Along the way, the Bills allowed a record number of yards to the San Francisco 49ers and were left scratching their heads afterward. Where does the blame seem to fall? The line of scrimmage might be a good place to start.
Defensive Line
Mario Williams
Time on Field: 92.1% snaps played; 58 total
Stats: 2 tackles (solo), 2 QB hits
Plus/Minus: +4
Observations: While the defensive line had a game to forget, Mario Williams' performance wasn't quite as bad as anticipated. In fact, the very few times Alex Smith did face some pressure, it was usually Williams being the one to give chase. He beat right tackle Anthony Davis a handful of times when matched up one-on-one. Of course, he didn't make any huge contributions in terms of production, but it was a step forward from his performance against New England that garnered a 'C' grade.
Grade: B
Season GPA: 2.55
Marcell Dareus
Time on Field: 81.0% snaps played; 51 total
Stats: 2 tackles (solo)
Plus/Minus: -4
Observations: Playing the second most snaps of the defensive linemen, second-year player Marcell Dareus struggled for the second straight week. 49ers left guard Mike Iupati owned his one-on-one matchup against Dareus throughout the contest. The defensive tackle really failed to get any penetration in to the backfield (except on one play of his 51) and got cleared out of running lanes easily. On the positive side, he recovered the fumble at the end of the first half.
Grade: D+
Season GPA: 2.42
Kyle Williams
Time on Field: 76.2% snaps played; 48 total
Stats: 3 tackles (solo)
Plus/Minus: -2
Observations: Based on the final score, it's somewhat predictable that Kyle Williams had his worst game of the season against the 49ers. The work against the run was once again an issue for Williams and the Bills, and was a large reason the 49ers were so successful. Williams did have some positive plays; forcing a holding call earl in the game, crashing his gap a couple of times to force a play to be redirected. Once again, though, he was called for an offsides penalty for trying to jump the snap. Like the rest of the defensive line, Williams knows he needs to be better.
Grade: C+
Season GPA: 3.11
Mark Anderson
Time on Field: 65.1% snaps played; 41 total
Stats: 3 tackles (solo)
Plus/Minus: -5
Observations: For the second straight week, Mark Anderson was a liability against the run. Against Kansas City and Cleveland, Anderson was generally stout versus rushing attempts. In the last two games however, Anderson has failed to set the edge well enough to contain the plays inside long enough for his linebackers to make a play. That's an important part of his performance, but equally so is his inability to get any pressure on Alex Smith throughout the contest.
Grade: D+
Season GPA: 2.49
Alex Carrington
Time on Field: 46.0% snaps played; 29 total
Stats: 1 tackle (solo)
Plus/Minus: -2
Observations: With Spencer Johnson sidelined, Alex Carrington tied a season-high in defensive plays in an individual game with 29. There weren't many plays discernible for Carrington, but he did get pushed upstream too easily on an obvious draw play. He also was slow to react to one snap and got blown off the ball in the fourth quarter.
Grade: C+
Season GPA: 2.72
Chris Kelsay
Time on Field: 39.7% snaps played; 25 total
Stats: 1 tackle (solo)
Plus/Minus: -2
Observations: Since the first two games of the season, Chris Kelsay's snap count has dwindled. For the third straight game, Kelsay has seen 25 or less defensive snaps. Whether it be for a lack of an effect or an importance to keep Williams and Anderson on the field at all costs, Kelsay's role on the team is not as big as it once was. Against the 49ers, Kelsay failed to set the edge on a read option on one play and it went for a big gain. He also was taken out easily by a fullback on one run play as well. He should be winning that matchup from a size standpoint.
Grade: C+
Season GPA: 2.57
Kyle Moore
Time on Field: 11.1% snaps played; 7 total
Stats: None
Plus/Minus: -1
Observations: In Kyle Moore's first active game of the season, he didn't see much time on the field. However, Moore did struggle to keep his contain on a run play that was drawn out to go inside, but the runner saw a cutback opportunity and busted it out to Moore's side for a huge gain.
Grade: C+
Season GPA: 2.33
Offensive Line
Erik Pears
Time on Field: 100% snaps played; 46 total
Plus/Minus: +1
Observations: It was the first time Erik Pears played every snap at right tackle this season and had a solid showing. He was tough in hand-to-hand combat throughout and was anchoring well. He got away with a blatant holding penalty in the first quarter, but really that was his only negative of the game.
Grade: B-
Season GPA: 2.13
Andy Levitre
Time on Field: 100% snaps played; 46 total
Plus/Minus: Even
Observations: It was just an average game for the normally above average Andy Levitre. The left guard had a tough assignment in having to battle Justin Smith for a majority of the game. Levitre held his own at times and also got pushed in the backfield at others. Just an even game for him.
Grade: B-
Season GPA: 3.14
Chris Hairston
Time on Field: 100% snaps played; 46 total
Plus/Minus: -1
Observations: In his first start of the 2012 season, Chris Hairston had his ups and downs. He struggled with Justin Smith a couple of times, but also got the better of him too. His worst play of the game was when he got completely undressed by Aldon Smith on a pass blocking attempt. He wasn't nearly as good as Cordy Glenn has been, but Hairston had a passing grade for the game.
Grade: B-
Season GPA: 2.52
Eric Wood
Time on Field: 100% snaps played; 46 total
Plus/Minus: -3
Observations: The game in San Francisco was the worst showing of the season for center Eric Wood. Missing a block on a screen, getting beat up the middle in pass protection and allowing a man to crash his gap to break up a running play, it wasn't his best performance.
Grade: C
Season GPA: 2.94
Chad Rinehart
Time on Field: 47.8% snaps played; 22 total
Plus/Minus: -2
Observations: Dealing with a calf injury, Chad Rinehart was forced in to duty after Colin Brown suffered a severe hamstring injury that ended his season. He was caught off balance once and failed to get a hat on a defender on a 2nd-and-long play that resulted in a quarterback pressure.
Grade: C+
Season GPA: 2.54
Colin Brown
Time on Field: 41.3% snaps played; 19 total
Plus/Minus: -3
Observations: In his first and only start of 2012, Colin Brown left a lot to be desired. He missed an assignment on a run blocking attempt, lost his man on another and played without leverage at times. He looked most comfortable in pass protection, but was not good as a run blocker.
Grade: C
Season GPA: 2.00
Sam Young
Time on Field: 10.9% snaps played; 5 total
Plus/Minus: -1
Observations: Nothing too much to write about with Sam Young, who is still learning the position of right guard. He missed an assignment on one run play that he was in the game for. He might have to get brought up to speed quickly though, if Rinehart can't play against Arizona, Young will be the starting right guard.
Grade: C+
Season GPA: 2.33
- Those that did not appear in the game on offense or defense were not graded.
- For obvious reasons, this is a report that highlights my findings and opinions from the individual games.
- The GPA's attached at the bottom are an overall grade of how I felt that player performed, basing it all on the play-by-play film review done throughout the week. B- is considered average on my scale, not C.
- Plus/minus scores and GPAs will be tracked as the season goes along. An individual game's GPA will be weighted with how many snaps that player has on the field in the contest when figuring out a season long average.
Twitter: @JoeBuscaglia
Mario Williams
Time on Field: 92.1% snaps played; 58 total
Stats: 2 tackles (solo), 2 QB hits
Plus/Minus: +4
Observations: While the defensive line had a game to forget, Mario Williams' performance wasn't quite as bad as anticipated. In fact, the very few times Alex Smith did face some pressure, it was usually Williams being the one to give chase. He beat right tackle Anthony Davis a handful of times when matched up one-on-one. Of course, he didn't make any huge contributions in terms of production, but it was a step forward from his performance against New England that garnered a 'C' grade.
Grade: B
Season GPA: 2.55
Marcell Dareus
Time on Field: 81.0% snaps played; 51 total
Stats: 2 tackles (solo)
Plus/Minus: -4
Observations: Playing the second most snaps of the defensive linemen, second-year player Marcell Dareus struggled for the second straight week. 49ers left guard Mike Iupati owned his one-on-one matchup against Dareus throughout the contest. The defensive tackle really failed to get any penetration in to the backfield (except on one play of his 51) and got cleared out of running lanes easily. On the positive side, he recovered the fumble at the end of the first half.
Grade: D+
Season GPA: 2.42
Kyle Williams
Time on Field: 76.2% snaps played; 48 total
Stats: 3 tackles (solo)
Plus/Minus: -2
Observations: Based on the final score, it's somewhat predictable that Kyle Williams had his worst game of the season against the 49ers. The work against the run was once again an issue for Williams and the Bills, and was a large reason the 49ers were so successful. Williams did have some positive plays; forcing a holding call earl in the game, crashing his gap a couple of times to force a play to be redirected. Once again, though, he was called for an offsides penalty for trying to jump the snap. Like the rest of the defensive line, Williams knows he needs to be better.
Grade: C+
Season GPA: 3.11
Mark Anderson
Time on Field: 65.1% snaps played; 41 total
Stats: 3 tackles (solo)
Plus/Minus: -5
Observations: For the second straight week, Mark Anderson was a liability against the run. Against Kansas City and Cleveland, Anderson was generally stout versus rushing attempts. In the last two games however, Anderson has failed to set the edge well enough to contain the plays inside long enough for his linebackers to make a play. That's an important part of his performance, but equally so is his inability to get any pressure on Alex Smith throughout the contest.
Grade: D+
Season GPA: 2.49
Alex Carrington
Time on Field: 46.0% snaps played; 29 total
Stats: 1 tackle (solo)
Plus/Minus: -2
Observations: With Spencer Johnson sidelined, Alex Carrington tied a season-high in defensive plays in an individual game with 29. There weren't many plays discernible for Carrington, but he did get pushed upstream too easily on an obvious draw play. He also was slow to react to one snap and got blown off the ball in the fourth quarter.
Grade: C+
Season GPA: 2.72
Chris Kelsay
Time on Field: 39.7% snaps played; 25 total
Stats: 1 tackle (solo)
Plus/Minus: -2
Observations: Since the first two games of the season, Chris Kelsay's snap count has dwindled. For the third straight game, Kelsay has seen 25 or less defensive snaps. Whether it be for a lack of an effect or an importance to keep Williams and Anderson on the field at all costs, Kelsay's role on the team is not as big as it once was. Against the 49ers, Kelsay failed to set the edge on a read option on one play and it went for a big gain. He also was taken out easily by a fullback on one run play as well. He should be winning that matchup from a size standpoint.
Grade: C+
Season GPA: 2.57
Kyle Moore
Time on Field: 11.1% snaps played; 7 total
Stats: None
Plus/Minus: -1
Observations: In Kyle Moore's first active game of the season, he didn't see much time on the field. However, Moore did struggle to keep his contain on a run play that was drawn out to go inside, but the runner saw a cutback opportunity and busted it out to Moore's side for a huge gain.
Grade: C+
Season GPA: 2.33
Offensive Line
Erik Pears
Time on Field: 100% snaps played; 46 total
Plus/Minus: +1
Observations: It was the first time Erik Pears played every snap at right tackle this season and had a solid showing. He was tough in hand-to-hand combat throughout and was anchoring well. He got away with a blatant holding penalty in the first quarter, but really that was his only negative of the game.
Grade: B-
Season GPA: 2.13
Andy Levitre
Time on Field: 100% snaps played; 46 total
Plus/Minus: Even
Observations: It was just an average game for the normally above average Andy Levitre. The left guard had a tough assignment in having to battle Justin Smith for a majority of the game. Levitre held his own at times and also got pushed in the backfield at others. Just an even game for him.
Grade: B-
Season GPA: 3.14
Chris Hairston
Time on Field: 100% snaps played; 46 total
Plus/Minus: -1
Observations: In his first start of the 2012 season, Chris Hairston had his ups and downs. He struggled with Justin Smith a couple of times, but also got the better of him too. His worst play of the game was when he got completely undressed by Aldon Smith on a pass blocking attempt. He wasn't nearly as good as Cordy Glenn has been, but Hairston had a passing grade for the game.
Grade: B-
Season GPA: 2.52
Eric Wood
Time on Field: 100% snaps played; 46 total
Plus/Minus: -3
Observations: The game in San Francisco was the worst showing of the season for center Eric Wood. Missing a block on a screen, getting beat up the middle in pass protection and allowing a man to crash his gap to break up a running play, it wasn't his best performance.
Grade: C
Season GPA: 2.94
Chad Rinehart
Time on Field: 47.8% snaps played; 22 total
Plus/Minus: -2
Observations: Dealing with a calf injury, Chad Rinehart was forced in to duty after Colin Brown suffered a severe hamstring injury that ended his season. He was caught off balance once and failed to get a hat on a defender on a 2nd-and-long play that resulted in a quarterback pressure.
Grade: C+
Season GPA: 2.54
Colin Brown
Time on Field: 41.3% snaps played; 19 total
Plus/Minus: -3
Observations: In his first and only start of 2012, Colin Brown left a lot to be desired. He missed an assignment on a run blocking attempt, lost his man on another and played without leverage at times. He looked most comfortable in pass protection, but was not good as a run blocker.
Grade: C
Season GPA: 2.00
Sam Young
Time on Field: 10.9% snaps played; 5 total
Plus/Minus: -1
Observations: Nothing too much to write about with Sam Young, who is still learning the position of right guard. He missed an assignment on one run play that he was in the game for. He might have to get brought up to speed quickly though, if Rinehart can't play against Arizona, Young will be the starting right guard.
Grade: C+
Season GPA: 2.33
- Those that did not appear in the game on offense or defense were not graded.
- For obvious reasons, this is a report that highlights my findings and opinions from the individual games.
- The GPA's attached at the bottom are an overall grade of how I felt that player performed, basing it all on the play-by-play film review done throughout the week. B- is considered average on my scale, not C.
- Plus/minus scores and GPAs will be tracked as the season goes along. An individual game's GPA will be weighted with how many snaps that player has on the field in the contest when figuring out a season long average.
Twitter: @JoeBuscaglia
