Dan

Manuel has definitely improved his play from last year in many areas. He no longer takes unnecessary hits when he scrambles. He goes through progressions better. He keeps his eyes downfield to make a play when he scrambles. Just to name a few. My contention is the offesnses biggest problem has been hackett... not EJ. How many times have we gotten into the redzone and gone completely conservative on the play calling? How many times have we run Spiller into the middle of the line when we all know that's not his strength? Hell, even the final play yesterday... why do we have two WRs down the field within 10yds of each other? That's all on the OC and the offense he's drawing up. The fact that EJ is struggling is clear. I don't dispute that at all. But, I contend he's struggling because our completely inexperienced OC has done everything possible to put him in horrible down and distance game situations while running a completely predictable offense. This offense is making everyone's job harder. Hence, Pears is suddenly complete garbage; Woods has taken a step backwards; Spiller's production has fallen off the cliff since Hackett got here. But, its all the QBs fault? I just don't see it that way.

I'm not nearly as interested in winning a game or two extra this year. I'm more concerned about building a winning team for the next decade. Is an aging, career backup the answer? The problem is too many people actually think we're a playoff team this year. The reality is... we're not. Maybe with a few lucky breaks we back into a wild card spot. But, that's it. From the coaching staff down to the WRs to the rookies on the line to the LBs, this is a young, inexperienced team that's still very much trying to learn to win together.

This is a straight up Panic Move by a Coach/GM that knows another losing season likely means they're fired with a new owner coming in. Orton is not a starter in this league, he hasn't been for years. He's a bandaid at best! With no 1st round pick next year, all they're doing is making certain that we don't have a franchise QB for the next 2-3 yrs. It's a short-sighted, panic move is all I can say. Is Orton going to look better handing off on that stupid read/option run up the middle play every other first down? Is he going to teach the OLine how to block? Or teach WRs to not drop passes? ....And if they do start calling different plays that are successful... isn't that still the coaches fault for giving EJ a crappy play book? I'm not at all convinced EJ is the long-term answer. But, I know Orton isn't. I also know that yanking young QBs in and out of the line up, historically, does far more harm than good to their carrer. People can say it had to happen all they want, but it's a panic move made by people fearful of losing their jobs. I hope it works, but history shows us... it almost certainly won't.

It was the play calling that called for 2 consecutive run plays up the middle after a turnover, to set up the 3rd down throw that everyone watching knew was coming. It was the play calling that called for a RB to run out of the backfield on JJ Watt's side of the field. The game plan seemed to be.. forget about Watt, if we play hard and execute we can beat him one on one. Well, guess what... they can't and they didn't. The Texans have one weapon on defense and we did nothing to game plan around him.

Exactyl how I see it. The offensive game plan is timid and scared with all the wrong plays called at all the wrong times. They're literally making it as hard as possible to move the ball by creating the worst situations possible. This is Jauron ball at it's finest.

I think it's just the opposite, Hackett is a QB killer. EJ is being coached to play scared. Our offense as a whole is simple, predictable and comletely ingnorant of the palyers strengths. The defesnes have figured it out and are playing within 15 yds of the LOS. So, yeah, EJ looks bad at times, the WR are dropping balls, and the RBs are less productive. But how many times is EJ throwing the ball a split second before he's hit? How many of the WRs are have a defender in their back pocket while trying to catch the ball? How many times do EJ or Fred get hit at the line ans have to make someone miss, just to get positive yards? Four weeks in and the league has figured this offense out. And it shows on the field. So while everyone wants to talk about various players not executing or wish we coulda had this guy, the big point is being lost. And that point is that we have college coaches installing a basic college offense and the NFL is eating them up.

Execution is bad, I agree. But its the classic... set your team up to lose. This is a basic, predictable offense. But the 3rd quarter the entire defense is within 15yds of the LOS. It's hard to do much when the entire defense is on the line with little too fear.

Week 4: Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans Sunday, September 28, 2014 at 1:00pm TV Network: CBS (TV Map) Announcers: Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots DirecTV: 709 Bills Radio: On the call: John Murphy (play by play), Mark Kelso (analyst), Sal Capaccio (sideline) Flagship: Buffalo – WGR550 (550AM); Toronto - 590 The Fan; Rochester - WCMF (96.5) and WROC (950AM); Syracuse - WKRL (100.9/WKLL 94.9) Sirius/XM: 126 (Internet 803; Spanish 971) ================================================================= Game Preview: With Arian Foster's status still in question, Fitzpatrick likely must cut down on his mistakes Sunday in Houston if he's to win his first matchup with a Bills team for which he was once the franchise quarterback. Rookie Alfred Blue had 78 yards on 13 carries starting for Foster, but 46 of them came on one run. Either Foster or Blue has a tough assignment against a Buffalo defense which has not allowed more than 90 yards rushing in a game. That unit, though, was picked apart by Philip Rivers in a 22-10 home loss to San Diego last Sunday. Buffalo's pass defense ranks 26th in the league at 267.3 yards per game. Read more at ESPN game preview... --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bills at Texans NFL.com Preview NFL Week 4 Preview: Bills at Texans NFL Week 4 Viewer's Guide NFL.com Game Center Team Stats: Bills Texans Total Yds/Game.... 322.3 353.0 Total Rush............. 131.0 140.7 Total Pass............. 191.3 212.3 Points/Game.......... 21.3 20.7 Time of Poss.......... 29.2 31.7 ---------------------------------------------- Yds/Gm Allowed... 350.0 385.0 Rush Yards........... 83.0 141.7 Pass Yards........... 267.0 243.3 Points Allowed........ 17.3 16.7 Source: NFL.com Overall Offense: Bills - 24th; Texans - 15th Overall Defense: Bills - 15th; Texans - 25th MatchUp Comparison via SportingCharts.com Injury Report: Buffalo Bills NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS Brooks, Ron CB Illness - - DNP Probable Easley, Marcus WR Knee DNP DNP DNP Out Goodwin, Marquise WR Concussion LP DNP DNP Out Johnson, Randell LB Knee DNP DNP DNP Out Manuel, EJ QB Abdomen FP FP FP Probable Rivers, Keith LB Groin LP LP LP Doubtful Searcy, Da'Norris S Ankle LP LP LP Probable Spiller, C.J. RB Chest - FP FP Probable Watkins, Sammy WR Ribs FP FP FP Probable Williams, Chris G Back DNP DNP DNP Out Woods, Rober WR Ankle FP FP FP Probable Source: BuffaloBills.com Houston Texans NAME POSITION INJURY WED. THU. FRI. GAME STATUS A.J. Bouye CB Groin Did Not Participate In Practice Questionable Jadeveon Clowney LB Knee Did Not Participate In Practice Out Jared Crick DE Neck Full Participation in Practice Probable Arian Foster RB Hamstring Limited Participation in Practice Questionable Kareem Jackson CB Thigh Full Participation in Practice Probable Tim Jamison DE Groin Full Participation in Practice Probable Andre Johnson WR Ankle Full Participation in Practice Probable Ben Jones G Knee Full Participation in Practice Probable Johnathan Joseph CB Foot Limited Participation in Practice Probable Shiloh Keo S Calf Did Not Participate In Practice Out Shane Lechler P left Hip Did Not Participate In Practice Questionable Eddie Pleasant S Ankle Did Not Participate In Practice Out D.J. Swearinger S Elbow Limited Participation in Practice Probable Source: NFL.com Practice Status Game Status DNP = Did Not Participate in Practice Out = Player will not play LP = Limited Participation - Less than 100% of normal reps Doubtful = 25% chance a player will play FP = Full Participation - 100% of a player's normal repetitions Questionable = 50% chance a player will play Out = Player will not play Probable = 75% chance a player will play (-) = Not Listed = No practice status available (-) = Not Listed - No game status available The Odds: Line: Texans -3 Over/Under: 41.0 Source: The LineMakers (good video preview at Linemakers) Up to date lines... if you're in Vegas. My Thoughts on the Game: Some of the air has really been let out of the optimism around our team with last week’s loss, deservedly so. The team looked pretty bad in all phases of the game. So, this week is a big test. Can they bounce back? Can they shake off a miserable loss and get back in the win column? We should get an early indication of the team’s character this weekend. For those thinking this is an easy game and the Bills should win handily, just look at the team stats. These teams are pretty evenly matched and in most areas, except run defense, the Texans seem to have an edge. By no means should this be considered an easy win, especially if Foster is able to play. What are my keys to the game that I’m looking for: 1. Run game/Stopping the Run. Our key advantage on the stat sheet is in the run game. We run and stop the run better than the Texans. We have to keep this trend up today. The Bills were forced out of that formula last week and EJ was unable to pass us to a win. Hopefully, this week Fred and CJ can get our run game going; while the Williams brothers can stop theirs. 2. EJ. Yep, despite #1 above, EJ is going to have to throw the ball. He has to do a better job of finding our WRs than he did last week. I expect to see defenses start crowding the LOS to stop our run game. EJ has to show that teams will pay for that. 3. Marrone. He needs to show progress. His end of the half clock management last week was bad. His decision to punt from the 43 on 4th and 1 was bad. He’s still making poor in-game decisions. It’d be nice to see him coach with some of the intensity and confidence that he’s trying to get the players to play with. Also.. . can we please, please not start the game with a run up the middle! 4. Fitzy. I like the guy. He was a good player and got us a great win over the Pats. I hope he throws 3 picks to us, but it’ll be nice to see the back and forth between him and some of the players. Hopefully, he’s not too fired up to prove to the Bills brass they made a mistake in letting him go. 5. DBs. This should be a week for them to step up. If they let Fitz torch us for big 3rd down conversions, I’d make them walk home from Houston. Go Bills!!

Yep, there's absolutely no reason to make the changes mid-season. There are very few top candidates available because they all already have jobs. And, I agree, it'll give him time to see what changes should be made. That's why this season is so critical to this team... from the FO to the Coaches to EJ and on down, everyone is essentially interviewing for their job with their performance this year. For the coaches and players, it's pretty simple... win. If they do that, most of them stand a good chance of staying and probably will. Who stays and who goes very likely depends on Marrone - whether he stays or how strong his convictions are, if they ask him to replace an assistant coach. But, if this team turns ir around and wins 10 games and looks prepared and focused each week, Marrone almost certainly buys himself a couple more years. Anything less, and it's a toss up. For the FO, it's a bit more nuanced. Sure winning is important, but personalities and trust are a big part of it. Does Russ stay? Whaley? You gotta think the money guy and his staff are out. So, I see some changes but necessarily a wholesale turn over of the FO. And ultimately, I think that comes down to someone that Pegula trusts (his wife) working with Brandon and company and making those determinations along the way. At least that's how I see it.

I agree, the way they've handles the QB position is mind boggling at times. However, EJ is making a case that putting their belief in him isn't entirely a mistake.... he has done some good. Hackett, on the other hand, is doing far more harm than anything to the offense. Unless I'm mistaken we've gone backwards in every key offensive statistic since his arrival. The offense is approaching the complete predictablity and simplicity that had opposing defenses literally laughing at us in the Jauron days.

I backed up several times looking for the Bills. Then got pissed because they didn't even mention us! Good thing I continued reading the crap list.... finished it and was thinking, "wow, that's a great article!" What is most interesting though is reading some of the responses here (and in the EJ is actually pretty good article) by people seemingly upset that their preconceived narratives aren't being reinforced by pundits.

In my mind, the only decision that has been truly bad was hiring a completely unproven and inexerienced OC.

Bein' good's got nothin to do with it. #2 is all about is their a marquee player/storyline they can promote?

I competely agree. I really liked Fitz... still do. My guess, at the time, the team asked him to stay on as a backup and restructure his contract. And he declined both. I still contend that if you put Fitz on this team, with this defens, and we'd be in playoff contention. That DOES NOT mean I want to cut EJ for Fitz! It just means I think the team he was on while here was a lot weaker. But he (more specifically Chan) had the offense actually looking like a professional NFL offense. Hackett has us back in the remedial football 101 mode that we last saw in the Jauron days.

No. If your QB doesn't win the Soer Bowl every year, he needs to be cut. But why stop there? If ANY player has a bad game, they should be cut on Monday. Just call up all the good teams and trade for their best players. I do it all the time in famtasy football and it works like a charm! Championship every time!

That's what I was thinking when I posted my observation. Not meaning to say Geno is better or anything, but to say here's 2 QBs in the same division both with positives, both with flaws, each seemingly coached differently. It'll be interesting to see who ends up better as the seasons progress.

Pretty much sums it up.

Gotta be something like that because the defender completely ran through the guy.

Exactly. People get too up and too down and have completely unrealistic expectations. EJ is a young QB, he's going to have bad throws and even bad games. It happens. ALL QBs (and players do), but especially 2nd year guys. It doesn't mean he's a bust. It's just the way it is. Sammy will probably not set all the league's passing records this year either. I know its a shocker. But, that wouldn't mean he's a bust either. well played

true. Just to be clear, I'm not suggesting Geno is better or that I'd prefer him to EJ in any way. It was just an observation. Geno seems to be coached to be more of a gunslinger, some interceptions are ok. EJ is veing given just the opposite coaching. I do wish EJ would put more heat on his thows, it seems like the windows are so short in the NFL that the sonner that ball gets there, the better especially in the red zone. How was that last play not PI on the Bears? (I'm glad it wasn't!)

Watching this game... the primary differences I see between Geno and EJ are (1) Geno plays with more confidence and doesn't seem as afraid to take a hit and (2) he has more velocity on his throws. Granted, he's more reckless with the ball but the Jets always seem to be in the game despite his turnovers.

I hope you're right.

I'd feel much better about Marrone, if he would have hired a real OC. But, as it stands now, we're stuck with someone that's in over his head and allowing him to learn on the fly what it takes to be a good coach in the NFL while talented players sit wasted on the bench.

Precisely... EJ starts slow and when you add in his slow eyes, it obviously takes him a while to get warmed up. It's obvious we need a more experienced QB to hand the ball off with more accuracy.

And I'd like to add.... you can't expect to have Pro Bowl, HOF caliber players at every position.