Do The Bills Have One of The Best Secondaries In The NFL?

[BillsImpossible]

Donnie Henderson's secondary finished 4th best in the league against the pass in 2013.

That was without Jairus Byrd AND Stephon Gilmore for the first 5 games.

Gilmore wore a cast club on his wrist for 3 games, and he did not play well.

How will the Bills replace Byrd?

Corey Graham had 4 interceptions last year, 1 sack, and 12 passes defended.

Look at the 2013 game by game comparison between Corey Graham and Jairus Byrd.

Coach Marrone has said Corey Graham, "could be in the mix at safety."

I am comparing production.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/12613/jairus-byrd


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http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/10611/corey-graham


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Byrd missed 5 games, so multiply his average tackles per game (4.4) X 5 games missed and add.

Corey Graham was a more productive player than Jairus Byrd.

In terms of size, Byrd is 5'10 203 lbs.

Graham is 6'0 196 lbs.

With home cooking alone, Corey Graham is going to add about 10 lbs.

[jills]

This is the 2nd time you make this claim, again, we finished 4th (YPG) thanks to the 28th ranked rushing defense. It's not that hard to understand.

When Graham gets an All-Pro nod then you can compare him to Byrd.

And to answer your question: no we don't.

[Skooby]

Stats skewed based on the abuse we took against the run.

[TigerJ]

I'll affirm the fact the Buffalo was poor versus the run, thus inviting other teams to run more versus than Bills than they might otherwise. That said, I think Buffalo has a very good secondary. Yes, they did lose Byrd, but as you point out, Byrd's contribution a year ago was impacted negatively by his holdout. They would be better with him, but they have a lot of talent at CB. At safety, Aaron Williams has a chance to be as good as Byrd, or close to it. This still leaves a question at the other safety spot, but a question is better than knowing you're lousy at the spot. Buffalo may not be lousy at SS at all.

[YardRat]

I agree with most of what Tiger says...this squad has a lot of potential, but needs to display it on the field without being buoyed by a crappy run defense. I like our corners, and A.Williams has the skill set to be better than Byrd at FS, but that's assuming he moves over. Not sure about Searcy at SS full time, so that could be a concern, but if AW stays strong and Graham moves into the FS spot I like the talent level of this year better than 2013.

[coastal]

I googled "Ko Simpson porn" and had a mildly interesting evening.

[better days]

I agree the Bills passing stats look better than they might otherwise because the run defense was so terrible.

That said, Schwartz will improve the run defense & he has said the DB group is the group that has impressed him the most.

[Fletch]

At safety, Aaron Williams has a chance to be as good as Byrd, or close to it.

Yeah, and Spikes has a chance to be as good as Patrick Willis.

Watkins has a chance to be as good as Megatron.

Manuel has a chance to be as good as Brady.

Aaron Williams also has a chance to be as good as he was in systems where we didn't overemphasize rushing the passer too, which was pretty bad. Let's not forget that he was flirting with bust status as a high 2nd round pick until last season.

2013 Bills: 2nd in INTs, 2nd in Sacks, 6-10, same as the last two seasons.

[Fletch]

I agree with most of what Tiger says...this squad has a lot of potential, but needs to display it on the field without being buoyed by a crappy run defense. I like our corners, and A.Williams has the skill set to be better than Byrd at FS, but that's assuming he moves over. Not sure about Searcy at SS full time, so that could be a concern, but if AW stays strong and Graham moves into the FS spot I like the talent level of this year better than 2013.

I'd like to see a good in-depth honest discussion here about how a team can rank 2nd in generating sacks with 57, 2nd in INTs with 23 only behind Seattle, but 20th in scoring defense and 20th in passing TDs allowed, but more importantly, why that combination of facts might exist.

Then put that alongside our 28th ranking in rushing yards allowed and 23rd ranking in yards-per-carry allowed, while keeping in mind that of the top-16 RBs in the league last year, with Spiller and Jackson ranking 15th and 16th, we only played one of them. That one didn't even have a great day, no, it was nothing no-name RBs like Jordan Todman and Bobby Rainey that ran all over us. We played only 3 rushing teams that finished among the top-10, the Jets at 6th, the Pats at 9th, and the Chiefs at 10th. Together they averaged 167 yards per game rushing against us. The Jets and Pats averaged 185 yards per game against us.

Doesn't anyone question why this happened? Instead everyone just counts sacks and preaches superlatives.

It's odd, I haven't heard anyone trying to put that all together to see what it might mean and why those circumstances existed.

This season we play the same Jets, Pats, and Chiefs, but also have to play Peterson's Vikes and the Packers who ranked among the top-10 in rushing last season too. I don't know, but that doesn't sound so promising to me, even with Spikes on the team. Is there a good reason to think that we won't allow just as many rushing yards to great RBs on top of the Todman's and Rainey's of the NFL. Todman has had one notable game in the NFL and it was against us. Rainey's had 2, one against us and the other against the 4-12 Falcons and their 31st ranked rushing defense.

Doesn't this concern anyone? Especially since instead of only one, this season we face 7 of last season's top-13 RBs? I know that I'm concerned.

[better days]

I'd like to see a good in-depth honest discussion here about how a team can rank 2nd in generating sacks with 57, 2nd in INTs with 23 only behind Seattle, but 20th in scoring defense and 20th in passing TDs allowed, but more importantly, why that combination of facts might exist.

Then put that alongside our 28th ranking in rushing yards allowed and 23rd ranking in yards-per-carry allowed, while keeping in mind that of the top-16 RBs in the league last year, with Spiller and Jackson ranking 15th and 16th, we only played one of them. That one didn't even have a great day, no, it was nothing no-name RBs like Jordan Todman and Bobby Rainey that ran all over us. We played only 3 rushing teams that finished among the top-10, the Jets at 6th, the Pats at 9th, and the Chiefs at 10th. Together they averaged 167 yards per game rushing against us. The Jets and Pats averaged 185 yards per game against us.

Doesn't anyone question why this happened? Instead everyone just counts sacks and preaches superlatives.

It's odd, I haven't heard anyone trying to put that all together to see what it might mean and why those circumstances existed.

This season we play the same Jets, Pats, and Chiefs, but also have to play Peterson's Vikes and the Packers who ranked among the top-10 in rushing last season too. I don't know, but that doesn't sound so promising to me, even with Spikes on the team. Is there a good reason to think that we won't allow just as many rushing yards to great RBs on top of the Todman's and Rainey's of the NFL. Todman has had one notable game in the NFL and it was against us. Rainey's had 2, one against us and the other against the 4-12 Falcons and their 31st ranked rushing defense.

Doesn't this concern anyone? Especially since instead of only one, this season we face 7 of last season's top-13 RBs? I know that I'm concerned.

Well, most of us know the Bills had injuries last year & that Pettine sold out the run game to put pressure on the QB by constantly blitzing.

It was exciting to watch Pettine's defense make splash plays, but the defense Schwartz will run this year will be much more fundamentally sound.

[chris66]

I think Bills fans way over rate the talent on the team. Its always we have great talent but finish 6-10. Then the fans blame the coaches for not using them correctly. Bills keep changing coaches, but the results are the same.

[Fletch]

I think Bills fans way over rate the talent on the team. Its always we have great talent but finish 6-10. Then the fans blame the coaches for not using them correctly. Bills keep changing coaches, but the results are the same.

The worst part about it is that the real reasons for it go unaddressed.

For example, people have faith in Whaley despite the fact that he's been a huge part of the problem for five years now. Unless of course as Asst. GM and top personnel man he had a no-show job.

Looking at fans here, what they see is individual talent but don't look at the forest for the trees as the saying goes.

They look at things like raw speed and think that our players are just going to blow past NFL defenders.

What they don't seem to look at is history and how players with similar skill sets, or lack thereof, haven't done the same, much less do they consider why not. Unless those players are on another team, then they suck. What's interesting is that a similar player on another team sucks, but the one we have is set to explode and replace a stallwart at the position.

It's pretty funny. The real humor comes in November.

[chris66]

The worst part about it is that the real reasons for it go unaddressed.

For example, people have faith in Whaley despite the fact that he's been a huge part of the problem for five years now. Unless of course as Asst. GM and top personnel man he had a no-show job.

Looking at fans here, what they see is individual talent but don't look at the forest for the trees as the saying goes.

They look at things like raw speed and think that our players are just going to blow past NFL defenders.

What they don't seem to look at is history and how players with similar skill sets, or lack thereof, haven't done the same, much less do they consider why not. Unless those players are on another team, then they suck. What's interesting is that a similar player on another team sucks, but the one we have is set to explode and replace a stallwart at the position.

It's pretty funny. The real humor comes in November.

Thats because Nix and Whaley draft like any $3.00 draft publication would.

[better days]

I think Bills fans way over rate the talent on the team. Its always we have great talent but finish 6-10. Then the fans blame the coaches for not using them correctly. Bills keep changing coaches, but the results are the same.

Most people know the reason the Bills have gone 6-10 for so long is lack of a GOOD QB.

If Chan had a GOOD QB & Pettine or Schwartz as his DC instead of the cluster**** of DC's he had, he would probably still be the HC.

[chris66]

Most people know the reason the Bills have gone 6-10 for so long is lack of a GOOD QB.

If Chan had a GOOD QB & Pettine or Schwartz as his DC instead of the cluster**** of DC's he had, he would probably still be the HC.
No the real reason why the Bills have gone 6-10 for so long is because they have the dumbest front office in football

[better days]

No the real reason why the Bills have gone 6-10 for so long is because they had the dumbest front office in football

Fixed that for you.

[Fletch]

Thats because Nix and Whaley draft like any $3.00 draft publication would.

LOL

So true.

[chris66]

Fixed that for you.
Not so sure about that. trading next years first when you still have a very raw and unproven QB doesnt sound very smart.

[TigerJ]

Yeah, and Spikes has a chance to be as good as Patrick Willis.

Watkins has a chance to be as good as Megatron.

Manuel has a chance to be as good as Brady.

Aaron Williams also has a chance to be as good as he was in systems where we didn't overemphasize rushing the passer too, which was pretty bad. Let's not forget that he was flirting with bust status as a high 2nd round pick until last season.

2013 Bills: 2nd in INTs, 2nd in Sacks, 6-10, same as the last two seasons.

We know that Spikes will never be as good as Parick Willis. Willis has elite atheticism that enables him to excel in all phases of linebacker play while Spikes runs the 40 in over 5 seconds. He will never be able to cover an athletic TE in pass defense.

Watkins will never be 6'5" 235 lbs and run the 40 in 4.3 seconds, but he might end up as the best receiver to come out since Megatron. I'm not the only person saying so either.

I would never make the claim Manuel will be as good as Brady. I don't think it's impossible, but he hasn't shown anywhere near enough to think in those terms. We need to settle whether or not he can do enough to stick as a starter going forward first.

Byrd and Williams have some similarities. Both were college CBs that football personnel experts predicted would move to safety in the NFL because they lacked some quality to play CB well enough in the pros. Byrd was really too slow. Williams lacked the flexibility to flip his hips smoothly coming out of his backpedal. Both are regarded as having high football intelligence, instinct, and agressiveness. Both are students of the game. Buffalo never tried Byrd at CB. They knew his lack of speed would be too much of a liability. They did try Williams there, but he too could not overcome his physical liabilities to become a full time quality CB. Between the two Williams is the more athletic. No, Williams has not proven is or can be as good as Byrd, but it is not anywhere near the stretch to suggest it as a possibility versus the other examples you suggested as comparisons. Apple to oranges.

[Mike]

Fixed that for you.

You've been say 'had' for like 10 years now. Every time the HC changes, homers give the so called new FO the benefit of the doubt.

At the end of next year (2015) you will blame Marone and the current FO for the Bills failures and have a million and one excuses as how you were right about Marone and current FO all along.

Ohh My foolish boy, there is a word for people like you: ignorant.

[better days]

You've been say 'had' for like 10 years now. Every time the HC changes, homers give the so called new FO the benefit of the doubt.

At the end of next year (2015) you will blame Marone and the current FO for the Bills failures and have a million and one excuses as how you were right about Marone and current FO all along.

Ohh My foolish boy, there is a word for people like you: ignorant.

Go watch your favorite sport ignorant Soccer fan, you know NOTHING about American Football.

[Mike]

Go watch your favorite sport ignorant Soccer fan, you know NOTHING about American Football.

That's all you can do....
Small brain size
= Poor Understanding of Systems
= can't underatand, explain or make a valid argument about something as simple as football...


It's not your fault... But at least man, look in the mirror and admit when you have been all so wrong...

[better days]

Not so sure about that. trading next years first when you still have a very raw and unproven QB doesnt sound very smart.

It does not matter how good or how bad EJ is.

What truly matters is how good Watkins is.

If Watkins is a HOF type player, it will not matter how high the Bills #1 pick is next year, Watkins will be worth it.

On the other hand no matter how well EJ plays, if Watkins is a bust, no #1 pick will be worth it no matter how low it is.

[better days]

That's all you can do....
Small brain size
= Poor Understanding of Systems
= can't underatand, explain or make a valid argument about something as simple as football...


It's not your fault... But at least man, look in the mirror and admit when you have been all so wrong...

When I am wrong, I am man enough to admit it.

The problem on this board is people get accused of saying & thinking things that they did not say or think.

[sudzy]

Thats because Nix and Whaley draft like any $3.00 draft publication would.

Really? Which $3 draft guide had EJ as a first rounder? Not any of the ones I read.

[Fletch]

Really? Which $3 draft guide had EJ as a first rounder? Not any of the ones I read.

Really? You need an explanation for that?

To be fair, chris66 was being kind. Whaley's drafting of Manuel was worse than just random draft publications and to date I haven't read a single review of his trading up to get Watkins that claims that the price was good. I also don't recall having read a single draft preview that had Manuel any higher than the 2nd round other than speculating on some team reaching to get him. I guess we won that prize.

Draft magazine price tags: $5 to $10

Whaley's salary: 7-figures, whatever it is.

The luster's going to be off of Whaley by midseason.

[BillsImpossible]

Really? You need an explanation for that?

To be fair, chris66 was being kind. Whaley's drafting of Manuel was worse than just random draft publications and to date I haven't read a single review of his trading up to get Watkins that claims that the price was good. I also don't recall having read a single draft preview that had Manuel any higher than the 2nd round other than speculating on some team reaching to get him. I guess we won that prize.

Draft magazine price tags: $5 to $10

Whaley's salary: 7-figures, whatever it is.

The luster's going to be off of Whaley by midseason.

Why are you so long winded? You could have said the same thing in 10 words or less, but you're all Facebooked out.

[Fletch]

Why are you so long winded? You could have said the same thing in 10 words or less, but you're all Facebooked out.

Apparently sudzy didn't get it in 11 words or less. I don't think that eliminating one word would have been the difference maker there.

[BertSquirtgum]

Donnie Henderson's secondary finished 4th best in the league against the pass in 2013.

That was without Jairus Byrd AND Stephon Gilmore for the first 5 games.

Gilmore wore a cast club on his wrist for 3 games, and he did not play well.

How will the Bills replace Byrd?

Corey Graham had 4 interceptions last year, 1 sack, and 12 passes defended.

Look at the 2013 game by game comparison between Corey Graham and Jairus Byrd.

Coach Marrone has said Corey Graham, "could be in the mix at safety."

I am comparing production.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/12613/jairus-byrd


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http://espn.go.com/nfl/player/gamelog/_/id/10611/corey-graham


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Byrd missed 5 games, so multiply his average tackles per game (4.4) X 5 games missed and add.

Corey Graham was a more productive player than Jairus Byrd.

In terms of size, Byrd is 5'10 203 lbs.

Graham is 6'0 196 lbs.

With home cooking alone, Corey Graham is going to add about 10 lbs.

No

[kishoph]

It's true teams did rush more against the Bills, but it's not like all they did was run the ball against us. The Bills had the 5th most rushing attempts against, but there's not a big difference between the Bills and the team that had the 16th most rushing attempts against, 31 rushes, that's an average of 2 more rushes a game. The Bills also had the 17th most passing attempts against them, so it's not like teams just ran and never passed against the Bills. So saying that teams didn't have to throw the ball because all they had to do was run the ball is not as big as people make it sound. Maybe they ran more because they couldn't or didn't want to risk throwing against a team that was #2 in interceptions and sacks. That couldn't be possible though, because it doesn't fit the cynical post of "Bills fans" on message boards.

[YardRat]

Yeah, and Spikes has a chance to be as good as Patrick Willis.

Watkins has a chance to be as good as Megatron.

Manuel has a chance to be as good as Brady.

Aaron Williams also has a chance to be as good as he was in systems where we didn't overemphasize rushing the passer too, which was pretty bad. Let's not forget that he was flirting with bust status as a high 2nd round pick until last season.

2013 Bills: 2nd in INTs, 2nd in Sacks, 6-10, same as the last two seasons.

That's not really accurate commentary on Williams...he was busting as a cornerback, prior to being moved to safety, which many on these boards were claiming was a better spot for him anyway.

Instead of railing on Whaley for being a tangential part of the front office for drafting AW, one could be praising the current coaching staff for recognizing the switch in positions should be better for the player and the team.

[Fletch]

That's not really accurate commentary on Williams...he was busting as a cornerback, prior to being moved to safety, which many on these boards were claiming was a better spot for him anyway.

Instead of railing on Whaley for being a tangential part of the front office for drafting AW, one could be praising the current coaching staff for recognizing the switch in positions should be better for the player and the team.

I don't see much that's praiseworthy about Marrone & Co. yet. Hackett needs to go, I have difficulty praising a head coach that chose an OC like Hackett.

I also don't see much that's praiseworthy about a coach that let his D get coached as if the number of sacks at the end of the game determined the winner instead of points scored while simultaneously ignoring run D. Or maybe he just couldn't figure it out.

If sacks had been the determining factor, then we'd have been 10-5-1.

Whichever way you choose to look at it, I don't see the same "up and coming" articles about our coaching staff that I saw prior to last season. It would seem that reality has set in, at least partially regarding our new and improved coaching staff.

Marrone also showed several signs of poor coaching last season that likely cost us games.

He's going to have his hands more than full this season trying to get Watkins to play to a level that pushes us into the playoffs to be able to pay off on Whaley's promises.

[stuckincincy]

I don't see much that's praiseworthy about Marrone & Co. yet. Hackett needs to go, I have difficulty praising a head coach that chose an OC like Hackett.

I also don't see much that's praiseworthy about a coach that let his D get coached as if the number of sacks at the end of the game determined the winner instead of points scored while simultaneously ignoring run D. Or maybe he just couldn't figure it out.

If sacks had been the determining factor, then we'd have been 10-5-1.

Whichever way you choose to look at it, I don't see the same "up and coming" articles about our coaching staff that I saw prior to last season. It would seem that reality has set in, at least partially regarding our new and improved coaching staff.

Marrone also showed several signs of poor coaching last season that likely cost us games.

He's going to have his hands more than full this season trying to get Watkins to play to a level that pushes us into the playoffs to be able to pay off on Whaley's promises.


They tried razzmatazz on both sides of the ball to pump up the gate. Slim chance that it would work out with enough victories, but I understand why they did it. New coaches, front office, etc.

If it worked out - heroes. The chief downside of that plan was the stunting of their rookie QB development curve, injured or not.

[better days]

Well, Chris Brown wrote an article that says Schwartz thinks the corners will be key to stopping the run.

Schwartz thinks Gilmore & McKelvin are both good enough in man coverage that they don't need much help from the safety position.

That will allow Schwartz to put a safety in the box much more than if the corners needed more help from the safeties.

[Fletch]

Schwartz thinks Gilmore & McKelvin are both good enough in man coverage that they don't need much help from the safety position.

He's in for a surprise. Gilmore's OK m2m, but McKelvin is not. McKelvin has never been even close to a good cover corner since he was drafted in round 1. I have no idea why anyone thinks that after 5 seasons all of a sudden he became good. He only had one INT against Matt Moore, big deal.

[Fletch]

They tried razzmatazz on both sides of the ball to pump up the gate. Slim chance that it would work out with enough victories, but I understand why they did it. New coaches, front office, etc.

If it worked out - heroes. The chief downside of that plan was the stunting of their rookie QB development curve, injured or not.

It's not so much that, it's what they say and whether or not it plays out.

Either they know they're lying and just trying to get gate, or they don't and blundered. Either way it's inexcusable, or should be considered inexcusable.

[ParanoidAndroid]

Man. If the pass defense stats are skewed because teams didn't attempt to pass against us, that really makes our 2nd ranked sack total look pretty awesome. Or, you guys can look it up and see the Bills were 17th in passing attempts against which fails to support the assumption that our secondary was ranked high because teams didn't try to pass on us.
Now, if you want to infer that the secondary looks better because our pass rush was so good, then you might have a valid point, and I would be inclined to agree. There were times our CB's did not look very good, but then came the return of Byrd, emergence of Nickell Roby, an improved McKelvin, Aaron Wlliams at his true position, and the slow, late season return to form from Gilmore. Top 10, perhaps, but not the best, but if you combine the second best pass rush and a top-ten secondary, you have the makings of a very good overall pass defense. Byrd will be missed, but his loss is not a back-breaker by any means.

So, the self-proclaimed realists here who have asserted that we have a good pass defense because teams didn't pass on us are not being very true to their own standards of reality. Let's see if any of them are willing to admit it.

[stuckincincy]

Man. If the pass defense stats are skewed because teams didn't attempt to pass against us, that really makes our 2nd ranked sack total look pretty awesome. Or, you guys can look it up and see the Bills were 17th in passing attempts against which fails to support the assumption that our secondary was ranked high because teams didn't try to pass on us.
Now, if you want to infer that the secondary looks better because our pass rush was so good, then you might have a valid point, and I would be inclined to agree. There were times our CB's did not look very good, but then came the return of Byrd, emergence of Nickell Roby, an improved McKelvin, Aaron Wlliams at his true position, and the slow, late season return to form from Gilmore. Top 10, perhaps, but not the best, but if you combine the second best pass rush and a top-ten secondary, you have the makings of a very good overall pass defense. Byrd will be missed, but his loss is not a back-breaker by any means.

So, the self-proclaimed realists here who have asserted that we have a good pass defense because teams didn't pass on us are not being very true to their own standards of reality. Let's see if any of them are willing to admit it.

The spread of # of pass attempts against, around BUF's 35.1 per game, isn't large.

1 Houston 30.2
2 New Orlean 31.0
3 Chicago 31.7
4 Washingtn 32.1
5 Atlanta 32.2
6 St Louis 32.6
7 Seattle 32.8
8 Green Bay 33.5
9 Indianapols 33.7
10 Tennessee 34.1
11 Tampa Bay 34.2
12 Oakland 34.3
13 Jacksonvlle 34.4
14 Baltimore 34.5
15 San Francio 34.8
16 Carolina 34.9
17 Buffalo 35.1
18 San Diego 35.3
19 Pittsburgh 35.6
20 Detroit 35.8
21 Miami 36.2
22 NY Jets 36.6
23 Cincinnati 37.1
24 New Englad 37.4
25 Kansas Cty 37.5
26 NY Giants 37.6
27 Denver 37.7
28 Cleveland 37.8
29 Dallas 38.9
30 Arizona 39.1
31 Minnesota 40.5
32 Philadelphia 41.2


Those are just raw numbers.


I think one has to look at the situations - what downs, field positions, time of game, and so forth. I leave that to the film study folks. But it's not uncommon for clubs (and fans) to crow about one facet of their defense because over the season, another didn't do so well.

The post-season pundits gave BUF decent marks for their D, but also noted the heavy pass rush. And one needn't be a self-proclaimed realist or anything else to have skepticism about a club - and its' parts - so bereft of winning seasons and playoffs for such a length of time. That's easy to admit.

[jills]

The spread of # of pass attempts against, around BUF's 35.1 per game, isn't large.

1 Houston 30.2
2 New Orlean 31.0
3 Chicago 31.7
4 Washingtn 32.1
5 Atlanta 32.2
6 St Louis 32.6
7 Seattle 32.8
8 Green Bay 33.5
9 Indianapols 33.7
10 Tennessee 34.1
11 Tampa Bay 34.2
12 Oakland 34.3
13 Jacksonvlle 34.4
14 Baltimore 34.5
15 San Francio 34.8
16 Carolina 34.9
17 Buffalo 35.1
18 San Diego 35.3
19 Pittsburgh 35.6
20 Detroit 35.8
21 Miami 36.2
22 NY Jets 36.6
23 Cincinnati 37.1
24 New Englad 37.4
25 Kansas Cty 37.5
26 NY Giants 37.6
27 Denver 37.7
28 Cleveland 37.8
29 Dallas 38.9
30 Arizona 39.1
31 Minnesota 40.5
32 Philadelphia 41.2


Those are just raw numbers.


I think one has to look at the situations - what downs, field positions, time of game, and so forth. I leave that to the film study folks. But it's not uncommon for clubs (and fans) to crow about one facet of their defense because over the season, another didn't do so well.

The post-season pundits gave BUF decent marks for their D, but also noted the heavy pass rush. And one needn't be a self-proclaimed realist or anything else to have skepticism about a club - and its' parts - so bereft of winning seasons and playoffs for such a length of time. That's easy to admit.

4.9 vs 6.1, which means Buffalo is a lot closer to Houston than Philadelphia, there goes the lame *** theory about teams passing a lot against the Bills.

Also, what these anti-realists fail to mention is that we blitzed on 38.8% of the drop-backs (4th most in the league). So yeah, the secondary received A LOT of help and it's not as great as some make it out to be.

[stuckincincy]

4.9 vs 6.1, which means Buffalo is a lot closer to Houston than Philadelphia, there goes the lame *** theory about teams passing a lot against the Bills.

Also, what these anti-realists fail to mention is that we blitzed on 38.8% of the drop-backs (4th most in the league). So yeah, the secondary received A LOT of help and it's not as great as some make it out to be.

I'm not sure what 4.9 vs 6.1 means, or what blitzing on the drop-back means.

[jills]

I'm not sure what 4.9 vs 6.1 means, or what blitzing on the drop-back means.

Oh it's the spread:

30.2 to 35.1 = 4.9
41.2 to 35.1 = 6.1

We are closer to Houston (lowest in the league) in terms of pass attempts against.

The other term is blitzing when the QB dropped back to pass.

[ParanoidAndroid]

4.9 vs 6.1, which means Buffalo is a lot closer to Houston than Philadelphia, there goes the lame *** theory about teams passing a lot against the Bills.

Also, what these anti-realists fail to mention is that we blitzed on 38.8% of the drop-backs (4th most in the league). So yeah, the secondary received A LOT of help and it's not as great as some make it out to be.

Who said teams were passing "a lot?" The assertion was that offenses passed significantly less on the Bills than on other teams which made the secondary look better than it is and that's not the case.

[jills]

Who said teams were passing "a lot?" The assertion was that offenses passed significantly less on the Bills than on other teams which made the secondary look better than it is and that's not the case.


"A lot" was bad wording on my part, it's trying to imply we were middle of the pack in passing attempts against when in reality the average of pass attempts against is closer to the lowest in the league, add to the fact that we had and average of 29.5 rushing attempts against per game (4th most in the league) which is closer to the highest in the NFL.


So yeah, that helps the secondary look better than it is.