From: GC.JAB@forsythe.stanford.edu (Tony Bechtold)
Subject: Re: Bruce.
Organization: Stanford University, California, USA
Distribution: usa
Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1992 18:06:50 GMT

In article <1992Sep9.213144.11837@leland.Stanford.EDU>,
paladin@leland.Stanford.EDU (Jason Gische) writes:
>In article <1992Sep9.053450.904@morrow.stanford.edu> GC.JAB@forsythe.stanford.edu (Tony Bechtold) writes:


>>Last time I checked, the Bills defense was ranked 27th last year
>>in defense. They gave up 5458 yards to the opposing opposition.
>>The 49ers, recovering from the shocking sudden loss of Lott, two
>>starting CB's going down before the season really even got under
>>way, Haley playing hurt most of the season, Fagan missing the last 5
>>or so games, the Niner defense was ranked sixth, giving up 4554 in
>>total yards.  They have only improved their defense this year.

>How can I say this nicely?  The Bills defense is not that bad.  Yes, yes, I
>know they were rated 27th among 28 NFL teams last year in total yardage
>allowed.  That does not, in this case, mean that they are a bad unit.
>To blindly assume that ignores one very important facet of Buffalo's
>game-plan.  The run a no-huddle offense every play from scrimmage.  They
>score early, often, and very quickly.  Because of this, their defense is
>on the field for an incredibly large percentage of the game.  As a matter
>of fact, I know that the Bills were among the last in the league in
>time of possession (anybody have the numbers?)  How many of you would argue
>that their offense, therefore, is terrible?  A defense which is on the field
>a lot is going to give up lots of yards.  This is not such a bad defense.
>They have several pro-bowl players, including Bruce Smith, Cornelius
>Bennet, Shane Conlan, Darryl Talley (I believe he was a pro-bowler).
>If this defense were so bad, the Bills would never have done so well last
>year.

The Bills do have some great talent on defense.  But they still
gave up over 5400 yards.  How do you constitute the fact that
just because the Bills run a hurry up offense, that the defense
is the one who suffers for this?  Yes, they are going to have to
take the field a little more often then normal, but if they were a
great defense, they would still be able to stop the opposing
offense from moving the ball regardless of taking the field more
often.  If the Bills had as an outstanding defense as they do an
offense, they would probably be just about unbeatable.
Perhaps the defense gets physically worn out from spending too much
time on the field?  Perhaps this is how injuries occur?  Perhaps
the offense should revise its strategy and include a huddle in it's
game plan?  But then the opposing team would be able to make
defensive substitutes right? Hummmm!  There goes the Bills edge.

>How can you so flatly state that the Niners have improved their defense
>this year?  They traded away Haley, their best pass rusher, for next to
>nothing.  They gambled on Daryl Pollard in the secondary and he was
>claimed in plan B so they now have an inexperienced secondary with little
>depth (and I know all about 1981 with Lott and the other rookies
>starting and leading them to a super bowl but you lost that db coach
>to Green Bay.)  Keith DeLong, the starting middle linebacker of a year
>ago, missed training camp because of a contract dispute.  This defense
>has not proven itself to be better than last year just because it beat
>the Giants and their dullest offense on earth.

I don't remember saying that the defense has proven itself in any of
my postings? Or did I? Someone correct me if I am wrong.  They will
however have the opportunity in evaluating themselves this Sunday.
If they can stop the Bills offense, or maybe I should say slow down
the Bills offense, then that should show a lot.
As for their improvments from last year?  Well, they picked up Dana
Hall, Thane Gash, David Whitmore. Those three players right there
are a definite improvment. The only respectable player they had in
the safety position last year was Waymer. Eric Davis is back too.
Carter has lost a lot of weight, and doesn't seem to be bothered by
his foot injury that he sustained a few years back.  He seemed a
little bothered by it last year. Also back is Walter who missed some
games last year, and Fagan is back. He missed the last 5-6 games at
the end of the year.  And at the end of the year is when the Niners
defense was at it's best for that season.
Haley is gone, but Harris is having an outstanding year so far. He
just about offsets the loss of Haley. Would have been nice to have
them both, but you can't have it all!  And Delong will be in there
in no time. And they did gamble on Pollard. But IMO, and I'm sure
the opinions of others, Pollard never really was that good. I can
remember him getting burned a hell of a lot more then I can remember
him making big plays.

So everything I have listed here doesn't indicate that the defense
has improved since last year?

>The Bills, on the other hand, have a renewed Bruce Smith anchoring their
>defensive line.  If he is back to his old self, then you will soon see
>why he was regarded as the best defensive player in the game only a few
>years ago.  That plus the continued development of Cornelius Bennet, who
>came into his own last year as he was expected to lead the defense in the
>absence of Smith.  With all their parts healthy, the Bills may be bound
>for the Super Bowl yet again.  With a better kicker, they may even win one.
>
>Jason Gische
>Go Jets

Yes, Smith is back!  He should help them out a great deal. Perhaps
enough to raise their rating by a good margin.  But Smith has had
two knee surgeries now. Can he hold up for the whole season? We will
certainly find out.
The Bills might indeed be headed for the Super Bowl. Can't say it
would surprise me one bit.  And who knows, maybe they will finally
win one. Lord knows Buffalo is long overdue for a Super Bowl
victory. But an improved defense is going to be required in order
to help them get past teams like Houston, Denver and KC.

                                                    Tony
                                                 GO 49ERS!!!