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Jets 19, Bills 13: Week 13 Film Session

It's Monday, and even though the Buffalo Bills are a full three days removed from their most recent loss - in this case, a 19-13 loss to the New York Jets in Toronto - Monday means it's film session day.

You know the drill. We've added a few thoughts about teams and games outside of this (dreary) matchup, so that's slightly different, but you know what to expect. As always, feel free to add your own thoughts and observations to those presented here in the comments section.

Rex Ryan has Buffalo's number. Buffalo put up 29 points in two games against the Jets this season. They ran the ball well in (extremely occasional) spots, and were able to hit the (extremely occasional) big play. But New York's offense was also very kind to Buffalo, giving them plenty of opportunities to put both games away, and the Bills were only able to do so once. Just how thoroughly is Rex Ryan's defense owning Buffalo's offense? Take a quick look at Ryan Fitzpatrick's stat line in the two games: 39.6% completions (19 of 48), 214 yards (4.46 yards per attempt), 1 TD, 2 INT, 3 sacks and a quarterback rating of 43.2. Fitzpatrick's quarterback rating of 43.2 is only slightly higher than the number of yards per quarter Thomas Jones picked up against the Bills this season (39.9).

Ryan's defense didn't do a ton, but given Buffalo's massive upheaval along the offensive line, it did the only thing it needed to do: run a bunch of exotic blitzes and confuse the hell out of Buffalo's blockers. Just like in Week 6, the Bills had opportunities to make plays down the field in this one - Lee Evans was open on intermediate routes several times, for example - but overload blitzes and stunts got pass protection out of whack, and Fitzpatrick was forced to either throw an inaccurate pass or eat the ball nearly every time.

Star-divide

I feel bad for Ron From NM. Not because of anything he's done or anything that's in his control. I just feel bad that most of the excellent, hard work he puts into analyzing Buffalo's offensive line on an annual basis will be largely meaningless this season. Demetrius Bell hasn't played enough to be evaluated fairly. Grades on Jonathan Scott, Kendall Simmons, Kirk Chambers and Jamon Meredith will be largely meaningless, because none of those players figure to be in Buffalo's long-term plans.

If I were Ron - and if I were him, he'd be me, and he'd probably use my body to do his usual analysis anyway - I'd just focus on three guys in my ultimate end-of-season analysis. Those three guys would be Andy Levitre, Geoff Hangartner and Eric Wood. They're the only guys who've played enough to fairly evaluate, and considering that fact alone, it's not hard to understand why Buffalo's offense is so ridiculously awful.

Given everything that's happened up front this season, as well as the fact that the Jets threw exotic looks at the Bills again, I came away impressed with Levitre. I think it's pretty safe to say that he has been the Bills' best lineman this season, his first in the league. He's played in every game, he's acquitted himself nicely when asked to play positions beyond his skill level (left tackle), and while he's had his ups and downs, his technique and consistency have come a long way since September 14 in New England. He's going to be a good player in this league for a while.

We've already talked about the abysmal run defense. Read that article if you missed it, but if you're looking for the Cliff's Notes version: backside contain and gap discipline are lacking, the linebackers stink, and the secondary is hit-and-miss in run support across the board.

That's it. I don't think I can talk about the rest of the team, because the game was so dreadfully boring and repetitive that we won't learn anything new by re-hashing what we've been talking about for three months. Blech. This team is awful to root for sometimes.

Mark Sanchez has the stuff to be the real deal. When I'm looking at a young quarterback, I don't care as much about the throws and the production as I do about what he looks like in the pocket. Sanchez has a little bit of a Tony Romo flair to him - he's quite mobile, can throw from different arm angles, and can create throwing lanes with his movement. He's terrific with ball fakes, and he has the arm to eventually make "all the throws," as they say in the biz. Yes, he's struggled in two games against the Bills this year, but I beg you to understand that that is not likely to continue. Sanchez is gonna be pretty good.

The AFC East stinks. Is there a more overrated division in the NFL? Our division leader is 7-5. Buffalo has beaten each of the two teams currently a game behind New England - who also barely beat us in the season opener. New England split with New York and Miami, two highly, highly average teams. I mean, they lost to the Bills, for crying out loud.

Going into the season, fans fretted about the "difficulty" of the two divisions the AFC East would be playing in 2009 - the AFC South and the NFC South. Granted, those two divisions sport the only two undefeated teams in football, but beyond those two teams, there aren't any others that strike fear into its opponents, with the possible exception of the Tennessee Titans of the last six games. This division is 7-5 against the NFC South - although, to be fair, they're 7-1 against teams not playing in New Orleans - and, more pertinently to the overrated argument, they're 3-6 against the AFC South.

There aren't any elite divisions in the NFL this season - mostly because there aren't many elite teams - but the AFC East race, at least in my personal opinion, is one of the least exciting out there. Which is, of course, a bummer.

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The AFC stinks . . . for now

Yeah, the division stinks. And we are the worst team in the division. But . . . all of these teams (even the Patriots) are currently in rebuilding mode. The Pats are re-tooling their defense and have two first rounders coming in 2011 to help them do it. The Jets have a rookie QB who you admit shows quite a bit of promise (I agree) and a good young OL. Miami’s in the middle of a rebuilding plan under Parcells, and coming along a helluva lot faster than I thought they would. 1-15 was just a couple of years ago. Now they look like they can play with anyone and last year maybe wasn’t such a fluke. Henne seems like he might be the real deal.

You see where this is going . . . we’re the worst team in a division where all the other teams are showing a lot of promise for getting better in the near future. This is why I think we can’t just be thinking we’re going to get competitive anytime soon just through the draft. Our talent deficit is too big. The draft is important, sure, but we’re going to have to go out and get some help.

by Applsoss on Dec 7, 2009 8:26 AM EST reply actions  

Correction

The AFC East stinks . . . for now

by Applsoss on Dec 7, 2009 8:27 AM EST up reply actions  

spot on

You hit all the right points.
Most specifically, the comment about the run defense(backside contain and gap discipline are lacking, the linebackers stink, and the secondary is hit-and-miss in run support across the board) is the reason why the “Fewell for coach movement” cannot/should not succeed.
Further, the comment about Fitz’s stat line (and the few remaining games) is an agrument for seeing Edwards and/or Brohm back there (I know, I know you said 100X- it’ll never happen) but I disagree with that. It SHOULD happen. What could be lost? Thursday’s game WAS “dreadfully boring” and the QB position was inept. We KNOW that.
So, why not learn what we don’t know (Brohm) or create a game plan where Edwards goes deep repeatedly (e.g. against KC)?. It can’t be much worse that we endured Thursday. Standing pat with a 43.2 QB rating is not the decision making we need from a head coach especially an “auditioning” interim.

by fansince60 on Dec 7, 2009 8:54 AM EST reply actions  

is the reason why the "Fewell for coach movement" cannot/should not succeed.

Yeah, you lost me there.

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by Brian Galliford on Dec 7, 2009 9:23 AM EST up reply actions  

"the run defense is abysmal"

and the “talent” on this team, such as it is, is on defense. Fewell’s defense, over the last few years, has been mediocre.
IMO, he has energized the team since DJ was let go, but, the fact remains, I don’t think he’s that great of a DC – let alone a HC candidate.

by fansince60 on Dec 7, 2009 9:29 AM EST up reply actions  

I honestly don’t think that on-field performance should be the chief factor in hiring a coordinator as a head coach. Ever.

Sure, it’d be nice if said coordinator has had great units, but we’re not hiring a unit, we’re hiring a person. If Perry Fewell is the right person for the job, how his units have performed shouldn’t matter.

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

by Brian Galliford on Dec 7, 2009 9:54 AM EST up reply actions  

then what criteria or "chief factor"?

This league has historically and overwhelmingly chosen HCs from those in coordinator positions. Isn’t it logical that this is because of their performance in those roles? Last night, Collingsworth said Frazier was “ready”.
You chronicled his resume in your column a few days ago. I took from your article that his experience and success as a DC, IYO, made him a qualified candidate. Are you saying that, if the Vikes were 2-10, and last in defense, he would still be high on everyone’s list? If so, why?

by fansince60 on Dec 7, 2009 10:20 AM EST up reply actions  

The Frazier article was Matt’s, not mine.

I didn’t say that performance had NO influence. It’d be dumb to suggest that, would it not? I’m saying that it shouldn’t be the deciding factor. Energy levels, ability to lead and motivate, ability to recognize coaching and player talent, ability to get the most out of his players, ability to stay organized and calm in pressure situations – these are far more important factors than scheme or stat rankings.

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

by Brian Galliford on Dec 7, 2009 10:52 AM EST up reply actions  

sorry

I was using the collective “you” as in Buffalo Rumblings. I should have been more specific.
In the case of Fewell, I don’t think he has gotten the “most out of his players”.

by fansince60 on Dec 7, 2009 11:18 AM EST up reply actions  

In the case of Fewell, I don’t think he has gotten the "most out of his players"

That’s fine. That’s a legitimate reason to not want him as a head coach, IMO, unlike the “he’s had bad statistical defenses” argument.

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

by Brian Galliford on Dec 7, 2009 11:29 AM EST up reply actions  

There isn’t all that much to get out of these players.

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

by UZ on Dec 7, 2009 4:25 PM EST up reply actions  

Energy levels, ability to lead and motivate, ability to recognize coaching and player talent, ability to get the most out of his players, ability to stay organized and calm in pressure situations

Shouldn’t this lead to better on field performance and results over time? If not, than the coach in question is just not good at one or all of those attributes/skills you enumerate.

I would argue that, except in rare circumstances, the statistics will eventually reflect the quality of the HC. As Bills Parcells used to say" “you are what your record says you are.” I would qualify that by saying that one season is too short to do a proper evaluation and you do need to look at all of the factors.

I agree with you in that win-loss or other stats shouldn’t be the deciding factors, but they are up there in terms of importance.

"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban

by NJBill on Dec 7, 2009 11:34 AM EST up reply actions  

Shouldn’t this lead to better on field performance and results over time?

It’s tough, because coordinators aren’t at the top of the food chain. For example, talent acquisition – Fewell has never made a final decision on a single player in Buffalo. He can’t be blamed for the team’s unwillingness to boost its pass rush or find adequate talent at linebacker. He can be blamed for how the personnel is used.

I would argue that he’s done pretty well with what’s been given to him. I’m not a huge fan of his scheme – nor do I condemn it – but scheme is irrelevant to whether or not a person is a good coach. I think Fewell’s a good coach, and a solid candidate to be here in 2010.

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

by Brian Galliford on Dec 7, 2009 11:46 AM EST up reply actions  

What scheme would you prefer?

Im sure you have said it before but could not find it.

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

by billsoferie on Dec 7, 2009 12:18 PM EST up reply actions  

I don’t prefer any scheme. Schemes exist because they work. If they didn’t work, no one would use them.

We just need a big, tough, fast, physical football team with a quarterback and solid trench play. Obviously, easier said than done.

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by Brian Galliford on Dec 7, 2009 12:28 PM EST up reply actions  

We just need a big, tough, fast, physical football team with a quarterback and solid trench play. Obviously, easier said than done.

Especially when we don’t have much of these attributes/talents on our team, right now. We’re small, kind of slow, injury prone, with no starting QB and a very shaky trench situation riddled with injury, youth.

by jj24 on Dec 7, 2009 12:49 PM EST up reply actions  

That’s fair. I do agree that, despite the talent level and little support from the offense, his defense has been motivated and have kept the Bills in games most of the season. However, I can’t extrapolate what he would do as a HC (with better talent) with any confidence…aside from hopping over the low bar set by his predecessor. Obviously, the folks at OBD know him well and can give him a fair evaluation…and I hope he is given serious consideration.

"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban

by NJBill on Dec 7, 2009 12:20 PM EST up reply actions  

prior to Miami

we were outscored something like 54-0 in the 4th qtr. I can’t agree that his D kept us “in games most of the season”.

by fansince60 on Dec 7, 2009 1:21 PM EST up reply actions  

He can be blamed for how the personnel is used.

You could blame Fewell for not switching Poz to OLB given the trouble he has shedding blocks. You could blame Fewell for not getting Maybin more playing time. It’s very tough to separate the Jauron influence from the Fewell influence. I feel like we’re just guessing at his track record though.

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by WhyBillsWhy on Dec 7, 2009 11:07 PM EST up reply actions  

You could blame Fewell for not switching Poz to OLB given the trouble he has shedding blocks.

Well you could if he had a better option but there wasn’t a better option at MLB.

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by MattRichWarren on Dec 8, 2009 10:04 AM EST up reply actions  

Fair point. Of course, he could have been blamed him for starting Poz there in the first place. It wasn’t really my point though. Just saying it’s hard to judge who made which decisions.

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by WhyBillsWhy on Dec 9, 2009 8:03 PM EST up reply actions  

"backside contain and gap discipline are lacking"

Are you talking Schobel and Kelsey, our two veterans? They should know better, huh? On the off tackle plays, they get consistently outmuscled, even by TE’s, especially Schobel. On the wide plays like end-arounds, I don’t know how many times you see them unblocked but two steps behind. I’ve said it before, Schobel should be exclusively a pass rush specialist. Maybin has shown nothing to indicate he could be an improvement in run defense.

Stroud has been playing on a bad knee all year, do you think it’s chronic? That would be yet another hole to fill.

by Rick A on Dec 7, 2009 9:11 AM EST reply actions  

On the off tackle plays, they get consistently outmuscled

Either that or they take themselves out of the play, by taking the wide route to the QB not recognizing the run earlier enough.

I’m not sure who this was, but on one of the critical long runs, I saw one of the Bills DE’s (lined up on the right) actually go out of his way to engage a block, rather than slide toward the RB that was darting to the left of him. They showed the replay a couple of times, but I was at a hotel bar and couldn’t make out the number…looked like something that Maybin would do. The DE was a couple of yards in front of the lead blocker and chose to charge straight at him, effectively taking himself out of the play. To be fair, this guy did have the edge to contain, but there was a 3+ yard gap between him and the nearest tackle—and of course—no linebacker to be found, but he was in a position to at least the disrupt the RB’s clear path to the Bills secondary.

There have been quite a few of these questionable decisions on running plays this season.

"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban

by NJBill on Dec 7, 2009 11:55 AM EST up reply actions  

I have to ask the simple question:

If Trent Edwards would throw the ball even just a bit deep more consistently, is he on the bench? Fitzpatrick is dreadfully awful, and his stats fuel the fire. He can scramble, but so can Edwards. (KC game last year, anyone?) I think the team needs to ride the final month out with Edwards. They need to make one final assessment of his worth on the field in competitive play.

The great news: Miami beat New England, and anytime anyone beats the Patriots, it feels a bit like when the Bills win. Also, the Raiders keep improving, so they may finish ahead of the Bills.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 7, 2009 9:31 AM EST reply actions  

Edwards

He doesn’t have the mental makeup right now to be on the field. He has no confidence, cannot read/diagnose a defense and continues to play the game with way too much hesitation. He is done in Buffalo and they don’t need a few more games to make that call. Plus, it’s like he can be given a fair shot behind this offensive line the rest of the year.

~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 Dec 7, 2009 10:06 AM EST up reply actions  

I understand all this, K…really, I do. I just see more reasons to fly with Edwards over the next month, rather than Fitzy. There’s more to discover with him.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 7, 2009 10:28 AM EST up reply actions  

why bother??

Neither of these guys are any good. Edwards has already been benched for ineffectiveness. The team has clearly given up on him. The players all say they would rather have fitzpatrick in. Doesn’t make any sense to put Edwards in. If anything maybe give Brohm a shot and see what he can do. I’m sure this call is due to Fitzpatrick’s embarrassing QB rating from the game of 42.3. If that bothers you, you might want to consider this:
In Edwards career with the Bills he has had games with the following QB ratings:
43.1, 56.3, 50.6, 42.8, 49.2, 50.3, 56.4, 51.0, 52.1
that would be 9 out of 31 appearances where he has an embarrassing QB rating. or roughly 1 out of 3 games he sucks bad.
Fitzpatrick also has a pretty sad track record in this area.

by Polish Lover on Dec 7, 2009 10:53 AM EST up reply actions  

The reason I want Edwards back in is because much of his failure on field can be attributed to his shaky confidence (or so we’re led to believe, via media outlets). Fitzpatrick is like the kid who plays Madden every day – wins all the time, but only uses one play. He can’t hit anything in coverage and I don’t see alot of improvement out of his game. I see much in the way of improvement for Edwards, if he’s given the opportunity. He’s not going to be the team’s franchise QB, but he might prove a very useful option going forward.

For me: Fitzpatrick is a lame-duck approach at winning games. Edwards is an attempt by this team to evaluate talent they wanted from the start. Similar handlings doomed Rob Johnson and Losman, but seem to have benefitted Vince Young.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 7, 2009 12:03 PM EST up reply actions  

Excellent point. Although it is difficult to prove conclusively, I believe that the Bills have been just as complicit in the destruction of their young QB’s as have been a lack of talent, smarts or gonads.

A bit of rest or change of scenery might be what Trent needs to clear out the cob webs. I haven’t completely given up on Trent, but would I put him back in to the same situation? Not if I want to give him a real chance. Even the great Kurt Warner played like crap for quite a while, after his o-line in St. Louis began to decline and he got knocked about in the head. Two teams later, he’s back to form. Not to say that Trent is fit to hold Warner’s jockstrap, but “offensive line induced trauma” can take plenty of rest to heal.

Going to the UFL was the best thing for Losman. I’d encourage him to stay in the minors for another year or two before pursuing the clipboard job in the NFL. Trent may have the opportunity next year in Buffalo, under a new coach and an improved line….(It can’t get any worse). For now, keep him on the bench and out of harms way.

As for Brohm, if he’s just an emergency QB, then let’s see what he can do. If they think that this kid has the ability commensurate with his lofty draft status, then I’d spare him from being Trentified as well.

"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban

by NJBill on Dec 7, 2009 12:49 PM EST up reply actions  

I’m not disagreeing with you, I just can’t pass up on opportunity to point out how poorly Fitzpatrick performs on a statistical level. It’s funny you list all the games where Edwards had a QB rating of 56.4 or worse and then say that Fitz also has a pretty sad track record. Fitz has a QB rating higher than 56 in just half his games in Buffalo including Thursday’s QB rating of 34.3 which was almost 10 points lower than any game Edwards ever played in and his rating of 41.4 against Houston which would also be the lowest rating of Edwards’ career. Edwards has three career games with a QB rating under 50 and they were his first game when he came in for an injured Losman, that super windy game against the Giants where Eli had a rating of 32.2 and a game in New England last year where Edwards’ rating was 49.2 and Fitz already has two games lower than those three this season.

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by kaisertown on Dec 7, 2009 12:30 PM EST up reply actions  

IMO there is a unique opportunity

I’d treat the rest of the season as the pre-season. Play each QB (and others) on a rotational basis. There isn’t much sense in “playing to win” and there is a lot more sense in determining just what talent players have, if any, once and for all. As Kurupt says above, “one final assessment”.

by fansince60 on Dec 7, 2009 10:29 AM EST up reply actions  

oops

quote was meant to be from Afghan…sorry.

by fansince60 on Dec 7, 2009 10:31 AM EST up reply actions  

Fitzpatrick’s quarterback rating of 43.2 is only slightly higher than the number of yards per quarter Thomas Jones picked up against the Bills this season (39.9).

Unbelievable.

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 Dec 7, 2009 10:01 AM EST reply actions  

It's pretty funny, actually

You can’t really do anything except laugh at that stat

~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 Dec 7, 2009 10:08 AM EST up reply actions  

That is actually exactly what I did when I heard it

I was born in Buffalo, and NO, it's not a suburb of New York City

by Ghetts on Dec 7, 2009 10:22 AM EST up reply actions  

His season stats aren’t much different.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 7, 2009 10:29 AM EST up reply actions  

That sums up Bills fandom in general rather well. You can’t do much else but laugh.

by TheK-GunNeedsReloaded on Dec 7, 2009 10:35 AM EST via mobile up reply actions  

interesting but meaningless

maybe if the refs called pass interference on one or two of the 5 or 6 flagrant fouls that Revis incurred, Fitzpatrick would have faired better.

by Polish Lover on Dec 7, 2009 10:44 AM EST up reply actions  

No

Because even if this was true they wouldn’t have counted as completions or passing yards.

by twoeightnine on Dec 7, 2009 11:45 AM EST up reply actions  

I believe that the Revis’ interception should count as a completed pass, as he apparently was the intended receiver…or so Terrell thought. The completion and yards might raise Fitz’s QB rating to a D- equivalent.

"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban

by NJBill on Dec 7, 2009 12:57 PM EST up reply actions  

don't pretend revis wasn't completely dominating and completely legal.

he’s was the best player on the field. saying anything else is just sour grapes.

Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!

by JPH on Dec 7, 2009 11:14 PM EST up reply actions  

rex ryan doesn't own anything

the Bills split with the Jets whose solid offensive line was too much for Buffalo’s terrible run defense which has struggled in just about every game. what’s so special about Rex Ryan? Oh right, nothing. Belicheck on the otehr hand, owns the Bills (at least the Jauron led ones)

by Polish Lover on Dec 7, 2009 10:43 AM EST reply actions  

He certainly doesn’t own anyone in the gym.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 7, 2009 10:44 AM EST up reply actions  

What? I said Ryan’s defensive schemes absolutely abused the Bills, and you mention his offense?

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by Brian Galliford on Dec 7, 2009 10:53 AM EST up reply actions  

well the only thing that was dominating about their defense was Revis’s play. The running attack dominated the BIlls. Just about every team this year looked like a defensive juggernaut against this pathetic Bills offense. I’m not giving Ryan credit for doing anything special. Revis was pushing off and grabbing TO on almost every play. Since he is in the press so much, the refs don’t call it.

by Polish Lover on Dec 7, 2009 11:00 AM EST reply actions  

How can you make these claims?

That Revis was pushing and grabbing TO on every play? Do you have coaches’ tape to look at? Just because Revis was step for step with TO and in better position to make plays on the ball doesn’t mean he was mugging him all game long. If you haven’t noticed, TO has struggled with tough press coverage for a few years now, and Revis is shutting down everyone at this point.

~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 Dec 7, 2009 11:15 AM EST via mobile up reply actions  

hahaha, that’s outrageous. Revis has dominated everybody he’s faced this year including media darlings Randy Moss and Andre Johnson. He doesn’t get favorable calls at all and simply dominated TO all night long.

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 Dec 7, 2009 12:35 PM EST up reply actions  

Revis doesn't cheat

he’s physical. I understand that it’s been so long since we bills fans have seen that that we confuse it with cheating, but it’s perfectly legal. He’s the best player on the field.

Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!

by JPH on Dec 7, 2009 11:15 PM EST up reply actions  

also

the Bills scored fewer points against 4 other teams this year. Only 3 against cleveland. Does Cleveland own Buffalo too?

by Polish Lover on Dec 7, 2009 11:03 AM EST reply actions  

Well, let’s see – we’ve lost to Cleveland in each of the past three seasons. So yes. Cleveland owns Buffalo, too.

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

by Brian Galliford on Dec 7, 2009 11:30 AM EST up reply actions  

Correction

The Browns have only won 7 games out of their last 31 games and 3 of those have come against the Bills.

by twoeightnine on Dec 7, 2009 11:49 AM EST up reply actions  

you make my head hurt.....

You know there is a problem with the education system when you realize that out of the 3 R's only one begins with an R. - Dennis Miller

by norcaliangelsfan on Dec 7, 2009 12:09 PM EST up reply actions  

Oh crap.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 7, 2009 12:41 PM EST up reply actions  

Which is worse, losing to the Patriots 12 times in a row or accounting for nearly 43% of Cleveland’s victories since 2007?

"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban

by NJBill on Dec 7, 2009 1:04 PM EST up reply actions  

like asking

which form of suicide is preferable. They all have the same result and the result sucks.

by fansince60 on Dec 7, 2009 1:07 PM EST up reply actions  

Well, at least those Patriot teams have been among the best in the league. The Browns: oh crap (literally).

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 7, 2009 1:47 PM EST up reply actions  

I'm way behind on my line reviews

Work has a nasty way of elbowing out fun things like analysis of the offensive line. I suspect that the Bills will look at Bell at RT next season (or at least the primary swing tackle) and he has a large enough sample to get an idea of where he’s at….so it’s worth the time to get a grade on him. I’m not going to worry about Levitre at LT as that was an in-game desperation move by Buffalo. Hang has been the only constant and now Wood’s season is over. I’m curious to see Simmons mainly to see whether he’s worth keeping around as a primary interior line back-up. Scott and Meredith appear to be the new Preston and Fowler.

Here’s my current guess on how the line shakes out next year:

LT—high first round draft choice
LG-Levitre
C—3rd or 4th round draft choice
RG-Wood
RT-Bell

Reserves
Butler—swing tackleguard
Simmons—swing guard
Scott/Meredith—swing tackle

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 Dec 7, 2009 1:17 PM EST reply actions  

I agree with most of this, but

what about Hang?? Assuming Wood can play, why wouldn’t the Bills replace Hang with Wood?

"The Bills have no playoff aspirations" – Dan Dierdorf

by Joe P. on Dec 7, 2009 1:28 PM EST up reply actions  

Buffalo might be able the center on the top of their draft board in round 3, maybe 4. The top guard on their board figures to be gone in round 2 at the latest.

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 Dec 7, 2009 7:13 PM EST up reply actions  

My guess is that with Butler in reserve the Bills will keep one interior guy and one tackle. I don’t yet know whether Simmons would beat out Hang, just kind of threw it out there given that Hang hasn’t really impressed—not that he hasn’t been an upgrade.

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 Dec 7, 2009 7:15 PM EST up reply actions  

I don’t think Simmons is worth keeping around over Hangartner. I also would rather see Wood at Center and a new guard instead.

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
Your daily source for Buffalo Bills information.

by MattRichWarren on Dec 8, 2009 10:10 AM EST up reply actions  

I think it probably would be better for Hang to stick than Simmons though Buffalo will have 4 more games to look at Simmons. Don’t forget that a lot will depend on the next GM/coaching staff. If whomever Buffalo hires for those jobs has had a positive experience with Simmons then he has a better chance of staying with the Bills. I can’t see Buffalo keeping both, though.

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 Dec 8, 2009 11:47 AM EST up reply actions  

Further evidence that Sean Kugler has to go

I wasn’t able to watch the Jets game, but all the reports I’ve seen, including Brian’s, suggest that the primary reason we lost was that we weren’t able to protect Fitz, and the reason for that was that our o-line couldn’t handle the blitz pachages that Ryan threw at them. The question I would raise is why. Isn’t the job of the o-line coach to check the film to see what the opposing defense likes to do on passing downs and then get his guys ready to deal with it? I know that we have had much shuffling of positions on the line, but it appears that they were completely unable to respond to the Jets’ scheme. Hangartner said as much in one of his comments. If that’s the case, it would seem to be more evidence that Kugler doesn’t have enough experience to handle his present job and badly needs to be replaced.

by Macktruck on Dec 7, 2009 3:15 PM EST reply actions  

Schemes can only go as far as the talent around them.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 7, 2009 3:53 PM EST up reply actions  

even when it’s max protect with 3 guys rushing and one gets through?

Never put salt in your eyes

by J2 on Dec 7, 2009 4:45 PM EST up reply actions  

Exactly. The Bills o-line did ok vs. Miami when nothing too elaborate was being thrown at them scheme-wise, but apparently fell apart against the Jets when Ryan started working his magic. There is obviously a problem with talent on the line itself, but it seems to me that there is a very big coaching problem as well. Kugler could become a first-rate o-line coach in another five to ten years after he has apprenticed for a while under a smart, experienced coach, but he is not ready for primetime now after having served just one year as McNally’s assistant at a time when McNally was apparently not at his best.

by Macktruck on Dec 7, 2009 7:53 PM EST up reply actions  

The question I would raise is why. Isn’t the job of the o-line coach to check the film to see what the opposing defense likes to do on passing downs and then get his guys ready to deal with it?

Uh, yes. But the coach can’t clone his brain and implant it into each of his pupils. Players have to recognize things on the field, and that includes the quarterback. Considering the fact that we’ve started 8 different offensive line combinations and played 10 players up front, I think the fact that we’ve only had one two-week injury to our quarterbacks is a testament to Kugler’s ability to get his players ready, not an indictment.

I like Kugler. I think he’s a good coach. I wouldn’t wish the situation Kugler’s had to deal with this year on my worst enemy.

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

by Brian Galliford on Dec 7, 2009 9:12 PM EST up reply actions  

I wouldn’t wish the situation Kugler’s had to deal with this year on my worst enemy.

I would. Let the Pats and/or Jets and/or Dolphins deal with the spate of injuries Buffalo has endured over the last 4 years and then hear them talk about how much better their teams are than the Bills.

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 Dec 7, 2009 10:09 PM EST up reply actions   1 recs

Not disagreeing with your assessment that Rex owns the bills...

…but 14.5 pts per game isn’t good evidence when the team is averaging 16 pts a game overall…

Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!

by JPH on Dec 8, 2009 10:10 AM EST reply actions  

Sure, but the Bills have also averaged 3 turnovers per game against the Jets.

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

by Brian Galliford on Dec 8, 2009 11:14 AM EST up reply actions  

now that is convincing.

Jonathan Stupar won the Heisman…while playing in the NFL!

by JPH on Dec 8, 2009 11:18 AM EST up reply actions  

That isn’t the Jets owning the Bills so much as Buffalo self destructing. Given that Buffalo does it kind of often it’s not a surprise that a division team would be a regular beneficiary.

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 Dec 8, 2009 11:48 AM EST up reply actions  

I still maintain that the Jets dominated Buffalo in ways that other teams have not this season.

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

by Brian Galliford on Dec 8, 2009 12:57 PM EST up reply actions  

I’d like the see the Yards per rush against the Jets vs. the rest of the league. I’m sure the Jets have a higher YPA against us than anyone and I wouldn’t be surprised if it was super high, either.

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
Your daily source for Buffalo Bills information.

by MattRichWarren on Dec 8, 2009 1:54 PM EST up reply actions  

567 rushing yards on 83 carries over two games = 6.8 yards per carry. YECH!

3.2 YPC against the Pats
3.0 YPC against the Bucs
5.8 YPC against the Saints
5.0 YPC against the Dolphins (2 games)
4.2 YPC against the Browns
4.6 YPC against the Panthers
4.4 YPC against the Texans
4.8 YPC against the Titans
3.0 YPC against the Jaguars

"Play like hell and win." - Perry Fewell
Your daily source for Buffalo Bills information.

by MattRichWarren on Dec 8, 2009 2:02 PM EST up reply actions  

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