59 replies to this topic

[Rubes]

Bills are now 21st overall in defense (total yards), which actually ranks better than Baltimore, the NY Giants, and the Patriots*, and just a hair behind Atlanta.

That includes 14th against the pass, 28th against the run, and now 12th in sacks.

Yes, we've been playing crappier teams lately, but that's how it works: over the course of a season, you play some good teams, some bad teams. Perhaps the other teams just played the crappier teams earlier in the season than we did.

Yes, the defense still gives up the big drive and TD when it matters most at the end of games, but the defense played extremely well all game and should not have been put in that position (CHAN) so late in the game. Yes, it would be great if they could have made one play to seal the win (I'm looking at you, George), but it doesn't eliminate the improvement we've seen in the defense. It's not a championship defense by any stretch, but it's becoming the kind of defense that, with some real LBs and continued improvement, could certainly carry us to the playoffs next year.

So does Wanny deserve another shot next year?

If Chan goes, Wanny likely goes with him. Is that enough to argue to keep Chan around for one more year?

[TheMadCap]

Chan and Wanny will both be here next year...

[auburnbillsbacker]

I'm starting to think that coaching has never been the problem with the bills.  Everyone hated Wade, but he had a talented roster and led the bills to the playoffs twice.  Since Wade every single coaching staff has failed to lead the bills to the playoffs.  I think QB and at times General Manager have been the real problems.  The only way to win without a good QB is to build a really strong roster.   Buddy has improved the talent level each year he has been on the job, but not enough to overcome mediocrity at QB.  Now don't get me wrong, I love Fitz.  He is my favorite player, but he is not elite.  To answer the question of the thread, if Chan comes back I would not mind the rest of the staff coming back with him.

[Mr. WEO]

Doubt most would agree that the Bills D is better than the pats or NYG.  

That said, Wanny and Chan will be back.

[San Jose Bills Fan]

In New England's last six games, only the Bills and Dolphins (who have an excellent defense) have held the Cheatriots*** to fewer than 37 points.

And the officials gave New England first and goal to go from the one yard line three times against the Bills.

In truth the Bills D played pretty well in the second New England game, certainly WAY BETTER than Houston's much-balleyhooed defense.

The Bills only allowed 347 yards to New England.

The last bad game the Bills D played was in week 7 against Tennessee.

It's too bad that George Wilson has dropped two game ending (winning) interceptions or the Bills defense would look a lot better.

I hope he's apologized to the team for costing them two games this season.

[Mark Vader]

Mr. WEO, on 11 December 2012 - 09:36 PM, said:

Doubt most would agree that the Bills D is better than the pats or NYG.  

That said, Wanny and Chan will be back.

Better than the Giants? No.

Better than the Patriots? I'd say they are on par with them.

[JuanGuzman]

I'd be willing to give Wanny another shot... not really basing this off of anything other than a gut feel. I think the defense has gotten it's act together and if they continue to play well over the last 3 games I'd be fine with giving him another shot.

[NoSaint]

The key word is trajectory. It's headed a great direction currently. New scheme, new players, and, yes, an injured cornerstone type player.

It takes time. The players are starting to "fit it up." They are like one play a week away from being a noteworthy group. Keep Byrd, add a vet LB in FA (Daryl smith!) and truly I think replacing Wilson at safety helps clean up the LB play. It's not far off, don't blow it up.

[Mr. WEO]

San Jose Bills Fan, on 11 December 2012 - 09:57 PM, said:

In New England's last six games, only the Bills and Dolphins (who have an excellent defense) have held the Cheatriots*** to fewer than 37 points.

And the officials gave New England first and goal to go from the one yard line three times against the Bills.

In truth the Bills D played pretty well in the second New England game, certainly WAY BETTER than Houston's much-balleyhooed defense.

The Bills only allowed 347 yards to New England.

The last bad game the Bills D played was in week 7 against Tennessee.

It's too bad that George Wilson has dropped two game ending (winning) interceptions or the Bills defense would look a lot better.

I hope he's apologized to the team for costing them two games this season.

Mark Vader, on 11 December 2012 - 10:21 PM, said:

Better than the Giants? No.

Better than the Patriots? I'd say they are on par with them.

Wilson doesn't need to apologize to anyone.

The pats D destroyed the Texans on MNF.  The Bills D couldn't keep a lead with 2 minutes left against the Rams.  That's not "on par".

[JohnC]

NoSaint, on 11 December 2012 - 10:30 PM, said:

The key word is trajectory. It's headed a great direction currently. New scheme, new players, and, yes, an injured cornerstone type player.

It takes time. The players are starting to "fit it up." They are like one play a week away from being a noteworthy group. Keep Byrd, add a vet LB in FA (Daryl smith!) and truly I think replacing Wilson at safety helps clean up the LB play. It's not far off, don't blow it up.

Since you are in the bayou area you should be familiar with LSU players. What is your take on Sheppard? I thought he was going to be a very solid player. So far he seems to be invisible or low impact in many games. At this point I'm disappointed in him.

I understand that a lot of people are jumping to a premature judgment on Brooks, the CB from LSU. Going against the grain I though he was the best value pick in last year's draft. I still believe that he can be a contributor for us.

Edited by JohnC, 11 December 2012 - 10:47 PM.

[San Jose Bills Fan]

Mr. WEO, on 11 December 2012 - 10:39 PM, said:

Wilson doesn't need to apologize to anyone.

The pats D destroyed the Texans on MNF.  The Bills D couldn't keep a lead with 2 minutes left against the Rams.  That's not "on par".

Let me put it this way: If I had dropped two EASY interceptions which would have preserved victory in two separate games, I would have apologized profusely to the team. Twice.

I think most accountable people would. I don't know why you would say "Wilson doesn't need to apologize to anyone."

Would you apologize if you let victory slip through your fingers? Apparently not.

As for as your second point, What does the Bills game against the Rams have to do with my point about the Bills defense outperforming Houston's in their respective games against New England?

I'm not understanding your point.

[Captain Hindsight]

Well the only people that were gonna fire him was this board so yes he will get another shot

[Meathead]

the defense has definitely turned the corner so im fine with pornstachio staying. considering no name coach is ever coming here until theres new ownership im also fine with chan at least another season. no sense starting over when the next coach would be just as big a risk as letting chan stay and see if he can keep it moving forward

[marauderswr80]

After the past few weeks id say yes....

Its clear that when our DL goes so does everyone else!

Its a thin line for wanny...he gets another year with a leash around his neck!

[UConn James]

The NFL isn't really about defense anymore.

[Buffalo Barbarian]

Rubes, on 11 December 2012 - 08:58 PM, said:

Bills are now 21st overall in defense (total yards), which actually ranks better than Baltimore, the NY Giants, and the Patriots*, and just a hair behind Atlanta.

That includes 14th against the pass, 28th against the run, and now 12th in sacks.

Yes, we've been playing crappier teams lately, but that's how it works: over the course of a season, you play some good teams, some bad teams. Perhaps the other teams just played the crappier teams earlier in the season than we did.

Yes, the defense still gives up the big drive and TD when it matters most at the end of games, but the defense played extremely well all game and should not have been put in that position (CHAN) so late in the game. Yes, it would be great if they could have made one play to seal the win (I'm looking at you, George), but it doesn't eliminate the improvement we've seen in the defense. It's not a championship defense by any stretch, but it's becoming the kind of defense that, with some real LBs and continued improvement, could certainly carry us to the playoffs next year.

So does Wanny deserve another shot next year?

If Chan goes, Wanny likely goes with him. Is that enough to argue to keep Chan around for one more year?

Keep chan for another year No, but maybe the new HC keeps him as this is his first year as DC here and the D has totally turned itself around, although allowing the game winning drive is still a bit worrisome.

[vincec]

Meathead, on 11 December 2012 - 11:43 PM, said:

the defense has definitely turned the corner so im fine with pornstachio staying. considering no name coach is ever coming here until theres new ownership im also fine with chan at least another season. no sense starting over when the next coach would be just as big a risk as letting chan stay and see if he can keep start it moving forward

UConn James, on 12 December 2012 - 04:12 AM, said:

The NFL isn't really about defense anymore.

I agree.  The unbalanced rule changes in favor of the offense have reduced the quality of play, IMO.

[BLEDSOE1QB]

God I hope not. Would love to see the whole bunch sent out of town. I have a bad feeling next year will be much of the same.

[Mr. WEO]

San Jose Bills Fan, on 11 December 2012 - 11:02 PM, said:

Let me put it this way: If I had dropped two EASY interceptions which would have preserved victory in two separate games, I would have apologized profusely to the team. Twice.

I think most accountable people would. I don't know why you would say "Wilson doesn't need to apologize to anyone."

Would you apologize if you let victory slip through your fingers? Apparently not.

As for as your second point, What does the Bills game against the Rams have to do with my point about the Bills defense outperforming Houston's in their respective games against New England?

I'm not understanding your point.

On the first point,  while it would have been great if he had also intercepted those passes, as others have pointed out, Wilson prevented a completion by the WR, which he is supposed to do.    Contrast this to Rogers and McK (who got totally smoked at the line), who gave up a 4th and 1  9 yards pass with under 2 minutes to go.  Or Brooks, who got burned on the TD that lost us the game--and McK (again) who didn't bother to cover on the 2 point conversion?   Why wouldn't you demand apologies from these guys--who's poor play actually lost the game for us?

As for the second point, as you can see, I was responding to Mark Vader, not you.  He was claiming that the Bills and pats D's are currently "on par" with eachother.  I assumed anyone who saw the last performance of each D would never make that claim.

[BuffaloWings]

I think this is all a moot question...it all depends on whether or not Gailey gets another year. If he's gone, the new HC may or may not replace him with his own guy.

We can argue that the D has gotten better or whether or not they're better than the Giants or Patriots, but it won't matter if Gailey is let go. All bets are off if he's fired.