Astro-Notes, Tuesday Aug 19

[The Poojer]

wow, sounds like EJ is really stinking up the joint with those handoffs...apparently he CANNOT throw downfield..we are doomed

[KOKBILLS]

Thanks Astro...

[mitchmurraydowntown]

Wow what a report !!

[DefenseWinzChampionshipz]

Good to hear about Watkins. Thanks!

[Fixxxer]

You're the best Astro, the best.

 

Don't know about the OL re-shuffle.......

 

[Doc]

You're the best Astro, the best.

 

Don't know about the OL re-shuffle.......

 

With the OT spots and C set, I say use the last 2-1/2 weeks of training camp and pre-season and the last 2 games to find out who the starting OGs should be. And again I'd move Kujo to RG and I'd move Richardson to LG.

[Dan]

 

With the OT spots and C set, I say use the last 2-1/2 weeks of training camp and pre-season and the last 2 games to find out who the starting OGs should be. And again I'd move Kujo to RG and I'd move Richardson to LG.

After 3 preseason games and a month of camp, I would really hope they know who the starting line should be. It's time to stop tinkering and start learning to play as a unit.

[Johnny Hammersticks]

 

After 3 preseason games and a month of camp, I would really hope they know who the starting line should be. It's time to stop tinkering and start learning to play as a unit.

 

I have been wondering if this current arrangement has been the plan for some time now? Maybe they were just waiting for Glenn to get healthy. Pears at Guard is still puzzling to me, however.

[Doc]

After 3 preseason games and a month of camp, I would really hope they know who the starting line should be. It's time to stop tinkering and start learning to play as a unit.

I have been wondering if this current arrangement has been the plan for some time now? Maybe they were just waiting for Glenn to get healthy. Pears at Guard is still puzzling to me, however.

Until they saw all the guys play, including and especially the rookies, and until Glenn returned from his unforeseen and potentially season-robbing issue, there was no way to know what the ultimate starting lineup would be. I don't think they were enamored with Pears or Urbik, hence going heavy on the OL in the draft (3 out of 7 picks) and expected Kujo to win the starting RT job. And while it's disappointing that he doesn't look like an NFL RT at this point, they found a gem in Henderson which mostly negates that, and allows them to move Kujo inside and salvage him. Speaking of Glenn being out, it might have been a blessing in disguise as it gave them a chance to see Henderson start at LT instead of being buried at RT or playing with the 2nd team at LT.

 

As for Pears at RG, and OG in general, at this point I still say take everyone not named Glenn, Henderson, and Wood and try them out at OG. Pears moving to RG is a start. And again I think that not having Richardson compete at LG, considering it was his college position, and even though they signed Chris Williams to play there, was/is a mistake, and not moving Kujo inside to RG (since he played on the right side in college) now is also a mistake.

[stony]

Until they saw all the guys play, including and especially the rookies, and until Glenn returned from his unforeseen and potentially season-robbing issue, there was no way to know what the ultimate starting lineup would be. I don't think they were enamored with Pears or Urbik, hence going heavy on the OL in the draft (3 out of 7 picks) and expected Kujo to win the starting RT job. And while it's disappointing that he doesn't look like an NFL RT at this point, they found a gem in Henderson which mostly negates that, and allows them to move Kujo inside and salvage him. Speaking of Glenn being out, it might have been a blessing in disguise as it gave them a chance to see Henderson start at LT instead of being buried at RT or playing with the 2nd team at LT.

 

As for Pears at RG, and OG in general, at this point I still say take everyone not named Glenn, Henderson, and Wood and try them out at OG. Pears moving to RG is a start. And again I think that not having Richardson compete at LG, considering it was his college position, and even though they signed Chris Williams to play there, was/is a mistake, and not moving Kujo inside to RG (since he played on the right side in college) now is also a mistake.

 

By years end or by next season, the Bills might have got three new starters to the Oline in this draft.

 

Whether or not they planned this (they didn't) is up for debate, but who cares. But if Henderson can play RT, Richardson wins a G spot and Cyrus is moved inside, the team could have a talented Oline for a very long time.

[boyst]

goodwin as a gunner? are they trying to get him killed?

 

jeez louise!

 

 

and ranks rastro

[Doc]

By years end or by next season, the Bills might have got three new starters to the Oline in this draft.

 

Whether or not they planned this (they didn't) is up for debate, but who cares. But if Henderson can play RT, Richardson wins a G spot and Cyrus is moved inside, the team could have a talented Oline for a very long time.

Richardson I can see starting eventually. Kujo...not so much, as of right now. Does anyone know if they're still playing him at RT?

[YoloinOhio]

goodwin as a gunner? are they trying to get him killed?

 

jeez louise!

 

 

and ranks rastro

i remember listening to Goodwin interviewed last season after he came back from his injury. He said he always played gunner in college and planned to do so here as well. I agree it is risky but if he's good at it you gotta go for it.

[boyst]

i remember listening to Goodwin interviewed last season after he came back from his injury. He said he always played gunner in college and planned to do so here as well. I agree it is risky but if he's good at it you gotta go for it.

... we have linebackers, real backup WR's and other players that cannot potentially change a game for us to be gunners.

 

think of it like this, i'd bet 1 out of 3 passes to goodwin put us within 20 yards of the end zone if not in it.

 

how many other wr's did that?

[YoloinOhio]

... we have linebackers, real backup WR's and other players that cannot potentially change a game for us to be gunners.

 

think of it like this, i'd bet 1 out of 3 passes to goodwin put us within 20 yards of the end zone if not in it.

 

how many other wr's did that?

i agree, if healthy, he's a major weapon

[mac4095]

Thanks Astro.

[MDH]

Thanks Astro, love reading your reports.

[Dan]

 

Until they saw all the guys play, including and especially the rookies, and until Glenn returned from his unforeseen and potentially season-robbing issue, there was no way to know what the ultimate starting lineup would be. I don't think they were enamored with Pears or Urbik, hence going heavy on the OL in the draft (3 out of 7 picks) and expected Kujo to win the starting RT job. And while it's disappointing that he doesn't look like an NFL RT at this point, they found a gem in Henderson which mostly negates that, and allows them to move Kujo inside and salvage him. Speaking of Glenn being out, it might have been a blessing in disguise as it gave them a chance to see Henderson start at LT instead of being buried at RT or playing with the 2nd team at LT.

 

As for Pears at RG, and OG in general, at this point I still say take everyone not named Glenn, Henderson, and Wood and try them out at OG. Pears moving to RG is a start. And again I think that not having Richardson compete at LG, considering it was his college position, and even though they signed Chris Williams to play there, was/is a mistake, and not moving Kujo inside to RG (since he played on the right side in college) now is also a mistake.

I agree, they needed to fix the line and find the best 5 guys there. But, at this point, they've had all off season, voluntary and mandatory OTAs, camp, preseason games, and last year's footage to use for evaluation. I'm glad they moved guys around, allowed them to get experience at other positions, build some depth and all that good stuff.

 

But they now have less than 3 weeks before the season opener. I would suggest that the time for evaluations is over. It's time to make a decision and stick with.

 

[DirtDart]

Done!

 

It's a beautiful day here in Pittsford, 77 degrees, half clouds, half sun, with a mild breeze. I got there at Period 2 and left early.

 

Per.2----First down drill

It's good to see Cordy Glenn nailing down the LT spot again. The dominos have fallen, with Seantrel now over at RT next to Pears who's moved inside to RG. Wood's at Center, and Chris Williams LG. Later, I notice Antoine McClain at LG, Hairston at LT, and Urbik hiking the ball. Everything at this point (pre-calisthenics) is done very slow and easy. They run a few plays with EJ at the helm, no drops:

---Pass to Mike Williams on the Right Side

---Play with Pulling Guard and a handoff to Fred Jackson (not any CJ this period, which may be notable)

---Goodwin looking like he's all the way back, hauling in a 40 yarder from EJ

---Watkins on a hook. Lord, he's smooth, and not looking like he has bruised ribs.

---Handoff to Jackson up the middle, moderately successful

---The pace is picking up as the plays go on.

---Swing pass out to Jackson

---Now Frank the Tank comes in and they run out of that formation, again up the middle.

---Same formation, fake to Jackson and throw for 20 yards to MWilliams

---Another throw to MWilliams, up in the clouds, and Mike Williams gets it (My WOW PLAY ONE).

---EJ goes out and Dennis Dixon comes in for two plays, one to Gragg and one to Marquise Goodwin. They are definitely practicing looking off a defender, then throwing in a different direction.

---EJ comes back in and runs a sweet pulling-Center play, with Wood coming left, leading Jackson on a sweep.

---Woods is in the slot with MWilliams to his left, but it's to Jackson off RG Pears, and one to Chandler running an in route from the left side.

 

Per. 3 Calisthenics. There's a lively chatter going on that is encouraging. Easley and Hogan high-five each other and get in line. The refs on this side of the field are talking to each other with their backs to us, and a guy next to me takes their picture and says, "F U". I realize the Field Judge and the Umpire have made a great picture reminiscent of Johnny Manziel's gesture. I also notice TJ Graham is only as tall as Lee Smith's shoulders. I notice our 5th string TE, Dom Jones, just isn't getting down in his exercises. I had said he'd be a good PS guy. Maybe not.

 

Per. 4-5 Positional Drills. I've said before that this is an 8-ring circus, and even this late into Camp it's still true.

---The entire Offense is lined up and go on the snap, run 20 yards, then the other half of the Offense does it, then they go the other way. They are conserving energy a bit.

---When they break into groups, the WRs are the most active. They practice getting off on the snap, then they practice a modified ladder drill where there are lines on the ground and they snake around each line.

---The WRs did a great drill where a coach is throwing to them as they run behind dummies. They have to be very alert, as they don't really know when it'll be thrown--after which of 5 dummies.I didn't see a miss, but I was distracted, but TJ dropped and did 5 pushups.

---OL is going into blocking positions at the whistle. Good one, because I have pictures of certain players not out of their stance at the snap while others are already into position. Chandler for one.

---Later OL is practicing sidestepping L and R

---TEs are on the blocking sled for a while, then move to a blocking-in-space drill.

---DBs are backpedaling 10 yards, then breaking into a run forward. They then move to the sleds and have to hit one 15x

---DL was practicing getting off on the snap of the ball vs coach's called cadence. Will help Landon Cohen a lot so he doesn't jump early, and I think Stefan Charles had an offsides as well in one of our games..

---Bobby Felder is off to the side working out for a trainer, doing lots of ankle, lower leg stuff.

---There is a lot more team spirit out there this week. Players like Aaron Williams and Mike Williams seem to be pretty animated.

---The DBs are having the most fun during this segment.

---QBs and WRs went to the turf field for 15 minutes.

 

Per. 6: 11 on 11 Drills

---Woods is positioned wide L for most of these plays.

---EJ handsoff to Fred for about 5-7 yards.

---In a 2 back set, EJ hands off to Summers, the up back, for 4 up the middle (now with CWilliams-Woods-Pears, it seems like there's more room for RBs. That'd be my question for Hackett.

---Spiller finally in there and rips off a big 10+ yard gain

At This point, Doug Marrone gathers them all in the middle of the field, and I can't hear what's going on. But after the little 2-minute talk, there's more noise, more talk even on the D.

---Woods makes a nice catch on an in route from the L side of the formation.

---Fred Jackson has a nice seam to run through

---Fred Jackson out of the backfield catches a pass.

A nice breeze comes up, to the relief of all of us, as I'm feeling the heat.

---Hogan, stioll playing with the ones, lines up wide L, Chandler goes in motion, and EJ throws to Goodwin for a nice pickup. Goodwin, by the way, is Top Five in the NFL Preseason for yards after catch per snap.

---They are picking up the pace even faster now, doing a little no-huddle.

---Chris Williams is the pulling Guard, EJ rolls and throws to Goodwin again. Goodwin bobbles it, but pulls it in for a 20 yarder (My WOW PLAY TWO).

They reset the ball back at the opponent's 30 yard line.

---Tuel comes in and hands off a lot to Wingo.

 

I'm losing interest at this point, and am pretty overheated despite the breeze. When they begin Kickoff and FG drills, I book out of there. I did notice Goodwin and Easley are the gunners on this side, so I'm going to bet they both are in the plans for now. Woods and Corey Graham are on the outside spots on the far side.

 

My plan is to return for tomorrow's 8am practice, and possibly head over to Shooters in Fairport 1226 Fairport Road, Baird and Route 31F Fairport (near Abbott's Custard) for the John Murphy Show at 7:00-9pm. If anyone is interested in picking up supper there, let me know.

Astro

Astro,

 

Thank you....

[Astrobot]

 

Richardson I can see starting eventually. Kujo...not so much, as of right now. Does anyone know if they're still playing him at RT?

Kujo (Cyrus Kouandjio if you've been on vacation) has been playing RT with the 2s or 3s at camp, and sucks.

 

Pears is doing better than I ever expected, so he's one of our OGs. He's 1.

CWilliams and Pears are pairing well with the OT or with Wood. Those can work. CWilliams is 2 right now.

Urbik and CWilliams are near their peak wheareas Cyril's upside is higher long term.Cyril is 3 now, with upside to be 2.

I like McClain at times but he's not as consistent as Pears (a phrase I never thought I'd write). McClain is 4.

Cyril will be good with experience, but IMHO won't be ready by Chicago, and I wonder if they'd be worried about 2 rookies next to each other.

Haven't seen Hairston at anything but swing tackle, but think he'd be a 2 at OG. He's sticking around as he's got upside too.