Mister Defense

You sum it up very well. It is so predictable and poor that when they start games defensive coordinators no longer fear our once great offense, but can't wait to get going against them. They are the worst thing possible in the NFL--predictable, and in so many ways. Shoot, even poor teams and weaker defenses seem to have figured this out. Let's hope the changes we did see as the game progressed yesterday were a good sign for the future--but I have been hoping for that too often over the last season+ now. It looks like Dorsey is in way over his head.

I agree completely, but then Dorsey just keeps reverting to his comfort zone, which, if allowed to continue, will mean this talent laden team, and superb quarterback, may not even make the playoffs this year, let alone be true contender. Where does the buck stop with the Bills offense? With other NFL teams it is with the OC, and needs to be with Dorsey and the Bills too--before it's too late. Our eyes are not deceiving us. There are clear and fundamental problems with all aspects of the offense, including their weekly preparation for the game. That disastrous pre-season game showed us what we could expect this year from Dorsey. That should have done more to force him to get things right. Instead it was brushed off with many excuses.

it is not bashing for the sake of bashing, but fans who are pointing to what is blatantly clear to almost all who watch this team. I am hoping that Dorsey finds his groove, but have been thinking that would happen, hoping it would, since early last year. Unless there is dramatic change now, despite all of the vocal for support from players and McDermott this week, Dorsey will be fired after this season. Despite the extremely poor start against the Pats, there were some positive changes in the diversity of players used, the use of the running game, the involvement of the backs in the passing game, and overall rhythm of the offense. But too little too late yesterday. In the next weeks we will see of things now progress--or if Dorsey falls into the same stale, obvious, predictable patterns that he seems to always revert to, leaving defensive coordinators licking their chops...

Too little of a response too late. But they did seem to finally find something once they got going (too late). Let's hope that the diversity they showed was the beginning of something new, but I thought that earlier in the season and they then just reverted back to the same ol' crap. Intentional, as I think it is misleading. The use of Cook, overall, has not been what it needs to be. Yes, his rushing stats look pretty good, but those many horrible runs right into the heart of defenses for such a slight back have been a big part of the problem. Cook will be a great weapon next year with the new OC, but he had a very good game yesterday. They actually made him an integral part of the passing game, finally! Is Dorsey dumb or just lazy, uninspired?

Too often the poor runs by Cook early int the game, those humorously poor and now predictable shots up the middle, add up to nothing, putting the Bills into much less manageable 2nd and 3rd downs. It immediately sets the tone for the game, making it difficult for the Bills to get into a rhythm. Murray and Harris need to be used much more on early downs too, especially early in the game. It is one of the many obvious things that need to be done by Dorsey that has not been done.

Probably the best quarterback to ever play the game, just needs a new offensive coordinator to create a dynamic, creative offense. Looks like that we may need to wait until next year for that..

363, with most of the big runs coming later in games, after the Bills have a lead. He is not a starting caliber running back, does not have the size to be that. He can be an excellent weapon--if the Bills use him correctly. How many times have they thrown the ball to him on the outside, in space, giving him an opportunity to use his speed? How many screen plays?

These were the weapons the Bills and media and fans were excited about, players that would likely help the Bills to take the next steps this year and return to legitimate Super Bowl contenders again this year: Trent Sherfield: 5 receptions, 39 yards, 0 TDs Deonte Harty: 12 receptions, 103 yards, 1 TD Dalton Kincaid: 17 receptions, 118 yards, 0TDs, 6.8 Yards a carry Damien Harris: 116 yards on 24 attempts, 1 TD and O pass reception Latavius Murray: 128 yards in 31 attempts, 2 TDs and 6 receptions for 40 yards How about the young players who should be hitting their stride this year?: Dawson Knox: 14 receptions, 92 yards, 6.6 ypc, and 1 TD Kalil Shakir, 4 receptions, 40 yards, 1 TD James Cook as a receiver, 14 receptions, 140 yards Add in the new offensive guards, Torrence and McGovern, much improved over last year's, creating a much better offensive line, facilitating getting the ball to their offensive weapons. I had confidence, that if Dorsey woke up and improved, this would be an excellent offense, capable of consistently beating high caliber teams. The buck stops with Dorsey, the offensive coordinator who gets the offense ready to play each week, creates the plays, calls the plays, and likely had a hand in choosing these players. How much salary does this add up to this year? Like his formations, diversity in both run and pass plays, and play calling, his use of personnel shows an extremely one dimensional, lazy approach to offense, lacking diversity in all aspects of offense. He is undermining this offense in dramatic ways. Josh Allen is too often forced into untenable positions, where he has to put it all on his shoulders. With an average quarterback this offense would be one of the worst in the league under Dorsey. Unless Dorsey changes his approach very soon, this year's Bills team will just be an after thought, like they became last year. All of this talent, and maybe the best quarterback to ever play the game, will add up to nothing because of this incompetence. IF it is allowed to continue.

Leading up to the game last week so much of the talk nationally was about that ferocious Washington defensive line, that the Bills would face a real test after not facing one against the Raiders. Never happened; Allen hit once the entire game. I think the focus on the Great Washington Defense added fuel to the Bills' defense. This week, it's been all about the Miami offense. And It is a high level offense, showing significant signs of being a special, great one, as they started to show last year. But the Bills defense rises to the occasion again today, and Dorsey continues to diversify the offense and use of personnel, getting the ball to Sheffield, the backs, and running the ball more with Murray and/or Harris, continuing to develop the more physical diverse offense that we have been seeing. Get loud out there! Bills 38, Dolphins 20

I would rather they pursue Taylor, think they can do that even with their cap situation. There are not a lot of options out there, and Hunt is the best of the bunch. I don't think Hunt would get 300 carries, but enough to take the pressure off of Cook and let him be the player he can become--rather than get beat down as the every down back that he has never been. In addition, it seems unlikely that Harris does not miss games, maybe quite a few this year.

Yes, as Gilliam is not a running back for the Bills, do not count him as such, with an average of one carry a year for three years. Kind of humorous, the reaction, almost like the criticism of those sounding the alarm last year for the slot receiver position.

What do you have in mind? Be more specific in what you would like to see done. Do you believe he should be punished in some way? Fired?

No I am very happy that the Bills signed Murray, think he plays like a much younger player. But the Bills are too thin at the position right now, going into the season. It will just give Dorsey an excuse for not running the ball enough again. Not a vital position to you? Because of the lack of recent big contracts and seemingly devaluing of the position in the NFL now?

The Bills have not brought him in, shouldn't they?

No way, for the reasons I stated above. They COULD be, but the evidence is not there to back it up. It is the opposite at this point.

Cook may turn out to be a great every down running back, but he isn't built like one and was not one in college. Can you see someone Cook's size taking one big hit after another and not wearing or breaking down soon? I cannot. I think he will be much better in a more limited role, although getting a lot of touches as both a runner and receiver. While Damien Harris is only 26 he has missed many games the last few years due to injury. He has already missed two with the Bills. Latavius Murray looks good and may get a lot more carries than most expect, but is 33. For a team that seems more committed to the run now, the Bills are very thin at running back. An unproven starter, an often injured Harris, and 33 year old Murray. Seems like the Bills are just hoping, rather than actually nailing this vital position, much like they did last year with the slot receiver position. When before last season many seemed to say it was not a big deal losing Beasley, that MacKenzie or Crowder would be even better, I thought that was foolish. It was a crap-shoot (that the Bills lost) for what was one of the most important positions in this offense. Getting rid of Singletarry and not having a good replacement may derail this offense in the same way this year. The Bills cannot compete with the top teams in the AFC if they are so one-dimensional again. An improved running game is vital for the Bills to take the next step. They cannot just role the dice again. The Bills should make a play for Taylor, but Kareem Hunt is a more realistic option. He is still out there and the Bills should sign him. He is 28 but has not had many carries lately in his career. They have a little extra money now with the Basham trade and should bolster this vital position now.

Good broadcasters, and I think both Tasker and Brown have that ability, are honest and objective. Period. Or almost no one will end up caring what they have to say. We see what is happening in our country when so many citizens believe the objective truth can easily be replaced with conspiracy theories, the facts be damned. Bean is one of the most blunt NFL GMs I have witnessed, and if you ask him he will tell you, I am sure, he wants the same from Tasker and Brown. The answer to that question does not mean that they throw away their integrity for a paycheck and make things up, ignore the facts.

It is not their job to promote and praise the organization. They are broadcasters, whose job is to provide, clear, honest and objective information and analysis. Like I said, your take is very cynical--and not accurate either. A cynical and negative take, saying. "that is what they all do..." Not true and not accurate, especially for the good broadcasters. I think all would agree with that.

I don't agree at all with that assessment of what their role should be as Bills's employees, to whitewash and praise, and to always put the team in the best light as possible. That, to me, is a very cynical and negative view. It is like saying the the coaching staff, trainers, or the GM should also simply market and praise the team and not to be objective.. For example, I think that Beane and McDermott are frequently blunt and objective when speaking of the Bills' performance and team's strengths--and areas in need of improvement. If they can be objective, I expect that same objectivity from all working for the Bills, including the broadcasters. It is not their job to "promote and market their team". If it was then that would make them illegitimate broadcasters in my view and in general, based on what the role of broadcasters should be and is.

I agree, think that Tasker is a much better football analyst than seems to be the common wisdom here. He can be direct, cut through the BS, and very clear, insigtful. However, when it comes to the Bills though, especially the offense, this is almost non-existent for him. But listen to see how blunt and honest he can be, and often is, when talking about other teams. To me that is a problem, undermining his credibility.

But sports are different to me, as the games are right out there for all to see. And it is a game. It seems absurd when those analyzing it seemed to have watched a different game and really diminishes their credibility.

?? Not his job to be objective or critical? Come on!! Yeah, that is the point--he does this with almost everything now, especially related to the offense. He did not used to be like this, so I wonder what the change is. Maybe he was told to be less objective and critical by the Bills at some point and so has become someone with a lame, often bizarre, excuse for all that goes bad. I cannot imagine any Bills fans being very interested in that perspective.

Well, if true, that is too bad. I expect my Bills heroes to be above the fray..

Mega penalties and almost no good plays from their starting unit against Pittsburgh's should concern all.

Without a valid, reliable running game there is no way the Bills win a Super Bowl. The best defenses, the ones they will play in the playoffs, and during the year, will be licking their chops, knowing that they only have one main target, making their job soo much easier. See: Bengals in the playoffs last year.