A Few Thoughts About The Game, in no particular order.....

[Bill from NYC]

A little of column A, a little of column B. This is a passing league, now, but it is so foolish to not get Spiller the ball more often. When this team has difficulty cashing it in, it ought to be looking to get the ball in the hands of the guy who is its biggest home run threat. He can't carry the team - you're right about that. But he can take over a game, and the Bills are consistently giving Fitz those chances instead of Spiller.

 

I fully agree. Am I not spelling it out correctly? That said, I would still rather see FJ or even the FB get the carry on 3rd and 1.

[bills44]

 

 

I've been reading Bill's "Few thoughts about the game..." for a few years. While I enjoy reading his posts after games, he clearly has an agenda against our best player and perhaps best RB in the game. If only Chan would commit to the run...

 

Disagree with your first point, as it's the same recycled garbage every week, but I agree with the rest.

[Bill from NYC]

#7...yeah, Kelsay in coverage sucks. I'm assuming that you're talking about on the James Casey 25 yard catch though. I mean, Dan Fouts was babbling about Kelsay covering "a tight end" on the play, but Casey more often than not lines up as a FB. A DE covering a FB isn't crazy or unacceptable schematically. Wannstedt just should have had something else drawn up for a player like Casey who isn't a true FB. I mean, you won't often see a FB 25 yards downfield.

 

Ralph spent approx. 140 million dollars on DEs. Even though Kelsay wasn't one of them, these guys need to be going after qbs, NOT covering receivers, or even fbs. That is why we have so many 1st and 2nd round dbs on the team, no?

[Shoutbox]

A few responses to your thoughts:

 

1, 5. Dareus and Aaron Williams are head cases right now. It's all mental for them. I would seriously consider benching them for a bit.

 

2, 7, 11. Perhaps us fans should lay off some of the criticism on our defensive players. Way too many talented players are grossly underperforming for me to think this is a coincidence. I first want to see a defensive coordinator who knows how to put guys in position to succeed before gutting the roster again. Wannstedt is stuck in the early 90's.

 

3. Spiller can and should be carrying this offense. He may be smallish for an NFL back, but he's built very compact and can take a pounding. 25 touches a game minimum. This game he was given 11. Unacceptable.

 

4. Stick a fork in the Wildcat and spend practices working on something more innovative. I'd like to see more plays involving Fred and CJ on the field at the same time. TJ Graham too.

 

9. I hate living in the past. Lou Saban, Marv Levy, Harvey Johnson ( ),...none of these worked out the second time around. I'm fine with promoting Whaley to GM and having him hire a promising young head coach prospect.

 

10. Fitz is a prototypical NFL backup. I'm glad he's on our team, and I hope he takes a pay cut to stay on as a mentor for next year's 1st round pick.

[Bill from NYC]

Disagree with your first point, as it's the same recycled garbage every week, but I agree with the rest.

 

Dude, you would be well served to stay away from my threads, no? I understand how little you have to offer, I will help you get started. Try to come up with an original thought, and couple it with some sort of humor and/or personality.

If this is too tough for you to comprehend, I'm really sorry, but I did try.

[albany c2]

Strongly disagree with the Gilmore point. Cut the rookie a break, he will be a very good player for years to come. A. Williams on the other hand.....wow. I'm starting to think he doesn't even deserve a roster spot. What other CBs get beat like he does week after week?? Perhaps we could move him to free safety after Byrd signs a 70 million dollar contract elsewhere.

 

Our defense wasn't as big an issue here as Chan's stubborness. When you have a dynamic player like CJ whos gaining 8+ yards pretty much everytime he touches the ball.....how can you not keep feeding him? I'm absolutely dumbfounded by this.

 

Scott Chandler is also on my sh*tlist. Just throwing that out there too.

 

Next week is the week that really matters. If we can get back to 4-5 as we hit the soft part of our schedule, I'll be pleased. 6 of our first 9 games have been road games, 3 of which took place in different time zones. How many NFL teams would have winning records playing who we have played??

 

I'm excited to see how our D performs. We won't have a problem scoring TDs against the Patriots, that's a fact.

[BiggieScooby]

3 receiver drops

[Bill from NYC]

Scott Chandler is also on my sh*tlist. Just throwing that out there too.

 

He was bad today no doubt. Overall, he is an OK player, but the Bills do need another TE. We have neglected this position for way too long.

[albany c2]

He was bad today no doubt. Overall, he is an OK player, but the Bills do need another TE. We have neglected this position for way too long.

 

If we lose next week to NE, I can't wait to spend our 12th overall pick next year on a TE. Sweet.

[YOOOOOO]

Spiller should be getting 25+ touches a game....until hes given that chance who are you to say he cant "Carry the team"...

 

He should definately be given the oppurtunity to do so....before passing judgement

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

 

 

The game has changed. QBs are able to carry teams more than rbs. And even back in the old days, how many small rbs were able to carry their team?

 

Warrick Dunn. Bet the guy can't walk wherever he is not, but he was fantastick for a little guy.

[BuffaninATL]

Spiller should be getting 25+ touches a game....until hes given that chance who are you to say he cant "Carry the team"...

 

He should definately be given the oppurtunity to do so....before passing judgement

 

I agree with this point 100% - and apparently CBC Sports does too:

 

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/blog/nfl-rapidreports/20824515/postgame-analysis-texans-21-bills-9---

 

 

"With Sunday's game hanging in the balance at Houston's Reliant Stadium, one coach made sure to use one of the best running backs in the league. The other didn't.

 

The pass-happy Bills (3-5) were unable to find the end zone, going 0 for 3 in the red zone and scoring on only three-field goal attempts. Their inconsistent play on offense was in part due to a lack of touches for RB C.J. Spiller, who averaged 7.3 yards per carry heading into the game. Spiller looked explosive in limited opportunities but finished with only six carries for 39 yards (along with five receptions for 63 yards)

 

We would like to [get C.J. the ball], and we've got to try to do that on a more consistent basis,” Bills coach Chan Gailey said. “Some weeks are better than others. ... They surprised us with a defense we hadn't seen that much, and we had to alter. I've got to do a better job of adjusting.”

 

The bolded quote says it all. Pass-happy Chan admits he cannot adjust....tell me something we don't already know.

 

I looked at my son and said "...that injury alone makes this defense so much better..." i NEVER root against players and I really hope that he is ok, but Aaron Williams out our lineup is an instant improvement...i just wish he left as a result of his performance rather than going out with an injury

 

what's disturbing is that it took an injury before a coaching decision to remove AW from the field. Pathetic.

[bills44]

 

 

Dude, you would be well served to stay away from my threads, no? I understand how little you have to offer, I will help you get started. Try to come up with an original thought, and couple it with some sort of humor and/or personality.

If this is too tough for you to comprehend, I'm really sorry, but I did try.

 

Perhaps I should copy some ****ty lyrics in my posts?

 

Speaking of humor, I did enjoy your comment about preferring FBs over Spiller in 3rd and 1 situations. I mean, that was a joke, right?

 

Your posts are comic relief after Bills' losses, because almost everybody knows what's going to be said:

 

1. Random, basic observations that are completely obvious to anyone who is not legally blind;

2. Rip on [insert name of DB here];

3. Either criticize Spiller, or offer backhanded praise;

4. Praise one or more of the OL for blocking;

5. Ignore poor play by, or mistakes of, players that you like;

6. Every couple of weeks, fire a shot at Marv Levy;

7. Occasionally, cheer the injury of a Bills player ( this week, for example), or call them names ( "piece of ****", "smurf", "midget", etc.)

 

That said, despite the unintentional comedy, I so much prefer R. Rich's "Meaningless Thoughts" posts. It's refreshing to read an objective post that contains some legitimate insight.

[JohnC]

What is your agenda? Do you think that Spiller will ever carry this team? How about other, better rbs such as Adrian Peterson? Those days are gone.

I have praised Spiller more often than not this season. He is playing well. But he will never carry this football team. If you disagree, please enlighten us.

Never mind.....I am thinking that you have oh so little to add.

 

No one player other than an exceptiaonal qb is going to carry this team or any other team. Why are you instituting an unattainable standard for Spiller that few players in the league are going to meet? Spiller is the most productive player on the team. He is singularly the only big play player on offense. Yet you continue to lament his draft selection. I don't understand your fixation on this issue. If you want to focus on a non-productive drafted player or two in his draft year then focus on the selection of Troup and Carrington with the next two picks.

 

There were a number of dropped passes that hindered the offense. But if you review the pass plays that were called there were very few passes that were longer than 10-12 yards. Our pass play calling is extremely limited because our qb has obvious limitations in accuracy and arm strength. No matter what gaudy numbers Ftiz has the stats are not as revealing as actually watching the game. Shaub is not a great qb by far. But he has the ability to make the full range of passes, especially down field.

 

J.J. Watt was the best player on the field and a good case can be made that he is currently the best defensive player in the league. Johnson is one of the best receivers in the league. If he played for the Bills his talents would be wasted because no one could get him the ball down the field.

 

In your initial post you brought up Polian and Wade and the dream of having them involved with this bumbling organization. As you well know Polian was fired by the moronic owner and not only was Wade also fired by the vindictive owner he was also cheated out of his salary until the league stepped in and rectified the despicable actions of a cartoonishly incompetent and nasty owner.

 

When you watch the Bills play a good team the qaulitative difference is stark. As it stands the Bills are not only a team mired in the muck of mediocrity but they are irrelevant as an NFL franchise. That is so sad.

[NewEra]

 

 

Perhaps I should copy some ****ty lyrics in my posts?

 

Speaking of humor, I did enjoy your comment about preferring FBs over Spiller in 3rd and 1 situations. I mean, that was a joke, right?

 

Your posts are comic relief after Bills' losses, because almost everybody knows what's going to be said:

 

1. Random, basic observations that are completely obvious to anyone who is not legally blind;

2. Rip on [insert name of DB here];

3. Either criticize Spiller, or offer backhanded praise;

4. Praise one or more of the OL for blocking;

5. Ignore poor play by, or mistakes of, players that you like;

6. Every couple of weeks, fire a shot at Marv Levy;

7. Occasionally, cheer the injury of a Bills player ( this week, for example), or call them names ( "piece of ****", "smurf", "midget", etc.)

 

That said, despite the unintentional comedy, I so much prefer R. Rich's "Meaningless Thoughts" posts. It's refreshing to read an objective post that contains some legitimate insight.

 

You're annoying.

[bills44]

Thanks!

[PaattMaann]

The game has changed. QBs are able to carry teams more than rbs. And even back in the old days, how many small rbs were able to carry their team?

 

Doug Martin (smaller than Spiller) just put up 265 rushing yards, 4 TDs, 4 receptions and 20 yards....

 

DEF cant carry a team though bc hes just too dam small!!!!

[bills44]

 

 

No one player other than an exceptiaonal qb is going to carry this team or any other team. Why are you instituting an unattainable standard for Spiller that few players in the league are going to meet? Spiller is the most productive player on the team. He is singularly the only big play player on offense. Yet you continue to lament his draft selection. I don't understand your fixation on this issue. If you want to focus on a non-productive drafted player or two in his draft year then focus on the selection of Troup and Carrington with the next two picks.

 

 

 

 

I agree with this post, with the qualifier that I'm not sure that any single player, exceptional QBs included, can carry a team.

[SectionC3]

Bill, thanks for nice comments as always. I wish I could say that I look forward to Sundays to watch quality Bills football, but in the absence of that I at least have the thoughtful post-mortem you produce every week.

 

I'll add a few thoughts.

 

1. I'm glad we "fed" Spiller the ball only 11 times today. I was worried he might get tired. Fortunately, I don't think that happened.

 

2. Sarcasm aside, Fred might be a battering ram, and it is important to get him a critical mass of carries, but this year he looks slow to me. Maybe it's because he pales in comparison to Spiller's dynamism. Whatever the case, enough is enough with alternating series. It's time to give the job to Spiller and use Fred as the sub.

 

3. I cannot put into words how tired I am of the lousy defenses we've fielded throughout the Bush II and Obama administrations. The stat lines are disgustingly predictable - opposing QBs with 65% completion rate, couple of TDs, no picks, great third down percentage and astronomical quarterback rating. It happens every week, and it happened again this week.

 

4. Our backers, with the exception of Barnett, suck. Painfully so. But not as much as Aaron Williams. If they're going to put him back out there when he's healthy, they should either move him to safety or make him change his number. Seriously. Right now, if it's third and long, I throw it at 23. Every. Single. Time. I think the NFL has figured this out, too.

 

5. Gailey seems to have one major brain cramp as a playcaller each week. This week it was the three throws-and-out to start the second half.

 

6. If we are ever behind in a close game with a chance to come back and win, we better not need the two-minute drill. That plodding, ineffective effort sucks. Then again, our four minute offense sucks, too, so even if we're ahead in the close game, we're still in trouble.

 

7. One definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. I'll see you all next Sunday to talk about Mr. Brady's Madden-esque statline.

Edited November 5, 2012 by BuffaloPowerEye

[Punch]

Doug Martin (smaller than Spiller) just put up 265 rushing yards, 4 TDs, 4 receptions and 20 yards....

 

DEF cant carry a team though bc hes just too dam small!!!!

 

Dude--- Doug Martin is at least 15 lbs heavier than CJ, and he's "all muscle".

 

I don't disagree that Spiller can and should be utilized more, but let's not pretend there aren't durability concerns with a back built like him.