Buffalo Rumblings: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:


Pro Quality. Fan Perspective.
Login-facebook
Network Message: 50% Off: CBS/SB Nation Fantasy Baseball

Keys to Victory: Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars

After a very eventful week, the struggling Buffalo Bills head south to Florida to take on the suddenly surging Jacksonville Jaguars. Perry Fewell will be coaching his first game as the Bills' interim head coach and looks to start off on a positive note.  It'll be a tough challenge, as the ravaged Bills defense faces another tough running back matchup, going against Maurice Jones-Drew and his league-leading 12 touchdowns.

With new leadership, a new starting quarterback and even more new starters on defense, it's tough to figure out how well the Bills will play this week. Who knows? Maybe the biggest question that needs to be answered this week is what there will be more of heading into the game: Bills players on Injured Reserve or tarped over sections of seats in Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. If the Bills come to play, this is yet another winnable game. Let's see how they can get it done.

Star-divide

Give Fitzpatrick a chance: I don't know if it was a coincidence or not, but the Bills have done a better job protecting Ryan Fitzpatrick, who has been sacked just four times.  That's roughly once every 19 passes he's thrown.  Trent Edwards on the other hand has been sacked 21 times, roughly every 9 passes.  It's probably not so much the blocking as it is Fitzpatrick making quicker decisions and getting rid of the ball.  He needs to continue that this week, but the blocking needs to give him a chance to make some plays against a Jacksonville secondary missing their best piece (Rashean Mathis).  If Fitzpatrick is hurried and under duress all day, it's going to lead to turnovers and some terrible passes.  That can't happen if the Bills want to pull the upset.

Show some semblance of a ground game: With Andy Levitre over at tackle and Seth McKinney in the lineup, is it possible the run blocking could be a little more physical this week?  Could that mean more success? Who knows, but they are facing the 22nd ranked run defense this week, so the opportunities will certainly be there.  The Jaguars are also likely to be without starting MLB Justin Durant.  Fewell had his guys in pads on a Wednesday this week, for the first time in a long time, so maybe that small adjustment could lead to a more physical approach on Sunday.  Let's hope so.

Hit some slants to Evans: He hasn't played well at all, but Fitzpatrick did seem interested in getting the ball to Lee Evans more while he was in the lineup before.  He showed a willingness to throw the slant and actually completed a few.  I really want to see more of this and would love to see Evans get his chances against a mediocre Jaguars secondary. 

Take away MoJo's mojo: This is pretty much the exact same key as last week against the Titan when the Bills needed to slow down Chris Johnson.  It's highly unlikely that they'll actually shut him down, but avoiding big plays is a must.  They need to watch out for Jones-Drew in the passing game as well as he's one of the better RB's out of the backfield in the NFL.

Shut down Sims-Walker: Mike Sims-Walker has burst onto the scene this year and become a legit No. 1 WR for the Jaguars.  He's had an excellent season to date, and it's not coincidence that when he performs well, the Jaguars tend to win.  They are 3-1 when he scores a touchdown and 4-1 when he has six or more receptions.  The banged up Bills secondary will need to focus on slowing Sims-Walker down, in addition to helping keep Jones-Drew from hitting on some big plays, so its obviously easier said than done.

Play like hell and win: Perry Fewell's motto is a simple one, and a good one to follow.  Let's hope the players take his guidance to heart and go all out to try and win his first game.  It'll be nice to see the team play off the head coach's personality and passion, in a good way, for once.

*****


That's it.  There's not much else to add, in my opinion.  The Bills look to be in a hopeless situation with injuries, coaching changes and a quarterback shuffle, in addition to their normal ineptitude.  I hope they can play well and not get embarrassed. That's pretty much where this team is at this point, so a nice performance would be a pleasant surprise.  Go Bills!

0 recs  |  Comment 21 comments |

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Display:

It’s highly unlikely that they’ll actually shut him down, but avoiding big plays is a must.

In my opinion this is impossible to do. Giving up big plays in the running game is by far the only consistent thing about this team – you know every game there will be at least two if not more. D’Angelo Williams, THomas Jones, Chris Johnson, Ryan Moats…all of these guys are inferior to MJD. I’m terrified of what his stat sheet will look like.

"you just have to know there's always going to be adversity. None of these games are going to be easy. Nothing will be given to us" - Paul Posluszny

by poz on Nov 21, 2009 12:46 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Chris Johnson is not inferior

to anyone. DeAngelo Williams is damn good too.

The Bills didn’t allow a huge run to Johnson last week, so I guess that was good. Too bad they allowed a whole bunch of 10 yarders….

~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 21, 2009 12:48 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

to anyone?

If the Bills could have any running back I’d take Adrian Peterson, Steven Jackson and MJD over him. Steven Jackson is doing unfathomable things in St Louis with no o-line, no QB, no receivers. Sounds like us without the receivers. And they are playing behind with a terrible defense.

ten yarders were terrible. He did have that pitch for a pretty large chunk and that double tackle break on the goal line should count as a big play. Or maybe a small play by our defense.

"you just have to know there's always going to be adversity. None of these games are going to be easy. Nothing will be given to us" - Paul Posluszny

by poz on Nov 21, 2009 12:56 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Hm

I would say that they are different type of backs and therefore can’t be compared justly. Johnson reminds me of Barry Sanders a bit. Sure, not in looks but in style. He plays better with the option, draws and pitches are his specialty. He’s an outside, corner runner. His acceleration is amazing. But I honestly think that he is the product of a team that has no other real attack threat. Adrian Peterson, I think, is the best all-around back. He is great between the tackles, outside, in the flats… he can do everything great.

MJD is a between the tackles back, for the most part. He can get to the edge, too, but he is really special between the tackles. And that is something that could be disastrous for the Bills tomorrow, with all of their DL injuries. Could be – I don’t follow the Bills often, so just know what I’ve read. MJD ran better against the Jet’s number 2 defense than Chris Johnson did. So… I dunno. I won’t say who is better, but MJD will certainly be on the mind of every Bill’s defender when they go to bed tonight.

by alwaysforgiven821 on Nov 21, 2009 5:00 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

LeVitre at LT

This will be an interesting game for us with LeVitre getting the start at LT. I Like Chambers at the right tackle spot as well. Scott wouldn’t be a bad option, but the kid has been away and has alot on his plate lately. This does bring to mind the switching of Wood and Hangartner from center to RG and vice versa. Wood is young, huge and possibly a better fit in the future. I too am reaching for some sort of running game in this offense. I honestly believe that once we get that portion of the offense moving than Fitz will be more than adequate getting the ball to Owens and Evans.

Why in the world has our running game been so damn stagnant, these guys learn how to run block in grade school. I don’t get it. Anyways, as far fetched as this may sound, with our defense so banged up, maybe these last seven games is a start of our offense keeping us in games Vs the defense. There are still alot of unanswered questions here. Chambers is improving a little and maybe LeVitre can show enough to start something.

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

by VanScottM on Nov 21, 2009 2:30 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Concerned that Fewell

will have a dilemma in choosing between what’s best for his coaching future and what is best for the medium term interests of the franchise. He could be reluctant to give significant playing time to young guys like Maybin, Johnson, Hardy, etc. out of fear they will make mistakes which will hurt his HC debut.

by jpheff on Nov 21, 2009 2:53 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

if he's HC material

I would think he’d be unselfish. I know others in other threads have stated he’s coaching for his future. But, is putting himself first the kind of attribute we want/need? I, for one, don’t care because we need someone else – a HC with experience and a winning record(for a change). I’m tired of this on-the-job-training junk.

by fansince60 on Nov 21, 2009 4:00 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

unlike the Bills

1.) those rookie coaches didn’t inherit the debacle we have (Vick was one person)

2.) We don’t have a Flacco or Ryan, who let’s face it, are annomalies. Plus they have benefitted from organizations who had or had begun to build the support personnel needed to be able to throw them into the fray.

Those situations were/are totally different than ours. Put Smith or Harbaugh in Buffalo in our current situation and you’d likely see them have far different results. The atmosphere they stepped into was far better than ours.

by fansince60 on Nov 21, 2009 4:35 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

both teams were coming off disasterous seasons....

of course it was a distasterous decade……..but it was bad at both those clubs.

Pass the chocolate cake!

by norcaliangelsfan on Nov 21, 2009 4:51 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

for the Bills*

Pass the chocolate cake!

by norcaliangelsfan on Nov 21, 2009 4:58 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Keep in mind that Fewell and Ralph Wilson had a lengthy conversation at the time he was given the job and that Fewell (very properly) would not divulge what was said. But I would not be surprised if Wilson asked him to make a commitment to playing Hardy, Steve Johnson, etc. so that the new coach (who in theory at least might be Fewell) would be able to evaluate his personnel better in the offseason.

by Macktruck on Nov 21, 2009 5:07 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I doubt that

It is in the interest of both Wilson and Fewell to do their best to win now or to at least to be as competitive as possible. Who just said they were sick of “on-the-job-training?” Don’t expect a coach to put players out there just to train them.

by Sixteenthback on Nov 21, 2009 5:46 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

I can see both sides here.

I can’t buy the bench the starters and let the young guys play scenerio. Actually, I find it offensive when this room fills with such nonsense. Example, Ellison sucks Harris should start. Those fans can leave the rest room at any time now.

Although Mack, your arguement is valid if it comes down to a situational opportunity. Both of the players mentioned above hold some level of potential for our future and that potential needs to be evaluated. I read so much season is over crap here and it is all argueably defended but we still have not been mathematically eliminated and each and every opportunity should be exercised to win each game. This goes for when we are mathematically eliminated as well. Rule #1 to coaching is the best players play.

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

by VanScottM on Nov 21, 2009 9:48 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

HERE! HERE!!!

(handclaps) … and the crowd goes crazy.
You hit it right Van.

"A failure becomes just one time at bat if you refuse to let it defeat you." Marv Levy.

by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Nov 21, 2009 10:56 PM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Keys to the future.............

If anyone wants to debate me, look at the last 4 years drafts. The Giants have killed with their picks and plugging in starters. The Patsies have kinda sucked. And we are actually just a little worse than them.
HIRE THIS GUY RAPLH!!! Quotes from ProFootballWeekly.com

Dave Gettleman
Giants director of pro personnel

Anyone who glances at the Giants’ roster can see the success New York has had landing top pro acquisitions, including Pro Bowl MLB Antonio Pierce and C Shaun O’Hara, both of whom played pivotal roles in the Giants’ Super Bowl XLII championship. Year in and year out, New York reloads its roster with veteran talent as well as any team in the league. A 23-year NFL veteran who is regarded as a straight shooter in NFL scouting circles, Gettleman has seen the game from every angle, as a high school coach, as a college scout and as a pro personnel evaluator. The former Springfield College offensive tackle is known for bringing his lunchpail to work and grinding. Considering that he interviewed for GM jobs in Cleveland and Kansas City this past offseason, the Giants might not be able to hold on to his services much longer.

"A failure becomes just one time at bat if you refuse to let it defeat you." Marv Levy.

by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Nov 21, 2009 11:58 PM EST reply actions   0 recs

Someone with that skill set, for sure.

And if our only competition is the likes of Cleveland and KC, maybe Ralph can swing it.

by Sixteenthback on Nov 22, 2009 5:53 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

The picture of Fred is great. The focus of his eyes is the side line near POV.

mayhem project!
mb

by the Uncommon Denominator on Nov 22, 2009 1:27 AM EST reply actions   0 recs

wait

I thought it was the offseason already…there’s MORE games?

New York City Buffalo Bills Backers
www.nycbbb.com

by BillsNYC on Nov 22, 2009 8:35 AM EST via mobile reply actions   0 recs

Unfortunately

~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 22, 2009 9:22 AM EST up reply actions   0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed


User Tools

SB Nation's home for daily Buffalo Bills coverage.

Community Guidelines

Start posting about the Bills »

Join SB Nation and dive into communities focused on all your favorite teams.

Connect_with_facebook

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Picture_2_small
OBD - So far so good, I am quite impressed.
Sisters1_hthumb_small
MMQB - Yes - Peter King
Mrsinister03_small
A response to Peter Bean

Recent FanPosts

Small
My Top 5's for Positions of Need and Mock Draft
Small
A View From A Massachusetts Bills Fan
Small
What about Jake?
1216_large_small
Brady Quinn
Kawika_small
Tim Tebow Talk makes my head want to explode!
T_edwards_070930_gallery_600_1__small
Browns Cut Anderson
1216_large_small
QB vs. OT
Daffy_duck_small
Making the case for Troy Smith
6398_small
Profile Images

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

Latest NFL Headlines from SB Nation


Editor-in-Chief

Ronswanson_small Brian Galliford

Editors

Sucks_small Kurupt

Mrsinister03_small sireric

Billshomer_small MattRichWarren

Authors

Dynamics_small Ron From NM

Slide1_small Der Jaeger

Nfl-toronto_small kaisertown