Could the 2015 Bills start a trend?

[NoSaint]

I'm not sure that posters here are giving Russell Wilson enough credit. He may not be Manning, Brady or Rogers (or even Luck), but he's a gamer with the ability to hurt you with his arm, legs and head. If we could find someone half as good as he is, all elements considered, I think we win the East.

I think that's a fair assessment. I don't know if anyone we have will step into that but we will see.

[JESSEFEFFER]

So the OP is, roughly, arguing that the bills are inventing the Seahawks method?

I thought of them as well. The thing is, as soon as Russell Wilson gets his deal, I doubt that this method can be sustained. And I really question if the Seahawks with Russell Wilson at $20+ million/ year will have as much success.

 

The Bills will still be a close to 50/50 run/pass team, imo. It's just that the circumstances that they choose to run or pass may be much different than past Bills teams.

[machine gun kelly]

Ryan is stuck with below average to maybe avg QB's. He and Whaley are doing the best with what is available. We have to hope Cassell can be a good game manager like Dilfer, and Brad Johnson. We have to hope Rex can turn this defense into the Ravens of 99. I don't know but it's the summer so I have high hopes. I know it's irrational, but Pettine's defense was so susceptible to the run, I hope we don't go back to that defense as it sucked having team rush for over 100 yards against us every week. I know Rex is known for stopping the run so just heop he can do it with us.

[Mr. WEO]

It's not about inventing anything and that's not what the OP implied at all. But as your usual shtick dictates you put words in his mouth. That's like saying you invented playing the devils advocated on a fine line that is border line trolling. You didn't...it's just how you choose to play the game. It's called a trend not an invention.

 

Certainly there is more passing right now. As such teams are more often built to stop the pass. If the o-line can figure it out and Roman can keep defenses on their toes just enough with the pass...we will be a team that opposing teams hate to play.

 

Other teams haven't hated to play us for a long time. That alone will be an upgrade and fun to watch.

 

 

 

He didn't call it a "trend"--you just put thoise words in his mouth.

 

This is what he actually said: "the Bills are creating not only another way to win - but THE new way to win." Creating something new is often called inventing.

 

Go back to school.

 

I'm not sure that posters here are giving Russell Wilson enough credit. He may not be Manning, Brady or Rogers (or even Luck), but he's a gamer with the ability to hurt you with his arm, legs and head. If we could find someone half as good as he is, all elements considered, I think we win the East.

 

 

You are 100% correct.

[What a Tuel]

A lot of people do not count the Seahawks as they consider Wilson a top QB. I think he is a good QB, I just think he is the worst of the best. So yeah, I'd say the Seahawks started it first. Of course we would be fantastic with a QB like Russell Wilson, but we'd be even better with a Roethlisberger, Rodgers, Luck etc.

 

Just being better than what we have shouldn't elevate Russell Wilson's "elite" status.

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

 

http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/rushing/year/2013

 

Looks like Jackson was 4.3 and Spiller was 4.6. They combined (890+933) for 1,823 total rushing yards. Manuel and Choice amongst a few others rounded up the rest of the 2,307 total rushing yards.

 

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/buf/2013.htm

 

In 2012 we were 6th in rushing with 2,207 total rushing yards.

 

http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/rushing/year/2012

 

In 2014? 25th with 1,482 yards. Spiller getting injured didn't help, or Fred for that matter, but our offense was so bad in all aspects last year.

 

http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/team/_/stat/rushing

My theory re last year was that the run game plummeted because we could only run out of a read option. When Orton came in, we had to abandon the read option; the more traditional running game then stunk. I guess the read option (even though EJ never ran) opened up some lanes for us.

[LeGOATski]

This isn't something new.

 

Baltimore did it in the early 2000s, then Pittsburgh, the Jets, then Seattle and SF...

 

Front office personnel from those teams are now doing the same thing here.

I think the Bills could potentially start a new trend on offense if they got really creative with the combo of EJ and Tyrod.

 

We'll probably just see the same multiple system we've seen in SF, though, except with more spread formations.

[KD in CA]

Could've sworn I just watched Tom Brady win a Super Bowl with one great TE, some mediocre WRs, an UDFA RB and a worse defense than the Bills.

[BillsVet]

A great QB has never ever won anything without a great supporting cast, great coaching, great organization and a schit-ton of luck. I don't think it has ever happened. So many things have to come together at the same time for any team to win it all that even if the Bills had this miraculous run and against 50-1 odds won the Super Bowl it wouldn't be a blueprint for other teams to follow. It's as hard to build an across the board solid team with solid coaching and solid management and solid ownership as the Bills have this year as it is to find a franchise QB. There are a very limited number.

 

 

Luck may get you a TD here, a turnover there, or a winning FG, but talent is the quality that provides consistency throughout a season. I fail to comprehend why fans consistently cite luck as the thing keeping this team from winning.

 

And it's tiring to hear people make excuses about why the Bills haven't found a good QB, not necessarily a franchise guy. They've missed so many opportunities, particularly draft day 2011, 2012, and 2014 which gets us to 2015. Now, they're depending on a journeyman they traded low picks for (Cassel), a complete unknown (T. Taylor), and a first round pick who's shown precious little in 2 seasons (Manuel).

 

The coaching staff is better and the skill positions are better. The question is will the QB position negate all of it.

[LeGOATski]

Could've sworn I just watched Tom Brady win a Super Bowl with one great TE, some mediocre WRs, an UDFA RB and a worse defense than the Bills.

...and by cheating

[White Linen]

Could've sworn I just watched Tom Brady win a Super Bowl with one great TE, some mediocre WRs, an UDFA RB and a worse defense than the Bills.

 

Yes they snatched victory out of the jaws of defeat from a team built similar to the Buffalo Bills. That's my point - this is how you contend with the great QB teams. Commit to it as much as teams do trying to find a QB. Before anyone says it - of course it appears Wilson puts them over the top to a contender. Will it be Seattle's downfall to pay Wilson and let many key players walk? They aren't committed to staying the course.

[John from Riverside]

 

If we were much better against the run in 2013, I still don't see a winning record then. As for this year, it's not clear how far a run first offense will take them, no matter who is now on the roster.

I know that its hard to remember the overall live action of things from year to year but.....

 

The 2013 bills defense was fun to watch because Pettine brought the farm......a LOT.......but it was done at the expense of big plays when the house didnt get there......and we CONSISTANTLY gave up crucial 1st downs on the ground because of the "get to the QB at all costs" Pettine defense

 

Rex Ryans defenses are not like that......they are consistantly ranked high against the run to go along with exotic pass rush schemes.

 

This does make a difference

 

Had last years team been effective AT ALL on offense we would have had a much better record then 9 and 7.....I truly believe that.

 

Be that as it may

 

The defense is the constant on our team....we KNOW they are gonna be good...with Rex Ryan's mind at the helm they might even be great....BUT this team will only go as far as its offense takes it PAST a 9 and 7 type record

 

We MUST convert 1st downs on the ground in this scheme

We MUST score touchdowns instead of field goals

We MUST score in the red zone....be it run or pass

 

Now.....the arrow is pointing up here regardless of QB

 

- Sammy Watkins....a GENERATIONAL talent.....the bill is paid on this receiver (meaning compensation) and he is now in his 2nd year.......I expect this guy go have a big year REGARDLESS of whether we are biult to run the ball.....he is simply too good.......AJ Green good

 

- The running back stable IS improved.....there is no other way around this.....when Fred Jackson has been relegated to a limited carry role because we have a running back that is so good he has been forced there....u KNOW that you have improved the positon

 

- We have not had a TE of Clay's quality for years and years

 

- Wood also should continue to improve....and is completely being looked over right now

 

- The interior of the OL has been upgraded

 

Now.....all they have to do is prove it on the field.....not an easy task.....but hey. We are bills fans......so we are used to wait and see.

 

They took a small step last year...I think they continue to do that.

[....lybob]

I don't think the Bills are starting a trend but I do think for whatever reason there has been a dearth of quality QBs coming out of the draft - so when Manning, Brady, Brees retire you only got one guy (Andrew Luck) who

 

really takes their place and then two inferior QBs making the top ten, a couple years later Romo, Rivers and Roethlisberger retire and I think the process repeats itself ( and right now I don't even know who that one quality QB would be maybe Carr? Winston?)

[LeGOATski]

I don't think the Bills are starting a trend but I do think for whatever reason there has been a dearth of quality QBs coming out of the draft - so when Manning, Brady, Brees retire you only got one guy (Andrew Luck) who

 

really takes their place and then two inferior QBs making the top ten, a couple years later Romo, Rivers and Roethlisberger retire and I think the process repeats itself ( and right now I don't even know who that one quality QB would be maybe Carr? Winston?)

Bridgewater. Next year's class looks good, too. You have at least two 1st round QBs coming out of pro systems.

[Beerball]

Could've sworn I just watched Tom Brady win a Super Bowl with one great TE, some mediocre WRs, an UDFA RB and a worse defense than the Bills.

that was so 2015.

[White Linen]

Bridgewater. Next year's class looks good, too. You have at least two 1st round QBs coming out of pro systems.

 

And the class after that looks real good too.

[ToGoGo]

I know that its hard to remember the overall live action of things from year to year but.....

 

The 2013 bills defense was fun to watch because Pettine brought the farm......a LOT.......but it was done at the expense of big plays when the house didnt get there......and we CONSISTANTLY gave up crucial 1st downs on the ground because of the "get to the QB at all costs" Pettine defense

 

Rex Ryans defenses are not like that......they are consistantly ranked high against the run to go along with exotic pass rush schemes.

 

This does make a difference

 

Had last years team been effective AT ALL on offense we would have had a much better record then 9 and 7.....I truly believe that.

 

Be that as it may

 

The defense is the constant on our team....we KNOW they are gonna be good...with Rex Ryan's mind at the helm they might even be great....BUT this team will only go as far as its offense takes it PAST a 9 and 7 type record

 

We MUST convert 1st downs on the ground in this scheme

We MUST score touchdowns instead of field goals

We MUST score in the red zone....be it run or pass

 

Now.....the arrow is pointing up here regardless of QB

 

- Sammy Watkins....a GENERATIONAL talent.....the bill is paid on this receiver (meaning compensation) and he is now in his 2nd year.......I expect this guy go have a big year REGARDLESS of whether we are biult to run the ball.....he is simply too good.......AJ Green good

 

- The running back stable IS improved.....there is no other way around this.....when Fred Jackson has been relegated to a limited carry role because we have a running back that is so good he has been forced there....u KNOW that you have improved the positon

 

- We have not had a TE of Clay's quality for years and years

 

- Wood also should continue to improve....and is completely being looked over right now

 

- The interior of the OL has been upgraded

 

Now.....all they have to do is prove it on the field.....not an easy task.....but hey. We are bills fans......so we are used to wait and see.

 

They took a small step last year...I think they continue to do that.

 

Thank you. The difference between EJ and Orton last year was that Orton could consistently get us to the red zone. The problem was we rarely got touchdowns. Then we would lose games we should've won to the Dolphins, Raiders, Chiefs, and Broncos. We had 12-4/13-3 potential last year.

 

We consistently year in and year out have a terrible red zone percentage. The next two problems are third down offense and third down defense, especially in the 4th quarter. Those three things are the reason we haven't been to the playoffs in 15 years. Not just because of a QB.

 

What's interesting to me is that those three quality are all crunch-time/clutch qualities. In other words, mental. That's why people say we don't have any luck. That's why people get annoyed with the losing attitudes. It's like the team expects to lose and ends up losing. I believe that mental expectation of victory/will to win was the difference between 9-7 and 12-4 last year. That Tom Brady, I'm going to win no matter how bad I played the last 3 quarters mentality and nothing is going to stop me. We haven't had that in a long time.

Edited June 14, 2015 by musichunch

[LeGOATski]

 

And the class after that looks real good too.

And even the next class after that!

[....lybob]

Bridgewater. Next year's class looks good, too. You have at least two 1st round QBs coming out of pro systems.

lets see who gets there, I remember when people thought the Matt Barkley, Landry Jones, Tyler Wilson class was going to light it up

[LeGOATski]

lets see who gets there, I remember when people thought the Matt Barkley, Landry Jones, Tyler Wilson class was going to light it up

Yeah, let's see. There have been lulls in QB talent before. I don't know why some people seem to think there are no good QBs in the pipeline. I guess it's just a matter of opinion right now, but I think Luck, Wilson, Bridgewater, and Carr are good. And, of course, Eli, Big Ben, Rivers, Rodgers, and Stafford will still be around for a while.