Bills/Bengals Preview: Can Bills Improve Versus Run?
by Brian Galliford on Aug 28, 2010 10:00 AM EDT
in Buffalo Bills News
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The Buffalo Bills will take the field at Ralph Wilson Stadium tonight for the first time since a meaningless January finale when they take on the Cincinnati Bengals in their next-to-last preseason game of the year.
Buffalo is 1-1 this preseason, opening their schedule with a 42-17 loss in Washington, but rebounding last week in Toronto with a 34-21 win over Indianapolis. The Bengals are 2-1, rebounding from a 16-7 loss to Dallas in the Hall of Fame Game with wins over Denver (33-24) and Philadelphia (22-9).
After their thoroughly embarrassing loss to Washington, the Bills showed improvement simply by making big plays in the win over Indy. Everyone involved, however, knows that more improvements need to be made. These five points will be of particular interest as Buffalo squares off against Cincinnati early this evening.
Defending the run. Buffalo has been gashed by the run this preseason, giving up 126 yards per game - the sixth-highest total in the league. Of bigger concern are the big gains (eight runs of 10 or more yards) and the scores (three rushing touchdowns allowed). Cincinnati is a much, much better running team than either Washington or Indianapolis, and will be a much tougher test for Buffalo's still-beleaguered run defense.
Running the ball. Thanks in large part to the efforts of fourth-teamer Joique Bell, the Bills have been one of the league's dominant rushing teams this preseason, averaging 145 yards per game on the ground and scoring three times. Cincinnati, however, has been solid against the run this year, holding both Dallas (85) and Denver (37) to under 100 total rushing yards. This, too, will be a great test for the likes of C.J. Spiller, Bell and Chad Simpson.
More improvement from Edwards. Trent Edwards will get the start at quarterback once again, and could get as much as three quarters of playing time to improve on his 5-of-8, 93-yard, 1-TD performance against Indianapolis. Cincinnati has a very tough, very disciplined defense that can play out of the 4-3 or the 3-4, so this is a nice litmus test for Edwards to see how well he's reading the defense and how adept he can be at avoiding pressure and keeping his team out of negative plays. Another baby step forward would be an encouraging sign.
The pass rush. Buffalo has really struggled to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks early in games this preseason without the aid of blitzes. In the last week, they've lost two outside linebackers to injury - one for the season (Danny Batten), and one for three weeks (Reggie Torbor). Chris Ellis will likely get the start alongside Chris Kelsay at outside linebacker this evening, with Aaron Maybin and Antonio Coleman certain to see plenty of playing time, as well. Buffalo needs one of these guys to emerge, and a standout performance by any of them would be a welcome sight.
Reserve secondary players. Reggie Corner was torched against Washington. Ellis Lankster was torched against Indianapolis. Cary Harris has been hurt. Ashton Youboty has looked good by comparison, but has not, himself, stood out in any glaring capacity. We've spoken at length about the depth of Buffalo's secondary, but to this point, those depth options have not been playing very well. Particularly for guys like Lankster and Youboty, strong performances are essential to close the preseason, and it starts tonight.
Anything else y'all will be watching for (if you can watch, that is) tonight? Leave it in the comments section.
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Watch it?
Is there a way to watch it? legally.
yes
NFL.com offered all non-nationally televised pre-season games for $40. I bought it, and it hasn’t been the greatest, but its still been worth it.
by Denver's Buffalo Fan on Aug 28, 2010 10:27 AM EDT up reply actions
NFL network will be reairing it Monday at 6 am MST, never mind that they are squandering a 3 hour block on the exceedingly lame Football Follies in which they could show the Bills (or other Saturday night game) on a tape delay.
It can always get worse. Let me tell you how.
by Ron From NM on Aug 28, 2010 10:41 AM EDT up reply actions
nfl network has it at 2am sunday morning
make way for the cant miss detroit lions vs. who knows?
by badnewsBills on Aug 28, 2010 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions
Live in Columbus, Ohio!
Yeah for me… I actually get to watch a preaseason game without it being re-aired later on NFL Network… Of course I will have to listen to the Bengals commentators… urgghhh…
"...You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win, and I don't care if you don't have any wins. You go play to win. When you start tellin' me it doesn't matter, then retire. Get out! 'Cause it matters." ~ Herm Edwards
"Talk's cheap. We all know that. It's like I've always said: 'Don't tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby.' " ~ Buddy Nix
by Jason from OH-IO on Aug 28, 2010 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions
No
Is that a club? I am old, married, and just had twins… So it shouldn’t be surprising that I haven’t heard of it.
"...You play to win the game. Hello? You play to win the game. You don't play it to just play it. That's the great thing about sports: you play to win, and I don't care if you don't have any wins. You go play to win. When you start tellin' me it doesn't matter, then retire. Get out! 'Cause it matters." ~ Herm Edwards
"Talk's cheap. We all know that. It's like I've always said: 'Don't tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby.' " ~ Buddy Nix
by Jason from OH-IO on Aug 28, 2010 4:42 PM EDT up reply actions
That’s what the NFL Network site says but when I look on my channel preview thingy on NFL Network (on DirecTV) it shows the Saints-Chargers game being rebroadcast at that time. I just know that I won’t be up at 2 am to check….
It can always get worse. Let me tell you how.
Nope
Its rebroadcast is Monday, not sure exact time.
Home of "Spiller the Thriller"
by buffalobacker on Aug 28, 2010 3:03 PM EDT up reply actions
Very True
Not sure why NFL Network can’t air Bill’s game at more appropriate time! Geez….. It’s pure “folly” on their part!
Home of "Spiller the Thriller"
by buffalobacker on Aug 28, 2010 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Run defense
Haven’t they played most of their snaps out of the nickel instead of their base 3-4? Could that at least be part of the reason teams are running fairly easily on them?
Trample the weak, hurdle the dead!
by fansince83 on Aug 28, 2010 10:23 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
In the last week, they’ve lost two outside linebackers to injury – one for the season (Danny Batten)…
Didn’t we lose Danny before the first preseason game more than three weeks ago?
by Denver's Buffalo Fan on Aug 28, 2010 10:24 AM EDT reply actions
(eight runs of 10 or more yards)
Yeah, thats pretty darn bad. Our run D has to improve…
Ill be focusing on how Trent looks against their pass D. They have a decent rush and they have two pretty solid corners. Id like to see Steve Johnson step up and have a good game. Hes been quiet so far.
Do we know how long D. Bell is expected to play?
Where else would you rather be?
The Wide Outs...
Steve is still listed as the #2, but Chad seems to be making his own move… It could also be Hardy’s final hoorah as well unless he lights it up tonight…
With the ones playing for a while too, it could be a good chance to get an idea how Chan plans to use Roscoe as well…
The draft dawns a new year for Buffalo Bills fans, so let optimism reign supreme!!! After all, we are now, UNDEFEATED!!!!
Steve Johnson is, and will remain for the foreseeable future, the second receiver on this team.
by Brian Galliford on Aug 28, 2010 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions
A good test tonight
Tonight’s game will be a good measure on how the Bills have progressed. The 1st pre-season game against the Skins was more like a scrimmage with the Bills concentrating on the beginning of the transition to the new offensive and defensive schemes.
The game against the Colts showed improvement and with the Bills scoring 34 points was a milestone in itself.
Cinnci is now one of the favorites in the AFC with a good defense and a explosive offense. It should be a fun game to watch and gauge just how far the Bills are developing.
Bengals 27 Bills 16
.
"When life throws you a curve ball, that doesn’t mean you have to swing."
bengals?
if the bengals are a favorite than i have a lot more hope for our bills, Bills 35 Bengals 17
by badnewsBills on Aug 28, 2010 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions
the Bengals are definitely a favorite
whats not to like?
Carson Palmer is a Pro Bowler who may have lost some zip due to injury but is still up there as one of the league’s best leaders and QBs, they have two Pro Bowl WRs in Ochocinco and TO who are capable of burning defenses, they have a Pro Bowl caliber running back in Cedric Benson who lit the league on fire last season, their offensive line is solid, they have two shutdown corners to take away other teams weapons, their safeties are decent, their linebacking corp is a tough group that hits hard and has some high ceiling youth with Keith Rivers and Rey Maulauga, and their defensive line is getting Antwan Odom back who was leading the league in sacks before he got hurt last year.
They were undefeated in the tough AFC North last season.
I like Cincy a lot this year and I think they aren’t getting the respect they should. I hope the Bills don’t underestimate them and I definitely think they can be a contender.
"I may be drunk, Miss, but in the morning I will be sober and you will still be ugly"
by poz on Aug 28, 2010 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
The Bills are not in a position to underestimate anyone :-)
rec’d for the rest
If all the stars align, pigs learn to fly, humanity achieves world peace, doctors discover a cure for cancer, scientists perfect cold fusion, and hell freezes over, the Bills might win the SB this year.
Carson Palmer is garbage, though
He’s only slightly better than Trent Edwards. That guy might be the most overpaid player in the league.
The Bengals defense is an underrated unit that is going to be pretty darn good this year.
~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."
badnewsbills
Excellent call on the game….
"When life throws you a curve ball, that doesn’t mean you have to swing."
Offensive line and blitz pick ups: Will the line be able to get Edwards off the field without any grass stains on his uniform? Will the RBs pick up blitzers effectively to allow Edwards to get the ball down the field?
Wide Receivers: Will Hardy make an impact and carve out a roster spot for himself? Will Hardy and the other WRs read blitzes and adjust their routes accordingly? Will the big bodied receivers run block as well as the departed Josh Reed?
McCargo vs Spencer: In the two games so far neither has really drawn a lot of notice. They seem to be in a battle for the last remaining DE roster spot. Will either of them really stand out?
It can always get worse. Let me tell you how.
McCargo vs Spencer:
Hmmmm which one has a longer history of injuries and missin time… I can’t picture Big John making the roster but I’ve been saying the same thing about Youbooty for the last 2 years!
"When life throws you a curve ball, that doesn’t mean you have to swing."
And Youboty is looking like he has a chance to continue to stick around. I kind of view McCargo as being in the same boat as Youboty and Parrish. They were all drafted in the first 3 rounds and they all had checkered histories with Jauron. Now they all have an opportunity to stick to the roster yet again.
It can always get worse. Let me tell you how.
by Ron From NM on Aug 28, 2010 11:05 AM EDT up reply actions
Good Point
Hard to count on players such as McCargo and Youboty that make the roster and always get hurt,
Parrish and Eliis are now out of the dog house and have the opportunity to show their talents and make plays.
"When life throws you a curve ball, that doesn’t mean you have to swing."
Will the line be able to get Edwards off the field without any grass stains on his uniform?
Yes…. it’s an artificial turf…. :-)
The draft dawns a new year for Buffalo Bills fans, so let optimism reign supreme!!! After all, we are now, UNDEFEATED!!!!
by Cinga on Aug 28, 2010 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Rec'd
Yes…. it’s an artificial turf…. :-)
LOL
by Buffalo Billiever on Aug 28, 2010 1:44 PM EDT up reply actions
With all of the beatings Edwards has taken behind the offensive line....
…..it’s not out of the question that he could be driven through the artifical turf and to the ground/dormant grass seed buried below…
It can always get worse. Let me tell you how.
Run Defense
Before we say the run defense has been gashed I think we need to get specific about when those big runs occurred. Did they come against the starters or the backups? Yes, it makes a difference because in the regular season the backups won’t be playing nearly as much as they would in the 1st or 2nd preseason game.
Offensively, we need to see Trent take another step. He needs to be able to throw the ball down the field accurately and avoid bad interceptions. The biggest thing I want to see is can he consistently maintain momentum. He will have one good drive followed by three nothing drives. I want to see him put together back to back scoring drives with at least one being a touchdown. And the offensive line’s ability to run block and moreso pass block should be tested tonight. Want to see how they hold up. I’m glad they have a playoff team tonight. They get to see how far they’ve come against a quality opponent.
I will see the game live from cinci.
I think it will be interesting to see who qb2 is, unless I’ve missed that already.
by quantumuprising on Aug 28, 2010 12:09 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
to quote The Chan on that one:
“I’ll tell them before I tell you”
he’s holding his cards on that one…
The 3-4
I know Edwards has been as vanilla as can be over the first two games and I don’t want him revealing too much till the games count. That said I think it’s time to really see some of the base 3-4 defense we are switching to. So far we have been living in nickle and dime subpackages with four down and though Cincy will show 3 wide like Indy we have to see if the development of our new defense has taken any hold. This is supposed to be our key to stuffing the run and improving our pass rush so let’s see some.
by detricblackstone on Aug 28, 2010 12:18 PM EDT reply actions
Alot of good comments here.
IMO this game should be very telling of our Bills in 2010. Granted we will still have the element of surprise of Gailey’s offense through out the season but for a preseason game and the match ups the team will be monitoring this is a perfect game and opponent. Personally, I can’t get past the game of the QB’s on our Roster. This is my major focus going into tonight. We don’t even know the rotation yet. There are other areas/players of concern as Brian mentioned but I want to see who can move the ball down the field. Who can set up, read, react and execute this offense the best. I guess what I am saying is I want to see more than just Trent. Also, Touchdowns. Who is going to put it in the end zone.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
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