Buffalo Bills Need More From Their Pass Rush
by Brian Galliford on Sep 20, 2011 8:31 AM EDT
in Buffalo Bills News
Email
PrintThough the Buffalo Bills are 2-0, the team's defensive performances have been decidedly mixed to date this season. In a 41-7 win over the Kansas City Chiefs, the defense looked great, but the Chiefs also haven't been able to get out of their own way yet this year. In Sunday's 38-35 win over the Oakland Raiders, the defense forced a big turnover and a couple of key stops, but were also shredded by the likes of Jason Campbell, Darren McFadden and Denarius Moore.
This week, Tom Brady and the high-flying New England Patriots are coming to town in a game that has the makings of another shootout. If the Bills plan on passing a true litmus test this Sunday, they'll need more out of their defense.
Specifically, they'll need more from their pass rush, the area of George Edwards' defense that has been most lacking through two games. Campbell and Matt Cassel have dropped back a combined 69 times this season, but the Bills have just two sacks and a handful of quarterback hits and pressures. That'll need to change Sunday.
The key to Buffalo's pass rush, of course, is outside linebacker Shawne Merriman, who has been largely invisible through the Bills' two wins, accumulating just five tackles in those contests. Bills head coach Chan Gailey explained on Monday that the team is trying to ease Merriman back into the lineup after two injury-plagued seasons.
"The guy has not played in two years," the coach said, per The Buffalo News. "He showed flashes of what we all think he will be down the line. We've got to make sure we keep him in a rotation while he's getting back into it these first few weeks, until he can work himself into an entire ball game. I think that's sort of the plan right now to make sure we don't overextend him because we want him here. We talked about preseason wanting him for the first game and we also want him for game 16 and beyond."
Merriman has been strong against the run to this point in the season, but has appeared to be largely in cruise control rushing the passer - though he was gratuitously held on a nice rush on the final play from scrimmage in the win over Oakland. While he's been off the field, a rotation of players has been filling in for him based on down and distance, with Danny Batten and Spencer Johnson doing most of that work on Sunday.
Against two good but fairly basic offenses in Kansas City and especially Oakland, the Bills have been quite vanilla schematically through two weeks. They have not been able to consistently pressure the quarterback out of those looks, and with Brady in town, it's imperative that the rush become more effective - as in immediately. Expect a bit more of Merriman on Sunday - with perhaps his most aggressive effort to date - but more importantly, expect more exotic defensive alignments and blitz calls for the first time this season. It's hard to imagine that at 2-0 with something to prove, that the Bills will sit back defensively and let Brady pick them apart. Expect the Bills to be aggressive on Sunday.
57 comments
|
1 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Is it possible?
That defensively they kept things vanilla specifically for this week? I know that sounds a little silly but KC and Oakland keep things relatively simple. I am wondering if Chan wanted Edwards to hold some stuff back for this game. I guess we will find out Sunday
I think it's more possible...
That the gameplan with KC and more particularly Oakland was to hold the line of scrimmage and set the edge to keep the running games of each respective team in check. I have a feeling that the defensive look for the Pats will be something completely different.
by Khegobier on Sep 20, 2011 9:03 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Given the opponents strength
That makes a ton of sense. Both KC and Oak are big running teams. So, it stands to reason that you stop the run and force them to beat you through the air. KC couldn’t come close. Oak came quite a bit closer but still couldn’t do it.
Trample the weak, hurdle the dead!
Bingo. Merriman got hauled down on a three man rush where he was gunning for the QB. I’m not saying the pass-rush doesn’t need to look better. But I think weeks one and two were really focused on containing the run and letting the QBs kill us (if they could).
I have low expectations. But high hopes.
by greysquirrel on Sep 20, 2011 1:27 PM EDT up reply actions
I've been hoping this was the case also.
I think it was a healthy fear of their running games that really stopped a lot of the rush for most of each game. However, there were obivous passing situations in both games where the front 7 should have fealt comfortable pinning their ears back.
I’d like to say we can expect a lot more outside pressure this week, but the Pats do have Woodhead who is every bit as capable of getting outside on us.
I’d like the D to come out swinging this week, don’t worry about Woodhead and focus on the league MVP.
"I got no problem with 7-9 coming off of 4-12 as long as I don't buy a couch there, you got to keep moving" - Mike Schoop
On the contrary, it’s anything but silly: it’s highly likely.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Sep 20, 2011 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions
I think they were keeping both the defensive and brad smith playcalls vanilla for New England. Like our blitz scheme, I think Brad Smith will debut against NE much in the same way the Dolphins debuted their wildcat against NE.
by NordicBillsfan on Sep 20, 2011 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions
I hope you're right
Merriman just looks horrible, sure hope it’s by design
Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience
He hasn’t looked horrible. He hasn’t been asked to do anything. He’s been good against the run, particularly (well, at least he hasn’t been a liability against the run, which seems good given our team’s history).
"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 Sep 20, 2011 9:38 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
you're probably right
2 games against great running teams and Chan’s game plan was to stop the run. In both cases they succeeded. In both cases they were forcing the opponent to beat them through the air.
Against Brady, they better bring the heat on every snap. Give them the run and take away the short and intermediate routes. Force Brady to beat you deep and bring the pressure on every down. Let them run the ball on you all the want because (a) they’re not that good at it and (b) while they are milking the clock Brady is not obliterating you either.
I expect Merriman to have a big game and if he doesn’t then… I’ll be back to my previous comment.
Rebuilding a team properly takes time and patience
They should watch film of the NY Giants/NE superbowl
that is the formula…
Buffalo Bills or Die.
It WAS the formula. Don’t think for a minute that Bill Belichick hasn’t figured out a way to offset that type of defense. Look at what he did with the offense after Randy Moss was traded. He completely changed it and the team soared.
But yes, that was most definitely the formula for beating Brady in 2007. Before that it was the sneak attack Wildcat formation.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 20, 2011 9:21 AM EDT up reply actions
Detroit
put a hurt on the Pats in preseason. We have to see how that was done.
The user formerly known as "PaperBagHeads."
"Nick Barnett is everywhere. He is behind you right now." -- Munchausen
by ChuckBuffInFlo on Sep 20, 2011 9:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Where hs Carrington been?
I thought he was going to be an important part of our pass rush this year. For that matter we haven’t seen Dareus around the QB that much either. Were they focusing on stopping the run against KC and Oakland to the point where it inhibited their pass rush?
Kelsay
Everyone is looking at Merriman, however, I believe the key is continued weak performances by Chris Kelsay. They just can’t generate pass rush from that side which allows teams to double up Merriman. Personally, I think switching Danny Batten to that side would help strengthen the defense tremendously with his mobility and his speed off the edge. Dareus is finding out what all rookies do, it takes alot of stamina to play this game for 60 minutes as he fades as the game goes on. Dareus will be fine, Kelsay is just a liability.
Kelsay was the team’s best pass rusher on Sunday. He had more pressures than anyone.
Editor-in-Chief, BUFFALO RUMBLINGS®
@BrianGalliford
by Brian Galliford on Sep 20, 2011 9:04 AM EDT up reply actions
Right on.
I thought Kelsay looked pretty good on Sunday. He was the one forcing throws earlier. No one else stood out to me. I seriously think people can and should back off the “Kelsay sucks” mantra. He’s not Brian Urlacher, but he’s not Erik Flowers, either.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 20, 2011 9:10 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
He’s been able to focus on one or two aspects of the game, and allowing the ILBs around him to pick up the slack. With Barnett in the mix, Kelsay hasn’t had to worry about covering the run wherever it is, he can set the edge and rush the passer. I think it’s suited him very well so far.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
thank you!
Totally agree with you, Kelsay has been playing well and as Brian said he has had more QB pressures than anyone.
"Sit down and watch my Buffalo Bills destroy your Kingdome" - Abayarde
Chris Kelsay is a good football player.
Bottom line, no sacks!!
I see him singled up and getting no sacks. You guys can buy pressures are as good as sacks, I don’t, look at Campbell’s stats. If we are to get a consistent pass rush he has to break through for sacks because he is getting blocked by one man. Merriman’s getting doubled. You have too have speed somewhere to get around the edge, it’s not going to come from your interior. I respectfully disagree and I am not Kelsay bashing, the man had limited sacks as a DE. I don’t see him becoming a stud OLB. Just saying, you guys are wondering about a pash rush, are you going to blitz all the time?
I don’t see him becoming a stud OLB
Neither does anyone else, but there is a grey area between “stud OLB” and “can’t do his job”, and Kelsay falls in that area.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
Maybe
He can’t move in space and is a liability covering a tight end or back. Plus he’s not getting to the QB. Just my take, they need more out of that position to become a top ten defense!! He may be a class act and great in the locker room, just think he is more suited as classic 4-3 DE. They will need a ton of pressure this week. Go Bills!!!!!!
I agree, and think they’ll luck for an upgrade at some point. Nix thought he was the best LB option from the previous regime, so he’s stuck around. Seeing him play these last two weeks, it’s hard to argue with that, but also hard to argue that the team will be looking for an upgrade next season.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
Nobody else in the front 7 got a sack on Sunday. Do we fire them all including our Pro-Bowl DT?
They have faced 2 dominant, last year at least, running teams so far. The front 7 should have had a healthy respect for that and make sure they are staying gap sound.
I don’t buy that “stop the run on the way to the QB” philosophy that some people have. You have to stack in the run game, which is not conducive to a great pass rush usually.
"I got no problem with 7-9 coming off of 4-12 as long as I don't buy a couch there, you got to keep moving" - Mike Schoop
Make Brady move
Brady might be Superman, but his kryptonite is making him move by pressuring him up the middle. He’s at his best when he can drop back and then step into the throw. He’s not as good when forced from the pocket laterally. (Still great, just not ridiculous) This is what the Browns and Jets did to him last year. Get in his face and make him uncomfortable.
In my view, Williams and Dareus must bring the heat straight at him on Sunday for the Bills to win. Make Brady move to the sides, straight into the arms of Merriman or Kelsay.
What are you doing? It's a game of touch football, every time I look over you're on your ass again.
by cujo217 on Sep 20, 2011 8:56 AM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Agreed
A strong rush up the middle doesn’t let him step up and his mobility isn’t that great.
Easier said then done, of course
But Koppen is out. And the Bills are better suited to do this now than ever before with Dareus in the mix…
What are you doing? It's a game of touch football, every time I look over you're on your ass again.
Exactly. With Williams in front of their backup center, they’re going to have to double him up…this is a good opportunity to get some pressure from Dareus and Edwards.
"Slowly all the roles we act out become our identity. And in the end we are what we pretend to be." - Jerry Cantrell.
100% right
We will blitz and I think we blitz heavy. First 2 games there really was no reason to blitz and have any of our blitz packages on film for Brady to study and pick apart before the game even starts. More Merriman, More Blitzing, Less Kelsay..
I was watching Eric Mangini before the monday night game last week and they asked him how did he beat the Pats. He said he had 2 different game plans for the 1st and 2nd half, so Pats mad adjustments to something they weren’t gna see…great idea we should take his blueprint
(but knowing the Pats they prob have someone taping our practices anyway lol)
by RiddickBillsFan on Sep 20, 2011 9:04 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
Wannstedt
This week is when Dave Wannstedt needs to be a big factor. Schemes, using the talent we have, and so on.
I'm not so sure it's wise for them to amp up their blitz packages.
That secondary is suspect at best. If the pass rush isn’t going to get to the point where they cause a positive disruption, we’ll see Brady tee off on them. That play to Wes Welker for 99 1/2 yards? That was off a failed blitz.
I think they need to concentrate on occupying Brady’s receivers first – at all levels.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 20, 2011 9:15 AM EDT reply actions
bad angle
the safety took a bad angle on the welker 99 yarder. Also, the CB tried to tackle welker with his arms only. Hopefully, Byrd and Wilson will learn from their Oakland mistakes and not eff up this time.
The front seven failed in getting to Brady, who was deep in his own endzone. That’s where trouble started. Big trouble.
"Go check on the ribs!"
by TheAfghanTwilight on Sep 20, 2011 9:30 AM EDT up reply actions
There was a bad play call by miami on that one. Miami put the cb on welkr with no help and shaded the saftey to the other side. I would take welker all day on that one. Lombardi broke it down on nfl.com
"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 Sep 20, 2011 10:54 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions
Also, the CB tried to tackle welker with his arms only.
I’m not sure what else you wanted him to do. He was chasing Welker from behind, didn’t have closing speed, and got a stiff-arm from Welker in the process.
Give a monkey a typewriter and infinite time, and he’ll eventually release Maybin. -- stetzwebs
No one circles the waiver wire like the Buffalo Bills!
by thefourwinds on Sep 20, 2011 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions
I fear that if we drop back into coverage Brady will pick us apart anyways. We need to blitz heavy, we just need to involve everyone so he doesn’t know where it’s coming from.
by NordicBillsfan on Sep 20, 2011 9:34 AM EDT up reply actions
Merriman hurt?!?!?
I feel Merriman’s shoulder injury in the first game was a bit more serious than we know about or what is being report. Of course all players get injured to a degree during games and what their tolerance is to pain and still perform at a high level is up to the individual player. I am not making excuses for the man, I just believe that he needs to be in a rotation for a little while until he starts feeling 100% again.
You learn from the past as well as the present
Gotta be excited about the opportunity we have in front of us on Sunday. I’ve noticed a lot of people referencing the Giant’s Super Bowl win as tape to take a look at and I definitely agree with that 100%. One contest that keeps getting looked over however is the one that took place on Nov 30th 2009 in the Louisiana Superdome. Saints defeated NE 38-17 that day. Brady was 21-36 with 237 passing and 6.6 avg per play. He threw NO td’s and was picked twice. Also he was harassed, pressured and more importantly HIT the entire game. Sure this is two yrs later and I really don’t expect him to not throw some td’s, but this is a game tape along with the Giant’s one that I really hope our staff takes a look at. The Saints really bought the heat that day but were smart and posed enough with it as to not allow Tom to kill them in the process. Bill and Tom are cerebral guys so we must play very smart to beat them. Point is it’s happened before and can be done. Put that saint’s tape on!!…..GO BILLS!!
by DieHardBillsfan4life on Sep 20, 2011 9:56 AM EDT reply actions
Everything happens for a reason
15 game losing streak
2-0 start
home field advantage
brady’s epic season so far (Just waiting to fail…)
bland defensive looks.
My prediction: This will be similar to the “wildcat” game against the pats a couple years ago!
GO BILLS!
I HAVE THE HEART OF THE BUUFALO the strength of the OF THE MOUNTAIN , THE FURY OF THE THUNDER AND MY WILL IS UNBREAKABLE , I will not surrender to KNOW ONE - abayarde
The Pass Rush will be very important, but
We won’t need it if we control the time of possession by running Fred and C.J. for most of the offense with Nelson, Johnson and Chandler receiveing short passes from Fitz. Ball control and minimizing our defensive looks so that Bellichek doesn’t have opportunity to adjust.
Did anyone notice the one defensive formation we ran against Campbell. I looked like our MLB’ers were in an “I” formation behind a four man front. On the snap one went one way and the other LBer went the other way right up the gut. We were slow getting there but it was a different look and was a good pressure up the middle look.
YOU ARE OUT of you kuku fufu mine craker laker Flaber baber FUNKI chunki brain. WE want to winn every year -- abayarde
Time of possession doesn't matter.
To a QB like Brady. He doesn’t need the ball for very long to win a game. You’re right that we do need to keep him off the field as much as we can, and we do have the tools to accomplish this and I believe a coach who is totally aware of it as well. But even if we hold the ball for 45 minutes it won’t do us a lick of good if we don’t get in Brady’s face. Outside blitzes are useless against him. Penetration up the middle is the only way you beat him.
by The Adam Bomb on Sep 20, 2011 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
4-man pass rush more important than blitz packages
I’m a Bills fan living in Boston, and have watched Brady carve up defenses over the last two week that dared to blitz him. Anytime you sacrifice bodies from the secondary and force one-on-one coverage, Brady was salivating. He only needs a few seconds to throw anyways, and I would argue that our push up the middle from Dareus and Williams is more important than any complicated blitz package scheme that will inevitably fail against Brady.
Tom Brady will pick any team apart whether you blitz him or not
A key matchup is lost for New England because Aaron Hernandez is hurt, he has played huge fore New Enland in the first 2 weeks. We have to keep the ball out of Rob Gronkowski’s hands (More Red zone Specific).
I like our secondary matchups with McKelvin on Branch, Flo On Ocho, and Williams in the slot vs Welker. Our Pass rush doesn’t have to perfect it just cannot allow extended play, because thats when Mr. Welker is at his best. The other thing is Brady has been really dialing up the NO HUDDLE, we have to be on the ball. because of the No huddle it forces teams into Vanilla schemes which has allowed The Pats to basically do what they please.
Like Van says above me here, we have to be able to control the ball so our D stays fresh. This has been our Achilles heal vs the Pats we dont sustain drives long enough for our D to rest, look at what Jason Campbell was able to do against our tired defense.
Pass rush is important but it really doesn’t matter because Tom will slice and dice you no matter what, and the no huddle really negates " exotic" packages.
"Big Gulps Eh, Well See ya later" - Lloyd Christmas
" You Gus ready To Let The Dogs Out" "What?" " you Know, Who Let the dogs out rough rough rogh rough" - Zack Galifinakis - The Hangover
by PaullyPforPrez on Sep 20, 2011 10:19 AM EDT reply actions
Brady can not be stopped
only slowed down. As I said in a fan post comment, he will get his 300 yards, 3 TDs and no INTs. The key will be sustained drives by the Bills,a special teams big play and NO turnovers. We want to be in a position to win late in the game and hope it is in Fitz’s hands last.
prediction for 2011 season is 5 and 11
He will be stopped if M Dareus lays down on him....:)
Buffalo Bills or Die.
TOMper-pedic....soft and cozy!
Buffalo Bills or Die.
Bring pressure up the middle this week.
Brady has been able to work with the outside stuff… But the pressure up the middle has rattled him. Especially with Koppen out.
Fitz = M(C)²
"Lets Go Buff! a! lo!"
by bflo on Sep 20, 2011 12:26 PM EDT via mobile reply actions
Yes! Totally agree. With Brady being the classic drop back passer, his accuracy and arm strength comes from him being able to step into every throw. I am not even so worried about sacks really, because that is not everything. If the Bills can consistently drive the OLine backward, then Brady cannot step into throws, and he is much more inaccurate and doesn’t seem to go deep too often.
The Lions showed us the formula, now we just need to figure out how to accomplish the same thing. I think stunts along the DLine, and having the passrushers loop to the middle is the game plan for beating Brady and the Patriots.
"Winning is not a goal. It is a belief."
-Terry Pegula-
by Eric Murawski on Sep 20, 2011 12:56 PM EDT up reply actions
I'll vote for that...
Buffalo Bills or Die.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Buffalo Rumblings
Related FanShots on Buffalo Rumblings
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
SBNation.com Recent Stories
In Association With
Shutdown Corner - NFL - Yahoo! Sports
- Things to know about NFL men who served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam
- How Kyle Orton almost cost the Colts Andrew Luck
- Detroit Lions DT Nick Fairley arrested again; now has more NFL arrests than NFL sacks
- Former high-school star Brian Banks does serious time on trumped-up charge, now hopes for an NFL shot
- Former ‘idiot kicker’ Mike Vanderjagt in trouble after accosting junior-high heckler
