Questions About the OL to those who have...

[Bill from NYC]

I have not one play of the Bills in pre-season.

That said, I am asking if those who have think that the OL has improved? Thus far (and it is admittedly early), is McNally the savior that many purported him to be? Also, how is Big Mike playing, and he is stiil weighing more than 400?

I dont even know how TB was injured. Was he running or in the pocket? If so, who missed the block?

 

In all, I wish for a speedy recovery for Losman, who should never have been drafted in the first place. Behind a sub-par OL, ANY qb will be mauled and mangled. This is our last 10 years as Bills fans, and it apparently will go on.

 

I hope that if we sign a new backup qb, he can run for his life ala Flutie, because if McNally is not the guru of blocking that he was alleged to be (and his OL sucked last season), Drew will be lucky to last even a few games, and we will of course NOT have a first round pick in 05.

 

I look forward to the season, but it does look bleak to me in terms of winning football games, unless those of you who actually watched the games can tell me someting good that I am missing.

[IDBillzFan]

I am not as keen with the vision as a lot of people here when it comes to examing the OL line play, however I might say that I have been very impressed with the way Bledsoe has been getting rid of the ball...even when it's incomplete. I have rarely seen him stand in the pocket waiting for something to develop. He scans the field, and then gets rid of the ball quickly. Unfortunately, that makes it difficult for me to determine how the line is doing because they' not in a situation to pass protect for too long.

 

Run blocking seems good when Travis is in. You can still see hesitation on McGahee's part, and particularly with last nights game there were a few holes created that Travis would have hit that McGahee just never saw.

 

Are they improving? Absolutely. But that's like saying celery sticks are better with salt on them.

[Mark VI]

I'm dissapointed over the fact that 3 of the 5 starters ( Smith, Chris V. , Jennings ) plus Marcus Price, have been fighting minor injuries. That just kills the rhythm needed to get the Offense going. Throw in Henry nursing an injury and it's been very frustrating.

 

Teague has definitely improved. Smith is good, not great. Same with Chris V. Mike Williams had a good game Saturday. His run blocking was very good. Looks to be trimmer. Jennings and Price must mend.

 

I saw some holes Saturday that Travis would have shot thru. MaGahee just glided thru them, lacking the burst.

 

I'm hardly an apologist type for anyone on this team. I couldn't trash Bledsoe enough last year for losing his poise at times. He looks much improved. I think our Coaching staff is much better, McNally included.

 

But they will have to prove it against the Jags by putting the ball in the endzone. Until then, I refuse to take a negative view, since we need to see our starters together and what the playcalling will actually be. With a new Coaching staff, thats a complete mystery. It's been rather bland in pre-season, which is typical.

 

I won't draw any real conclusions until then.

[Fan in San Diego]

I'm dissapointed over the fact that 3 of the 5 starters ( Smith, Chris V. , Jennings ) plus Marcus Price, have been fighting minor injuries. That just kills the rhythm needed to get the Offense going. Throw in Henry nursing an injury and it's been very frustrating.

 

Teague has definitely improved. Smith is good, not great. Same with Chris V. Mike Williams had a good game Saturday. His run blocking was very good. Looks to be trimmer. Jennings and Price must mend.

 

I saw some holes Saturday that Travis would have shot thru. MaGahee just glided thru them, lacking the burst.

 

I'm hardly an apologist type for anyone on this team. I couldn't trash Bledsoe enough last year for losing his poise at times. He looks much improved. I think our Coaching staff is much better, McNally included.

 

But they will have to prove it against the Jags by putting the ball in the endzone. Until then, I refuse to take a negative view, since we need to see our starters together and what the playcalling will actually be. With a new Coaching staff, thats a complete mystery. It's been rather bland in pre-season, which is typical.

 

I won't draw any real conclusions until then.

12245[/snapback]

 

I would agree with this sentiment. It is impossible to gauge progress with the injuries that have created musical chairs at most of the line positions. No rythm has been established yet.

[Alaska Darin]

CV has been outstanding at times and average at others. Injuries and lack of continuity has been a problem for him.

 

Smith is fine as long as he gets his hands on his man. He's not very good in space but recovers pretty well.

 

The jury is out on MW.

 

Teague has (gulp) been our most consistant lineman. He's doing ALOT better at holding his ground. Could have something to do with not having Resucillo next to him.

 

My biggest concern with blocking so far has been Shelton. That guy has whiffed on more hits than a porn site only featuring T-Bone touching himself to Scooby Doo videos.

[JohninMinn.]

I am not as keen with the vision as a lot of people here when it comes to examing the OL line play, however I might say that I have been very impressed with the way Bledsoe has been getting rid of the ball...even when it's incomplete. I have rarely seen him stand in the pocket waiting for something to develop. He scans the field, and then gets rid of the ball quickly. Unfortunately, that makes it difficult for me to determine how the line is doing because they' not in a situation to pass protect for too long.

 

Run blocking seems good when Travis is in. You can still see hesitation on McGahee's part, and particularly with last nights game there were a few holes created that Travis would have hit that McGahee just never saw.

 

Are they improving? Absolutely. But that's like saying celery sticks are better with salt on them.

12215[/snapback]

 

Welcome Back to zippernecks wagon LA!!! :

[Mark VI]

My biggest concern with blocking so far has been Shelton.  That guy has whiffed on more hits than a porn site only featuring T-Bone touching himself to Scooby Doo videos.

12307[/snapback]

 

Agreed. I would much rather see them put Nuefeld back there as an H-Back. He can flat out block. Keep the kid Lawton, who has shown some nice blocks and has the soft hands for the swing pass. Shelton does little for me.

[MattyT]

Agreed. I would much rather see them put Nuefeld back there as an H-Back. He can flat out block. Keep the kid Lawton, who has shown some nice blocks and has the soft hands for the swing pass. Shelton does little for me.

12324[/snapback]

 

I haven't seen Peters play yet, but is there a possibility that he could play FB?

[cåblelady]

My biggest concern with blocking so far has been Shelton.  That guy has whiffed on more hits than a porn site only featuring T-Bone touching himself to Scooby Doo videos.

12307[/snapback]

 

Eeeewwww.....Darin. I'm trying to eat my supper.

[John from Riverside]

Well.....I have a very optomistic outlook on this....(but is that any big suprise?)

 

- What we have to remember is that we haven't even seen our starting offensive line on the field at the same time yet in preseason.....I feel very good about them once they DO get on the field together:

 

Jennings....when health Jennings just might be a pro bowler....he has his best games against the best competition.....

 

Lawrence Smith....first of all..LS is a feel good story as far as I am concerned...he worked his butt off and finally got a starting spot...good for him....BUT I also think it says that the bills may have a problem in their scouting department on offensive linemen.....you can pick up starting left guards in rounds 3,4, and 5 and we were trying to make it through with Pucillo.....who I honest think that in my old, decrepid, and out of shape self could STILL bullrush into the QB.....L. Smith will at least hold his ground.....he is a bandaid for the moment and that is good enough

 

Tre Teague has been impressing me....he got stronger without giving up quickness......he is doing much better

 

I think Villyman is way underappreciated by some and by the end of the year will be considered one of our best guards to come along in some time.

 

Big Mike is getting better by the game....he put in a solid performance in the last preseason game and he is only going to get better....

 

We will be alright.....we just need to get our starters back on the field.....

[Alaska Darin]

Eeeewwww.....Darin. I'm trying to eat my supper. 

12336[/snapback]

I hope it wasn't T-Bone sized mini-weenies and beans...

[TigerJ]

It really depends quite a bit on who you talk to. I've heard comments really dissing Mike Williams in the last game for instance, saying his run blocking early in the game was horrible, that he couldn't even get out of the way of teammates who were trying to block. I didn't see it so I can't say. Against Indy, a lot of things kind of fell appart, so maybe that's not a good game to judge. Overall, I think there is at least more potential for the line, though with the little nicks and bruises it's been kind of frustrating. I don't know that all five projected starters have been on the field at the same time yet.

 

I do know that Mike Williams has lost about 30 lbs, though I would guess he could easily stand to lose another twenty pounds. He is getting in better shape, and hopefully McNally's coaching is going to be sinking in.

 

Villarrial has, I think, been solid.

 

Teague appears to be playing much better than a year ago from a lot of reports.

 

Lawrence Smith had one holding call in the Indy game. I can't complain too much about that. Ruben Brown was good for a couple of those every game. In any case he seems to be more athletic and possesses better balance than Pucillo, the stiff he replaces.

 

Jonas Jennings is the latest nicked up lineman. I think he missed the game Saturday, but I don't think there is any worry about him, except maybe he could use more practice time paired with Smith so they know better what to expect from each other.

 

As far as depth is concerned, hopefully Marcus Price can be effective backing up both tackle spots, though he's had some problems this preseason, including injury (turf toe I think) and he's not been as effective as he's been in the past.

 

Sullivan still appears to be useless. Pucillo is no better in games than last season despite the hype about his conditioning during the offseason. He has no balance, and when the DTs knock him off balance he can't recover. Tucker seems serviceable as a backup at both center and guard. I've heard a few positive comments about Sobieski, but frankly there's been precious little on him either way. He's as close to an invisible player as there is on the team. McFarland shows he may have potential, but he's still at least a year away. I think he's a practice squad candidate. There are some others, but no one of note. I suspect a few of these scrubs will be on the cut list tomorrow.