WIDE LEFT
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Posts posted by WIDE LEFT
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While the national media worships at the feet of Patrick Mahomes, a closer examination and a more nuanced analysis reveals Allen to be the better QB. Allen “can’t beat” Mahomes (in the playoffs) simply because it’s a complete coaching mismatch on both sides of the ball. Just watch the playoff loss to KC. Allen is forced to throw darts into the smallest of targets while Mahomes is consistently throwing to wide open targets, ie the TD pass to Kelce, among others. This is not surprising, Reid is a hall of fame offensive genius while Brady is still getting his feet wet. But Allen was the better QB that day, and almost every time he has played KC
Whats disappointing is the coaching mis match on the defensive side of the ball. Anybody think Spagnola would have lost that lead with 13 seconds to go. He is constantly making in game adjustments while McD is like a deer in the headlights. Chris Jones ruined what would have been a go ahead TD via his pressure/hit on Allen. Jones had been moved from his DT position to DE on that play. Nice adjustments. In the meantime KC all pro guard Tuney just ate up Ed Oliver all day, but no movement or adjustment. Oliver had zero impact all day. And BTW, you don’t have to be a Reid level offensive genius to recognize & exploit the fact that AJ Klein CANNOT cover Kielce.
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4 minutes ago, Royale with Cheese said:
Are you guaranteeing that these 3rd round WR picks would have been successful?
Are we really a ground and pound philosophy? I ask because Josh Allen has had the 3rd most passing attempts since 2019, the first year of the 3 RB's drafted in early rounds and that includes all the games that we blew out teams early and stopped throwing the ball or Allen is sitting in the 4th. We are a very, very pass happy team.
The above is from 9 years ago but the numbers have not changed much.
"The third round has the second highest number of receivers drafted with 52 but only a 25% success rate."
Nobody, not even NFL people who do this for a living, can guarantee anything about the draft. But it’s a SECOND round pick ( two 2nds if u count Basham) and the two thirds where if WR were picked, a strong possibility that one of them could be that difference maker. Pass happy team yes, we should be since we have one of the most talented QBs ever. We have had our most success that way. My point is Allen needs weapons. You don’t acquire those type of weapons by wasting high choices on RBs. You don’t need to, they are easy to find. Johnson for example. The main point is you are wasting Allens talents by not providing him sufficient ammunition, you know like the receivers Tua and Burrow have. A lot of NFL analysts, from Chris Simms to Greg Cosell have commented on the lack of talent on Bills offense. But that’s easy to explain when look at how the Bills have drafted
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On 9/8/2023 at 6:44 PM, Simon said:
Since we don't need a new thread every time some needy media personality says something to draw attention to themselves, I'm just creating this thread to have a place to drop them.
1 hour ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:But is he wrong? The offense has been good and has the 2 best players on the team. If only they picked other offensive positions over the 3 RBs in the 2nd and 3rd rounds I think we’d have a different view on this.
The offense should be better than good. It has a superstar QB. Yes if they picked other offensive positions besides RB ( like, maybe wide receivers) the view would be different. Taking 3 RBs in early rounds is a defensive coaches philosophy, since a ground and pound offense protects your defense.
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If you think McD doesn’t have a huge voice in draft picks I just can’t help you. Maybe listen to a podcast or two, as in a Bill Polian interview where he lays out how the process works. I mean really, all those defensive minded picks & free agents, and you think it’s just a coincidence, that Beane is drafting completely on his own. Because he just loves defense. That the head coach, whose specialty is defense, didn’t have a huge say. Please
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If I was Pegula I would put strict limitations on McD’s role in drafting players & signing free agents. I will give McD a pass on his decision not to draft Mahomes (which Pegula wanted to do). But draft decisions since then reflect a defensive minded bent, and have negatively impacted Alllen’s career. In an era where you can get a quality RB anywhere, we used (wasted) two third round picks and one second round pick on running backs, two of whom no longer play for Bills. Imagine if those three picks had been used on wide receivers. It’s a good bet that at least one of those WRs would have developed into that field stretching quality threat that Allen so desperately needs. Bills O faced man to man coverages more than any other team in the league - our WRs can’t separate consistently.
Then there’s the recent draft where TWO defensive ends were taken in rounds 1 and 2. Huge free agent signing -Miller - defense. And DB Elam with a round one pick. So running backs (to ensure a strong ground game) and multiple picks and signings of defensive assets. A defensive coach’s dream!! But that’s not NFL 2024. Even with all these assets being devoted to defense, it’s been the defense which has repeatedly failed in the playoffs. Stop wasting Allen’s career, give him the weapons he needs and deserves, and let’s go outscore everybody. Step one, keep McD’s role in talent acquisition to a bare minimum. He has earned that
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PFF isn’t perfect, but they do extensive film work in breaking down individual performances. And use people with a modicum of experience & expertise in player evaluation. But here we have the typical fan; watches the game ONCE on tv, pounding beers, but somehow knows more
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Any QB’s turnover issue really requires more nuanced analysis than is generally given. The REAL turnover problem is the “judgement” turnovers, which generally fall into two categories - interceptions thrown where the QB doesn’t read the coverages, throws interception on a pass play that is covered. A subset of this is just an errant throw to an open receiver. The second category is holding the ball too long, not sensing and/or reading the pressure - resulting in a strip sack. For all the national media whining about Allen’s turnovers after Monday’s game misses the point that after 4 quarters of play Allen had a grand total of ONE judgement turnover - his 2nd interception. His first “ interception” was a perfectly thrown pass to an open WR.
A non judgement turnover is generally less problematic- fumbled snap, ball punched out on a designed QB run etc. These things happen to all players, and a QB’s judgement really not an issues in these type of TOS.
BUT - Allen has a fairly unique and troubling problem with non judgement turnovers. I can only speculate that he gets too hyped up in big pressure situations & fails to execute routine things. Minnesota game last year - ball on 1 yard line, game in hand. Allen has taken thousands of snaps in his career, but at this very big moment fumbles a routine snap that went directly into his hands. Jets game this year, big moment, in control of game in the 4th quarter and he fumbles away a routine shotgun snap. Again he has handled thousands of these, but again a pressure moment and he messes up the routine. And Mondays game - again he completely mishandles a routine handoff in a huge, pressure moment. This is a pattern here, and it’s a BIG (and fairly unique) problem.
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“Random talking heads”. - Cowhert take that was posted was brilliant and spot on. Now thanks to our genius moderator, it’s very difficult to find. That random talking head makes millions of dollars talking sports, and his takes are way more intelligent than 99% of the posts here. And certainly more intelligent than this moderator.
“Random talking heads”. - Cowhert take that was posted was brilliant and spot on. Now thanks to our genius moderator, it’s very difficult to find. That random talking head makes millions of dollars talking sports, and his takes are way more intelligent than 99% of the posts here. And certainly more intelligent than this moderator.
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So this genius calls into Sal’s show this morning with this wonderful take. “Before the trade deadline Bills should trade for a QB”. His reason - Josh Allen needs competition so he doesn’t get too comfortable & and doesn’t get too careless ie turnovers. Initially Sal thought this was a joke, but no, our caller was serious. When he picked himself off the floor, Sal pointed out that JA was having an MVP like season. But there is so much more wrong with this take. Let’s start with the fact that what team with a QB good enough to give Allen competition would trade that guy. Who is this great QB that could threaten Allen, but doesn’t start for his own team. Unsurprisingly our genius caller did not name a candidate. You have to wonder how long this guy waited on hold to share this wonderful idea.
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Penn 6 - mid town Manhattan- was there several weeks ago for a Bills game
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20 hours ago, GustheDog33 said:
I used to OC for a High School team, which is not the same, but it's not nothing. You win games by scoring more points than the other team and when the game feels like it is probably out of reach it is usually best to make damn sure it is out of reach. Might as well score again and make sure. Every. Single. Time.
So as the high school OC, you never had your team run clock, never had your QB take a knee because after all you wanted to score every, single, time. No wonder high school wax as far as you got
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No I didn’t know it was an audible and I don’t believe you have that inside knowledge either. But let’s concede that it was an audible. Your QB should not be allowed to audible in that situation. Sometimes you have to protect Allen from himself. He opened himself up to a huge and completely unnecessary hit. And showed off to future opponents a great play design.
I am not at all surprised by the responses here. Basically “ everything worked out so what’s your problem”. That’s fine UNTIL everything doesn’t work out. The Allen 4th quarter interception with a big lead isn’t always going to get wiped out by a penalty. Reckless clock & game management will come back to bite you in the playoffs. You haven’t seen the Bills in the past fail to drill down on these type of issues in the past. Like 13 seconds? Yes everything fine, until it isn’t.
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You have to wonder if Dorsey is auditioning for a HC job, or is he completely clueless about game/clock management. Raiders game - less than 9 minutes remaining in 4th quarter and Bills with a 21 point lead. The math is clear - it’s virtually impossible for Vegas to score 3 tds in the time left. Bills could run 3 times every possession, go 3 & out each time and their simply would not be enough time left for Vegas to tie this game. The ONLY way to lose is to throw a pic or QB sack fumble. What does Dorsey do? First down Allen passes and is INTERCEPTED. But a lucky penalty negates the turnover. He then continues to throw the ball all over the field.
With an even bigger lead in the 4th quarter against Washington he does the same thing - multiple passes - completely unnecessary and reckless.
On to the Dolphins game . Huge lead again in 4th quarter. First and goal at the 9. Dorsey, (auditioning?) calls for a designated QB run. Why? Yes I know he scored. But what about the entire concept of Allen not taking unnecessary hits? A QB draw from the 9 in the crowded red zone almost always results in a significant hit. Why put Allen at risk when u have a huge lead late in 4th quarter? Why show that play to future opponents? Just as mindlessly reckless as throwing the ball all over the field late in the 4th quarter with big leads. Unless you have a HC agenda.
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It is as clear as a bell that McD informed Frazier that he (McD) would call the defenses in 2023 season. Given this, Frazier had to leave the Bills. At this point in his career, Frazier cannot accept being a DC stripped of play calling responsibilities. Among other problems, it would kill any chance of gettting a HC job
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You don’t have to be a mathematician to compute that 2+2 = 4. So we find out this week that McD will call the D this year. It’s a no brainer that McD early on informed Frazier that he was going to call the D next year. Frazier understandably does see this as a huge downgrade (as it is). Can’t get a HC job if you are a coordinator who doesn’t call the plays. Can’t take that downgrade. Understandable. Simple math
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Another huge problem with their general scheme is that the bend/don’t break philosophy does not match at all with the offense the Bills have. We have a 250 million dollar QB, one of the NFLs best, and a high octane offense. The bend/keep everything in front of you D results in long, time consuming drives, especially against quality QBs. Thus keeping your own high octane offense on the sidelines. Better to be more aggressive on D, risk some long plays but trusting that your O will get more opportunities/time to score. The 90s Bills had much the same flaw, a high scoring K gun O matched with Corey’s bend don’t break scheme. Always been a black mark on Levy’s part, not recognizing this philosophical flaw.
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The simple answer is NO. But it’s a bit more complicated. Bringing a new DC ignores the fact that McD has a major hand in the defense & defensive schemes. The problem with both McD & Frazier is that their old school defensive schemes are inadequate in dealing with the modern & best (playoff) offenses. Tyler Boyd said it all several weeks ago, Bills D schemes are simple & uncomplicated. That won’t do in 2022. Their scheme is great v mediocre QBs & offenses. They pile up all their impressive D stats versus weak offenses. But when faced with a top flight QB they are clearly inadequate. The last two playoff losses their D was helpless. Several weeks ago Cinci marched right down the field & and did the same yesterday. It was too easy for Burrow as it was too easy for Mahomes last year.
They need a new, modern ( and more complex) D scheme(s) to at least slow down top end QBs. Currently their blitzes are easily diagnosed and ineffective. Even against mediocre QBs the current schemes have glaring issues. How many third & longs did teams convert this year. Just last week a 3rd string QB converted two THIRD & 19s.
Tony Romo joined the chorus yesterday calling for Frazier to get a HC position. But if I am an owner and review his ridiculous D calls in last 13 seconds of KC game last year, or that defensive travesty yesterday; I am saying no thanks.
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McD cements himself as being the worst game manager in NFL playoffs. Twice he called timeouts negating successful plays by the offense and defense. Actually did same thing last week. Just listened to his press conference. Not one coward in WNY media dared to ask him about his terrible timeout calls
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A Bills loss Sunday coupled with a Bengals win would give Cincinnati home field? It appears so. Conference records are equal, common opponents are equal, so the third breaker is strength of schedule. Cinci wins that one
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Not completely serious here but this does provide an interesting scenario. Assume the NFL is just going to cancel Bills/Bengals game. Assume KC beats Raiders on Saturday. This would make Bills v Pats meaningless. If Bills lose, they still get 2nd seed; they would still have the same 8-3 conference record as Bengals, but we win the second tie breaker, record against common opponents (Bills 8-3, Bengals 7-3). So a loss to Pats is meaningless - rest starters? This would guarantee a 1st round playoff matchup against Pats. I have no problem with that.
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Been to Buffalo City Grill on N Park St many times - huge place, all Bills fans, great place to watch a game. But - it does get packed.
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I recall Frazier’s scheme could not protect a lead with 13 seconds v KC. His “scheme” included protecting the sideline despite the fact KC still had 3 timeouts. Travis Kielce tells Mahomes that the way the Bills are playing their D scheme, he will be wide open down the middle. And he was. This player saw it, our D coordinator somehow did not.
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As demonstrated by Bill Belichick and Leslie Frazier. Pats, in two successive games, completely shut down Zach Wilson, so completely that he has been benched. When Wilson played against the Bills, he looked like a real NFL QB. For one of the very few times in his career.
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Well not so mighty actually. Yesterday’s performance v Pats was brutal. Simply refused to throw the ball downfield. This despite the fact Pats defense was jumping all the short routes. How can this guy sit behind Josh Allen for an ENTIRE year, be handed a starting QB job, and then go an entire game without throwing one pass downfield? And almost as bad, Steelers ran a number of RPOs and NOT once did Mighty Mitch keep the ball & run himself. And he is a talented runner. By the third quarter the Pats simply ignored the threat of a QB run on the RPO plays. Again, Mitch sat behind Josh Allen for an entire year, and the threat & weapon of a QB running failed to sink in. This was as bad and cowardly a QB performance as I have ever witnessed.
The coaching mismatch
in The Stadium Wall
Posted
You failed to mention that when the KC defense came out of its shell Allen threw 3 bombs that were dropped. You dink and dunk until the D abandons its shell then you hit them deep. Of course, you actually have to catch the ball. To throw out stats like Allen only averaging small amount of yards per completion, without even a mention of the dropped long passes is classic.