A Few Thoughts About The Game, in no particular order.....

[Formerly Allan in MD]

Where's Clay ?

 

And yes, officiating has been particularly abysmal all year.

The ball wasn't coming to him. Everyone seems to want Tyrod to run more, and risk injury, when perhaps he should be spreading the ball around more to the likes of Clay, Harvin, and the backs. When Watkins gets back, this could be interesting. We also now have Gllmore healthy and playing well.

[thebandit27]

 

Walsh, et al. scripted the first 15+ plays to get a read on the defense and probe what they were doing. I'm not as concerned with that as I am with their inability to do the base Rex needs, i.e. run consistently. And that's partly on the backs playing yesterday and the OL failing to get push. In the latter case, it's not like Tennessee's defensive front were a dominating trio.

 

Scripted plays are nearly universal amongst NFL teams from what I understand. Usually it's between 12-20 plays that will be scripted depending upon opponent, health, etc.

 

As to Tennessee's defensive front, Jurrell Casey should be an all-pro; he's very, very good. The others I don't think much of really.

Herron was our best back at hitting the hole. Even though there wasn't much room there still was a tight lane to hit. Not having Karlos Williams for this game was a major loss.

 

As you noted our defense played well. It had to account for a rookie qb who gives their offense an added threat of making big run plays. Considering that our offense couldn't get first downs requiring the defense to stay on the field I thougt the unit played very well. It had little time to recover on the sidelines on a warm day because they were on the field so much. The. unit showed a lot of heart

 

In my mind Gilmore was our best player on defense on a unit that had many players stand out.

 

Henderson was brutal in this game. It is not unusual for defensive players to win the one on one battles with their counterparts on the offensive line. But too often with Henderson he whiffs with providing little resistance to the pathway to the qb. Having physical skills doesn't mean that you are good player. It's how you play. He has been dreadful so far this season. Kujo not being able to earn much playing time considering the play of Henderson is a clear indication of how bad a second round pick he was.

 

On the play that many people are criticizing Hughes for not making the tackle they need to go back and review that play. He ran down the play from the backside and it appeared that he was going to make a good ankle tackle. He seemed to have a good grasp but the runner to his credit was running hard and simply broke the tackle. This wasn't a bad play for Hughes---it was a hard run by a back who was running forward with full steam. Give the back the credit for making the play. Hughes should be given credit for getting to the play that few other players in his position could have gotten to.

 

Hard to disagree with any of that...nice take.

[Maddog69]

100% on the tackling.

Why do NFL players refuse to wrap anybody up anymore?

All you see are guys putting a shoulder into the runner and trying to knock him down. That fails to work a lot and it also results in lots of injuries. I'd like to see form tackling return to football.

[Webster Guy]

I still think something needs to be done with our ST crew; too many dumb/avoidable penalties. I am looking for a flag on every return. Does Crossman get the axe?

Crossman has to be on the hotseat. Schmidt is punting his way to the pro bowl, which is likely the only reason Crossman still has a job.

 

Still can't understand why we're hiring guys off the street to field punts (almost cost us the game yesterday with the fumble) when Percy Harvin is on the team.

 

I understand he's not normally a punt return guy, but how can he not at least be competing for the job these days?

[YattaOkasan]

Crossman has to be on the hotseat. Schmidt is punting his way to the pro bowl, which is likely the only reason Crossman still has a job.

 

Still can't understand why we're hiring guys off the street to field punts (almost cost us the game yesterday with the fumble) when Percy Harvin is on the team.

 

I understand he's not normally a punt return guy, but how can he not at least be competing for the job these days?

I hesitate to put Harvin back there if Sammy isn't 100%. When Sammy comes back then I will ask why Harvin is getting some touches on PR (even though he has never returned a punt in his career)

Edited October 12, 2015 by YattaOkasan

[CountryCletus]

Yeah, I'm not sure what he was supposed to do in that situation. He hit with his shoulder.

Pretty sure it was a make up call for the horse collar called earlier

[The Poojer]

i am worried that TT got hurt worse on those couple of plays than we think, almost looked like a groin injury on his reception, and the horse collar looked like ankle or something. he was able to walk them off fine, but on the horse collar, he motioned a punch to the ground almost as if he knew something wasn't great. fingers crossed it isn't anything.

and by the way, you can all thank me for that win....i wasn't able to watch much of the game, I walked into my usual watering hole and as I sat down, TT got the first TD. so y'all are welcome!

[The Dean]

Dixon is your 3rd-string RB that does many other things well...but when you need a runner, why sign Herron when Bryce was still available? Bryce knows the system and the O, Seems like he woulda been a better short-term, plug-and-play starter.

 

 

Good question. Might be they are just too worried about his lack of ball security. Might be something else they don't like about him. Or, perhaps, Bryce doesn't want to come back to the Bills.

[mead107]

14 and 2 baby

[Hapless Bills Fan]

 

Walsh, et al. scripted the first 15+ plays to get a read on the defense and probe what they were doing. I'm not as concerned with that as I am with their inability to do the base Rex needs, i.e. run consistently. And that's partly on the backs playing yesterday and the OL failing to get push. In the latter case, it's not like Tennessee's defensive front were a dominating trio.

 

Well, I need the all-22 to be sure, but it looked to me as though Titans were stacking the box quite a bit early on, daring Tyrod to beat them passing. But yeah, if we intend to "impose our will" on opponents and run down their throats, Memo To G-Ro: Isn't working.

 

The problem I see, is, it almost looks to me as though not just the plays, butTaylor's throws are scripted for him in the first 3, maybe 4, series. He waits for deeper passes to develop, overlooking short stuff. It's one thing to script the plays, but is Taylor overlooking the easy throws on purpose, or is Roman dictating the receiver? By the end of the 2nd Q and into the 3rd, Taylor was hitting the short stuff. If he simply doesn't see it in the 1st Q and start of the 2nd Q, how does his field sense and vision magically improve after 10-12 plays?

 

 

He was repeatedly double-teamed. Harvin had a horrible game.

 

Harvin was double-teamed quite a bit. It also seemed like there was some miscommunication between Taylor and Harvin - Harvin ran a different route than Taylor expected a couple times. For example, look at the 4th pass of the 1st Q. The pass was way off of Harvin, way too far off for simple inaccuracy. Harvin simply wasn't where Taylor expected thim to be, and Taylor was damned lucky it wasn't picked.

 

Why do NFL players refuse to wrap anybody up anymore?

All you see are guys putting a shoulder into the runner and trying to knock him down. That fails to work a lot and it also results in lots of injuries. I'd like to see form tackling return to football.

 

Amen to this! One thing I liked last year and actually, in the Colts game now that I think of it - was the clean hard tackling, proper wrap and tackle. It seems to be a point that is not being coached hard this year.

Edited October 12, 2015 by Hopeful

[birdog1960]

Crossman has to be on the hotseat. Schmidt is punting his way to the pro bowl, which is likely the only reason Crossman still has a job.

 

Still can't understand why we're hiring guys off the street to field punts (almost cost us the game yesterday with the fumble) when Percy Harvin is on the team.

 

I understand he's not normally a punt return guy, but how can he not at least be competing for the job these days?

they were the worst unit on the field yesterday, for either team. and that's saying something.

[GunnerBill]

Okay.... I have had a chance to calm down. Yesterday was a hard watch. I rarely get as emotional watching the Bills as I was yesterday when things are going badly. Usually when it is not going well I get more passive in my viewing if anything... yesterday I was angry. Very angry.

 

I will start wit this - I think we won yesterday despite being the less prepared football team. We won on a couple of low percentage plays that Tyrod made with his legs. Credit to him and he is a special talent, but that was not a win for our preparation, our coaching or our planning. It was a win on talent coming through against a team, and a coach, who seemed determined to blow that game (I am not one of those who says if you are on the edge of field goal range you can never punt.... but it was 4th and 2 twice. If it is 4th and 9 or a 55 yard field goal early in the game I think you can punt... it was 4th and 2... twice - baffling).

 

I'll start with the special teams - they need to clean up. The opening kick off could have made this game much more comfortable if we had started at the 2.... but a penalty blew it. And what is with the illegal blocks in the back? Every darn return.... As for the two special teams moves this week.... Rex basically admitted Moore for Thigpen was his move inspired by the receivers coach and why get rid of a kick off specialist (and Gay IS a specialist - he has done his job very well here) to bring in a below average field goal kicker and then have him just kick off? It is to play some kind of mind games nonsense with Carpenter and it sucks. If you don't think Carpenter is good just cut his ass. Maybe he wants to and Whaley won't let him - Cundiff is not better than DC in any world.

 

The defense in the first half was killing me. Message to Rex - if you are going to line everyone up on the line of scrimmage then blitz. I hate these disguises where we show blitz and then drop into coverage because we end up out of position and allowing too many easy completions. The defense also needs to tackle better. However, let me say this when they needed to stiffen they stiffened and they held the Titans to field goals twice when it really mattered. The only TD came on the short field after the fumble. Shout out to our secondary who are playing ball - Gilmore was world class yesterday. I don't think the players are an issue on defense I really don't. I still don't think they look entirely comfortable in the scheme though and I implore Rex to leave his ego at the door a little more and incorporate some of what Schwartz was doing last year. The most important thing is winning - and this scheme isn't yet giving us the dominant, suffocating defense of which I know we are capable. I am not telling Rex not to blitz.... far from it... I am just a little bored of all the disguise which if anything is leading to miscommunication and confusion between our guys rather than confusion on offense.

 

Now the offense... I haven't watched the all-22 yet obviously I doubt it is out yet - but my feeling watching was we did ok up front first half and then were horrid almost from the bell second half. I actually agree with something BADOL said about Henderson - I think he just switches off in games and loses focus. And I think when he gets beat it gets worse.... it is almost as though he hangs with it for a bit gets bat a couple of times then mails it in. The lack of push in the run game remains concerning and will continue to exist, I fear, for as long as we have a centre who doesn't get sufficient leverage. Wood is not playing as poorly as last year but he is still not moving defenders about at all in the run game.

 

Tyrod was horrible throwing the football. And I mean horrible. He has developed this indecision which just wasn't there through pre-season and the first 3 weeks. He has gone into his shell insofar as trusting his eyes. The big throw in the game to Hogan was not as good as some think either - it was a terrific receiver adjustment from the guy who I continue to believe is currently the most underrated Bill and the same pretty much applied on the touchdown throw. However, he does have some magic, of that there is no question and those two runs were phenomenal. I want to see it more - we need to see it more - because it is such a weapon. I am also starting to see some of the things from Percy Harvin that I feared in pre-season. There looked (again will look back at the all-22) to be some really sloppy route running and he is struggling with double coverage. When Sammy is out there getting doubled and Percy gets a one on one his speed will help him win. When the safety is cheating to your side as well you are going to have to be accurate in your routes to get open and give the QB a safe throw where only you can catch it. There looked to be a couple of miscommunications and not much separation from what I saw.

 

I really, really want to be able to stick with Tyrod and just as I had started to think "maybe EJ gives us a spark" Tyrod made some plays with his legs to change the game. I don't want a Quarterback controversy. But Tyrod needs a bounce back next week because you are not going to win many games in the NFL throwing for 109 yards - the positive is he didn't turn it over... but as we saw with EJ once a Quarterback stops trusting what he is seeing and gets indecisive that big error pick is not far away. I have my fingers crossed for a bounce back against Cincy.

 

All in all yesterday was an emotional rollercoaster. I apologise if I temporarily descended into a "hater" in the game threads... but I hated a LOT of what I saw yesterday. I am overjoyed with the win, I don't take the view that yesterdays means we are ultimately doomed but we need to do a better job and for me it starts with the coaches - primarily Rex Ryan, Greg Roman and Danny Crossman.

[enlightener]

 

The Graham call was as ticky-tak of a call as I have seen in awhile.

it wasn't ticky tac. It wasn't even close to a foul, at all in anyway...it even took the ref 5 seconds to throw it....what a complete lie the nfl has turned into. Edited October 12, 2015 by enlightener

[BEAST MODE BABY!]

I think Tyrod is banged up, so we come into games with the gameplan of "don't run" and see if that works.

 

There are reports saying his ankle has been/is injured. Probably from that weird fall/tackle in the Miami game? Or was it the Patriots. Can't remember.

 

Anywho...glad to see they let him loose in the 4th quarter.

[JohnC]

 

I really, really want to be able to stick with Tyrod and just asI had started to think "maybe EJ gives us a spark" Tyrod made some plays with his legs to change the game. I don't want a Quarterback controversy. But Tyrod needs a bounce back next week because you are not going to win many games in the NFL throwing for 109 yards - the positive is he didn't turn it over... but as we saw with EJ once a Quarterback stops trusting what he is seeing and gets indecisive that big error pick is not far away. I have my fingers crossed for a bounce back against Cincy.

 

All in all yesterday was an emotional rollercoaster. I apologise if I temporarily descended into a "hater" in the game threads... but I hated a LOT of what I saw yesterday. I am overjoyed with the win, I don't take the view that yesterdays means we are ultimately doomed but we need to do a better job and for me it starts with the coaches - primarily Rex Ryan, Greg Roman and Danny Crossman.

TT is by far our best qb on the roster.. The only advantage EJ has over TT is height. TT is immensely better than EJ as a passer in that he is significantly more accurate and polished as a passer. In addition, TT is more accomplished than EJ in keeping his eyes down the field while he is on the move and can throw more accurately while moving.

 

You are correct that TT didn't have an especially good day yesterday. But he salvaged the game with his feet. From an offensive standpoint he was the the primary reason why we won yesterday. When evaluating TT it must not be forgotten that although he has been in the league for four years he is a novice as a starter. So as with any other inexperienced qb he is going to have his struggles and he is going to be inconsistent.

 

This isn't a static game. Coaches evaluate tape on players and devise strategies to neutralize the assets of players. Opponents are forcing TT to stay in the pocket more by coming in wide. So instead of getting outside of the pocket where he is very effective he is being forced to make throws from the pocket where his view is obstructed. The more he plays the better he will get at finding and moving to the throwing lanes. Only through experience will he get better at that.

 

What is going to make TT even more effective is getting his weapons back on the field. Not having Watkins, McCoy and especially Karlos Williams on the field limited what he could do. I'm not making excuses but it is a reality that impacted his performance.

 

The Bills have gone through a generation of qb duds. In my mind we have a quality qb who has talent. Patience is required to see the talent translated to on field production.

[GunnerBill]

I agree TT is the best QB on the roster. But he was horrible throwing yesterday and that was a game we needed to have. I'd have considered anything to get that W.

 

Delighted he and we came through because I want him to succeed and I want him to play all 16 games.

Edited October 12, 2015 by GunnerBill

[metzelaars_lives]

Bill N.Y. C., Gilmore an Dareus were studs on defense. TT was the MVP on offense.

 

Henderson was horrible. Simply overmatched and too often befuddled. Kujo not brought in as a replacement says a lot about what the coaches think of Kujo.

 

TT made some scintillating runs that were the most important plays on offense. He is playing on a bad ankle and will be a likely casualty the more he runs.

 

Our OL played poorly but what made their run blocking look ineffective is that our running backs were not able to quickly hit the holes. Slow and sluggish runners will never be effective runners for us or any team.

 

The debate of keeping Da'Rick Rodgers over Hogan should be forever put to rest. Having utility players who can come in and contribute have an important role on teams.

 

TT was under duress and he made a number of poor passes. I'm still a boisterous supporter of him. I believe in him and I'm confident that he will get better. Still worry about his durability so those advocating for him to run more (Gotham Bill) control yourselves.

 

In my opinion Mariota is going to be a very good qb in this league in the not too distant future.

 

Dick LeBeau is an ageless wonder. He looks marvelous and is still sharp.

Ha I say this with an unblemished record of staunch heterosexuality but has anyone seen a better looking 78 year old man than Dick Lebeau?

Edited October 12, 2015 by metzelaars_lives

[Coach Tuesday]

Can Tyrod Taylor throw the quick slant? This is the worry that kept me up last night. (I have issues.)

[dave mcbride]

Can Tyrod Taylor throw the quick slant? This is the worry that kept me up last night. (I have issues.)

There are a lot of things he can't do particularly well -- short throws with receivers on the move, for one. But he can do other things well -- the sorts of things that, say, Trent Edwards or EJ haven't done well at (accuracy on deep throws; ability to keep plays alive; crazy running ability). He's not perfect, and I don't expect him to radically improve over the course of the season. But he IS good at some of the key aspects of the game, and he clearly has a good attitude. He doesn't strike me as the sort to suffer a crisis of confidence or to play in a cowardly fashion. He's a baller.

[Direhard Fan]

Why do we have a new kick off guy? Gay was in sinc with our special team all season. Why do we have a new guy catching punts? He hasn't been on the team all season. Why do we have so many penalties on the kick offs and punts? Did the special teams not get wrist bands? Rex has a lot of cleaning up to do. Where is this great Persy we hear about? Just asking.