Opinion: Buffalo Bills Must Be More Than Useful At OLB
by Brian Galliford on Oct 27, 2011 12:50 PM EDT
in Buffalo Bills Opinion
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I've been asked several times over the past few days for my personal assessment on the Buffalo Bills' outside linebacker position now that Shawne Merriman is on Injured Reserve. In short, my answer hasn't changed post-Merriman; I've long viewed Buffalo's personnel at the position as "useful" - even before Merriman succumbed to injury.
The NFL is full of useful players, and I consider all four of Buffalo's remaining outside linebackers - Chris Kelsay, Arthur Moats, Danny Batten and Antonio Coleman - to be useful. They are players that teams can comfortably use on game days.
Kelsay now plays the role of heady veteran; he's never been a dominant player, but has played well when healthy this season. He's a good run defender that can occasionally put pressure on a quarterback. That's not a bad thing to have at the position at all. Moats is a young player disadvantaged by the team's unwillingness to keep him at one position; he's shown flashes as a pass rusher for two years now, but has a long way to go in terms of consistency and especially defending the run.
Batten is a hustler, and is sufficiently inexperienced that it's not unreasonable to think he can become something more than he is right now: a wave player. Ditto for Coleman, who is back with the team after being a roster cut casualty in early September.
There's nothing inherently wrong with these four players individually, nor as a group in some ways. "Useful" is the best word to describe them collectively because they're all players that fit the Buffalo mold - smart, tough and hard-working - and they're all talented guys capable of making plays on a professional football field.
Here's the problem, though: they don't make enough of them on their own. Useful almost always doesn't cut it at positions of critical importance on teams with playoff aspirations.
We can debate until we're blue in the face where the pass rush relates in importance to other critically important areas like quarterback and line play. No matter where it rates, it's crucially important, and the Bills are clearly lacking in this area - and as useful as these players are, they're not playing at a level where teams care to more than cursorily game plan for them. As a group, they're a collection of players that won't hurt you with what they bring to the table, but don't show enough of what it takes to really help you.
In today's NFL, it is imperative that a defense get pressure on a quarterback. The Bills have been doing that with decreasing effectiveness all season; they're currently dead last in the league with sacks, and as time has progressed their blitz packages have becoming increasingly ineffective. George Edwards spent his off week drawing up new pressure schemes, which speaks more to the state of the team's group of pass rushers than any opinion I can share with you.
The bottom line is this: the Bills have four useful outside linebackers, there is no reason to think that the group can't improve, and it's still by far the team's biggest problem defensively. At some point, GM Buddy Nix needs to realize it that useful is no longer going to cut it.
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Moats
Lets do it buddy. Youve got the shot again after sticking it out being buried in the depth chart, OLB > ILB > OLB > ILB > OLB.
Lets get #DontCrossTheMoats trending again on Sunday!!!
Fitz = M(C)²
"Lets Go Buff! a! lo!"
it's demoation time for some qb's
2011 author-mod pick'em -poz
I'll knock the bieber out of brady - arthur moats @dabody52
2011 -adopted offensive player roscoe parrish(IR) david nelson
2011-adopted defensive player arthur moats
It’s Time for a DeMOATion
Shirt idea for 289 Design.
by PineWoodsBillsFan on Oct 27, 2011 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions
I would so go for a
You got demoated with the moat sack favre pic
2011 author-mod pick'em -poz
I'll knock the bieber out of brady - arthur moats @dabody52
2011 -adopted offensive player roscoe parrish(IR) david nelson
2011-adopted defensive player arthur moats
by Gpluehri on Oct 27, 2011 5:34 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Oh….I see what you did there.
Thank you thank you thank you thank you sireric for bringing the furious punching cat back into my life. - poz
by bluecollarbuffalo on Oct 28, 2011 7:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Outstanding article Brian! You nailed everything right on the head. If the Bills had 1 or 2 dominating OLB’s (like how the Skins have Orakpo & Kerrigan) then having guys like Kelsay, Moats, Batten & Coleman to sub in on plays would be ideal. But as consistent pass rushers, the Bills 4 OLB’s can’t get it done on a consistent basis. Hopefully, Nix drafts a dominating OLB in the early rounds of the draft.
Yes, an excellent piece that just plain nails it
The only thing I would add (and it pretty much follows from what Brian says) is that drafting a really effective pass-rushing OLB this coming year would be the one move the Bills could make to drastically improve their entire defense (and the entire team as well). The are other positions of need, but OLB is what would have the greatest immediate impact.
as much as I agree that OLB is our greatest need.....
the lack of top notch OLBs this season and CHIX “BPA at position of need” philosophy tells me the odds are against OLB being the pick. Sure, we have a long way to go before the draft, and anything could happen. Maybe some OLB will generate a Von Miller like buzz….well, hopefully not quite as big a buzz. Given our probable “middle of the pack” draft position and the draft talent this season, it seems to me that BPA might actually be a QB this season…..let’s hope he is the next Aaron Rodgers.
Don't fear the Reaper......fear The Beard
If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
Nix’s philosophy is “the best player available at a position of need.” That’s an exact quote, and he has repeated that phrase multiple times. OLB is a position of dire need. I suspect we will pick anywhere between #16 to #25 depending on how the rest of the season goes. Surely there will be a good pass-rushing OLB in that range.
I hope you are right, but
from what I have been reading, this year is not a good year for OLBs…….and stop calling me Shirely :-)
Don't fear the Reaper......fear The Beard
If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
There are complete YEARS that dont produce good pass-rushers available. There’s really no reason to assume that there is one available between 16-25.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Oct 27, 2011 11:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I think they should just a pass rusher with every pick. They are bound to hit on one or two right? I’m only kidding…..kind of.
Thank you thank you thank you thank you sireric for bringing the furious punching cat back into my life. - poz
by bluecollarbuffalo on Oct 28, 2011 7:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Rec'd
Many have viewed me as being negative, or perhaps overly harsh on Merriman and others on the Bills squad. But this sums up nicely how I feel. It gets a bit old with the overly optimistic outlook on “useful” players, hence my criticism. As the best fans in the NFL, don’t we deserve better? Shouldn’t the bar be set a little higher? I always look to the Super Bowl teams as my comparison. Was Biscuit simply “useful?” How about Talley? Bruce Smith? You get the idea. I like what I’ve seen with some of these younger guys, but more is needed. Better is needed. We’ve seen so far what the Bills can do with some overachieving “useful” players. It’s time to take that next step.
Rec'd
Useful is apt. Which is why I think we people say we have to address this, I really think we need to addres it with something more than “useful”. More of the same doesn’t help — we’ve got projects and young guys and able, but stable vets.
We basically lack an impact guy in his prime. For various reasons we haven’t been able to add that player and the hope was Merriman was a shot at that type of player. As to Plan B, there is no legitimate Plan B between having an elite guy and the next guy on the depth chart. We are hardly alone on that front….
There are alternative solutions though. The Jets have no elite pass-rush talent, they use scheme and elite corner play to help their blitzers get to the QB. Detroit’s interior gives guys like van den bosch and other wave rushers a chance to win one-on-one matchups. But none of these issues can be fixed that easily, especially considering that Williams is out indefinitely. To me the hope was a healthy Williams and Dareus would give the other guys opportunities. But we are gonna have to get by and just hope the useful guys are useful enough.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
I guess what I am getting at the end there, is that drafting an elite OLB doesn’t have to be the only way you improve the pass-rush. If there’s not a guy there, improve some other aspect of the D and hope it can help make the pass-rushers job easier.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Oct 27, 2011 1:40 PM EDT up reply actions
I haven’t been keeping an eye on Moats as much as I should be during games, so maybe someone who has can answer this question for me.
Has Moats’s limitations against the run come more from a size/strength disadvantage against LTs compared against other OLBs? Or are his limitations coming from an academic standpoint where he is simply failing to maintain contain and be in the right position on the field to bounce the run back inside?
I think the term “backup” is over-used. Backups play. That’s why I went with “wave players.” But it’s a similar sentiment.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Oct 27, 2011 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions
"Wave Players"??????
As in they wave at the RB as they run by them :-) In today’s NFL, the way players are rotated in to keep players fresh and depending on the situation (down and distance) makes the distinction between backups and a “rotational” or “situational” player more important when trying to accurately describe the player’s role on the team. To me, a backup is someone like Hairston…..he was the backup for Bell. Troup (if he and Williams were healthy) would be more of a rotational/situational player. Troup might spell Williams or come in and play next to him.
Don't fear the Reaper......fear The Beard
If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
WTF?????? The title posted twice but the comments below are gone??????
Don't fear the Reaper......fear The Beard
If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
I'm not typing all of that again
short version……..Hairston is a “backup” to Bell. Troup is a rotational/situational player.
Don't fear the Reaper......fear The Beard
If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
OK.....now it is back?????? This site must he haunted
Don't fear the Reaper......fear The Beard
If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
it's that time of year....
:-)
Optimistic??? Of course I am!! I'm a Bills fan, and as of right now, we are undefeated on the regular season!!!
Things are truly looking up!!!
Or maybe the Matrix has us????????
Don't fear the Reaper......fear The Beard
If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
Or maybe someone is the poster child for "Just say NO!"
Lol, sorry, couldn’t resist.
"I got no problem with 7-9 coming off of 4-12 as long as I don't buy a couch there, you got to keep moving" - Mike Schoop
LOL.....I've heard no alot......haven't said it much ;-)
Don't fear the Reaper......fear The Beard
If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
I think the terms “every down player” and “rotational player” are more apropos.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
yes....but I would probably still refer to your every down type player as a "starter"
Don't fear the Reaper......fear The Beard
If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
I wrote a fanpost before the season, making the over/under on QB sacks in the high 30’s/low 40’s range (can’t remember), clearly looking like an idiot here. What, maybe 18 at the most?
You mean this?
http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2011/8/3/2341501/2011-defensive-sacks-over-under
.
When the job is finished no one remembers how long it took, just how well it was performed.
by Buffalo for Eternity on Oct 27, 2011 2:33 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey there’s still time, man. Losman is with the Phins now…..maybe Trent Edwards signs with the Jets before we play them.
Thank you thank you thank you thank you sireric for bringing the furious punching cat back into my life. - poz
by bluecollarbuffalo on Oct 28, 2011 7:38 AM EDT up reply actions
I am going to assume George Edwards reads buffalorumblings.com and saw my post then…. http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2011/10/25/2514341/a-tale-of-2-pass-rushes-comparing-a-bills-blitz-vs-the-jets-starring
Nice piece. But I think there may be deeper philosophical differences here than just a more clever scheme.
We appear to philosophically be taking the bend but dont break approach to defense. Not gambling much, but not leaving the corners exposed or the line unbalanced. Our hope is that the other team makes a mistake…. I guess its kind of worked sometimes.
But to me asking Edwards to use a scheme like this is a far cry philosophically (not just schematically) from what we’ve been emphasizing to date.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Oct 27, 2011 2:37 PM EDT up reply actions
agreed… we take no risks, but surprisingly there are a lot of exotic schemes that most of the time only send 4 or 5 rushers, very rarely do they send the house (6+).
Right, but then are we freaking out because Troup dropping to cover a TE coming across the middle or Kelsay is dropping to cover the RB out on the flat?
I mean, I’m fine with it. if on average it works. But there is a Catch-22 to all of this. We are schizo around here, not wanting exploitable match-ups and wanting novel schemes (the the secret to a lot of the more unexpected and creative pass-rush schemes is allowing the offense to get an unexpected match-up advantage but making them find it).
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Oct 27, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions
you don’t have troupe playing NT in that situation… there is no requirement that you have a huge fat guy playing NT on 3rd and 10.
Any defense is going to have disadvantages… but as long as you keep the offense guessing on where the holes will be, it makes things a lot tougher on the QB. And hopefully the pass rushers will be there by then too.
It’s like the wildcat… just the threat of different things eats up preparation time and can be mentally taxing to the other teams
I believe “useful” is much too nice for this group. I believe the team’s poor defense is almost directly related to a cupboard that’s bare at OLB. I see three special teams players who are on the fringes of this league and a veteran who is easily below average overall. I look at this roster and think, like the murderer, John Wilkes Booth did as he studied his hands before spitting out his his last words: “Useless. useless.” I predict a dramatic revamping for this outfit before next season. My opinion is that this group undermines the rest of the defense.
"There's only one C.J. Spiller." -Buddy Nix
A big part of the problem is that Nix isn’t a good judge of talent. It isn’t just Merriman, he gave Kelsay that big contract last year. It’s one thing to say that there is a problem, it’s another to solve it.
He’s arguably our best OLB. That might be an indictment of the group. But not sure where his replacement is coming from…
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Oct 27, 2011 3:05 PM EDT up reply actions
My opinion is that this group undermines the rest of the defense.
I agree with that part.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Oct 27, 2011 3:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Completely agree
If you are having to use a safety because an OLB can’t pass cover it is a problem. If you having to blitz because you can’t generate rush from the OLB position it creates a hole somewhere else, no question. What really hurts is when the Bills cannot generate rush even with a blitz. This is where Edwards needs to be creative, drop the OLB, bring a corner, stunts, etc.. You cannot just blitz up the middle, too easy to pick up, we have too bring it from everywhere like Dick Lebeau or a Dom Capers would do. I’ll say this again, a 3-4 requires unique athletes like 350lb. nose tackles who can motor and OLB’s strong enough to set the edge but quick to speed rush or drop back into coverage
pass rush
I say it’s time to force Tom Brady to hurry . If Buffalo wants to be more than a door mat then it’s time to shore up the pass rush .
2009 Draft
It goes to show how much the 2009 draft set the Bills back. Maybin picked over Orakpo….enough said!!!!
by BuckeyeBillsFan on Oct 27, 2011 3:07 PM EDT reply actions
Apart from
Andy Levitre
Eric Wood
Jairus Byrd
by NordicBillsfan on Oct 27, 2011 3:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Pro Football Focus had an article up this week about their Pro Bowlers at this point in the season.
1st Team : Fred Jackson, Andy Levitre, Jairus Byrd
2nd Team: Eric Wood
by PineWoodsBillsFan on Oct 27, 2011 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions
If..........
If you are going to build solely through the draft and a scattering of undrafted free-agents, you have to hit on more than 3 players a draft.
Depends what you mean by “hit” if you mean starters, I would maybe agree. You probably want 4 a year and one or two in free agency. But since these three are borderline pro-bowlers, I think its a plenty good hit rate.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Oct 27, 2011 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Well
If they would have hit on a couple of more players, I would say a good draft. As it sits, it’s average or below. The pro-bowl is a joke anyways, but I understand where you are coming from. Those guys are turning out to be really good players, however, if you only get three a year and are not active in free-agency, it takes along time to fill out a competent 53 man squad (plus turnover). This is exactly why the Bills have not made the playoffs in ten years. I say you have to hit on 5-6 drafted and undrafted players a year, given the Bills free-agency atitude, to be a true Super Bowl contender. One area the Bills have gotten better at, is their pro-personnel dept. is finding guys like Urbik, Rhinehart, Chandler, etc…..
I almost cried when they drafted Maybin
“It goes to show how much the 2009 draft set the Bills back.” I was absolutely stunned, when they passed on Orakpo. That being said, Rex Ryan has found a creative way to use his speed. He leads the Jets in sacks (3), one less than then our league worst (4). I’m just saying. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Current management selected a jitterbug RB at #9 overall, who so far has shown nothing. Not to mention the bungling management of of Freddie, Spiller and Lynch. The point being, if we’re taking “the best available player at a position of need” we wiffed with that one also. Personally, I don’t believe Spiller will ever be a feature back. He’ll more than likely be a very poor man’s Reggie Bush. Who by the way… stinks. A luxury pick, rather than smart pick. If my memory serves me right, we could have taken Jason Pierre Paul who leads the NFL in sacks. And if we were going to running back Ryan Matthews was available also.
I screamed
I screamed please don’t pick Maybin when the Bill’s were up. I, too, wanted Orakpo. So much for dumb fans and smart football people!!
I was a dumb fan who wanted Maybin
but in my defense I wanted Raji more than anyone.
by NordicBillsfan on Oct 28, 2011 11:11 AM EDT up reply actions
the draft
The draft is no exact science BUT if you hit the nail then you build a dynasty . Tom Brady was a sixth round pick , Wes Welker was undrafted . Talent is not always the first round pick .
Keep drafting D
Team has spent last two years doing it, and they need to continue to. On O, they’ve shown they can survive with lower round picks, FAs, and released players from other teams.
Bills Don't Need A Pass Rusher; They Need Two. Starting OLBs.
For the remainder of the 2011 season, it is what it is and Edwards and Co. will have to figure out the best way to use who they have. This is a clearly a personnel issue and I believe it needs to be addressed in the 2012 draft.
I have a 2012 mock draft that is designed to do just that by using the first two Bills draft picks to take two new OLBs – JLB and SLB. After doing some research, here is what I have:
JLB (primary pass rusher): Courtney Upshaw/Brandon Jenkins/Bruce Irvin – Round 1
SLB (also pass rusher but more run responsibility, too): Melvin Ingram/Vinny Curry/Andre Branch – Round 2
The first candidate listed is my “stretch” – may not fall to Bills. Then I list my “most likely” candidate, followed by a “backup” candidate. So I’m predicting right now if the Bills were to target these two OLB positions with their first and second round picks, they most likely could get both Brandon Jenkins (at JLB) and Vinny Curry (at SLB) in the 2012 draft. Do some research and you’ll get an idea what a tandem like that could be expected to do in Bills uniforms next season. We’re talking massive improvement. They could let Kelsay and Coleman go and use Moats and Batten accordingly.
My entire 2012 mock draft:
1. JLB Brandon Jenkins
2. SLB Vinny Curry
3. WR Marvin McNutt
4. CB Trumaine Johnson
4. RG Amini Silatolu
5. ILB Chris Galippo
6. FB Joe Halahuni
7. RT Bradley Sowell
i agree with your first pick and the need to address OLB and WR…
i actually feel they wont draft a WR that high… i think their strategy is to not draft WRs high but to draft them later and groom them… they did it with, easley, jones, nelson, roosevelt… etc… as parcells believes, no point drafting WRs high when you need time to develop them
i think next year kamar aiken will make the 53 man roster and bills should take a look at danny coale out of VTech… he is tall, really fast and has been very productive for 4 years in school…he averages 16 yds/catch his career…. i would love if we add him to our practice squad… his stock might even rise up to 4-5th round where we can get him…
by statcruncher on Oct 27, 2011 3:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I appreciate your comments, statcruncher. I respectfully disagree that taking 1 pass rushing OLB is enough, however, and I also believe it’s time for the Bills to invest a higher pick in a more talented WR – someone they will still develop but starting as the #5 WR on their active roster. Someone capable of becoming a little more than another role player. But, again, I welcome your opinion and input – thanks.
As a Beavers fan, I can tell you Halahuni
is a very solid projection for a late round pick. He does play TE for OSU, but could be more of an H-back type in the NFL. He won’t wow anyone with his measureables, but the kid has competitive fire and the willingness to get better.
"Smile! You're on a poster!!" - Mike Rice
Thanks, Beavers Fan
I like Halahuni specifically because he not only is a capable lead blocker but because he is an H-back. I believe his receiving skills to get open down the middle of the field will give Chan Gailey another weapon to use. McIntyre is 32 in 2011 so it’s time to look at a replacement and Halahuni looks to me like he could fit the bill and provide a little something extra, too.
not so fun fact
bills have 4 sacks in 6 games on pace for 11 sacks for the season…
record for fewest sack in a season: KC in 2008, 10 total sacks…
Hence, part of why I believe it’s time for the Bills to invest in BOTH OLB positions to start the 2012 draft. They tried going with Merriman and Kelsay again in 2011 and that clearly didn’t work. I say FIX the problem for real, for the long term. Yes, starting two rookie OLBs at the same time is risky but look where they’re starting from: the freaking basement pass rush-wise. With a full off-season in 2012 and with good coaching…
Bit of a rush to judgment
on Batten, Moats, and Coleman. To suggest that Nix needs to realize usefull isn’t going to cut it with young players is jumping the gun.
by As Smart as I Look on Oct 27, 2011 5:13 PM EDT reply actions
while that may be true, that should be plan A
I have seen nothing to tell me that any of these guys is ready any time soon to become the “stud” pass rusher this team needs. If it happens, great…..you can’t have to many great pass rushers. But in the mean time, Nix had better have a plan A.
Don't fear the Reaper......fear The Beard
If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
I don’t disagree at all. I just think that saying we need to add a stud free agent pass rusher is a whole lot different than saying Nix needs to realize our 2nd year LB’s are usefull and that’s not going to cut it.
by As Smart as I Look on Oct 27, 2011 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions
too much complaining
There are only 7 rounds in the draft. Nix gambled that he might get the best pass rushing linebacker in Merriman. He locked up a dependable player in Kelsey. Last year he spent some picks on Batten and Moats. For late round picks they are pretty good.
It takes time to build a team. I’m sure Nix is aware of the problem. Some of it is luck, some of it is coaching and some of it is good drafts. Just look where the Colts are without Manning. Polian either planned to stink the year Andrew Luck came out or he’s not doing a very good job.
plus Barnett
That was a good pickup. I think we need better coaching on D.
LOL
Polian either planned to stink the year Andrew Luck came out or he’s not doing a very good job.
I wouldn’t put it past him…..the importance of a QB like Manning can’t be overstated.
Don't fear the Reaper......fear The Beard
If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
4 sacks (#32 in NFL) – too much complaining? I’m going to have to disagree with you, there. For my part, I’m not complaining, simply stating facts that this is a personnel issue, there is nothing they can do about that this deep into the 2011 season, but recommending they address this problem as priority #1 in the 2012 draft and mean address both OLB positions, not just Merriman’s JLB position.
I agree Nix gambled that Merriman could regain his health (still south of 30) and at least partially regain some of his former Pro Bowl form but that gamble did not pay off. As for Kelsay, he’s on the wrong side of 30, was never much of a sack specialist (although there are other forms of QB pressure he’s better at) and was never a particularly good fit for a 3-4 OLB position. He’s decent at stopping the run – hence his SLB assignment – and he gives good effort…when he’s healthy. But it’s time to move on and the original point of this thread – that guys like Moats and Batten are role players, not full-time starters is true.
So I’m not complaining but I am saying it’s time for the Bills to solve the OLB starter problem in this next draft and I’m agreeing with the article that expecting guys like Moats and/or Batten to develop into full-time starters is unreasonable. And unnecessary; just invest the right draft picks, draft good prospects, coach them up well, and let them go in 2012. Too late to do anything but try to scheme in 2011 and hope those part-time role players can make enough of a difference to help. For now…
I think it's....
or he’s not doing a very good job.
I just read at PFT that Polian said that the players were doing their jobs and playing hard, and that the coaches were doing great….. Leads me to believe then the problem lies in the quality of the player and coaches in Indy…. And that, is on Polian…..
Optimistic??? Of course I am!! I'm a Bills fan, and as of right now, we are undefeated on the regular season!!!
Things are truly looking up!!!
what would you expect him to say????
Bills fans should be well aware what it means to lose a Hall of Fame QB. The Colts lost theirs for the season unexpectedly. Nobody in that locker room believes they can win without Manning, and it shows in how they are playing. The only thing Polian can be criticized for is not have a decent backup QB.
Don't fear the Reaper......fear The Beard
If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
Joe....
even when Kelly retired, we did not fall as far as the Peytonless Colts….
Optimistic??? Of course I am!! I'm a Bills fan, and as of right now, we are undefeated on the regular season!!!
Things are truly looking up!!!
true....that is because the Bills we not smart enough to tank the season so they could get a real QB
Don't fear the Reaper......fear The Beard
If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
Joe....
comeon man!!!! this “Suck for Luck” crap has got to be driving you nuts too!!! Even if this class turns out half as good as the Suck for Elway class, odds are pretty good for some decent play….
BTW…. Prior to the “suck for Elway” season, the consensus was “suck for Marino” with Kelly a definite afterthought…..
Optimistic??? Of course I am!! I'm a Bills fan, and as of right now, we are undefeated on the regular season!!!
Things are truly looking up!!!
I was talking about after Kelly retired....not now
I’m not saying the Bills should have tanked the season to get Luck. But, I wouldn’t be surprised if Bill P. is praying for the #1 pick.
Don't fear the Reaper......fear The Beard
If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
Let's remember......
That 6 months ago, many here felt we needed two OTs and guard in order to have a quality line. Moats, Batten and Coleman are green and could possibly pay huge dividends this year.
Moats does resemble the great Syracuse alumnist Dwight Freeny the way he rushes the passer. Do you think our coaches show NFL film to players they resemble? I would.
Batten can really fly out there (players look slow next to him occcasionally) and still has a lot to learn (which could really improve his playing speed to the point of his winning match-ups.) You usually don’t see him fly off the snap, that’s because he reads slow and also doesn’t want to make a mistake. In the future, Batten could end up much stronger, you never know. Coleman has that great college stat, he led the SEC in sacks his senior year. How did he not get drafted? He also showed a lot of promise over the summer. I like that he spent time with the giants and had a different perspective. All three show promise, all three are very young. Here’s to having the light go on for all three as the long season wares on.
PodunkO - The great post ender!
and I pretty much still feel that way
That 6 months ago, many here felt we needed two OTs and guard in order to have a quality line.
OK….maybe just one OT and G.
All three show promise, all three are very young. Here’s to having the light go on for all three as the long season wares on.
That is the best case scenario……how often does it actually work out that way? I would hedge my bets and draft an OLB somewhere in the 2nd round.
Don't fear the Reaper......fear The Beard
If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
Batten and Coleman
Personally, I think Batten has more upside than Coleman. Battan has the liability of a small college background that means he starts from a lower lever of experience and technique than Coleman, but has great attitude, pretty good athleticism, and a pretty good head on his shoulders. Coleman had the better college pedigree, but I don’t think he has really good athleticism. His superior instincts accounted for his college production, but I think he’s got to have more in the way of athleticism and speed to be a difference maker in the pros instead of a role player.
bad drafts still biting our @ss
unfortunately when you draft as bad as we have for the past decade your going to be weak at numerous positions. our corners and OLBs are killing us right now but im not too sad about it, i like what chix have done with this team and if we dont have the horses to make a run this year i believe we will very soon
by snakebyte18 on Oct 27, 2011 9:49 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
wtf? We need a pass rush at OLB?
In his four games with the Jets, he has three sacks, and is tied for the NFL lead with Detroit’s Kyle Vanden Bosch with three forced fumbles — all helping him live up to his nickname, “Mayhem.”
Read more: http://www.nypost.com/p/sports/jets/embodying_mayhem_2c7XLegPftv3W3Q3H6cdcM#ixzz1c2Mf2y1x
Oh Maybin
On the whole situation, here’s how I feel about it. Maybin has three sacks, which is impressive, but one of them was a coverage sack, another in garbage time against a backup quarterback. I personally don’t hold any grudges towards him, and I think that the defensive scheme that George Edwards runs is far too vanila, allowing opposing offensive lines/quarterbacks to check protections. Maybin has had the Jets shrink the playbook for Maybin, and are playing him purely in pass-rushing downs, where he can not have to worry about setting the edge, or dropping back in coverage, instead just pinning his ears back and rushing the passer.
It would be nice if we didn’t have to play him twice this year, though!
"Smile! You're on a poster!!" - Mike Rice
go find a hot chick :-)
Don't fear the Reaper......fear The Beard
If you ask a question you don't want an answer to, expect an answer you don't want to hear.
That would certainly relieve some frustration…among other things.
by NordicBillsfan on Oct 28, 2011 12:07 AM EDT up reply actions
Go
Bills.
"WE PROTECT AND LIVE FOR THE HONOR OF RIDING IN THE WAGON BLASTER" -abayarde
by BuffaloBlueBlood on Oct 27, 2011 11:57 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
These guys(among others) can’t stop the run right now, too. I’m just as worried, if not more, about that. Kelsay was doing ok until he got hurt. Who knows what the deal with Spencer Johnson will be? Hopefully he can at least slow down the run-game. I’m not stoked about the use of defensive ends covering the flats, or more. Here’s hoping Kelsay comes back strong. Oy ve.
D coaches need to be creative
just like the other side of the ball & #52.
"Alright Men, lets go out there, bust um in the chops & get somebody bloody. Keep working hard till you get it right. Take the W in battle & make the Bills Nation Proud." coach Karma420
by Blood, sweat & Win on Oct 28, 2011 9:31 AM EDT reply actions
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