Know your Enemy: Interview with Buffalo Wins

This week, prior to the Dolphins (3-4)taking on the rival Buffalo Bills (3-4), we had a chance to chat it up with Joe Pinzone of Buffalo Wins. 

We asked Joe about the state of the Bills with Rex Ryan coming to Buffalo, the quarterback situation, and finally what both Charles Clay and LaSean McCoy add to the Bills. 

MS: What has Rex Ryan brought to the Bills as a whole? How has he transformed the franchise from pretenders to midseason contenders? 

JP: I wouldnt exactly say the Bills are contenders. In fact, they have been disappointing. Losing to the Jags doesn’t make you a contender. The only way the Bills are in the hunt right now is because the AFC is awful. Rex for the most part has chained the Bills defense. The Bills were 1st in sacks last year and now they are ranked 28th. The players on the defensive side of the ball have been complaining that the defense is a bit too complex. Rex needs to just let his front 4 rush and devise better stunts to get to the QB like Jim Schwartz did last year. 
MS: Let’s talk about Percy Harvin: What do you believe to be his main issue on the team and does he have a chance to return to form as a versatile playmaker with the Bills?

JP: I have no idea what is up with Harvin. He played well in his first 3 games with the Bills as he lead the team in catches/yards. Then this whole injury thing came up and some have reported that he’s thinking of retiring. Then it went from his hip being a problem to now its his knee. Something isn’t right. The Bills paid 6-million bucks for him and if he doesn’t play the rest of the year, that’s a bad investment. 

MS: As of right now, the Bills don’t have a franchise quarterback. Sure Tyrod Taylor played well in the Dolphins last meeting, but EJ Manuel doesn’t scream star power. Where do the Bills go from here to getting their act together with the QB position? 

JP: That’s been the question since 2000. The jury is still out on Taylor since he’s only started 5 games. He’s been decent when you consider he’s a former 6th round pick and this is his first starting job. However, if he tanks for the rest of the way, the Bills need to draft a QB high next year. 

MS: In the offseason, the Bills traded for LeSean McCoy and acquired Charles Clay? What do each of them bring (when healthy) to the Bills power run offense?

JP: I’ve been happy with Clay. He’s the best TE the Bills have ever had and that’s not hyperbole. He’s on pace for over 70 catches and he’s very shifty for his size. McCoy has been a disappointment because of health and the Bills haven’t ran the football as much as they should. McCoy is averaging just 15 carries a game and has missed 3 games on the season. He’s also averaging just 3.9 yards a carry which is the lowest for his career. A big problem is that the Bills have trailed by a lot in their 4 losses which means they have to abandon the run. In their 4 losses, they have trailed by 24, 24, 20 and 13 points. 
MS: What are your thoughts on Sunday’s game? Who wins and why?

JP: I think both teams aren’t very good. However, Buffalo has always had Miami’s number in Buffalo. In their last 3 games in Buffalo, Miami has scored just 2 offensive TDs. I think it will be an ugly game and Buffalo wins, 16-6. 

There you have it, at home, the Bills could win. The Dolphins haven’t won there since 2011! Maybe it’s time to end this miserable losing streak! 
Feel free to check out Joe’s site at http://buffalowins.net and follow Joe on Twitter @BuffaloWins

Go Dolphins and Phins Up!!!