ganesh Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 If that first sentence were true then why would the Bills go after Claybo like they did? And since the OP talks about not having depth, how much are backups going to cost for the team. The OL mess is way over blown. Every team has a decent set of starters and some backups. Our weakest issue is lack of two starting caliber tackles. Both Bell and whoever start at RT at best would be backups on most teams. Nix has a lot riding on this season: the lack of quality resources allocated to the OL, trusting Merriman to remain healthy and provide a pass rush, Spiller's improvement to being an all-around back, the WR corps now without their arguably best threat, et al. It's not enough to get 50% of your personnel decisions right and if the OL isn't at least replacement level in 2011, the trust in Nix needs to be downgraded. If he can't put together a decent OL I have serious doubts about his other decisions. And for not drafting a QB for the future...Ryan Mallet in the 3rd round has far more value than a Sheppard, especially if he can sit and learn behind Fitzpatrick. O Well... Nix has made his share of mistakes (or likely to fail) and will have to live by it. The Spiller pick made no sense last year...and so did the 3rd round pick this year. Also, the fact that Spiller, Troupe, Carrington, the top 3 picks in last years draft were not able to make any contribution (or even getting a starting job) says a lot about those picks. Similarly if Williams and Sheppard cannot get on the field, then it would be another wasted draft.
Defend Greece Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 I think Gailey's offense is predicated on not having to rely on an awesome O line. It's become clear in terms of the type of plays that we call. And, those plays also account for the weather in Buffalo. I don't remember a play from this past game, or for the last few games last season, that is designed to take longer than 2 seconds to develop. Or, if it does, it develops with the intended ball carrier, RB or WR, with the ball already in his hands and he is moving. This changes the O line's job from holding their ground at the point of attack, to more of a moving down the field and hitting people on the run approach. Conversely, I don't know if Gailey is simply shaping the offense based on what he has to work with, or, if he had the best O line in football, if he wouldn't be calling these type of plays anyway. Perhaps a little of both? I don't know if this is intentional and has to do with money, i,e, they don't want to expend resources on the O line, and would rather spend them on the D line, but it sure seems that way. In all cases, although some posters swear by having a power offense in Buffalo(weather, intimidation, etc.), it seems we aren't headed in that direction. The main problem with this quick-play type of offense, and we saw a little of it in the last game, is that if a team drops into zone, it can cause some problems. If you aren't playing man to man, then misdirection doesn't work as well, in any sport, because a defensive zone means all defenders have their eyes on the ball, and not as much on their man. The way to beat a zone, for this team, is to predict when they are going to be in zone, and then call a play that overloads(i.e. more people in the left flat than they have defenders) a part of the zone. This way, you can still get a quick play off, and in theory, you have automatic blockers ahead of wherever the ball goes. That's why we keep seeing all kinds of screens. The other way you beat a zone is with quickness/speed, as the defenders are playing "off" = giving up space in trade for time to react. If you can get to where they aren't, and gain that space before they can react, you win. Brad Smith showed that quite well this past game. The theory seems to be that the O line will be more of a set of guys running around, than a wall to stand/run behind. We'll see. I think it goes to show that gailey being viewed as a coach who designs his schemes around his players rather than players around his scheme (to a certain point) is correct. I don't think this means he doesn't want better line play, I just think he is a realist who sees that maybe his line isn't built to come right at you, sometimes we have to go around, the old Kansas city shuffle
Buffalo Barbarian Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 Improving the offensive line didn't have to be a three year process. There have been two drafts and two free agency periods in addition to the possibility of trades. Using a tight end as a quasi tackle and failing to utilize a first round draft pick halfback because of lack of confidence in the o-line is not a way to build a team. With all due respect, we needed an offensive tackle more than we needed Spiller. The best way to compensate for a bad offensive line is to get good offensive linemen. Exactly, They should have focused on the O-line Nix's first year instead of next year. Spiller should have never been drafted there and we should have gone with Bulaga, who made the all rookie team last year. Here's to getting the best OT next year but we should still add Mckinnie and Stinchcomb for depth or starter untill we draft our OTs.
spartacus Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 The mere fact that the Bills went after Clabo means they know they have trouble with the RT position or they wouldn't have made a strong pitch for the guy, that and also knowing Nix doesn't like to build thru free agency means big trouble. The Clabo situation is another is a long line of Bills propaganda fabrications. Spin the story of big interest Clabo and do just enough to create the story line to feed to the fans. However, the team had no intention of doing what was needed to actually sign and pay the guy Perfect result for the Bills, good PR with the fans for chasing a top FA, but no actual cash outlay by the Bills Bottom line is the Bills still have huge holes at both OT spots
Webster Guy Posted August 17, 2011 Posted August 17, 2011 Hmmmm. Paraphrasing some points made on this thread I can't understand "It's not Nix's call as to what they offered Clabo" "Ralph doesn't care about the Oline just ticket sales" "Gailey and Nix think the line is adequate" Jesus people.
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