Saratoga Slim
10-20-2006, 09:35 AM
It's way overly simplistic to pin the blame squarely on coaching for the Bills' current record, as several posters here are quite voraciously trying to do.
Even if i agreed that the coaching has been terrible thus far (which I don't), it's still only a small part of why we have a losing record. Notably, we a) have a "retread" offensive line that is not giving JP much in the way of protection and does nothing for Willis in short-yardage or red-zone situations, b) are relying on as many as 4 rookies at a time on defense, c) are implementing a defensive scheme that both takes a while to learn and which may not yet quite fit our existing personnel, and d) have a quarterback who may be improving but does not yet exactly instill fear in the hearts of defensive coordinators.
These are all pretty major issues. Look at it this way, we've been in a position to win in 5 of the 6 games we've played this year. That and some signs of progress are all that most of us were realistically hoping to see this season. Take a step back, and it's plausible to say that the coaching staff has actually done a pretty decent job thus far with what it has to work with.
In short, we've got some talent, and are not a terrible team. But some of the talent may very well be on the coaching staff. It's the absence of experience and infamiliarity with the system that's keeping the guys on the field from winning those close games. Once the players on the field catch up with the game plans, we should see marked improvement. If we don't, that's when we can start pointing fingers at the coaches.
Even if i agreed that the coaching has been terrible thus far (which I don't), it's still only a small part of why we have a losing record. Notably, we a) have a "retread" offensive line that is not giving JP much in the way of protection and does nothing for Willis in short-yardage or red-zone situations, b) are relying on as many as 4 rookies at a time on defense, c) are implementing a defensive scheme that both takes a while to learn and which may not yet quite fit our existing personnel, and d) have a quarterback who may be improving but does not yet exactly instill fear in the hearts of defensive coordinators.
These are all pretty major issues. Look at it this way, we've been in a position to win in 5 of the 6 games we've played this year. That and some signs of progress are all that most of us were realistically hoping to see this season. Take a step back, and it's plausible to say that the coaching staff has actually done a pretty decent job thus far with what it has to work with.
In short, we've got some talent, and are not a terrible team. But some of the talent may very well be on the coaching staff. It's the absence of experience and infamiliarity with the system that's keeping the guys on the field from winning those close games. Once the players on the field catch up with the game plans, we should see marked improvement. If we don't, that's when we can start pointing fingers at the coaches.