Cowboys scouting report: dysfunction, no playoffs have Bills reeling

Sixteen years.

That’s how long it’s been since the Buffalo Bills have been to the postseason, the longest active playoff drought in pro sports.

So it’s safe to say Buffalo has become accustomed to meaningless regular-season games late in the season, and will be greeted with another one Sunday. The Dallas Cowboys, much like the Bills, saw their playoff pipe dreams officially vanish last weekend, and the teams are set to meet in a game that has little interest in most parts of the country.

For the Bills, though, it does carry some significance going into next season. The team can’t completely fall apart down the stretch, although there are signs of turmoil in the locker room and front office.

The defensive players have not bought into first-year coach Rex Ryan’s 3-4 base scheme, publicly ripping it at times.

Veteran defensive end Mario Williams is among the most vocal critics. Maybe it’s easier to blame the scheme than himself for having career lows in sacks (four) and tackles (13).

“My mindset is, if you’re an attack defense, you don’t let anything else dictate what you do,” Williams said via ESPN following the Bills’ 35-25 loss to the Washington Redskins on Sunday.

“We’re gonna put who we’re gonna put out there, and then we’re gonna execute and make plays with the guys out there. I don’t care — I don’t need to wait on you to make a decision. And whoever seems to be missing personnel, so that we’re actually trying to switch. So we’re trying to switch men. It’s not like we’re trying to switch plays. We’re trying to switch men as they’re coming out of the huddle.

“That’s happened a few times in 10 years with me. A few times. That’s 10 years. But like you said, game in, game out, I don’t know how in the world that keeps happening.”

On top of the locker room drama, The Buffalo News reported, citing a league source, that owner Terry Pegula is “accepting outside NFL consultation on what to do about some of the problems that have led to the franchise headed to a 16th consecutive season without a playoff appearance.”

According to the report, that might not be promising news for general manager Doug Whaley, who has one year remaining on his contract.

Talk about dysfunction in Buffalo. Add in the Rex Ryan factor, and it could be an entertaining off-season for the Bills.

Running setback?

Running back LeSean McCoy is doubtful for Sunday’s game, NFL Network reported. McCoy left last week’s game with an MCL sprain in his right knee.

That’s a significant blow to the Bills’ rushing attack, which is ranked first in the NFL. McCoy has a team-leading 895 rushing yards, followed by quarterback Tyrod Taylor (450) and Karlos Williams (417).

Remember when …

Speaking of the Bills’ playoff drought, the last time they made the postseason was following the 1999 season. And that season ended for the Bills with the memorable “Music City Miracle” as the Tennessee Titans returned a kickoff after a cross-field lateral for an improbable win in the final seconds.

Since then, the closest the Bills have come to the playoffs was in 2004. They could have clinched a berth in the final week of the season but fell to the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-24. That Steelers team was led by quarterback Tommy Maddox, a Hurst L.D. Bell graduate.

He said it

“I think we have a quarterback that has the ability to take a team to the playoffs. I think that’s a big plus.” — Rex Ryan, giving a vote of confidence to quarterback Tyrod Taylor earlier this week

This story was originally published December 22, 2015 at 8:40 PM with the headline "Cowboys scouting report: dysfunction, no playoffs have Bills reeling."