Broncos 24, Bills 10: Denver Shreds Bills' Base Defense
by Brian Galliford on Aug 21, 2011 3:00 PM EDT
in Buffalo Bills Re-Watch
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After a strong start to the pre-season in Chicago, the Buffalo Bills fell flat defensively against the Denver Broncos. Chan Gailey and Nick Barnett caution that the drop-off may have been circumstantial.
"We wanted to see who could do what playing base defense," Gailey told reporters post-game. "That was one of the things going into the ballgame: let guys play base defense and see where we are. We didn't throw a lot of blitz at them. You're able to see more where your deficiencies are if you just play base, let them play, and then we can evaluate where we are."
Buffalo's first-team defense was on the field against Denver's ones for 15 pass plays, during which they had as many three-man rushes (two) as they did five or more. The Bills rushed a basic four players on 11 of those 15 throws.
"Pass defense starts with pass rush. We didn't have a good enough four-man pass rush tonight to help our pass defense," Gailey continued. "We've got to get better there... we've got a lot of work to do in pass coverage and pass rush without blitzing them every snap."
Barnett, meanwhile, echoed his coach's sentiments.
"We should be able to run our base defense and stop them," Barnett said after the game. "It's the pre-season, you're supposed to be able to go out there and play your base defense and make the plays. We came up a little bit short."
Buffalo gave up two scoring drives to Denver on the night, both of them capped off by Willis McGahee touchdowns. Kyle Orton completed 10 of 13 passes for 135 yards and a touchdown against Buffalo's very vanilla defense.
Clearly, Buffalo is not yet good enough in their base defense to play effective football, particularly against the pass - though one could argue that a healthy Shawne Merriman would've helped the cause last night. This does, however, put more pressure on coordinator George Edwards to make things happen schematically for a Bills defense that will continue to struggle rushing the passer unless Merriman explodes back onto the scene.
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The play calling, both offensive and defensive, seemed pretty vanilla. Especially since we play them this season. I’m not worried about it at all.
Now attending the Univ. of Hockey.
by bflo on Aug 21, 2011 3:06 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
I dont understand this sentiment........
other than Dareus being added there wasnt much else on the DL added in terms of a pass rush presence. How did they (Gailey and Edwards) not know what those guys were capable of in their base defense?
What the heck are they doing during their practice sessions?
The score dictated they pass
by norcaliangelsfan on Aug 21, 2011 3:06 PM EDT reply actions
Lots of pushups?
"There is not a loser in this room." Marv Levy.
by SERGEANT MAJOR THOR on Aug 21, 2011 3:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes. The DB’s and LB’s are required to do 13 push-ups each time they drop the ball on an interception.
Wow
A whole thirteen? I hope that was sarcasm.
Baby steps are for babies. Step it up buffalo!
by buffalobacker on Aug 21, 2011 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions
Easy, Easy, it was only a test, a benchline thing.
Let’s see where we are at. Let’s see what we can do against an opponent. Let’s go back view the tape and start rethinking things. This is all this was. Other than ugly, apparently. From a philosophical point of view it is a smart thing to do. Rushing four puts a lot of pressure on the secondary. From last season we know what that can do. Rushing four puts a lot of pressure on the players applying that pressure, you know the Kelsay arguements. All this means is that we are not ready for the season yet. This game showed the coaches that, and these things don’t show up in practice against the same players it has to be done against an opponent. Orton is a very good QB and he had time to allow his receivers to get open. He methodically picked us apart. Same as last year when we couldn’t rush the QB. It wasn’t good, but it wasn’t meant to be good as much as it was a test to see where we are.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
Well I hope they saw that the team is really no different from last year.......
atleast in reference to pass rush and pass defense.
The score dictated they pass
by norcaliangelsfan on Aug 21, 2011 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions
unfortunately, I think they did. Pretty depressing even this early.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
Smart. Very smart
Chan had no desire to give Denver much film to study, though we did a few screens and wildcat plays. We will see these guys again in the regular season. They showed us a lot more than we showed them and we will play them again when it counts!
"Being a Bills Fan is a Tough Job for Tough People…" – Luther6
good call
I forgot about this but it is a rare time where you will play an opponent pre-season that you actually will meet in the reg season. I know it happened last year with Detroit but that is more because of the tradition surrounding that pre-season game. I was surprised with this matchup when the schedule initially came out.
by Billsdownunder on Aug 21, 2011 6:13 PM EDT up reply actions
They dont play them for 4 more months.........the 2nd to last game of the season.
There’s little doubt in my mind that Denver will be doing something completely different by then.
This “excuse” holds no merit IMO.
The score dictated they pass
by norcaliangelsfan on Aug 21, 2011 7:39 PM EDT up reply actions
Norcal
As a practical matter, most teams use vanilla formations regardless of the preseason opponent. chan says he didn’t game plan specifically for Denver and it appears that way. Denver on the other hand, decided they wanted to emphasize their blitz packages and they did.
"Being a Bills Fan is a Tough Job for Tough People…" – Luther6
Blah blah blah.......
Yet these teams run their vanilla formations 100% better than the Bills run them.
The score dictated they pass
by norcaliangelsfan on Aug 21, 2011 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions
The Broncos were the same as the Bills in term of records last year.......
Yet they made the Bills look worse than the Panthers.
The score dictated they pass
by norcaliangelsfan on Aug 21, 2011 7:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
Thats it, don’t let’em know were capable of tearing their heads off, lets play with’em ,mess with their heads! Than get beaten down like a, nevermind I was jking! I’m sure Chan can pull a rabbit from his vest type gameplan with all our weapons and pro bowl O/L.
Baby steps are for babies. Step it up buffalo!
by buffalobacker on Aug 21, 2011 10:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Van...
A voice of reason crying in the wilderness.
Preseason means squat!
Some on Rumblers react like this was the Super Bowl.
If I recall correctly Marv Levi never had a winning preseason, and some would say he was a “pretty good coach” because he’s in the HOF!
And...
his basic philosophy was not to show seasonal opponents anything!
Than Perfect
Chan has shown nothing in pre-season, genius!
Baby steps are for babies. Step it up buffalo!
by buffalobacker on Aug 21, 2011 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Yea but at the same time that team had been together so long, especially on offense, that the key guys barely played. Though your point is a fair one. Winning teams often have pedestrian preseasons because a combination of simple playcalling and very little use of starters where continuity has already been established.
I hate this excuse
Preseason means squat!
That couldn’t be further from the truth. The final score is what is meaningless. The 60 minutes of game action means an awful lot for a team. Nobody cares that the team lost; it’s how awful they played that is and should remain concerning.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
by Kurupt on Aug 21, 2011 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions 6 recs
Tests aren't for students, they're for the teachers.
Every one of these preseason games is like a take home review math test. They’re annoying, boring, but help the teacher realize what is and isn’t getting through to students.
And as easy as it would be to say EVERYTHING, I’m sure Chan’s going through, one step at a time. Maybe when the real test comes against the Chiefs, they’ll pass.
On a side note
With all the film Chan’s going to be studying, I wonder if Tim Horton’s isn’t a proud sponsor of the Buffalo Bills providing coffee instead of money.
It Also Helps the Coaches Evaluate Individual Players
Buffalo does not have enough solid roster players to chance cutting a quality guy to get down to 53. This was an opportunity to see how each player fit into the base offense and base defense.
So true man
sounds like another excuse from the Gailey/Nix regime. I always wondered why it seems to take them so long to determine the direction they want the team to go. You’re exactly right, they should know by now what their base defense can do. It perplexed me last year why you guys held on to Trent Edwards so long as the starter in camp and during the first 2 or 3 games of the reg. season.
You guys need offensive line help something awful….. the only one on your entire starting o-line I would trust as a given right now is Wood (I think he’s going to finally “get it” and you’re going to start seeing some pro-bowl caliber play from him around week 6). You guys need some O-Tackles severly….. there are some nice ones coming out next year. It’s a shame that Whale Tongue (Levitre) hasn’t progressed as hoped…. yet (he still could). In Bell / Pears (one of my Broncos old players) defense, you guys were facing what is going to become one of the most feared pass rushes in football.
I’m excited and jealous of your DT situation. Williams, Dareus, Troope, and Carrington (he can play any position on your line), did a great job stuffing our inside run. It did seem like our rookie RT, Orlando Franklin, pushed Dareus around some… especially on McGahee’s TD run, but he will increase his NFL strength as the season progresses. His pass rush is sweet.
Good luck to you guys.
"When Tim Tebow does pushups, he's not pushing himself up, he's pushing the world down."
"Gear down there big shifter This is the "No Bull" review man…" a total Lebowski-esque one liner from Sadaraine, whether he realizes it or not - comedic gold.
by PaleHorse78 on Aug 21, 2011 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions
He looked good against a vanilla Bills defense and against 2nd stringers. I’d rather see him play a couple regular season games against stiff competition before we even think about trading for him. Personally I’m satisfied with the QBs we have for now.
He cant be any worse than what we have right now........
The score dictated they pass
by norcaliangelsfan on Aug 21, 2011 3:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Oh, I’m not saying he’s a bad QB just saying I’d like to see a little more of the season develop before we try to trade for him. Denver wouldn’t part with him easy so it would be a steep price to pay and I’d want it to be worth it definitely, not just maybe.
it wouldnt matter anyway
cause if we keep playing like we did last nite we will for sure be in line for 1 of the good QBs in next year draft
I don’t get too upset about preseason games. It’s a little early to write off the season because of one bad preseason game. Now when week 7 rolls around and we’re this bad then yeah.
VY was disponible
but we not take advantage of that. He really could be good in that spreed offense. And he could make our line look better too.
by Fernando brazil on Aug 21, 2011 3:19 PM EDT up reply actions
if you save the job
of your coach twice, and your team is 30-16 with you and 10- 745 without you and that coach continues to bench you after every mistake, i think you will be a headcase too.
by Fernando brazil on Aug 21, 2011 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions
also, if VY
is winning games for us, he could throw his shoulder pads in me every game.
by Fernando brazil on Aug 21, 2011 3:26 PM EDT up reply actions
How long has been in the league?
It seems like QBs figure things out in their fourth year.
"Being a Bills Fan is a Tough Job for Tough People…" – Luther6
Hey may be zoomer
I’m actually kind of hoping that Orton leaves before Quinn. Quinn has WAY more upside. I just pray that we let Tebow develop, and we don’t end up trading him to you guys.
"When Tim Tebow does pushups, he's not pushing himself up, he's pushing the world down."
"Gear down there big shifter This is the "No Bull" review man…" a total Lebowski-esque one liner from Sadaraine, whether he realizes it or not - comedic gold.
by PaleHorse78 on Aug 21, 2011 10:04 PM EDT up reply actions
i liked our D
against the run. Merriman was missed in pass rush for sure. I think we really struggled against screen passes, that need to be fixed. We have a good depth at CB position, only need more pressure at the opposing QB. My fear is Merriman struglles to stay healthy, our D is not the same without him. I really like nick Barnett and he is a upgrade over Poz for sure. Shep needs to be on the field soon.
Also i expect more from G. Wilson. He’s supposed to be a playmaker, but i rather have Whitner than him right now. He was invisible in these two games.
by Fernando brazil on Aug 21, 2011 3:16 PM EDT reply actions
I just hope our defensive backs do their part once the regular season begins. I’m not worried about our front seven. I think our d backs were the biggest concern on the defense last night. We definetly need to rush the passer better, but I believe they have shown enough to believe that won’t be a problem once they run more than their vanilla packages. I think Williams is gonna win the CB spot opposite Mgee by the end of the season. I think we have our best shot with them on the field.
Gailey made the same arguement for the offense as well
and obviously, we had the same results. Let’s go base and see where we are at. We are not good enough without scheming against an opponent, at least not yet.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
It highlights just how bad this team is
Especially in terms of talent. They lined up against a team that was as bad as them last year and got smacked in the teeth. Not scheming for the Broncos and then getting beat up by them shows this team is not close to being a winner at this point. Getting abused by their pass rush, not getting any pressure on Orton, allowing wide open WR’s, missing blocks, throwing erratically and inaccurately, not running well, etc didn’t happen because the team didn’t scheme or go outside their base packages. Talent and skill continue to be lacking, and while running more diverse sets, player improvement and health will all help, this team simply doesn’t have the horses yet.
~K
"As the governor of Louisiana once said, the only way Chris Kelsay can lose his job is if he got caught in bed with a dead girl or a live boy."
by Kurupt on Aug 21, 2011 4:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 5 recs
that could very well sum it up. Pretty much what we have been living watching the Bills.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
Solid analysis.
The score dictated they pass
by norcaliangelsfan on Aug 21, 2011 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions
i agree with you
Spiller needs to step up, but i think that bad play destroyed his night at stats point. He was running well in the beginning.
Our WR corps are overrated too. We will miss Lee this season for sure. I dont see all that stuff about D.Jones in gamedays. David Nelson was invisible this preseason. Easley showed flashes but nothing good enough to make Lee dispensable. After Stevie, Roosvelta is our more reliable option right now. Roscoe needs to stay healthy or we will be in a bad bad situation here.
Same thing with our OLB corps. Merriman is the only hope. If he can’t stay healthy, we need move Moats back here, because i dont see Batten and Coleman major contribuitors. Kelsey is a liability, Carrington or Batten needs to start in his place by now.
Wilson and Byrd needs to step up too. I dont see they making plays in those 2 preseason games. I think we could be better with A. Williams starting at SS spot.
by Fernando brazil on Aug 21, 2011 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
yeah
i can remenber that, but wilson was invisible
by Fernando brazil on Aug 21, 2011 8:19 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah
Lost me at Spiller needs to step up. Spiller came outa college as a legit RB and its seems weird to blame him for total lack of a O/L that would give him a fighting chance, how many times has our RB been hit behind the line of scrimmage? To say Spiller needs to step up totally ignores the fact that O/L might need to block! That would go along way in improving run game. Its like were OK with our nobody O/L for like since OJ ran.
Baby steps are for babies. Step it up buffalo!
by buffalobacker on Aug 21, 2011 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions
i agree with you
but just think Freddie is outperforming Spiller so much. That’s the motive i think he needs to step up. Sure, the O-linne need to block, but if Jacson could run, Spiller needs to do better things too.
by Fernando brazil on Aug 21, 2011 10:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Their effort seemed sub-par for a good part of the first half too
I don’t think that’s the sole reason for all the items you mention, but I think it definitely compounded the issues.
rec’d K
clearly this team is devoid of talent but we are getting bigger and what looks to be better so hopefully that’ll translate.
We should keep this in mind when we second guess Gailey and Edwards play calling this year – these guys aren’t magicians
by J2 on Aug 21, 2011 6:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Interesting......
No stats for kyle yet this preseason, is he laying down till week 1????
Judging by last year, he is too good not to get a stat…..
What’s up with that?
gobills!
PodunkO - The great post ender!
I was thinking the same thing. I think on Dareus’ sack last night Williams made some good penetration as well. I think he will tear it up. Perhaps our coaching staff is holding him at bay a bit and letting Dareus loose to get some NFL experience b4 the beginning of the season. They may not want to show opposing teams what Williams and Dareus can do dull boar. Give these two half a season if that and they will gell together like peanut butter and jelly.
Barnett also stated
in the same interview that they didnt do any game planning. They didnt really watch any film they just wanted to go out there and run a base offense regaurdless
"That's not how I do it. But, hey, everyone is different , that's why Baskin-Robbins got 31flavors" - Chan Gailey
by Buffalo Stro on Aug 21, 2011 4:44 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I'm not bugging...
Let’s be honest…pre-season means absolutely nothing. Look at last year: Spiller was ripping up pro-bowl DB’s and Trent Edwards was kind of a stud and had the reins of the team in his hand….I’m sorry, what happened in the season??
Edwards a bust?
I don’t think you can really consider Edwards a bust . A lousy starting QB but not a bust. Edwards was not a top ten draft pick. Maybin was a bust, Edwards was just not a good starting QB. I also think it is way to early to call Spiller a bust.
I agree
Edwards is terrible. He was a third round pick, not a first round pick. I guess i usually use the word bust to define an early pick such as a first rounder, not a third rounder. As far as Spiller goes, I guess we will have to agree to disagree. He was a rookie last year, I have high hopes for him this year.
Im certain this next preseason game at home wil make or break our attitudes. this game was a waste of time and idk what if anything the team gained. Bad games can kill confidence. Gailey said be smart but dont back down.. Did he not back down by going base last night? Preseason or not play to win..dominate if possible..dont back down chan.
by Feedjasper on Aug 21, 2011 6:25 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Lol..ty. Im just rooting for the big guy. Hes got a lot of heart and hes a gun shootn redneck like most of us here in western ny.
by Feedjasper on Aug 21, 2011 6:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Going "Base" was a Chance to Evaluate the Players Individually
The Bills went base to see which players grasped the concepts of the offense and defense and could replicate that knowledge in game action. Not game-planning meant each player had to respond instinctively.
You’ve got 87 players and 34, or more, of them have to be cut to get down to 53.
Chan and his coaches have to know who to keep, who to let go and who to replace from the waiver wire and FA.
Some Bills’ fans don’t seem to realize, as the smallest market in the NFL, the bills don’t have the luxury of throwing money at every FA who gets released.
by swampdog #1 on Aug 21, 2011 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Rec'd
I’d be wicked pissed if this was a regular season game, but it wasn’t. Evaluate, see who to keep, and don’t show off your whole playbook-makes sense to me.
"Any tool is a weapon if you hold it right." ~ Ani Difranco
Buddy's getting the tools, now it's up to Chan!
LMAO
It’s preseason..It doesn’t mean squat. I’ll start to worry if we look bad in the first two games of the season. Gailey may just be as smart as a fox. I hope so.
Yea its preseason and its easy to say it dont matter. But it matters to most of us bills fans. We want our team to win. Most of the comments are made out of frustration. But preseason or not we want to win or at least appear capable. We buy the merchandise and tickets and watch televised games to give networks ratings. We are financing this teams very existance. We ask for a winning team to support and have pride in and we havent been paid. Preseason or not.. Go bang some helmets.. Make some noise and circle the mother f’n wagons. Go bills!
by Feedjasper on Aug 21, 2011 6:54 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
FYI
I’ve been a FAN since 1960, You don’t think I care?
I know u care.. We all care or we wouldnt be talking here. U must share some similar feelings then
by Feedjasper on Aug 21, 2011 7:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Maybe it was a message to Nix from Gailey
Gailey showing Nix what he has to work with. If anyone should be pissed about lack of O-Line help it would be Gailey. How is he going to keep his job if the line stinks that bad? He has been pretty vocal lately about how they have not played well.
Maybe Gailey is going to run straight up for the rest of the pre-season and then add wrinkles in the season to save his job.
It's like a Pop Quiz at the beginning of the Semester
This was a way for the coaches to evaluate which players understood and best fit the offensive and defensive schemes. Not game-planning meant each player had to perform instinctively and not rely on help. It isn’t a barometer on how they’ll play in the regular season because “game-planning” makes a hell of a difference to performance.
I’m most surprised, and impressed, with how quickly Barnett has established himself as a leader on this team. He and Merriman seem to have become the go-to guys for answers on the defense.
by tpsabres on Aug 21, 2011 6:48 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I’m most surprised, and impressed, with how quickly Barnett has established himself as a leader on this team. He and Merriman seem to have become the go-to guys for answers on the defense.
by tpsabres on Aug 21, 2011 6:48 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
I agree, although I’m not too surprised because these two vets have proven that they r difference makers when healthy. And I’m not worried about Merriman’s minor muscle tightness, unlike some worried fans. They are smart to ease him into regular action. And if Sheppard can get back soon…man he’s gonna benefit so much by playing with Barnett.
Yup and their presence on the field brings intensity. Makes everyone else try harder like vs the bears. We witnessed our defense last night play as individuals and got beat. Imo id rather see our guys doing the beating. Being fined 20k the next day for hitting hard. The broncos came to play. We came to evaluate.
by Feedjasper on Aug 21, 2011 7:17 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
also
Shep will learn from barnett and could play alongside him and after barnett is done could take his place, like AJ Hawk did in GB. Shep is a emotional leader and will be the leader of our D in years to come, he really needs to be back soon.
by Fernando brazil on Aug 21, 2011 9:36 PM EDT up reply actions
I agree guys. Man we haven’t had two solid veteran linebackers on our team since Spikes and Fletcher. Too bad we for Spikes injury, although I think we should have kept him. Didn’t he play pretty good for San Francisco? Merriman is an all pro and Barnett could challenge for a pro bowl spot. Sheppard can eventually take the reigns for Barnett, but I’m in no hurry to see him go :). And Merriman brings an intensity that Batten, Moats(hope he can learn to pass rush on the inside :/), Carrington and company can build off of. We have some serious potential @ linebacker.
Wow so much anger on this post. Its PRESEASON!!!!!!! Save the rage fests for mid-season. I never understand why so many people write off the season and go into an ALL CAPS RAGE just because of one lousy preseason game. It’s gonna be ok. If all you want to watch is a winner then go jump on a winning teams bandwagon. Sure they might suck again this year but the definition of a fan is to support your team through thick and thin. Why turn on them so quickly? I know it’s been awhile since we’ve gone to the playoffs and I can understand the frustration but holy crap save it for the real season, not one meaningless preseason game.
Haha.. No. intense all the time. And I am a fan of the bills. Loyal. Win or lose. Just want a winning team. And u do too.
by Feedjasper on Aug 21, 2011 7:44 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
I wasn’t trying to call anyone out just frustrated with the overwhelming amount of negativity before the season even begins.
…you don’t want to see Bills fan when they get angry…..ALL CAPS AND HULK SMASH!!….AND LOTS OF THESE>>> !!!!!!!!! GRRRR!! Lol. Win lose or draw I will love the Bills. But if they lose, lose with dignity, not by getting their asses handed to them. And I truly see their getting pushed around days becoming far far behind them. This pre season game was atrocious in a lot of ways, but the added talent of Merriman, Barnett, Dareus, continued great play of Williams, Jackson, Johnson…possibly Fitz barring the o line…, as well as the developing A Williams, Sheppard, Carrington, Troup, Batten etc. I see a talented team coming together. Oh and Jasper is gonna eat entire o lines for breakfast. Just you wait and see!!
I’m much more worried about the offense in regards to the preseason so far and what we know of the roster. The offensive playcalling may have been vanilla but that doesn’t much affect the fact that the line was getting absolutely blown up. Fitz didn’t have time and was completely off in general because of it. Where the defense is concerned I’m not too worried. Clearly Merriman staying on the field is incredibly important but either way the defense is going to be better this season. Poor coverage was a concern, though. Cornerbacks need to step up big time.
I do think Merriman not playing did hurt us significantly.
But there is another idea I’m starting to warm up to. No matter how we finish; dead last, bottom 5, middle, top 5, win the Superbowl, etc, it wouldn’t hurt to take another rush OLB in the 1st or 2nd round of the 2012 draft (assuming relative value is achieved).
Banking on Merriman staying healthy is a significant risk. Heck, Green Bay banking on Clay Matthews alone staying healthy is a risk too and he hasn’t had an injury history yet. It would be very valuable to find a second starting quality rush OLB in case the first goes down (Merriman) so our defense’s legitimacy doesn’t hinge on one player.
So no matter where we finish, I think rush OLB legitimately should be considered in the first two rounds of the 2012 draft (along with OT, and possibly QB [still bullish on Fitzy] and WR)
partially agree
I agree with another LB and help for the Oline, but as you know I’ve never been bullish on Fitz and think we should go after another QB.
"Being a Bills Fan is a Tough Job for Tough People…" – Luther6
Might be the perfect year, depending on when we draft.
by NordicBillsfan on Aug 21, 2011 8:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I almost expect the first there picks to be offense. Qb ot og
"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 Aug 21, 2011 10:30 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Next Week Will Be The Test
Week 3 is the preseason test. The gameplan will be complete and the first stringers will probably play at regular season speed. Also, don’t forget the Bills have played two games on the road. If they get blown out at home, then I worry.
I thought it was the last week
When the regulars would play the entire first half then get out (hopefully) before someone got injured.
"Being a Bills Fan is a Tough Job for Tough People…" – Luther6
wow
wow wow wow… aaron Maybin made in his first game with the Jets, more than in years here, one sack with forceb fumble! Man i cant belive this guy will be good for them. I really think we needed to hold him this year, he’s not worst than coleman.
by Fernando brazil on Aug 21, 2011 10:04 PM EDT reply actions
I thought he’s had sacks in preseason with the Bills, including a forced fumble. Think it came against Detroit.
by NordicBillsfan on Aug 21, 2011 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions
Yah he impressed in preseason his rookie year I think.
"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 Aug 21, 2011 10:28 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions
his second year i think
he hold out in his rookie year. I remenber that sack too, but i just cant belive he had a sack in his first Jets game. Sad.
by Fernando brazil on Aug 21, 2011 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Why Vanilla?
I hate the old adage we’re only showing “vanilla” offense and defense because we don’t want to show our opponents in preseason what we’d normally do in regular season. This is a bunch of BS.
First of all we’re not a GOOD TEAM. What in the heck do we have to lose? Why not treat each preseason game like it’s a regular season game? The only thing that would concern me would be injuries but to say that a very BAD TEAM doesn’t want to show any film that opponents could study is a BS. I mean we’re so bad what does the Bill have lose. I can see the Patriots could use this argument but for the Bills I don’t buy it.
Second of all you can still evaluate players using more than Vanilla Schemes. We don’t have a veteran squad that’s had stability in coaching and player personnel to waste the preseason. We can use each preseason game to practice our scheme….and to see which players FIT the scheme we’re trying to implement.
If we’re a GREAT team like the Patriots, Ravens, Chargers, and the Steelers, I could buy the “Vanilla” adage. But for a team like the Bills, it doesn’t really apply.
Well Atleast....
We will be wearing awesome uniforms while we r getting killed. Wait, what has happened to me? The older I get the more negative I get. I have to get back to the days when I always believed we would win or comeback from a deficit. But in those days we would always win or comeback. Now its a miracle is tht haappens :(
by SpiderWeb Sleeves on Aug 21, 2011 11:43 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Vanilla in Preseason
I understand that it’s preseason, and so a limited amount can be read into the packages that were run on offense and defense. But it was our base defense, and our secondary was shredded all night, by both Orton and Quinn. McKelvin in particular had a terrible game. And our offense could not move the ball, and only scored in the first quarter thanks to a fake punt (so much for vanilla).
I don’t think I’m overreacting when I say that this is very disconcerting. We should be able to be competitive from our base schemes. It’s been pretty clear to me that our offense will be relying quite a bit on trick and gimmick type plays throughout the year, but unfortunately this shows me that Edwards is going to have to make scheme an important part of our defensive success, instead of simply relying on talent. I know our defense is overall very young, but this is still disconcerting.
As Kurupt said above, this is preseason, but the way the team plays during the game (especially the first half) is VERY important, and it should be obvious that we cannot compete with good teams. I am not known as a negative or pessimistic person on this blog, but this reminds me of how I felt after the Minnesota game last year, when we came crashing back down to earth.
Also, not a knee-jerk reaction. These are things we’ve been talking about all offseason: our lack of OT talent, Fitz’s inconsistency, odd choices for FA signings, lack of focus on the OL, Evans’ trade leaving a dearth of talent, McKelvin needing to step up, etc. Slowly, these are all getting confirmed, and people are blaming Nix (not without reason). All I can say about this is that, if our rush defense isn’t considerably better this year than it was last year, I am going to be on the “Nix is in over his head” bandwagon by the end of the season.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
Sugar Coat it...
Any way you want guys and gals..
I would consider myself a pretty optimistic (and non realistic) Bills fan (I even told my dolphin fan friend we would finish second in the division this year) but it just looks bad… JP losman preseason BAD.
I’m going to continue to root for the team but I think I will have to wait until the regular season to watch again, vanilla isnt something that my eyes totally agree with. :)
Go Bills.
Some of the names people come up with for their kids start the kids out neck deep in social hell.
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