Bills Run Defense Reverts To Old Form Against Patriots
by Brian Galliford on Dec 27, 2010 9:45 AM EST
in Buffalo Bills News
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In two consecutive wins over the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins, the Buffalo Bills - who have had the NFL's worst run defense since very early in the 2010 season - shut down the likes of Peyton Hillis, Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams in two solid performances defending the run. Last week, we talked about Buffalo's need to have a similar performance against a New England Patriots team that put up 200 rushing yards in a 38-30 win over the Bills in Week 3.
It was a nice idea, and it certainly didn't come to fruition. The Patriots racked up 217 yards on the ground in yesterday's 34-3 throttling of the Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
Buffalo once again proved that it can't handle any type of competent offense, nor any particular player type within those schemes. Rough-and-tumble runner BenJarvus Green-Ellis averaged 5.5 yards on his 19 carries, while scat back Danny Woodhead put up an average of 7.2 yards on his 13 carries, and added a 29-yard touchdown run to open the scoring for the Patriots.
The only way to slow down New England's vaunted offense is to make their attack one-dimensional. Buffalo didn't do that, and as a result, the Pats maintained balance and Tom Brady had all day to throw, as he surgically picked apart the Bills' secondary to the tune of three touchdowns. He only needed 140 passing yards to get it done.
This was the seventh time in 15 games that the Bills have surrendered over 200 rushing yards this season. It kind of goes without saying that Buffalo is 0-7 in those games. They get the New York Jets in Week 17 - a team that has averaged 280 rushing yards in their last three games against the Bills.
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Just one more glaring example
of why NOT drafting some run-stopping stud on defense and instead, choosing a running back when we already had two 1,000-yard RBs – is (hopefully) the dumbest move ever made by Buddy Nix. Let’s hope he wises up before the next draft because this defense is a sieve against good teams.
Troup was 2nd, Carrington 3rd
Right idea, but we’ll know in a couple of years if the talent evaluation was righteous. We need more of same in next year’s draft… DL, LB, OT. And don’t be afraid to trade down.
That’s pretty short-sighted, if you ask me – and I’m no defender of the logic of taking Spiller. The only “run-stopping stud” that the team could have drafted there was Dan Williams, and he has had a very similar rookie season to Spiller on a very suspect run defense.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
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by Brian Galliford on Dec 27, 2010 7:23 PM EST up reply actions
Same issue as last season.
We brought in Dwan Edwards and Andra Davis in FA. Then picked up a couple LB’s from George Edwards past. We then drafted some college DE’s to play LB, and a DE and NT. That is seven players brought in to help upgrade our front seven on defense. Result: same issue as last season.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
couldn't be clearer
our average D(being kind) against below average teams is, well, average. But, the performance against talent the likes of the Pats makes it crystal clear that the Bills are (still) very bad on both sides of the ball and the hoopla and enthusiasm over the “progress” the team has made is just that, hoopla.
Everyone involved should get a wrap on the knuckles with the “yardstick” from yesterday. A good smack in the a$$, would be in order as well.
And, as you mention, next up is the Jets. Sanchez (if he plays) may not even need to throw a pass Sunday. After that, more anguish over who/what/how CHIX will fix this mess. Futility part deux.
What we call our despair is often only the painful eagerness of unfed hope.
If I was Rex Ryan, i’d have Sanchez throw the screen all day. It’s a glorified run and the Bills struggle to defend it well.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 27, 2010 10:41 AM EST up reply actions
I think 300 yards is a very real possibility next week. The talk now is if Sanchez will play and for how long. The Jets need to get their run game back on track. It looks like the doctor has called in a prescription.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 28, 2010 9:47 AM EST up reply actions
This i nit-picking...
The Bills hardly “shut down” Peyton Hillis. He had a healthy dose above 100 yards and were it not for the idiotic playcalling of Manginius and the fumblitis of Hillis, Peyton may very well have gone off for much more.
That duo down in Miami is a shell of their former self, to boot. The Bills have a glaring hole at run defense, and the league knows just how to run through it.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 27, 2010 10:39 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Agreed
The supposedly stout performances against Cleveland and Miami were a mirage. We can’t hold the line.
The issue I have is whether or not fixing the run problem fixes the problem of losing games. I don’t know that it does. The secondary is suspect and the offense is immature and irrational when it’s crunch time.
It’s like the Bills are allergic to rushing in the NFL. They can’t defend it and they refuse to commit to it on offense.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 27, 2010 10:43 AM EST up reply actions
We need a lot of fixes . . .
Pass rush would help too.
I wouldn’t prioritize the secondary, if it was my call. I don’t think you can go wrong with trying to get help in the trenches first.
I’m sure they’ll surprise us with the draft though.
Pass rush would be awesome. I was swearing at Kelsay yesterday for his late-game sack cheer.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 27, 2010 10:55 AM EST up reply actions
Boy did that look foolish. When you’re down 28 points you shouldn’t be celebrating anything.
"Ability without character will lose. The Bills are going to be a team of high character. That stamp I will push very hard. I hope we can convey that to our fans and project something very special to the rest of the nation." - Marv Levy
by BuffaloBlueBlood on Dec 27, 2010 11:29 AM EST up reply actions
That’s another way of saying we need LB’s — the kind that can both rush the passer and be stout against the run. A really first-rate middle linebacker is probably our greatest need — someone like David Harris of the Jets (who is a FA this year, but who the Jets will obviously resign). But is there someone like that available in this year’s draft?
Not sure if this is the thread for this...
But I pin the loss on Chan Gailey. Or at least it being a competitive game.
Going in, the Bills had to keep the Pats offense off the field. It was 20 degrees and windy, the perfect plan was to establish and wear down the defense with a power running game. And that’s what the Bills did for the first four minutes. The first six plays were all runs, 59 yards, first down on the Pats 13. The Bills were exploiting a major flaw in the Pats defensive game plan, they had no immediate answer to what the Bills were doing.
So what’s Gailey’s thinking? Let’s pass, they’ll never expect it! Incomplete to Johnson in the endzone, but oh so close. Then a five yard run by Freddie (gee, the Pats still can’t stop it). Third and five, incomplete then FG. Momentum lost.
Bills stop the Pats on their first series and get the ball back. What’s Gailey’s plan? Pass, pass, pass, punt. Momentum totally lost.
Pats score TD after the punt. Bills get the ball after the kickoff. Pass, run, pass, then sack/fumble. The rout is on. Fans are out of the game, players are demoralized.
Team needs to be on top of its game to stand a chance, and Gailey took them right out of it.
I dunno . . .
Bills get the ball after the kickoff. Pass, run, pass, then sack/fumble.
Nothing really wrong with the playcalling there. The passes were completions, including the one long bomb to Spiller. The momentum killer was Fitzy’s fumble. Can’t blame that on Gailey.
Did you ever read the book Hunter Thompson’s book Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas? It’s a great read and it has the perfect analogy for what went on.
Thompson said that the best outcome for the casinos is for the first time visitor to win, win big. Because that will hook them for life, and that they will get it all back and more. The close play with Johnson, the 41 yard pass gain. That’s what it was. Gailey believed in his heart that the Bills could move through the air against the Pats. And they did, except for Fitz’s slight three interceptions and two fumbles on pass plays.
But that was the wrong game plan for the wrong team on the wrong day. Who doesn’t think the Bills would have scored a TD on the first drive on the ground alone. That would have pumped the defense and the fans. I don’t thnk their would have been a Brian article about seven turnovers and a rout if Gailey had kept it simple.
Fear and loathing in Buffalo
Just about sums it up.
I agree we should have tried to keep it on the ground more.
It may not be the right thread to discuss it, but i’m with you. They packed it in when they shelved the run game. Coincidence that their only real drive was the one where they committed to the run? Oh well, a topic for another day or another thread.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 27, 2010 12:17 PM EST up reply actions
plus, I love the phrase "shut down the likes of Peyton Hillis..."
I’m sorry, but that made me chuckle. his 15 mins of fame are just about up, right?
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Dec 27, 2010 10:45 AM EST up reply actions
I’m not so sure. he’s built like a featured back.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 27, 2010 10:51 AM EST up reply actions
I don't know...I guess I just don't think of Peyton Hillis as a top 20 RB in the NFL
His nice season this year says otherwise, but I’m not buying it just yet
"WHEN THE WAGON BLASTER TAKES OFF dont try to get in. THE SPACESES ARE LIMITED FOR WINNING ATTITUDE GODZILLA IS COMING GET READY" - abayarde
by StroudFanClub on Dec 27, 2010 10:55 AM EST up reply actions
I’m with you, but I think he’s the real deal. I feel the same way about LeGarrette Blount, but that kid can hurdle anyone on defense.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 27, 2010 10:56 AM EST up reply actions
Considering
This is year 1 of a rebuild that that Ralph, Nix and Gailey all went on record saying it wasn’t going to be an easy thing and wasn’t going to happen quickly. Sure beating the likes of the Browns, Bengals, Lions, and Dolphins makes you a sure bet to beat the 12-2 Patriots who have been romping on every other team in the league. On top of that you should throw out all the small gains from season 1 of a rebuild if you don’t beat the Patriots hell we should fire the FO and start over! \end sarcasm. Sure it would have been nice to beat the Pat’s but if anyone expected to beat them that’s just ridiculous. This year was about seeing what if any strengths we have and finding our many weaknesses and building from there.
by Robot Nixon on Dec 27, 2010 10:47 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
I hear you and understand it all.
At the same time – and as awesome as a guy like Danny Woodhead is – it was Danny Woodhead and Benjarvis Green-Ellis who ran over the Bills. It was a backup to a backup on the Patriots o-line who the defense couldn’t take advantage of. It’s all the things that other teams exploit which the Bills seem to get exploited by. It’s chronic with this organization, and even though it’s a new regime, the frosting on the cake is the same as last year.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 27, 2010 10:54 AM EST up reply actions
There is still a lot of fat to be trimmed, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lot of new faces on the roster next year assuming the CBA thing gets worked out. I have a hunch that this past draft is going to turn out to be a very good draft, Gailey is someone who has been a college HC for a long time and is only used to having a guy around for a limited amount of years. In that mind set letting a guy develop for a year must seem like a luxury. I didn’t expect much out of this year, in fact I would have been happy with the young guys getting playing time but I was more the pleasantly surprised with a lot of the little things. Next year I expect more and the year after that I will expect to win.
by Robot Nixon on Dec 27, 2010 11:08 AM EST up reply actions
I think that’s what a lot of the critical commenters are saying. That we are “finding out our many weaknesses” this year. And at or near the top of that long list is run defense and lack of pass rush.
well said
And at or near the top of that long list is run defense and lack of pass rush
another burr in the saddle for us critics is that RB was not near the top of that list – yet….Won’t be redundant here re; who we drafted but they must get a better list together this year AND get some talent on this team. I would recommend they change draft philosophy to: BPAWWMAII (or best player available who will make an impact immediately).
One only needs to look at the PATS (again). They draft 2 TEs, count ‘em 2 and they are both playing and contributing TODAY. They aren’t sitting on the bench for several weeks ala Moats, Carrington, et al. They are out there helping the PATS win NOW. Say what you will about Belichick, but, that’s how it’s done.
What we call our despair is often only the painful eagerness of unfed hope.
What's the mystery ?
Someone who’s been around as long as you doesn’t need to be told what/who the problem is, including being the reason we took Spiller. You are very critical of Chix, while IMO they were the best an organization owned by Ralph could hope to attract, and they’re doing a better job than most of us initially thought they would. Perfect and Belichickesqe—no and we’ll never get that kind of front office performance with Ralph around.
It was Cookie's turn to lead the "easiest exercise" during the Monday practice after a game-- he said-- "we're going to do deep breathing--everybody inhale--dehale "---As told by Jack Kemp at my high school sports banquet circa 1966.
Buffalo once again proved that it can’t handle any type of competent offense, nor any particular player type within those schemes
If New Englad is the measuring stick for being able to handle a competent defense who has passed? Its the best offense in the league in terms of points scored. Its way more than a competent offense. Against a competent offense, like Detroit, the Bills looked okay. Against an elite offense like NE, they looked like a lot of other teams that ran into this buzzsaw.
They scored on 6/12 of their drives (many of them short fields). They scored on 4/9 drives against GB, 6/11 against Pittsburgh, 5/10 against Chicago, and 7/10 against the Jets. Our defense got schooled in similar fashion to all these other defenses. Lick our wounds, and admit we got owned, but its hard to use the Pats dominance as a measuring stick. It seems to be universal.
by greysquirrel on Dec 27, 2010 12:39 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
The Browns took it to New England. I think they passed. Yes, those Browns, as uninspired a team as there is today.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 27, 2010 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
Exactly my point, 4 generally well regarded defenses got steam-rolled and the browns had a one off good game. Why should we conclude anything about our D’s ability to shutdown competent D’s from this shellacking at the hands of the league’s best?
by greysquirrel on Dec 27, 2010 2:26 PM EST up reply actions
Right. I just find it disheartening that a team as mediocre as the Bills can go and whoop the Pats, while the Bills have beaten Tom and Bill once since they teamed up. Once. It stings and I imagine after some time it has begun to feel impossible for the organization to win against them.
I’d love to know just how bad the Bills really are, but I don’t think we ever get a true picture of it. We know that Fred Jackson is a very good RB. He’s currently 19th in the NFL in rushing (that’s better than it sounds), and that’s with those “studs” run-blocking for him. We know that Fitzpatrick has a short memory, likely one of his best attributes. We know the defense can’t keep their lunch money, and we know that special teams aren’t so special now. But what we know and what they do on game day don’t always match up.
In the year two thousaaaaaaand.
In the year two thousAAAAAAND!
Current song recommendation: Ween "Mr. Richard Smoker"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 28, 2010 9:54 AM EST up reply actions
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