Haven’t ranted in a bit. Have been of the opinion the Bills would eventually get it together and show us everything that we thought we’d see after last years coming out party. Now, 12 games into the season it seems as if we were fooled into believing that this is a Super Bowl team. Let’s count the reasons:
Coaching: For whatever reason this coaching staff has come to the conclusion that in order to win they have to be able to run the ball between the tackles (I say between the tackles because the instances of them trying to run outside the tackles are rare). Time and time again on first down we run Singletary or Moss straight ahead into the line where they are lucky to get 2-3 yards setting up a second and long situation. I know all about the idea of running to set up the pass. the problem with that is that it doesn’t work with a team that gets no push from it’s O-Line. The other teams don’t worry about the Bills running. They line up in a two deep zone and dare the Bills to run. The Bills continuously take that dare and get stuffed.
A. Think about Monday Night’s debacle on offense. Twice in the fourth quarter, against a ferocious wind and excellent defense, the Bills moved the ball down the field via short passes. What happened then when they got into the Red-Zone? They RAN THE FREAKING BALL. Ist and goal at the seven: Moss off tackle. If he pops the run outside he walks in untouched. Instead, with no vision that I have been able to see from him, he cuts back into the waiting arms of a Pat’s defender for no gain. Everyone knew the Bills would run there. Which takes us to the issue of running backs. Singletary, Moss and Breeda are marginal, at best, running backs. Two lack outside speed and one can’t run between the tackles. You need someone who can do both. In addition, all three have had problems holding onto the ball. Singletary has five fumbles and the other have two apiece. That’s nine times our running backs have put the ball on the ground this year. Breeda’s fumble Monday night when the Bills were deep in Pats territory may have cost them the game. None of them are dynamic enough to say “good with the bad”. There is rarely any good. in spite of this, the Bills continue to try to run the ball.
B. Again on Monday night the Bills failed to use their best runner-Josh Allen. Two designed runs the whole game. Where was the ingenuity the we’ve come to expect from Dabol/McDermott? Where was the game plan to get him (or anyone else for that matter) outside? We have a weapon that for whatever reason we seem to be scared of using. Spare me the hyperbole that we were concerned about getting him hurt as McDermott insinuated in the post game news conference. This is the same coach who decided to run Allen off tackle on a two point conversion attempt while up 15 points with a minute left in the game earlier this year v Miami. How hypocritical can you get? If this team wants to win. Josh had 8 rushing TDs last year compared to three this year so far. Last year he averaged 4.1 years per rush while this year he’s averaging 5.6 yards per carry. He’s a huge weapon that we have to use in order to win. The same hypocrisy arises with McKenzie/Stephenson’s benchings because they fumbled. McKenzie has ONE FUMBLE ALL YEAR in spite of being the primary kick and punt returner along with a smaller role as WR and runner. He fumbles ONCE two weeks ago and is a healthy scratch since then. His speed surely could have been used against the Pats''.
COVID attitudes: It boggles my mind how athletes are willing to take dangerous addicting pain medications, risk long term heath problems from CTE, take steroids, and otherwise abuse their bodies yet refuse to be vaccinated for COVID. Thing about Star Lotulelei. Here is a guy who sat out last year’s season due to fears of COVID. Basically he gave up $10,000,000.00 last year and sat at home because of this disease. Now, with the virus seemingly being controlled by the various vaccines (those who are vaccinated have much less chance of serious illness or death) he comes back to play this year AND REFUSES TO GET VACCINATED!!! Talk about stupidity. Talk about arrogance. Think about how selfish this act is. Rather than help the team and get vaccinated with what all intelligent science indicates is a safe and effective drug, he’d rather risk getting COVID and cost the team which, by the way, has happened. He missed two weeks and was clearly not ready to play a full game this week due to the after effects of the virus. The fact that he is our best run stuffer combined with the fact that he was unable to play in two games (Colts and Pats) where the Bills got torched by the run may cost the Bills their season. Add to this the fact that our rookie tackle Spenser Brown also missed two games with COVID and what his absence did to the Bills offense (Cody Ford?????) and you should get my point. Football players are the type of athletes that you constantly hear talk about putting the team first, team chemistry, taking one for the team, etc… Instead, you have selfish guys who won’t do that which they brag about and it’s killing this team’s chances.
Run Defense: For all of the money and draft picks we’ve spent on D-Lineman, you’d think that our defense would be better against the run. This team has gotten torched by teams with good running backs. Henry, Taylor, and now Harris have shown that the Bills don’t have the answer. Up to this past week I thought that it was because the Bills were worried about giving up big plays through the passing game. In both the Indy and Tennessee games the opposing team had a competent QB who, when the Bills tried to stack the line of scrimmage, found openings across the middle for big plays and first downs. This past week was different. The Bills KNEW that the Pat’s weren’t going to pass the ball. Everyone in the stands and watching on TV knew the Pats were running the ball every play. In spite of that the Bills gave up 222 yards on the ground including an 8 minute and 34 second drive, against the wind, in the third quarter which resulted in a field goal and, maybe more importantly, deprived the Bills of the opportunity to get the ball back with the wind.
Think about that. You know the team is going to run the ball and you still can’t stop them. What are we to expect in a few weeks from now when we play the same team (in most likely better weather) who allows their QB to throw the ball like he had in previous games. If you can’t stop them when you know they are going to run, how do you plan on stopping them when they may pass the ball?
Wide receivers/coaching: When will the Bills start using Gabriel Davis more? n the past six games Emmanuel Sanders has had more than 50 yards receiving ONCE. In fact in five of the past six games he’s had less than 29 yards receiving. Cole Beasley hasn’t had a game with 50 yards in his last five outings. He’s averaging 8.6 yards per catch (6.4 yards per catch in last 5 games) In spite of this, Davis sits and only comes on as a fourth receiver. He’s big, runs great routes and as he proved last year with 7 TDs and 17.1 yards per catch (18.0 yards per catch this year) he’s great in the red zone and can make plays down the field. He needs to play. He needs to have the ball thrown to him.
Running attack: None
Suffice it to say the Bills have problems right now. IMHO they need to go with their strength: Josh Allen. Let him throw the ball. let him run the ball. He will open up other teams defenses which may allow the running game to improve. In spite of our record we do have a chance. If, however, the team falters then management needs to make some big decisions: get rid of guys that won’t put team first. Get a running back who can run inside and outside. Draft a couple big O-Linemen early to help give Josh time back there as well as to improve running game. Come on guys. Do your jobs.