Bills must conquer themselves before opponents
by Brian Galliford on Sep 28, 2009 11:30 AM EDT
in Buffalo Bills News
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PrintThat look from Terrell Owens, pictured right? That just about perfectly sums up some of the problems that the Buffalo Bills have exhibited through three games in this still-young (which is important to remember) NFL season.
In Dick Jauron's first three seasons as the head coach of the Bills, the teams were a lot of things - inconsistent, incapable of finishing games, and all the rest of those things that need no mention. One thing we could always count on, however, was Buffalo not (routinely) killing themselves with bad mistakes.
Buffalo chose to get younger in several key areas this off-season. Two of those critical areas were along the offensive line and in the depth department. One of the league's least-penalized teams over the past three seasons, the Bills - thanks mostly to their youth - are the league's worst in that department this season.
Bills are the most-penalized team in the league. Buffalo has been flagged 28 times in three games. That's the highest total in the league. So, too, are their 242 penalty yards. The Bills did a rather remarkable job of rebounding from these mistakes in their season-opening loss to New England and in their Week 2 victory over Tampa Bay. They didn't come close to it in yesterday's loss to New Orleans.
Think about that for a second - the Bills are committing over nine penalties per game. They had a round dozen in yesterday's loss. Buffalo's opponents are giving back as much as they've been taking - the Pats, Bucs and Saints have been penalized 28 times in the Bills' three games. In the land of all things equal, the Bills are just as sloppy as their opponents.
And that's sort of the point. Buffalo is talented, but they're young - and to beat more talented, more veteran teams, you have to make fewer mistakes than your opponents. The Bills aren't - and it's killing their chances of making the most of their opportunities to win football games.
Bills are struggling to make up the difference. Penalties are harmful, yes, but they don't lose football games for you - it's an inability to recover from those mistakes that ultimately harms you. Buffalo has been extremely hit-and-miss - mostly miss - in this department.
Chew on this stat for a second: Buffalo's offense has been faced with third-down situations 36 times in three games. They've moved the sticks on just 10 of those opportunities. Their 27.8% conversion rate puts them at No. 27 in the league in sustaining drives. They're also -1 in turnover margin; Buffalo's defense has done well to force four turnovers from some pretty solid offenses in these games, but Trent Edwards and the offense have turned it right back over five times.
Buffalo has forced its opponents to make mistakes this season. They've made far too many themselves to adequately take advantage of their opponents' blunders. Add in an inability to consistently move the ball, and several missed opportunities (mostly dropped passes from numerous receivers), and the team's 1-2 record is hardly surprising.
It's desperation time, folks. That's a tough spot to be in heading into Week 4, but it's true. Buffalo is playing mistake-laden, youthful football, they're really banged up, and they're heading to Miami in the midst of a seven-game losing streak against AFC East foes. A loss to the 0-3 Dolphins would leave Buffalo at 1-3 and dead last in the division.
If ever there has been a must-win game for this football team, next week is it. If we're 1-3, all hell could break loose.
The real question isn't whether or not Buffalo will play with a sense of desperation - and yeah, we know the Dolphins definitely will be - but whether or not that desperation will lead to more mistakes as our young guys press to make plays. A sense of desperation would be nice, but it could lead to even sloppier play. These young Bills have a lot of growing up to do. The maturation process needs to start next week in Miami.
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Funny – I literally just wrote a comment about what happened to the low penalties… anyone want to enlighten me why we are getting to be terrible on ST – and I mean kickoffs/punts – that fake FG was a beauty
I was born in Buffalo, and NO, it's not a suburb of New York City
Some might say...
When you’re at the top, there’s nowhere left to go but down.
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by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 28, 2009 1:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes but...
I don’t feel they are the reason we’re losing the games. Do they hurt? Yes, but this isn’t the reason i’m concerned.
Injuries and Trent are…..
I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying
Trent Edwards - Backup QB until furthur notice. Care to prove me wrong Trent?
You need great QB play to overcome these mistakes. We obviously haven’t gotten it. I would much rather watch Trent struggle than watch him make plays (like his sideline pass to Reed yesterday) that are called back by penalty, and then watch Trent struggle.
You’re right, though – Trent needs to get better. I hammered that point home the entire off-season, and obviously stand by it. But nothing irritates me more than watching a team self-destruct and then expect their kid QB and their kid OL make up for it.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 28, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions
I would much rather watch Trent struggle than watch him make plays (like his sideline pass to Reed yesterday) that are called back by penalty, and then watch Trent struggle.
I’d take neither, thank you very much!!!
~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."
So true
But nothing irritates me more than watching a team self-destruct and then expect their kid QB and their kid OL make up for it.
Ryan and Flacco and even Sanchez were put in positions to succeed by their teams. It’s so frustrating not to see Buffalo do the same thing.
by Mark Parisi on Sep 28, 2009 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
They both have VETERAN O-lines.
Delightfully Ignoring The Truth since 1995.
by NeverendingOptimism on Sep 28, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah, that’s my point. I’m not sure the team has done anything to put a QB in a position to succeed going back to Todd Collins. I understand the need to get the rookies on the line playing time; I just don’t like what it does for Trent’s development.
I agree, but Trent has to develop in spite of his O-line. I think he can.
Delightfully Ignoring The Truth since 1995.
by NeverendingOptimism on Sep 29, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Penalties have negated several big plays in each game we have played
While they are not the sole reason for the Bills two losses, they definitely contributed to the lose in this last game. We can’t do anything about injuries, and we know what Trent can do when he playing well. He just needs to be consistent. But eliminating penalties is easily correctable and can have a significant impact on the game.
Poor ball security leads to very painful outcomes
it’s not like i’m on board with the penalty thing. I certainly am – but this is probably 4 or 5 on my list of worries right now….
think of the other side – how many drives for opposing teams have helped us this year? a lot
I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying
Trent Edwards - Backup QB until furthur notice. Care to prove me wrong Trent?
Turnovers
Two of the turnovers were special teams fumbles, not the offense. So the offense really hasn’t been terrible in that area….but not exactly great
by Posluszny Pollocks on Sep 28, 2009 11:51 AM EDT reply actions
I’m confused by the linked table. So the 28 penalties listed on the Bills defense are penalties on the opposition? That’s not how I would have first read the table.
The 28 listed on the Bills are on the team as a whole – O, D and ST. The table does not have a listing for opponents’ penalties – I did some simple addition for that one.
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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 28, 2009 12:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Toggling the “type” between offense and defense: choosing offense you get 28 penalties and 242 yards (followed by the Cards with 24 and 175). choosing defense its 28 and 264 yards (followed by the Saints with 27 and 241).
Yep, I completely missed that. You’re right – “offense” is penalties the Bills have committed, “defense” is penalties opponents have committed.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 28, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Penalties are a problem...
but they are not the 800-pound gorilla in the room. Penalties are merely the fleas on the gorilla’s back – along with the special teams problems. Sure, we can shoo the penalties away, but there’s still that 800-pound problem we’re faced with.
The problem is that the Bills should have beat the Patriots on the road, but killed themselves with a special teams fumble and two 20-yard passes against a tired depleted Bills defense that had been on the field too long. The offense clicks, but the tampa 2 got soft, tired and beat up.
We beat Tampa, get excited.
The offense then got “exposed” by a New Orleans defense that game planned the entire week in a 3-4 defense. The offense gets stifled, and again, the tampa 2 got soft, tired and beat up.
Explain to me this – 185 games for T.O. catching at least one ball? Only five times thrown at? This problem has nothing to do with penalties. This is on Edwards, Van Pelt, Jauron and the Tampa 2. Somebody has to step up.
How is T.O. not getting the ball the Tampa 2’s fault?
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Ignoring the grumblings on Rumblings.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 29, 2009 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions
To me this is the biggest problem and was the biggest problem with the offense.
Turnovers happen….the other team gets paid to make plays……but penalties KILLED drives yesterday.
That has to improve first and foremost.
"In every adversity there lies the seed of an equivalent advantage. In every defeat is a lesson showing you how to win the victory next time." (Robert Collier)
by norcaliangelsfan on Sep 28, 2009 12:34 PM EDT reply actions
Too many mistakes
Way too many mistakes.
The penalties have been a major issue, but they haven’t been totally critical. It does seem that a number of first downs have been wiped out by holding penalties. Anybody have that number? We do have 60 yards more of penalties than the next closest team, so they have definitely hurt.
But it’s not like we haven’t benefited from the opposition’s penalties as well. We have picked up NINE first downs because of the opposing defense’s penalties. That’s a lot, in fact it’s the most in the league if my quick review of total first downs in correct. The Patriots are next with 8.
The Bills D has to do a much better job of forcing turnovers and mistakes out of the opposing offense. We’re on pace to force 21 turnovers, which isn’t good enough. We forced 22 last year, and we’ve all wanted a significant spike in that.
3rd downs will always be an issue when you are in 3rd and long and struggle to protect the QB. It also doesn’t help with a QB who throws checkdowns on 3rd downs….
A loss to Miami might put us too far back, even this early. Starting 0-2 in the division,1-3 overall, and with a number of tough games still to play will make it nearly impossible to come back. We can’t fall that far behind the Jets and Pats if we are to compete for a playoff spot at any point this year. With a tough AFC North and maybe a rejuvenated Broncos team (though I’m highly skeptical of that team) looking like they’ll add a few teams to the wild card race, it is not wise to fall too far back early….
~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."
Even if we win the next two, we are no playoff team
so don’t set yourself up for a big disappointment. HOWEVER, we should be using this year to (1) build up our OL to where it’s good for many years; (2) make significant progress with our QB; and (3) develop a pass rush, for a change.
If we do these, we will be a contender in 2010 and beyond……but don’t expect an impressive W-L this year; it ain’t gonna happen. We just aren’t ready now but we HAVE to make good progress this season in those three areas listed above.
by ccthemovieman on Sep 28, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
I know this isn't a playoff team
but we should be able to compete down the stretch at least, if we are able to win a few of these upcoming games….
~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."
I wouldn’t count on 2010 and beyond….another poor showing this year means a turnover in coaching staff, which may have a much different agenda.
by quantumuprising on Sep 28, 2009 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
But say we are out of the playoffs but they rattle off like 5 straight wins to end the year and finish a half game or a game out of the playoffs at 10-6. That gets Jauron another year IMO.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Ignoring the grumblings on Rumblings.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 29, 2009 2:59 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL. I’ve beat this horse dead five times come Sunday, but I feel it too!
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by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 28, 2009 1:24 PM EDT up reply actions
Everyone is missing the real emergency
I’m sorry, but as important as it is to correct mistakes that is a minor concern compared to the situation we now have on the o-line with Geoff Hangartner apparently injured along with Demetrius Bell. I think we learned yesterday that Hangartner is the glue that has held this young line together so far. Without him, it appears to fall apart, and given the fact that he re-injured his back and had to leave the game he could be out several weeks. That apparently means Eric Wood moving over to Center and making the line calls (that’s what they did in the fourth quarter yesterday) and Seth McKinney playing RG, with Chambers at LT subbing for Bell.
THAT is what led to the dismal offensive performance yesterday. Peyton Manning himself could not have done much better at QB than Trent did given the pressure that was coming at him. Yes, getting penalized 116 yards is bad, but let’s say they can cut it in half. Is that going to make that much difference if we have no o-line?
Yes, the OL is a concern. But I’ve said it a bazillion times and will continue to do so – trying to point the finger of blame at one person or entity is an exercise in futility.
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"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 28, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions
But Brian, I’m not pointing any “finger of blame.” On the contrary, I’m suggesting that Geoff Hangartner was playing an even more important role in holding this young o-line together than we had realized — although it makes sense that that would be the case once you think about it. As everyone has been noting, he did an exceptional job in the first two games. That’s why his potential loss is so critical.
It’s clear that Hangartner wasn’t fully ready to go against the Saints, but tried to hang in there (sorry about the pun) anyway. The question I’m raising is whether he will be ready to play against Miami and Cleveland, which are both crucial games for all the reasons you say. If he isn’t, the problem will be compounded if Bell is lost as well — not only because he was making a real contribution (his cut block to spring Fred Jackson on the first play of the second half was a thing of beauty), but because it means that Chambers will have to take his place at LT rather than filling in at RG for Wood (who it appears is the first choice to play Center). If you subtract Brad Butler, Geoff Hangartner and Demetrius Bell from the original starting line and then add Seth McKinney that’s a true prescription for disaster. And if one more o-lineman gets injured and we have to put in that incredibly raw recruit from Green Bay (who could be really good a year from now, but is not ready to play at the moment), we could easily be looking at 1-3 and then 1-4.
That’s why I’m saying that this is a much more dire situation than all the penalties (bad as they are).
Well, you mentioned the O-Line and then said
THAT is what led to the dismal offensive performance yesterday.
Sounds like finger-pointing to me. I don’t disagree with your thoughts on the OL in the least, but you must realize that I’m not saying that penalties are the sole reason we’ve lost games, either.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 28, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions
Ok, I guess that qualifies as finger-pointing at “an entity,” but it’s a pretty wide-ranging entity that can account for the problems we saw. It can make the QB’s performance shaky (by the fourth quarter he was literally scooping up every snap off the ground) and for AVP’s caution in his play-calling. And again I’m not so much trying to assign blame as diagnosing a weakness.
What you and I completely agree on is the enormous importance of the Miami game, and what I’m suggesting is that the first thing that needs to be attended to if the Bills are going to win is the interior o-line. The defense, as we saw yesterday, can really rise to the occasion.
The injuries on the o-line are either 1a or 1b for concerns for me right now. If we lose both Bell and Hang while also losing Butler – then we’re just effd
I am so clever that sometimes I don’t understand a single word of what I am saying
Trent Edwards - Backup QB until furthur notice. Care to prove me wrong Trent?
by J2 on Sep 28, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Those loveable guys on 550
commented some time back that a poor season sparked by injury might save Jauron. Not looking at this with the eyes of a conspiracy theorist, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the coaching staff were given a “do-over” if the season goes down the tubes while so many players are injured.
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by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 28, 2009 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions
ugh.
"In every adversity there lies the seed of an equivalent advantage. In every defeat is a lesson showing you how to win the victory next time." (Robert Collier)
by norcaliangelsfan on Sep 28, 2009 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions
It's all about wins
You can’t use injuries as the excuse here. This is why you build depth and get the most out of your players. If Jauron can’t do that, then he needs to go….
~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."
exactamundo!
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by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 28, 2009 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
I would not disagree at all. Creating a situation where we have only McKinney and Jemon What’s-His-Name for depth is on the coaches.
And Kirk Chambers.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 28, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions
But he performed very well in relief last year, and even looked good at G in the preseason. He has always struck me as a solid depth player. Why is he a problem now?
I didn’t say it was. But he’s depth, and you didn’t include him when mentioning OL depth.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 28, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL Statz
Week 3 passer rating. Buffalo is at the bottom and top.
Of course only the bottom one really counts
Technically Trent wasn’t the worst. Jamarcus Russell was so bad, as usual, that they didn’t bother including him!!
~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."
trent better than russell. what a consolation. is that who he compares to now?
ugh. its too early to lose hope.
No, nobody compares to Russell
Nobody is that bad…
~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."
and he got what 60 Million?
Trent is gonna make like 4 LOL.
"In every adversity there lies the seed of an equivalent advantage. In every defeat is a lesson showing you how to win the victory next time." (Robert Collier)
by norcaliangelsfan on Sep 28, 2009 3:00 PM EDT up reply actions
I could be way off the mark, but isn’t Edwards making like $725,000 a season?
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 28, 2009 3:25 PM EDT up reply actions
i was talking about life of the contract
"In every adversity there lies the seed of an equivalent advantage. In every defeat is a lesson showing you how to win the victory next time." (Robert Collier)
by norcaliangelsfan on Sep 28, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Again with the freaking boiling down to ONE thing. Penalties are a reflection on coaching, yes, but coaching is not the sole factor in penalties.
Buffalo Rumblings. On Twitter.
"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. --Wayne Grezky" --Michael Scott
by Brian Galliford on Sep 28, 2009 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly
NFL refs have bionic vision. I blame that.
~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."
I think Anthony Hargrove got a bum penalty yesterday.
Twitter: helping to make anti-social people anti-socially social.
by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 28, 2009 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions
How much longer will T.O. wait?
I see an abruption from him if he doesnt get 5-6 catches and a TD next week… And yes Bills fans, if our team loses another division game next week we can say good bye playoffs.
by unBILLievable JJP on Sep 28, 2009 2:11 PM EDT reply actions
Horrible play calling
Is it that Trent Edwards cant throw a completion over ten yards or is the play calling ? T.O needs to erupt that game was one of the worst offensive performances I’ve seen in my life
Please the playoffs again in my life time
Is Reed the only guy who can run a hot route?
Bills offense needs to get Evans and TO into the hot route mode at least SOME of the time. I don’t think the Bills EVER run a 3-step drop, but if you’re getting blitzed in the shotgun and still getting sacked, you need at least one of your biggest playmakers (Evans and TO) running a quick slant. Edwards has poor footwork in the pocket in that he doesn’t seem to know where/when to take one step here or there to get a throw off when he’s pressured, but knowing he’s got TO or Evans running a five yard slant that they might be able to break, would help.
by AlwaysaBillinPhilly on Sep 28, 2009 4:25 PM EDT reply actions
There a lot of wisdom here. Why are Evans and Owens limited to running down the sidelines all the time? Why can’t THEY come over the middle, either on a five yard slant or fifteen yards? And why aren’t we using Steve Johnson to run hot routes, especially when Shawn Nelson is out? Is Derek Fine really a better bet than Johnson for that assignment?
They do.
Owens balls he caught in the Bucs game were on 5-10 yard digs. He has been running those routes. Evans only catches in this game were short ones.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Ignoring the grumblings on Rumblings.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 29, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Edwards has decent footwork. He escaped a couple times yesterday. He needs to make reads and get the ball out. He waits, maybe by design and maybe not, too long on a lot of the plays you speak of.
Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Ignoring the grumblings on Rumblings.
by MattRichWarren on Sep 29, 2009 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Article picture
Was I the only one reminded of this clip when I saw the TO picture for this article?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Iu8PjILyis
If only he had been wearing 81 instead of 87…
"I could have conquered Europe, all of it, but I had women in my life." - King Henry II of England
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