eball Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 (edited) I was out last night so did not watch the game live, and I followed no Twitter reports or otherwise...only saw the text from the Bills that nearly stopped my heart (Watkins injury) and the halftime/final scores. Got up this morning and watched the "condensed" game on Preseason Live. Here are my initial thoughts: Offense -- 1st team offense not scoring TDs is certainly a concern, but they've been moving the ball effectively. Has EJ had a 3-and-out this preseason? -- I thought Fred looked slow at Carolina...not so last night. The guy can definitely still play at a high level. -- Despite not getting the team into the end zone I felt overall EJ had good control and was seeing things develop. I can see his progression and improvement over last season and I'm anxious to see a "real" game. There were a few errant throws but also several darts. 3rd downs much better. -- Robert Woods makes things happen. There is no way Chris Hogan should be getting playing time in his stead. -- It seemed like all of the Bills' RBs were able to churn out yardage. The running game really should be a huge strength of this team. -- If EJ goes down in a game, the Bills are in big trouble. I don't trust either of the backups; they were "turrible." Defense -- Long TD to Brown was obviously a blunder; two DBs bumping each other off and then Searcy taking a bad angle. Ugly. Aaron Williams wasn't in there, I know... -- Still waiting for Gilmore to flash signs of being a shut-down corner. I don't get it. Shades of Justin Rogers on that TD. -- Thrilled with run D thus far; there's certainly a different attitude out there. -- Bye bye Alan Branch. Already likely on Marrone's poop list because of non-participation all offseason, and now guys like Charles and Cohen are playing lights out. Cut this guy. -- Cohen. Charles. Depth. -- After the initial bad play I thought Corey Graham looked solid. -- Robey! Just makes plays. Special Teams -- Where are the Crossman haters? These units have been solid. -- Hopkins is a goner. You only had one job, Dustin. -- Anyone else surprised to see CJ return the opening kickoff? Nice one, too. -- TSW's favorite whipping boy TJ Graham did a decent job on punt returns and didn't even drop a pass. That's all I got for now...hopefully we hear good things about Watkins and this won't be a lingering issue. Whenever I hear "rib injury" I have nightmarish flashbacks to Rob Johnson falling on the point of the football at Indy and separating his rib cartilage. Have a great Sunday. Three weeks until the real thing. Edited August 17, 2014 by eball Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26CornerBlitz Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 A pretty fair assessment of the way things went down in the game without any ridiculous overreaction or hyperbole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frostbitmic Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Carpenter kicking the ball out of the end zone on most kicks likely means Hopkins is gone. Kujo being a hazzard to our QBs health means Pears will keep his job. Tuel and Lewis should be competing for the #3 QB job, not the #2 TJ Graham looked good returning punts and that could save his job and get Easley cut Woods > Hogan and it's not even close. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Green Lightning Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 (edited) Fair assessment. Last night you got to see what a great QB looks like and we'll have to be patient and hope EJ can approach Big Ben's level of play. I still have little faith in Hackett. But let's see what happens when the starting Oline is finally together. With the talent we have getting a yard when we need it shouldn't be such a lift. Edited August 17, 2014 by Green Lightning Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerball Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Fair assessment. Last night you got to see what a great QB looks like and we'll have to be patient and hope EJ can approach Big Ben's level of play. I still have little faith in Hackett. But let's see what happens when the starting Oline is finally together. With the talent we have getting a yard when we need it shouldn't be such a lift. That will be a key. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mountainwampus Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Gurly looks like a legit NFL WR. I could see him making the practice squad. Thad has regressed. Where did DT Cohen come from? Can EJ throw a pass while running? TJ getting too many reps. How did the Bills run so many plays? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Augie Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 A pretty fair assessment of the way things went down in the game without any ridiculous overreaction or hyperbole. Is that allowed? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
26CornerBlitz Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Is that allowed? Good question, better check the ToS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nanker Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Gurly looks like a legit NFL WR. I could see him making the practice squad. Thad has regressed. Where did DT Cohen come from? Can EJ throw a pass while running? TJ getting too many reps. How did the Bills run so many plays? The information you seek may be found here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boyst Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Thanks e. Food for thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillsFan17 Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Very good assessment. I would like to add that Watkins obviously left the game early and Mike Williams didn't stay in the game long at all. Removing two key targets doesn't help. Big Bens big play was to his #1 WR. Keep that in mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffaloed in Pa Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Good job eball. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nucci Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 A pretty fair assessment of the way things went down in the game without any ridiculous overreaction or hyperbole. Where's the fun in that?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Formerly Allan in MD Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 If EJ stays up in a game, the Bills are in big trouble. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LOVEMESOMEBILLS Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 I was out last night so did not watch the game live, and I followed no Twitter reports or otherwise...only saw the text from the Bills that nearly stopped my heart (Watkins injury) and the halftime/final scores. Got up this morning and watched the "condensed" game on Preseason Live. Here are my initial thoughts: Offense -- 1st team offense not scoring TDs is certainly a concern, but they've been moving the ball effectively. Has EJ had a 3-and-out this preseason? -- I thought Fred looked slow at Carolina...not so last night. The guy can definitely still play at a high level. -- Despite not getting the team into the end zone I felt overall EJ had good control and was seeing things develop. I can see his progression and improvement over last season and I'm anxious to see a "real" game. There were a few errant throws but also several darts. 3rd downs much better. -- Robert Woods makes things happen. There is no way Chris Hogan should be getting playing time in his stead. -- It seemed like all of the Bills' RBs were able to churn out yardage. The running game really should be a huge strength of this team. -- If EJ goes down in a game, the Bills are in big trouble. I don't trust either of the backups; they were "turrible." Defense -- Long TD to Brown was obviously a blunder; two DBs bumping each other off and then Searcy taking a bad angle. Ugly. Aaron Williams wasn't in there, I know... -- Still waiting for Gilmore to flash signs of being a shut-down corner. I don't get it. Shades of Justin Rogers on that TD. -- Thrilled with run D thus far; there's certainly a different attitude out there. -- Bye bye Alan Branch. Already likely on Marrone's poop list because of non-participation all offseason, and now guys like Charles and Cohen are playing lights out. Cut this guy. -- Cohen. Charles. Depth. -- After the initial bad play I thought Corey Graham looked solid. -- Robey! Just makes plays. Special Teams -- Where are the Crossman haters? These units have been solid. -- Hopkins is a goner. You only had one job, Dustin. -- Anyone else surprised to see CJ return the opening kickoff? Nice one, too. -- TSW's favorite whipping boy TJ Graham did a decent job on punt returns and didn't even drop a pass. That's all I got for now...hopefully we hear good things about Watkins and this won't be a lingering issue. Whenever I hear "rib injury" I have nightmarish flashbacks to Rob Johnson falling on the point of the football at Indy and separating his rib cartilage. Have a great Sunday. Three weeks until the real thing. Eball that was a well thought out assessment in which I would have to agree with pretty much all of it. It's encouraging to see the offense move the ball almost all the time, hopefully we will see some converted into TDs in the reg. season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snorom Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 I just do not understand the pessimists..... The Bills look better then last year Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voodoo poonani Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Watching the replay now... Duke Williams was responsible for that long TD, he was completely frozen by Big Ben and the play came right at him. Had he reacted better he should have undercut the route for an interception. The O line sucks, can't setup a screen worth a damn... Holy hell Ryan Shazier! This year's DROY most likely. That was a bad throw by EJ. He needed to see Chandler was covered underneath and lead Chandler. Never mind Polumalu had Chandler covered up top, bad decision to throw it there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chandler#81 Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Watching it now too. I'm trying hard to see reasons for the optimism so many posters possess about Manual. I really am. Any chance at more than 7 wins this season is completely dependent on this. I simply don't see anything -and haven't since he donned the uni. Yet another batted pass on a 3rd down and continues to telegraph every single throw, making defenses jump the route or receiver for no additional gain or a pass defensed. This is NOT the level of football to LEARN how to play and grow a pair. I'll give him this, though, he's the 'best' we got... 5-11. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voodoo poonani Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Our front four wasn't getting much penetration at all. I'm not seeing any blitzing. Steelers O line looks in mid season form already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DirtDart Posted August 17, 2014 Share Posted August 17, 2014 Is that allowed? Not on this board. I was out last night so did not watch the game live, and I followed no Twitter reports or otherwise...only saw the text from the Bills that nearly stopped my heart (Watkins injury) and the halftime/final scores. Got up this morning and watched the "condensed" game on Preseason Live. Here are my initial thoughts: Offense -- 1st team offense not scoring TDs is certainly a concern, but they've been moving the ball effectively. Has EJ had a 3-and-out this preseason? -- I thought Fred looked slow at Carolina...not so last night. The guy can definitely still play at a high level. -- Despite not getting the team into the end zone I felt overall EJ had good control and was seeing things develop. I can see his progression and improvement over last season and I'm anxious to see a "real" game. There were a few errant throws but also several darts. 3rd downs much better. -- Robert Woods makes things happen. There is no way Chris Hogan should be getting playing time in his stead. -- It seemed like all of the Bills' RBs were able to churn out yardage. The running game really should be a huge strength of this team. -- If EJ goes down in a game, the Bills are in big trouble. I don't trust either of the backups; they were "turrible." Defense -- Long TD to Brown was obviously a blunder; two DBs bumping each other off and then Searcy taking a bad angle. Ugly. Aaron Williams wasn't in there, I know... -- Still waiting for Gilmore to flash signs of being a shut-down corner. I don't get it. Shades of Justin Rogers on that TD. -- Thrilled with run D thus far; there's certainly a different attitude out there. -- Bye bye Alan Branch. Already likely on Marrone's poop list because of non-participation all offseason, and now guys like Charles and Cohen are playing lights out. Cut this guy. -- Cohen. Charles. Depth. -- After the initial bad play I thought Corey Graham looked solid. -- Robey! Just makes plays. Special Teams -- Where are the Crossman haters? These units have been solid. -- Hopkins is a goner. You only had one job, Dustin. -- Anyone else surprised to see CJ return the opening kickoff? Nice one, too. -- TSW's favorite whipping boy TJ Graham did a decent job on punt returns and didn't even drop a pass. That's all I got for now...hopefully we hear good things about Watkins and this won't be a lingering issue. Whenever I hear "rib injury" I have nightmarish flashbacks to Rob Johnson falling on the point of the football at Indy and separating his rib cartilage. Have a great Sunday. Three weeks until the real thing. Very good post E. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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