The Big Cat

And I happen to believe that having a well-tuned scheme widens that window...A LOT. See: LeBeau, Dick.

And as I've said before already in this thread: I share your frustration, I acknowledge it and I understand it. But as I've also said: You're essentially falling back on "15 years" as the root of your frustration. And, quite frankly, Rex Ryan--the proven NFL HC with experience, the one we paid, the one fans were clamoring for during each and every post-Levy hire--shouldn't be expected to change what he's done to achieve that success simply because "15 years." And if you hated the hire when it happened, sorry.

what up

We can complain about the scheme not being a fit for the linebackers all we want. Fine. Whatever. Except this team committed to Rex for (reportedly) 3-5 years. The same cannot be said for Brown or Bradham. We brought Rex here to run his scheme. He has the job security to build the roster around his scheme. Why would we want a half-assed approach that keeps changing to fit the personnel? That's not what Rex does. He never has. This shouldn't be a surprise to anyone. You say the linebackers are being asked to cover too much ground? Well, Rex keeps saying we're not lined up right. Is it the scheme's fault that linebackers keep whiffing on tackles in the flat and in the backfield? I can't imagine any sane person would feel that way. Look, I share your frustration. I wish this defense was the best in the universe, too. But who would you rather invest the future in? Rex's proven scheme? Or a fifth round linebacker whose contract is going to expire and a second year player who was drafted to fit a different scheme? I think the choice is clear. And I think Bills fans are just cranky to have to be going through the growing pains. I'll say it again: We didn't bring Rex Ryan to Buffalo to run Jim Schwartz's scheme. We didn't bring him here to run Pettine's either. We also didn't bring him in here to run a waterered-down version of what he's had a ton of success doing. We brought him here to run his scheme. A scheme that is--by all reports--exceedingly difficult to learn, but has a proven track record of success. I've been on this board for nine years. You'd be hard pressed to find any evidence of my advocating for anything other than staying the course. This situation is no different.

May be he over estimated the talent.

Just listened to the Whaley interview. The critiques are nothing sort of astonishing.

Rex Ryan wasn't hired to run Jim Schwartz's defense. Deal with it.

Former Bill and commentator Ross Tucker: http://www.sportsonearth.com/article/156857568/greg-hardy-as-a-teammate-domestic-violence I listen to this guy's podcast. I appreciate the candor in what he's written above.

Ha. Much to the good Dr.'s chagrin, the term was simply "hate."

We hate Rex because he's a talker. We hate Whaley because he's not a talker. There's one common theme here.

Rex lost both safeties. Also a corner, but why bring that up now? And Schwartz gained a linebacker in Spikes who promptly went away. You can alter reality however you like but it doesn't change how it unfolded for the rest of us.

But that "excuse" isn't applicable to last year. Not in the slightest.

Your point?

What role have Searcy, Williams and Spikes played this season that they played last year? Am I in La La land or has Duke !@#$ing Williams been 15 feet from every defensive disaster that's befallen this team this year? Am I crazy or our linebackers nowhere to be found? Is it the exact same defense or do we have four new starters this year? This notion that the defense should produce precisely as it did in 2014 because the personnel is precisely the same is entirely, utterly and unequivocally false. Am I pleased with the defense playing average? Hell no.

Your memory fails you. And a defense that's now without both safeties and its starting, run-stuffing MLB. I love when Bills fans get called out on their bullish negativity and this is their response. Every time. IT'S BEEN 15 YEARS! I GET TO WHINE AND MOAN AND FIRE MYSELF UP BECAUSE 15 YEARS! IT'S MY RIGHT AS A BILLS FAN TO HAVE UNREASONABLE EXPECTATIONS AND SHOUT AT ANYTHING LISTENING BECAUSE 15 YEARS! REX RYAN SHOULD BE FIRED BECAUSE 15 YEARS!

It's his sixth year in the league. Pointing out that one of those seasons was above average does not make him a non-bust. Maybin had six sacks in 2011. That would have been good enough to lead the Bills. Non-bust? No.

No. It makes much more sense to just assume that three consecutive coaches, two lauded for their offensive creativity, simply can't figure out a way to maximize his other-worldly skill set that only we fans recognize.

I personally believe it's the height of narcism when fans profess to know more about the game than coaches.

Not meeting the egregiously high expectations of Bills Nation = failure. If only Bills fans could remember three short years ago. We've been spoiled. Even 2013 wasn't that great. They were an unmitigated sieve against the run.

No he doesn't.

Either explanation, as it always is with the "blame the coaches crowd," is far more convoluted than "players need to execute."

Good question. Short answer: Rex/Pettine not the same as Rex/Thurman. Had a nice back and forth with a guy on Twitter about it. He knows much more than me!

Yeah, this works great for teams that have players that consistently execute, no matter what they're asked to do.