Got_Wood Posted May 4, 2012 Author Posted May 4, 2012 I agree 100% that health is one of the keys to our success. "Kelly the Dog", "John Cocktosten", and "Over 20 Years of Fanhood"... you hit on point #6 if I had one. Health is key. And Merriman would be a bonus. I don't think anyone is counting on a big year from this guy, but if he comes through... we could be REALLY dangerous. And I also agree that it's huge to have Wanny in there instead of Edwards. That was a mess. Guys playing out of position, a confused scheme, inability to make adjustments, and zero pressure on opposing QB's (regardless of our personnel). Wanny should improve all of these areas. and now Gailey can focus on offense during game days.
Hapless Bills Fan Posted May 5, 2012 Posted May 5, 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!!! +1 Great post 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. This is a point. Many of our WR or receivers (Spiller when used as same) need some coaching on this.
Tcali Posted May 6, 2012 Posted May 6, 2012 solid LB combo?......sheppard?..morrison?.....-ok now we're getting silly. lets hope tank and others in the mid rounds work out,..that yes fitzy plays within his significant physical limitations, and that the out for '11 williams boys stay healthy.
Webster Guy Posted May 6, 2012 Posted May 6, 2012 I share the concern with the receiving crew behind Stevie. On opening day Rex Ryan is going to say, well they didn't really add any offensive firepower in the offseason, and they have the best RB duo in the league, so lets put 8 men in the box, stop the run, put them in lots of 3rd down passing situations and make Fitz start to force the throws to his second/third reads when Revis and another guy are doubling SJ. (yeah that's right Revis, you need help against #13 and you know it) Fitz led the league in picks last year, and he has virtually no experience with Graham or Easley, so that leaves Nelson, Chandler and Jones as pretty important keys to the offense to help convert those 3rd downs, move the chains, take pressure off our defense and Stevie, help our runners by forcing the 8th man to drop in coverage or at least be guessing on those play action bites. The spread offense we run looks so nice when the defense has no idea if we're going to run or pass. We used to be so predictable in that area before Chan and Fitz got it together and running smoothly. The downside is you can't get by with just having 2 strong WR's, you need a bunch of them or things get ugly like they did last year for us as the season went on and guys went down. We need to stay healthy and get open.
CSBill Posted May 6, 2012 Posted May 6, 2012 (edited) 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!!! Great post, nothing to argue with here. And as has been said, stay healthy. Edited May 6, 2012 by CSBill
yall Posted May 6, 2012 Posted May 6, 2012 Although I agree with #4 it should be noted about half of Fitz's INT's hit a Bill in the hands first.
ThurmasThoman Posted May 6, 2012 Posted May 6, 2012 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. This. This times infinity. This is the key to our season, right here. The fact of the matter is, we play in a stadium that is a wind tunnel. We play in a cold-weather, blustery, outdoor, FOOTBALL stadium. We need to run the football. Personally, I think Gailey is a good coach, (despite winning 4 and 6 games in his first 2 seasons,) but now he has been gifted with a) a MONSTER d line, with a young fast secondary that likes to hit (so the analysts say), meaning our D is going to be predicated on collapsing the pocket and snuffing out screens to pansy welker that used to go for 30 yards on us. b) we have TWO all-pro half backs. c) the second half of our schedule - when the winds start howling and the snow starts accumulating - is, for the most part, at home. this season has clock control/grind it out written all over it. I started another thread a week ago, and I stand by it - if we dont make the playoffs this year, marty is coming here next year. this team is BUILT for marty ball (run/run/run/punt.)
jkrules Posted May 6, 2012 Posted May 6, 2012 IMO there is only one key to improving our season IMPROVE THE DEFENSE!!!! Everything else on this team is good enough to challenge for a playoff spot. If we address our defense, and I believe we have done that, I expect the Bills to challenge for a playoff spot.
BillnutinHouston Posted May 6, 2012 Posted May 6, 2012 I share the concern with the receiving crew behind Stevie. On opening day Rex Ryan is going to say, well they didn't really add any offensive firepower in the offseason, and they have the best RB duo in the league, so lets put 8 men in the box, stop the run, put them in lots of 3rd down passing situations and make Fitz start to force the throws to his second/third reads when Revis and another guy are doubling SJ. (yeah that's right Revis, you need help against #13 and you know it) My answer to this would be, as it was last year, to use the pass to set up the run.
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