Turbosrrgood

This is good news then. Even though he's labeled as a LB, the end of last year and all of this year he has been playing up at the line with his hand down. Not a whole lot different than how a 4-3 DE would play, hence his much better performance since they started doing that. With him back, I think that changes how the O-line can play the Bills. With Kelsay, Dareus, and now Heard lining up next to each other, teams will have to focus on that. That should take some of the pressure off of the young guys filling in for Merriman, and maybe create some opportunities. I'm being unusually optimistic here, but maybe it's just wishful thinking. I like our defensive players overall, but lets face it, if the Bills can't start getting some pressure on the QB's this nice start could turn around really quick... It sure would be nice if George Edwards (weak link) could do some game planning, or at least design a few quality blitzes, I am not quite THAT optimistic though...

I haven't seen any information on that, but I hope so...despite the haters he has been our best pass rusher over the last 6 games of last year, and the time he played this year. He has even looked good against the run this year when healthy. He may not get a ton of sacks, but he makes his way into the backfield on a regular basis.

Despite what is starting to like like a pretty gloomy outlook for our already weak defense (maybe even a death knell for our playoff chances), there a few things to be optimistic about. We know we lost Merriman for the season, Williams season is in doubt, Troup may never be able to play, and our D has been getting torched all season anyway... BUT, I personally am very excited to see Heard line up at NT. He made the team as a gigantic DE, but he definitely has the size (6-6 ~350) to play NT. He looks to be very athletic for his size, and has a great burst off the line...Plus he's got a mean streak. We could do way worse at that position. Hopefully he can be disruptive similarly to KW, and with his size maybe even tip a few passes. Unfortunately our pass rush is probably the biggest problem on this team as a whole, and now Merriman is out. BUT,despite the hype, Merriman literally did nothing in the regular season. So losing him isn't THAT big of a deal, we will now get to see plenty of the young guys behind him. I like getting Coleman back in the mix, I think that's a very solid move. He can at least play the run well...Hopefully those young guys can turn the corner (literally), our season might depend on it... Edit : I meant to mention McGee too. I think he is our best cb when healthy. His return is huge for us considering our poor pass rush.

Wow, NO. First off, how bad has the eagles D been this year WITH him, despite a good pass rush. Secondly, our secondary ISN'T the problem. Yes Florence had a bad game, but overall he is solid. No corner can help our defense, when we have no pass rush what so ever.

I think it's just you...Gailey took the "no name" offense and made into a pretty dangerous squad... Yeah Fitz missed on a few critical passes last week, but other than that our offense has been hitting on all cylinders. Actually I can't remember the last time the play calling was this good on offense. Now the defensive play calling on the other hand....they need draw up some blitzes.... Cue the defensive stats... I usually hate the "what if" conversations. But the Bills are just a few defensive plays away from being undefeated. The turnovers have been great, but other than that we can't stop people.

Yeah, I have thought that with some of these trade rumors...The Colts, Broncos, trading away some of their best players...What about the Dolphins not picking up Gerrard...Sounds like they are afraid he might win a few games... Also, the more picks you have the more ammo you have to try to move up and get him if necessary. Certainly not Ralph Wilson...

I never thought they would make him an actually receiver...But I thought he looked surprisingly good in that position. He was more effective as a receiver than he was as a RB, and showed pretty good hands. The guy is fast, I am ok with them exploring this route. What I would like to see less of is Brad Smith at WR, I didn't realize he was that bad at the position. He runs poor routes, and really can't catch. I love him in the wild cat though, kind of surprised they don't use it more. Especially when they need to run clock.

I think Jared Allen was traded TO the Vikings after a 15.5 sack season, for a 1st and two 3rd's if I am not mistaken... I have to say though, I can't remember the last time there was this much noise around the trade deadline. The NFL doesn't usually do much mid-season trading.

Wow, that's a steal for the Rams. The Bills could have really used him for that price. If you are the Rams, why bother though? They are obviously out of contention. People saying that we don't need WR help are crazy IMO. Our best#2 receiver last game was...CJ Spiller?

The Dolphins didn't sign Gerrard because they were afraid he would win a few games...They want Luck... Same thing with the Colts, they are sticking with Painter...Although he could screw them and actually win a few games.

The onus is still on Edwards though. Gailey was able to turn the offense into a pretty good unit with virtually no additions, adjusting to strengths and weaknesses of his players. Edwards has to do the same. We aren't getting pressure with a standard front...Then run some blitzes, change it up. With Dareus drawing double teams every play that should open it up...What I am seeing from the defensive play calling right now reminds me of the Dick Jauron era...If something doesn't work, just keep doing it anyway... Being able to find ways to the job done with the guys you have is what separates good coaches from bad. Gailey looks like he has a clue, Edwards does not...

Yeah, I can agree with all that. I actually thought the Bills did a pretty good job on McCoy, who has been mostly unstoppable this season. Vick is a 1 of a kind threat that we don't have to worry about again. Unfortunately with Merriman looking to be riddled with injuries again, and Kelsay out...we really don't have any other options at OLB. They have been playing Carrington and Spencer Johnson there, but that is more situational and neither has done much.

Umm, yeah. It is a fact that Morrsion isn't playing, it is a fact that he is behind Barnett, Davis, and Sheppard on the depth chart. It is a fact that he is a backup. It is a fact that no other team picked up up Morrison, and that the Bills got him cheap at the last moment when Torbor got hurt. It is a fact the Jags let Morrison go and replaced him with Poz, who the Bills let go....Other than that you are right, I haven't mentioned any facts. Your pro scouting experience aside, I support the coaches starting Davis/Sheppard. You obviously are welcome to your opinion. Of course I have not seen one other person on any football website, forum, or tv show suggesting Morrison should be playing...so you are on your own.

My apologies for not presenting you an answer that makes you feel all warm and bubbly inside. You have been asking why Morrison has not been playing, I am simply offering the facts of real life. And yes, as I said, I loved the Morrison pick up for depth. I will agree with you that our D has been troublesome this year so far, but you are focusing on the wrong part of the D. Our middle linebackers have been down right good. No team so far this year has been able to run up the middle on us (thanks in large part to Davis), only the leagues leading rusher has had any real success (yes Bradshaw did ok as well). It has been the inability of our D to produce any pass rush that has been the real issue (In general not a responsibility of the MLB's). Replacing good MLB's with mediocre ones will NOT make our D better against the pass, but it could make us worse against the run...Obviously the Bills coaching staff agrees... And as great as I look in a leapord g, I will have to disappoint you. Those are private...

I despised the Edwards hiring from the beginning. I thought his LB unit on the dolphins was awful during his tender, despite having decent talent. Wanny is a step up, but I thought he had a mainly 3-4 background. Despite our defensive whoopings, I don't think we are that far off talent wise. IMO our biggest problem by far is no pass rush. Our run D has been solid, and I think we have a decent secondary...But they need help, if the QB has all day like Manning had we don't stand a chance.

Relax, no one is making you take the Morrison poster down from your ceiling, or return his jersey. Read the depth chart, I am not making it up. Davis is the starter, Sheppard is the "backup" but appears poised to take over the starting role sometime this season. Barnett is a starter and there is no challenge there. There is a reason why Morrison was dropped in favor of POZ, and why no other team picked him up. The Bills got him on the cheap, as a backup when Torbor got hurt. I loved the pickup for depth (he's definitely better than Torbor), but that is all he is. My concerns with the D right now are actually the OUTSIDE LB's. We are getting NO pass rush, and that's the major reason our secondary is getting eaten alive.

The Raiders were looking decent, but I wouldn't have considered them a primary contender for a wild card spot... The Jets, Titans, Texans, Steelers are all legit wild card teams. Heck even the Bengals are 4-2, and beat us. It's way too early to be taking playoffs anyway, we had a better record in 2008 and didn't make it. I was kind of pulling for the Raiders though, scrappy team kind of like our Bills. They are in a tough spot now. He definitely seems like a good fit for the Raiders, I never got the impression he could play though. I never saw an NFL arm, and definitely not an NFL brain, just the legs...

Morrison is 3rd on the depth chart behind Davis and Sheppard...He is not going to play unless there is an injury. Davis is our strongest (and slowest) LB, but he has been fine, our best run stuffer. Sheppard has been rotating in, and I am assuming he will get more and more time as he gets comfortable.

I think it's pretty clear that our lack of a pass rush is the biggest problem with our defense right now... Having said that I don't think we need or want guys like Freeny or Mathis. They are and always have been pure 4-3 rushers, and have never really been bothered with having to play the run. I just don't see them fitting in. Allen is a beast, and even though he plays in a 4-3 now, I think he could flat out play anywhere. I just don't see us paying the price for him though. Have there even been hints that he's on the block? Long doesn't impress me, Chris Kelsay clone... We need help, badly...But I think it will have to wait until next year, we will have to start blitzing I think...

I could see the comparison. Their game is about finding holes and taking advantage of openings, not raw speed or power. Physically they are a little different. Thomas had that little bowling ball thing going for him, low center of gravity and opposing defenders could never seem to get a hand on him. Jackson runs tall, and slides through gaps.

Yeah I wouldn't say that either and didn't mean to imply that, I was very much in favor of Darues over Miller but he has proved his worth as a pass rusher... I was simply adding some additional info after your comment.

I liked Green, I got a Calvin Johnson type of vibe out of him. Still, Dareus was the right pick. I don't think we are 4-1 without him. He has been a big part of us stopping the run, and has provided plenty of pressure as well. At the beginning of the season it seemed like we had decent WR depth, so it's easy to look back now and say we needed a WR. We traded Evans, Easley went on IR, as well as parrish and now Jones is hurt(although he didn't look like #2 material to me). So sure we could use a receiver now, but the defensive line needs were glaring at draft time. I stand by my opinion after the draft that we got the best overall player (Yeah, Newton is making a bid too...). Miller also got benched due to poor play...He's a solid pass rusher, but not a complete player at this time...

Yeah I wish that were true, but Jackson spent plenty of time in NFL Europe and college. He has plenty of Miles, although less since they have been in the NFL. On this subject though, you could point out that Jackson's running style might lend to a longer career. Much like Tiki Barber. He doesn't just simply slam into the opposing line every play, but excels at finding holes and sliding through. He almost never takes direct hits, forcing opposing tacklers to take more difficult angles. These are what makes him a good RB, but they could also extend his career. He's not the biggest or fastest, but he has good vision, instincts, and a fluid running style...

Now that's a reasonable description of the guy, won't argue those points one bit. I personally would like to have him, at the right price. Our WR's behind SJ really worry me, I think a solid #2 could make us a real contender. To your point the guy hasn't shown the consistency yet to warrant a huge contract or high draft pick, so I'm hoping they can wheel and deal. Our team has done pretty well with what we have so far, so hopefully we will be alright either way.

I suppose I can see how you inferred that, but that wasn't my meaning at all. As a matter of fact I pointed out what great surprises Pears and Hairston have been. Saying that Hairston is a better run blocker than Bell, isn't saying anyone "sucks".