A Few Thoughts About The Game

[PO'14]

Great comments Bill.

 

The Jets were hitting late all game and the refs had their whistles up their %#*.... (except against the Bills)

[JohnC]

 

12) If the Bills had Revis and Mel Blount in their prime playing corner, they would get burned. We have NO pass rush. We absolutely need to address this in the 2012 draft before we do anything else. This pass rush is so bad that we were worse when Kelsay (who is God awful) was out. Sanchez is NO better than Trent Edwards, and we let him beat us. This is unacceptable.

 

13) GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

As you and a lot of others have so often noted the lack of pass rush has nothing to do with the DC's scheme, it is simply due to a lack of talent. A Von Miller type pass rusher would dramatically elevate the defense. Again, as you and others have noted with the exception of Barnett our outside LBs are invisible. Could you have imagined how much this defense would be improved with Green Bay's Mathews on this team?

 

Pears is an average, at best, RT. From a free agent acquisition standpoint he was good value. Athletically, he is very limited. Chandler is a very limited TE from an athletic standpoint. His talents are being maximized because of the smart play calling. There is a major contrast in the way he is being handled and the way Kelsay is being handled. Kelsay is being played out of position from his physical abilities while Chandler is being used to maximize his abililities and limit his liabilities.

 

Did Troup play? Carrington hasn't impressed me or just maybe he is another player playing in a scheme that doesn't suit his talents?

 

I thought Fitz played very well. He seemed to have more zip on the ball than I have ever seen from him. He played with a lot of courage and heart. While Sanchez moped when the pass plays misfired; Fitz was resolute when the pass plays worked and didn't work.

 

I'm old school. The Stevie Johnson act was stupid and very damaging.

 

I have a dream. The Bills are owned by a competent owner and an owner with an urgency to succeed. A generation of mediocrity is disgusting.

[Juror#8]

11) Btw, thanks to anyone and everyone who takes the time to read my weekly thoughts. I love the dialogue, and I love the Buffalo Bills football team.

 

Presumably unless someone disagrees with you.

 

 

12) If the Bills had Revis and Mel Blount in their prime playing corner, they would get burned. We have NO pass rush. We absolutely need to address this in the 2012 draft before we do anything else. This pass rush is so bad that we were worse when Kelsay (who is God awful) was out. Sanchez is NO better than Trent Edwards, and we let him beat us. This is unacceptable.

 

13) GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I've said it before, in two separate posts, and provided actual support for the claim that what you say in #12 is fundamentally untrue. You've ignored the point before, you'll likely ignore it again.

 

However, here goes nothing...the idea that an expert pass rush shuts down the potent offenses in today's NFL is farcical at best, delusional at worst. The offensive minds in our division responded by creating offenisive schemes that are so quick and so precise that a pass rush doesn't have any time to be disruptive.

 

Look at the stats. Look at the points that New England put up on Philly, K.C., Oakland, and teams with legitimate pass rushing specialists. Look at Welker's stats in those games. Look at Green Bay and what they did to the Jared Allen-led Vikings, or the Bears, or DENVER.

 

You're trumpeting this 10 year old philosophy that doesn't even reflect the reality of today's NFL. And you don't even rebut the references, you just ignore them and make the same claim the next time around.

 

We need a pass rush, yes. Without a doubt. Certainly. Absolutely. But if we had Bruce Smith circa 1989, we'd still get ate up through the air on short crossing routes, fades, and screens. We need a physical secondary who can press, disrupt timing and be physical. In our division, (and with the growing trend league-wide) we have a better chance at a coverage sack than a traditional rush sack.

[tennesseeboy]

We are pretty much out of playoff consideration, but there is enough room for improvement. We were in it with the Jets, and but for an inexplicably dropped pass by Stevie, it could have been ours (Don't I remember him dropping a pass for a sure win against Pittsburgh last year?). Frankly I think he blew his chance at the pro-bowl. Pro-bowl players come up big (0r at least don't regularly blow) big games.

 

Spiller isn't looking much better as time goes on. Give him the rest of season to show whether he can make it on this team.

 

Offensive line is the big problem area, followed by linebacker and defensive line (still).

 

That being said the trick is to keep improving. Fitz looked good yesterday and we are suffering through a horrible rash of injuries.

[thewildrabbit]

I think that drafting DL was a good idea. The problem is who they drafted, or so it would appear. We have seen flashes from Carrington, and little to nothing from Troup. That said, imo Carrington would apply more pressure if there was a player on the outside that opposing lines had to be concerned with, even a little.

 

The OLB position looks like our OL used to, in that they don't really have a credible OLB (other than perhaps an inconsistent, and not terribly big) Moats. Like OTs, pass rushers are at a premium and tend to fly off the board early. They need to make a huge commitment to this position in the draft.

Ryan Fitzpatrick is still hiding a ton of flaws in that line, his super quick decisions and release at times make that line look so much better then it really is. ESPN rates the Bills line at 2nd worst in the NFL in allowing pressure on the QB in 3 seconds, and that was taken before Wood was injured. That line still sucks and needs two tackles and a guard. That line could be so much better at run blocking, Spiller could use some holes as he can't seem to make his own like Freddy can.

 

All I can remember reading about in this forum over the last 4 years is how this team needs a pass rusher, and yet no matter how hard they try they can't seem to get one. They drafted a pass rusher #1 and then cut him because they couldn't make it work, that same guy just got 2 sacks on Fitz this week. So far Maybin has 5 sacks on the season so far. What does this tell you about the current DC and his ability to get the most out of his players?

[Joe13]

Check out this blunder in yesterday’s game. Don’t the officials know the rules?

[Since 1972]

Another Sunday, another loss. The Bills find new ways to frustrate me every week lately, but with the same result. I understand we need more talent, and I think it will be 2012 at least before we are an upper tier team. That being said, I wish they would find a way to steal wins on days like today. If you looked at the stats and not the final score, you would think the Bills had won today.

You think they will be an upper tier team, next year? Really? Why, because of the great drafts thsy are known for or because you know that injuries never plague this team or... what share your insight to what "upper tier" means>

[C.Biscuit97]

Bill, even though I disagree with you on some issues, I do enjoy your posts after the game. My only major issue is that guys you continually bash on. Spiller didn't have a great game, but he played hard IMO. It's funny you left out the part where he went after Maybin after AM hit Fitz late. Selective viewing I guess. IMO, that showed me a lot.

 

Also another favorite target of yours, McKelvin, showed a lot of character as well. He very easily could have pouted over being benched but he played his @ss off on STs and showed great energy. He was electric as a gunner.

 

One more point I'd like to make is our STs has been awful this year. I respect the guy for all of his years of service but I think it's time for DeHaven to go. The Jets completely outclassed us in STs. IMO, if we had Bobby April back, Sts could have swung a few games.

[webtoe]

Bill, even though I disagree with you on some issues, I do enjoy your posts after the game. My only major issue is that guys you continually bash on. Spiller didn't have a great game, but he played hard IMO. It's funny you left out the part where he went after Maybin after AM hit Fitz late. Selective viewing I guess. IMO, that showed me a lot.

 

Also another favorite target of yours, McKelvin, showed a lot of character as well. He very easily could have pouted over being benched but he played his @ss off on STs and showed great energy. He was electric as a gunner.

 

 

I have to 2nd C.Biscuit on Spiller. I think he definitely got better as the game went on. It looked as if he was concentrating on going to where the hole was supposed to be in the first part of the game, but it was bottled up. In the 2nd half he kept getting closer to hitting one. The greatest area of improvement will come when he strengthens his legs this off-season so that he is able to break that initial tackle. I am not close to writing him off yet.

 

Also McKelvin did show character and played great on STs. Nobody has ever questioned his athletic ability, and that is what allowed him to excel on his punt coverage. That, and his only job was to tackle the guy, not also have to defend a pass.

[C.Biscuit97]

I have to 2nd C.Biscuit on Spiller. I think he definitely got better as the game went on. It looked as if he was concentrating on going to where the hole was supposed to be in the first part of the game, but it was bottled up. In the 2nd half he kept getting closer to hitting one. The greatest area of improvement will come when he strengthens his legs this off-season so that he is able to break that initial tackle. I am not close to writing him off yet.

 

Also McKelvin did show character and played great on STs. Nobody has ever questioned his athletic ability, and that is what allowed him to excel on his punt coverage. That, and his only job was to tackle the guy, not also have to defend a pass.

 

 

If McKelvin had better ball skills, he'd be a pro bowler. I was hoping that was something you could learn but apparently, he isn't. I'd still give him another year though. you don't cut bait too early on young players. The 1st round pick is a sunken cost at this point. Look at Maybin. Also, the Skins gave up on Carlos Rogers after 2 or 3 years and he is a borderling pro bowler for the 49ers this year. Sometimes it takes players a few years to get "it."

[Observer]

Fitz is 4th in the NFL in completion % and 6th in TDs. He's also 4th in INTs (ugh). He's in the middle of the pack in avg yards/pass and /game. And mid-pack in attempts.

 

He's done a lot with sparse talent. He's got a TE who can't block. He's played with 3 centers. He's had 3 LTs. His LG has changed 3 times. He's been without a legit #2 WR all season and his #1 WR can be spotty. His WRs can't beat anyone deep (which may be good news since Fitz lacks the time and inclination to go long anyways).

 

Fitz is not the problem on offense, even though he's had a few bad games. Like everywhere, the Bills have holes to fill on offense but QB is not one.

 

Spiller is still under evaluation. He had no chance to run wide since every team knows he wants to. The 3-4 times he went outside, he was stuffed easily. His 1st half runs between tackles were stupid-looking. He ran into his own blockers multiple times. But as the game went on, he looked better. With more carries, he stopped dancing and trying to bounce everything outside. A couple times, his between-tackle runs almost broke for huge gains. I watched his blocking a bunch and he didn't pancake anyone like Freddy but he picked up a couple rushers and at least didn't get blown away. He's no Fred Jackson but the Jets are a damn good team. Since this season is over as far as playoffs go, and the Bills have no other option, I'm glad we get a bunch of games to look at CJ.

[Just in Atlanta]

Agree with most of your thoughts, except Fitz deserves far more than just a pass. He had a pretty damn good game, and gets rid of the ball quicker than just about anyone due to the pressure he gets behind our patchwork line. I think everyone is going to be pleasantly surprised when we draft some linemen next year. He was threading some tight passes. Impressive day for the guy, IMO.

[Over 29 years of fanhood]

I agree fitz can be the guy for years to come. Buddy go get him an elite wr or two and he'll do pretty well. Not like lee, I mean an Andre Johnson or Larry Fitzgerald kind of wr or next drafts AJ Green.

 

Another te like chandler would be nice too...

Edited November 28, 2011 by over 20 years of fanhood

[Just in Atlanta]

My thoughts:

 

1. Fitz looked impressive, threading tight passes in tight coverage.

2. What was with those two third down plays to Choice? Fitz should have audibled. Could tell they weren't going to work with that stack right away.

3. Lack of QB pressure is the biggest problem, even bigger than our O line. It sets the stage for everything.

4. CJ gets better with more touches. I think he can develop into a regular back. He and Freddy will be good compliments to each other.

5. Brad Smith looks great as our No. 2 WR. He's smooth and natural. On returns, he looks slow and awkward.

6. We attacked on offense, and looked explosive. Showed no fear. Great gameplan.

7. The team looked loose, and plays better that way. I hope SJ finds the right balance between not getting too "serious" and not being a jackass. Bonus thought: If he had caught that ball in the 4th, and ran it in, would anyone be talking about it? What if we had lost the Cinci game last year after he exposed his Tshirt? All I know is that I thought the dance was stupid right away and that I loved the Tshirt celebration. Fine line here.

8. I still don't understand how you can go from shutting a team out to the sewage of the Jets/Cowboys/Dolphins games to a pretty decent game yesterday. I still can't believe we let the Fins smack us around like that.

9. Fitz needs to trim that beard. Looks ridiculous. Every time I see it, I think of the birds that were living in Peter's beard in Family Guy.

10. Overall, we played damn well considering that we've lost a lineman, our star RB, two WRs, our Pro Bowl NT, Pro Bowl OLB, CB and S.

[eball]

Dead wrong about Spiller on this one, Bill. The guy was a gamer, and came a shoestring away from breaking two long runs in the 4th quarter. That's right, he got BETTER as the game wore on. He also showed a ton of spunk, sticking up for teammates and showing an awareness of the game. He was more than adequate on blitz pickups and chip blocks all day -- supposedly his Achilles heel. He made a fantastic 3rd down catch on the first TD drive. 22 touches for 70 yards isn't gaudy, by any means, but it's also not chopped liver given the competition and his makeshift OL.

 

Those who label CJ a bust don't realize his only prior start was in the first game of his career, and since then Fred Jackson has been All-World. I look at what happened yesterday when Spiller was given a full workload against one of the better defenses in the league and I'm incredibly encouraged. Let's see what happens over the next five games.

[DrDawkinstein]

Dead wrong about Spiller on this one, Bill. The guy was a gamer, and came a shoestring away from breaking two long runs in the 4th quarter. That's right, he got BETTER as the game wore on. He also showed a ton of spunk, sticking up for teammates and showing an awareness of the game. He was more than adequate on blitz pickups and chip blocks all day -- supposedly his Achilles heel. He made a fantastic 3rd down catch on the first TD drive. 22 touches for 70 yards isn't gaudy, by any means, but it's also not chopped liver given the competition and his makeshift OL.

 

Those who label CJ a bust don't realize his only prior start was in the first game of his career, and since then Fred Jackson has been All-World. I look at what happened yesterday when Spiller was given a full workload against one of the better defenses in the league and I'm incredibly encouraged. Let's see what happens over the next five games.

 

Agreed 1000000%

 

I really liked what I saw from CJ yesterday. He got stuffed on some runs, but the Jets DLine (especially the NT) ate our OLine's lunch all game. Had "Mr Fantastic" Fred Jackson been in the game, the only difference would have been that some of those 0 yard gains would have gone for 1 or 2 yards.

 

The catch he made on Fitz's overthrown pass was great.

 

You could see he was getting into a rhythm and a feel for the game as they kept giving him the ball.

 

Very promising indeed.

 

Check out this blunder in yesterday’s game. Don’t the officials know the rules?

 

I cant wait until the NFL gains some popularity and the league makes enough money to have the Refs be FULL TIME employees...

[Bill from NYC]

Dead wrong about Spiller on this one, Bill. The guy was a gamer, and came a shoestring away from breaking two long runs in the 4th quarter. That's right, he got BETTER as the game wore on. He also showed a ton of spunk, sticking up for teammates and showing an awareness of the game. He was more than adequate on blitz pickups and chip blocks all day -- supposedly his Achilles heel. He made a fantastic 3rd down catch on the first TD drive. 22 touches for 70 yards isn't gaudy, by any means, but it's also not chopped liver given the competition and his makeshift OL.

Maybe. I hope so, and also ask you to consider the possibility that while my expectations are very high for a #9, yours might be unreasonably low.

One thing is certain, he will get his chance to prove if he can play in this league. He is on the field by default, not because Gailey wanted to use him. And again, I know Freddy is a fine back, but so was Thurman, and Kenneth Davis saw the field and was a contributor.

[2020 Our Year For Sure]

One of my favorite Dead lines! You da man Bill

[Bill from NYC]

One of my favorite Dead lines! You da man Bill

 

Furthur has brought it all back. It was gone and now we have it again because of John Kadlecik.

I saw them reluctantly at Jones Beach in July. I viewed it as a night out with my girlfriend and lifelong friends. The music was secondary or so it seemed. They were off the charts great. I saw them again at MSG this month, and they were once again utterly fantastic.

The female harmony singer on the link is Jerry's daughter. Check her out at 3:05 or so. Remember, her father did this. And btw, she is much better than Donna.

Enjoy.....