billsfreak Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 The year as a whole has been totally disappointing, but in my opinion, surprisingly the biggest disappointment has been the Special Teams. For the past 6 or 7 years, the team has for the most part stunk, but you could always count on the Special Teams keeping us in games, and has been rated in the top percentage of the league every year. This year they have blown two games with fumbles, had punts touch them and lost the ball, had big runbacks against them, way too many penalties, been unable to get down to down punts, just plain undisciplined football. Not sure what has happened to Bobby April's Special Teams, but outstanding play by them has become a memory. They show April every game upset, screaming, appearing like he has lost control, along with the rest of the coaching staff. What has happened?
Black-Eyed Dog Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 They have lost a lot of the players that made ST stand out. They were replaced with a lot of other ST specialists that don't seem to be getting it done. I agree that it's a bit of a mystery that April hasn't been able to get more out of them. Wendling has made a lot of nice plays (on ST).
ricojes Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 The year as a whole has been totally disappointing, but in my opinion, surprisingly the biggest disappointment has been the Special Teams. For the past 6 or 7 years, the team has for the most part stunk, but you could always count on the Special Teams keeping us in games, and has been rated in the top percentage of the league every year. This year they have blown two games with fumbles, had punts touch them and lost the ball, had big runbacks against them, way too many penalties, been unable to get down to down punts, just plain undisciplined football. Not sure what has happened to Bobby April's Special Teams, but outstanding play by them has become a memory. They show April every game upset, screaming, appearing like he has lost control, along with the rest of the coaching staff. What has happened? I predicted 5 wins going into the season and I am usually the eternal optimist. So I can't say that it's been a disappointment, because this is kind of what I expected. Not much was done in the off-season to improve the team, so you get what we got. Or in Denny Green speak, we are who we thought we were. But I'll play along, while ST's hasn't been great, I am more disappointed in the offense. If anything, I thought the Bills would put up some points, and that just hasn't happened.....
K-9 Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 Excellent points regarding special teams. Hard to believe it's the same unit that always ranked near or at the top. Still, simply because of the importance of the position, the biggest disappointment for me is the continued regression of Edwards. It's a shame. He's got all the tools except confidence; the one attribute that can make up for just about any other shortcoming in a QB's game. If you could assemble the greatest composite QB from the greats that have played the game, that QB would still suck if he didn't have confidence. I've come to the conclusion, already reached by many around here, that the fault lies with Jauron and his philosophy. When a coach doesn't have the confidence to even TRY to get a (critical) extra 5-10 yards to make it an easier FG attempt to win the game well, you don't have to look very far to see why a QB isn't confident. When a coach is comfortable leaving plays on the field his QB is going to reflect that. GO BILLS!!!
BuffaloBillsMagic1 Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 Excellent points regarding special teams. Hard to believe it's the same unit that always ranked near or at the top. Still, simply because of the importance of the position, the biggest disappointment for me is the continued regression of Edwards. It's a shame. He's got all the tools except confidence; the one attribute that can make up for just about any other shortcoming in a QB's game. If you could assemble the greatest composite QB from the greats that have played the game, that QB would still suck if he didn't have confidence. I've come to the conclusion, already reached by many around here, that the fault lies with Jauron and his philosophy. When a coach doesn't have the confidence to even TRY to get a (critical) extra 5-10 yards to make it an easier FG attempt to win the game well, you don't have to look very far to see why a QB isn't confident. When a coach is comfortable leaving plays on the field his QB is going to reflect that. GO BILLS!!! Capatin Checkdown and also Sp teams errors are killing us this year. No depth at LB or OL as well, I guess.
Rico Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 Ralph making the Hall of Fame. Nothing else that has happened was really a surprise, except maybe T.O. not getting the ball.
Chandler#81 Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 Trent Edwards lack of development Trent Edwards regression. Unexpected, extremely disappointing.
nucci Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 Trent Edwards regression. Unexpected, extremely disappointing. Agree. passing game huge disappointment.
CodeMonkey Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 The front office. Who, instead of doing something positive this off season, decimated the O-Line then signed TO in a (successful) attempt to boost ticket sales. Shameless.
Keukasmallies Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 Mostly, I'm disappointed in myself since I allowed myself to be suckered yet again!
Like A Mofo Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 T.O. I mean granted he isn't what he was but his numbers are POOR
CodeMonkey Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 Also ... "In a season of nothing but disappointment" is a bit harsh. I mean, they did beat the Jets so far. The looked like a big steaming pile of dog**** doing it, but they did win. The quality of play certainly was a disappointment, but not the result.
billsfantilldeath Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 The biggest disappointment for me has been the injuries to the defense year after year. It seems that Poz can't stay healthy for a complete game and the injury to Mitchell is gonna make the run defense even worse than it already is. Also with the addition of TO everybody really thought this would finally be the year Trent (****head) Edwards would be able to throw the ball for over 300 yrds in a game, but he still hasnt even been able to do that. Finally, and perhaps most important......Bills upper management. How is it possible that your team has become a laughing stock in the NFL and you keep Dick Jauron??? He plays with a losing mentality not to mention everytime I see his face I want to destroy him. If they have any care for this team, they have to get away from this losing road. Go Bills Puck the Fatriots
Robert Paulson Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 Trent Edwards lack of development Trent Edwards free fall to suckitude
Montana Mike Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 Trent Edwards lack of development That was my choice as well.
JPicc2114 Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 The year as a whole has been totally disappointing, but in my opinion, surprisingly the biggest disappointment has been the Special Teams. For the past 6 or 7 years, the team has for the most part stunk, but you could always count on the Special Teams keeping us in games, and has been rated in the top percentage of the league every year. This year they have blown two games with fumbles, had punts touch them and lost the ball, had big runbacks against them, way too many penalties, been unable to get down to down punts, just plain undisciplined football. Not sure what has happened to Bobby April's Special Teams, but outstanding play by them has become a memory. They show April every game upset, screaming, appearing like he has lost control, along with the rest of the coaching staff. What has happened? You guys act like the season is over... the Bills were 5-1 last year at this point last year and finished 7-9. What if the Bills figure it out and put a big streak together? Its not out of the question. They put a big streak of losses together last year.
Mickey Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 I predicted 5 wins going into the season and I am usually the eternal optimist. So I can't say that it's been a disappointment, because this is kind of what I expected. Not much was done in the off-season to improve the team, so you get what we got. Or in Denny Green speak, we are who we thought we were. But I'll play along, while ST's hasn't been great, I am more disappointed in the offense. If anything, I thought the Bills would put up some points, and that just hasn't happened..... My expectations could hardly have been lower. Still, I was hoping to see some good things from a few players so as to limit what new personnel we were going to have to bring in over the next couple years to turn it around. Trent for one, I was hoping would show us enough that we wouldn't have to consider a QB in the draft. I was looking forward to seeing McKelvin come in to his own. I had some hope that Poz would become the player I thought we drafted. I didn't expect much from Maybin but I didn't think he would be this much of a non-factor. Of course, I am hoping to some flashes from all the young guys on the line, enough to show us we have the beginnings of a solid line. I am pretty disappointed as to all of that. Not so much the OL as I think Wood, and Levitre to a lesser extent, are showing those flashes. As a whole the line has sucked and even those two are closer to being barely adequate than they are to being dominant but given their inexperience, I think they have actually exceeded my expectations. Trent has been just awful. Every doubt I had about him has come to the fore. My hope for him is not dead but it is on life support. McKlevin cost us a game and then go hurt, so much for that. Same with Poz. Maybin might as well still be holding out. There have been some positives, some unexpectedly pleasant surprises. Byrd looks to have the best hands I have seen in our secondary since Tony Greene. Freddie is a quality back. Behind a good line and with a decent passing game, he'd be even better. Nelson I think is showing flashes of eventually being a very, very good TE. So its not all bad and there are a lot more games to play. Anything can happen.
The Avenger Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 For me it's been Aaron Maybin. I know he's a rookie and it's only been 6 games, but for a draft pick that high and playing on a defense that's really not full of stars you don't hear about him. I'm not saying he's got to have 10 sacks at this point, but he's got nothing (unless you're happy with 3 tackles over 6 games) - he's been completely invisible. Makes me fear that we've wasted yet another draft pick and big dollar contract on someone whose onfield talent is nowhere near what we paid for him. I'm hoping that Maybin develops into an impact player, but let's face it - when he was drafted the Bills really needed someone who could contribute immediately, not 2-3 years from now....
EasternOHBillsFan Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 Trent Edwards, by a MILE. Regression city...
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