SB Nation User Blog: BuffaloWhiner

Comparing current Bills to Super Bowl teams

BuffaloWhiner — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:28:57 -0000

There is a lot of debate regarding how to build a winning organization. I recall the Polian year's and would watch in astonishment at the brilliant moves he would make,(the trade for Cornelius Bennett), etc. Unfortunately, with the Bills having not made the playoffs for 11 straight years now, the whole administration and team is in shambles in my opinion. They are still a long way from being a competitive team and their personnel decisions continue to be a joke. To back up my statement, let's compare the starting lineup of the Super Bowl Years to the current roster. I personally cannot find one advantage at any position overall for the current starters. Or any bright spots, but it is nice to reflect on the Glory years.

QB - Jim Kelly verse two headed Trent Fritzpatrick. <> JK obviously.

RB - Thurman Thomas/Ken Davis against two headed Marshawn Jackson. <> Thurman

WR - Andre Reed, James Lofton - Terrell Owens, Lee Evans <> Might be closest argument for comparable talent, but shell out too much money for receiver's that are not being utilized enough.

TE- Pete Metzalaars - Shawn Nelson <> Even backup Butch Rolle scored more T.D.s than current TE's.

Offensive line - Will Wohlford, House Ballard, Jim Ritcher, Glenn Parker, Kent Hull <> 11 linemen currently on I.R. - Bills had 3 Pro Bowlers on the line, as we watched Thurman run through holes you could drive a car through.

Defensive Line - Bruce Smith, Jeff Wright, Leon Seals <> Kelsey, Stroud, Kyle Williams, Schoebel - Bills went with 3:4 back then, but Bruce alone wins this comparison. And to think he had all those sacks in a 3:4 defensive scheme.

Linebackers - Talley, Conlan, Ray Bentley, Bennett <> Kawika Mitchell, Poz, Ellison <> Three of the Four during Super Bowl years played in the Pro Bowl at least one time.

Secondary - Kelso, Odomes, Leonard Smith, Henry Jones <> McKelvin, J.Byrd, Whitner, B. Scott <> This could be a toss-up, since I always wished they had a bigger safety other than Kelso, who now teaches at St. Mary's in Lancaster and is a great guy. But despite his brains and picks, cannot forget him getting run over so many times.

Kicker <> Lindell over Norwood - Bills would have had at least one Super Bowl victory under their belt.

Ndamukong Suh anyone?

BuffaloWhiner — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 17:23:37 -0000

I confess to making some errors in my earlier post discussing this year'f first rounds picks, with good comments backing up my mistakes. Suppose I didn't do my homework.

But come on Bills fans, with the problems this team has stopping the run, wouldn't it be great if the Bills were able to draft Suh in the first round. I think he will probably be one of the first three picks off the board, but imagine Suh with Stroud and Kyle Williams. This would put so much pressure up the middle and on the offensive line, it would free up Schoebel and even my favorite rookie, Aaron Maybin, to finally get some sacks.

And in case people didn't notice, Suh had 4-1/2 sacks against Texas as a defensive tackle. He would make us Bills fans forget about drafting Ngata for Whitner.

Quick look at some first round picks!

BuffaloWhiner — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 17:30:13 -0000

Matt Stafford, Lions - Passed for over 400 yards in one game. And his teammates love his toughness.

Aaron Smith, Seahawks - Been solid contributor to defense so far.

Mark Sanchez, Jets - Way too many interceptions and decisions. Needs to gain experience.

Jason Smith, Rams- Was just injured, but everybody claims Oher is most impressive tackle out of the draft so far.

Tyson Jackson, Chiefs-After eleven games, has only 10 tackles and no sacks.

Aaron Curry, Seahawks-Been playing outstanding football and one of the bright spots for Seahawks Defense.

Mark Sanchez, Jets - Way too many interceptions, needs to develop more and gain experience.

Darrius Heyward Bey - Another Al Davis reach, with the 1970's Raiders mindset. Has done nothing all season.

Brian Orakpo, Skins - 7.5 Sacks and Skins love him so far as an OLB.

Aaron Maybin - Where is Waldo? Need I say more!

Brian Cushing, Texans - Will probably win Defensive Rookie of the year honors! Been playing exceptional football.

Larry English, San Diego - Starting to see more time on the field and has had several sacks so far.

Josh Freeman, Tampa Bay - Playing better than Sanchez and studies film extensively.

Percy Harvin, Vikings - What a steal for the Vikings. Dangerous everytime he touches the ball.

Mike Oher, Ravens - Grading out as the best lineman for the Ravens. Might even make Pro Bowl.

Hakeem Nicks, Giants - The real deal early in the season, before injuries struck. Big, athletic, and strong!

Kenny Britt, Titans - Starting to contribute with Vince Young at Q.B.

Van Pelt experiment is over!

BuffaloWhiner — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:56:09 -0000

Where is the Bills Creativity in their offense. It seems that they never throw any intermediate routes over the middle, don't use the tight end, no screens to the running backs out of the backfield, etc. It is either run Marshawn Lunch and Fred Jackson for 2-3 yards, with no holes there, or let's try a few long passes to Owens or Evans.

To do this day, I don't understand how they never could get Roscoe Parrish involved in the offense, especially with his quickness and speed. I am not saying he would be a Percy Harvin or Desean Jackson, but take a chance. What do they have to lose? And where is Josh Reed? They never use him anymore.

This team has many problems and they need an offensive coordinator and General Manager to come in and fix things, before they need a head coach.

What a despicable and shameful organization!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1

Bills should spend on good G.M.

BuffaloWhiner — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:55:04 -0000

With all of this talk about who will be the Bills next head coach, I still think it is vital to get a good G.M., rather than a coach. In a small market like Buffalo, free agents will take the money from teams that are willing to spend more like Dallas, Washington, etc. And the Steelers and Colts are proof that you build a winning organization through the draft!

The Steelers have won with Mike Tomlin over Bill Cowher

The Colts are undefeated and I don't see Tony Dungy on the sidelines.

Josh McDaniel has done pretty well in his first season with Denver.

And whoever heard of Sean Payton before he coached the Saints.

I could list numerous other "fresh" coaches with winning organizations.

Then we can look at how Holmgren couldn't repeat the same success he had with the Rams, or Parcells with the Jets, or even Jimmy Johnson with the Dolphins.

So spare me the theatrics about how a "big name" coach will come into Buffalo and build a winner. You are only as good as the players that are drafted or signed by your front office.

Bills need whole new direction!

BuffaloWhiner — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:25:29 -0000

With Jauron's firing, the Bills also need to find a General Manager who can draft better than what the organization has done for the past decade. To think, since 2000, only two of the Bills first round picks have made the Pro Bowl, and that was Nate Clements and Marshawn Lynch. They have had three offensive coordinator's in three years, which doesn't help contribute to Edwards growth as a Quarterback. They now have not made the playoffs since 1999, the longest period in Bills history. They are near last statistically in offense and defense.

Looking at this year's draft, history will show whether Bills should have drafted Orakpo, Oher, or Cushing instead of Maybin. Based on prior statement, I believe we will see those three in the Pro Bowl.

I also don't understand why Bills have players like Corto, etc., on the team, just so they can play special teams. That is why they lack no depth at key positions like linebacker, etc. If the special teams coach, Bobby April, had a say in roster decisions for special teams, I believe that was a very dumb move on Jauron's behalf.

Lastly, team needs to address offensive tackle and run-stuffing tackle in the offseason, get rid of T.O., and also draft a middle linebacker who can run. I think Poz is better suited for the outside.

A look at the Panthers

BuffaloWhiner — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:07:47 -0000

Since I live in Raleigh and read about the Carolina Panthers on a regular basis, a few thing's that Bills fans should be aware of heading into this weekends game.

(1.) Jake Delhomme is absolutely terrible and their has been a lot of heat on him. He got benched in last weeks game and only though for 77 yards. Steve Smith, who is an excellent receiver, is getting very frustrated by the fact that he doesn't get the ball enough.

(2.) With the problems the Bills have stopping the run, they face a huge challenge trying to stop both DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. Panthers have a pretty stellar offensive line with two great tackles in Pro Bowler Jordan Gross and rising star, Jeff Otah.

(3.) Julius Peppers was off to a slow start, but has 5 sacks in his last 3 games. This does not bode well for Demetrius Bell and I am certain that their will be at least 1-2 illegal procedure penalties against Bell this weekend.

(4.) Panthers acquired Tank Tyler from the Chiefs and have had problems at the DT position, especially since Kris Jenkins went to the Jets.

(5.) John Kasay could be a difference maker, since he still has a strong leg at the age of 42.

** Panthers have won two in a row, but Bills should stack the line and make Delhomme beat him!

*** Peppers will probably wreak havoc against this offensive line.

Meridith and Draft contribute

BuffaloWhiner — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:32:59 -0000

The one take away from this game is that recently signed tackle, Jamon Meredith, actually played pretty well for the most part. I didn't notice him getting any penalties called against him and don't believe he gave up that many sacks. Of course, this line has to play a lot more games together before it can find continuty.

And LB, Chris Draft, had a sack in his first game. Maybe he can show Maybin a few moves.

A few thoughts on this season so far.

BuffaloWhiner — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:02:52 -0000

With the Bills sitting at 1-4, and the season looking awash, I decided to look back at the draft and when they fielded this roster, and have come up with a list of some things that this coaching staff/organization could have don differently.

(1.) With all of the injuries and how the Bills have been snake-bitten, I wonder if they should have kept more linebackers on the original roster, rather than keep 11 defensive backs. But of course, even the secondary has suffered through it's rash of injuries. But with Jon Corto and Ashlee Palmer now starting, obviously the Bills deserve to be second-guessed.

(2.) Why not give the backup, Ryan Fitzapatrick, a chance instead of Edwards. It seems like the offense needs a jolt of caffeine to get going, Edwards has overthrown T.O. several times, and all of his checking down has probably confused our inexperienced offensive line. Especially with 8 illegal procedure penalties against the Browns. The Chiefs started Tyler Thigpen last year and the 49ers have been successfull with Shaun Hill, who filled in for starters.

(3.) Where Bills fans really deceived into thinking this team was that much better than last year with the acqusition of T.O., especially when we had a tougher schedule, had such an inexperienced offensive line, and still had Jauron as coach.

(4.) Aaron Maybin - He would have been a junior at Penn State this year, and still might turn out to be an exceptional talent in the near future. But so far, Orakpo is playing well for the Skins, Brian Cushing leads the Texans in tackles, Mike Oher is grading out as best tackle for the Ravens, and even Everette Brown has his first sack last week for CArolina. Only time will tell if this Bills draft turns out to be a good one. I do like Levitre and Wood, but Maybin has a way to go.

(5.) It seems like since Marshawn Lynch has returned, the offense has been worse. I actually think they should trade Lynch and make Fred Jackson their full-time running back, especially with his off-field problems. They can still draft a rookie running back in the draft next year. Pierre Thomas, Ahmad Bradshaw, are just a few no-name running backs that have evolved into exceptional running backs.

(6.) And yes, it is time to get a good General Manager in her first, rather than a coach. Look at the Steelers and Ravens as prime examples of teams that win because of great drafts. Tomlin has replaced Cowher and the Steelers have not skipped a beat.

(7.) Eleven years now without making the playoffs. The longest in Bills history. Obviously, for a Bills fan it has been a tough and agonizing road to even look like a decent football team. Even with the 7-9 records, the Bills do not have an explosive offense, dominating defense, and most of the highlights have come from our special teams.

Mike Williams starting!

BuffaloWhiner — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 13:11:59 -0000

I just read that Mike Williams, one of our more popular draft choices over the years, known more for his eating prowess than blocking ability, started this past week at Guard for the Redskins. In April, he reported to camp at 420 lbs., must have been watching Mike Golic do the Nutri-Sweet diet, and suddenly is down to 338lbs.

Not sure how he graded out, but rumor has it that their were about 15 hot dogs missing from one vendors cart!