11/29/09: Dolphins at Bills

So living in a rival team's fanbase is good for one thing: being able to know the team and what is going on with them. I watch every Bills game that isn't on at the same time as a Dolphins game and I'm stuck hearing about them on the news on the daily. So I've decided to post about a few observations I've found about the Bills.

Their biggest problem: Quarterback

Now that Dick Jauron is gone, the Bills are facing a bigger problem: who better suits them as quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick or Trent Edwards? Fitzpatrick isn't completely awful but he sure isn't anything good. He makes huge mistakes that with a small amount of thinking wouldn't happen, and the guy went to Harvard so it surprises me even more because he's proven he has a brain but can't use it in games. The Bills will most likely start Fitzpatrick as they benched Edwards for him in their loss against the Titans two games ago. One thing the Dolphins must capitalize on is making good of Fitzpatrick's mistakes. Many times he will make very inaccurate throws or ones that are basically just thrown to the defense. A few quick hits about Fitzpatrick regarding stats are:

TD/INT Ratio: 3-6, Completion Percentage: 51.9, Sacked: 6 times, Averages 6.1 yards per completion, QB rating: 56.8.

So as you can see, Fitzpatrick is not doing too well for the Bills but could cause trouble if we let him. If anyone saw highlights from the Cleveland-Buffalo game, Fitzpatrick's throws are proven to not be too well.

Second biggest problem: Injuries

I've talked to many Bills fans and they've pointed out that their team has lost a lot of valuable players to injuries this year, but it prompts me to respond that so has our team and look at us. Nevertheless, the Bills probably are holding the record this year for the most men on IR. The players they have lost are as follows:

Derek Schouman, Brad Butler, Leodis McKelvin, Kawika Mitchell, Marcus Buggs, Derek Fine, Keith Ellison, Marcus Stroud and the most recent additons: Eric Wood and Seth McKinney.

One player that is not on IR but was injured in the last game was Marshawn Lynch (correction), who hasn't had much of an impact this year but the loss of him, if so, for the Dolphins game still plays in our favor.

The way the Dolphins can capitalize on this is because the Bills now have a pretty week offensive line and if the Dolphins are able to penetrate the current offensive line, they will put a sustainable amount of pressure on Fitzpatrick and further rattle his inaccuracy and inability to complete passes. The Bills only have one healthy guard which further shows what injuries have done for their front. I probably left out injured players but the point is that the Bills are struggling with having healthy players and it is really hurting them, along with a few other problems.

Another big problem: Terrell Owens

T.O. has had a career year this year and when I say that, I mean his second worst of his career year. The only other time he has done worse was his rookie year in San Francisco where he only started 10 games. So far this season T.O. has 35 catches for only 563 yards. T.O. knows it, all the Bills fans know it, we know it: T.O. sucks this year and one of the biggest problems is the system he is in. He isn't able to capitalize on the throws he gets and half the time the throws don't even get to him. Last game Fitzpatrick threw the bomb from his own 2 yard line to T.O. who turned it in to a 98 yard touchdown, the only time it can be said that T.O. shined this year. Maybe T.O. is getting old but he still can potentially be dangerous and the Dolphins must contain him in order for a huge play like that not to happen.

A new coach: Perry Fewell

Ralph Wilson finally made the decision to get rid of Jauron, as you all know, and promote defensive coordinator Fewell to interim-head coach. I think that the decision to keep Fewell as D.C., actually helps the Dolphins because he has more on his plate. It is hard to say if getting rid of Jauron this late in the season will do anything but it may help fuel the fire of the players that he brought in, as they fear they might just lose their jobs too. The Bills also lack an offensive coordinator that is able to be successful in the NFL. Wilson said he plans on cleaning house and I'm sure that is one of the first things that will go. There are rumors that either Jim Haslett. Brian Billick or maybe Mike Shanahan will come in and coach the Bills. The Shanahan thing? Not happening, I just can't see it because the Bills have a QB mess along with plenty other messes. I think that is the most doubtful rumor, Shanahan may really want to coach again but it won't be for the Bills, at least in my eyes.

I recall hearing the announcers of the game yesterday say the Bills were in every game except one of them, can anyone guess what game that was? Maybe the 38-10 blow out that the Dolphins gave the Bills. I hope that the Dolphins are able to do well in the game this week without the crucial players they have lost to injury. As you all should know, I'll be at this game so I'm watching everything this week pretty closely. If I happen to hear anything else or come across anything else interesting regarding the Bills situation, I'll make sure to update this post. Other than that enjoy, and thoughts?