thewildrabbit

Its difficult to win in the NFL if you can't adequately protect the QB or run the ball. One dimensional teams don't generally go very far, as the Bills proved last year with the #2 rushing attack and went 6-10. Bills fans are preconditioned from 14 years of losing to hope for the best, and expect the worst. Its not like this franchise hasn't been 5-1 in 2008, 5-2 in 2011 only see those teams crash and burn to 7-9 & 6-10.

I love Bill Cowher. He states the Bungals are in big trouble unless they come out in the second half and establish an attitude, and that starts with the O line.

That Browns O line has a number of 1st & 2nd round draft picks on it, and a 3rd is the highest pick on that line. So its by far a much more talented line then Buffalo has. The Browns call a very balanced game plan as they run just about as much as they pass the ball, and their WR corps is filled with nobodys. Not many people besides Bills fans thought very much of Pettine, and yet here he is with the best record that team has seen in decades! Beating the snot outta the Bungals at Cincy too.

Naa, they won't beat out Big Mouth Rex as being the worst team in the division as the Jets are currently 1-8 with Vick at QB. The Bills could very well be a paper tiger this year with the leagues worst O line, poor run game. The offense is currently ranked 28th, and without Spiller, and a healthy Fredex-Sammy it could be trouble for Buffalo.

I really hope he wants some serious revenge against the Chiefs & Broncos. Being cut for Tim Tebow... He went 2-1 at KC, and beat the Broncos with them, and really don't know why they didn't keep him.

You would seriously think that its inconceivable that an NFL offensive coordinator could be so limited in his understanding of offensive schemes, considering he is supposed to be a "professional". Yet so many people make an attempt to do that job and fail miserably. Remember Alex Van Pelt? Ex NFL backup QB for the Buffalo Bills who played 9 years for the Bills before turning to coaching after his playing career ended. In 2008 he became an assistant coach as offensive quality control (2006-2007). Then he became QB's coach for 2008. After Jauron fired Turk Schonert two weeks before the start of the 2009 season AVP took over as OC, and the result of that promotion is that he has been a QB's coach with various teams since his one year as OC, Bucs & Packers. So, even though poor AVP was forced to endure a season with Jauron as HC part of the year, and Perry Fewell along with Trent Edwards & Fitz as starting QB's the team was about last in the NFL in offense that season. BTW, Nathaniel Hackett was the Bills assistant for offensive quality control (2008-2009), after a two year stint with Tampa Bay in the same capacity. Besides that NFL experience Hackett has 7 years floating around college teams as an assistant. His entire claim to fame came as OC for the Syracuse Orangemen for two seasons under Marrone. Their best season was 8-5, and fourth place in the division. Turk Schonert was another ex NFL player who was also a backup QB, and played 9 years for different teams Bears, Falcons, and his longest stay was with the Bengals as backup to Boomer Esiason. He was also an OC for the Bills for one year under Dick Jauron, and after that firing has yet to return to coaching in the NFL. Hackett is no better then either AVP or Schonert, and really isn't all that bright or brilliant when it comes down to ingenuity or innovation in building an offensive game plan to win games. The man is overly simplistic in his running schemes by calling almost the very same plays up the middle over, and over. To the tune of 71% of the time last year, and this year he is on basically the same pace at 68%. The blocking by his offensive line speaks for itself as the teams O line is currently ranked last in the NFL. It was ranked 22nd last year, and 29th in run blocking. Hackett is not really very good at developing a QB's either as his three rookie QB's from last season are, one is riding the bench(EJ), one is on the practice squad(Jeff Tuel), and the last is off the team (Thad Lewis). I look at Nathaniel Hackett and see a George Edwards - Dave Wannstedt type coach that simply can't get the best out of his schemes. The Bills are currently ranked 28th on offense. Which sucks because the defense is currently ranked #7, and they have a decent experienced QB. Lastly Gailey was very successful in using the shotgun draw play with Spiller, and Hackett uses it also. Just not in a real spread set like Gailey used to run, and that is the difference. here is a 5 WR empty backfield shotgun spread set under Gailey, and notice the distance between the O linemen. I don't think I've ever seen Hackett run this set. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIZF6uelRU4

Yea no kidding. I think I've seen a handful of 4 WR set plays from a spread set over the course of the last year, and a half, and all of them worked for good run yardage. Then I didn't see it again that game. I think Hackett is determined to try and max protect the QB, and simply fails to see the significance of the finer points of continuously running a 4 WR spread set like Gailey used to do. Now that Spiller is gone for the year, Sammy & Fredex banged up I dunno if anything he does will work.

The Bills worked on the run game during the bye week, and seem determined to try and get the run game going so Orton doesn't get killed. We will see.

These new owners wanted to buy the Buffalo Bills because they play in Buffalo, and I don't get the impression that they were ever big Bills fans in the past. TP stated he watched the Detroit lions previous to owning the team. That said, I don't think they are emotionally evolved in the current AFC East rivalries like we die hard Bills fans are. We all hate the Jets, Dolphins, and more specifically Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and their deal with the devil. I don't think the Pagula's care what division or conference their team plays in, as long as the team stays in Buffalo. JMO

Not conjecture from what I've recently read and heard, as the new owners seem very happy with the Bills current record. I also read that finding a experienced NFL adviser like Ron Wolf is not a given either if the team continues to win. They both seem to be exceedingly happy with Russ Brandon, and Russ is preaching continuity to keep the newer staff, GM. So, I would think that any changes to the staff will depend on this years win / loss results. Should the Bills make the playoffs then I can see everyone's job set in stone, and even a winning record should be good enough to keep everyone. The Pegula's strike me as NFL newbies who haven't the first clue on how to build a winning NFL team, and will go with whatever Brandon wants as long as the team is winning.

One of the sole reasons as to why Chan Gailey was hired in the first place was that Bill Cowher listed him as his probable OC if hired by the Bills. So I highly doubt Cowher would go with just a smash mouth run game. BTW Cowher got to the playoffs many, many times with absolute scrubs at QB. One of the reasons I think Cowher didn't take the Buffalo job was he stated he needed to have a 100% commitment to winning by the owner, and a decent starting QB. Cowher would have never allowed complete bums on his teams as starters like the Bills have done the last few years. What I want in the next Bills head coach is a Chuck Knox clone, with his ability to evaluate talent at every position. To be able to know what it takes to build a winning football team in the NFL in every aspect. Cowher fits that to a tee, and he won a power struggle in Pittsburgh with then GM Tom Donahoe. So many college coaches get hired and need to go thru a period of on the job learning like the current Bills coaches. Not every college coach is a Chip Kelly. I hope the Jets don't outright hire Jim Harbaugh, Bill Cowher. Or hire a knowledgeable new GM, and then hire Nick Saban, Mike Smith or Jack Del Rio. I want to see them hire more guys like Al Groh, Rich Kotite, Herman Edwards, Eric Mangini. It is rumored that the Jets owner loves Rex Ryan, so who knows.

Hey, I like Lavine Toilolo! Is it Mike Smith's fault that the O line is so banged up he needs to start a TE at tackle? Mike Nolan is a talented DC, and yet he is fielding one of the worst defenses in the NFL. It is also rumored that Falcons owner is looking at Nick Saban to be the new Atlanta HC next year, and there is also talk that current GM Thomas Dimitroff will be history too. Dimitroff seems to be having a John Idzik type year. I never did like the Steven Jackson pickup, or some of his move the last two years.

The bigger picture is that the Bills had an owner who should have found his own John Elway type to run his team the last ten years rather then the Hodgepodge mess that has ensued. A retired NFL HC in Marv Levy as GM, and when he stepped down. The HC Dick Jauron as de facto GM along with the baseball marketing guy running things. Hiring a 70 year old retired chief scout, and promoting him to GM. So much dysfunction for so long. I just thank the football gods that the Pegula's bought the team, and have enough money to hire the best, and most knowledgeable people on the planet to help run the team. They have a history of hiring great people to work for them in all the businesses they own. No matter what happens this year I just see so much improvement coming next season. Its going to be a great time to be a Bills fan.

Apparently Buddy Nix didn't seem to think the team was that bad back in 2010, as one of his first statements was "you're going to think I'm crazy, but we're not that far away". Nix made things so much worse by first hiring Chan Gailey, and then that god awful first draft with Spiller at #9 when the team was desperate for both a LT & RT. Remember Mansfield Wrotto at RT, and the 7th rounder Demetress Bell replacing Jason Peters at LT? Nix also screwed the pooch in free agency with RT Cornell Green who lasted 6 games. Then Gailey going with Trent Edwards all off season as his starting QB only to cut him off the team after two games. The one positive that came from the Buddy Nix hire besides the three wasted years of losing, is the revamping of the scouting dept, along with finally saying goodbye to Tom Modrak. I still think that jerk was on the Patriots payroll. Also, the move to replace Nix with Whaley, I'm not so sure that was entirely Nix's idea. The entire coaching staff, and GM along with the three QB's were all rookies last year, and showed it. If Whaley is so competent as a GM, then WTH happened to the O line? He is responsible for the entire team, and not just select areas. As far as the new owners keeping the same staff is concerned, do you honestly believe this staff can conceive a game plan to beat the Patriots, Broncos or beat a playoff team should they get to the playoffs? Me, I have no faith in the current staff, and while I can see Whaley staying with a knowledgeable adviser above him. I would dearly like to see an experienced winning head coach be hired. Like Jim Harbough, Bill Cowher, Jon Gruden, Mike Smith who is sure to be fired by Atlanta, or even a not so great HC in Jack Del Rio. I could even live with Marrone if he wasn't attached at the hip to Hackett, as I think its going to take years for Nathaniel Hackett to fully develop into a decent coordinator, that is if he ever does.

I got the impression that he subbed in Cleveland's needs, and not the Bills. WalterFootball.com has the Bills taking UCLA QB Brett Hundley in the 2nd, and a DT in the 3rd. http://walterfootball.com/draft2015_2.php Although, I just don't see a QB being taken next year if Orton continues to play well. I would have to think the teams FO would have to be mentally ill to not fix the OG's position, and or try for a decent TE with the first three picks. Two OG's and a TE sound good to me. You're welcome, and thanks for the compliment. I'm still trying to understand the thought process in regarding O line players, and wonder if this is the new analytic's department at work? You know, moneyball.

The Chiefs sack total is right behind Buffalo with 27 sacks. The Bills have allowed 23 sacks, and the Chiefs at 19 allowed. KC is ranked better at both offense, and defense. KC is the #6th rushing team in the NFL, and Buffalo is 7th against the run. Man I hope both Sammy & Fredex are good for this game.

Holy F***, I hope not.

Coaching has changed, and talent has changed over the years. The O line has been a failing point for the team as far back as 2000, IMO. There is, and has been something seriously wrong with the Buffalo Bills scouts concerning O linemen since Mike D Williams #4 overall in 2002. Colin Brown a starter, Cornell Green a starter, Chris Williams a starter, Erik Pears at RG, really? The thing is under Chan Gailey Fitz would get the ball out so quickly it would almost negate the pass rush, and with running Spiller- Jackson from that 4-5 WR spread offense it helped the run game immensely. At that time the O line was ranked as one of the best lines in the NFL. But alas, they were severely flawed, and that was hidden by the coaching, QB, and schemes. The scrubs this team has tried to band-aid the line with over the years is downright ridiculous. A 7th round pick in Demetress Bell to replace all pro LT Jason Peters, yea sure. Mansfield Wrotto, Langston Walker, Duke Preston, Derrick Dockery, Colin Brown, Cornell green, Melvin Fowler, Mike Gandy, Chris Villarrial, Terrance Pennington. Benny Anderson, Trey Teague, Ross Tucker, Sam Adams, Mike Pucillo, Marques Sullivan. Those were actual starters, and not even counting the endless O line players drafted after the 4th round that never saw the field. All I can do is hope that after this season the new adviser recommends some better quality players for that line then Pears.

Some men mature faster then others both mentally, and physically. In college sometimes its men against boys. In the NFL its men against men, and the great ones stand out pretty quickly. Anyway, last year he had just one sack... Its tough to judge a football players heart, and only know that the great ones would play the game for nothing because they love the game. who knows what his problem is, and I'm just glad its Houston's problem. On a side note, Thurman Thomas played his entire career with badly sprained ankles that never healed. He would tape them up, take a shot and go out and become a hall of famer

The Patriots have played Denver every year since 2011, and have beaten them every year. In 2011 they played in Denver, and won. That year the Broncos didn't have Manning, and instead had Tebow. 2012 at NE 2013 at NE 2014 at NE Things might have been different for the Patriots playing in Mile high stadium against the Broncos with Manning the last 3 years. Plus, the NY Giants in that super bowl managed to rattle Brady, and get to him with their pass rush. Just like the Dolphins, and Chiefs did this year and made him look horrible. The Broncos have a great outside rush with Ware & Von Miller but have difficulty in getting pressure up the middle to keep Brady from stepping up in the pocket. If Brady stays comfortable in the pocket then you are going to need to score a ton of points to even keep up with them. So far it looks like no team has an answer for Gronkowski, and when they roll coverage's to him Brady finds Edelman, and when they cover him Brady goes to LaFell, and so on, and so on. While I agree that its all mental as in Bill Belichick out game planning Manning and his audible nuances. Belichick watches more game film then any other team, and he learns all his plays, play calls, and where his receivers are going to be. The current staff of Buffalo Bills coaches might technically be in the same league Bill Belichick, and his staff. They aren't even close to the same level of ability, and until that changes....

I really dislike Hackett in both his ignorance and his arrogance. That first year in 2013 with no QB coach, no vet QB on the roster, and how did those three rookie QB's turn out because of that stupidity? We certainly can see on the field what a difference a veteran QB can be, and EJ is learning more on the bench behind Orton then he ever did with Hackett. Mr Can't Hackett and his signature "hurry up and punt offense" in 2013. Which was one of the very worst teams in the NFL at 3 downs and out percentage at 29th. They were also 28th in 3rd down efficiency. If you would have told me the Bills are going to rush more then they pass in 2013. Lead the league in rushing attempts, and be the #2 team in the league in rushing yards, but are still going to be 6-10. I would have said BS, no way in hell is that even possible. When a team typically runs more then they pass it means they are being an effective offense which usually results in wins. When asked about being the #2 team in the NFL in rushing yards the response was, "we must be doing something right"! No, winning more games then 6 means you are doing something right. So, Hackett boasts he is going to run Spiller until he throws up! What he didn't tell anyone was that Spiller was going to throw up from constantly banging into the backs of his linemen because there was no hole. I've never seen so much ineffectual blocking, and this year its even worse. Its like they don't even know how to use a blocking sled. Do they not practice against one of the best defensive lines in the game every practice, and how do they not see the flaws, and try to work to get better? Do they not go into a film room to what the results of the previous game only to call the same predictable run plays that didn't work most of the last two years? Bottom line is, all I want to see is a team be effective on offense in blocking, controlling the line of scrimmage, and controlling the clock while winning games. It sucks that the blocking, offensive run game is so bad when the team has an effective QB, and a top ten defense.

It could be with Marrone making those decisions. Then, what does it tell you about his evaluation acumen when he fails so badly in an area he is a supposed guru in? At what point does Whaley take charge like he did with Kyle Orton, and say this is the direction we are going so deal with it. I seem to have gotten that impression with the Orton situation, and Tuel to the PS, Lewis to off the roster.

The next two games could determine the teams fate this season IMO. KC at home and on the road to Miami. 7-3 or 6-4 or 5-5, and out of it if the other teams continue to win. right now they are the 8th seed. Even Oakland at 0-8 & the Jets at 1-8 are still in the hunt http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/standings/playoffrace

I'm just trying to understand the teams thought process, as both Nix and Whaley have had better options for OG since 2010. While at least both men felt the need to spend a #2 draft pick on the OT positions. It still doesn't explain the reasoning behind the OG position. No other position on the team gets this type of reckless disregard to the quality of player obtained.

I hope not, and can only hope its somebody lame again. Eric Mangini, Herman Edwards, Al Groh... their choices for head coaches are about as bad as their choices for QB. Just think, this team fired Mangini at 9-7. Plus they had Bill Belichick for a day!