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

[TakeYouToTasker]

You can disagree whenever you want.

I know I can.

 

When does that guy get to?

[metzelaars_lives]

 

Nope. The line hasn't been good. Did you watch the Eagles game? If Kujo is so bad that Mills is a better option, Kujo shouldn't be in the league, either. And you know what? Henderson wasn't playing well before he exited. RT has been a liability in the passing game all year. Thank God Tyrod is such a dancer.

You're right, they don't have five all pros on the offensive line. Nobody does. They do however, have two pro bowl alternates and an elite left tackle. Miller/Urbik have been fine and yes, they need a right tackle. As a unit, they have been above average this season. Yet as is always the case, everybody on this website always insists that the Bills' line sucks and has always sucked.

[Coach Tuesday]

You're right, they don't have five all pros on the offensive line. Nobody does. They do however, have two pro bowl alternates and an elite left tackle. Miller/Urbik have been fine and yes, they need a right tackle. As a unit, they have been above average this season. Yet as is always the case, everybody on this website always insists that the Bills' line sucks and has always sucked.

 

IMO Taylor has bailed out bad pass blocking for much of the year. And if the coaches trusted this line they wouldn't be running gimmick plays and low-percentage fades in short yardage situations.

[BuffaninATL]

especially if it were more points than we had.

 

yes it would have probably been like cold ice next to a dead corpse .....

[metzelaars_lives]

Nice job being an ass to one of the best posters on the board.

I'm one of the best posters on this board and you disagree with me all the time. McKelvin did have a good game but Graham looked a step slower than everyone else on the field (except Rambo) as he has the entire second half of the season. At least to me he did.

 

Then again, these are all depth guys (or at least Graham should be) and are probably fine backups so I'm not really that concerned. We paid for staying healthy all of 2014 this season. Hopefully it swings back our way next year.

[FireChan]

I know I can.

 

When does that guy get to?

Whenever he wants.

[boyst]

Keep watching those all 22s.

 

Watch the one for this game and see Corbin Bryant racing back and forth before the snap, as if he was "threatening" to rush the passer from the DT position. Of course, he was off balance and useless when the football was snapped. The whole premise of this type of formation was idiotic, even embarrassing as a fan.

 

And the effort does suck. I don't excuse this but the players are obviously angry. I would be to if I weighed 340 or so and was jumping in the air and running backwards.

 

Overall, I am unsure as to what you are getting at. Do you think Rex is NOT to blame for the team having more than 30 less sacks than last season? Are you satisfied with the pressure these players are applying? Do you enjoy watching men as big as Dareus and Bryant spinning, jumping, and running backwards?

 

If so, this season must be making you one happy fellow!

Rex Ryan needs to leave. People do not see what he has done to this team.

 

 

Rex should not be absolved of how the defense has regressed, but I put more of the blame on the players. I have a strong hunch that the defense will be a tad better next year with malcontents gone and a few other improvements.

 

Again, for everyone screaming to bring back Schwartz and his uber system, does anyone recognize how disastrous it would have been without Spikes in the middle?

 

Mario stopped playing, period. That had a butterfly affect on the rest of the line, but more importantly on how offenses scheme against Buffalo now.

The injuries have really hurt this team.

 

Mario quitting. How can I... how dare I... I almost simply say I do not blame him. This team was just pathetic. It's not the players, though it is the players.

 

We have players probably so confused and dense about this game they probably do not realize how they're being left out to dry. Mario sees it. Sees us using Marcel Dareus standing up pretending he may rush or he may drop back, then actually drop back.

 

I think Mario is a leader of this team and watching it being run in to the ground is probably beyond frustrating him. It's not excusable that he has become so bitter but it is an indictment to the **** that Rex Ryan put on the field.

I'm one of the best posters on this board and you disagree with me all the time. McKelvin did have a good game but Graham looked a step slower than everyone else on the field (except Rambo) as he has the entire second half of the season. At least to me he did.

 

Then again, these are all depth guys (or at least Graham should be) and are probably fine backups so I'm not really that concerned. We paid for staying healthy all of 2014 this season. Hopefully it swings back our way next year.

Whenever he wants.

I am the best poster on the board.

[FireChan]

I'm one of the best posters on this board and you disagree with me all the time. McKelvin did have a good game but Graham looked a step slower than everyone else on the field (except Rambo) as he has the entire second half of the season. At least to me he did.

 

Then again, these are all depth guys (or at least Graham should be) and are probably fine backups so I'm not really that concerned. We paid for staying healthy all of 2014 this season. Hopefully it swings back our way next year.

Let's not get carried away Metz.

 

Anyway, it wasn't the the disagreement I was referring to, but the presentation.

[metzelaars_lives]

 

IMO Taylor has bailed out bad pass blocking for much of the year. And if the coaches trusted this line they wouldn't be running gimmick plays and low-percentage fades in short yardage situations.

As much as I am a pro-Taylor guy, I think he is a little tentative and waits for guys to get wide open, which can make the pass blocking appear worse than it is at times. I think their pass blocking is average/adequate at worst. Their run blocking is as good as just about any team in football. Again, with all the things to worry about going into the offseason, the offensive line isn't even on my radar- assuming they are able to re-sign Glenn and Incognito, which I think they will. They'll find a right tackle. Can they find a run-stuffing linebacker? A pass rush? A safety? A #2 receiver? These are my primary concerns.

Edited December 28, 2015 by metzelaars_lives

[stevewin]

Watch the one for this game and see Corbin Bryant racing back and forth before the snap, as if he was "threatening" to rush the passer from the DT position.

Lol. Nothing captures the idiocy of this defense better than this sentence

[Kirby Jackson]

1) Graham was steady; he usually is. That said, I think that the top defender on the Bills today was McKelvin. This is a rare thing to type, but his hit set up the interception and he broke up a lot of passes.

 

2) Corbin Bryant played well today, even though he was frequently used in pass coverage.

 

3) I suppose Hogan has played himself off of the roster next season. He isn't totally awful, but there is no place in this league for a possession receiver with questionable hands.

 

4) Just before the half, the interception that Tyrod threw was dumb. The delay penalty by Watkins before that was dumb. The clock management was dumb. There is zero accountability on this team. Rex is a horror show.

 

5) The Bills netted 236 yds on the ground today. OK, Tyrod DID run for 67 yards. Still, Gillislee had 93 yds. and Karlos ran for 76. Those two also combined for 4 catches for 37 yards. Having a big, physical back made quite the difference. They didn't seem to miss Shady all that much. Just sayin.....

 

6) Arrows of neon and flashing marquees out on Main Street.

Chicago, New York, Detroit it's all on the same street.

Your typical city involved in a typical daydream,

Hang it up and see what tomorrow brings.

 

 

Dallas - got a soft machine,

Houston - too close to New Orleans.

New York - got the ways and means,

but just won't let you be.

 

7) Folks, I am sad to report that I cannot any longer defend Mario Williams. He looks weak and appears to be not trying at all. Believe me, it hurts to say this. He was a great player and I have a ton of respect for what he does off the field.

 

8) Tyrod Taylor has better vision on running plays than any qb I have seen as of late, and this includes Russell Wilson. Is Newton a better runner? I don't know but Tyrod kept us in the game with his legs today.

 

9) People should stop posting that the Bills DL only goes into coverage "about 5% of the time." That is simply not true. They are doing it constantly. It is pitiful to watch.

 

10) I am usually happier than this after a Bills win. The truth is that we were just a bit lucky to win this one, or so I think.

 

11) Watkins played very well today. It was good to see some shorter patterns mixed in, as crazy as that sounds. I believe he is a complete receiver, not just a deep threat and should be used accordingly.

 

12) No quarterback sacks today and not much pressure either. Sometimes it is hard to believe what I am watching.

 

13) I hope everyone here and your loved ones had a wonderful Christmas and or Chaunaka.

 

14) GO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bill, you are on point again. Your post game threads are the best threads on this board. You are almost always right on and provide a unique perspective. Thanks for doing this!!!

[metzelaars_lives]

Let's not get carried away Metz.

 

Anyway, it wasn't the the disagreement I was referring to, but the presentation.

I'm top five anyway. And yes, that's fair. I too was guilty of getting snippy at Bill after bad losses last season. Have since reined it in.

[jeffismagic]

Injured all of the time?? Prior to his injury this season, kyle williams played in 53 out of 54 games. Check out the stats before makng such claims.

 

You're wrong. Kyle has been injured a lot. You are correct that if you remove this year and focus on the years before that he played a lot of games. But I stated that he has been injured a lot which is correct. Moving forward, with all the surgeries and the advanced age my initial point stands.

 

And I ask you, do you want to build a scheme around a 33 year old Kyle Williams who has had multiple surgeries in recent years?

[PromoTheRobot]

IMO the guaranteed $$$'to shady is the sign of a GM still learning. The tandem running today was pretty darn good.

One guy is a complete unknown. Until now. Well both kind of were. Which in today's NFL lends credence to the statement.

 

" running backs are a dime a dozen" Well shady made the pro bowl. The teams record will fall quite close if not exactly

Into the Jauron era. is it McCoy's fault. No! Did we get the better end of a trade? yes. But Pushing the cap with a crap non playoff team

Is not good. Clay also fell into this cayegory. In his case though the future is good. Possibly we may lose a good resigning, or FA whatever. because of the sunk cost of McCoy. And others.That is on OBD

And IMO the GM. The deal from start to finish took less than one hour. That kinds of proves what a shoot first ask questions later

Organization does. Ditto Percy harvin. Injury aside.

 

today's win is hollow. Too little to late. A couple of players played balls out. The usual suspects not so much. i guess 94 invests well. His next team will give him half of what the Billls owe him next year. The guy is a cancer, and a prima donna DE who is nearing his end. Please cut him the first day the new league season begins. he brings zero to the team.

 

it will be interesting on what happens to a once pretty darn good defense in REX Part II. This team is far and away from 1 or 2 players away. There is some real work both in coaching. Philosophy and personnel.

 

Kool-Aid will be delivered in very measured quanity's this upcoming off-season. some this time will not even drink it.

 

Big shout out to TT, the rookie backs, #14, Cog ( never thought I would say that) Darby, Gilmore, Eric, And others I missed. these guys showed class and professionalism. in the face of huge inept coachng and gameday management. in the end a possible 8-8 with a clown as HC is a testament to those players. Not a single win was handed to them.

Hate to see what you'd think of they lost.

[BuffaninATL]

Rarely would I root for the bills to lose. But today I was hoping we would get steamrolled. I'm afraid that winning today helped Rex retain his job and big personnel moves are going to happen now. I believe the fallout could be comparable to Philly. That system is only used by chip Kelly and this system is only used by Rex. So when Rex is eventually fired in a year or two, we will have a very particular roster of players who can't play a 4-3. Rex is gonna stay with the bills and ultimately we will feel the effects for the next 5 years at least

 

agreed 1000% - I thinking the Bills losing today would have sent an even bigger message to TPegs than the tank job @ Washington. Keeping Rex is going to set this team back 3+ years, not to mention having to deal with the obvious dissension & apathy from square peg/round hole.

[Agent 91]

By saying "stopped reading there?"

Let him be close minded. I liked the post. I dont agree with some of his points but to put these thoughts together. I enjoy it. And miss them in the off season

[Green Lightning]

So the Bills should build their defense around Mario and Kyle Williams next year?

 

Mario is either old and ineffective or an old quitter.

 

Kyle is injured all the time and rapidly approaching the time when he no longer can be counted on.

 

I agree that Rex switching schemes hurt our defense this year. But now people want to switch back to a scheme based on something that peaked last year and might never happen again? And force a scheme change again? Who is going to coach it?

I reluctantly agree.

[Fan in Chicago]

He's not wrong.

At what point does one get to disagree with "one of the best posters on the board"?

Anyone can disagree with anyone. It's the language and style that are important. Disagreements can be polite also

[Agent 91]

It looks to me like Mario doesnt know, or is complacent with merely setting the edge. He wants to get after it. He fires off and then just holds the edges. In my limited experience. DL is a mindstate. Its hard to ask a specialist to take havllf his game away. Today i saw on a few occasions he was about to make a move and attack and then pull up. It wouldnt surprise me if they said Hughes was freelancing. I rarely see him setting the edge. Mario is 30 but he still has it... he is going to a 43 team and he is gonna be a double digit sack man again. I couldnt imagine EVER asking ANY of our d line. Top 4 or 5 (including Bryant) are pass rushers and not space eaters. Figure out how to reverse your philosophy Mr Ryan and you will have a good defense.

 

After the season, Terry, Whaley and Rex will have to have a serious sit down and discuss what the plan is for the defense in 2016. If Rex thinks that Terry and Whaley will be on board with a total overhaul of the defensive roster to get Rex's players to fit his scheme then he's lost his mind. So either Rex makes big time concessions or he very well could still be gone. Nothing anyone says right now makes Rex coming back a 100% certainty. Whoever Terry picks to consult with will no doubt tell him he's nuts if he keeps Rex and try's to overhaul the personnel of a defense that was #4 in the league just last year.

 

Rex may be a big personality and a big name, but he's the main reason this team isn't in the playoffs. Everyone knows this. So because of that, Rex can still write his own ticket out of here if he plans to stick to this horrible defensive scheme.

If they subscribe to your way of thinking, Mario has to stay. Right? It just makes sense to me. Anyone know any crazy ways he can be resructured to benefit?

No sacks true, but did you see how Hughes and Mario covered the receivers.

Lol Dareus too

Mario rushed plenty today. He got stood up by written at least twice. Guys heckled out. IK had more tackles and influence on this game.

I dont mean to troll but I noticed IK had a helluva move today. I dont remember when he did it. Or what the situation was. But it was a rip move that snatched my attention immediately

So this may be sacrilege, and it's certainly premature, but I'll say it: Gilleslee reminds me of Fred Jackson. His running style is nearly identical to Fred's - always falling forward, great balance and vision, deceptive speed. This kid is a keeper.

A younger faster freddie. Could be right. Can he block and catch? That's the difference

 

A lot of bandwidth has been wasted debating the DL play and the issue of them dropping back in coverage. So just for kicks I've watched a few 2014 All-22s. And yeah, there's a striking difference. For starters, there's a #51 on defense who's a rock in the middle which hides alot of mistakes that #52 and #53 tended to make, a lot.

 

There's also the effort thingie. Amazing to watch a #94 take on double teams or push his blocker back into the pocket. Same for #99.

 

Everyone jumped on Mario's comments after this year's Bengals game that he was asked to drop into coverage. Well, I watched that game again, too. Mario wasn't asked to cover anyone until Bengals burned the defense for a 26 yard swing pass where Brown was woefully late in covering, or was it Mario's responsibility to peel off? Don't know, but that was a major breakdown by the D.

 

On the next few plays where Mario dropped back, he actually baited Dalton into an incompletion. So the play worked.

 

But another difference is that opposing QBs are not dropping back as deep or holding the ball as long as they did last year.

 

So it's easy to say that the scheme is to blame. But also don't ignore how big of a role Spikes played last year, and how a few players have decided to take some time off because this scheme won't pad their numbers.

Most undervalue Spikes mistakenly. He was a MLB nose tackle hybrid. You also have to realize that we filled his hole with an inexperienced strong side. Immediately giving him easy to much responsibility. Also leaning a hole at the vacated strong side spot. We need Preston Brown to be able to go back to the OLB role.

[TakeYouToTasker]

Whenever he wants.

Good. Then knock it off.