The Big Cat

Well, then I should have gone a step further to mention what I assumed to be implicit--that ATL's defense fared MUCH better when that brought 5-7 guys on a blitz. They were clearly worried about Charles, but once they got a cushion and knew KC was going to pass, it was all over. I have enough confidence in our run defense that we should be bringing 5-6 ALL GAME. It's an ever-evolving league. Want to beat the Patriots*? Learn to pressure with your front four. Giving up pressure from their front four? Start stacking the line with 2-3 TE sets. That's what we saw from NYJ, that's what teams are starting to do now. Pass-first league, yes. But line up like you're going to run it. It's becoming customary to see 6 guys in on pass protection, we need to counter that with more blitzers, period.

Well, considering Fitz doesn't have to go up against Cassle, I'm going to ignore your analysis, because (while appreciated) it's basically meaningless. I watched the Falcons vs Chiefs game last night, and here's what scares the **** out of me: KC absolutely picked ATL apart...when ATL only rushed four... Wanny's gotta come around. If he think he's going to run an effective defense without employing some exotic blitz packages, and if he stays on as our DC, it's going to be a loooooooooong season, folks.

There's no answer to that question of "why." I think that's what you're failing to understand here. If there was a "why" then there'd be a "why" for the equal--NAY--greater number of players who didn't pan out that they ALSO passed on... Why didn't I become an Olympic marathon runner? Look at all the guys who did! Why didn't you invent Facebook? Worked pretty well for that Zucker-fella! These are questions that have no answers, and when that's the case, it's pretty well understood that the one asking the questions (you) is doing so rhetorically, to put others on the spot. You must know there are no answers to these questions, and if you don't, please start listening to the countless responses in this thread that have told you so.

I think Watt means "I don't miss him because I never really played with him because he got injured..." Right?

I think Nix would and will fire Gailey, if the situation warrants. But, mid-season, who replaces him? Wanny? Modkins? DeHaven? Would any new hire, internal or external, be another house-clean? Or would we stay on our current trajectory? Does hiring a new coach automatically entail a change in tactical philosophy? My answers: Don't know. May be. Probably not. Possibly. I doubt it. I hope so, more likely if Nix stays around. No, but I'm starting to think we need someone with a bigger, badder swinging honker--a younger guy who takes his men to task.

Here I thought I was the only one! "We dance as good as we walk"---LOVE THAT LINE. I actually find the quote very encouraging. How many times have we slammed our heads against the wall wondering why the coaches don't see things the same way we do? I think this was at the root of our problems. Our pass rush shouldn't have to rely on "coverage" sacks. Just a quick jam, a disruption is all it should take--so why weren't they doing that? Who knows, but it's great to know it's on the agenda now!! GO BILLS!

Why the hell didn't we read this thread four years ago!? Jesus Christ, our FO is so dumb dumb dumb.

Right--while we managed to do it last year to KC and four years ago to Seattle--it's not often a team gets caught with its pants around its ankles in week one.

Haven't taken the necessary time to read this (and yes, it is necessary), just wanted to be one of the first to thank you in advance.

Also: the moment we signed Wanny (the first time) I called up my buddy who's a very very knowledgeable and devoted fan of ALL Pittsburgh sports, including Pitt. He said we should not expect anything exotic, that he doesn't like to blitz, and so on. Watching the Chargers and Ravens last night, and seeing pressure/sacks come when you bring AT LEAST five players, I'm wondering if Wanny is going to start driving us all nuts sooner rather than later. I trust Williams and Gilmore to bump/jam for the split second we'd need if we brought Wilson or Byrd on a safety blitz with Moats coming off the edge. I'm not sure why Wanny doesn't (aside from the fact he knows them slightly better than I do ) I'll admit, that did come to mind as I was typing that...however...that was in 2007: one of SIXTEEN schlackings that Patriots* team put on their regular season opponents. Hardly a measuring stick, if it must come to it.

The prosecution rests...

I famously stuck by Dicke J--almost to the end. I bailed about four days before we set him free. Why? Because his teams never got schlacked like we did Sunday. Coaching became a huge concern for me Sunday afternoon.

Ask and ye shall receive. Put a protractor to it, almost EXACTLY 45 degrees

Yeah, he's looked positively divine catching two hook routes and dropping one over the middle.

Meh, the Williams call was ticky-tack, but it wasn't wrong. He had the receivers waist hooked with his off-arm.

C&D, if you're going to rely on your front four to get pressure, you gotta do something to disrupt the receivers' routes. right? i've played/coached/been on the sidelines for exactly 0 years of organized football, so the fact that seems obvious to me, and not to a guy who's been the architect of top-5 NFL defenses doesn't seem to add up...

I dunno...3.3 yards on 36 attempts is a pretty good day for our run defense... In years past 36 attempts would have netted opponents AT LEAST a buck fiddy.

Haha, no judgement, homey.

18 and in year 2? 23 and going strong? What does bouds know that FlutieFlakes doesn't?

Haha! Why were you pants nearly compromised? Does laughing send you into a fit of jumping jacks?

As Bills fans amass on the horizon, pitchforks and torches in hand. Oh Lawdy me. Feets don't fail me now! /not-so-subtle racism

I debated drawing attention to the reference. Superbly done!

At -3 for a home game, it is "even."

just a quick lap around photoshop!