timba

With the rare exception, your offense will not be able to run on a less than mediocre O-Line. That being said, if you have the opportunity to acquire a franchise QB you take them immediately. I believe it is easier to find serviceable lineman than QB's. Unfortunately as of now, we have neither.

Don't get me wrong though. He's going to make things interesting. I think the Bills are better on offense with Fitzpatrick behind this line. He has more of an ability to make something out of nothing than Edwards, and that's what is currently needed.

He lacks consistency and accuracy.

Fitz's skill set allows him to function a little better behind this weak line. We'll have a few more big plays but more WTFs too.

Whew! Really dodged that bullet!

I'm looking forward to the Baltimore game, because I'll be there. GO BILLS!

I envisioned him talking trash to the player that just crushed him. Oh so you think you can give me a concussion huh? Well my padded hair helmet gives me extra cushioning! In your face!

As long as there is something to read about the Bills, I will visit. I couldn't help but laugh when reading your opinion of Edwards from "Bills DON'T squish the fish" good take

I send my best!

It probably only matters to fans. I watch the games because I want them to win. Even if I don't think it will happen I'm always rooting for wins in hopes of getting into the playoffs and eventually the superbowl. Never play for next years draft.

I don't think it was a comparison in ability as much as it was an example of calm demeanor coaches who have been successful.

Unfortunately the QB is the one who throws it down field, and that's what needs to happen if you don't want 11 defensive players within 5 yards of the LOS. The line was definitely bad last week, but even on plays when he was given the time he needed Edwards didn't take advantage. Yes he did have that pass to Roscoe, but on several occasions when there were 3 or 4 man rushes and no pressure, the ball was out to the 3-4yd route instead of letting the deeper routes develop. Other times he abandoned the pocket despite the protection still being sound. Maybe that has to do with how much he trusts the line to not get him killed?

That certainly was... something...

Very good article. Thanks for posting it!

On a number of plays last week there was more than enough time for the big ball to be thrown. It just wasn't for whatever reason. On the deep ball to Lee that was thrown (and missed), the ball was out at about 2.5s. It's not like he needs a monstrous amount of time to let that ball go. There was also the 31yd pass to Nelson that was called back on a holding penalty. I think the play calls are there we just need a guy to let it loose and take a chance!

It'd be nice if we had a tight end that could stretch the field down the seam. I think that would free up those 5-8 yards past the line so our quick receivers can catch the ball and make something happen.

There were definitely untimely penalties as well. In one drive there was a first down holding penalty on a good run by Freddy. Two plays later another holding penalty negating a 31 yard pass to Nelson. It turned into a 3rd and 30 situation. That kind of stuff just kills momentum.

QUARTER 3 FROM MIA 48 1-10 Lynch and McIntyre in the backfield, Edwards to Evans incomplete, Edwards flushed out at 4.5s, throw at 6s on the run, just out of reach of Evans, off the fingertips - Edwards had Johnson and Evans open most of the play 2-10 Shotgun, Spiller in backfield, Run by Spiller -4 yds, 6 in the box, Draw where Spiller got hit as he got the ball, the DE on Bell just ran past, Bell barely pushed him and the push was towards Spiller 3-14 Shotgun, Spiller in backfield, Edwards run for 8yds, 4 man rush, Trent rolls out to the right at 2s, blocking was good until the rollout when he removed himself from his protection FROM MIA 49 1-10 Shotgun, Spiller and Jackson backfield, Edwards to Jackson -1yd, Fake pitch to Spiller going left, Jackson goes to the flats on the right, Edwards dumps off over a blitzing CB, the LB who had coverage on Jackson made the tackle 2-11 Spiller and McIntyre in backfield, McIntyre motions left outside of Stupar, Edwards deep (~40yds) to Evans incomplete, ball out at 2.5s, 4 man rush no pressure, pass was a little long although Evans arm was held, Evans briefly complained to the ref 3-11 Shotgun, Jackson in the backfield, Edwards to Jackson 1yd, ball out at 2s, CB blitz wasn't picked up 3 others rushing, caught about 3yds behind LOS FROM BUF 35 1-10 Lynch and McIntyre in backfield, Edwards to Evans 7ds, 5 man rush, ball out at 2.5s, Meridith (in for Bell) gets rushed upfield then beaten on an inside move 2-3 Wildcat, Jackson for the snap, Lynch in the backfield, Jackson run 7yds, 7 in the box, fake pitch to Lynch, the line made a small hole, Evans was supposed to make a block on the safety 1-10 Wildcat, Jackson for the snap, Lynch in the backfield, Jackson run 6yds, PENALTY HOLDING McIntyre 1-20 Shotgun, Lynch in backfield, Roscoe motions right, Edwards to Nelson incomplete, should have been an interception it was just dropped, 4 man rush, Lynch comes across the formation and cuts a DE (so our 5 lineman block the 3 others), ball was out at 2.5s, the DE was recovering in front of Edwards just as he threw 2-20 Shotgun, Lynch in backfield, Edwards to Nelson 31yds, PENALTY HOLDING Levitre 2-30 Spiller and McIntyre in the backfield, Spiller motions out right, Edwards throws it away, 4 man rush, pressure at 3s (actually came when Levitre moved to double the DE with Meredith and pushed the DE upfield of Meredith), throw away at 5.5s, Stupar and McIntyre both stayed in to block 3-30 Shotgun, Jackson in the backfield, Edwards to Nelson incomplete, originally ruled an interception but overturned by challenge, 4 man rush, ball out at 2s, no pressure, through Nelsons hands on his 4yd crossing route FROM BUF 29 1-10 Spiller and McIntyre in backfield, Spiller run -1yd, Stupar gets beat on the right, the LB runs down the line forcing Spiller left, Safety comes up for the tackle, the hole was there if not for the LB, there was some dancing when he probably could have cut up for a no gain END OF THIRD Quarter 4 2-11 Shotgun, Spiller in backfield, Edwards to Spiller -3yds, ball out at 2s, no pressure, bobbled by Spiller and the defense closed quick 3-14 Shotgun, Jackson and McIntyre in backfield, 4 man rush with a 1 man delayed blitz, pressure at 3s, the delayed blitz from the right was poorly picked up by Jackson, the blitz flushed Edwards backwards FROM BUF 20 - NO HUDDLE DRIVE 1-10 Shotgun, empty backfield, Edwards to Nelson 9yds, 4 man rush, ball out at 2s, no pressure 2-1 Shotgun, Spiller in backfield, Edwards to Evans 16yds, 4 man rush, ball out at 3s, no pressure 1-10 Shotgun, empty backfield, Edwards to Johnson 13yds, 4 man rush, ball out at 3s, no pressure 1-10 Shotgun, empty backfield, Edwards to Parrish 4yds, 4 man rush, ball out at 2s, no pressure but Green may have gotten away with a hold tackling his guy TIMEOUT MIAMI 2-6 Shotgun, Spiller in backfield, PENALTY FALSE START Green 2-11 Shotgun, Spiller in backfield, Spiller motions right, Edwards run 4yds, 4 man rush, Edwards abandons pocket at 4s, no pressure until he left the pocket 3-7 Shotgun, Spiller in backfield, Edwards to Evans 9yds, 8 in the box 6 rushed, ball out at 2s, no pressure, good catch by Evans 1-10 Shotgun, Spiller in backfield, Edwards to Spiller 9yds, 4 man rush, ball out at 3s, only pressure was from Bells DE getting up who was taken down to the ground, Spiller caught the ball at the LOS and made a nice move past the LB 2-1 Shotgun, Spiller in backfield, Spiller run -1yd, Hangartner helped double the DT and didn't switch off fast enough to get the LB who ran through untouched, Spiller didn't help by stopping briefly when he got the ball instead of continuing right 3-2 Shotgun, Jackson in backfield, Edwards sacked -9yds, both Meredith and Green got pushed back into Edwards at 2s, when he tried to roll out he was dragged down 4-11 Shotgun, Jackson in backfield, Edwards to Parrish 31yds TOUCHDOWN, 3 man rush, ball out at 2s, no pressure, Parrish was just ignored by the defense FROM BUF 1 1-10 Shotgun, Jackson in backfield, Edwards to Johnson incomplete, 5 man rush, ball out at 2s, pass was a little behind Johnson, they had a DT stunt and it wasn't picked up by Levitre, he got an arm on him and pushed him but he disrupted the play 2-10 Shotgun, empty backfield, Edwards to Evans incomplete, 4man rush, ball out at 3s, it was getting crowded around Edwards (everybody was blocked) but a step to his left and he had space, should have been a pick 6 3-10 Shotgun, empty backfield, Edwards to Johnson incomplete, 4 man rush 1 man delayed blitz, ball out at 2s, not being pressured but in another second the CB was coming unblocked on the delay, the pass wasn't even close to Johnson, way wide left FROM BUF 20 1-10 Shotgun, Jackson in backfield, Edwards to Jackson incomplete, 4 man rush, pressure comes at 3s, rolls out right and throws to Jackson at 4s, should have been caught but was going to be tackled in bounds and not for many yards 2-10 Shotgun, Jackson in backfield, Edwards pass batted at line, 4 man rush, ball out at 3s, pressure at 2.5s, LB got around Bell and Edwards stepped up to avoid the sack (one hand was on him), Levitre was starting to get backed up, when Edwards went to throw the DT just put up his arm 3-10 Shotgun, empty backfield, 4 man rush, Edwards abandons pocket at 3s, Wood was getting beat and got away with a hold, Edwards rolled out around Green so the DE could turn around and chase him, threw the ball backwards over his head out of bounds 4-10 PENALTY DELAY OF GAME 4-15 Shotgun, Jackson in backfield, Edwards to Nelson 10yds, 3 man rush, ball out at 3s, no pressure, Nelson was between the right hash marker and out of bounds, caught it at 5s but there were two guys next to him when he caught it

After watching the first game, if the offense will be running as many plays as it did with 2 rb's in then we'll need all 3 this season.

Or perhaps a promotion to Grand Admiral Short Pass?

I plan on going through the second half tonight. I couldn't keep going last night

They were definitely screen plays. Either that or the interior line was totally inept on those particular plays.

For the Bills to have a chance, there need to be audibles at the line. If they're stacking the box, switch over to a quick pass and get it the $%^& out of there. The problem, of course, being Green Bay has significantly better CB's than MIA. Hopefully our receivers can get open quick or else we're in for a long day of Trent on the ground.

After going through the game I think you're right about it being the gameplan. The drawback was that when they stacked the box they had an extra guy who was lined up closer to the LOS than our RB's. That's not good especially on long developing running plays.

The O-Line did not look as good as I hoped they would this game. Every single one had mistakes, but Greens were the most notable. A lot of the problems the line faced, especially on running plays, had to due with too many defenders in the box with not enough blockers. Since we kept running the ball out of the shotgun, there were several plays where MIA had all 8 guys closer to the LOS than our RB. Those kinds of situations need an audible to a pass. There were also issues picking up the blitzes. Whether they were delayed blitzes or overloaded ones coming from one side of the line (see the sack on Edwards on the first drive) those need to be identified and the blocking or play call adjusted accordingly.