cvanvol Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 http://www.oleantimesherald.com/editorial/article_18504a0e-f413-11e0-9e29-001cc4c03286.html I had to write back to this because I thought the article was idiotic but I can generally see the direction he was coming from. I also didnt even mention that Byrd, Wilson, and Barnett are in the top ten in the league in tackles. So having a MLB in the top ten is probably where you want ur D to be. Sir, I recently read your article criticizing the Buffalo Bills defense. You stated “And that brings to mind one of football’s oldest clichés: “You’re in big trouble defensively when your safeties are making the tackles.”” I was wondering where this cliché came from, why is it quoted? I have been a football fan for a number of years and have never heard this be said. Also you don’t make mention that of the three members of the defensive backfield (Wilson, Byrd, and Scott) they also lead the team in tackles for loss. While I understood the background for your article because the defense is giving up a lot of yards I don’t think it has anything to do with the safeties making tackles and more on the trend in this year’s NFL to gain a lot of yards. I look forward to reading your response and discovering the origins of “one of footballs oldest clichés”. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave mcbride Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 http://www.oleantimesherald.com/editorial/article_18504a0e-f413-11e0-9e29-001cc4c03286.html I had to write back to this because I thought the article was idiotic but I can generally see the direction he was coming from. I also didnt even mention that Byrd, Wilson, and Barnett are in the top ten in the league in tackles. So having a MLB in the top ten is probably where you want ur D to be. Sir, I recently read your article criticizing the Buffalo Bills defense. You stated “And that brings to mind one of football’s oldest clichés: “You’re in big trouble defensively when your safeties are making the tackles.”” I was wondering where this cliché came from, why is it quoted? I have been a football fan for a number of years and have never heard this be said. Also you don’t make mention that of the three members of the defensive backfield (Wilson, Byrd, and Scott) they also lead the team in tackles for loss. While I understood the background for your article because the defense is giving up a lot of yards I don’t think it has anything to do with the safeties making tackles and more on the trend in this year’s NFL to gain a lot of yards. I look forward to reading your response and discovering the origins of “one of footballs oldest clichés”. I've heard it for years - it's hardly new. If a safety is the leading tackler, it's a pretty sure sign that your run D completely sucks. That's a highly accurate description of the Bills run D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvanvol Posted October 11, 2011 Author Share Posted October 11, 2011 I've heard it for years - it's hardly new. If a safety is the leading tackler, it's a pretty sure sign that your run D completely sucks. That's a highly accurate description of the Bills run D. I have to disagree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fitz's Beard Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 I've heard it for years - it's hardly new. If a safety is the leading tackler, it's a pretty sure sign that your run D completely sucks. That's a highly accurate description of the Bills run D. where? I've never heard that cliche before. I heard ESPN make mention of the fact that our safeties making so many tackles last year was attributed to our horrible run D, but as was pointed out before, the nature of where on the field the tackles are made are more important than the number of tackles. It also plays into what scheme the D is running. Just saying that "because your safeties are the leading tacklers on your team means your D is not good" is not valid! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jauronimo Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 So is the opposite then true too? When Whitner was whiffing on all those tackles was it because our run defense was excellent? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Just in Atlanta Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 "It also makes you wonder, other than Barnett, what the Bills’ linebackers, who are supposed to be the tacklers in a 3-4 defense, have been doping. Outside backer Shawne Merriman had a cheap sack..." Freudian slip or intentional? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonramz Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 The cliche basically means that the defense is not making tackles behind/at/near to the line of scrimmage and that they are being made in the defensive backfield. In other words, the other team is gaining too many yards. Which is an accurate assessment of our defense right now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvanvol Posted October 11, 2011 Author Share Posted October 11, 2011 The cliche basically means that the defense is not making tackles behind/at/near to the line of scrimmage and that they are being made in the defensive backfield. In other words, the other team is gaining too many yards. Which is an accurate assessment of our defense right now Its a statement that was entirely true of last years team and somewhat of this years. However it is not a football cliche. He pretty much just made it up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Big Cat Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 The cliche basically means that the defense is not making tackles behind/at/near to the line of scrimmage and that they are being made in the defensive backfield. In other words, the other team is gaining too many yards. Which is an accurate assessment of our defense right now False. Between Byrd and Wilson, there were a TON of tackles around the LOS on Sunday. In fact, watching the game, I even thought to myself, wow, our DB's are getting a ton of tackles up close to the LOS, I can't wait to hear how this is spun into ye olde "if you safeties are tackling your defense sucks" line. Flash forward to today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EldaBillsFan Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 The leading tackler in the league has 65 tackles only 2 for losses 1 ff We have two safeties with 2 tackles for losses each...and 1 forced fumble each...its called running to the ball.... we only have defended the run poorly one game this season and what was against cincy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tennesseeboy Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 http://www.oleantimesherald.com/editorial/article_18504a0e-f413-11e0-9e29-001cc4c03286.html I had to write back to this because I thought the article was idiotic but I can generally see the direction he was coming from. I also didnt even mention that Byrd, Wilson, and Barnett are in the top ten in the league in tackles. So having a MLB in the top ten is probably where you want ur D to be. Sir, I recently read your article criticizing the Buffalo Bills defense. You stated “And that brings to mind one of football’s oldest clichés: “You’re in big trouble defensively when your safeties are making the tackles.”” I was wondering where this cliché came from, why is it quoted? I have been a football fan for a number of years and have never heard this be said. Also you don’t make mention that of the three members of the defensive backfield (Wilson, Byrd, and Scott) they also lead the team in tackles for loss. While I understood the background for your article because the defense is giving up a lot of yards I don’t think it has anything to do with the safeties making tackles and more on the trend in this year’s NFL to gain a lot of yards. I look forward to reading your response and discovering the origins of “one of footballs oldest clichés”. I suspect you are in bigger trouble if your safeties AREN'T making tackles, but that's just me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EldaBillsFan Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 And if u watch the game offenses are running to edges... that's where u want ur safeties to make plays Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoSaint Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 One thing to note- bills give more tackles out than most- this isn't a stat that is apples to apples around the league. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delete This Account Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 Its a statement that was entirely true of last years team and somewhat of this years. However it is not a football cliche. He pretty much just made it up. he did not. it's been a well-worn statement that's been used for many years. you can disagree with the cliche' but just because you haven't heard it, doesn't make it foreign or "made up." gees. why is this so difficult. jw Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wooderson Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 Only thing that matters right now, 4-1. 1st in AFC East. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvanvol Posted October 11, 2011 Author Share Posted October 11, 2011 he did not. it's been a well-worn statement that's been used for many years. you can disagree with the cliche' but just because you haven't heard it, doesn't make it foreign or "made up." gees. why is this so difficult. jw Can you find me any other article that has ever made reference to it? I havent heard it and will accept it if others have but I thought by his quotes he pulled it for somewhere or a coach had said it in the past and I find nothing when searching for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 I found this on an ohio state message board: http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=145&f=3154&t=8063801&p=2&sto=MS_107513898 Posted: 10/8/2011 11:39 PM Re: Where was the defense in the second half? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Did you see a LB make a tackle that entire game? Were have all the LB'ers gone? When your safeties are making tackles, it's going to be a long night. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atlbillsfan1975 Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 it is a very old saying around football. i fyou rsafeties are leading the team in tackling it usually isn't a good sign. Not saying it means that buffalo's d is bad or that the safeties aren't making those tackles near the LOS or in the O backfield. Think about it, safeties are the deepest guys usually on the field ie why they are called safeties...last guy you have to beat to score. I am totally not argueing whether the Bills safeties are making touchdown saving tackles, just pointing out that it is a very old saying. Ask any coach or player the question, "what does it say about a defense if the safety is leading the team in tackles?" and see what they respond with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cvanvol Posted October 11, 2011 Author Share Posted October 11, 2011 I found this on an ohio state message board: http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=145&f=3154&t=8063801&p=2&sto=MS_107513898 Posted: 10/8/2011 11:39 PM Re: Where was the defense in the second half? -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Did you see a LB make a tackle that entire game? Were have all the LB'ers gone? When your safeties are making tackles, it's going to be a long night. Mark Richt (horrible coach) also said this "Then when it does come and there’s a lead blocker on them, that they do have to fit properly and try to get things to bounce outside. That’s what you hope to do with a team like this. If they start splitting you vertically, you are in trouble. Your safeties are trying to make tackles and it’s going to be a long day" I guess i can come to grips with the fact that it has been said in some fashion. One of the oldest cliches i think not. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted October 11, 2011 Share Posted October 11, 2011 Its a statement that was entirely true of last years team and somewhat of this years. However it is not a football cliche. He pretty much just made it up. I've heard it repeatedly and said it myself for decades. It's blatantly obvious. Not only are they making tackles deep into the defensive backfield but they are giving up receptions and making tackles on WR and TE too deep as well. There are, of course, exceptions to the rule. But as a rule, you don't want your safeties making big portions let alone the majority of your tackles, and you surely don't want three members of your DB being your three top tacklers. You always want your LBs and DL making the most tackles on your team. It's inarguable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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