When will you all start blaming Willis?

[Bill Brasky]

The guy hasn't scored a TD in 4 games, he hasn't even broke a 30 yard run all season, and he's failed to go over 100 yards in 6 of 10 games.

If Losman or Holcomb were putting up numbers comparable by QB standards, you guys would be in level 10 *****fest mode.

What makes it worse is you can tell this guy has a big head and he's gonna demand money that he hasn't necessarily earned up to this point, IMO.

Discuss.

[LtBillsFan66]

Gotta give him the ball more. The playcalling isn't helping him.

[Novacane]

He deserves his share of blame.

[Bill Brasky]

Great backs make do with what they're given.

If you've noticed, the better he runs in a given game, the more touches the coaching staff gives him. If he's not on in the 1st QTR, they stay away from him.

There are backs in the league that get 13-15 touches and still put up more than 39 yards.

[OpIv37]

I agree with bf1 on this- the O line and the coaching has a lot to do with Willis' lack of success. He's just not getting the carries, and when he does he's basically on his own cuz the o-line is so bad.

If he demands money, let him sit. At this point he's not worth it.

[Bill Brasky]

i realize the OLine is bad, but Barry Sanders didn't exactly have the greatest line of all time.

Come on, some of you guys are really babying this guy.

If a guy needs 30 touches to break 100 yards that is pretty sad, no matter how bad the line is.

Hell, I'll even correct myself because earlier in the season against Miami -- at home -- they gave him the ball 31 or 32 times, and he only got 86 yards... that's not even 3 yards per carry -- against the Dolphins.

Add that to the fact that the guy has yet to break a long run and we're 11 weeks into the season... you're telling me there hasn't been 1 hole in a 11 games where he couldn't break something off for a long gain?

If he's as good as everyone says he should be running people over regardless of how bad the line is.

[Devin]

Actually a very good point.

[LtBillsFan66]

i realize the OLine is bad, but Barry Sanders didn't exactly have the greatest line of all time.

Come on, some of you guys are really babying this guy.

If a guy needs 30 touches to break 100 yards that is pretty sad, no matter how bad the line is.

Hell, I'll even correct myself because earlier in the season against Miami -- at home -- they gave him the ball 31 or 32 times, and he only got 86 yards... that's not even 3 yards per carry -- against the Dolphins.

He's 4.2 YPC this season. On par with the rest of the league leaders.

[Bill Brasky]

He's 4.2 YPC this season. On par with the rest of the league leaders.
Yeah, because 2 of his 4 100 yard games came against teams like Houston and the Jets... the other 2 were against ATL and NE, not exactly the greatest run defenses either.

Without those games, his YPC would barely be hovering above 3.

I'll give him some slack for the lack of TD's because the coaching staff feels its wise to throw inside the 5 rather than pound it

[OpIv37]

Yeah, because 2 of his 4 100 yard games came against teams like Houston and the Jets... the other 2 were against ATL and NE, not exactly the greatest run defenses either.

Without those games, his YPC would barely be hovering above 3.

umm, if they're good run defenses, no one else is running against them either. Willis could certainly play better, but right now he's kind of the least of this team's problems.

[Bill Brasky]

umm, if they're good run defenses, no one else is running against them either. Willis could certainly play better, but right now he's kind of the least of this team's problems.

:huh:

NY Jets - 30th ranked rush D
Houston - 32nd (dead last)
New England - 22nd (and were further down the list when WM played them)
Atlanta - 21st

Those are the 4 teams he went over 100 yards against. I think it's safe to say that everybody is running over those teams. I've had to endure several Jet games and there have been backs that did more against them than Willis.

Take it for what you will, but I think this guy is overrated...

He's played 25 games here counting last season and his longest run is 41 yards. Not exactly amazing.

If Travis Henry was putting up these numbers you guys would be going bonkers.

[EDS]

:huh:

NY Jets - 30th ranked rush D
Houston - 32nd (dead last)
New England - 22nd (and were further down the list when WM played them)
Atlanta - 21st

Those are the 4 teams he went over 100 yards against. I think it's safe to say that everybody is running over those teams. I've had to endure several Jet games and there have been backs that did more against them than Willis.

Take it for what you will, but I think this guy is overrated...

He's played 25 games here counting last season and his longest run is 41 yards. Not exactly amazing.

If Travis Henry was putting up these numbers you guys would be going bonkers.

This is typical of any Bills player. There is always one guy on the team who most fans fawn over. This is usually a young player with lots of potential. Once a new guy comes around everyone will *****. If Lionel Gates comes in one day and has a good day everyone will junp of the McGahee bandwagon pretty quick.

[Forward_Lateral]

This reminds me of the Travis Henry threads a few years back.

[Jan Reimers]

:huh:

NY Jets - 30th ranked rush D
Houston - 32nd (dead last)
New England - 22nd (and were further down the list when WM played them)
Atlanta - 21st

Those are the 4 teams he went over 100 yards against. I think it's safe to say that everybody is running over those teams. I've had to endure several Jet games and there have been backs that did more against them than Willis.

Take it for what you will, but I think this guy is overrated...

He's played 25 games here counting last season and his longest run is 41 yards. Not exactly amazing.

If Travis Henry was putting up these numbers you guys would be going bonkers.
I totally agree with your assessment of Willis. He has been wildly inconsistent to the point that in some games, he just doesn't seem to have the will to break tackles or drag guys for extra yardage.

Willis is basically a power runner - he has never regained the quickness or burst that he had before the injury - who often goes down way too easily.

[camelcowboy]

This team is too cute, to use this running back, 13 carries against the raiders, 10 against the chargers. I can't blame wills, he hardly got the ball, the offense hardly had the ball for the entire game. The defense is the problem, and the oline. Freeman your right, he's not sanders, but at least the lions had the common sense to know that Sanders was their best offensive player. Sanders always got his carries, why can't wills? He's the best offensive player give him the ball. Problem is coaching.

[jamze132]

I agree with some of the assessment about Wills. But if you where Willis and you had to run behind this ****ty O-line and run rediculous plays that make absolutely bo sense, how good would you be? I don't think everyone sees how pathetic this O-line that Donahoe has assembled really is. I seriously doubt that Barry Sanders would be as sucessful with this O-line.

I am not going to blame Willis every game, but yesterday was more of piss poor blocking and ****ty play-calling.

[camelcowboy]

I agree with some of the assessment about Wills. But if you where Willis and you had to run behind this ****ty O-line and run rediculous plays that make absolutely bo sense, how good would you be? I don't think everyone sees how pathetic this O-line that Donahoe has assembled really is. I seriously doubt that Barry Sanders would be as sucessful with this O-line.

I am not going to blame Willis every game, but yesterday was more of piss poor blocking and ****ty play-calling.

Agreed, Oline, and D-line is the number one priority this offseason, and Im sure TD will draft a corner, or a WR. Its just thrustrating.

[BillsFever21]

Willis is good but he hasn't proved himself to get a mega contract. Like someone above said, he doesn't have that breakaway speed after his injury. He is good but not nearly one of the best.

And how can any of you say he's not getting carries? He ranks 3rd in the entire NFL in rushing attempts. What are we supposed to do give him 450 carries a season? He wouldn't hold up for 8 games at that rate.

He's a good player but he will never be the lethal threat who can take the ball to the house like we thought he would be. The speed just isn't there anymore.

Our line sucks but run blocking hasn't been the problem. They have given good holes for him and Henry when he was here.

Some think you can just run him 30+ times every game and that would solve everything. I guess some of you haven't seen the stats of RB's who were ran into the ground for a season or two and how they perform afterwards?

He's on pace for 350 carries. That is right about what a feature back should have over a 16 game season.

[Drive 4 Five]

Maybe Willis is playing like crap on purpose because he wants out of Buffalo. He saw what happened to Owens so he figures it is better not to be a distraction. Simply play like crap and then command a HUGE salary increase and the team will liekly trade you to a diviison rival (because that is the kind of braintrust we have leading this organization) and then you get to destroy your former team twice a year for the next ten years.

[Lexwhat]

:huh:

NY Jets - 30th ranked rush D
Houston - 32nd (dead last)
New England - 22nd (and were further down the list when WM played them)
Atlanta - 21st

Those are the 4 teams he went over 100 yards against. I think it's safe to say that everybody is running over those teams. I've had to endure several Jet games and there have been backs that did more against them than Willis.

Take it for what you will, but I think this guy is overrated...

He's played 25 games here counting last season and his longest run is 41 yards. Not exactly amazing.

If Travis Henry was putting up these numbers you guys would be going bonkers.

I dont think your argument holds any weight. Here's a list of the top 10 runners in the NFL:

<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg1 align=middle><TD> Rank</TD><TD>Player</TD><TD> Team</TD><TD> Yds</TD><TD> Att</TD><TD>Avg</TD><TD>TDs</TD><TD>Long</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
<TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>1</TD><TD align=left>Shaun Alexander (http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/187382)</TD><TD align=middle>SEA (http://www.nfl.com/teams/news/SEA)</TD><TD>1229</TD><TD>232</TD><TD>5.3</TD><TD>19</TD><TD>88</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>2</TD><TD align=left>Edgerrin James (http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/133320)</TD><TD align=middle>IND (http://www.nfl.com/teams/news/IND)</TD><TD>1116</TD><TD>247</TD><TD>4.5</TD><TD>11</TD><TD>33</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>3</TD><TD align=left>Warrick Dunn (http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/1171)</TD><TD align=middle>ATL (http://www.nfl.com/teams/news/ATL)</TD><TD>978</TD><TD>195</TD><TD>5.0</TD><TD>3</TD><TD>65</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>4</TD><TD align=left>Tiki Barber (http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/1782)</TD><TD align=middle>NYG (http://www.nfl.com/teams/news/NYG)</TD><TD>967</TD><TD>196</TD><TD>4.9</TD><TD>6</TD><TD>59</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>5</TD><TD align=left>LaDainian Tomlinson (http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/235249)</TD><TD align=middle>SD (http://www.nfl.com/teams/news/SD)</TD><TD>902</TD><TD>211</TD><TD>4.3</TD><TD>14</TD><TD>62</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>6</TD><TD align=left>Willis McGahee (http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/396170)</TD><TD align=middle>BUF (http://www.nfl.com/teams/news/BUF)</TD><TD>895</TD><TD>215</TD><TD>4.2</TD><TD>4</TD><TD>27</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>7</TD><TD align=left>Reuben Droughns (http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/187528)</TD><TD align=middle>CLE (http://www.nfl.com/teams/news/CLE)</TD><TD>868</TD><TD>192</TD><TD>4.5</TD><TD>2</TD><TD>75</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>8</TD><TD align=left>Clinton Portis (http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/302215)</TD><TD align=middle>WAS (http://www.nfl.com/teams/news/WAS)</TD><TD>856</TD><TD>193</TD><TD>4.4</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>41</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>9</TD><TD align=left>Rudi Johnson (http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/235094)</TD><TD align=middle>CIN (http://www.nfl.com/teams/news/CIN)</TD><TD>854</TD><TD>207</TD><TD>4.1</TD><TD>5</TD><TD>25</TD></TR><TR class=bg2 vAlign=center align=right height=17><TD align=middle>10</TD><TD align=left>Larry Johnson (http://www.nfl.com/players/playerpage/396164)</TD><TD align=middle>KC (http://www.nfl.com/teams/news/KC)</TD><TD>849</TD><TD>160</TD><TD>5.3</TD><TD>8</TD><TD>46</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


Except for maybe the Cleveland Browns, those teams all have FAR SUPERIOR O-Lines when compared to ours. In addition, Willis's Yards-per-carry is EXCELLENT considering he doesn't have any long runs to inflate his average. I dont mean to say that it's good that he doesnt have any long runs, I am just saying that for the season as a whole, his yards-per-carry is pretty damn good considering our O-Line and the fact that he's working hard for his yards. With the exception of the Tampa game, I think he's done pretty well running the ball.

With a quick mental calculation, Willis is on pace for about 1400 yards and 7 TDs this season. Not bad. And anyone who's been watching the games knows that our Goal-Line offense SUCKS. We have no push at the line of scrimmage or else we try to get too cute. It's hopeless. I don't know if any RB would be able to pound it in with our Goal-Line offense. Maybe a 300 pound fullback would have a chance. The fact is, I don't know how much better Willis can be as far as scoring TDs go.

By the way, did you forget who Edgerrin James plays this season? Houston twice, Arizona, San Fran, St. Louis, Cleveland, and the same Patriots team.

Shaun Alexander? He gets the privilage of playing the Cardinals, Rams, and 49ers twice a year, and that same Houston team as well this year.



Basically, Willis COULD play better. But I feel like he's running with little help from anyone. Our pathetic passing offense doesn't help matters. Imagine how Willis would be if he played for the Colts, Chargers, Falcons, or Seahawks.

He would be the MVP of running backs if you ask me.

[X-Era]

The guy hasn't scored a TD in 4 games, he hasn't even broke a 30 yard run all season, and he's failed to go over 100 yards in 6 of 10 games.

If Losman or Holcomb were putting up numbers comparable by QB standards, you guys would be in level 10 *****fest mode.

What makes it worse is you can tell this guy has a big head and he's gonna demand money that he hasn't necessarily earned up to this point, IMO.

Discuss.

I dont have alot of criticism to send his way except for a few things.

I have watched that guy go down from one handed shoe string tackles WAY too many times.

I still have yet to see the reported 4.3 speed

He has yet to break one for a long TD.

[DraftBoy]

I think the one thing the stats dont show is the fact that Willis unlike some of the other top backs, Alexander, James, L. Johnson....We cannot put the game on his shoulders. I am not talking about crunch time, but at no time this season have we seen him consistently be able to just take the ball and continue drives. He has long stretches where he goes down too easily. I like his stats but the intangibles are lacking. Should we get rid of him? Not yet, but I would be worried about him asking for more money. And yes he deserves a great amount of blame.