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Around The AFC East: Buffalo Bills

Continuing on with our look around the division, it's time to turn our attention to Buffalo.  To do that, we welcome in Brian Galliford from Buffalo Rumblings.

Matty I: We've already touched on a number of topics this offseason.  But I don't believe I've asked you this question straight out.  What position are you most concerned with as we inch closer to training camp?  And what can be done at this point to help alleviate those concerns?

Brian G: Oh, there's plenty to worry about in Buffalo.  It's a bit cliche, but it's cliche for a reason: the quarterback position is the most important position on the football field.  No matter how good the team is elsewhere, the easiest and most effective way for this franchise to turn around its fortunes is for Trent Edwards to prove that he's a franchise quarterback.

Honestly, I don't think there's much more to say beyond that.  I don't like to oversimplify what is an incredibly complex sport, but the teams that win consistently - the Patriots and Steelers of the world - have the basics down cold.  Those basics, of course, are good coaches, running and stopping the run, and most importantly, they've got quarterbacks.  You can achieve anything in the NFL if you've got a good quarterback.  It's a lot more difficult to achieve anything of note when you don't.  It's that simple.  So, naturally, the position that has to be most concerning in Buffalo is, has been, and will remain quarterback.

My Take: Straight and to the point.  Brian speaks the truth here.  Good teams usually have good quarterback play.  You don't need a great QB - but you need a consistent one.  Edwards has been very far from consistent and, like we've said in the past, this is his make-or-break season in Buffalo.

Be sure to head over to BR to read a little Channing Crowder talk.

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What I find most interesting about Brian's response ...

is this:

I don’t like to oversimplify what is an incredibly complex sport, but the teams that win consistently – the Patriots and Steelers of the world – have the basics down cold. Those basics, of course, are good coaches, running and stopping the run, and most importantly, they’ve got quarterbacks.

In a way, he echoes the importance of QB play that most everyone seems to acknowledge. If you want to to win consistently in the NFL, you need a QB that consistently makes plays and more often than not big plays.

But where I disagree with Brian is about the old saying of the importance of

running and stopping the run.
With the exception of the NYG a couple of years ago, teams in the superbowl have not been all that successful in running the football. The Patriots, Cardinals, Steelers, Colts, and Bears have all been middle of the pack or worse when it came to running the football.

I don’t think you can make the correlation anymore about the need to run the football with winning in the NFL. I think dynamic players at the WR and QB position are just as important, if not more important, than the running game. Just look at the last 2 superbowl winners. As good as the NYG were at running the football, the game still came down to them needing great plays out of Manning, Burress, and Hixon in the final 2 minutes to win. The Steelers needed Big Ben and Holmes to do the same. And that was after the great drive by Warner and Fitzgerald.

by ct1361 on Jun 19, 2009 11:27 AM EDT reply actions   0 recs

While I agree

I disagree in the light that you are putting “pushing the rock”. Running the football is about clock management, pass pass run or run pass run… it’s all meant to manage the game that’s the Key, clock management. Running backs by and large never fully get the glory a good run average is 4-6 yards an stupendous average is 8-10 compare that to passing yardage. It’s not about the glory it’s about the workhorse you receive and the ability. So it’s natural that they do not get a lot of lime light because to be honest it is so hard to break that front line and go down 30 yards but then again that’s just a bonus IMO there not truly meant to bust out HUGE yardage there supposed to pound the line into submission and inch there way for the next down all the meanwhile taking time away from the opponent and managing it wisely.

by Ex Sniper on Jun 19, 2009 12:01 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well if you mean winning the Super Bowl... that's one thing.

But look at the team with the best record last year – the Titans. They ran the ball well and didn’t pass the ball well. They stopped the running game, too. They had consistent QB play, ran the ball well, and stopped the run to get their great record.

Playing Realistic Optimist at Buffalo Rumblings since 2008. Fear can hold you prisoner. Hope can set you free.

by MattRichWarren on Jun 22, 2009 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions   0 recs

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