Defense, Defense, Defense

[YardRat]

As of the results of today's games, the four highest possible ranked teams in terms of points allowed are still in the playoffs.

1. Pittsburgh - still alive.
2. Green Bay - still alive.
3. Baltimore - beaten by #1 Pitt.
4. Chicago - still alive.
5. Atlanta - beaten by #2 Green Bay.
6. NY Jets - still alive.

Meanwhile, proven 'franchise' QB's like Manning and Brady will be watching at home, along with a couple of young guys that have been tagged as 'franchise' early in their careers such as Ryan and Flacco.

Granted, Roethlisberger is working on a pretty impressive resume and Rodgers is starting to come into his own, but Cutler and Sanchez aren't anything special.

Quarterbacks may sell tickets and get you to the playoffs. Defenses win championships.

[Prov401]

Re: Defense, Defense, Defense

As of the results of today's games, the four highest possible ranked teams in terms of points allowed are still in the playoffs.

1. Pittsburgh - still alive.
2. Green Bay - still alive.
3. Baltimore - beaten by #1 Pitt.
4. Chicago - still alive.
5. Atlanta - beaten by #2 Green Bay.
6. NY Jets - still alive.

Meanwhile, proven 'franchise' QB's like Manning and Brady will be watching at home, along with a couple of young guys that have been tagged as 'franchise' early in their careers such as Ryan and Flacco.

Granted, Roethlisberger is working on a pretty impressive resume and Rodgers is starting to come into his own, but Cutler and Sanchez aren't anything special.

Quarterbacks may sell tickets and get you to the playoffs. Defenses win championships.

Amen.

[ServoBillieves]

Re: Defense, Defense, Defense

Here's the issue:

The Steelers and Packers have done it on both sides of the ball. Your defense alone can't win championships anymore, you need those receiving threats and you need the quarterback who can get them the ball.

We can win games with our offense right now, we can't win with our defense.

[YardRat]

Re: Defense, Defense, Defense

Here's the issue:

The Steelers and Packers have done it on both sides of the ball. Your defense alone can't win championships anymore, you need those receiving threats and you need the quarterback who can get them the ball.

We can win games with our offense right now, we can't win with our defense.

Pittsburgh went 3-1 without Ben. Green Bay lost the only game Flynn started, but it was against NE 31-27. Granted, they also lost to Detroit when he replaced Rodgers after he was injured.

If we can win games with our offense right now, why would anybody want to reach for a QB in the upcoming draft?

[jdbillsfan]

Re: Defense, Defense, Defense

Pittsburgh went 3-1 without Ben. Green Bay lost the only game Flynn started, but it was against NE 31-27. Granted, they also lost to Detroit when he replaced Rodgers after he was injured.

If we can win games with our offense right now, why would anybody want to reach for a QB in the upcoming draft?

Whoever they pick, I hope they aren't thinking it's a reach.

[Bmax]

Re: Defense, Defense, Defense

You need both a Good QB and Def.. The simple fact is the Bills need players .. Sure they need to improve their front seven but no way can this team win a playoff game with fitzpatrick at Qb...Even with the Steelers Def...they would lose....

Bmax

[Oaf]

Re: Defense, Defense, Defense

but no way can this team win a playoff game with fitzpatrick at Qb

That's where I would probably disagree. I think he CAN do it. Maybe not 4 games in a row. But, I think he's got what it takes to win a game or two in there.

Sure, low expectations and all but we have 10-15 other spots that DON'T have playoff caliber players at those positions.

[Joe Fo Sho]

Re: Defense, Defense, Defense

Sure they need to improve their front seven but no way can this team win a playoff game with fitzpatrick at Qb...

Bmax

Which QB in the NFL COULD the Bills win a playoff game with right now?

[cookie G]

Re: Defense, Defense, Defense

The argument seems to change every year. Last year, with Brees and Manning in the SB, it was the QB.

This year, defense is trumping everything.

So I'll just say this....I really enjoyed the Steelers and Ravens going toe to toe Sat. night, You had 2 very good D 7's controlling most of the game.

It would be great to have a D like that again.

[Prov401]

Re: Defense, Defense, Defense

Good defense keeps you in every single game, period.

When you have a QB like Rodgers or Ben, that certainly helps to your team's success.

I don't agree that having a great D is all you need to reach the promise land. Here are the last 22 SB winning QB's.

Brees, Roethlisberger, E. Manning, P. Manning, Roethlisberger, Brady, Brady, B. Johnson, Brady, Dilfer, Warner, Elway, Elway, Favre, Aikman, Young, Aikman, Aikman, Rypien, Hostetler, Montana, Montana.

I'd say 18 of the last 22 Superbowl winning QB's have been won by players that are considered to be 'Franchise QB's'. (Hostetler, Rypien, Dilfer, Johnson)

It goes hand in hand. You need a great team to win the Superbowl. Not a great QB, without a great D, or vice versa. Every unit needs to be great.

I'll say this. Multiple players make up the defense, and our D needs much more help than our QB position. Build the D, then get our franchise QB later. We aren't even kind of close to competing with the Steelers, Packers, Pats, Jets, Ravens, etc. We need to build our D in this draft/FA.

[psubills62]

Re: Defense, Defense, Defense

I have no problem building the defense and the OL. I think that's how you build a team - build the lines, get a couple studs/playmakers at the skill positions, then when you get a chance to draft a franchise QB (whether an NFL-ready one like Bradford or one who needs development, a la Freeman/Flacco), draft him.

Mark Sanchez proves that if you put any ordinary schmuck on a team ready-made for winning, you can win.

[Lone Stranger]

Re: Defense, Defense, Defense

That's where I would probably disagree. I think he CAN do it. Maybe not 4 games in a row. But, I think he's got what it takes to win a game or two in there.

Sure, low expectations and all but we have 10-15 other spots that DON'T have playoff caliber players at those positions.

I'm more in line with your thinking than whatever else is being posted here.

[TedMock]

Re: Defense, Defense, Defense

I have always been a BPA guy. Having said that, I would much rather go defense. Fitz is not our long-term answer, but he is not the big, swollen, shiny pimple on our nose either. We have a serious, desperate, and legit need for DL, CB and LB - and in no particular order. If we land those in the top four rounds and they're basically BPA, then I'll be happy. I'd still like an OT and a young QB in there somewhere. We have 5 picks in the 1st four rounds (I think?) and these would ultimately be my positional choices. Again, provided they're BPA.

[NOT THE DUDE...]

Re: Defense, Defense, Defense

i know im going to killed for this but i think dareus has bruce smith potential. hes incredibly big, country strong, and very very quick. he has good hands, has a good mature attitude. he really is bpa when we pick. i think its fair to say we have a good qb in fitz. take the stud pass rusher and build the d...

[Beebe's Kid]

Re: Defense, Defense, Defense

I have no problem building the defense and the OL. I think that's how you build a team - build the lines, get a couple studs/playmakers at the skill positions, then when you get a chance to draft a franchise QB (whether an NFL-ready one like Bradford or one who needs development, a la Freeman/Flacco), draft him.

Mark Sanchez proves that if you put any ordinary schmuck on a team ready-made for winning, you can win.

Everything else being equal on their respected teams, and Fitzy gets the best of Sanchez 9 times out of 10.