Some of the issues I feel the Bills are faced with

[T master]

I like your passion it sure beats the hell out of all the other jerks statements of firing this one , blow it all up & start over , the problem is Nix he doesn't know nothin .

 

At least you have some sound reasoning in your post & i agree with a lot of what you said , Gailey & Nix both have said good depth on this team was a problem & now that these injuries have come around we are finding out just how true that statement is but 90% of the people on here either haven't paid attention or are just in there own little universe with there own agenda .

 

Keep the posts coming we need more people that can see the forest for the trees as fans & not the blind speaking to the deaf !!!

[NastyMan]

Chris Hairston is awful at left tackle, his mechanics are no different than Cordaro Howard who we cut at the beginning of the season. I've watched the Bills play with the exact same dysfunction for over 10 years now. ALL the elite teams in the NFL have offensive lines that stack the defense at the line of scrimmage giving their quarterback time to examine the field and make the best possible decision in terms of how to get rid of the ball. This also allows for a stronger running game to develop. You cannot back peddle giving the defender the running momentum to either run you over or get around you. Our original lineup this year was much stronger and for the first time in years I saw a team that was physical and could stack the line. Bell is best suited at LT, and with Urbik, Pears, Levitre, and Wood at center that was the combination that gave Fitz the time to react and make sound decisions. That lineup could handle a blitz and that's why Fitz was the least sacked quarterback in the league. The bottom line is we had horrible personnel that this new administration had to assess, dismantle, and make adjustments in a very short period of time. I believe that's why they drafted Spiller, they really didn't know there personnel and for everyone calling CJ a bust, it is paramount in this league that players get a real opportunity to learn and ultimately showcase there talents through ample playing time. I was under the impression that Chan was the type of coach that was able to utilize his talent by spreading his offense to maximize the talent he had. Unfortunately when he starting losing his key personnel that was supposed to be what the team was going to build off of he couldn't make the adjustments giving Fitz the time he needed to make good decisions, however our lack of experienced depth has magnified the problem. Losing the key additions this team made in the off season has set them back. Ryan will be an amazing quarterback when he has a sound, attack minded O-line that can stack the line. Imo offenses should act as if they are the defense and be in attack mode. This should eliminate the blitz especially if Chan uses his tight ends, fullback and running back to shore up when the d brings the safeties. It's tough to watch year in and year out when it's 3rd and 12 and we throw a pass to the line of scrimmage. Once again if we have a stout O-line we can change the defensive scheming in relationship to the opposing linebackers when we run. So long story short, get everyone healthy for next year add depth through the draft and now that buddy and co. have a clearer understanding of there strengths and weaknesses we should finally be headed in the right direction and be able to perform consistently. Personally I would like to give the kid from Dallas (Young) that we picked up off there practice squad some looks. Spread the ball for crying out loud... play action, draws, run CJ to the outside to keep the defense honest and he will get better and this should also improve Freddy's performance . CHANDLER, CHANDLER, CHANDLER, come on already use him like Brady uses his Tight ends. I like Kumar Aiken, I like Roosevelt, and once Nelson hits his stride he's a gamer too. Defense needs Kyle back and healthy,I hope Merriman's surgery solves his problem athletes do come back from this sort of injury and do well, but if he doesn't we need a serious pass rusher. Get rid of mcgee and Mckelvin and find corners that are ball hawks not guys that pride themselves on keeping up with receivers,what good is it that you keep up with the wideout but you let him catch the ball, once again mechanics, who's teaching these guys anyways...Jeez. Get a pass rush learn how to blitz bringing all the boys and not just some half ass attempt at trying to disrupt the quarterback. Btw how many people are tired of watching these guys miss tackle. Bottom line we need more depth and we need to stop being so damned predictable. I think during the Cincy game we needed a 1st down on three separate occasions and he ran freddy up the middle all three times. FAIL, Chan seems to be stubborn and all of a sudden I'm seeing a man who isn't sensing the rhythm of the game. I love my BILLS but let's adjust. One last note I heard Barnett say the difference when they were winning as opposed to now was a lack of passion. R u kidding me, heads hanging low??? you are multi millionaires playing in front of 70,000+ people week in and week out, living your dream. We are blue collar people and have more passion than you. I wish I was on the sideline for there games I would stoke a fire that they could never keep up during the course of the game. Another side note ever notice when coaches are trying to instruct there players on the sidelines and they don't even give them the respect of looking them in the eye, if I'm on that field first time one of my players disrespects me like that it will be the last time. I'm the best at what and with the money that we pay them so should they. They owe us success. It's time to rise to the occasion and destroy. GO BILLS!!!

 

I for one don't think Hairston is doing that bad a LT. You got to remember he is a rookie and has only played in three games. It's not fair to rip him like you did. Bell probably is the better option but when was the last time that guy played more then 5 games in a season. I am tired of waiting on him. Let's move on.

[bisonbrigade]

Give me a break. Last week was Hairston's third start and he was coming off an injury. Wait till the end of the year to judge the guy. To me I think he just might be the answer at OT. Time will tell.

[John from Riverside]

I want to thank you for using that first sentence in that disaster of a post you put up to blind everyone with.....

 

You obviously dont know anything about offensive line play.

 

Chris Hairston is a legit offensive tackle......it remains to be seen whether he is a dominant right tackle and a ok left tackle....or if he needs an NFL offseason to grow into being a dominant left tackle.

 

Go back and watch his play again (provided that you ever did to begin with).....immensely powerful.....delivers blows to defensive linemen instead of taking them.....commits when run blocking.....makes up for lack of extremely athletic feet with long arms that redirect and hold defensive players at arms length.......

 

I remember a particular play in the last game where they gave Hairston some help on a pass play....Hairston jolted the defensive player nearly knocking him on his ass almost immediately.....basically ending him for the play and the helper was looking at Hairston like "wtf am I doing over here you dont need my help"

[7boogiewoogie]

I want to thank you for using that first sentence in that disaster of a post you put up to blind everyone with.....

 

You obviously dont know anything about offensive line play.

 

Chris Hairston is a legit offensive tackle......it remains to be seen whether he is a dominant right tackle and a ok left tackle....or if he needs an NFL offseason to grow into being a dominant left tackle.

 

Go back and watch his play again (provided that you ever did to begin with).....immensely powerful.....delivers blows to defensive linemen instead of taking them.....commits when run blocking.....makes up for lack of extremely athletic feet with long arms that redirect and hold defensive players at arms length.......

 

I remember a particular play in the last game where they gave Hairston some help on a pass play....Hairston jolted the defensive player nearly knocking him on his ass almost immediately.....basically ending him for the play and the helper was looking at Hairston like "wtf am I doing over here you dont need my help"

 

 

Look I understand stacking the line is traditionally used against the run however maybe I should have been more specific, Hairston's back peddling technique to give Fitz a pocket to work from is bad.

 

I don't know what you saw, but against Miami he was being manhandled and caused the pocket to collapse very quickly. Why do you think Fitz was on his ass or running it off almost the entire game. He may have had a couple of plays that made him look successful at times but overall he, just like my previous post mentioned, looked a lot like Cordaro Howard who was cut for what I see as the same issues that Hairston is having. I do think that Howard would have been more successful at right guard, which seemed like a more natural position for him given his size, but we will never know.

 

Bell when healthy proved to be the better left tackle however I do billieve that players can improve especially when it comes to technique because Hairston certainly has the physical tools.

 

As far as me understanding football I have watched religiously since 1984 and have a good friend of mine that plays middle linebacker for the Rams, and I have talked to James about trench technique. I guess since it's easy to mouth off sitting behind a computer there will always be someone to do it, so whatever floats your boat. GO BILLS!!!

[Buffalo Barbarian]

Reemus wants you to use paragraphs.

Reemus agrees with you.

Reemus thinks the bills win on sunday.

and to say it with way less words.

[RealityCheck]

I always enjoy the assumption that because a player gets back on the field after an injury that he is healthy. It means that the player can MANAGE the pain at that point in time. When you consider leg injuries, weeks go by with very limited physical stimulus in the football sense. Hairston was healthy enough to get on the field, but is clearly not healthy. Give the guy a break.

[8-8 Forever?]

It will be good when the salary cap floor hits for 2013 and Ralph must spend 90+% of the salary cap on players. Then the cheapskate days will be over and we can get some bodies in here. That will be a great day. Will hurt the pocketbooks of the small city teams but will help the product on the field..

[John from Riverside]

Look I understand stacking the line is traditionally used against the run however maybe I should have been more specific, Hairston's back peddling technique to give Fitz a pocket to work from is bad.

 

I don't know what you saw, but against Miami he was being manhandled and caused the pocket to collapse very quickly. Why do you think Fitz was on his ass or running it off almost the entire game. He may have had a couple of plays that made him look successful at times but overall he, just like my previous post mentioned, looked a lot like Cordaro Howard who was cut for what I see as the same issues that Hairston is having. I do think that Howard would have been more successful at right guard, which seemed like a more natural position for him given his size, but we will never know.

 

Bell when healthy proved to be the better left tackle however I do billieve that players can improve especially when it comes to technique because Hairston certainly has the physical tools.

 

As far as me understanding football I have watched religiously since 1984 and have a good friend of mine that plays middle linebacker for the Rams, and I have talked to James about trench technique. I guess since it's easy to mouth off sitting behind a computer there will always be someone to do it, so whatever floats your boat. GO BILLS!!!

 

 

- Having a friend play football doesn't mean that YOU know about football.....and that is evident in that post

- Playing offensive line is not all about pass protection.....it is also about run blocking and Chris Hairston is a agressive run blocking tackle who also is incredibally strong and knows how to use his arms.....Bell is a "Wall Off" blocker who can hold Hairston's jock when it comes to run blocking

- Bell IS a better pass protector and at this point he should be because Bell is more of an Athlete then Hairston so his later movement is better....

- BUT you make it sound like Hairston is in total retreat mode on pass protection......he isn't.....in that Miami game he had a VERY good pass rusher opposite him who didnt even try to bull rush Hairston he was using an outside rush and Hairst had to match that by sliding and using his long arms and trying to "ride" the DE out of the play

- Fitz was not on his ass on every play because of his offensive line....our offense is biult to throw the quick strike and defenses have adjusted....not Fitz is holding the ball longer....lets keep in mind that the OL as still hurt pretty bad....

- ALSO......when a snap is bad (I lost count at 12 bad snaps) the QB has to track down the ball.....then try to find his progression reads again....this all takes time.....so yes the defense was getting to him.

 

To say tht Chris Hairston is a bad tackle (and he might not even be 100 percent healthy) is a pretty bad analysis......regardless of who you know

[Hapless Bills Fan]

as to what you say about the "stack"...every team in the NFL creates a "pocket" around the QB on passing plays...that would be when the LT and RT back peddle to filter, or push the rushing DE/OLD to the outside, to keep the inside advantage...there are SOME excecptions, such as play action passes when the LT/RT "run block" for a second, and then get into the pass blocking back peddle, but this back peddling is necessary for pass blocking purposes, plain and simple, has nothing to do with having good or bad tackles

 

This. And also, the reason Fitzy was a 'least sacked QB' to start the season is not because the OL could handle the blitz; it's because the Bills passing game was built on quick read-and-release. The problems with this are, if the WR don't respond to being jammed, run their routes, and get separation, Fitz has no targets - and he will try to force a play into coverage. Rex Ryan was quoted as saying "we know we won't sack him, and that's OK" - I think the implication is they will force mistakes and take advantage of same.

 

as far as Fitzy being "an amazing QB" when he gets a solid O-line....he will never be amazing, he could be very serviceable to good, but he lacks to arm strength to ever be amazing (and I like Fitz and am glad they extended him )...

 

I agree with this But whether you call it "amazing" or "good", if Fitz has more time he will be better. He was better earlier in the season with a better line. He actually can throw deep, but he can't do it off his back foot. He has to set and turn his body into the throw. The truly amazing QB, I must say, are more like Warner or the flashes I saw from Romo on turkey day, where they can hurl the most amazing downfield bullets with defenders all over them.