BillsZone Round Table 10/13/2004

by Frank Stephen

Frank:
Here we are again, another close defeat on the road, this time at the hands of the 4-0 NY Jets. At times this team seems so close yet at others they make simple mistakes that cause their own defeat. Fans are getting frustrated and even the owner is complaining. Barry, what's the overall problem? What can be fixed today?
Barry:
Discipline I think. Over and over they are making dumb penalties. Fletcher made up some this past weekend but he better act more like a leader
Jess:
I don't know when it will stop game in game out more and more stupid penalties, has Mularkey done anything about it, if he has it isn't showing?

Frank:

Is Mike Mularkey to blame or is it going to take some major time to heal the problems left behind by Gregg Williams?

Barry:

Looks worse than last year and last year was bad

Jess:

I think Mularkey is still in the learning stage, he can't be ruled out right away but right now he will get out coached every single ballgame.

Barry:

Well I think that Mularkey is doing a decent Job but I wonder how much respect the players have for him. Some of it showed this past game when the O got chewed out

Frank:

But a coach can't keep screaming at players. After a while they tune out.

Barry:

It took that chewing out to get them looking better

Frank:

I don't disagree. I just don't think it will work long term.

Barry:

Yes but after you get chewed on like that you tend to see your own mistakes more clearly. That is How I saw it in College Lacrosse. Our coach would go off on us very little but when he did we would end up just blowing the competition away. Some time you need some one to remind you how bad you really are playing

Jess:

But you can't make it seem stupid penalties will be tolerated

Barry:

I often wonder what is happening to players that get a false start or unsportsmanlike. 2 penalties that should not be tolerated especially at home

Frank:

I don't think any coach gives players a pass and just tolerate things. I think Fletcher finally got the message; 21 tackles, no penalties.

Jess:

That is true I was happy to see Gray pretty angry at Prioleau after the stupid unsportsmanlike conduct penalty

Barry:

I think the one thing think that the one thing that really gets me so angry when watching is guys on our own O that don't either know the play or the snap count. IT really shows a lack of commitment on the players if you ask me

Frank:

Or some not so smart players if you ask me.

Barry:

LoL... Good point

Jess:

I think being clueless really kills you.

Frank:

Kent Hull was not exactly articulate off the field but he was football smart.

Barry:

Same could be said about Jimbo

Frank:

Exactly.

Jess:

I don't think off the field smart really matters, it's football smarts that matter

Barry:

He has gotten better with age but when JP talks It reminds me of young Jim. I have nick named JP marbles cause he sounds like he has a mouth full of marbles when he talks

Frank:

JP has a long way to go to be Jimbo. Off or on the field. Jimbo would have gotten up and crushed Troy Vincent.

Barry:

I agree 120%. I kind of hope to see JP on the field this year. Think we will see it?

Jess:

It really matters

Frank:

That will tell me the season is truly over. Yes, I do think it will happen.

Barry:

Any time in a pro game matters to a young player

Jess:

But if the season is over when Losman's 100% why waste time with Drew and why not give JP a chance?

Barry:

I agree. I feel bad for Drew to see this happen twice in his career but hey he has done it to himself for the most part

Frank:

True, but I don't want the coaches chucking the season on a kid just for experience. I still want this team to be competitive. I don't want 3-13 with JP. BION, I would rather have 3-13 with DB at the helm and JP getting some small playing time. Don't get me wrong DB is past his prime, but I don't think you can put this year’s problems on his shoulders.

Barry:

I somewhat agree but I can only watch Drew get hammered so much

Jess:

I don't blame all Drew but I think his career is winding down quickly

Barry:

I start feeling some of those hits

Frank:

The OL is bad no matter who the QB will be. JP may be more mobile but that will only hide the problems of the line. JP will get found out by NFL coaches.

Barry:

Yep, trial by Fire

Jess:

That's what I blame on TD he has never fixed the OL

Frank:

Sadly, I don't think DB is getting the chance to prove that he is not washed up. He is past his prime but I think he is still as functional as many QBs in the league.

Barry:

He tried. I was excited when Williams got here. Mental problems are the hardest to see and the hardest to treat

Jess:

Drew needs on OL of gold to be completely effective, and ours is arguably the worst in the NFL

Barry:

I wish we could keep Jennings but he is just hurt all the time

Frank:

Jess, that is not true. TD has tried to fix the line. He has not succeeded.

Jess:

How is getting someone from a practice squad fixing a hole at LG?

Frank:

Barry that is true but the only time Jennings missed this year was when he got a concussion and that was a suspected dirty play. We had no choice but to get rid of Ruben brown. We could not have gotten him down to the money we got Villarrial for.

Jess:

I understand that but couldn't we get a legitimate replacement?

Frank:

Smith was not brought in to be the answer. He was training camp fodder and happened to be the best on the roster. That is an indictment of the decision making process.

Barry:

Hey I wasn't happy with the signing really but this is salary cap football. Good point Frank. The guys they kept saying that we needed to step up just never did

Frank:

Jess, as Bill Parcells said, you can't dial 1-800-Get-A-Player and just find a lineman. Everybody wanted Ruben Brown gone. They got their wish.

Jess:

I understand TD has tried, but he has failed over and over, we cannot afford more failures

Frank:

Granted. I don't mind finger pointing but let's do it at TD.

Barry:

Is it TD or should we start to look at our scouting team? God forbid I say it but...Modrak? He is the head of scouting, TD takes the responsibility over all but is he getting "bad intelligences?”

Frank:

It is funny. TD has given other teams permission to talk to Modrak but he hasn't gone anywhere. People speak of all the talent he brought to Philadelphia but they didn't win there when he was there. They are winning now and that team is not a reflection of him.

Jess:

If TD feels Modrak is a problem isn't it up to him to get rid of him?

Frank:

Sadly, somebody will fall on a sword, possibly sooner than later.

Jess:

I like blaming everything on the GM, lol

Barry:

Yeah I mean the team that was there is not the same team anymore. They always got an invite to the dance but they never won the crown. Sooner or later? Ummm Bobby Shaw?

Frank:

I want to hear the whole story first. I can't comment on that.

Jess:

I don't think any of us know the whole story

Barry:

I mean he was not a top shelf player but I would take him over Reed at this point

Jess:

There must be one

Frank:

We may never find out.

Frank:

Buffalo's opponent this week, the Miami Dolphins, hated time and time again, are an amazing 0-5. What is up with them and who wins Sunday?

Barry:

They are in way worse shape then we are. This could server as a well needed boost to morale that we need or it could be the straw that broke the camels back. It all depends which Bills show up on Sunday. They the most depleted teams in the NFL right now and I am sorry to say I actually feel sorry for them. They have a horrible coach that should have gotten the boot last year. They are down to their 3rd and 4th Running Backs, 3rd string QB (maybe), a line in worse condition than ours, and a D that is almost a mirror image of ours. They can stop teams all game long until it counts and then they choose to fall apart. I make no prediction. I will not say that the Bills can win any games until they can show me they can play an entire 60 min of mistake free football. Every team gets penalties but not to the extent that Buffalo does and not in the most critical times. Drive killing penalties are the Bane of the Bills existence. This is Gut check time for both teams and what ever team comes in and plays a complete 60 minutes of good Football walks out with a much need win. Do not think this will be an easy win. The Fins will not roll over, ESPECIALLY to the Buffalo Bills.

Jess:

Miami has a tough situation right now, great defense but is useless with no offense they don't have a answer at QB, AJ Feely? Come on, none of their RBs are any good they are all backups who the Fins hope can produce like starters which is extra-impossible with that O-Line. I do like Lamar Gordon but he's on the IR. Whoever their QB has several good targets- Chambers, McMichael, Booker but their O-Line is absolutely terrible. It could even be worse than ours. I think it should be a pretty close low-scoring game (duh) but I think our offense is capable of moving the ball a tiny bit which I don't feel for their offense. I think our offense manages to spring together a few drives and I think we could be a tiny bit successful on the ground. Miami's defense alone will give us a battle and we cannot turn the ball over but I see us sneaking away with our first W 13-6.