We can't lose... and other thoughts

[InmanRoshi]

I definitely agree we have a problem with playmaking ability at the RB position. MB3 is fine for what he does, albeit a tad limited, but our "homerun" runningback hasn't hit a homerun in three years. We don't have a back who can turn a 5 yard play into a 60 yard play, and opposing defenses know it.

What I loved about last night's game was the signs that maybe this team has a little bit of heart, leadership and other intangibles that championship teams have. That's what I thought was the biggest problem with last year's team ... they folded every time they faced adversity in the face, and they found ways to lose. We lose Fergie, Ellis, Henry and Newman on defense at various times, and the defense just keeps right on fighting. Last year we lose Ellis and the entire defense just collapses. We give up a few big plays early in a game last year on defense and they just nosedive and give up 35. As demonstrated last night, we find unbelievable ways to win this year. Last year, the Seattle playoff loss and the loss at Washington we found unbelievable ways to lose.

 

[MichaelWinicki]

I definitely agree we have a problem with playmaking ability at the RB position. MB3 is fine for what he does, albeit a tad limited, but our "homerun" runningback hasn't hit a homerun in three years. We don't have a back who can turn a 5 yard play into a 60 yard play, and opposing defenses know it.

I guess you missed the New Orleans game last year.

 

[stealth]

Folk you

 

[InmanRoshi]

Yes, I hope Julis has at least one or two big runs when he's getting 250 carries a season. Even Troy Hambrick can break off a big run occasionally if you feed the ball to him enough. But I guess you must have missed where Julius had one of the lowest number of 20+yard runs among the NFL among backs with over 250 carries last year. 4 in 257 carries. (Frank Gore had 15 in 307 ... behind something not even remotely resembling a decent line). JJ's on track to have an even worse ratio of big runs per carries this year.

Julius ... The homerun threat who never hits homeruns.

 

[superpunk]

I definitely agree we have a problem with playmaking ability at the RB position. MB3 is fine for what he does, albeit a tad limited, but our "homerun" runningback hasn't hit a homerun in three years. We don't have a back who can turn a 5 yard play into a 60 yard play, and opposing defenses know it.

We need someone who can take the pressure off our passing game in spots like last night. It's brutally obvious.

What I loved about last night's game was the signs that maybe this team has a little bit of heart, leadership and other intangibles that championship teams have. That's what I thought was the biggest problem with last year's team ... they folded every time they faced adversity in the face, and they found ways to lose. We lose Fergie, Ellis, Henry and Newman on defense at various times, and the defense just keeps right on fighting. Last year we lose Ellis and the entire defense just collapses. We give up a few big plays early last year on defense, and they just nosedive and give up 35. As demonstrated last night, we find unbelievable ways to win last year. Last year, the Seattle playoff loss and the loss at Washington we found unbelievable ways to lose.

Well said. In past years, these players would have packed it in in the second quarter, took their ***-whipping and gone home. The grittiness and never-quit attitude is what kept me glued to the set, waiting for them to blow it wide open. They've gone from glass-jaw to prize-fighter's jaw. I hope that continues.

 

[Idgit]

What should have been done is that Garrett should have used a short passing game to loosen up the Bills defense... and we didn't until the very end.

Our OC should have called the kind of game where you can have six turnovers and win....oh, wait.

The problems on O last night were with execution, not with play calling.

 

[superpunk]

Our OC should have called the kind of game where you can have six turnovers and win....oh, wait.

The problems on O last night were with execution, not with play calling.

I was wondering who would start the Bash the Coordinators charge. I was looking for someone (other than Romo) to blame for Romo completely crapping the bed. I now have that someone.

GROG.

 

[peplaw06]

*What the frack was the booth's obsession with Trent Edwards? This seems to be a common trend with broadcasters. A young QB is in, and he's not losing the game - but he's not doing anything to win it, either. Hmmmmmm...what can we say about him? Oh, I know - let's say he has great "poise". Garbage catch-phrase. He killed any chance the Bills had of putting that away. Poise my ***. Hey Tirico and Jaws, how 'bout you get off the QB's nuts and give some love to that defense that has allowed 1 offensive TD in the LAST THREE GAMES!

OMG so annoying.... I remember one such time that they said that Edwards had "amazing poise," and it was when he decided to run down the play clock before taking a time out near the end of the half. Poise? Really? Any NFL QB can do that.

Kornheiser mentioned too that Jaws had a Bills jersey in the booth... I didn't see the pre-game stuff, but I'm assuming he picked them to win, or was he just hoping?

I'd like to add another thought. Is there any doubt that TO will never catch a break in this league again?

 

[superpunk]

OMG so annoying.... I remember one such time that they said that Edwards had "amazing poise," and it was when he decided to run down the play clock before taking a time out near the end of the half. Poise? Really? Any NFL QB can do that.

Kornheiser mentioned too that Jaws had a Bills jersey in the booth... I didn't see the pre-game stuff, but I'm assuming he picked them to win, or was he just hoping?

I'd like to add another thought. Is there any doubt that TO will never catch a break in this league again?

I think Jaws just said that things were shaping up very nicely for a Buffalo upset. Nothing definitive.

Certainly nothing as eye-opening (and by eye-opening, I mean moronic) as Berman's prediction that Buffalo would beat us 52-17.

 

[superpunk]

Another thing I just heard Norm mention, that I forgot how impressed I was by it, was Jay Ratliff hustling after T-New to recover the fumble.

Ultimately, it mdae no difference. But it was really a great thing to see him do.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Totally agree on the RB point. That's why I was actually halfway hopeful when those Larry Johnson rumors came up before he re-signed with KC... Because while JJ and MB are okay, they're really just that -- okay. When you're coming out of the cellar like we've done, being in the top quarter of the league looks great. But when your team develops and start thinking Super Bowl and how you match up against the best teams in the league, your expectations rise. And RB is one area where we're not that good, IMO. I think we're definitely going to suffer from a weak running game against the better defenses we face in the playoffs.

Also agree on Anderson. I was actually happily suprised at how well he caught the ball on those checkdowns, but still, doesn't block that well and he is a rookie. I'm *really* hoping we get Hoyte back for New England, because he can blow people up and he knows his pass protections better.

Those last-second FG calls are B.S., IMO. Yeah, it's the rule and it's the same for everyone, etc. But it's just so... Sloppy. Are we going to have two kicks every game from now on for last second FGs? Maybe they should almost make it like a batter calling timeout in baseball -- it's up to the umpire's discretion whether or not it was called too late. If he thinks the pitcher was already coming home, too bad, you don't get to stop play.

Good post, SP. What an amazing, amazing game that was. Lke Jack Buck said... I don't believe what I just saw.

 

[Deep_Freeze]

Yes, I hope Julis has at least one or two big runs when he's getting 250 carries a season. Even Troy Hambrick can break off a big run occasionally if you feed the ball to him enough. But I guess you must have missed where Julius had one of the lowest number of 20+yard runs among the NFL among backs with over 250 carries last year. 4 in 257 carries. (Frank Gore had 15 in 307 ... behind something not even remotely resembling a decent line). JJ's on track to have an even worse ratio of big runs per carries this year.

Julius ... The homerun threat who never hits homeruns.

When you spend all your picks on LBs, it eventually catches up with you. Seems like I have been complaining for centuries about this issue, our offense needs some young big time talent at the skill positions, and quick, no matter what the numbers say presently.

I'd like to add another thought. Is there any doubt that TO will never catch a break in this league again?

Just call him Dennis Rodman. Just as well color his hair.