Left Overture
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Posts posted by Left Overture
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I noticed that today as well. McGee is a heck of a find in the draft, but he often plays off the receiver too much on those critical third downs. That being said, I thought that the blitzes did little to generate pressure against Maddox early in the game, and there were several ill-advised blitzes that were called deep in our end of the field that left receivers roaming wide open.
The good news is that I see Kelsey and Denny getting better, and McGee improving as well. I am not sure that I like seeing McGee on all those kickoffs. I know he is very talented, but there are times when the defense cannot get off the field that I worry that he is just simply getting winded from all they ask him to do on defense and special teams. Maybe next year Fast Freddie can handle more of those duties.
Vincent is also adjusting to his role as Safety, so another year should have him more comfortable in Gray's defense.
I think the defense will come back stronger next year, but the offense still has me worried. Moulds was the invisable man this year, and dropped several key throws. I don't know if he is simply trying too hard, and not letting the game come to him or what, but he seemed to be "pressing" all year. Lee is one heck of a find, McGahee has been playing dinged up - I can tell. Another year of rehab, and who knows how dominant he can be.
I could go on and on about Drew, but I have said all I am going to say about that subject.
Lindel should find a pink slip this off season. He is not the clutch kicker this team requires for the type of ball Mularky wants to play.
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He's one of those players that will kill you emotionally. Terrible way to start a game, but he makes so many plays the other direction.
A lot of penalties all around... how do our first stringers in their own stadium get owned by the backups for another team?
This team just isn't there yet.
I have not liked Lindell all year. With the way Mularky wants this team to play you need to have a kicker who is clutch inside the forty. This way you can run the ball down the other team's throat and when the other team's D tightens up in the red zone and stops you, you still know that you can gets some points out of that long drive. We need a clutch kicker, and Ryan is not in that category. Donahoe needs to address this if he wants this team to go to the next level.
The D was not able to get off the field on third downs, and Drew looked lost against a decent defensive scheme played by Pittsburgs backups. The O-line did not do enough to protect Drew at times, but there were times when he had plenty of time, but in the big games he chokes. Holding onto the ball WAY too long. What happened to that clock in his head that is supposed to go off after 3-4 seconds. I literally counted 6 "Mississippis" when he barfed up that fumble.
I still think we bite the bullet and start Losman next year. Heck most of our success the latter part of this year was running the ball. Losman can hand off to McGahee as well as the next guy. Either that or let Drew walk and sign Brees if you are looking at keeping Losman on the bench for a few years. If we stick with Drew we will always be an "almost" great team.
Drew can win the winnable games against weaker opponents, he has yet to show me that he can win against quality defenses.
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I have to admit that I was down on Troy as well. And I believe that I had every right to be that way. Up until today, Troy had not produced and after hurting Losman then getting hurt himself leaving us with an inexperienced player at the CB position. I did not think very highly of the man that probably cost us a few games and slowed Losman's development.
I am glad that Troy had a good game, but it did come against the hapless browns. Lets see if he can carry over the play to next week against the Bengals. No one would be happier than I to finally see that revolving door at free safety filled by a competent ball hawk. If Troy does make the transition well, this defense could be really something special. Really special. Our secondary for the first time in years could actually be SCARY to opposing offenses.
It may be too late to salvage this season, but with the experience our young guys in the secondary got this year we now possess some serious depth, and our team will be in great shape next season.
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The new and improved Drew just fumbled and lost it deep in our end.
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Don't disagree with much of your suggestions. If we lose Jennings, I'd consider moving Teague to tackle or see if Petter could play there and then try to sign a top notch center as they'd come cheaper than a tackle as a FA. Woul first thoug htry to keep Jenning IF he really wants to be here.
Tight end. Yes, would be nice to improve, but can live with what we have. On offense, would rather see them try to improve line.
Vincent has been hurt most of year. I'd give him another shot Don't know what he "hasn't done to help the Bills" as you allude too?
Depth at linebacker would be nice, but not sure you can get better guys than we have as backups and be affordable.
Agree Baker may be capable FS.
Lindell can kick consistently from inside 40 yards. If we can get a proven kicker who can be just as good out to 50 yards and can put kick offs five yeards longer, sign him in a minute. But it's tough to find that guy. More ofte nthat not , you need to take a chance on un-proven guy and get lucky.
I think what ICE is eluding to (regarding Vincent) was the fact that we let Winfield go because the brass felt we had a starting pro-bowler to fill in. Vincent not only broke the leg of our newly drafted 1st round QB (with a red do-not-tackle-me shirt on), but he managed to get injured and leave us with no option other than throwing McGee to the wolves at CB. A move that directly cost us a few close games, or does anyone forget the game of catch that Pennington and Cherbet had at McGee's expense?
Vincent has done squat for his paycheck.
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I mean seriously, why would Belechik trade Drew to a division rival. Now we see what Belechik saw in his QB. An immobile guy who does not sense the rush, who gets brain lock under pressure. Throw in the tendancy to turn the ball over and make bad decisions when guys get in his face and it is clear how that weasil in NE suckered Donahoe big time. We even gave up a first-rounder. Hind sight is 20x20, but boy the devious plan is so clear now.
True... we do not have a great offensive line, but Drew is such an easy target because he can't throw on the run so they avoid the roll-out plays or moving the pocket around, and he has no touch on the short passes to dump it off when under pressure. I nearly gagged on my beer when I saw the bullet he sent McGahee's way on that 10 yrd screen that ended up tipped for Deon. HE makes them look worse than they are, and that's hard to do.
I'm ready for something different, we need a change at QB.
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Most of these guys are just playing for a check. The only thing that worries them is maybe losing that starting job to a hungry rookie whos anxious to proove himself. You've got to wonder if when they are looking over their draft prospects do the Bills actually look for competitive players - I mean guys that actually care if they win or lose.
This team's offense only plays well when they get desparate towards the end of the game. Why can't they go into a game with that hunger and desparation on offense? Instead we have to watch them go three and out for 3 quarters before they decide they might have to make a few plays to have a chance to win. I was begging Mularkey to run the 2:00 minute drill during the second quarter - just to shake the offense out of it's funk, but no-go.
Then when you need our defense to come up big - they can't close the door!
aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrgggggggghhhhhhh
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Maybe Donahoe should get on the horn with the Panthers. They are flat out desparate for a running back that doesn't break easily.
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Good post. It looks like folks here are getting over the emotional aspect of that last game, and really looking at things that could help tip this team over the hump. The only part you may have overlooked was Ralph cracking open his wallet so he can spread some green to the Refs so we can get some of that "luck" that the Patriots seem to have.
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Our guy gets knocked unconscious with a helmet to helmet hit and where was the flag? And the same dude was kicking Villarrial when he was on the ground. Doesn't it just make you wonder? They (those striped monkeys) never miss it when Fletcher is giving someone the business. They call penalties on London even when the hit is clean.
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Donahoe has made some poor judgement calls, but I am not sold that Mularkey cannot turn this team around. As far as Losman and McGahee go they will both need to get up to NFL speed. It's a long season, and the decision could become academic if Drew and/or Henry gets injured.
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Been a while since I have posted. So allow me to unload whats been on my mind.
I actually see this team as very nearly "there" rather than slipping away, and maybe that is what is so frustrating. However, I do feel that there are some individual players that need to sit to get their head on straight. The cancer that eats at this team is "selfishness" plain and simple.
T. Henry should sit, not because he slipped on a crucial play, but rather because I have never seen such a pathetic half-hearted attempt at pass blocking in my life. Everytime he draws a blocking assignment, he does the "olay" move and turns in hopes that Drew will lob him the ball in desparation. I may be wrong, but isn't he supposed to at least try to hold his block, or get in the guys way for a second or two. Selfishness - it is the root of most evils that plague this team. Travis should watch some film of Thurman Thomas to see how the "great ones" did it. Opponent teams overload the box knowing that this is the way to get to Drew. We need fullbacks and runningbacks that are committed to picking up those extra blitzers. I don't give a rat's a$$ if they only get 2.5 yards a carry. If those guys did their assignments we would see a much less shakey Drew out there.
Clements did a nice job in the last two games, and despite all the talk from the genious "Belichick", Brady did not throw Nate's way during the game. This being said, I cannot forget his "boneheaded" attempt to intercept that ball during the jags game that was again "selfishness" rearing it's ugly head. I personally would like to see less struting around by the players on our defensive unit, and more guys playing like they have "been there before". The "real" pros don't have to draw attention to themselves, and this "team" has nothing to brag about (0 and 3).
Fletcher - sit him. He is huge out there on defense with a very high moter, but his selfish plays and unsportsman like penalties have cost this team every week. It is time to let him reflect on what it means to be part of a team. He needs to learn how to control his emotions while on the field. He seems to consistently slip into playing selfish and dumb. That being said, the roughing the passer call on him was one of the worst calls I have seen in a while, and as I have said in the past, all such calls should be reviewable. I hate this bastard child of the real instant replay I envisioned when they instituted it, with it's nefarious "non-challengable" BS.
Wire - Cannot be left alone on coverage assignments. This is a coaches call, but Coy has been asked to play several roles so I cut him some slack, but even the least talented bodies out there in the secondary make a play now and then. Try as I might, I cannot recall a single defensive coverage play that Coy has made - at the very least, not any momentum turning plays. I have to say that I miss Milloy's presence out there more than I realized I would. When he is back, that problem will correct itself and Coy can return to the Special Teams.
Red Zone run defense - You have to leave Sam and Pat in there... Dillon blew through a huge hole, and I could see Edwards getting tossed aside like a rag doll by the Patriot line could've been holding, but hey they're the Patriots.
Offensive line - I am not going to get on them too bad we lost two starters early in the game. And how do you get a holding call on a guard on a run by the full back up the middle that took all of .5 seconds to execute. That flag was in the air the moment the ball was hiked. The officiating flat out sucked. I'll return to that in a moment.
Play calling - do not call plays that require Travis to use his brain, and do not call bootlegs when you have two of your starting offensive linemen missing. I will come back to this in a moment.
Drew - No touch on his passes. The long ball is still there when he has time, but he is killing our guys out there with the touch passes. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen him hang our tightends, runningbacks, and receivers out with bad passes. Passes where they have to stretch behind themselves and they are totally at the mercy of the other team's head hunters. Drew is 90 in football years, he doesn't make quick decisions and it is time to pass the mantle. It is definately not all Drew's fault, but he makes enough mistakes at crucial times to consistently put this team in a hole. When Losman is healthy, I am willing to sit through the rest of the season and endure his rookie mistakes, simply because I will actually have hope that our offense will be productive next year. Drew will make a good backup, and perhaps a more mobile QB will cover up some of the warts that plague our pass protection.
Officiating - I know everyone feels that this is the scape goat for poor play, but sincerely, ever since Ralph changed his vote on instant replay after the year of the totally botched officiating fiasco at New England, we have been getting "jobbed". Fast whistles "down by contact" on fumbles that we recover (not challengable), s-l-o-w whistles and tentative touchdown signals when we actually punch one in. Phantom holding calls and roughing the passer in every fricken game, and these are not minor penalties. They seem to appear on critical third downs, or when we have a huge return - they are consistent drive and momentum killers. The news outlets love to blame our guys, but I cannot tell you how many times I have heard the announcers say after the replay - "that was a bad call", or "I didn't see it" this year. It really isn't all about the execution of our players, and something needs to be done, and Ralph is the only one that can look into why our team is so singled out for bolloxed call after call. This team makes enough legitimate mistakes, they are not capable of recovering when you add the deluge of mistakes by the guys with stripes. Having them send us a "we're sorry" postcard the week after the game is not helping me cope with the fact we were screwed one bit.
Defensive Tackles - We need some more beef up front. The kind of guys that can collapse the pocket. It is too apparent that we have to sacrifice coverage downfield to try to generate pressure on the opposing team's QB. I like our edge guys (Denny, Kelsay, and Schobel) they all have high moters. But to get that penetration up the middle, a high draft choice here would not hurt.
Play Calling - Believe it or not, I like the play calling - it's the execution and the officiating that killing us. I already stated that I felt the naked bootleg was billsfanone - dumb players, backups, and no wheels on Drew made that an ill-advised play. But hey, if Travis hadn't let the wind tackle him on the play before, our coaching staff would not have been placed in a position of having to pull a suprise play out of their collective "hats" that they were pretty sure NE wasn't looking for on 4th down. I still see Travis failing to sell the fake, and guys blowing through the middle while two of our offensive linemen were standing there side-by-side looking around for someone to block. Pass the TUMS please!
All in all, a very talented team that needs to be less selfish and play more like a team. There are a few things that are only correctable with changes in personnel, but I feel that Mularkey and staff could send a good message to our boys if they were willing to sit a few of the chronic, selfish, abusers.
- Hang in there Bills faithful. There is a silver lining on this cloud.
[News] V-Coach - Bills sign QB Kelly Holcomb
in The Stadium Wall Archives
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Glad to see I wasn't the only one.
Looks like a solid trade... now either our tightends are doing very well with their respective rehabs, or Buffalo simply doesn't have the cash for a Bubba Franks type free agent deal.
I definately feel better about our kid QB having a solid backup.