Rocky Landing

While we're at it, why don't don't we restart the "Right Josh/Wrong Josh" debate?

Typo. Fixed.

In my opinion, the midseason slump that we endured was primarily an issue of losing in the trenches. We got exposed for running a spread offense that we were unable to adjust out of, and, as Urban Meyer weirdly outlined to the press, shutting down the Bills was a matter of shutting down the spread offense, which turned out to be something that took us weeks to adjust to. Put simply, we could not balance our offense to include an honest run game. Just as it was in last season's AFCCG, defending against the Bills' run game did not even have to be schemed. It was an afterthought. As much as I would like to see a first round pick to upgrade the O-line, or even a running back, or WR (and I would love to see that), I have, this season, strongly suspected that the real problem lies with asst. coaching. I feel like, as far as the O-line, and RBs are concerned, the talent is there. I would love to see the Pegulas go after a first-rate, O-line coach who could, along with protecting Allen, really get the run game going. And, for what it's worth, I know Bobby Johnson is well regarded. But, the proof is in the pudding, as they say. Spend a first-round pick on an O-linesman, sure. And if we're picking late in the first round, maybe even a running back. If there's a potentially elite talent there, why not? But, if we can't get a proper scheme going to develop a proper run game, it's going to be a wasted pick.

I am so old...

The Jefferson example is anecdotal, though. Obviously, no rookie is a guarantee. But, certainly, the higher rated picks have a better chance of success in the league.

Something I notice from that list of 25 is how abjectly mediocre many of them are, and how current many of them are. (Blake Bortles, Baker Mayfield, Carson Palmer at #12?) It really highlights how in the modern NFL, rookie QBs are expected to produce on the field right away. The notion that a rookie QB should ride the pine, and learn behind a vet has become utterly antiquated.

We've definitely seen improvement in Tua. He went into this game as the most accurate QB in the league, shockingly. Predominantly short throws, of course-- but he's learned how to play the position while keeping himself safe, and not crapping himself. That's a lot more improvement than I thought we would see.

I know Diggs wasn't previously a first round pick, but the Bills spent a first round pick on him. IMO, that counts as a first round pick. Also, going forward, it's going to mean less as the Bills are likely going to be picking fairly late in upcoming drafts. That is, of course, based on the belief that the Bills are going to be a perennial playoff team for at least several years. The real elite rookie talent tends to be up in the top ten, or so picks. I'd love to see Beane trade up for a prime target-- I have a feeling he could negotiate a better deal than that misguided Whaley selling-the-farm for Watkins pick.

Allen would have leapt that guy on the last one.

If the Fish win out the rest of the season, including the Patriots*, they finish the season second in the division, and likely knock the Pats* out of the playoffs. That would make me very happy.

interesting, though that Belichick* trusted him to throw against our D only three times. That really is a remarkably low number, especially considering he had him throw 45 times in the following game, in what looked to me to be an utterly predictable offensive scheme. I’m just your standard, casual fan, and I found myself calling plays based on their formation with startling accuracy. I’ve gotta believe Mac & Cheese is going to throw more than three times on Sunday. But, I can’t even begin to predict what the Pats* offensive scheme is going to look like.

Interesting game stat: In last week's loss to the Colts, Mac & Cheese threw the ball 45 times, for a pedestrian 74.2 rating, 53.4 QBR. In their previous game vs. the Bills, he threw the ball a grand total of three times. Three times! Which, IMO, removes all context to the QB rating/QBR stats. Would love to hear some thoughts on this.

This discussion makes me wonder about Moss. In '20, Moss was the best RB in pass pro in the league. Now, he's benched. What gives? I feel confident in saying that Motor has surpassed him as the feature back, but the prognostications (of which I agreed) that Moss would see the field more than Motor, specifically for his pass pro, as well as his proficiency as a receiver/RB, have been completely wrong.

Shannon Sharpe was certainly fired up about it. I have to say, he makes a compelling case.

Personally, I have no problem with Brady*, or any other QB, telling the Saints DC to GFH. However, as Brady* was on the field, it probably should have been an unsportsmanlike conduct flag, right?

I tend to agree with you. Constant pressure is certainly important. But, especially with playoff caliber coaches, and QBs, it's a given that they will be able to adjust to pressure. Dropping the QB to the turf definitely adds another wrinkle to personnel adjustments, and an undeniable psychological element to the quarterback.

Regarding the pass rush, and since this is the Pats* game thread, it's worth noting that Mac & Cheese threw the ball a grand total of three times way back in.. uh, three weeks ago...

Mac & Cheese had a 100% completion percentage in the first half of the Bills game. True, he did only throw the ball once...

Hey, Mac & Cheese had a 100% completion rate in the first half of the Bills game. Pretty impressive... (psst... yes, while technically true, that is a joke. he threw exactly one pass in the entire first half of that game.)

I love Frank Gore-- truly a great person, and teammate. But, I think Deron Williams is going to beat the snot out of him.

Duh

Maybe there should be one thread on Mondays called "Hot Take/Overreaction Monday."

I came onto this thread to say something about improving O-line coaching (talent is there, IMO, scheme is not), but I now realize that I currently have little capacity for rational thoughts. If I didn't have to work today, I might just close all the shades, blast the Dead Kennedys, and cut myself. EDIT: Thanks for all the work writing this, @corta765. I'm sure it's well written, and thoughtful. When my stomach settles, I'll probably read it.

I don't like admitting this, but... I think what I haaaate the most about the Pats* isn't their evil-genius HC, their corrupt organization, their annoying past dominance in the AFCE, or their long, and storied history of cheating. It's their fanbase. I know lots of them. I have numerous family members (from my wife's side), and co-workers who are Pats* fans. I have friends who are Pats* fans. They're all good people. But, when it comes to the team, and especially on game day, or in football discussions, they turn into the worst douchebags you'll ever meet. The smarmy chest-thumping, and endless gloating, and the reality-twisting narratives of "they hate us for our success," and "ALL teams cheat..." and "GOAT this, and GOAT that..." It's sickening. Every sentence from the MFs ends with some LOL emoji. And let's stop calling them the New England Patriots*. People in Vermont hate them as much as the rest of the country, and Maine follows hockey. Hell, there's even a big chunk of Western Mass that hates the Patriots* They're the Boston Patriots*. F*** them.

My kid's school district has Monday off (something about teacher development, or something), and I live on the West Coast. Now everyone lay off!!!