silvermike Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 I'm not convinced the Bills D is as bad as we give them credit for. I think they're just overshadowed by an abysmal offense. I'm not saying they're GOOD, don't get me wrong. I just think of them as solidly average. We rank 14th in points-per-game. That's respectable, if not special. 13th in yards-per-game, too. And in this whole time, we've only given up more than two TDs in a game once, in that blowout in the desert. We suck at picking off passes - only 5 - but bear in mind, it helps to be facing a QB who's behind and taking risks, and our D is almost never in that position. The same goes for our humiliatingly low sack total, but we're in the top 10 in pass deflections. The coverage isn't bad. We get beat by #1 WRs, but are among the league's best in terms of #2 and #3 WRs and TEs, which makes sense for a team with plenty of decent CBs but no shutdown man, and a solid corps of safeties. It may not feel like it, but the Bills aren't bad at getting off the field on 3rd down. We're 10th in the league, allowing a 37% conversion rate. Look, I'm not saying they're world beaters. I'm saying they're a good-enough defense for a team that had any semblance of a coherent offensive attack. And we don't have one. Give these guys a few more chances to rest, the knowledge that giving up the occasional big play won't blow it altogether for their chances to win, and they'll do their job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VOR Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 The defense has played well considering the tough spots the offense has put it in for most of the season, and that includes the wins. The fact that the defense has suffered numerous injuries is even more impressive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steely Dan Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 IMO, the only D stat that really matters is points allowed. The Bills are ranked 14th in points allowed per game at 21.8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drnykterstein Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 D isn't the problem. O is not moving the ball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 The biggest problem with the defense is the same problem that its had for the last several seasons: its under too much pressure to pick up the slack of an inept offense. They need a pass rusher or two, obviously, but otherwise, the defense is actually pretty decent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sisyphean Bills Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 The lack of picks is a reflection of having no pass rush. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB2004 Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 The defense has played well considering the tough spots the offense has put it in for most of the season, and that includes the wins. The fact that the defense has suffered numerous injuries is even more impressive. I agree. I think like most of us agree, we could use another OLB or a DE who is a specialist who rushes the passer but our defense for the most part has been much improved. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheKing Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 That defense sucks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thoner7 Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 Our D has been great, except no pass rush. We have been in every game, maybe not arizona, even with our terrible turnover ratio. If we can get some pressure from the DE's we will see this D perform. Th problem is our O. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 The defense is pretty good, especially considering its performance during the recent spate of injuries. They play better when the coach asks them to be more aggressive, though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sisyphean Bills Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 The defense is pretty good, especially considering its performance during the recent spate of injuries. They play better when the coach asks them to be more aggressive, though Imagine that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampD Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 It just goes to show you how important takeaways are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Realist Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 I guess I'm a little harder on the defense than most people around here are. Too many people look at the points allowed only. While that is a huge stat, I like to see them get off the field faster. Too many oppoenent drives last way too long. They did better against the Browns, but still not enough pressure and absolutely no turnovers. They need to give the offense better field position (not that the offense would do anything with it). When Moorman punts the ball down to the 5 yard line sometimes, the idea is to hold them there, not let them run down the field for 8 minutes even if you only give up a field goal, that's not good enough. I want to see an attacking defense that gets to the QB and is not overpowered on the line of scrimmage. Let them get some three and outs or at least only give up one first down then a punt, before I see them as anything special. I'm not putting the blame on the defense for the losses, obviously the offense is completely inept, but they are not blameless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dib Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 The defense is pretty good, especially considering its performance during the recent spate of injuries. They play better when the coach asks them to be more aggressive, though Does he say: "Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dean Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 Does he say: "Pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeease" With sugar on top, even. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sisyphean Bills Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 I guess I'm a little harder on the defense than most people around here are. Too many people look at the points allowed only. While that is a huge stat, I like to see them get off the field faster. Too many oppoenent drives last way too long. They did better against the Browns, but still not enough pressure and absolutely no turnovers. They need to give the offense better field position (not that the offense would do anything with it). When Moorman punts the ball down to the 5 yard line sometimes, the idea is to hold them there, not let them run down the field for 8 minutes even if you only give up a field goal, that's not good enough. I want to see an attacking defense that gets to the QB and is not overpowered on the line of scrimmage. Let them get some three and outs or at least only give up one first down then a punt, before I see them as anything special. I'm not putting the blame on the defense for the losses, obviously the offense is completely inept, but they are not blameless. This point goes hand in hand with the mythos of "the team plays hard and keeps it close". Keeping it close is not a question of effort; it is a strategic decision. The defense we run is all about not letting the opponent make big plays. Forcing them to march the ball down the field by stringing together successful plays. They either shoot themselves in the foot or are successful. But, if they succeed, they usually chew up a lot of clock, which means they'll have fewer possessions for the rest of the game in which to build up a huge lead. With some dramatic big plays on special teams, the Bills can hang around and stay in the game. For extra credit: do you think it is mere coincidence between the style of defense we play and the number of injuries that sack the defense as the season goes on? With sugar on top, even. Is that suger? I thought it was soap bubbles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
K-9 Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 D has been a big disappointment at critical times. That's not to give Edwards and the offense a pass but those 4th quarter drives by the Jets and NE that EACH ate up more than half the quarter, when the Bills STILL had a chance, is inexcusable. Sure, TE may have thrown another pick or lost a fumble anyways, but the point is the D didn't get the ball back for offense for TE to have a chance to screw the pooch again. Additionally, that 98 yard drive given up to Cleveland Monday night, especially after they looked so good in only giving up FGs after the INTs was a big letdown. GO BILLS!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartyBall4Buffalo Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 Oh please this defense sucks 8 minute 90+ yard drive given up in the jets game 9 minute 90+ yard drive given up in the pats game. Really now how can anyone say a defense that gets dominated by BenJarvus Green Ellis and Matt Cassel is good? A 90 yard drive to the F'n Browns?!? Defensive ends who barely qualify as backup caliber players that are starting. Yeah it's a little better with Schobel in there. Pound for pound they are possibly the worst collection of dends in the league. It can't be understated just how bad Kelsay and Denney are. They are the worst players currently starting on this team. They do nothing well. No 1st step. No closing burst. No ability to cut thru blocks. They're not quick, and the 1st thing at any level a coach will tell you. If as a dend you can't get to the qb, STAY HOME. They can't do that either. They have the worst containment. Chosing to crash down across the line to be engulfed by linemen or chiped by a back. Easy way to pick up 6-8 yards against our lb's who can't persue. Denney and Kelsay have never met an end around or off tackle run that they could contain. Scrambling qb's forget about it. Nothings changed in the years since Kelsay has been here. He's just managed to get worse. The guy needs to be replaced. Sadly it can't happen this year. Cause as bad as he is. The rest of the options are worse. 1 Starting caliber defensive tackle. I like Kyle Williams, but he's thrusted into a position he shouldn't have. He would make a tremendous rotational player. Spencer Johnson shows flashes at times as well. More often then not he's just as easily ridden out of plays by nfl guards. our dend's and williams see a lot of individual matchups, and simply can't beat them Lbs who are either too stiff in lateral movement to cover, not physical enough to break blocks, and simply can't make plays out in space. Poz and Mitchell are good at times in the box. They're liabilites roaming, or in coverage. The coverage of this defense nosedived the moment Fletcher left. Say what you want about his tackling. The guy is a better lb then Poz. When Kawika Mitchell is your best lb you have issues. Small but solid cover corners. Ok safeties. Honestly the secondary is the least of our issues even injured. This front 7 is so underwhelmingly undertalented it makes the db's look worse then they actually are. There are 0 playmakers in that front 7. 0 players who can take over a game, and no real depth at any 1 position. It's a defense that because of a lack of pass rush, and persuit can not force turnovers or make plays when they need to be made. But hey a few good series here or there. Let's praise them cause they managed not to !@#$ up. While losing sight of just how sad sack of a unit this truly is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YOOOOOO Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 This Defense is a pass rusher opposite Schobel and a starting quality DT opposite Stroud away from being a top 5 to 10 defense in the league.... If we get Crowell back, and find a way to keep Greer around....add a DE&DT thru FA...plus a couple more thru the draft.... Were going to be in good shape on the defensive side of the ball.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SwampD Posted November 21, 2008 Share Posted November 21, 2008 This Defense is a pass rusher opposite Schobel and a starting quality DT opposite Stroud away from being a top 5 to 10 defense in the league.... If we get Crowell back, and find a way to keep Greer around....add a DE&DT thru FA...plus a couple more thru the draft.... Were going to be in good shape on the defensive side of the ball.... So you basically want just a whole new defense for it to be good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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