Bills/Dolphins: Yes, good things happened, too
by Brian Galliford on Oct 28, 2008 1:36 PM EDT
in Opinion
26 comments
So the Buffalo Bills didn't squish the fish, losing to the Miami Dolphins 25-16 this past weekend. We know how inept the offense was in the fourth quarter. We know that the defense struggled, particularly in stopping Ted Ginn. (Typing that still makes me sick to my stomach.) We know that while losing, every other AFC East team won over the weekend. Plain and simple, it wasn't a good weekend to be a Bills fan.
After agonizing about the loss for two days and re-watching the tape, however, there were some solid individual performances that deserve to be mentioned. Never hurts to talk about bright spots, right?
Marshawn Lynch and Fred Jackson: It's hardly a surprise, but Buffalo's potent one-two running back punch performed quite well. Sure, Jackson got stuffed three times at Miami's goal line early in the game, but when they got opportunities, they made the most of them. The running game in general was much better than usual; in fact, Lynch and Jackson actually had some holes to run through in this one. Lynch is a monster - there's no excuse for him only logging 13 carries. Miami wasn't stopping him on the ground or through the air (though he stopped himself twice in the latter department). Our runners looked great.
Lee Evans: Over the past two games, Evans has 15 grabs. He hasn't been this productive since a four-game, 32-catch stretch in the 2006 season. Miami did a good job shutting down Buffalo's short passing game on Sunday, yet Evans still hauled in 7 passes for 116 yards. Perhaps this offense has reached a point where Evans will be consistently productive from this point forward. Evans has at least 65 receiving yards in every game this season. Think he's not a legitimate #1 receiver? Think again.
Derek Schouman: I'm liking the fact that Turk Schonert is finding ways to get Schou the ball, even if it's only once a game (or, in reality, every other game). It should happen more. He's averaging 15 yards per reception, people! He's also an underrated blocker. I think it's high time we gave this kid a shot as our full-time starter at tight end; at least he doesn't fumble the ball. Robert Royal has lost 4 fumbles over the past two seasons; that's unacceptable for a guy who touches the ball as infrequently as he does.
Keith Ellison: People like to point out that we have a "need" at outside linebacker, but those same people rarely - if ever - acknowledge that Keith Ellison is playing out of his mind. He has, quite literally, been our most consistent linebacker this season. Whereas Kawika Mitchell is borderline dominant one week and a liability the next, and while Paul Posluszny is disappearing for stretches, Ellison just makes plays. He is one of the best open-field tacklers on the team, and he can make plays in the backfield. He'll never be spectacular, but boy, is he dependable. He played very well against Miami.
Jabari Greer: I'd like to offer a public apology to Mr. Greer. Throughout the summer months and the pre-season, I was adamant that rookie Leodis McKelvin would vault Greer to be a starter for this team by mid-season. McKelvin has had to play, obviously, but not because of Greer; Jabari has been outstanding. He's a gamer. He's physical, he's athletic, and though he can be taken advantage of, he's a guy that can be relied on. He's held down the fort very well while Terrence McGee has been out of the lineup (or playing matador to Ted Ginn's bull). Jabari's underrated, and I think it's safe to say at this point that he deserves discussion of a contract extension.
Bryan Scott: It's probably not the best news when Scott is the heart and soul of your defense, but that was the case this Sunday. Scott was outstanding, registering a sack, making two big tackles (in key situations) in the backfield, and providing excellent coverage on the Dolphins' tight end duo of Fasano and Martin (it was Kawika Mitchell that allowed Fasano to score on Miami's opening possession). Whether or not he's the team's second or third safety is irrelevant - he's playing very, very well right now.
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How about a bright dark spot?
Reed’s injury showing his doubters how important he is to this team.
by twoeightnine on Oct 28, 2008 2:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
You're right about that
Reed had a big first down play where he broke tackles; he is the best blocking WR, and he is the dominant possession receiver on the team. Reed hasn’t fumbled (correct me if i’m wrong) and he shows up to play at the right times.
I hope this injury doesn’t persist, but I see him being out this week. I think we bounce back from this. I remembr even in our bes years we’d lose games thorughout the year that were head scratchers, but we came back strong, so lets hope it happens this time, and we can string together a few wins.
The Bills CAN win every game
by killascript on Oct 28, 2008 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope this injury doesn’t persist, but I see him being out this week.
Jauron said yesterday that he’s out indefinitely. “Experts” say 2-3 weeks, but it could be longer. This is a bad situation; Roscoe, Robert (ha!) and James need to step up.
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by Brian Galliford on Oct 28, 2008 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Any chance we get to see Steve Johnson in the slot?
He looked great in pre-season and I’d love to see EVANS/JOHNSON/HARDY. Johnson seems similar in style to BREASTON, who is having a great season. When one guy goes down we should be giving the new guy a chance.
Same goes for Ellis in place of Schobel, not saying that he should start but he should be getting some reps at least.
by keysh67 on Oct 28, 2008 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Honestly, lets just bench Royal's fumbling butt, and make Steve Johnson active this week
Lets see if Steve with his size and velcro hands can at least take up some of the Reed slack. I really hope Reed is only lost for 3 weeks, because Trent relies on him more than anyone else to get the ball too in 3rd downs. Royal has proven himself a liability, and you know Trent avoids throwing to him unless the man is so uncovered there is no chance of a screw up.
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
by WABillsfan on Oct 28, 2008 7:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree
Schouman looked good catching his one pass, but I think he can be more effective.
The Bills CAN win every game
by killascript on Oct 29, 2008 10:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ellison and Greer
Two guys who I have thought will need to be replaced in the near future. However, both have been very, very good this year. I have been pleasantly surprised by Ellison. He hasn’t been a playmaker, gamechanger, whatever, but he has been pretty solid. I guess adding some size and talent around him has freed him up from blockers. He seems more comfortable in the SLB position right now.
Greer has been our best CB this year. No doubt about it. With the way McKelvin has played and how he just looks clueless out there, I think Greer may become a priority signing in the offseason. I have the gut feeling that McKelvin is going to be a major bust here. I just don’t like his instincts at all. I hope I’m wrong on that, but he just looks like another guy out there, not a #11 pick. Plus, he’s been borderline useless in the return game. I like Greer’s ability to blanket receivers, even when he’s forced to play 5-10 yards off the ball. He always seems to creep towards the line before the snap, while McGee is retreating. I think that’s a good reason for why one was torched in Miami, while the other wasn’t….
If Robert Royal doesn’t catch another pass here, I won’t be upset.
Lynch needs more touches. 13 carries is ridiculous for a guy who gets better as the game progresses. Come on Turk, you have to do a better job of incorporating him and getting him to the edge, too.
~K
by Kurupt on Oct 28, 2008 3:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed K, Ellison has been solid, would like more size though at SLB in the long run
Ellison has been a very solid dependable player. But in my mind he is his best as the #4 LBer and STs beast. He is so good at those things, and is smart enough to play all three LB positions. When we get DiGi back and if ODB brings in a new OLB to slide Ellison back to the #4 LB spot, we will have a beast of a LB corp that can be rotated all the time to keep the boys fresh, cannot discount that need over a 16 game schedule.
We need to extend Greer soon, because his price is just going to keep going up as the season progresses and teams see what we have in him. I think a performance incentive laden contract would be good with him since he seems to love a challenge, and rewarding him for stepping up would be a smart move. Don’t forget people, he is playing for a 4-5 contract right now, so we shouldn’t be surprised that he has stepped up his game even more from the very solid, dependable play we already knew he would give us.
As I said above, sit Royal’s fumbling butt this week, let Schouman and Fine take over, and put Steve Johnson out there as Reed’s replacement, letting him and Roscoe split the time as the slot man. Lets see what we got.
And yes, if the ball is moving on the ground like it was Sunday, there is no reason Lynch shouldn’t be touching it 20-30 times.
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
by WABillsfan on Oct 28, 2008 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sending a message to Lynch
I can’t remember a time since he has been here that Number 23 didn’t start for the Bills when he was healthy. Is it possible that the Bills were trying to send a message to him by haveing Fred play the majority of the first series and more importantly when they got in the red zone. Could Jouron be thinking that, Lynch isn’t doing the job so lets see if Freddy can. I know Lynch hasn’t been amazing this year but he has been solid, but at the same time Jackson is a capable back and I really think its possible that Dick was sending Lynch a message by favoring Freddy more in the early stages of the game to try to fire up Lynch, just like when they deactivated Big John for the season opener.
by louiethegent on Oct 28, 2008 4:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
he was hurt
DJ said he had an issue and would have been in there otherwise.
by J2 on Oct 28, 2008 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ellison has been a surprise
I still think we need another LB as a top priority in the draft or FA.
Greer should be extended.
Leodis seems to have issues on kick backs….after hearing some of his interviews…i’m wondering how smart that guy really is. I think that could be an issue. But he doesn’t make plays in the return game…its frustrating watching him after watching McGee on returns.
Robert Royal was on 97 rock this morning and i almost called him to tell him to stop fumbling and dropping passes. also that he sucks when he does those things. Lets see what Shouman brings to the table
Brian Scott has been a surprise.
Whitner does take poor angles.
Can i get 4 first round picks and 3 top FA’s so my team isn’t mediocre anymore???
by J2 on Oct 28, 2008 4:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
thank you J2
for the comical relief….I just bursted out loud at work here. I mean really when you think about, our TE crew is the biggest joke in the league. And to think we brought in courtney andersen thinking he would make the roster! Derek Fine, Derek Schouman, robert royal…..HA!
It is amazing that with no Josh Reed, I mean really who is reliable besides Evans, Lynch and Jackson???? That is it. I don’t know where catches will come from. Which is why we need marshawn to run it 25+ times on Sunday.
I will be there for my annual trip to Buffalo which I will be asking for some info on later in the week for bars and locations to hit up this weekend. Also, if anyone is going to the game Sunday I would love to meet any fellow Rumblers out tailgating before a big Bills WIN!
MARVelous
by MARVelous on Oct 28, 2008 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Agree With This Point (Robert Royal)
Yo Brian it’s your man Bdot play boy. I agree with the Robert Royal point someone else needs a shot at the TE position. This guy (R.R.) is so frustrating to watch it ain’t even funny. Inconsistent hands, poor ball security, fails to gain seperation from defenders consistently. Need I say more? Derek Schouman when given a chance has made the most of his opportunities. Last time I checked the most productive players was suppose to see the field on game day, you can’t be afraid to make changes for the better of your team to spare a player’s feelings if you want to win games. Derek just may be one of those guys who’s not a star but a consistent and productive player. With the Bills aproach on offense a TE that can average at least 8.0 yards a catch, and keep possesion of the ball once he catches it, stopping the Bills would become an even more tedious task for the opposition. Hopefully Dick (Jauron) will see the light sooner than later and give Trent another dependable weapon to throw to. Bdot-n-I’m out…..One!!!!
by Bdot on Oct 28, 2008 6:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Not sure about the Lynch part
Do you mean 23 total run plays are too few (13 for Lynch, 10 for Action Jackson)? But we must consider that, after the first drive of the second half, we had: a 3 and out, an interception after 3 plays, a fumble after 3 plays, a fumble (with safety) after 3 plays. So unluckily the opportunities to run have been scarce. The last drive was a bit more sustained, but we were already down by 9 and with less than 4 minutes to go, so it is just natural to rely more on the passing game.
by patamunzo on Oct 28, 2008 6:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Do you mean 23 total run plays are too few (13 for Lynch, 10 for Action Jackson)?
No, I mean Lynch needs to carry the ball more. There’s no way Jackson should be getting 45% of the rushing snaps, ever, unless Lynch is hurt for longer than half a series.
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by Brian Galliford on Oct 28, 2008 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed, Lynch is one of those backs that the more touches he gets, the more worn down a D becomes
A physical style runner is a premium player on road games like this one. When a guy refuses to go down and keeps punishing a D like Lynch does (or for that matter like Bettis did for years) it causes the D to become more and more timid. Lynch needs to rock 20+ times a game just in the running game, and Freddy should get about 8-10 depending on Lynch’s load. Freddy is more useful when the other team sees him less, not more.
Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....
by WABillsfan on Oct 28, 2008 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Great point. Here are the run pass ratios for all of Buffalo’s drives (I had A LOT of spare time today). I also included what time the drive started and what the score was.
Drive 1 – Buffalo down 7-0. They get the ball with 9:26 left in the first quarter.
There were 3 passes and 5 runs. The first two plays of the drive were passes and the last 3 were runs that resulted in Miami’s goal line stand.
Drive 2 – Buffalo down 7-3 and the drive started at the same time as the 2nd quarter started
5 passes and 1 run
Drive 3 – Buffalo still down 7-3. Drive started with 12:32 left in the second quarter
4 passes and 4 runs
Drive 4 – Buffalo down 7-6. Started with 7:17 left in the second quarter
3 passes and 3 runs
Drive 5 – Buffalo still down 7-6. Drive started with 1:36 left in the first half
6 passes and 1 run – two minute drill explains the difference.
Drive 6 – Buffalo up 9-7 as the second half starts
3 passes and 4 runs – I included an Edwards scramble as a pass since that was the play call
Drive 7 – Buffalo up 16-10 with 7:56 left in the third quarter
1 pass and 2 runs – the only pass play turned into another Trent scramble
Drive 8 – Buffalo down 17-16 with 1:15 left in third quarter
2 passes and 1 run – drive ended due to the INT
Drive 9 – Buffalo down 20-16 with 13:17 left in the game
4 passes and no runs – passes 2,3 and 4 were run out of the no huddle. I’m assuming Turk still calls the plays despite the team not huddling up?
Drive 10 – Buffalo still down 20-16 with 8:01 left in the game
3 passes and no runs – drive ended with the sack and safety
Drive 11 – Buffalo down 25-16 with 3:53 left
7 passes and 1 run
So Buffalo didn’t abandon the pass until the 4th quarter. Whether or not Turk panicked is debatable. There was still plenty of time for the Bills to regain the lead with their normal offense during drives 10 and 11. But considering that Bills had a 6 to 1 pass to run ratio while in their 2 minute offense at the end of the first half and a 7 to 1 playcall difference when the game was largely out of reach, maybe the whole Turk should have run the ball more argument is a little overblown.
by kaisertown on Oct 28, 2008 7:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’ve got more on this type of breakdown scheduled for tomorrow morning. Some disturbing trends that lead back to our “slow start” theories…
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by Brian Galliford on Oct 28, 2008 7:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I’m excited already. I love this type of stuff.
by kaisertown on Oct 28, 2008 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Question on McCargo for anyone...
How was he in Miami after the trade debacle. I saw him in there and getting some push; we did good against the run overall; and he was stadning right behind Jauron at times on the sideline (always a sign a player is looking to change things around)
The Bills CAN win every game
by killascript on Oct 29, 2008 10:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm STILL baffled over this one too!
Tuesday (trade deadline-day) a Buffalo Bill traded to Indy. Wednesday – FAIL Indy’s physical & shipped back to the BILLS. Thursday he is practicing w/ the BILLS. WHAT???? How does that happen? And yes, I saw him out there on the field against Miami too and was just wondering, (Sorry Vince Lomabardi), “what the hell is going on here?” Confusing to say the least.
If anyone has ANY knowledge of what’s been going on w/ 97, please pass it on.
Thanks . . .
Season Ticket Holder Sec: 312, Row: 15
"There's NO place like home when it's the Big Tree Inn"
by Pocono Bob on Oct 29, 2008 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well McCargo failed the trade on a technicality. he has a bulging disc in his back and the bulge is minor to the point where he is experiences no symptoms. If I could ask just one question and get one straight answer about the McCargo situation I would ask the Colts why they voided the trade. It is essentially a non-injury. They might have been concerned about the disc rupturing, but if the Bills doctors were worried about that, then he wouldn’t be practicing and playing. He seems like an injury prone player to me, so maybe after giving him a physical they realized how beat up his joints and body are in general and I’m sure they got a good look at how he takes care (or doesn’t take care) of himself. I wouldn’t be surprised if they gave him the full physical, realized that he is a huge injury risk that will probably have a short career and just found a reason for him to fail the physical so they could void the trade.
As to why he back to playing with the team, I was surprised that people were surprised. As long as you know that he can play with a bulging disc without pain or the potential for the injury to get worse, than why wouldn’t he stay with the team? I didn’t get why people thought he would be released. Even if they traded him because of work ethic, I don’t see how that would keep him off the field, you still have to play your best players. If McCargo is lazy and that limits his ability to get better, but is still your 4th best defensive tackle, than you have to treat him like your 4th best defensive tackle and play him accordingly.
I thought he played pretty well on Sunday. He certainly isn’t the penetrating player we saw last year, but he held his ground, even well being double teamed. He is an adequate run stuffer and a good compliment to Spencer Johnson as a bench mate at the very least.
by kaisertown on Oct 29, 2008 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks K-town
Thats’ about the MOST elaborating EXCUSE/EXPLANATION I’ve heard since the trade was voided……
I wasn’t complaining about him being out on the field Sunday, more confused than anything. Maybe he can get his act together and we can see some of the good things we saw from him last year from all of this. Could be yet ANOTHER wake up call for the big-guy…. Lets hope so anyway.
Season Ticket Holder Sec: 312, Row: 15
"There's NO place like home when it's the Big Tree Inn"
by Pocono Bob on Oct 29, 2008 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I liked to see him in there, and I did think that I saw him play adequately…just curious what those with mre keen insight thought. Thanks
The Bills CAN win every game
by killascript on Oct 29, 2008 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
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