thewildrabbit

He should be impressed....he has retained his job this long!

In terms of 5th round pick Cyril Richadson, exactly how many players taken later in the draft over the last 14 years have even made the team to become a starter, or even made any impact at all? The simple fact is that almost any player drafted later then the 3rd-4th round hasn't made a real impact for the team. So we can't really expect anyone drafted that late to be worth anything. 6 players drafted after the 4th round in 2002 5th rounder,(Justin Bannan) 4 players drafted after the 4th round in 2003-zero 2 players drafted after the 4th round in 2004-zero 3 players drafted after the 4th round in 2005- zero 6 players drafted after the 3rd round in 2006 5th round (Kyle Williams)( Brad Butler) 4 players drafted after the 3rd round in 2007- zero 7 players drafted after the 3rd round in 2008- 7th round (Demetress Bell)(Stevie Johnson) 4 players drafted after the 3rd round in 2009- 7th round (Ellis Lankster) for the NYJets 6 players drafted after the 3rd round in 2010 -4th round (Marcus Easley) 6 players drafted after the 4th round in 2011- zero 4 players drafted after the 4th round in 2012- zero 3 players drafted after the 4th round in 2013-zero 4 players drafted after the 3rd round in 2014 7th round (Seantrel Henderson) So, out of 13 years of drafting the Bills have been able to find exactly three gems out of fifty nine players. One of those three an all pro. Bottom line is we shouldn't seriously expect Richardson develop into a starter, much less a top player. The Bills desperately need to reverse this trend of sub par players at OG.

What is really ludicrous about this entire situation is that the Bills were trying to develop a corps of rookie QB's last year, and a 2nd year QB this year behind said lines. The GM is being paid millions to do this type of job? While he has had some good success with the defensive side of the ball. You could look at the acquisitions for the O line, drafting EJ, the trading for Mike Williams. the trading away of Stevie Johnson. the trading for Bryce Brown. Giving up three draft picks, two first rounders for a player that is currently only the fourth best at his position. You could easily say that the offensive side has almost been a complete, and utter failure. Malpractice is being kind, breech of contract for failure to perform the job he was hired for....perhaps he should refund half his salary. It begs the question as to what new ownership will do after the season ends.

I agree, and take the same philosophy in all aspects. That means no more garbage starters, and adding quality backups. This would mean that someone somewhere in the Org takes a 180 degree stance on where to draft O linemen. Then the Bills also need to hire some people that can actually identify quality offensive talent. Just think, had the Bills not made the trade up for Watkins the first two picks would have been Eric Ebron & Cryus Kouandjio

I was hoping the Bills would have dumped both Urbik & Pears two years ago, but then Levitre / Rinehart left and it all went to hell. I can recall reading that Marrone wanted someone other then Urbik, and was told by the personnel people he was a fine OG. I think the problem with the O line may start even above Whaley's head. This next year I want to see both Urbik, Pears, Williams gone along with the current OC, and the morons in the FO who think the current OG's will suffice. Man, I can't hardly wait for the off season.

That's simply not true, because if the Bills had beat the Steelers "backup players" they are 100% in the playoffs, as they were already 9-6. The Bills playoff hopes were crushed by a backup RB by the name of Willie Parker who rushed for 102 yards on 19 carries, and stole the show. Tommy Maddox the Steeler QB. This years team needs to beat the two best teams in the NFL in Green Bay at Buffalo, New England IN New England, and beat Oakland at Oakland. So, to even have a chance to get a playoff spot this years team needs to finish 10-6. Should the Bills lose to Green Bay they will probably be eliminated. They currently have a .02 to 4.5% chance to make the playoffs.

So, out of 5 players the Bills only had one player who could adequately perform run blocking techniques. Ahhh, I've wondered why the Bills have been so pass happy all year since the Chargers game. Oh wait, they went into the season with only 3 actual OG's in Urbik, Williams, Richardson, wonderful planning. BTW, "Dud: He may be a former first-rounder but Chris Williams (-21.8) is just a liability as a lineman. Far too much pressure, not enough good run blocking, and he’s the team’s weak link on offense." https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2014/01/13/2013-offensive-line-rankings/3/ PFF sucks tho, right?

How relevant are they with the 11th seed, and a minuscule chance of making the playoffs? A lot of us see this as a lost season for various reasons (line, coaching, play calling, players). A championship defense with a very bad offense that should have been corrected last year. The Bills could have been competing for the playoffs last year with better offensive player decisions, coaches. This year was like going with George Edwards two years in a row on defense, and whats in store for next year should the Bills hire another total scrub as OC?

Whats new, SSDT. This franchise is in desperate need of a senior NFL adviser, and a real NFL offensive coordinator. The adviser to help guide Whaley with the offensive players, and firing the buffoons in the personnel dept who thought certain players didn't need to be replaced. I almost feel bad for Doug Marrone in that his hands are tied with the current roster. Then again Hackett continues to be his choice. Like I said, almost!

Gotta love some of the Bills fans Optimism, and enthusiasm. Never lose it! Not only are the Packers the best team in the NFL after beating the Patriots, they're also the hottest team, winning their last five games. Rodgers is currently one of the hottest QB's. That said, I'm taking the Bills +6 only because the Bills will shut down the run, and then might cause Rodgers to make some mistakes....maybe. Still Green Bay prevails to win 24-20

Orton was brought in to be the back up to the supposed franchise, #1 pick QB, and yet if you just go by QBR, and not yards he is 17th, and slightly behind Jay Cutler, Alex Smith. While ahead of Matthew Stafford, Eli Manning, Mark Sanchez. Then the guy is playing better then Colin Kaepernick, Cam Newton, Andy Dalton, Brian Hoyer. Its tough to soar like an Eagle....

Mel Kiper, the Matt Millen of draft analysts.

I agree, and Cutler might be more of a gunslinger. But he also has a tendency to turn the ball over more then he should, and that makes him less attractive.None of those QB's would play well behind the current Bills O line, and for the current coaching staff. RG3 has the "yips'', Kaep can't throw downfield, and he has TE Vernon Davis, WR's Anquan Bolden, Brandon Lloyd, Michael Crabtree, Stevie Johnson. Kaepernick with a genuine QB guru in Jim Harbaugh coaching him, and he still sucks. there is no hope, save perhaps Chip Kelly. I'll tell ya what, a new offensive coaching staff intelligent enough to change the current OG's, and build a better run game. Then Orton or EJ might do better then all those mentioned. JMO. Fitz isn't better then Orton or EJ, he just has a solid run game to lean on in Houston.

Stop, you are giving Hackett hope

I agree, and have to think that if the Pegula's keep Marrone / Hackett that Orton would be very smart to move on.

Its so nice to read some good common sense from Bills fans. Now, just think if the team had some decent OG's, and built a good run game to take some heat off the bills QB so he isn't throwing it 40+ times a game. With a balanced offense that could actually run the ball to make first down the Bills and a top 10 offense they would be contending for the super bowl with that #5 defense.

I don't believe EJ is as bad as his last game showed him to be. Lets not forget that Richardson was playing LG at that time, and EJ had no pocket to step up into, as the interior was so weak. As inaccurate as he was he still went 21 of 44 for 2 TD's, 2 INT's. 5 of 16 3rd downs. 12 first downs passing. Which was better then Fitz.

Clearly Marrone knows he is coaching for his job, and he thinks the Bills still have a chance to make the playoffs. Dunno why he would revert back to EJ at this point. I almost think they both survive and its Hackett that gets the ax. Clearly tho, Whaley needs some help distinguishing offensive talent.

Sorry man, I don't agree. The Bills were leading 10-7 at the half, and rushing for an average of 4.2 YPC. Plus, Spiller & Jackson were both playing at that time. Both teams were sucking in the first quarter and all they both did was mostly 3 plays, and out, then punt. The Bills started the game 1st series, pass, pass, pass, punt. 2nd series, run, sack, pass-penalty roughing, run, pass, run, punt. 3rd series, run, sack, pass punt. 4th series, pass, run, pass, run, pass, run, penalty(Richardson false start), run, pass, pass, pass, timeout, run, timeout, penalty (false start on Glenn), pass, FG- on this series the Bills went 13 plays, for 57 yards, and a FG. The Bills started running mostly Fred Jackson, and he was getting big plays in the run game. 5th series 8 plays, 49 yards, TD. Run, pass, pass, run, run, timeout, run, pass, pass to Sammy TD. So, once the Bills started running Freddy, and he was able to break some big gains, and then so did Spiller. 18 passes, 13 rushes at the half by Buffalo What changed the entire structure of the game was near the start of the 3rd quarter Fitz threw an INT, and the Bills had the ball at the Houston 19. Spiller Run, Spiller Run, pass intercepted by JJ Watt, and returned for 80 yards for a Texans TD. From that point on thru the next two quarters the Bills only ran 10 times, and EJ threw 26 times. The rest of the game went, punt, punt, punt, punt, TD, punt, INT. Asking EJ to throw it 44 times in that game was just lame, and they should have run more with Freddy getting the ball, as he was averaging 4.7 YPC. Its like this offensive coaching staff has no clue who has the hot hand, and who is getting stuffed at the line. The Bills lost that game 17-23, and if not for that pick six at the Texans 19 yard line...

Not only this, what would he perform like under the tutelage of AVP, Turk Schonert. Rodgers is what he is today because he was able to sit behind one of the greatest QB's ever, and watch / learn. Then that coaching staff with Mike McCarthy has, and is one of the very best in the league. His WR corps is, and has been one of the best in the league. Coaching is everything in my view, and its why I hope the Bills hire a new offensive staff in 2015. The one sole weak link to that entire Packer offense is, and has been their offensive line. I can recall Rodgers missing games due to concussions, and after so many of those...its game over!

On topic, lets hope new ownership hires some people that actually know how to evaluate offensive talent

When a new HC (Marrone) comes into a team he lets the GM know his offensive scheme, game plans. From there he lets that GM know what specific players he is looking for and for what type of player fits that mold. Marrone, Whaley along with Hackett, and even Russ Brandon were all probably involved in the discussion of what specific offense they wanted to run. Remember the hype of the fast paced, quick strike innovative offense that was promised? One thing comes to my mind as a Bills fan I knew the O line was sub par even with Levitre because of below average players at RT & RG in Erik Pears, Kraig Urbik. Gailey got away with using those two because of the scheme he ran, and I can only think that with Hackett / Marrone trying to implement the hurry up offense that they were following in what Gailey had done. Now, considering Doug Whaley was a rookie GM in 2013 one can easily presume that Marrone was helping him find the offensive players that Marrone wanted to bring into the team via draft, and free agency. One of the first things Marrone did in 2013 was jettison all the lame receivers on the roster. Donald Jones, Brad Smith, Ruvell Martin, these players first come to mind, and there were probably others. Then in that first draft in 2013 the Bills drafted #1 EJ Manuel , #2 Robert Woods, #3 Marquise Goodwin to bolster his offense. Meanwhile, basically the same players that were starting on the O line in 2012 were going to be starting in 2013, save LG Andy Levitre who graded as the teams best pass blocker, and a not so good run blocker. Clearly the FO was worried about starting center Eric Wood, and the fact that he ended up on IR in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. Then when he went down those years the team was in turmoil trying to find an adequate replacement center. So, Whaley did the smart thing by finding a backup center for wood in free agency. The problem with that is Whaley signed the very worst O line player on a not very good line in the Steeler's. the only good thing about that signing was that Doug Legusky was versatile enough to play both OG & C so he could fill in either positions if needed. Then the team needed a replacement at LG because they chose not to sign Andy Levitre to a big contract, and he left in free agency for Tennessee. Meanwhile the only competent backup OG on the roster was then Chad Rinehart who chose to follow his O line coach to San Diego. So now the Bills don't have a decent starting LG nor do they have a competent backup on the roster. Here is where things get interesting because Marrone's supposed area of expertise is the O line in him being a 3 year O line Letterman at Syracuse, an ex NFL O line player, an ex O line coach. Then the man was out on the field during preseason practices "hands on" with the O line players. The replacement for Levitre was Colin Brown, and his back up was Sam Young. Then once the 2013 season started the Bills saw that Brown wasn't* getting the job done in any aspect, and actually waited six games before cutting him off the team right along with his backup. That backup went in for one series when Urbik was injured, and promptly allowed a sack, and hurries. So now Doug Legursky became the starter at LG for the rest of the season, and luckily Eric Wood stayed healthy the entire year. The simple fact was that Legursky was a less then adequate replacement at LG, and the line suffered for it. Fast forward to 2014, and the Bills released Legursky and in free agency the Bills signed the very worst graded player from a poor St Louis line in OG Chris Williams to take over at LG. This player had a known history of injury problems, and he lasted a whole three games this year before he hit the IR. So, the plan became try rookie 5th round pick Cyrus Richardson at LG, and bench Urbik. Meanwhile the starting RT from last season became the new starting RG at 6'7''. Now Richardson started four games before the team realized he wasn't going to get the job done in any aspect, and was benched for Urbik. The O line has been a clusterfluck for two years now under Marrone, and has been far worse then it ever was under, Gailey, Jauron. How bad you ask? In October PFF graded them as the 32nd / worst offensive line in the NFL . Like I said Marrone has had two years now to address the O line, ask for upgrades. The simple truth is the man wouldn't know a top O line player from a bad one even if he came up and bite him in the arse. Marrone stated he always starts his best players, but the simple truth is he doesn't know which are his best players, and that can be readily seen in the Richardson - Urbik fiasco. Remember Nathaniel Hackett stating that he was going to run Spiller until he threw up, and what happened was he ran him until we Bills fans threw up. The 2013 Bills were the #2 rushing team in the NFL, and the #1 team in rushing attempts. Yet they were on of the worst teams in three downs and out, and hence pick up the nickname the "Hurry up, and punt offense". They were bad (30th) on first down efficiency because the O line couldn't open holes for the RB's. A strong run team is supposed to be able to control the line of scrimmage, and clock. Yet the Bills could do neither, and still can't this year. The Bills would be a much better team had they actually upgraded the O line last year, and done a better job upgrading it this year. Doesn't it strike you that the Bills spent 3 draft picks on the O line a #2 Cyril Kouandjio, a #5 Cyrus Richardson, and a #7 in Seantrel Henderson, and the only player starting is the 7th rounder. I think it would be safe to say that nobody in this Org knows O line talent. BTW, Fred Jackson only missed 3 games, and is the starter. Plus, it doesn't make sense a better QB is going to do better. Peyton Manning is about as elite as they come, and he threw 54 times for 389 yards in a loss against St Louis. The run game went out the window in that game as Denver only rushed it 10 times.Since that game the Broncos coaching staff smartened up, and started running the ball more. All that sound familiar, as the Bills had Orton throw it 57 times against Denver while rushing only 16 times. The Bills have been throwing 40+ times a game since week three, and rushing about 1/2 that. If not for the 5th ranked defense this years team probably wins 4-5 games.

Awesome stuff, thanks for the link! I can't wait to see whats in store for the Bills next season.

and yet Orton didn't decide to use Sammy as a decoy. If anything is holding Sammy backs its this junior college offensive coaching staff. Throwing 40+ times almost every game and Sammy isn't even the primary target a lot of times. Scott Chandler had the most receptions last game with 8, and Hogan had as many as Sammy with 7. Gee, who should we throw more to, the scrub TE, the scrub WR or the kid we gave up three draft choices for...decisions...decisions.

Crazy, Emmanuel Sanders 86 receptions 0 drops. Even Fred Jackson 53 receptions 0 drops