Seen and Herd: Preseason Week 3 | Buffalo BIlls Vs. Green Pay Packers

My apologies for taking an extra day on completing my usual wrap-up. I had to rinse the disgusting taste from my mouth that the Green Bay Packers left following Saturday's game. 

Not only did the Packers play about as marvelous of a preseason game as you can, but the Bills did everything in their power to make Green Bay look like the favorites to win the Super Bowl. In reality, they're not even favored to win their division.  

Now, I'm sure you've found many articles pounding the Bills' Division III type performance, and it was, but it'd still be premature to chalk up the 2009 season to epic failure.

Remember, it's never smart to get too high or too low after any preseason game, for many different reasons.

Regardless of whether the Bills' third preseason showing paves the way to a lottery spot next April, or it means absolutely nothing, let's examine it a little closer. 

The Bills' first team offense couldn't have been much worse. Trent Edwards looked like a rookie, very distressed in the pocket and late on many of his throws. His first interception would have been completed for a first down had Edwards not waiting for Lee Evans to make his break. This was a little surprising to me, because thus far those two seem to have created a great rapport. 

When the pocket collapsed, as it did many times after the Bills' receivers failed to get open, Edwards appeared unsure whether he needed to scramble or throw the ball away. His J.P. Losman-esque fumble was a result of this uncertainty. 

The offensive line wasn't atrocious, but a few untimely penalties deep in their own territory overshadowed an otherwise respectable game against a good defensive line.  

Langston Walker remains light years ahead pass-blocking than he is paving the way for a run. He has been surprisingly active against the speed edge rushers, and the holding call was a phantom one. He and Dick Jauron had reason to be angry.

The interior of the line improved slightly, pulling and reaching the second level, but Andy Levitre stood out. Again, in a bad way. He frequently was pushed into the backfield against Green Bay's nose tackles, but did work better against the pass.  

It's hard to fully grasp how the first string defense did, because the Green Bay drives began at Buffalo's 37, 5, and their own 21, respectively. That's some lovely field position. 

Keith Ellison showed he still is a viable option as the SAM linebacker with his 4th and 1 stop of Ryan Grant on the Packers' first drive, but the secondary had no answer for Donald Driver and Greg Jennings, who together are one of the most productive receiving pairs in the NFL. 

Fred Jackson's rare fumble on a screen play that actually looked like a semi-intelligent call from Turk Schonert, along with Edwards' mis-communication with Josh Reed on a deep corner route summed up the first unit's evening. Unprepared. Not focused. Crappy. 

Edwards used the excuse after the game that the Packers threw more at the Bills than teams normally do in the preseason, and that the 3-4 defense isn't something the team practices against.

First off, we all know the Pittsburgh Steelers aren't going to play nice next weekend in the Steel City, so Buffalo needs to come out with more hunger and aggression, or they'll be embarrassed for a second straight week. Mark my words.

Also, if you know you're facing three separate 3-4 defenses in your own division, and were 1-8 against it last season, then you better practice against it. How hard can it be Dick? Maybe with Maybin in the fold now, who is a prototypical hybrid outside backer, the Bills will implement more 3-4 work into practice this week, and until the showdown against the Patriots. 

The second and third unit's play was more inspired, aggressive, and just all around better than the guys who are plugged into the starting roles in Buffalo. They made it evident by outscoring the Packers' backups 21 to 7 in the second half. And again, Ryan Fitzpatrick put together a solid evening, after his second straight game with a touchdown toss.  

One thing that puzzled me as the second unit took the field was that the offensive playbook seemed to be let loose during times when it's normally simplified. Many fake hand-offs turned wide receiver screens and deep seam routes were called, when they weren't drawn up for the first-teamers. 

I'm always calling—or more like yelling—at the TV for more inventiveness from Turk Schonert when calling the plays, and he's yet to be creative with his starters. Lots of first down dives being called and short comeback routes on third and longs. Hopefully he's playing possum until the regular season. Hopefully. 

John McCargo stood out as the first-round draft pick that he was against late rounders and free agents. He was constantly in the backfield, demanded constant double teams, and his stellar play included a nifty spin move to reach Brian Brohm in the second half. 

His extensive time on the field this preseason will work wonders for the player the Bills' tried to trade away less than a year ago. 

Though you can't take too much away from a preseason, the Bills' run defense in their first three contests suggests the run support will be the strong point of the team. 

Johnathon Stupar's five catch, 63-yard showing included a touchdown, and he, coupled with Shawn Nelson's impressive blocking, made me believe that the tight end position won't be such a liability for the Bills as it has been in years past. 

Tough place to be if you're a Bills' fan. Is your team destined for another under .500 season? Or was the game against the Packers the wake up call the Bills needed? 

Next edition after the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers which kicks off at 7:30 on Saturday, August 29th. 

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