Jerry Jabber

You make valid points, but it's hard to argue when the coaches keep making boneheaded calls that costs us multiple games over the last couple of years. Last year vs the Broncos & this year vs the Jets, instead of running out the clock with a lead and actually running the ball, they try pass plays which cost us both games. 2006 season opener vs the pats, instead of kicking a FG to tack on the lead, we run on 4 & 1 and McGahee gets stopped for a loss, which was the momentum changer in that game. Having Edwards throw in the redzone vs the cowboys last year which got picked off and ran into our territory, instead of giving it to Lynch cost us the game. Not getting closer for Lindell to kick a FG and running more time off the clock vs the browns this year, cost us the game. Choosing not to try a FG when in FG range twice during the Blizzard game in Cleveland last year, and throwing a screen pass to Jackson on 4 & 5 cost us that game.

You are right about the lack of sacks. Our DE's suck, there's no way to sugar coat that. If we had more pressure on the QB, we would have more turnovers. The thought process by management going into the season was that bringing in Stroud & Spencer Johnson would help free up the DE's to get more pressure, instead of getting better DE's to get the job done. But the offense has to do it's part as well. Plus the coaches have been screwing things up as well. How many times when we're in the red zone do we see the coaches throw it on 2nd & goal and 3rd & goal from the 2 instead of handing it off to Lynch? How many times has Jackson been used in the red zone instead of Lynch? How many times have they went for it on 4th & whatever instead of trying a FG? Those are costly mistakes and those mistakes have cost us at least 2 to 3 games this year and last year.

Took me a while to sort through the stats from nfl.com It's okay, at least we're both thinking the same things. I feel we're very close to being a playoff team, we just need some fine tuning (including the coaches).

Are you coping my thread (Statistics: 2007 & 2008, Offense & Defense)?

I would hope Ralph would finally realize that we need to get someone who has had decent success as a HC instead of hiring guys who have never had Head coaching experience.

Good points. This year was suppose to be an easier schedule but the easy teams got better. Fine tuning this team instead of rebuilding it would be the best option. I still think we need about 3 missing pieces to both offense & defense and will be a playoff team. But coaching/play calling will hinder us from becoming a championship team, which is why I think Jauron & Schonert need to go.

The defense hasn't been losing the games for us, it's been the offense & the play calling. Last week's pass play/fumble/Jets TD - play calling. Settling for a 47 yd FG instead of trying to get closer and running the clock down (Browns game) - play calling.

Defense Game Stats: 2008- 12th/317.4 yards per game 2007- 31st/362.9ypg pass defense: 2008- 11th/203.4 ypg 2007- 29th/238.4 ypg rush defense: 2008- 19th/114.1 ypg 2007- 25th/124.6 ypg Offense Game Stats: 2008- 23rd/309.4 ypg 2007- 30th/277.1 ypg passing: 2008- 20th/195.5 ypg 2007- 30th/164.6 rushing: 2008- 15th/113.9 2007- 15th/112.5 Statistically, there have been improvements on both sides of the ball. The defense jumped up 19 spots from 31st to 12th, with the pass defense moving up 18 spots from 29th to 11th, so that right there says we did a good job of drafting CB's and shouldn't need anymore this offseason. the top 10 pass defenses ranged from 163.3 ypg (Steelers) to 197.8 (colts), so we're not that far off. Getting a good pass rush will accelerate our pass defense into the top 5. Rush defense improved 6 spots from 25th to 19th, bringing in Stroud helped out, but it's still an area that could be helped. Losing Crowell was a big loss, plus with Schobel going out with his injury hurt the run defense, so I think we would of had better numbers if those 2 were in the lineup. Offense, we jumped up 7 spots from 30th to 23rd. Pass took a jump from 30th to 20th. IMO, that stat got better this year because 1.) There was not the QB flip floping like we had last year. 2.) Edwards progressed from last year (at least in the beginning of the season). We basically used the same offense as last year. Our rookies made small contributions (Hardy, Fine & S. Johnson- 4 TD's total). The top 10 pass offenses arange from 304.2 ypg (saints) to 228.9 (Dolphins). IMO, in order for us to have a Top 10 offense, Edwards needs a couple more weapons. A tall, physical WR (like Jennings & Housh) would be huge as it take pressure off of Evans and open up our run game more. A starting TE would help out as well. Maybe Steve Johnson & Derek Fine can fill these roles next year, it's possible, but something needs to be done. Yes, stats are all fine and nice, but if you've got decent to good stats and you're still losing, then that goes back to coaching and play calling. Which is another reason why I think our group of coaches (Jauron & Schonert) need to be fired after the season.

I agree, I would rather have a Top Offense or Defense. But if you have a terrible special teams, you risk getting burned like in the Music City Nightmare (good job Bruce DeHaven )

I do believe Special Teams is 1/3 of the game. ST's score either by (FG's, TD's on kick & punt returns) or setting up the offense in good field position. If we didn't have such a good ST, imagine what our record would look like? Probably 3-13 or worse. Look at the 2000 Ravens, they won because of dominating defense & special teams. Both units were doing the majority of the scoring.

I wish us fans of Buffalo could fire Ralph Wilson.

Okay, sorry then. I'll edit my posts.

4th round pick? That's nuts. At least a first day draft pick for him (probably 2nd rounder). I think a lot of people expect a lot more production out of him since he signed a 7 year, $50.5 million dollar contract extension. For that kind of money, people expect results.

Agreed. Schobel & Peppers are 2 different players, one is better than the other on certain aspects of the game.

I agree.

Schobel had 1 sack in 5 games (even with Stroud). So, at that rate, he would of had 3 sacks to finish the year. Yes, Schobel has been good at forced fumbles & good against the run, but most of the time he barely gets a whiff of the QB.

Yes, Jauron is a retard!!!

Bottom line, with no pass rush, we will continue to get eaten up by the good QB's in the league. Brady put up 38 & 56 points against Schobel & company last year. Warner put up 41 points this year. The DE position has to be addressed this offseason.

I agree, I feel Schobel would be a great complimentary DE like Hansen & Paup were to Bruce.

Maybe Schobel can get back to his probowl form with help from another DE. But, he only had 6.5 sacks last year and 1 this year in 5 games, you don't pay someone $8+ million a year for those kind of results. Like I said, maybe he can do better if he had more help?

LMAO!!!

I agree, Jauron is a lame duck and needs to stick with being a defensive coordinator. Schonert should go back to being a QB coach.

I agree 100%. I've said in other posts we need 2 DE's. It would be great if we could get Julius Peppers or another good DE in FA. If not then we need an impact DE out of the draft. I think Schobel is overpaid & overrated. Schobel is good against the run, but can't put pressure on the QB consistently. I don't know how many times we've seen him run 10 yards up the field and try to swing around the O-lineman, he takes himself out of the play when that happens. At $8+ million a year, he's not worth it. If we can trade him, dump his salary & get something in return for him (ie- 1st day draft pick(s)) then that would be great.

http://blogs.buffalobills.com/2008/12/18/b...ticing-outside/ About f@!king time!!!!!!!!!!!!!

He had 5 years and our overall record was 31-49, that falls on his shoulders.