Grading the Bills: Game 4

In a blowout loss to the New York Jets, 38-14, the Buffalo Bills will seek their first victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars (with a familiar face on the sidelines).  Here's the low down for this week.

Rushing Offense: D-

The only reason why this grade was not an F was that Ryan Fitzpatrick had 74 yards on 7 runs, including a pair of 20+ yards in the fourth quarter.  On the other hand, it was sad that Fitz got more rushing yardage than all the Bills running backs combined!  Marshawn Lynch arguably had his worst game of the season averaging only 2 yards a carry with a costly fumble in the fourth.  C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson only ran the ball a few times throughout the game, but had good runs each time they got the ball (combined 5 for 32 yards). We know that Chan Gailey is trying to install life in the Bills passing attack, but when you have three talented running backs, running the ball is key not only to get the offense going, but to score more points.

Passing Offense: F

Regardless of the fact that Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for two touchdowns without any interceptions, the pass attack was poor at best.  Reminiscent of Trent Edwards from a few games ago, Fitz only managed to develop 2 drives in the game forcing Brian Moorman to punt the ball an incredulous 9 times.  More embarrassingly was the fact that fourth wide-out David Nelson had more production than wide receivers Evans, Johnson and Parrish catching 4 passes for 75 yards compared to their combined 5 catches for 44 yards.  Where is Lee Evans?  So far this franchise player has had only 10 catches for 94 yards in four games!  It definitely hurts that Parrish and Johnson both cannot function as the number two receiver for the Bills, but this is getting ridiculous.  Tackles Cornell Green and Demetrius Bell have the clock ticking against them before either a healthy Ed Wang and/or Jamon Meredith replace them in the starting line-up.

Rushing Defense: F

Admittedly, it is difficult to go against a future Hall-of-Fame running back and keep him from owning the field. It is even more problematic when you are missing a starting defensive end and inside linebacker (Stoud and Davis).  It is appalling that starting RB LaDainian Tomlinson and backup RB Shonn Greene both ran for over 100 yards (LT averaging over 7 yards a carry and 2 scores) against the Bills supposed defense. Its no wonder that the Bills are ranked so low on defense if they cannot stuff the run.  Linebackers need to get to the line a lot quicker in the future if they are to have a chance against stopping the run.  

Passing Defense: D+

Despite holding the Jets to under 200 yards of passing during the game, the Bills defensive backs had problems containing WR Braylon Edwards and TE Dustin Keller whenever Sanchez tried to pass resulting in three passing TDs.  Again, 0 sacks and 0 turnovers were the underlying tones for the defense (sensing a correlation between the two...)  To be fair the DBs played well enough throughout the game, especially given that starter Terrence McGee was out.  However, the Bills once again showed that their OLBs cannot blitz well and cannot cover tight ends.  Funny that the Bills just signed Chris Kelsay to multi-million 4 year contract.  Sadly the secondary never got a chance to really play given that the Jets ran over the front line at will.

Special Teams: C-

Fair returns by Parrish and Spiller could not help the Bills offense to get going.  Moorman sadly had a field day punting, but never had good enough field position to affect the Jets.  Coverage on the returns was spotty at best allowing double digit returns on punts while a fumble by the return team early in the game was almost costly, not that it would have mattered.  Sadly, one of the better units for the Bills today.

Coaching: D-

Chan Gailey cannot win both literally and figuratively.  Coming out of preseason with a re-energized Trent Edwards, the Bills could barely get a single drive going a game.  Replacing him with Ryan Fitzpatrick seemed promising against the Patriots, but clearly things are not panning out as well as thought.  At least Clausen, Tebow and McCoy have not been doing much around the NFL in return (only Clausen is currently starting) meaning that the QB draft potential was not as good as some thought.  The team itself is playing with more energy than during the Jauron years but costly sacks, penalties, turnovers combined with an inability to get the pass and run game established as well the defense forcing turnovers is hurting the Bills immensely.  Next week against the Jags should help the Bills get settled.  The early bye-week is looking so good right now and will allow Chan to make changes on the offensive line and with the linebackers.  2011 Draft is looking so good right now for a LOT and QB.

Other Notes:

Chan Gailey and Buddy Nix have inherited a mess from Dick Jauron and will have to probably wait until after the 2011 draft before playoff aspirations can be attained as both men have said.  

Go Bills and optimistically yours, DynamicHero22