Our Lack of Speed on Offense Really Frightens Me

[Jan Reimers]

The Jets' defense was pretty much up on the line of scrimmage the entire game. I think other teams will play us that way more and more because we have no one that can really get downfield.

We had only three speed burners in camp, and Evans was dumped, Parrish is injured as usual, and Spiller hardly ever touches the ball. So we have posession type receivers (Chandler, Nelson and Roosevelt), plus two guys with average speed in Johnson and Jones, and a glider in Jackson. No real deep threats.

I think we truly saw the negative results of that yesterday.

We either have to get Spiller more involved, or wait to draft/sign some speed next year. These next 8 games could really be a drag if all we can do is plug away with short stuff over the middle and to the sidelines, when everyone knows that's really all we can do.

[2slowtogofast]

Re: Our Lack of Speed on Offense Really Frightens Me

I agree lets see some more of spiller. If not as a RB the as a WR. Put that 1st rounder to good use.

[better days]

Re: Our Lack of Speed on Offense Really Frightens Me

The good news is the Bills will face few if any defenses as they did Sunday. I agree Spiller has to be more of a factor.

When Nix drafted him, he said the Bills needed a playmaker, time to let him make some plays.

[psubills62]

Re: Our Lack of Speed on Offense Really Frightens Me

It is a concern, but I'm not all that worried about it. The Jets (and Eagles) are two of the teams that can beat us like that. In my opinion, most teams don't have good enough CB's to stop our short passing game even if they press. Our WR's have their faults, certainly, but they're very effective in beating CB's on the short routes.

[jdbillsfan]

Re: Our Lack of Speed on Offense Really Frightens Me

I love Fred and he needs touches, but Spiller needs more than 1 carry a game. Even as a decoy on the field, the defense has to account for him.

[BillyT92679]

Re: Our Lack of Speed on Offense Really Frightens Me

Jones runs about a 4.42 40 so he isn't slow really. But he's still recovering from his injury.

Also I think all these o line injuries are finally catching up to them... they need Levitre back at guard and Bell back at tackle, or at least Hairston full time.

I'm seeing much more pressure and much worse protection for Fitz than before.

[ddaryl]

Re: Our Lack of Speed on Offense Really Frightens Me

The Jets have some of the best CB's in this league. Probably should give some credit where credit is due

[methos4ever]

Re: Our Lack of Speed on Offense Really Frightens Me

The Jets' defense was pretty much up on the line of scrimmage the entire game. I think other teams will play us that way more and more because we have no one that can really get downfield.

We had only three speed burners in camp, and Evans was dumped, Parrish is injured as usual, and Spiller hardly ever touches the ball. So we have posession type receivers (Chandler, Nelson and Roosevelt), plus two guys with average speed in Johnson and Jones, and a glider in Jackson. No real deep threats.

I think we truly saw the negative results of that yesterday.

We either have to get Spiller more involved, or wait to draft/sign some speed next year. These next 8 games could really be a drag if all we can do is plug away with short stuff over the middle and to the sidelines, when everyone knows that's really all we can do.

I think like boxing analysts usually say, "styles make fights". Our offense isn't smoke and mirrors - it's an effective horizontal passing game. If you look at the Jets, they match up well to that thanks to their corner play (and refs ignoring pi), zone dogs and faking pressure and sneaky "traps" built into their blitzes. Even if Rex faxes Rob the same gameplan, they don't have the defensive backs to do it. The Jets truly are the only team on defense right now in the AFC that is built to completely neutralize our offense.

HOWEVER, it doesn't help when Chan deviates from who they are because of that factor. As the end of the game showed, Stevie can beat Revis if you give him a chance. Fred can run the same screens. We just had to be more creative with said wrinkles in our offense, instead of playing close to the vest ala vs Philly.

You're right with speed though, I think we need to draft or sign a guy that's close to Evans was in speed but either a little bigger (like a Meachem) or quicker (like Royal on Denver).

[Philagape]

Re: Our Lack of Speed on Offense Really Frightens Me

We just had to be more creative with said wrinkles in our offense, instead of playing close to the vest ala vs Philly.

I was thinking yesterday that the Bills showed very little creativity. It's hard to believe the couldn't get Jones, Chandler, Roosevelt, Spiller, etc., more involved, like they've been doing all year. I expect an offensive mind like Chan's to find a way to exploit a defense and make adjustments, but they didn't until it was garbage time. Chan himself said as much after the game.
I also expect a more accurate game from Fitz, and he was just off in every way yesterday.

[justasportsfan]

Re: Our Lack of Speed on Offense Really Frightens Me

The blueprint is there vs. the bills. Control the short to medium passing game and have Fitz beat you downfield. Jones is unproven , Stevie can be controlled vertically and Fitz doesn't have a great deep ball.

Fitz vertical game will best be served with a wr like Fitzgerald or a Calvin Johnson.

[psubills62]

Re: Our Lack of Speed on Offense Really Frightens Me

The blueprint is there vs. the bills. Control the short to medium passing game and have Fitz beat you downfield. Jones is unproven , Stevie can be controlled vertically and Fitz doesn't have a great deep ball.

Fitz vertical game will best be served with a wr like Fitzgerald or a Calvin Johnson.

I agree that we need a vertical passing game and a stud WR. However, I don't think the short to medium passing game is so easily controlled. Just because one or two teams can stop it doesn't mean all of them can. The blueprint is there, but execution is another matter.

Blueprint has been there to beat the Pats ever since the Giants did it. Doesn't mean teams have necessarily had success.

[PTI]

Re: Our Lack of Speed on Offense Really Frightens Me

Before yesterday the Bills allowed less points then the Jets did on defense. Bills have allowed 11 more points then the Jets have.

[justasportsfan]

Re: Our Lack of Speed on Offense Really Frightens Me

I agree that we need a vertical passing game and a stud WR. However, I don't think the short to medium passing game is so easily controlled. Just because one or two teams can stop it doesn't mean all of them can. The blueprint is there, but execution is another matter.

Blueprint has been there to beat the Pats ever since the Giants did it. Doesn't mean teams have necessarily had success.

I agree. Talent has to be there. Defenses would have to have a DRC and a Revis to stop our vertical game. Not everyone can do what they did . Just merely pointing out our weakness which is a lack of vertical passing game.

[kishoph]

Re: Our Lack of Speed on Offense Really Frightens Me

More SPILLER.

[Night Train]

Re: Our Lack of Speed on Offense Really Frightens Me

Outside of the running game, the Bills are throwing quick slants and screen passes...and little else.

Game film doesn't lie and the Jets have the athletes to match up one on one, meaning they can fill the box with bodies. Doesn't leave much open area and it makes the Bills O null and void.

They tried some deep balls yesterday but the coverage was smothering. More rollouts and sweeps should be introduced. Bills were very predictable yesterday and Fitz just can't sit in a deep pocket, playing right into the hands of the D. Never mixed it up to take the Jets out of their D and throw them off balance.

Not sure any burner would make a bit of difference, as Fitz is limited in his ability to throw the true long ball.