Some Informed Thinking

thank GOD someone isn’t just complaining that everyone on the team sucks. seriously, after reading kurupts analysis of the game yesterday, i figured we’d just be waiving the whole team.

So if the O-Line is not your biggest concern, which part of the team is it?

Some around here have shown some concerns about Fitzpatrick and his ability to start if (Heaven forbid) Trent goes down with an injury. He hasn’t looked all that great so far; Is the coaching staff concerned at all? Could Hamdan leap-frog him on the depth chart?

Thanks for the dose of reality, man. I still don’t feel that Jauron and staff do a good job of preparing the team to play on Sundays, but I’m certainly not willing to to prejudge the whole season based on one series.

Great post.

Thanks, G.

You are a serious dose of melatonin to the worries of the Rumblings crowd. I am on the same wavelength on every point. It’s preseason. Let’s stay away from the ledge, people.

My only question is just about something pozitive. What are your quick thoughts on #51 Geronimo? I saw some good instincts on Sunday as it seems the game may have slowed down for him. How has our defensive quarterback developed over the past year as you’ve seen it?

this was a nice boost, it is easy to get down when all you have is negatives in your ear, not necessarily from the Rumbler crowd, but from the talking heads of the media.

How does the coaching staff view the back to back to back 7-9 seasons? I can see the first one being rationalized due to the new schemes and unbelievable number of injuries but how about the past two?

And I thought I was turning into a homer thinking we are going to put up points and being told otherwise! you probably don’t have time to answer but I have two questions for you G, and anyone else that wants to chim in, concerning the offense.

1.) I predicted during OTAs that TO and Lee both have serious potential to reach 1,000 yards and 7+ TDs each. In my post I wrote about I went into detail why and I am confident in Trent. Do you think I am overestimating our offensive production and dedication to pass more than we run, by a significant but not too major of a margin? Will we let Trent pass enough (400+ attempts) to reach those WR milestones? I think the no huddle will play to our advantage in the aerial attack.

2.) I have to disagree with you on not being concerned about the offensive line. Like you I think Levitre will only learn from having a rough first preseason game with five weeks to study the film from the Tennesse game, he seems like a student of the game who will work tirelessly to get better. My concern is that Walker will struggle during some games and play solid during others, perhaps costing us a few wins when facing speedy OLBs or DEs. Is Butler going to have a nagging injury? And I worry that Wood and Levitre will be inconsistent, at times playing great but like all rookies struggling for stretches as well. Do you share concerns about Walkers ability to handle the likes of Jason Taylor, Joey Porter, Adalius Thomas, Derrick Burgess, Calvin Pace, Dwight Freeney, etc? Ron from NM, great write up earlier so I’d like your thoughts as well on Walker at LT. I know Butler has experience at a different level at tackle and I’m curious how he has transitioned this off-season.

Thanks, G and whoever else wants to offer their own answers

I really liked what I saw out of the no-huddle and Trent last night and it’ll be great if we put up a lot of points. I just don’t think we should be giving anyone credit until we see some actual points on the board and regular season success…

I think you and Brian are adding some much needed optimism at a time like this. As B said, winning is less important than showing improvement. And it will be hard to measure that until we get to the end of the preseason. I think people are just grasping at straws right now. It would def be informative to hear more of your opinions.

I think Tim Graham said in his blog all we need to conclude about this game:

5. Don’t read too much into this game, Bills fans.

It was merely one preseason game. The Bills still have four more to play, their next exhibition taking place Saturday at home against the Chicago Bears.

On Sunday night, we didn’t get a true sense of what their personality will be on either side of the ball.

We got only a quick glimpse of the no-huddle offense with Edwards at the controls. He got Terrell Owens involved quickly, hitting him for 16 yards on their second play from scrimmage. Two plays later, Edwards found Owens for 11 yards and another first down.

But one series can’t indicate too much. Two series for the defense also isn’t enough time to get an idea, even though the pass defense looked soft on both drives. First impressions often are misleading.

The next game probably won’t be enlightening either. Wait until the second-to-last preseason game Aug. 29 at Pittsburgh before trying to figure out what you’re going to be doing in January.

Thanks for all of the words; much appreciated. Now on to a few quick questions, if you wouldn’t mind obliging…

- Any word(s) on lottery deals for the team? To me it seems that every day that goes by without one is a day they are losing out on free money.

- Please…the next time you are at OBD, please find the current jerseys, and steal them. Just leave the throwbacks. I promise you – all of Buffalo Rumblings will donate enough cash to get you a solid lawyer.

- If Palmer is done fo rthe year, will they give him the DiGI treatment?

- What is the word on Stupar? And Nelson? I expect much more of a contribution from the TE spot this year, mostly by Fine and Schouman. Contribution comes in different ways. Do Nelson and Stupar have a chance to add to that?

- Good to hear about McCargo. Does Mace have any chances, or is he just another body?

- What about the alleged 3-4 looks? Is that totally dependant on Maybin getting in?

- Why do you say his agents are “wierd?” Please say you think they can begin negotiations with him now that #12 is in place. Please don’t say they are still waiting on Crabtree and Parker.

Defense:

If the team recognizes that the pass rush is an issue (as it should), how are we changing the scheme to get more pressure. If the line isn’t getting the pressure, how is the team shifting from its base Cover-2?

Is the team planning on working in LB blitzes and shifting to Cover 3 at times?

How much man are they running?

Offense:

I agree that the no-huddle and TO/Evans on the outside is going to loosen defenses. How is the team working against the blitz? Everyone talks about Edwards handling the blitz so well during the early part of last season… which didn’t include the Pats. Now add in Ryan’s defensive package in NY. Are we scheming lots of RB/TE chips to delay the OLB’s?

How’s the OL communication with blitzes, twists, etc. coming along?

I read that we are practicing screens, which would do well against NE/NY; are they really planning on using the screen? Same question, just with play-action?

Player specific: Edwards.

How’s his footwork? Is he being patient in the pocket? I ask because on the crossing route to TO, the throw was good but it looked like he threw off his back foot and his left foot wasn’t pointed correctly.

You said that he was showing leadership qualities that you don’t believe existed before; is this something new for him, or are these traits he’s had and now showing with experience? Is he taking charge of the team (vice just controlling what’s going on at the line) a la Manning?

Thanks

I really like Wood, and I like Levitre and Hangartner. But I disagree whole-heartedly that Langston Walker is a MORE than capable LT, I also like Butler, but am concerned at his play at RT.

I think we must have realistic expectations this year. Realistically we are playing with a career journeyman at Center, two rookie guards, a guy at right tackle who hasn’t played tackle in the NFL, and one of the worst left tackles in the game (in my opinion of course). This line could evolve into a good line in a couple years, assuming with fix the gaping hole at LT, but right now, even optimistically we are in the bottom third of OL’s in the NFL, realistically probably in the bottom quarter, and pesimistically in the bottom 2 or 3. Just calling it like it is.

My only real question has already been asked in various ways, is Maybin good enough to give us an even half way decent pass rush?

The Bills as a whole seemed more aggressive and that is great.

And for those calling Schobel out for being slow, i rewatched last night, and because there was no game plan, Schobel found himself covering a WR at one point and what exactly is he going to do.

Thank you for the post. My point on the OL is this: They all have the work ethic and make up that OBD has long desired for. However, there is no doubt that Levitre and Wood along with Hangartner will be outmatched physically quite a bit in the AFC East. However, that said I will take a hard worker who is smart and can improve every day, over a veteran like Dock that rested on his laurels and lost his work ethic. I still think the OL is the #1 concern on this team. It’s not that I don’t think they can’t do it, it’s just I think it will be a work in progress all in one season and I’m not sure it can gel as quickly as we need it to. But I absolutely love Wood, and think he is my favorite draft pick of the Jauron era.

Geronimo, can you just answer one thing for me. How is Chris Kelsay still on this team? Don’t you think without a better stable of DE’s that we cannot put the pressure on opposing QB’s that will allow our secondary to make the plays it can if given the opportunity? Schobel, Maybin, Denney, but after that we have nothing. did they ever think about switching to a 3-4 look?

Thanks, and the fact they are going no-huddle 100% of the time is just friggn awesome!

Just wanted to say thank you for the amount of information you provide, whoever you are, Geronimo.

Geronimo could mean “Jauron IMO”. Nice pun? I think so. :)

is anyone going to mention the best part about the poz, aside from his passion, those long golden locks!

Thanks for posting. Your insights are appreciated, and I hope you can post more often.

Would you agree that Trent had trouble last year when teams rushed 3 and dropped 8 in coverage? If so, can you tell me if this is something the coaching staff has been working on or plan to work on with him?

How does April feel about his new wedge…. ummm ….. return formation? Is he expecting the average yardage in our return game to be more/less/about the same? What changes have the cover team made?

Has Lynch actually learned his lesson? That may be an unfair question, but I was wondering if he is actually taking the suspension seriously?

What is your impression of T.O. Specifically, does it feel like T.O. is looking at this as a one year deal, and is already looking toward the future?

Will the Bills ever consider drafting a late round developmental QB? (insert CB joke here)

Do you really think Ellis or Youboty have a chance of getting cut? I know that Youboty can’t stay healthy, and Eliis hasn’t shown much, but these were 3rd round draft picks. Do yiu think the team is ready to give up on them?

Great insight, Geronimo. Love talking to you.

Peters said the work ethic in Phily is greater, citing doing 16 100-yard sprints the first day of camp.

What’s your thoughts on the overall work ethic of the team, and how the coaching staff influences it (for better or worse)?

I remember Levy’s camps were lax, but the team played the regular season great. As devil’s advocate, Phily plays a finesse offense but matches up physically with the NFC East very well.