ghz in pittsburgh
02-25-2005, 09:27 AM
To me, this will decide their fate next season. Yes you can say all you want about using McGahee and pound the ground game, being able to run successfully is what actually counts. We all heard about the Steelers and Roethlisberger's success last season; do you know the ratio of run vs pass and the yardage piled from the ground? Both at #1. Well over 60% run vs pass ratio. I have no doubt that Mularkey and Co. would love to have that number for the Bills. Many, including the majority Steeler fans believed that it is the single most important factor contributed to Roethlisberger's success in his rookie season (Ben averaged 20 attempts a game, the lowest among all QBs played over 13 games). But the key to me is this: can you imagine if you can live with 20 pass attempts a game if you are getting 3 yards a carry majority of the time?
The Steelers faced 8 men even 9 men fronts and still ran with success (save for NE's 8 men front). I have no doubt that the Bills will face those fronts in the coming September. Teams will dare Losman to beat them.
Let's be honest. Nobody knows whether Losman can do that. Even the much heralded Roethlisberger couldn't when teams take away Steeler's running attack, particular in the playoff (when higher caliber teams were more capable on that). Rather than hoping the first year starter, a pratical rookie Losman to lead the Bills to where they have never been under Donahoe, I have to believe Mularkey is planning what Steelers did last year - run on those 8 men fronts and still be successful most of the time. Hack he got what it tasted like on the opposite side when the Steelers came to the Ralph on Jan. 2!!!
I think we have a group of WRs who are good at blocking. Losman himself, unlike Bledsoe, presents another dimension of running attack. Shelton, MW and CV are also known for their run blocking. Now we just need the rest of the O-Line and some TE who can excel in that department, too.
To this end, completing the left side of O-Line, maybe a dominant center, and a good blocking TE gotta be of high priority this off-season.
I have not mentioned the all important backup RB. To me, Henry as a backup is as good as they come for us except that he wants nothing to do with the Bills now. If Henry goes, then we need a quality backup.
The Steelers faced 8 men even 9 men fronts and still ran with success (save for NE's 8 men front). I have no doubt that the Bills will face those fronts in the coming September. Teams will dare Losman to beat them.
Let's be honest. Nobody knows whether Losman can do that. Even the much heralded Roethlisberger couldn't when teams take away Steeler's running attack, particular in the playoff (when higher caliber teams were more capable on that). Rather than hoping the first year starter, a pratical rookie Losman to lead the Bills to where they have never been under Donahoe, I have to believe Mularkey is planning what Steelers did last year - run on those 8 men fronts and still be successful most of the time. Hack he got what it tasted like on the opposite side when the Steelers came to the Ralph on Jan. 2!!!
I think we have a group of WRs who are good at blocking. Losman himself, unlike Bledsoe, presents another dimension of running attack. Shelton, MW and CV are also known for their run blocking. Now we just need the rest of the O-Line and some TE who can excel in that department, too.
To this end, completing the left side of O-Line, maybe a dominant center, and a good blocking TE gotta be of high priority this off-season.
I have not mentioned the all important backup RB. To me, Henry as a backup is as good as they come for us except that he wants nothing to do with the Bills now. If Henry goes, then we need a quality backup.