SlamnSam Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 The sad part is this all sounds great on paper. People keep forgetting the bust element. EJ can't get it done no matter what weapons we have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All_Pro_Bills Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 (edited) The sad part is this all sounds great on paper. People keep forgetting the bust element. EJ can't get it done no matter what weapons we have. Your thinking is more or less aligned where I was going with this question. Bit I think the jury is still out whether or not EJ can get it done. But we can go around and around but it all boils down to one thing. The real question is - Can our quarterback take advantage of opportunities that present themselves during the game that result from an upgrade of talent at other offensive positions. In this example, Watkins being double-teamed which should result in the defense exposing a weakness somewhere else that can be exploited if the QB recognizes and executes on it. The team thinks he can based on what they have and have not done. Like in NASCAR, I can give you the best and fastest car, the best pit crew, plenty of financial support, anything and everything you need. But if you can't drive the car we ain't winning any races. That's what the QB does, metaphorically speaking he drives the car. Edited May 14, 2014 by All_Pro_Bills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kelly the Dog Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Your thinking is more or less aligned where I was going with this question. Bit I think the jury is still out whether or not EJ can get it done. But we can go around and around but it all boils down to one thing. The real question is - Can our quarterback take advantage of opportunities that present themselves during the game that result from an upgrade of talent at other offensive positions. In this example, Watkins being double-teamed which should result in the defense exposing a weakness somewhere else that can be exploited if the QB recognizes and executes on it. The team thinks he can based on what they have and have not done. Like in NASCAR, I can give you the best and fastest car, the best pit crew, plenty of financial support, anything and everything you need. But if you can't drive the car we ain't winning any races. That's what the QB does, metaphorically speaking he drives the car. Except in your example, EJ was in his first year on the circuit in the driver seat, had a brand new car that hadn't been tested yet, a lousy new pit crew with a few missing parts, with half the practice runs, and a gamey leg on the accelerator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StillWaiting Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 At least we won't have to worry about the ball being dropped at the most costly times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrDawkinstein Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 At least we won't have to worry about the ball being dropped at the most costly times That's correct. Stevie Johnson was the only WR to ever drop a ball, and no one on the Bills will ever drop a ball again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KOKBILLS Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 (edited) Bear with me here... Over the next few weeks I may present some negative scenarios in an attempt to find solutions for them. This is a fairly intelligent fanbase. Some of you take it a step further with an intimate understanding of X's and O's... As much as I LOVED the Sammy pick, I can't help wondering if him and EJ can make the proper connection. -Do we trust EJ to throw in double coverage? -Can he exploit the seam, and throw on time for comeback routes? For the purposes of this discussion, I'm presenting Sammy as our #1 offensive weapon. What's the next best option in the event he's shut down??? One of the benefits of having a star WR (not saying Watkins is a star yet...just saying...) is forcing the double team...That's why it's important to have depth...I'm certain Woods, Williams, Flash, Chandler, et all will be thrilled with it...The last thing you want EJ doing is forcing the ball into a double team...You want him to find the open receiver...And if the double Sammy, someone will be open... Edited May 14, 2014 by KOKBILLS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rubes Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Throw a fade to Ramses Barden. I'm not really sure why, but this totally made me LOL. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 So what this really is a thread sneaky disguised to be able to bash EJ Manuel again......as if saying that you could put the best weapons on the field but the QB sucks so it wont matter..... Except he doesnt......so you can carry on now Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iraq Vet Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 (edited) Is James Hardy available? Or maybe Eric Moulds? Josh Reid? This is just silly.... we have not even hit mini camps yet.................. Edited May 14, 2014 by Iraq Vet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StillWaiting Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 That's correct. Stevie Johnson was the only WR to ever drop a ball, and no one on the Bills will ever drop a ball again. I don't believe I mentioned any name in my statement. But I quess Stevie Johnson was what came to your mind Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All_Pro_Bills Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 (edited) Except in your example, EJ was in his first year on the circuit in the driver seat, had a brand new car that hadn't been tested yet, a lousy new pit crew with a few missing parts, with half the practice runs, and a gamey leg on the accelerator. Agreed, but given the body of work from his injury shortened 2013 season we are left with an incomplete assessment of EJ's capacity to handle the task. Given management's work to date to put the talent around him it appears they believe he's up to the task. I hope they're right. My concern is the Bills employed 3 inexperienced QB's during the 2013 NFL season and while I'm no expert on QB's or statistical performance metrics my observations through watching all 16 games was there wasn't much seperation between the results of the 3 individuals. I would have expected EJ, a 1st round choice from a top college program, to 'start' from a higher floor of performance than Tuel and Lewis. And clearly out-perform them which he didn't. I'm not saying EJ won't work out and I want him to but I am unclear what evidence there is from the work to date that clearly tells us the light is going to come on. Until we see some results its just wishful thinking and the big risk going into the season. Edited May 14, 2014 by All_Pro_Bills Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John from Riverside Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Agreed, but given the body of work from his injury shortened 2013 season we are left with an incomplete assessment of EJ's capacity to handle the task. Given management's work to date to put the talent around him it appears they believe he's up to the task. I hope they're right. My concern is the Bills employed 3 inexperienced QB's during the 2013 NFL season and while I'm no expert on QB's or statistical performance metrics my observations through watching all 16 games was there wasn't much seperation between the results of the 3 individuals. I would have expected EJ, a 1st round choice from a top college program, to 'start' from a higher floor of performance than Tuel and Lewis. And clearly out-perform them which he didn't. I'm not saying EJ won't work out and I want him to but I am unclear what evidence there is from the work to date that clearly tells us the light is going to come on. Until we see some results its just wishful thinking and the big risk going into the season. One of those QBs is not a rookie One of them couldnt read defenses and kept throwing picks One of them was injuried and in and out of the lineup Its pretty simple Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 One of those QBs is not a rookie One of them couldnt read defenses and kept throwing picks One of them was injuried and in and out of the lineup Its pretty simple Bring back Billie Joe Hobert? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pi2000 Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 (edited) Great receivers get double teamed every week in the NFL and they still put up big numbers. It's up to the offensive coordinator to find ways to get him the ball even if double teamed. Hopefully the coaching staff is up to the task. Edited May 14, 2014 by pi2000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky Landing Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 At least we won't have to worry about the ball being dropped at the most costly times That post pretty much qualifies you as a "hater." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rocky Landing Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Agreed, but given the body of work from his injury shortened 2013 season we are left with an incomplete assessment of EJ's capacity to handle the task. Given management's work to date to put the talent around him it appears they believe he's up to the task. I hope they're right. My concern is the Bills employed 3 inexperienced QB's during the 2013 NFL season and while I'm no expert on QB's or statistical performance metrics my observations through watching all 16 games was there wasn't much seperation between the results of the 3 individuals. I would have expected EJ, a 1st round choice from a top college program, to 'start' from a higher floor of performance than Tuel and Lewis. And clearly out-perform them which he didn't. I'm not saying EJ won't work out and I want him to but I am unclear what evidence there is from the work to date that clearly tells us the light is going to come on. Until we see some results its just wishful thinking and the big risk going into the season. I think this is a fair point, at least strictly in terms of numbers. But, watching the games (at least by my recollection), Tuel mostly stunk up the field. Lewis, i believe, played higher than expectations, and had clearly done his homework leading up to his performance. But, I think there was a definite difference in style, and it's easier to imagine EJ having a higher ceiling from what we saw, and Lewis less so. That's just my gut feeling, and my gut feelings are often wrong. I don't believe I mentioned any name in my statement. But I quess Stevie Johnson was what came to your mind Cute, but transparent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#34fan Posted May 14, 2014 Author Share Posted May 14, 2014 (edited) It's up to the offensive coordinator to find ways to get him the ball even if double teamed. Hopefully the coaching staff is up to the task. And this is perhaps my biggest concern.... We're not on the team. We do not coach. We don't call plays. -We're mostly fans. Still, does that mean we have to sit back, horrified, as a worst-case-scenario unfolds? This team isn't known for it's good luck. We've had good players rendered useless (for one reason or another) at critical times more often than I dare keep track of. Given this history, Why shouldn't we discuss options? My stance is that it's better to be prepared. -If only mentally. Many of the answers here are good. In the event we face the challenge depicted, It would shock me if our own TBD posters came up with better solutions than our coaches. -Then we'd know something is REALLY wrong. There's a snippet of offense at the bottom of the previous page. I see an uncoordinated MESS. I see a team that was not ready for the curveball it was thrown. As a fan, I don't think it's too much to ask that we be ready the next time stuff goes down. Edited May 14, 2014 by #34fan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shoto Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Goodwin has world class speed as well. Last year he had several long catches. I BILLieve Goodwin could have a breakout second year. Plus we'll have Williams in the slot or a dump to CJ or Chandler in the middle I like our offensive if we can keep EJ healthy and off the ground. Protect EJ and we'll be able to score points Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountryCletus Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Saw your thread. -Liked it! Not sure if I feel the same way about these quick progressions. In certain games, the plays seemed to take longer to unfold, and EJ was rushing. Here's an example. Our guys seem to be running very basic routes. Easily anticipated by that defensive backfield. Then EJ was catching hell up front.... Does a faster player in that scheme really help? I'd almost like to see more intricate routes with some of our WR's called on to block. JMO. I don't have any cool diagrams or anything. Maybe this has been one giant game of chess... Played for a draft pick, significantly improved the team this year, and hit phase two of the play book.... I smell a conspiracy... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckywarriors Posted May 14, 2014 Share Posted May 14, 2014 Stevie dropped the ball ,bad hamstring every year and never had to be doubled team so this will open things up the double team on Johnson was his hands Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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