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

[Bronc24]

When Schwartz was here, he seemed to take what he had and build the defense around that, rather than dismantle it and put players in situations they are not built to do.

 

Rex? Well..the proof is in the results.

[JinVA]

Happy Holidays Bill. I don't post here very much, but win or lose I always look forward to reading these.

[Miyagi-Do Karate]

Curious, how do you know that?

I believe there were reports of that at the time and Rex may have even said it.

 

But Schwartz was in a tough spot-- I doubt he would have kept total control over the D.

[BuffaninATL]

1) It looks to me as if Dareus took the money and simply stopped trying. If he applied any pass rush at all today I must have missed it. And let's stop kidding ourselves, OK? He is no longer anything that special against the run.

 

2) I am not going to blast Roman as much as the inadequate coaches on defense, but those wildcat plays to EJ simply must stop. The first one was funny. The second wasn't.

 

3) Jerry Hughes has a lot of heart, and he's a very good player.

 

4) I used to think that Miller had a chance to be a good guard. Sadly, those days are gone. He is clueless and light in the ass. No way is he as good as Urbik. Mills? We can pretend he is ok, but today he looked as if he has no business on an NFL roster.

 

5) I hate to say this, but I will. The Bills were not a worse running team when Shady got hurt. Karlos can play football folks. Sorry.

 

6) The bottles stand as empty,

as they were filled before.

Time there was and plenty,

but from that cup no more.

 

Though I could not caution all,

I yet may warn a few:

Don't lend your hand to raise no flag,

atop no ship of fools.

 

7) Because of Rex Ryan, the Bills are probably the worst team in the NFL right now, and I could live with this. It's not like this is unfamiliar footing if you will. But we are losing because the coach insists on stupidity and does not bring any discipline or accountability. I wish he didn't have 4 years left because if it was up to me, I would have fired him at halftime.

 

8) Hughes, the only member of our defensive line who provides any pass rush, spent much of the 1st half in unsuccessful pass coverage. Just a complete waste.

 

9) Watkins makes it look easy in the end zone, doesn't he?

 

10) You know, Tyrod had 79 rushing yards on 9 carries which is great imo. Much of this yardage was on scrambles. I wish Roman would call more designed running plays. Speaking of Tyrod, I am liking him more and more. Tyrod isn't a quitter. He is a good young quarterback who continues to improve and doesn't make many mistakes.

 

11) I give up. What happened on that 1st quarter punt?

 

12) The teams we are losing to are so-so at best. We make them look like superstars, especially opposing quarterbacks.

 

13) McKelvin surprised me today. I didn't think that he could play so poorly.

 

14) There was actually a glimmer of hope at the very end of the 3rd quarter. We had them at 3rd and 16. We used a 3 man rush and Cousins, with all week to throw, completed a pass with ease. I never, ever thought we were this kind of weak, non-aggressive team.

 

15) In case I don't get around to it later this week, allow me to wish every one of you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas filled with joy. This forum is great and has been for years.

 

16) GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

thank you Bill; your best thought had nothing to do with the game - it is #15. Same to you and your family !

[Mr. WEO]

How can you be surprised about Leodis, Bill? He's a week after week joke, when he's not injured.

 

Why was Rex brought here? He's a full on disaster, as predicted. The team has fallen apart under his lack of intelligence. Same for Roman--he's a fraud.

 

This can't change if these two are still here next year.

[VirginiaMike]

I enjoy your assessments and agree with most of them, but I am not yet sure about Taylor. One thing today confused me and you can't tell looking at a local broadcast so maybe someone else knows. It looked like the Skins were in a zone a good part of the day and I can't figure out why our wideouts can't find the holes in the zone. Is it that they do find holes and Taylor doesn't see it or doesn't have the confidence to drill it into a tight hole or is it that they don't find the holes.

My gut feel is that Taylor does not yet have the confidence to drill it into a tight space. That said, in essence this is his rookie season from a playing standpoint so he may just need some time and coaching.

 

One other thing -- to me the defense quit today with the exception of Hughes, McKelvin was as bad as it gets and as usual lately, Mario was no where to be found.

[truth on hold]

Taylor can't feel pressure either. All that speed is useless.

[Nihilarian]

1) It looks to me as if Dareus took the money and simply stopped trying. If he applied any pass rush at all today I must have missed it. And let's stop kidding ourselves, OK? He is no longer anything that special against the run.

 

15) In case I don't get around to it later this week, allow me to wish every one of you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas filled with joy. This forum is great and has been for years.

 

16) GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I seem to remember what this coaching staff has been asking Dareus to do this year and that he has been complaining about it publicly since training camp. You can't rush the passer, and work the gap control too.

 

Why this defensive guru has castrated these superstar players on defense I'll never understand, and the defense this bad with no pass rush affects the entire team!

 

I suspect it will be a strange and interesting offseason filled with upheaval for Bills fans.

 

Merry Christmass to you and your family Bill, and to all Bills fans everywhere.

[dave mcbride]

1) It looks to me as if Dareus took the money and simply stopped trying. If he applied any pass rush at all today I must have missed it. And let's stop kidding ourselves, OK? He is no longer anything that special against the run.2) I am not going to blast Roman as much as the inadequate coaches on defense, but those wildcat plays to EJ simply must stop. The first one was funny. The second wasn't.3) Jerry Hughes has a lot of heart, and he's a very good player.4) I used to think that Miller had a chance to be a good guard. Sadly, those days are gone. He is clueless and light in the ass. No way is he as good as Urbik. Mills? We can pretend he is ok, but today he looked as if he has no business on an NFL roster.5) I hate to say this, but I will. The Bills were not a worse running team when Shady got hurt. Karlos can play football folks. Sorry.6) The bottles stand as empty,as they were filled before.Time there was and plenty,but from that cup no more.Though I could not caution all,I yet may warn a few:Don't lend your hand to raise no flag,atop no ship of fools.7) Because of Rex Ryan, the Bills are probably the worst team in the NFL right now, and I could live with this. It's not like this is unfamiliar footing if you will. But we are losing because the coach insists on stupidity and does not bring any discipline or accountability. I wish he didn't have 4 years left because if it was up to me, I would have fired him at halftime.8) Hughes, the only member of our defensive line who provides any pass rush, spent much of the 1st half in unsuccessful pass coverage. Just a complete waste.9) Watkins makes it look easy in the end zone, doesn't he?10) You know, Tyrod had 79 rushing yards on 9 carries which is great imo. Much of this yardage was on scrambles. I wish Roman would call more designed running plays. Speaking of Tyrod, I am liking him more and more. Tyrod isn't a quitter. He is a good young quarterback who continues to improve and doesn't make many mistakes.11) I give up. What happened on that 1st quarter punt?12) The teams we are losing to are so-so at best. We make them look like superstars, especially opposing quarterbacks.13) McKelvin surprised me today. I didn't think that he could play so poorly.14) There was actually a glimmer of hope at the very end of the 3rd quarter. We had them at 3rd and 16. We used a 3 man rush and Cousins, with all week to throw, completed a pass with ease. I never, ever thought we were this kind of weak, non-aggressive team. :(15) In case I don't get around to it later this week, allow me to wish every one of you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas filled with joy. This forum is great and has been for years.16) GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bill,

 

Surprised you focused on Dareus and lack of effort. He at least made a couple of plays. Williams made zero plays and put forth even less effort. He did not play even close to the whistle today.

[Best Player Available]

To be fair, Rex wanted Schwartz to stay, but Schwartz declined.

 

I thought it was even Whaley wanting that? it would be interesting to.know

The real reason Schwartz declined. Too bad great DC.

[Nihilarian]

The plays that he was calling, including the EJ stuff, the way they used Kujo, and others, seemed designed to prove a point more than anything else. Just a sense I got.

My take is this entire season was purposely schemed to achieve a specific result not very different from the one you are hinting at and I'll leave it at that.

[Bill from NYC]

My take is this entire season was purposely schemed to achieve a specific result not very different from the one you are hinting at and I'll leave it at that.

C'mon, tell us your theories, both of you. This is a forum to discuss the Bills, no?

[jester43]

 

14) There was actually a glimmer of hope at the very end of the 3rd quarter. We had them at 3rd and 16. We used a 3 man rush and Cousins, with all week to throw, completed a pass with ease. I never, ever thought we were this kind of weak, non-aggressive team.

 

This was the first time...through ALL of this, that i started to think we haired the wrong head coach.

 

as soon as i saw 3 guys rushing i KNEW they'd convert....how depressing is that?

[Coach Tuesday]

C'mon, tell us your theories, both of you. This is a forum to discuss the Bills, no?

 

My theory is that Roman has had enough of Whaley meddling and telling him to play *his* guys (EJ, Kujo, who knows who else) and today was something like, "Here you go - I'm playing your guys. Take a look at how bad they are."

 

Again, it's just my hunch, but since you asked...

[Bill from NYC]

My theory is that Roman has had enough of Whaley meddling and telling him to play *his* guys (EJ, Kujo, who knows who else) and today was something like, "Here you go - I'm playing your guys. Take a look at how bad they are."

 

Again, it's just my hunch, but since you asked...

That is an interesting hunch. I am going to let that theory settle in and kick it around.

This was the first time...through ALL of this, that i started to think we haired the wrong head coach.

 

as soon as i saw 3 guys rushing i KNEW they'd convert....how depressing is that?

I know EXACTLY what you mean. Cousins was under no pressure at all. If that play was ongoing now he would STILL be standing tall looking for a receiver.

 

Last week I saw something even worse. They went with a 3 man rush and one of them actually dropped back. I am almost at the point where I think the league should investigate.

[fansince88]

 

To be fair, Rex wanted Schwartz to stay, but Schwartz declined.

That makes Swartz the smart one!

[Reed83HOF]

That is an interesting hunch. I am going to let that theory settle in and kick it around.

I know EXACTLY what you mean. Cousins was under no pressure at all. If that play was ongoing now he would STILL be standing tall looking for a receiver.

 

Last week I saw something even worse. They went with a 3 man rush and one of them actually dropped back. I am almost at the point where I think the league should investigate.

 

I didn't know Rex's base D was the Prevent...

[PO16FFS]

Bill,

 

Surprised you focused on Dareus and lack of effort. He at least made a couple of plays. Williams made zero plays and put forth even less effort. He did not play even close to the whistle today.

I thought Dareus played a good game actually. Agree with you Mcbride

[JohnC]

Great Posts as usual Bill, Rex was fired by the Jets. He left the team in shambles. With mature and intelligent coaching the Jets regrouped and are now a serious playoff contending team. Addition by subtraction.

 

With great fanfare Rex was hired. In his first year on the job a team that was on the upswing is now in a state of chaos. What was the attraction of him as a HCing candidate? I having figured it out yet. Subtraction by addition. Decisions have consequences. You get what you deserve to get.

 

Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[The Frankish Reich]

1) It looks to me as if Dareus took the money and simply stopped trying. If he applied any pass rush at all today I must have missed it. And let's stop kidding ourselves, OK? He is no longer anything that special against the run.

 

2) I am not going to blast Roman as much as the inadequate coaches on defense, but those wildcat plays to EJ simply must stop. The first one was funny. The second wasn't.

 

3) Jerry Hughes has a lot of heart, and he's a very good player.

 

4) I used to think that Miller had a chance to be a good guard. Sadly, those days are gone. He is clueless and light in the ass. No way is he as good as Urbik. Mills? We can pretend he is ok, but today he looked as if he has no business on an NFL roster.

 

5) I hate to say this, but I will. The Bills were not a worse running team when Shady got hurt. Karlos can play football folks. Sorry.

 

6) The bottles stand as empty,

as they were filled before.

Time there was and plenty,

but from that cup no more.

 

Though I could not caution all,

I yet may warn a few:

Don't lend your hand to raise no flag,

atop no ship of fools.

 

7) Because of Rex Ryan, the Bills are probably the worst team in the NFL right now, and I could live with this. It's not like this is unfamiliar footing if you will. But we are losing because the coach insists on stupidity and does not bring any discipline or accountability. I wish he didn't have 4 years left because if it was up to me, I would have fired him at halftime.

 

8) Hughes, the only member of our defensive line who provides any pass rush, spent much of the 1st half in unsuccessful pass coverage. Just a complete waste.

 

9) Watkins makes it look easy in the end zone, doesn't he?

 

10) You know, Tyrod had 79 rushing yards on 9 carries which is great imo. Much of this yardage was on scrambles. I wish Roman would call more designed running plays. Speaking of Tyrod, I am liking him more and more. Tyrod isn't a quitter. He is a good young quarterback who continues to improve and doesn't make many mistakes.

 

11) I give up. What happened on that 1st quarter punt?

 

12) The teams we are losing to are so-so at best. We make them look like superstars, especially opposing quarterbacks.

 

13) McKelvin surprised me today. I didn't think that he could play so poorly.

 

14) There was actually a glimmer of hope at the very end of the 3rd quarter. We had them at 3rd and 16. We used a 3 man rush and Cousins, with all week to throw, completed a pass with ease. I never, ever thought we were this kind of weak, non-aggressive team.

 

15) In case I don't get around to it later this week, allow me to wish every one of you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas filled with joy. This forum is great and has been for years.

 

16) GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1) I'm not the first one to say it - "never give a DT, particularly one with weight issues, a long term contract."

5) I'm not the first one to say it - "never overpay or overdraft a running back."

 

But Whaley and Rex are so much smarter than the conventional wisdom! Trading for McCoy was fine - you were going all in for 2015, and I assume they thought Kiko was damaged goods. Re-signing him to a big long-term contract you can't get out of without destroying the cap? Idiocy. Franchising Dareus would have been smart. Extending him the way they did? Idiocy. Smart teams kiss these tubs of lard goodbye. Remember how the Broncos "needed" Terrence "Pot Roast" Knighton in the middle? How the Pats would sorely miss Vince Wilfork? Because I don't remember why anyone thought those things. Albert Haynesworth. Ndamakung Suh. Dumb.