<![CDATA[Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario]]>In seeing Paul Kruger's frustration to being asked to cover people - former Cleveland sportswriter Vic Carucci shares a square peg round hole frustration in Buffalo from a guy born to hurry/sack the passer with the same head scratchy feeling. Pertinent to our situation, we have the same exact defense that often plays down to and below the level of opponents rather than up to and above their level offering our offense pretty much no margin of error. Here's some of that article:

Mario Williams became the face of the Buffalo Bills’ defensive disconnect with the coaching staff when the Pro Bowl end complained to the media about frequently dropping into coverage in the Oct. 18 loss against the Cincinnati Bengals. On Friday, he said his message apparently had no impact. “We’re still doing the same thing,” Williams said after the team’s final full practice before Sunday’s game against his former team, the Houston Texans, at Ralph Wilson Stadium.

And after 11 games and with the team’s slim playoff hopes at stake, he’s still talking about continued adjustment to Rex Ryan’s scheme rather than having it down cold. His linemates, including fellow end Jerry Hughes, have echoed those observations.

“It makes us switch up certain things that we do,” Williams said. “Now, we might have to do this, we might have to go that way and might not be in the same, as comfortable a position as we’ve been in previous years. But other than that, I don’t think it makes it difficult. It’s just a different look. It’s a different feel for us.”

Asked if he were surprised that he finds himself still not settled into the defense this late in the season, Williams said, “I can’t say it surprises me. It depends on where you’re at. If you’re doing something totally foreign, to a certain extent – I’m not going too far of a stretch – but if you’re doing something totally different, it is different. If you’ve got a different view, if you’ve got a different look, a different perspective from what you are accustomed to doing, then it is definitely not out of the question to feel like you’re still adjusting to it.”

Williams, who is listed as probable for Sunday with a foot injury that kept him out of last Sunday’s loss at Kansas City, is tied with Hughes for the Bills’ sack lead with three. Last season, Williams had 14.5 sacks, while Hughes had 10. At their respective paces, Williams would finish with just under five sacks (the lowest total since he had 4.5 as a rookie with the Texans in 2006), while Hughes would have just under 4.5.

Williams said he still believes he is more than capable of generating double-digit sacks. “Yeah, definitely. I’m not worried about that,” he said. “I’ll bring it. When I’m on the edge, you see that.”

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Mario is in a scheme that requires a Dr Frankenstein surgery of the pre-wiring for success which leads us to a very important question. Is he playing for a coach and system flexible enough for the strengths of his players? I guess they could scapegoat the front office while pretending they have the perfect coach. Since Rex invented the defense Jimmy O'Neil is being hung out to dry in - Kruger gets to play Mario for us as the guy who simply woke up a disappointing player.

Bill Belichick once arrived in NE where they had a Pro Bowl MLB named Ted Johnson respected enough to be voted captain by his teammates. That being the case, they first went with a 4-3 defense all the while they had a knack for drafting/bringing in defensive personnel that could fit either front and countless situational football scenarios (ie; Richard Seymour via draft and Mike Vrabel via FA). Lining Ted Bruschi up in a 2 point in pissing distance from a hook zone turned out to be a pretty nice idea too while a Rex Ryan coaching tree might not have been able to tap such capabilities from an instinctive player like that. That type of insight and experience from BB came in handy especially when injuries upfront caused a numbers crunch to the extent it got Belichick to switch over to his cozy 3 man front. More specifically, a coach was able to adapt to what he had. He wasn't asking Willie McGinest to cover Hines Ward or Santonio Holmes - Willie just had to go play a little sic em on a rapist so that Pittsburgh's 15-1 regular season could be wasted for all to enjoy. LAND HO!!!!!!!!!

Is either front 7 of the Rex Ryan coaching tree in Buffalo or Cleveland capable of playing fast vrs decent opponents? If only we played SF and TN every week. If so, we might have actually been able to notice the QB position was the least of our problems all year. The biggest problem was a defense that forfeits every week - puts the QB in catch-up football with predictable frequencies of need to pass placing defenses in pin their ears back mode.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/topic/39023/kruger-knows-what-you-re-feeling-marioRSS for NodeFri, 02 Oct 2026 06:36:15 GMTSun, 20 Dec 2015 12:52:54 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Thu, 24 Dec 2015 01:55:53 GMT]]>If not for a playoff appearance both years he probably would have been. They actually won a playoff game last year when they went 7-8-1. Had they regressed this year he would be on the hot seat.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561826https://brownsboard.com/post/561826Thu, 24 Dec 2015 01:55:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Wed, 23 Dec 2015 22:39:18 GMT]]>

@pumpkin-eater said:

But obviously his teams were showing improvement . You don't see that here. We are looking at 3-13 not 7-9.

Rivera's Panthers went 12-4 in 2013.

Then in 2014 their record regressed to 7-8-1.

Using your logic, Rivera should've been shitcanned at the end of 2014.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561795https://brownsboard.com/post/561795Wed, 23 Dec 2015 22:39:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Wed, 23 Dec 2015 21:29:35 GMT]]>

@pumpkin-eater said:

But obviously his teams were showing improvement . You don't see that here. We are looking at 3-13 not 7-9.

I don't think pettine gets fired...yet....However you make an excellent point. We will be 3-13 unless some miracle occurs. I think if this shit does not get fixed, whether it's this or that or that or this, if we start out like 0-4 next yr, he's gone and should be. There is a strong case that he should be fired after this yr., but i don't think it happens. Now the gm, that's another story. He may be gone after this yr. Someone is going to be. There has to be when you are 3-18 in your last 21 games...

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561780https://brownsboard.com/post/561780Wed, 23 Dec 2015 21:29:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Wed, 23 Dec 2015 21:13:48 GMT]]>

@tour2ma said:

Cue Tour's all-time favorite Monty Python sketch...

Say no more, say no more.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561776https://brownsboard.com/post/561776Wed, 23 Dec 2015 21:13:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Wed, 23 Dec 2015 20:55:48 GMT]]>Cue Tour's all-time favorite Monty Python sketch...

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561768https://brownsboard.com/post/561768Wed, 23 Dec 2015 20:55:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Wed, 23 Dec 2015 20:30:14 GMT]]>

@pumpkin-eater said:

Perhaps you are just being a contrarian.

Or....perhaps not.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561753https://brownsboard.com/post/561753Wed, 23 Dec 2015 20:30:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Wed, 23 Dec 2015 17:33:40 GMT]]>I was replying only to your statement regarding the attempted discrediting of Pettine. I don't know why you are having difficulty understanding that. Perhaps you are just being a contrarian.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561700https://brownsboard.com/post/561700Wed, 23 Dec 2015 17:33:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Wed, 23 Dec 2015 17:23:52 GMT]]>

@pumpkin-eater said:

Well you said People were posting worthless shit to discredit Pettine. All that needs to be said is 3-13.

and you missed the point and context of the discussion......twice.....

But thanks for letting me know their record, cause no one here knew that.... 😵

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561694https://brownsboard.com/post/561694Wed, 23 Dec 2015 17:23:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Wed, 23 Dec 2015 17:17:16 GMT]]>Well you said People were posting worthless shit to discredit Pettine. All that needs to be said is 3-13.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561689https://brownsboard.com/post/561689Wed, 23 Dec 2015 17:17:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Wed, 23 Dec 2015 13:50:20 GMT]]>

@mudfly said:

.... because there are no facts, stats or articles relating to Cleveland that will support this Kruger coverage argument....

@pumpkin-eater said:

How about 3-13 in year 2? I'd call those some important stats.

Not if we are talking about Kruger....how he is used....and how it relates to the Buffalo Defense....

And we are...... 😳

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561534https://brownsboard.com/post/561534Wed, 23 Dec 2015 13:50:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Wed, 23 Dec 2015 04:12:04 GMT]]>

@miktoxic said:

QBs are the reason for the examples you gave flugs. simple as that. things turned around for rivera once they got newton after building his defense.........

minnesota: bridgewater and petersen. oakland: carr and cooper arizone: really? do i have to say it?

the browns have yet to address the offense for playmakers as their #1 choices in the draft. i kinda think they wanted to build the lines and the backend of the D first. maybe, if haslam doesn't clean house, they might get that opportunity. if not, then everything is gone, once again cuz the new guy will want to reshuffle the deck and do it another way.

good luck with that.

Wtf are you taking about? The panthers drafted Newton #1 after going 2-14 in Fox's last year, before Riviera ever coached a game dumbass.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561429https://brownsboard.com/post/561429Wed, 23 Dec 2015 04:12:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Wed, 23 Dec 2015 04:04:54 GMT]]>

@mark-o said:

Ron Rivera is a horrible choice for your argument. He's been on the chopping block in Carolina for years but they stuck with him and the team has turned around. Cleveland fans would've run him out after year 2. 6-10 and 7-9 to start. Everyone in carolina hated him.

2 new coaches have worked....several haven't. It's not a guarantee that it will change if we hire the next coordinator. Could be Arians...could be Shurmer.

But obviously his teams were showing improvement . You don't see that here. We are looking at 3-13 not 7-9.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561428https://brownsboard.com/post/561428Wed, 23 Dec 2015 04:04:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Wed, 23 Dec 2015 03:50:37 GMT]]>

@mudfly said:

Just another effort to discredit Pettine....but without any stats or facts.....just the same innuendo weve been hearing for weeks, without any backing....

Probably the reason he's using the Buffalo article to back his argument, because there are no facts, stats or articles relating to Cleveland that will support this Kruger coverage argument....

How about 3-13 in year 2? I'd call those some important stats.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561427https://brownsboard.com/post/561427Wed, 23 Dec 2015 03:50:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Wed, 23 Dec 2015 03:02:42 GMT]]>

@canton-dawg said:

I haven't been paying attention to the drama going down in Buffalo, are you saying this could be Rexy's last year?

I can't imagine the Bills are eating that much salary and as in Cleveland who wants to coach the Bills

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561419https://brownsboard.com/post/561419Wed, 23 Dec 2015 03:02:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Wed, 23 Dec 2015 02:43:01 GMT]]>It'd be a good idea, but it's a bad theory... way too costly.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561407https://brownsboard.com/post/561407Wed, 23 Dec 2015 02:43:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Wed, 23 Dec 2015 01:36:20 GMT]]>

@baconhound said:

That will cost Buffalo $25 million

I haven't been paying attention to the drama going down in Buffalo, are you saying this could be Rexy's last year?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561392https://brownsboard.com/post/561392Wed, 23 Dec 2015 01:36:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Wed, 23 Dec 2015 01:17:31 GMT]]>

@tour2ma said:

Well... you two have convinced me of one thing...

I am no longer open to scooping up Rexy as our DC once BUF dumps him in 2 weeks...

That will cost Buffalo $25 million

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561388https://brownsboard.com/post/561388Wed, 23 Dec 2015 01:17:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Wed, 23 Dec 2015 01:14:26 GMT]]>Nah... just good to be talking again. Only reason I mentioned BLT is because that's where Rex and Pet common coaching path started.

I've little doubt Pet was on a tight rein in NYJ... IIRC getting out of Rex's shadow was part of the reason for the move to BUF.

While I think Pet took the core philosophy of starting with strong CB play with him to BUF and CLE, I think the overall D has evolved.... or maybe devolved depending on your point of view.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561387https://brownsboard.com/post/561387Wed, 23 Dec 2015 01:14:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Wed, 23 Dec 2015 00:02:15 GMT]]>

@tour2ma said:

First, Mud addressed the improved list a week or so ago. It also listed players who have improved this season and players who improved under Pet last year, but have either failed to sustain or build upon their 2014 showing... and why. It was some really good work... you should find it... read it...

Second, are you claiming that our 2015 defense is no different from the one Ryan ran in Baltimore when Pet was an assistant?

Did I even mention Baltimore once? I was actually thinking more about the NY Jets when he was hired to be the DC for the first time in his NFL career for Rex Ryan. They were 7-7 prior to beating their last 2 regular season opponents resting plenty of starters due to clinching the playoffs early. I always got the impression Ryan was very hands-on with getting his defense fully implemented before any autonomy was handed over to a 1st time DC. Their strength was their corners. NY got hot and made it to the AFC Championship. They went to the AFC Championship again the next year where I'm guessing Pettine was granted more latitude for wrinkles.

My gut says this is what Pettine had in mind here for his DC. There was even an idea/hope we'd add a top rated corner in the draft to go with Haden. Things haven't progressed well since our 7-4 start in spite of tons of injuries last year. We closed the year with 5 straight losses before arriving to 3 and 11 this year where all of our last 6 losses show us giving up 30 or more points. Without looking, I'll bet about 60% of our sacks this year came vrs TN and SF.

You're right, I should have read what Mud said in lieu of unloading my rant on all you guys.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561374https://brownsboard.com/post/561374Wed, 23 Dec 2015 00:02:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Tue, 22 Dec 2015 17:42:54 GMT]]>yeah I dont' want another 3-4 coach period. Tired of it.

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561281https://brownsboard.com/post/561281Tue, 22 Dec 2015 17:42:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Tue, 22 Dec 2015 17:38:29 GMT]]>Well... you two have convinced me of one thing...

I am no longer open to scooping up Rexy as our DC once BUF dumps him in 2 weeks...

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561277https://brownsboard.com/post/561277Tue, 22 Dec 2015 17:38:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Tue, 22 Dec 2015 15:49:50 GMT]]>personally.....I think the most important factor is getting our DB's back.....last year we had a lot of coverage sacks.....

But this year?....hardly any......

And we need a quality OLB / Edge rusher.......( a REAL one 😉 )

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561236https://brownsboard.com/post/561236Tue, 22 Dec 2015 15:49:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Tue, 22 Dec 2015 15:47:40 GMT]]>Note that the league leader in sacks this year, denver, only gets to the QB every 9% of attempts. We'd have to have 42 sacks today to get the same rate -- so we're not at that point yet. Not shocking.

The question is, though.. what should we do to improve to Denver's level? Armonty and Nate seem like decent players.. and we need a scheme change.. But do we need to focus on ILB and DL in the draft?

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561235https://brownsboard.com/post/561235Tue, 22 Dec 2015 15:47:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Kruger Knows What You're Feeling Mario on Tue, 22 Dec 2015 15:38:53 GMT]]>

@unsympathetic said:

Not sure that's entirely fair, but it may be the best we can come up with..

I'd only take out the percentage of Kruger's sacks that were accumulated due to Kruger winning the 1:1 battle. If he is blocked but still gets the sack [eg because the QB rolled into him without looking, or the coverage downfield was good enough that Kruger pushed the guy back into the QB] that's something that any other player could get as well, and should be included back into "The Browns" tally.

This gets into the "replacement player at the position" vs "The special-ness of Kruger" debate. If Haden locks down AJ Green [yeah, I may be living in the past] and Dalton only has eyes for Green.. is that sack on Kruger or thanks to Haden?

I dont remember the numbers now, but I did go back through all his sacks last year and determined he had 3 or 4 that he won the "one on one" and got the QB on his own......the rest were either unblocked, came right to him or were major coverage sacks.....

]]>https://brownsboard.com/post/561230https://brownsboard.com/post/561230Tue, 22 Dec 2015 15:38:53 GMT