Rapid Reaction - 10 Observations About the 2015 Season

[ChevyVanMiller]

Rapid Reaction - 10 Observations About the 2015 Season

 

10) Two non-losing seasons in a row (the Bills first since the 1998 and 1999 seasons) aren't exactly compensation for missing the playoffs for 16 years in a row, but I think there is much to be hopeful for going forward.

 

This team could have completely quit after they were eliminated from the playoffs in Washington, but they pulled out two gritty wins the last two weeks and knocked the Jets out of the playoffs. Many Bills teams of recent years would have folded it down faster than an origami master. To their credit, this squad never quit on their coach, their fans and themselves.

 

9) Sammy Watkins finally arrived as a premier NFL #1 WR. After 7 weeks of the season, and battling a myriad of injuries, he had only 147 yards and was starting to hear the dreaded "bust" label being attached to his name.

 

He called out his coach and then backed up his tough talk with some rugged walk and was one of the best WRs in the league over the second half of the season.

 

Sammy finished with 60 receptions for 1,047 yds and 9 TDs in only 12 games.

 

If he stays healthy next year he will establish himself as one of the very best WRs in all of the NFL.

 

8) If, before the season, you had assured me that the Bills would go 4-2 in the division, I would have declared that there was no way they miss the playoffs. It didn't play out that way, of course, but don't dismiss the accomplishment and what it means going forward.

 

The Bills are a better team than the Dolphins and the Jets and over the past couple years they have shown that pretty consistently. Brady (I know, I know) is finally starting to look like the decline is beginning. He's still great, but his best days may finally be moving behind him.

 

A great goal for next season would be another Jets/Dolphins sweep and a *New England split.

 

7) Probably the biggest story of the season was the defense's inability to embrace Rex's system and, as a result, they took a tumble down the overall rankings.

 

I'm no Rex apologist, but I'm excited to see the defense next year when he has a full off-season to bring in and draft players that fit his scheme.

 

I fully expect the defense to get back into the Top 5 in 2016.

 

6) With that said, I think Rex should take a long, hard look at moving on from DC Dennis Thurman. He often seemed overmatched in his head-to-head battles with the OCs he faced this season.

 

In addition, there was a major disconnect between him and some of his key players understanding their assignments within his scheme.

 

Mike Pettine is rumored to be soon fired by the Cleveland Browns. He fared well as Rex's DC and in serving the same role with the Bills. Rex might want to drop him a text - just sayin'.

 

5) I'm also glad that Doug Whaley is coming back. He wins trades in landslides, unearths great talent in the FA pool and drafts pretty well without many true busts.

 

It has been a long time since the Bills gave continuity a real shot with their coach/GM tandem. How long? Oh, 16 years or so. Hmmmmm?

 

4) If they can stay healthy, and it's a big if, the Bills trio of running backs are the very best in the NFL. Shady McCoy was the real deal, Special K was a special rookie, and "Dizzy" Gillislee was a great late-season find.

 

The Bills run the rock better than anyone, if they can just bring the passing game up a notch - look out.

 

3) It's time for a few people to bid a fond adieu to Buffalo. Mario Williams is most certainly gone. The Bills save $12.5 million by letting Super Mario shrink in another uni next season. Whether it was scheme or deterioration of skills, Mario was anything but Super this year.

 

Chris Hogan also needs to be sent packing. 7/11 may always be open, but his hands turned to slushies at too many crucial times this year. There is no place in the NFL for a possession receiver with a penchant for dropping passes. Maybe late-season pick-up Greg Salas is the answer.

 

Special Teams Coach Danny Crossman needs to be put on the first Jet Blue flight out of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. I don't care what flight he's on just so long as his ticket is marked "One Way."

 

The Bills special teams were pretty awful most of the year. Almost every punt and kickoff return drew a yellow flag and the FG kicker could scarcely go through a game without missing an XP.

 

Speaking of which, I wouldn't can Dan Carpenter outright, he was 21-25 on FG attempts, but I would bring in some stiff competition to training camp. The Bills already have to employ a kickoff specialist for Danny, he has to be able to make XPs with great regularity.

 

2) Another big goal for 2016 should be for the Bills to regain supremacy on their home field. The fans at the Ralph do their part by making it one of the rowdiest, nosiest places for opposing players to compete.

 

 

Too often, the home team fails to match the energy of their 12th Man. 7-1 at home in 2016 should be a goal that the team works all offseason to prepare to make a reality.

 

1) The number one story in the positive column for the 2015 Buffalo Bills was the emergence of Tyrod Taylor as a bonafide NFL signal-caller. No, he's not elite yet, but he damn sure knocked on that door in his first crack at an NFL starting gig.

 

For the season, he passed for 3,035 yards with 20 TDs and only 6 INTs. His passer rating for the year was an impressive 99.4. He also rushed for another 4 scores.

 

It was far and away the best season by a Bills starting QB since the 2002 campaign by Drew Bledsoe.

 

Should the Bills reward Tyrod with a big contract extension? Remember how badly Fitz fell apart after the Bills handed him millions of dollars in an extension.

 

It says here that the Bills should hold off on the extension and see if Tyrod takes yet another step forward. They should also spend a 2nd or 3rd Rd pick on a QB if they think there is a guy there that might be the next elite QB.

 

For my money, Tyrod was a revelation and I'm betting that he has another step to take and next year will lead this team to the playoffs.

 

Thank you, dear readers, for another thrilling year. Keep the faith, next year, is our year.

 

Go Bills!

Edited January 4, 2016 by ChevyVanMiller

[MarkyMannn]

1) The number one story in the positive column for the 2015 Buffalo Bills was the emergence of Tyrod Taylor as a bonafide NFL signal-caller. No, he's not elite yet, but he damn sure knocked on that door in his first crack at an NFL starting gig.

 

For the season, he passed for 3,035 yards with 20 TDs and only 6 INTs. his passer rating for the year was an impressive 99.4. He also rushed for another 4 scores.

 

It was far and away the best season by a Bills starting QB since the 2002 campaign by Drew Bledsoe.

 

Should the Bills reward Tyrod with a big contract extension? Remember how badly Fitz fell apart after the Bills handed him millions of dollars in an extension.

 

It says here that the Bills should hold off on the extension and see if Tyrod takes yet another step forward. They should also spent a 2nd or 3rd Rd pick on a QB if they think there is a guy there that might be the next elite QB.

 

For my money, Tyrod was a revelation and I'm betting that he has another step to take and next year will lead this team to the playoffs.

This is tough, the next TT contract. The Bills would like to see more before throwing money at TT. They may not have that luxury. If I'm TT and I have a great September 2016 with my old contract, I play out the year and let 10-15 teams bid for me

[PlayoffsPlease]

Rapid Reaction - 10 Observations About the 2015 Season

 

10) Two non-losing seasons in a row (the Bills first since the 1998 and 1999 seasons) aren't exactly compensation for missing the playoffs for 16 years in a row, but I think there is much to be hopeful for going forward.

 

This team could have completely quit after they were eliminated from the playoffs in Washington, but they pulled out two gritty wins the last two weeks and knocked the Jets out of the playoffs. Many Bills teams of recent years would have folded it down faster than an origami master. To their credit, this squad never quit on their coach, their fans and themselves.

 

9) Sammy Watkins finally arrived as a premier NFL #1 WR. After 7 weeks of the season, and battling a myriad of injuries, he had only 147 yards and was starting to hear the dreaded "bust" label being attached to his name.

 

He called out his coach and then backed up his tough talk with some rugged walk and was one of the best WRs in the league over the second half of the season.

 

Sammy finished with 60 receptions for 1,047 yds and 9 TDs in only 12 games.

 

If he stays healthy next year he will establish himself as one of the very best WRs in all of the NFL.

 

8) If, before the season, you had assured me that the Bills would go 4-2 in the division, I would have declared that there was no way they miss the playoffs. It didn't play out that way, of course, but don't dismiss the accomplishment and what it means going forward.

 

The Bills are a better team than the Dolphins and the Jets and over the past couple years they have shown that pretty consistently. Brady (I know, I know) is finally starting to look like the decline is beginning. He's still great, but his best days may finally be moving behind him.

 

A great goal for next season would be another Jets/Dolphins sweep and a *New England split.

 

7) Probably the biggest story of the season was the defense's inability to embrace Rex's system and, as a result, they took a tumble down the overall rankings.

 

I'm no Rex apologist, but I'm excited to see the defense next year when he has a full off-season to bring in and draft players that fit his scheme.

 

I fully expect the defense to get back into the Top 5 in 2016.

 

6) With that said, I think Rex should take a long, hard look at moving on from DC Dennis Thurman. He often seemed overmatched in his head-to-head battles with the OCs he faced this season.

 

In addition, there was a major disconnect between him and some of his key players understanding their assignments within his scheme.

 

Mike Pettine is rumored to be soon fired by the Cleveland Browns. He fared well as Rex's DC and in serving the same role with the Bills. Rex might want to drop him a text - just sayin'.

 

5) I'm also glad that Doug Whaley is coming back. He wins trades in landslides, unearths great talent in the FA pool and drafts pretty well without many true busts.

 

It has been a long time since the Bills gave continuity a real shot with their coach/GM tandem. How long? Oh, 16 years or so. Hmmmmm?

 

4) If they can stay healthy, and it's a big if, the Bills trio of running backs are the very best in the NFL. Shady McCoy was the real deal, Special K was a special rookie, and "Dizzy" Gillislee was a great late-season find.

 

The Bills run the rock better than anyone, if they can just bring the passing game up a notch - look out.

 

3) It's time for a few people to bid a fond adieu to Buffalo. Mario Williams is most certainly gone. The Bills save $12.5 million by letting Super Mario shrink in another uni next season. Whether it was scheme or deterioration of skills, Mario was anything but Super this year.

 

Chris Hogan also needs to be sent packing. 7/11 may always be open, but his hands turned to slushies at too many crucial times this year. There is no place in the NFL for a possession receiver with a penchant for dropping passes. Maybe late-season pick-up Greg Salas is the answer.

 

Special Teams Coach Danny Crossman needs to be put on the first Jet Blue flight out of the Buffalo Niagara International Airport. I don't care what flight he's one just so long as his ticket is marked "One Way."

 

The Bills special teams were pretty awful most of the year. Almost every punt and kickoff return drew a yellow flag and the FG kicker could scarcely go through a game without missing an XP.

 

Speaking of which, I wouldn't can Dan Carpenter outright, he was 21-25 on FG attempts, but I would bring in some stiff competition to training camp. The Bills already have to employ a kickoff specialist for Danny, he has to be able to make XPs with great regularity.

 

2) Another big goal for 2016 should be for the Bills to regain supremacy on their home field. The fans at the Ralph do their part by making it one of the rowdiest, nosiest places for opposing players to compete.

 

 

Too often, the home team fails to match the energy of their 12th Man. 7-1 at home in 2016 should be a goal that the team works all offseason to prepare to make a reality.

 

1) The number one story in the positive column for the 2015 Buffalo Bills was the emergence of Tyrod Taylor as a bonafide NFL signal-caller. No, he's not elite yet, but he damn sure knocked on that door in his first crack at an NFL starting gig.

 

For the season, he passed for 3,035 yards with 20 TDs and only 6 INTs. his passer rating for the year was an impressive 99.4. He also rushed for another 4 scores.

 

It was far and away the best season by a Bills starting QB since the 2002 campaign by Drew Bledsoe.

 

Should the Bills reward Tyrod with a big contract extension? Remember how badly Fitz fell apart after the Bills handed him millions of dollars in an extension.

 

It says here that the Bills should hold off on the extension and see if Tyrod takes yet another step forward. They should also spent a 2nd or 3rd Rd pick on a QB if they think there is a guy there that might be the next elite QB.

 

For my money, Tyrod was a revelation and I'm betting that he has another step to take and next year will lead this team to the playoffs.

 

Thank you, dear readers, for another thrilling year. Keep the faith, next year, is our year.

 

Go Bills!

In summary you see a team that had a 1 game worse record this year and finishing 8-8 as a team on the upswing? After 16 years of this nonsense I have a glass half empty view of this team.

 

Regarding the division, the Jets and Dolphins suck. Buffalo went 1-5 against teams that are in this years playoffs. The 1 win was against the Texans who are only in the playoffs because their division sucks. The Bills went 7-3 against non-playoff teams with 4 of those seven being against the aforementioned crappy Jets and Dolphins.

 

It is a wild fantasy to think the Bills are positioned to start winning playoff games when they can't beat a decent team during the regular season.

[Kelly the Dog]

In summary you see a team that had a 1 game worse record this year and finishing 8-8 as a team on the upswing? After 16 years of this nonsense I have a glass half empty view of this team.

 

Regarding the division, the Jets and Dolphins suck. Buffalo went 1-5 against teams that are in this years playoffs. The 1 win was against the Texans who are only in the playoffs because their division sucks. The Bills went 7-3 against non-playoff teams with 4 of those seven being against the aforementioned crappy Jets and Dolphins.

 

It is a wild fantasy to think the Bills are positioned to start winning playoff games when they can't beat a decent team during the regular season.

Not really sure how you can call the Jets crappy when they were 10-4 in games not against us. They had a good offense and good defense.

[The Frankish Reich]

Nice summary, and it feels good to focus on the good stuff and an optimistic note. My one minor point of disagreement: I'm not sure we've established that we're a better football team than the Jets and the Dolphins. It's a matchup league out there, and while there's not doubt that the Bills have the Dolphins number and also seem to have a leg up on the Jets head-to-head, it's likewise true that the Jets (and today, the Dolphins) give the Pats a tougher challenge. These 3 clubs are pretty evenly matched talent-wise. I'll take Tyrod and the Bills over Fitzy/Tannehill and their teams, but it's close, and going 4-0 against those guys was kind of a terrible thing to waste ...

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

Was listening to the Bills pre-game, during the "round table" think it was Howard Simon whom brought up, after the 2104 final game their QB announced he's retiring, and two days later the HC quit. Neither of these events the Bills were prepared for nor expected, particularly Marrone leaving. Went on to say that replacing the HC and QB and not expecting the team to have a drop off was very unrealistic and just doesn't happen in the NFL.

 

WRT #6 Dennis Thurman. I agree, not happy with what he brings. Only problem is what is his real job? Yes he's called the DC, but Rex is truely the DC here. If it's because he doesn't trust Thurman to do more, then agree replacing him would be good IF you can bring in someone who can add value. But if all he's really going to do is yell at officials after games, not much difference who is in that position.

[Fixxxer]

Nice that you called him "Dizzy", he's a keeper regardless of today's fumble.

 

Regarding Hogan, I agree, nice story and nickname, but he's not very dependable.

 

I think if Mario wanted to, he could pressure the QB on every snap, it's a shame his motor runs when he wants. I agree that he probably is a goner.

 

It's amazing the lack of blocking on special team, no creases or holes for the PR/KR to run through, oh and the penalties. Something must get done here.

 

Keep Carpenter for field goals and tell Gay to practice extra points in the off-season. Bring more competition.

[The Frankish Reich]

Nice that you called him "Dizzy", he's a keeper regardless of today's fumble.

 

Regarding Hogan, I agree, nice story and nickname, but he's not very dependable.

 

I think if Mario wanted to, he could pressure the QB on every snap, it's a shame his motor runs when he wants. I agree that he probably is a goner.

 

It's amazing the lack of blocking on special team, no creases or holes for the PR/KR to run through, oh and the penalties. Something must get done here.

 

Keep Carpenter for field goals and tell Gay to practice extra points in the off-season. Bring more competition.

Correct. Special Teams coverage was pretty solid all year, but the return game never showed up.

 

Longest punt returns this year:

 

Moore 27 yards

Thigpen 16

Leodis 12

 

Longest kick returns:

 

Thigpen 31

Boom 28

Harvin 25

 

That's pathetic. You typically break a couple just by accident. Not the Bills this year. That's something that really needs to be another point of focus.

[ganesh]

 

 

Keep Carpenter for field goals and tell Gay to practice extra points in the off-season. Bring more competition.

I just don't understand this need. Why couldn't Gay earn a roster spot where he can also kick FGs. Is the gap so big?

[DC Greg]

I like your take OP. I'm with you on all these points.

[Nihilarian]

Not really sure how you can call the Jets crappy when they were 10-4 in games not against us. They had a good offense and good defense.

Ryan Fitzpasspick is why.

 

 

 

On another note, I have a difficult time getting excited for next year because the Bills won the last two games against Dallas with QB Kellen Moore in his first NFL start. Then beating the Jets with a QB known to throw a pick or three with a lot of heat on him. Could have finished 6-10 instead. I doubt the Jets bring back Fitz for next year as the starter.

 

Also, the fact that the Bills were able to get heat on the Jets QB was something of an anomaly this year considering they were 31st in sacks in 2015. From that view, I suppose the Bills can only get better.

Edited January 4, 2016 by Nihilarian

[John from Riverside]

In summary you see a team that had a 1 game worse record this year and finishing 8-8 as a team on the upswing? After 16 years of this nonsense I have a glass half empty view of this team.

 

Regarding the division, the Jets and Dolphins suck. Buffalo went 1-5 against teams that are in this years playoffs. The 1 win was against the Texans who are only in the playoffs because their division sucks. The Bills went 7-3 against non-playoff teams with 4 of those seven being against the aforementioned crappy Jets and Dolphins.

 

It is a wild fantasy to think the Bills are positioned to start winning playoff games when they can't beat a decent team during the regular season.

There are plenty of other teams that need fans on their wagon.....have at it.

[PlayoffsPlease]

There are plenty of other teams that need fans on their wagon.....have at it.

 

You really have an asinine holier than thou attitude. I don't see how it helps the team to pretend that their failures are successes.

[Big Turk]

Ryan Fitzpasspick is why.

 

 

 

On another note, I have a difficult time getting excited for next year because the Bills won the last two games against Dallas with QB Kellen Moore in his first NFL start. Then beating the Jets with a QB known to throw a pick or three with a lot of heat on him. Could have finished 6-10 instead. I doubt the Jets bring back Fitz for next year as the starter.

 

Also, the fact that the Bills were able to get heat on the Jets QB was something of an anomaly this year considering they were 31st in sacks in 2015. From that view, I suppose the Bills can only get better.

Well then I guess you have to go re-write 2/3 of the teams in the NFL's records then...so you give all them free passes when they get to play 2nd, 3rd and 4th string QBs but when the Bills play them it counts against them?

 

Talk about trying way too hard to find something to complain about.

 

You really have an asinine holier than thou attitude. I don't see how it helps the team to pretend that their failures are successes.

 

I don't see how making up losses that didn't occur helps either

Edited January 4, 2016 by matter2003

[ChevyVanMiller]

Nice that you called him "Dizzy", he's a keeper regardless of today's fumble.

 

My good friend Joel Holka coined that nickname and I hope it sticks.

 

Speaking of great lines, how about this one quoted in David Staba's latest column:

 

As local native, former colleague and stand-up comic Ernie Green put it, “The #Bills playoff drought is so old, you can legally have sex with it in 30 U.S. States.”

 

[Fixxxer]

My good friend Joel Holka coined that nickname and I hope it sticks.

 

Speaking of great lines, how about this one quoted in David Staba's latest column:

 

As local native, former colleague and stand-up comic Ernie Green put it, “The #Bills playoff drought is so old, you can legally have sex with it in 30 U.S. States.”

 

 

This humble servant threw the same nickname in the shoutbox during his first game as a Bill. His last name remainded me to the great trumpetist Dizzy Gillespie.

 

As a franchise we still can't buy alcohol, though, right?

[Mr. WEO]

Why would firing Thurman have any impact on the D. He isn't the playcaller or the architect of this D.

 

Hogan gets a lot of weird hate here, yet he has the second highest reception rate after Sammy and has the 2nd highest YPC for WRs on this team. He had 4 drops all year, same as Clay.

[nucci]

Thurman is DC in name only. It's Ryan's defense and he makes the calls during the game.....why is this so hard for people to understand? Getting rid of Thurman will do nothing for the defense.

[vorpma]

In summary you see a team that had a 1 game worse record this year and finishing 8-8 as a team on the upswing? After 16 years of this nonsense I have a glass half empty view of this team.

 

Regarding the division, the Jets and Dolphins suck. Buffalo went 1-5 against teams that are in this years playoffs. The 1 win was against the Texans who are only in the playoffs because their division sucks. The Bills went 7-3 against non-playoff teams with 4 of those seven being against the aforementioned crappy Jets and Dolphins.

 

It is a wild fantasy to think the Bills are positioned to start winning playoff games when they can't beat a decent team during the regular season.

There are plenty of other teams that need fans on their wagon.....have at it.

Give me a break, please!!! 16 years!!! OK, I'll play, the best 500 team in the NFL!