thewildrabbit Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 If someone needs more evidence the front office is not very capable, both in college and pro scouting, it's how they've handled the OL. Aside from QB, it's an area they've tremendously botched. Signing Chris Williams in UFA (and his history of back problems) along with drafting Kouandjio in the 2nd round are why they're forced to start 2 rookies and an out of position (who should be out of the NFL) Erik Pears. There isn't much to do now. Richardson isn't ready to play (most 5th rounders aren't), Pears isn't a guard, and Henderson needs more time, which the Bills don't have. I think Marrone has clearly overestimated his OL coaching skills. Because, as we learned with Mouse McNally, even good coaching can't solve a lack of talent. Who is responsible for that lack of talent on that line for two years now? and just think, this coaching staff had a young, inexperienced QB behind that line in EJ. A guy who didn't know enough to read the defense and call the appropriate play out of the crap play Hackett called like Orton does. Then Hackett started screwing up the offense against the Chargers by calling 40 passes vs 20 rushes. He did the same against Houston, a team at the time was 27th against the run. Hackett may just as well have put EJ on a sacrificial alter to have JJ Watt cut his heart out. The offense is a joke with that O line, and Hackett calling plays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBillsMagic1 Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 (edited) Where is our high 2nd round pick from Alabama, Cujo? Edited October 21, 2014 by BuffaloBillsMagic1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bills Fan of St Augustine Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Where is our high 2nd round pick from Alabama, Cujo? On the bench or in street clothes as his current level of talent warrants. Bills reached for both Cyrus and Cyril as most other teams past them over apparently as they could rate talent. Did you watch Richardson in the senior bowl? Wow! He looked like an overweight HS player playing against NFL caliber competition! Koujo slid as far as he did for a reason. These guys may develop, but not in time to help us this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Formerly Allan in MD Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 Rookies or very inexperienced players that are force fed should either be improving, even slowly, or not starting. Take Manuel for example. Guess what folks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Utah John Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 It's interesting that Marrone benched his second-year QB who was stinking up the place while learning on the job, while he's letting his rookie O-linemen stink up the place while they learn on the job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frogger Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 If someone needs more evidence the front office is not very capable, both in college and pro scouting, it's how they've handled the OL. Aside from QB, it's an area they've tremendously botched. Signing Chris Williams in UFA (and his history of back problems) along with drafting Kouandjio in the 2nd round are why they're forced to start 2 rookies and an out of position (who should be out of the NFL) Erik Pears. There isn't much to do now. Richardson isn't ready to play (most 5th rounders aren't), Pears isn't a guard, and Henderson needs more time, which the Bills don't have. I think Marrone has clearly overestimated his OL coaching skills. Because, as we learned with Mouse McNally, even good coaching can't solve a lack of talent. I really believe that the Bills were anticipating Justin Pugh being available in round two back in 2013, hence why they let two good LGs go. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prickly Pete Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 It's interesting that Marrone benched his second-year QB who was stinking up the place while learning on the job, while he's letting his rookie O-linemen stink up the place while they learn on the job. Not really... he had a solid veteran QB to replace him. He doesn't have replacements for the O-lineman (even if you want to swap Urbik in). It's a different situation, and not hard to see the difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOKBILLS Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 On the bench or in street clothes as his current level of talent warrants. Bills reached for both Cyrus and Cyril as most other teams past them over apparently as they could rate talent. Did you watch Richardson in the senior bowl? Wow! He looked like an overweight HS player playing against NFL caliber competition! Koujo slid as far as he did for a reason. These guys may develop, but not in time to help us this year. Richardson slid and his play dropped off for one reason and one reason only...His weight... "He has worked hard to lose that weight and that hard work paid off at Baylor's pro day, when he looked very good; he looked like the Richardson we remembered from a year ago when he was one of the most highly regarded offensive line prospects in the nation. He had gotten too heavy in 2013 and did not move well enough to be considered a top line prospect." -- Gil Brandt Kouandjio slid because of his knee...And maybe he should have slid farther because of it...He certainly does look slow out there...It's well known many NFL teams took him off their boards due to his medical reports...But...Watch the LSU game last year and tell me Kouandjio was a reach in the 2nd round based on talent...If his knee checked out and he ran better he would have gone in the mid-1st on potential alone... Now...No question neither has excelled as rookies, and both have been slow to develop...But name me one O-Lineman who has excelled under Marrone/Hackett so far outside of Glenn's pass blocking in 2013...None of the guys are getting better...And some are regressing...So I would not be too quick to assume it's simply a lack of talent... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted October 21, 2014 Share Posted October 21, 2014 !! This is actually right. It gets old the number of posters who keep bringing up Rinehart's name. A second string guard who didn't want to be here. Bills were willing to offer him a contract. Get over it, please !! exactly. I know for a fact that SD promised him a starting job as they had serious OL issues going into '13. He took it. End of story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mannc Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 The OL's substandard play is just as much of an indictment on Marrone since it's supposed to be an area of expertise for him coupled with the fact that he's been very much hands-on. It's "obviously" the worst unit on the team. Marrone should have been moved to action well before now, but has shown himself to be very stubborn in the face of this failed experiment. What about the GM who drafted three offensive linemen this year, plus a high-priced FA? Why isn't he to blame? And why should he be trusted to fix the problem he created? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solomon Grundy Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 It makes no sense to continue joshing Henderson and pears on the right side, go back to pears and urbik who are certainly not great but way better then what we've been seeing I'm with Max, one side of this line can be fixed immediately. Either do like Max says and fix the right side or insert Urbik for Richardson and fix the left side. Personally, I'd like to fix the left side seeing it's the QBs blind side. What about the GM who drafted three offensive linemen this year, plus a high-priced FA? Why isn't he to blame? And why should he be trusted to fix the problem he created? He drafted the linemen because they were deficient at the position! Why isn't he to blame, because he's the GM not the coach! Like at any job, your boss give you the tools and its up to you to get the job done. If one of the multiple tools you received doesn't work correctly you simply replace it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mannc Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 He drafted the linemen because they were deficient at the position! Why isn't he to blame, because he's the GM not the coach! Like at any job, your boss give you the tools and its up to you to get the job done. If one of the multiple tools you received doesn't work correctly you simply replace it. Is it also Marrone's fault that the "franchise QB" that the FO drafted last year to fix our QB problem can't play? Do you trust Whaley to find our QB of the future after whiffing so badly on EJ (and apparently failing to recognize it until 4 games into this season)? Or is it coaching? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Blitz Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 (edited) Our inability to attack all these aggressive stunts/blitzes (and a lot of man coverage--noticed this on all 22 also) with an effective screen game or the occasional draw is an indictment of a poorly coached offensive line and a terrible play caller. They all can move. We don't have a bunch of Langston Walker's out there. The least athletic is probably Richardson but he's no slug. Maybe Bryce can bring a patience speed and vision to the screen game Spiller couldn't? I don't freaking know anymore. Olines are supposed to get better as the season goes on. They've played almost every snap minus some Williams guy we had for a week. I can't really remember him. Indictment of the coaching. Edited October 22, 2014 by Big Blitz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Frankish Reich Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 The downside to drafting 3 offensive linemen: you gotta keep 3 rookie offensive linemen! Two of them are playing every down, and there's little depth because one of the reserves is a rookie too. In the latest "Hacket sucks" thread I posted Pro Football Focus's best idea: play Hairston for Seantrel (who's rated as the second worst tackle this year). In fact Urbik at LG and Hairston at RT is the best realistic fix I can see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solomon Grundy Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Is it also Marrone's fault that the "franchise QB" that the FO drafted last year to fix our QB problem can't play? Do you trust Whaley to find our QB of the future after whiffing so badly on EJ (and apparently failing to recognize it until 4 games into this season)? Or is it coaching? EJ was drafted to develop! The plan was to go with Kolb and let EJ learn. Kolb got injured in TC and EJ was thrust in the lineup. EJ played well last season and started out good this season. Poor line play was stunting his growth, so Coach Marrone sat him for a proven veteran. EJ can play, will learn and get better, so to say Doug Whaley "whiffed" is a little premature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuntheDamnBall Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Levitre could get moved. He is expensive and hasn't been good since signing with Tenny though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deranged Rhino Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Levitre could get moved. He is expensive and hasn't been good since signing with Tenny though. EJ for Levitre and a pick? The Titans might be the most QB needy team in the league... not that this would ever happen, but it worked in Madden! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ricojes Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 I posted this link in another thread, it contains info regarding Levitre: http://grantland.com/the-triangle/the-nfl-trading-deadline-who-is-the-next-percy-harvin/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26CornerBlitz Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 What about the GM who drafted three offensive linemen this year, plus a high-priced FA? Why isn't he to blame? And why should he be trusted to fix the problem he created? Was it Whaley who forced Marrone's hand in moving Pears from RT to RG, benching Urbik, and playing two rookies in Henderson and Richardson? If he did, then I'll blame him too. But, I highly doubt St. Doug was forced into this as he has consistently said he has his best five OL on the field. He's supposed to be the genius OL coach who can mold these guys into a consistent and cohesive unit. Thus far it has been a complete disaster that I believe the canonized one is responsible for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big C Posted October 22, 2014 Share Posted October 22, 2014 Was it Whaley who forced Marrone's hand in moving Pears from RT to RG, benching Urbik, and playing two rookies in Henderson and Richardson? If he did, then I'll blame him too. But, I highly doubt St. Doug was forced into this as he has consistently said he has his best five OL on the field. He's supposed to be the genius OL coach who can mold these guys into a consistent and cohesive unit. Thus far it has been a complete disaster that I believe the canonized one is responsible for. Certainly Marrone has some say in personnel decisions. I get the feeling that C. Williams was more of a Marrone choice, as he wanted to develop a huge run blocking line. Whaley taking CK is looking like a mistake, but so far I don't know what else he should have done. We needed one and he got the best one available at that time. I guess he could have drafted Morgan Moses, but I don't think he's starting in Washington or anything. If Henderson pans out, he'll get a pass for it though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts