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Long Late (LOLA) Review of CHI Game

BucksNBills

By BucksNBills
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BucksNBills

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First post after a lot of years of reading. My dad is unfortunately unable to watch the games so I recorded the following notes to read to him after I rewatched the game last night. I figured I'd share them with the board. You get a lot of great review insight when you are able to watch the game on your own for a second time with the ability of rewind.

 

Offense

 

Impressive Group of RBs

 

This is a special group we’ve assembled and Hackett’s use of them Sunday was perfect. First, Spiller is obviously healthy again and his one-of-a-kind burst was really a welcoming sight. I think he may be our “feature” back (I use this term very lightly). One thing, especially after seeing Forte, I’d really like to get him more in open space. The Bears’s screens were impressive and I wouldn't mind pirating a few.

 

Jackson continues to amaze at his ability to get extra yards. The final run was tear inducing. Dixon is a beast. The 64-yard run before the half was big (although Briggs, who had one of the worst games I've seen from an LB, left a wide open hole).

 

Sammy’s Debut

 

Sammy could have had a much bigger game. EJ missed him deep (could have been 65-yard TD) after he beat his man with pure speed and another 15 yard reception was called back due to a Seantrel false start. All in all, his stat line could have read 5 receptions, 111 yards and a TD.

 

EJ’s Progression

 

EJ definitely had a game manager performance and that is something to be happy about. He seems to have more control of the offense and is making more audibles at the line (and not always to a run). One thing that is clearly obvious has been his offseason work in not making the bad play. I’m still not sold on his prospects of being an NFL starting QB (no one should be), but if he wants to win more in his second year, he needs to avoid mistakes. He got out of bounds on nearly every scramble, often sacrificing the first down, and he threw away a number of balls when the pressure got to him. The advice he received from Kaepernick, Russ Wilson and Foles appears to have been taken to heart.

 

Another positive was EJ’s deeper throws. He converted a few long 3rd down conversions and appeared to trust the spot more including the throw to Mike Will in OT. The placement was perfect although the ball was a bit wobbly – a common result with EJ’s delivery.

 

Hoping the O-Line Continues to Gel

 

Glenn was not at his best Sunday. He had trouble with Willie Young on a number of occasions – getting called for a hold and allowing 2 TFLs. He appeared to get better as the game went on so hopefully he is still shaking off some rust.

 

Pears looks way too slow to play guard. He was really exposed when asked to block the second level. Although we’ve tried it quite a bit in recent history, the switch from tackle to guard is not as easy as it sounds.

 

Defense

 

The Focus on McKelvin

 

There have been a lot of negative reviews of Leo’s play and the stats prove that is for good reason. But, his performance was not as dreadful as his numbers. First, that was a hell of a first test in Marshall. The play calling had him playing 10 yards off quite a bit and 3-4 of his beats were on short slants. He was also the victim of two awful calls (see below) and slippery grass (a recurring theme for both teams). Still, his stone hands appear to be in mid-season form as he should have had a big pick in OT. We know when it comes to defending passes, Leo is a much better swatter than catcher. Overall, it’s way too early to call last year a fluke and hope should remain for improvement.

 

The Others Were Impressive

 

In the transition to Schwartz’s D, it was unclear what Robey’s role would be. It seems some plays from last year have been held over as Robey continues to be utilized as a speed pass rusher. Nickell nearly got to the QB on two blitzes. Expect another 3-4 sacks this year. He was also solid in coverage and had a big play in OT staying in step with Santonio.

 

We all know how great of game Graham had in his Bill’s debut and watching the game again really proved that to be true. As big of plays as any were back-to-back PDs with under a minute in regulation, singlehandedly holding the dangerous Bear’s offense to only a game tying FG.

 

I like the way Searcy is playing, especially against the run. The guy is around the tackle every time.

 

Noticed Duke once, when he was beat by Martellus (who had a great game and is an athletic freak).

 

The Void of Kiko

 

A common theme throughout the rewatch was how desperately bad our D needs Kiko. He leaves such a big athletic void and his ability to wrap guys up and play the pass will be hugely missed. Preston Brown was more bad than good. He did appear more comfortable as the game went on. Rivers looked okay against the pass but was invisible in run support. Don’t think he will be missed too much but man, if it was Kiko, Spikes and Nigel (barring his play continues), this could have been a special group. Spikes is a mean man but he cannot cover (exposed by Forte big time in final 2 minutes of regulation). Also, love the leadership role I’ve heard he’s taken but two on field incidences has the jury still out on his field character: over the top celebrations and an obvious late hit when driving his helmet into Santonio’s. We know he has a history of dirty play.

 

The D-Line

 

Hughes is a speed rusher who will not have the success he had last year under Pettine. He is also a liability against the run as speed rushers often are. He did get some pressure to begin the second half when he beat Martellus (not the best blocker). Mario is a one trick bull rush pony but such a freak he gets away with it and is equally effective against the run as he is against the pass.

 

Cant understate how big of an INT that was from KW. It was a 3rd and 1 and the Bears would have gone for it on 4th down. The game was tied at the time.

 

Coaching

 

The playcalling was great all around. You know how I feel about Hackett’s creativity and balance and use of the RB trio. Also, a great call after the Graham INT to pounce at the opportunity with a 10 yard TD screen to CJ. Hack gets a lot of flak but this was really an impressive season debut.

 

Schwartz is the complete inverse of Pettine. He is slow, steady and methodical. Very comfortable with him making the calls.

 

The special teams had as perfect of a day as you can have. This was more a reflection of the players than the coaching.

 

Let me preface this with my bias to Marrone. I think the guy is old school and belongs as a head coach in the NFL. I think his sideline persona meshes well with the team and this was visible after the KW holding flag was picked up. Marrone was LIVID and had all of the ref’s ears at the two-minute warning, reeling into them for a good 30 seconds. I think this may have been productive as it appeared we got a couple of no calls to end regulation, including a fairly obvious illegal contact on Graham in the redzone. Also, after all that happened the week prior, it was good to hear Daryl Johnston, an ex-college teammate of Marrone, sing his praises and say the guy has not changed one iota (Usually I’d take DJ’s opinion with a grain of salt because I think he’s a pop-eyed caveman, but he actually called a really good game).

 

Referees

 

Not a homer referee kind of guy. I usually give refs the benefit of the doubt, but they were really bad this game. The list of obvious bad calls include: an awful PI call on Leo, an awful PF call on Chandler blocking, an awful miss call on Conty driving his helmet into a defenseless Woods’, and obviously the atrocious holding flag pick up (at a huge time – would have been 3rd and 20 on the Bear’s game tying drive instead of a long first down completion against Leo). There was also an iffy PI call on A Will.

 

Mark this as another hurdle this growing team had to clear for victory.

 

Other

 

We definitely won the injury battle with two o-linemen (Garza and Slauson) and Alshon out for the Bears and B Marsh on and off the field throughout.

Edited by BucksNBills
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Big C All Pro

Big C

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"Glenn was not at his best Sunday. He had trouble with Willie Young on a number of occasions – getting called for a hold and allowing 2 TFLs. He appeared to get better as the game went on so hopefully he is still shaking off some rust."

 

You mean Henderson, right?

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3rdand12 Hall of Famer

3rdand12

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Dear Sir

You clearly have a great relationship with your Pops .

This post is proof of that.

You are a darned good man i can tell.

I bet your Dad is proud of you and loves you very much. Having the Bills as tether between you is something my Son has been doing with me.

As an older fellow I can tell you its very well received by us Dads . before i start tearing up a bit.

 

Your analysis is under used. Well done .

 

We have some fantastic members here who know the game of football very VERY well and then know the Bills through and through .

I would like to add you to my list of respected posters here .

 

And I would be pleased to add my good wishes to you and your Father in this note.

 

There are some small quibbles i might mention. but i would really be picking nits !

 

Thanks BucksNBills

Lets get us another win Sunday Bills !

Edited by 3rdand12
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