Guys, this starting front-five is a disaster

[Coach Tuesday]

I know it's been re-hashed again and again, but I still can't come to grips with it.

 

How on Earth is this offense going to do ANYTHING with the starting front-five looking like it is now?

 

Assume no trade for Gaither (it becomes less likely each day). Your starting front-five looks like this:

 

D. Bell (coming off of serious knee injury; wasn't strong enough or good enough before the injury)

Levitre (solid but young)

Hangartner (average-to-below-average last year, but at least he has some experience)

Wood (coming off of serious leg injury; may not be ready for season)

Green (old; sucks)

 

Backups are Meredith, Wang, Hennessy, Calloway.

 

Yikes.

 

I fail to see how this unit holds up for one game, let alone an entire season. Very little talent, almost no experience, and ZERO depth. Is this coaching staff setting itself up for disaster? I understand that Rome wasn't built in a day, but they've done almost NOTHING to address what was the weakest (and most important) link heading into the offseason.

 

I know the common refrain is that this team still ran the ball fairly well last year with the line in shambles, and that Gailey's playcalling and schemes will help make up the difference. Well, I'm calling B.S. on that argument. This team couldn't run a normal offense last year because it had no blockers. If I hear Gailey say during a post-game interview - even one freakin' time - that the offense wasn't able to be effective because the blocking wasn't holding up, then he will officially have lost me. There are no excuses. Either they have a plan, or they plan to fail.

 

Really, look at this roster and tell me you're not terrified.

[DDD]

We've got some good weapons in Evans, Jax, Lynch, and now Spiller. The problem is with that sad sack of crap O-line there's going to be little time for the QB to stand in the pocket and no holes open for the RB's to get thru. The Bills are positioning themselves well for the 1st pick of the draft in 2011.

[Max997]

Fred Jsckson averaged 4.5 ypc last season behind this line, its injuries and playing in a cracker jack offense

[Doc]

I know it's been re-hashed again and again, but I still can't come to grips with it.

 

How on Earth is this offense going to do ANYTHING with the starting front-five looking like it is now?

 

Assume no trade for Gaither (it becomes less likely each day). Your starting front-five looks like this:

 

D. Bell (coming off of serious knee injury; wasn't strong enough or good enough before the injury)

Levitre (solid but young)

Hangartner (average-to-below-average last year, but at least he has some experience)

Wood (coming off of serious leg injury; may not be ready for season)

Green (old; sucks)

 

Backups are Meredith, Wang, Hennessy, Calloway.

 

Yikes.

 

I fail to see how this unit holds up for one game, let alone an entire season. Very little talent, almost no experience, and ZERO depth. Is this coaching staff setting itself up for disaster? I understand that Rome wasn't built in a day, but they've done almost NOTHING to address what was the weakest (and most important) link heading into the offseason.

 

I know the common refrain is that this team still ran the ball fairly well last year with the line in shambles, and that Gailey's playcalling and schemes will help make up the difference. Well, I'm calling B.S. on that argument. This team couldn't run a normal offense last year because it had no blockers. If I hear Gailey say during a post-game interview - even one freakin' time - that the offense wasn't able to be effective because the blocking wasn't holding up, then he will officially have lost me. There are no excuses. Either they have a plan, or they plan to fail.

 

Really, look at this roster and tell me you're not terrified.

Actually, this team couldn't run a normal offense because they spent all training camp working on running the no-huddle, found out mid pre-season it didn't work, then fired their OC just days before the season, along with their starting LT, then scrapped the no-huddle, and suffered numerous injuries on the O-line. So no, I'm not terrrified. Especially when this is year 1 of a new regime.

[bartshan-83]

I think Wood is the crushing blow. He was playing really good ball last year and with a full off-season of strength and conditioning, I think he was set to take big step this year.

 

The tackles are what they are....terrible. There is little doubt that we will struggle with off-the-edge pass rushes and will likely have to keep a TE/RB back on most pass plays.

 

Pass protection doesn't look promising, but if it weren't for Wood's injury, I'd at least feel comfortable that our running game (which I assume will be a big part of the offense this year) would be competent. I'd hope we have a lot of counters and screens* built into this playbook.

 

It's going to be very interesting who (if anyone) steps up on the OL this year. One thing's for sure though, as weak as our 1st string looks, cross your damn fingers for no injuries or things will turn from ugly to comical really fast.

 

 

*Speaking of screens...am I the only one who prays to the gods we can develop a good screen pass system again? I thought Marshawn would have been a great screen guy and now with Spiller....WOW! Watching old tapes of Thurman is like poetry in motion.

[DarthICE]

I know it's been re-hashed again and again, but I still can't come to grips with it.

 

How on Earth is this offense going to do ANYTHING with the starting front-five looking like it is now?

 

Assume no trade for Gaither (it becomes less likely each day). Your starting front-five looks like this:

 

D. Bell (coming off of serious knee injury; wasn't strong enough or good enough before the injury)

Levitre (solid but young)

Hangartner (average-to-below-average last year, but at least he has some experience)

Wood (coming off of serious leg injury; may not be ready for season)

Green (old; sucks)

 

Backups are Meredith, Wang, Hennessy, Calloway.

 

Yikes.

 

I fail to see how this unit holds up for one game, let alone an entire season. Very little talent, almost no experience, and ZERO depth. Is this coaching staff setting itself up for disaster? I understand that Rome wasn't built in a day, but they've done almost NOTHING to address what was the weakest (and most important) link heading into the offseason.

 

I know the common refrain is that this team still ran the ball fairly well last year with the line in shambles, and that Gailey's playcalling and schemes will help make up the difference. Well, I'm calling B.S. on that argument. This team couldn't run a normal offense last year because it had no blockers. If I hear Gailey say during a post-game interview - even one freakin' time - that the offense wasn't able to be effective because the blocking wasn't holding up, then he will officially have lost me. There are no excuses. Either they have a plan, or they plan to fail.

 

Really, look at this roster and tell me you're not terrified.

 

 

I'm not because I see the whole picture. The Pass protection sucked because of all the guys on IR AND ****ty QB's. That is FACT.

 

Another FACT, this OL put up the 16th best run offense and made a nobody a 1000 yard rusher.

 

Some of you need to stop with the pure bull **** you are spewing because it is exactly that, bull ****. This team and its Lines are NOT anywhere near as bad as stupid fans and stupid media make them out to be.

 

Better strength and conditioning, better coaching, better systems and hopefully better QB play (brohm or brown) and this team is going to make good strides this year.

[R. Rich]

[Automated Response]

 

We suck. The coaching staff sucks. The players suck. We have no hope of ever winning a championship. Oh woe is me.

[Jerry Jabber]

I'm not because I see the whole picture. The Pass protection sucked because of all the guys on IR AND ****ty QB's. That is FACT.

 

Another FACT, this OL put up the 16th best run offense and made a nobody a 1000 yard rusher.

 

Some of you need to stop with the pure bull **** you are spewing because it is exactly that, bull ****. This team and its Lines are NOT anywhere near as bad as stupid fans and stupid media make them out to be.

 

Better strength and conditioning, better coaching, better systems and hopefully better QB play (brohm or brown) and this team is going to make good strides this year.

 

I agree. Gailey & Nix brought in two strength & conditioning coaches, 1 to specialize on the linemen, the other on the WR's & DB's. With less injuries, that alone should bring the Bills 2-3 more wins.

[Bob in STL]

Fred Jsckson averaged 4.5 ypc last season behind this line and its injuries and playing in a cracker jack offense

 

 

True, and that was with 6 different OT's including the likes of backup Meredith (off of Green Bayts PS) , Jonathan Scott (cut by the Lions) and Curt Chambers (cut by the Bills) , and Andre Ramsey (Bills PS).

 

The interior of this line is good and getting better.

 

Levitre is very smart and solid and will be getting better. He has great upside.

 

Hangartner was solid. He had a fine season playing inbetween two rookies. Every center in this league is going to have some bad plays playing in the AFC East against the NT's in our division. Every center will lose a battle or two in every game. I don't understand all this Hangartner was below average stuff. He did a good job, not a Pro Bowler by any means but solid.

 

Wood was excellent and looked like a stud. He is recovering from the injury.

 

Tackle is the problem. RT could be OK with either Green of Meredith. Green is a servicable vet.

 

Bell is not my favorite choice at LT and I hope Nix can bring in Gaither or at least some other veteran. Wang and Calloway need to develop and should be backups.

 

Summary - this line is one LT away from being very good. Depth is a concern but hey, we are rebuilding, like it or not.

[mike oxhurtz]

[Automated Response]

 

We suck. The coaching staff sucks. The players suck. We have no hope of ever winning a championship. Oh woe is me.

 

The world is coming to an end. Doomsday! December 21, 2012...we're all gonna die....AAAAGGGHHHHHHH!!!!!! (get real!)

[wnyBacker]

If we end up getting either Gaither or Brown for the left side how much of a disaster are we?

 

Levitre: Started all 16 and was NFL all rookie team

Hangartner: was solid and stared all 16 games (PS this is one center not overpaid for what he can do only making 10 mil over 4 yrs, hell not much more than fowler made)

Wood: this guy is nasty as long as he comes back healthy

RT: only "weak spot"..who knows maybe green can be good enough

 

 

anyways we have two young guys in the interior who can get the job done and if you add a stud LT this line is going to be a lot better than just a disaster...

[eball]

Really, look at this roster and tell me you're not terrified.

<while looking at roster> I'm not terrified.

[RealityCheck]

I know it's been re-hashed again and again, but I still can't come to grips with it.

 

How on Earth is this offense going to do ANYTHING with the starting front-five looking like it is now?

 

Assume no trade for Gaither (it becomes less likely each day). Your starting front-five looks like this:

 

D. Bell (coming off of serious knee injury; wasn't strong enough or good enough before the injury)

Levitre (solid but young)

Hangartner (average-to-below-average last year, but at least he has some experience)

Wood (coming off of serious leg injury; may not be ready for season)

Green (old; sucks)

 

Backups are Meredith, Wang, Hennessy, Calloway.

 

Yikes.

 

I fail to see how this unit holds up for one game, let alone an entire season. Very little talent, almost no experience, and ZERO depth. Is this coaching staff setting itself up for disaster? I understand that Rome wasn't built in a day, but they've done almost NOTHING to address what was the weakest (and most important) link heading into the offseason.

 

I know the common refrain is that this team still ran the ball fairly well last year with the line in shambles, and that Gailey's playcalling and schemes will help make up the difference. Well, I'm calling B.S. on that argument. This team couldn't run a normal offense last year because it had no blockers. If I hear Gailey say during a post-game interview - even one freakin' time - that the offense wasn't able to be effective because the blocking wasn't holding up, then he will officially have lost me. There are no excuses. Either they have a plan, or they plan to fail.

 

Really, look at this roster and tell me you're not terrified.

Why would I be terrified? I'm not the QB. If your worried about getting sacked in your own living room then I would figure that problem out first.

[T master]

[Automated Response]

 

We suck. The coaching staff sucks. The players suck. We have no hope of ever winning a championship. Oh woe is me.

 

 

SOUNDS LIKE YOU NEED TO JUST SWITCH TEAMS -- AS A FAN OF THE BILLS WE DON'T NEED OTHERS LIKE YOU THAT CALL YOUR SELF A FAN OF THIS TEAM AROUND !! HEY THE RAIDERS ARE IN NEED OF A FEW CRAPPY FANS WHY DON'T YOU JOIN THEM !!!

[Mr. WEO]

I agree. Gailey & Nix brought in two strength & conditioning coaches, 1 to specialize on the linemen, the other on the WR's & DB's. With less injuries, that alone should bring the Bills 2-3 more wins.

?????

[Sisyphean Bills]

Fred Jsckson averaged 4.5 ypc last season behind this line and its injuries and playing in a cracker jack offense

Actually, it wasn't that line, as in the OP. Levitre and Hangartner, but the rest of it was a blur of random players (some mentioned in other posts in the thread, some not). Not that any of it matters at all, since the offense of last year has mercifully ceased to exist.

[hondo in seattle]

Fred Jsckson averaged 4.5 ypc last season behind this line and its injuries and playing in a cracker jack offense

 

I think Fred was #2 in the league in Yards After Contact - which is good for Fred but a bad commentary on last year's line.

[mowisc]

Christ, our oline is fine. Even if we don't get Gaither. It's all going to be keyed off the run--just like it has everywhere Gailey has been. Look at that Miami line he had for two years....

 

$ 60 John Bock C/G 6-3 295 2000 6 Indiana St.

$ 61 Tim Ruddy C 6-3 300 2004 7 Notre Dame

$ 63 Mark Dixon OG 6-4 300 2002 3 Virginia

$ 65 Kevin Donnalley OG 6-5 310 2000 10 N.Carolina

+ 66 Heath Irwin OG 6-4 300 2003 5 Colorado

! 71 Todd Wade OT 6-8 319 2003 R Mississippi

$ 74 Brent Smith OT 6-5 315 2002 4 Miss. St.

$ 78 Richmond Webb OT 6-6 315 2000 11 Texas A&M

+ 60 Spencer Folau OT 6-5 315 2001 6 Idaho

= 65 Troy Andrew C 6-4 297 2001 R Duke

+ 75 Todd Perry OG 6-5 308 2005 8 Kentucky

+ 76 Marcus Spriggs OT 6-3 315 2003 5 Houston

 

 

Not exactly a list of Who's Who is it? Sometimes I swear you f'ing people B word just to hear yourselves whine.

 

I know it's been re-hashed again and again, but I still can't come to grips with it.

 

How on Earth is this offense going to do ANYTHING with the starting front-five looking like it is now?

 

Assume no trade for Gaither (it becomes less likely each day). Your starting front-five looks like this:

 

D. Bell (coming off of serious knee injury; wasn't strong enough or good enough before the injury)

Levitre (solid but young)

Hangartner (average-to-below-average last year, but at least he has some experience)

Wood (coming off of serious leg injury; may not be ready for season)

Green (old; sucks)

 

Backups are Meredith, Wang, Hennessy, Calloway.

 

Yikes.

 

I fail to see how this unit holds up for one game, let alone an entire season. Very little talent, almost no experience, and ZERO depth. Is this coaching staff setting itself up for disaster? I understand that Rome wasn't built in a day, but they've done almost NOTHING to address what was the weakest (and most important) link heading into the offseason.

 

I know the common refrain is that this team still ran the ball fairly well last year with the line in shambles, and that Gailey's playcalling and schemes will help make up the difference. Well, I'm calling B.S. on that argument. This team couldn't run a normal offense last year because it had no blockers. If I hear Gailey say during a post-game interview - even one freakin' time - that the offense wasn't able to be effective because the blocking wasn't holding up, then he will officially have lost me. There are no excuses. Either they have a plan, or they plan to fail.

 

Really, look at this roster and tell me you're not terrified.

[4BillsintheBurgh]

I'm thinking Meredith may end up at LT, looked like he spent some time there in rookie camp.

[JÂy RÛßeÒ]

<while looking at roster> I'm not terrified.

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