thewildrabbit

It is a possibility, but judging from his statements I've recently read in the Buffalo news Turk Schonert is saying it all falls on Trent Edwards to get the job done. That and the fact he announces the Bills to run the "no huddle", makes me think that a young QB who could be a superstar under the proper OC will get beaten into the ground like so many other young QB's at the hands of moronic coaches. The thing that really gets me is the fact that Schonert spent years as a back up QB with the Bengals and went to a super bowl with them. That was the year they had RB Icky Woods and a really good power running game, RB James Brooks and WR Eddie Brown. The most prominent play I can recall from that year was a play called "sellout" play action. Where Boomer would fake the hand off to Brooks or Woods after they had been calling nothing but runs. Boomer was awesome at faking the hand off, then he would hit Eddie Brown on a deep route,usually for a TD or very long gain. You would think that Schonert would understand the importance of a power running game because of that 88 Bengals team.

It would surprise me greatly if the new line is better then last years. The rookies could have IQ of 150 each and if they are being taught by coaches that don't know their jobs and can't teach them properly,then the IQ's are wasted. You could ask a hobo to teach brain surgery, and he can try to get the job done... I'm hoping that Schonert and Kugler grew some brain cells over the off season and the line improves and the play calling improves.

I think most posters are under the misconception that you can throw 5 lineman on the field and they will learn all the calls,signals and be able to read NFL defenses and make adjustments and pickups in OTA's and preseason, it is simply not true, it takes years sometimes Most teams usually need to keep the same linemen together because of that term called "continuity". It means that the more playing experience the line has in the same positions and playing together,the more they learn their positions and understand what to do in each situation. The OC stating the Bills will run the no huddle with a completely revamped O line has got to put a smile on every opposing D coordinators face, thinking of how much fun his team will have in screwing Edwards into the ground. It makes me wish Schonert could go out and run his own offense and take the beating he will inflict on Trent.

I look at the Baltimore Ravens with envious eyes, with Cam Cameron hired last year, he instituted an awesome power running attack which made it so much easier for Flacco to throw and be successful his rookie year. Not to mention that when the snow,wind and cold came in Nov-DEC they still moved the ball effectively. In one game the Ravens started on their own 18 yard line and and ran the ball 12 consecutive plays utilizing three and sometimes 4 offensive tackles sometimes replacing a guard and tight end with a tackle. The opposing team knew that the Ravens were going to run and stacked the box and were pushed back every play, resulting in several first downs. (You know, much the same way Schonert calls shotgun passing plays and the opponent knows its a pass, only it ends up a punt) Finally at the opponents 30 yard line and the opposing defense completely worn down by the fullback Le'Ron McClain . The Ravens OC calls for the first pass of the drive, not expecting a pass the opposing defense gives up a TD, thing of beauty! That is what I was hoping for when Schonert stated he wanted to utilize a fullback... I'm not completely sold on the fact that the Bills line was downright pathetic. Don't forget that they replaced a very senior O line coach with a rookie O line coach and the line immediately went into the ceramic convenience, and they had Schonert. Seems odd to me that when the Bills needed to replace the D line coach they went and hired an extremely experienced coach and yet the O line and play calling get noobs! Don't you think that if the coaches were doing the proper job that they would have noticed that the line wasn't going to get the job done? The Bills have made several changes to the O line every year Jauron has been in Buffalo and they have continuously stunk it up! I don't get why everyone thinks that this year with 2 rookies and a backup center from another team will make the O line any better then previous years.

What decision is there? if the Bills offensive coordinator comes out after the season and openly states that Trent often had nobody open because the opposing defense was doubling the deep threat and the team LACKED another top receiver opposite Lee Evans. So basically he was saying Trent had Josh Reed and lee Evans and Evans was always covered. Is there any wonder as to why he kept dumping the ball to his outlets in Fred Jackson and Marshawn Lynch? The Bills failed to address the real need for a quality tight end,they tried to trade for Tony Gonzalaz last season but he refused to be traded to Buffalo You can dream all you want about football in mid late January, the Bills won't be there because when it gets cold and snowy the Bills OC will still be calling passing plays in the no huddle, instead of building a power running game. Simple and smart play calling won't happen as long as Schonert is the OC for the Bills.

Ralph Wilson wanted to fire Turk Schonert the offensive coordinator after last season because of his moronic play calls,Jets game-49ers game come to mind first. Jauron refused to fire Schonert stating "continuity". Funny word to use because I see it most used in conjunction with the O line, which Jauron completely tore apart. The O line has zero continuity, but the play calling will stay the same. Turk Schonert has a propensity to constantly call pass plays, especially from the shotgun formation. Irregardless of down and distance. One thing you can count on, this OC will be calling passing plays at the most ridiculous times. Last season he kept calling for pass plays when the opposing defense was in a constant dime package and only rushing four and with a back up QB in the game. Even when Josh Reed was injured and Lee Evans was always doubled covered and Trent Edwards had nobody open, Schonert just kept calling for shotgun passing plays, on the sideline...up in the booth. He could be on planet Mars, not even see the earth and he would still call shotgun passing plays. I look at the announcement of the "no huddle" in that Schonert is going to call passing plays no matter if the O line can't handle it,won't matter or if the other offensive skill players can't handle it. He is going to make the offense pass the ball no matter what. Last year after Schonert was first hired to replace Fairchild he stated he was going to stop using the TE's as fullbacks and bring in a fullback to block. I thought that is great, the Bills will run the ball more, and with that huge O line they should be pancaking defensive players and build a power running game to setup the passing game...

I think everyone has agreed that Cribbs was a great back for his first three years with the Bills. To repeat what some have been saying repeatedly, including myself! Joe Cribbs was a very good RB for 3 years But! Because he choose to leave Buffalo and go to the USFL, he cut his own throat. So cry...whine...bleat...rant and it will get you nowhere, so get over it. He will NEVER be on the wall or get into the hall, just the way it is.

Al Davis is thinking of putting him up on his wall

Dunno if the stats are accurate but one site says seals played from 87-92 and didn't make one tackle... http://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/S/SealLe20.htm

agree Thurman Thomas was by far the Bills best running back ever, he was 3/4 of that K-gun offense. As good as Dan Marino was I can recall him stating that he wished the Dolphins could find a back like Thomas. Elway stated the same thing about Thurman, wishing the Bronco's had a back like Thomas.

The reality is Cribbs was a great back for 3 years in the NFL, which just isn't enough for HoF-WoF

I miss Bill Polian greatly, he should be going into the hall! Look at the Colts over the last ten years and think that could be buffalo had he stayed. Didn't Polian get fired from Buffalo because his brother was caught with the SB game plan, or play book or something to that effect?

You could almost say the same thing about Bruce Smith,when his first contact was up he was offered mega bucks by Denver and 2 first round draft picks to the Bills for compensation. The Bills were hedging on paying Smith top dollar (RW) and Polian convinced him (RW) to pay Bruce. Smith at the time stated he would love to go play for the Bronco's with John Elway in Denver, it almost happened. During the off season, Bruce Smith was a restricted free agent, as his contract ran out after the '88 season. The Denver Broncos made Smith and offer of $7.5 million over five years, which Bruce signed immediately. The Bills had one week to match the offer or lose Bruce to the Broncos for a pair of first round draft picks. Bruce had turned down a contract offer from the Bills for $1 million a year. Bruce was still angry over the prior season and said it would be wise for the Bills not to match Denver's offer and let him go. The Bills matched the offer and Bruce Smith was staying. http://www.geocities.com/bflobuzrd_2000/bruce.html Face it, if not for Bill Polian the 90's Bills would have never ever gone anywhere.RW didn't want to sign Kelly and pay him, again Polian talks him into it. If left to his own devices Ralph Wilson would have screwed the team over and over to save money.(sound Familiar?) I don't dislike Cribbs because he left, I don't blame him at all.

The 80's Bills were good and fun to watch but they were not even close to the Bills of the 90's. Cribbs would always beg for the ball on third and short and sometimes he made the first down, sometimes he didn't. He was a really good RB, not great though. 3 pro bowls because Chuck Knox built a really good OL and they used him as a receiver and KR Joe Ferguson was a good QB, not great. All I can recall of him is his head hanging when he would throw an INT or the drive would end, I couldn't stand that head hanging stuff. The Bermuda triangle with Fred Smerlas NT, LB Shane Nelson and LB Jim Haslett were really good until Nelson blew out his knee and they never found another Nelson. My favorite Bills player back then was Jerry Butler, man he would make some amazing catches.Frank Lewis and Lou Piccone were also fun to watch. Had Chuck Knox stayed in Buffalo perhaps the Bills would have made the playoffs more in the 80's, after he left he called Buffalo a coaches graveyard.

I Said, The Bills run a lame style of 4-3,meaning the DE's and DT's need to be smaller, quicker with more ability to shed blocks and penetrate vs bigger more powerful linemen that can bull rush the O linemen into the backfield. You said, The Bills drafted Maybin, 6'4" 250lbs with the #1 pick in 09 as I'm sure you know, they have him listed as a DE at 250 lbs Perhaps the FO were thinking they found another Bruce Smith type in Maybin because of his first step and speed. If Bruce Smith took 2 years to develop into a good DE and he started at 287lbs, I just don't see Maybin at DE as a run stopper for quite a while, not at 250

I don't know what defense you were watching but the one I saw had Bruce Smith running the arc every play, he was the Bills pass rusher, period. I would see Bruce run around the tackle only to see the RB pop through the hole he left behind, teams would run right at Bruce only to see Talley fill the gap and make the tackle. In Buffalo's 90's scheme 3-4 the LBers were the run stuffers and Bruce was the rusher. To quantify this look at the stats,in 1990 Talley lead the team with tackles at 123, Smith was second with 101, Bennett third with 96,Conlan fourth with 93 at LILB. Bruce Smith had Daryl Talley right behind him at ROLB to stop the run and allow Smith to purely rush, I don't ever recall watching Tally blitz and Smith stay back. Bruce Smith got all the attention and accolades and Talley was the unsung hero, and one of my favorite Bills players. Smith 19 sacks-Tally 4 sacks-Bennett 4 sacks-Conlan 1 sack- NT Jeff Wright 5 sacks- LDE Leon Seals 4 sacks- In 1991 Smith was injured and had 1.5 sacks in 5 GS,Bennett took up the slack as the rusher with 9 sacks that year.Conlan lead the team with tackles 122 and Talley second with 117. Smith played 4 years in a 4-3 in Washington RDE and got 10- 5-9-5, 29 sacks in those 4 years Reggie White 15 years in the NFL- Bruce Smith 19 years in the NFL. Smith had to play an additional 4 years to catch White and beat his sack total

I'd think it would really depend on what style of 3-4 4-3 defensive scheme you run. The 3-4 is a more versatile style of defense IMO. where you can line up a OLB on the line of scrimmage next to the DE and drop the DE into coverage on the RB or TE and rush the LB,or visa versa. The Steeler's run a 3-4 and Ravens a 4-3 but they call Suggs a LB so they don't have to pay him DE money. The Eagles run a 4-3 but it is totally different then the defense the Bills run. The Bills run a lame style of 4-3,meaning the DE's and DT's need to be smaller, quicker with more ability to shed blocks and penetrate vs bigger more powerful linemen that can bull rush the O linemen into the backfield. The Tampa 2 the Bills run tend to get overwhelmed against good running teams, the ravens would own the Bills 9 outta 10 games. The Tampa 2 is defined by not blitzing and just rushing with the front 4, bend but don't break style which is why I can't stand it, plus the fact that it stinks at stopping the run. If the 4-3 is so much better at allowing DE's to get sacks, then why does Julius Peppers want to go to a 3-4?

In case you missed it, the Dolphins beat the Patriots once with the wildcat, the second time they played the Pats won 28-48 with a backup QB and the first 3 RB's out with injuries. The Dolphins beat the Chiefs, Rams, Raiders, 49ers, Seahawks,basically the same crap teams the Bills played last season. The Doinkphins got some lucky wins against some lousy teams by running something nobody had seen before. This season you can bet teams will be prepared for the WC Atlanta*-Colts*-Chargers*-Bills-Jets--Saints-Jets-Bucs-Panthers*-Bills Patriots-Jags-Titans*-Texans*-Steelers* Looking at their schedule I seriously doubt they will take the division again. The Bills have TO, bringing in Vick would just add more media attention and insanity to the mix, pita picketing the stadium and dog lovers the world over hating the Buffalo Bills.

My all time favorite Bruce Smith sack was at Indy and Sean Salisbury was the Colts QB. Bruce sacked him in the end zone recovered his fumble for a TD and the announcer stated Bruce was making Salisbury steaks. OBTW http://deadspin.com/226599/if-sean-salisbu...hone-dont-do-it

As a Bills fan and as much as I love Bruce Smith, he needed FOUR extra years to beat Whites sack total. Two completely different styles, Bruce Smith 19 years in the NFL 6'4" 262lb Bruce was a pure speed rusher who was often off sides and drew penalties for it. He was yelled at by his first coach for his lack of run stopping ability early in his career. Make no mistake as he gained experience be became one of the most feared DE's in the league and was constantly double and triple teamed, yet managed to still get to the QB. 1224 tackles 200 sacks 2 INTs 11 pro bowl selections Reggie White 15 years in the NFL, 2 years in the USFL.White also became the only player to ever accumulate twenty or more sacks in just twelve games. The guy was a monster, 6'5" 300 lbs and a power rusher. like a grizzly bear he could swipe a 300lb tackle aside and bull rush to the QB 1,112 tackles 198 sacks and 3 INT's- 13 straight pro bowls. Two of the greatest ever, Buffalo was lucky to have Bruce Smith. Just goes to show what that first round pick can be worth, is it better to go 7-9 or 0-16?

You forgot to mention Bill Cowher who might get caught in a bidding war between the Cowboys and Redskins should they falter this year. He will command at least 8-10 million normally,perhaps as much as 12 million in a bidding war. Sadly, now that his daughter has passed in the off season. who knows what RW is feeling about his team right now but him. He has been to the SB-BS 4 times and won AFL championships in the past, does he care about winning a SB or simply filling his stadium? He would really need to bring in big time FO talent to compete with Belichick and Parcells and that would cost him more then he wants to spend. The guy I'd love to see in Buffalo has a history of reviving losing teams and getting his team to the playoffs and could work with this FO and is a Buffalo Bill alum, Marty Schottenheimer. If RW could coax Marty out of retirement for one last shot, he might come fairly inexpensively compared to other names and would definitely get the Bills into the playoffs, more then Jauron has yet to do.

Tight End or Fullback position,both stink

If you read the article in The Buffalo News- "All eyes on Edwards" "The biggest thing for us offensively is our quarterback. It all starts with him," offensive coordinator Turk Schonert said. In my eyes Trent has already proven he can lead the team, proven he can be a competent QB. If anything Schonert should be saying "it falls on me" to get the players in position to make plays and score points! The guy that is unproven to me is the OC who kept calling pass plays against dime coverages with Evans being doubled and a backup QB in the game. Where did the offensive game plan go when Josh Reed was injured? It went nowhere because the OC didn't change a thing and kept calling passing plays when nobody was ever open. Even Trent complained about the play calling during last season. I'll come right out and say it, I don't like Schonert. I think he stinks as an offensive coordinator and will be the Bills downfall by trying to up tempo a crappy offensive scheme. Sorry if I'm still venting from last season, I know Mr Wilson wanted to fire Schonert and Jauron said no because of "continuity". I'd be doing backflips if the OC had come out and stated, we are gonna setup a power running attack sometimes utilizing an elephant offense and run it down their throats.

Granted Trent has shown some comeback ability, against Denver also. But Kelly already had 3 years the the USFL and 4 years in the NFL and was a proven commodity. Not to mention, after he arrived he stated he couldn't do it alone and needed players around him to be successful, the Bills gave him the players he needed. My point was that Kelly and the 90 Bills were much more advanced as an offense before attempting to scale up the offensive tempo, plus Kelly had much more experience and help around him then Trent Edwards does. This current team with so many new comers and lacking experience at key positions suddenly wants to announce to the world that they will run the no huddle. Just seems to be hype that the OC will again be constantly calling shotgun passing plays no matter what the situation is... so when the offense fails, Trent will get the blame.

Because the Bills now have TO and feel that the offensive line is so bad that they need to get rid of the ball quicker? http://www.buffalonews.com/452/story/737487.html I read articles like this one and it makes me think that Schonert is already setting up the "fallguy" for the offenses lack of success against the good defensive teams. The no huddle or K-gun offense worked so well in 1990 because Jim Kelly was great at running the 2 min drill and the coaches were smart enough to pick up on this and exploit it!!! The 90's Bills had an experienced offensive line that knew how to both run and pass block extremely well. They had a really good experienced blocking tight end in Pete Metzelaars, also a speedy receiving TE in Keith Mckeller . The Bills had decent blocking fullbacks in Jamie Mueller, and Carwell Gardner. Big bruising 250lb RB back in Larry Kinebrew when they just needed a yard or two. The Bills offense could beat you by pounding the ball with Thurman Thomas running through gaping holes using that "counter Trey" offense or by Kelly slinging it to Reed, Beebe or Lofton using the K-gun offense. That 90's Bills team had a well rounded complete offense that could the run ball all day if needed, or conversely pass all day if needed. The 2009 Bills have TO. who reminds me of James Lofton, tall speedy deep threat. But what about the rest of the team? Is Trent Edwards great at running the 2 min drill? Do these Bills have a dominate tight end in receiving or blocking? Do they have a dominant Blocking fullback or 3rd down back? We do know they don't have a seasoned veteran experienced offensive line. We do know the Bills have a pass happy OC who will continue to call pass plays when a run is needed. We do know TO has a tougher time catching the ball in cold weather conditions vs warm weather. The final question is, what happens in November and December when the wind, snow and ice dictate that they must run the Ball and the OC still wants to run the no huddle?