Jets 38, Bills 7: Week 17 Jaeger Shots
by Der Jaeger on Jan 3, 2011 8:01 AM EST
in Buffalo Bills Opinion
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PrintThe Bad
Run Defense. Fittingly, the Buffalo Bills displayed all of their weaknesses defending the run in one game. New York Jets rushing stalwarts Brad Smith and rookie Joe McKnight, who made his first start, got wide on the Bills' defense all day. McKnight and Jets fullback John Conner gashed the Bills inside. The 3-4 defense was called for by many Bills fans as some sort of elixir that would stop the run. I contented that scheme isn't as important as talent on defense. I still do. Only Kyle Williams can consistently beat his block. No Buffalo defensive lineman can stack, read the play, shed and close the hole. None of the outside linebackers can set the edge and compress the play back inside. The inside linebackers aren't very good at filling the hole at the line of scrimmage. There's no defensive scheme that's going to fix any of this.
Blocking. Ron will get into the particulars of each player's performance, but this group was so bad that I had to comment. I didn't notice too many missed blocks on the interior, but the edge blocking was noticeably terrible. Specifically, Buffalo needs a tight end that understands what a chip block is and how to integrate into blitz pick-ups. Jonathan Stupar was once a pre-season hero, but he's terrible on picking up the blitz. On one play, he had two blitzers to block, and blocked no one. Fred Jackson is also very guilty of pass protection gaffes. Calvin Pace's sack-turned-interception was a result of the right tackle down blocking instead of coming out to block Pace. Buddy Nix really needs to address right tackle, tight end, and maybe left tackle while he's at it.
Coverage from Cornerbacks. This was supposed to be a position of strength coming into the season. Drayton Florence has been up-and-down; both Jet games were "downs." Terrence McGee has been hurt, forcing Leodis McKelvin into the line-up. McKelvin was riding on Florence's roller coaster, and didn't have a good game either. What makes this worse is Mark Sanchez didn't throw a single pass. Mark Brunell's long dead left arm was resurrected. Braylon Edwards was only targeted twice and only caught one, but it went for 52 yards and a touchdown. Santonio Holmes was targeted once, a 17 yard touchdown. Buffalo should have contained Brunell and Kellen Clemens on the outside, but didn't.
The Good
Jairus Byrd. I think Byrd is finally understanding his reads and his positioning with a new defense in front of him. His stat line for the game: 6 tackles (4 solo), one interception for a touchdown, one pass defended, and one pass deflection. He also came close to a forced fumble. Byrd came out off Oregon as a slow cornerback, but played fast due to great instincts. Hopefully his understanding of George Edwards' defense has caught up to a point where he can start to rely on those instincts.
Outlook
Buffalo entered the season as a lamb and went out as a lamb. The last two slaughters should bring pause to Bills decision makers and fans alike and cause some re-evaluation. The euphoria of the mid-season four wins, Steve Johnson's emergence, Chan Gailey's offense, and Ryan Fitzpatrick's play is overshadowed by the stark reality that this team is average at best playing in a tough division.
Buffalo should have won the Chiefs and Steelers games, at a minimum. It may be a silver lining that they didn't. Buffalo finished with four wins instead of six, and have the third pick in the upcoming draft. Add to that the hope of a team that looked good over a six-game span, and there's reason to look forward to the off-season. As part of the Chargers' organizational decision making team, Nix was part of three top five selctions: LaDainian Tomlinson, Quentin Jammer, and Eli Manning (traded for Philip Rivers). The history of competency with high picks is there. As long as we avoid another Mike Williams, we're going in the right direction there.
Next up: The playoffs, NFL collective bargaining agreement negotiations, maybe free agency, and the draft.
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If you read a bit more carefully, Jaeger was talking about Top 5 picks. Spiller was not a Top 5 pick.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Jan 3, 2011 8:10 AM EST up reply actions
Not blown yet.
Immediate impact obviously wasnt there (even though they wanted to draft someone who could provide an instant impact). But that doesnt meant that Spiller wont turn out to be worth the #9 spot.
Shun the non Billievers!
exactly.
Spiller showed all the talents that made him worth the 9th pick, just not consistently enough. As a rookie, that’s okay. I dont think it’s fair to call him a bust just yet.
"I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee. And specifically, not a Buffalo Bill."
-Joe Dimaggio
he caught the ball downfield, he caught the ball on short passes, he ran the ball effectively in between the tackles and outside, he had some sparkly returns. He didn’t do all of these things consistently, but we got glimpses.
"I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee. And specifically, not a Buffalo Bill."
-Joe Dimaggio
He tied his shoes properly.
He moved on to big boy pants.
He didn’t twitter his penis to the whole world.
he ran the ball effectively in between the tackles and outside,
Come on now, you don’t actually believe that do you?
by twoeightnine on Jan 3, 2011 12:48 PM EST up reply actions
he did both of those things.
he didn’t do them consistently, and more often than not, he didn’t do them. but he did them both several times.
"I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee. And specifically, not a Buffalo Bill."
-Joe Dimaggio
What about Byrd on Edwards' TD?
Polamalu would have torn Edwards’ head off, even if he arrived a step late. Byrd has been highly conspicuous through his avoidance of contact in his free safety role this season.
That's not Byrd's game
Byrd is more Ed Reed. Reed wouldn’t have made the hit either.
Starting the official Buffalo "Draft Owen Marecic in 2011" campaign.
I had a dream the night after the first round. Buffalo traded for Tim Tebow. Josh McDaniels is gone; does the new coach like Tebow as much? It could happen.
I don't watch the Ravens much
so I can’t comment on whether or not Ed Reed would make the hit or go for the ball, but it seems to me the free safety needs to have good ball judgement. Maybe Reed would go for the ball, but he should go for it at the same point where the WR is going for it, if its not overthrown. On two separate occassions (one being the Edwards TD) I saw bird “play the ball” by thinking it was overthrown and it would fall into his lap, instead of going after the ball at its high point. I think Ed Reed is better than that, and Byrd should be too.
by Denver's Buffalo Fan on Jan 3, 2011 12:41 PM EST up reply actions
The VERY bad
6 first downs – 6 turnovers
"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix
I contented that scheme isn’t as important as talent on defense
A major indictment of Buddy Nix. Brian, will there be a Should Be Fired button in the end of year approval poll?
How?
He’s only had one year on the job. Pro Football Weekly does a column where they anonymously get comments from coaches and personnel men across the league. The call it “Audables.” Here’s some insight into transforming to a 3-4:
“The problem with teams moving to the 3-4 (defense) is that you often need a transition year. You could play some of it some of the time, but it’s hard to overhaul your roster overnight. The players on your roster are what they are. You can’t turn over your roster in one draft. You need some flexibility. I don’t think (former Browns GM Phil) Savage understood that when he hired Romeo (Crennel). I don’t think the Bills understood it this year. I don’t think the Redskins were ready for it. I’ve seen it more at the college level, too. Everyone is trying to mimic (Nick) Saban and more teams have moved to the 3-4, but they just don’t have the bodies to pull it off. It’s hard to find 325-330-pounders who can move.”
The key point there is:
"The problem with teams moving to the 3-4 (defense) is that you often need a transition year. You could play some of it some of the time, but it’s hard to overhaul your roster overnight. The players on your roster are what they are. You can’t turn over your roster in one draft. . . "
That describes Buffalo’s defense to a “T.” And it also shows why Nix shouldn’t get graded on the transition for another year, minimum.
Starting the official Buffalo "Draft Owen Marecic in 2011" campaign.
I had a dream the night after the first round. Buffalo traded for Tim Tebow. Josh McDaniels is gone; does the new coach like Tebow as much? It could happen.
by Der Jaeger on Jan 3, 2011 9:17 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
That’ll be up tomorrow, by the way. :)
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Jan 3, 2011 10:28 AM EST up reply actions
OK
I’ll likely just copy this, since it’s the jist of my argument.
Starting the official Buffalo "Draft Owen Marecic in 2011" campaign.
I had a dream the night after the first round. Buffalo traded for Tim Tebow. Josh McDaniels is gone; does the new coach like Tebow as much? It could happen.
No, there will not.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Jan 3, 2011 9:28 AM EST up reply actions
.
A major indictment of Buddy Nix. Brian, will there be a Should Be Fired button in the end of year approval poll?
Why do we need that now? Shouldn’t CHIX have a least two years to make some progress? Everyone acknowledged that the team was in dire straights at the start of this year. That being the case, is it realistic to expect a complete turnaround in as little as one year with the personnel we have/had? How can we expect long term success if we turn over our front office staff every year beacuse they weren’t 100% successful with every personnel move they made?
"Being a Bills Fan is a Tough Job for Tough People…" – Luther6
Why?
Buddy Nix really needs to address right tackle, tight end, and maybe left tackle while he’s at it.
Because this was the same comment last January. And little to nothing was done. Drafting Wang is not “addressing our number 1 priority” Raiding scrubs from other teams practice squads doesn’t address it either. And those that have played, play like practice squad players. The entire offense was impacted by the OL play. Last year was the draft with talent on the OL. Nix blew it.
That’s why.
What we call our despair is often only the painful eagerness of unfed hope.
by fansince60 on Jan 3, 2011 9:13 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
A rebuild is not a one year process. If they fire every GM who doesn’t come in and completely overhaul a culture and roster in a single year we’ll literally make no progress ever. It’s a slow process to do right, period, despite what we as fans may believe.
by stetzwebs on Jan 3, 2011 9:23 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Especially
when you’ve spent 10 + years blowing draft choices that should be the nucleus of this team.
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.
it's painfully slow
when you declare your number 1 priority and then turn your back on it. Nix could have done a better job to begin the rebuild of the OL.
What we call our despair is often only the painful eagerness of unfed hope.
There's only one problem with that
and I still don’t understand why no Bills fan realizes this. The day Ralph Wilson dies the rebuild is over. The Bills cannot afford to be on a slow 3 year rebuild. A 5 year rebuild. They need to make some good progress every single year.
I don’t understand what “good progress” was supposed to be made. Were we supposed to throw tons of money at FAs that weren’t there? No FAs are going to come to Buffalo until the culture changes, and that is a slow process, whether we like it or not. The team has been a joke for so long in the eyes of the rest of the league that we have no choice but to take our time and do it right.
The offensive line played fine when they had Fitz and Hang
What do you expect when both of your playcallers are gone? I’d expect missed assignments, which is exactly what we saw.
"I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee. And specifically, not a Buffalo Bill."
-Joe Dimaggio
.
Because this was the same comment last January. And little to nothing was done. Drafting Wang is not "addressing our number 1 priority" Raiding scrubs from other teams practice squads doesn’t address it either. And those that have played, play like practice squad players. The entire offense was impacted by the OL play. Last year was the draft with talent on the OL. Nix blew it.
You realize that you answered your own question, right? Nix brought in a boat load of players and tried them out as TE, so in fact “he did something about it”. Was he successful, NO. Did he DO SOMETHING? YES! Was last years draft chock full of offensive line talent? I’m not so certain that it was. Look at Bulaga, the concensus first round pick, he is floundering with the Packers. Chix thought he could do better with FAs and UDFAs. Was he right? Heck NO! Did he DO SOMETHING? YES! He addressed both issues, but was unsuccessful. At least he tried. I give him credit for following the age old axiom; “when all else fails, do something!”
"Being a Bills Fan is a Tough Job for Tough People…" – Luther6
by Montel on Jan 3, 2011 3:51 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Were we so bad yesterday that we only deserved 1 good point?
I don’t think so… although we were pretty horrible.
Oh and for all the people who kept on saying “Give Brohm a chance” well it was given, and he was HORRIBLE. Brohm’s play is a missed bad point in my book.
The Buffalo Bills, finding new and exciting ways to lose since January 8th, 2000.
by CanadianBillsFan on Jan 3, 2011 9:37 AM EST reply actions
Were we so bad yesterday that we only deserved 1 good point?
Yes, but I guess I shouldn’t have expected any better. They were already on vacation, poor Brohm. Or maybe just good Fitzpatrick. Fitzie must be really good at making those line calls to pick up blitzes.
Some day the Bills won't suck anymore. Or they'll be in someone else's city.
and man oh man did Brohm hold onto the ball too long.
"I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee. And specifically, not a Buffalo Bill."
-Joe Dimaggio
And he needs to learn how to have a higher arc on his throws, way too many balls were batted down at the line.
The Buffalo Bills, finding new and exciting ways to lose since January 8th, 2000.
by CanadianBillsFan on Jan 3, 2011 11:07 PM EST up reply actions
I didn't want to cheese it up and give kudo's to lame stuff
I did that earlier in the year with Moorman, and I thought it was better just to go with a max of three, and go less if I didn’t see anything more.
Starting the official Buffalo "Draft Owen Marecic in 2011" campaign.
I had a dream the night after the first round. Buffalo traded for Tim Tebow. Josh McDaniels is gone; does the new coach like Tebow as much? It could happen.
Fair enough.
The Buffalo Bills, finding new and exciting ways to lose since January 8th, 2000.
by CanadianBillsFan on Jan 3, 2011 11:08 PM EST up reply actions
Buddy better be ready to make some big-time moves this off season because there are needs everywhere for this. I mean we need a franchise QB, a new RT and probably LT-competition for Bell, a 3-4 DE to replace woeful Stroud, new starting LB’s all across the board (Kelsay, Andra Davis, Ayodele and perhaps even Poz need to be replaced) and possibly a new replacement for Whitner if they allow him and Wilson to leave which I for one don’t believe they’ll (I believe they’ll resign Wilson).
Am i in the minority here?
I don’t look at LT as a need for next year. I’d be perfectly happy to go into next year with Bell after a full offseason of training, as opposed to an offseason rehabbing an injury.
"I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee. And specifically, not a Buffalo Bill."
-Joe Dimaggio
IMO, definately not a top priority
Still, I wouldn’t rule it out as an opportunity. Competition at this level is key.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
I don’t know if I’d describe it as “perfectly happy”, but I don’t think it’s a terrible situation we’re in at LT with Bell as the starter and Wang as the understudy. Ideally, we could find an elite LT in the draft and have Bell and Wang fighting it out as the backup, but I don’t think that is going to happen in the short-term. Since there doesn’t seem to be an immediate upgrade in the draft, and an FA replacement seems unlikely, I’m willing to wait it out another year.
Official ledge-talker-offer of the Buffalo Bills.
Exactly the Game I watched.
We need to settle down a little bit and think about things. Once we get everyone’s opinion we then need to simplify the needs into areas or greater Vs less greater. Then we need to look at what we want to do first. There are so many right answers it is impossible to address them all. Other teams need players also, so to expect to fix everything in one or two season’s just aint going to happen.
Right now I am looking at things where we have been perrinial losers at stopping the run. This does effect everyone that has been here in the past as well as the players we just picked up. IMO there is no one who should feel safe. That includes Kyle Williams and Paul Pozluszny two players I hold in high regard. I have seen more runs take off between the DE’s than to the outside, although earlier in the year the teams would have great success anywhere. My point is this is probably the biggest area of concern. I don’t care if it is due to the 4-3 or the 3-4. I am holding personell and Coaching equally responsible. This has been an ongoing perrinial problem that needs to stop.
The other side of the spectrum, the offense, doesn’t seem to be as dire, but still much needs to be done. First off I believe it is safe to say the bigger weaknesses are at our tackle positions followed by tight end(s). Still I am not going to discount the importantance of the center and our interior lineman. This area may be our strength but aren’t we favoring an area of the o-line that may not be what they need to be as well.
We have bandages to apply on one side and bleeding to stop on the other side. Which way to go is what I am dealing with.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
The front 7. This offseason should be about the front 7 first and foremost. When we stop the run and can rush the passer, turnovers happen, the DBs aren’t under as much pressure, and teams are forced to try to beat us through the air. Also, we present a lot of 3rd and longs with a good run defense, which is where the DBs ate last year.
The front 7. This offseason should be about the front 7 first and foremost
This is how I feel. The only front 7 guys I want back are Moats, Batten, Merriman, Williams, Carrington, Troup, Edwards, maybe spencer johnson.
"I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee. And specifically, not a Buffalo Bill."
-Joe Dimaggio
Our dilemma at NT
Der Jaeger is exactly right — we are way too vulnerable to runs between the tackles. Ok, but how to fix that? We seem to be stuck with a 4-3 DT who is so good at penetrating into the backfield that we can’t avoid putting him in there most of the time when in fact he is not capable of taking on the basic role of a 3-4 NT and occupying two blockers. Our other NT, who was a rookie this past year, is undersized at around 315 lbs. and was as a result not able to get the job done. Perhaps Troup can beef up during the offseason and be the guy we need. Otherwise we need to start over and find a new Pat Williams. But if we do that, what happens with Kyle Williams and Troup?
this brings us back to the Red Bryant talk
and Soliai from Miami. Both of these players were commodities that were scheme specific last offseason and virtually unknown’s. Both played above and beyond this year and thier contracts are up. Bryant suffered an injury around mid season, both are looking for new contracts and should be available although restricted I am sure. I just can’t see us gaining that run stuffer in the draft with an immediate impact. These two guys have been in the league and honestly, I wouldn’t mind getting both of them.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
Our other NT, who was a rookie this past year, is undersized at around 315 lbs. and was as a result not able to get the job done.
I disagree, I think he played fine when he played. He was just a rookie who was stuck behind Stroud and Williams while we ran a 4-3 that he wasn’t drafted to play.
"I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee. And specifically, not a Buffalo Bill."
-Joe Dimaggio
My point
Is we need more than Torrell Troup in that front line. Some massive big bodied types and some reserves to rotate and keep fresh. We got pounded between the tackles repeatedly.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
I won't fight you on that.
But I think the place with more room to upgrade is the linebacking corps. Williams, Edwards, Carrington, Troup, Johnson- i’m not sure those guys are as big a problem as Ayodele, Kelsay, Poz, etc.
"I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee. And specifically, not a Buffalo Bill."
-Joe Dimaggio
good!
how else could someone react?
"I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee. And specifically, not a Buffalo Bill."
-Joe Dimaggio
by JPH on Jan 3, 2011 1:01 PM EST up reply actions
With a wailing and nashing of teeth actually
abayarde- "All off the pain will vanish The Whagonblaster will return and with a new MOTOR and attitude even BIGGER AND stronger THE EYE of the Tiger , will knock our enemies to the next Galaxy , WE the BUffalo Nation DO not know defeat , We do not know Surrender , We only know that if we fall we get up stronger , faster, better WE have the Technology to BUILD IT"
At least I don’t cause myself bodily harm. That’s probably the next step though…makes me hope we resign Poz, because beyond that we’re lost.
i see no reason to bring the guy back.
at least not for any real money, which i would imagine he expects for his tackle numbers.
"I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee. And specifically, not a Buffalo Bill."
-Joe Dimaggio
by JPH on Jan 3, 2011 2:31 PM EST up reply actions
To be successful, I think we need Troup to be in at NT for the majority of time with Kyle as 3-4 DE. Of course, Troup needs to get up to around 325-330 pounds to be truly effective in my opinion, but that shouldn’t too difficult I hope. As dominant as Kyle has been, he’ll never be a true 3-4 NT. He’s simply not build to do that, but that doesn’t by any stretch mean he can’t dominate in the 3-4 scheme. It just means we’ll need to be creative about it and play him quite a bit at 3-4 DE
by BuffaloBeliever on Jan 3, 2011 2:28 PM EST up reply actions
Sums it up pretty well
One of my favorite pieces all year..clearly stated and cuts to the cor issues. The last two games were a stark reminder of the mountain of work remaining to field a contender. This team must have success in this years draft.
"They're Killin' Me Whitey. They're Killin' Me" -- Lou Saban
Great Post as usual
When Joe McKnight (who’s high school mascot was a Patriot btw) goes for 150 on you, you are in bad shape. Run defense should be shored up by strict player evaluations at the LB position in the off-season. Not to mention that IMO the upgrade at LB should help the defensive secondary by creating a pass rush. I know by reading most Rumblers posts that feelings have been mixed on Nix’s draft tactics, but remember he helped architect a great defense in San Diego. Defense is actually one of the things I worry LEAST about Nix drafting. If I remember correctly he was in San Diego when they drafted 5 starters from one draft. We will be fine on the defensive side of the ball, I’m more worried about offensive personnel to be honest.
Remember Chan took Mike Tomczak to a divisional playoff! The guy can coach QBs!
We will be fine on the defensive side of the ball, I’m more worried about offensive personnel to be honest.
Maybe we will be fine on the defensive side of the ball, but not with the guys on the roster right now. That’s what makes it a draft priority to me.
"I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee. And specifically, not a Buffalo Bill."
-Joe Dimaggio
That's why I propose the question
Due we go for the bandage on offense or the Bleeding on defense. FA and the draft alone will not get it all done. We are in pretty bad shape, especially with all the contracts expiring and the ones that are not expiring probably should be.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
Defense, defense defense
As the team stands right now, the only position on offense worthy of a high round pick (to me) is quarterback.
"I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee. And specifically, not a Buffalo Bill."
-Joe Dimaggio
Agree w/ this we need to go Defense, but . . .
Only after a round 1 QB. We should develop a kid after Fitz since he will walk in 2011. The bleeding on defense can be remedied w/in 2 drafts from now, and that is including expiring contracts. We are very young on our O-line, at feature RB and WR positions. Assuming, we address the LB needs this draft, all that is left is secondary needs in the following year then we use year three to upgrade holes in talent on our roster. Nix has inherited this franchise in a very similar place as the years he was in San Diego.
Remember Chan took Mike Tomczak to a divisional playoff! The guy can coach QBs!
I think Fitz buys us enough time
that they don’t need to reach for a QB like Newton at 3. If they have the opportunity to land Luck, I think they gotta do whatever it takes. But if it isn’t him, take a defensive front 7 guy and re-evaluate in round 2.
"I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee. And specifically, not a Buffalo Bill."
-Joe Dimaggio
Another positive you didnt mention
Moorman played well so…you know…there’s that…
"I'd like to thank the good Lord for making me a Yankee. And specifically, not a Buffalo Bill."
-Joe Dimaggio
B R U T A L
The score dictated they pass
by norcaliangelsfan on Jan 3, 2011 1:49 PM EST reply actions
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