Nihilarian

I know I have read here that the past teams Bills teams have had bad players, and is a big reason as to why all those teams were bad. Jauron's teams played hard, and were in a lot of close games they lost! In 2006 for example the Bills finished 7-9, and lost five games by three points or less. Plus his teams looked like they usually lost half the starters to injuries every year. Perhaps its just me, I can't help but think that if only Jauron, Gailey, Marrone had hired qualified NFL offensive coordinators that all those teams over all those years would have done so much better then they did. Greg Roman is the first "real" NFL offensive coordinator the Buffalo Bills had have in ten years, and he is excellent at his job so far!

Yep, and he was a terrific complement to Bruce Smith as a pass rusher because teams had difficulty blocking both. I can tell you this, that after watching him play at Alabama I was so upset that the Colts drafted him #2 overall I wanted to cry!(The Bills were in the same division back then) Apparently Biscuit didn't like the Colts either, and held out. Then I rejoiced like crazy when Bill Polian made the blockbuster trade for him to be a Buffalo Bills!! The man made an instant impact for the Bills. as Shane Conlan was able to move inside and in a few games after the trade the world saw why the Bills had made that trade. Against the hated Miami Dolphins with a young Dan Marino at QB (who had taken his team to a super bowl just three years earlier), and the Phins had the Marks Bros at WR. The Bills held the Dolphins on defense so well that the Dolphins with Marino at QB NEVER crossed the 50 yard line all game!! Finally later in the game with the score 27-0 Miami benched Marino and QB Don Strock came into the game . Strock drove Miami down to the Bills goal line, and then promptly threw an INT!! What a great game to witness on such a beautiful autumn day. Even though the team was only 7-8 that year every Bills fans knew they would be a special team in the future. I went and bought my season tickets the next year. **As much as I like they guy he did have one instance in which he spent time in jail, and if that issue comes up while they are discussing him I kinda doubt he gets in the HoF.

It is so refreshing having an actual NFL offensive coordinator focusing on the task of running an NFL offense. Its been so long for us Bills fans!! 2012-13 Marrone brought his OC from Syracuse who had no NFL experience at calling NFL plays or setting up an NFL game plan. 2010-12Gailey was an ex NFL OC but its gotta be extremely difficult to run the entire team, and entire offense at the same time. Both suffered. 2006-2009 Jauron kept hiring newbies after Steve Fairchild left for the college ranks after his two seasons as Bills OC. Then come to find out Fairchild never called the offensive plays in St Louis. Then next it was Turk Schonert promoted from QB coach, and after that it was AVP again promoted from QB coach.

The man earned my dislike for him as the Buffalo Bills head coach with his multiple player mistakes, and clear ineptitude of running an NFL offense. Or if you will, by allowing a complete moron to run his offense for him. I don't dislike the man personally on any level.

Whaley talks about drafting for players to sit and learn for awhile, and I don't see that as feasible at all unless you hit on every draft pick. Then considering the turnover of players each team goes through every year. John in the post above mentions the offensive line, and it looks only partially built from my view. I don't know if Kouandjio will even ever become a valid starter out of a 2nd round pick, and teams really can't wait 2-3 years to see if they become a decent starter. This is the second year for Kujo already. This last off season Whaley went after a top free agent OT & OG, and missed out on both. Should the team have signed those two then I think the team would be a lot more finished then it is. Then if Glenn or Incognito isn't resigned, good lord!

I suppose you think Mike Mularkey turned the culture around because he went 9-7 one year too, Doug Marrone is right back to where he should be in the NFL, and that's an OL coach as an assistant.

I don't see how going 6-10, and then 9-7 (which would have been 8-8 had the game any real meaning for the super bowl champs) is turning the culture around. "IF" the team had made the playoffs last year, then yes. I would agree he changed the culture. But, the Bills didn't win that game against a lowly 2-12 team! Marrone was an arrogant jackass who nicknamed himself St Doug. Yet he didn't pull off any miracles in Buffalo, and he was carried by his defensive coordinators.

Good thing. i really have no faith in Boobie this year, and dunno why he isn't doing better.

Yep, and rookie OG Cyril Richardson for the first four games as the starting LG over Urbik. Richardson is on the Bills practice squad this year. The team benches EJ, and the same week replaces the rookie at LG. This stuff leads me to believe that Marrone had no clue.

No idea where this came from because I for one was doing back flips that he opted to leave, and my biggest concern was that his lame brained choice for an OC would remain with the team after he left. Doug Marrone stunk as a head coach IMO primarily because he ignored the offense, and helped out his buddy the ST coach. Fans seem to forget that the team would always keep the extra ST players active and the players that could actually help the ailing offense inactive. I don't know anybody who isn't happy the guy is gone from Buffalo! Then or now.

I don't look at the trading away of Matt Cassell as a big loss simply because he doesn't fit in Greg Romans offense this year. Why you ask? Because I think his statuesque ass would get killed playing solely from the pocket, as the line is not that good just yet. Whaley was a rookie GM when he took the job in Buffalo, and he has had his share of mistakes since he started no question. But, lets not forget who was guiding him throughout the process. Buddy Nix was even on the staff as a consultant up until late last year, and I have to think some of the zany things that transpired over that period in time Nix is partially responsible for having a hand in. Whaley was probably also taking advice from the CEO who was also the acting GM for a period of time after Marv Levy stepped down. To me its a huge difference in signing OG Chris Williams, allowing Pears to switch from RT to RG at his height and inability to get low. The thinking that OG Colin Brown, David Snow or Doug Legursky, could take Andy Levitres position no problem. The trades for RB Bryce Brown, and WR Mike Williams. But then this year with Doug Whaley on his own he knocked it out of the park with the trade for LeSean McCoy for Kiko Alonso. The acquisitions of Charles Clay from Miami. The signing of Percy Harvin, Tyrod Taylor and Richie Incognito. The drafting of John Miller, Ron Darby, Karlos Williams. Then the fact that Whaley attempted to sign OT Brian Bulaga away from the Packers, and Jahri Evans away from the Saints tells me he is no longer thinking anything like Buddy Nix used to do. The man recognized the weakest areas of the team, and tried to shore them up with top talent. Clearly Doug Whaley is learning as he goes, and getting better at his job every year! The end result is a very competitive team in the AFC East!

I have no idea why anyone would say that. With a playoff berth on the line I watched the guy take hit after hit by Kahlil Mack in that Raider game, and he just kept throwing... 49 times to be exact. The Buffalo Bills run game with Spiller went 13 rushes for 13 yards the entire game!! Meaning that Orton was forced to carry that entire game with literally no run game. Watch this Or this,

Man, I for sure wouldn't want to see Tyrod Taylor with no NFL starting experience playing behind last years offensive line, and with that utter moron Nate Hackett calling nothing but pass plays. :sick I look at last years Buffalo Bills team and have to think that if anything held them back it was the inferior coaching on offense, and the very, very bad offensive line. Considering how bad the coaching, O line was I'm literally amazed how well Kyle Orton played. Extrapolating what the man did in 12 games out to 16 games, and he throws for 4000+ yards despite the JV college play calling. That 4000 yards would put him in the select company of the top 11 NFL QB's. How poorly the rest of the offense played was on Marrone. (lousy run game) Wasn't he an ex NFL offensive line player, and coach? Yet he fielded the very worst offensive line the team has seen the last 10 years. Wasn't starting OG Cyril Richardson over Urbik the first six games Marrone's idea, and Richardson isn't even on the active roster now. Erik Pears at RG? In my opinion the man was a stooge in leaving his OC to his own devices. The other aspect besides the QB play was the play of that #4 ranked defense under Jim Schwartz, and his defense that only allowed one game more then 26 points all year. Whats more is I hate to think of what would have happened to EJ last year had Orton not been available. If you think Doug Marrone was a good head coach that's fine. I guess we will have to agree to disagree. If you think Kyle Orton was a bad QB, and worth nothing but a backup then i guess we disagree again.

The Bills will draft a LT or two... just not with a first round pick.

I'm more concerned about losing Harvin, Incognito right now. I don't even want to think about what happens if Tyrod Taylor becomes the next Russell Wilson play, and pay. http://www.buffalorumblings.com/bills-news-notes/2015/3/18/8236345/tyrod-taylor-contract-details-buffalo-bills-qb-nfl-free-agency-2015

Its also not that uncommon for a perennial backup QB to finally get it, and become a decent starter for awhile. Fitz comes to mind. Yea, I do think that there is so much pressure on players to perform asap or they are given up on, and that happens on just about every position nowadays. The Patriots always seemed to be grooming a QB behind Brady for whatever reasons. So many teams still don't have their franchise QB so they don't have the luxury of allowing a QB to sit and learn for four years.

There was talk of Pettine getting some offers, and lots of folks said no way he gets an offer. Well, ole Mike jumped at the first opportunity, and while I can see why he took the job for the $, and experience. That job was probably the very worst HCing job in the NFL. Still, after only playing three games it is a bit early to be worried just yet.

McCoy, no question in my view. While Karlos is all power he runs so upright I worry about him, and Dixon hasn't done much so far. The leading rusher might just be Tyrod. The Bills still have receivers in Harvin, Woods, 7/11, Clay, Goodwin, Thigpen, Mulligan, Gray, Gragg, and maybe even give Easley some targets.

Yet that QB still went 7-5, and threw for 3018 yards, 18 TD's, in only 12 games. With a completion percentage of 64.2%, and I agree he did all that with the worst rated offensive line in the league. So many Bills fans don't like Kyle Orton, and I dunno why. Marrone wanted him back, and when Orton said he was retiring even after being offered 5 mill per, his retiring is a big reason why St Doug quit. The Cowboys also gave Orton a call when Romo went down this year. I agree the overall talent on the offense this year is greatly upgraded this year over last year, and while not completely upgraded. The overall offense is in far better shape this year then last. All the Bills players played their hearts out for Dick Jauron, and I wouldn't want him back either

The whole story isn't written just yet, and by that I mean its only been three games for Tyrod Taylor. Not five years like it has been for Kaepernick! Would the 49ers have been smarter to sit Kaepernick a few years, and keep Alex Smith as the starter? With no veteran QB behind him pushing him or on the bench to help guide him Kaepernick has regressed very badly the last two years. Man 0 man, Colin Kaepernick was 9 of 19 for 67 yards, and 4 INT's last game against Arizona, and Blane Gabbert is the backup Whats puzzling to me is that the 2014 49ers were #4 in rushing yards, and #9 in rushing attempts, and yet were 25th in points, 20th in yards because the QB was stinking it up almost every game. Kaepernick had a decent receiving corps with Anquan Bolden, Michael Crabtree, Vernon Davis, Brandon Lloyd, Stevie Johnson. Then RB Frank Gore was a beast as the 49ers had over 2000 yards rushing. It got so bad on offense that Jim Harbaugh took over the play calling half way thru the season. Yea, Tyrod has been great in all three games even though the rest of the offense has not been so great. Taylor is making an average to below average offensive line look better then it is with his runs, and roll outs. Who know what will happen should Tyrod injure a wheel, and be forced to just throw from the pocket. Anyway, here is hoping that the current great success of Taylor, Roman and the Bills offense continues

Really Kirby? Marrone seemed more intent on helping his friend the ST coach, and basically neglected what was going on with the offense. Coming from an offensive background as the Saints OC you would think that he would have had major input into what was going on with the offense besides up the middle 70% of the time with Spiller, and Jackson the first season. Then letting his OC go crazy calling pass plays before his second year QB was ready for that in year two. Then once he had Orton under center they basically just called 40+ passes a game, and almost ignored the run game. Kyle Orton carried that 2014 offense despite the bad offensive coaching. Marrone with an offensive background and his offenses stunk, and were no better then around 20th each year. No QB coach the first year with a bunch of rookie QB's, really? That singular move was about the most stupid thing I've ever seen a HC do in his first year. The only thing Marrone had over Chan Gailey was the hiring of DC Mike Pettine, and then DC Jim Schwartz. Then I'm pretty certain that Russ Brandon / Doug Whaley hired the former, and might have had a strong hand in hiring the latter. If Gailey had hired Mike Pettine from the start he would have done a lot better then 6-10, and perhaps might even still be the Bills HC.

The 1977 Atlanta Falcons used to run that, and even had a nickname for it. They called it the "Gritz Blitz" under Leeman Bennent , and it worked on and off for a few years. Jerry Glanville became the Falcons DC, and then started using that again when he became a HC. Anyway that 1977 Falcons defense set a defensive record that still hasn't been broken. That year they were ranked 1st in points allowed, and 2nd in yards allowed. You can read about it here: https://swisssportsblogger.wordpress.com/2014/10/20/breaking-it-down-atlantas-gritz-blitz-defense/ The problem is that all it takes is one receiver breaking free, and its off to the races. Now that plan might just work if you have all the DB's holding while trying to jam the receivers. Then after a few hard hits on Brady things might just go differently. One other thing, anyone who discards the idea that knowing the opponents game plan doesn't help. (Bryce Brown / Matt Cassel) All they need do is look back to when the Bills signed Patriots S Lawyer Milloy 5 days before the start of the 2003 season, and the Bills whomped the Patriots 31-0. If Bill Bilicheat wasn't already cheating this probably gave him the idea to spy on other teams practices.

Lets not forget that Rex Ryan wanted some players too. Tyrod Taylor- Percy Harvin- Richie Incognito, and he picked Greg Roman for his OC. But yea, this years team looks to be far better with those players and other new acquisitions in RB Shady McCoy, RB Karlos Williams, TE Charles Clay, OG John Miller, DB Ronald Darby.

and don't forget who the QB coach is...

First off Brady doesn't simply throw to a "spot", he throws to the open receiver, and that might be to any number of "spots" on the field. Gee, if only the Bills were allowed 150 players on defense so they could cover all the "spots" Brady might throw to! Seriously, Rex Ryan was so worried about giving up big plays that he opted for dropping into coverage rather then going all out after Brady, and how did that work out? Brady set a franchise record for passes against a Bills defense with 466 yards passing. The very first play from scrimmage against Brady the Bills were off the line by five yards, and only rushed three D linemen (Kyle, Mario, Marcell)with Jerry Hughes #55 dropping into coverage on a WR in Aaron Dobson #17. YEA, THAT"S RIGHT! A DE IN PASS COVERAGE ON A WR!! The second series for the Patriots they were in max protect for Brady with just two WR flanked out on either side. The Bills had five on the LoS with Bradham being the fifth. The Patriots ran play action thus keeping the remaining two LBers frozen two yards off the LoS, and then they moved up to the line to stop the RB. But it was a play action pass and Brady hits #17 Dobson all by himself just past the first down marker. Why Gilmore was giving the WR a ten yard cushion I have no idea. The next play the Patriots were five-wide empty backfield. The Bills rushed only three, and were stoned by being double teamed at the line except for Mario had to run the arc. Brady got the ball off deep to Gronk after 3 1/2 seconds. Meanwhile the Bills were dropping everyone else into coverage with Darby on Gronk, who caught that deep pass for 36 yards. The next play was a penalty on Gronk, so its 1st and goal on the Bills 15 yard line now. The next play was a coverage sack by Mario on Brady because he had nowhere to go with the ball. The next play the Patriots went 4 wide, and initially the Bills rushed 3, and then sent a LBer late on the left side. Brady hit Edelman for 7 yards. Now 3rd and goal on the Bills 8 yard line. NE goes four wide, and the Bills have five on the line the Bills, and only rush three!! Mario, Bradham, Marcell. Mario almost gets there as Brady goes out of the pocket to the area where Mario came from, and hits Edelman for a TD. The next series for NE Amandola returns it to the Bills 28 yard line and a 15 yard PF penalty on Bills #27 ( Duke Williams) gives the ball to the Patriots on the Bills 13 yard line. The Bills rush four, and Brady hits Edelman crossing for 7 yards. 2nd and goal from the Bills 7 Pats RB dion Lewis off RG for 7 yards, and TD. Gronk singled up on Mario for a kick out block to open a hole for Lewis. Bottom line is the Bills never really pressured Brady. They didn't try and jam the Patriots players on the line either, and instead were mostly playing off the line. Almost a 10 yard cushion by the Bills CB's & safeties. The Bills were almost always in soft nickle coverage that Brady exploited by hitting the underneath stuff. Then when they were at the goal line they used their multiple TE package to score. The simple fact is Tom Brady is a first ballot HoF QB who has seen every coverage there is and will exploit any coverage unless the opposing team can field five Revis Islands. The Bills would be better off attempting to jam Edelman and Gronk at the line, and play close man coverage while blitzing every chance you can. Brady can be hit, and once he is knocked around enough he will make mistakes just like every other QB. To be honest I was quite surprised the Bills played that soft coverage scheme against Brady considering he had three rookie O lineman protecting him. JMO