Anyone else missing Jim Swartz D?

[BillsFanCupp38]

This defense is a freaking joke. Basically all the same players from last year except they can't stop anyone. I ain't impressed with a win against a crappy Colts team or a horrendous dolphins organization. What happened to the Defense that completely shut down arguably the best QB in the league in Aaron Rodgers? What happened to our stout run defense? Where are all the sacks from last year? The only thing that has changed is the coaching staff. It's obvious where the blame is for this team. Rex Ryan ain't worth a pile of steaming dog mess. This dude needs to put up or shut up. Btw is Schwartz still available for hire? Unbelievable...

[kingJofNYC]

Last year under Schwartz we were 9th in the league in Defensive DVOA after week 4. This year, week 3, we were 12th. Lets see where we finish week 4, probably won't be kind since we didn't get enough sacks/turnovers.

Finished 2014 2nd in DVOA on D.

[BillsFanCupp38]

Oh yeah the penalties fall squarely on the coaching staff as well. Even with all this talent the book is still out on this team. We haven't beaten a good team yet this year so we could very well be watching an 7-9 or 8-8 team, if that!

[kscdogbillsfan1221]

Who knows. Maybe his wife? Ba dum dum Ching!

[WagonCircler]

You know who has a great gig? Dennis Thurman. Regardless of what happens with the Bills Defense, everyone talks about Rex. Thurman pretty much flies under the radar.

[streetkings01]

I think Rex needs to find a happy medium with personel and scheme much like what Pettine did. At times you can blitz when needed but you need to let the front 4 do what they do best and thats get up field and get to the QB. With our front 4 we can rush four and drop 7 into the secondary. On 3rd and 10+ thats when I'd bring those exotic blitzes. I'm not impressed with our defense thus far.

[justasportsfan]

If Qb's are getting rid of the ball under 2 seconds, I think Rex should give Schwartz a call because blitzing means squat .

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Rex's deal has always been blitzing and confusion along the front 7. However, as I said when we hired him, his defenses have looked pretty average in years where he doesn't have a Hall of Famer playing in the defensive secondary. I think he needs to dial it back and drop more guys to let our front 4 do their thing. When he blitzes over and over it just encourages QBs to throw fast to neutralize the pass rush.

[Albany,n.y.]

I'm worried because the Bills D has to face multiple Super Bowl QBs every other game this season. Wait-no they don't. The schedule will take care of the problem. When you quote stats one year to the next after 3-4 games without taking into account who the opponents were, those stats are meaningless.

[Bill Cody]

Hard to get off the field when you refuse to let them. Seemed every time we have a stop there's a penalty.

[stuckincincy]

Rex's deal has always been blitzing and confusion along the front 7. However, as I said when we hired him, his defenses have looked pretty average in years where he doesn't have a Hall of Famer playing in the defensive secondary. I think he needs to dial it back and drop more guys to let our front 4 do their thing. When he blitzes over and over it just encourages QBs to throw fast to neutralize the pass rush.

Yep - I've watched his style of crowding of the DL for years, blitz or not. I guess he thinks that disguising a potential blitz is more important than putting players in position to react and respond to opponents' short and mid passing game. Positioning your LBs and perhaps safeties consistently close to the LOS strikes me as dumb in this day and age.

Especially - as it seems to me - that the quick out pass has gained favor this season.

[Oaf]

Defense gave us a fighting change to re-enter the game yesterday, with several stops in the second half (minus the 51-yd TD). Don't get what the complaining is about.

[sdbillsfan2]

Seems I recall an outstanding defense carrying their defensive coordinator off on their shoulders last year. If anything Shwartz had the d's respect and never needed to make excuses or apologises. Do I miss him ? Yeah. Rex still has to prove he's some kind of wizard . I haven't seen him kick ass on any of the top teir teams yet. Hell Marrone embarrassed his ass last yr.

[The Jokeman]

Defense gave us a fighting change to re-enter the game yesterday, with several stops in the second half (minus the 51-yd TD). Don't get what the complaining is about.

I agree with you, the sacks aren't there but the defense is still playing as well as it did most of last year. Brady's and Eli's stats look nice but I think our D has played pretty well considering we're starting a 2nd Round rookie at CB and Corey Graham is playing out of position (I prefer him as a depth CB) and we're missing our best S (Aaron Williams). They've also been hurt with the offense turning the ball over and giving them a short field to play with on two occasions and lead to Patriot/Giants TDs. That said Kyle Williams has disappeared as thought he would as he doesn't really fit the 3-4/hybrid defense we're playing.

[Ed]

You guys are forgetting that our D really wasn't all that great during the first 4 weeks last year. It got better and better, and they were outstanding by December, but it took time.

[Victor7]

One of the few issues I had with the Rex hire was exactly that. It meant Schwartz was on the way out and Rex was going to try to fix what wasn't broken. Somebody needs to put Rex and the defensive staff in a room and show them videos of last years D. Ease off on the crazy blitzing and let the money guys up front do their thing.

We are not as bad as some of you make it sound. But we sure as hell aren't as good as we were last year with basically the same personnel.

[The Jokeman]

One of the few issues I had with the Rex hire was exactly that. It meant Schwartz was on the way out and Rex was going to try to fix what wasn't broken. Somebody needs to put Rex and the defensive staff in a room and show them videos of last years D. Ease off on the crazy blitzing and let the money guys up front do their thing.

We are not as bad as some of you make it sound. But we sure as hell aren't as good as we were last year with basically the same personnel.

Aaron Williams and Da'Norris Searcy are way better than what we have at S this season. Also Ryan's scheme doesn't match Mario Williams, Kyle Williams and Jerry Hughes do best. So while are D isn't as good as it was down the stretch last year I don't think it's as bad as some fans want to make it out as it is. I think we're in the top 10 moreso in the 6-10 range than like the top 3 we were last year.

[colin]

i have been mad at the d, but the loss of both S's and our 2nd corner has hurt us. that said, beside just losing the plot in the NE game, they have been solid overall. what's killing us is penalties on D, and O and ST. imo if we are a clean playing team we are 3-1 with a shot at 4-0, and that's with top players being hurt and being a new team. i expect the D to fall in line and play about as well as last year, but a d holding penalty or personal foul give the O a new set of downs and just sucks the life out of the team. that's what we need to correct and i'm worried the combo of rex and the hot heads we have on our team might not let that happen.

[trapezeus]

the only guy on the d that i think is fairly useless is duke williams. he doesn't wrap anyone up, he isn't in the right position. if he is on the field, there is a big play coming his direction. and he isn't on the field that often.

he went from being a big hitter to a big liability.

[Victor7]

Aaron Williams and Da'Norris Searcy are way better than what we have at S this season. Also Ryan's scheme doesn't match Mario Williams, Kyle Williams and Jerry Hughes do best. So while are D isn't as good as it was down the stretch last year I don't think it's as bad as some fans want to make it out as it is. I think we're in the top 10 moreso in the 6-10 range than like the top 3 we were last year.

Williams is still here man !! Searcy was pretty bad bro. I actually think AW-Graham beats AW-Searcy any day of the week. Now Rambo and Duke are for sure downgrades. We need AW back ASAP.

I do agree with you we are not as bad as some people might have you belive. But I do think last year's was better. Of course there's plenty of time left to change that notion.

- - - Updated - - -


the only guy on the d that i think is fairly useless is duke williams. he doesn't wrap anyone up, he isn't in the right position. if he is on the field, there is a big play coming his direction. and he isn't on the field that often.

he went from being a big hitter to a big liability.

He sucks ass to no avail. A huge liability.

[mairofpominville]

The defense will eventually find the rhythm, I am not at all concerned with the defense and lets not forget we are on our 4th defensive coordinator in four years.

[JoeMama]

You know who has a great gig? Dennis Thurman. Regardless of what happens with the Bills Defense, everyone talks about Rex. Thurman pretty much flies under the radar.

I feel old dusting the cobwebs off a Ross Perot quote. But if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Re-shuffling a dominant 4-3 into a mediocre hybrid 3-4 just because it's "your system" is such an unnecessary step backward.

Just do what works.

Granted, I don't think Jim Schwartz had any intention of staying in Buffalo unless he was promoted to head coach. He seems like an ego driven guy who wouldn't fall in line under another "defensive guru" who would probably meddle with his notion of how to run the defense.

These guys put me to sleep on Sunday.

[BillsImpossible]

Who could be next head coach of Miami Dolphins?
http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000550785/article/who-could-be-next-head-coach-of-miami-dolphins

Jim Schwartz, free agent
The former Lions (http://www.nfl.com/teams/detroitlions/profile?team=DET) head coach has worked with Ndamukong Suh (http://www.nfl.com/player/ndamukongsuh/496861/profile) in the past and knows how to use him effectively. While that won't be the sole reason Ross picks a coach, it will certainly be a large part of the interview process. Schwartz is also a part of the illustrious Bill Parcells coaching tree, having gotten his start under Bill Belichick with the Cleveland Browns (http://www.nfl.com/teams/clevelandbrowns/profile?team=CLE) back in 1993, and we all know that goes a long way in Miami.

[YardRat]

I was going to take the gloves off after the first month of the season had passed, but I may wait another week or two.

"My defensive line creates a bunch of ****, and my LBers clean it up." With this much talent on D, it really can be that simple.

[BillsFanCupp38]

Where are all the people saying this defense just needs time? Went from one of the best defenses in the league to one of the worse. This D used to generate sacks and turnovers. One sack today from the highest paid d line in the league? I don't care Kyle Williams is hurt. Freaking pathetic. I'll say it again. Rex Ryan ruined this defense.

[Ingtar33]

Where are all the people saying this defense just needs time? Went from one of the best defenses in the league to one of the worse. This D used to generate sacks and turnovers. One sack today from the highest paid d line in the league? I don't care Kyle Williams is hurt. Freaking pathetic. I'll say it again. Rex Ryan ruined this defense.

or we just don't apreciate the genious of have mario williams cover running backs. i'm sure there is some grand strategery behind that; however right not I'm in no mood to hear about it.