A Few Thoughts About The Game, in no particular order.....

[Bill from NYC]

1) A great poster on this board who isn't around these days constantly made the case that DT was the most important position on the defense. Not sure if I agree, but his words rang true last night. Dareus was in game shape, and along with Kyle Williams, disrupted the Miami offense all night. Carrington also blocked a pass.

 

2) His excellent first half notwithstanding, that pick by Byrd was a thing of beauty. He was fully extended and just made that pass his.

 

3) The punt to the one yard line was an instrumental play in this game. Big time kudos to Powell.

 

4) Speaking of key plays, my money says that if Wood didn't recover Jones' fumble, we would have found a way to lose this game. Imo, plays such as these are indicative of just how hard a player works to win a football game. Well, Wood hustled and went down for the football, and I for one sincerely appreciate big time effort such as this.

 

5) OK, so the win was less than inspirational, but check it out.....going into the season, didn't we expect wins such as this? Other than San Jose Bills Fan, not too many of us were sure of what we had at LT. Fitz is Fitz, and there were issues at WR. We knew this, but they DID spend a fortune on the defense. In other words, I'll take it, blowout or not.

 

6) Speaking of Fitz, he scared me all night. His stats were actually not so bad, and he had a clutch first down run, but he was once again forcing throws. But, we won!!!!! After Kelly, none of our QBs had a whole hell of a lot of wins in games that they started. To put this in perspective, Edwards had more than Losman. At this point I will take the W.

 

7) Life may be sweeter for this, I don't know

Feels like it might be alright

While Lady Lullaby sings plainly for you,

Love still, rings true

 

Midnight on a carousel ride,

Reaching for the gold ring,

Down inside

 

Never could reach,

It just slips away,

But I try.

 

8) OK, it's fun time. Yep, time to discuss the play of our DEs. Mario had one sack, consistent pressure, and held his side quite well vs. the run. Too bad Moore had that facemask, because he too played well. MERRIMAN? Hello? On one play, he had not one, but TWO brutal hits on Long, an all pro. Is it possible that he is actually back in shape, ready to produce? Because if he is, the Bills DL is going to be awfully dificult to throw against. It's one of those things that looks too good to be true. Fingers crossed.

 

9) Well, Spiller stepped up today, and handled his increased number of snaps quite well. Once again, he also blocked when called upon, and held onto the football. He paid the price too. Much of that yardage came after contact.

 

10) Gailey's play calling continues to astound me at times. Late in the 2nd quarter, he went with a naked backfield on 3rd and 1. Why? I thought it was 2 down territory.

 

11) I know that the outcome of this game disappointed the "lose out and draft early" crowd. And while I understand, count me as one who is down with winning football games, however ugly. We have to get a quarterback no matter where we draft. Tannehill, a #8, might be good, and while I need to see much more of him to rate him, I wasn't very impressed. Sanchez went 6th as I recall, and isn't all that. Yeah, I would rather win football games and hope for the best.

 

12) GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Edited November 16, 2012 by Bill from NYC

[BillsFan-4-Ever]

Takeaways is the KEY. and those 2 INT's were great. LOVED the diving catch.

[The Poojer]

re: 1) I hope that Dareus was finally able to shake whatever was holding him back(probably his family tragedy), but for the first time he looked excited to be playing.

 

re: 2) I had no idea that ball was an interception...I saw Byrd leave his feet and was waiting for a flag for pass interference...the camera angle made it seem as the ball was not anywhere close to Byrd, when I saw the subsequent scramble, I was blown away. did NOT see that one coming at all!

 

re: 6) Fitz is one tough sob. he was laying some serious blocks out there all night on running plays. Give him consistent receivers and a defense and I am happy with him back there

 

1) A great poster on this board who isn't around these days constantly made the case that DT was the most important position on the defense. Not sure if I agree, but his words rang true last night. Dareus was in game shape, and along with Kyle Williams, disrupted the Miami offense all night. Carrington also blocked a pass.

 

2) His excellent first half notwithstanding, that pick by Byrd was a thing of beauty. He was fully extended and just made that pass his.

 

3) The punt to the one yard line was an instrumental play in this game. Big time kudos to Powell.

 

4) Speaking of key plays, my money says that if Wood didn't recover Jones' fumble, we would have found a way to lose this game. Imo, plays such as these are indicative of just how hard a player works to win a football game. Well, Wood hustled and went down for the football, and I for one sincerely apprecite big time effort such as this.

 

5) OK, so the win was less than inspirational, but check it out.....going into the season, didn't we expect wins such as this? Other than San Jose Bills Fan, not too many of us were sure of what we had at LT. Fitz is Fitz, and there were issues at WR. We knew this, but they DID spend a fortune on the defense. In other words, I'll take it, blowout or not.

 

6) Speaking of Fitz, he scared me all night. His stats were actually not so bad, and he had a clutch first down run, but he was once again forcing throws. But, we won!!!!! After Kelly, none of our QBs had a whole hell of a lot of wins in games that they started. To put this in perspective, Edwards had more than Losman. At this point I will take the W.

 

7) Life may be sweeter for this, I don't know

Feels like it might be alright

While Lady Lullaby sings plainly for you,

Love still, rings true

 

Midnight on a carousel ride,

Reaching for the gold ring,

Down inside

 

Never could reach,

It just slips away,

But I try.

 

8) OK, it's fun time. Yep, time to discuss the play of our DEs. Mario had one sack, consistent pressure, and held his side quite well vs. the run. Too bad Moore had that facemask, because he too played well. MERRIMAN? Hello? On one play, he had not one, but TWO brutal hits on Long, an all pro. Is it possible that he is actually back in shape, ready to produce? Because if he is, the Bills DL is going to be awfully dificult to throw against. It's one of those things that looks too good to be true. Fingers crossed.

 

9) Well, Spiller stepped up today, and handled his increased number of snaps quite well. Once again, he also blocked when called upon, and held onto the football. He paid the price too. Much of that yardage came after contact.

 

10) Gailey's play calling continues to astound me at times. Late in the 2nd quarter, he went with a naked backfield on 3rd and 1. Why? I thought it was 2 down territory.

 

11) I know that the outcome of this game disappointed the "lose out and draft early" crowd. And while I understand, count me as one who is down with winning football games, however ugly. We have to get a quarterback no matter where we draft. Tannehill, a #8, might be good, and while I need to see much more of him to rate him, I wasn't very impressed. Sanchez went 6th as I recall, and isn't all that. Yeah, I would rather win football games and hope for the best.

 

12) GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[truth on hold]

Few points I might add:

 

- Lindell is a liability on kick offs. When the rest of the league counts on multiple touch backs, and GUARANTEES on each of them the ball will be at the 20, we roll the dice by putting it in the hands of the opposing returners and leave open the possibility of a big return. It cost us 7 last night that could have cost the game. Can't Powell also do kick offs? A strong leg is a strong leg ... is the technique for kicking off a tee vs a punt all that different? I can't imagine he'd be any worse than Lindell, and it's an alternative at least worth exploring.

 

- Chan appeased the "just give to Spiller" crowd and the numbers were good, but not amazing. He averaged a pedestrian 4.1/carry and the offense didnt score a TD. I have not been unhappy with the way he's used Spiller to this point, and hope when Fred comes back they go back to their original plan PROVIDED they can address his fumbling problem. Spillers most dangerous/useful when he's not the defense's key.

 

- I asked in a different thread and didnt get an answer: why are we so ineffective in short yardage situations when we have a) near pro bowl caliber center, b) quality guards, c) premier running backs? Dont blame Chans fancy play calling, when he call straight up runs, we mostly get stuffed.

[JPS]

Well done Mr. Bill. Agree with most everything. Especially #10. 3rd and 1 from the 37 and you go empty??? then punt??? for a 3-6 team??? That and NOT considering a throw after Miami spent all their timeouts is what losing coaches do.

[Alaska Darin]

- I asked in a different thread and didnt get an answer: why are we so ineffective in short yardage situations when we have a) near pro bowl caliber center, b) quality guards, c) premier running backs? Dont blame Chans fancy play calling, when he call straight up runs, we mostly get stuffed.

Spiller just isn't that guy. Freddie is pretty good at finding that little crack that's going to be available but CJ is like Barry Sanders in those situations. For every home run he hits, he's going to get crushed 5 or 6 times. The best thing the BILLS can do to resolve this next offseason is find a real short yardage guy who can move the pile.

 

Note to Chan: Stop taking Spiller off the field in the red zone. The damn football isn't heavy.

[BRH]

If these thoughts are in no particular order, why are the Dead lyrics always #7?

 

Great post as always. Your post and TMQ are the two football analyses I wait for each week.

[WickedGame]

Joe-the-Sixpack, Spiller's rushing was far from pedestrian. He was averaging 5 yards a carry until the 4th quarter. His average ypc decreased after some clock-eating runs, but prior to that he was ripping off 5-, 7-, and 10-yard runs. He was dynamic all night long.

 

I liked the offensive and defensive performances. The play calling, as always, was flat out stupid at times. 3rd and a short 1 inside Miami's 30 and you throw from an empty backfield? C'mon, Chan, put your thinking cap on!

[Alaska Darin]

8) Too bad Moore had that facemask, because he too played well.

Moore is a very good pass rusher who should be out there in every obvious passing situation because he brings heat every snap. I don't know about his run defense but I do know it's embarrassing that our PR has been so bad this season and this guy hasn't been given an opportunity until almost everyone in front of him has been carted off.

 

That said, there were open receivers all over the place last night but Tannehill had happy feet because he got whacked a few times early in the game. We'd have given up 40 to a good QB.

[Captain Hindsight]

One thing i loved seeing was Fitz go to block every chance he got. He loves football and he fights for our team. I respect that

[truth on hold]

One thing i loved seeing was Fitz go to block every chance he got. He loves football and he fights for our team. I respect that

If fitz is such a tough SOB and reasonably mobile, and we have a kick ass center, why don't we ever call QB sneaks on 3rd and 1? We have to solve our inability to convert in those situations.

[YOOOOOO]

 

 

- Chan appeased the "just give to Spiller" crowd and the numbers were good, but not amazing. He averaged a pedestrian 4.1/carry and the offense didnt score a TD. I have not been unhappy with the way he's used Spiller to this point, and hope when Fred comes back they go back to their original plan PROVIDED they can address his fumbling problem. Spillers most dangerous/useful when he's not the defense's key.

 

 

 

What game did you watch....Spiller was our entire offense for 3 quarters....

 

1st 3 quarters: 16/79 + 37 yds recieving

4th quarter: 6/12 + 2 yds recieving

 

obviously slowed down in the 4th but i think that was more on him trying to do to much on a couple negative runs....

[Bill from NYC]

That said, there were open receivers all over the place last night but Tannehill had happy feet because he got whacked a few times early in the game. We'd have given up 40 to a good QB.

 

 

Yes, Dareus and KW really did make things rough for Tannehill. Dareus was doubled on a majority of plays and stll held the middle, and KW played his penetrating game.

 

WRT the open receivers, McKelvin is not a very good corner. Gilmore? I guess I will stay with the party line that he is just a rookie, but I want to see more production given where he was drafted.

[truth on hold]

 

 

 

What game did you watch....Spiller was our entire offense for 3 quarters....

 

I dont really agree with that , Stevie made some nice contributions. But if I accept your point than it further argues against the "just give it to Spiller" crowd, since all the O could muster was a measly 4 FGs and was shut out on 2nd half on a night when the D played well.

Edited November 16, 2012 by Joe_the_6_pack

[YOOOOOO]

I dont really agree with that , Stevie made some nice contributions. But if I accept your point than it further argues against the "just give it to Spiller" crowd, since all the O could muster was a measly 4 FGs and was shut out on 2nd half on a night when the D played well.

 

 

Well maybe Gailey should have stopped taking Spiller out in the redzone for Choice....Spiller had 0 touches in the redzone last night....WTF was Gailey !@#$ing doing....trying not to score??

 

I'm sure we would have scored atleast once had he been on the field in the redzone

[xsoldier54]

Play calling is the absolute culprit in those short yardage situations. There is absolutely no deception and the plays are too slow to develop. In order to make the yardage, it needs to be a quick hit and by the time our back gets the ball, the D has already made some penetration. Awful hard to run under those circumstances. I suggest that Chan doesn't give away the play with the formation and use some deception to give the play time to develop. We just don't have that smash mouth back that you can just line up, hand it off and just ram it through.

[thewildrabbit]

Spiller just isn't that guy. Freddie is pretty good at finding that little crack that's going to be available but CJ is like Barry Sanders in those situations. For every home run he hits, he's going to get crushed 5 or 6 times. The best thing the BILLS can do to resolve this next offseason is find a real short yardage guy who can move the pile.

 

Note to Chan: Stop taking Spiller off the field in the red zone. The damn football isn't heavy.

The Dolphins have one of the very best run defenses in the league, 5th ranked to be exact.

 

BTW whats 3x 4.1 anyway? Thats a pretty darn good rushing avg against a top run defense. Better to have the RB carry then have Fitz throwing.

 

For whatever reason the Bills suck at short yardage situations in an elephant offense. The Bills have got the size needed to dominate that line, I'm thinking its because they mostly use the spread and just don't practice enough in a closed formation.

 

I'd rather see Spiller bang into the middle of the line and get 8 yards at the end of the game then to let Fitz throw and perhaps throw an INT.

[JohnC]

 

Gilmore? I guess I will stay with the party line that he is just a rookie, but I want to see more production given where he was drafted.

 

Bill, you are again making a mistake with your premature evaluation of young players. Other than qb the CB position is the toughest position to play, especially for a rookie. As with your initial Spiller evaluation you jumped to conclusions without allowing for the normal developmental process to occur. In addition, as you well know the rules favor the receivers and make it more difficult for the DBs to cover the receivers.

 

Gilmore is going to be a superb player. What I like about him is that he is resilient. When he gets beat he doesn't allow it to affect him on the next play. That mental toughness is what I find most impressive. In the draft he was ranked in the vicinity of the top dozen. He war drafted where he was ranked. He was a sound pick. In last year's draft the Cowboy's traded up to near the top of the draft to take Morris Claiborne, the highly touted LSU CB. As of now Claiborne is getting skewered and is a liabiliity. At this very early stage Gilmore is dramatically outperforming the top CB pick. I'm not suggesting that Claiborne is not going to be a good player, because he will be. It simply takes time.

 

As with the Spiller pick you were too quick to draw conclusions. Again, with the Gilmore pick you are too quick on the draw in assessing him. Be patient and you again will be pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

[CodeMonkey]

Well maybe Gailey should have stopped taking Spiller out in the redzone for Choice....Spiller had 0 touches in the redzone last night....WTF was Gailey !@#$ing doing....trying not to score??

 

I'm sure we would have scored atleast once had he been on the field in the redzone

He knows that Spiller is a waterbug and not physically built to take a pounding.

[dpberr]

That empty backfield on the 3rd and 1 was ridiculously stupid and reckless.

 

I don't think there is a football coach anywhere else in the United States that would do that.