Buffalobills.com Message Board http://boards.buffalobills.com/ This is a discussion forum powered by vBulletin. To find out about vBulletin, go to http://www.vbulletin.com/ . en Sat, 25 May 2013 23:39:03 GMT vBulletin 60 http://boards.buffalobills.com/images/misc/rss.png Buffalobills.com Message Board http://boards.buffalobills.com/ Happy Birthday to former Buffalo Bills Shawne Merrimen http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462165-Happy-Birthday-to-former-Buffalo-Bills-Shawne-Merrimen&goto=newpost Sat, 25 May 2013 23:10:18 GMT *29 years old Today* Attachment 9377 (http://boards.buffalobills.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=9377) 29 years old Today


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]]> General Buffalo Bills Football THE SLAMMER http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462165-Happy-Birthday-to-former-Buffalo-Bills-Shawne-Merrimen <![CDATA[2013- Who's Going to Cleveland?]]> http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462164-2013-Who-s-Going-to-Cleveland&goto=newpost Sat, 25 May 2013 18:26:18 GMT Looking to see who's going to Cleveland and if the Bills Backers are planning anything? ]]> Bills Tickets/Bills Tailgating Info Capt. OTM http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462164-2013-Who-s-Going-to-Cleveland Talked to Nigel Bradham last night http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462163-Talked-to-Nigel-Bradham-last-night&goto=newpost Sat, 25 May 2013 17:56:09 GMT Was out downtown with my buddy, who's a big FSU fan. I thought it was him, but we were at a club downtown and it was kind of dark. About an hour later I was at Jim's Steakout getting some grub before we head home, and sure enough Nigel walks in. But my friend and I went up to him to wish him good luck this season, then we started talking more, he was pretty friendly.

We talked about Coach Pettine, and how he's excited for this year. Called the system "relentless." I asked him if he thinks that Kiko and himself will be starting at ILB, and he said "No doubt, you already know."

He said that he guarantees he has 6 or 7 sacks this year. Which I think it achievable. Despite him being quite intoxicated, the conversation flowed well and he wasn't being unrealistic or bragging about nonsense like most people do when they're drunk.

He also said how he's excited to have so many FSU players surrounding him, and that he know's EJ will be successful, he said this: "The guy just know's how to win. I've seen him be down 24 points in the 4th quarter and climb back to lead us to a W."

He was also wearing braces, which I thought was interesting.... Anyways, just thought I'd report some feelings from a player in regards to this season. I feel like Bradham has a solid opportunity this year to "breakout." ]]> General Buffalo Bills Football blakesbills16 http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462163-Talked-to-Nigel-Bradham-last-night How many steals can one have? http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462161-How-many-steals-can-one-have&goto=newpost Sat, 25 May 2013 15:22:41 GMT I'll be the first to admit I'm as big of a homer as the next guy but were not even 10 practices in and there's a tread about almost every rookie being the steal of the class..

I like almost all of our picks, also Pough and Rogers but do you guys think this is legitimate hype or are we overreacting? Is it just the new feel and faces or did we just hit it out of the park?


:billsflag: ]]> General Buffalo Bills Football Paper_Or_Plastic http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462161-How-many-steals-can-one-have <![CDATA[Shoutout to Da'Rick]]> http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462160-Shoutout-to-Da-Rick&goto=newpost Sat, 25 May 2013 14:00:54 GMT This dude hasn't left Buffalo since that Thursday Rookies were told to report. He is interacting with the other wideouts and seems to be grasping the playbook. I am not understanding the question marks on him and it seems like he has truly grown. Can't wait to see him in TC and preseason. ]]> General Buffalo Bills Football blofan4life http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462160-Shoutout-to-Da-Rick What kind of season does Mario need this year? http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462159-What-kind-of-season-does-Mario-need-this-year&goto=newpost Sat, 25 May 2013 13:15:12 GMT When we signed Mario Williams to the $100M contract, I don't think anyone was asking for him to have a 20+ sack season. I think most people wanted him to replicate the production he had in Houston where he had a stretch of 14-16 sack season's. And for me, it's not just about the number of sacks a person has, it's when they happen. I'd rather have a guy only has 8 sacks a year but makes them at vital points of the game instead of a guy who has 20 meaningless sacks. For so long I've said that this team has lacked a player on the front seven who will make a play late in the game when the team desperately needs it. And not to just pointlessly bash Mario but I don't remember him making any big plays late in games last year where it turned out to be the difference in the game and to me a guy who gets the type contract he got should be making those plays.

But with that said, what type of year does Mario need, not only from a contract stand point but from a team stand point? With 10.5 sacks last year in Wannstedt's black and white defense, for me I think he needs a 14+ sack season. ]]> General Buffalo Bills Football FloridaGatorsBuffaloBills http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462159-What-kind-of-season-does-Mario-need-this-year Analyzing EJ Manuel - NC State game http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462158-Analyzing-EJ-Manuel-NC-State-game&goto=newpost Sat, 25 May 2013 13:12:49 GMT In trying to understand the player that will be quarterbacking our beloved Bills for possibly years to come, I've decided to evaluate a few games of his collegiate career. One game that many harp on is the NC State from his senior season. This bad loss helped shape the negative perception of Manuel that many have. So is this game indicative of a possible mistake by Buffalo in choosing Manuel as their franchise QB? Or can this game be chalked up as an anomaly or a game that was lost in spite of Manuel, and not because of him?

The first half of the game went well. Manuel went 11-15, 117 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT. Florida State was up 16-0. FSU was in good shape to keep their undefeated season alive.

We'll start with the 2nd half. Scroll to 0:14 for the first possession.



1st and 10 at FSU 33 EJ Manuel pass complete to Rashad Greene for 9 yards to the FlaSt 42
Nice throw from a shotgun play action pass on an out-route for nine yards.

2nd and 1 at FSU 42 Lonnie Pryor rush for a loss of 1 yard to the FlaSt 41.
3rd and 2 at FSU 41 James Wilder Jr. rush for no gain to the FlaSt 41
Jimbo decides to get conservative. The run is stuffed. 3 and out, but not because of Manuel.

Scroll to 3:32 for next possession. After NC State drove the field to kick a field goal to make it 16-3 with 6:50 to go in the 3rd, FSU takes their 2nd possession on their own 25.

1st and 10 at FSU 25 EJ Manuel rush for 9 yards to the FlaSt 34.
Nice scramble of 9 yards on the playaction fake rollout right.

2nd and 1 at FSU 34 Chris Thompson rush for 2 yards to the FlaSt 36 for a 1ST down.
3:51 - 1st and 10 at FSU 36 EJ Manuel pass incomplete to Kenny Shaw, broken up by Dontae Johnson.
Manuel looks to be forcing the throw down the left sideline to his receiver, who is blanketed the entire way and the pass is broken up

2nd and 10 at FSU 36 Chris Thompson rush for 1 yard to the FlaSt 37.
4:10 - 3rd and 9 at FSU 37 EJ Manuel pass incomplete to Kelvin Benjamin.
Had Benjamin open deep over the middle of the field, but EJ simply overthrew him. He had plenty of time in the pocket to hit his receiver...that possession is on Manuel.

Scroll to 5:08 for FSU's third possession of the 2nd half. 3:00 to go in 3rd quarter.

1st and 10 at FSU 27 Chris Thompson rush for 16 yards to the FlaSt 43 for a 1ST down
5:19 - 1st and 10 at FSU 43 EJ Manuel pass complete to Rashad Greene for 7 yards to the 50 yard line.
Shotgun formation, good throw to his left to the outside receiver.

2nd and 3 at NCST 50 Chris Thompson rush for no gain to the 50 yard line.
5:35 - 3rd and 3 at NCST 50 EJ Manuel pass complete to Kenny Shaw for 17 yards to the NCSt 33 for a 1ST down.
Good throw across the middle to his receiver on third down to get the first. Looks like he took a little off of it in order to get it over the linebacker.

1st and 10 at NCST 33 Chris Thompson rush for no gain to the NCSt 33.
5:52 - 2nd and 10 at NCST 33 EJ Manuel pass incomplete to Nick O'Leary.
Playaction rollout right, Manuel immediately has a man in his face after his running back completely whiffs on his block (common theme). But EJ does a great job of eluding the sack. Manuel then attempts a throw running to his right to his tight end right at the first down marker, but he outthrows him. A good pass would have resulted in the first down. He's got to make these throws 95% of the time at the next level. No excuses.

6:02 - 3rd and 10 at NCST 33 EJ Manuel pass intercepted by Juston Burris at the NCSt 30, returned for 11 yards to the NCSt 41.
This was an odd play. First of all, calling for a three-step drop quick slant on 3rd and 10 is weird in and of itself. On the throw, it looks like EJ was anticipating his outside receiver to get on the inside of the defender on his slant. That would have put them inside the 30, at the very least well within Hopkins' range. There was also a possibility of his WR breaking the tackle and at least running for the first down or more, as there was a lot of room behind the corner. Instead what happened was the WR ran an extremely sloppy route (common theme) and failed to body up his defender, who did a good job himself of anticipating the pass and jumping the route to make the interception. This may have been the turn around of the game. I actually blame EJ more for his two overthrows than for this throw. His WR has to do a better job of helping him out here.

At this point, Glennon gets hot and leads NC State to a quick touchdown to make it 16-10. State has all of the momentum.

Scroll to 7:29 for FSU's fourth possession of the 2nd half. 13:46 to go in the 4th, FSU starts on their own 25.

1st and 10 at FSU 25 EJ Manuel pass incomplete to Chris Thompson.
Designed play-action screen to RB Thompson. EJ had about 0.5 secs to get it to him before the entire defensive line creamed him. He's hit as he throws which causes the ball to sail over Thompson. Despite the rush, EJ's got to complete this every time. It would have resulted in a huge play if EJ could have been accurate. Another missed opportunity by EJ (the third of the half).

7:37 - 2nd and 10 at FSU 25 EJ Manuel rush for 1 yard to the FlaSt 26.
Another play-action. EJ has to leave the pocket to avoid the rush. Scrambles for a yard.

7:47 - 3rd and 9 at FSU 26 EJ Manuel pass complete to Kelvin Benjamin for 27 yards to the NCSt 47 for a 1ST down.
EJ does a great job of going through a couple progressions while avoiding the rush and hitting his receiver down the left sideline for a big gain. If I had to nit-pick, I would say EJ should have anticipated and thrown sooner as the WR was wide open for a while and EJ's delay almost resulted in the safety causing the incompletion. At the next level, this slow progression will likely result in a missed opportunity. Credit the receiver for the catch.

8:01 - 1st and 10 at NCST 47 Chris Thompson rush for no gain to the NCSt 47.
Shortside triple option left. Manuel (who may be the best triple option QB I've ever seen - too bad this play won't be used barely at all in the NFL) does the best job he can of drawing the defender before tossing to Thompson.

8:10 - 2nd and 10 at NCST 47 EJ Manuel pass complete to Rodney Smith for 20 yards to the NCSt 27 for a 1ST down.
Shotgun, drop back, EJ makes a perfect throw down the field for a first down.

1st and 10 at NCST 27 Chris Thompson rush for 5 yards to the NCSt 22.
2nd and 5 at NCST 22 Chris Thompson rush for 3 yards to the NCSt 19.
8:36 - 3rd and 2 at NCST 19 EJ Manuel sacked by Dontae Johnson for a loss of 15 yards to the NCSt 34.
Devastating play. Play action fake, rollout right. FSU does a piss-poor job of protection. Three NC State defenders are on EJ immediately. EJ tries to avoid the two defenders he sees by attempting a spin move, which is a bad habit that he got himself into at FSU and something he can't do in Buffalo. Little did EJ know there was a third pass rusher, who dropped him for a loss of 15 yards. His teammates put EJ in an unfortunate situation, but EJ absolutely cannot take a 15 yard loss there. No more spin moves! That took them out of FG range.

FSU's defense does a good job of holding State to a punt. EJ gets the ball back with 6:09 to go at the 24.

1st and 10 at FSU 24 Chris Thompson rush for a loss of 2 yards to the FlaSt 22.
2nd and 12 at FSU 22 Rashad Greene rush for 1 yard to the FlaSt 23.
10:29 - 3rd and 11 at FSU 23 EJ Manuel pass incomplete to Kelvin Benjamin.
EJ has plenty of time and throws deep down the left sideline. A good WR would make this play and FSU likely wins the game as a result. FSU has to punt and give it back to NC State.

NC State drives down the field, but FSU's D stops them on 4th down to turn it back over to the FSU O with 2:47 to go. Unfortunately NC State has all three of their timeouts left, which coincides with Jimbo's butthole puckering as he calls for three straight runs. Of course, FSU has to punt. Conservative coaching at its worst.

As a result, FSU's defense chokes at the end and Glennon throws the winning touchdown with 16 seconds left. Ballgame.

CONCLUSION: Obviously, EJ could have certainly played better and missed on some big opportunities, but he gets way too much blame for this game. He had a good first half. In the second half, I counted three throws that he should have completed that was his fault that he must complete in the NFL. The interception is debatable, as his receiver should have done a better job of running his route and getting in front of the defender (plus some credit has to go to the defender himself). Certainly, Manuel should receive a lot of the blame, as he's the QB and the offense scored 0 points in the 2nd half to lose to a mediocre opponent. But his game is in no way proof that he will not succeed in the NFL.

Inconsistent protection, conservative play-calling, and sloppy performance by his WR's didn't help Manuel in this game. These are factors that hurt FSU throughout Manuel's career. The ability of Manuel's teammates on offense were very overrated during his time at FSU, and I think FSU fans will find that out this season unless they all make tremendous leaps in their game for 2013. Too many people look at recruiting rankings as proof that Manuel underachieved considering what he had to work with. But there's a difference between being athletically gifted and being a good football player. Aside from Chris Thompson (who I like a lot but wasn't great at pass protection) and perhaps Menelik Watson, Manuel didn't have much to work with.

IMO, Manuel covered up a whole lot of deficiencies in that FSU offense. He's far from a perfect QB and has a lot of improvement to make that you can see just from this game alone (throwing accuracy, speeding up his progressions, pressure awareness and taking sacks), but he's better than the 2nd-3rd round grades he received leading up to the draft - which has resulted in negativity toward Buffalo for "reaching" for him. Every college QB coming out has weaknesses and bad games. Even Manning (couldn't beat Florida), Brady (stunk in quite a few games), Brees, and Rodgers had them.

I'll make a similar analysis about EJ's other bad game...vs. Florida. ]]> General Buffalo Bills Football Wayne Arnold http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462158-Analyzing-EJ-Manuel-NC-State-game Pettine gauging versatile fits for his defense http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462156-Pettine-gauging-versatile-fits-for-his-defense&goto=newpost Sat, 25 May 2013 10:11:08 GMT Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is finding in the team’s OTA practices that he has a healthy number of versatile players to work with in Buffalo.... Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine is finding in the team’s OTA practices that he has a healthy number of versatile players to work with in Buffalo.

Click Here For Full Story... ]]> General Buffalo Bills Football BillsModerator http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462156-Pettine-gauging-versatile-fits-for-his-defense Why EJ will succeed in Marrones WCO (west coast offense) http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462152-Why-EJ-will-succeed-in-Marrones-WCO-(west-coast-offense)&goto=newpost Sat, 25 May 2013 03:17:13 GMT This offense should NOT be highly complicated. The WCO will allow the Bills/Manuel to run a variety of their best plays from a variety of formations.... This offense should NOT be highly complicated. The WCO will allow the Bills/Manuel to run a variety of their best plays from a variety of formations.

Running the same play 5 times from 5 different formations is very hard for a defense to key on. Now imagine a playbook with 15-20 bread and butter plays. Same lingo, same assignments, just a different formation.

Extremely easy to pick up and once the offense starts clicking it becomes deadly. Add in ALL the speed we have and a K-gun, no huddle offense and now things are looking brighter. Imagine a fast paced offense capable of taking the top off a defense and having them completely fatigued by the 4th quarter.

Lastly a QB in a WCO has structure. Not like in a spread offense where you read half the field first, and if no one is open your pretty much a sitting duck or an interception waiting to happen. EJ has strict reads and progressions. 1,2,3,run. Stevie on the out, Woods on the dig, TJ on the 9, and then tuck and run. Less mistakes, less sacks, and a quick strike offense.

I feel like EJ is tailored made for Marrones offense and he should be fun to watch for years to come

Go Bills! ]]> General Buffalo Bills Football Buffalo716 http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462152-Why-EJ-will-succeed-in-Marrones-WCO-(west-coast-offense) Fred Jackson can still be a playmaker! http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462150-Fred-Jackson-can-still-be-a-playmaker!&goto=newpost Sat, 25 May 2013 02:29:52 GMT I'm one of the biggest Spiller supporters there is, even before he broke out and put the NFL on notice. With that being said Fred Jackson is still on this team and he is still a huge weapon. In a limited role he could really make some plays this yr. I see him in a 3rd down/change of pace type of role this season and I think he will thrive in it. He is still a playmaker and if he can kick in 500-600 yrds rushing and another 200-300 rec and put up a couple TD's as well I would consider that a sold season. It would be even better if Hackett could do something Chan could never do and get both Jackson and Spiller on the field at the same time. I'm just saying as excited we all are for Spiller lets not forget we got the best backup RB in the NFL behind him and he still has gas left in the tank. ]]> General Buffalo Bills Football BillsMafia#1 http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462150-Fred-Jackson-can-still-be-a-playmaker! Will we have 2 top 50 players in NFL Networks top 100? http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462145-Will-we-have-2-top-50-players-in-NFL-Networks-top-100&goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 21:40:30 GMT Im pretty sure Byrd is on the list somewhere, but I am starting to wonder if SPiller will make this list. Not many teams will have more than 1 top 50... Im pretty sure Byrd is on the list somewhere, but I am starting to wonder if SPiller will make this list. Not many teams will have more than 1 top 50 player. ]]> General Buffalo Bills Football DaBills4Life http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462145-Will-we-have-2-top-50-players-in-NFL-Networks-top-100 F/A Steal! http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462144-F-A-Steal!&goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 21:27:44 GMT I know it's only OTA's but is Da'Rick Rogers always burning the defense for an 80 yard TD? If this kid keeps his head on straight this could be one of the explosive WR corps we've seen here in a long, long time. Guy is 6'3 and runs like that? Wow!

Our WR position went from being depleted to explosive in a 3-4 day span between the draft and free agency, I hope it all pans out but I like what I see so far.

Go Bills!!! ]]> General Buffalo Bills Football kGun http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462144-F-A-Steal! Chris Gragg a great steal in the 7th http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462143-Chris-Gragg-a-great-steal-in-the-7th&goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 21:09:48 GMT Chris Gragg might have been our biggest steal he is 6'4 220lbs ran a 4.46 forty, 37 inch vertical and a 4.51 shuttle all top numbers for a TE at the draft. His junior year he was very productive against SEC defenses and the only reason he dropped was due to injury concerns n the team falling apart last yr. I think he will be our #2 after camp and can be a Aaron Hernandez type stretch TE ]]> General Buffalo Bills Football vrubdog http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462143-Chris-Gragg-a-great-steal-in-the-7th Where does Kyle Williams fit in this new defense? http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462142-Where-does-Kyle-Williams-fit-in-this-new-defense&goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 20:54:59 GMT not saying dude should be traded or cut or any of that garbage, so let's make that clear. we have seen kyle do well in the 4-3 and we have seen him do well at the nose in the 3-4. during his time playing the nose i thought he was a little undersized to play it but he did well. with all the players we have on the line, i wanted to know what others thought about kyle and where he fits in this new defense? pettine hasnt said much, so it would all be speculative at this point. where would you guys like to see kyle line up? do you guys see kyle playing multiple positions like pettine has being talking about? ]]> General Buffalo Bills Football Barkinmadd4805 http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462142-Where-does-Kyle-Williams-fit-in-this-new-defense Youth likely to be served for Bills http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462141-Youth-likely-to-be-served-for-Bills&goto=newpost Fri, 24 May 2013 20:40:01 GMT ESPN NFC West blogger Mike Sando put together a list of NFL clubs projected starters on offense and defense for 2013 to see which teams this coming... ESPN NFC West blogger Mike Sando put together a list of NFL clubs projected starters on offense and defense for 2013 to see which teams this coming season would have the youngest average starting lineups in the league. Not surprisingly Buffalo was near the top of the list. The Bills ranked as the fifth-youngest projected […]

Click here to read the latest blog entry... ]]> General Buffalo Bills Football Chris_Brown http://boards.buffalobills.com/showthread.php?462141-Youth-likely-to-be-served-for-Bills