thewildrabbit

Its not the player or the money he managed to obtain. Its the fact that here we are two years later, and the Bills are fielding some of the worst OG's in the NFL. Levitre graded far better in Buffalo then any OG in the years prior or since. If they are so easy to obtain they why can't Buffalo seem to find a decent pair, and some backups. Its a bad way to build a football team with crap players too. there was a reason he was fired! He would have EJ throwing 40+ times a game, and even more so then Hackett. The one aspect of Gaileys offense that worked so well was the 4 WR spread set, and running the ball out of the shot gun. The problem was he kept wanting to always pass the ball with a lousy QB, and not wanting to run enough with great RB's

Its a great time to be a Buffalo Bills fans. We now know that they will stay in Buffalo past 2020...yay! We have a new owner who doesn't need the team to make a profit to support him and all his hobbies, and will spend what it takes. The best part about new ownership is he isn't a controlling freak who will be hands-on like other owners, and will let the football men make the football decisions. That said, we all can finally expect accountability, and it shouldn't take ten years of bad drafting to realize there is a problem in the drafting process. If this coaching staff doesn't field a winner this year we can expect change, and hopefully to obtain an experienced offensive coordinator in the process. I'm so sick of noobs, like Turk Schonert, Alex Van Pelt, Hate Hackett, and the biggest dummy in Gailey as HC and running the entire offense.

The "real" computer picked the Bills to win. That is the super duper, mega computer that Microsoft Cortana that has picked the wold cup winner correctly. Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Texans — Bills win, 61.4% chance (Texans -3) http://finance.yahoo.com/news/microsoft-engine-nailed-world-cup-204019983.html

Those "who dey" Bengals just might be on their way to the SB this year. I think one of the biggest issues the Falcons had last season was the loss of Julio Jones for most of the year, as he only played in 5 games. They really, really missed him. Plus, Roddy White 13 games, Steven Jackson 12 games, RG 10 games, RT 10 games. It was a who's who of crazy injuries. Atlanta looked like easy prey last year, and yet... You are right about Whaley tho, as he knows the defensive side very well, and if graded on that alone he would get an -A (that minus is for Justin Rodgers ) OTOH, Whaley looks really bad in selecting O lineman, as his #2 & #5 picks this year are so far playing poorly. Not to mention his choices to replace Andy Levitre both this year, and last. The OG's on this team blow chunks IMO

Ya know, that is exactly what fans were saying about Phillip Rivers in 2012. He is done as a starter, and might not even make a decent back up. Then in 2013 Mike McCoy showed up, and built a solid O line, run game, defense and suddenly Rivers looked like he did early in his career. The same can be said about Matt Ryan last year, as the previously constantly in the playoffs Falcons since Ryan was drafted... went 4-12!! The Falcons players got over some injuries, they rebuilt the O line, run game & defense and should be in the playoffs again this year. They beat the Saints at home, and demolished the Buc's on Thursday. I can't emphasize enough how important it is for a young QB to have a run game that can support him, a quality offensive line that can protect him. A line that can make a first down in the red zone or short yardage situation. A good offensive scheme, and play calling that works to get the proper players in space. Because without those things this young QB will probably turn out exactly like what we all saw in the past with JP Losman, and Trent Edwards. Then fans will say he sucked from the start, when in fact he never stood a chance.

On a positive note that Microsoft super computer that correctly picked the world cup winner, and picked the Bills to lose last week. Now has picked the bills to win this week. The bad news is that supercomputer didn't see how bad this team plays on the road against good defenses last year or how bad those Bills OG's really are.

I used to suffer from hurryupandpuntitis, and got over that after last year. Now I suffer from natehackettmoronitis

That is...if they don't bench him He gets the start this next game. talleywhacker made a lot of good throws in Buffalo, and his crap receivers bobbled them, dropped them or just didn't get it done from what I saw.

I'm in Yolo! The biggest roadblock EJ faces is in his coaching staff, and lack of a quality line. Hurry up or no hurry up that line & Hackett can't seem to get the run game going, and not only does that kill a young QB. It makes it impossible for the defense. A proper run game will cure everything.

For that 2011 season I saw things much differently. While at times opposing defenses did jam the line and take away that short / quick passing game. They didn't manage to do it all the time because Stevie found a way to to get open, and Fitz found a way to get him the ball. Not even Revis Island could cover Stevie all the time. Alas, in all their frugality the Bills cut backup center Geoff Hangartener in preseason. So, when the bills played the NY Jets in week 9 and Eric Wood went out for the year, the Bills had no answer for a replacement center. The next few games were a comedy of errors trying to find someone who could do that job, and ultimately the Bills went on a 7 game losing slide. Remember that Dolphin game, as the Bills couldn't even get a decent snap from center all game. How embarrassing!! Fitz and Stevie both suffered nasty injuries that year, and Fitz had broken ribs from the Redskin game. Gailey being the moron he was, kept playing Fitz because he had no adequate backup QB. I think what sunk Fitz the next season was the new QB coach messing with his mechanics for 2012. Anyway, Gailey used to find a way to run the ball even when they stacked the box, as he would use that 4 WR spread offense, and Fitz would hand off out of the shotgun. The problem was Gailey couldn't stop calling pass plays, as soon as the bills were down by three points. Hackett's problem is he keeps trying to max protect with some scrubs on that line, and it ain't never gonna work consistently, as Chandler and those OG's are nearly worthless at times. I think he is sometimes being over careful. you would think he would take some pages from Gailey's playbook, and spread things out with 3-4 WR's. Spiller or Fredex out on the perimeter along with Sammy would scare the hell out of defenses. Just make sure EJ gets the ball out in under 3 seconds. The Chargers were so successful because they recognized the weakness in the Bills O line at the OG positions, and kept stunting. They only rushed with 4, but because of the confusion all that stunting caused they managed to get pressure in EJ's face so he couldn't step up in the pocket. After all the quickest way to the QB is right up the middle. Once a QB gets rattled in a game its difficult for him to regain confidence. Whats most concerning to me is the QB-receiver timing being so out of sync at times, its like they don't practice very much. I yearn for a quality experienced NFL offensive coordinator.

I'm kinda certain there was a huge money difference in the amount the Eagles paid Chip Kelly vs Doug Marrone. One guy goes 10-6, and the other goes 6-10. Pretty sure Jim Harbough - Pete Carroll didn't come cheap either. Bills fans deserve a winner after all these years of losing. So the immediate reaction is to shout for a Bill Cowher or maybe a Nick Saban. A lot of fans wanted Lovie Smith, and he isn't looking so great right now.

Pears I'd rather see Urbik or even Hairston at RG. Its good to see Richardson getting a chance to play. sucks that it has to be on the road against the Texans tho

Marrone was the one that was "hands on" with Colin Brown, and didn't see what a bum he was until six games into the 2013 season. How does that happen when the Bills O line practices against the Bills D line. I'm pretty certain that Marrone should have some input into who the team obtains in free agency, or the draft. The Bills let Chad Rinehart leave Buffalo, and he has been the starting LG for the Chargers the last two years. They cut Geoff Hangartner, and he went back to Carolina and started at OG. Yea, that was the year the brilliant FO minds decided they didn't need a decent backup center / OG, and then Woods when down after week 9, and so did the season. After all the mistakes this staff has made so far its just a matter of time, and losses before changes will be made.

Good stuff, as it gives the average joe insight into what actually happens during the game. The Bills had better find a way to get that run game working or it will be another long season for that fans. Perhaps a shorter one for some of the coaches.

While I can see your point about EJ, and his current limitations. Those limitations are constrained to the coaching staff, and not him. Things can still change as he is still so young, and hasn't yet been fully indoctrinated into the Buffalo Bills school of severe concussions. Once those happen ...then he is done. Philip Rivers sat behind Drew Brees, as he was unable to beat out Brees for the starting job. In 2006 Rivers stepped into the starting job on an already playoff team, and went 14-2. Rivers has a very unorthodox throwing style, and is so tall he needs to crouch to take the ball under center. He wasn't perfect out of college, and still isn't. The fact that Rivers went to an already good team with the very best run game in the NFL, a very solid O line that had some excellent players. Then he had a very good HC in Marty S, and in my view one of the very best offensive coordinators in Cam Cameron. Would it surprise you to learn that in Rivers first season as a starter he had only 466 passing attempts vs 522 rushing attempts, and LaDainian Tomlinson had 1814 rushing yards along with 28 TD's. A very proper way to develop a young QB. While Rivers is about past the peak of his 10 year NFL career, and about the most complete journeyman QB in the NFL today. While a 5x pro bowler, he isn't in the same prominence as Brees, Brady, Manning, Rodgers. Rivers stunk it up in 2012, and the prevailing thought was the guy was done. The very next season with an improved team around him (coaches & players) he became brilliant once again EJ didn't get the chance to sit for two years behind a future SB winning QB. He didn't get the chance to become the starter on a playoff caliber team. He got thrown into the fire on a team where the coaching staff are no where near the caliber of what Rivers got the chance to work with. I've seen flashes of brilliance in EJ, and think its such a shame he is limited by the coaching staff, and players around him. He still lacks quality OG's, and a decent TE. Think of what EJ could do with a solid O line and a young Antonio Gates like Rivers has had. With that alone I could see 3000 + yards and 25 TD's. Then should the Bills hire someone like Cam Cameron away from LSU to be the next Bills OC. Then I could envision EJ putting up Phillip Rivers type numbers. 4000 yards is only averaging 250 yards a game. My long winded way of saying the book on EJ hasn't really gotten started yet. Then again, if this staff doesn't fix that line...

In 2008 Jauron went 5-1, and got an extension. In 2011 Gailey went 4-1, and then fell face first into the ceramic convenience. I'd be willing to wait until more games are played before calling for anyone to be fired. If something does happen I'd hope that Hackett gets removed first, and then should that fail... The Chargers showed the rest of the NFL the blueprint on exactly how to beat the Bills, expect more of the same.

I look at EJ and see a superior quality athlete who has a cannon for an arm, who can make the downfield throws like Nick Foles, like Kirk Cousins. I think EJ is being held back in realizing his potential in the very same way CJ Spiller & Fred Jackson are being held back. The way EJ is playing is so reminiscent of the way rookie OC Turk Schonet developed Trent Edwards, and where is Schonert now? Until the Bills field an O line that compares to the one that gave Philip Rivers all the time he needed to make his throws I'll continue to believe its not just EJ.

sorry to see you go Yolo It won't be Fitz that beats the bills. It will be that Houston defense with JJ Watt

I can't say that with 100% certainty at all just yet. Mostly because I think the current coaching staff can't seem to find a way to get the most out of their players. Let me define this a bit. We know how talented Spiller, Fredex are, and yet this staff can't find a way to make the run game work with all that talent. We know that both Fredex, and CJ are not the up the gut, three yards and a cloud of dust type players. Spiller needs the ball in space, not to be forced into the middle of the line with two scrub OG's blocking his way. The Bills started that game Punt, Punt, Punt, with Hackett's infamous "hurry up and punt offense". The rest of the game went like this FG- half- TD, Punt, Downs, Safety, Downs. 15 rushes vs 39 passes is the formula for failure The Bills need to find a way to make that run game work, and to be a dominate running team. To take pressure off of EJ, to keep the defense off the field. If not, then I don't see this coaching staff in Buffalo next year, and EJ will get a new staff.

I think Marrone was chosen because of his past experience with the NO Saints, and as an ex line coach, ex OC, ex NFL O linemen. The thing is he was very "hands on" for the O line prior to the 2013 season, and had two players that were so bad they were both cut by week six. Brown graded as the very worst player in the entire NFL after that time. How does that happen with a supposed O line guru? Don't get me wrong as I like Marrone. I just don't like his choice of OC, offensive schemes, his choice of players for that O line. The first replacement for LG Andy Levitre was an abject failure, and his replacement last season was almost as bad in Doug Legursky. This year they brought in the worst player from the St Louis Rams O line who graded a (-21.8) Even Legursky didn't grade that poorly. This season he has stunk it up, and so has RG Erik Pears. If you look at last years SB champs you would see that their HC Pete Carroll has major input in his secondary, as he got his start in the NFL as the Buffalo Bills secondary coach. The man clearly knows how to build an elite secondary. You can't say the same thing about Marrone. Even with three of the five players on that line above average or better, the line still stinks because of the poor play at OG.

Jeez, really? Even after the Colin Brown, and his backup debacle of last year. Both the starter at LG and his backup were both outright cut by week six. I don't trust him for anything at this point, as he said he could go forward with Pears & Williams at OG. Both players have stunk it up every game, and this last one with the Chargers only they only rushed four, and Pears played very poorly. Huge doesn't equal talent, just ask Colin Brown. it would take him a full 5 min to run a route I agree, and the only reason for Urbik, Pears, and Williams is that the coaches want to help protect EJ. That clearly didn't work last game, and the young players need to get a chance

We can only hope. This coaching staff seems like they have an idea of what they want to do. Its just they can't seem to find a way to accomplish it. Its always some other player that will make things work. To define this Bills OC is like asking a guy who has an idea of what brain surgery is like, and then allowing him to preform it. Great coaches take what they have, and get the most out of them. Gailey underutilized his RB's, and over utilized his broken QB, and shoddy receiver corps. I just want to see Spiller, Fredex, and EJ survive this regime.

I'd say yes. Although there aren't two of him to bring in to replace both OG's

Tough to look good when your ferocious front four generate no pass rush...

Not entirely, even for Bills fans, and if you are a Chargers fan then this was exactly what Rivers does to win games. As an NFL fan I admire that the Chargers got to EJ with rushing their front four most of the game, and as good as the Bills front four is, they can't seem to accomplish this same thing. I also have to admire that Chargers offense in running constantly for almost no gain just as a diversion, and that no matter what the down and distance is on third down that Philip Rivers manages to complete a pass for the first down. He manages to make those first down throws because his O line gives him time in the pocket to comfortably find the open receiver. Which is something that doesn't always happen for EJ. The Bills 5 linemen, with the RB and TE chipping can't defend against the Chargers four D linemen... downright pathetic. No DB, no matter how good they are will look good when you don't have any pressure on the opposing QB. Yea folks, that was ex Buffalo Bill Chad Rinehart at LG for the Chargers On another note, after reading many posts in this thread it's so refreshing to see that others see things mostly the same way I do. Hackett sucks, and really doesn't know how to utilize either Spiller or Fred Jackson, and neither one of those two backs are built for up the middle running with no holes. The OG's on this team are a huge liability, and will likely sink this coaching staff after this year. JMO. Bottom line the Bills just played a 2014 playoff caliber team, and it showed all their deficiencies most profoundly.