When In Doubt, It’s Terrell’s Fault Right?

With zero games into the season, Bills fans have several reasons to worry.  Buffalo’s first team offense has been shut out for the second game in a row while turning the ball over and not being able to move the chains consistently for a first down.  Although Buffalo would argue that the offense is lacking because Terrell Owens is absent from the lineup, I find it hard to believe that Terrell would make this offense that much better.  Terrell does not call the plays, Terrell does not give out the snap count, Terrell is not responsible for calling any audibles, Terrell does not block on QB Trent Edwards blind side either.  Unless the Bills have a monster strategy that involves Terrell doing all of those things efficiently, Terrell has little to do with the preseason failure of this offense.

Once again Trent Edwards has shown an inability to properly read a 3-4 defense.  But that is one of the smallest concerns at this point.  Through his first two years the thing that stood out with Trent Edwards was his poise and ability to make the smart throw.  While J.P. Losman always seemed to always “swing for the fences,” Trent seemed happy to just check down to an open receiver and just move the chains.  But much like my views on Marshawn Lynch, it appears that Edwards is also not doing the things that initially made him successful.  But, it is hard to pin everything on Edwards.  Yes, he is not checking to the open receiver.  Yes, he is taking far too long to run a play in a No-Huddle offense.  Yes, he is turning the ball over at a rate that would make Tony Romo blush.  The one thing that seems to get lost in the Buffalo Bills blame game for their inadequacies on offense are the coach’s roles.  

The job of the coaches is to develop plays and strategies to best exploit the talent they have.  Buffalo has done a very poor job of this so far.  The Bills, for whatever reason, are predictable on offense and Turk Schonert and Dick Jauron should be held accountable as well.  At this point it appears that the use of the No-Huddle offense was more for nostalgic and gimmick purposes as Buffalo celebrates their 50th anniversary.  Pre season is used to gauge players value and usefulness as well as develop continuity on offense.  Buffalo appears more concerned to make sure players get a certain amount of repetitions rather than opening up their playbook in order to test out their offense in game situations.  At what point will Buffalo stop running the ball after Marshawn continues to gain 2 yards?

Lee Evans has become the forgotten man on offense.  It is unfortunate that a talented player like he is has not been utilized effectively.  But, one bright spot for Buffalo was Aaron Maybin.  Although I did find the commentary during the game a little elementary when it came to Maybin, as they continuously sung his praises on plays that were more of a direct result of other players assistance than it was due to Maybin.  Maybin did record a sack and looked good doing so, but before we praise him as the next Lawrence Taylor we need to understand that it was Reggie Corner’s CB blitz that ultimately pushed QB Ben Roethlisberger to have to step up into Aaron Maybin for the sack.  So Aaron Maybin, good work but I am not convinced as of yet…a hold out tends to do that.

Buffalo has uncharacteristically also did themselves a disservice this preseason and especially against Pittsburgh by being unable to start with good field position and have also generated several penalties.  The defense has looked good considering they have had to consistently defend while the opposing team has had great starting field position.  It is still a certainty that Buffalo needs to upgrade the DE position as Chris Kelsay is not much better than a backup player.

At this point the Pittsburgh game could be best summarized this way, read everything I wrote about the Green Bay game.  It was embarrassing as a fan so I can only imagine how the players and coaches feel.  Something needs to be done and at this point I would not be opposed to a coaching change.  Although Edwards does not look prepared and often appears lost on offense, it is the coaches responsibility to ensure that doesn’t happen.  It is also on the coaches to ensure the offensive game plan can be run by their existing personnel.  Buffalo has failed thus far in both those areas.

Tags: Aaron Maybin, Ben Roethlisberger, Buffalo Bills, Chris Kelsay, Dick Jauron, Green Bay Packers, J.P. Losman, Lawrence Taylor, Lee Evans, Marshawn Lynch, Pittsburgh Steelers, Reggie Corner, Terrell Owens, Tony Romo, Trent Edwards, Turk Schonert