Is Babbich on the hot seat now?

[Mister Defense]

The defense was poor last year.  But worse, overall they did not seem to improve last year, just tread water, not being able to stop the run, 3rd down conversions, long plays... The sharpness and discipline that had been hallmarks of McD's defenses previously were missing too often.

 

It was tough to determine how much of that was related to the player turnover and/or the Bills clearly being undermanned in the secondary and D-Line.  And how much fell on game preparation and play calling--the coaching.

 

With Dorsey, it was easier to find the culprit, as the offense had not undergone those kinds of changes.  And then we all saw it get worse and worse under him in his first year, not better and better.  Before the next season started I said Dorsey was the biggest concern for the Bills that year. 

 

Then, early and often we saw the offense look unprepared, confused even, as if they did not know what they were doing and why things were not working.  The players looked dazed and dumbfounded, even our fearless leader.  Like Dan O said, about our previously special offense, loaded with talent: it was the easiest offense to defend in the entire league. Thankfully McD did not do the conservative thing, and wait to the end of the season, but cut bait before the season was lost.

 

The defense looks sort of ike that now--both unprepared and poor play calling, a lethal combination.  Players seem lost and confused, and the defense doesn't seem to improve on the weaknesses in a consistent manner.  And even supposedly high level players, including our linebackers and lineman, are getting wiped out. We have 3 number one picks starting on the defensive line now.

 

I am not  completely there yet, but do people think  as I am thinking, leaning in the direction that the fundamental problem with the defense is it is poorly coached?

 

The secondary has significant question marks and weaknesses, so it is still hard to evaluate the defense, but  are there signs to you that it is more about Babbich than anything else now?  To me, we should get considerably more answers to this question today and in the next few weeks. Hope the defense progresses today and going forward, but if so many things continue to look poor on defense Babbich may be in over his head.

 

 

 

Edited 2 hours ago by Mister Defense

[Bangarang]

Let's give Beane 2 or 3 more defensive heavy drafts before we judge.

[balln]

There’s a game on right now….

[WMDman]

Posting this one minute before the game is crazy work

[Mister Defense]

Just now, balln said:

There’s a game on right now….

Hey, not for five minutes!

[blacklabel]

Mang, it's game time. Ain't nobody got time to be reading this right meow!

 

But since I commented, I'll stay on topic. I'd imagine Babich has a pretty long leash for now as McDermott loves the guy and has brought him up from like assistant position coach up to coordinator so he's invested time and work in the guy. I think it'd have to be pretty catastrophic for him to get the boot during this season.

[Mister Defense]

Just now, WMDman said:

Posting this one minute before the game is crazy work

 

Yup! Slept in.

 

But it is the main question I had for today's game.  And I am thinking others may be on the same page.

 

 

[Woodman199]

Let's see how he does when not facing a pair of MVP contenders on offense 

[Buffalo Junction]

3 minutes ago, Mister Defense said:

The defense was poor last year.  But worse, overall they did not seem to improve last year, just tread water, not being able to stop the run, 3rd down conversions, long plays... The sharpness and discipline that had been hallmarks of McD's defenses previously were missing too often.

 

It was tough to determine how much of that was related to the player turnover and/or the Bills clearly being undermanned in the secondary and D-Line.  And how much fell on game preparation and play calling--the coaching.

 

With Dorsey, it was easier to find the culprit, as the offense had not undergone those kinds of changes.  And then we all saw it get worse and worse under him in his first year, not better and better.  Before the next season started I said Dorsey was the biggest concern for the Bills that year. 

 

Then, early and often we saw the offense look unprepared, confused even, as if they did not know what they were doing and why things were not working.  The players looked dazed and dumbfounded, even our fearless leader.  Like Dan O said, about our previously special offense, loaded with talent: it was the easiest offense to defend in the entire league. Thankfully McD did not do the conservative thing, and wait to the end of the season, but cut bait before the season was lost.

 

The defense looks sort of ike that now--both unprepared and poor play calling, a lethal combination.  Players seem lost and confused, and the defense doesn't seem to improve on the weaknesses in a consistent manner.  And even supposedly high level players, including our linebackers and lineman, are getting wiped out. We have 3 number one picks starting on the defensive line now.

 

I am not  completely there yet, but do people think  as I am thinking, leaning in the direction that the fundamental problem with the defense is it is poorly coached?

 

The secondary has significant question marks and weaknesses, so it is still hard to evaluate the defense, but  are there signs to you that it is more about Babbich than anything else now?  To me, we should get considerably more answers to this question today and in the next few weeks. Hope the defense progresses today and going forward, but if so many things continue to look poor on defense Babbich may be in over his head.

 

 

 

He won’t get fired. McD will just take over play calling duties. That’s his protege, so there’s probably a little more leeway. 

[Mister Defense]

Just now, Buffalo Junction said:

He won’t get fired. McD will just take over play calling duties. That’s his protege, so there’s probably a little more leeway. 

 

Yeah, but like with Dorsey, it may be more than that--Dorsey did not have them prepared to play, hence those dismal starts, game after game.

 

McD blasted (many)  key areas of the defense in his press conference--it sure sounded like he was talking about the coaching more than anything else.

 

But I  agree that Babbich may have a longer leash.  That is why I posted this today, though I had planned to do it yesterday.  If it is clearly a Babbich problem, he may not to just go.

 

 

[boyst]

This game is night and day from last week 

 

 

 

Or is it just a jets?

[uninja]

11 minutes ago, boyst said:

This game is night and day from last week 

 

 

 

Or is it just a jets?

Maybe, just maybe, the Ravens are a much better team than the Jets

[Westside]

12 minutes ago, uninja said:

Maybe, just maybe, the Ravens are a much better team than the Jets

[GunnerBill]

31 minutes ago, boyst said:

This game is night and day from last week 

 

 

 

Or is it just a jets?

 

Bit of both. The discipline has been way better. The Jets are way worse than the Ravens.

[zow2]

Last week was the best of two things. Last second win and lots of motivation for the D to not get embarrassed again this week. McD and Babbich had the guys ready for this half.

[Royale with Cheese]

Just now, GunnerBill said:

 

Bit of both. The discipline has been way better. The Jets are way worse than the Ravens.

Do you think I could get one reception on the Jets defense?

[Cheektowaga Chad]

The following teams will generally score every time they touch the ball on offense 

 

Bills

Ravens 

Chiefs 

 

If your defense has a bad game against one of them you move on to next week and try to figure out a way to stop them at least a few times 

[Thrivefourfive]

He’s not a game to game hot seat. More like season to season. He needs to contribute at a championship level. Bottom line.