimensional enough. Period.

An early Christmas Miracle!!! Shoot! I was hoping it'd be a playoff berth! Also, Fred's performance yesterday, given all the aforementioned, was just outstanding. The way he fought for yards...I mean...jesus.

Yeah, the QB most definitely does. Well, if you'd rather debate semantics, fine.

More and more this has been my take on the whole OC debacle this season, and it was reinforced yesterday by my buddy--who loves to hate Hackett--who texted from the game what I've feared to be true this whole time: Orton has been so bad, that it's virtually impossible to fairly evaluate the OC and the offense he's trying to run. I'm repeating what I've heard every single coach, scout and player say on this. Also, how do you explain the way EVERY new quarterback regresses back to the mean?

I made the point on our podcast last week (subscribe on iTunes if you don't already) that Fred has elite (as in best in the NFL) vision, balance and timing. And only because of those factors can he still produce now that his athleticism is taking a not-so gradual nose dive.

And that has been my MAIN criticism of Spiller since day one. His timing, vision and patience SUUUUUUUUUUUUCK. I won't profess to know the rotation philosophy of our defense. I've been puzzled by it all season, but far be it from any of us to criticize that side of the ball. I would however like to add that I saw something curious picked up by the TV cameras yesterday which was Mario giving the "hey you need a breather" signal to somebody already in the game who evidently gave him the "nah, i'm good" response because he gave back the "cool, i'll getcha shortly then"

You must have missed the passes he sailed to Woods and Watkins in single coverage down field, the one that was six feet behind Woods as he ran untouched across the center of field on third down and many, many other HORRIBLE passes that went along with his uninspired decision making.