Got_Wood Posted May 4, 2012 Posted May 4, 2012 1. Improve the Run Defense: The Bills were 28th against the run in 2011. We couldn’t tackle, our ends couldn’t keep outside contain, and we were getting pushed all over the field. I think the 4-3 look with our revamped D-Line and solid LB combo of Barnett, Sheppard, and Morrison is going to be a brick wall. And don’t sleep on Kirk Morrison! This guy will be a stud in the 4-3 lineup. He averaged over 120 tackles for several years with the Raiders in a good scheme, and he will be all over the field this season under Wannstedt. I like our chances in this area. 2. Improve the Pass Rush (Thank you Buddy!): It was getting old last year pretending that Spencer Johnson was a defensive end, and watching a rookie DT Dareus be our top pass rusher with 5.5 sacks. Welcome to the team Mario Williams and Mark Anderson! More pressure on the QB, less time to throw the ball, and more mistakes and interceptions. This is going to be fun to watch. 3. Leodis Mckelvin needs to be our Devin Hester: This guy is a freak on special teams, and we need to use him that way. He held the NCAA record for kickoff return yardage with 3,817, and returned 7 punts for TD’s (one shy of the NCAA all time record). Why haven’t we been using him there every game?? Oh, and he also runs a 4.38 40 yard dash by the way. I know he made a huge boneheaded mistake against New England on a kickoff return that was one of the factors that cost us the game. But electrifying players like him are game changers, and we need to recognize that. I hope the coaches keep him around, and I hope he dominates on special teams both returning punts and kickoffs, and as a tackler on kickoffs and punt team. And not to mention, he’s not a terrible cover guy as a CB and we can use him in nickel and dime coverage situations this season. 4. Ryan Fitzpatrick needs to limit his mistakes: Fitz passed for a lot of yards last year, and 24 TD’s is a pretty good number. But 23 Interceptions is a very bad number. This will cost the team some football games. Fortunately Buddy and Chan brought in some help on the offensive line with Glenn, Sanders, and Asper. And hopefully Wood, Urbik, and Hairston can stay healthy this year. With a healthy O-line, we could be dangerous. And Fitzy will have no excuses. Just win baby! 5. The ball needs to be in Freddy AND Spiller’s hands A LOT this season: We need to find a way to get BOTH of these guys the ball. Freddy proved that he can be a monster as a starter last season, and I can’t wait to see him continue his outstanding play. But Spiller is way too talented to be touching the ball only a few times a game. I would like to see us get a little more run heavy this year, and grind it out with our two star RB’s. We simply don’t have the receiving personnel outside of Stevie and Nelson to be such a pass happy team. We’ll see how it plays out. The Bills have a shot to be a contender this year. It’s time to knock the Pats down from their reigning spot on top of the division, and let’s bring some intimidation into the Dolphins and Jets games this year. I haven’t been this pumped up for our team in years. GO BILLS!!!
atlbillsfan1975 Posted May 4, 2012 Posted May 4, 2012 No argueing any of those points I agree that this is Fitzs' year to put up or shut up. Barring a major injury bug(the Bills are due for a minor injury season), then Fitz is the biggest question. He needs to show he can be consitant, not only for the year, but also durring a single game. Honestly if he threw for 3000yds and 24 td's but limited his int. to 12, this team is on its way to the playoffs.
Frostbelt City Posted May 4, 2012 Posted May 4, 2012 6. Donald Jones needs to be able to catch - and if not... please don't lob the ball up like volleyball for the defense to catch.
K-9 Posted May 4, 2012 Posted May 4, 2012 6. Donald Jones needs to be able to catch - and if not... please don't lob the ball up like volleyball for the defense to catch. You can bank on seeing one of those 'lobs' every time Jones, SJ, or whomever draws single coverage on the outside. That was one of their hots last season and Fitz went to it every single time it seemed. GO BILLS!!!
Got_Wood Posted May 4, 2012 Author Posted May 4, 2012 Honestly if he threw for 3000yds and 24 td's but limited his int. to 12, this team is on its way to the playoffs. I agree with that. Easier said than done, but I think he can do it.
BuffaloBill Posted May 4, 2012 Posted May 4, 2012 Interesting take. The key to the season rests on points 1 & 2. McLuvin may becaomne a return specialists but the Bills need him to improve more as a CB. He is likely to be 4th or 5th on the deth chart as a cover man so if he can contribute as a returner all the better. Fitz is not going to change his style of play at this point. His stats may improve if the D gets a backbone and can hold a lead. When the Bills are up in points he will feel less compelled to take chances. This should be a better season.
papazoid Posted May 4, 2012 Posted May 4, 2012 #1- Kyle Williams returns to his pro bowl level. #2- Fitz plays the entire season healthy. if those two things happen....we scare the heck out of a wild card spot.
missthe kgun Posted May 4, 2012 Posted May 4, 2012 #1-Give Super Mario whatever freaking jersey he wants #2-Drop more dead weight like Florence, and Kelsey etc. #3-Let Chan remember it's ok to run the football more than 20 times in a game, especially when you don't have a Hall of Fame QB...I like Fitz, but the run game is our bread and butter. #4-Allow our corners to take advantage our new found pass rush! #5-Health, Health, Health...Across the board!!!
clearwater cadet Posted May 4, 2012 Posted May 4, 2012 Stay healthy IF half the team doesn't end up on IR, we will be in great shape.
John from Riverside Posted May 4, 2012 Posted May 4, 2012 Force punts......stop relying on interceptions and fumbles to stop opposing offenses.
Kelly the Dog Posted May 4, 2012 Posted May 4, 2012 Good post and thread. I will add a few more. 1. Wanny prove the game hasn't passed him by as a DC. George Edwards was pitiful and over-matched as a DC the last two years, the biggest mistake of the Nix/Gailey regime so far and by far. I'm not saying the game has passed the Stache by, but I don't think he had very much to do with the defense last year, he spent about 5 years away in the college game, and while his defenses were good on the two teams he head coached, he hasn't held the DC job for quite some time. I think he is up for the job and will be good if not great with all these toys he has, but it must be proven on the field. A lot of times, just calling the right defense and having a knack for putting your guys in the right position is half the battle. 2. #2 WR be a threat. I have said this repeatedly but it's something we REALLY need, and it doesn't matter who it is. I'm betting that Easley wins the job out of camp, but between Easley, Jones and Graham, our #2 has to stretch the field and make a play every so often. He doesn't even need to get more than 3-45 yards or so a game, he just needs to keep defenses honest, off the LOS and clear some room for the host of weapons we have, especially opening the middle of the field up for Nelson, Chandler, plus CJ and Freddy and Brad Smith or any combination of the above. IF, and it's a big if, Easley is that guy, watch out for Graham to be exciting as the #4 WR. We will have a whole lot of trouble for defenses. 3. The rookies and 2nd year guys have to limit rookie mistakes, especially Gilmore, Glenn and Brooks, and I will include Aaron Williams and Shep in their. They don't have to be studs, they just have to limit mistakes that cost up huge plays or TDs against. Glenn needs to come in and play adequately right off the bat. If he plays well, it's a bonus. But I think he starts at LT opening day and we need him to not be a liability more than we need him to dominate. 4. Kyle, Eric Wood, and hopefully Merriman back 100% from injury. Kyle is the biggest because we're counting on him so much. Funny, but Merriman actually had the exact same surgery that Kyle did. Wood needs to be healthy, too. If Merriman has anything in the tank, the defense is going to be scary good. I think Fred is already back and ready to go. 5. Gailey finding ways to utilize Freddy and CJ, individually and together, as well as integrate Brad Smith and the Wildcat into the offense. Gailey was frustrated last year by not having the time to work both backs in as well as the Wildcat in more, then had to scrap the whole thing when Freddy went down and a bunch of WR went down so they didn't even practice the Wildcat. It's going to play a major role this year, with the whole off-season, and David Lee joining the staff. We need Gailey to have a good year like we need the OL to be healthy and Fitz to have a good year. The offense has the tools to be dynamic like it was the first six games.
Reed83HOF Posted May 4, 2012 Posted May 4, 2012 Good post and thread. ...as well as integrate Brad Smith and the Wildcat into the offense. Gailey was frustrated last year by not having the time to work both backs in as well as the Wildcat in more, then had to scrap the whole thing when Freddy went down and a bunch of WR went down so they didn't even practice the Wildcat. This is a good post and thread and I agree with the comments and oberservations made thus far. Am I the only one who feels the Wildcat is overrated? 95% of the time it is a run... My thought to add to the thread is something that myself and a few others were taking about in the shout box last night: Half time adjustments. A personal pet peeve of mine is an HC that is hired and is unable to relinquish their previous position of OC or DC. When Chan was hired he said that he would handle the play calling duties for the foreseeable, which was understandable with us deciding to stick with Trent (dumb move I know) and to the talent or lack thereof that we had on that side of the ball. I suppose we could also mention that Gailey had to use some smoke and mirrors to hide deficiencies and make us look a bit better. Rant aside, I just don't see how Gailey can be the HC and be able to make adjustments at the half on the offense side of the ball; there just isn't enough time. I know we have Modkins, but who is he really and can he be trusted to make adjustment recommendations to Gailey. This is an area that we need to get better at; other teams are able to adjust to us; but we really suck in doing the same.
Over 29 years of fanhood Posted May 4, 2012 Posted May 4, 2012 There is really one key, the defense. Here are all the defensive upgrades: 1. Better coach 2. Should be better scheme (the personell actually fit, no square pegs and round holes) 3. Kyle Williams resolved an Achilles injury hampering him for years 4. Shep and Darius aren't rookies and get a full camp to boot. They're already good. 5. The only thing better than nick Barnett in a 3-4 is nick Barnett in a 4-3 6. Starting front four has the potential to be Mario Williams, Darius, healthy Kyle Williams, and healthy Shawn merrimen(both had surgeries that were deffered for years that impacted explosiveness and push) 7. Secondary is bigger and faster than it has been in a long time. 8. There is quality depth at almost every defensive position.
Kelly the Dog Posted May 4, 2012 Posted May 4, 2012 This is a good post and thread and I agree with the comments and oberservations made thus far. Am I the only one who feels the Wildcat is overrated? 95% of the time it is a run... My thought to add to the thread is something that myself and a few others were taking about in the shout box last night: Half time adjustments. A personal pet peeve of mine is an HC that is hired and is unable to relinquish their previous position of OC or DC. When Chan was hired he said that he would handle the play calling duties for the foreseeable, which was understandable with us deciding to stick with Trent (dumb move I know) and to the talent or lack thereof that we had on that side of the ball. I suppose we could also mention that Gailey had to use some smoke and mirrors to hide deficiencies and make us look a bit better. Rant aside, I just don't see how Gailey can be the HC and be able to make adjustments at the half on the offense side of the ball; there just isn't enough time. I know we have Modkins, but who is he really and can he be trusted to make adjustment recommendations to Gailey. This is an area that we need to get better at; other teams are able to adjust to us; but we really suck in doing the same. We're about to open a can of worms, but okay... ha... First of all, all kinds of coaches do what Gailey does, work one half of the team as well as the whole team. Most do, and most of the good ones do. That is a total non-issue. Especially because Gailey doesn't concern himself with the defensive side of the ball hardly at all. He lets his defensive coaches do 95% of it, which he should. He will lend his expertise to the game planning insofar as what he knows about offense, and what the other team will try to do. But he mostly teaches and coaches the offense. Secondly, halftime adjustments are WAY over-rated, and used as a catch-all term. The fact of the matter is, we want a coach who is making first quarter, second quarter, halftime, third quarter and fourth quarter adjustments, and the adjustments are ongoing the entire game. Sure, you have 10 minutes or so to sit down and really make some changes but a lot of time when a team plays completely better the second half it has little to do with adjustments, or the adjustments made were tiny. It has to do with making the plays work that were in your original game plan. There was a perfect example last year when the Bills came out smoking the second half, and everyone claimed what great halftime adjustments we made, and then later both Fitz and Gailey said we didn't make any adjustments whatsoever, we knew our gameplan was good from the start, we just executed it in the second half. We need a coach on offense and defense that can adjust on the fly to what he sees during the game. A lot of times that can be found after the first series or two where you finally get to see what the team is actually doing against you. You shouldn't need to wait until halftime to adjust, and a lot of times fans especially throw around the term half-time adjustments like that was the deciding factor, and the team didn't actually make any, they just made plays. That is not to say they don't discuss everything, and they don't tweak stuff they see. They better. But I want a guy who makes constant adjustments, if they are needed, and not just once a game at halftime.
JuanGuzman Posted May 4, 2012 Posted May 4, 2012 Stay healthy +1: in particular I'm thinking about Eric Wood. When healthy I think he is pro-bowl center in this league. T
Reed83HOF Posted May 4, 2012 Posted May 4, 2012 We're about to open a can of worms, but okay... ha... First of all, all kinds of coaches do what Gailey does, work one half of the team as well as the whole team. Most do, and most of the good ones do. That is a total non-issue. Especially because Gailey doesn't concern himself with the defensive side of the ball hardly at all. He lets his defensive coaches do 95% of it, which he should. He will lend his expertise to the game planning insofar as what he knows about offense, and what the other team will try to do. But he mostly teaches and coaches the offense. Secondly, halftime adjustments are WAY over-rated, and used as a catch-all term. The fact of the matter is, we want a coach who is making first quarter, second quarter, halftime, third quarter and fourth quarter adjustments, and the adjustments are ongoing the entire game. Sure, you have 10 minutes or so to sit down and really make some changes but a lot of time when a team plays completely better the second half it has little to do with adjustments, or the adjustments made were tiny. It has to do with making the plays work that were in your original game plan. There was a perfect example last year when the Bills came out smoking the second half, and everyone claimed what great halftime adjustments we made, and then later both Fitz and Gailey said we didn't make any adjustments whatsoever, we knew our gameplan was good from the start, we just executed it in the second half. We need a coach on offense and defense that can adjust on the fly to what he sees during the game. A lot of times that can be found after the first series or two where you finally get to see what the team is actually doing against you. You shouldn't need to wait until halftime to adjust, and a lot of times fans especially throw around the term half-time adjustments like that was the deciding factor, and the team didn't actually make any, they just made plays. That is not to say they don't discuss everything, and they don't tweak stuff they see. They better. But I want a guy who makes constant adjustments, if they are needed, and not just once a game at halftime. It is a can of worms and yes it is a catch-all term, but I think it will be good for discussion. For once I was going to make a simplistic post and not have it be a monster in length, I was looking for more discussion and not so much a "good post" or "I agree" "nice read" this time around It is not be a slam on Gailey, I don't think he should get fired or anything like that at all. In fact I think before Gailey gets on the "to be fired" hot seat, Nix will ask him to get a true OC. That is besides the point and not part of this topic. You are exactly correct that adjustments need to be done throughout the game and your last paragraph hits the nail right on the head. What you see somewhat frequently around the league is that the OC or DC will huddle players up with the printed plays and go over what they either need to do to attack or how to stop the attack. An HC doesn't have the time to do this and take care of his HC duties concurrently. It can be done during a TV timeout, called TO, injury, challenge or whatever; but I do think it can put you at a disadvantage. Gailey's time to make adjustments while the game is being played and disseminate it the players is limited.
KD in CA Posted May 4, 2012 Posted May 4, 2012 I agree with all of that other than #3. Special teams isn't about having a Devon Hester, it's about having solid coverage and return teams top to bottom. And that happens when you have a roster that is deep with talent, which hopefully the Bills are getting closer to having after the last two drafts. Notice how the Jets didn't skip a beat on KO returns when the Bills signed Smith? That's because they have a great unit, they were not just relying on the return guy. Plus, you can't just hope someone is going to start playing like one of the great return guys in history. McKelvin doesn't have half Hester's talent and never will.
3rdand12 Posted May 4, 2012 Posted May 4, 2012 1. Improve the Run Defense: The Bills were 28th against the run in 2011. We couldn’t tackle, our ends couldn’t keep outside contain, and we were getting pushed all over the field. I think the 4-3 look with our revamped D-Line and solid LB combo of Barnett, Sheppard, and Morrison is going to be a brick wall. And don’t sleep on Kirk Morrison! This guy will be a stud in the 4-3 lineup. He averaged over 120 tackles for several years with the Raiders in a good scheme, and he will be all over the field this season under Wannstedt. I like our chances in this area. 2. Improve the Pass Rush (Thank you Buddy!): It was getting old last year pretending that Spencer Johnson was a defensive end, and watching a rookie DT Dareus be our top pass rusher with 5.5 sacks. Welcome to the team Mario Williams and Mark Anderson! More pressure on the QB, less time to throw the ball, and more mistakes and interceptions. This is going to be fun to watch. 3. Leodis Mckelvin needs to be our Devin Hester: This guy is a freak on special teams, and we need to use him that way. He held the NCAA record for kickoff return yardage with 3,817, and returned 7 punts for TD’s (one shy of the NCAA all time record). Why haven’t we been using him there every game?? Oh, and he also runs a 4.38 40 yard dash by the way. I know he made a huge boneheaded mistake against New England on a kickoff return that was one of the factors that cost us the game. But electrifying players like him are game changers, and we need to recognize that. I hope the coaches keep him around, and I hope he dominates on special teams both returning punts and kickoffs, and as a tackler on kickoffs and punt team. And not to mention, he’s not a terrible cover guy as a CB and we can use him in nickel and dime coverage situations this season. 4. Ryan Fitzpatrick needs to limit his mistakes: Fitz passed for a lot of yards last year, and 24 TD’s is a pretty good number. But 23 Interceptions is a very bad number. This will cost the team some football games. Fortunately Buddy and Chan brought in some help on the offensive line with Glenn, Sanders, and Asper. And hopefully Wood, Urbik, and Hairston can stay healthy this year. With a healthy O-line, we could be dangerous. And Fitzy will have no excuses. Just win baby! 5. The ball needs to be in Freddy AND Spiller’s hands A LOT this season: We need to find a way to get BOTH of these guys the ball. Freddy proved that he can be a monster as a starter last season, and I can’t wait to see him continue his outstanding play. But Spiller is way too talented to be touching the ball only a few times a game. I would like to see us get a little more run heavy this year, and grind it out with our two star RB’s. We simply don’t have the receiving personnel outside of Stevie and Nelson to be such a pass happy team. We’ll see how it plays out. The Bills have a shot to be a contender this year. It’s time to knock the Pats down from their reigning spot on top of the division, and let’s bring some intimidation into the Dolphins and Jets games this year. I haven’t been this pumped up for our team in years. GO BILLS!!! between your insight and Kelly's you are sure asking alot! But you are at the heart of the matter with each proposal. My favorite piece is will Chan make use of a seemingly excellent 1-2 in Fred and CJ. I want to see us run the ball. if we run wildcat lets make it less predictable. Run to open up the pass this time around. Defense will take care of itself just by putting the pads on our players and showing them where the field is.
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