Bills-Bucs report card
Published: September 20, 2009, 9:13 pm
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Grading the Bills
Running game
Jackson ran for career-high 163 yards. Despite injury to Butler, young line allowed Bills to control time of possession in second half. Marshawn Who? Grade: A.
Passing game
Edwards was efficient again, made big TD throws to both Evans and Owens. Bounced back from interception. Getting better at running the no-huddle. Grade: B+.
Run defense
Did a lot better job against Bucs than Cowboys, limiting them to 3.0 a carry. That's two strong games in a row. Stroud was solid. Didn't miss Poz. Grade: A-.
Pass defense
Played soft at times and got burned badly down middle on Winslow touchdown. But got some pressure on Leftwich and played pretty well overall. Grade: C+.
Special teams
Nothing special. Lindell made his field goals. McKelvin got standing ovation on first kickoff return and didn't fumble. Standard is high nowadays. Grade: C.
Coaching
They have come back to win after all three of the Monday Night Football disasters the past three years. That says something about the coaching. Grade: A.
Grading the Bucs
Running game
Cadillac Williams looked like a candidate for "Cash for Clunkers" program. Bucs had some success early, but abandoned the run in second half. Grade: F.
Passing game
Leftwich was awful on Whitner interception for TD. Also made some nice throws, including 42- yard strike to Winslow. A journeyman and it shows. Grade: C+.
Run defense
Allowed 218 yards to a team with one of the youngest offensive lines to play in the NFL in many years. Didn't wrap up on Jackson well enough. Grade: F.
Pass defense
They've vulnerable to the deep ball and got burned twice. Would have been three if Owens hadn't dropped one. Too soft against Schouman underneath. Grade: C.
Special teams
Smith is one of the best in the NFL, but didn't make anything happen. McCoy looked pretty goofy fair catching kickoff and falling on his rear. Grade: C.
Coaching
Bucs had inexcusable 13 penalties for 112 yards. Chippy and undisciplined, sign of a bad team trying too hard to play with an edge for a rookie coach. Grade: D.
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