BillsWin
05-12-2009, 12:35 AM
I want to get people who are on or off the playoff bandwagon to post here, and tell why they think the Bills will make it or won't.
Here are my thoughts, thank OP with supplying me with talking points.
This is a tough schedule. To think we are going to ride our offensive weapons to a playoff birth with these 16 games ahead of us is ignorant. Only those who are too naive and drinking the "T.O koolaid" will think that we don't have an up hill battle. That being said, its not a death sentence, just an obstacle. The Bills blew a golden opportunity last season when they had an easier road. They now have to pull out all the stops. Which may be a reason for a tough approach to the draft and a win-now mentality with the T.O signing. The Bills' front office is against the wall here. No-huddle is another clue that the Bills are about ready to do anything to help out the team as they face their tough schedule. They have depth out the ears in the secondary and at linebacker (assuming we sign Pisa Tino to start), so they should be able to handle some fatigue and injuries on defense. That will allow them to continue to push hard even as the tough season trudges along. And believe me, this may trudge slowly. It is that bad of a season. On offense, the Bills have the tools as we discuss here on a minute-by-minute basis, but I am worried about that o-line. I'll get to that in a minute.
We have probably the most questions in the AFC East. Will our offense click? Is the no-huddle going to work? Who is Trent Edwards; franchise player or mistake? How are the rookies going to fare; we are starting at least 2, maybe 4? Who is going to start at OLB? Is our pass rush improved? Can we rely on Jackson while Lynch is out? Is T.O going to produce or just hurt the team? Where in the world is Donte Whitner? What are we going to do about Dick and his waste of timeouts and challenge flags? Is Turk a pro- signal caller? Will the o-line gell in time? blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.......... So how the hell are we going to fix these before the season? I hate to break it to everyone, but we are not as of yet a playoff team (please continue reading, you'll like what I have to say towards the end.)
However, it is in my opinion that the rookies we drafted to make an immediate impact will do so. Eric Wood is an extremely intelligent individual. More than that he is a vicious football player. He has more than enough strength, attitude and athletism to come in from day one and anchor the right guard spot. Hangnarter is a question mark, but I think I am liking him more and more each and every day. The guy is a wonderlic test genious. The main thing a no-huddle center needs is smarts. They have to call schemes and notice blitzes and blocking assignments on the fly. They run the line. Hangnarter can do that. Levitre was the best pure guard in this year's draft. A man handler in the run-game and an able pass blocker. His transition to the NFL won't go as smoothly as Wood's, but you can imagine how good he will be after a few weeks in the position. As for the tackles, only time will tell how they gell and transition to their new bositions. Butler is an able tackle, having played their before. And Walker prooved last season he could fill in admirably at left tackle when he was called upon. The offensive line is not a guaranteed success, but it won't be the worst in the NFL. Even OP can see some talent on our line. I think what scares him and me, is that we ARE relying on rookies to pick up the game quickly.
Nelson won't make a huge impact at first, but he has size and speed and that will help. He can catch on the fly, and a no-huddle 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB will most likely play out to his strengths and help slow the game speed for the guy. I know I'm pulling for him. Aaron Maybin just needs to apply some pressure when he is in and he has made some impact. I think alot of posters are expecting him to put up some good numbers but that just doesnt happen. Maybin is 21, and he is still filling out. He will see plenty of playtime and get his chance. If he can get a couple of sacks on the year and grow into a constant source of pressure, he will help tremendously. So the only rookies that are making or breaking our season are on the o-line, at least they are high talent players.
The offense is solid, but the questions are so many, I dont think I will go into too much depth. In short, it all depends on Mr. Trent Edwards. This is sink or swim for the QB. As the great, OpIv37 said in another thread: Trent has 23 starts, that is inexperienced. Well OP, 23 games is enough experience where he can learn from his many mistakes. He doesnt need to "continue to grow" he needs to perform. Will he? No clue. But, our post season dreams depend on it.
So what can we do to make the playoffs? Well, there is a couple players left out there that can help us out. Pisa, Jones are a place to start. Then we need to sit back and pray, because when it comes down to it. We have a playoff roster.
But that means nothing if Trent stinks it up, Turk cant call plays and our o-line crumbles. Lets look at that awful schedule.Judging by the strength of the AFC East and our schedule, 10-6 may not be enough, but lets just say that is what we need.
For the sake of argument, and this hurts, lets say that NE continues its domination over us and gets a sweep. So, we need to sweep either the Dolphins, Jets and split with one or sweep both. (This is all hypothetical ranting, bare with me.)
Im going to say we sweep the Jets because I hate them, and split with the Dolphins, because even though I loath them they aren't a bad football team.
So, in my little made up world, we are 3-3 in the division. I think that is a reasonable request, dont you?
Tam is a good team, but I didn't like their trashing of their defense, and relying on Freeman, a rookie. So, Lets pray the Bills can win this one. (W)
NO is also a good team and with Brees, I dont like our chances. (L)
Cle is "eh" they arent all-world, and they lost two big time offensive weapons, I want revenge, this is my fantasy. So I say we win. (W)
Car, I think is one of those teams that wont make it to the playoffs this year. Im going to guess the boys in blue will pull out a win. (W)
Hou, never liked them. The Bills need to start winning games against teams with inferior talent. (W)
Tenn- Tenn is awesome. I love watching them. I dont root for them, but I loved their team last year. Made me jealous. (L)
Jac, once again, I think we beat them at their house. (W)
KC- In my fantasy, the Bills will win because I will be there cheering them on. (W), most likely drunk out of my mind.
ATL- Matt Ryan is amazing. (L)
IND- We came close to beating them a few years ago with Losman at the helm and this will be an important game for the Bills. But, Peyton > Edwards (L)
So in my fantasy world and my quick ranting predictions have us at 9-7 and just out of the playoffs. Which right now, is about right. I may change my predictions later in camp when I see the rookies on the o-line, but for now I think 9-7 is respectable and only one game swing away from a playoff birth.
But, for the sake of my fan hood and me making a bold prediction I end with this.
The Bills o-line will take a couple weeks to gell, but will be tenacious enough to help the team and not hurt it.
Out rookies will make some sort of impact.
Trent will do very well given his no-huddle advantages.
Maybin will be a stud in the second half of the year.
Evans and T.O will make an awe inspiring show to watch.
and the Bills will make the playoffs.
There you have it. Logic says we arent ready yet, but **** logic. Ive been watching the Bills since before the glory days, and I would like to return to said days. I am not getting any younger or any more patient. So if you are on the band wagon add your name and insane reasoning to the list.
NOBODY circles the wagons like BillsWin and the Buffalo Bills.
Here are my thoughts, thank OP with supplying me with talking points.
This is a tough schedule. To think we are going to ride our offensive weapons to a playoff birth with these 16 games ahead of us is ignorant. Only those who are too naive and drinking the "T.O koolaid" will think that we don't have an up hill battle. That being said, its not a death sentence, just an obstacle. The Bills blew a golden opportunity last season when they had an easier road. They now have to pull out all the stops. Which may be a reason for a tough approach to the draft and a win-now mentality with the T.O signing. The Bills' front office is against the wall here. No-huddle is another clue that the Bills are about ready to do anything to help out the team as they face their tough schedule. They have depth out the ears in the secondary and at linebacker (assuming we sign Pisa Tino to start), so they should be able to handle some fatigue and injuries on defense. That will allow them to continue to push hard even as the tough season trudges along. And believe me, this may trudge slowly. It is that bad of a season. On offense, the Bills have the tools as we discuss here on a minute-by-minute basis, but I am worried about that o-line. I'll get to that in a minute.
We have probably the most questions in the AFC East. Will our offense click? Is the no-huddle going to work? Who is Trent Edwards; franchise player or mistake? How are the rookies going to fare; we are starting at least 2, maybe 4? Who is going to start at OLB? Is our pass rush improved? Can we rely on Jackson while Lynch is out? Is T.O going to produce or just hurt the team? Where in the world is Donte Whitner? What are we going to do about Dick and his waste of timeouts and challenge flags? Is Turk a pro- signal caller? Will the o-line gell in time? blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.......... So how the hell are we going to fix these before the season? I hate to break it to everyone, but we are not as of yet a playoff team (please continue reading, you'll like what I have to say towards the end.)
However, it is in my opinion that the rookies we drafted to make an immediate impact will do so. Eric Wood is an extremely intelligent individual. More than that he is a vicious football player. He has more than enough strength, attitude and athletism to come in from day one and anchor the right guard spot. Hangnarter is a question mark, but I think I am liking him more and more each and every day. The guy is a wonderlic test genious. The main thing a no-huddle center needs is smarts. They have to call schemes and notice blitzes and blocking assignments on the fly. They run the line. Hangnarter can do that. Levitre was the best pure guard in this year's draft. A man handler in the run-game and an able pass blocker. His transition to the NFL won't go as smoothly as Wood's, but you can imagine how good he will be after a few weeks in the position. As for the tackles, only time will tell how they gell and transition to their new bositions. Butler is an able tackle, having played their before. And Walker prooved last season he could fill in admirably at left tackle when he was called upon. The offensive line is not a guaranteed success, but it won't be the worst in the NFL. Even OP can see some talent on our line. I think what scares him and me, is that we ARE relying on rookies to pick up the game quickly.
Nelson won't make a huge impact at first, but he has size and speed and that will help. He can catch on the fly, and a no-huddle 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB will most likely play out to his strengths and help slow the game speed for the guy. I know I'm pulling for him. Aaron Maybin just needs to apply some pressure when he is in and he has made some impact. I think alot of posters are expecting him to put up some good numbers but that just doesnt happen. Maybin is 21, and he is still filling out. He will see plenty of playtime and get his chance. If he can get a couple of sacks on the year and grow into a constant source of pressure, he will help tremendously. So the only rookies that are making or breaking our season are on the o-line, at least they are high talent players.
The offense is solid, but the questions are so many, I dont think I will go into too much depth. In short, it all depends on Mr. Trent Edwards. This is sink or swim for the QB. As the great, OpIv37 said in another thread: Trent has 23 starts, that is inexperienced. Well OP, 23 games is enough experience where he can learn from his many mistakes. He doesnt need to "continue to grow" he needs to perform. Will he? No clue. But, our post season dreams depend on it.
So what can we do to make the playoffs? Well, there is a couple players left out there that can help us out. Pisa, Jones are a place to start. Then we need to sit back and pray, because when it comes down to it. We have a playoff roster.
But that means nothing if Trent stinks it up, Turk cant call plays and our o-line crumbles. Lets look at that awful schedule.Judging by the strength of the AFC East and our schedule, 10-6 may not be enough, but lets just say that is what we need.
For the sake of argument, and this hurts, lets say that NE continues its domination over us and gets a sweep. So, we need to sweep either the Dolphins, Jets and split with one or sweep both. (This is all hypothetical ranting, bare with me.)
Im going to say we sweep the Jets because I hate them, and split with the Dolphins, because even though I loath them they aren't a bad football team.
So, in my little made up world, we are 3-3 in the division. I think that is a reasonable request, dont you?
Tam is a good team, but I didn't like their trashing of their defense, and relying on Freeman, a rookie. So, Lets pray the Bills can win this one. (W)
NO is also a good team and with Brees, I dont like our chances. (L)
Cle is "eh" they arent all-world, and they lost two big time offensive weapons, I want revenge, this is my fantasy. So I say we win. (W)
Car, I think is one of those teams that wont make it to the playoffs this year. Im going to guess the boys in blue will pull out a win. (W)
Hou, never liked them. The Bills need to start winning games against teams with inferior talent. (W)
Tenn- Tenn is awesome. I love watching them. I dont root for them, but I loved their team last year. Made me jealous. (L)
Jac, once again, I think we beat them at their house. (W)
KC- In my fantasy, the Bills will win because I will be there cheering them on. (W), most likely drunk out of my mind.
ATL- Matt Ryan is amazing. (L)
IND- We came close to beating them a few years ago with Losman at the helm and this will be an important game for the Bills. But, Peyton > Edwards (L)
So in my fantasy world and my quick ranting predictions have us at 9-7 and just out of the playoffs. Which right now, is about right. I may change my predictions later in camp when I see the rookies on the o-line, but for now I think 9-7 is respectable and only one game swing away from a playoff birth.
But, for the sake of my fan hood and me making a bold prediction I end with this.
The Bills o-line will take a couple weeks to gell, but will be tenacious enough to help the team and not hurt it.
Out rookies will make some sort of impact.
Trent will do very well given his no-huddle advantages.
Maybin will be a stud in the second half of the year.
Evans and T.O will make an awe inspiring show to watch.
and the Bills will make the playoffs.
There you have it. Logic says we arent ready yet, but **** logic. Ive been watching the Bills since before the glory days, and I would like to return to said days. I am not getting any younger or any more patient. So if you are on the band wagon add your name and insane reasoning to the list.
NOBODY circles the wagons like BillsWin and the Buffalo Bills.