Mike in Syracuse Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 I just had a thought that borders on tinfoil hat territory. Hear me out and tell me if I'm nuts. Our first two games are against teams that are run freaking crazy. We line Merriman up as a DE and he plays most of the snaps in both games with his hand on the ground. He clearly was told to set the edge and I didn't even see him try to rush Campbell. The one time we absolutely need a sack was on the last play of the Raiders game. The guy beats a double team and if it wasn't for a blatant holding penalty(he was basically tackled in the backfield) he would of had a sack for sure. In the preseason Merriman is virtually unblockable. Now all of a sudden we're being told that he's not ready to play a full game. That he's still trying to get to game shape, that he needs more time and a slower pace. Is it possible that this entire situation is nothing more than a carefully orchestrated charade? Is it possible that Merriman has been playing possum? I've got to believe Gailey had this game circled on his calendar. Could this be an instance of brilliant gamesmanship? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPS Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 I just had a thought that borders on tinfoil hat territory. Hear me out and tell me if I'm nuts. Our first two games are against teams that are run freaking crazy. We line Merriman up as a DE and he plays most of the snaps in both games with his hand on the ground. He clearly was told to set the edge and I didn't even see him try to rush Campbell. The one time we absolutely need a sack was on the last play of the Raiders game. The guy beats a double team and if it wasn't for a blatant holding penalty(he was basically tackled in the backfield) he would of had a sack for sure. In the preseason Merriman is virtually unblockable. Now all of a sudden we're being told that he's not ready to play a full game. That he's still trying to get to game shape, that he needs more time and a slower pace. Is it possible that this entire situation is nothing more than a carefully orchestrated charade? Is it possible that Merriman has been playing possum? I've got to believe Gailey had this game circled on his calendar. Could this be an instance of brilliant gamesmanship? you're nuts! Actually, there were a few plays the Bills were going to go after Campbell, but the Raiders called screen, and Bills got burned at least 3 times on 3rd and long. I think you are somewhat right in that his job was mainly to hold the edge. The D strategy will be turned upside down this week--stop Brady. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OhIDunno Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 I just had a thought that borders on tinfoil hat territory. Hear me out and tell me if I'm nuts. Our first two games are against teams that are run freaking crazy. We line Merriman up as a DE and he plays most of the snaps in both games with his hand on the ground. He clearly was told to set the edge and I didn't even see him try to rush Campbell. The one time we absolutely need a sack was on the last play of the Raiders game. The guy beats a double team and if it wasn't for a blatant holding penalty(he was basically tackled in the backfield) he would of had a sack for sure. In the preseason Merriman is virtually unblockable. Now all of a sudden we're being told that he's not ready to play a full game. That he's still trying to get to game shape, that he needs more time and a slower pace. Is it possible that this entire situation is nothing more than a carefully orchestrated charade? Is it possible that Merriman has been playing possum? I've got to believe Gailey had this game circled on his calendar. Could this be an instance of brilliant gamesmanship? I don't know if your nut's with this theory, but I will say that the gameplan should change because of the passing of the pats. They can't hold anything back with this one (obviously), the kitchen sink needs to be tossed in just for good measure. Merriman was horsecollared a couple times the whole game that I noticed, I started wondering if its a legal way to block now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bowery4 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 The edge will still be an issue with the Pats* they are not bad at running the ball either. Also they line up 2 TEs so if they are running they have 7 linemen. Actually the Bills have been looking sort of similar but from different alinements (WR in a backfield slot, 3 receivers on one side)on some running plays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CodeMonkey Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 (edited) I just had a thought that borders on tinfoil hat territory. Hear me out and tell me if I'm nuts. i think you crossed the border there my friend That is reading WAAAAAAY to much into this whole Gailey smokescreen thing IMO. Edited September 20, 2011 by CodeMonkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpberr Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 False flag operations in football...interesting. Not saying Chan isn't a bright coach, but to really execute an operation like this...where you keep Merriman and scheme in reserve because of a specific game, is a lot of risk most coaches would hate to take in games that count. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5 Wide Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Although if there were ever two games to start the season that would give no film on how we might defense the pats it would have been these two games Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 I don't think it's a smokescreen. I do think Merriman got some pressure against Campbell a few times that forced quicker throws. But what I think the most is that across the board, in both games, they told him and the others to just contain rush on most plays. Worry about the draws and screens to the guys (Charles and McFadden) that can kill us. Make the two average QBs with suspect receiving corps beat you with their arms. It worked with Cassel. Campbell happened to throw a ton of good passes to guys who sometimes made circus catches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HARCO186 Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Chan just called. The Bank job is on hold now okay. The cat is out of the bag????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony P Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Is it possible that this entire situation is nothing more than a carefully orchestrated charade? Is it possible that Merriman has been playing possum? I've got to believe Gailey had this game circled on his calendar. Could this be an instance of brilliant gamesmanship? I dunno if you're nuts… I was kind of thinking the same thing. Not so much as a charade but more in-line with not turning him loose in the first 2 weeks. I believe (or maybe it's just "hope") that the Bills will have a strong pass rush game-planned for Brady and that SM will figure quite prominently in that scheme. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo Barbarian Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 I just had a thought that borders on tinfoil hat territory. Hear me out and tell me if I'm nuts. Our first two games are against teams that are run freaking crazy. We line Merriman up as a DE and he plays most of the snaps in both games with his hand on the ground. He clearly was told to set the edge and I didn't even see him try to rush Campbell. The one time we absolutely need a sack was on the last play of the Raiders game. The guy beats a double team and if it wasn't for a blatant holding penalty(he was basically tackled in the backfield) he would of had a sack for sure. In the preseason Merriman is virtually unblockable. Now all of a sudden we're being told that he's not ready to play a full game. That he's still trying to get to game shape, that he needs more time and a slower pace. Is it possible that this entire situation is nothing more than a carefully orchestrated charade? Is it possible that Merriman has been playing possum? I've got to believe Gailey had this game circled on his calendar. Could this be an instance of brilliant gamesmanship? one can only hope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBob Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 I don't know about all of this other stuff, but the guy is playing hurt. He is not showing up on the injury report, but he is playing with this flack jacket looking piece under his jersey that is below the shoulder on the left side, and rises up and wraps around the top of his right shoulder. This is the same arm that he hurt in the KC game on like the second play, when he game out holding his right arm like he'd been shot in it. I sat behind the Bills bench on Sunday, 14 rows up and watched him come out at least twice during the game, where they pulled of his jersey and adjusted the thing. They were also wrapping that same arm right above the top of the bicep and just below the shoulder. Now I realize these guys all play hurt, but I really believe that he is not 100% or near it, and that he could even be playing with a slightly separated shoulder or even an injured bicep. If that is the case, I am sure he is not going to be as effective. I watched him on many plays where he seemed to be protecting himself, if even just a little bit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jobu Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 I just had a thought that borders on tinfoil hat territory. Hear me out and tell me if I'm nuts. Our first two games are against teams that are run freaking crazy. We line Merriman up as a DE and he plays most of the snaps in both games with his hand on the ground. He clearly was told to set the edge and I didn't even see him try to rush Campbell. The one time we absolutely need a sack was on the last play of the Raiders game. The guy beats a double team and if it wasn't for a blatant holding penalty(he was basically tackled in the backfield) he would of had a sack for sure. In the preseason Merriman is virtually unblockable. Now all of a sudden we're being told that he's not ready to play a full game. That he's still trying to get to game shape, that he needs more time and a slower pace. Is it possible that this entire situation is nothing more than a carefully orchestrated charade? Is it possible that Merriman has been playing possum? I've got to believe Gailey had this game circled on his calendar. Could this be an instance of brilliant gamesmanship? LBJ killed Kennedy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alaska Darin Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 On the second TD, the one where Barnett got stiff armed, Merriman was doing his best Schobel impression. Dude basically ran all the way to the opposite endzone tunnel while the running back run inside him. So at least once he wasn't concerned with his gap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HeHateMe Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 (edited) This is the NFL, each win counts dearly. Why prevent a player from helping your team win in order to maybe surprise others on your schedule. Doesn't make any sense. Edited September 20, 2011 by kobe808lak Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I hate the Bills ! Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Brady is the kind of guy the Bills need to knock on his ass 10 times a game and make him think twice about standing back in the pocket and throwing. Brady needs to leave Buffalo beaten up by the Bills Defense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taglientep Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Brady is the kind of guy the Bills need to knock on his ass 10 times a game and make him think twice about standing back in the pocket and throwing. Brady needs to leave Buffalo beaten up by the Bills Defense. www.howtobeatthepats.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPS Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 I think the grand master plan of the Bills braintrust was to beat the Raiders last week. It has nothing to do with this week. If Merriman CAN be beastly, it will help every week. Obviously he can't yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Malazan Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Here's some insanity for you...they played him in a position that he was most likely to help the Bills inw the game they were currently playing. What is with this board and that idea that beating the Pats somehow adds more Ws to column than any other team in the league? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Avenger Posted September 20, 2011 Share Posted September 20, 2011 Here's the TRULY brilliant part of the plan - the Bills have actually tanked the last 15 games - that's 8 seasons, lulling New England into a false sense of security. That, my friend, is a monument to self restraint and dedication to laying the trap properly. We almost sprung the trap too early but then Leodis fumbled - brilliant! That's what first round picks do to earn the big money, friends. Man, when we spring like a hungry tiger this weekend and beat them they won't know what hit 'em. Yes indeed, 8 long years waiting for this moment - it'll all be worth it because our record will be a proud 1-15 (although I could actually see them playing 'possum for another 10 meetings or so, just to make extra sure we have the element of surpise firmly nailed down)........ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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