This Grantland writer thinks we'l be the worst team in football th

[Lothar]

I get that a lot of the season rides on EJ but his claim that we'll be worse than last year seems far-fetched since most pundits think we have a pretty solid set of starters. The late reaction to nab Orton I view as a positive based on last year's backups not progressing throughout training camp.

 

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/nfl-season-predictions-bottom-eight-teams/

Best-Case Scenario: Orton takes over for Manuel after learning the playbook and plays like a perfectly average starting quarterback, while Watkins and C.J. Spiller form a pair of devastating big-play specialists. Schwartz gets enough out of the pass rush for Buffalo to go 9-7 and produce its first winning season since 2004.

Worst-Case Scenario: The defense collapses after losing two stars, and the Bills spend the entire season going back and forth between a disappointing Manuel and an uninterested Orton while Watkins struggles through a series of nagging injuries. Buffalo eventually hands Cleveland the first overall pick in the 2015 draft.

 

I'm willing to see how we do through game 11. If we're not in positive territory (at least 6-5 in terms of wins), then we're probably extending our playoff-less streak with the gauntlet of teams we finish against. But if EJ somehow raises his game to an Alex Smith level, I can definitely see us riding that momentum to a playoff spot.

 

That said, I don't expect we'll do real well against Chicago. It's strength against strength (Bears pass O vs Buff pass D) and weakness against weakness (our offense against their defense) and somehow even in a nearly best case scenario, I see the home team winning a close one. But I've been wrong plenty of times. We just have to hold serve in our division and steal a couple roadies in conference.

[The Wiz]

This guy knows nothing about the bills. He should know we are only good enough to be out of a good draft position but bad enough to always complain about.

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

This guy knows nothing about the bills. He should know we are only good enough to be out of a good draft position but bad enough to always complain about.

 

But they can still continue that trend since the 1 was traded...

 

Ugh that scenario is one I really hope not to see

[DC Tom]

I get that a lot of the season rides on EJ but his claim that we'll be worse than last year seems far-fetched since most pundits think we have a pretty solid set of starters. The late reaction to nab Orton I view as a positive based on last year's backups not progressing throughout training camp.

 

http://grantland.com...om-eight-teams/

 

Best-Case Scenario: Orton takes over for Manuel after learning the playbook and plays like a perfectly average starting quarterback, while Watkins and C.J. Spiller form a pair of devastating big-play specialists. Schwartz gets enough out of the pass rush for Buffalo to go 9-7 and produce its first winning season since 2004.

Worst-Case Scenario: The defense collapses after losing two stars, and the Bills spend the entire season going back and forth between a disappointing Manuel and an uninterested Orton while Watkins struggles through a series of nagging injuries. Buffalo eventually hands Cleveland the first overall pick in the 2015 draft.

 

I'm willing to see how we do through game 11. If we're not in positive territory (at least 6-5 in terms of wins), then we're probably extending our playoff-less streak with the gauntlet of teams we finish against. But if EJ somehow raises his game to an Alex Smith level, I can definitely see us riding that momentum to a playoff spot.

 

That said, I don't expect we'll do real well against Chicago. It's strength against strength (Bears pass O vs Buff pass D) and weakness against weakness (our offense against their defense) and somehow even in a nearly best case scenario, I see the home team winning a close one. But I've been wrong plenty of times. We just have to hold serve in our division and steal a couple roadies in conference.

 

Incredibly stupid analysis. He seems to think the entire season revolves around three or four players. It's like his sole source of info for the article was this board.

[Best Player Available]

 

 

Incredibly stupid analysis. He seems to think the entire season revolves around three or four players. It's like his sole source of info for the article was this board.

who are the other 2 players if he got the info from TBD?

[SageAgainstTheMachine]

I don't think he's ranking the teams. It's an article about a large group of "bottom feeders" and he happens to mention the Bills first. Barnwell is most disparaging toward the Raiders in this article, who he mentions last.

 

That said, it's all kinds of dumb analysis. The BEST case scenario is that our starting QB fails?

[Pills -N- Bills]

Man... What he said at the end about the bills handing the #1 overall pick to Cleveland .... Lol that is some **** that would only happen to us bills fans

[Nanker]

Hard to believe The Bills won't get at least 6 wins this year when they have with ****ty players for the last three years.

[SageAgainstTheMachine]

Hard to believe The Bills won't get at least 6 wins this year when they have with ****ty players for the last three years.

 

Looking back at those Jauron teams, how did they get to 7 wins?

[1B4IDie]

Bill Barnwell is an annoying dork but the Best and a worst case are not that far off.

 

Here his best and worst case from Cleveland:

 

 

Best-Case Scenario: Johnnymania takes over in Cleveland (and simultaneously Grantland) as Manziel leads the Browns to a series of close victories in an RG3-esque run to the AFC North title. Hey, Kyle Shanahan’s even here!

 

Worst-Case Scenario: Oh no, Kyle Shanahan’s here! The Browns shuffle through another middling season while waiting for Gordon to return. Even worse, the Bills make the playoffs, pushing that bonus first-round pick into the 20s.

[thewildrabbit]

Looking back at those Jauron teams, how did they get to 7 wins?

Remarkable huh, and he did it with JP Losman & Trent Edwards at QB. Steve Fairchild &Turk Schonert as OC's.

 

The Bills had a 1000 yard rusher in Lynch, and 1000 yard receiver in Evans.

 

It was usually the mounting injuries that killed Jauron's seasons in Buffalo. in 2008 on offense only 3 starters played in all 16 games. What does that tell you about the recent coaching staffs?

[Nextera15]

Let's just start the season now! I can't wait until these guys jump on that wagon and start saying wow their doing it by running all day and keeping offenses off the field. 10-6 or 11-5 baby. Bring it! Byrd was good, but we didn't drop much, and yes Kiko is a stud, but Spikes and Rivers brings in much added depth and stops the run. Swartz will have the defense more than ready! EJ will be told to manage the game but not to win it. Our quick play calling only weakens their defenses so we just run all day in the third and fourth quarters. Man I can't wait.

[Dirtbag]

Let's just start the season now! I can't wait until these guys jump on that wagon and start saying wow their doing it by running all day and keeping offenses off the field. 10-6 or 11-5 baby. Bring it! Byrd was good, but we didn't drop much, and yes Kiko is a stud, but Spikes and Rivers brings in much added depth and stops the run. Swartz will have the defense more than ready! EJ will be told to manage the game but not to win it. Our quick play calling only weakens their defenses so we just run all day in the third and fourth quarters. Man I can't wait.

i'll admit it, i was totally caught up in your unbridled enthusiasm....then you lost me. it was like being in the midst of a wonderful dream only to awaken to someone punching you in the face.

[Max997]

everyone in the media is basing their opinion of the Bills on EJ and his play during the preseason

 

i dont think EJ is the answer but i dont think they will be or close to the worst team in the league...prob another 6-10 season which i think gets Marrone fired but maybe not Whaley

[shrader]

I don't think he's ranking the teams. It's an article about a large group of "bottom feeders" and he happens to mention the Bills first. Barnwell is most disparaging toward the Raiders in this article, who he mentions last.

 

The teams within that group of "bottom feeders" are presented in alphabetical order. Ranking is not included in any way, other than listing them as a group.

[BillsBytheBay]

Best case: EJ flips the switch. With the incredibly talented team we have, we gain home field advantage in the post season.

 

Worst case: everything Rodak said....

[Dorkington]

Every year writers predict that we'll suck, and we do. Yet every year we get offended by their predictions.

 

Logically, we have a better team than last year. But it seems everyone else has gotten even better, since most experts seem to agree that we'll be one of the worst teams in the league.

 

Oh well. At least the food will be good, right?

[Big Turk]

I get that a lot of the season rides on EJ but his claim that we'll be worse than last year seems far-fetched since most pundits think we have a pretty solid set of starters. The late reaction to nab Orton I view as a positive based on last year's backups not progressing throughout training camp.

 

http://grantland.com/the-triangle/nfl-season-predictions-bottom-eight-teams/

Best-Case Scenario: Orton takes over for Manuel after learning the playbook and plays like a perfectly average starting quarterback, while Watkins and C.J. Spiller form a pair of devastating big-play specialists. Schwartz gets enough out of the pass rush for Buffalo to go 9-7 and produce its first winning season since 2004.

Worst-Case Scenario: The defense collapses after losing two stars, and the Bills spend the entire season going back and forth between a disappointing Manuel and an uninterested Orton while Watkins struggles through a series of nagging injuries. Buffalo eventually hands Cleveland the first overall pick in the 2015 draft.

 

I'm willing to see how we do through game 11. If we're not in positive territory (at least 6-5 in terms of wins), then we're probably extending our playoff-less streak with the gauntlet of teams we finish against. But if EJ somehow raises his game to an Alex Smith level, I can definitely see us riding that momentum to a playoff spot.

 

That said, I don't expect we'll do real well against Chicago. It's strength against strength (Bears pass O vs Buff pass D) and weakness against weakness (our offense against their defense) and somehow even in a nearly best case scenario, I see the home team winning a close one. But I've been wrong plenty of times. We just have to hold serve in our division and steal a couple roadies in conference.

 

The Bears defense was horrible last year and probably the reason they missed the playoffs...scored lots of points but stopped noone

[billsfan1959]

who are the other 2 players if he got the info from TBD?

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[Sisyphean Bills]

He seems like an overly optimistic Browns fan. The Bills may normally be in the hunt for a top draft pick, but they always find a way to avoid getting it.

[Dean Cain]

Our season boils down like this;

 

Go 4-2 vs the AFC East. (win 3 home games, win 1 road game)

Go 2-2 vs the NFC North. (win home games)

Go 2-2 vs the AFC West. (win home games)

Go 2-0 vs @ Houston Texans, & home vs Cleveland Browns.

 

10-6 record seems plausible.

 

Home record (8-0)

Road record (2-6)

 

The question is can the Ralph turn back into a place our opponents fear playing at?

[Kemp]

Every year writers predict that we'll suck, and we do. Yet every year we get offended by their predictions.

 

Logically, we have a better team than last year. But it seems everyone else has gotten even better, since most experts seem to agree that we'll be one of the worst teams in the league.

 

Oh well. At least the food will be good, right?

 

What makes them better this year? Kiko and Jarius gone and Watkins added.

 

Our season boils down like this;

 

Go 4-2 vs the AFC East. (win 3 home games, win 1 road game)

Go 2-2 vs the NFC North. (win home games)

Go 2-2 vs the AFC West. (win home games)

Go 2-0 vs @ Houston Texans, & home vs Cleveland Browns.

 

10-6 record seems plausible.

 

Home record (8-0)

Road record (2-6)

 

The question is can the Ralph turn back into a place our opponents fear playing at?

 

8-0 @ home seems plausible?

[Dorkington]

What makes them better this year? Kiko and Jarius gone and Watkins added.

 

Kiko replaced with Spikes, Brown, and Rivers - no offense to Kiko, but that's an improvement

 

Byrd replaced with Graham - Our safety situation is worse, but A. Williams is good, and hopefully Searcy/Duke/Graham can fill the safety void.

 

I'd say defensive talent changeover is a wash, personally. We added depth, but lost two studs. Biggest change on D will be the coordinator, and new rule changes (ie will Gilmore be any good now that he can't be physical?)

 

Offense, we lost Stevie, but gained Watkins and Williams. We got bigger on the O-Line, so should theoretically be better there, too. Added Brown and Dixon for RB depth (way better than Choice). Orton replaces Thad/Tuel, way better there too.

 

Overall, we improved depth on the team in pretty significant ways. We have unproven coaches, and a tough schedule, though... so it won't surprise me if we end up 4-12. But it also won't surprise me if we end up 10-6, heh.

Edited September 3, 2014 by Dorkington

[BuffOrange]

Incredibly stupid analysis. He seems to think the entire season revolves around three or four players. It's like his sole source of info for the article was this board.

 

Or he has a finite amount of space to explain himself. And instead of telling the country what they already know (that the QB is a giant ?), he gives reasons why the less publicized other side of the ball (which is less of a constant from year to year than offense anyway) will regress.

 

The teams within that group of "bottom feeders" are presented in alphabetical order. Ranking is not included in any way, other than listing them as a group.

 

Yes I thought this was pretty obvious.

 

 

Looking back at those Jauron teams, how did they get to 7 wins?

 

Fair question. They had an uncanny ability to drag opponents down to their level in the mud. Think Ravens last year times five. Then add in a big Lee Evans game and a random thumping of a bad team at home.