thewildrabbit

Fans were already calling for a QB to be drafted with the #1 next year...so silly.

the Jets get the ball on offense again....so Geno can complete more passes to Bills players

Oh yea, Geno is the better QB....for turnovers

Kiko!

Byrd is da word! gotta love it!

EJ says to Bills fans... HOWYALIKEMENOW!

oh no, not Freddy

gotta try and kick

Smith not looking so good...jets 1-3 on the road

To those who think the Bills O line is just fine...from PFF Can the Bills Run the Ball? The whole Bills offensive line grades out at -23.9 with only one of them earning a non-red grade: Cordy Glenn (+0.1). Eric Wood and Erik Pears are the second worst graded players at their position in run blocking both at -10.4. The running backs have to produce yards on their own given how the line is blocking and Fred Jackson is being the best at it averaging 2.62 yards after contact per attempt – 5th-highest in the league. It’s still unclear how healthy C.J. Spiller is after playing less than 25 snaps in each of the last two games and he’s far from his numbers in 2012 when he averaged 3.58 yards after contact per attempt. This season he is averaging 1.89 which is the 25th-lowest number among running backs. https://www.profootb...-bills-week-11/ Most of the Bills fans are still thinking its the RB's (Spiller) stinking it up this year. While the Bills have been better at pass blocking then run blocking. It certainly does give pause to think about how the Bills QB's have been surviving behind this line. EDIT: Andy Levitre graded as the Bills best O linemen last season by PFF. I always thought he graded that well because he played next to Eric Wood. Now I'm wondering if Wood looked so good because he played next to Levitre.

Several very important changes to the Buffalo Bills from that first game, LG Colin Brown, and his backup are both gone. Those two allowed 6 of the 8 sacks, and numerous pressures on EJ. Just to give you an idea how bad Brown play was leading up to that Jets game, he was graded at (-23.7) thru 3 games. Just to put that grade into perspective. CB Justin Rogers was targeted eight times and surrendered six receptions for an absurd 247 yards. That represents 74% of the Jets’ gross passing total. Rodgers grade for that game was a mere (-3.8) The defense should play much better with Gilmore & McKelvin starting, and so should the O line with Doug Legursky at LG. I suppose the entire game will depend on "IF" Bills OC Nathaniel Hackett can find a way to get that running game working this time around, to take some pressure away from EJ. That last time these two teams met Spiller 10 rushes for 9 yards was unbelievably pathetic. Mostly because the Bills will be without their two best wide outs in Stevie Johnson & Robert Woods.

I agree! From what I recall, Marv was questioned at that time and asked by the media as to who had the last say on draft picks. His reply was that it was a consensus of the scouts, coaching staff (Jauron), and himself. When pressed further for an for a more finite answer, he stated he left it up to Jauron to make the final decision. As for this years draft class, it all goes to Doug Whaley. He stated after the draft that EJ was all his pick and his job will depend on his making the right choices in this draft. I have to think that Buddy Nix had some say in the evaluations, and that was about it. Seems clear to me that this years draft class is far superior then anything Nix was responsible for doing.

EJ only attempted 2 deep passing plays all game, one to Stevie deep left, one to Goodwin deep right, and both went incomplete. Stevie Johnson was targeted 10 times and caught only 3 for 48. Graham was targeted 4 times and caught one pass. 7th round pick TE Chris Gragg was the Bills leading receiver with 4 catches. Plus, the Steelers scouted out EJ pretty well and all those short passes he likes to throw went nowhere. The Bills are in serious trouble if EJ is already feeling phantom sackers.

AFC East Buffalo Bills: When E.J. Manuel is not blitzed, he has an Accuracy Percentage of 70.3%. When he is blitzed, that drops to 54.5%. That’s a difference of 15.7% which is the second-largest difference in the league. https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/11/12/32-observations-week-10-2/ Interesting read about the AFC East. Wonder if the Bills coaches will work on getting EJ ready for all those Jets blitzes coming this week?

I think a better OC would make a world of difference. Look at what new DC Mike Pettine has done for the defense despite the team not being able to run the ball to control the clock, and help keep his defense off the field. When the offense can run it and score 20 points the Bills are in every game because of that defense. Hackett did somewhat well when the team was healthy. Now that the WR corp is depleted from injuries you would think this OC would call more running plays, he didn't, and won't. Nathaniel Hackett is on par with Dick Jauron's OC Turk Schonert. Nothing but shotgun crazy passing plays. 35-40 times a game. That said, this offense could be fixed rather quickly if this rookie OC ever removes his head from his posterior, and finds creative ways to run the ball. Get Spiller in space like Gailey did with the 4 WR spread offense. Not enough WR's? Utilize the TE's & RB's as wide outs. The most these rookie QB's should be throwing the ball is around 20-25 times a game, and both Spiller & FJax should see the ball 20 times each.

The Buffalo Bills are currently the #3 rushing team in the NFL. But, when you watch the games that isn't readily apparent. The Bills have had some great success running it, (241 yards against KC)(203 against Baltimore) and some rather dismal outings like this game against Pittsburgh. 8 touches for Spiller for only 23 yards=2.875 YPC average. 3 receptions for 11 yards=3.6 12 touches for Jackson for 55 yards=4.583 YPC average. (Then look what happens with 2x the touches at that YPC average 110 yards) 3 receptions for 7 yards=2.3 So, think if Jackson gets 24 touches and 110 yards, and this game could have gone entirely different. That short passing game dump offs to the RB's isn't working in the slightest. What I see is that FJax is like he has always been, in that he can make the first tackler miss and get yards almost on his own. Spiller needs space and can't always make that tackler miss, hence he doesn't do as well against the defense keying to stop him. Instead of trying to protect EJ, by keeping the TE & FB in to block at times. Perhaps Hackett should utilize the shotgun 4 wide spread offense like his predecessor did, and put the extra TE's and RB's out there as receivers. Heck, he always has his QB in the shotgun anyways, and always wants to throw it. So why not play it like Gailey did and spread the offense out making it easier for the RB's to make yards both running and catching it? To me, coaching is everything. Look at what a difference Mike Pettine made to that defense. The same could be said for that offense, if they found the right guy, JMO. I agree with that. I wasn't down on Hackett until the Chiefs game (which I viewed as very winnable) where Hackett let Jeff Tuel sling it all over. I looked at Tuel and his history in college, hurt a lot, not a winner. Although he put up some decent numbers leads me to think he got those numbers in garbage time or trying to play catch up. With a record of 4-26 in college, quick release, (reminds me of Fitz, quick release, weak and inaccurate arm) shotgun spread with usually only one progressive read this kid is so raw its not funny. If EJ was considered a 3rd-4th round project QB pre senior bowl. Then had some very ordinary stats in a game with some very poor QB prospects but won the MVP. This elevated him to the first round.Now think, Tuel wasn't even drafted, and for a big reason as he is a huge long shot to becoming a starting NFL QB. Heck, he was even benched his senior year. In my view Hackett had no business allowing Tuel to throw as much as he did in that Chiefs game. For that matter EJ & Thad also have been forced to carry the game. So yea, I've since changed my mind on this new OC.

If you look at my earlier post it shows passes vs rushes, and 2x the amount of passes is clearly not working to win games. Both games this year when the rushes surpassed the passes the Bills won against Baltimore, and could have easily won against the Patriots 23-21. The Bills were in a lot of the early games in the season because they had a full receiving corps, and they even won some games with Colin Brown at LG. Now that the WR corps has been hampered by numerous injuries you would think that the Bills would run the ball more, they didn't. In this latest game against the Steelers it looked like the run game wasn't working so Hackett stopped calling run plays an called more passing plays. Which to me is foolish considering the state of that receiver corps, SJ hurt and then out again. Robert Woods out. Marquise Goodwin out. Chris Hogan hurt and out. That left only TJ Graham, Marcus Easley. Ya know who the leading receiver was in that game was with only 4 catches, the 7th round pick at TE, Chris Gragg. 39 pass attempts vs 20 rushes seems so lame to me when Jackson & Spiller can be so potent if used properly.

Yea, and Hackett is pointing right along with everyone else. The majority of those 470 yards were from the RB's to the tune of 241 yards. Plus the RB's were averaging 6.3 YPC and dominating that Chiefs #5 defensive unit. Then this OC has a kid who never won more then 4 outta 26 games in college sling it all over....and it worked...right up until he had to make a play on 3rd and goal. That QB then threw an unforgiving pick 6 which turned around the entire game. None of these rookie QB's should be forced to shoulder the game this soon. In my view Hackett calls so many pass plays like he has a vet QB back there. But then, this is the same old story for every young QB no matter what happens with his surrounding cast, coaches, players, its always the QB's fault. Bottom line here is that this HC & OC had better figure out a way to win games.

Who exactly is this "elite type" QB going to it throw to? Both Brady & Brees check down a lot, and would be doing so constantly with this receiving corps. WR's Stevie Johnson playing hurt all season, Robert Woods out, Marquise Goodwin out. TJ Graham stinks, Chris Hogan hurt. Marcus Easley running the wrong routes. Do you happen to know who the leading receiver was for the Buffalo Bills against the Steelers? 7th round pick, & 3rd string TE Chris Gragg with 4 catches, that's who!

I tend to agree with the OP, only from a different perspective. Previous to this season starting, Nathaniel Hackett stated he would run Spiller until he threw up, and that clearly hasn't been even close to happening. Then last year around mid season Chan Gailey admitted he needed to get both his RB's at least 20 carries each to win games. Again, this never ever happened. Both Gailey & Hackett seem to think they have a superstar QB behind center and Hackett keeps calling shotgun, 3 wide sets. Its like Hackett starts the game intent on running it and when that fails, and it mostly has. Then he starts going pass happy just like Gailey. The thing in common with both these coaches is neither coach had an elite QB behind center to allow all that passing to work. In Hacketts case it is particularly damning because he has rookies that don't know how to set protections, read thru more then one or two progressions. How to make hot reads or read a defense and call the proper audibles that will make the play work. Top OC's find a way to make the run game work, PERIOD! Like Gailey, Hackett gives up on the run game far to soon in every game. (week ten) Pittsburgh 20 rushes, 39 passes.(L) (week nine) Chiefs 38 rushes, 39 passes. (L) This game was the one that really opened my eyes about Hackett, with Tuel at QB, and I knew how raw & limited he was in college. If EJ was something of a "project" at QB then wth was Tuel? An Odyssey? Yet, he was allowed to throw it 39 times. The Bills RB's were killing the Chiefs#5 defense. Tuel made some bad throws / decisions and it cost them the game. A top OC would have NEVER put this QB into this situation!!! (week eight) NO Saints 25 rushes, 39 passes (L) (week seven) Miami 30 rushes, 32 passes (W) (week six) ​Cincinnati 32 rushes, 32 passes (L) Close OT game the Bills could have won. (week five) Cleveland 31 rushes, 41 passes (L) EJ went down and this game showed how raw and inexperienced Tuel really was. (week four) Baltimore 55 rushes, 22 passes (W) This is how it should have been all season! I was ecstatic when I saw these stats, and thought the Bills could do really well this year if this type of game plan continued. (week three) NY Jets 25 rushes, 42 passes.(L) Bills QB sacked 8 times. (week two) Carolina 33 rushes, 39 passes. (W) (week one) New England 34 rushes, 27 passes (L) Close game the Bills could have won If you look at the throws EJ made in first game against the Patriots, 3 deep left, one deep middle, two deep right. He was throwing deep often enough. But, this was when he had Robert Woods and Marquise Goodwin, and a full receiving corps. Stevie Johnson hasn't been close to 100% for quite awhile, and with both Woods & Goodwin out, and so many with injuries the receiving corps is in complete disarray. I suspect EJ doesn't trust his current receivers to run the right routes. Another big reason as to why Hackett should be running it more and throwing it less. Its up to the OC to find new creative ways to make the run game work, even when it isn't working. JMO

Guys, Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo stunk it up facing this very same type of blitz heavy 3-4 defense. His effort against the Saints this past Sunday, 10 of 24 for 128 yards, 1 TD. The Cowboys even had a semblance of a running game with Murray going 16 of 89, 1 TD. The problem was they didn't run enough to play keep away from Drew Brees, and he torched them every time the Saints got the ball 17-49. So even top experienced QB's can look bad against that style of defense. My take is that in the early games that EJ played well in the opposing defenses didn't blitz like crazy, and instead played coverage's in hopes the rookie makes a mistake or two. Which to his credit he didn't. The blitz heavy 3-4s this team have faced basically destroyed the Bills offensive game plan Jets, Saints, Steelers. I suspect you can probably expect another lack of poise game this Sunday against the Jets, unless the Bills OC changes up the game plan. They did sack EJ 8 times last time they played in week 3. The Bills 25 rushes for 120 yards, passing 19 of 42, 1 TD. You and me both.

Now that EJ is a Buffalo Bills, my issues are not with him. My issues are with the current Bills offensive coordinator / QB coach. If Hackett were calling plays for Matthew Stafford, Jay Cutler, Tom Brady, Drew Brees et al. Then I think he would do alright as an OC. It just so happens he has a stable filled with rookies QB's so raw they make sushi look well done. Everyone so focused on the rookie QB and his play. Howsabout the fact that this OC forces all these young QB's to carry the team. Just like the known morons Dick Jauron / Turk Sconert did with JP & Trent.

I disagree! I couldn't be happier that Buddy Nix is only a consultant now, and Doug Whaley is calling the shots. My take is Colin Brown was a Nix find and he assured the team he could play, no proof... it just fits the mold. Whaley found Kiko! The likely defensive MVP or very close to it. He found WR Robert Woods who looked like a steal when healthy. EJ still needs to prove he was worth a #1 pick, and I think he can justify it with more playing experience. It shouldn't matter where the Bills draft anymore as I now have more faith in Whaley then I ever did in Buddy Nix. This statement coming from "Mr pessimistic" himself. Anyway, by the end of the season I think the Bills will be drafting 6th to 15th depending on if the Nathaniel "Buddy" Hackett can fix the offense. The biggest problem with the current state of the Buffalo Bills is the OC.JMO

He will go, and it will probably be when he gets Marrone fired. Dunno how so many fans can condemn a QB who clearly lacked support around him. EJ was listed as probable so he wasn't 100%. Where was the run game effective to take pressure away from him? Who does he have to throw to? I see a bad game plan, bad play calling, bad running attack, and the teams two best WR's out injured. Glad I'm not the only one who sees things this way.... "RUSHING OFFENSE: D -- Given the Steelers struggles stopping the run, rookie EJ Manuel likely being rusty, and the gusty winds that blew all day, the Bills needed to run effectively, and they didn't. The Steelers ranked 31st in the league" http://sports.yahoo....17118--nfl.html

What I'm telling you guys is, my take is this offense is very, very fixable. Simply put, Who The F is the QB going to throw to in this offense next week? Rookie WR Robert Woods is out with a bad ankle (high ankle sprain?) Stevie Johnson is out (back, groin)! Marquise Goodwin is out with a hamstring. This leaves only the 3 TE's, 3 WR's TJ Graham who stinks. WR's Chris Hogan, Marcus Easley. Three not very good or experienced wide outs. Hackett needs to think in terms of having no experience whatsoever at QB, none! Like thinking that Fred Jackson has to take over as QB and think about how he could build a power run game around a QB with little or no QB skills. the team is already trying to run a fast paced, read option type offense, only with very little running. Think about how to get production from an offense without throwing the ball 35-40 times a game, and limiting his QB to 15 to 20 throws. Instead of so many passes (42 last game) try running the ball down the throats of the Jets to the tune of 40-50 rushes. Power formations with 3 OT's in the game by substituting a OT for a TE, and or 3 tight ends, and a fullback instead of the always 3 wide sets. Bottom line, put the ball in the hands of the two biggest play makers on offense, FJax & Spiller.