34-78-83 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 The point you guys are missing is that this move is not necessarily because the line play has been that bad, it's to get a look at the kids and see how they play. This is a move for next year, to see what we have and what we need. 815577[/snapback] Two excellent points in two straight days? What the Hell's wrong with you? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
superbowl Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 I like the moves made to the offensive line. We already know what we have in Peters playing RT so why not try and see if he can handle the left side? The biggest difference will be the footwork playing on the left side. Gandy moving back to his more natural position, guard, will allow the staff to see if he still has what it takes to be a player on our line. I would say with this we need to give him the entire 9 games remaining to see if Peters and Gandy can form the necessary cohesiveness to do well together. I feel fairly comfortable with Fowler playing center. He certainly is no Kent Hull, BUT as far as changes go, this is by no means the most pressing need on the line. Putting Pennington out at RT seems to be a sound option given what we have at the present time. The coaching staff will have the remainder of the season to see what they have in him and evaluate need in this next draft. Again, the cohesiveness is what takes time to develop and giving him his "audition" to earn a spot when the real bullets are flying is something that I can live with. This leaves the LG position currently manned by Villarial. It appears that he is susceptible to injury at this point in his career and so the turnstile of Preston and Merz seems to be in order here. Even though this may sound more like LG by committee, it is what we are at this point. In essence what is happening is that we are replacing Reyes with Pennington, even though the positions are different, but we are moving Gandy to his so called natural position. Two very noticeable observations about Merz in Sunday's game vs. Patriots::: 1. He made a very nice seal-block around the right side that helped spring McGahee on his long shuffle pass run. 2. He whiffed on a block where McGinnest got to JP and recorded a sack at a very inopportune time. This is what you will get with a rookie- it's part of the growing pains that teams must go through when they are trying to develop an offensive line. If these moves don't work we may have to consider trying to draft Joe Thomas from Wisconsin at LT and move Jason Peters back to the right side. Here again it will still take time to develop the continuity. I still believe that if D'Brickashaw had been there at #8 we would have taken him, but I'm not displeased with Donte. The offensive line will be the focus in this next offseason if we have been listening to what Marv has been saying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 The point you guys are missing is that this move is not necessarily because the line play has been that bad, it's to get a look at the kids and see how they play. This is a move for next year, to see what we have and what we need. 815577[/snapback] If the OL was playing well, why mess with it? The truth is, they weren't playing well and the coaching staff was forced to make a change. It certainly wasn't a move to get younger players involved (Gandy is only 27, Reyes 28). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazyDingo Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 I hope this works out but really its an act of desperation. It seems that every year we play the OL hokey-pokey, moving this lump over there and putting that slug over here. You cant polish a turd. And dont forget the Curse of McKinley. Peters will do an awesome job against Green Bay and get everyone's hope up before being hit on a cornerback blitz in practice and breaking his femur. I dont make the rules, folks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chilly Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 The point you guys are missing is that this move is not necessarily because the line play has been that bad, it's to get a look at the kids and see how they play. This is a move for next year, to see what we have and what we need. 815577[/snapback] Uh no. If the line was good (and they already knew they didn't need much next year), they wouldn't even make this move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill from NYC Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Although I was not always a big proponent of moving Peters to LT, I am in support of this move for the following reasons: 1) If Peters IS able to play LT, filling the RT slot will be much easier to do in the 07 draft than the LT slot. 2) Gandy is SO bad that it really couldn't get much worse. 3) Guys like Merz and Pennington need reps at the pro level to see if they are able to play at all. 4) If JP is a flop at LT, so what? He can go back to the right side next season. 5) Peters is signed long term. If he turns out to be a promnent NFL LT, we will be paying him about half price. 6) These bold moves indicate that perhaps Levy and Jauron might actually know what an offensive line is. Yeah, it's all good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LevysEraII Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 This leaves the LG position currently manned by Villarial. It appears that he is susceptible to injury at this point in his career and so the turnstile of Preston and Merz seems to be in order here. Even though this may sound more like LG by committee, it is what we are at this point. 2. He whiffed on a block where McGinnest got to JP and recorded a sack at a very inopportune time. This is what you will get with a rookie- it's part of the growing pains that teams must go through when they are trying to develop an offensive line. 815590[/snapback] First of all, Gandy will man the LG position. Not the RG position. CV will remain at RG. Secondly, McGinest doesn't even play for New England anymore. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Although I was not always a big proponent of moving Peters to LT, I am in support of this move for the following reasons: 1) If Peters IS able to play LT, filling the RT slot will be much easier to do in the 07 draft than the LT slot. 2) Gandy is SO bad that it really couldn't get much worse. 3) Guys like Merz and Pennington need reps at the pro level to see if they are able to play at all. 4) If JP is a flop at LT, so what? He can go back to the right side next season. 5) Peters is signed long term. If he turns out to be a promnent NFL LT, we will be paying him about half price. 6) These bold moves indicate that perhaps Levy and Jauron might actually know what an offensive line is. Yeah, it's all good. 815602[/snapback] The only real good news I can find in any of this is that the Bills management and coaching staff are openly admitting that this OL sucks. Granted, they figured that out about 6 months too late and after basically ignoring the fans calling for major OL help the past offseason, but its a start. Maybe they'll use a 4th and a 6th this year instead of a 5th and 7th? Otherwise, starting a 7th round rookie RT looks like a recipe for disaster. That's not to say that Pennington might not suprise us and play reasonably well later in the year, but I think we all know he's probably going to have some major struggles for a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VABills Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 The only real good news I can find in any of this is that the Bills management and coaching staff are openly admitting that this OL sucks. Granted, they figured that out about 6 months too late and after basically ignoring the fans calling for major OL help the past offseason, but its a start. Maybe they'll use a 4th and a 6th this year instead of a 5th and 7th? Otherwise, starting a 7th round rookie RT looks like a recipe for disaster. That's not to say that Pennington might not suprise us and play reasonably well later in the year, but I think we all know he's probably going to have some major struggles for a while. 815613[/snapback] I think we used our 4th and 6th get a good deal on oatmeal and heart meds for Ralph. The 3rd and 5th were already used in trades for players. So we have our 1st, 2nd and 7th. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IDBillzFan Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Granted, they figured that out about 6 months too late and after basically ignoring the fans calling for major OL help the past offseason...815613[/snapback] Why didn't they listen to us, dammit?!? This could have all been avoided, Leinart would be our QB and we'd be undefeated right now. Damn the Bills management and coaching staff. Damn them to hell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill from NYC Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Why didn't they listen to us, dammit?!? This could have all been avoided, Leinart would be our QB and we'd be undefeated right now. Damn the Bills management and coaching staff. Damn them to hell. 815616[/snapback] Your point is very well taken about listening to us LA. I would like to make the point that Levy should have been cognizant enough to see the problem. The draft was so weak and stupid, I have very serious doubts that he was. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Why didn't they listen to us, dammit?!? This could have all been avoided, Leinart would be our QB and we'd be undefeated right now. Damn the Bills management and coaching staff. Damn them to hell. 815616[/snapback] Its good to know you're such a Leinart fan. I hear there is still some room on the Cardinals' bandwagon, so feel free to join them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill from NYC Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Its good to know you're such a Leinart fan. I hear there is still some room on the Cardinals' bandwagon, so feel free to join them. 815623[/snapback] He is being sarcastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 He is being sarcastic. 815630[/snapback] I know. Then again, I never mentioned Leinart, so apparently he has some fixation about that player. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dan Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 I know. Then again, I never mentioned Leinart, so apparently he has some fixation about that player. 815632[/snapback] We all have man love for Leinart. He is, afterall, the greatest QB in the game today and will lead the Cardinals to a SuperBowl win for the next 10 years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tasker Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 I like these moves. Peters *might* become a very good left tackle, and this is one way to find out. Gandy does not have this possibility, and I can't see him fitting into our long term plans. Pennington has some good potential, and seeing him in action seems worthwhile. I like him more than Butler from the limited I know. I'm surprised Preston doesn't enter into the shuffle mix as part of a youth movement, but I guess he hasn't been impressing coaches with his play recently. I like getting Peters on the LT side as our OLineman with the most potential. I think that JP can handle rookie mistakes from Pennington at RT more than he could handle incompetence from Gandy at LT. Keeping both hands on the football would be a step towards reducing fumbles, but when pressure comes from the right side and he can see it better, he can use his mobility more to escape it. I'm glad for the shakeup. We need to identify the core pieces of this team that can grow into a playoff contender in 2007, and do our best to use this season to get those pieces in place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozymandius Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Peters *might* become a very good left tackle, and this is one way to find out. Gandy does not have this possibility, and I can't see him fitting into our long term plans. 815649[/snapback] Actually, if Gandy plays well at LG, I'd like to see him resigned this offseason. He's still under 30 and would have experience at tackle and guard and appears to be durable. That kind of versatility is valuable. I certainly prefer him at guard over Reyes. I'm surprised Preston doesn't enter into the shuffle mix as part of a youth movement, but I guess he hasn't been impressing coaches with his play recently. 815649[/snapback] Preston is quite terrible. He was drafted about 4 rounds earlier than he should've been. I would rather see Merz in there before him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CircleTheWagons Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Good moves at the right time in the season. Watching Parcells bench Bledsoe last night had me thinking that sometimes the game is simpler than most people want to make it. All the sacks weren't Bledsoe's fault, but the team was desperate, so switch the QB and see what happens. The Bills are desperate - not because I think they have a chance of getting to the playoffs, but desperate simply to start making progress again. A big change in the OL is a sign that the staff can be creative with its personnel. I'm also hoping that if the offense continues to struggle for a couple of more games, we see Nall take some snaps, even if it's not completely Losman's fault, so we can find out if we need 2 or 3 QBs next off-season. I want Losman to do well, but I'm tired of everyone talking about his confidence and the "harm" that was done to him last year. I know it has only been half a season in a new system for him, but if the staff views him as a weakness, we need to evaluate Nall in game situations. If benching Losman for a half when he's struggling is going to damage his confidence, then I don't want him as our long-term solution anyway. Changing this team around is going to take players with mental toughness and leadership. If Losman going to be Captain of the ship, it's time he does it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beerme1 Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 Actually, if Gandy plays well at LG, I'd like to see him resigned this offseason. He's still under 30 and would have experience at tackle and guard and appears to be durable. That kind of versatility is valuable. I certainly prefer him at guard over Reyes.Preston is quite terrible. He was drafted about 4 rounds earlier than he should've been. I would rather see Merz in there before him. 815661[/snapback] Windburn Fina would be an imrovement over what I have seen from Gandy to date. If their desperate, call him up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daquixers_is_back Posted October 24, 2006 Share Posted October 24, 2006 I thought the same thing - WTF does that mean? I was hoping it meant all new players... 815412[/snapback] Thats EXACTLY what I was hoping for when I got the VCoach Text ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts