A few thoughts and observations about the Bills

[lets_go_bills]

I love the Bills and I just wanted to share a few thoughts and observations I've made about this team now that preseason is over and the regular season opener is a week away.

 

Optimism is high, while expectations are low. Another year of Buffalo Bills football is upon us.

 

While we haven't been to the playoffs in a decade, this really seems like the first season of a full-blown rebuilding process. After years of seemingly being in denial, the Bills have fully acknowledged they are in year one of a rebuilding process. As it stands right now, I'm happy with the start to this process. We now finally have a smart GM in place who has a clear vision and will lay the foundation of this team by building through the draft. We also now finally have a head coach who is honest about his team and knows that there's a long way to go. He's not beating around the bush, nor is he in denial. He knows we stink and that there will be growing pains. But he also knows there's talent and with lots of hard work, they can be great. He's established a culture of hard work and determination, with a dedication to fundamentals and preparation.

 

Now on to my thoughts and observations!

 

Chan Gailey:

I must say I am really impressed with Chan Gailey as an offensive play-caller. Time will tell as to his success as a head coach, but as far as offensive minds go, he's a smart cookie. I have been very impressed with his play calling/selection. It's up to the players to execute, but he's calling an excellent mix of run and pass, as well as calling great plays for the situations. He's getting everyone invovled, playing to the team's strengths and keeping defenses on their toes. A great example was the full back screen he called against the Bengals. They didn't see it coming and it gained big yards for a 1st down. I think once the players have a full understanding of the offense, they will move the ball effectively and score points.

 

Trent Edwards:

I think he still has a chance to be a legit starter in this league. At times I've been frustrated with him and cursed his name aloud. But then I remind myself that he played under Jauron. A player is going to adopt the persona of his coach. Also attributing to his lack of development was the revolving door of poor offensive coordinators, a lack of weapons and weak O-lines. I'm not making excuses but it's not like they made it easy for him. If he works hard, meshes with Gailey and masters the offense, he can be a winner and achieve success. With good protection, he makes plays and finds the open man. This will be his final shot as a starter in this league.

 

CJ Spiller:

With glaring needs at important positions he was something of a luxury pick. But he was also the best player available, and that's a sound way to draft. And now that he appears to be the real deal with incredible talents, we stand to benefit. The offense will be built around him and catered to his strengths and abilities. He will create mismatches and excellent opportunities for other players to make plays, including Evans, Parrish, Jackson, and Edwards. With defenses focusing on stopping him, he may even relieve some pressure off of the weak O-line.

 

O-Line:

Speaking of the O-Line, they need tackle help so bad. This unit has me worried and is the weak link on this team. Protection has been poor and it's really going to hold this offense back. It is the achilles heel and they need to gel and work together as a cohesive unit to achieve success. On plays where they blocked well, the Bills had tremendous success, moving the ball for excellent gains. And when they faltered, there were sacks, pressures and broken plays. Everything this unit does this year will determine how successful or dreadful the offense will be.

 

Receiving Corps:

Evans is big time talent but inconsistency and poor play at QB, as well as a lack of a decent receiver opposite him have always held him back. He can be a 80 catch, 1,200 yard, 10 touchdown guy. Steve Johnson had always impressed me and I think he'll do well this year with finally getting his opportunity to start. He's worked hard and been patient, it's his time. He's tough and makes good grabs over the middle. He's fearless and is a master at running slant routes. Parrish is finally getting his chance too, and he won't disappoint. Working out of the slot, Gailey will find ways to get him the ball where he can really make a difference. I'm excited to see what he'll do this year and think he will catch 50 balls if he stays healthy. David Nelson is an exciting prospect with a lot of potential. James Hardy is on the bubble but may get one more year. We have no tight ends and that worries me. The lack of a legit starting TE could really hold this team back with safeties being able to cheat up more, as well as roll extra coverage onto our receivers.

 

Defense:

This is the most troubling unit we have. While the defensive backfield is deep and was 2nd best in the league last year, a lot of their success this year will hinge on how healthy Bryd is, whether McKelvin can come back and assert himself as the player he was drafted to be and whether McGee can stay healthy this year. As for the front seven, what a disaster. They piss me off just watching them out there. They look so confused and appear as if they have no idea what the hell they're doing. They look sloppy trying to get set and get their assignments right. They don't look like a 3-4 or a 4-3. The look like a mess. They basically look like a 4-3 team trying to play the 3-4, but have no idea how to. Which is what they are. Where's the pass rush? I wouldn't be surprised if we finished dead last in sacks this year. They better get it straight quick, otherwise teams will run all over us again. They have me very worried. The only way this defense will get off the field is if they pick off tons of passes like they did last year.

 

Bottom Line:

This team is in year one of the rebuilding process. We have to forget about the last ten years and realize that we are starting from scratch. Have more patience Bills fans. We've been loyal and it will be rewarded soon. While this team may lose more games than they'll win this year, I think we'll see progress and plenty to be optimistic about and build upon. We'll build off of our strengths and successes, and work hard to improve our weaknesses and shortcomings. Gailey seems dedicated to making this a winning program and is going about it the right way. Nix has a vision and will draft a solid foundation to build upon. We've been down for a few years but things are looking up! Stay loyal, be patient and cheer like you mean it.

 

Go Bills!

Edited September 3, 2010 by lets_go_bills

[Zona]

well said!

 

I agree with almost all. You cant give Edwards a break because he played in a crappy system under Jauron, and not give Evans the same break. Had we had a coach who knew how to run an offense, both might have been better.

[Dorkington]

Very well written... I agree on all accounts.

 

OL, DL, LB... if those hold up... even just as average... we may have a chance at doing good things this year. But most likely they will struggle, and the whole team will as a result. BUT, I have a feeling we'll see a lot of exciting plays and see a lot of fun games.

 

Go Bills!

[BobChalmers]

Defense:

This is the most troubling unit we have. While the defensive backfield is deep and was 2nd best in the league last year, a lot of their success this year will hinge on how healthy Bryd is, whether McKelvin can come back and assert himself as the player he was drafted to be and whether McGee can stay healthy this year. As for the front seven, what a disaster. They piss me off just watching them out there. They look so confused and appear as if they have no idea what the hell they're doing. They look sloppy trying to get set and get their assignments right. They don't look like a 3-4 or a 4-3. The look like a mess. They basically look like a 4-3 team trying to play the 3-4, but have no idea how to. Which is what they are. Where's the pass rush? I wouldn't be surprised if we finished dead last in sacks this year. They better get it straight quick, otherwise teams will run all over us again. They have me very worried. The only way this defense will get off the field is if they pick off tons of passes like they did last year.

Go Bills!

 

Not sure I understand why anyone would be down on the D-Line right now. The LB's - yes - they look lost out there, but the front three DL starters have been excellent all preseason. Honestly, this commentary looks like you wrote it mid-summer or something and haven't actually watched them.

 

Everyone was worried Kyle Williams was too small or whatever to play NT - he's been a beast.

 

Stroud looks strong, trim, happy, and aggressive in his new role as a DE - he's making plays all over. Dwan Edwards looks like a guy who started for the Ravens.

 

 

The linebacking has been suspect. Poz looks like he needs another month to get healthy and/or in tune with the new scheme. Ellis looks decent. They need to get Torbor back. Davis and Mitchell have just been adequate. Kelsay just looks like a DE playing back a yard - I haven't noticed him making any "LB" plays - I'll look some more. Maybin is still not useful.

 

By the way - they've been playing a lot of 4-2 nickle because of the matchups against Indy and Cincy - both pass-heavy 3WR-standard teams.

Edited September 3, 2010 by BobChalmers

[bills_fan_in_raleigh]

agreed on all points especially the 3-4 4-3 confusion. It looks like neither from my view. Problem is we need help next year on OTs and still need help on D front 7

[lets_go_bills]

Not sure I understand why anyone would be down on the D-Line right now. The LB's - yes - they look lost out there, but the front three DL starters have been excellent all preseason. Honestly, this commentary looks like you wrote it mid-summer or something and haven't actually watched them.

 

Everyone was worried Kyle Williams was too small or whatever to play NT - he's been a beast.

 

Stroud looks strong, trim, happy, and aggressive in his new role as a DE - he's making plays all over. Dwan Edwards looks like a guy who started for the Ravens.

 

 

The linebacking has been suspect. Poz looks like he needs another month to get healthy and/or in tune with the new scheme. Ellis looks decent. They need to get Torbor back. Davis and Mitchell have just been adequate. Kelsay just looks like a DE playing back a yard - I haven't noticed him making any "LB" plays - I'll look some more. Maybin is still not useful.

 

By the way - they've been playing a lot of 4-2 nickle because of the matchups against Indy and Cincy - both pass-heavy 3WR-standard teams.

 

I should clarify that the LBs are most of the problem but I stand by my opinion that the front seven as a whole has been weak. I agree on your three points that Stroud is trim, that Edwards looks good and that Williams has been better than expected. But they haven't exactly been world beaters. RBs have been getting to the second on third levels rather easily. I've been watching the defense very closley and find the front seven to be sloppy and looking confused. They've been rather late to get ready and set and just look like they're unsure of themselves out there. While Indy is pass-oriented, Cincy is more run-based. And in the few carries Benson took, he ran all over us for big gains. The front seven as a unit has been poor IMHO, but yes, the LBs take the lion's share of the blame.

[lets_go_bills]

I'd like to add further that the DL hasn't been stuffing the run as well as I'd hoped, nor are they generating any pocket pressure. Perhaps I'm a harsher critic, but I'm not impressed with the DL right now.

[yungmack]

Nice assessment. What about Special Teams? They look scary-awful to me. Has De Haven had a stroke or in some other way suffered a loss of IQ?

[KRT88]

Very well written... I agree on all accounts.

 

OL, DL, LB... if those hold up... even just as average... we may have a chance at doing good things this year. But most likely they will struggle, and the whole team will as a result. BUT, I have a feeling we'll see a lot of exciting plays and see a lot of fun games.

 

Go Bills!

let's face it, we NEED the Bills to grow and mature as a team this but, be competitive but still produce a really poor record. We need the high draft choices to help increase the real talent level of the roster. AND cross our fingers, with a new CBA, and perhaps rookie salary cap, we can turn a 2 top 35/36 choices into additional picks giving us a greater chance to turn things around. Next year draft has to be all about OT's, DL, LB and maybe a QB!

[lets_go_bills]

Nice assessment. What about Special Teams? They look scary-awful to me. Has De Haven had a stroke or in some other way suffered a loss of IQ?

 

Crap! I forgot about ST.

 

Mainstays Moorman and Lindell are consistent and have mastered the Buffalp weather. Moorman continues to be one of the league's best punters. Kickoff and punt coverage has been suspect. They have given up yards on many returns and opposing teams often seem one block away from taking one to the house. DeHaven needs to reign in his guys and start covering kicks better. I think once we trim down to 53 the coverage teams will be set and will improve. I'm worried but it's not time to hit the panic button just yet. I don't expect our ST to be as strong as in years past under April, but that's okay because teams with the best ST have often been among the league's worst in the win column (see Buffalo and Cleveland). We have a few good kick/punt returners on the roster too.