Romes
11-10-2003, 01:30 PM
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=pasquarelli_len&id=1657823
While on the general topic of defenses: The Buffalo Bills statistically ranked third in the NFL in total defense entering Sunday's game at Texas Stadium, bottled up the Dallas Cowboys for the most part, limiting their opponents to 10 points. And the Bills, the chic pick by many pundits (including yours truly) to capture the AFC East, lost once again, fell to 4-5, and nudged coach Gregg Williams a step closer to the unemployment line.
The Bills invested plenty of time and money in upgrading the defense in the offseason but seemed to ignore the other side of the ball. The feeling was that, despite trading wide receiver Peerless Price to Atlanta, the Bills would win by running the ball more, putting less strain on Drew Bledsoe to make plays, become a tougher unit. It hasn't worked out, though, anything close to that blueprint. Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride has not bought into the philosophy. The offensive line has taken a step back. Tailback Travis Henry has been injured and second-year wide receiver Josh Reed, the man who was supposed to pick up some of the slack of Price's departure, has been inconsistent.
The Bills ranked just 27th offensively before Sunday, and have now lost contests in which they surrendered only 17, 23 and 10 points. Buffalo has now lost four consecutive road games, been outscored 95-21 in that streak, and hasn't scored an offensive touchdown in the last three of those contests. Word is that the line is too easily confused by the blitz and that Bledsoe's once-lethal release has slowed considerably, allowing defenders to make a better break on the ball. As the Gilda Radner-created character Roseanne Roseannadanna used to implore: "It's always something." For the Bills, it was their porous defense in 2002, and this season it's an offense that has lost potency. There has been no happy medium and, come January, there won't be many happy members of the current coaching staff, either. One name to watch as a potential successor to Williams: Current Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey.
He seems to be on target with his assesment of the Bills.
The real reason why I posted this was his statement to look at Mike Mularkey as possible successor to GW. I know we at the boards mentioned him as possible OC when instead KG was hired. He is an offensive minded coach that has turned Maddox in to a solid NFL QB and made Kordell look decent at times. He might be able to make Bledsoe actually play up to his hype. Anyway, just food for thought Mike Mularkey next Bills head coach.
While on the general topic of defenses: The Buffalo Bills statistically ranked third in the NFL in total defense entering Sunday's game at Texas Stadium, bottled up the Dallas Cowboys for the most part, limiting their opponents to 10 points. And the Bills, the chic pick by many pundits (including yours truly) to capture the AFC East, lost once again, fell to 4-5, and nudged coach Gregg Williams a step closer to the unemployment line.
The Bills invested plenty of time and money in upgrading the defense in the offseason but seemed to ignore the other side of the ball. The feeling was that, despite trading wide receiver Peerless Price to Atlanta, the Bills would win by running the ball more, putting less strain on Drew Bledsoe to make plays, become a tougher unit. It hasn't worked out, though, anything close to that blueprint. Offensive coordinator Kevin Gilbride has not bought into the philosophy. The offensive line has taken a step back. Tailback Travis Henry has been injured and second-year wide receiver Josh Reed, the man who was supposed to pick up some of the slack of Price's departure, has been inconsistent.
The Bills ranked just 27th offensively before Sunday, and have now lost contests in which they surrendered only 17, 23 and 10 points. Buffalo has now lost four consecutive road games, been outscored 95-21 in that streak, and hasn't scored an offensive touchdown in the last three of those contests. Word is that the line is too easily confused by the blitz and that Bledsoe's once-lethal release has slowed considerably, allowing defenders to make a better break on the ball. As the Gilda Radner-created character Roseanne Roseannadanna used to implore: "It's always something." For the Bills, it was their porous defense in 2002, and this season it's an offense that has lost potency. There has been no happy medium and, come January, there won't be many happy members of the current coaching staff, either. One name to watch as a potential successor to Williams: Current Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Mike Mularkey.
He seems to be on target with his assesment of the Bills.
The real reason why I posted this was his statement to look at Mike Mularkey as possible successor to GW. I know we at the boards mentioned him as possible OC when instead KG was hired. He is an offensive minded coach that has turned Maddox in to a solid NFL QB and made Kordell look decent at times. He might be able to make Bledsoe actually play up to his hype. Anyway, just food for thought Mike Mularkey next Bills head coach.