Got_Wood

If Whitner would learn to not overpursue so much, he would be a MUCH better player. He needs to keep outside contain on runs when he's supposed to, and when he's the last line of defense on runs up the middle he needs to make the tackle instead of going for the big hit. His reaction to the pass is always a few seconds LATE. If he can do a better job of reading the QB's eyes, he could make more plays on the ball. But he watches the receiver instead, and that ends up being a 15-20+ yard gain and then tackle downfield. He's got the athletic ability to be a good player, but he lacks the discipline. He needs to look in the mirror and correct the mistakes he continues to make.

This is exactly right. You either sign him to an extension now, or trade him so you get something in return in a trade to avoid the risk of leaving another hole in a swiss cheese team. This is all part of having a PLAN.

This wouldn't make sense to me. We don't want to replace 4 linebackers next season. We need to keep Poz and Davis around. They're the only productive guys we have. We can bring in a pass rusher (maybe two), but we need to fill MANY other needs (OT, QB, WR, TE). This should be a no brainer, and we should be able to get him for a reasonable price considering how much time he's missed.

If there's anybody on this team I think we need to lock up and keep around, it's this guy. I'd take away Kelsay's contract and give it to him in a second. The bottom line is, we don't need another hole to fill in the offseason. Poz and Davis are the only starter-worthy linebackers we have on the team. I hope they're working on something right now.

This was one of my other huge issues with the rebuild. We brought in a good teacher for a head coach, and I like that. BUT, Chan is also responsible for running the offense himself. So, why would they go hire an inexperienced defensive coordinator? Now our defense has gone backwards from last season, and our offense is struggling to improve because Chan is worried about coaching that side of the ball as well. Seems a little overwhelming for a new head coach I think.

Thanks for the great reply. I guess what stumped me most was an offseason where we didn't address the most glaring needs we had at OL, OLB, and QB. Just kind of odd to make those secondary concerns. I wish I had more optimism going forward.

Says Thurman Thomas. And he adds, "In the last 10 years, the Bills have not had a plan. I think (owner) Mr. (Ralph) Wilson said that a couple of days ago in an interview that he did. They were just hiring guys and signing guys, and you didn’t really know if they were football players." It's funny, I think the same thing when looking at this team. I think a lot of people look at the Bills and say, "I have no idea what these guys are trying to do with this team." In fact, Jay Glazer recently said "I will understand women before I understand the Bills". There's something wrong with that right? So what IS the plan? Right now, these are some things that confuse me: - We want to convert to a 3-4 defense, yet we sign a mediocre 4-3 DE in Kelsay to an extension. - Nix said that the offensive line was one of his top priorities in the offseason, and we didn't address the line until the late rounds of the draft. - QB has been a huge issue for the last 10 years, yet Nix said that we "like the guys we have". Then he decides to cut the guy they liked the most 2 weeks into the season. - The pass rush has been below average for several years here in Buffalo, and we lost the best DE we had on the team in Schobel. Do we add any help in the offseason to address this? No, we stick with what we have. Once again, we use late round draft picks to address one of our biggest problem areas. I could mention quite a few other contradictions to our "plan" that have occurred over the past 6 months or so, but I'll stop there. Losing now is ok if it means we're trying to build something better. Sometimes you have to go through some "pain and patience" before you get to taste the joy that comes along with success. But I have to say, I'm a little worried about whether or not this front office has the ability to bring a winning team back to Buffalo. All signs are pointing to several years at the bottom. And I don't think I'm alone on this. So, Ralph/Nix/Whaley/Madrak/Russ... what is the PLAN??? Give us something to inspire hope.

I think one of the greatest things about the Steelers and the Jets defense is the way they line up before the snap. They might have 7 guys on the line of scrimmage before the snap and only 4 of them rush the passer, but you NEVER know who those 4 guys will be. They might rush a corner back and slide a safety or linebacker over to cover their man. Standing up isn't what gets OLB's to the passer faster, it's the idea that you don't know what that guy is going to do when the ball is snapped. I think our personnel would look better if they were coached a little better. But you're right, the Steelers have very good players that fit their scheme.

Look at the second screen shot of the Steelers. Pass formation, and a definite speed rush. I took the screen shot from an actual video.

Right, and what I'm saying is that it's not just the stance. It's also the scheme that helps the edge rushers to get to the QB. We're not doing well in several areas on defense. We're not stopping the run and we're not getting to the QB either. And this limits our DB's ability to intercept the ball. When opposing QB's have an hour to throw the ball, someone eventually gets open. I digress... if we can use our interior big 3 (Edwards, Williams, Stroud) to occupy more than one lineman, and get our OLB's standing up on the outside, we have a better shot at getting to the QB. We don't always need 7 guys out in coverage when there are only 4 or 5 offensive players to cover. We're not mixing it up, and our blitz packages are "vanilla".

Well, I can show you what ends up happening when he lines up like that. Take a look at this shot. I circled Maybin getting buried (literally) by Matt Light because he tried to bull rush him. Also notice that ALL THREE of the other D-lineman (Ellis, Stroud, and Williams) are stacked on top of each other surrounded by Patriots O-lineman. That's not good. Something has to change with this scheme (it's not just the players). Take a look ---> http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/1699/maybin2.jpg The Steelers scheme under Lebeau is a huge reason why the defense is so successful. I only use them as an example because they are the best in the business at the 3-4 scheme.

I do think Maybin needs to add 10-15 pounds to his frame to be a successful OLB in the NFL though. He's just too small right now to play that position consistently. But there is NO WAY we should give up on him yet, especially 5 games into his career. He had no playing time last year, and now it looks like it's shaping up the same way this year. I'm hoping things change.

Taylor uses all three techniques. Sometimes he stands up, sometimes he's in a 3-point, and sometimes a 4 point stance. He's also one of the best in the game. He's got a large array of pass rushing moves, he's probably got about 10-15 pounds on Maybin, and Ryan knows how to mix up the edge of the line with additional blitzers to get Taylor a lane to the QB. A little different scenario.

You're definitely right. We're in a "hybrid" 4-3/3-4 that makes no sense at all. We have Kelsay running around in space trying to defend the pass and getting burned consistently, and we have Maybin bull rushing OT's and getting buried. No pressure on QB's, no solid run defense, and no ball hawking defensive backs (0 Int's for defensive backs this year). This defense ensures that we're terrible in every phase.

Maybin is quick and athletic. He's not a big stout defensive end that can bull rush offensive tackles and get to the QB that way. He needs to be standing up on the edge out wide where he can speed rush and work in space. See examples below. Maybin in 4 point stance. Ends up hitting a wall when he runs into the offensive tackle. Gets pancaked... http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/8589/maybinstance.jpg Example of Steelers OLB's in stand up 2 point stance... http://img828.imageshack.us/img828/4089/steelersdefense2.jpg Different angle of defensive alignment and the pressure it brings with OLBs out in open space... http://img843.imageshack.us/img843/261/steelersdefense.jpg If we don't use our personnel the way they're supposed to be used, then we're wasting potential talent on the bench.

For all of those Bills fans that wanted to see the Bills draft McCoy, we'll get to see him play this weekend. Unfortunately for him, the Browns play the Steelers. Should be interesting to watch.

While I agree that Maybin was a bad pick for this team, I am starting to believe more and more that George Edwards was a terrible pick for defensive coordinator. This defense is even worse than it was last year, and there are no signs of it getting any better. Again, if you're going to hire a head coach that wants to run the offense, you better hire a proven defensive coordinator. Maybin has still not yet lined up as a stand up outside linebacker. We're playing Maybin in a DE four point stance position, and he isn't built for that kind of role. Use his speed and athleticism off the edge to beat the slower OT's. Don't send him running into a brick wall. This defense is a massive failure.

We could always pull a New England move, and package him with a 5th or 6th rounder and get a 3rd in return.

He seems like a guy that we could get a decent pick for, and he's kind of hit his peak in performance. He's also getting a little older and we're rebuilding. What say you Bills fans? We might be able to nab another 4th rounder. And we'll get to see more of Carrington.

Cam Newton plays for Auburn, and they played the University of Kentucky today. I don't know who you were watching. But yes, I would still take Luck first.

I agree that I would take Luck over Newton. But wow, Newton is the real deal. I don't recall seeing any QB with his size and athleticism. He's like Vince Young plus 30 lbs, and he looks like he throws a better ball.

You'll start hearing his name soon enough. Here's a video of him. He's a freak athletically. And he's 6'6" 250 lbs. I'm not sure who to compare him to, but he's fun to watch. He has a play in this video that is one of the most unbelievable runs I've ever seen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGR8n00kJqk&feature=related

This is more of a question of who is better between these two, than "who should the Bills draft". But yeah, you're right. And I'm talking about Cam Newton from Auburn, for those of you that don't know who he is. Former Florida QB that transferred.

That hit he just laid on the USC kid was huge!

If Luck waited until next year to come out, which guy would you take? Newton is starting to look like a superstar out there. And I'm starting to like the idea of a mobile QB. Especially a guy of Newton's caliber. Thoughts?