UB2SF Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 One the things I loved about the first few games was our ability to convert 3rd downs and keep drives alive. The first half against the Bengals saw a troubling trend of taking deep shots on 3rd down, even with 3rd & 3 or 3rd & 4, and with Fitz's much-discussed accuracy issues, these were drive killers. Four of our first five drives ended this way, as follows: 1ST QUARTER 3-4-BUF 12 (9:11) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass incomplete deep right to 22-F.Jackson. 3-4-BUF 20 (7:21) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass incomplete deep left to 16-B.Smith (22-N.Clements). 2ND QUARTER 3-3-CIN 24 (13:42) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass incomplete deep right to 16-B.Smith. 3-6-BUF 39 (10:59) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass incomplete deep right to 19-D.Jones. Seems like Gailey may have fallen in love with the fades and fly patterns which brought some success over the first three weeks... but IIRC, in the first three games, those were usually called on first and second down, opting for higher-percentage plays on 3rd down. At least this didn't continue in the second half. I just feel like we could have put our shoes on the Bengals throats a little more in the first half if we had used better ball-control offense on 3rd down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fan in San Diego Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I was frustrated by that as well. Take the underneath stuff and move the chains. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taglientep Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I was frustrated by that as well. Take the underneath stuff and move the chains. Couldnt agree more....and why wasn't stevie thrown the ball deep to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Fitz was throwing it deep because they were holding our receivers.....he was looking for a PI call that never came....... Some SERIOUS holding going on out there yesterday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob in STL Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Fitz was throwing it deep because they were holding our receivers.....he was looking for a PI call that never came....... Some SERIOUS holding going on out there yesterday True but seriously you play the percentages, especially in a close game the road. Throw the safe underneath stuff and pick up the first down. If you want to expose their holding then do it on 2nd and short. The Zebras were lousy all game. It started with late hits on Fitz and defensive holding on our recievers. The call on Johnson in the 4th quarter was criminal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GG Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 At least this didn't continue in the second half. You mean until the last 3rd down attempt by the Bills? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UB2SF Posted October 3, 2011 Author Share Posted October 3, 2011 You mean until the last 3rd down attempt by the Bills? Oh, yeah, that one: 3-5-BUF 37 (2:07) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass incomplete deep left to 22-F.Jackson. Good call GG. Musta repressed that bitter memory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
loserlovers Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 ub2sf, you are in my "understands football" club One the things I loved about the first few games was our ability to convert 3rd downs and keep drives alive. The first half against the Bengals saw a troubling trend of taking deep shots on 3rd down, even with 3rd & 3 or 3rd & 4, and with Fitz's much-discussed accuracy issues, these were drive killers. Four of our first five drives ended this way, as follows: 1ST QUARTER 3-4-BUF 12 (9:11) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass incomplete deep right to 22-F.Jackson. 3-4-BUF 20 (7:21) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass incomplete deep left to 16-B.Smith (22-N.Clements). 2ND QUARTER 3-3-CIN 24 (13:42) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass incomplete deep right to 16-B.Smith. 3-6-BUF 39 (10:59) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass incomplete deep right to 19-D.Jones. Seems like Gailey may have fallen in love with the fades and fly patterns which brought some success over the first three weeks... but IIRC, in the first three games, those were usually called on first and second down, opting for higher-percentage plays on 3rd down. At least this didn't continue in the second half. I just feel like we could have put our shoes on the Bengals throats a little more in the first half if we had used better ball-control offense on 3rd down. Ub2Sf you are now part of my "understands football" club I totally agree. we actually lost all those close three point games last year for the same reason. Fitz often throws the fade on third and short and rarely connects. I often dvr games and see guys WIDE open, I mean OPEN, right at or behind the marker and he ignores them and throws deep. I cant understand why he does this so much. These plays should be save for second and short or first downs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShipUPride Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I'd give anything for a Play-Action on 2nd and 1! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C.Biscuit97 Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Can't it both ways. People used to say Jauron was too conservative. Now Chan is too aggressive? Also, teams gameplan too and try to take away the short throws. IF Fitz hits any of those passes (like he had in the last 2 games), it's game over. Personally, I wish FJax got more carries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5ths the charm Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Good thing we gave up on Lee Evans who was good at the fly pattern??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 Fitz was throwing it deep because they were holding our receivers.....he was looking for a PI call that never came....... Some SERIOUS holding going on out there yesterday If you have a QB making throws (consistently) to try to draw a flag you have a problem. I don't think we have a problem (well, not that problem anyway). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Direhard Fan Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I commented about that the whole game. You are 100%. Surprised Chan didn't pick up on that since he makes the calls. Contact after 5 yards on every deep play. Refs owe us one. Tuck this too. Awful rule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffaloBillsMagic1 Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I commented about that the whole game. You are 100%. Surprised Chan didn't pick up on that since he makes the calls. Contact after 5 yards on every deep play. Refs owe us one. Tuck this too. Awful rule. Don't even get me going on the Johnson supposed n0n-Catch.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cantankerous Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 FJ was held and/or interfered with on that long 3rd down attempt. I can't believe that was a no call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I was frustrated by that as well. Take the underneath stuff and move the chains. I thought about this but maybe they were covering the short stuff. It is our offense so I doubt Fitz wasn't looking for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miyagi-Do Karate Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 My problem was the deep balls to Brad Smith. One of those deep balls was right in his hands and should have been caught. On the other one, it looked like he either gave up on the route or was running the route like James Hardy used to run routes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spartacus Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 True but seriously you play the percentages, especially in a close game the road. Throw the safe underneath stuff and pick up the first down. If you want to expose their holding then do it on 2nd and short. The Zebras were lousy all game. It started with late hits on Fitz and defensive holding on our recievers. The call on Johnson in the 4th quarter was criminal. The play calling was criminal. The Bills had 5 2nd and short opportunities and never once went deep off of play action. Seems they were forcing it to Jones in the 1st half and Fitz was throwing it into the stands. He was missing receivers by a mile. Johnson dropped the ball - not sure what all the grief is about. Chan should have had some guts and went for it on 4th down. The Bills defense could not stop the Bengals in the 2nd half. Coaching cost them this game more than the refs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meark Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 I said the same thing in another thread this morning.. It seemed like every 3rd and 4 we were throwing 20+ yards down the field.. Just get a first down guys.. move the damn chains.. We also should have been running the ball way more.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFanThru-N-Thru Posted October 3, 2011 Share Posted October 3, 2011 One the things I loved about the first few games was our ability to convert 3rd downs and keep drives alive. The first half against the Bengals saw a troubling trend of taking deep shots on 3rd down, even with 3rd & 3 or 3rd & 4, and with Fitz's much-discussed accuracy issues, these were drive killers. Four of our first five drives ended this way, as follows: 1ST QUARTER 3-4-BUF 12 (9:11) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass incomplete deep right to 22-F.Jackson. 3-4-BUF 20 (7:21) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass incomplete deep left to 16-B.Smith (22-N.Clements). 2ND QUARTER 3-3-CIN 24 (13:42) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass incomplete deep right to 16-B.Smith. 3-6-BUF 39 (10:59) (Shotgun) 14-R.Fitzpatrick pass incomplete deep right to 19-D.Jones. Seems like Gailey may have fallen in love with the fades and fly patterns which brought some success over the first three weeks... but IIRC, in the first three games, those were usually called on first and second down, opting for higher-percentage plays on 3rd down. At least this didn't continue in the second half. I just feel like we could have put our shoes on the Bengals throats a little more in the first half if we had used better ball-control offense on 3rd down. +1000000 I was complaining throughout the game. Need 5-6 yds and try a pass for 20-30. Not sure who was to blame, was it the play calling or was Fitz starting to get big for his britches. I hope they go back to what got them to 3-0. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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