Sabres Stats at the ASG Break

I thought before the Game in Tampa tonight I'd take a look back to last year and see the damage. Really look at the numbers from the All Star break last year to this year. I'm not sure what I'll see but I don't think it will be pleasant.

Record
06-07 33-12-4 70 points

07-08 21-21-6 48 Points

Thats already off to a bad start with a 22 point difference.

Goals Scored
06-07 171 goals

07-08 142 goals

More bad evidence Almost 30 goals less, thats a big difference.

Goals against
06-07 141 Goals

07-08 139 Goals

Well they actually give up less goals this year and still are bad? Mmm. So obviously losing offensive firepower was a bad thing.

Standing
06-07 1st in conference

07-08 13 in conference

This is the most telling, almost a first to worst in one calender year. Thats proof, that the loss of offensive weapons have been the main cause for the worse record. They don't give up more goals in fact its the same. But they score a whole lot less. Who knows if keeping one of the two would have helped that much, but I know it wouldn't have hurt. Darcy you need a offensive weapon in here now. This team struggles to score and will continue to. And Ryan Miller isn't that lock down goalie we think he is.

Before the Bills play the Browns...

Lets look at the Season so far. Well with Stats.

First step the Quarterback position. At this point Edwards and Losman have played a equal amount so we can actually take a peak at who is doing better.

Edwards 1212 yards passing 5 Tds and 5 ints and a 80.1 QB rating 9 sacks

Losman 1204 yards passing 4 Tds and 6 ints and a 76.9 QB rating 14 sacks

Well most people would go well, their pretty even so whats the big deal, who cares. Well the fact that Edwards is at the same point in his first year with a guy who has been in the league for several years, is a good sign. They always talk about pulling things back for Edwards, well I don't think so. He has more yards a game, more attempts, and yards per attempt are identical. They held it back for Losman more then Edwards, knowing that Losman can hurt them more with taking sacks and turning it over.

Marshawn Lynch 219 carries 858 yards 3.9 yards per carry 6 tds

Well we all had high hopes for Lynch going into the season and really he hasn't been a disappointment. It got off slow with the O line jelling this year. But almost 4 yards a carry and with only 50 yards a game in the next 3 games will rush for 1000 yards on the season. Really the Bills haven't missed Mcgahee in my eyes, there was no downgrade at this position. Shocking stat though, Fred Jackson has a 5.8 yards per rush average.

Lee Evans 47 catches 768 yards 4 tds 16.3 yards per catch

Josh Reed 46 catches 514 yards 0 tds 11.2 yards per catch

With the QB switch, the receivers have been hurt the most. Lee Evans is a great talent and has been limited year year. Though of late he has been coming on. In the beginning of the year he was just terrible. As the season went on, Trent Edwards found Lee Evans. Notice you've seen less complaining by Lee about wanting JP in the lineup. The one thing that concerns me is the lack of receiving from the Running back position, we were told that Marshawn Lynch was a great receiver out the backfield, yet he only has 15 catches on the year and it seems Fred Jackson in his limited action has been catching more. Would like to see where that goes next year.

Rian Lindell 21-21 PATS and 21-24 on Field Goals

Yep, hes having a great year, sorry again Rian for all the things I've said about you.

Time to talk about the Defense

Stats aren't the specialty for the defense here.

Sack Leader Aaron Schobel 4.5 sacks (Thats not good)

Interception Leader Terrence McGee 3 ints (same as the "playmaker" Nate Clements)

Tackles Leader Angelo Crowell 108 Tackles (Having a great year, and emerging as a team leader)

Well the stats aren't pretty on the year for the Bills this year, but the only stat that really matters isn't that bad, 7 wins 6 losses. After the start and the injuries, having a 7-6 record going into the Browns game is something to look good upon. The team has brought back excitement about the team and will only build next year. With which looks like a iffy schedule and a young team filling with confidence.

Throwing out game balls.

Game Balls

Yes the first GCFB, game ball goes to Marshawn Lynch, beast mode was in hyper mode today. As he ran strong, threw a excellent touchdown pass, and won the game for the Bills today. The no question first star, and MVP of the first half of the season. He has lived up to his first round status and is only getting better.

The second ball goes to JP Losman, starting after being benched, and been pretty darn good since. I have no idea where this Losman was the beginning of the season. Sure he probably had better defenses to play against. But this Losman is the guy we expected week 1. He finished with a 71% completion rate and 295 yards passing with 1 td and 1 int. That interception was his one lowlight. But Marshawn Lynch has as many TD passes as Edwards now.

The third ball goes to the front 7, no sacks, but held Cinci to 1.6 yards a rush. Wow. Now I thought the run was their weakness. Apparently Digiorgio went out with a concussion, but Coy Wire came in and filled in nicely. There wasn't a ton of pressure but enough to keep Palmer honest and he usually didn't have all day. They seemed to keep guys back in coverage, limiting the numbers for pass rushing. But Crowell leading in tackles again. This guy is a beast. Its like Fletcher and Spikes who? The Bills are getting similar production from guys at much less prices.

A fourth ball can be given to Evans, but really 9 catches for 165 yards and TD is what we kind of expect from the guy. But it looks like he is getting back into form.

Stuff thats interesting to me.

Since Losman came in the Jets game, the Bills have scored on 9 of 15 drives. With one of those a kneel down today. Thats the offensive production we were promised.

Edwards as starter the Bills scored on 11 of 37 drives. (including end of half and kneeldowns)

Thats 60% to 30% scoring ratio. I think in the short period, Losman has proven he should get his job back. And with next weeks road game against Miami, followed by the Patriots. Lets say that wrist isn't healing as we thought it would.