O-Line is the biggest issue for the Bills right now

[ghz in pittsburgh]

Had a chance to watch the game again. Have to say the O-Line is not nearly as good as what I saw Sunday live, and certainly far worse than what I saw in preseason. No wonder Rex said yesterday that the O-Line regressed for a few guys.

Incognito had a good game. Glenn, despite 2 penalties, did OK. Wood did not appear to be better than he was last year which is below average. Rookie Miller looked over matched quite a few times. Henderson, man, what a terrible game he had. Even in running plays away from his side, he let guys coming through so quickly stopping our runners from behind.

It really underscores what Tyrod managed inside the pocket and why we need a QB who can dealt with the kind of pressure situation the best. The 6, 7 cases where protection held up, Tyrod made plays.

Maybe it is not entirely Marrone and Co. fault last year that the O-line performed so bad. I don't know we can depend on Tyrod entirely this season if the running game is hampered by the O-Line like the Colts game.

It's reasonable to expect Miller to improve as the season goes on. After all, it is his first game as a rookie. Wood is a long time vet now; the best you can hope for is he does not continue his downward move in terms of performance. Henderson, what can I say? You expect a jump in terms of improvement going into his 2nd year. Instead, we have a problem at hand there.

[Guest]

Re: O-Line is the biggest issue for the Bills right now

I hate to say it but I told you so.

The lack of emphasis and investment in the OL will hold us back.

[casdhf]

Re: O-Line is the biggest issue for the Bills right now

It isn't like they didn't try at all. I would expect that this will be addressed in the off-season. If Tyrod plays well enough to be named the starter, what else are the primary needs? OL and LB?

[Pinkerton Security]

Re: O-Line is the biggest issue for the Bills right now

Hopefully they begin to gel as the season goes on, Mccoy didnt have much to work with and was visibly upset after about his 5th tackle for a loss.

[ghz in pittsburgh]

Re: O-Line is the biggest issue for the Bills right now

I worry about THIS season even though they have a bigger issue in the off season (both Glenn and Incognito are UFA, Wood has a big cap, no money left to sign any quality guys).

Short term they may have to trot out more guys like a blocking TE to help blocking at the line, which can lead to predictable offense. We do have guys like Clay who is good at both blocking and receiving. But if you are the opposition D coordinator, you love to keep a dynamic guy like Clay to stay in for blocking.

[Ed]

Re: O-Line is the biggest issue for the Bills right now

I thought Henderson stuck out the most when I watched the game again, but we've seen him play a lot better than that too. It's not like how you play in week 1 is how you're going to play all year. Miller should only get better and Incognito is looking like a great pick up and bargain, so they at least upgraded where they were weakest last year.

Maybe the Kromer suspension is having an impact and we'll see more improvement when he returns. It's my understanding that Roman's run blocking scheme can be complicated to learn so it may take some time. We'll just have to see if they take some steps each week, but if they struggle it's only more reason to have Tyrod in there instead of Cassel.

[Saratoga Slim]

Re: O-Line is the biggest issue for the Bills right now

I think the message here is let's not get either too excited or too panicked about anything after week 1. For what it's worth we gave up zero sacks and had 147 yards rushing (albeit some of which came when Taylor had to escape). And the Colts were selling out to stop the run all day long. But I would agree that Week 1 didn't make erase any concerns we had about the OL going into the season.

[justasportsfan]

Re: O-Line is the biggest issue for the Bills right now

Glenn sucked in the first game. Hope they improve.

[OpIv37]

Re: O-Line is the biggest issue for the Bills right now

The other issue is I believe Indy had two rookies starting on their DL. NE's D isn't their strength but they are better than Indy.

[Jimkelly12203]

Re: O-Line is the biggest issue for the Bills right now

we wont' face many weaker defensive lines than INDY... It's not a very positive sign.

[Guest]

Re: O-Line is the biggest issue for the Bills right now

It isn't like they didn't try at all. I would expect that this will be addressed in the off-season. If Tyrod plays well enough to be named the starter, what else are the primary needs? OL and LB?

No one said they did not try at all.

They just simply did not try enough.

They tried harder to acquire and pay for new RBs, TEs and WR.

They tried harder to lock up 2 DLs with new contracts.

The result will be that the DL of 4 players costs us more than 10 times more than the OL of 5 players. It will be worst next year when Glenn is lost to free agency.

Objectively one would say it is poorly constructed team salary wise unless, of course, you simply believe that any 5 fat guys can play OL in the NFL.

[Guest]

Re: O-Line is the biggest issue for the Bills right now

Hopefully they begin to gel as the season goes on, Mccoy didnt have much to work with and was visibly upset after about his 5th tackle for a loss.

I believe when you make jello, jelly or jam it still requires good ingredients. I have never tasted one of those that was made of crap.

[Guest]

Re: O-Line is the biggest issue for the Bills right now

I worry about THIS season even though they have a bigger issue in the off season (both Glenn and Incognito are UFA, Wood has a big cap, no money left to sign any quality guys).

Short term they may have to trot out more guys like a blocking TE to help blocking at the line, which can lead to predictable offense. We do have guys like Clay who is good at both blocking and receiving. But if you are the opposition D coordinator, you love to keep a dynamic guy like Clay to stay in for blocking.

$12M this year and next is a lot to pay for a blocking TE. You can get both an elite RT and G for that amount.

[sahlensguy]

Re: O-Line is the biggest issue for the Bills right now

Listening to the radio feed, I thought the defensive backfield was our biggest issue. If it wasn't for a weakened Indy offensive line and our blitzing, we would have been toast. TY Hilton was eating or lunch.

[Skooby]

Re: O-Line is the biggest issue for the Bills right now

We need to make some adjustments but Henderson was terrible throughout the game, he was virtually useless.