The Big Cat

It's not the same players. Aaron Williams out. Searcy gone. Kiko gone. Spikes gone.

This is where I enter the defense threads and proclaim to anyone who will listen that sacking a quarterback is not the only way to stop one.

Your stance in this thread has served to legitimize the sentiment above. And you've done so, doggedly.

Well, according to some, the chasm is an abyss.

I fully understand. But, Jesus. Six? That was a freaky game, to say the least.

The only takeaway you offered was "better." You're not as dense as you pretend to be sometimes.

I guess you were accidentally obtuse, then. Good opportunity to learn about perception.

I don't think a single person has argued that the defense in 2015 is as good or better than 2014. The degree to which they are "worse," however, is highly debatable. A nuance (to borrow your own term) you conveniently ignored.

It's worth noting that the 2014 TO number is significantly skewed by the 6 takeaways in NYJ1.

Well, why wonder about anything? This is the Internet, after all.

Do we know where this team ranked in different categories through eight games last year? This would be very important to the conversation. In fact, without knowing it for sure, the conversation isn't really worth having.

No, but it's one of three consecutive plays in the Miami game that--I guarantee you--left the impression that, on the whole, this defense is ineffective. So, you can either make the argument that three plays a defense makes (as it's clear many in this thread are). Or you don't. You gotta pick one and go with it, buddy. I picked the play because--as I mentioned--it had HUGE momentum implications. And I think many watching at home were thusly inspired, then offered their ire in this very thread.

I firmly believe that if the ref rightly eats his whistle on the Robey PI, the Jags fail to pick up that 4th and 15 999/1,000 times.

Let's talk about execution for a moment. This is the swing pass to Miller that Brown had a chance to stop for no gain or loss of yards. "Analysts" on this board will tell you the linebackers are "being asked to cover too much ground." Others, like me, believe the players are taking poor angles, are lining up wrong, are not communicating well and--on plays like these--doing a lousy job of executing, in general--particularly the linebackers. So. Here's the moment when Tannehill throws the ball. Now, if you believe the playcall intended Landry to be bracketed by FIVE defenders within 20 feet of one another. Then, yes, I would agree with your outrage. Because that's ludicrous. If, however, you believe there is a blatant execution issue here, then, like me, you'll hope the players can get it right because MY GOD THIS COULDN'T HAVE BEEN WHAT THEIR ASSIGNMENTS WERE ON THIS PLAY: This play was a HUGE momentum changer. Should have been broken up, leaving them with third and mile, instead it moved them into our territory, en route to a score.

Or because of what players said. But whatever. Making things up to serve a point is why this thread began in the first place.

It's not a deflection at all. This entire argument has done a non-sensical circle because it was always based largely on non existent data.

As previously suspected, this thread and this overall complaint--for the most part--was an expression of anger and frustration for the sake of expressing anger and frustration.

On what planet does that satisfy your argument and not mine?

Shhhhhhhh! Let's not bring actual evidence into this conversation.

I don't understand why fans think the only way to stop a passing attack is by sacking the QB. Right now the Bills rank 10th in opposing QB rating. So...? Seems like quarterbacks aren't nearly as effective as you're making them out to be, comparatively speaking. They're also tied with the Seahawks at 5th in yards per attempt. And they're 5th in completion percentage. They're also 10th in yards per rushing attempt (3.9). And sixth in rush yards per game. So...I mean...? If this is what Rex's ****ty defense looks like when we all think it's under performing....

Einstein was from Pittsburgh?

Okay. I don't have strong feelings about the defense one way or another. You seem to, though. What will you be willing to do/give up/donate to/alter/contribute if they crack the top 10 in either of those categories?

It's 16th in yards and 16th in points. There are eight games to go. Quarterbacks left to face: Geno/Fitz x 2 Hoyer Cousins Bradford Brady Romo? Smith Are you willing to wager that they won't crack the top 10 in either points or yards?

Critiquing things that haven't happened?

At the halfway point we're 16th in yards and points. Let's see how those number adjust in the latter half before we're certain it'll fail, too. Bradham was a fourth round pick in 2012...two regimes ago. There has been no investment since Rex came on in Mario and/or Kyle. Bringing up safeties refutes nothing I've said. I'm thoroughly confused by your point. Citing faulty investments from prior regimes is precisely why I'm for continuity.