thewildrabbit Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 (edited) Look back at 2010 & 2011 mostly the same players, all the same coaches. Yet this years Bills team beat one SB team in Buffalo ( NE ) and came very close to beating the other SB team in NY ( Giants) 24-27 lost only by a late FG. Impressive huh? So I keep reading from Bills fans over and over, year after year about how this team lacks talent. But yet Dick Jauron managed several 7-9 seasons with less the stellar QB's in JP Losman & Trent Edwards. Clearly Fitz is better then those two with less weapons I see the difference between 2010 & 2011 as mostly the new coaches learning their jobs, and learning how best to perform them. The core of this Bills team hasn't really changed that much from the Jauron days as so many of the current star players were drafted by the team when Jauron was HC. Ryan Fitzpatrick-Fred Jackson -Stevie Johnson - Kyle Williams- George Wilson - Andy Levitre - Eric Wood - Chris Kelsay - Jairus Byrd - Demetrius Bell My take is the talent level is almost there on this team, a handful of the right players could change everything. The QB is good enough to take this team to the playoffs or at least a winning record. Which is something this franchise has seen only once the past 10 years. (sad, I know) So when Buddy Nix first looked at the Buffalo Bills back in 2010 and stated the team was "not that far away" he was actually right concerning the players. It was the all the assistant coaches that Chan Gailey hired that had little or no NFL experience that was the problem. Then there was the fact that some coaches he hired had plenty of NFL experience, but they just weren't very good at their job ( DC Edwards ) The areas of biggest concern to me are pass rush = OLB / DE. For the 4-3 the NY Giants can bring the heat with just their 4 down linemen. The Bills currently have 2 great DT's, they just need some great DE's. OLB's for containing the run, something they haven't been able to do since Jauron and his wimpy Tampa 2. Right now the bills need a Daryl Talley more then they need a "biscuit" IMO. Immediate need, one dominant pass rushing DE who can actually terrorize opposing QB's. 2 top DE's would be better The second area of concern is the O line, if Wood fully recovers the interior of the line is good enough. The Bills need some dominate tackles and not just players who get in the way of opposing DE's and OLB's for 2 seconds Immediate need, one dominant OT who can pancake opposing top pass rushers, and give Fitz more the 3 seconds to throw. This will open up the playbook to allow a deep passing game. 2 top OT would be better Third area is the receiver corps. This team hasn't had a top WR corps since Andre Reed, James Lofton, Don Beebe. Stevie Johnson is good, but he can't do it by himself, and since Gailey likes to run 4-5 WR sets this team needs at least 2 more decent WR's. You guys do realize that at the end of the year the 3rd string QB was listed on the depth chart as the #2 WR, this needs to change! Immediate need, one dominant WR to help Johnson, a healthy Roscoe Parrish. or two WR's if they let Stevie Johnson walk The Bills have seen flashes of what a good TE can do for them when Scott Chandler is healthy and Chan Gailey has Fitz throw to him. More importantly we all saw what a talent like Vernon Davis can do in the playoffs against the Saints, 180 yards receiving 2 TD's 112 yards receiving, 2 TD's against the Giants. The Bills clearly need more weapons for Fitz, imagine what he could do with a TE like Gronkowski of the Patriots or Graham for the Saints Immediate need, one dominant TE. this could be Chandler IF he can stay healthy and IF Chan Gailey involves him more in the passing game. Lastly, the one area that the Bills have been worst in the league for years is the run defense. The Bills haven't been good at stopping the run since Sam Adams- Pat Williams- Takeo Spikes - London Fletcher. Now some teams play a "wide-nine" and don't care as much about stopping the run. I think that defense is lame. Always stop the run and put them in 3rd and long in my view. Immediate need, one dominant OLB. The Bills don't currently have a star player at this position and they need the LB'ers to lead the team in tackles, and not the safeties. DE-OT-WR-TE-OLB any of these positions with that #10 pick would be ok with me Edited February 2, 2012 by Fear the Beard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle flap Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 i know you meant "dominant," but i dont know what you are saying re: coaching vs. talent. you wrote the coaching was the problem, but your solution is adding 5 dominant players. not saying i dont agree that the bills could use some better players, but i dont see how that relates to the title of your thread. as things are (considering who's on the roster and chan's offensive philosophy), i'd put OT as the lowest priority based on this list of needs... but i wouldnt be mad if an OT was BPA at #10 and they took him, especially if they let bell walk. i'd much rather see the big bucks spent in FA on DE and WR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HuSeYiN1978 Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Ooooohhhh you got him with this comment... +1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewildrabbit Posted February 2, 2012 Author Share Posted February 2, 2012 i know you meant "dominant," but i dont know what you are saying re: coaching vs. talent. you wrote the coaching was the problem, but your solution is adding 5 dominant players. not saying i dont agree that the bills could use some better players, but i dont see how that relates to the title of your thread. as things are (considering who's on the roster and chan's offensive philosophy), i'd put OT as the lowest priority based on this list of needs... but i wouldnt be mad if an OT was BPA at #10 and they took him, especially if they let bell walk. i'd much rather see the big bucks spent in FA on DE and WR. What I'm saying is that the player talent on this team isn't as bad as most make it out to be as the problem wasn't just the player talent the last two years. It was also more lack of coaching talent, specifically the DC who has been very bad the last two years under Chan Gailey. Plus the OC and many other assistant coaches lacked NFL coaching experience. The reason being is Chan Gailey decided to hire some of his former assistants from his college days at GT. So the coaches were learning how to do their jobs along with the players learning the new schemes. It wasn't only the players, it was also the coaches....get it? In regards to the OT position, so you are happy with the current quick short passing game that has been shut down by opposing defenses most of the second part of the season? One of the reasons the Bills no longer needed WR Lee Evans is because they simply don't have a deep passing game as Ryan Fitzpatrick doesn't have more then 2-3 seconds in the pocket to get rid of the ball on most plays. The reason is this Bills O line is the 2nd worst team in allowing pressure to the QB in less then 3 seconds ( according to ESPN) The Bills have lacked a top OT since all pro Jason Peters was traded away. The Bills have lacked a decent line for years and Chan Gailey was the only HC / OC to realize this flaw in the team and setup an offense to cope with it. In the past the previous Bills OC's used to call for deep passing plays even when the QB's didn't have time in the pocket to throw deep.Hence the QB's nickname "captain check-down" Its why WR T.O. was wasted on this team. Should the Bills draft a top OT and start him it would improve the line enough to open up the play book and it would really help with the mid to deep passing game. Something that has almost been non existent since JP left. *corrected the misspell* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle flap Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 thanks for the clarification. and i'm not opposed to improving the OL at all. but i worry that even with more time to pass deep fitz will be just as inaccurate on the deep throws, and as of right now the only WR who could possibly go up and get it is SJ. and he's no burner. so the bills would need someone with the wheels to totally outrun the coverage AND be able to track down an imperfect pass. so, i also think fitz's downfield accuracy influenced the playcalling as much as the oline's weaknesses. the bills were putting up points. the D needs improvement to take some pressure off of the offense. thru draft or FA the priorities in my mind are: DE/OLB in either order, WR, OT, TE. i'd also like to see another cornerback acquired, but not at the expense of one of the other positions in need. in regards to coaching, so far chan is good, but not great, on the offensive side of the ball. i'd like to see how he does with a few more pieces and hopefully fewer injuries. Edwards was garbage and it reflects poorly on chan to some extent. i'm optimistic about wannstedt, and i expect marked improvement next year assuming there is at least one major addition on that side of the ball, and kyle returns to form. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 Yeah, I agree with all of those positional needs. Dominating, GUARANTEED to get to the QB DE, an OLB, a LT, and use Chandler more than just in the red zone. Mario Williams is going to command alot of dough, but with the Giants being so deep at D-line, I wonder if they would ever consider trading one of their D linemen. If, IF Merriman can even come close to his old form we might have those 2 pass rushers answered. Big if, though. A pass rush makes our secondary better. A pass rush makes it difficult for opposing QB's. A pass rush gets us more 3-&-outs for opposing offenses. Putting Williams and Dareus on the line at the same time is a great idea. Kelsay should if nothing else, maintain the edge on that left side, and a pass rushing DE would be perfect. We need a pancaking, nasty, snot-faced LT to solidify the left side for a decade. I think using Chandler more than just in the red zone will happen now that Metzalaars is on the coaching staff. I wonder if the Colts would entertain an offer for Dallas Clark since they are now in a confirmed rebuild? But we need a healthy roster more than anything. The Bills have been especially snake-bitten with injuries these past few years. Our offense was really moving the ball, and we had so many options to choose from. The O was hitting its stride, then injuries took over. If injuries are minimal, and we add those 3-5 players and use Chandler right, the Bills could be well on their way to the playoffs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geno Smith's Arm Posted February 2, 2012 Share Posted February 2, 2012 (edited) Look back at 2010 & 2011 mostly the same players, all the same coaches. Yet this years Bills team beat one SB team in Buffalo ( NE ) and came very close to beating the other SB team in NY ( Giants) 24-27 lost only by a late FG. Impressive huh? So I keep reading from Bills fans over and over, year after year about how this team lacks talent. But yet Dick Jauron managed several 7-9 seasons with less the stellar QB's in JP Losman & Trent Edwards. Clearly Fitz is better then those two with less weapons I see the difference between 2010 & 2011 as mostly the new coaches learning their jobs, and learning how best to perform them. The core of this Bills team hasn't really changed that much from the Jauron days as so many of the current star players were drafted by the team when Jauron was HC. Ryan Fitzpatrick-Fred Jackson -Stevie Johnson - Kyle Williams- George Wilson - Andy Levitre - Eric Wood - Chris Kelsay - Jairus Byrd - Demetrius Bell My take is the talent level is almost there on this team, a handful of the right players could change everything. The QB is good enough to take this team to the playoffs or at least a winning record. Which is something this franchise has seen only once the past 10 years. (sad, I know) So when Buddy Nix first looked at the Buffalo Bills back in 2010 and stated the team was "not that far away" he was actually right concerning the players. It was the all the assistant coaches that Chan Gailey hired that had little or no NFL experience that was the problem. Then there was the fact that some coaches he hired had plenty of NFL experience, but they just weren't very good at their job ( DC Edwards ) The areas of biggest concern to me are pass rush = OLB / DE. For the 4-3 the NY Giants can bring the heat with just their 4 down linemen. The Bills currently have 2 great DT's, they just need some great DE's. OLB's for containing the run, something they haven't been able to do since Jauron and his wimpy Tampa 2. Right now the bills need a Daryl Talley more then they need a "biscuit" IMO. Immediate need, one dominant pass rushing DE who can actually terrorize opposing QB's. 2 top DE's would be better The second area of concern is the O line, if Wood fully recovers the interior of the line is good enough. The Bills need some dominate tackles and not just players who get in the way of opposing DE's and OLB's for 2 seconds Immediate need, one dominant OT who can pancake opposing top pass rushers, and give Fitz more the 3 seconds to throw. This will open up the playbook to allow a deep passing game. 2 top OT would be better Third area is the receiver corps. This team hasn't had a top WR corps since Andre Reed, James Lofton, Don Beebe. Stevie Johnson is good, but he can't do it by himself, and since Gailey likes to run 4-5 WR sets this team needs at least 2 more decent WR's. You guys do realize that at the end of the year the 3rd string QB was listed on the depth chart as the #2 WR, this needs to change! Immediate need, one dominant WR to help Johnson, a healthy Roscoe Parrish. or two WR's if they let Stevie Johnson walk The Bills have seen flashes of what a good TE can do for them when Scott Chandler is healthy and Chan Gailey has Fitz throw to him. More importantly we all saw what a talent like Vernon Davis can do in the playoffs against the Saints, 180 yards receiving 2 TD's 112 yards receiving, 2 TD's against the Giants. The Bills clearly need more weapons for Fitz, imagine what he could do with a TE like Gronkowski of the Patriots or Graham for the Saints Immediate need, one dominant TE. this could be Chandler IF he can stay healthy and IF Chan Gailey involves him more in the passing game. Lastly, the one area that the Bills have been worst in the league for years is the run defense. The Bills haven't been good at stopping the run since Sam Adams- Pat Williams- Takeo Spikes - London Fletcher. Now some teams play a "wide-nine" and don't care as much about stopping the run. I think that defense is lame. Always stop the run and put them in 3rd and long in my view. Immediate need, one dominant OLB. The Bills don't currently have a star player at this position and they need the LB'ers to lead the team in tackles, and not the safeties. DE-OT-WR-TE-OLB any of these positions with that #10 pick would be ok with me That's a lot of "Dominance". I really don't think we can expect them to get "dominant" players at all these positions (Who has this many dominant players?). The problem is that they don't have AVERAGE players at some of these positions. I think they need to upgrade these positions, but the area that one player could have the biggest impact is a pass rusher, be it an OLB or a DE. The other areas they would do well with an upgrade OR a specialist. For instance, I don't think they need to have a dominant new WR. I think if they can get a deep threat (one that isn't solely a one-trick pony like Lee Evans) that can draw some deep coverage (he wouldn't even HAVE to have the best hands, but pose a threat) that would open things up a bit. Of course, I'm not averse to them getting a dominant WR, I just think there are more pressing needs. They mostly need DEPTH, especially on the O-line. They played well enough to win when they had a full roster. And the one good thing about all the injuries is that the overall roster got lots more experience. Hopefully they will be able to cash that in this year. One special player on the defense could make a big difference too. For all the "defense wins championships" talk, I think it has become more of a "big play defenses win games", as opposed to some kind of "shut-down" defense. The DB's have shown that they can make big plays, and I would love to see how much better they would be if the Bills had a more effective pass rush. Edited February 3, 2012 by Matthews' Bag Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob's House Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Mario Williams is going to command alot of dough, but with the Giants being so deep at D-line, I wonder if they would ever consider trading one of their D linemen. Jets are rumored to be shopping Osi Umienyora this off season. He'd want a restructured deal, but... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ganesh Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 Jets are rumored to be shopping Osi Umienyora this off season. He'd want a restructured deal, but... Osi plays for the Giants...The Jets have no rights to him to be shopping him. Fitz is a game-manager. To ask him win the game by himself is a disaster. They need to surround him with solid talent and a strong defense. A defense that can get off the field on 3rd downs and give good field position for Fitz. Fitz needs to master the short game first before needing to throw deep. Accuracy...Accuracy....We can be a playoff team, if we can stop the run and do not turnover the ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewildrabbit Posted February 3, 2012 Author Share Posted February 3, 2012 Osi plays for the Giants...The Jets have no rights to him to be shopping him. Fitz is a game-manager. To ask him win the game by himself is a disaster. They need to surround him with solid talent and a strong defense. A defense that can get off the field on 3rd downs and give good field position for Fitz. Fitz needs to master the short game first before needing to throw deep. Accuracy...Accuracy....We can be a playoff team, if we can stop the run and do not turnover the ball. In regards to Fitz's accuracy...remember this play? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGJWBWcFD_4 Notice in this YT video, Fitz has the arm with a 50 yard bomb, the ball is perfectly on the money and he got that 7 step drop back pass out in 3 seconds...pretty amazing IMO. Fitz is more then accurate enough, its just that the Bills lame playcaller would keep calling shotgun passing plays once the Bills lost the lead and thus putting the QB under even more duress. Stevie Johnson had 5 drops in that Steeler game, FIVE! Fitz has got a good enough arm, the problem is that after he is under constant pressure and getting harassed continuously he starts to get happy feet, throw off his back foot and do things that just about EVERY QB in the league does when they are under constant pressure. Even Tom Brady, remember that first Bills game where they intercepted the future HoF record setting QB for the Patriots 4 times? Look at the Bills WR corps at the end of the year, they had ONE decent WR and this HC keeps calling for 4-5 WR sets with a bunch of nobodies at the WR position, the Bills best O lineman on IR and a banged up injured TE trying to play. It was also just crazy to keep trying to constantly pass when the RB is playing great ....and they stop using him! But you are right, they do need to give the man some weapons, and better protection! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thewildrabbit Posted February 3, 2012 Author Share Posted February 3, 2012 That's a lot of "Dominance". I really don't think we can expect them to get "dominant" players at all these positions (Who has this many dominant players?). The problem is that they don't have AVERAGE players at some of these positions. I think they need to upgrade these positions, but the area that one player could have the biggest impact is a pass rusher, be it an OLB or a DE. The other areas they would do well with an upgrade OR a specialist. For instance, I don't think they need to have a dominant new WR. I think if they can get a deep threat (one that isn't solely a one-trick pony like Lee Evans) that can draw some deep coverage (he wouldn't even HAVE to have the best hands, but pose a threat) that would open things up a bit. Of course, I'm not averse to them getting a dominant WR, I just think there are more pressing needs. They mostly need DEPTH, especially on the O-line. They played well enough to win when they had a full roster. And the one good thing about all the injuries is that the overall roster got lots more experience. Hopefully they will be able to cash that in this year. One special player on the defense could make a big difference too. For all the "defense wins championships" talk, I think it has become more of a "big play defenses win games", as opposed to some kind of "shut-down" defense. The DB's have shown that they can make big plays, and I would love to see how much better they would be if the Bills had a more effective pass rush. Yea you are right, not all in one draft or free agency period, at least not the way this ball club misses on talent evaluation. But my point was to try and get that one dominant player with that #10 pick is one of those areas of need. However, IF the Bills were to draft a top OT with that #10, then sign DE Mario Williams (pass rusher) plus add Vincent Jackson or Dwayne Bowe (WR), Fred Davis (TE) meanwhile re signing Stevie Johnson and Dem Bell. This would go a long way to making this team a real contender Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dorkington Posted February 3, 2012 Share Posted February 3, 2012 We need a little better of both column A and column B. Plus some changes in column C (Front Office/Owner). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts