Buffalo Bills' Chan Gailey Taking Lumps From Media
by Brian Galliford on Dec 5, 2011 11:15 AM EST
in Buffalo Bills News
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PrintLast week, the Buffalo Rumblings approval rating for Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey dropped 31 percent from a record-high mark set just one month prior. After yesterday's 23-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans, it appears that the tide is turning on Gailey, and that things are about to get quite negative.
We'll use the opinions of three prominent reporters on the Bills beat - Jerry Sullivan (Buffalo News), Sal Maiorana (Democrat and Chronicle), and Joe Buscaglia (WGR 550) - to cover the main talking points about Gailey's efforts yesterday at Ralph Wilson Stadium.
* All three were upset - perhaps justifiably so - that C.J. Spiller registered just three carries in the second half. Sullivan called it "overthinking" on Gailey's part, and Maiorana called Spiller's disappearance from the game plan a "mystery."
* Sullivan and Maiorana made mention of Gailey's decision to punt late in the third quarter in Titans territory, trailing by just 10 points, as decidedly less aggressive than he's been in similar situations before. Maiorana "hated" the decision, while Sullivan pointed out that it placed "unwarranted belief" in his defense while showing a decided lack of confidence in his offense.
* Both Sullivan and Buscaglia disliked the team's lackadaisical approach to a six-minute, fourth-quarter touchdown drive that, while successful, yielded very little time at the end of the game for the Bills to make yet another comeback bid.
* Buscaglia took issue with a personnel grouping on a critical third down (a play which resulted in an incompletion), noting that Steve Johnson and Spiller were on the sidelines in favor of Naaman Roosevelt (who dropped the conversion pass) and Tashard Choice. Mike Caussin filled in for an injured Scott Chandler on the play, as well.
* Buscaglia was the only one to mention that Gailey's 9-6 interlude (last year's 4-4 finish and this year's 5-2 start) have been bookended by eight- and five-game losing streaks, the latter of which is obviously current.
In Dick Jauron's tenure as Bills head coach, there was something of a breaking point for media and fans in regard to his questionable game-day decisions. After a while, his on-field decisions were mentioned every week, even if it was just to say "Dick Jauron didn't make any bone-headed decisions this week." It felt like nit-picking much of the time, but much of it was justified; with Gailey now 9-19 as Bills head coach, the time may be ripe for Gailey to start getting nitpicked, as well.
Beat reporters have had their say; now have yours. Does Gailey deserve to be criticized for these particular decisions yesterday?
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I greatly respect Gailey for his recent comments
No, the media criticism is overdone.
The main criticism I have for him is for the games in which the Bills don’t play hard (Dallas, Miami). But he is burdened by a roster loaded down with mediocre talent. That’s Nix. Gailey is focusing attention upon himself and away from the players and management, taking one for the team. That puts him a cut above some previous coaches like Williams and Mularkey.
by Rick A on Dec 5, 2011 11:22 AM EST reply actions 4 recs
To be fair, Roosevelt has had better hands than Stevie.
Da'Jon McKnight - WR (Minnesota) - 6'3'' 211Lbs. (4th Round)
by NordicBillsfan on Dec 5, 2011 11:23 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
not to mention gets 20 yards a catch.
so we should probably target him once a game, if that. right? seems like the smart move.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
no, not his fault
the players on the field need to make plays. McIntyre’s penalty may have changed the outcome of the game, Roosevelt’s drop may have changed the outcome, as well. Bottom line is the defense once again could not stop long clock eating drives that kept our offense off the field. Until the defense gets fixed, this team will continue to struggle and be forced to play error free on the offense.
CC Infantino
The Bills brass are not only kidding themselves, but they are kidding the fan base if they truly believe Chan Gailey can get them back to, I don’t know where, but I think it’s pretty self evident that Chan Gailey isn’t the man for this job. There are just some coaches who are better coordinators then Head Coaches. I respect Gailey’s honesty, but……
Joe B made an interesting point: last year Gailey started 4-4 and finished 4-12. This year started 5-2 and are currently 5-7 riding a 5 game losing streak. And I’m willing to bet that the final record here is 5-11.
RIGHT! oh my gosh.. I knew that didn't look right when I wrote it.. LOL..
I should’ve just cut & pasted what he it said..
EPIC FAIL!
by Michael_Necci on Dec 5, 2011 12:05 PM EST up reply actions
“self-evident”…I do not think that word means what you think it means.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
Still believe in Gailey
but the problem with sticking to the running game is not a new criticism. That has been coming from fans on here and all over the place for a while now. And its true.
This even grates my passive cheese - LeClaire Bill
by poz on Dec 5, 2011 11:27 AM EST reply actions 2 recs
I want you to look at the drives from the second half last week.
And tell me where we could have put in more runs.
Seriously.
I see maybe one place.
by Xaviermw on Dec 5, 2011 2:53 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
you dont see where CJ Spiller could have carried the ball more than 3 times?
come on….
This even grates my passive cheese - LeClaire Bill
by poz on Dec 5, 2011 2:56 PM EST up reply actions
In the third quarter?
Maybe once more, but literally, its true many weeks. We get taken away from the run for more than just Chan abandoning it. The play-by-plays often tell a more nuanced story.
Frank L has a nice post on the third quarter in the game recap, and I’ve done it in other games. Sometimes we take ourselves away from the run too soon, but these games we dont end up with many possessions in the 3Q, usually due to many things, including turnovers, penaties increasing down and distance and long opponents drives, which makes it hard to stay balanced.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Dec 5, 2011 3:00 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
That was terrible,
just saying, I can see times where we dont run enough, but a big piece of the story is in the play-by-play etc. So in this game our first 3 possessions of the second half other factors limited our ability to choose running plays. Ive seen it before.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
nothing happens the same every game of course
but part of the reason we keep ending up in passing only situations in the 2nd half is because we come out throwing all over the place and punting.
Just look at the fourth quarter for example, when we were killing clock with a dink and dunk offense. If your not going to take shots into the endzone or try to save some clock by going for a strike then give the ball to the running back who has been on fire and see if he can break one – its what CJ is supposed to be able to and its what Fred did all year.
Its not just a second half trend either though, we just seem to want to pass too frequently. I believe we came out on the first drive with incomplete pass, incomplete pass, incomplete pass, punt did we not? I think Chan needs to re-think the balance of his offense sometimes. Three runs by CJ in the second half is just a function of that.
This even grates my passive cheese - LeClaire Bill
by poz on Dec 5, 2011 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
sure partly we get away from it
but look we came out throwing and it worked in the second quarter (22 yards to Chandler) the fumble of course was not playcaling error. Second drive — RUN -1 yards. Now its 2nd and eleven. Not really a surprise that this went three and out and didnt run the ball. So I think SOMETIMES that happens, but its not true that everytime Chan is accused of abandoning the run that he truly abandoned it or that the fact we didnt run is the reason we didnt move the ball. Its thrown around more than it should be. In this third quarter, I dont think he did. And on top of that, our problems in the quarter werent realy playcalling (IMO).
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Dec 5, 2011 3:31 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The fourth quarter he may have abandoned it early. But then again, the score gets in our head at some point. Its not accident we are trailing most of the time wen this happens. It al feeds together to not putting us in a position to run. A lead in the fourth quarter, I have no doubt we run run run
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Dec 5, 2011 3:33 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
i think the problem is
Chan passes to set up the run. However when you aren’t completing passes on 1st down then you can’t run on 2nd and 3rd because of down and distance. Personally I wish he’d change his philosophy although I don’t believe he will. Alternatively it would be great if the Bills could complete more of their passes on 1st and then they’d have some shorter 3rd down conversions or long 2nd down runs like they did earlier in the season.
by Billsdownunder on Dec 5, 2011 4:19 PM EST up reply actions
oh, like the start of the game?
pass on first.. incomplete
pass on second…. incomplete
pass on third… interception.
conversely- running for a 7+ yard avg… let’s just disregard that.
30+ yard TD…. let’s just disregard that.
we have long thirds, because we never go with the strength of our team. we rather throw and throw and throw, until we lose. it’s a great plan.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
second drive:
run on first down. gain of 3.
run on second down. gain of 6
run on 3rd and 1, first down.
so….. what should we do? pass more, or run more? curious… I for some reason am leaning towards the run. wonder why.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
Run Average
at Seven Yards/carry is a little skewed when half your yards (35/83) come on one play. CJ needs running room; he doesn’t manufacture tough yards. If teams don’t respect the pass (or the deep pass which Fitzmediocre can’t connect) then they stack up against him. Chan knows this which is why he passes to set up the run. I also agree with greysquirrel above.
Also, Chan really doesn’t have much talent to work with. Nix needs to get him some help.
for sure
I am agreeing with you. What I am saying is his philosophy is flawed because of those 1st down incompletions. If it were completed however I’m sure he would run more because he would be in a better situation to pass. The problem is Fitz and the receivers aren’t completing. Personally I’d rather see 3 and out from 3 runs than 3 and out from 3 passes but that is just me.
by Billsdownunder on Dec 5, 2011 6:00 PM EST up reply actions
Please tell me where.
I’m not trying to seem like an a$$, just honestly look at the 2nd half plays and tell me where we should have run Spiller.
by Xaviermw on Dec 5, 2011 3:06 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
id love to
but asking me to look at film I dont have is impossible :)
And to be quite honest, a coach needs to find a way to get his biggest playmaker the ball in situations where hes been shredding the opposing team. CJ was our offense in the first half. Taking him out of the game can’t be something that is dictated to you by the opposing coach. You have to impose your will and your offense on the other team. There was a way.
This even grates my passive cheese - LeClaire Bill
by poz on Dec 5, 2011 3:10 PM EST up reply actions
Like in the back of the endzone
wide open for a pass?
Spiller was clearly on the field there, and very much involved with the offense.
Well I just mean like game situation wise, based on down and distance. There wern’t really that many more opportunities to run.
I remember one particular 3 and out.
The Bills ran on first down and gained 0-1 yards.
Do you then run it again on 2nd. and 9? Most of the time not really, and if you are giving Spiller runs just to satify a number, then thats not how you should call an offense.
The game situations really DID dictate pass for most of the 2nd half.
by Xaviermw on Dec 5, 2011 3:14 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
of course you dont satisfy a number, thats absurd
but not as absurd as giving up handing off to a guy who is torching the opposing defense, this is not some complex theorem, this is football. A pass to him in the endzone? He wasnt doing his damage in the air, he was doing his damage on the ground. CJ Spiller is averaging 6 yard a pop, hes already broken one huge run for a TD and broke open another 41 yard TD that was called back by an inconsequential hold by Corey Mac. Tennessee was only up 10 until the fourth quarter. How does that dictate pass?
CJ Spiller is CLEARLY your most explosive scoring threat in the game, he already got you your only TD and had another TD that should have been money if not for a bad play by Corey Mac (throwing your hands up, really?). Im sorry but that DOES dictate giving CJ Spiller more carries.
This even grates my passive cheese - LeClaire Bill
by poz on Dec 5, 2011 3:23 PM EST up reply actions
CJ wasn't torching the other team.
CJ torched the other team ONCE. Not all day. Ok, maybe twice but the second time was called back. His runs are inconsistent and unreliable. You can’t continue to feed the ball (when down two scores) to someone who 2/3 of his runs gets less than 3 yards.
I thought he ran the ball fairly consistently well. Yes, the 35 yarder helped, but if you take that away, and take away his second half carries, he was still averaging over 4 ypc in the first half.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
3 goal line passes
seems like a place to consider.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
With 3:00 left. And needing to get the ball back.
Sure the slants ended up accomplishing the same amount, but you just don’t score from runs at 1st and goal at the 8.
All about game situations.
by Xaviermw on Dec 5, 2011 3:17 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
right?
i bashed this post on the other thread too. i will try to remain calm here. but… there isn’t a half of any game where there are only 3 chances to run. that is dumb.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
looking at what?
a half of football to find ANY opportunity to run? easy. first down. every drive. period. anyone who has ever watch football knows this. or should.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
Sounds like sophisticated playcalling
No way the coverage comes into play huh? Nice.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Dec 5, 2011 3:51 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
what?
what does coverage have to do with the fact he was avg 7 yards a carry the first half, and were down by one score coming out of the half. that doesn’t dictate passing all but 3 downs for the whole second half. there is no possible way that any real NFL team, stops doing what has been working, and worries about a ten point deficit so much that they pass for an entire half rather than continuing what was proving successful the whole first half. Coverage SHOULD have come into play- perhaps the fact they have a worse run defense than we do, and their rb put up 153 yards and 2 scores on us. CJ was only down 20 yards comparative to Johnson, at half time. unless there are 8 or 9 guys in the box for every down, there are chance to run. if there WERE 8 or 9 guys in the box every down, we should have been able to EXPLOIT them down after down. it seems like you are somehow disregarding how effective they had been in the first half, to justify what everyone in the media (and Chan himself in his post game presser) has recognized was a significant factor in that loss.
I don’t care about “sophisticated playcalling” when the “sophisticate playcalling” results in loss after loss after loss. What I don’t understand is… why a team would ignore a top 5 running back in Fred Jackson? Why would there ever be a reason to only have 13 carries in a whole game? How about 7? How about when your first round draft pick is doing well… should you maybe consider feeding him the ball and giving him the experience? Gailey is micro managing Fitz, to try and show everyone he is a star, and yet, Fitz can’t do it alone. But when we prove effective at running, we don’t stick with it. I can’t fathom a fan who doesn’t see this, recognize this, and get frustrated by it. You cannot throw the football on every down in the NFL, without talent like you see on the Packers, the Pats, the Saints. We aren’t even CLOSE to any of these teams. It is just damn ridiculous, and inexcusable, not matter how many excuses you feel like generating and supporting.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
I just think its a waste of time to debate it if you think you dont need to look at the play-by-play. Its fine to hold the opinion we abandoned the run, but insisting that the details are irrelevant to me is wrong. Reponding that we should run on first down (done) also seems to suggest the details dont matter. So we arent going to agree.
I never make the argument that we shouldnt run more. But I do think th details make a difference. And when you look at them, it seems less clear to me where the runs come from. IF you dont lok at them, you cant really convince me the playcalling was asinine.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Dec 5, 2011 4:08 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
okay.
down by 1 score, with 13:04 on the clock. play action to Chandler… fumble.
down by 10…. 6:23 left… first down… run. stopped.
second down play action to spiller, gains 5.
third down sack.
they 3 and out. we get it back AGAIN with 3:35 left in the third.
1st down draw play for 4.
2nd down (here we could run) thrown incomplete.
3rd down converts for 1st down.
1st down… throw (we could have run here)
1st down…. play action pass (we could have run here.) fitz runs around… avoids sack, gains
2nd and 7 play action pass… incomplete. (we could have run here)
3rd and 7 incomplete pass. (first drop i have seen from Roosevelt, and someone dared to put the loss of momentum on him for that. i can’t believe this)
so we aren’t out of the third… there were 4 chances to run that we chose to pass… converting one of these.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
i would like to note
we controlled time of possession coming into the second half. obviously, they made an effort to make some of that up.
8 minutes to go:
1st down.. throw. complete (we could have run here.)
2nd and 2… throw. incomplete. (we could have run here.)
3rd and 2 … throw… nelson bobbles, and barely catches…. if he drops it we need to convert on 4th, or the game is out of reach. (we could have run here.)
1st and ten: run… stuffed. (telegraphed)
2nd… incomplete (we could have run here.)
third… excellent play by smith to catch before the first down…. and then convert.
another first (we could have run here.)…. complete to steve for first
first and ten, five minutes left…. pass. (we could have run here.)
second and 2 at the eleven (we could have run here.)… short pass, doesn’t get the first (wastes more time that we are supposed to be valuing, to justify not running the ball)
third and 1- qb sneak… doesn’t work. (we could have tried a REAL run here.)
4th and inches- toss… complete for a first down (thanks to a hold by caussin) forced out, still 4 mins to go.
1st and goal to go from the 8. pass for 2 yards. (we could have run here.)
2nd and goal to go from the 5. pass for 3 yards. (we could have run here.)
3rd and goal to go from the 2. incomplete pass to Spiller(we could have run here- as it is definitely 4 down territory.)
4th and goal to go from the 2. Pass for TD. (into coverage, and should steve drop this pass…. the game is over. 4 consecutive goal to go passes, 3 of which inside the 5? we could have run at least one down here)
obviously, with a minute to go, we needed to pass. i wouldn’t dispute that. but… i guess, i just watched the whole second half of that game… and i saw missed opportunities to run. perhaps you will still disagree. that is fine. i don’t NEED to convince anyone of anything. I know what i saw, and that was us moving from an effective game plan, into the same garbage we have done for 5 weeks. the defense came up big to give us that last shot.. and we blew it.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
so with approx 15 chances to run
we passed, or fumbled, or got sacked, or threw incomplete, or tried a QB sneak. I am just saying- we abandoned the run. there WERE opportunities to run. we were effective in the first half, with the run. Then, we gave up on it, to put it again, all on fitz… and… we lose again.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
In the fourth I agree we may have been able to run more, but we also ran out of time in this game. So I am more mixed. But really the third quarter, maybe we ran 2 and we could have run, given down and distance 4 times. I’m not gonna go on a rant that we abaondoned the run given thats the case.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
ran outta time
because we didn’t continue to control time of possession, and we threw short underneath passes consistently, sometimes settling for NOT getting the first as the routes didn’t even go beyond the marker.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
Not to belabor
but runs also get stopped very often before the marker.
We scored one TD in the second half. We didn’t run the ball on that drive. But yet this is the drive, our only successful one, that clearly we needed to run more on?
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Dec 6, 2011 11:08 AM EST up reply actions
Play action to chandler was a great play. He picked up 22 yards before he fumbled. I prefer that play call to a run. So sure we could run it there, and the other team expected that and guess what. It was a solid play call (PASS). on first down at that.
Second possession that you dismiss as three and out, RUN on first down for -1 yards, now its second and long. So the three and out came from RUNNING on first down and failing. So far, I can’t say we should be running more.
You seem to think we should run on successful first down plays were we pass for completions (I think thats a mistake). Sure we could run there, but I find it hard to believe we will have a better result. To me this says we are calling what the defense gives us, not running just because.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Dec 5, 2011 6:01 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
i never prefer a turnover to a run
i do understand your point. Chandler needs to get down, when he has half a team gang tackling him. that was on him.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
the playcall wasnt TURNOVER
it was playaction
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Dec 6, 2011 11:03 AM EST up reply actions
The Bills TD drive in the 4th chewed up almost 6 minutes with little dump passes, and Fitz taking his sweet time. Why not work in a couple draws? It’s not like Fitz looked like he was in a terrible rush, and at least Spiller would have been more likely to break a big play off a draw than all the passes Fitz made under 10 yards.
not fair
Criticizing Gailey for this poor defense isn’t fair. We have lots of injuries to blame this on first. We have a better record right now than at least 9 other teams and are tied with 3 others. We can still get 8 wins which would have looked great to all you negative posters last June.
CC Infantino
Criticizing Gailey for this poor defense isn’t fair
why not? As the head coach, he is wholly responsible for getting the most out of his talent and putting the players and coaches in positions to be successful – he has failed miserably in two season in that department…
by JustAskTheAxis on Dec 5, 2011 11:55 AM EST up reply actions
Because
Its a rebuild that were suppose to be supporting and last I heard it (rebuild) was a gonna take longer than 2yrs. Fickle fans.
Buffalo Bill's are like family to me. dysfunctional mind you, but after some thought, just like my family:) Go Bill's!
by buffalobacker on Dec 5, 2011 12:52 PM EST up reply actions
that is a good point...
my dog never had anything but dog food for the first 5 years of her life. then i took her on a camping trip with friends and as the night got boozey and people were dropping hamburgers and sausages, she finally found out she was not eating the same things we were eating all along. She’s been a mooch since.
Its been a long time since we looked good, and knocking off the Pats was HUGE. We got a taste of what its like to root for a winning team and now that our team has come back to earth, maybe even underperforming now, it tastes bad. so we grouse.
I had a drink the other day
Opinions were like kittens
I was giving them away
-Modest Mouse
Fickle fans?
The Bills haven’t been to the playoffs since Y2K was a thing.
Limited time only! Spend $50 & get free S/H w/ code "SHIPFREEUS"
So how are they rebuilding?
With Fitzpatrick? Merriman? George Wilson? Alex Carrington?
I can name two good moves that the bills “brass” have had… Chris Hairston, who looks to be a good tackle. And Nick Barnett.
Other then that, what have they “rebuilt”? They haven’t added any real pieces to their defense, outside of Barnett and Darius, that has contributed at all.
Their offense was ok to begin the year, but if you think that our WR’s, even when healthy, are an above average group of WR’s…then your sadly mistaken.
Their defense was garbage when they were winning. Now that they have a few injuries, people are trying to make excuses for one of the worst defenses in the league
K-1 Level Predictions Team
Carrington is going to be a great player.
So idk what idea your trying to pass along with that. And it is clear we need #2 receiver.
You are now Watching The Throne.
#1 receiver
Like Stevie but at a minimum, the Bills need to bring in someone who will challenge him for the #1 spot.
Name one 300+ pound outside linebacker that is successful in the NFL...
The only name that I can think of was Adalius Thomas…
I didn’t see the game this week, but thinking back to last week against the Jets, everytime they ran a sweep, Carrington was 5 yards behind the play.
Not saying that he doesn’t have pass rushing skills, but as a complete outside linebacker, he’s a downgrade from Chris Kelsay (which ISN’T rebuilding).
K-1 Level Predictions Team
wasnt Levon Kirkland 300 pounds?
but yea, not many
This even grates my passive cheese - LeClaire Bill
he has failed miserably in two season in that department…
Sorry but that is a horribly simplistic statement. This franchise had bare cupboards when he got here. He made a substantial investment in the last 2 drafts. He can’t be blamed for Troupe, and all the young guys he picked up this year are on the field. He has no OLB’s. Not saying he is blamless but “failed misserably” is nonesense.
My point is that he is the HC and the DC as well as the players are his responsibility – Edwards has some blame for sure, but if he’s so bad and he’s still the man on defense, that’s 100% on Chan
by JustAskTheAxis on Dec 5, 2011 1:40 PM EST up reply actions
Giving Gailey a pass because our team sucks is like having your dog tear through the house and then blaming yourself for leaving the dog out of his cage…the dog should still know better too! Gailey week in and out gets the sympathetic “its the front office and the players they give him”, and “we’re rebuilding”, and “look at our injuries”…Quit defending a losing coach and an underachieving, mediocre team! We don’t blow 10 million a year on a to-be 5 game losing streak to follow quarterback, 6 million a year on a one sack wonder named Kelsay, or nearly 4 million a year on a 1 touchdown wildcat player and then afterwards say “we were not expecting anything this year”
You say that as if it is your money that is being spent.
Never confuse movement with action.
~Ernest Hemingway
by NolaBillsFan on Dec 5, 2011 12:30 PM EST up reply actions
Actually
You give dog to much credit expecting it not to tear up what you left available.
Buffalo Bill's are like family to me. dysfunctional mind you, but after some thought, just like my family:) Go Bill's!
by buffalobacker on Dec 5, 2011 12:54 PM EST up reply actions
Gailey did say that the whole situation is a reflection on him. He’d disagree with you here.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Dec 5, 2011 4:23 PM EST up reply actions
Too Quick to Give Up on the Run
Chan prefers a gimmicky, pass-happy offense, so the minute that his team is down by any more than 7points he immediately gives up on the run and starts to throw the ball all over the field. Our quarterback and our receivers are not good enough for this approach; if we don’t have balance the defense can get more pressure on the quarterback and the receivers struggle to find open space.
Jauron...
was 24-33 with a supposed worse team with worse draft decisions…
Fact is Gailey is on pace to (beat?) Jauron with an even worse record.
Make all the excuses about injuries, one side of the ball being better than the other, because Jauron had them too.
A toll is a toll and a roll is a roll, if we dont get no tolls we dont get no rolls. All facts.
A Robin Hood: Men in Tights reference
Nice!
by gfbillsfan on Dec 5, 2011 11:55 AM EST via iPhone app up reply actions
Hes the coach. His team looks like theyve quit. As a fan, thats the most infuriating thing to watch. Hes got to be held accountable. I think there are far better coaches out there. Id go after them after the season.
"They’re a very special group of men. Cherish them, you will not see their like again."
by chaucer on Dec 5, 2011 11:43 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Which of those better coaches do you see taking a job in Buffalo? I don’t see any of the big names chomping at the bit to coach here.
"Nick Barnett is everywhere. He is behind you right now." - Munchausen
by RedStickBillsFan on Dec 5, 2011 11:47 AM EST up reply actions
Big names most people are refering to do not want to coach or want a spefic job example reports cowher only wants to coach the giants from former players. They like how stress free being analysts is. I do not know who I would want to replace gailey.
"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus
by matthew62 on Dec 5, 2011 11:55 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Diesnt have to be a big name guy. Get an up and coming assistant. A defensive minded guy.
"They’re a very special group of men. Cherish them, you will not see their like again."
by chaucer on Dec 5, 2011 2:42 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Rob ryan would be intetesting.
"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus
by matthew62 on Dec 5, 2011 5:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
were healthy. This team has taken some big blows, especially in the veteran roles. Just relax on calling for Gaileys head this fast. The offense has looked better than it has this year than in the past 10 years. And he is doing that with little talent. The defense is awful. If you want someones head it should be Edwards. I actually enjoy watching this team, maybe not lately, but at least they have been exciting and competitive for most of the year. The offensive line looks promising which I had big question marks on, and we look like we had a good draft with Dareus, Sheppard, Williams, Rodgers, and Searcy all contributing quite well. Can we give the guy a couple years please?
Message garbled but received
[Are you using an iPad? Mine “helps me” by changing “Fitzpatrick” to “Fitzgerald” and the like. If you don’t review and sometimes even when you do, it insists on “helping”]
Great points. The team has an ER ward full of guys replaced by back-ups. Every team has injuries, but this one seems cursed by the number it suffers.
The book is still open on Nix’s first draft. Spiller is making it harder for the naysayers. Troup looked better, if dealing with a back injury. Last year’s draft looks really promising, but for Dareus who doesn’t “look promising” but rather is the real deal.
Edwards… ditto. It has all be said, so I’ll just say “Ditto”.
The thing to hate about this team is that they are so close to being good that the close losses sting all the more. The next few weeks will be hard, going thru the long-slog of another string of games not ending in the playoffs, but after that things only brighten.
I hope we dont win another game and get,a top five pick. Where would we pick if we end up with five wins?
"They’re a very special group of men. Cherish them, you will not see their like again."
by chaucer on Dec 5, 2011 11:47 AM EST via mobile reply actions
It depends on how many wins everyone else gets. The only one that’s out of the question is #1 overall.
Ron Paul 2012
by BuffaloBlueBlood on Dec 5, 2011 11:59 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
looks like we’d probably pick anywhere between 6 and11 depending on what the other teams do…
by JustAskTheAxis on Dec 5, 2011 12:06 PM EST up reply actions
Time for Buddy
to have a press conference & take some of the heat, which I agree w/Brian is about to get nasty.
Didn’t see the game but a very important thing is ‘did they improve/progress from the previous week’ ?
"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 Dec 5, 2011 12:09 PM EST reply actions
Well we played the jets pretty well
Looked the same to me except we had a few costly turnovers and the defense stunk in the first half.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
Agree
I simply hate the 5 wrs plays, we’re not the Patriots. Why not run the ball 25 to 30 times a game? It’s not college!!
Plus our D is a joke we have to do something about Edwards now!! Not next year
by rick p on Dec 5, 2011 12:09 PM EST via mobile reply actions
so we could control the clock
and not put it on 7th rounders and undrafted guys the whole game? why would we do that? nothing like ignoring the strength of your roster, am i right? i mean, lets run this pop warner offense, and then not win for a month. we can put it all on guys who didn’t even get drafted, and ignore the fact that our line is a bunch of monsters. we can have those monsters stand up, and wait for Fitz to disregard the pocket, and do terrible. i would hate to run more. that seems dumb.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
I know this has been said before and people seem to point to the fact that we’re in year two of a rebuild, but it is completely apparent that the Bills aren’t “building” around the most important piece, QB – until there is a blue-chip QB under center, we’ll be rebuilding for a long long time, regardless of who the coach is.
by JustAskTheAxis on Dec 5, 2011 12:10 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
How's that working out for the Rams?
Ron Paul 2012
by BuffaloBlueBlood on Dec 5, 2011 1:08 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
And what I mean by that is: it isn’t just that simple.
Ron Paul 2012
by BuffaloBlueBlood on Dec 5, 2011 1:12 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I understand, but how’s it working out for the Steelers or the Colts (until this year) or the Giants or the Bengals or the Panthers or the Ravens or the Packers? Unfortunately, it pretty much is that simple in the NFL these days – unless you have an absolutely crushing defense, you have to have an elite QB – we do not have that and our fortunes as a franchise will not change until we do.
by JustAskTheAxis on Dec 5, 2011 1:48 PM EST up reply actions
ok but all of the SUCCESSFUL teams you just named HAVE crushing defenses to help a young qb. oh and stud rbs to carry the majority of the load too. bengals, giants, steelers, ravens ALL have great defenses (well giants not so much this year) and look where that has gotten them? its not a coincidence.
ppl love offense and claim the nfl is now dominated by it but at the end of the day defense is what wins championships.
now i do agree we need a good young qb and we havent had one for 15 years but we also need a good defense to help that qb
by Air Compressor on Dec 5, 2011 2:11 PM EST up reply actions
oh and stud rbs to carry the majority of the load too
but we have Jackson and Spiller looks good too – The Colts D has always been bad, the Giants D is awful (26.8ppg), and the Packers’ is mediocre at best this season
we need a good young qb and we havent had one for 15 years but we also need a good defense to help that qb
That’s all I’m really saying – we definitely can’t be one-dimensional, but I also think that unless we trot out a defense like the Ravens or Steelers (unlikely), we’re not going anywhere with Fitz
by JustAskTheAxis on Dec 5, 2011 2:27 PM EST up reply actions
Exactly right. Rec'd
"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 5, 2011 1:09 PM EST up reply actions
You realize that most 1st round QB's don't work out, right?
Problem for Buffalo is – ever since Jim Kelly left, we’ve been looking for the next Hall of Famers whereas we should appreciate that we finally have a decent QB now.
Just look at the top-5-overall QB’s picked in the last 20 years. For every one that’s worked out I can point to 3-4 that didn’t.
You also realize that since passing became a much more significant trend throughout college football the success rate has gone way up:
2010- Bradford, Tebow (can’t stand him, but Denver is in the playoff hunt and we’re not)
2009- Stafford, Sanchez, Freeman
2008- Ryan, Flacco
2007- Russell, Quinn (worst 1st round ever maybe?)
2006- Young, Leinart, Cutler
Only Russell, Quinn, and Leinart are major busts – everyone else is a viable player at the NFL level right now, except for Young, but he still was a pro bowl QB and led his team to the playoffs at one point
by JustAskTheAxis on Dec 5, 2011 2:05 PM EST up reply actions
Y cant u stand him? I bet if,he were on our team, wed be winning.
"They’re a very special group of men. Cherish them, you will not see their like again."
by chaucer on Dec 5, 2011 2:53 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Because I don’t think he’s really the reason they’re winning – their defense has been incredible and gave him another 7pts yesterday… and I hate watching lefties throw a football or play basketball, lol – it just looks so ugly
by JustAskTheAxis on Dec 5, 2011 3:24 PM EST up reply actions
I dont...
We’d still have no defense. Hard to imagine the offense improves it.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
I agree.
The Broncos defense is 95% of the reason they won 4 of the games they’ve won.
Ron Paul 2012
by BuffaloBlueBlood on Dec 5, 2011 5:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
that's one opinion
the other is the first round QB that was the only significant change to the roster helped them go from 1-4… to 7-1 … with that same defense.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
that's right
3 years ago they were regarded as the worst defense in football. While they have added a top flight corner and 2nd overall pick as pass rusher it is not a complete overhaul. They’ve competed in all the last 5 games because of their defense but they’ve won it because of their QB.
by Billsdownunder on Dec 5, 2011 5:21 PM EST up reply actions
they picked 2nd overall this last draft
took a guy by the name of Von Miller. Maybe others recall his name being thrown around as a potential Bills player. SOOoooo….. they drafted an entire defense in one year, that was SOOOoooo good…. they went 1-4? OR…they changed their identity, to mesh well with a guy named Tim Tebow (wasn’t he a heisman winning QB, at a nationally ranked program?) and subsequently went 7-1. So… i think that particular variable MUST be considered. MAYBE the WHOLE TEAM united around the kid, the way they did at the end of last year. MAYBE he truly is the “chosen one” willing their team to win (God probably has nothing better to do than help the Broncos be better)… or MAYBE… the kid is a winner, and they believe in the things he can do… and he was the difference here. Would NOT be the first time a first round QB made all the difference to a team. this is not a complete stretch, by my estimation.
ABAYARDE IS NOSTRADAMUS JUST WATCH WE WILL NOT YIEALD TO NOBODY YOUR SOUL WE WILL TAKE
And the brought in a defensive minded
head coach.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
Maybe my wording was a little too strong
What I mean is – if you use the same yardstick that people on this board use to measure Fitz, how many of these guys = doing well? We have a QB that’s on the verge of going to the Pro Bowl yet people continue to lament that he’s not Tom Brady.
I’ve heard the 50% success rate before. I guess my mind is still on the QB classes from 10 years ago that gave us Ryan Leaf, Akili Smith, Tim Couch, David Carr, etc. At least Alex Smith is looking better now, but McNabb is looking pretty bad. Don’t even get me started on Vince Young.
I don’t know, personally I’m glad we didn’t take Gabbert.
by paythemannow on Dec 6, 2011 12:55 PM EST up reply actions
People want a QB who wins. The stats don’t matter, Fitz has not been shown to be a winner. I personally think he would be a winning QB with a defense that doesn’t put us in the hole and a WR corps with another weapon or two, but that’s just me. The bloggers, in general, want to win, and he doesn’t, which (fair or not) falls on the QB.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
the stats actually show it
at around 50%. Not great but not as bad as 1 in 4 or 5.
by Billsdownunder on Dec 5, 2011 5:38 PM EST up reply actions
It wasn't that long ago that everyone thought Gailey a genius
Head Coaches make mistakes and have bad games just like everyone else. Just look at Jason Garrett’s decision to call time out on his kicker yesterday. That said, it’s true that Gailey, who seemed to be calling great plays on offense earlier in the season, seems to be running out of steam lately. On that 4th and 6 punt, he told the media afterward that he thought it was 4th and 8 or 4th and 9. Surely he needs to know exactly what it is, especially if he is making a key decision.
My reading is that he and Fitz are both deeply disappointed in the way things have turned sour this year — which in large measure has been due to the lack of personnel on defense made worse by key injuries — and that the two of them simply can’t get the adrenaline flowing any more on game days. There were a number of badly overthrown passes yesterday that suggested Fitz had lost focus (although, to be fair to him, there were also a number of bad drops by his receivers that weren’t his fault). The two of them really need to crank it back up for the final four games, but my guess is that they will both be back in high gear for 2012. The big question is whether Buddy Nix will provide the key missing ingredients to enable them to make a real playoff run. When you boil it down, he has been the real source of the problem, not Chan and Fitz.
by Macktruck on Dec 5, 2011 12:12 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
Not me.
"They’re a very special group of men. Cherish them, you will not see their like again."
by chaucer on Dec 5, 2011 2:54 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
I really dislike the 1-2 year love affairs
with coaches and then the subsequent drag-em through mud.
This team really and truly needs a 5 year plan. Coaches make mistakes.Coaches need to tinker with their teams and try out things. At this stage, we need to stick with a coach for the long haul.
I was/am one of the few Jauron supporters and I felt he should have been given more time. I don’t like the Chix regime, but I really feel like we should give him time. I’m not saying a free pass in the media. But Mr Wilson needs to come out and say that Gailey and Nix are absolutely not going anywhere. Jauron did not get that and the pressure becomes toxic. So yes, Gailey should be criticized early and often, its what fans and media do, but they should also have assurances and stability to carry out their plan.
by Ono on Dec 5, 2011 12:16 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
agreed…everyone claims they want to build a winner but sometimes it takes time and i know its been a long time for buffalo but all the more reason to give someone a little more time to get it done since so much work is needed…to me its the exponential effect. and what i mean by that is since 2000 we have wayyy too many gm’s and coaches and each regime tried to build their own unique program (understandably so)…but each time they failed they left a mess. well then the new regime took over and needed to clean house first. when that took too long they were labeled failures and forced to leave town…well that just left an even bigger…and so on and so on.
you can argue that the players from tom donahues era are long gone (except kelsay) but the mess still remains. its going to take time. sorry i guess im old fashioned and an optimist…its a fault i know
by Air Compressor on Dec 5, 2011 2:16 PM EST up reply actions
good call
As a fan, and if I was in the media, I am/would criticize Gailey for this past month, it hasn’t been good enough. In saying that, I don’t want a change of coach and if I was owner I would be getting out there publicly supporting the coach and asking the fans/media to give him more time.
by Billsdownunder on Dec 5, 2011 5:41 PM EST up reply actions
Rec'd
Although I’m a bigger fan of Gailey than I was of Jauron. And glad that Modrak is gone.
Overall assessment
Let’s not forget that Chan is doing 2 jobs at once…
I am a college professor teaching computer science so I’ll take my grading policy and apply it to Chan Gailey.
Here’s how I grade:
A = Incredible performance
B = Above Average
C = Average
D = Below Average
Offensive Coordinator
Summary: Questionable play calling at times and brilliant at other times. However, far too predictable.
Professor’s grade: C+
Grade Comments: While brilliant at times, his play calling has lacked the one element he asks his team for: CONSISTENCY. His play calling has been as inconsistent as his players execution. The sole consistency seen is his desire to play from the shotgun with a very thin WR corp. He has a #1 draft pick RB and a veteran FB. I would expect more I formation with FB leading into the hole. He is slightly above average due to his brilliant play calling at times but lacks the consistency to remain an Above Average (grade B) play caller.
Head Coach – Defense is failing this team miserably. Gailey has stated that he focuses on offense on Sunday’s – which leads me to believe that Wannstedt is leading the defensive (guiding Edwards) on Sundays.
Professor’s grade: D+
Comments: He has a lack of talent but good coaching and schemes work with the talent they have. Buffalo has shown a lack of adjustment to play with the talent. Bills still play lots of man to man but don’t have man to man talent. Man-to-man requires a pass rush with press coverage. Bills can’t do either. If one of my student’s tried to write code on a Windows machine for something to be used on a Mac – I would slap them (not literally) for trying to use the wrong device to solve the problem. Chan needs to do this to his defensive staff. This team is below .500, on a 5 game losing streak and has shown the same problems week over week. This is a below average job but not low enough to fail him.
Bottom line – it’s tough to grade coaching when we don’t know the influence Nix has on it. Nix may force them to NOT deviate from the 3-4 w/ man to man coverage. He may want his players to get used to the scheme and take their lumps since Nix has a 5 year plan and this is only year 2. Maybe next year we’ll see much better performance as both the coaching staff and players are nearing full integration with the plan. Again, hard to grade Gailey when Nix may have a hand in this – which may ultimately be the right decision long term…
by BuffaloFanFromCT on Dec 5, 2011 12:20 PM EST reply actions
One of the Bills defensive players (G. Wilson?) claimed there were 20+ plays on D last game with mental errors. In week 12, that’s a FAIL.
I don’t mind watching a loss, but I hate watching sloppy football. Hopefully, it’s a product of the rookies who have been pressed into service, but that seems like an old refrain.
I just hope these players are not getting OK with losing.
yes he deserves some criticism
but he also deserves respect for his good decisions… you know revamping the offense so this year we HAVE ONE. Without minor changes like a new play book designed to play to fitz’s strengths we would never have been in playoff contention in the first place. He’s had a year with a moderately talented team that has had time to adjust to the offense to see what sticks and what doesn’t and hopefully nix will realize we need to be more active in free agency to give ourselves a defense that is competitive enough to generate pressure, make stops, and force mistakes.
"You can't spell, 'The Buffalo Bills Win the Superbowl,' without 'Buffalo Bills.'" - Me
This is one of the least talented rosters in the NFL and Gailey’s 9-19 record is hardly surprising given what the front office has provided. In any event though, Gailey has produced his share of in-game gaffes over the course of these two seasons and while I don’t believe they’ve been as egregious as what witnessed during Jauron’s tenure, feel free to criticize- he deserves it a good deal of the time.
Personally, I like Gailey. I think he has coaxed more offense out of this putrid roster than one could have expected in the rosiest of scenarios. I think Gailey has to produce in 2012 or he should lose his job, but if it doesn’t work out, my guess it will have more to do with the front office’s awful roster-building than anything that Gailey did.
"There's only one C.J. Spiller." -Buddy Nix
by Port Royal on Dec 5, 2011 12:32 PM EST reply actions 3 recs
Well Said--rec'd
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.
I think Gailey has to produce in 2012 or he should lose his job
NO!
If the team is showing heart and grit next year, I want to see Gailey stick around and see this thing thru. The only was Gailey should be replaced is if the whole ‘plan’ of the present regime gets flushed. And, then where are we?
Phillips, Williams, Mularkey, Jauran
I think it’s clear that the three year plan hasn’t worked in Buffalo. The new coach gets a free pass for the first year, has a little success somewhere in year 2, and then takes lumps when we’re suddenly not a Super Bowl contender. Then they’re gone by the end of year 3. Each time, the roster gets more and more depleted, and I think the team Chix inherited was worse than any of the teams the last 4 coaches started with. I’d rather let a GM and coach build a team to be a Super Bowl contender in 5 years (a luxury Levy had) rather than being run out of town if they’re not in the playoffs at the end of the third year.
I couldn’t watch this game due to the blackout, but as frustrating as it sounded on the radio, it didn’t seem as bad as some of the dreadful performances we’ve had to put up with from the last four coaches. At least I felt like there was a chance at the end of the last 2 games.
it didn’t seem as bad as some of the dreadful performances we’ve had to put up with from the last four coaches.
maybe yesterday didn’t, but the first Jetsgame sure did – the Miami game did – the Cowboys game did… Any time a new HC comes in, we have consistently failed to adequately address the QB position for the long term and this has been no different so far
by JustAskTheAxis on Dec 5, 2011 12:59 PM EST up reply actions
Yep
And 3rd overall picks don’t happen often.
Buffalo Bill's are like family to me. dysfunctional mind you, but after some thought, just like my family:) Go Bill's!
by buffalobacker on Dec 5, 2011 1:08 PM EST up reply actions
And
Before you know it we’ll be blaming a new set of GM and HC. Maddening circle I say:)
Buffalo Bill's are like family to me. dysfunctional mind you, but after some thought, just like my family:) Go Bill's!
by buffalobacker on Dec 5, 2011 1:11 PM EST up reply actions
And who would you have liked them to draft? Jimmy Clausen last year? Blaine Gabbert this year? Both those guys look like crap. I am glad that Nix isnt folding to ESPN pretend scouts and fan pressure to draft someone who they dont believe can be the franchise. I am just fine with Fitz until someone comes along who I think can be a better QB for this team, and honestly, it hasnt happened.
"That's why you keep playing, gentlemen"
-Chan Gailey-
by Eric Murawski on Dec 5, 2011 1:12 PM EST up reply actions
Well
Don’t think elite type QB will be just coming along to Buffalo. It will take either a top 5 pick or alot of cash. As far as drafting goes their paid to figure that out not me! But to sit here and think there were no possible QB’s at #3 overall is silly. It does take time develop QB’s right? Unless your like Newton. Gabbert, Dalton, Locker, need I continue?
Buffalo Bill's are like family to me. dysfunctional mind you, but after some thought, just like my family:) Go Bill's!
by buffalobacker on Dec 5, 2011 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
Ponder looks good, Dalton looks good – Mallett might be a player too, who knows? It didn’t have to be Gabbert because Mel Kiper rated him that high – we’ve drafted 1 QB in the last 3 or 4 drafts…
by JustAskTheAxis on Dec 5, 2011 1:50 PM EST up reply actions
totally agree
It would’ve been great to land a franchise QB last year but as soon as Newton was taken there simply wasn’t one left. Dalton and Ponder look like they will be decent players and perhaps there will be others stand up before long including the young guy now in Houston however Dareus was clearly a better option at No3 overall. When the time is right I am confident the Bills will get their franchise QB and also have talent around him to build a truly winning team.
by Billsdownunder on Dec 5, 2011 5:46 PM EST up reply actions
There are definitely two schools of thought to that one: draft a great QB before you need them to play, even if your team stinks [buying the diamond first]; or build the team and draft a QB toward the end of the process [setting first then place the diamond]. Either plan could potentially work. I, for one, like that we stuck with our QB who was having success last year. We got Dareus, and we avoided a QB controversy this year. I wouldn’t be disappointed to see one more draft go by without a new QB.
by JapanJohn on Dec 6, 2011 1:51 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Question
So how long before we get a QB? And to add this is a QB first league you know that right? As usual this franchise is yrs behind. Build your team first please, we need everything! What your proposing will take decades oh wait were in our first decade. This franchise proved to me they have no desire to win because they passed on QB with 3 overall pick last yr. Ponder, Gabbert, Dalton, Locker were available. What are we waiting for one to drop in our laps? Getting 3 overall anytime soon? Rodgers,Brady,Rothlesberger, how’s there teams doing? Were a draft late and a dollar short!
Buffalo Bill's are like family to me. dysfunctional mind you, but after some thought, just like my family:) Go Bill's!
by buffalobacker on Dec 6, 2011 9:07 PM EST up reply actions
give him 2012
If they had Jauron era defenses coupled with Gailey offenses, they would be a playoff team right now. They need a D coordinator like Perry Fewell and they need a pass rusher like Aaron Schobel on that side of the ball. When healthy the O pretty much has all the pieces (minus one deep threat/physically big WR). Freddie has shown he is an elite RB who can excel in all phases of the game. Now Spiller is showing he might be able to provide a spark despite not living up to his draft position.
Chan has shown enough to be given one more year to show improvement. Injuries helped squash the fast start because the team lacks the depth to weather key losses. Some of his in game decisions have been suspect, but guys like Belichek have their share of questionable in game calls too (hindsight 20/20 and all). Hopefully, they can repeat the success of last year’s draft and plug some holes and add some depth (+ thru free agency) and Chan can get it done in 2012.
"There were a lot of guys that were disappointed, frustrated and down, me included."
- Ryan Fitzpatrick
I thought Gailey was the main reason we were 5-2 and in first place in the AFCE.
I also think hes the main reason weve dropped 5 straight and are looking to possibly end up in last place in the AFCE.
I know players play, and some have got hurt, but something is different with him and his aggressiveness.
The 2 plays that killed me to watch were when we had 1st and goal from the 8 with 3:30ish left in the game… and he we threw a 2 yard pass to Nelson? and another 2-3 yard pass to Smith. We wasted too much time and barely gained anything for it. If it wasnt for a tough 4th down catch by Stevie, it would have looked a lot worse overall.
Fitz = M(C)²
"Lets Go Buff! a! lo!"
I got a TROPPer in the car, uhh!!
Wasn't this year supposed to be a rebuilding year anyway?
I remember quite well that before and during preseason, the fan base was still with Nix/Gailey’s position that year two of this great experiment was still supposed to be a rebuilding year.
I think people got way too caught up in the 5-2 start and started to think our bunch of “no-names” (as the media put it) were actually a pro-bowl team. We had some good matchups at the beginning of the season, then got beset by a ton of critical injuries. It exposed the fact that the Bills have very little depth on the bench. Guess what that means… we aren’t done rebuilding.
Yeah, I’m as disappointed as the next guy – I didn’t want to end up behind the jets yet another season, and even worse didn’t want to see the fish potentially edge us out in the standings too. But we need to be realistic here. This isn’t the team that you all thought it was at the beginning of the season. Injuries have made that apparent.
This isn’t the team that you all thought it was at the beginning of the season
It’s not that different either – a couple of games could have gone either way like the Raiders game when Fitx threw two balls that receivers saved from being picked at critical moments or the Pats game when we needed 4 picks from arguably the greatest QB of this era to win by 3 at home – this team wasn’t very good then (definitely exciting and fun to watch) and they’re not very good now… like so many other teams in the NFL, we could be anywhere between 3-9 and 8-4… unfortunately, we’re 5-7 and looking very familiar to the last 10 years
by JustAskTheAxis on Dec 5, 2011 1:04 PM EST up reply actions
I disagree. In record, yes, I will agree we look like the Bills of old. However, for the first time since I have been a big time Bills fan, I see a clear direction. I see direction in terms of GM (with a clear successor already in place), I see a steady philosophy in the draft, and I see a team being built in the image of the San Diego Chargers. A QB unafraid to make plays, a workhorse QB, receivers that look like a basketball team, an underemphasis on the OLine, and a heavy emphasis on the front 7 of the DLine. That gives me hope that with some desperately needed talent infusions, this team can finally compete.
"That's why you keep playing, gentlemen"
-Chan Gailey-
by Eric Murawski on Dec 5, 2011 1:09 PM EST up reply actions
I hear what you’re saying but also disagree – I though there was some direction under Mularkey and then definitely some under Jauron, especially when we started 5-1 that season… unfortunately, after further review, nothing now seems or feels that much different
by JustAskTheAxis on Dec 5, 2011 1:54 PM EST up reply actions
Last 10 yrs
But remember its a new regime, fire them next yr. rinse and repeat!
Buffalo Bill's are like family to me. dysfunctional mind you, but after some thought, just like my family:) Go Bill's!
by buffalobacker on Dec 5, 2011 1:10 PM EST up reply actions
I dont think its warranted im guessing that chix
Are now wanting to figure out what we have in the younger guys and seems nix is already looking at the next draft
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 Dec 5, 2011 1:03 PM EST via mobile reply actions
14 of 80
What is that number? If I am correct (and there is a possibility I am not) that is the number of players left on this team that were in training camp in Jauron’s last year. That just shows you how terrible this team really was (and still is). With incredible roster turnover like that, I just can’t blame Gailey for the failing of this team. He is taking mediocre, at best, talent, and getting them to win games. I think he deserves 1 to 2 more years to determine his true worth as a coach. If anything, Gailey seems willing to admit mistakes and make adjustments, something that has been sorely lacking from previous coaches I can remember. With an improved D, and playmakers back on offense, I think he can still make this team into a playoff team. For me, that is a huge step in the right direction.
"That's why you keep playing, gentlemen"
-Chan Gailey-
by Eric Murawski on Dec 5, 2011 1:03 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
I love how fans make excuses for the lack of success of this team
The Buffalo Bills have been in a rebuilding mode since Jan. 8th 2000. They have been through GM after GM and coach after coach all of which have failed the team and its fan base. Bills fans stick behind their team year after year and every year we utter the same words " Wait until next year, give the team time to build, they are getting better and building for the future". Lets face the facts, the future is always just a year or two away and will continue to be until the direction of this team is changed from the top down. I am talking about Jim Overdorf and Russ Brandon. Does anyone question the mediocrity, at best, of this team has anything to do with decisions made by Overdorf and Brandon. If you recall, Brandon has been with the team since 1998, about the time the destruction of this team began and he quickly moved up the ranks to GM and now CEO. Overdorf has been Senior VP of football operations for some time and obviously has strong input to decisions made regarding personnel, see Lee Evans deal. You can continue to blame it on the lack of talent, there certainly is that. You can continue to blame it on poor coaching, that works also, but at the end of the day you have to ask yourself, why year after year, GM after GM, coach after coach does this team consistently hover around mediocrity at best. Maybe it is time to stop with the excuses and placing blame on the coaches and players and focus the blame where it needs to be, squarely on the shoulders of Brandon and Overdorf. If they made smart decisions, then it would certainly flow to the play on the field. If you want to question somebody, start at the top.
see Lee Evans deal
I totally agree with everything else you said, but I also think that Evans just wanted out and wanted to get to a contender – no way we move him just to do it without him asking
by JustAskTheAxis on Dec 5, 2011 1:55 PM EST up reply actions
All Brandon's worried about is keeping Ralph alive
Otherwise he’s on the street where he belongs in about 30 seconds
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.
by radan on Dec 5, 2011 1:56 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
The early success of the team raised expectations for this team too high. They are still beyond bad on defense. Imagine if the offense had a legitimate defense to help it
I guess that’s part of my issue – after spending the better parts of two drafts on defense, we haven’t really reaped the benefits
by JustAskTheAxis on Dec 5, 2011 2:07 PM EST up reply actions
But is it really reasonable to expect 2 entire draft classes to fully develop in their 1st and 2nd seasons respectively?
not necessarily, but we have shown almost no improvement at all
by JustAskTheAxis on Dec 5, 2011 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
but there’s always some excuse (believe me, I’ve been making them for 20 years for this team) – the bottom line, injuries or not, is that they’re not getting it done – and before any of the injuries, they were still getting ripped
by JustAskTheAxis on Dec 5, 2011 3:25 PM EST up reply actions
Imagine if the offense had a legitimate defense to help it
Imagine if the offense had caught that game winning TD pass two weeks ago, or made an accurate throw into the endzone with time winding down two weeks ago, or hadnt committed a holding penalty on a 41 yard touchdown run yesterday or hadnt run nearly half the fourth quarter off the clock to get within a score on Sunday.
If the offense was executing when it mattered this team would be 7-5 and the Jets would be behind us in the AFC East.
You can’t blame it all on the defense when they put the offense in position to win the game in two consecutive weeks but they failed.
This even grates my passive cheese - LeClaire Bill
by poz on Dec 5, 2011 2:40 PM EST up reply actions
I agree! There’s a lot of griping about the defense, but they became stout in the second half yesterday. They played well enough to win, and it’s the offense’s job to finish the game and make it happen. They didn’t. Yesterday was as much on the offense as the defense.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
Another thing about the defense
The defense has played great in the 2nd half of most games. Even the Dolphins blowout, the Bills only allowed like 20 yards in the 2nd half, and forced them to punt 5 or 6 times. They did everything they could to allow the offense another miracle comeback like they did against Oakland and NE. If we get a little more talent on both sides, we won’t have to worry as much about drops or bad passes that could win games, because we’ll already have the lead.
too true
also can’t blame the defense when they have to be on the field for so many minutes. I’d be interested to know how many minutes Buffalo’s defense is on the field compared to other teams. It seems like they are almost always out there.
by Billsdownunder on Dec 5, 2011 5:57 PM EST up reply actions
The Bills dominated the Jets
in TOP I believe.
well I think that only strengthens my argument
The fact is Bills were in that game right until the final play. What I am saying is if you give this defense a chance (ie: no offensive turnovers, take time off the clock with the ball) they can keep you in games, even without K.Williams and G.Wilson, despite the fact I think we are all agreed they aren’t that talented, don’t have much depth nor do they have a very highly-regarded DC.
by Billsdownunder on Dec 5, 2011 6:11 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
A rested defense
is a better defense.
I agree, no question.
The Benefit of Low Expectations
Many makes it seem like the Bills should be a well oiled machine with 10 years of losing. The reality is each year is different, each player combination is different and the coaches are constantly cobbling together players that never work together and trying to make their efforts look coordinated and seamless.
Unlike the 49’rs and Lions, we really have not been that bad for that long. We’ve been kind of bad for that long. We need more good players. Having a stupendous season this year actually hurts our long term development. So I for one, will suck it up for another year, knowing that we seem to have management headed in the right direction, coaches that know football players when they see them, and players, when healthy, that strive to get better.
If the Bills keep playing to win, despite injuries, they will at least develop the mental toughness required to win and with maturity may not squander opportunities when they get them. So while I appreciate the thin patience, terminating the guys at the top because of the plays of the guys at the bottom, is simply a lack of awareness. Action needs to be balanced by common sense.
Go big or go home.
by jackkemp15 on Dec 5, 2011 2:20 PM EST reply actions 1 recs
Gailey taking lumps.
He deserves all the lumps he’s getting! We are a outdoor coldweather team that should’ve been reving up our running game all season long not exclusively and not nessasarily dominately either but regularly and sometimes prominately YES and YES again. I hope that we will be fortunate enough to have someone or a group of some sort that buys the team when it goes up for sell that will want to ( and do ) keep the team here but if that doesn’t happen this would be a very poor way to end up a 12 year drought from the playoffs or more if we don’t get it togther soon. Who knows if they go to LA they not even keep the name ( BILLS ) remember the Braves, the Jazz, the Supersonics, Cleveland fought and won the rights the name the Browns as they became the Ravens. But we have No Control, So Patience is what We Must Have IF WE ARE to be Bills Fans because that’s all we Seem to HAVE for SURE, We DON’T Have a WINNING Team, WE DON’T Seem To Have a Good team, heck Soon Maybe Very Soon We May Not Even Have A TEAM AT ALL
Chan didn't give up on the run
If you look at the third quarter it is so obvious that the turnover and the Titans long drives took the ball out of CJ’s hands. From the kickoff of the second half to the 6:45 mark, Buffalo had one play. That’s more than half the quarter-gone.
In the next two minutes or so of play the Bills went 3 and out, 2 of those plays went to CJ Spiller (a run and a throw).
The Titans ran ANOTHER 1:30 or so off the clock before Buffalo go the ball back. That drive started with a run, an incomplete pass and then 2 BIG gains through the air. Fitz ran it himself with 1:31 left in the quarter, and then missed two passes from 6 yards out. Buffalo punted with :28 left on the clock and didn’t see the ball again until 8:55 in the fourth quarter.
Of ALL the plays Buffalo ran in the 3rd quarter (not counting punts) you had 2 CJ Spiller Runs, 1 CJ Spiller Completion 1 Fitz Run, three catches for 15, 20 and 22 yards, and 3 incomplete passes. So 30% run selection, and of the 70% that were passes each completion was huge.
At most, you could argue that MAYBE 1 run on 2nd and 6 was appropriate, but so what: That’s one play and well with in the discretion of the coach (who had seen his passing game open up by completing 3 passes of 15+ yards) to keep going with the pass. Frankly, of the plays in the 3rd quarter that were successful (and there were only the 11 plays to look at) Buffalo was MUCH more successful with people OTHER than CJ Spiller than with him.
By the time they see the ball in the fourth quarter it IS too late to run the ball. They are in pass first mode, and so really, an objective look at the game reveals that the Chandler fumble and the Titans drives kept the ball out of CJ’s hands, NOT Chan.
I think a lot of the folks who wrote articles this morning going after Chan were either grossly misinformed to the point of not watching the game, or flat out twisting facts to fit the story they wanted to write. Basically, I’m calling BS. You can’t look at the second half and say that there was but maybe one obvious place where you could have run the ball with CJ and done better, maybe.
(reference)
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/boxscore?gid=20111204002&page=plays
by FrankL on Dec 5, 2011 5:23 PM EST reply actions 2 recs
There where alot of first downs for buffalo. You can easily argue that they could of ran their at least twice in the game. add in your one play thats three more. I more agree that their where more like 10 or 15 we could of run the ball on. So use six of those 15 chances get spiller to 20 carries use the clock a little better. Sad thing is if freddy was playing this would not even be a two sided discusion. Most would agree. To say there was no chance to run more in the second half is twisting facts in my opinion. Especiall when you use what a bix score. Box scores do not tell the whole story. This is not base ball you can not tell the whole game from.the stats.
"This is a chance to shine some light on the city, They say it’s too cold. I’m going to bring some warmth to it." Marcell Dareus
by matthew62 on Dec 5, 2011 8:50 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
No, you really can.
No coach or person in his right mind, when playing from behind, gives up a 15 yard pass just so you can run it once or twice. There isn’t a magic xbox achievement for getting to 20 carries-so saying you should have not passed for first downs so that you would, somehow, have more downs to run it on is a complete misnomer and misses the fact that if Buffalo hadn’t picked up those first downs there was no guarantee they’d ever have a chance to continue running plays.
If Buffalo runs instead of throwing for a first down, and even picks up four, you are now two downs from being out instead of having a new set of downs.
Well said
In this instance, it was as much cause as effect. And that happens in most of these losses and we end up having a similar round and round about how we clearly didnt run enough — look when we run we win. But this is circular logic.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Dec 6, 2011 11:00 AM EST up reply actions
99% of football talk is circular logic
Don’t even get me started on “Elite QB” which, apparently, in the ESPN dictionary is a QB who wins the Super Bowl. So when I hear people say “oh we need an Elite QB” or we’ll never win a Super Bowl, I kinda want to blow my brains out.
We had three possessions in the third quarter ended by a fumble (on a great playaction playcall, much better than the average run), a three and out that was led off by a (RUN). And then a drive where on first down we ran once, passed once and Fitz scrambled once. We averaged 6-7 yards on first down for those three first down calls. Maybe we could have run on this drive once more. But I don’t think this has much to do with the outcome of this game. We didnt run because we didnt possess the ball. And we didn’t possess the ball for a number of reasons, including Tennessee had a few nice long possesssions in the second and we were turning it over or not converting (even when running).
By the time we are down two TDs with less than 9 minutes to play the odds are this game is over. 95% of teams in this situation lose. And I don’t think a draw or two was gonna change that. If we are looking for where this game went wrong, its not BECAUSE we didn’t run when trailing by 2 scores with less than half a quarter to play. Its because we got here and were trailing by two scores. The emphasis ont he number of runs to me is misguided and is a real marginal area of concern.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Dec 6, 2011 10:19 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs
To me this is largely second-guessing
using bad stats. Look we LOST. So clearly we could have done stuff differently, but when people characterize this as on the coaches for ‘abandoning’ a running game in a half where we ran out of time, didnt get many plays, well, i just think its not what went wrong. It’s making a mountain of the a molehill. Offense went awry in the first two possessions of the second half. We finally got a TD int he half when we didnt run at all, but yet thats when people wanted us to run? I have no idea what the logic is anymore.
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Dec 6, 2011 11:07 AM EST up reply actions
Here's a better question:
WTF happened to the Bills this year? How can they collapse so mightily?
Hmm
It’s not something new really.
Buffalo Bill's are like family to me. dysfunctional mind you, but after some thought, just like my family:) Go Bill's!
by buffalobacker on Dec 5, 2011 10:29 PM EST up reply actions
Wow
No wonder HC aren’t interested in this franchise. Not only do they get no help from organization but they have to endure second quessing from media and fans! This team is sadly lacking in talent and every win is partly due do Chan, good luck Chan.
Buffalo Bill's are like family to me. dysfunctional mind you, but after some thought, just like my family:) Go Bill's!
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