Moats

by CBATL32 on Oct 31, 2011 9:01 AM EDT

Even with as good of a game as Dareus had, I really think Moats made the biggest impact on the pass rush yesterday. He was very consistently getting pressure on the outside and forcing Beck to step up into the pocket. And when Beck stepped up, Dareus and Edwards were typically waiting there for him. So while Moats only got credit for 1/2 a sack yesterday, I really believe he was the driving force behind 3-4 other sacks that were generated because Beck had to move up in the pocket to avoid Moats.

I believe that if Arthur Moats can continue to provide a consistent edge presence like he did yesterday, that our sack totals will see dramatic improvement as the season progresses. Merriman was not providing enough of a rush to force QBs to step up. It seemed that Merriman was doing more of a bull rush move most of the time and not trying to get around the edge of the tackle.

So, my hat is off to Moats. I hope he can put the same kind of pressure on Sanchez this week and we can get some consistent pressure on Sanchez.

Just another great fan opinion shared on the pages of BuffaloRumblings.com.

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totally agree

Feel like you took the words out of my mouth. I dont think he’s capable of doing it again this week against Ferguson, but if he is then this will be a different defense.

by TrufflePig on Oct 31, 2011 9:35 AM EDT reply actions

Agreed

When Moats has been on the field at OLB consistently, both at the end of last year and during the opportunities he’s gotten this year, good things seem to happen.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Oct 31, 2011 9:43 AM EDT reply actions

I agree that Moats was a force and played a great game, but… I think this was a bit of an aberration yesterday – Beck had people in face all day from all different directions, so while I do think Moats was an important piece, I also think we have a long way to go before we can even begin to think our pass rush issues are behind us…

by JustAskTheAxis on Oct 31, 2011 9:44 AM EDT reply actions

I wouldn’t say that he was a force yesterday. Merriman was a force when he was at his best a few years back. Moats was nothing like that. I think Moats still has a ways to go to become that type of player. He has some pass rushing moves, especially with using his speed, but he will have to learn how to bull rush well and put that kind of fear into tackles to be considered a force in my opinion.

by AP22 on Oct 31, 2011 10:44 AM EDT up reply actions

Temper that thought though

Redskins were playing 2nd stringers on left side as Trent Williams and Kory Lichtensterger (sp)

was at games and Bills used him on outside in Stints quite a bit.

He looked solid yesterday but lets see what he does versus DBrickashaw next week

by freddyjj on Oct 31, 2011 9:45 AM EDT reply actions

Effectively, so were the Bills

with Levitre out of position at LT and Rinehart at LG. Yet the Skins vaunted D-line only managed to sack Fitz twice.

by NoiseIsTheBestRevenge on Oct 31, 2011 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions

Rinehart missed badly on that long reception by Freddie. He didn’t pick up Orakpo or Fletcher and Fitz got crushed because of it.

by AP22 on Oct 31, 2011 10:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Moats is awesome

I also noticed this. At least one of the sacks I noticed on the replay, and probably more times I didn’t notice, he was getting double teamed when the RB stepped up to help block him, which allowed someone else to get by.

I don’t know how much of yesterday was our defense stepping up and being awesome, and how much was just playing an awful redskins offense, but either way, I am glad Moats is getting more time at OLB. Chan needs to keep him out there!

by gwattsbdw on Oct 31, 2011 9:46 AM EDT reply actions

Moats was fine, like the rest of the d-line he was around the ball. But I wouldn’t say he made the biggest impact. Thats a stretch. In my mind it was Dareus, Johnson, and then maybe Moats. Johnson was deceptively fast. He really impressed me. Not saying I didn’t think Moats played well or contributed despite not getting more sacks, but he didnt seem to be the MVP of that effort.

I have low expectations. But high hopes.

by greysquirrel on Oct 31, 2011 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

Everyone seemed to be quite a bit faster yesterday. I was wondering about this earlier today. Is the playing surface at the Rogers Center astroturf?

by AP22 on Oct 31, 2011 10:45 AM EDT up reply actions

Or maybe the opponent moving slower. But it definitely seemd like our guys were fresh and fast.

I have low expectations. But high hopes.

by greysquirrel on Oct 31, 2011 11:20 AM EDT up reply actions

Bye week

couldn’t have come at a better time and it showed. This is my reasoning for why they played so fast.

I’ll wait until you say something sig worthy

by BillsFanSanDiego619 on Oct 31, 2011 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions

That surface strives to combine the best elements of modern FieldTurf and the old-school AstroTurf rugs that were once so common in North American sports. It grips like the original AstoTurf, but its base –a mix of sand and tiny rubber pellets – makes it as soft underfoot as FieldTurf.

http://www.thestar.com/sports/baseball/mlb/bluejays/article/769918

It is the first paragraph under the “Related” box.

It sounds like the one at the Ralph but I am not sure.

by AP22 on Oct 31, 2011 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions

Moats looked great going around the edge. Looked real fast and certainly was effective in forcing Beck to step up.

I hope Moats has more moves in his repertoire other than his speed though. Against better OTs he may not be as effective. Personally, I think he does but didn’t have to use them yesterday because the his speed was killing it.

by BillsfanDan on Oct 31, 2011 10:43 AM EDT reply actions

might be right on Merriman

He was trying to use strength as opposed to speed because his legs arent what they used to be. Im going on a thick limb that says he wont be on the 2012 opening day roster (merriman that is) and that even if Moats isn’t prototypical, not much about this team is so I am looking forward to him…

This is the wrong post for this, but damn… glad we played/beat the Eagles when we did… Andy Reids teams love second half of the season streaks… who do they play from our division still?

I'm waitin'..... @killascript on twitter

by killascript on Oct 31, 2011 12:05 PM EDT reply actions

who do they play from our division still?

all 3 of them

by J2 on Oct 31, 2011 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Gotta love that!

Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin. -- stetzwebs
No one circles the waiver wire like the Buffalo Bills!

by thefourwinds on Oct 31, 2011 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I think the pats and jets at home too, at least the jets if I remember correctly

I'm waitin'..... @killascript on twitter

by killascript on Nov 1, 2011 12:36 AM EDT up reply actions

I agree that Moats played a huge part in the Bills defensive performance.

While he was only credited with a 1/2 sack, he was in the ’Skin’s backfield most of the day, collapsing the pocket and forcing Beck to move (often into the arms another Bills defender.) While he has a long way to go before he should be considered an every down OLB, I think he is already, (kinda sadly) the Bills best pass rusher and he needs to be on the field for every passing down. He was inactive early in the year, but since comming back he has been the only Bill to get any sort of quasi-consitent pressure on opposing QB’s. I realize this is not saying much, but I think in limited time, he has shown a knack for something the Bills desperately need. As awefull as the pass rush was against the Giants, Moats was one of the only players to get a hit on Manning, forcing a bad pass in the process. Now, I’m not annointing him the answer to our pass rush woes, but I do think he is currently the best option we have and if Chan will keep him at the JACK position and allow him to focus on what he does best, which appears to be the case for the rest of the season at least, then he will contintue improve and I expect to see more performances like this out him down the stretch.

"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby. That’s what we’ve got to do. We’ve got to show you the baby, and the baby is winning." - Buddy Nix

by Schwing9 on Oct 31, 2011 1:10 PM EDT reply actions

Good post, totally agree. Moats also had some good pressure on Vick against Philly and put Farve out of the game. Moats is for real!

by PayUrBills on Oct 31, 2011 6:20 PM EDT reply actions

You make it sound like he has arrived. I disagree. I think he still has a lot of work to do.

by AP22 on Nov 1, 2011 1:18 AM EDT up reply actions

they all have work to do, in reality the defense stinks! 400+ yards a game! (b4 skins game) But Moats in his second year is at least doing noticable things. Hes a starter with a good looking future is what i mean by “for real”

by PayUrBills on Nov 2, 2011 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions

Pass rush.

I thought he had a good game and I’m anxious to see what happens against the Jets. If Dareus stays at NT or at least plays there in a rotation then we might get enough pressure on the QB to make a difference.

by atsnigduh2u on Nov 1, 2011 1:51 AM EDT reply actions