Depleted opponent or not, Bills defense did its job

By Anthony Bialy  |   Tuesday, August 26, 2008  |  Comments( 147 )

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There’s not too much that should be read into a stellar performance against a third-string quarterback who could also function as a second-string nose tackle, but the fact is that the Buffalo Bills' defense continues to look as it should. Battling Jared Lorenzen in the preseason isn’t the absolute best way to prepare for real games, but the group can only excel at the task presented, which it did in this case by stopping the man who makes Colts fans long for Jim Sorgi.

Chris Kelsay’s sack on Indianapolis’ first play in its new home set the right tone for Sunday evening, especially considering his surprising weight disadvantage. Kelsay is 261 pounds, or 24 fewer than the 285-pound quarterback he sacked; it’s easy to tease Lorenzen for carrying a keg around his waist, and fun, too, but the truth is it was a challenging takedown that was more importantly an encouraging moment for a lineman attempting to rebound from injury.

The left end set the evening’s standard, as there wasn’t a weak spot about which to complain when considering the entire game and especially the first-stringers’ play. Most notably, the Colts gained 70 net yards in the first half, or two more than Terrence McGee did on his fumble return for points to cap an effective demonstration of patient aggressiveness.

Even setting aside that rare dropped football, running back Joseph Addai only ran five times for 23 yards, meaning he was used just slightly more than that one notable Colts quarterback who didn’t suit up. But the important factor is that Buffalo's defense managed to create pressure regardless of if it was versus a scaled-down lineup even by preseason standards.

And the backups ratcheted it up by constantly taking away throws from the Colts’ fellow reserves. Particularly, rookie Reggie Corner looked perfectly astute on his interception, reading Quinn Gray’s intentions and breaking on a casually thrown pass for the turnover.

Gray has gone from potential full-time starter to virtually certain fourth-string cut in about 10 months, and Corner helped accelerate the quarterback’s downfall while also solidifying his own progressively less surprising case to take the nickel role. Fellow rookie defensive back Kennard Cox getting cut means the unit is one step closer to resembling its final shape, and the only shock is that Corner is higher on the list than anyone could have anticipated in April.

While Corner’s best moment stood out, it was only one of a large assemblage of quality plays from a defense that permitted 32 rushing yards and just over 17 minutes of possession while stopping 6-of-8 third downs from being converted. Everyone looked at least pretty good.

The entire feat has to be qualified by pointing out that receiving superstars Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne combined for two receptions; in addition, the aforementioned cursory appearance by the star rusher and no-show by the elder Manning made for an underwhelming opposition level. But there was no way that Tony Dungy was going to expose his gems to peril short of Bills coaches asking him kindly to pretty please make it a tough game.

Even a nice Hallmark card and Omaha Steaks package probably wouldn’t have convinced Dungy to do so, meaning Buffalo’s players had to do the next best thing if they weren’t to be tested by a full-powered offense, namely dominate a checkered bunch.

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CommentsComments: 147  |  Sign Up  View all comments
No.1
06:42 AM
08/27/2008
You can only play against whomever is on the field and in that regard, I agree, the Bills defense did quite well Saturday night. ...
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No.2
biglegpapa		07:05 AM
08/27/2008
so what youre saying is that whomever beat the bills last season did so against second stringers, and should feel ok about ...
No.3
Achilles		07:14 AM
08/27/2008
Dear ALL..... "the only shock is that Corner is higher on the list than anyone could have anticipated in April" NOT ...
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