billsfan1959

I'm with you. An outright release, IMO, makes absolutely no sense. Even if the Bills were to miraculously land a starting caliber QB, why would they release a QB with only 14 games under his belt, under a reasonable contract, and probably as good or better than any other backup they could bring in?

What does this even mean?

Good post...and Robey did grade out worse than last year because of the different scheme.

Pretty sure he did more than that...

IMHO: Not even close.

Good question Yolo. I can understand no interviews for a HC position, given what happened in Detroit; however, no DC interviews? I wonder if other teams look at the level of defensive talent on the Bills and downplay Schwartz' abilities? Kind of puzzling to me...

Right, it was a desperation throw. I give him credit for escaping the rush and getting the ball to an area his receiver could catch it. Wilson did a number of things right on that play; however, there is nothing he did that caused the defensive back to play that pass so poorly - and It doesn't take away the fact that it should never have been a completion.

This is a good topic. I think there are coaches on both sides of the ball that are just at a different level when it comes to understanding offensive or defensive Xs and Os at a nuanced level. On offense, someone like Bill Walsh comes to mind and on defense, someone like Buddy Ryan comes to mind. I think Rex Ryan is in that category. His volume of work on the defensive side of the ball speaks for itself. I do think that, inherent in coaches at that level, is a nuanced understanding of the other side of the ball. Unfortunately, I believe what happens, as a HC, is that these types of individuals tend to want to devote their energies to their respective side of the ball and don't really have the time to devote to the other side of the ball - instead, leaving it to the coordinator. Ryan is one of those and tends to give almost complete autonomy to the OC and his staff. I think there are a number of variables that went into the problems Ryan's teams experienced on offense, and, certainly, Ryan deserves some of the blame. In the end, I believe Ryan will take the same approach in Buffalo. So, regardless of whether or not Rex understands the nuances of offensive Xs and Os, the success of the offense is going to depend on Greg Roman''s abilities and the personnel - particularly the offensive line.

I response to the OP's question: Yes, I would root for Brady if the return on that investment was a guarantee that he would retire. No brainer. As to this year's Super Bowl, I will do what I always do: Root against the team I hate the most. I maintain a constant high level of hatred for all things Patriot related, much as I did with the Dolphins through the 70s, 80s, and into the 90s. However, every once in awhile, a team will have a momentary spike ahead of the Patriots in regard to my level of hatred toward them. Seattle is that team for me at the moment. I have rooted against the Patriots in every post season game they have ever played. However, this year I will be rooting against Seattle. Although, in a perfect world, for me, (1) Seattle would get absolutely humiliated in the Super Bowl, (2) New England would subsequently be found to have cheated to such a degree that their win is forfeited, they lose all their draft picks next year, and Belichick is banned from the NFL, and (3) Brady retires in shame after his secret affair with Bruce Jenner becomes public...

I like Russell Wilson. He is smart, and a great athlete. However, IMO, he is not an elite QB. He may end up being one, but, at this point in time, he is nowhere near the category of Rogers, Manning, Brady, or Brees. Seattle is the very definition of Ground and Pound and Wilson is the perfect QB for Seattle. He plays smart and doesn't make very many mistakes, makes a lot of good plays with his feet, the occasional good play with his arm, and does not have to carry the team. Seattle got to overtime in that game yesterday as a result of a number of factors, but, Wilson's play was not one of them. He made one great throw in that game, not "a lot of great throws." I certainly give him credit for that throw in overtime; but bad plays and decision making on the part of the Packers, as well as the running game and defense of Seattle is what got them to overtime. As far as this idea of Wilson being a "crunch time" player when the game is on the line? What games are you talking about. No other quarterback has had a fourth quarter lead in more games than Russell Wilson. He has averaged 16 completions a game during the regular season, and 15 completions a game in the post season. In 7 post season games, he has had the lead in the fourth quarter in 5 of those games. In the two games in which he was behind, he lost one and should have lost the other (yesterday). Don't get me wrong, I would take Russell Wilson on my team. He is consistent and smart with the football. He may also turn out to be an elite QB. I just don't think his play at this point justifies putting him in that category

This is one of those Tourette kind of threads...a sort of random, uncontrollable, derogatory outburst... ...not that there's anything wrong with that

Let it go...

Same here - except I will be forced to root against Seattle, as they are the only team I despise more than New England...

I won't dispute the fact that it was a terrific job by Wilson just to get that pass off. However, IMO, it doesn't negate the fact that it was a completion only because of an unbelievably bad play by the defensive back. I think the football gods were smiling on Seattle in this game...

Yep...sometimes all you need is the best defense in the NFL, the best power running back in the NFL, conservative play by your opponent in the last 5 minutes of the game, a complete misplay on a desperation 2 pt conversion, a botched on side kick play, and one really, really good throw in overtime....

There, fixed it. Seattle is blown out of this game without Lynch and relying solely on Wilson.

I'm not saying he isn't a good QB. He just hasn't done anything yet to prove he is a great QB. Rogers is a great QB. Manning, Brady, Brees are all great QBs. Wilson is no where near that level at this point in time. Just my humble opinion.

Well, one is at home facing the 15th ranked defense in the NFL and the other is on the road facing the top ranked defense in the NFL.

Sort of involuntary commitment weird...

Impossible ...but a nice thought

I wanted Roman as well. I think Ryan and Roman have the potential to give this team a real identity - one much like the Ravens and Steelers have been known for through the years: Tough, physical, and aggressive on both sides of the ball. As far as OL coach, I wasn't sure who Roman would bring; however, I like what Kromer did in NO and in Chicago in 2013 (when he was the OL coach as well as OC). More than that, I am a big fan of Roman and what he wants to do, and Kromer is his pick for his OL coach. That is good enough for me. As far as what Kromer did in Chicago? He made a mistake and owned up to it. All indications are that he has been highly respected by his players through the years. I judge him on his body of work, not by one mistake. Hopefully it all translates into success on the field this year. That is the only thing that will matter in the end.

Well said...and spot on

In 2013 he was both OC and OL Coach. In 2014, he was OC only

FWIW, according to PFF metrics, the Chicago OL graded out as 5th best in run blocking in 2013 and 6th best in 2014. The pass blocking graded out at 29th in 2013 and 19th in 2014. Overall, their offense graded out 8th in 2013 and 18th in 2014.

This. I believe the FO went out and got the type of linemen Marrone wanted. He made it perfectly clear, from the very beginning in words and actions, that the OL was his specialty, priority, and "hands on" unit. IMO, the offensive woes of this team rested largely on the performance of this unit. By whatever metrics you choose to measure their performances, it is undeniable that every single lineman either regressed or, in the case of rookies, failed to appreciably develop in any way. I will wait and see how these players perform under a new coaching staff. At this point, I am more inclined to believe the problem was coaching and schemes, rather than Whaley's abilities as GM.