Re-Tempering Expectations For Bills OLB Shawne Merriman
by Brian Galliford on Aug 14, 2011 1:00 PM EDT
in Buffalo Bills Opinion
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PrintEver since the start of Buffalo Bills training camp, there's been legitimate buzz that the crux of the team's pass rush, outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, looked like he was back to his Pro Bowl-worthy ways. That buzz reached a fever pitch during last night's pre-season opener against the Chicago Bears, in which Merriman recorded two sacks and generally did whatever he wanted to do against Bears left tackle J'Marcus Webb.
Obviously, watching Merriman play as well as he did was nothing but good news. However, before we get carried away about him, we need to remember that he was playing the Bears.
If you recall, earlier this off-season we did a Bills re-watch of most of the team's games from last season. In a Week 9 loss to the Bears in Toronto, Buffalo's beleaguered run defense and pass rush had field days against Webb and a horrific Bears offensive line. Chris Kelsay ran by Webb like the latter was a tackling dummy all day. The Bears ran for 105 yards (a remarkably low total by last year's standards), and though Jay Cutler was sacked just once, he was forced to scramble five times for 39 yards.
Yes, it's great to see the Bills rack up nine sacks in a game any time, against any opponent, pre-season or not. But let's not get carried away. Until Merriman can be productive against NFL-caliber left tackles, there's still plenty of room for skepticism.
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Ok, but 9 sacks is noteworthy
even in high school. I get the message and agree, these things need to be repeated before we can get on board with expectations. Not only look at the number of sacks that Merriman had but the moves he used and the power he used to get them. That was all good. I would still “somewhat” like to shelve Merriman for the patriots games:)
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
Seriously....
I hope no one on here thinks this performance is suddenly going to translate into a 144 sack season for our team, but your right, 9 sacks in one game against anyone, at any level is impressive….
Went to my first "BB" meeting today... When I stood, introduced myself, and admitted I was a Billsaholic, the other members threw beer cans at me!!
I’m leaning your way on this Van.
They need to limit his snaps even during regular season.
Rotate in the young bucks often, and keep Merriman fresh.
What keep him fresh?
For our playoff run down the stretch!!!!!!!! GO BILLS!!!
"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Aug 14, 2011 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
WORD!
I think our D is just about where we want it. We even have, dare I say, depth.
On offense? All we need is to settle out RG and I guarantee you Ryan will be, at least, making seven-yard handoffs all game long with Fred-o (and maybe even CJ) making them for real. Losing Lee sucks for Stevie, but DJ, Nelson and Buster can step up.
Analysis? We’re 6-10 if we’re unlucky, 9-7 and possibly wild card if we’ve got all our luck.
"Why so serious?... so raise your glass if you are wrong/in all the right ways..." -- P!nk
by Orlando John on Aug 16, 2011 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions
nfl caliber left tackles.....
yes, well the bears are an nfl team, they did get to the nfc championship game, and
perhaps most importantly…..
when have the bills looked that good rushing the passer????
Yes!
I think the 9 sacks and how Merriman performed are reason to get excited .I keep hearing about how shocked and upset we should be about Lee Evans being traded. Thats ridiculous to expect fans to feel offended when we trade an aging receiver who averaged less than 3 yards a catch the last couple of years, then say we shouldn’t get excited about what we saw out of Merriman last night. Please!
think it was closer to 16 per catch though, just saying
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison
by HurricaneJay on Aug 14, 2011 2:53 PM EDT up reply actions
thinkin' Lou meant
to say 3 catches per game
Went to my first "BB" meeting today... When I stood, introduced myself, and admitted I was a Billsaholic, the other members threw beer cans at me!!
That is a fair statement then.
as long as we can stretch the field, it will be ok. Going back to a previous post, I think that New England has a fine deep threat in Ocho, he may not be what he once was but he is capable of keeping teams honest.
A deep threat can be over valued but never underestimated. I would like to run a little bit this season as well as sling it all over the place.
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison
by HurricaneJay on Aug 14, 2011 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions
stay alert
I will let you know when i am perfect! I should have figured that is what you meant.
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison
by HurricaneJay on Aug 14, 2011 4:43 PM EDT up reply actions
DYNASTY!!!!
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
JUGGERNAUT?
(How did my Dad steal my fingers there? He kept making that statement about the late-80’s Notre Dame teams. Who ironically may be back to 1987 level this year, go figure.)
"Why so serious?... so raise your glass if you are wrong/in all the right ways..." -- P!nk
by Orlando John on Aug 16, 2011 2:16 PM EDT up reply actions
settling on change of pace is good enough for me.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
Playoffs...
No bad injuries = playoffs.
Why is everyone so quick to point out our pass-rush was against a weak bears line, but nobody mentions that our O-line was up against a great defense?
Merriman is a freak! Dareus can help alot and Kyle is a probowler. If they stay healthy our D can play with anybody. Troup, Carrington, Batten anf Moats are ready to help. Barnett will captain, our secondarty looks capable and deep.
On offense, chan will get us scoring, we have a ton of weapons, the team will get over the evans shock and the line will get better one way or the other. Chan can coach.
No injuries and we will be able to compete with anybody.
gobills!
PodunkO - The great post ender!
I can see the tempering worked on you… ;)
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
I can't see.....
….are we going to the superbowl?
why not? the cheaters have holes in their roster too…..
gobills!
PodunkO - The great post ender!
ok, calm down
we didnt go against a “great” bears offense…if you know, even they are starting with 2 new DTs in their 4-3…
and this is pre-season… there was no blitzing going on… even then our offensive line looked bad
by statcruncher on Aug 14, 2011 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Rec.
However our secondary needs to work on one thing i notice in the game, and thats tackling against the run. On few occasions during the game i watch the D Line force Barber outside and our corners came up in run support to be ran over. So what was to be no gain ended as a big gainer, Hope its better agaist a improve rushing attack of the broncos this week. As for the O Line they have another hudge test against that broncos pass rush or elseeeeee. GOOOOOO BILLS!!!!!!!!!!
by TheFranchize on Aug 15, 2011 7:14 AM EDT up reply actions
LIGHTS OUT!!!
I agree with you Brian, however, let’s not forget the Bears did make it to the NFC Championship game last season….
Give me the Buffalo Bills or give me death.....
That was kind of a remarkable feat considering their division and the state of their OL.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
Not really,
I believe the Steelers put up a patch work O-Line and made it, your point is understood, but but but, well you know.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
They also got to play the 7-9 Seachickens in the Divisonal playoff instead of the Saints.
The score dictated they pass
by norcaliangelsfan on Aug 14, 2011 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
didn't those seachickens beat the defending champs to get there?
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
They beat NO at home where Seattle always plays well.
thats not that impressive.
The score dictated they pass
by norcaliangelsfan on Aug 14, 2011 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes it is… Beating the defending SB champions in the playoffs is impressive.
"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix
"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez
by dnvrBillsfan on Aug 14, 2011 2:00 PM EDT up reply actions
So much for new year, new team then huh?
What about beating the SB champion was 3 or 4 years ago? Does that still count?
What is the time limit exactly?
The score dictated they pass
by norcaliangelsfan on Aug 14, 2011 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d say if you beat the DEFENDING SB champion, especially in the playoffs, it’s a big deal.
"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix
"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez
by dnvrBillsfan on Aug 14, 2011 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions
cleveland beat the saints… they went 5-11… your point is invalid… seahawks are a weak team… and chicago got it easy
by statcruncher on Aug 14, 2011 5:55 PM EDT up reply actions
And the better team won that day.
Seattle didn’t win by some trick play, or some lucky break, they WON the game fair and square. Bottom line is Seattle was better that night, and Chicago was better the next game. The Best teams find a way to win no matter what.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
and Seattle has that running back. What’s his name again?….
Y'all- There's a "D" in rebuild, but no "O"- The gospel according to Buddy Nix 4:12
the beast from the east.
Huge play, made a difference, but the seachickens deserve credit for level of intensity and playing the whole game.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
Are we that cynical of a fan base that we can’t believe that we might have hit a home run with Merriman? Is it tough for us to say that Nix might have done something right? And every time we do something good it becomes more about what the opposition did wrong or what they were lacking compared to what we did well.
by Honestabe75 on Aug 14, 2011 1:19 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
You’re right. I was dissappointed to read the headline as well. It could have been so many things, but to lead essentially with the statement
‘Dont get ur hopes up, we hate that here’ makes me feel sorry for some. Im not sure if its the psyhcology of certain generations of bills fans or what, but isnt it more fun to be excited about the positives? I mean, no one is seriously thinking super bowl here. But a healthy merriman was evident last night.
I think that is cause for excitement alone.
by DJ O on Aug 14, 2011 3:03 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
nothing wrong in being realistic as well
this article was necessary to tone the hype down… plus merriman can still go out any second… even if he plays well, its hard for me to accept he will last a 16 games… there is no point getting the hopes up then
by statcruncher on Aug 14, 2011 5:58 PM EDT up reply actions
And to conclude, I don’t see a sports blog being ‘necessary’ to do anything. I think you give WAY to much credit to what a site can accomplish amongst a fan base.
by DJ O on Aug 14, 2011 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Your a bigger buzz kill
than Buzz Killington!
by gfbillsfan on Aug 14, 2011 1:20 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
OL
Funny considering how many times I’ve read comments on how the Bills may have the worst OL in the NFL and how horrible our tackle play is. Guess there are other teams with this problem.
CC Infantino
Interestingly.....
Bell and Pears seemed to fairly neutralize Peppers during the duration of their play.
’Nother interesting note….
Went to my first "BB" meeting today... When I stood, introduced myself, and admitted I was a Billsaholic, the other members threw beer cans at me!!
Yeah, I didn’t see anything negative about Pears’ play last night, actually. He and Bell both stayed out of the highlights, which is good for tackles.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
And Urbik may not have been as bad as many think
There’s a post running on the Bills’ Message Board right now in which a guy breaks down all of Urbik’s plays from last night — much the way Ron does. He found the two terrible plays where Urbik plainly got beat, but also discovered that on every other play he did quite well. And on one of the two terrible plays when Urlacher ran past him it was not really Urbik’s fault. Urlacher was clearly Eric Wood’s assignment, but Wood slipped on the turf and Urbik was trying to help out (but found he couldn’t). If this guy’s analysis is right, Urbik had one conspicuously awful play, but otherwise was very strong at RG. It’s a lot like Andy Levitre’s debut at LG, where he gave up an awful sack but otherwise did fine, and Levitre has certainly turned out to be a winner.
So, yes, let’s not jump to conclusions about Merriman quite yet, and let’s also hold off on any judgments about Urbik until we see more of him.
Merriman at full strength is Buffalo’s best chance at suddenly jumping from a likely 4 to 6 win team to a team that could be somewhat entertaining in 2011. The reports on him from Pittsford and now Chicago have been very encouraging and I’m excited to see if Buffalo stole an impact player from San Diego (Jack Kemp-style). I’m not sure how likely such a return to form for Merriman is, but I think the chances are increasing with each positive report that comes out as the season approaches. A 2006 version of Shawne Merriman appearing out of thin air could drastically speed up the rebuilding of Buffalo’s defense…this could get interesting.
"There's only one C.J. Spiller." -Buddy Nix
See
your not always negative! I find it amusing when people love to label you as always a pessimist and never have anything positive to say. I agree with ya some of the time, your critical of certain big decisions and give credit where credit is due. Doesn’t mean you’re a pessimist, just a fan like the rest of us. Some decisions sit well, and some need to be checked. This certainly could get interesting if Merriman is healthy and happy.
"I promise you, ... When I come back, I'm going to be like a mad dog in a meat house." -Takeo Spikes
The premise of this post is weak
Let time and play on the field temper expectations. The fact is the Bears starting O-line, that went to the NFC Championship game, played a half and the Bills defense, who last year couldn’t sniff the QB, had four sacks. The backups continued to have sacks. Good showing for them. Good showing for Merriman.
Why not leave it at that. I’m tired of negativity even when there’s reason for positivity.
by phaze1 on Aug 14, 2011 1:28 PM EDT reply actions 4 recs
There is certainly room for optimism
Dareus looked very good for his first live action. Merriman did look explosive, no matter who he was up against. Spiller had 2 runs in which allowed blocking to develop, at least one where he did not. I got the feeling that Stevie is ready to step up and the receivers were overall ok. Big drop by Chandler though, that was disappointing.
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison
by HurricaneJay on Aug 14, 2011 1:30 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
2 Yards is the big number
The biggest fact is that the Bills’ D held the Bears to 2 yards of offense in the first quarter. That goes beyond Merriman and speaks for itself.
by Macktruck on Aug 14, 2011 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
steve ready for #1?
how did you get that feeling? none of our WRs were able to get open… all short yardage… i still have my doubts, this offense can be consistently successful through the season
by statcruncher on Aug 14, 2011 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions
Biting My Nails
Both times he got a sack I was on the edge of my seat nervous he was going to hurt himself during one of those lights out celebrations. As pumped as those dances get me I do not think he should be allowed to them (at least in Pre-Season) because he is liable to pull a hammy or re-injure that Achilles. The guys should all gather together and pick him up and carry him back to the huddle to ensure he does not hurt himself.
If he’s going to hurt himself celebrating, it’s just a matter of time before he hurts himself playing. I’d take my chances…
"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix
"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez
by dnvrBillsfan on Aug 14, 2011 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL
I’m glad he is a Bill now, but I still cannot stand that freakin dance of his.
He looks like he’s having an epileptic seizure out there on the field.
by lonestar_ak on Aug 14, 2011 2:39 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rec'd
I’ve been thinking that, too, but I didn’t want to be a “downer” by pointing it out. Well said, lonestar_ak!
by ChuckBuffInFlo on Aug 14, 2011 3:43 PM EDT up reply actions
agreed
it reminds me of me on the dance floor….awkward!
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison
by HurricaneJay on Aug 14, 2011 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
worse yet…he could hurt himself doing it! ;-(
Y'all- There's a "D" in rebuild, but no "O"- The gospel according to Buddy Nix 4:12
it certainly hurts to watch
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison
by HurricaneJay on Aug 14, 2011 4:10 PM EDT up reply actions
and he wouldn't be the first
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK81Ej5hm8s
I keep waiting for that report out of training camp honestly. Just like we got last year with his first practice.
I know it’s just me waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Health & Motivation
are the keys to #56 & he certainly had both last night.
Good point to add in the competition as well but at least positive strides were made, w/the D.
"Alright Men, lets go out there, bust um in the chops & get somebody bloody. If your not a superstar you best be sweating that ass off. Take the W in battle & make the Bills Nation Proud."
by Blood, sweat & Win on Aug 14, 2011 1:37 PM EDT reply actions
2 sacks in 9 plays??
so, even against a terrible OT, that is pretty good. Keep in mind, if he gets 12 sacks all year it’ll be success. It sounds like his old explosiveness is back. My hope is the Bills will use him sparingly the rest of the preseason, no need to waste him on these games.
Also
He ankle tackled Cutler on the Dareus sack, cant understand how he wasnt credited w/ 2 1/2, but its preseason. just pointing out that he was in on another too. It is easy to get carried away with that performance, because it WAS AWESOME! Just watched it again.
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison
by HurricaneJay on Aug 14, 2011 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions
your right...
and in fact it was Merriman who flushed the QB into Dareus, as Shawne was being held…
Went to my first "BB" meeting today... When I stood, introduced myself, and admitted I was a Billsaholic, the other members threw beer cans at me!!
My God...
… can you imagine being an NFL QB……… you somehow avoid Merriman and then Darius crushes you?!!!
Did you see that sack that Heard got as well?
That would cause me to quit the damn game.
"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Aug 14, 2011 2:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Haha…
Cutler: F this! I’m going to go fake an injury….
"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix
"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez
by dnvrBillsfan on Aug 14, 2011 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Booo.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
Too soon?
"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix
"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez
by dnvrBillsfan on Aug 14, 2011 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes :P
But funny.
"Why so serious?... so raise your glass if you are wrong/in all the right ways..." -- P!nk
by Orlando John on Aug 16, 2011 2:27 PM EDT up reply actions
why do you think...
Cutler left the game so quickly??? The rest of the Bears offense at least finished the first quarter, and many played the half…
Went to my first "BB" meeting today... When I stood, introduced myself, and admitted I was a Billsaholic, the other members threw beer cans at me!!
The Coaches saw that buffalo was just embarrassing their oline
so they probably just pulled him.
Twitter @J_Clark_1989
Just had a vision....
of Billicheat pulling Brady early in a game out of fear our D will hurt him…..
Shhhhhh….. let me sleep some more….. luvin’ this dream…..
Went to my first "BB" meeting today... When I stood, introduced myself, and admitted I was a Billsaholic, the other members threw beer cans at me!!
by Cinga on Aug 14, 2011 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
I don't want Bellychunk to pull him out.
I want to see Brady and Sanchez running for their lives and getting pummeled four games this year!!
I want teams to HATE having to play the Bills.
"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Aug 14, 2011 3:10 PM EDT up reply actions 10 recs
Yes sir
The player I would like least at #9 would be my sister’s cat, Captain Creamsicle. She does have a great work ethic and agility, but I’m really concerned that at 9 lbs., she’s too small to play safety in the NFL. She also bites way too often on play action and is easily distracted by someone waving string in the crowd. Lastly, her wonderlic score was pretty awful, answering "meow meow meow" for most of the questions- Dr. Brackish Okun
YES! I’ll never forget when Smith knocked Montana out in the 93 AFC Title game!
I’ll never forget that commercial either “Bad things Joe, bad things” as Smith is chasing Montana around haha
I want to see Merriman standing over Brady
“Lights Out Tom…..Lights Out”
by legendmaker53 on Aug 14, 2011 9:47 PM EDT up reply actions
From Madden 12.
“I always play as the Bills. You can’t beat me if your QB cant stay standing.”
"Why so serious?... so raise your glass if you are wrong/in all the right ways..." -- P!nk
by Orlando John on Aug 16, 2011 2:28 PM EDT up reply actions
(Or if not, Madden 13.)
"Why so serious?... so raise your glass if you are wrong/in all the right ways..." -- P!nk
by Orlando John on Aug 16, 2011 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, but
9 sacks is still 9 sacks, unless it’s coming against Ed Wang and Cord Howard.
Seriously though, I don’t think it matters who they did it against because they got the job done. Merriman did what he was supposed to do against a sub-par line…tear it up. And that’s the encouraging news. Can’t take anything away from the Bills because of the Bears’ poor line. They did what they were supposed to do, and in the past decade, that hasn’t come very often.
I’m encouraged and as long as he’s healthy, I expect Merriman to be a force. Whether it translates to sacks or numbers, or not. He will generate pressure with that intensity and motor he displayed out there.
Will we get 9 sacks every week? Absolutely not. Will Shawne get 2 every quarter? Hell no. So with that, I agree we should temper expectations a tad, but it’s a start, and we should be proud of it. Let’s take it one week at a time. But so far so good. Fingers crossed.
Exactly
If our pass rush was non existent last night, that would have been a MAJOR cause for concern but by dominating an admittedly bad offensive line, the Bills did exactly what they were supposed to do – which, as you said, hasn’t happened too often in recent memory.
"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix
"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez
by dnvrBillsfan on Aug 14, 2011 2:07 PM EDT up reply actions
I could see the tempering argument if he had two sacks in a game but we’re talking about about 2 sacks and a forced holding penalty in 7 plays – that’s lights out no matter who you’re playing!!!! Let us be excited Brian!
I agree with the point that by this logic, we shouldn’t be that upset about our o-line against a top defense!
by Barman23 on Aug 14, 2011 1:42 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Merriman is HEALTHY!!!
When he ran by our OL in practice, people said “it’s only our tackles, wait until he’s against real competition before raising our expectations.” Now, against the Bears, it let’s wait for better competition before raising out expectations.
Tha fact is – MERRIMAN IS HEALTHY – remember the 5 minute practice he had last fall. He’s healthy for the 1st time in 3 years.
what is wrong in waiting one more week?
denver LT is good… probowler… lets see how merriman is next week…. if he is lights out, no body can stop this excitement.
by statcruncher on Aug 14, 2011 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Maybe we'll spend now?
What I hope is that Ralph and Buddy are encouraged enough by the D to spend on some O, specifically on the O-Line. Trade that 4th for a overpaid (but still productive) OG or RT. The D might be good enough for a playoff run, but the O-line could hold us back.
Brian is right, we do need to temper expectations
but, we also need to temper expectations else where in the opposite view of other areas. We do need to include coaching and development. Kraig Urbik for example will need time during camp to improve his play as will the right side. Hell, even Eric Wood will need time to develop at the center position. We all know that the OLine is neglected as far as competition, but while we all complain about it, the coaches are working these guys every day and eventually, there could be some stability here. If this proves to be true than we can focus on strengthening other areas of the TEAM.
Regarding Merriman, I am glad he was able to taste a little redemption last night, but I am more curious to see how Batten, Coleman and Carrington do at OLB. They are looking like our depth players at OLB and it is a long season. I like variety here, we have had two weeks of training, before last night as other teams. This is a positive, but things do need to become more consistent from top to bottom. We need to temper all areas the good and the bad until things can be worked on.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
Until Merriman can be productive against NFL-caliber left tackles, there’s still plenty of room for skepticism.
Galliford must have just read Simmons’ column about Ryan Reynolds not being a movie star despite starring in movies.
Check out buddynixon.com for more of my work.
by cjf4 on Aug 14, 2011 1:53 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
haha rec'd
I think the moral of the story is that merriman looked explosive last night. and damn good in a bills uniform i might add. but what we really want to know is how he can perform against the jets and patriots. can’t wait.
by BKLYN Bills Fan on Aug 14, 2011 2:42 PM EDT up reply actions
What's crazier is we got him the only possible way we could have
That being he somehow stops being a 13 sack a year most dominant player ever and gets injured and gets put on waivers at the same time the Bills start 0-8 and have the first chance to claim him…
And now if he actually turns back to his old self….maybe that’s God making up for a few bad breaks over the years
by legendmaker53 on Aug 14, 2011 10:05 PM EDT up reply actions
Time Warner viewers
7pm channel 16 replay of the game, not an exciting game but an opportunity to revisit some action. I will be watching for Danny Batten, Coleman, and Carrington. Also, Rinehardt, Hangartner, and Causins.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
No kidding. That really sucked.
I thought the Bears were playing the Nebraska Nonames.
Because they did not even mention our players.
"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Aug 14, 2011 5:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Gailey looked terrible at press conference!
Poor Gailey looked like he hadn’t slept in 4 days! Clearly he is worried…I hope he is ok. A lot to work on…OT depth, QB depth, O-Line, All around he stated back ups need the most work; Who wants to make this team! There were some definite positives w/ the Def and Off, but this is why we have pre-season. All in all I trully hope Gaily is OK. Get some rest please!
by Dareurush! on Aug 14, 2011 2:06 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I think that’s just how he looks… He’s older and stressed out, I’m sure he’s fine.
"It’s like I’ve always said, don’t tell me about the labor pains, just show me the baby."
- Buddy Nix
"How can a guy with a name like Melo be such a pain in the ass?"
- George Lopez
by dnvrBillsfan on Aug 14, 2011 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Great observation.
You are right. Normally, he looks pumped up and fires right back at the press.
Last night, he just looked beat down.
"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Aug 14, 2011 2:15 PM EDT up reply actions
Gailey
good point except i think his work ethic has just had him bustin his butt for the last few weeks. He seams more the type that if something worries him he just goes to work on it. Clearly he’s tired.
True it is the preseason and its the bears oline BUT...
We had NINE sacks, that is very impressive even for the preseason. This game gave Merriman his confidence and swagger back. His 2nd sack was NASTY. Can’t to watch the re-air on NFL network.
Twitter @J_Clark_1989
The test may have been easy, but he still got an A
Yes, I want to see how well he performs against Long, and if he can make Brady miserable, but you can’t grade him down because the Bears O-line isn’t the best. Of course I’ll continue to evaluate him as the weeks go on and of course the preaseason doesn’t really mean anything, but right now we have a tiny amount of training camp and a preseason game to evaluate people on, and so we’re going to evaluate them with that. I feel that the correct response is cautious optimism. Yes, caution, but also optimism. For the first time in many years I might go into the season thinking not that maybe our pass rush will be decent enough to get by, but that maybe our pass rush will be scary. That is a good feeling.
Yeah but
Your missing the fact that he will certainly open up things for other pass rushers on the Bills if he can stay healthy.
Marcell Dareus and Meatball will eat up 3 olinemen every play
So Merriman will get alot of 1v1.
Twitter @J_Clark_1989
and think about Kyle Williams penetrating from the middle
I will also point out the down side of this, Hane’s TD. This was a delayed run through a big hole and torbor had his back to the line when Haney reached the two hard line. That second level needs to watch this, because the front 3 or 4 will provide the pressure.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
Our ILB play will improve I think(hope).
With Nick Barnett and eventually Kelvin Sheppard.
Twitter @J_Clark_1989
I think it already did improve....
watching the replay, or at least part of it, Davis and Barnett were in the backfield early, and it may only be me, or just this one game, but they seem so much better than what we has last year, at reading the play, and plugging the hole before it even develops…
Went to my first "BB" meeting today... When I stood, introduced myself, and admitted I was a Billsaholic, the other members threw beer cans at me!!
I agree
I would like to see Merriman go against real NFL caliber OT’s, obviously not CHI or BUF, before getting too excited. However, good to see him healthy and powerful again. I hope he plays very little in the next couple weeks, a preseason injury to him would be devastating.
by Sluss88 on Aug 14, 2011 2:26 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
On his 2nd sack
he stunted inside and smoked the bears center who was also holding lights out before merriman shook him and then choke slammed the qb. i think its safe to say hes back. and i think were gonna be seeing a lot of kyle williams and lights out stunting off each other this season on passing downs, they will make each other better, CANT WAIT
BLEED ORANGE
Temper it BUT...
I agree that we need to temper expectations. Even if Merriman does end up with 20+ sacks, it doesn’t mean that the Bills win a Super Bowl or even make the playoffs this season. With that said, it does give our fan base a sign that perhaps things are FINALLY starting to turn around for the Bills. It seems like I am constantly reading comments from a bunch of Debbie Downers. I get why. After a decade without the playoffs, you begin losing hope. But this is a great sign, so take it as that. The focus Nix put on D this off season just may have worked out. I am excited to see how the D holds up this season. Is it enough to keep teams from running all over us, and keeping the Bills in each and every game? Only time will tell, but I see the pass rush as promise that the Bills may finally be able to sneak into the playoffs and only improve from there.
Is it impossible to believe That Mr. Lights out worked his ass off and got back into shape, and may be healthier than he was before. It’s obvious to me that he trains as hard as anyone in the league. A healthy Merriman = Beastmode on defense, only thing I’m worried about is the fact that every team in the league has only had 2 weeks of practice, not this he’s not faceing NFL caliber left tackles………Is every Otackle in the league an all-pro except the ones that play for the bears and the Bills, someone explain this to me. Is every tackle in the league secretly a clone of Jonathan Ogden, except ours and the bears?
I don’t think we’re a playoff team yet, but I am excited. If Merriman provides a pass rush the whole defense is immediatle better, and that’s a reason to be excited.
I'm so excited & just can't hide it.............
For once we have tangible proof that OBD made a good decision by bringing in Merriman, and that alone is reason for wild celebration.
"Being a Bills Fan is a Tough Job for Tough People…" – Luther6
For once, I'm more optimistic than Brian
I’ll think Merriman willl play great… as long as he’s healthy. His health is more a concern to me than the caliber of opponent yesterday.
Still skeptical
I still think that the entire LB corps is suspect, including Merriman, but at the very least last night proved that he can still play when healthy. That is actually significantly better news than I was expecting, and I’m now looking forward to later preseason games when our first teamers get more reps on the field.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
Maybin
did he get cut yet? just watched his footage again, what a waste. hope he invested “some of that money that he didnt earn”
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work." Thomas Edison
It's Preseason
Everything should be tempered, positive, negative, whatever.
That being said, it was AWESOME.
Fair points. However...
I choose to take this positive and run with it. Being a Bills fan is hard work. You are constantly looking for the silver lining in every defeat, in every loss, in every strange or wasted draft pick, in questionable trades and in even more questionable contract extensions.
Merriman was lights out last night. Period. I don’t care who we played. I don’t care how sub-par the guy that he threw around like a pillow was. I actually have something to feel positive about without coloring it, spinning it, shining a favorable light on it, or otherwise deluding myself in some form. This WAS POSITIVE. It actually looks like, dare I say it, the Bills took a risk and it is paying off.
So, please excuse me if I don’t lament the crappiness of the O line, or the ineffectiveness of the offense as a whole, or how Thigpen looks. I’m choosing the positive right now, and the D is it. It’s the first time I’ve had any reason to feel positive at all in many, many years. Can’t wait to BE THERE at the home opener. And praying, PRAYING Merriman and Dareus stay healthy.
"...and dance by the light of the moon!"
by bflogrl on Aug 14, 2011 5:07 PM EDT reply actions 14 recs
even so..
where was Maybin? :)
Some of the names people come up with for their kids start the kids out neck deep in social hell.
running around looking confused
jumping up and down and running around, looking like a 7th grade modified player asked to step up and play in the pros… when he was only the water boy.
by ThaRealTruth on Aug 14, 2011 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Ya Heard!
Watched the game again. Heard was impressive. Big. Quick hands and room for improvement. He looked like a solid 2. keep him
by Feedjasper on Aug 14, 2011 7:21 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Jasper
Im thinking of making a movie with Jasper hangin on the side of a skyscraper knockin planes out of the sky.
He was obviously a lot for the bears 2nd string to handle. He had solid penetration or had to be doubleteamed. He did look winded on the longer drives by the bears.
by Feedjasper on Aug 14, 2011 7:27 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
If anyone could do it....
Maybin would have got one!!
Please base your arguments in provable facts instead of pulling stuff out of your rear. -CanadianBillsFan- This is why talk is cheap because the supply always exceeds the demand.
by jbbillfan on Aug 14, 2011 7:57 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs
Sebastian Janikowski could beat out maybin on the roster
by Feedjasper on Aug 14, 2011 8:21 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Moats
No TV access for me, what did Moats play? How’d he look?
ILB
Eh. Okay. But the run defense was generally bad when he was out there. But its hard to pin that solely on Moats — he did get tackles. It seemed more like that defensive unit was in general worse. And he had some randoms in front of him. Tough in real-time to evaluate who was screwing up. Maybe we will get a nice piece on it….
by greysquirrel on Aug 14, 2011 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions
A couple of points...
1) The Bills first team did a great job. Fitz was 7-9 and Spiller looked like he learned a little from last year. I did though think it was funny that Tasker said Spiller wanted to avoid a Sophomore Slump lol. Dareus and Merriman combined for 3 sacks in about 5 plays and the Bills run D did well in the first quarter. I think the official yardage stat was 70-2 in favor of the Bills. I’m not worried about the backups, they don’t get much time to play together and (hopefully) our starters play the whole game once the regular season starts.
2. With that said, I will remind people that Trent Edwards looked amazing last preseason and look what happened to him…..preseason is essentially just practice in a game setting, its hard to predict anything really.
I do think, though, that the Bills looked good and can only get better from here on out. I can’t wait for Sept. 11th in KC!
A couple more points
1) Keep in mind the 2’s will not replace the starters en masse like they typically do during preseason
2) The strongest of the 2’s will be our first line replacements in regular games
3) When the season starts, our 3’s will be fortunate to see the field at all during a game.
"Being a Bills Fan is a Tough Job for Tough People…" – Luther6
defense
watch out this year for Bills potential problowlers in OLB Shawn marriman, DE Marcell dareus, DT kyle williams,FS jarius byrd, and SS george wilson! yep george will get over a hundred tackles and 10 ints as a starter this year! watch out bills fans! i am very excited for this season ;D
My feeling is ’it’s preseason, just ignore pretty much everything as it will rarely translate to any football that actually matters.’
#TeamKlinsmann
2011 Buffalo Bills - Well damn, I'm actually going to have to watch them this year?
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Crystal Palace FC - This is the year we place FIFTH from the bottom!
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