How safe are the Bills defensive vets?

by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 31, 2009 12:06 PM EDT

Let me start by saying that I don't have exact figures, but listening to Paul Hamilton this morning on 550, he rattled off figures over an alarming stat: the defense's inability to get off the field on 3rd down. Yes, I know this is nothing new if you've been a fan of the team and followed them closely during the past 3 years...

The Steelers converted 10/17 3rd downs, and all but 1 were of the passing variety. Most were long down-and-distance plays, and most conversions were well beyond the sticks.

What's going on here? If the situation is an obvious passing down, shouldn't the Bills' D have the upper hand? And again, yes, this is preseason (and we all need to take our iodine pills), so I know that the team is probably running their vanilla scheme. But devil's advocate would also say that the opposition, too, runs their vanilla offense.

Why are we led to believe and taken to lengths to discuss and debate that the vets are integral parts of the system? Everyone is up in arms over the offense right now, but I think there's a bigger storm brewing if the defense continues with their inability to get off the field. (As a reminder, the Steelers held the ball for 41:15.)

Is it too soon to discuss this as an area of concern? Should the guard be changed? Is it all on the front 7, or are the backfield guys also part of the concern? How safe could this organization feel cutting ANY of their defensive players if they continue to face 40 minutes of game time each week? They may need bodies, just to field a complete and healthy unit.

At the end of the day: Why can't this team get off the field quickly, and who gives them the best opportunity to do so come week 1?

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

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The Bills 3rd down defense has been a problem this preseason, but they actually finished in a three way tie for 7th best last year. Offenses converted 36% of their 3rd down attempts against us last year, which was 5% more than the league leading Steelers. And the teams who finished 5% worse (the Giants, Chargers and Jaguars) finished in a not too bad tie for 21st. 3rd downs were a strength of this defense last year.

http://www.nfl.com/stats/categorystats?offensiveStatisticCategory=null&archive=false&seasonType=REG&defensiveStatisticCategory=GAME_STATS&d-447263-o=1&conference=null&d-447263-s=DOWN_3RD_PERCENTAGE&d-447263-n=1&season=2008&Submit=Go&qualified=true&tabSeq=2&role=OPP&d-447263-p=1

by kaisertown on Aug 31, 2009 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

Right, but why are these concerns coming up now? Is it purely the preseason?

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 31, 2009 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions

I think the Bills just have an average D who had a couple bad games in a row against great QBs. They got zero help from the offense in both games too. It’s not a great defense by any stretch of the imagination and good teams are going to score points. But they should be a reliable group and they showed last year that they can keep the team in games against mediocre opponents when the offense is struggling.

More than 3rd downs, their problem is that they don’t come up with many drive stopping plays. Turnovers are the obvious one, but a sack is going to kill a drive more often than not. Drawing a holding penalty will end most drives. Buffalo needs more things like that if they want to keep the point totals of teams like Green Bay and Pittsburgh in the teens.

by kaisertown on Aug 31, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Don't worry....Byrd will solve

that pesky 3rd and long conversion and turnover problem. Remember, he is a ball hawk :-P

"When troops flee, are insubordinate, collapse, or are routed in battle, it is the fault of the general." – Sun Tzu. Yes Jauron, I am talking to you.

by Joe P. on Aug 31, 2009 7:49 PM EDT up reply actions

It was annoying but it has more to do with Big Ben than the Bills. He has a way of extending plays that normally wouldn’t go anywhere.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Aug 31, 2009 1:07 PM EDT reply actions

yup

(As a reminder, the Steelers held the ball for 41:15.)

yikes though!

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by J2 on Aug 31, 2009 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions

Just a thought...

What if Chris Kelsay became a LBer? He’s not huge for a DE and he’s great against the run.

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by TheAfghanTwilight on Aug 31, 2009 3:28 PM EDT reply actions

I can't remember...

Kelsay being great at anything.Check that ; He is great at making unearned money.

by marks4412 on Aug 31, 2009 5:10 PM EDT up reply actions

can't read too much into this

- we are playing Vanilla packages with 4 rushing, 2 coverage LBs and 5 DBs
- blitzing almost non-existent
- have yet to put our 4 best pass rushing Dlinemen on the field together

by freddyjj on Aug 31, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions