billsfan89

Very good post. The Saints defense in 2009 was good enough, it forced lots of turnovers (Which gave a high octane offense more chances to score) and a lot of the yards and points that it gave up were when games were out of reach (Thus inflating their defensive totals). Brees could only do so much, you need some semblance of a defense to help carry the team even if your offense is great.

EJ Manuel, EJ Manuel, and EJ Manuel.

Moats is a guy who flashed good things his rookie year and has benefited from the Bills having a generally weak LB core the past 7 years (Because of that Moats has stayed on the roster longer than he might have had the team had better options). Overall I feel like Moats is the kind of player you really want to have success. An underdog type story and a class guy. Hopefully the new scheme utilizes him better than he has been in the past.

Its all relative. Seattle had two 7-9 seasons under Pete Carroll, they built a defense and offensive pieces for two years before finding a QB that took them to another level. I would say those two years with Hassellbeck and T.Jackson were building years under a new program (Yes I know they made the playoffs that first year but winning a craptacular division with a 7-9 record isn't what I would say is success). Mike Shanahan has a 5-11 and 6-10 start to his Redskins career. I would say that while quick turnarounds do happen its not always what's expected. Some teams need to build and patience does get rewarded. I would say any new coaching staff should get three full seasons before ownership makes an assessment of the team (Providing a direction is seen after two seasons some improvement must be shown from year one to year two). A coach needs to have three draft classes, three off-seasons, and two full seasons to bring in the requisite talent needed as well as implement the systems necessary in order to have a legit shot at success. Without the proper tool and a quick tirgger finger you will be setting up your team for failure.

Keep in mind its a home game for Baltimore I would say the game is either going to be really easy or difficult. Bills are such a wildcard with that defense and with EJ at QB.

Bruce also played in a 3-4 as a DE not a position that is conducive to sacks. Also teams are straight out passing more and more, with 60-75% of the plays being passing plays equates to more opportunities for sacks. Teams always tried to balance the run with the pass when Bruce played, now that means running 40% of the time for most teams. Also factor in teams running the no-huddle/hurry up more and more these days equals more plays on the field for defenses. Teams were running more when Bruce played equals less chances for sacks. The sack totals of the last 5+ years are a prime example of the league turning more to passing and no huddle offenses.

Seems like such a delicate situation. I think he likely assisted in some shady **** but I don't want to call the guy guilty till all the facts come out.

The idea that if the wheels completely fall apart with Marone and EJ going 3-4 wins and looking like they don't have much potential then there could be a coaching change and a QB change is not impossible. But I don't think its likely.

I hope he is doing well, seemed like he didn't let his career and health (To a certain extent) being taken away take his life away as well.

McGahee will likely get some team to take a chance when camp injuries happen. Some teams starting or back up running back will get hurt come preseason or camp and they will bring him in. Still the clock is ticking on Willis, likely his last year in the league but a career that has spanned a lot longer than most RB's get.

A legit criticism of Pettine that I have heard from Jets fans is that he was one of the people within the Jets organization that was leaking out delicate info about the players and the coaching staff. That's a huge red flag but I like to think that as unprofessional as that was (And damaging to the team) maybe that's just how unprofessional the Jets organization was and it was that bad. The aggressiveness is not a issue I am concerned with.

Well you have to look at guys that were picks take around that spot. Every draft there are late round gems that anyone could have drafted. But if you look at the draft from pick 23-40 there were far better options than a Running back with Travis Henry already in place and it not being the hardest position to acquire. Steinbach and Jon Stinchcomb were productive offensive linemen for years that could have started for the Bills at a time when the team needed help protecting their QB's. Obviously Dallas Clark and Jason Whitten would have been much better picks at tightend. Even on the defensive end the litany of pro bowl DB's would have made more sense. McGahee wasn't able to play year one and it wasn't a position of need anyway. But even at positions of need on the offensive end both tightends or either O-line would have been much better picks. Only value the Bills got for McGahee was a couple of years of productivity and the draft picks they got for him after they traded him. They didn't miss out on a franchise QB but they missed on getting one of two great TE's or one of two highly productive offensive linemen.

Liking your third string QB is hardly a reason to cut a veteran, its likely that they would have done it anyway to get EJ the reps but the fact that they have a third QB that is impressing them is likely making the decision easier.

I don't really put any stock into OTA's at all. Training camp has a little weight to it as it seems like its much closer to game conditions. But OTA's is shorts and helmets so pass.

Its crazy that they rank Greg Jennings and the two Packers receivers Nelson and Cobb ahead of him along with Reggie Wayne. Stevie isn't a mega star number 1 like Megatron or Green but the dude is a legit number 1 and the fact that Eric Decker is ahead of him is a joke. I think any list would have Stevie top 20 for sure and I would rank him mid teens myself.

Thankfully my dad a Vikings fan can stop making fun of my team for having T Jax on the team even as a backup.

I always think people forget that Bruce Smith played in a 3-4 defense for most of his career. Its so much harder to rush from that position and Smith put up monster numbers from that. Reggie White and Deacon Jones put up their totals from the 4-3. Granted Smith complied numbers towards the end but his longevity is something to credit him with. Overall I think Bruce was the best all time. He played in a defense much less conducive to sacks. Jones is hard to compare to Bruce because he played in a difference era. Different types of players and rules.

The solution to the QB situation is EJ. Only question is how ready will EJ look in camp? IF EJ looks unpolished and raw I could see them starting Kolb who isn't good but is serviceable. No need to rush EJ if he needs to be coached up. But if EJ looks like he can play and will only improve by playing then he is the teams QB. I have a feeling EJ will be our starter come opening day. Kolb is just there as an option.

I imagine they feel more people would subscribe to NFL Mobile which would help off set the costs. They also will be making the rest back and maybe a profit as people's data usage will skyrocket and they can get fees from it. Throw in the draw to get new customers and I think Verizon shouldn't be trying to get other customers to pay for it. Hopefully... as I am a Verizon customer. And for those thinking about getting NFL Mobile its a good app. But keep in mind the data it uses is crazy esp if you steam video. But keep in mind that its only really useful if you work on Sunday's or can't watch the games on TV. I had it for free when I renewed my contract. I used it when I had work and it was good but if I had off Sunday's I couldn't imagine using the app that much.

I am surprised there was a team worse than the Bills in the Red Zone, third down, and run defense.

You really can't rank a guy accurately till at least 2 if not 3 years in the league. I know the NFL is a win now league but there has to be a sample size large enough to see how good or bad a coach is.

Nix and I am assuming now Whaley went along with that philosophy, picked up Reinhart and Urbik off the scrap heap and Pears was a low level signing. All 3 esp Urbik have played well or decent, so I think that this type of signing is right up their alley. I am not sure if they want him to start but depth was a big issue with the interior line if anything this is to simply address that concern. Like the signing as depth, guy can play center and guard not a bad fit for a team that needed depth there.

Its wait and see with Marrone, its hard to believe that he is the savior or that the players really believe in him without seeing some results in games. Once the team has played 4 games we can start to take the temperature of him and his staff. By the end of the season we can really know what he is made of and by the end of year 2 we will have a sense of if he is really what this team needs. I expect 6-7 wins but I would be really happy with 8 or 9 just getting to .500 or above with a rookie head coach and a QB situation that is either a rookie or a low level vet would be a great foundation to build on.

If your job allowed you to take 6 weeks off to be with a child after they were born wouldn't you take it? Its OTA's Lawson has played in a 3-4 for a long time now I am sure he will be quick to pick up the system. Yes a lot of people don't get to take much time off after having a kid but that doesn't mean they don't want to and that if they weren't afforded the luxury that they wouldn't. People have to stop comparing professional athletes who are at the top of their profession to ordinary people. I hope Branch has a legit excuse or at least some reason. Simply not showing up would be a little concerning since he has been playing in a 4-3 for a long time.