HamptonBillsfan

Here’s a few thoughts about the Bills. If anyone thinks our secondary won’t be targeted and victimized by any quality passing attack they’re kidding themselves. Tre White is marginal depth at this point in his career. With Strong on IR, who is our other corner, with Benford, who is not playing great man coverage himself... Our safeties are mostly, chasing plays 20 yards down the field, out of position. Why did Diggs get so much YAC last night? The safeties missed tackles and got out of position. The defensive gurus running our defense allowed Diggs, to look like Jerry Rice. If he was the sole target anytime Maye got flushed, why didn’t Sean and Babich take him away before he shredded our coverage. I liked the increased number of blitz packages but can anyone put the QB on the ground? We played the run better last night but with Milano questionable going forward and Williams on IR, Shaq better have a lot left, especially with Atlanta’s running attack. Now on offense, if our passing approach is going to be a combination of underneath check downs and slip screens, these O-lineman and receivers better make blocks without penalties. Bottom line, offensive line coaching and Brady stunk last night. Ultimately, Josh is leaving the pocket too early because our receivers aren’t separating as he goes through his progressions. He won’t survive all the hits he took last night if it’s a regular thing. It’s obvious that our offense is centered around Cook gashing defenses creating opportunities on 3rd and short. If Cook is shut down, we’ll have games like last night.

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Ray Davis has not performed like a reasonable backup for Jimbo. Thankfully Brady has prioritized more touches for Cook and you see the results. By the way, what’s wrong with Johnson? He’s had more drops than all of last season. If we’re going to make strides with our offense, because the O-line seems fine when Cooks explodes for big splashy runs, these other RBs in the unit have to show up. Do you remember the clueless posters who said “dump Cook and just insert Davis and Johnson and we won’t take a step backwards”

Maybe you’re looking for something that is not on the roster by design. If you’ve been watching, Josh has nine options in the passing game. These receivers have been involved mostly underneath on possession throws. Shakir, Palmer, Coleman are getting some YAC but none of these receivers are vertical threats. Kincaid has been a guy, who can get behind LBs or safeties on mismatches. Beane’s vision for the offense is Cook being the focal point with explosive running and Josh being a distributor throwing to all these tough pass catchers, sprinkling in strategic QB runs when the field opens up. This is their formula for limiting TOs and scoring 30 or more points a game. So far Josh has 10 TD passes n 4 games. There’s different ways to get production.

This is the game that should send a message to the rest of the AFC that the path to the SB runs right through HighMark Stadium. I’m hoping Oliver and Milano are active and Brown can play. At full strength, with an improved pass rush and a fast developing Strong and Walker, I see the prospect for a dominant performance after two games that we sleepwalked to lackluster victories. The home field advantage will never be bigger than Sunday night’s crowd. With Cook getting off to the start he’s had and Josh showing trust in all our receivers, Vrabel will have a challenge defending our offense. This is the game that should send a message to the rest of the AFC that the path to the SB runs right through HighMark Stadium. I’m hoping Oliver and Milano are active and Brown can play. At full strength, with an improved pass rush and a fast developing Strong and Walker, I see the prospect for a dominant performance after two games that we sleepwalked to lackluster victories. The home field advantage will never be bigger than Sunday night’s crowd. With Cook getting off to the start he’s had and Josh showing trust in all our receivers, Vrabel will have a challenge defending our offense.

They didn’t need him to throw because they were moving the ball effortlessly on the ground with Kamara and Rattler until they were in the red zone. Rattler should have had another TD if Shaheen had caught a wide open TD throw. What’s the difference, that game was too close for comfort.

No decision, Prater is our kicker until he misses important kicks. He’s been great so far and I don’t trust Bass coming off injury.

You can’t destroy these diehard fans after they have been handed a lost season after 4 games. Let them hang on to something to give them hope going forward. Lamar has been exposed as a great QB that can’t win a big game. Harbaugh is a good coach who hasn’t gotten anywhere with Lamar being an MVP . If they get healthy maybe they can sneak into the playoffs in a weak division but if Lamar is out through their bye they can be one and five. That’s a tough ask.

Why shouldn’t Lamar fans say he’s the best? The idea doesn’t pass the eye test or his track record against Josh but I’m sure a Ravens fan could build a statistical argument in the regular season to throw it against the wall. In the end the person that gets to the SB and hoists the trophy will be considered the best between Josh, Lamar and Burrow.

Well said, that’s how the board should work. In the end his success or failure will be determined by the team overcoming injuries and improving as the season wears on. I’m also not saying your argument is not correct because I have thought to myself players have not been coached up effectively ( Rousseau, Bishop, Epenesa, Williams,) or replaced if necessary.

What’s the rush to dump this guy when he’s working with substandard personnel. You must agree that getting pressure with their front four without Oliver is not possible so Babich is starting to bring Bernard, Thompson and even Bishop. That paid dividends against the Saints and Miami. He’s missed a great run defender and tackler with superior diagnostic instincts in Milano. Tre is giving a great effort but he’s going to struggle against top receivers( Hill, Shaheen, Flowers, etc) I like the idea of stopping teams when the game is on the line. In the Ravens miracle we stopped them and turned them over to make Josh’s comeback possible. Against Miami, who played their best game, we turned them over and got pressure on Tua when they were on the verge of taking the lead. Same thing with NO, they went 4 and out with the game on the line. At the end of the 1st half. Bishop got a TO to get us momentum. He was put in a position by Babich’s defense to make a big play. If you believe that this defense will improve with the PED boys, Oliver,Milano and Hairston, it’s worth giving Babich a pass.

How could Babich be on the hot seat at 4 and 0. He’s stuck with Beane/Sean’s roster. Did Babich pick Landon Jackson, TJ. Sanders or Hairston? Did Babich reward Rousseau for being a string bean who can’t get a sniff of the QB while getting an extension for big money? Did Babich find a way to pull off the miracle Ravens comeback down 15 with 4 minutes to go? Did Babich’s defense shut down a spirited Dolphins and Saints team on 4th quarter stops? Get back to us when the Bills lose.

Knox, as much Josh loves him,,never catches a 50/50 ball and drops too many catchable balls. He doesn’t make important plays and takes up too much cap space. He should be a trade candidate or one of the first casualties of the additions coming after game six. Maybe a change of scenery will jumpstart his career.

He’s obviously not showing the quality needed to break into the Sunday lineup and thats with a group that desperately needs a pass rusher from the edge. I guess Hancock is not fully healthy because we need another cb with our propensity to make the Spencer Rattlers of the world look like Joe Burrow.

The first four games have been a testament to the greatness of Josh, Cook the O-line and a few defenders (Bernard, Benford, Bosa, and Oliver). The offense has been good enough to compete for the SB. Averaging over 30 and scoring on cue when teams have narrowed margins are indicative of great production. The weaknesses on defense are glaring and must be resolved if we want to overcome our loser resume. The run defense is not effective and without Oliver and Milano it’s not going to improve. The front four also has generated little pressure on the QB but Sean and Babich have brought extra rushers ala Spags approach that have worked at times.We need continued improvement from Walker, Sanders and the arrival of Ogenjobi. Our secondary gives up too many completions and YAC. Relying on our 1st round rookie cb and the other rookies with a game but injury diminished Tre White is not realistic. Bishop showed flashes last game but he’s out of position too much. So it seems obvious we need an acquisition before the deadline either an established corner or safety and the addition of the PED lineman to shore up the defense. The outlook is optimistic to get the overall home field throughout the playoffs but to beat KC and the NFC champion improvement of our defense will determine whether we end the drought.

One thing you can be sure of, all the upcoming teams we play will be looking at the game as their SB. Imagine the jolt of confidence beating the Bills would give any team.

Can’t disagree with any of that. I’d like to get your thoughts on the team in 3 or 4 weeks just before the trade deadline. I feel like they need to bolster that secondary with another quality corner. I’d also like to see more of Hancock and Strong.

Your analysis is always impressive pertaining to personnel. Reasons for optimism abound especially with Walker and Sanders only getting better and the PED boys coming soon. My only trepidation is that Rousseau,Bishop and Hairston are huge question marks for different reasons. Hairston will need 3 or 4 games to get up to speed. Rousseau seems like getting paid was a big part of his motivation and Bishop has been ineffective so far. Tre White is good depth but he will struggle against good receivers like Waddle. The secondary will be exposed if we can’t pressure the QB better. Hopefully we will see more from these guys.

The Chiefs would be my choice to get a third loss. They look so bad offensively that you would think a few more losses might make getting into the playoffs very challenging. Their pedigree is such that it is likely that they’ll be a very different team when they get their receivers back and Mahomes gets his head out of his rear end. You always want to get the Champs out of the way.The Ravens are also without some defenders that exposed their inability to stop the run. They are in a weak division and likely will win the AFC North. Their O-line was overwhelmed by Detroit’s front seven and Lamar looked rushed, confused and ineffective. Henry is in the midst of a crisis of confidence having fumbled in three straight games and hurting his team badly. Their coaching staff looks like they’re not able to install game plans on both sides of the ball against quality teams. This is a monstrous game for both teams.

Bills must start lighting a fire under Rousseau, Sanders, Epenesa, in order to get after the QB. with someone not named Bosa.If they can’t Babich should throw in a few corner blitzes like the Chiefs do. The advantages derived out of sacks and QB pressures are huge in the NFL. Without QB pressure our secondary is exposed. It’s hard to believe Tre has stood up as well as he has through the first 3 weeks. He obviously struggles against speed receivers on crossings and vertical passes. Bishop is mostly out of position or making tackles 20 to 30 yards downfield. Benford, Bernard, Milano and Rapp have all made plays but these guys are all balls to the wall hard hitters and tend to get dinged. Our depth is not great. I can expect Hoecht and Ogengobi along with Hairston to provide solid play when they settle in but Oliver is the most important player in that his pressure opens up opportunities for edge guys.

You still haven’t answered who would replace him. You haven’t acknowledged his average of 30 yards a kickoff return, better than league average and now he’s “lucky” not to have one fumble lost. We’re 3 and 0 and special teams have not been a problem but a strength and you want him replaced because “sooner or later” something bad is going to happen. Thankfully the team doesn’t consult you on personnel decisions.

Every returner bobbles a punt and gets on it before he turns it over. He’s hasn’t lost a punt or kickoff yet and he’s averaging 30 on runbacks. That’s better than league average. You’re looking to dump a guy who won the job and has been productive because he’s only depth at corner?. Kick returner and kickers are vital to making a special team unit successful. Unless you have someone, who’s returned kicks in the pros before that is as good, I wouldn’t mess with what’s working.

Are you watching the games? Codrington has all the returns so far for kickoffs and punts. He hasn’t lost any fumbles and absorbs high speed killer hits. He’s averaging 30 yds on kickoff returns and that usually means we’re starting drives between the 35 and 40 yd line. He’s had a couple of run backs that got to around midfield. Who do you want fielding kicks an untried, untested young player who can wreck games with a fumble or a decision when to come out of the end zone or let a punt go in to the end zone?

I’m not sure Rousseau is being coached up well. I know there’s some in the fanbase that think he got paid and is not firing on all cylinders. He gets no pressure from the edge and with a just a few tackles his pursuit seems limited so he’s not blocking throws either.If we’re expecting pressure from the edge it’s Bosa or an extra rusher. This seems like a problem until Hoecht comes back. The good news is they looked good for the second week against the run. Walker,Jones and Bernard were solid. Walker is a good player. White, showed some good coverage as a depth corner and Benford and Johnson are solid but we’re lacking quality at safety with Bishop always out of position . Face it, against quality passing attacks, we have to win shootouts. That’s a bad formula for beating teams like Green Bay, Tampa Bay, Atlanta, Philly.

The Bills want to be a run first team with the O-line being dominant and Cook running wild. The way the Jets and Dolphins played our receivers there was plenty of room underneath and Brady was only too happy to accommodate. Throw in Kincaid becoming a real productive option and I’d say Brady did well. He brought Moore and Shavers into the offense and that makes defenses have to cover too many. Josh had no problem finding the open man. When you think about it we don’t really have a speedy vertical threat, a bunch of talented receivers who get yac.