Bills Coach Chan Gailey Comments On Left Guard Switch
by Brian Galliford on Aug 17, 2011 7:49 AM EDT
in Buffalo Bills Training Camp
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PrintOn Tuesday, Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey shook things up along his starting offensive line when he inserted Chad Rinehart into the left guard slot ahead of two-year starter Andy Levitre, a former second-round draft pick. Asked after practice to explain the decision, Gailey cited Rinehart's strong camp as rationale.
"Chad has played pretty well during camp and he's earned the right to compete for the job on a little bit more equal basis," Gailey explained. "We gave him a shot. We're going to see how that plays out. Now's the time to give a guy a chance if he's earned it."
Many have openly wondered why the team would move Rinehart ahead of Levitre and not Kraig Urbik, who struggled mightily at right guard in the team's pre-season opener. Gailey did not discount that possibility, but for now, Rinehart will remain at left guard.
This also may be a motivational tactic, as Gailey was vocally displeased with his depth players after the Bears game. Rinehart may be getting this shot simply to fire up the rest of the team's depth linemen.
"We've got to have some of those guys set up," Gailey said yesterday. "As I said previously, I thought our first group didn't play bad. Chad's the one guy right now that's fought his way to deserve a shot to at least split some time there."
The only player this doesn't look good for is Levitre, who may not fit the physical prototype that Gailey and Joe D'Alessandris seem to favor up front. When asked if he was not satisfied with Levitre's play, however, Gailey responded in the negative.
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Changes..
After having watched the Chicago game live and again on replay, I think this move is more about ensuring that Rinehart would be capable of stepping into the left guard spot should LeVitre be needed elsewhere, as in left tackle. Behind starter Demetrius Bell, we currently list Ed Wang. Did anyone else notice how easily Vernon Gholston (a significant bust, to date, himself) man-handled our Wang? There was one play where he literally pushed Wang all the way back into the QB, Thigpen, I believe. I would not be surprised, based on that one game, were Wang to be the next played released. He was horrible. LeVitre played left tackle in college and also filled in a few games at the position his rookie season.
Did anyone else notice how easily Vernon Gholston man-handled our Wang?
Speak for yourself! I ain’t letting Gholston anywhere near my Wang!
by Khegobier on Aug 17, 2011 8:07 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Absolutely
I was just logging in today the same thing. OBD is actually preparing the backups to start or switch position in case injury requires. Tackle is weak and we know Levitre can move over so groom backup. ILB is weak so prepare back up OLB. Prepare DL to move to OLB to increase size when necessary. This is smart use of practice time that they would usually do in OTAs it just seems strange to us in training camp.
They say two things happen when you get older. One is you begin to forget things and I can't remember what the other one is right now. - Marv Levy
by coywirefan on Aug 17, 2011 8:09 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Wha???
The only player this doesn’t look good for is Levitre, who may not fit the physical prototype that Gailey and Joe D’Alessandris seem to favor up front.
I thought that Levitre was considered one of our most aggressive linemen. Am I missing something here?
I said physical prototype, as in his size. Aggression doesn’t have anything to do with how big he is.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Aug 17, 2011 8:31 AM EDT up reply actions
Physical difference between Rinehart / Levitre...
I haven’t seen these two in person, is there there really a major size advantage for Rinehart? If you go by the Bills website, there is a 27 pound advantage for Rinehart (300 vs 327). However, I hear that NFL teams are typically a little imprecise with the height/weights. If you go back to the NFL combine numbers for each player, it’s only a 7 pound advantage for Rinehart (305 vs 312).
I always thought of guards as a bit shorter and more moblie, which Levitre appears to be. If anything, Rinehart fits the prototype of a right tackle (he played LT at Northern Iowa). If the Bills are concerned with depth behind Bell or Pears, why not look to Rinehart as a swing tackle and leave our most consistent blocker (Levitre) in place?
I always thought that Levitre had t-rex arms. He is lighter, shorter and I’m pretty sure has a shorter reach. None of that is insurmountable if you are the better player. But it could be why he struggles in space more. If he’s the better athlete, hopefully this just gives him the wake up call he needs to work on his game.
by greysquirrel on Aug 17, 2011 9:54 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Rinehart may be the better athlete
My take is that everyone (including Brian) is underestimating Rinehart. Based one what we saw from him last year I would say that he is very impressive. He is not only bigger than Levitre, but probably more athletic and mobile. He also plays with the same highly aggressive attitude that Levitre does. Levitre is the established guy, and there is something to be said for disrupting your o-line as little as possible. However, as Gailey said, Rinehart has been performing extremely well in camp and in the first preseason game, and so the coaches naturally want to get him on the field. They like Urbik (who I believe had a better game against Chicago than most fans give him credit for), so the logical move was to set up a competitition with the undersized Levitre. Motivating the second-string has nothing to do with it — they are already plenty motivated by the prospect that they may not make the final roster.
I recall that when Levitre was drafted most of the scouting reports said that he might not be big or strong enough to make it in the NFL. That was the main knock against him. I expected that he would take advantage of the offseasons to build himself up to 315 or 320, but he hasn’t done that, while Rinehart is now 327. Levitre is definitely going to make the roster, and given the reality of injuries he is definitely going to get a lot of playing time in 2011 even if he is not the starting LG. But the fact is that Rinehart may be the better player, and if so Gailey is going to go with him.
greysquirrel
“I always thought that Levitre had t-rex arms”
I am pretty sure that Andy would punch you in the eye if you every said that to him or overheard you. Lol
Yeah, but if grey took a step back, Andy couldn’t reach him, so it’s all good.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
when they stand side by side
rinehart appears to have about 3 inches… so reach could be a factor
by ThaRealTruth on Aug 17, 2011 8:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Im still very confused on this.
I thought our left side was our strong side. This whole move has stumped me.
Now attending the Univ. of Hockey.
Nix: Offensive Line Depth Primary Concern
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ap-bills-offensiveline
Gailey said this a few weeks ago… now you have the GM saying it yesterday too and there is line schuffling this week. The fans have been yelling about this for the past 10 years. When all they do is draft mid-round OL and then sign mid-tier “been there done that” free agents… depth should be a primary concern.
I can’t believe Nix would not have been more agressive in free agency to bring in competition for starters and depth players. If they don’t believe Wang is the guy… move on! Hairston is going to be in the same boat next year this time as Wang is this year.
To me if Jon Stinchcomb is healthy… (Bring the guy in and give him a physical/work him out), you have to sign this guy.
The more I think about Nix saying we are lacking OL depth... the more angry I get at this...
I can’t believe the media or fans aren’t ripping him more today!
double take
over this “interesting” development considering the article yesterday http://www.buffalorumblings.com/2011/8/16/2366330/nfl-roster-cuts-buffalo-bills-projection
showing Rinehart as a “cut” from the final 53 man roster.
To me, it underlines the gap between what seems to be logic and the way CHIX thinks.
And, as I said last night, Levitre’s comment that, “Honestly, I don’t really know what their plan is” apparently echoes what a lot of us think too. I might go so far as to say, what plan? It appears there is none as it pertains to the OL. We don’t draft, we don’t get any FAs, and now, we can’t even decide who, among the lackluster talent we have, will even start.
At a time when you’re looking for cohesion, you tinker with the psyche of the most consistent lineman on the team? And, you send the message that, what many knew was a mess, is, in fact, a bigger, steamier pile of…
These are the “architects” of our rebuild?
Y'all- There's a "D" in rebuild, but no "O"- The gospel according to Buddy Nix 4:12
by fansince60 on Aug 17, 2011 8:15 AM EDT reply actions 3 recs
Rec'd
Truth hurts some people.
Baby steps are for babies. Step it up buffalo!
by buffalobacker on Aug 17, 2011 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions
The Chink in Chix's armor.
Too me with so many questions along the O-Line, to bench Levitre just doesn’t make sense. I don’t care what Chan says he is benching Levitre. Urbik has been a disappointment and if they wanted to give Rinehart a shot it should be a right guard. I’m not getting these guys at all moving Moats inside, replacing Levitre. Seems Chan believes a guy should only play a position if he meets some prototypical physical size requirement, not whether he is productive or not. Now is not the time to be blowing up the line. Buddy could have done more in securing O-Line help. He could have signed Clabo had he upped the ante to more than what Atlanta was willing to pay and at least settled the starting tackle issue. The Bills have plenty of money to spend to put a better product on the field, Ralph has a self-imposed salary cap it seems. If the Bills don’t intend on using free-agency, I just don’t see how we can contend. Teams have to use the draft for their core players and use free agency to plug holes. You cannot survive on either one by itself, period!
by Coach Bob on Aug 17, 2011 8:21 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
When did Clabo
Become the “end all, be all”? As if this guy was going to come in and be dominant.
You use FA to fill holes, not to build your team around. You run in to the problem of having high priced guys, giving you the same production or lack thereof, of a younger cheaper guy.
The strenght of this Nix and Whaley is to find talented guys, its the way they’ve been successful in the past.
I hope we get out of this notion, that you have to just throw money at guys in order to win.
The Bills fron toffice also needs to get out of the notion that other team’s trash are our treasure. Frankly, they have too many waiver wire additions across their line EXPECTED to perform as it stands now. It’s good to bring in castoffs as competition and maybe you’ll get lucky once in awhile, but the neglect of the OL and belief in these dumpster dives is going to be a theme this year that demands scrutiny.
"There's only one C.J. Spiller." -Buddy Nix
I agree with you Port
We have to draft well. We can’t afford to whiff on guys like Wang/Hairston/ and the other guy we drafted from Iowa (I forget his name).
If we can get a franchise type guy in FA then I’m all for it, but to get a mid-tier type player and pay him a bunch a money, because you are in “need”, it’s a disaster waiting to happen.
Its hard to call mid-late round draft picks whiffs
You can be upset that we didn’t draft OL earlier but you shouldn’t be upset that a 6th round draft pick didn’t make a huge impact
Never confuse movement with action.
~Ernest Hemingway
by NolaBillsFan on Aug 17, 2011 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Not upset
but disappointed. I don’t care where a guy is drafted, because if you look at our WR core, talented players can be found in late rounds.
I do expect that when we draft guy, that guy should be someone who you can see manning a starting position at some point on your team or being a serviceable back up.
If you draft a guy, and 2 yrs later you’re cutting him, that means you whiffed.
Port, Three years back I would of loved the Packers trash at LBer.
Today we have Nic Barnett, not exactly trash, but my point is that some teams go real heavy at a position where the numbers, injury, youth start to play in and someone elses trash is really quite useable going forward to get the job done.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
When did Clabo become the "end all, be all"?
When we didn’t get him. :-)
by greysquirrel on Aug 17, 2011 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions
The Tape
Upon rewatching and focusing on line play, Levitre probably had the worst game. Pears and Wood had relatively clean games (one bad play), Urbik and Bell decent (2 bad plays), and then Levitre, who really had like 5 bad plays.
I’m not gonna chart them. And it wasn’t as obvious as the one bad play Urbik had. But Levitre was struggling getting to the second level and getting his man. He spends a bunch of screen plays on the ground or whiffing on his assignment. A few runs or screen plays were cut short by 2-3 yards because of him. He looked solid in straight up pass-blcoking, but a lot of these calls were screens, runs, or short slants, where he is supposed to be getting to the second level.
It was less obvious tha Urbik, because it wasn’t a blow nplay in the backfield, but his man often looks like he is getting to the ball carrier. Urbik in my estimation had an ok game.
I wonder if this was simply a motivating message. No one is safe is they put up a stinker. Sounds to me like Levitre and Rhinehart know Andy had a bad game
Levitre said the move was a wake-up call and admits he didn’t perform well in the preseason opener in Chicago.
All this information leads me to believe we basically missed this performance int he preseason game. So score one for the football guys, who appear to know whats going on.
by greysquirrel on Aug 17, 2011 8:23 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
It's preseason
I hardly think Levitre needs a wake-up call after an off 1st preseason game. I would agree if he had continued to under perform another game but he has been very solid for the Bills in his tenure at left guard. Wrotto was the worst offensive linemen it that game by my viewing.
I was only focused on the firsts.
I’m not sure why he doesn’t need a wake-up call. Preseason or not, you are trying to establish some things. If Levitre needs a heads up, much better to give it to him in preseason rather than in the regular season. Light a fire soe he is on point for the rest of training camp.
by greysquirrel on Aug 17, 2011 8:29 AM EDT up reply actions
I would also argue, a lot goes into this. Maybe the coaching staff didn’t like how Levitre responded to tape review. Maybe he didn’t take his critique seriously. Well, now he has got the message. We don’t know the inner dynamics of this thing. But it’s interesting he basically had a bad game that no one here noticed.
by greysquirrel on Aug 17, 2011 8:36 AM EDT up reply actions
Can we then use the same logic for Urbik then?
I would like to give him another game to see how he performs. He wasn’t awful in the first one either.
like the message
I’m neither a Gailey believer or a Gailey skeptic at this point in his brief tenure. I have some issues with his clock management/ play calling late in tight games, but I’m hoping he was just rusty haven’t not been a head coach in the NFL in a decade and improvement will come in year two. As far as what I like about Gailey thus far, this move is it in a nutshell. There are no sacred cows. It appears that Rinehart has been outoplaying Levitre in Gailey’s estimation, so Rinehart belongs in the lineup. Levitre was taken fairly high in the draft and has not been a bad player in his two years starting. You know what though? Simply not being bad doesn’t earn you a free pass in most NFL lineups outside of Buffalo. It’s good to see Gailey trying to change that culture of accepting mediocrity as the ebst you can do.
Maybe Rinehart blows his chance. Maybe Levitre kicks it up a notch and Buffalo and both Rinehart and Levitre find themselves starting somewhere. Maybe neither is a difference-maker on an NFL line. I don’t know how this will play out, but I like that Gailey seems to play the best player regardless of loyalty points earned. That was the way of the old regime- a regiem that was content being mediocre. I don’t get the feeling the feeling Gailey is content with that place. Whether or not he can get Buffalo out of that pit remains to be seen.
"There's only one C.J. Spiller." -Buddy Nix
by Port Royal on Aug 17, 2011 8:24 AM EDT reply actions 5 recs
I would agree
I would agree my fellow Bills fan if we didn’t have bigger problems on the O-Line other than Levitre having a bad game.
Maybe the fans perception isn’t the same as the coaches? We tend to create an echo chamber without looking at each play. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if our conventional wisdom on this line isn’t out of whack with what the coaches see in practice and tape. We are watching certain guys waiting for them to screw up, because we wish we had someone else. Meanwhile, guys with a history of consistency can get away with things…
by greysquirrel on Aug 17, 2011 8:32 AM EDT up reply actions
Unsure
I thought Levitre graded out last year as one of best O-Line players. I don’t think he suddenly went bad. Competition is good is just the whole O-Line is in flux. Do we really need to shake things up there when we don’t have a good RG or RT is all I’m saying.
Last year was last year. It’s football Coach, no room for complacency. What have you done for me lately?
by greysquirrel on Aug 17, 2011 8:38 AM EDT up reply actions
Very nicely said and rec'd
And I agree that competition is great for everyone.
I would expect Levitre to be a bit preturbed about losing some of his first team reps, and good for him.
Depth chart should be predetermined
Players & the depth chart should be predetermined before camp, based on bloggers reading each others posts – then feeding that info to the Coaches.
Competition is bad. Levitre was slotted as 2nd string. How dare he compete?
What about RT?
Maybe they are seeing how Rinehart does at LG so they could slide Levitre in as starting RT?
This speculation is actually nice as I think we overall have a much more versatile line than we have had in recent memory. The talent level may not be where we would like it, but versatility is something…
thats a possibility
Thats possible since he has played tackle. Only problem I have is we shuffling around an awful lot. Will we have continuity?
Competition
Whether it is for a starting position or for depth players have to know they will get a opportunity to play if they perform and feel the repercussions if they don’t. We are not talking about the Bills of the early 90’s, they are the current 4-12 Bills that all positions are under the microscope. Levitre is a very good player and I’m sure he will be the starter come opening day.
"Only in a rock and roll band can someone like Keith Richards perceive himself as the responsible one."
-- Malcolm Gladwell
Week 1
I think this move’s sole reasoning is that Gailey wants to start the best five linemen week 1. I will wait until week 1 to get angry over Gailey’s choices during the preseason.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
by stetzwebs on Aug 17, 2011 8:53 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Hang
As he was (in my opinion) a good (not great) center, couldn’t there be a place for him at one of the guard positions? I won’t get offended if I’m way off here. Just curious as to his experience along the line.
"This is what happens Larry!, This is what happens! "-Walter Sobchak" "Did we give up when the germans bombed pearl harbor!!??"-John Belushi
by BigEasyBillsKrewe on Aug 17, 2011 9:14 AM EDT up reply actions
Who knows what this means. I view exactly the way everyone thinks. Interesting.
The very first comment following the game saturday in Chicago was how bad Urbik and Pears played. The snow ball began to form. Even today in this article Brians says:
Many have openly wondered why the team would move Rinehart ahead of Levitre and not Kraig Urbik, who struggled mightily at right guard in the team’s pre-season opener.
These comments add so much fuel to the fire. Kraig Urbik only played in what 9 plays, got beaten badly once as reported on this site, and abused on not being athletic enough to cover Eric Woods foot slippage on another play to prevent C.J. from getting stopped in the back field. We covet Andy LeVetrie and Eric Wood so much and point fingers at Bell, and whoever they bring in on the right side.
Honestly, I think we are just over complicating things. Our O-Line (1st team) played well against their first competition of the year. We as fans are so upset that we have ignored drafting or signing FA OLineman that we are ready to assume things that are not there. When our coaching staff sees what is there on a daily basis. These coaches have resume’s of every player in the league, possibly including what thier first word was as a baby.
We talk about 1st round picks, 2nd round picks and then follow it up with how most lineman in the league came from third round picks and latter. We are so quick to criticize when in reality, Jason Peters may be one of the best in the league isn’t really saying all that much for the position.
Let’s let this all play out and see where it takes us. Let’s figure Chan is compiling all the offseason stuff including OTA’s in the first month since the new CBA, with final decisions to follow in the remaining two Weeks. Does it really matter if Andy LeVetrie starts over Chad Rinehardt or if Kraig Urbik had one terible play out of nine. Let it play out and let’s look for some positive in this. It is still better than going out and trying to buy a bunch of FA that had success in another program so they can come into Chans program and provide a clog in it Vs the talent and cohesiveness the unit needs. We have seven or eight players that have talent and have never been pushed or provided such an opportunity to become a #1 starting player or even a #1 depth player. They are all fighting and earning thier time as Gailey states on Rinehart. Let’s see where this takes us. My bet is forward.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
by VanScottM on Aug 17, 2011 9:17 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
But you do understand
the angst of the fans? This line has been neglected for years, and we’ve been waiting it out. Its a little alarming to me that we are forced to simplify our offense and make quick throws because our line is inconsitant. The fact that we have really good backs in Buffalo, and never been able to consistantly run the ball, is frustrating.
We have to get the OL situation handled.
by doctork44 on Aug 17, 2011 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Yes I do understand if it was mid season and this was the case.
But it is not, it is the third week of 2011 without a offseason of conditioning and OTA’s. Yes I have an excuse for everything, but I still feel that all this is legit. Both Kraig Urbik, Chad Rinehardt and Mansfield Wrotto were brought in last year and now is the time to challenge them. Rhinehardt getting reps against the 1’s in practice is a better test than him getting reps against the 2’s. We should all hope that Andy LeVetrie excells against the 2’s in practice because if he doesn’t what will that mean. I just looked at the entire roster of O-Lineman and LeVetrie is the smallest of the gurards and tackles and Centers. His versatility is very valuable and sometimes even the best need to be humbled, Stevie Johnson is a good example. Still I don’t want to read to much into this as I won’t jump all over Eric Pears and Kraig Urbik after 10 days of training camp and one preseason game.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
At midseason
Its too late. We were 0-8 at midseason last year, and the season was over. We picked up some guys off the street with the hope that they can earn a starting spot and solidfy the positon. Now here we are in the prea season realizing that these guys aren’t that good.
I realize time is needed, and I really get your point but I feel like we’re chasing our tail.
We are chasing our tail.
We have so much less time to see what we have going forward. I see the staff saying “Listen we made these decisions last year for this year.” Let’s draft defense and work these guys into the offense. It makes sense to be lacking depth, and it makes sense that Nix and Gailey are not happy with the progession of things, but it would make less sense to go out and buy replacements when it could very well disrupt the culture they are trying to build. Rebuild through the draft, pay the players that play etc… We will address this o line situation just not when every fan wants them too. Eventually it will be the only thing left to address and that will be a great thing. Dealers sell used cars all the time and make a good living on them, Chix is getting by with former third round picks from other teams that are not trash as much as casualties from cap and depth at thier position. That is chasing your tail until you can justify buying that new car and locking down the benefit of having one. We should expect to see the benefit of those last season pick ups. Just might take longer because of the craving we have for the immediate Vs Lockout, OTA’s etc….
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
I agree
But the sad thing is, this process is a long process and it takes time, and I’m not sure both Chan and Chix will be around long enough to see the plan through.
Because lets be honest, if we’re 4-12 or 5-11 this season. There can be a good chance that we (fans) will be calling for there jobs. Then whats next? A new regime comes in, change the offense and defense and we’re back at square one.
I’m really not sure how much patience we’re going to have when it comes to this “rebuild”.
What I fear the most. This team isn’t being built to get wins ASAP. That was a Donahoe mistake. Chaning it up again shoots us in the foot. Regardless of whether I agree with every decision, staffs and front offices require time to build a team. Since these guys say the right things on that level, I’d like to elt someone try before we kick them to the curb.
If we fans insist on firing every coach or GM that tries to build the team over the long-haul, we deserve we get on the field.
by greysquirrel on Aug 17, 2011 10:26 AM EDT up reply actions
I believe Nix has a five year window to build a winner, regardless of the court of public opinion. Beyond that, he’ll be in trouble and probably replaced.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
What about Gailey
How long will he be around with out winning?
3 years, I think. If he has us sniffing the playoffs by the end of year 3, he may get extended. Otherwise, I think he’s out.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
A 4-5 year window
Used to be the norm. Sports like the rest of the business world, owners/corporations/fans want instant gratification which as we all know isn’t possible in the majority of cases.
"Only in a rock and roll band can someone like Keith Richards perceive himself as the responsible one."
-- Malcolm Gladwell
I don’t think we all know that…I think a lot of Rumblers are upset at this being referred to as a 5-year build. I just hope that Ralph is no longer looking for the instant gratification, and allows nix some breathing room to put things into place before he’s judged.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
Geez
A team like the Jets did it in one off season. They literally went from the bottom to the top…Now they are competing for Superbowls.
I didn’t think we needed to gut everything out, I think we should’ve build off of what we had. Kept, the defense scheme in place and built from there. 5 years is a pretty long time. What happens if they fail, we have to start all over…
The Jets had a lot more pieces in place than we did. Just look at all the stories about how our drafting has gone over the last 10 years. The Jets haven’t even been close to having that poor of a drafting record.
Also, the jury’s still out on them. I happen to think that the world is going to fall out from under them soon, and they’ll head back down. Maybe not bottom-of-the-barrel, but definitely no longer competing for Super Bowls. What I want out of this build is a team that contends every year for a decade or more. Do you think the Jets are that team?
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
You mean the Jets that went 10-6 the year before they went 4-12? And as stetz says, their top draft picks stuck better than ours. Imagine if instead of McKelvin we had Revis? Or isntead of Poz we had David Harris, or isntead of Whitner we had Mangold/Ferguson.
The Jets are also much more aggressive in FA. A model that might be difficult for a small market team to replicate. I don’t think we can emulate the Jets approach, we need to think like GB, Pit, Indy, NO.
by greysquirrel on Aug 17, 2011 1:03 PM EDT up reply actions
I think it’s funny that GB, Indy, and NO are always talked along with the Bills as having the most “rabid” fan base while the Jets ranked dead last in that category. Just thought it was interesting, given that those are the teams we’re trying to emulate (along with the obvious comparisons to San Diego).
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
Yeah, I forgot SD. I was just thinking about market size considerations dictating strategy, that might have some correlation with ‘rabidity’ (fun word to say) — interesting to think about.
by greysquirrel on Aug 17, 2011 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Plus the Jets
Built an O-line with sound draft picks and FA, then got bold and trading up to get their QB in Sanchez…
"Only in a rock and roll band can someone like Keith Richards perceive himself as the responsible one."
-- Malcolm Gladwell
I did say the majority of cases
There are instances where teams take off, the Phins did it a few years back going from 1-15 to making the playoffs.
I fully understand that the patience level of fans is very low after 10 years of mediocrity and no playoffs-I feel the same way…
The constant changing of regimes through outthe 200’s with few results can test the resolve of the most rabid fan.
.
"Only in a rock and roll band can someone like Keith Richards perceive himself as the responsible one."
-- Malcolm Gladwell
I can't touch your running the ball comment, you nailed that one on the nose.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
how about this take...
Our O-Line was atrocious last season and isn’t positioned to be a whole lot better this season… If Gailey wants to blow it up a little, is that really that bad? Other than Wood, who on the line do you really need to keep or, better question given the current regime, who could you move and get anything decent in return for?
O-Line rank, IMO, as follows is Wood, Levitre, Bell, Pears, Hang, Rinehardt, Urbik, project, project, project, project, etc. The fact that he’s moving pieces around doesn’t concern me as much as the fact that no matter where you put most of these guys, they can’t block the dudes lining up across from them.
This is a clear motivational tactic for Levitre
Good coaches do this type of thing all the time and I for one am glad to see that Gailey is not above doing it. I GUARANTEE YOU that Levitre will be starting at week 1 but Levitre said himself that “I’m behind where I should be at this point and I’m behind where I was last year at week 1”….Gailey knows Levitre can handle the demotion and will use it to fire him up. If Rinehart looks good and Urbik continues to struggle, I’m guessing that Rinehart ends up starting at RG and Levitre is back in his spot….
I HATE THIS PROTOTYPICAL PLAYER CRAP! KYLE WILLIAMS ISNT PROTOTYPICAL FOR ANYTHING. Levitre is one of our best lineman and needs to be on the field
Thats relative
If as a whole our line sucks, what good is it to be one of the best line men on a terrible OL? He’s not even the best line men on a terrible Oline, that’s saying a lot.
Levitre will only be there until we find someone else to replace him thats better. Like Nix said, we can fix everything all at once.
The comparrison should be amongst his peers? Where does he rank amongst Guards in his own division?
The guy is good enough for our line, thats about all.
Yes, but here’s the difference: Kyle Williams is exceedingly good at football. Andy Levitre is adequate at football.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Aug 17, 2011 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Agreed...
I think a lot of people get caught up with guys who are some of the better players on this team, but are totally average in relation to the rest of the league. Levitre is an average player on a bad line and is a borderline starter on a lot of other teams (like Fitz?)…
by JustAskTheAxis on Aug 17, 2011 10:17 AM EDT up reply actions
Didn't another publisher post an article about LeVetrie being a week link or something similiar.
This was about a month ago and it was an article. We all kind of blew it off and didn’t consider it serious.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
Ask the Questions, don't tiptoe!
To me, I’m more annoyed at the reports/reporters on scene than Brian’s logic given the answers Chan gave re: LG switch. There are three articles that came out yesterday and I don’t know how many blogs about how Urbik struggled and has struggled in camp.
Yet the only question thrown out re: Urbik was a sheepish, “is Rhinehart going to move over at some point to the right side?” If you’re going to add your editorial to the article, at least ask the guy before you wax poetic on it. /rant.
Per WGR 550’s Joe Buscaglia, Levitre is back with the ones at left guard at this morning’s walk-through. Looks like, at most, 67 and 76 will be flip-flopping in the lineup for a while.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Aug 17, 2011 10:02 AM EDT reply actions
Brian look what you started
Ha ha…You open up a can worms with this one.
it's his job. Look at all the hits it generated.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
Many people were stating their desire to find competition for Bells’ LT spot, and others. Among their points were that at least it would make Bell better. So this logic should also apply for all the positions.
No “sacred cows” on this team. New year everyone competes for their roster spot.
Year two is upon us.
by Buffalo for Eternity on Aug 17, 2011 11:43 AM EDT reply actions
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