Rico Posted October 27, 2004 Posted October 27, 2004 Desperate Bills Will Grind Out Victory Why To Watch These two organizations seem to be headed in different directions, but both are in desperate need of a win if they hope to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Despite its losing record, Arizona has exceeded expectations in many ways and it will get a much-needed boost with WR Anquan Boldin expected to make his regular-season debut. The Bills, on the other hand, have been extremely disappointing and need to turn their season around quickly if they expect to make up ground in a division that features the undefeated Patriots and the 5-1 Jets. While it may be too early to use the term must-win, it's apparent that neither team can afford another loss. When the Cardinals have the ball Rushing: Arizona will come out running in an effort to take some pressure off QB Josh McCown, but the Cardinals may have trouble moving the ball on the ground working against a stout Buffalo run defense. The Bills have great size in DTs Sam Adams (330 pounds) and Pat Williams (315), and they boast one of the best linebacker corps in the league. Arizona's interior offensive line is undersized, so it will struggle to control the point of attack, and RB Emmitt Smith simply lacks the speed to consistently turn the corner working against Buffalo's linebackers. Cardinals offensive coordinator Alex Wood will try to open up the running game and capitalize on the Bills' aggressive style by using more misdirection. Although this won't completely negate Buffalo's ability to stop the run, it will force the linebackers to fight through more traffic on their way to the ball carrier. OGs Reggie Wells and Jeremy Bridges have been effective on front-side pulls. They should have some success reaching their blocks with the misdirection, causing the linebackers to hesitate for an extra second. However, OTs Leonard Davis and L.J. Shelton will need to block down quickly and get their helmets across the defensive tackle's face when Arizona pulls its guards. If Williams can penetrate, he will give the linebackers time to recover by forcing Smith to take a wider angle to the corner. Passing: Arizona head coach Dennis Green envisioned using a three-receiver set and forcing defenses to cover either Boldin or rookie Larry Fitzgerald with one man. However, Boldin missed the first six games of the season and Arizona's passing attack has been marred by inconsistency. Fitzgerald has flashed the ability to beat single coverage, but he has been shut down by zone defenses because Bryant Johnson's play has been spotty at best. Although Boldin isn't the fastest player in the league, he has exceptional strength, great body control and rarely drops a pass he should catch. He is also extremely dangerous with the ball in his hands and will pick up some yards after the catch. With Boldin, Fitzgerald, Johnson and TE Freddie Jones in the lineup at the same time, the Cardinals can spread the field effectively and create some favorable single-coverage matchups. The plan is to use Boldin and Fitzgerald on the same side of the field to limit the Bills' ability to play in a two-high shell. Lining them up on the same side of the field will make it difficult for Buffalo to give both of the corners covering them safety help over the top. In addition, Johnson and Jones should have more room to work on the backside with Buffalo figuring to key on the strength of this formation When the Bills have the ball Rushing: The Bills' running attack continues to disappoint, as Travis Henry and Willis McGahee combined for just 85 rushing yards last week. One of the reasons opponents have had success slowing down Buffalo's one-two punch has been the team's inability to stretch the field. Outside of WR Eric Moulds and his 37 receptions, the Bills have been ineffective throwing the ball downfield. As a result, opposing teams have been allowed to bring an eighth defender into the box without being at a disadvantage in coverage. The problem for Arizona defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast is CBs Renaldo Hill and David Macklin; both need to be protected in coverage. As a result, he may not be willing to play a steady diet of cover-1 defenses, which would allow SS Adrian Wilson to line up near the line of scrimmage. With Wilson figuring to stay over the top, Henry and McGahee should have more room to work against an Arizona defense that will feature plenty of seven-man fronts. Pendergast will do his best to compensate for this situation by mixing in some run blitzes on first- and second-down. If the Bills offensive line doesn't make the necessary adjustments, Henry and McGahee will continue to struggle. Passing: The best way to stop the Bills' passing attack is to exploit QB Drew Bledsoe's lack of mobility with a heavy-blitz package. Bledsoe has always struggled in the face of pressure and teams have had success blitzing him because he is such a stationary target in the pocket. It doesn't help that Buffalo doesn't have a receiver to complement Moulds on the outside. WRs Lee Evans and Josh Reed have struggled working against press coverage, and their inability to get off the line has forced Bledsoe into the precarious position of holding onto the ball too long. As a result, he has been sacked 24 times and has thrown more interceptions than touchdowns. The Cardinals aren't a blitz-heavy team, but Pendergast does a nice job of sending extra rushers in certain situations. He will undoubtedly try to capitalize on Bledsoe's lack of mobility on obvious passing downs. Look for OLBs James Darling and Karlos Dansby to play big roles, as both possess good speed and are athletic enough to shoot gaps. This group faced a strong Seahawks' offense last week and forced Seattle QB Matt Hasselbeck to throw four interceptions. With that in mind, don't be surprised if Buffalo struggles to move the ball through the air despite holding an edge in talent. Scouts' Edge Both of these teams are in desperate need of a win, but the Bills have more experience and they will be playing at home. While Boldin's presence should eventually improve the Cardinals' offense, it's asking a lot for him to make an impact considering this will be his first action in nearly two months. The Cardinals will keep this game close on the strength of their defense and one or two big plays from Fitzgerald in the passing game. However, the combination of Henry and McGahee should give Buffalo the edge. They'll set up play-action and allow Buffalo to control the clock late in the game.
WILLIS Posted October 27, 2004 Posted October 27, 2004 sounds like a big day for our horses(TH and WM) if the Oline can play decently decent. With those 7 man fronts we will be seeing if you break through the line our rbs are only 1-2 stiffarms away from breaking it for the td. Ide love to see their secondary try and tackle willis and TH all day.
stevestojan Posted October 27, 2004 Posted October 27, 2004 anyone else think the "why to watch" is way too optomistic? it mentioned playoffs! PLAYOFFS?!!?!
bills_fan Posted October 27, 2004 Posted October 27, 2004 These two organizations seem to be headed in different directions, but both are in desperate need of a win if they hope to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Playoffs?? Paste classic Jim Mora rant here.
BuffOrange Posted October 27, 2004 Posted October 27, 2004 A 7 man front? I'll believe it when I see it. I think they should just cut&paste every week. Really, is there any other team in sports where the gameplan of the opponent changes ZERO from week to week? Blitz, blitz, blitz up the gut on defense. Don't turn it over on offense, make a play or two in the passing game, collect penalty yardage, wait for them to make mistakes in the 4th Qtr, score 13 pts and win the game...
ch19079 Posted October 27, 2004 Posted October 27, 2004 anytime they say it will remain close with FREAKIN CARDINALS is discusting. i dont know how i could watch the rest of the games if we loose to the cardinals.
ch19079 Posted October 27, 2004 Posted October 27, 2004 anyone else think the "why to watch" is way too optomistic? it mentioned playoffs! PLAYOFFS?!!?! 88201[/snapback] that alone made me stop taking this artical seriously.
jad1 Posted October 27, 2004 Posted October 27, 2004 A 7 man front? I'll believe it when I see it. I think they should just cut&paste every week. Really, is there any other team in sports where the gameplan of the opponent changes ZERO from week to week? Blitz, blitz, blitz up the gut on defense. Don't turn it over on offense, make a play or two in the passing game, collect penalty yardage, wait for them to make mistakes in the 4th Qtr, score 13 pts and win the game... 88416[/snapback] Works every time. 2 1/2 years of the same ol' mind numbing crap.
Cugalabanza Posted October 27, 2004 Posted October 27, 2004 A suggested revision... WHEN THE BILLS HAVE THE BALL: Go get another beer.
jad1 Posted October 27, 2004 Posted October 27, 2004 A suggested revision... WHEN THE BILLS HAVE THE BALL: Go get another beer. 88481[/snapback] But you better be quick about it.
Guest Guest_thisiskeith12_* Posted October 27, 2004 Posted October 27, 2004 I will be in town for the weekend. Anything going on? I'm staying at the Sheraton.
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