Offense pathetic again as Defense wilts in the heat.
by Steve Saslow
Here are our position by position grades:
Quarterback:Trent Edwards was high and wide on several early throws. He then telegraphed a sideline throw to Lee Evans that was picked off and returned for a score. He would throw two more interceptions and was very inaccurate throughout the game while having little time to throw. He finished 14 of 26 for 192 yards. Grade F: I'm ready to close the door on Edwards as the QB of the future.
Running Backs:Fred Jackson got the start and Marshawn Lynch got the second series as both backs alternated most of the game and saw time on the field together. Both made plays early in the passing game as Jackson had an 18 yard screen pass. Lynch made two nice early catches including a 23 yard catch and run. On the ground Jackson was much better gaining 42 yards on nine carries for a 4. 7 yard avg. Lynch only had four yards on eight carries. He did lead the way with five receptions for 43 yards. Grade D-: They dynamic duo didn't make a dent.
Receivers:Terrell Owens caught the first pass of the game. He had three catches in the game for 60 yards. Lee Evans caught two passes for 60 yards on the Bills lone touchdown drive. He didn't catch a pass in any other series. Josh Reed had one catch for three yards but it went for the team's lone touchdown. Derek Fine had zero catches and one false start penalty. Shawn Nelson was non existent. Grade F: Didn't seem to get open to help Edwards.
Offensive Line:Jonathan Scott moved over to the left side for this game while Kirk Chambers went from being released at the start of the season to the starting right tackle in a month thanks to injuries. He struggled with former CFL star Cameron Wake giving up three of the unit's six sacks. Scott was beaten regularly by Jason Taylor and gave up one sack. Geoff Hangartner had a couple of more low snaps. Adam Levitre recovered a fumble. Grade F: Too many changes for this unit to be good.
Defensive Line:Aaron Schobel had a sack on a pressure by Chris Kelsay who also had one of Buffalo's six sacks. His takedown forced a punt on Miami's opening possession. Marcus Stroud and Ryan Denney each had a sack as well. Aaron Maybin had one tackle as he has had no impact. Spencer Johnson had a big tackle for a three yard loss in the wildcat formation that helped hold Miami to a field goal in the 2nd quarter. Grade F: They had four sacks but allowed huge holes for Miami to run wild through.
Linebackers:Kawika Mitchell had nine tackles to lead the team and forced a fumble but many tackles were too far down the field. Keith Ellison had three tackles. Marcus Buggs had eight quiet tackles down field. Grade F: Didn't do a job in pass coverage and allowed big gainers on the ground.
Secondary:Terrence McGee was caught playing off of his man most of the day and was beaten for many short pass plays outside that moved the chains. Drayton Florence got his first start of the season as did George Wilson and Jairus Byrd. Florence had good coverage and two deep balls but was beaten for a few big plays as well. Byrd had a nice pass knockdown in the end zone. Reggie Corner had two tackles. Grade C: For a unit being so banged up they weren't tested that much thanks to the big running attack.
Special Teams:Brian Moorman averaged 51.4 yards on five punts but had a net of just 39.4 thanks to a 10 yard per punt return average by Miami. Roscoe Parrish had a nice 31 yard punt return to set it up a field goal attempt but Rian Lindell was wide left from 49 yards out. Lindell did hit a 35 yarder. Parrish had a 23.5 yard average on two punt returns and a 24.5 yard average on six kickoff returns. Corey McIntyre was called for an illegal block in the back on a kickoff return in the 2nd qtr. They failed on recovering an onside kick even when the ball was there for the taking. They were caught off guard by two fake handoffs on kickoff returns and allowed a 36 yard average. Grade D+: This unit is as poor as the rest of the team now.
Coaching:Dick Jauron may have lost this team after this debacle. Alex Van Pelt has now had no answers on how to the move ball two weeks in a row. Perry Fewell had no answers for the wildcat. It was like they were seeing it for the first time. Bobby April is no longer a genius. His unit is below average. Grade F: Have we seen the last of Jauron on the Bills sidelines? Probably not but Bills fans can dream.
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