My Take on the game.

[MAJBobby]

Ahhh this one took me longer, not because it was hard to write but it was hard to re-watch a 4 hour plus Preseason Football Game. But here is my thoughts on the games. Not going to be as in depth as normal this game was a huge drain on me

 

Penalties, Penalties, Penalties and more Penalties.

 

New coach, same results, this team is not very football smart, disciplined whatever you want to call it. But this goes back a lot further than Rex Ryan no disciplined team. Penalties have been occurring with the Bills sin bunches since before Marone. Now Ed's crew takes some blame here, they were in mid-season form with a ton of BS calls, both on the Bills and the Eagles, he is going to officiate a lot of LONG football games because he seems to think it is about him and his crew on Sunday, not the football players. However there are really four things that cause penalties 1. Players are not talented enough, 2. Players are not football smart enough, 3. Coaches do not install discipline, 4. Players are out of proper alignment. So what is it this year? Something needs to be fixed otherwise it is going to be a long season.

 

Tempo

 

Where was the tempo this week. Against Minny they were in and out of the huddle, etc etc. This time nope, where is controlling the defense, not there, instead lined up and went on first sound, that is why Philly was able to time their delayed and safety blitzes perfectly all game, yes the OL needs to get better will get to that later, but you also need to help your OL. If you are going to go on first sound all year get ready for a lot of chaos because teams like Philly will be able to time up their blitzes and the OL will have no chance to block it up.

 

Front 7 play - Dareus is going to be talked about on his own in a minute. But as a unit the front 7 look really good, Shaq played really well (there were a couple times he was a little late off the ball, but that will get corrected I think). Hughes is every bit back to how he was in the 4-3 and they are getting pressure yet again with only 4. If the DL keeps playing like they do the Lbers will have a really easy time in the run defense. Same with the secondary. Ryan Davis (who I have been down on) flashed a lot this game, he has multiple passrush moves and was decent against the run, there is depth on the DL.

 

Secondary - Played good for the most part the good thing is they got off the field on third downs, that is a nice refreshing change from years past. however it also showed how they can be exploited in this game, if there is someone just out of position, or doesn't collapse the zone as they are supposed to there are going to be big easy seams to hit, more noticeable in the second half with the depth playing, but showed that these DBs have to be disciplined in their assignments.

 

Ragland - It was an ok game from him, there was a play the deep throw down the middle that showed his liability athletically (he was running head down in a full spring, like a 40 at the combine) just to get his depth, he got there but because he was doing everything in his power just to get there there was NO way he could have made a play on a ball that LBers that don't have that issue would have made a play on the ball. Then in the same series read a run perfectly with instincts got up inside through the trash and stoned the RB short of the 1st on 4th down.

 

Dareus - The only person that stops Dareus is him. There where times in this game that he was unstoppable against double teams, then there were times his motor ran cold and was stoned 1v1. Now that could just be the preseason but when I see Dareus being stoned 1v1 against backup OGs and Centers it is noticeable.

 

Taylor - Ok there is a lot here more bad then good but let me start off with the good. There were plays he tossed with anticipation and on time example the Zay Jones pass he put it in the window and for some reason Zay didn't make the break, he was to concerned with the CB. If he makes that break it is caught and gets YAC. Later in the drive they ran the same route and this time Zay made is break and it was connected on. The Clay diving pass, again was proof of it was incomplete but he tossed to a window with a guy in his face and clay had an attempt on the ball. However about that timing and anticipation, consistency is the problem. we hear that a lot with Bills QBs lately don't we. Earlier on the three step drop (picture going around) he holds the ball and takes a sack. Now a couple bads, one the Tip Pick, that is 100% on him, if you watch the protection that safety was a free runner, TT has to know this, was late to recognize, didn't adjust arm angle and boom tip pick. The second pick was a poor decision, you cannot make that throw being flushed with a safety overtop. Now even if it was a bad choice, not all on TT there, Boldin has to fight for the ball there, he is just to slow at this stage of his career to be an outside WR running those speed routes. He needs to be inside running the physical routes.

 

Right Side of OL - Just cut Ducasse already. Bills need to address this position group when cuts are made or get Brandon Albert on the phone.

 

Peterman - PUMP THE BREAKS - there is some good there, liked his command throws a nice ball when clean, Him under pressure looked like a Rookie that is a later round pick and gets all flustered. but is not ready for primetime. That said He ABSOLUTELY has played Yates off this roster. Also if McD wants to light a fire under TT (played well when in a competition) give Peterman some 1st team reps this week

Edited August 18, 2017 by MAJBobby

[Coach Tuesday]

Keep this up and you'll have the Most Improved Poster award locked up by midseason. Good stuff.

[ROONDOGG55]

 

Taylor - Ok there is a lot here more bad then good but let me start off with the good. There were plays he tossed with anticipation and on time example the Zay Jones pass he put it in the window and for some reason Zay didn't make the break, he was to concerned with the CB. If he makes that break it is caught and gets YAC. Later in the drive they ran the same route and this time Zay made is break and it was connected on. The Clay diving pass, again was proof of it was incomplete but he tossed to a window with a guy in his face and clay had an attempt on the ball. However about that timing and anticipation, consistency is the problem. we hear that a lot with Bills QBs lately don't we. Earlier on the three step drop (picture going around) he holds the ball and takes a sack. Now a couple bads, one the Tip Pick, that is 100% on him, if you watch the protection that safety was a free runner, TT has to know this, was late to recognize, didn't adjust arm angle and boom tip pick. The second pick was a poor decision, you cannot make that throw being flushed with a safety overtop. Now even if it was a bad choice, not all on TT there, Boldin has to fight for the ball there, he is just to slow at this stage of his career to be an outside WR running those speed routes. He needs to be inside running the physical routes.

 

 

This was about as bad as I've seen in a long time. From what I saw, they should throw it out of the playbook entirely unless it's a screen or pass to the flats. Just awful...

Edited August 18, 2017 by ROONDOGG55

[Houston's #1 Bills Fan]

This was about as bad as I've seen in a long time. From what I saw, they should throw it out of the playbook entirely unless it's a screen or pass to the flats. Just awful...

HAHAHA - playbook?? Really? Do you really think that was the playbook for the season? Everybody knows that preseason means vanilla play calling and not the actual regular season stuff.

[folz]

^{I'm wondering...in regards to lack of tempo/offense looking flat (bad)...could it partly be bad timing/fatigue in this game?}

 

^{Camp in Rochester broke on Tuesday. The team travelled back to Orchard Park Tuesday afternoon. One night with the families (after being gone for 3 weeks) and then on a plane to Philly the next day. Maybe it was too much (on top of learning new offense, only having Boldin for a week-and-a-half, no Matthews, no Glenn, starting Ducasse, etc.). Look forward to seeing if they show more strongly in the 3rd game.}

 

^{Nice write up OP.}

Edited August 18, 2017 by folz

[ROONDOGG55]

HAHAHA - playbook?? Really? Do you really think that was the playbook for the season? Everybody knows that preseason means vanilla play calling and not the actual regular season stuff.

What are you talking about? Lol

 

I am talking about any three step drop from under the center. TT cannot execute it at all, no matter what play call, which is why they should eliminate every three step drop from under center. He's not a pocket passer, so get rid of it entirely.

[Ed_Formerly_of_Roch]

From what I recall TT looked about the same last year in pre-season in fact I recall the O-line also looked completely lost. Once the season started , while the offense wasn't great, they weren't as anywhere near as bad as they looked pre-season. I'm sure he's told no scrambling and the defense senses that too so much easier to stop him.

[MAJBobby]

From what I recall TT looked about the same last year in pre-season in fact I recall the O-line also looked completely lost. Once the season started , while the offense wasn't great, they weren't as anywhere near as bad as they looked pre-season. I'm sure he's told no scrambling and the defense senses that too so much easier to stop him.

Yes he is told to hang in pocket. Still doesn't change the fact he has to still get the Ball out on time. And do what are his responsibilities in blitzes

[billieve420]

The other thing I noticed was that they were keeping Tyrod in the pocket and forcing him to throw. Come regular season expect Dennison to have him on the move more to assist the passing game.

[CommonCents]

I'm sure Dennison and company are attempting to get Taylor to release the ball on time in his drops and that's why he has looked even worse than normal in doing so. Come regular season they will stop trying to fix a flawed QB and let him do his thing, hopefully.

[ROONDOGG55]

Yes he is told to hang in pocket. Still doesn't change the fact he has to still get the Ball out on time. And do what are his responsibilities in blitzes

It's a lack of trust in himself. He hangs on to it out of fear of making a mistake. Checking blitzes should be second nature to him. We saw that safety flying up for the blitz and he let him time it perfectly. He should have called a hard count in that situation, which most likely would have drawn them offside, or at least audible the blocking scheme.

[RyanC883]

It's a lack of trust in himself. He hangs on to it out of fear of making a mistake. Checking blitzes should be second nature to him. We saw that safety flying up for the blitz and he let him time it perfectly. He should have called a hard count in that situation, which most likely would have drawn them offside, or at least audible the blocking scheme.

 

TT really needs to stop fearing the INT. He lacks anticipation, IMO, because he is a control freak or scared of an INT. As a result, he stares down WRs, takes a sack, or runs with it. If someone could just tell him that he can throw as many INT's as he wants--as long as he is throwing where the WR should be --I think he will throw less INT's and more TD's.

[Bleeding Bills Blue]

Ahhh this one took me longer, not because it was hard to write but it was hard to re-watch a 4 hour plus Preseason Football Game. But here is my thoughts on the games. Not going to be as in depth as normal this game was a huge drain on me

 

Penalties, Penalties, Penalties and more Penalties.

 

New coach, same results, this team is not very football smart, disciplined whatever you want to call it. But this goes back a lot further than Rex Ryan no disciplined team. Penalties have been occurring with the Bills sin bunches since before Marone. Now Ed's crew takes some blame here, they were in mid-season form with a ton of BS calls, both on the Bills and the Eagles, he is going to officiate a lot of LONG football games because he seems to think it is about him and his crew on Sunday, not the football players. However there are really four things that cause penalties 1. Players are not talented enough, 2. Players are not football smart enough, 3. Coaches do not install discipline, 4. Players are out of proper alignment. So what is it this year? Something needs to be fixed otherwise it is going to be a long season.

 

Tempo

 

Where was the tempo this week. Against Minny they were in and out of the huddle, etc etc. This time nope, where is controlling the defense, not there, instead lined up and went on first sound, that is why Philly was able to time their delayed and safety blitzes perfectly all game, yes the OL needs to get better will get to that later, but you also need to help your OL. If you are going to go on first sound all year get ready for a lot of chaos because teams like Philly will be able to time up their blitzes and the OL will have no chance to block it up.

 

Front 7 play - Dareus is going to be talked about on his own in a minute. But as a unit the front 7 look really good, Shaq played really well (there were a couple times he was a little late off the ball, but that will get corrected I think). Hughes is every bit back to how he was in the 4-3 and they are getting pressure yet again with only 4. If the DL keeps playing like they do the Lbers will have a really easy time in the run defense. Same with the secondary. Ryan Davis (who I have been down on) flashed a lot this game, he has multiple passrush moves and was decent against the run, there is depth on the DL.

 

Secondary - Played good for the most part the good thing is they got off the field on third downs, that is a nice refreshing change from years past. however it also showed how they can be exploited in this game, if there is someone just out of position, or doesn't collapse the zone as they are supposed to there are going to be big easy seams to hit, more noticeable in the second half with the depth playing, but showed that these DBs have to be disciplined in their assignments.

 

Ragland - It was an ok game from him, there was a play the deep throw down the middle that showed his liability athletically (he was running head down in a full spring, like a 40 at the combine) just to get his depth, he got there but because he was doing everything in his power just to get there there was NO way he could have made a play on a ball that LBers that don't have that issue would have made a play on the ball. Then in the same series read a run perfectly with instincts got up inside through the trash and stoned the RB short of the 1st on 4th down.

 

Dareus - The only person that stops Dareus is him. There where times in this game that he was unstoppable against double teams, then there were times his motor ran cold and was stoned 1v1. Now that could just be the preseason but when I see Dareus being stoned 1v1 against backup OGs and Centers it is noticeable.

 

Taylor - Ok there is a lot here more bad then good but let me start off with the good. There were plays he tossed with anticipation and on time example the Zay Jones pass he put it in the window and for some reason Zay didn't make the break, he was to concerned with the CB. If he makes that break it is caught and gets YAC. Later in the drive they ran the same route and this time Zay made is break and it was connected on. The Clay diving pass, again was proof of it was incomplete but he tossed to a window with a guy in his face and clay had an attempt on the ball. However about that timing and anticipation, consistency is the problem. we hear that a lot with Bills QBs lately don't we. Earlier on the three step drop (picture going around) he holds the ball and takes a sack. Now a couple bads, one the Tip Pick, that is 100% on him, if you watch the protection that safety was a free runner, TT has to know this, was late to recognize, didn't adjust arm angle and boom tip pick. The second pick was a poor decision, you cannot make that throw being flushed with a safety overtop. Now even if it was a bad choice, not all on TT there, Boldin has to fight for the ball there, he is just to slow at this stage of his career to be an outside WR running those speed routes. He needs to be inside running the physical routes.

 

Right Side of OL - Just cut Ducasse already. Bills need to address this position group when cuts are made or get Brandon Albert on the phone.

 

Peterman - PUMP THE BREAKS - there is some good there, liked his command throws a nice ball when clean, Him under pressure looked like a Rookie that is a later round pick and gets all flustered. but is not ready for primetime. That said He ABSOLUTELY has played Yates off this roster. Also if McD wants to light a fire under TT (played well when in a competition) give Peterman some 1st team reps this week

 

Good post. Agree with pretty much everything.

 

Gotta get the plays in quicker so TT can use motion to help recognize coverage, make protection adjustments, etc. He just can't be late on the delivery. Bad decisions in pre-season aren't the end of the world, but you'd like to see him moving the sticks some. He got rattled and it showed.

 

From a penalty perspective, there will always be more in preseason. Roster bubble guys will make mistakes trying to make plays and stuff. But I hate holding on offense, and I hate illegal shift/motion penalties. These shouldn't happen. We're seeing holding on returns before the guy even catches the ball!

Edited August 18, 2017 by dneveu

[John from Riverside]

Ahhh this one took me longer, not because it was hard to write but it was hard to re-watch a 4 hour plus Preseason Football Game. But here is my thoughts on the games. Not going to be as in depth as normal this game was a huge drain on me

 

Penalties, Penalties, Penalties and more Penalties.

 

New coach, same results, this team is not very football smart, disciplined whatever you want to call it. But this goes back a lot further than Rex Ryan no disciplined team. Penalties have been occurring with the Bills sin bunches since before Marone. Now Ed's crew takes some blame here, they were in mid-season form with a ton of BS calls, both on the Bills and the Eagles, he is going to officiate a lot of LONG football games because he seems to think it is about him and his crew on Sunday, not the football players. However there are really four things that cause penalties 1. Players are not talented enough, 2. Players are not football smart enough, 3. Coaches do not install discipline, 4. Players are out of proper alignment. So what is it this year? Something needs to be fixed otherwise it is going to be a long season.

 

Tempo

 

Where was the tempo this week. Against Minny they were in and out of the huddle, etc etc. This time nope, where is controlling the defense, not there, instead lined up and went on first sound, that is why Philly was able to time their delayed and safety blitzes perfectly all game, yes the OL needs to get better will get to that later, but you also need to help your OL. If you are going to go on first sound all year get ready for a lot of chaos because teams like Philly will be able to time up their blitzes and the OL will have no chance to block it up.

 

Front 7 play - Dareus is going to be talked about on his own in a minute. But as a unit the front 7 look really good, Shaq played really well (there were a couple times he was a little late off the ball, but that will get corrected I think). Hughes is every bit back to how he was in the 4-3 and they are getting pressure yet again with only 4. If the DL keeps playing like they do the Lbers will have a really easy time in the run defense. Same with the secondary. Ryan Davis (who I have been down on) flashed a lot this game, he has multiple passrush moves and was decent against the run, there is depth on the DL.

 

Secondary - Played good for the most part the good thing is they got off the field on third downs, that is a nice refreshing change from years past. however it also showed how they can be exploited in this game, if there is someone just out of position, or doesn't collapse the zone as they are supposed to there are going to be big easy seams to hit, more noticeable in the second half with the depth playing, but showed that these DBs have to be disciplined in their assignments.

 

Ragland - It was an ok game from him, there was a play the deep throw down the middle that showed his liability athletically (he was running head down in a full spring, like a 40 at the combine) just to get his depth, he got there but because he was doing everything in his power just to get there there was NO way he could have made a play on a ball that LBers that don't have that issue would have made a play on the ball. Then in the same series read a run perfectly with instincts got up inside through the trash and stoned the RB short of the 1st on 4th down.

 

Dareus - The only person that stops Dareus is him. There where times in this game that he was unstoppable against double teams, then there were times his motor ran cold and was stoned 1v1. Now that could just be the preseason but when I see Dareus being stoned 1v1 against backup OGs and Centers it is noticeable.

 

Taylor - Ok there is a lot here more bad then good but let me start off with the good. There were plays he tossed with anticipation and on time example the Zay Jones pass he put it in the window and for some reason Zay didn't make the break, he was to concerned with the CB. If he makes that break it is caught and gets YAC. Later in the drive they ran the same route and this time Zay made is break and it was connected on. The Clay diving pass, again was proof of it was incomplete but he tossed to a window with a guy in his face and clay had an attempt on the ball. However about that timing and anticipation, consistency is the problem. we hear that a lot with Bills QBs lately don't we. Earlier on the three step drop (picture going around) he holds the ball and takes a sack. Now a couple bads, one the Tip Pick, that is 100% on him, if you watch the protection that safety was a free runner, TT has to know this, was late to recognize, didn't adjust arm angle and boom tip pick. The second pick was a poor decision, you cannot make that throw being flushed with a safety overtop. Now even if it was a bad choice, not all on TT there, Boldin has to fight for the ball there, he is just to slow at this stage of his career to be an outside WR running those speed routes. He needs to be inside running the physical routes.

 

Right Side of OL - Just cut Ducasse already. Bills need to address this position group when cuts are made or get Brandon Albert on the phone.

 

Peterman - PUMP THE BREAKS - there is some good there, liked his command throws a nice ball when clean, Him under pressure looked like a Rookie that is a later round pick and gets all flustered. but is not ready for primetime. That said He ABSOLUTELY has played Yates off this roster. Also if McD wants to light a fire under TT (played well when in a competition) give Peterman some 1st team reps this week

Pretty much saw things the same way

[That's No Moon]

The game was embarrassing. The offense couldn't get out of its own way, at all. The remaining WRs on the team spent the night not getting open, at all. The offensive line was hot garbage in pass blocking. They committed roughly 20 penalties in the game (counting those that were declined or offset), almost half by the 1s and 2s.

 

Positives? Run defense. Field Goals.

[BadLandsMeanie]

From what I recall TT looked about the same last year in pre-season in fact I recall the O-line also looked completely lost. Once the season started , while the offense wasn't great, they weren't as anywhere near as bad as they looked pre-season. I'm sure he's told no scrambling and the defense senses that too so much easier to stop him.

Good point. But don't forget they fired the OC after 3 games I think it was, last year.

[moshermw]

Good, fair write-up, OP.

 

Zay Jones looked the part - very impressive.

 

I certainly hope Boldin was just rusty - will give him the benefit of the doubt but really looked like he was retired in place last night - here to cash a check.

 

Hopefully a WR-heavy team waives somebody we can use this season - very weak position right now for the Bills after Jones. definitely need another 1 or 2 rounder in 2018.

[CardinalScotts]

90 guys desperate to make a football team = a mess.

 

Running a stripped down version of offense. See you in Sept

[MAJBobby]

90 guys desperate to make a football team = a mess.

 

Running a stripped down version of offense. See you in Sept

Every year same stuff. And yet every year not much different from a historical blah football team.

[ROONDOGG55]

 

TT really needs to stop fearing the INT. He lacks anticipation, IMO, because he is a control freak or scared of an INT. As a result, he stares down WRs, takes a sack, or runs with it. If someone could just tell him that he can throw as many INT's as he wants--as long as he is throwing where the WR should be --I think he will throw less INT's and more TD's.

He will never know until he goes for it. When you're scared of heights, what should you do to overcome that fear? It's definitely not standing on the ground. The dude needs to take a chance on his first look.