What Do The Bills Have To Do To Make the Playoffs?

A dozen of years have passed since the last time the Bills played a game in the NFL post season.  This has led to many discussions on what has to be done in order for the Bills to make the playoffs next season.  How many more years are going to pass before the fans start to turn on their beloved team?  Many say that Bills fans are the best in the league because they show up year after year.  How much longer are they going to do that?

Here is what I feel has to happen for the Bills to go to the next level.

1. No more second half letdowns.  Not in the games, but the season.  The Bills started 5-2 and are still missing the playoffs.  This can not happen again.  
2. Ryan Fitzpatrick is going no where any time soon.  Ralph Wilson Jr. has made this clear so they need to get him a team.  Drafting has to get better and they need to be more active in free agency. 
3. Coaching needs to be upgraded.  Starting with defense.  George Edwards needs to go.  His inability to call a game is quite evident.  This defense has glimpses of being good, so how come they cant be consistent. 

Fans are still there and you can read everything that they are saying on the Facebook Superfan page.  Not sure on what position the Bills need to draft first, but I have a feeling that unless they sign Stevie Johnson to a contract its going to be receiver.  Who do you feel the will draft in the first round of the 2012 draft?

Ryan Fitzpatrick: My Take on His First Year As Starter

I was asked this question today.  What is your take on Ryan Fitzpatrick?  I would like to go over his stats for this season so far.  Then I will give you all what I think of the job that some people were calling Fitzmagic early on.

Remember back in September when the Buffalo Bills defeated the Chiefs, Patriots, Raiders and the Eagles.  On their way to to a surprising 4-1 record.  The only loss long this way was to the Bengals.  It seems that Buffalo Bills took the NFL world by storm and were heading into a territory that they haven't been to in a decade.  But, wait lets fast forward to today.  The Buffalo Bills are a disappointing 5-8.  They have dropped six straight games and not one fan would have thought that this could happen.  The Buffalo Bills were officially eliminated from post season play.  Now lets get to Ryan Fitzpatricks stats over the span of 13 games.

In the first 8 games.

170-260 passing (65.4%), 1,930 yards, 15 TDs, 9 INTs, 92.3 rating, 18 plays of 25-yards plus.

Last 5 games.

108-189 passing (57.1%), 1,083 yards, 5 TDs, 7 INTs, 67 rating, 7 plays of 25-yards plus.

What this shows is that his production has dropped off.  Now there could be a lot of factors in this.  First they lost Fred Jackson.  That left them relying on CJ Spiller who has been nothing but disappointing at the running back position.  I beg the Bills to use him at WR and see what he can do for them.

Now there are no excuses to be made here.  The Buffalo Bills took a bunch of steps backwards and they are nothing like they were in the beginning of the season.  Fitz is not playing at the level he was and they have a whopping 15 players on injured reserve. But that is not an excuse in my eyes.  Champions over come obstacles and Bills have not done so.

So, my take on Ryan Fitzpatrick is that the 6 game skid is not entirely his fault.  But, when he over throws or under throws a receiver, its all on him.  Yes the play calling has to change.  Maybe its time to get an offensive coordinator and let him design the plays.  Chan Gailey is doing an okay job, but being a head coach and offense coordinator might be too much for him to handle.  This seasons ending will be blamed completely on the entire team.  Yes, we can point fingers at the QB and Coaches.  Or even blame the amount of injuries.  But, in the end here is what the Buffalo Bills need to do. 

• Fire George Edwards
• Hire an Offensive Coordinator
• Draft a QB to take over after Fitz fails again
• Improve the Depth at all positions
• Get a new strength and conditioning team.  There are way too many injuries for the second season in a row.  

If they do not make the playoffs next season.  Its time to pay for a quality coach and players.  Lets put a winning team on the field and start enjoying being a Bills fan again. 

Buffalo Bills Officially Eliminated From Post Season Play

George Wilson of the Buffalo Bills praying

It seems that being a Buffalo Bills fan this year has been a roller coaster ride. We all rode the hill to the top. Beating the New England Patriots for the first time in 15 games. We made unbelievable comebacks and Ryan Fitzpatrick was playing like Jim Kelly. Then when we reached the top of the climb it was a free fall to the bottom.

Buffalo Bills fans everywhere can relate to the above feelings. We all have rejoiced in the victories and were very critical in the defeats. Now that the season is just about over and our beloved team is eliminated from playing in January, where do go from here? What happens during the up coming off season is going to shape the way next season goes. I guess the best thing is that there is no LOCKOUT this year.

After starting out with 5 wins and 2 loses the Bills have dropped 6 straight games. Going from one of the surprising teams to the basement of the AFC East is not what anyone expected. But, it happened and it leaves the coaches and players looking for answers. Not to mention all the fans on the Buffalo Bills Super Fan Facebook Page. Not going to speculate but it may be time to part ways with George Edwards.

Looking forward to the off season is not something that anyone thought we would be doing already. The talk of playoffs for the first time in a dozen years, possibly even a shot at the AFC Championship. All the hype and none of the hope. It was a good start and a bad end. Let us finish strong. Lets Go Buffalo!