With the Bills having multiple problems with keeping their skilled guys healthy, it is getting to the point where they may have to comb the Buff State free agent list. Yes, I would LOVE it if the Bills would trade for Reggie Wayne. However, something tells me the Bills aren’t interested in adding his salary to the payroll. I mean, there were rumors about Evans getting dealt because of his (low) salary, so, why would they add more money? Hey, it’s their world, not mine. Plus, it’s not like the Colts are going to be bad forever. If Manning gets healthy, they’ll be fine next year, and they will also have higher draft picks, which they haven’t had in like a decade. So, why trade your best wide?
Anyways, the Bills are going to have to look from within to pick up the pace in the passing game. Over the last two weeks, the ground attack seems to be going well, but Fitzpatrick only has one touchdown in his last 8 quarters. I’m not putting up a red flag, but the passing game is slowing down in comparison to the first three weeks of the season. The Giants are up next, and I couldn’t even tell you who their corners are…and that’s a good thing for the Bills. This will be a nice way for the passing game to get back on track.
Now, with the injuries to the wide receiving corps., someone needs to step up their game. To me, there are three guys, who have been quiet as of late, that need to be bigger factors in the passing game.
Brad Smith: Wildcat without the prrrrr.
Problem: It’s not like Smith isn’t doing much when he gets the ball, as he always tends to get first downs whenever it’s a short yard situation, but he’s just not getting the ball enough and when he gets it, he just gets those 4 short yards and that’s it. Smith only has 11 carries on the season for 44 yards. His average of 4 yards a carry is down from the 8 yards a pop he averaged last year. He seems to be on pace for the same amount of carries he had last year (38 in 2010). Remember when there was that huge debate on twitter about it being overkill vs. adding another playmaker? Well, overkill is winning out right now.
Solution: Of all the wide receivers on the Bills roster, Smith had the 3rd best receiving season; 32 grabs in 2007. Now, it was a completely different Jets team at that time, as they went 4-12 with Chad Pennington/Kellen Clemens starting. Even still, he’s got a better resume than #18. Judging from Smith’s return game (You know, when they actually had kickoff returns), he’s a burner and I think he could help stretch the defense. It’s funny, but right now, he’s our most experienced wideout. As for his wildcat use, I’d like for him to actually hand the ball off or maybe some misdirection. I don’t think Smith has to be your short yardage guy.
CJ Spiller: Oh where, oh where can CJ play ball? Oh where, oh where can he go?
Problem: Yes, I get that it is hard to give touches to CJ Spiller with the way Fred Jackson is running the football, but there has to be ways that the team can better utilize him. When you look at what the receivers depth chart was 6 weeks ago (Stevie, Parrish, Jones, Nelson, Easley) and then you add Roosevelt to the mix, it’s obvious that the Bills are hurting for playmakers on the outside. CJ hasn’t done much of anything this season, but I think you have to fault the coaching staff and Fred Jackson’s play for CJ’s inability to contribute. CJ has only touched the ball 20 times this year (14 rushes and 6 catches) for 89 yards. That’s pretty bad when you consider that Fred Jackson had more touches this past week against the Eagles. Last year at this time, Spiller touched the ball 32 times (19 rushes and 13 catches) for 80 yards rushing and 48 yards receiving. Well..at least he’s averaging more yards a touch this year (4.5 yards) than through five games last year (4.0 yards). Alright, there’s nothing to sugarcoat, CJ has done nothing.
Solution: While looking up Fred Jackson’s stats, I found it very interesting that he’s only averaged 6 yards rushing in the 4th quarter this year. Yes, that is it! His rushing totals go like this: 1st quarter: 117 yards. 2nd quarter: 123. 3rd quarter: 208. 4th quarter: 32 yards. I don’t wanna draw too many conclusions, but could it be that Fred is getting tired in the 4th quarter? The stats are pretty staggering. Anyways, I think maybe having a change of pace with Spiller in the 4th would be a interesting idea. You have Jackson, who is a bruiser, pound the defense into submission and then when the defense is tired, you throw in CJ Spiller as the closer/change of pace back. It gets awfully hard for a tired defence to catch a running back, whose best attribute is his quickness, during the 4th quarter. I’m also still waiting for Spiller to be a threat in the passing game. Line up in the slot if you have to or set him up with a screen pass. If Gailey’s motto is that when one player goes down, another guy needs to step up, well, CJ should already be done warming up in the pen.
David Nelson: Hot and cold.
Problem: David Nelson started the season with a bang. In his first 10 quarters this season, he had 20 catches for 233 yards. However, in his last 10 quarters, he has 3 catches for 24 yards. Eh. Those are Lee Evans numbers right there! I’m not really sure what has happened to Nelson. Have defenses figured out that he’s one of Fitz’s favorite targets? I know last week the Bills were playing Nelson on the outside with Jones hurt, and I assure you, that’s not a place you want Nelson at. He’s not a burner.
Solution: I think this is more about other guys spreading defenses out. If the opposition respects the deep ball, it will mean that Nelson should get open underneath. I also wouldn’t mind the Bills putting Nelson in motion more often.
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