| November 17, 2004 | « Previous Story | HOME | Next Story » | Posted at 04:48 AM |
Frank: This week’s Roundtable features BillsZone Staff writers Matthew Elder (Draft Boy) and Michael Thomas (Mikey82). Guys, what is wrong with the Buffalo Bills on the road?Frank:
This week at the Roundtable I am joined by BillsZone Staff writers Matthew Elder (Draft Boy) and Michael Thomas (Mikey82). Guys, good evening and thanks for joining me. Another depressing road loss and the Bills find themselves at 3-6 and in search of a road identity. They may catch a break this week at home against the domed-home Rams. What is wrong with the Bills on the road?
Matthew:
Ummm....Where to start......Lets see we got an Offensive Coordinator who seems to, at home, know how to call plays and yet, on the road, loses his mind. I actually don’t think its a matter of being bad on the road as just being bad overall as a team. It just so happens we've had some easy home games (minus Jets) after which this team looked to be clicking and still could be. I think we can easily and yes I said EASILY beat the Rams
Mike:
I know Matt will say that it is all Drew Bledsoe. And it's partially true. However, I believe that the team still hasn't gotten the winning mentality down yet. The good teams can win on the road and at home. The average and bad teams can't win on the road. That would be the Buffalo Bills. 
Matthew:
I disagree a lot of it isn’t Bledsoe, its been established for a while that he can't get it done, I blame our coaches a lot more than that for trying to make him do something he can't anymore. I mean Willis McGahee carried the ball what 16 times last week? How can we expect to win doing that? We were throwing every play when we were only down 6. A lot of responsibity is on the coaches.
Frank:
It seems that on the road something happens to Bledsoe and like a linchpin, he unravels and everything let's loose. Does it start with Drew?
Mike:
Actually, they kept trying to run the ball and then the Patriots kept stuffing McGahee for nothing or for a loss. We were only throwing because we were so far behind.
Matthew:
We were throwing a ton when we were down only 6, and 16 times isn’t running a lot, it's a try here and there not near enough, but anyways its more of a lack of concentration up front on both sides. It's like when we are at home the fans create a 5th or 6th lineman for each side and away it's gone, all the heart, and fire and intensity I don't know where it goes but something needs to be fixed
Mike:
I agree with that completely.
Matthew:
Thank you
Frank:
Last year, it was reported, that Bledsoe said his "clock was off". It appears, at least on the road, that the same is happening this year. It is pretty obvious that we are witnessing, if not the beginning, then the end of the Drew Bledsoe era. When does JP Losman come in and take over?
Matthew:
Well it depends, Id like to see him get time in each game from here on out, but I don’t want to see him starting for at least 2 more weeks, He needs to see the offense not just understand it from the playbook and by see I mean he needs to be in the pocket see the players making route adjustments, reading the Defenses, and calling out the audibles and that starts in practices, which he's only been doing for 2 or so weeks now
Mike:
I have two different predictions for this. First of all, it's going to happen at home. You want to start the rookie with the home crowd for their first game. #1, Mularkey will give him more practice reps and he will use him towards the end of the game, like he did with McGahee's first time. And if he does well, we may see him start next week against the Seahawks. If that doesn't happen, then we won't see JP Losman until the Cleveland Browns game on December 12th.
Frank:
I think it will be against Miami.
Matthew:
I agree there Frank
Frank:
Miami is in such disarray it would be ideal. They could run Willis McGahee all day and only pass when needed.
Matthew:
Agreed, perfect for reading defense and seeing adjustments that are made but there D isnt as bad as there offense they are still decent just underperforming, imo
Mike:
That's a good way of looking at it. Do any of you guys think he will see time against the Rams this week or is it just me?
Frank:
Just you.
Matthew:
I strongly believe he will in garbage time if not sooner than that
Frank:
Let's switch topics and focus on Willis McGahee. It was reported this week that he says he won't be 100% until next year. What is this kid capable of when he is 100% and actually has an offensive line in front of him?
Matthew:
Amazing things. Living in the south I had a first hand viewing of McGahee a couple of times on TV and in person, and the kid is simply amazing, he was compared to players like Bo Jackson in college, a strong fast runner, who can break your ankles with a juke, or run you over which we have seen first hand with his amazing stiff arm, I think 1500-2000 yards is what we can expect from him
Mike:
Oh man, I get excited when I think about Willis McGahee running for the Bills next year. Every time I watch him on the field, I always feel like he could break a tackle and go for a long gain. I think next year, or even towards the end of this season, we will begin to see him break longer runs. I'm waiting to see the McGahee that runs through a tackle for 70 or 80 yards downfield.
Frank:
In his three home starts he was on a pace for 1800 yards...not that that was going to continue.
Matthew:
Who’s to say it wont, we just need to schedule 16 home games, if he's doing all this at 80% which is visible from what I saw Sunday night, wait for next season
Frank:
I love the fact that he appears to be super strong. He has carried tacklers, fought for yardage and not put the ball on the carpet once.
Mike:
We haven't had that in a while. And he still has a little more time until he get that explosive burst. Hopefully we will see it towards the end of the year. But if not, we will see it next year for sure.
Matthew:
Agreed the kid is the real warrior of the U or M team from a few years back and seems to have taken on Travis Henry's mentality type
Frank:
Does Travis Henry have ANY trade value?
Matthew:
Yes, of course. Atlanta, Oakland, Jacksonville are a short list of teams who need a 1500 yard back. All could easily give up a 2nd or a 3rd this year and a conditional 3rd the following year with an escalator clause, which is based on performance
Mike:
It's a shame that Henry seemed to lose that mentality. Every time I have seen him this year, he has lost that power to break the tackles. I don't know why. I think it's because he knew his time was up soon and it hurts him mentally.
Frank:
I think Travis Henry has basically given up, myself.
Mike:
I agree.
Matthew:
I agree too, which is a shame
Mike:
I also feel that the Bills are going to go for one of two things. They will either try to get a player that will help them out, maybe a lineman. Or they will do a trade with a 3rd this year and then a conditional pick for next year.
Matthew:
I don’t see the former happening, unless a team gets really, really desperate
Mike:
I don't see it either. I think a conditional pick is Donahoe's best option. He can get a 3rd from this year and then a conditional pick that raises to a 1st depending on what Henry does on his new team.
Frank:
McGahee's skill and toughness not withstanding, the offensive line still needs a major upgrade. Of the current offensive linemen, who is here next year to block for McGahee?
Mike:
Most of them. I feel that they are starting to gel and you don't want to rebuild it again or you will lose the gelling that has happened. I see Mike Williams and Chris Villarrial staying in their position, Ross Tucker at Center, and then maybe Teague at LT and have them shop for a guard. It depends on who is available.
Matthew:
It needs to be overhauled no doubt. Williams at guard, Villarrial at the other, and that’s it of the starters.
Frank:
What about Price, Tucker or Smith?
Matthew:
Backups, very solid depth though, but I see a free agent center, and offensive tackle, with a rookie tackle, Villarrial and Williams at guards.
Mike:
For all the people that think this line is going to get overhauled, they are in for a rude awakening. Williams, Villarrial, Teague, and even Tucker will be on this line next year. Jonas will go to Atlanta or whoever wants to show him the money.
Frank:
What are the biggest free agent/draft needs for this team in 2005?
Matthew:
OL, DL, FS, CB, 3/4 WR (depending on Reed), QB
Frank:
I say take OL and DL until there are no more to take.
Matthew:
I don’t. We have no WR depth, our CB's get smoked daily, our current FS is a joke, and we need a backup to Losman
Mike:
I'd love to see a top tackle brought here if they don't move Teague to tackle. They also need to keep Pat Williams or let Ron Edwards take over. I think they still need another DE, FS, CB, WR, and a backup QB.
Frank:
Ron Edwards can play next to Sam Adams. I like the CB situation. We do need a FS and a WR. QB? I'd get another vet to go with Losman and Matthews. I'd cut Bledsoe after June 1.
Matthew:
Matthews won’t be here next year, I just want like a 7th round pick to try and develop you never know what could happen
Mike:
Matthews will be gone in March or before.
Matthew:
You like our CB's? Which ones? McGee who got abused by a depleted NE wr core, or Clements who shows up once every 4 games
Frank:
I like all four of them. McGee is young and will come around. Kevin Thomas hasn't looked bad when he has gotten to play.
Mike:
I think Terrence McGee is playing like a rookie, but is going to be a solid CB in the future. I also like Kevin Thomas too. However, they could use another CB too.
Matthew:
I’ll give you McGee, Thomas, and Greer. I do however think that we need another starter
Frank:
Clements isn't a superstar and he needs to get his head out of the hinterlands but he is not terrible.
Matthew:
McGee is a great nickel back but as a starter he lacks the speed to stick with the better WR, and Clements has proven he can’t handle anybody
Mike:
Clements is very underrated. He does a lot of stuff that the camera never shows. I have seen it at the games. He is pretty good in coverage.
Matthew:
Clements misses too many tackles for me, and gets burnt too many times to make up for bad tackling, I’m more bothered by last year when he got stiff armed by a QB
Mike:
But I still don't understand why you hate Clements so much. WTF did he do to you?
Matthew:
Getting stiff armed by the QB last season and I’ve seen him quit on too many plays
Mike:
Which one?
Matthew:
too many to really recall, all I know is that I went nuts on the board I think it may have been against MIA or the Jets last season
Frank:
If i were the coach I would go up to Clements locker and personally rip the name "playmaker" from where his name plate is suppose to be
Matthew:
I agree
Mike:
Honestly, most talking heads talk about his coverage. He is a good coverage cornerback. There are a lot of plays that you never see on TV.
Matthew:
I know that he has always been solid in coverage, but for that title he only makes it on tv for either getting burned, missing a tackle, or the very rare interception
Mike:
He hasn't been a playmaker this year. But that is because the Quarterbacks haven't been throwing his way. They don't get open on him much and are too busy burning Terrence McGee and Izell Reese.
Matthew:
What year was he a playmaker again? Or better yet where has he consistently been a playmaker?
Frank:
He does very well against Miami.
Matthew:
Well that’s at least something
Frank:
I don't think he has ever been a playmaker; too much dancing for my tastes.
Mike:
He hasn't been. That's why I laughed when I heard about the playmaker sign on his locker. He is too cocky for himself. I'm surprised Mularkey put up with it.
Frank:
Says something about Mularkey, doesn't it?
Mike:
I was also curious how he felt when Jonathan Smith ran that punt back instead of him.
Matthew:
Yea I still maintain he was a bad choice that punt return was nice. NE is a very solid ST unit
Frank:
It went to Smith. It shouldn’t be a big deal. If he gets P.O.-ed over that then he should be gone.
Matthew:
Yea it would be quite stupid
Mike:
Not really. Look at the coaches who have the attitude players. It still happens with TO, Moss, Chad Johnson, and Ray Lewis. Their coaches put up with it.
Matthew:
They make plays; big difference
Mike:
Who would you have taken over Clements?
Matthew:
hmmm....well not really being able to recall every FA or CB drafted since Clements, I cant accurately answer it, but Andre Woolfolk comes to mind
Mike:
Most people loved that pick when it was made. And have said it was a good move to trade down and get Clements. I like Clements, but in my opinion, we need another solid cover corner to be on his other side to free Clements for some one-on-one to make some plays. I hope McGee can be that player. The one I wanted was Fred Smoot. I was surprised he fell that far.
Matthew:
Yea leaving Clements on an island is a horrible idea, your asking for him to gamble too much and get burned more often, plus with his bad tackling the YAC stats will be disgusting
Frank:
Jabari Greer? I haven't seen anything out of him yet.
Matthew:
Played very well v. NE
Frank:
The FS position is a bigger worry by far.
Mike:
Definitely!
Frank:
Looks like Rashad Baker is going to get a chance at FS. Might be interesting.
Matthew:
He’s got skills. Reese is a joke that’s for sure. I still think we need to draft one I got our answer! Personally I like Junior Rosegreen out of Auburn, kid is an animal
Frank:
Reese would have been gone had Lawyer Milloy not broken his arm. Rosegreen will be long gone before we pick.
Matthew:
Not likely attitude problems
Mike:
I do like what I saw of Baker at training camp. If he can learn how to cover a little better and not fall down in the end zone, he might be pretty good.
Matthew:
Baker got hosed on the pass interference call against NE
Frank:
Yes, Baker made a very good play. Textbook.
Matthew:
We technically need a FS and SS, Milloy isn’t getting any younger
Frank:
But he is still playing well.
Mike:
We don't need a SS yet.
Matthew:
Yea but developmental depth cant hurt
Mike:
True.
Matthew:
Better than Coy Wire, if there is another injury
Mike:
Anyone is better than Coy at Safety. He scares me when he is out there.
Frank:
Coy is toast. He will be brought back to play special teams. Ever hear the guy in an interview?
Matthew:
Nope never heard Coy in a interview, but he's a Stanford grad so he must sound intelligent
Frank:
He sounds like a moron.
Matthew:
how did I know you were going to say that?
Frank:
Sorry. He sounds like he is unsure of himself and like he has a mouthful of marbles.
Matthew:
College Edumacation isn’t what it used to be....
Frank:
Rocky Balboa without the Philly accent.
Matthew:
Ha-ha
Mike:
Have you ever listened to all the players speak? Most of them sound horrible in interviews. It's not just Coy.
Frank:
But Coy went to Stanford. He is supposed to be smarter.
Matthew:
Some sound better than others, its more charisma than anything else, which is something the Bills severely lack
Matthew:
I think this team badly needs an identity something I thought we lacked in the super bowl years, a bad boy type player who other teams and there fans hate
Matthew:
A Terrell Owens or Chad Johnson type
Frank:
I agree. But not Owens; a Darryl Talley type. Back to safety, Baker and McGee have a knack for falling down on the job.
Matthew:
That is true.
Mike:
Everyone has fallen down on the field this year. Someone needs to check this cleats or something.
Matthew:
I agree, the equipment manager should be fired!
Frank:
I don't know if it is the equipment manager or the new turf but something is wrong. Personally, go back to the original Astroturf...and the original unis.
Matthew:
I agree, or at least give us newer cooler looking ones, but bring back the Astroturf!
Mike:
Frank, it's not just the turf at the Ralph. They have fallen in other stadiums too.
Matthew:
Like in Gillette on Sunday
Frank:
That is true Mike.
Mike:
Oakland and New England stick out the most to me.
Frank:
OK guys, got to be closing this up. Predictions for this weekend?
Matthew:
35-17 Bills, I feel lucky
Mike:
Oh man, that would be fun!
Frank:
Unless the weather becomes a factor...Rams 33-17.
Mike:
I think the Bills defense will hold the Rams offense down. Hopefully it will be windy. Bills win 28-12
Frank:
Thanks guys!
Matthew:
Always a pleasure
Mike:
No problem. Thanks for having us
