A Few Thoughts About The Game

[Bill from NYC]

1) Hats off to Chan Gailey for staying committed to running the football. This team needs long drives to keep the defense off the field.

 

2) Speaking of running, Fitz is a superb running qb. I didn't realize that he has more than 200 yards this season. I looked it up and he had more than 300 yards for the Bengals a few years ago.

 

3) Bell continues to confound me. With 7:37 left in the first quarter, there was some pushing and shoving after the play. A defensive back (#26) shoved Bell and actually moved him a few feet. On the next play, he gave up the sack/fumble. After that, I focused on Bell on virtually every play. Well, he admittedly held his own, and was blocking well in space. His balance and agility are beyond question imo. But I'm telling you, he is NOT strong enough. At least not yet.

 

4) How funny was that when Royal dropped that pass? Once I was at a tailgate at RWS, and I commented to a football genius poster here about how Royal was able to get open a lot. He stated that it's because he drops so many passes that they rarely bother covering him. I watched and it was actually true. How is that guy on an NFL roster?

 

5) I would have liked to see more from Troup and Carrington. Now is the time, or so one would think. I mean, we already know what Spencer Johnson can do, no?

 

6) Absolutely great play by Moats when he beat Joe Thomas. Yes, Arthur Moats beat freaking Joe Thomas for a sack!!!

 

7) I noticed that Fitz doesn't often seem to want to put air under the ball, and prefers getting his fastball in there. I saw a play where he would have been successful if he lifted the ball just a bit. Speaking of Fitz, he and Stevie Johnson really have a chemistry. They also congratulate eachother after plays. They must have practiced a lot while they were second stringers.

 

8) How could one not be impressed by David Nelson? I wish this team could do as well in round 1 as they do with UFAs and late round picks.

 

9) A win is a win. Yes, I am familiar with that cliche. I am happy about winning but would be a little more psyched about it if Delhomme wasn't just that bad. Seriously, I would prefer Trent Edwards, or even JP Losman to Delhomme.

 

10) Delhomme or not, congrats to the secondary for a well played game. Whitner had a very important tackle to hold them on 3rd down, and McKelvin the pick and nice hit.

 

11) Speaking of congrats, Mr. Wilson, by virtue of this win, probably saved a few million on the rookie signing bonus. The rich DO get richer; ain't it the truth?

 

12) Yet more congrats? Sure.....here's to long suffering, perhaps even self loathing and masochistic Bills Fans on a rare victory.

 

13) GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BuffaloWings]

I continue to be amazed at how fast Delhomme has fallen. Once he had that horrific nightmare of a playoff game, he's never been the same. I don't expect him to be in the league next year.

[bills_fan_in_raleigh]

Nice summary, Bell does need to get stronger but does seem to do better in running game vs passing game. No comments on how well Wood did at center? Fitz has alot of tipped balls in the close in game but the guy is a gamer, ya think no air under ball had to do with the conditions? Wasnt clear how windy it was. Moats is a keeper and if we can add 3 more LBs we might have the defense we need.

[BuffaloBill]

Bill nice summary again. I had to laugh at that play by Royal - I told my buddy who is a huge Browns fan that "it was the only decent play he ever made for the Bills." I am coming around on Bell. I know he looked like a turnstile against Jared Allen but the coaches should have given him some help - to be honest in that situation the whole line looked overwhelmed.

 

I am interested to know ... why no comment about wood at center? I thought he played a very solid game. I think the Bills get better next year with Levitre Wood Urbich in the interior.

[Bill from NYC]

I am interested to know ... why no comment about wood at center? I thought he played a very solid game.

 

It was very hard to see what he was doing on TV, but there WAS more room than usual to run up the middle.

[NCDAWG]

I continue to be amazed at how fast Delhomme has fallen. Once he had that horrific nightmare of a playoff game, he's never been the same. I don't expect him to be in the league next year.

I live outside Charlotte, and when he played in that last playoff game...the beat reporter was stating that the coaching staff had worked to change his throwing motion after his surgery. He was never the same. I always liked him as a leader.

[Coach Tuesday]

Should be noted that Bell didn't have much of an offseason - he was injured and rehabbing his knee most of the winter and spring. I'm guessing he wasn't able to hit the weights as much as they'd have liked, and it will be a major focus this offseason. Agree he needs to get stronger and he will. And you gotta be impressed with how much he has improved since entering the league - the fact that he is competent or better 90% of the time is a miracle.

 

Re: Fitz, did anyone else see what happened when Fitz ran it head-first to the one yard line and got drilled? He got up and said something that made everyone crack up (perhaps, "Who's next?" or "Why the f- did I just do that?"). Anyhow, his teammates love him and play hard for him - that cannot be understated.

[Ramius]

It was very hard to see what he was doing on TV, but there WAS more room than usual to run up the middle.

There were quite a few running plays where our OL actually moved the pile 3-4 yards downfield. First time i've seen that since about 1998.

 

If we add a solid RT either through FA or the draft, and acquire some depth, the OL will be looking nice for next season.

[ganesh]

Bill,

 

13 points and no whitner bashing !!!

 

Thanks for your thread once again.

 

Happy holidays

 

There were quite a few running plays where our OL actually moved the pile 3-4 yards downfield. First time i've seen that since about 1998.

 

If we add a solid RT either through FA or the draft, and acquire some depth, the OL will be looking nice for next season.

 

This was one of my frustrations with chan during all those overtime losses. If chan had trusted Freddy and ran the ball, they would have been much better chance to win those games.

 

Football is not a complicated game...you put on your pads and out muscle in the trenches. The wins will be there

[cantankerous]

It should also be noted that Byrd played a great game. 2 forced fumbles and several key/solid tackles.

[Coach Tuesday]

Another great player yesterday: Corey McIntyre. He was DESTROYING folks on running plays.

[The Big Cat]

Should be noted that Bell didn't have much of an offseason - he was injured and rehabbing his knee most of the winter and spring. I'm guessing he wasn't able to hit the weights as much as they'd have liked, and it will be a major focus this offseason. Agree he needs to get stronger and he will. And you gotta be impressed with how much he has improved since entering the league - the fact that he is competent or better 90% of the time is a miracle.

 

Re: Fitz, did anyone else see what happened when Fitz ran it head-first to the one yard line and got drilled? He got up and said something that made everyone crack up (perhaps, "Who's next?" or "Why the f- did I just do that?"). Anyhow, his teammates love him and play hard for him - that cannot be understated.

 

One hopes that a non-rehab offseason will go a long way for Bell's strength.

Fitz has the type of leadership that rah rah "leaders" simply don't understand. I venture to say Fitz's is far more effective.

 

Can't believe Bill didn't mention Wood's performance...any thoughts NYC?

[Dan]

I think everyone that wants a new LT drafted, needs to just get comfortable with the notion of Bell playing for quite some time. I do agree with Bill, he needs some strength so that he's not pushed around quite so easily. But, as it's been noted many times, he had almost no strength training last off season. Despite that, he's still been a solid LT for most all of the season. LT is by far not the weakest part of the Oline... finally.

 

I think we can almost certainly say they same thing about the QB position, as well. Let's face it; we're no longer losing games because of our QB. Fitz has solidified his hold on that position. I'm really looking forward to seeing how he fares against the division over these final 3 weeks. But, at this point, I really find it hard to spend a high draft pick on a position that's being handled quite well.

 

I'm not great at analyzing OLine play, especially centers; but, Wood seemed to hold his own very well at center. We did seem to get good push and, most importantly, I don't recall many defenders getting penetration up the middle on passing downs. I'm really anxious to see how he does over the next couple of games at center. We really could be 1 RT away from a solid line in 2011. Hard to even fathom.

 

I loved the Royal drop and thought the same thing... how is he even still in the league?

 

The run defense is slowly but surely improving. They still have some serious lapses, but could it be they're slowly grasping whatever system Edwards is installing?? I still say run defense is by far the weakest link on the team and LBs and DEs need to be our focus in the off season (probably in that order).

 

Go Bills!

[BuffaloBillsMagic1]

I don't think Robert Royal can try and clap his hands and make contact. His hand/eye coordination is so bad after watching the reply of his drop I wonder if he could pass a DWI test when he is not on anything at all.

[cjatcreek07]

I just can't get over the fact at how nice it is to see the Bills play good, solid football again. Sure our defense has cost us, and by no means are we where we want to be, but I can't help but be excited about the future of this team and where we can go with Gailey as our coach.

[Mark Long Beach]

I was truly amazed at how often and successful we were running it up the gut against TWO good NT often playing at the same time. I think Hang has gotten more grief than he deserves and is a competent center, BUT Woods sure looked good.

[The Big Cat]

I was truly amazed at how often and successful we were running it up the gut against TWO good NT often playing at the same time. I think Hang has gotten more grief than he deserves and is a competent center, BUT Woods sure looked good.

 

Yeah, but he's got to work on his short game if he wants to return to prominence.

[LABills08]

8) How could one not be impressed by David Nelson? I wish this team could do as well in round 1 as they do with UFAs and late round picks.

 

So true.

[skijef]

 

Re: Fitz, did anyone else see what happened when Fitz ran it head-first to the one yard line and got drilled? He got up and said something that made everyone crack up (perhaps, "Who's next?" or "Why the f- did I just do that?"). Anyhow, his teammates love him and play hard for him - that cannot be understated.

 

I saw the hit and was thinking if that was TE, he would be out with concussion!

[Bill from NYC]

Can't believe Bill didn't mention Wood's performance...any thoughts NYC?

 

I mentioned in post #5 that it was hard to see Wood. Perhaps it was because I didn't watch on a large screen TV. Also, I was focusing on Bell on almost every play (I know, I need a life ). But, there was some room up the middle to the extent that Spiller didn't automatically bounce to the outside on every carry.

 

Once again, I am hoping that the Bills devote important draft resources to OL. Will Mr. Wilson allow them to? Probably, but after round 1. This is merely my opinion.