Scott's return could glue Bills' D back together

by Brian Galliford on Nov 10, 2009 8:55 AM EST in News Comment 66 comments

The Buffalo Bills face a curious problem at the safety position right now. Opening day starters Donte Whitner and Bryan Scott have each missed at least four starts this season, and while they've been down, rookie Jairus Byrd has established himself as one of the elite young players at his position. Now that Whitner and Scott are close returning to the lineup, the Bills have three legitimate starting safeties, but only two starting spots to occupy.

Luckily for the Bills, Bryan Scott is a multi-faceted weapon. He's also a team player and a genuinely good guy, which makes removing him from the "starting" lineup all the easier. Byrd is a candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year and the team's best defensive playmaker by miles, so he's not going anywhere. Whitner won't sit, either, considering his versatility in coverage and the level of play he exhibited prior to his various injuries.

Even if Scott doesn't start - and if both Byrd and Whitner are healthy, he won't (not at safety, anyway) - you're going to see a lot of him. He might just be Buffalo's best run defender, and given the fact that the Bills sport the No. 32-ranked run defense in the NFL, Scott's return to the lineup may be of critical importance, even if he's not technically a starter.

Scott's presence makes a difference defending run
Scott has only played in part of three games this season. He got hurt mid-way through the Bills' Week 3 loss to undefeated New Orleans, meaning he's been available to Perry Fewell for roughly ten quarters this season. In those ten quarters, Buffalo surrendered 219 rushing yards to New England (the NFL's No. 16-ranked rush offense), Tampa Bay (No. 25, thanks to a lot of late-game passing) and New Orleans (No. 5). Since his departure from the lineup, the Bills have surrendered 1,170 rushing yards in 22 quarters. That stat jumps from 22 yards per quarter to 53 yards per quarter with Scott out of the lineup.

That's not to say that Scott is the key to Buffalo's run defense. The flood gates have certainly opened since he's been out of the lineup, but in all fairness to his teammates, they've faced four of the top five rushing offenses in the entire league (New York, Carolina, Miami and the second half of that New Orleans game) without him. That certainly won't help your statistical cause. (The Bills face the league's No. 2-ranked rushing offense this week in Tennessee, and the No. 6-ranked attack the following week in Jacksonville, by the way.)

But let's not pretend that Scott's absence wasn't a blow, either. He racked up 27 tackles in less than three games. Even with all the time he's missed, he's still third on the team in tackles at the safety position, behind fill-in George Wilson (54) and Byrd (32). Unlike Byrd and Wilson, Scott is technically sound, makes an impact in the box, and has the ability to make plays in the backfield consistently. You can't take that type of player off the field and not expect to see a decline in play.

Potential roles
As mentioned, Byrd will continue to start at free safety, and Whitner will probably still see the lion's share of his work at strong safety. Fewell has, however, found ways to incorporate three safeties into his defensive packages in years past, with Whitner playing a rover position or lining up in the slot. In those cases, Scott could line up at strong safety.

More likely, you'll see Byrd and Whitner take coverage responsibilities, allowing Scott to take the majority of his reps in the box - because let's face it, the run defense can use all the help it can get. Scott has been taking reps at linebacker for the past two weeks, and it's possible he could see time in that role as well, particularly if either starting outside linebacker, Chris Draft or Nic Harris (if Keith Ellison can't go), is injured or fails to live up to the task.

That versatility has been sorely missed - not just from Scott, mind you, but from Whitner as well. Byrd and Wilson have made more than their fair share of plays while Scott and Whitner sat out, but those two players are limited schematically. Byrd is strictly a free safety at this point, and Wilson is a severe liability defending the run. Whitner's versatility allows the Bills to play more matchup coverage in their defensive backfield and, more importantly, get better players in position to make plays against the run.

But as important as Whitner is - even against the run - it's Scott's return that could prove to be the most important to a potential Bills playoff run. Buffalo's chances are slim at best, but they become non-existent if they can't improve against the run, particularly with run-heavy teams coming up on the schedule. Scott isn't a dynamic enough player to turn the league's worst run defense into anything more than an average run defense. But if he can get Buffalo to average - and if the defense finally gets a little help from Buffalo's offense - anything can happen.

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The Bills could play a nickel look with 3 safeties and Draft/Ellison and Poz out there. I fully expect Scott to be out there at linebacker this week, leaving Whitner and Scott at safety. Get that rover talk out of here and just move Scott up into the box, people.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
"Matt’s pretty valuable to y’all. Cherish him." - BG

by MattRichWarren on Nov 10, 2009 9:01 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Get that rover talk out of here and just move Scott up into the box, people.

Not on passing downs. And believe it or not, Buffalo still forces their fair share of passing downs per game.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Nov 10, 2009 9:05 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I’m sure eventually the NFL will wise up and do 90% running plays on the Bills in the future.

Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.

by UZ on Nov 10, 2009 4:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

once again

the wild card is coaching. We can theorize what SHOULD happen and how best to utilize the talent at hand, however, our theories don’t always wash with the Bills’ “experts”. Your assessment is sound and logical.
The good news is Jauron is defense minded ( to the point it’s a handicap for the offense) so you would “assume” he has a sound defensive game plan. But, you know what they say about “assume”.

by fansince60 on Nov 10, 2009 9:23 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I didn’t say anything new, though. Buffalo has been using the 3 S and Scott-in-the-box look for two years now.

Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott

by Brian Galliford on Nov 10, 2009 9:33 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

true

and I would assume it would continue. But, again, there have been times when logic has escaped the decision making.

by fansince60 on Nov 10, 2009 9:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Scott in the Box, sounds better than Jack.

Lendale White really hasn’t surfaced this season so that is a good thing for us. Chris Johnson is like a Bat flying at night time. Add Vince Young and oh boy. Bringing Scott into the box is a must.

But lets not forget what Ryan Moats did to us. This is a great situation for us getting scott back along with Whitner. I hope McGee can go as well mainly because of his speed in the secondary. Remember him chasing down Thomas Jones. Almost caught him before the score. McGee came from the other side of the field.

We need to get Williams, Schobel and Ellison back on the field to help against Johnson and Young. Ryan Moats, not Slaton ran us out of the game in week eight. That was with Williams, Ellison and Schobel sidelined due to injury. Eight in the box may be two close to those two runners with out our starting three DL/LB.

The key could be a ball control offense keeping the Titans offense off the field. Hopefully the return of the other scott and nelson will help enough offensively for this to happen.

Excuses are a sign of weakness!!!!!!

by VanScottM on Nov 10, 2009 9:46 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

The key could be a ball control offense keeping the Titans offense off the field.

I think that’s been the key to every game this season. The only problem is Buffalo probabably in the top 5 for 3 and outs. The only way Buffalo is going to keep the Titans offense off the field longer is if the Refs generously increase the time on the play clock when Buffalo has the ball.

Trample the weak, hurdle the dead!

by fansince83 on Nov 10, 2009 11:39 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

In three-and-outs, Pats rank top six both ways – AFC East – ESPN
The Buffalo Bills are 19th on offense at 36.8 percent and 17th on defense at 35.6 percent.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
"Matt’s pretty valuable to y’all. Cherish him." - BG

by MattRichWarren on Nov 10, 2009 12:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/5813/in-three-and-outs-pats-rank-top-six-both-ways

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
"Matt’s pretty valuable to y’all. Cherish him." - BG

by MattRichWarren on Nov 10, 2009 12:22 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Great Covering TE's

Don’t forget Scott’s other major talent — he is the best guy we have for covering TE’s, and with TE’s playing a larger and larger role in offenses throughout the league his contribution there is increasingly important. It’s also why there’s a good reason to keep him in on passing downs.

by Macktruck on Nov 10, 2009 9:47 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Chicken Or The Egg

Have the Bills faced elite rushing offenses over the past month or have those teams jumped in the rushing standings because they faced the Bills’ woeful rush defense?

Of course we could make things more challenging, Lisa, but then the stupider students would be in here complaining, furrowing their brows in a vain attempt to understand the situation--Seymour Skinner

by Ron From NM on Nov 10, 2009 10:31 AM EST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Well the Bills played only one game against those teams. It stands to reason that those teams did at least an above-average job against other competition as well.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
"Matt’s pretty valuable to y’all. Cherish him." - BG

by MattRichWarren on Nov 10, 2009 11:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know about that...

The Jets basically got two games worth of rushing yard out of the Bills game. That sort of thing takes a while to average back out…

by Ron From NM on Nov 10, 2009 12:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Chris Johnson

IMO, is the best RB in football. He does everything, run, catch, block and his speed is on a whole other level than anyone else in the league. He makes everything look so easy. I think the Bills are in big trouble this week. Those runs we gave up to the Jets in the Meadowlands, those are all 80 yd TD’s for C Johnson. So, your point Brian is very accurate. Scott’s angles and pursuit from the LB or S position are critical this week. Especially if we are without Williams and/or Schobel on the DL. Vince Young cannot beat us throwing. We got to put 8-9 in the box and be super sound in the fits, as to not overpursue or get out of position and see Johnson scamper 80 yards on a HR TD run (no matter how good it would be for my fantasy team)

MARVelous - "I went from America's team to North America's Team" Terrell Owens

by MARVelous on Nov 10, 2009 10:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I’d take Peterson over Johnson in a heart beat – but to each his own

I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying
Trent Edwards - Backup QB until furthur notice. Care to prove me wrong Trent?

by J2 on Nov 10, 2009 11:02 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I agree he is an outstanding back...

but let’s not get carried away, he runs poor routes and doesn’t have the best hands. He also is a below-average pass blocker. He is a pure speed back with potential for more.

by NorCal BillsFan on Nov 10, 2009 4:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So he's better than Adrian Peterson then, right?

since he’s much better in the passing game than Peterson is….

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Nov 10, 2009 11:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Can Scott play DL?

If he is that important to our run defense and that versitile, why not? How about the Pittsburgh safeties last night…

They have their corners play man to man all over the field. Then with Polumalo and the other guy they had playing last night, all those guys do is roam the field and read the QB’s eyes to go make plays. They aren’t responsible for any one assignment most of the time like cover the deep corner of the field (our 2-deep coverage), all they do is blitz or make plays on the ball.

Of course they are able to do that in the secondary because the Front 4-5 for “Blitzburgh” are putting significant pressure on the QB to force him to throw the ball sooner than he wants. The Bills now have the talent at Safety to make them roamers… I think with Florence and McGee we have the talent to play man coverage all over the field. We just don’t have enough pass rush to pressure the opposing QB’s. A 3rd and long would help every now and again.

by dabillsr1 on Nov 10, 2009 11:03 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

I would love for us to load the box the VAST majority of the game.

All hands on deck is what I say. VY is as pedestrian as they come throwing the football. Something tells me that loading the box still won’t help because we’ll keep playing undisciplined run defense and overpursuing on every play. Just once I would like to see someone on a reverse sniffed out and dropped in the backfield for a loss. As well as our DL has played this year, they’re as guilty as anyone. I’m going to be at this game with my gf, so I’m hoping for a good showing. If we’re not making the playoffs, I’m praying for a 5-11 record with victories against TEN and KC because I’m going to those games.

by live6453 on Nov 10, 2009 11:22 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

In his two games, VY has played well because he’s played within himself, thrown short quick passes, and not tried to be the hero. If Tennessee wins, it has to be because VY beat us, not because Johnson beat us. Hell, put 9 in the box and force VY to win the game. Hopefully, he’ll pull a Sanchez and gift wrap the ball to Byrd.

Trample the weak, hurdle the dead!

by fansince83 on Nov 10, 2009 11:41 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not true...

Heimerdinger called up two long pass plays from VY to Gage of more than 40 yards in the game. They have some weapons on the outside and at TE that could be utilized if they want.

Remember the Titans were 13-3 last year and had some really close tough losses earlier this year (Pittsburgh) with injuries to their secondary that compiled their losses (NE) that made them seem worse than they were.

With Collins at QB, they aren’t going to come from behind too often and it showed. They have their secondary back now, their defense is getting use to playing without Haynsworth and they are starting to get back to their winning ways.

Buffalo can win this game, but it won’t be easy. Plus they can easily lose this game if we don’t score and our offense is horrendous like it has been.

by dabillsr1 on Nov 10, 2009 1:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Something I’ve also noticed the Bills doing is taking a CB off the field if the offense brings only 1 WR on the field in a jumbo package. With less passing options, and the Titans have very few IMO, we could see some 3 safety and 3 LB packages again which helps us out with McGee being out.

B-B-B-Byrd Byrd Byrd, Byrd is the Wyrd!"

by willgarr15 on Nov 10, 2009 11:44 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

im not sure we can really say anything like force VY to beat us because chances are he will…

Saints game – force pierre to beat us. he did.
Phins game – force henne to beat us. he did.
Texans game – force their running game to beat us. and moats (2nd string) did.

We as a defense have to be able to stop an entire offense. I hate the “force ______ to beat us” How can you say force anyone to beat you and be taken seriously… We should be saying lets shut theyre O down and score some freakin points. Idk what it is about that saying but I hate it. Every game against buffalo for years weve said that and guess what… majority of the time someone has a CAREER DAY against us. Its disgusting, we’re always someones coming out party.

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 12:51 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Chad Henne didn't beat us

Not even close

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Nov 10, 2009 12:59 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

he made the throws he had to. and they won his first start of his career by quite a signifcant amount. but thats not my whole point. My point is why cant we say we’re going to stop an entire team… have a good day both in pass and run D. The forcing someone to beat us doesnt work out in our favor more than it does. So why continue to say it… not saying you personally have said it but I see that statement every week.

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 1:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The logic is that unless the Bills commit to stopping the run, Chris Johnson and the Tennessee Titans will run all over us. The problem with your theory is that the Bills havn’t actually been able to force any of those guys to beat us. We didn’t force the Houston run game to do anything. They were never put in tough spots as Schaub threw all over us. The Dolphins running game picked up twice as much yardage as Henne did that game. How is that forcing Henne to beat us? Maybe if Buffalo actually had forced Henne to win that game, we wouldnt’ have been blown out.

I signed up for Second Life about a year ago. Back then my life was so great that I literally wanted a second one. In my Second Life I was also a paper salesman and I was also named Dwight. Absolutely everything was the same. Except I could fly. - Dwight Schrute

by kaisertown on Nov 10, 2009 1:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So as long as we didnt get blown out thats ok? a loss is a loss…

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 1:47 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I didn’t say that at all. What I was trying to say was that while we have discussed the whole make X player beat us strategy before, I don’t think the Bills have actually forced any of the guys you mentioned to beat us (with the exception of Drew Brees/NO run game, which actually worked pretty well). We didn’t make the Houston run game beat us. Schaub recovered from a rocky start to beat up on us. Chad Henne threw for 112 yards against us.

by kaisertown on Nov 10, 2009 7:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The NO and Houston game are exactly the same thing. We wanted the opposing team to not beat us thru the air. Brees was #1 and Schaub I believe was #6 QB’s ranked coming into their games against us. So the plan was to “force them to beat us with the run”.

My point is why is our team, who did what they WANTED to do by forcing them to not beat us with their #1 asset, un able to stop the run. That is the way the bills went into those games… with the mentality that they want the other team to run against us. The Saints and Texans both went to their 2nd best asset (run game) thats what we wanted. And they still torched us. Yes Schaub put up good yardage but no points thru the air.

Maybe we’re just not looking at it thru the same pair of glasses here… idk its hard to explain. I guess the way im seeing it as the coaching staff didnt believe we could stop their passing attacks so they say “make ____ beat us” but then when that actually happens we still cant do it. They did what we wanted them to but we still werent ready for it. You can use the D was tired and we played good for 3.5 quarters. But games arent 3.5 quarters. And I know our O sucks and thats part of the problem… but it just seems that if we can dictate what we want the other O to do and we still cant stop it then we have more problems than we thought, which was alot to begin with.

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 7:57 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

When we talk about forcing someone to beat us

That means shutting down what the opposition does well. When talking about forcing Henne to beat the Bills, we talk about shutting down the Dolphins run game to make Henne make plays. The Bills didn’t come close to even slowing the Dolphins run game, so Henne didn’t have to do anything to beat our Bills.

~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."

by Kurupt on Nov 10, 2009 1:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and the throws he had to made is something that I have be able to say about a Bills QB since weeks 1-4 last year. So its been over a year since any of our QB’s have played a game I can be proud of. If I was a phins fan I would have been proud of that performance. Only 115 yards but he made the throws to pick up 3rd down conversions and thats another thing we havent seen from our QB’s. Helps when his RB’s dont dance in the backfield and actually run down hill and gain positive yards. I understand he didnt go 27-30 for 300+ and 3 scores but he could have easily lost that game for him being it was his first start and Trent looked more like he was in his first start that day.

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 1:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The whole point of the force someone to beat you argument...

is to eliminate what a team does best and force the responsibility for the opposing team’s success on what you perceive as a lesser threat. That’s what Belicheat has been doing for years with Lee Evans and our running game. He puts it on Trent, JP, Bledsoe, etc. to try to earn a victory. Your argument is somewhat misguided because you should be making it from the standpoint that our team still has to execute on their end on gameday.

The New Orleans game was about not letting Brees beat us, and he didn’t. The problem was our offense was unable to do a damn thing that day in order to help keep our gassed defense off the field. They held up for 3.5 quarters, which with a normally functioning and even average offensive performance, it would’ve been a completely different ballgame.

I think in the Miami game the almost 300 yards on the ground we gave up might have something to do with losing that game as well as Trent’s pick-6 and the Scott/Chambers tackle debacle.

The Houston game followed the exact same script as the New Orleans game, but our offense came up well short yet again. If we could ‘ve sustained a few more drives in any of these games we’d likely have been the victors with the commendable performances of our beleaguered D

by live6453 on Nov 10, 2009 1:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200810190buf.htm
Don’t forget week 6…

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200811230kan.htm
week 11…

http://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200812210den.htm
or week 16.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
"Matt’s pretty valuable to y’all. Cherish him." - BG

by MattRichWarren on Nov 10, 2009 3:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

ill give you week 6…

But I said that I would be proud of. In no way was I proud of Trents numbers against a joke of a KC team and putting up numbers when the team is out of playoff contention like we were against Denver means nothing to me. 17-25 for 193 is nothing to be proud of. Would you expect fans of Indy saying “Oh boy Peyton threw for almost 200 yards in a game!!” or any other winning team for that matter. The fact that, the Denver games numbers are looked at as a good game for a starting quarterback in this league is disgusting…

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 3:35 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

And people want to bring in Vick whose numbers are worse than that…..

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
"Matt’s pretty valuable to y’all. Cherish him." - BG

by MattRichWarren on Nov 10, 2009 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I most certainly am not one of them..

he will and should never be a STARTING QB in this league again. Its crazy to think so. So i agree with you there.

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 5:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Not Fair...

To compare expectations for Edwards to those of Manning…it would be more fair to compare K. Orton with Trent Edwards in terms of expectations and whether or not an outcome is described as good or bad. 200 yds for Peyton is bad, 200 yds for Trent is acceptable. 250 for Peyton is acceptable, 250 for Edwards is great. 300 for Peyton is good, 300 for Edwards is unfathomable.

Many consecutive games of 200 yds or more is a good goal for TE to try to acheive.

by NorCal BillsFan on Nov 10, 2009 6:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Why is it not fair to compare what we have to the best in the league… if anything thats what you want to compare to. I am not looking for Buffalo to have Kyle Ortons numbers at QB… we have that now. I understand Edwards is no Manning (not many are). I dont want to watch my quarterback for the next few years still throwing for almost 200 yards and us thinking thats acceptable. Yet to not have a 300 yard game in his 3rd year as a starter… not good. And im not saying that we need 300 yards in the air every game either but i dont think ONCE is out of line.

And as far as a goal for Edwards… I think winning games and possibly making some nice moderate to dare i say…. deep throws should be something he should be worrying about.

Doesnt really matter about edwards anymore tho, this team should be blown up and re-built next year. God I hope…

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 6:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

well we have Ortons numbers, minus the W – L columns…

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 6:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Its the same in an industry...

There are 32 NFL starting QB jobs in the world… comparing them to the best is what you have to measure yourself up against. Whats the point in comparing Edwards to the 15-20th best QB in the league?

In my job we’re compared to all like business’s… Every company is going for and competing against the #1… not the average at best.

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 6:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, you’re right, the game plan should be “shut THEIR O down and score some freakin points.” No one said “force Pierre to beat us.” He didn’t play til the second half! Kurupt is right, it wasn’t just Henne that beat us, their ENTIRE offense beat us.

But I’m sure that given how this season has gone, the game plan should be “shut THEIR O down and score some freakin points.” I can see DJ in the locker room now, “It’s as simple as that boys. Shut THEIR O down. Donte, Aaron, Paul, Marcus, just shut THEIR O down.”

The reason someone has a career day against us is because we don’t have a complete defense. No one can stay healthy. One week it’s the LBs, another week it’s the secondary, and then it’s the line. Good coaching on other teams figure out that weeks weakness and exploit it. Oh yeah, and it doesn’t help that the defense plays 2/3rds of the game while the offense watches.

Trample the weak, hurdle the dead!

by fansince83 on Nov 10, 2009 1:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Amen brother, couldn't have said it better myself! Although an attempt was made.

by live6453 on Nov 10, 2009 1:40 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

well if THEIR entire offense beat us then i would include Henne in that being that he is THEIR starting quarterback… And when we say dont let Brees beat us would that also mean we would WANT THEM TO RUN. so dont you think we should be able to stop what we want them to do!! Thats the point of this whole thing. Yes we did what we wanted to do by forcing THEIR top thing on offense whether it be THEIR running game or passing game and we still couldnt stop it. It makes no sense that we did want we wanted to on Defense yet we still couldnt stop it.

Dont let Brees beat us, force them to run.
WE DIDNT LET BREES BEAT US AND THEN RAN. That was the original plan, thats what we game planned 6 days for and they still didnt do it.

same for the texans game. insert schaub for brees.

Ill give you the dolphins game. He didnt have a great game and THEIR running game killed us but when you say THEIR entire O beat us you have to include Henne in that.

thanks for the english lesson too. needed it

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 1:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah if Jauron isnt in the locker room yelling at the damn players on this team to man up and stop someone then somethings wrong. Youre obviously being sarcastic there so what would you like Jauron to say to them at halftime. I would love to hear it…

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 2:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jauron

yelling

Well there’s your problem.

Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.

by UZ on Nov 10, 2009 4:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

haha true.

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 5:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You’re absoulely right (and you’re welcome for the english lesson). Of course Henne beat us, so did Pat White and Tyler Thigpen, they’re on the roster too!

And we did want NO to run, and run they did. However, they didn’t beat us with it until the 4th quarter when our defense was exhausted. No one accounted for our offenses complete lack of ability to stay on the field and give the D a breather. If, and this is a big if, the offense had held on to the ball longer, our guys may have been fresher and kept NO from putting up 17 points in the 4th.

Insert Houston for NO and you have the EXACT same situation (except Houston put up 22 in the 4th). Our defense did exactly what they needed to, but again, they didn’t account for the total lack of execution of our offense.

Everyone knows Chris Johnson is one of the 2 best backs in the league. Now, assuming after a bye week the offense can sustain even a single drive, then the defense needs to shut down Johnson and force Vince Young to beat them. If they don’t, it’s going to be a long, long day. End of lesson.

Trample the weak, hurdle the dead!

by fansince83 on Nov 10, 2009 2:29 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

No one accounted for our offenses complete lack of ability to stay on the field and give the D a breather

where have you been since jaurons been here… thats an every week thing… I highly doubt our D thinks our O is going to go out there and put up tons of points for them. THEY’RE yet to in 3+ years under him.

and going into next week if we shut down chris johnson (under 100 yards and only one score?) you dont think VY can beat us? He did as a rookie at our place when we were playing for a playoff birth. Now they’ve won 2 straight under him and eventhough they have a worse record than us they are clearly a better team than us.

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 2:34 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Sure

I fully believe he can beat us. He has before, as you happily pointed out. However, he is a much different player now than he was then. He was benched for over a year! In the two games he’s been back, Johnson has rushed for 363 yards. All VY did was protect the ball, not take chances, and not throw the INTs that Collins had. That’s why I say, shut down Johnson and make VY beat you. If he does, Buffalo DESERVES to lose!

I don’t care if you hate the phrase, “Make so and so beat you.” It’s the point behind it that matters. If Johnson runs all over them, Buffalo will more than likely lose. VY would have to pull a Sanchez for them not to.

Tell me, what makes them clearly a better team? They’re 2-6 (buffalo is 3-5), their offense is 20th in the league (Buffalo-29th), their defense is 31st (buffalo- 24th), they’ve scored 148 points on the season (Buffalo- 123) and allowed 238 (Buffalo- 169). If they’re clearly a better team, it’s clear as mud. In reality, both teams stink.

Trample the weak, hurdle the dead!

by fansince83 on Nov 10, 2009 3:07 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

you personally dont think tennessee is better than us?
I understand both of us arent playoff teams but I would say the Titans are a hell of a lot closer to that than we are right now.

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 3:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

They were 0-6. I don’t know if they are better than the Bills but we’ll find out together. They were certainly awful to start the year.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008.
"Matt’s pretty valuable to y’all. Cherish him." - BG

by MattRichWarren on Nov 10, 2009 4:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah they certainly were not a good team in the begining of the year… but I still believe they are a better all around team than us. But like you said we’ll find out together. And I hope im wrong or else I wouldnt be a bills fan. Heres to a 8-0 second half!

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 5:06 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

The Bills lost to the Patriots in NE by 1 point.

The Titans lost to the Patriots in NE by… what was it, 59?

I think the Bills are a better team, yes.

Bills fan? In Colorado? It's more likely than you think.

by UZ on Nov 10, 2009 4:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

well then we’re better than the patriots cuz we beat the jets and the jets beat the patriots… come on thats not a valid point.

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 5:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes, I, fansince83, personally think Buffalo is a better team. Are they playing better at the moment, we’ll find out sunday. But yes, I personally think we have the better team.

Trample the weak, hurdle the dead!

by fansince83 on Nov 10, 2009 6:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So the Titans have to shut down whome on the bills to win?

"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone" -Marshawn Lynch-

by billsoferie on Nov 10, 2009 6:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

whom

"Hold ya chin up...nuh nuh nuh...gone" -Marshawn Lynch-

by billsoferie on Nov 10, 2009 6:56 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Byrd

is the word

Trample the weak, hurdle the dead!

by fansince83 on Nov 10, 2009 6:58 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

So if the bills shut down Byrd we win?

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 7:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I mean titans shut down byrd

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 7:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Just a joke

Byrd has been our best offensive asset lately. Shut down Byrd, shut down the Buffalo offense. Haha.

Trample the weak, hurdle the dead!

by fansince83 on Nov 10, 2009 7:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I guess...

I just want to ask why you think the Titans are a better team than Buffalo? Believe me I want us to win as much as you do but I just dont see us being a better team than Tennessee right now.

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 7:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

You mean to ask why I think buffalo is better than tennessee?

I don’t necessarily think the Bills are better or worse than the Titans, but I don’t think there’s much of a difference between the two. That’s why I took the time to look up those useless facts, just to show that both teams are marginal at best. I just want a win, like you, like all of us trolling this site when we should be working, watching the kids, paying bills, etc etc.

Trample the weak, hurdle the dead!

by fansince83 on Nov 10, 2009 7:54 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

haha no doubt.

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 8:01 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

and actually yes I do think White and Thygpen beat us on account of the Dolphins are 1-0 against us…

People in western New York would respect you a lot more if you went out, busted butt and they saw it in the way you did things on and off the field. - Darryl Talley

by bflo on Nov 10, 2009 2:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs