SB Nation User Blog: MARVelous

Steelers Practice OUTDOORS! HELLO!

MARVelous — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 22:31:23 -0000

From the latest blurb on pft.com

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Roethlisberger left practice after heslipped and tweaked his right knee while throwing a pass. Backup Byron Leftwich took the reins of the offense for the last 20 minutes of practice.

The Steelers have an indoor practice facility that they can use when the weather is bad, but Steelers coach Mike Tomlin prefers to practice outside when the Steelers are getting ready for an outdooor game, as they are this week. The Steelers host the Cowboys on Sunday.

Why we don't model our franchise after them is ludicrous. Let's be smash mouth, great defense, tough guy team to mimic the blue-collar work ethic of all Buffalonians and Bills fans. Trent will have to learn to play in the cold and WIN in the cold in the years to come, and the more this franchise starts mimic'n the Steelers the better off we would be.

Why Jauron and the Bills don't practice outside more is beyond me. Especially to prepare for an outdoor game. They better the last 3 weeks of the season if they have any prayer of running the table after we squish the fish on SUNDAY! Man, that's my favorite saying!

Great Article on Future of Bills Affected by Obama's Tax Plan

MARVelous — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 19:05:11 -0000

Great Article on Future of Bills Affected by Obama's Tax Plan

This is interesting, very intriguing

A possibility of 13 coaching changes?

MARVelous — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 00:07:23 -0000

Per Peter King in his MMQB column in things he thinks he thinks or whatev:

9. I think as many as 13 coaches may change in January.

So who do you think those 13 coaches COULD be? Here is my list

1. Dick Jauron - like we discussed today, IF they finish the season 1-9 he almost has to be gone and they way we are playing who here thinks they win another game?

2. Marvin Lewis - Cinci

3. Rod Marinelli - Detroit

4. Mike Holmgren - Seattle, Retiring

5. Mike Singeltary - Up in the air if they'll lift the interim title

6. Tom Cable - Oakland - Al Davis & Ralph Wilson should go in peace

7. Gary Kubiak - Houston - similar deal as our Jauron

8. Romeo Crennel - Cleveland - pretty much for sure gone

9. Brad Childress - Minnesota - if they collapse and don't win the division I can attest he will be gone

10. Norv Turner - San Diego? - I think the owner said he was coming back but how can he?

11. Herm Edwards - Kansas City - is he their guy to rebuild with?

12. Jack Del Rio - Jacksonville - Has he lost control?

13. Jim Haslett - St Louis - Is he their guy?

Out of all of these I think the BILLS MIGHT, be interested in just as a candidate, strictly from the way Ralph works:

Jim Haslett - played LB for the Bills in the 80's

I would also think Jack Del Rio, Norv Turner, Herm Edwards would all be interesting candidates, noe of which I really like.

This got me to thinking today however. Kevin Gilbride under Coughlin is doing wonders with the Giants, Greg Williams under Gibbs/Zorn has been a stud with the Redskins, Mike Mularkey under Mike Smith is now doing wonders with rookie QB Matt Ryan in Atlanta, Wade Phillips is running a successful show in Dallas with a stud OC in Jason Garret.

My point is this: Successful coaching staffs have experienced, smart, veteran coaches that come from winning traditions on all 3 sides of the ball. They preach fundamentals, hammer on discipline, let the players know its TEAM before I,let their coordinators run their own units, and more or less just MANAGE the team on gamedays. But they also have to have talent on the field, and it seems some people on this site want to have it both ways. They say "we have screwed up drafts n FA, have a lack of talent on this roster and Dick Jauron is also a terrible coach." So which is it? Both???? Are we THAT BAD? I don't see that. I think the drafting and FA of the last 3 years has been very good and this team that has been built is young, talented, and most of all YOUNG. We have Dick Jauron who has been a head coach for 129 NFL regular season games, coached under Tom Coughlin in Jacksonville, coached under Mike Holmgren in Green Bay. We have Fewell as DC, who if I'm correct came from Tampa Bay, and Schonert who has held nothing more than a QB coach role for various NFL teams. And the one and only Bobby April who is money coaching ST's. I think Jauron has what it takes to be a successful HC in this league. BUT HE NEEDS HELP! As you'll see above, coaches who failed in Buffalo have succeeded at other stops due to the talent around them and the great coaches that they have surrounded themselves with. Dick needs help. He needs an OC that really knows his stuff. He needs someone he trusts. Who that guy is I don't know, but before we say "it's all coaching" look at the past and that will help us be reasonable and predict the future.

I hope that this off-season Turk and maybe even Fewell find new jobs or are shown the door. If Dick can bring in talent around him then Ralph should let him. If not, I do believe hiring a coach that could bring in the best coaching staff should be hired. Which would mean Ralph would have to spend money on COACHES. Something he won't do. So, if that's the case...go get an OC and give Dick some help. This is the NFL...it's a damn competitive business. Turk has looked like an idiot with some predictable play calling for that 4 game stretch, ineptitude at understanding to call run plays, and his lack of experience as a OC. Don't let him kill a potential franchise QB in Trent Edwards.

Sound off Bills fans, for it's time to look ahead as this season is all but over for all intensive purposes. Is it talent? Is it Jauron? Is it Both? If Jauron brought in an offensive specialist as OC would that suffice?

A Look at the Past and WHAT I'M THANKFUL FOR

MARVelous — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 16:37:04 -0000

With a slow day at work, I have decided to get off my chest some of my chief concerns, as well as in the Holiday Spirit, to list what I'm thankful for when it comes to all things Buffalo Bills.....

In Dick Jauron's tenure in 2006-2007, the club finished each year 7-9. In both the 2006 & 2007 season's entering their week 13 game, the Bills were 5-6. In 2006, Buffalo started 2-5, got to 5-6, lost their week 13 matchup with SD by 3 pts to go to 5-7, then beat the jets & phins to get to 7-7, only to drop their final two to TEN and @ BAL. In 2007, Buffalo started 1-4, got to 5-6, then won their week 13 matchup vs WAS to get to 6-6, then beat MIA to get to 7-6, only to drop their final 3 @ CLE, vs NYG, and @ PHI.

The 2008 Bills started 4-0, got to 5-1, then to 6-5 with their victory over KC last week. This is the best shape they have been in entering week 13 in the Jauron regime. The schedule for their final 5 games is doable, but undoubtedly challenging. However, I would like to see a Bills team under Jauron finish with some "kick" for once in his 3 year tenure. A few concerns I have about their lack of being able to finish

1) Everyone says how great a motivator Jauron is and how his teams continue to play hard mostly cuz of last season's 17 IR list. But, why then has no Jauron team finished their last 5 game stretch better than 2-5? Just good opponenets?

2) Conditioning, preventive injuries. This does concern me somewhat cuz it seems our team wears down, and can't FINISH. I know the company line is every team has to deal with injuries, but our players need to be able to perform in weeks 13-17, not just the first 12.

With 5 games left, the schedule poses 4 teams with winning records (MIA, NYJ, DEN, NE), 2 away games (@ NYJ, @ DEN), 1 kind of away game (TORONTO), and 2 home games (SF, NE). I think it is crucial for Jauron to keep this team playing hard, and in the hunt up until week 17. I think no matter what, it is critical fort this team to have MEANINFUL GAMES throughout to week 17. Even if in week 17 they are 9-6 and have a remote shot at the playoffs, this team needs to understand and learn how DECEMBER football is different. With Edwards, Lynch two California kids, they need to learn how to win games in cold weather.

If Jauron finishes 2-3 again, to leave us 8-8, there will be a lot of bickering for Jauron to lose his job. I for one, have already decided a change in organizational direction is not acceptable at this point. And that brings me to what I am thankful for this Thanksgiving season:

1) Trent Edwards - regardless of your feelings, you have to admit this kid looks like the future. He works hard, has shown flashes, and clearly seems to be a leader

2) Lee Evans locked up. Trent's #1 weapon is locked up for 4 years. The best teams in the league have tenured QB-WR relationships and we have ours locked up

3) Our 2006-2008 drafts. A lot has to yet to come to fruition yet with our 2008 class especially, but we have drafted SOOO MUCH better in the last 3 years and I have always said the way you build a team is by STACKING good classes on top of each other and not wasting picks on dumb trades and wasting MONEY in FA. Clearly there are blunders, but let's take a look at the positives:

2006 - Whitner, Youboty, Ko Simpson, Kyle Williams, Brad Butler, Ellison

2007 - Lynch, Poz, Edwards, Wendeling, Schouman

2008 - McKelvn, Hardy, Chris Ellis, Reggie Corner, Derek Fine, Alvin Bowen (?), Xavier Omon, Demetrius Bell, Steve Johnson - all need more time to discern much from ths class yet but McKelvin clearly seems like we hit gold, Ellis, Johnson, Corner, Fine are all developing on the field with playing time and seem to be solid contributors

4) Is Bills Fans.....this forum along with the hundreds of thousands, thousands, a hundred, 50, (insert rim shot here) that make up Bills Nation make being a Bills fan all worth while. While the team may struggle, losses pile up, and we consistently pick in the top 13 of the draft, the passion we all share to see our team make it over the top is a bond that will always endure. I hope for my sake as well as all of yours that this current organizational structure gets us over the top. I think the talent pool is in place, it is just simply about letting this thing play out. I plead with you to give Jauron at least thru year 4. Let these pieces come together. WE ARE ON THE RIGHT TRACK. I truly believe that.

And let's hope these last 5 games are unlike 2006 & 2007 and this team can get hot. Cuz it would be a fun ride, to have week 17 with the Pats come down to an AFC Playoff berth for our 2008 Buffalo Bills.

Add any comments on your thoughts for why we finish so poorly, what you expect in 2008 for the final 5, as well as what you are thankful for this thanksgiving. And to all fellow Rumblers, HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Disgusted in Execution

MARVelous — Tue, 04 Nov 2008 14:07:35 -0000

After looking forward for several months to my annual trip to Buffalo, I come back to work and reality in quite a somber mood. That's what the Bills performance on Sunday can do to a guy. I was at the game, eager to see them rebound from last week's mistakes and thought for sure a Dick Jauron team would not consistently lose games by beating themselves and not even giving themselves a chance. The formula Jauron and staff has set forth, is a defense that is sound, doesn't give up the big play, and hopefully makes some big plays when the offense screws up. I've learned to be ok with that.

But offensively, this offene I believe is losing because of the players performance. There was no rythym coming out of the huddle offensively. For every 1 good play on Sunday, there were 3 bad plays. Penalties, poor route running, ineffective blocking in the run & pass game, Trent not finding lanes to throw the ball, and most importantly the pathetic attemps to run the football. I know we can all blame play calling....but guys there is NO EXECUTION whatsoever. This offense is stagnant. Lee was doubled all day long. I mean all day. I watched him extensively in that game and Rhodes was over the top all day. If that is the case, the other guys have to have their number called and the Bills have to execute. I thought it was poor in that regard that Turk couldn't dial up more outside screens, draws and runs to combat the over the top on Evans all day.

I could go on and on about the lack of execution offensively but it makes me disgusted to continue. Trent needs to get better, the OL needs to get their heads out of their $100 million dollar arses, and Parrish/Hardy/Fine/Royal/Jackson/Lynch have to make big plays out of the short passing game or this offense will continue to mimic 2007 as it has the last 2 weeks. The only bright spot, is I think Fine is athletic enough to make plays Schouman/Royal could only dream of.

My consolation prize after sitting through a boring, penalty-driven contest was to meet the one and only Jim Kelly after the game as he was tailgatn by his Winnebego. My group of 3 buddies and I got a priceless picture of the Hall of Famer. But if the Bills continue to play like this offensively, we can kiss any dream of an AFC East title out the window. I said going into the season it is all about the offense. Sure the defense lacks a lot of things, but in JAURON's game plan, if the offense doesn't turn it over, scores 20 or more points, we should win 90% of the time. That isn't happening, and I blame these last 2 losses solely on the offense.

Do you guys see the same lack of execution, discipline and understanding of their individual jobs as I do?

Calling all Buffalonians for Bar Advice

MARVelous — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 21:02:39 -0000

Buffalonian Rumblers,

I am making my 3rd trip in 5 years for a Bills game. It has been a treat every time I have been out there taking in new niches of the city. I've done all the touristy things like anchor bar, new era, niagra falls. This year I really have no time but for hitting the bars and going to the game on Sunday and tailgating. I'm staying in Amherst but want to really hit up the best spots on Saturday night and then Sunday before, after the game and looking for a good place to watch the Colts v. Pats game on Sunday night.

I have yet to spend time much in the Chippewa St. area where I believe Marshawn hit & run that lady? So can you guys tell me what area or bars you would recommend hitting up? Looking for sports bars and then bars with lots of entertainment aka "ladies." Being my knowledge is somewhat limited this would be appreciated. I hit up Pearl Street Brewing Co. last year and that was a good time.

I know this site is not meant for these purposes, so Brian this is a one time deal but I just wanted to get some local knowledge. Also, if anyone wants to meet up before the game on Sunday let me know as I will be tailgating starting at 9:00am. 4 of us Minnesotans will be making the trek eastward and I have been looking forward to this game ever since I left the Ralph last year when the Cowboys beat the Bills in "Bills" fashion on MNF. I have yet to see a Bills win in my 2 trips so I hope this year is different.

Spread the knowledge fellas. Thanks! & Go Bills!

Defensive Scheme?

MARVelous — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 15:09:42 -0000

I wish I could understand why against accurate, efficient, short passing teams: i.e. Pennington, Warner, Brady we believe in the game plan: Stop the run, play off the WR's, pay deep Cover 2,3 coverage and do not give up the big play? I mean that seems to be the overall philosophy of this scheme. I don't know if that plays to our strengths? I mean, against QB's that are not that accurate or capable, we seem to have greater success.

Let's look at the numbers this year as the additions of Stroud, Poz and Mitchell have greatly improved our run Defense and focus on the pass efficiency of each of the 7 QB's we have faced.

Game 1 Hasselback: 17-41 41% Bills Win 34-10

Game 2: Garrard: 17-28 61% Bills Win 20-16

Game 3: Russel: 9-19 47% Bills Win 24-23

Game 4: Green: 17-32 52%Bills win 31-14

Game 5: Warner: 33-42 79% 250 yds Bills LOSE 41-17

Game 6: Rivers: 22-29 76% Bills Win 23-14

Game 7: Pennington 22-30 73% 314 yds BILLS LOSE 25-16

Now granted, a lot of different things changed the outcome of these games: TO's, run efficiency, penalties, etc. But my point is, it seems against competent QB's, our lack of pressure AND bump & run coverage put the Bills defense in a shell where they simply are afraid to give up the big play. In order to decrease passing efficiency, it requires a tough, PHYSICAL defense that will bump WR's off their routes, and tackle extremely well if they do catch it. I.E. Tennessee last night held Manning to 26-41.

I firmly believe that against accurate QB's, that use the short, west-coast passing game, we have to change our defensive style. This week Favre is prone to TO's so I believe our shell defense is the way to go with timely blitzes. But if he gets in a rythym, press-coverage combined with blitzing Mitchell/Poz up the middle and Whitner, our the ways to disrupt timing and are an absolute must.

Anyone else agree with my line of thinking? How many times have we seen accurate QB's eat our defense alive and we hope THEY make a mistake? Any thoughts to our scheme? Do we not have the personnel? Do we wish we had Nate Clements still to provide the shut-down CB position?

A Slice of Humble Pie

MARVelous — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 15:55:24 -0000

I clearly see two sides of the aisle when it comes to the community after yesterday's frustrating 25-16 loss to the Dolphins. On one side of the aisle, there are a lot of people out there highly critical of the coaching (Fewell & Schonert's play calling/schemes mostly) as well as highlighting the lack of talent at positions like DE, WR #2, and TE. Then on the other side of the aisle you have the people preaching that we are 5-2, Miami is a good team, things are not that bad. So where is the line in the sand?

Let me say this. The NFL season is unlike any other in sport. It is only 16 games, that covers 17 weeks. Unlike any other sport, you only have 16 chances instead of 82 or 162 in other professional sports to compete. Injuries, home crowds, momentum, strength of schedule, when you play your opponent, and coaching are the key influences on how a season goes. I am not a Bills apologist. I try to be as objective as I can, and have numerously repeated how I thought TE was #1 priority last off-season and it got dismissed. However, I am not here to toot my own horn. I just want to give perspective to all of you.

This team has many weaknesses. The defense is not an aggressive, smack you in the mouth defense like Baltimore, Tennessee or the Giants for that matter. The offense is not a high flying, offensive machine. We know what we are. Sound defense, gap control, tackle well, fundamentally sound. Offensively we are balanced, try to make a few key plays and score 20 pts a game. So let's not pretend we are something we are not.

That said, this is a good football team. Yesterday was a perfect example, IMO, of a team reading too many of its press clippings. At 5-1, rolling off of a Chargers game that they clearly pin-pointed as a "statement game," the team came out and played uncharacteristic Dick Jauron football. It was the cliche, "let-down game" after a big win over the Chargers. Clearly that is not an excuse, but seeing penalties, drop passes, turnovers, and poor execution alerts me that the team was not focused and did not have a good week of practice probably still basking in their Chargers victory. Losing yesterday albeit not fun to watch, I believe is exactly what the Dr. ordered for this team. It forces everyone to come together and realized that they have to focus more, take things more seriously, and it forces the coaching staff to re-evaluate how they are doing things and hopefully they decide to be tougher in practice on all players to demand perfection in execution. This will lead to this team overcoming some adversity, working as a unit, and build better team chemistry and confidence. I have stated many times how I do not apologize for the schedule we have played. 5-2 is 5-2. The Chargers will say they are a few plays and bad calls away from being 5-2 instead of 3-5, but you are what you thought you were as Denny Green would say and we are 5-2. Down the road we could be better or worse but only time will tell.

I ask those of you that are highly critical of the loss yesterday to think maybe the Bills just got big heads after the Chargers victory? Clearly the issues many of you and I pointed out like poor play calling, why play McGee instead of a healthy McKelvin, not pressing up on coverage, not adjusting to the 3 man rush of Miami on passing downs, etc are all issues that we need to talk about. But, like Washington did earlier this season vs St. Louis when people were annointing them Super Bowl contenders, and like Denver did earlier to KC, like SD did to Miami, and etc. These losses happen on the road in the NFL. If they bounce back this Sunday and defend their home turf in a critical AFC East divisonal game, then we can take this Miami game as an aberration, a mirage and not a trend. How we respond to this loss will define this team, this season, and if this playoff drought will end. It is time for this team to show us their resolve, their perseverance, and their heart. It is time for this coaching staff to keep this team on line, on focus, and get them better for the next 9 games. It is time for everyone in the Bills organization to man up and take responsibility and do their job. The stage is set, the experience is there, it is time to show us why this 2008 version is different than all of the rest.

JAURON SIGNS 3 YEAR DEAL

MARVelous — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:59:16 -0000

This according to espn.com.

This is awesome news.

Even more reason to bet on the Bills to take care of business today:

The Buffalo Bills' fast start reportedly has earned coach Dick Jauron a three-year contract extension.

The NFL Network reported Sunday that Jauron and the Bills have agreed to a three-year extension that will keep the coach in Buffalo through the 2011 season.

Jauron, who entered this season in the final year of his initial contract with the team, has the Bills atop the AFC East standings with a 5-1 record.

All this negativity in this town sucks

MARVelous — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 20:04:34 -0000

In the words of the great Rick Pitino when he was coaching in Boston, "All this negativity in this town sucks!" After endless FA, draft, training camp, pre-season and 5 weeks of regular season and subsequently 4 wins and 1 loss, I need a bye week as well. I don't know if we should be jumping for joy, or death and despair after the Arizona loss. But I'm not someone to sit here and try to qualify four wins or demean them. I'm not going to put too much stock into one drumming or 3 comeback victories. From playing 4 years of D-II college basketball I know that all that matters is Wins and Losses. You can't penalize them for their schedule. You can speculate that maybe they aren't that good. But we won't know that until they play the rest of their games. It happens every year. Teams start hot and finish 8-8. Teams start 2-4 and finish 10-6. I know we are scared that they will fall off the map, but if that happens that's because they just aren't that good.

All I say is whether you are 0-5, 5-0, or 4-1 or anywhere in between all you can do is play your schedule. You people need to stop trying to judge this team right now when we are only 5/16th of the way through the season. Sure, maybe they will finish 7-9, or maybe 11-5, but either way we don't know until we just let it play out. We know what we have, a hard working, well-coached and disciplined football team, with a above-average ST's, solid defense, and a QB who is trying to find his identity. THAT IS WHAT IT IS. Let's not try to read more into it than what is out there.

For my personal sanity I will this Sunday just watch my fantasy team and feel relieved I don't have to put myself through a Bills game in which I live and die with every play. I love this team, I love Buffalo, I love this site, but let's be realists and realize all this speculation after one loss is hearsay. So THEY AREN"T 5-0! So what? They have exceeded expectations already. Now it is time to see how the next 11 go. As Dick Jauron says, things play out the way they are supposed to, and that is what will happen with this team. We all are desperately awaiting a playoff game, and I hope to God this is the year. But in the NFL, anything can happen. So I urge you to take a step back, get away from it all, and come back next week ready to cheer, and watch this team for 11 more entertaining regular season games. (Of course still frequent this site everyday:)