thebandit27 Posted March 18, 2014 Author Share Posted March 18, 2014 (edited) I looked it up after I asked. I didn't look up how the *Bills* fared against these teams. If you want to pass this course, Mr. Bandit, you'll do the homework. PS: In a completely unrelated footnote, the Bears run defense really sucked last year. Were they channeling Dave Wannstedt or something? Okay, I had time to look it up: Team-YPC Rank-Bills Rushing Yards-Bills YPC (QB) NE - 24 - 136 - 4.0 (EJ) Car - 12T - 149 - 4.5 (EJ) NYJ - 1 - 120 - 4.8 (EJ) Bal - 4T - 203 - 3.7 (EJ) Cle - 7T - 155 - 5.0 (EJ/Tuel) Cin - 12T - 130 - 4.1 (Thad) Mia - 18 - 90 - 3.0 (Thad) NO - 27 - 88 - 3.5 (Thad) KC - 24 - 241 - 6.3 (Tuel) Pit - 21T - 95 - 4.3 (EJ) NYJ - 1 - 68 - 1.8 (EJ) Atl - 31 - 195 - 6.3 (EJ) TB - 12T - 67 - 3.0 (EJ) Jax - 19 - 198 - 4.5 (EJ) Mia - 18 - 203 - 4.0 (Thad) NE - 24 - 169 - 4.8 (Thad) Not sure that tells us anything other than they were better at home than on the road... Edited March 18, 2014 by thebandit27 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Clearly he would choose "none of the above", but he had EJ more than anyone--and when he said this: "Bad, but you show me any offensive line that played good when you're down 21 points in the second quarter," he said. "I'd love to see it." "It's pretty tough," Wood responded. "You let a talented dffensive line tee off on you, play after play, they're going to get home. You have to be able to ... if you're not close, and you gotta do obvious passing downs -- first, second, third down -- they're gonna get home. That's how it generally works." So Wood's contention is that the OL only started to play poorly in that game after they were down 21 points? And you buy that? And the defense allowing 24 points? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 The team had weaknesses on both sides of the ball. Focusing on only one side is a mistake. Absolutely agree 100% And this is a great thread. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 The team had weaknesses on both sides of the ball. Focusing on only one side is a mistake. Agreed. The OP put some thought into this and there's nothing wrong with that. What?! But I thought Mike Pettine was the only good thing about this team and without him, everyone else will end up cut, fired, or maybe dead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Now that the FA dust has settled a bit, and we're all looking at the next step in the off-season, the draft, I felt this would be a good time to address one of the most bandied-about subjects of the off-season: The Offensive Line Please review and comment at your leisure. Now that you've done all the heavy lifting regarding the O-line maybe you can shift your attention to our starting QB situation? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebandit27 Posted March 18, 2014 Author Share Posted March 18, 2014 Now that you've done all the heavy lifting regarding the O-line maybe you can shift your attention to our starting QB situation? That one's much easier: QB has NFL arm, intelligence, and work ethic QB is in dire need of improvement in lower-body mechanics and pocket presence If said QB achieves such improvements, football team gets markedly better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gugny Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Now that you've done all the heavy lifting regarding the O-line maybe you can shift your attention to our starting QB situation? But wait! Cam Newton is having surgery, so now the Panthers need Stevie AND Erik James. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pimp 2 Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 40.6% coverage sacks isn't that surprising considering we had: 1) multiple starting QB's, including multiple rookies 2) multiple injuries to our receiving core 3) an inexperienced receiving core 4) a #1 receiver that can usually get open but doesn't always do so in a traditional manner 5) a rookie OC Sometime we complicate a simple matter. Thanks for pointing this out ^^^^^^! Whoever expected more out of a first year QB, OC and 1st year receivers were really setting themselves up to be disappointed, IMO. Let's hope for improvement in the 2nd yr with more familiarity of the talent at hand. Go Bills!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TPS Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Sometime we complicate a simple matter. Thanks for pointing this out ^^^^^^! Whoever expected more out of a first year QB, OC and 1st year receivers were really setting themselves up to be disappointed, IMO. Let's hope for improvement in the 2nd yr with more familiarity of the talent at hand. Go Bills!!!! Experience alone will improve the stats the op listed. however, I think we all agree that we could use an upgrade at WR (graham) and OT (pears), and it seems most people will be happy if we address those two in the first 2 rounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsVet Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 As long as they don't draft any competition for EJ in May. There can't possibly be a QB controversy or threat to EJ's position as the starter. The Broncos lost Ryan Clady early, Beadles struggled, and Orlando Franklin wasn't terribly great either last season. Yet, and this is perhaps the top QB in the game now, Peyton Manning managed to post record numbers. The fastest way to being a successful NFL team is outstanding QB play. It's not easy for offenses to make up for any shortcoming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doc Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 As long as they don't draft any competition for EJ in May. There can't possibly be a QB controversy or threat to EJ's position as the starter. The Broncos lost Ryan Clady early, Beadles struggled, and Orlando Franklin wasn't terribly great either last season. Yet, and this is perhaps the top QB in the game now, Peyton Manning managed to post record numbers. The fastest way to being a successful NFL team is outstanding QB play. It's not easy for offenses to make up for any shortcoming. The fastest? Sure. The easiest? Hardly. And this class, which was looking like a great one just a few months ago, if not weeks ago, might not see more than 1 QB taken in the top-10 picks, despite up to 5 teams needing one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockinon Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 (edited) Ya know? I think another year of experience will make a huge difference. Marone also recognized a weakness in the coaching and brought in additional help bolster the offense. I wonder how much of an impact that will be? There are so many different variables that effect a game. Coaching, experience, a player natural talent, a players determination to get better. Looking back on last season and seeing a number of improvements from the previous year and then realizing how young this team is, I can't help thinking big things are about to happen. I'm guessing EJ is all about improving his game. Whoever the Bills bring in on the line, I'm guessing EJ will be working on making quicker decisions. That's surely going to help. He'll also have the help of a full time QB coach. Edited March 18, 2014 by Rockinon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPS Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 Good work. The O-line gets too much blame for the troubles behind center. Well, 48 sacks and 108 QB hits on 522 attempts isn't exactly stellar. It's not all on the QB either. That's at least QB pressure on nearly a third of all passing plays. Out of all of those stats, I found it astonishing that the Bills had over 520 rushing attempts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebandit27 Posted March 19, 2014 Author Share Posted March 19, 2014 But wait! Cam Newton is having surgery, so now the Panthers need Stevie AND Erik James. Man, that Carolina situation is interesting to watch...injured QB, LT retired, RT is terrible, both starting OGs coming off season-ending injuries, zero WRs on the roster with an NFL reception, and 3 RBs making starter's money Ya know? I think another year of experience will make a huge difference. Marone also recognized a weakness in the coaching and brought in additional help bolster the offense. I wonder how much of an impact that will be? There are so many different variables that effect a game. Coaching, experience, a player natural talent, a players determination to get better. Looking back on last season and seeing a number of improvements from the previous year and then realizing how young this team is, I can't help thinking big things are about to happen. I'm guessing EJ is all about improving his game. Whoever the Bills bring in on the line, I'm guessing EJ will be working on making quicker decisions. That's surely going to help. He'll also have the help of a full time QB coach. Indeed...the moral of the story, IMO, is that EJ's advancement is going to be what writes the book on the 2014 season, whether we like it or not. Personally, I do feel like the kid will make strides purely based on work ethic and skill set--the fact that he has 2 additional offensive specialists in the fold to help him can't be seen as anything other than a positive IMO. Well, 48 sacks and 108 QB hits on 522 attempts isn't exactly stellar. It's not all on the QB either. That's at least QB pressure on nearly a third of all passing plays. Out of all of those stats, I found it astonishing that the Bills had over 520 rushing attempts. It reeks of a game plan designed to nurse the rookie QB along...I didn't agree with it then, and I don't agree with it now...let the kid take his lumps; it's the only way he'll get better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBuff423 Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Man, that Carolina situation is interesting to watch...injured QB, LT retired, RT is terrible, both starting OGs coming off season-ending injuries, zero WRs on the roster with an NFL reception, and 3 RBs making starter's money Indeed...the moral of the story, IMO, is that EJ's advancement is going to be what writes the book on the 2014 season, whether we like it or not. Personally, I do feel like the kid will make strides purely based on work ethic and skill set--the fact that he has 2 additional offensive specialists in the fold to help him can't be seen as anything other than a positive IMO. It reeks of a game plan designed to nurse the rookie QB along...I didn't agree with it then, and I don't agree with it now...let the kid take his lumps; it's the only way he'll get better. To your second point, I agree whole-heartedly. In another thread I made a long-winded statement that essentially says this: in 2014 the BILLS, and us fans, find out if EJ has the chops to be that Face of the Franchise QB or not, if he's injured for any portion of signficance of the season or simply can't play the QB position effectively, the BILLS *NEED* to go all in on a QB in next year's Draft! Because, while some injury issues can be attributed to bad luck or poor timing, a GOOD to GREAT QB, and certainly one that is the Face of the Franchise, is absolutely a HEALTHY one! No good to great QB has ever been one that can miss four or more games each year and still lead his team to the promise land...it simply is a matter of continuity and experience....so, EJ in 2014 for the future, or QB "X" from 2015 Draft IMHO....all...or nothing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YoloinOhio Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Man, that Carolina situation is interesting to watch...injured QB, LT retired, RT is terrible, both starting OGs coming off season-ending injuries, zero WRs on the roster with an NFL reception, and 3 RBs making starter's money Indeed...the moral of the story, IMO, is that EJ's advancement is going to be what writes the book on the 2014 season, whether we like it or not. Personally, I do feel like the kid will make strides purely based on work ethic and skill set--the fact that he has 2 additional offensive specialists in the fold to help him can't be seen as anything other than a positive IMO. It reeks of a game plan designed to nurse the rookie QB along...I didn't agree with it then, and I don't agree with it now...let the kid take his lumps; it's the only way he'll get better. Peter King was talking about this on the radio today. He said the Panthers are the only team that is returning a veteran QB that did nothing in FA to make the team better. And at this point, there are only tertiary players available to choose from. I think the Bengals were just as inactive and let some guys leave (plus their OC and DC are gone) but at least they kept all but one WR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RyanC883 Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 (edited) What is concerning to me is how does a team that runs the ball SOOO much......be that far up there in sacks against totals? You would think that honor would go to a pass happy team. Yep. Goes to two things. They are not scared of our QB, or WR's. Since the FO will not take a QB in the first round this year, based on these stats (and thank the OP for sharing, b/c I had no idea of these breakdowns) I would take a WR in RD1, a TE in 2, and OT/G in 3. Also, grabbing a good WR and TE should help EJ be able to get rid of the ball quicker. And with more experience at the speed of the pro game, hopefully he gets hit/injured less. Edited March 19, 2014 by RyanC883 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sisyphean Bills Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Cool. Thanks, Mr. Bandit. Okay, I had time to look it up: Team-YPC Rank-Bills Rushing Yards-Bills YPC (QB) NE - 24 - 136 - 4.0 (EJ) Car - 12T - 149 - 4.5 (EJ) NYJ - 1 - 120 - 4.8 (EJ) Bal - 4T - 203 - 3.7 (EJ) Cle - 7T - 155 - 5.0 (EJ/Tuel) Cin - 12T - 130 - 4.1 (Thad) Mia - 18 - 90 - 3.0 (Thad) NO - 27 - 88 - 3.5 (Thad) KC - 24 - 241 - 6.3 (Tuel) Pit - 21T - 95 - 4.3 (EJ) NYJ - 1 - 68 - 1.8 (EJ) Atl - 31 - 195 - 6.3 (EJ) TB - 12T - 67 - 3.0 (EJ) Jax - 19 - 198 - 4.5 (EJ) Mia - 18 - 203 - 4.0 (Thad) NE - 24 - 169 - 4.8 (Thad) Not sure that tells us anything other than they were better at home than on the road... The data seems to follow the general trend somewhat: the Bills feasted on KC, Atl, and Cle. (Atl had a bad rush D.) The Jets, Mia, and TB dealt us our worst games. (Jets had a good rush D.) But the Bills were consistently in the 3.5 to 4.5 range week to week, more often better than worse. The strength of the run defense doesn't appear to be strongly correlated at all. So while they faced more bad run defenses than good ones, the Bills rush production was consistent regardless. PS: The single data point for Tuel leads to the "internet statistical study" announcement that he should always be the guy handing it off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JPS Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Good work Bandit. I'm even more convinced they should go OT unless something weird happens like Watkins slipping through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trader Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 Good work Bandit. I'm even more convinced they should go OT unless something weird happens like Watkins slipping through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts