Bills Zone Roundtable: Week 4

by Frank Stephen

Frank: Good evening. Tonight, during the Buffalo Bills bye week I am joined by Alan Henderson and Patrick Godwin. Al, after 2 games the Bills are 0-2. If not for just a couple of bad plays and blown calls by the referees this team could be 2-0. Is it time to panic or will things turnaround?

Alan: I never panic this early in the season, Frank. Recent history has shown that even bad starts can be turned around and a team can still make the playoffs. I am a little concerned, but no reason to panic.

Patrick: I agree, last night I heard a stat that in 1989 the Steelers lost their first two games by a combined score of 105 to 10 they made the playoffs that year.

Frank: Great point. Two games do not a season make. Look at last year for example. Pat, are most of Buffalo's problems stemming from Drew Bledsoe?

Patrick:
I wrote a little something on Monday when I was still fired up after the loss. I'm still not mad enough to give Matthews the keys to the O, but I'm still angry. Everyone is blaming our O-line but in watching replays of some of those sacks, I noticed that Drew had plenty of time. To me, it seems like he's afraid to throw the ball down field. He hops around like a school girl patting the ball like a twit and then he dumps it off. I'd rather see an interception 35 yards down the field than an eight yard sack. In other words, THROW THE BALL DOWN FIELD.

Frank:
True, I can't believe that none of the receivers are ever able to get open. Do you think they have the handcuffs on him so tight that he is afraid of performing in the new system?

Alan:
From the beginning of the season, it has been speculated that Bledsoe would be put in a position not to lose the game for them instead of trying to win it. Although I will agree that Bledsoe seemed to have a terrible game last week, throwing short and behind receivers, and taking a couple of bad sacks, but we were still in the game. I think this system is Mike Mularkey’s and he is asking Drew to throw short stuff to get rid of the ball quicker. I do agree that he has to air it out a little more, but that is up to the coaches, not Drew. The last thing I want is for Drew to take the offense on his back and try and do too much. That is where he gets into trouble

Patrick:
I don't think so, because he's looking deep, then he either gets sacked or panics and throws short. Either we're missing that the wide receivers are not getting open or he's lost confidence in his deep ball.

Frank:
Is there a chance that he is hiding some sort of injury? Or does he lack confidence in the OL or his WR?

Alan:
I wondered if his blow to the head in the game might have been a cause as to why he was missing so badly, but no, I don't think he is hiding any injury.

Patrick:
One more thing if I may...

Frank:
Sure

Patrick:
I'm watching Monday night and Culpepper and Minnesota has a 3rd and 8, Culpepper gets the ball and the blitz is on! Moss does a quick slant and Culpepper gets rid of the ball in about 2 seconds under heavy pressure. Why can't we do that?

Frank:
Not in the playbook yet?

Alan:
I agree, I wonder why we aren't doing that as well. Only people who see the receivers can tell

Patrick:
To me it's obvious that Defenses blitz Drew because they know he can't handle the blitz. If we could beat a blitz every now and then, they'd be afraid to Blitz us.

Frank:
Or are they bringing everybody up to the line to jam the WR so we can't do that.

Alan:
I really don't know. I think Bledsoe DOES get rattled by the blitz when he gets hit a few times and there is no result in the play. Who wouldn't?

Patrick:
If they're doing that the WR's should be able to get past the CB's for big plays down the field.

Frank:
Many of DBs problems go back to his first year with the Bills when Belicheck figured him out. That shows the importance of a head coach. What do you think of what you have seen from Mike Mularkey so far?

Patrick:
It's early, but he seems to be doing well. I heard him on his radio show and he hinted around that some of the Vet coaches bitch and moan to the refs and seem to get the calls for doing it. He says he's going to be more vocal to them, I like that.

Alan:
Still a very incomplete grade. I have seen things that I didn't like. For instance the punt from the oppositions 32, and not challenging the Henry TD try, but we are in the game and not getting blown out. Plus we have more of a commitment to run the ball. I like that a lot. I just wish he would try and utilize McGahee and Evans a little more, but hopefully they will get more into the playbook as the year progresses.

Patrick:
As for the O, I'm sick of Gilbride wanting to throw all the time and MM wanting to run all the time! Here's an idea, MIX IT UP!

Frank:
Gilbride? That is an evil name in this town

Alan:
I liked him when he was the OC of Houston

Patrick:
Yeah, I'm talking about last year.

Frank:
The start has many fans in a panic. How much heat is on Tom Donahoe?

Patrick:
None! The way I see it is that he has put a great team on the field. A great team that is having trouble getting over the poor play of the QB. We also have a very young team and they're making young guy mistakes. Like you said Frank, if Clements knocks it down and Baker doesn't bite on the Pump fake, we're 2-0 and we're considered a very good defensive football team.

Alan:
Too damned much if you ask me. I know I will get heat for this, but I STILL like the job he has done getting people in here. He hasn't totally disregarded the O line, but the guys he has gotten just aren't pro bowlers. The things I would change are how he deals with the players. He has had a couple of times when he didn't even talk to vets before cutting them. A little bit of professionalism wouldn't hurt. I think if he had handled the Christie situation better, he still might be here.

Patrick:
You're right about the O-line. If we could just beat the Blitz a couple times then teams would stop doing it and the offense would start moving the ball and our O-line would suddenly be getting high Marks.

Alan:
I agree Pat. He has GOT to beat the blitz a couple of times. I hope he can do it. They will continue to rush him like they do unless he beats the rush at least a couple of times.

Frank:
The line is still a problem. IMO, it has been a problem since 1994. Is there salvation there? How many of the current five starters have to go? Many think that Jennings will be gone next year.

Alan:
You know, the line isn't that bad, IMO. They have had several years of coaching under absolute idiots, or at least guys who didn't know how to coach a line. They have only been together for about four weeks now as a whole group because of injury and such. Give McNally time. I know they don't look great right now, but I think if we are patient, the line will come together nicely by the middle of the season.

Patrick:
See, I don't have a problem with the O-line! I don't want to beat a dead horse but when you have a QB that can't move, teams will blitz him. For the life of me, I don't understand why we're not running screens, outs to the TE's and quick slants across the middle. Picture it, 1st down and 10 against NE, they send the house, Drew hits Moulds in stride on a slant, he breaks a tackle and he's gone 80 yards down field! They'd think twice about doing it again.

Alan:
I do think we will lose Jennings. In the very least he will see what he can get on the open market. I think Price will fit in nicely though. He has shown that he can handle the job.

Frank:
TD has to put the tag on Jennings. At least get something for him if he is going to bolt.

Patrick:
Jennings has to stay.

Alan:
I disagree. That would be an awful lot of money to put up on a guy who hasn't shown he can remain healthy for an entire year.

Frank:
An awful lot of money for Jennings but you aren't going to just keep him at the tag. You got to sign him long term or get something for him like TD did Peerless Price.

Alan:
I think if TD can't agree to a deal with him, he will let him walk free of charge. JMO

Frank:
Miami also has limped out of the blocks. The 'Fins being 0-2 has to warm the heart of a Buffalo fan. While trying to be objective, who is in more trouble, Buffalo or Miami?

Patrick:
WOW, good question. That Miami D is still very strong and they'll win a few games on that alone. But that offense? NO running back and as bad as Drew is, I'd take him over the two bums in Miami any day of the week. I'd say we're in better shape only because we have 2 RB's on the roster and Our QB of the Future on our bench.

Alan:
Miami is in a lot more trouble IMO because their offense is even worse than ours and there doesn't seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel for them. We have more players on offense, and their defense is older and will wear down by the end of the season if they have to keep them in all the games.

Patrick:
Yes, the Miami D melts down every year. They'll beat the Steelers on Sunday but only because that D will eat up Big Ben, but they'll be lucky to get 5 wins this year.

Alan:
That is so sweet to see isn't it Pat and Frank? How about the first winless year since the late seventies? I'd like to see those idiots from the 72 team pop the corks for THAT!

Patrick:
Yeah, it's nice. I've been waiting for a long time for this. The only thing that hurts is that they'll draft high. But they'll probably trade it away for some almost over the hill player like Marshall Faulk.

Frank:
I love it. Miami can go 0-16 every year for all I care. Guys, the bye week is one of the worst things to hit the NFL. Buffalo gets to host New England come two weeks and NE will be going for the all time winning streak record. Many feel the Bills will be totally outclassed. What do you think about that game? I for one don't think the Bills will be embarrassed.

Alan:
I think the Bills will come out on fire. I truly don't think they are a dominant team, just a very well coached team. I have already said that I think Buffalo will win it. I sure hope I'm right. By the way, aren't they going to try and tie the all time record for wins in a row this week?

Frank:
Yes, 18 in a row.

Patrick:
Man, I picked Oakland to win last week, but I love this game for Buffalo. What's the saying about how dangerous a cornered animal is? Our backs are to the wall, we’re due for a win, NE is due for a loss, they've been giving up big time yards on the ground. I think the Bills win this one. Plus, Road division games are the toughest games for any team in the league.

Frank:
Hey Pat, how does it feel to catch an official NFL football? Plus, Road division games are the toughest games for any team in the league.

Patrick:
It was awesome! Still can't believe it. Didn't even have time to think about it because it just happened so fast.

Frank:
That thing was as hard as a brick. I can't imagine trying to catch that thing thrown by a guy the likes of Kelly or Marion. Guys, final question. What is the best way to get the quickest improvement out of the offense?

Patrick:
Trade for Brett Favre! Just kidding. I really think we need a change at QB. Maybe not Matthews but Losman, as soon as he's ready. A guy that can escape pressure and won't be afraid to throw deep.

Alan:
The quickest way is to eliminate the penalties, and to go deep a few times in the game to keep the defense honest. Plus, they have to get McGahee more involved earlier in the game with a screen or two. Some misdirection plays would help to keep the defense from loading up in the middle.

Frank:
I like the Favre option myself. When all is said and done and Bledsoe is no longer a Buffalo Bill should the Bills just never issue number 11 to another player?

Patrick:
YES! Retire it!

Alan:
Sure, why not?

Patrick:
I like Al's plan a lot. Anything to get the Defense to stop blitzing us. And when they don't send the house, keeping Drew calm enough back there. No more hopping around!

Frank:
Guys, our time is up it was a blast. I want to thank you for joining me.

Alan:
Thanks man!

Patrick:
Any time Francis.