BillsVet

Welcome aboard. I think that's a fair assessment from Kirwan, but I don't know how well the Bills are from a coaching perspective. Every coach in the league has been out-coached from time to time. Belichick couldn't stop Miami a few weeks ago. The Giants were thrashed in their first two games last season. I'm sure Vince Lombardi was out-coached at some point. What's scary is that Buffalo is out coached on a more regular basis. The Denver and Dallas games last year were abominations, and already this season the Bills have struggled against poor opponents. Many on this board were upset when people mentioned problems during the wins. Those issues were exploited on Sunday, and DJ must correct them. Sometimes out-executing opponents isn't enough, especially when that opponent has more talent on the field. It takes a solid plan and execution, particularly when you don't have as much talent. That's why DJ wins 44% of his games. If DJ and his staff cannot succeed with their current roster, they won't-ever.

You may very well be the #1 excuse maker there is on ths board. Schobel's foot wasn't 100%, but then again, which NFL starter is 100% throughout the season, even week 5? He played the run half way decent a few times, so I guess on passing downs the foot hurt more. Right? How about trusting the front four to provide a pass rush was too much and the Bills must blitz regularly to make that happen. The team is 4-1, but not without some big issues needing to be cleared up. I'm dismayed that the front four could not rush the passer, especially against an OL that wasn't anything to write home about. After the bye, Buffalo plays some teams with pretty decent O Lines, not the rag tag groups Seattle, Jacksonville, and St. Louis put out there.

If Fewell cannot trust his guys by this point, there is something seriously wrong between the coaches and players. The Bills aren't being forced to start green rookies, but veterans. You could say that in 06 or even 07. This year, I would hope they've moved beyond that scenario where it's protection of young players.

We're back at the "good teams make fewer, if any mistakes" discussion. C2 defenses must force turnovers, and the Bills didn't do that either yesterday. Funny how Buffalo has a problem when playing good to excellent teams. The C2 matches DJ's personality to a T. He does not like being forced to take even calculated risks, and when confronted with a huge problem such as an opponent clicking on offense, hesitates to change. For a guy who's supposed to be a defensive minded coach, this year they acquired the players who'd make the defense better. The problems which weren't affecting the outcome of games in the first 4 games finally hurt them big time this past week. Time to go back to the drawing board and there's a reason the front office hasn't given him an extension. Brad Childress reminds me of DJ. Very methodical, resistant to change, and ultimately makes poor gameday decisions because he tries to be perfect. He can't process what's happening quick enough because he's too busy over-thinking things. BTW Sis Bills-nice Levy reference earlier.

Arizona did everything they had to do in order to defeat the C2, and Buffalo had no answer. The goal is to win the game with a good defense. They lost the game. If that's an effective C2, then why do teams run the C2 to begin with? I can't help but recall the Indy-Buffalo game back in 2006. That day, the Bills defense played their safeties deep (both Simpson and Whitner were rookies) and Manning was forced underneath. He was accurate enough to make it hurt all day. In an all-too similar display, Peyton Manning didn't make the big pass, but completed 27 of 39 for 236 yards. Dominic Rhodes and Joseph Addai ran for a combined 148 yards, and the Bills lone score was a McGee INT return. The Cover 2 has weaknesses, which good offensive personnel can exploit. The other game in which the C2 worked was the 1999 NFC Title game, where St. Louis' high powered offense was extremely frustrated by Tony Dungy's T2 scheme. I'm sure Kurt Warner remembers all too well what the downside to a properly executed T2. That day, STL managed only 11 points after averaging nearly 33 ppg in the regular season. You've got to have the right personnel to run the C2. Excellent DE's. Quick DT's who can hold up at the LOS. CB's who have excellent short area quickness in a zone, and LB's who are able to to go into a zone and fast enough to move to the LOS on running plays. I dare say the Bills have many of those players. They're not playing well, at least on the whole. Part of it is coaches, part poor on-field play.

That's what it seemed like.

I was thinking today about the draft. This year is a little different than last, when Buffalo was 1-3 to start the season and we were all thinking top-5 pick. Thankfully, the season wasn't that bad. There's so much time for things to happen, but I'd really like to see Alex Mack from Cal. I've read he's one of the finest OC prospects in awhile. Chase Coffman would be a much better receiving TE, but I would like to see what Fine can do when he returns. TE's can be found deep into the draft. Thanks Astro.

I recall hearing about arthritis in his need. Not to mention reconstuctive surgery leading up to the draft. What's not to love about a WR with that background?

The Cover 2 is Buffalo's base defense, though not on every down and most around here understand that. What ought to worry Bills fans is the team yesterday could not execute the necessary elements of their base defense. Pressure on the QB is more important in a C2/T2 defense from the DL than in any other defense. With 3 LB's dropping into short zone coverage, that's all there is to make the passer uncomfortable. Any decent C2 defense must has bonafide pass rushers. Indy with Freeney, Chicago with Alex Brown, and Tampa Bay years ago with Simeon Rice et al. CB's in a C2 scheme must take responsibility in their zone. A C2 CB doesn't have to feature the pure speed like a man to man corner, but area quickness in a zone is paramount. They'll play off the LOS about 5-8 yards, and as in the Dallas game last year, yielded too much to a fine QB with excellent targets. Nothing changed from the first to fourth quarter there. Lastly, a C2 scheme is beaten when it gives up too many yards on the ground. The running game is the secret to beating a C2 defense. Arizona didn't destroy them, but meshed an effective ground game with a potent short passing game. The idea is to force teams to throw into the teeth of a zone. Yesterday, the zone was soft and the results were poor. I didn't expect Fewell to completely re-do his plan in the course of a quarter, half, or at the half. I did expect some tweaks, which didn't seem to occur. IMO, Fewell's had some huge lapses since becoming DC. I hope this is game was the exception and not the rule for his defense.

Maybe DJ isn't the Monday through Saturday coach some have called him. Last year, the Bills were one of the most disciplined teams in the league with regard to penalties. Now they're falling all over themselves. Gameplan's are just not living up to expectations, particularly against better teams. That's eerily familiar to his entire career against good teams. AFAIC, DJ's gameday coaching has been exposed as being lackluster. Not solely because of this loss, but this game just happened to be when the minor problems of the first four games were exposed as big issues. Not long ago there was talk of an extension for DJ, but it hasn't occurred yet. Everyone pointed to his lack of talent during the Chicago years and here in Buffalo in 06 and 07. Now that he's got more talent, particularly at QB, DT, LB, and OL his teams still are outplayed. That's no coincidence.

Badol, as much as I saw a huge need at WR for a sizable target, I thought a tight end who can run the seam would be more beneficial to a QB like Edwards. Trent isn't being asked to throw 50 yard bombs, but rather to find targets in that quasi-WCO and allow the receiver to run. A tight end seemed like a bigger need given the QB. Granted, when the Bills took Hardy, Carlson and Keller were off the board, but it stands to reason they'd head into the season with more than 2 healthy TE's. I suppose Schouman qualifies, but he's listed at 225. Royal, well, you said it already. Fine is still a rookie, and didn't stretch defenses at Kansas. While I know you can't address every problem in one year, a pass catching TE is sorely needed on that offense. Unfortunately, I don't see the Bills giving up a draft pick(s) for Gonzalez. They'll stick with RR and allow him to bungle more catches. He's a blocking TE, that's all.

Anyone who knows a thing about the C2 realizes the front four must generate a pass rush. We all know that didn't happen, and Buffalo's DL wasn't lining up against Conrad Dobler and Dan Dierdorf. I can't recall a time when Warner was anything more than a little hurried. When a QB completes better than 75% of their passes, something is catastrophically wrong. Today, the weakness of the C2 was demonstrated. Warner didn't complete big passes, but nickel and dimed the defense to death. His average completion was a mere 6 yards per, but was there any doubt he would complete a pass when he dropped back? I though the Bills had better personnel on the DL and in the LB corps. And how many times was it said the secondary was supremely upgraded. McGee's absence hurt, but I'm not sure he's have made much difference. DJ has never selected quality coordinators. Never, not on offense, not on defense. Unless PF comes up with something for SD, and he's got 2 weeks, he's probably living up to Jauron's track record.

Maybe Perry Fewell just isn't up to the task of being an NFL DC. Very little imagination, unable to create pressure against a Cards OL that isn't stellar by any means. Unable to stop the run...and yet we upgraded the defense this season on the interior DL. Have to believe this loss is as much on the coaches as it was on players. Failure to prepare from top to bottom, a hallmark of DJ teams.

So now we're making excuses for playing crappy uninspired football? At the first hint of failure, the excuse-birds are front and center. Why not admit they weren't ready for this game, particularly on defense.

Bingo. Having lived in WNY most of my life, it always seems like people who've always lived in WNY can't understand that life is cheap here as compared with most places in the US. I see it all over the place, especially when an athlete in Buffalo gets a big contract. Vanek, Dockery, Schobel, and now Evans all are getting paid big dollars to play a game. Except it's not a game anymore, it's a business resembling a game. (I think someone once said that on this board) A lot of WNY's complain about players, especially when that highly paid athlete is anything less than stellar. I would hope fans don't come here and complain if Evans isn't dominating every game, but it'll happen. Besides, it's a WNY thing anyway. Evans' contract was based on other WR deals across the league, and whether people like it or not, the money in the NFL is still far below that of MLB and especially the NBA. Had Evans walked out the door, the writing on the wall about being a farm team would have been in black paint on a huge white canvas in front of RWS. And then the big b**ching would have started. As much as I've ripped the front office for their ways in the past, they knew it was absolutely necessary to re-sign Evans without paying through the nose. I think they did fine on this one. The Bills personnel folks will have several tough decisions in the next 2-3 years as they hopefully become a better team. Having Evans for four more seasons gives them some stability at WR, which is still the position that busts more than just about any other in the NFL. 9M per ain't bad.

A C2 defense relies so heavily on the front four generating a pass rush. Sure they blitz and do other things, but I'm . I too am not seeing a pass rush that was predicted in the off-season after Stroud's acquisition. I've also been amazed that Ellis hasn't dressed. Unless he's an absolute liability, sitting a third round pick for the first quarter of the season is strange. Especially considering they haven't been able to pressure the QB with just their front four.

Part of gameplanning is anticipating what an opponent will do before they do it. The Rams were 0-3 entering that game, and desperate times call for desperate measures. Linehan made a change at QB, and it wasn't out of the question to guess the defense would make some changes after surrendering 116 points in three games. I admit the Rams played better on defense than I expected. And even though Buffalo adjusted at the half to some degree, what does it take to mix in some calls like a screen pass to keep the defense on its toes? Running between the tackles is difficult, how about a draw play? Perhaps some play action? It's the regular season already. Holding back in Week 4 is non-sensical and we'll see how creative Turk can be as the season unfolds further.

The draft isn't a crap shoot-not to the people who know it best. Take a look at the picks Polian and Newsome have made since 2000. Generally, their first rounders are spot on. As for McCargo, he reported overweight this year. For a guy in his third year of NFL football, that's not cutting it. I get the impression he's just not mentally into the game like a pro needs to be. Clearly, the Bills sent a message by signing Spencer Johnson and re-upping Kyle Williams. That didn't work, and it'll be time to move on possibly as early as next year.

Buffalo has some interesting decisions to make at CB in the next year. Greer is up at the end of 08, McGee and Youboty after 09. That leaves McKelvin, who will most likely continue to improve. I wasn't worried much when McGee went down. I noticed that Royal did not start yesterday. Not clear on why, but Schouman got the starting nod. Still, I've always viewed RR as more of a blocking TE and Washington knew this when they let him go. Schouman is clearly too small to block as well, which makes him, IMO, strictly a pass catcher. I agree the TE position needs to be addressed, unless Derek Fine can show something when he returns later this season. He has better size than Schouman, but it's very raw as well. He played well at Kansas, but isn't someone who'll stretch the field in the seam. At least not yet. Still, it's scary to think how much better Edwards could be with a solid TE who can block and catch. I still believe that center must be the position addressed first because Fowler is not a long term solution beyond this season.

Mocking posters is a natural reaction whenever someone cannot articulate a point. I guess we're all supposed to jump on board whatever bandwagon is the popular one. In this instance, it's that Jauron is great because Buffalo is 3-0. I can't do that just yet. What matters is winning. And so far, the Bills have done that. Perhaps not in convincing fashion these past two weeks, but I'll take it. Jauron's ability as a HC hasn't been really tested much this season. The difference this season versus the previous is players are making plays at crucial times. Jacksonville? Hardy's grab in the EZ. Oakland? Edwards throwing for 177 in the final stanza. DJ didn't have that all the time in past years, and it's clouding many fans' vision of what a HC does before, during, and after games. It's a long season, and for myself, it's still going to take a long time for DJ to help me completely forget the Dallas and Denver debacles last year, let alone being thrashed by 7 TD's at home on SNF. I need more than 3 weeks too.

Reading Burwell's article, it's obvious that unlike the salary cap, the NFL cannot create parity among front offices. Teams like the Rams, Cardinals, Lions, Chiefs, and Bengals have been led by inept management, and in some cases, facilitated by owners who don't care. How else can anyone explain the Rams and Lions being led by the same pitiful execs for so long? I've had issues with the Bills front office, but their shortcomings pale in comparison to other franchises. There seems to be a plan in Buffalo, which is far more than teams like the Rams can offer.

Jauron's ability to process what happens on the field is my biggest issue with his style. There are times that it seems he's attempting to overanalyze what transpires on the field that he neglects the "big picture." Almost to the point of perfectionism. The first occurrence that something was wrong was in 2006 in the home game against SD. He used a TO with about 12 min remaining in the fourth to review a Peerless Price catch which was ruled out of bounds. He challenged, and the ruling was upheld. On one play, he used the equivalent of two timeouts and in a low scoring game, couldn't prioritize his TO's above a single pass play. The second time was home versus the Jets last season. He wanted so badly to attempt a FG on 4th down from about the 2, but could not make up his mind, and the game clock got down. This forced a TO, wherein the team decided to go for it. People can criticize that some bring up his career record. They can argue it was a lack of talent, or the front office, or whatever. It's not always going to be so easy, and coaches have to make decisions without the benefit of ample time. I've got to see DJ make better in-game adjustments than they have, particularly against Oakland. It seems he's painfully slow to change tactics, and it wasn't until the fourth quarter when the offense finally did something. He is the HC, and abdicating responsibility for the offense is unacceptable.

I attended a couple of practices during the summer. Crowell missed one at the end of July, but was participating later on at full speed. It's noteworthy that Crowell had what Graham termed "the works" version of surgery when he went to see Dr. Andrews. Sounded as though he elected this because he had the time to heal. Had he not been on IR, he could have elected to have a scaled down version of surgery. I'm not a MD, so I can't elaborate further. It's also important to view this event during the time it did. Peters still hadn't reported, and I'm sure the mood wasn't good in the front office. The personnel folks probably viewed surgery as a move to undermine them, and responded by sending a message that this behavior would not be tolerated. I also have to wonder if this was done by the player's agent to test a new GM/COO in Brandon. It's all speculation, but something's amiss with this situation. Crowell also was entering the final year of his contract, and apparently Buffalo hadn't contacted him about an extension. Either way, he misses the season, had the surgery, and will hit UFA without a 2008 body of work.

I understand where you are coming from. The team GM approach has advantages. I do believe there are capable individuals who can handle the GM role, but the team felt keeping the same people in the front office was more conducive to their success. I can't judge this yet, because the season and the Brandon era has only begun. While we don't know all the inner-workings of the front office, Buffalo's model is unique. Not saying it can't work, but it's not conventional. The NE model is certainly different, though I'm more apt to trust a Belichick/Pioli combo given their successes. Additionally, Pioli's been in pro personnel for 15 years whereas Brandon's only now beginning. Ultimately, the results will tell the story. Buffalo is in year 3 (and what I feel is the final year) of rebuilding. They've started well, and the FA acquisitions from 07 and 08 are contributing. I believe as the team improves, tougher decisions will need to be made. Which players should they prevent from hitting UFA, how much to dip into UFA, which areas to draft, whom to draft, et al. Now that the roster has been overhauled, the true test begins. Rebuilding is the easy part. Staying successful long term is much harder, and that's why few teams have been able to win for more than 3 years. I cite Polian a lot, but he's the man who's headed that organization to a SB and 6 straight 10+ win seasons. We'll see if Buffalo's version of GM can work.

I think Modrak's very adept at handling the amateur scouting side of personnel. Guy, I'm not so high on with pro scouting. Jauron may have a bias toward defense, but has been around the NFL and its players for awhile. IMO, a GM ought to come from the personnel arena, not the business side of the house. In that way, when a tough decision needs to be made, they can take their own experience and combine that with their lieutenants. My greatest fear is decisions are made totally by committee at OBD. While this can be advantageous, sometimes a leader has a particular feeling toward something which may not be popular. I recall reading in The GM by Tom Callahan that Ernie Accorsi was convinced that Eli Manning would be a special player. Not everyone was on board, and Accorsi took a lot of heat. Needless to say, he's been vindicated. That decision may not have been made without a guy like Ernie. In no way am I saying Brandon is a dunce or incapable of being GM. I just think teams are defined more often than not by the quality of their personnel people, GM included. It's best to have as many proven talent evaluators as possible.