Bills DE Chris Kelsay has endured a lot of losing during his time in Buffalo. And he's tired of it.
The veteran called out his team's effort following a disappointing 35-34 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Buffalo's defense gave up the game-winning touchdown on a fourth-down attempt with one minute remaining.
“Some way, somehow we've got to understand what accountability means across the board, playing hard every play,” Kelsay said. “You watch the film and not everybody was playing hard every snap, and that's unacceptable.”
Those are strong words from one of Buffalo's defensive leaders -- but they appear to be right on the mark.
The Bills had high hopes for their revamped defense after going on a spending spree in free agency this offseason. They signed DE Mario Williams to the highest contract for a defender in NFL history (six years, $100 million) and also added former Patriots DE Mark Anderson (who is currently injured). They selected CB Stephon Gilmore 10th overall in April's draft one year after selecting DT Marcell Dareus third overall (along with starters CB Aaron Williams and LB Kelvin Sheppard in the second and third round of the 2011 draft).
The results have been worse than anyone could have imagined. The Bills are 31st in total defense (424.1 yards per game), 31st in points allowed per game (32.4) and last in the league against the run (176.9 yards per game).
“There's no excuse for it,” Kelsay said. “We put in way too much time and effort during the week. I thought we practiced really well throughout the week, but if you don't play on Sunday and you can't translate it to the game field then it's all for naught. Our coaches put in a ton of time and a lot of effort. We're all away from our families, we make this what it is. It's important. It's our livelihood. It's a blessing to be in this league and to go out there and lay an egg -- there are no excuses for it.”
“If you're not going to go all out, you shouldn't play. I don't care who you are. Obviously I'm not the one to make those decisions because I'm in that mix. I'm not pointing the finger. I'm looking in the mirror myself first and foremost. If you aren't going to give us everything you've got, you shouldn't be on the field.”
