[AJ Klein--- out]

Too bad. He plays well near the line.

[December 6, 2021 Gameday Bills vs. Patriots* Pregame Thread]

To me, the game is about pass protection on offense and stopping the run on D.  New England will repeatedly go for that long duration drive and burn clock.  Essentially, another referendum on line play.

[What makes a team "physical?"]

It's the guys who are uber hard wired to look for contact.

[Excluding JA, predict which player will have the biggest impact - Patriots at Bills]

Star

[Bills vs Pats: “pound for pound” teams analysis]

On 11/28/2021 at 5:20 PM, D. L. Hot-Flamethrower said:

I think Judon gives them a slight edge

As a Raven, we saw Judon give Allen hell.

[Does CB Now Become a Necessity Early in 2022 Draft]

If it's a necessity, Beane will first sign a free agent before the draft as is his way.  He will also draft a corner if they are BPA at a position of need (which will depend on the FA he signs).  Beane = Free Agency to fill holes followed by drafting BPA at position of need or expensive position.  (I don't buy that he truly drafts BPA)

[Potential for Spenser Brown move? (to LT?)]

1. Dawkins has 10 days between games to rest and get refocussed. 
2. Rookies don't get moved to LT for New England.

[Our nemesis The New England Patriots]

4 hours ago, Buffalo_Stampede said:

The best defense against a strong running game imo is a strong offense.

 

The Colts dominated both lines of scrimmage. If NE does that it'll be a similar result.

Barring the return of a healthy Star and a crazed Oliver, the Bills lose the "push" matchup up the middle on both lines. NE very good at executing the long (time) drive.  Bigger concern for the Bills' offense.  Belichick will do everything he can to get into Allen's head and get him to unravel.  

[Buffalo #1 NFL City ... for Bad Weather as per The Weather Channel]

Yet, these five criteria selected by the heat and humidity loving folks in Atlanta have little effect on Bills fan enthusiasm.  How could this be?  Just another lazy piece of content that equates football weather with a day at the beach. 

[Tre White knee injury UPDATE: Out for the Season Notification top of page 1]

Perhaps an untimely loss of Wildgoose.

[When Is Star supposed to be back?]

6 hours ago, eSJayDee said:

From what I've seen, he actually is symptomatic, so I believe he needs 2 negative tests & no symptoms, so no real time table.

..........because along with the results and policies, he also needs to be in game shape.

[THE ROCKPILE REVIEW - Huge Loss]

10 hours ago, ChronicAndKnuckles said:

 

I don't remember anyone wanting that. Maybe a couple of the random nut jobs we get here, but who the heck doesn't want the Bills to run it? 

 

Everyone saw Tampa Bay last year and how much Brady benefitted from running it. Fournette should've been the Super Bowl MVP last year. 

 

 

The pass first, pass always narrative is in part driven by some WGR personalities. 

[We’re Sawft: SAWFT!!!!]

48 minutes ago, Buffalo ill said:

I agree the team is not physical enough, and gets bullied by toughguy teams, but bringing up AFL stuff from 60 years ago is silly.

Not really. History teaches the good coaches even if the game changes.

[For All The Young Bills Fans Wanting to Put to Bed The 90s Comparisons]

Wolford, Ritcher, Hull, Davis, Ballard. This is the difference. 

[Spencer Brown placed on Covid List [Edit: Thurs 11/18]]

2 hours ago, Chandler#81 said:

It’s not as much about a promising rookie missing the game, it’s about the collection of misfits and another Oline shuffle required to replace him.

It's the Brown Effect for sure.

[Jim Kelly color commentary Bills/Colts ‘97]

"The moral of the story: Never question Harbaugh's toughness." (??)  They have it backwards it seems.

[Do you think a 4-3 formation could be a good one ?]

1 hour ago, Italian Bills said:

 

When i opened this thread was not to say that we have to change the way we are playing D, i’m not crazy.. i opened this thread to ask your opinion about using a 4-3 formation here and there using three LBs to rush the passer more and to be more consistent at stopping the run against teams with great backs like Henry, Kamara, Taylor, etc. 
And those teams don’t have great QBs that can make you pay the price to play that formation few snaps during the game. I do also agree that the nickel is the right asset. 

For sure I like what you're saying.  If you're getting gouged by the run, throw a little more responsibility on your all-star defensive backfield for a few plays.  Matchups should dictate this.  I just think the Bills are very hesitant to move from the nickel.

[Do you think a 4-3 formation could be a good one ?]

35 minutes ago, GunnerBill said:

 

But a bit more base 4-3 against heavy run teams isn't a new idea. It is a ploy they used really successfully against the Ravens in the playoffs. I thought they should have done it more at Tennessee tbh as well. I wonder, a little bit, if the fact Taron had just signed a big deal was a bit of a deterrent when considering taking him out more to put Klein in? We had some of these discussions in the spring when considering whether Zaven Collins and/or JOK made any sense for us at the draft. I am absolutely fine with the Bills being mainly a nickel D. The league is no longer run and stop the run. It is pass and stop the pass. But there are those teams with more limited QBs and great backs who try and take advantage of that by going against the grain and I would like to see a bit more of that Ravens game change up deployed in other situations. Indy feels like one, New Orleans maybe too. I think against New England I'd be more tempted to stick with the 4-2-5 predominantly because I do think Belichick and McDaniels would go right after AJ Klein is he was playing as a 4-3 OLB. 

• Could be TJ's money but could also be analytics based risk assessment.  Maybe TJ simply guards you against more big plays than would Klein or 3rd LB?  
• McDermott and Frazier, college and pro secondary players respectively, understand the defensive backfield and are arguably playing to their experience and coaching strengths.  If Klein (or 3rd LB) and TJ were a draw on inherent talent, I'd still expect the coaches to lean TJ/nickel over 4-3.
• TJ and Poyer aren't afraid to hit so they're not necessarily run game liabilities IMO.  I've joked that Poyer is our most physical linebacker.
• I like Klein to jumpstart the pass rush if the front 4 are ineffective.  I wouldn't ask that of Edmunds.
• Most times the Bills have one guy (sometimes two) over 300 lb while the opponent's line has five.  Edmunds and Milano are not Shane Conlan and Jim Haslett.  We're built to stop the premier passing teams and not the two or three premier inside running games.
• The base 4-3 vs nickel debate is hopefully just about getting past those couple of teams than could derail your playoff seating.  

[Beasley’s future]

Sometimes WGR has a lot of time to fill and makes arguments based on non football biases.  Beasley and McKenzie are different players. 

[Do you think a 4-3 formation could be a good one ?]

The Bills won't play three LB's to stop a 12 yard run if it means some remote chance they give up a 30 yard pass play.  Not who they are.  With a 4 man defensive front and not being a blitzing team, no way they play an extra LB just to rush the passer.  The rare occasion is simply an opportunistic changeup, not their bread and butter.  

 

Yes, I miss seeing an NFL that involved more running and LB play - even the 3-4 the Bills had that necessitated a rush backer.  However, anything short of facing Henry at RB and the Bills will be Nickle start to finish.

[11/14/21 Postgame Thread: Bills at Jets]

37 minutes ago, Ed_Formerly_of_Roch said:

 

Early on was playing more the role of the 3rd LB.  Once he started playing either Edmunds or Milano's role when they got hurt, he was a different guy.

Odd that a physical LB who can tackle and rush the passer doesn't have more snaps. Unfortunately he's just not great at running around with his hands up.

[Star Lotulelei OUT with COVID - Could Miss Next Week Too]

Shame. D starts with Star.

[Jon Gruden suing the NFL, Roger Goodell]

6 hours ago, Coastie said:

This my friends is going to be ugly.

Just the way ESPN and the sports tabloid culture like it.

[What prompted the change to our offense, and other questions?]

Re 2:  Beane and McDermott talk about interchangeability and positional flexibility but the long rangy tackles (Spencer Brown) with quick feet capable of handling  wide 9 technique rushers are a different body type than the snow-plow type guards of years past that we suddenly crave.  I think one of Beane/McDermott/Daboll was trying to evolve the game and positional body type requirement faster than the game would allow.  

 

The Bills' backs need  interior linemen that can move the D linemen.  Nobody is fast enough to threaten the outside so no over pursuit by defenders to open up cutback lanes. etc.  Opponent DL knows they'll win their 1 on 1 matchups. 

 

The Bills invested in OT with the Dawkins contract and the draft.  If you had to pick between improving your tackle or guard positions, and you're predominantly a passing team, you can fairly choose tackle - which they did.

[John Wawrow: McDermott says offense became too quarterback-dependent, jeopardizing team’s success]

2 hours ago, Hapless Bills Fan said:

 

It's almost like McDermott feels he can't lay down the law and say "fix this" until something shows up as clearly and beyond all argument broken.  But then, as with the run game after the Patriots and Chargers games last season, does he feel he has to back off again and it slides back to the "same ol"?

Wondering to what degree McDermott gets involved in the offensive game plan.  Does he, or will he now overrule Daboll on anything?  Somebody canned the empty backfield sets after Pittsburgh.  We know he'll take the defense over if needed.