Bills need to keep pounding the rock

by Brian Galliford on Dec 14, 2009 11:46 AM EST in Buffalo Bills Opinion

The Buffalo Bills have struggled to run the ball this season. Amidst massive offensive line changes and a three-game suspension to former starting running back Marshawn Lynch at the outset of the season, the Bills have surpassed 100 rushing yards as a team in just 6 of 13 games this season, to the team's overall offensive detriment.

Things are turning around for this unit, however. Interim head coach Perry Fewell has re-established the importance of the running game into his offensive game plans, and as a result, the Bills have rushed for over 100 yards as a team in three of Fewell's first four games as the head man, all in the last three contests. Buffalo's 200-yard rushing effort in yesterday's win over the Kansas City Chiefs may have been their most dominant ground performance of the season.

Why are the Bills suddenly running the ball well? It has a lot to do with the fact that the team has finally strung together a few games in which the same offensive line has started. Buffalo has begun games with seven different line combinations this season - most in the NFL - but in their last three games, the Bills have been fortunate to start the same five along the offensive line (Jonathan Scott, Andy Levitre, Geoff Hangartner, Kendall Simmons and Kirk Chambers). Say what you want about the quality of our opponents or the issues that remain up front, but continuity has played an important role in the run game increases over the past three weeks.

This is a trend that needs to continue, particularly if Fewell is serious about removing the interim tag from his current job title. The only thing that matters to Fewell's job prospects right now is wins. Forget style points. Fewell doesn't need them. He just needs to keep winning, and if he wants to do it, he'll continue to emphasize the running game.

Lynch and Fred Jackson are simply too good to not get touches. Yes, the same can be said of Terrell Owens and Lee Evans, but let's face facts - Ryan Fitzpatrick is much more adept at getting touches for Lynch and Jackson than he is for Owens and Evans. If you want those receivers to get the ball, run a reverse.

Speaking of Fitzpatrick, a good running game is his best friend. It opens up the play-action game and, as much of that particular brand of offensive football features rollouts, it allows Fitzpatrick to utilize the one consistent strength to his game - his ability to make plays with his legs.

The offensive line is OK with a run-dominated offensive game plan, too. This is a group that has fatal pass protection flaws. They only gave up two sacks to the Chiefs, and the fact that that two-sack performance feels like a milestone achievement should speak volumes. But no matter how deficient this unit is pass-blocking, they know how to run block, because every blue-collar offensive lineman knows how to run block. It's what they've done their entire lives. There are no finesse players on this line. Every one of those guys is physical and plays the game with the correct demeanor. Their strength is in run-blocking. They may not be very good at it, but it's what they're best at. Let them continue to do what they're best at.

In 2008, Jackson and Lynch combined to rush for 1,607 yards and 11 touchdowns on 380 carries. Buffalo's quarterback play has gotten worse from '08 to '09, as hard as that is to believe, and as a result, the rushing numbers have suffered; the two backs have 1,153 yards and 4 touchdowns on 284 carries this season. But in their last three games, their numbers have picked up, with the two backs rushing for 353 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Buffalo's next three opponents are ranked Nos. 17 (New England), 23 (Atlanta) and 18 (Indianapolis) against the run. The matchups are there for the Bills to keep running the ball effectively. It's what Buffalo's offense does best, and the team's two most consistent threats just happen to be runners. Knowing Fewell's preferred brand of football and his quest for a starting job, the Bills should - and likely will - keep pounding the rock.

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i agree we need to pound the rock more, but we also need to vary the way we pound it. With the schemer belicheck is, if we run 20 more toss sweeps (even if we run some inside) like we did against KC, we’ll be lucky to have 10 yards rushing.

by quantumuprising on Dec 14, 2009 11:59 AM EST reply actions

Great article Brian..........

It is extremely nice to see the team get 4 yards a pop consistantly now…..and occasionally break off the long runs (Lynch’s 47 yarder being the most recent) The running game is definitely all about attitude and these guys have the right attitude…..Some props should go to Kulger too for finding ways to make most of these not-so-talented OL men.

Lynch and Jackson are by far the most productive guys we have on the team…….they need to touch the ball 20 times each…….and limit Fitzpatrick to 20 throws or less……thats the best recipe for success for the next three games IMO.

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by norcaliangelsfan on Dec 14, 2009 12:02 PM EST reply actions

I’d like them to keep Fitzpatrick’s throws to 0 or less. He couldn’t even hit screens in stride yesterday.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 14, 2009 12:20 PM EST up reply actions

There was one play in particular yesterday that threw me.

I forget what play it was or when, but Fitz dropped back and the pass rusher was going by the left tackle. Fitz stepped up into the pocket to avoid it (a good thing) and had every opportunity to sit in the pocket and read the D for a second or two. Instead, he kept stepping up until he was right on the O-Line’s back, then had to jump and throw off-balance for an incomplete pass. He was so antsy he didn’t recognize that he could have had time on that play as the outside rushers went behind him.

Shows how confident he is in our O-Line.

by nickfeely8 on Dec 14, 2009 12:31 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t think he plays well with a better o-line. I feel most of his deficiencies are in mechanics, and aren’t going to be corrected at this point in his career.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 14, 2009 12:37 PM EST up reply actions

Should make the game planning for the Patriots very interesting.

Would this game be our super bowl, or was it the dolphin game. The running game is so important, but playing the Patriots, we need to do multiple things. Shutting down Wes Welker if possible is on the list. I expect to see alot of three man fronts coming up.

BG, dead on with the post, recieved.

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

by VanScottM on Dec 14, 2009 12:36 PM EST reply actions

Brian,

the Bills have been fortunate to start the same five along the offensive line (Jonathan Scott, Andy Levitre, Geoff Hangartner, Kendall Simmons and Kirk Chambers).

I bet this is one sentence you never thought about typing before. It’s true. Just……..ironic.

by jj24 on Dec 14, 2009 1:00 PM EST reply actions

I only saw highlights of the Chiefs game, but the one play that impressed me on the offense was Fitzpatrick’s block that sprung Lynch on his long gainer. Fitzpatrick came out of nowhere to take out the one defender that had a chance to bring Lynch down early.

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by thefourwinds on Dec 14, 2009 1:01 PM EST reply actions

That block was beautiful!!!!!

On a sad note, I thought Marshawn was winded after 25 – 30 yards. He looked slow in the open field.

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

by VanScottM on Dec 14, 2009 1:12 PM EST up reply actions

he’s never really looked all that fast in the open field….

by quantumuprising on Dec 14, 2009 1:23 PM EST up reply actions

The fastest I’ve ever seen Lynch was in the Jets game last year at the Ralph when he was trying to chase down the Jets’ DB who had the pick 6.

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by thefourwinds on Dec 14, 2009 1:33 PM EST up reply actions

i mean, dude couldn’t even run away from the cops, what can we expect?

by quantumuprising on Dec 14, 2009 2:56 PM EST up reply actions

To be fair, he didn’t try. He’s more of a run-through guy rather a run-past guy. And a Resisting Arrest charge is not something you want to deal with. :-)

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by WhyBillsWhy on Dec 14, 2009 4:25 PM EST up reply actions

He’s more of a run-through guy rather a run-past guy.

Someone should tell him that. He added all this muscle but he’s been dancin’ way too much.

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by MattRichWarren on Dec 16, 2009 10:09 AM EST up reply actions

This is still a work in progress though. Our running game.

Lets give Perry so credit here. We have been looking for some resemblence of a running game for a couple months. Although it is still a work in progress, there has been progress. Lets not forget the change in starting role at RB.

We all wanted to get our running game going to help the offense improve on our passing game with Evans and Owens as our weapons. I was expecting Fitzpatrick to really take advantage of that aspect this past sunday, but it never happened. I hope the home field will light that fire under his butt to get it done.

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

by VanScottM on Dec 14, 2009 1:10 PM EST reply actions

Say what you want about the quality of our opponents

OK, I will. We played the Chiefs. I certainly hope we can run the ball, because, the other facet of the offense is totally offensive. If we could run the ball effectively and consisitently, reinserting Edwards might help the passing dimension. I know, I know, he’s lost the team blah, blah… It couldn’t be any worse than dead-eye Fitz. We might even have 2 dimensions on offense.

by fansince60 on Dec 14, 2009 1:27 PM EST reply actions

We also played the Dolphins and the Jets.

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by Brian Galliford on Dec 14, 2009 1:30 PM EST up reply actions

neither of which

are in the top ten against the run (NYJ 11; MIA 14). On another statistical note, both Edwards and Fitz have played the same # of games now and Edwards’ stats are better almost across the board including QB rating, comp. %, yds., and INTs.
So, with an improved rushing attack and “stable” OL, Edwards gives the team a better chanceof winning- statisticaly speaking. And, he can hand off as well as Fitz if the plan is “pound the rock”.

by fansince60 on Dec 14, 2009 2:05 PM EST up reply actions

BTW

the Chiefs are 28th against the run. Only OAK, TAMPA, and US are worse.

by fansince60 on Dec 14, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions

And Cleveland is equally bad.

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by Brian Galliford on Dec 14, 2009 2:46 PM EST up reply actions

you know the only stat that matters??? Wins

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by howedyhowe on Dec 14, 2009 2:23 PM EST up reply actions

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamen

by quantumuprising on Dec 14, 2009 3:02 PM EST up reply actions

To quote from the article:

Buffalo’s next three opponents are ranked Nos. 17 (New England), 23 (Atlanta) and 18 (Indianapolis) against the run

Brian’s goal here wasn’t to pat the offensive line and RBs on the back. They’ve been running the ball pretty well the last few games including oppponents who handle the run better than the teams we still have to play. It’s not really relevant that the Jets and Miami aren’t top 10 run defenses because we don’t play any more of those.

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by kaisertown on Dec 14, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

Kendall Simmons

What is your take on him and what does this guy have left in the tank?

Is he a good option for next year?

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by billsoferie on Dec 14, 2009 6:20 PM EST up reply actions

The guy was out of the league for a reason. He and Chris Draft are the same player – a heady vet that doesn’t belong in the league, but will get looks for a year or two from teams with injuries.

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by Brian Galliford on Dec 14, 2009 6:39 PM EST up reply actions

Great article

You guys do a great job with the daily supply of quality articles. I never stop by Two Bills drive for Bills news and opinion any longer.

Lynch and Fred Jackson are simply too good to not get touches. Yes, the same can be said of Terrell Owens and Lee Evans, but let’s face facts – Ryan Fitzpatrick is much more adept at getting touches for Lynch and Jackson than he is for Owens and Evans. If you want those receivers to get the ball, run a reverse.

That made me laugh.

I agree. Stability on the O-Line is everything. Also, I’m less a fan of racking up yardage and more about attempts, the short game, and converting 3rd downs. Even if you don’t rack up 100 yard games, if you can keep the defense honest with run attempts, screens, check downs, and converting 3rd downs then you are just as effective. Of course, the point of keeping the defense honest is to open up the intermediate and long range game.

About the quality of opponents, a win is a win in the NFL. We are not a bad team at all, just young, hurt, unlucky and few dumb fumbles from competitiveness.

by Ono on Dec 14, 2009 2:02 PM EST reply actions

I was about to say the same thing about the running a reverse comment. I almost laughed so hard that the guy in the next cubicle heard me.

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by WhyBillsWhy on Dec 14, 2009 4:28 PM EST up reply actions

I actually didn't think the O-Line looked that bad. They has some good plays. I think they are improving every game...to some extent.

I can’t figure out what is wrong with Poz though….he is really touch & go. Is his arm still bothering him?

by Jaynice on Dec 14, 2009 3:54 PM EST reply actions

Watching any facet of the Bills' offsense

try to produce yardage and points is like watching a mosquito try to mate with a turkey.

by Brian in Shortsville on Dec 14, 2009 4:18 PM EST reply actions

Yeah, that analogy was completely lost on me.

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by Brian Galliford on Dec 14, 2009 4:35 PM EST up reply actions

First down anomaly

I agree that the Bills do have a legitimate 2-headed monster now that Marshawn seems to be getting his football legs a bit. Steady Freddy is still the main head on this beast. Noticed that the Bills were the only team that had fewer first downs than their opponent yet still won yesterday. 4 picks ALWAYS helps, but these guys GOT to convert more third downs. Their percentage has to be one of the worst in the league and contributes to their D being on the field way too long. The penalties have come down which is great, but being in the 25% range most games for 3rd down conversions is just horrible.

by AlwaysaBillinPhilly on Dec 14, 2009 4:19 PM EST reply actions

Kendall Simmons

It seemed like they were running behind Kendall Simmons pretty successfully yesterday. What are the chances he stays around?

On another note, Brian said about the line:

Their strength is in run-blocking.

And the strength of the OL last year was pass blocking. Can we only have one or the other?

by williamsDT on Dec 14, 2009 5:46 PM EST reply actions

Running the ball

Not only helps Fitzy, it also has the pleasant side effect of giving our defensive players a chance to catch their breath before they have to go back out on the field! And keeps them fresher for the 4th quarter when we really need them to play their best.

Get the Bills back to the big game!

by Blitz on Dec 15, 2009 10:29 AM EST reply actions