[Is Werner Jerry Hughes 2.0?]

Jerry Hughes is overrated. He went to a team with a stacked defensive front and all of a sudden the Colts "gave up on him too early".

Hughes does have a lot of natural ability though. But he isn't the top notch pass rusher every makes him out to be. He's Aldon Smith.

 

Dude's overrated...

 

https://vine.co/v/OKFlBjwIwmw

[Buffalo Bills Weaknesses]

I'm tired of reading how bad our O line is or "this is seriously our defense?" threads.

 

How about we dissect the Bills weaknesses (and strengths, if you prefer)?  This is what game planning is all about.

 

I'll start - I don't think their DBs are that great.  If our O line gives Andrew any time to throw, he should be able to pick them apart.  We have the combination of quick receivers who can stretch it as well as big body possession guys. 

 

Also - I'm not sure who's going to start at RB for them?  Has McCoy even played yet?  And their O line isn't stellar, they have some question marks.  Richie I hasn't played in a real game in how long?

 

Finally, the obvious question - how will we gameplan their QB?  If we keep him contained, does he have the arm and football IQ to look for the open man?

 

Bills fan here.  Also have always liked the Colts, Peyton was one of my favorite players ever and Luck is hard not to root for.  I'll root for the Colts every game this year, but ONE.

 

Here's my take on the strengths and weaknesses:

 

DBs- Stephon Gilmore is working his way into the upper echelon of CBs, he had a fantastic second half of the year and will play the "Revis role" in Ryan's defense.

Aaron Williams is a solid safety who has a nose for the ball and can lay the lumber in the run game.  Drafted as a CB out of Texas, he struggled, but has been solid at the safety position.

Corey Graham is also a converted CB who brings that veteran presence and should be a good compliment to Williams.

Ronald Darby scares the hell out of me against the Colts.  He is filling in for McKelvin who had surgery in the offseason and won't return until week 8. He has struggled mightily in the preseason and will get eaten alive by Luck.  I just hope the damage is somewhat minimized by the rest of the Bills D.

Nikell Robey is a good nickel corner and can run with the best of them.  He struggled at times last year, but excelled in Pettine's D his first year (which is almost indentical to Ryan's D).

LBs- Kiko or not, this LB core is on the up-and-up.  Preston Brown is a 2nd year player who filled it nicely for Kiko last year, which might by why Ryan let him go in the trade with Philly.  Bradham is good vs. the run and has gotten better vs. the pass. He will be getting a nice contract this offseason.  Manny Lawson can set the edge but struggles if he is needed in coverage.

DLine- Everyone knows where the strength is.  Dareus will miss this game, but I can tell you that Corbin Bryant is no slouch. 

 

Offensively, QB is obviously the biggest issue.  Taylor showed the ability to make quick decisions from the pocket and distribute the ball to playmakers in the preseason.  How that translates to the regular season has yet to be seen.  If McCoy is hobbled, the back-up RBs will be able to handle the load.  Karlos Williams, Bryce Brown, and Bobbie Dixon are solid.  Bryce has the most versatile skill set, but his ball handling is poor.  He almost single handedly cost the Bills the playoffs in a game vs. Kansas City last year by fumbling out the back of the endzone on a TD run during a 80 yard drive after half time.  Would have been 20-3. Argh, alright moving on.  WRs are really good if Taylor can get them the ball (Watkins, Woods, and Harvin).  Charles Clay will also be the x-factor, again, if Taylor can get him the ball.

 

The entire year for the Bills rests on the QB (as usual).  If they can go 9-7 with no running game and Orton as their freaking QB, this year HAS to go better....I hope.

 

Weather is looking like mid 70s with possibility of rain and wind, which could be an equalizer, who knows.  I just hope it's a good game.  Colts should be deep in the playoffs this year, but hoping Buffalo takes this first game at home. 

[Tyrod Taylor named starting QB for Bills (Merge)]

That is right. He was a FA. I had Flynn confused with Schaub.

 

I was never asked about Seattle not playing Flynn. I made the comparison that they signed him to a huge deal and he never played a down for them. That is bad football business period. Of course they should have played Wilson in hindsight.

 

With Ryan however, you are dealing with a HC who has never figured out the QB position. Perhaps that is because he has had bad QBs as jvan suggested or perhaps it is because he was unable to develop him with his offensive staff. So for him to sign Cassell for $4.5 mil and sit him for a QB who has never started a game in 4 years is dubious at best. But like I said, let's see it play out. This thread is about our opinions on the move. I don't like it. I think it will be bad. You disagree. That is fine. Let's see it play out ...

 

That's why the head coach (Ryan) brought on a well-respected offensive coordinator who has been a head coaching candidate (Greg Roman).  Roman has worked with mobile quarterbacks in Smith (somewhat-mobile) and Kaepernick and has been to multiple NFC championship games as well as a Super Bowl.  They brought in Cassel to fight for the position with Manuel and Taylor.  Cassel could easily be cut if they don't see him as close to being the starter.  I think the Bills would feel ok with Manuel backing up Taylor after this preseason.  Everybody wants to write off Manuel, but the guy hasn't even played the equivalent of a full NFL season (14 games).  The plan initially was to sit him behind a veteran and have him learn for a year or two...but due to injuries, he was forced to start right away.  I think the way that they're handling him NOW is how they should've handled him 2 years ago.

 

That being said, it appears Taylor is the right choice as of now.  Who knows how it'll work out, but it's obvious he played and practiced the best of the 3 while also being able to add another dimension when plays broke down.  They have weapons everywhere (Watkins, Woods, Harvin, Clay, McCoy) and a stout defense.  If he can manage to move the offense, even inconsistently, they will be a tough match-up every week.

[Bills Cut Freddie Jackson]

He hasn't played a full season since 2011.  He's been hurt throughout training camp until just before Pitt game.  They really like Karlos Williams (rookie out of FSU) who has had a non-football injury but will be back by week 1.  He doesn't play special teams, Boobie Dixon does.  Whaley traded for Bryce Brown who's electric but has fumbling issues.  He's 34 years old who's salary could be used to help sign Dareus to a long term contract. 

 

They cut him early, instead of waiting till the last minute, to offer him a chance to jump on with another team and have plenty of time to catch up.

 

Great in pass protection and receiving game and will help Seattle there.