Bills Roster Talent NOT COUNTING QB

[papazoid]

in Order of Weakness by unit position

 

#1- QB

#2- TE

#3- OL

#4- LB

#5- WR

#6- DB

#7- RB

#8- DL

Edited May 11, 2014 by papazoid

[John from Riverside]

Aside from all the great draft picks.....I thought the pick up of the running back from the eagles was huge.....

 

We are a run dominant team....how often did we trot running backs onto the field when they were dinged up because they didnt want to play Tashard Choice? You bring in a talented running back as the 3rd guy and you can just keep rotating guys and keep everyone healthy.

[1B4IDie]

in Order of Weakness by unit position

 

#1- QB

#2- TE

#3- OL

#4- LB

#5- WR

#6- DB

#7- RB

#8- DL

Why would you list this in order of weakness, why not strength? Not to mention what does this have to do with comparing the position groups to the rest of the NFL?

[Chandler#81]

I'm as excited as anyone about the significant talent upgrade on the team over the past 2 seasons. BUT, it's tempered by the knowledge that EVERY team is better now than they were 2 years ago, given the finer product coming from pro-run college programs. I think our team as it stands today would have won the Div or at at least a couple Wild Cards in the not too distant past, but while we've finally caught up, nobody was waiting for us and improved as well. The telltale, as usual, will be the W's v L's.

[1billsfan]

I'm as excited as anyone about the significant talent upgrade on the team over the past 2 seasons. BUT, it's tempered by the knowledge that EVERY team is better now than they were 2 years ago, given the finer product coming from pro-run college programs. I think our team as it stands today would have won the Div or at at least a couple Wild Cards in the not too distant past, but while we've finally caught up, nobody was waiting for us and improved as well. The telltale, as usual, will be the W's v L's.

 

I think the AFC is vastly weaker that it was only a couple of years ago. It has the well-rounded Peyton led Broncos, then a couple of teams who's winning records are 90% because of the QB in the Pats and the Colts, then it has........<chirping crickets>

 

The Bills had a rookie HC, OC and QB, and significant holes in their OL and run defense which were the main reason they faltered and were not able to take advantage. If the Bills can finally get their act together this year they can not only make the playoffs, but they could even make a run at the Superbowl given the sad state of things in this conference IMO.

[Big Blitz]

Until the Bills prove they can stop the run they are are a 6 or 7 win team, They did nothing to bolster a weak against the run defensive line.

 

Yup. This could be the biggest issue all year.

 

However, Schwartz knows how to get defenses to stop the run. So we'll see.

[ny33]

When have the Bills ever won the offseason before?

 

And the talent on the Roster on 2008 was a laughing stock level of talent.

http://m.pfref.com/m...mes_played_team

 

The 2014 roster has the best defensive in the NFL (3/4 pro bowlers) and top 3 RBBC in the NFL. Arguments can be made for Top 5 CB group. Defensive ROY or second place ROY depending on which group of journalists you ask. That's not getting into speculation of 2014 additions. If Watkins and Williams gel then you have to say Easily top 10 WR group and if Kuoandjio can lock down RT better than average O line and Corey Williams and Aaron Williams at safety could be much better than average.

 

You can argue that the 2008 roster was the worst at several position groups O-line and LB in particular.

The roster has changed over and on paper is littered with talent up and down.

It's up to Marrone to get the to gel and make it happen on the field.

 

We have a very talented team, but we probably don't have the most talented defense (did you mean defensive line?) in the league. As for the defensive line, I think that Houston and St. Louis have better lines.

[Rocky Landing]

Until the Bills prove they can stop the run they are are a 6 or 7 win team, They did nothing to bolster a weak against the run defensive line.

Nothing will be proven until players hit the field. But, it is inaccurate to say, "they did nothing to bolster a weak against the run defensive line." Spikes? Schwartz?

[ganesh]

Take a look at the Bills roster with all the offseason moves they have made so far.

 

Let's pretend for a moment that QB doesn't exist. If you look at every position group and compare it to other rosters around the league, the Bills have a very talented group of players on this team. If you dropped a big name QB on this roster I think it would be an instant playoff team. Could you imagine a Drew Brees on this team? You have to hand it to Whaley for putting this group together and significantly increasing the overall caliber of player on the team as compared to a few years ago.

 

I'd say that if you take away QB, the Bills roster is in the top 10 of the league. That is worth something.

 

Now, obviously QB does exist and EJ is a huge question mark. They took their shot on EJ and it may not work out. However, they have done everything they can to put quality pieces around him and if he fails this year the current roster will still be primed and ready for the next QB.

 

Once in a while teams do get lucky with that Veteran QB.....The Broncos have done this quite a few times since Elway's departure. They have built a core team and then hired a pricey veteran QB in Manning or Jake Plummer and also lucked out in that one draft they got Jay Cutler. Similarly Oakland was successful with Gannon, 49ers with Jeff Garcia and Jets plugged Vinny Testervade and took them to couple of AFC championships. If EJ does not succeed do the Bills have a shot at such a QB somewhere? Will Pittsburgh trade Ben Rothelisberger for two 1st round picks and if they did, would the Bill trade for him?

 

I think the AFC is vastly weaker that it was only a couple of years ago. It has the well-rounded Peyton led Broncos, then a couple of teams who's winning records are 90% because of the QB in the Pats and the Colts, then it has........<chirping crickets>

 

The Bills had a rookie HC, OC and QB, and significant holes in their OL and run defense which were the main reason they faltered and were not able to take advantage. If the Bills can finally get their act together this year they can not only make the playoffs, but they could even make a run at the Superbowl given the sad state of things in this conference IMO.

 

What about Baltimore, Pittsburgh. Both have SB winning QBs who can keep their teams in the race in spite of a weaker roster. The Steelers almost made the playoffs if not for a botched FG kick by Minnesota on the final quarter of play of the season. And the chiefs have a pretty dominating team...

[May Day 10]

This is a different time.

 

A few years back, going to games it was obvious the other team just had far superior athletes. They just were incapable of coming up big and winning games against any good teams.

 

 

Now I would say the Bills have better athletes than many teams and that includes all 3 in their division.

[Beerball]

They added run stuffing LBs in Spikes and Brown. In addition, Schwartz has always had success vs. the run. There is no reason to believe that they will not improve. They may not be perfect but certainly better.

To the OP's point (and many others in this thread) I agree, the talent level on this team is so much better/deeper than it was 5-6 years ago. There is definitely reason for optimism.

 

My biggest worry (today) is how Schwartz uses the defensive talent. I hope he uses that talent well & that the players adjust to yet another new scheme.

 

This was a high risk, possibly high reward off season (include Spikes signing, Williams trade with all of the draft day moves). Solid QB play should lead the team to the post season.

 

Knee braces mandatory for all O-linemen.

 

I love how a thread assessing roster talent that specifically says, in capital letters, "NOT COUNTING QB," still manages to be a thread about assessing the talent (or lack thereof) of the QB...

It's difficult, isn't it, to talk about success in the NFL without talking about the most important position on the field? This is, IMO, a quality topic.

[papazoid]

 

Why would you list this in order of weakness, why not strength? Not to mention what does this have to do with comparing the position groups to the rest of the NFL?

 

by strength as a unit and rank in league

 

#1- DL (Top 3)

#2- RB (Top 5)

#3- DB (Top 15)

#4- WR (Top 20)

#5- LB (Top 20)

#6- OL (Top 20) gave up 4th most sacks and ranked 14th in ave yards per rush.

#7- TE (Top 25)

#8- QB (Top 25)

 

Bills without QB (Top 15)

Bills with QB ( Top 20)

Edited May 12, 2014 by papazoid

[jumbalaya]

We are always the best team and ready to make that leap in May. Come October and November when the north winds begin to howl, we become the Edmund Fitzgerald..

Edited May 12, 2014 by jumbalaya

[Security]

Nothing will be proven until players hit the field. But, it is inaccurate to say, "they did nothing to bolster a weak against the run defensive line." Spikes? Schwartz?

 

I hope that is enough. I was not impressed with Pettine. I am not sad to see him gone. Hopefully Schwartz drives stopping the run home.

[1B4IDie]

by strength as a unit and rank in league

 

#1- DL (Top 3)

#2- RB (Top 5)

#3- DB (Top 15)

#4- WR (Top 20)

#5- LB (Top 20)

#6- OL (Top 20) gave up 4th most sacks and ranked 14th in ave yards per rush.

#7- TE (Top 25)

#8- QB (Top 25)

 

Bills without QB (Top 15)

Bills with QB ( Top 20)

Nice work. I like it and its relevant. Thank you.

[CardinalScotts]

We have huge question marks at WR and OL, simply because of the infusion of untested youth. Other than that, I say we're solidly around 10-15 in the league.

you can't name 10 good offensive lines- we are anywhere from 8-25 with a much higher potential than most